London Fashion Week x InStyle Blog S/S 2013

Dear wonderful people,

Did you miss me? 
I have certainly missed you! I've been out of action for a while, for this I apologise! But I am not apologising for what you are about to witness.....my London Fashion Week diary for InStyle. Check it out and see what all the fuss is about!

And that is not all! If you want more please check out what's also happening on my Tumblr - MyNameIsTolula

Below are sneak peek of images from the blog of a presentation for Fashion East styled by the stylist Erika Kurihara. Her inspiration was from one of my favourite films, In The Mood For Love.


Lots of Love,

Tolula

Fashion East: Styled by Erika Kurihara

   

In The Mood For Love: a presentation styled by Erika Kurihara

St Mungos charity: The Affordable Art Fair

After donating a vintage panama hat to the St Mungos charity 'Wooly Hat Day' fundrasing auction, St Mungos asked me to open the Affordable Art Fair, where they were the charity beneficiary. As I studied art in my late teens at Chelsea College of Art and as a lover of art, I gladly agreed.
I also went to visit one of their hostels in Endell St Covent Garden, which was a massively enlightening experience. I met a couple of people who live in that particular hostel and benefit from the hard working team at St Mungos. One was a recovering and relapsing drug addict, another with learning difficulties and a few young women, who may have been victims of violence or abuse at a point in their lives, which has lead them to living at the hostel.  I was delighted to discover their recording studio in the basement and it was amazing to see such an inspiring hub of creativity.

 Fun-Raising!: At the St Mungos stand seeing their past achievements & art!

The Affordable Art Fair took place in the centre of Battersea Park, London and all ticket sales went to St. Mungos charity. It is quite fitting as St Mungos started out over 40 years ago in Battersea Park providing rough sleepers with comfort, food and company. This time we were surrounded by gorgeous art and St. Mungos success stories.

Chatting with Gemma, Head of communications at St Mungos & Will founder of the art fair

I support St Mungos because I really admire their hard work. I have seen first hand the incredible and inspiring work and people who run St Mungos.
I saw that it is a journey of recovery, rehabilitation and growth, with each client at the hostels. It was enlightening because it helped to change my perspective and opinions on homelessness and I think everyone should spend a day at the centres, if not volunteer.

Art Attack: Standing with a piece that my mother liked. Wearing: Helen Steele dress, Felix Rey bag, vintage belt.

Simple things like drama, I.T, arts, literacy etc that have been readily accessible to us growing up, these things are crucial in supporting homeless people to rebuild their lives, who may not have had these opportunities.

Last year over 4,000 people slept rough on the streets of London alone. Just in London.

Money raised through ticket sales for this event and support throughout the fair, will enable St Mungos to help homeless people rebuild their lives and give access to vital health care services.

Life Imitates Art: Works from the Doinel Gallery

We Are St Mungos: with Gemma head of communications at St Mungos

After my speech at the Affordable Art Fair, I introduced Hugh Mattan, who sang. He recorded his Reggae album in the donated recording studio at the Endell St hostel I visited. He was amazing and I want to hire him for future events!

With Hugh Mattan Reggae artist from St Mungos

Hugh in action!

Check out some of their music: The Endell Street Recording Studio 

Caped crusader!

By Phillip Glass

Can find out more about the work of St Mungos and real life stories, from their Annual Review, in St. Mungos: Street Stories

Photos by Tom Hargreaves

The Rodial Beautiful Awards 2012: Winners

Dear Beautiful Readers,

The third annual Rodial Beautiful Awards took place last night at the Sanderson Hotel in London. Organised by the skin and bodycare brand, the awards recognise and celebrate women of beauty, style and elegance. Winners on the night were: Myself, Tolula Adeyemi - Most Edgy Look; Elle Macpherson - Classic Glamour; London Beauty Queen - Best Beauty Blogger; Charlotte Tilbury - Best Make-up Artist; Vogue - Best Beauty Pages (long lead); The Sunday Times Style - Best Beauty Pages (short lead); and Amber le Bon - Freshest Face.

The Fab Jo Wood presented me with the award

 It was a great surprise to actually win! I was up against the super talented actress Chloe Moretz, chanteuse Lana Del Rey, who I love! Model Georgia Jagger, and supermodel Aggyness Deyn. I would have picked all of them, so It was lovely to hear my name.

Dress: Negarin  Shoes: Roberto Cavalli Award: Rodial 

Delicious Rodial product in the goody!

Elle Macpherson was particularly radiant, fabulous and lovely! She looks about 20 years younger. And was so chic, graceful and nice - even more beautiful in person. She was my favourite person of the night. I now get why they call her The Body.

My gorgeous make-up was by Lucy Jayne. And fabulous rockabilly quiff was by hairstylist Vicki Lord.

Tolula xoxo

Photo Sources: Cozy Cot & Getty Images

House of Sunny Film & Editorial

During the heatwave of this summer I was shot by photographer Wayne Johns, in glorious Richmond and performed in a short fashion film with Sunny Williams label House of Sunny.

  No bad Sunny-Sunny jokes, just beautiful film and photographs. The short film still to come. But please see for yourself.

 

 Collection House of Sunny Photography: Wayne Johns

Graduating with honours from University and after training on Saville Row, designer Sunny Williams set up his own quintessentially British fashion label, House of Sunny. The fashion house's first TIGI sponsored collection was featured in Italian Vogue, with a key piece used for the TIGI campaign by JIV. 

Beautiful Safari - All photography by Wayne Johns

 Williams draws his inspiration and his philosophical approach to design from The Fibonacci Theory, where he applies the numbers in nature to his aesthetic and sees nature as the ultimate machine. He follows in the footsteps of artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci who used the techniques of the Fibonacci number sequence within their art. Sunny believes that these numbers are the reason why everything in the world looks so perfect and he uses the perfect Fibonacci code to design each unique piece in his collection. Since working with him I am starting to agree with his philosophy and mathematical approach to design. Now onto the film, stay tuned.

Marian Kihogo 2nd Anniversary Dinner - In Pictures

The initial nervous excitement of the momentous task of being Guest of Honour, then turned to delight as I saw Marian hosting pre-dinner cocktails at the Light Bar. Arriving with wonderful musician and friend Natt Weller (debuting his a coat from his Dad Paul's capsule collection for Oasis front man, Liam Gallagher's clothing label Pretty Green) also had a calming effect on the fabulous evening to come!

Tolula Adeyemi: dress: Ana Sekularac, jewels: Rachel Galley. Natt Weller: wearing Dior & Paul Weller for Pretty Green

We saw, we laugh, we drank, we ate - we conquered!! Well Marian certainly did and she has conquered the blogging/online magazine scene with her brilliant, informative, fabulous mariankihogo.com !

Grazia's Hannah Almassi in 60s vintage w/ Marian Kihogo at Pre-dinner Cocktails, Light Bar

Helen Jennings author & editor of Arise magazine. Marian: dress Ana Sekularac, shoes Nicolas Kirkwood for Peter Pilotto, faux-fur vintage jacket & vintage turban

It was also so lovely to get to know certain key fashion journalists from Grazia, Glamour, writers, artists, photographers, better. And I managed a very very impromptu toast/speech at the end. And as I mentioned before, Marian, I am practising for your wedding!!

Dinner time!: at Asia De Cuba, Natt, Tolula & Marian

dress: Ana Sekularac, jewels: Rachel Galley, nails: Nail Rock wraps by me!

Guest of Honour: St. Martin's Lane Hosts Exclusive - Mariankihogo.com Dinner

I was surprised to get a phone call from dear friendsuper-stylist Marian Kihogo. Who is celebrating her 2nd Anniversary for her wonderful online magazine

MARIANKIHOGO.COM, with a delicious dinner at Asia De Cuba, 

courtesy of St. Martin's Lane Hotel, London.

The surprise was Marian Kihogo's request to be 
her Guest of Honour at the celebratory dinner party. MARIANKIHOGO.COM
was launched in December 2009. Deemed Lucky Magazine's Best Fashion Voice 2011 finalist & Cosmopolitan Magazine UK Best Fashion
Blog Finalist 2010. As featured in VOGUE ITALIA, VOGUE PARIS,  
The Huffington Post, Essence, NY Post, Fashion Etc ...Amongst others.

My only thoughts are should I write a poem again,
prepare a speech? Or would a freestyle suffice for the evening? Oh What to wear?

London Fashion Week '11: Behind The Scenes

Here are some extra pictures and interviews from designers during LFW that was left out of my Marie Claire London Fashion Week Diary

HOUSE OF EVOLUTION, VAUXHALL FASHION SCOUT:
This was one of my favourite shows to do, because I have always liked walking for multiple designers under one roof. Also you get to see the designers grow and progress each season. The House of Evolution is a collective of innovative and creative talent bringing you a fashion and cultural experience through a range of contemporary designers: ROHMIR, DAS and MATH.

Inbetween all the prepping for the show, I managed to quickly interview the designers, Olga Roh of ROHMIR, Shaz of MATH, Emirati sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla of DAS and also Amber Le Bon who was walking exclusivly for designers DAS at House of Evolution.

ROHMIR:
Where are you from?
Germany, Switzerland and Russia - but I belong to the world. Hong Kong is my home right now.
What's your inspiration for this season?
Exotic gardens and rain. Rain in Paris, water and the lives women lead are a source of inspiration, the fact that women tend to live more intensely...
What is your background?
I studied psychology, so a lot of my ideas are based around it. The cleansing element of water, about what is going on inside, cleansing of our emotions. The fabrics I choose are very personal, the choices based on how I'm feeling at that moment.
Where are your fabrics made?
I have a factory that I set up from scratch, with 102 workers. My fabrics are from the same supplier as Chanel. I am the engineer and Rohmir is the machine. It's also about the people behind the scenes.
Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from in general?
Most of my inspiration for next season is from London. I love London. My favourite quote is from Picasso: "I dream about my paintings and I paint about my dreams" I just swap the word paintings with style!

Olga Roh Q&A

MATH:
Any gossip?
This is my first LFW show and I experienced first hand the bitchiness that can happen behind the scenes while designing and preparing for my show . But also I've enjoyed the energy and buzz of it all.
What other shows will you see?
The menswear shows on the last day, since I'm a man!
What's your highlight so far of the whole process?
The fact that I have a platform to showcase my designs. I am so happy to have the support of Vauxhall Fashion Scout. Also writer and journalist Camilla Morton has been a massive supporter.
Any disasters?
Last minute sewing and alterations the night before the show.
What's your inspiration?
London. As I was born and bred here. I design for the modern British woman. With elements of tradition, but still very modern and fresh. A British woman with refined elegance - it's about the quality, cut and bringing women an element luxury.

Designer Shaz of MATH

MATH: Modern take on Traditional, Feminine Luxury

Vauxhall Fashion Scout: MATH

DAS:
What's your inspiration?
Ancient Greece, feminine draping, transparent, braids, silk.
What are your highlights so far designing this collection and show this season?
Amber Le Bon opening the show.
What do you love about being a designer?
I get to play with fabrics, material, travelling and attending other designers shows.
What shows will you attend?
Chanel, Karl Largerfeld, DVF, Alexander McQueen.
Who is your style icon?
Angelina Jolie, who I would love to see wearing this collection.
What are your plans for the future?
This is my first LFW catwalk show, but I aim to be showing at the tents at Somerset House.

DAS finale Vauxhall Fashion Scout

AMBER LE BON:
What did you have for breakfast?
A piece of toast.
What shows are you walking in?
I have walked for Felder Felder and I am walking in Mark Fast tomorrow, including some newer designers.
What do you think of DAS collection?
The clothes are very beautiful
Who is your favourite supermodel?
My Mum.
What do you love about modelling?
Meeting creative people from around the world.
What's the worst thing about modelling?
Nights alone in your hotel room.
What do you think about while you are walking down the catwalk?
My mind goes blank and then when it's over I get a sudden rush of adrenaline and I want to do it again!
When did you start modeling?
When I left school.

Fashion Week wouldn't be possible without all the helpers, volunteers, assistants, make-up artists, hairstylists, dressers, pattern cutters, nail technicians....

VMAs - Give Back Hollywood: VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

As I was in Los Angeles again to see a wonderful acting coach and catch up on work Stateside. I made it my duty to participate in the Video Music Awards celebrations!

The Invitation

I joined DJ Josh LeCash who is a regular DJ for Katy Perry, amongst others on the decks for a pre-VMA day party, in Beverly Hills. In attendance was Kelly Rowland, Andrew W. K, The Far East Movement, Christina Millian, a bunch of actors from Glee such as Cory Monteith, some young new bands and child actors from Nickelodeon and Disney. Hosts were  Tamar Braxton of the singing Braxton sisters and Vanessa Simmons from Run's House fame and Russell's niece.Bands such as Diddy Dirty Money performed and newcomer Luke James.

DJ Josh LeCash

DJ Josh LeCash and I decided to pair up and tag team, in the 104 Degree heatwave which hit California that week. As you will see in some pictures below I look as if I am melting. Nevertheless it is for charity and a super worthy cause. To help provide musical instruments in education, help inspire and teach children about music.

The Atmosphere

Miss Kelly Rowland

Python Power: On Set with Sheba

Shooting a music video for new artist Tyson, the week before I was completely nonchalant about handling a real 12 foot albino python.
The instructions were vague but I brought a fearless attitude to set and got to know Sheba the snake and her owner, snake charmer/exotic belly dancer Solariss.







Solariss congratulated me on a crash course in snake charming!!







It was the most powerful, wonderful, beautiful experience!




By the end of the video shoot I was in love and quite attached!!

Python Power!!! Queen Sheba!!!

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Party Pages: Designer Pages

Here in picture documentation is the aftermath of the Earl's Court Festival charity event, hosted by myself and in association with some very talented young designers and pages of WONDERLAND, ELLE, ARISE, VANITY FAIR, HARPERS BAZAAR.

Please judge for yourself. What do you think about the designs?














Tiffany Davies and I sandwiched between a dress at the event.







The Raffle







The Guests














THE EPIC AFTER PARTY at Jalouse Night Club




DJ











All of The Lights




With other event speak, editor of Arise, Helen Jennings



Throwing Shapes










A Young Designer










All after party photography by Tom Hargreaves.



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