Bright Lights, Big City

Bit of a lengthy post this one is, but wanted to share some of my snaps with you from my latest trip to the Big Apple! Literally got back this morning and had such an amazing time. This was my second time returning to the city, and I just love it. You can have to get past some of the occasional rude people you come across, huchum, the cabbies, but apart from that there's so much to do and see there, you can never say you've truly seen it all. 

The trip was my 21st birthday present so of course it involved a lot of shopping but I wanted to take in a few of the sites. I've done the typical tourists bits in a previous trip such as the Statue of Liberty (which I couldn't get in the crown because of the 9/11 attacks unfortunately) and the Empire State Building but mostly wanted to see things like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Public Library - to have my Cary Bradshaw moment of course.

Something I did take in a lot of was the huge department stores visual merchandising. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems there is a huge amount of spent on it. Every designer shop managed to catch my eye. This could be because generally all the stores windows, especially on Fifth Avenue, were so huge, but I found it really impressive. I'd never been into Saks or Bergdorf's which was a really nice experience. I don't know how I'd compare it to our Harrods or Selfridges, but the displays where definitely immaculate.

These really are just a select few of the hundreds I took, I couldn't possibly list all the good things to see and do as there are sooo many. Definitely do the most touristy bits and dedicate a couple of days to them and then days for shopping and other sites like that otherwise I feel I walked back on myself when I tried to cram in too much in one day. Any good recommendations of things to see and do in NYC that aren't the norm? Always wanted as I know i'll be going back, even if it takes me another few years to get there.

It Would Be An Honor

New York label Honor has come to the UK! It will be available via the designer online store Matches and is available as I type.

The brand is said to be similar to that of Miu Miu, but more affordalble. With the cheapest item being a silk blouse at £575, I wouldn't exactly call that affordable but compared to a similar tee from Miu Miu which is around a similar price, it could be seen as that to people who buy designer on a regular basis.

Taking a sneaky peak at their runway collection from last years New York Fashion Week, it's a brand packed full of colour, and fun colour at that. Giovanna Randall, who founded the brand back in 2010, has used a range of pink hues, pretty prints and girly trims.

I can definitely see a resemblance to Miu Miu, specially with the use of embellishments and I have my eye on a really fun twin heart blouse with matching trousers. But at $950 each, its slightly out of a students price range. What are your thoughts on the brand?

WANT WANT WANT

LFW 2013 Feat. Oxford Street

Already an iconic fashion capital, London is adding a twist to this Septembers Fashion Week by joining with Oxford Street. There will be flags displaying A/W catwalk images from the likes of Giles, Alice Temperly and Topshop Unique.

Fashion emporiums from Selfridges, Topshop, River Island to John Lewis, House of Fraser, H&M and GAP will provide shoppers with a range of exclusive experiences, and insider insights into the world of national and international fashion. I think this is a really good way of getting the high street back on the map, since it seems to be fleeting away according to some.

As I type, LFW is in full swing, so will post my favs from the week once its all over, so until then, enjoy!

The New Shopping Mecca

Regent St and Conduit St are set for some new additions this year which could mean mecca status for them. The American Label J Crew is coming to Regent St and will be its first store outside of North America. This is HUGE and the whole of the industry is anticipating it. Another much anticipated brand is none other than Dior to Conduit St. Favourited by Michelle Obama, will take over from the store on Bond Street. The retail space they are inhibiting is meant to be one of the most expensive in London. Definitely go big or go home, but Dior would.

I think the coach loads of Chinese tourists will be taking a detour on their way to Bicester village to these two destinations with yet more stores due to open.
One store that has already opened is Maison Berluti. It's the first store the bespoke menswear brand have in the UK. The space is over 354 square feet, spread over two floors. The second floor dedicated to VIP's only with services to cater to the most prestigious of clients and even have leather antique club chairs for you to relax and speak to their specialist team.

Another menswear brand that has it's eye on Regent Streeet is Hackett. They're looking to take over the Ferrari store, which opened there is 2009. The space costs over £1.1m for the year to rent the 11,000 sq ft space so this is no rash decision for the brand.

If you know of any other brands opening on Regent or Conduit St comment below, as I'm set to find any others. It's a big year in shopping for these two destinations, be sure to check it out!