Happy New Year from Liberty London!
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Team Liberty at Bovey Castle
Last week we were treated to a particularly indulgent night away at Bovey Castle. This unique hotel is situated in the breathtaking setting of Dartmoor National Park, so we made haste to Paddington station and boarded our train to Exeter St Davids. Upon arrival we were greeted by our lovely Land Rover driver, appropriately clad in tweed breeches and a flat cap. Then began a journey down the winding country roads, taking us away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the soothing heart of Dartmoor.
Once inside the hotel we were whisked into the Oak Bar for a glass of bubbly beside a roaring fire, then on to dinner in the Edwardian Grill. The scallops were absolutely mouthwatering, washed down with one of the many fine wines on offer. We went for the Australian Pinot Noir, apparently a younger wine without all the tannin of the traditional bottles, and it tasted delicious. For the main course we sampled the venison wellington and lamb with fondant potatoes, followed by sticky toffee pudding and dark chocolate tart. Post supper it was back to our spot by the fire for an expertly crafted espresso martini, which failed to stave off heavy eyelids for too long and we were shown upstairs to our rooms. Spacious and extremely comfortable, they didn’t disappoint; plus each had an incredible panoramic view of the grounds.
By morning we were thoroughly relaxed and at home, with London feeling like a million miles away. For breakfast we chose the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, washed down with a piping hot pot of coffee. Keen not to miss the falconry display at 10am, we took a quick tour of the Manor House, a maze of wooden panelled hallways, grand carved fireplaces and sitting rooms, perfect for whiling the day away with a good book by the raging hearth. We also took a look at the lodges which can be hired separately for a more private experience, and the picturesque golf course. Outside we were joined by the other guests to meet falconer Martin Whitley, and the hotel eagle Artemis. His display introduced us to his collection of extraordinary birds of prey, including a particularly lovable owl.
Feeling suitable chilled by the fresh Exeter air, we returned inside to don our bath robes and slippers for a trip to the spa. After an hour in the pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna we are well and truly relaxed and refreshed, and thoroughly saddened at the thought of returning home. Bovey Castle is a truly special place, and despite being away for only one night we felt as if we’d reaped the benefits of a short holiday.
To celebrate Online Fashion Week we’re offering you the chance to win a weekend 5* at Bovey Castle in one of their grand state rooms. The package includes dinner and breakfast for two over two nights, champagne afternoon tea on arrival, and two Sundari Holistic Rituals in the spa. Enter now!
Visit the Bovey Castle Website
0 CommentsTeam Liberty at the British Fashion Awards
On Monday night Team Liberty were amongst the glamorous glitterati at the British Fashion Awards. Our Head of Press Kate Brindley gave us her round up of the night…
“Being major is an exhausting and full time job…. I really don’t know how Beyonce does it.
The British Fashion Awards is THE fashion event of the year so everyone pulls out their sartorial stops for it. It was certainly the case chez Liberty this year. Stephanie Jones and I spent the whole day getting ready.
I started with a 10am manicure at Margaret Dabbs – the team there are always so great and do brilliant nails super fast. I went for a shocking cerise on very short nails. Next stop was the Josh Wood Atelier where the amazing Gary Glossman trimmed my out of control hair and blow dried it in to the Diana Ross [circa The Supremes] do I requested. There’s nothing like getting your hair ‘did’ to bring out your inner diva! Steph and I met at the Shu Uemura counter to have our make up done. Shu are the best in the business for evening make up. We both went for their trademark false lashes and a strong lip colour.
Then for the fun bit; getting dressed. Steph rocked a beautiful brown silk asymmetric column dress by the unconquerable Roksanda Ilincic for Lulu + Co and I went to Peter Pilotto [my go-to boys for a major gown] and donned a lazer printed floor length long sleeved draped jersey gown from their AW11 collection. Jewellery came courtesy of Annina Vogel and in the guise on two jaw-droppingly mega antique diamond and platinum rings.
Let’s hear it for the boys! They certainly didn’t let us down. Ed Burstell wore a velvet collar dinner jacket by Spencer Hart and Stephen Ayres wore a light grey blazer by Liberty London with trousers by Oliver Spencer, one of the evening’s nominees.
To the awards we went, where we hooked up with the other guests from the Liberty+ Love Magazine table: Kristen McMenamy, Katie Grand, Steve Mackey, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders and Catherine Russell. Greeting chums along the way and in the case of Steph and I clutching on the banisters for dear life, we filed in to the auditorium for the awards. It was amazing to see so many of our Liberty designers scoop up awards. A huge congratulations to Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen for scoring the prestigious Designer of the Year award. Stella McCartney collected the Red Carpet award from an incredibly beautiful and engaging Kate Hudson who regaled us with a funny tale of when Stella dressed her for the Oscars when she was nominated for Almost Famous. Big cheer to Christopher Raeburn for his Emerging Talent – Menswear win. Christopher Kane took home the New Establishment Award which was a debut award for 2011 and lauded him for creating ‘a new movement in British fashion’.Liberty pundit Alexa Chung won the British Style Award which is voted by the public and given to the person whose look has best represented UK style globally. We were delighted that Sir Paul Smith was given the British Fashion Council Outstanding Achievement award for his career long contribution to the UK fashion industry. Sir Paul has been a Liberty stalwart for years and we all have such fond memories of an event he did with us and the Telegraph Magazine in our menswear department, the man’s a living legend.
After the party is the after party… the Liberty team ended up enjoying luscious cocktails in the Light Bar at St Martin’s Lane Hotel with Michael van der Ham [who frankly was born to wear a tuxedo] and the creative genius that is Jordan Askill. The rest, my friends, would be telling……”
0 CommentsTop Ten Dresses for Spring Summer 2012
Our womenswear buyer Stephanie Jones picks out her top ten frocks for Spring Summer 2012 for Vogue.com…
1. Isabel Marant – “This is one of Isabel’s limited edition pieces from the collection – it’s an intricate handmade French lace and I love that it’s been styled over the metallic tank dress to give it a modern and sexy edge.”
2. Peter Pilotto – “The pencil skirt and nipped in waist on this dress give it an elegant ladylike feel, but I love how every last inch of it has been adorned in embellishment. Peter and Christopher have perfected their use of print but this steps it up a notch into the perfect piece of eveningwear.”
3. Acne – “I am so drawn to the bright pop of candy pink – you must feel like a princess stepping into this dress but I love that it’s been toughened up with the black tasselled sandals. It’s completely scooped out at the back which is a great subtle way to reveal some skin.”
4. Carven – “Guillaume Henry created a brilliantly vibrant and playful collection and I can’t wait to get my hands on this perfectly structured ikat print dress.”
5. Jonathan Saunders – “In a collection that proved Jonathan as a master of colour and print, what I love about this dress is the clash of the prim below-the-knee structured skirt with the sharp vivid green and almost kaleidoscopic print. This is a real statement piece which is guaranteed to get heads turning.”
6. Dries van Noten – “While being perfectly on trend with this season’s hot-house flower designs, Dries adds his own twist through prints of monochrome landscapes against hazy green palm trees to transport you to the humid jungles of the tropics in an easy clean shape.”
7. Stella McCartney – “The electric blue and pyjama-inspired slouchy feel to this dress make it sit perfectly with the trends for next summer, whilst the sports mesh inserts keep this dress fun and playful.”
8. Michael van der Ham – “Michael continues his signature patchwork of juxtaposing textures and fabrics but translated into seamless prints for easy versatile dresses. Patches of white keep this look really fresh and contemporary – perfect for summer.”
9. Richard Nicoll – “Richard adds a youthful touch to this dress with the bold pop colour and a relaxed feel through the slouchy tiers and fine spaghetti straps for effortless elegance.”
10. Teatum Jones – “I’ve had my eye on this collection so I’m really excited to be launching it for spring/summer 2012. Catherine and Rob are a talented duo combining a considered and delicate use of print with sharp attention to cut and detailing, whilst really understanding how to flatter a woman’s body. From a distance this dress looks like a subtle polka dot print but if you look closely you can see the dots are in fact images of baby’s fist, eyes and a smile – from a picture of Catherine’s baby niece.”
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