Pop-Up Christmas

A lovely Pop-up shop has, well, Popped-Up in Cabot Circus this month...

This year, the run up to Christmas has seen over 100 local artists come together as part of ‘Pop-Up Bristol’ - a new initiative from Made in Bristol that has showcased a diverse range of independent galleries and creative talent on the high street for the first time, adding a new dimension to Christmas shopping at Cabot Circus this year. The pop-ups offer the opportunity to purchase quality gifts and one-off pieces by up-and-coming artists.

Drawn in Bristol is a newly formed, locally focused illustration collective which hosts regular events & shows in the city. The collective has 50 members and celebrates the work of Bristol based illustrators by providing them with a platform to showcase their work. Their stunning shop can be found in Quakers Friars and features original illustrations, prints and cards, handmade toys and locally designed T-shirts.

‘Upfest’, established in 2008 and now Europe’s largest graffiti art festival, adds a new dimension to Level 1 of the Glass Walk in Cabot Circus with an urban art and graffiti gallery, ‘POP-UPfest’. As well as urban style artworks, the gallery will feature Bristol street art photography and weekly live drawing events.

Along with these, the ‘Smithson Gallery’ pop-up provides a platform for a variety of talented artists and styles, offering original art and prints alongside great cards and original gift ideas including bags, cushions, tea towels, ceramics and decoration.

Pop-Up Bristol will be hosting a party to celebrate the one-month countdown to Christmas on Thursday November 24th at 6pm across their three temporary festive galleries at Cabot Circus!

The event will offer guests a fantastic opportunity to see and purchase all the brilliant artworks the shops have on offer and will also feature live drawing and music. There will also be a chance to meet all of the diverse and talented artists involved in the project along with some exciting special guests.

So if you are around in Cabot this Christmas season make sure you Pop by! They will be open as follows:
POP-UPfest: Open now - 24th December (level1, Glass Walk)
Drawn in Bristol: Open now - 3rd December (Quakers Friars)
Smithson Gallery and Gifts: Open now - 24th December (Level 1, Glass Walk)
Bristol Creatives: Open now - 24th December (Quakers Friars)

For more information check it out here!

Best wishes,
Fashion Fantasist xx

P.S I am really excited about Christmas! :)

Gok-Tastic!

Last Wednesday I was completely star struck on the front row of the Gok Wan's fashion roadshow in the centre of Cabot Circus. Thank you to the lovely ladies who PR for Cabot Circus I was able to sit on one of the pink seats and use the voting paddles.

The first season of Gok's fashion roadshow Gok was up against Brix Smith Start with a designer versus highstreet face off. This season Gok is up against.... well... Gok!! He has turned his hand at creating an affordable collection, where each outfit cost up to £50 and a more expensive, where each outfit cost up to £250. I wont reveal too much about them as the programme will be airing later this month but I am looking forward to finding out where everything came from.

There were also three lucky ladies who had a Gok style make over and looked like they really enjoyed the experience. It was nice to sit where I did as I got to see the family's reactions, since they knew what they had looked like before. At the end I was grabbed for an interview.... Which I really hope isn't aired.... "I voted for the pink one... because of such and such a reason..." All very embarrassing - but I was pleased with my outfit and actually have a snap here with some of the other guests (Picture source mystreetchic.com). Skinny Jeans, over sized cream shirt and clogs. Managed to successfully wear those and not fall over much... hehe!All in all I had a lovely time. It was nice to also meet the girls behind mystreetchic.com who I sat with.

Enjoy and hope you manage to catch the show!
Fashion Fantasist xx

Love it, Wear it, Share it.

My Street Chic has launched in Bristol. After a megally stressful day I was unable to unwind at the Launch Party on 16th June at the Big Chill Bar but I heard that it was a great success and I am very excited about the concept of the website.

(The MyStreetChic.com girls (left to right) student fashion ambassadors Grace Wakefield and Georgina Puddephatt, Editor Gina Dyer, Staff Writer Sian Hogan, student fashion ambassadors Grace Currie and Parul Matlib)

(The team from Robin James accept their certificate for setting the world record for topknot hairstyles. Staff Writer Sian Hogan, Robin James Salon Manager Lucy Castle, Robin James Creative Director Javier Encina, Robin James himself, MyStreetChic.com Editor Gina Dyer.)

"MyStreetChic.com is ‘the online fashion community that’s right up your street’, looking at how real women are wearing the latest street, fashion and beauty trends.

We’ll cover styles on a localised basis – so you can see what people where you live are wearing and how to adapt the look for yourself.

The site has launched with Bristol as its pilot city and will later be rolled out to other cities."

It is very exciting to have Bristol as the pilot city as there is so much buzz surrounding it now with indy boutiques and designers cropping up all over. The website combines insightful editorial coverage as well as user generated content and interactive features. Its aim is to put real women at the centre of determining what's hot in fashion. It is a platform to see how real people on your high street are wearing the latest trends and offers tips on how to make the looks work for you.

So watch out Bristol - put your best fashion foot forward when you step outside because you never know when the My Street Chic team may be there to snap your picture. They were recently at St Paul's carnival last weekend and there are some lovely photographs of a whole range of summer styles.

Best wishes,
Fashion Fantasist xx

204 Gloucester Rd

On Wednesday evening (15/06/11) after a mildly stressful day at the office Mr FF and I headed up Gloucester road for an 'evening with designers/artists at Charlie Boots'. Charlie is a Bristol based ethical fashion designer and now has a lovely unique shop on Gloucester road. She has a lovely mix of her own fashion and pieces from other artists. It had photography by Michael Reeves and Deborah Weinrab on the walls and the window display was by illustrator Kirk Stacey. Charlie informed me that she is interested in local artists using her window to display their work and create interesting and varied window displays. She is also keen to allow other ethical designers exhibit their work on her rails for limited periods to help raise awareness for other ethical fashion brands.

The shop was great and there was not only clothing and bags but jewellery, furniture, clocks made from vinyl and beautiful pottery. If you get the chance to pop up Gloucester road (a must do anyway as there are some wonderful vintagey shops) please do stop by Charlie Boots. She is also running workshops where you can learn to sew dresses, skirts, bags, cushions, underwear, purses or textile art with experienced and skilled tutors. To find out more about this service go to the 'news' section of her website.

Enjoy

Fashion Fantasist xx

Current Bun

(Photo credit: Lee Stafford)

Bristol hairdressers will attempt to set the World Record for the highest number of topknot hairstyles completed in one day today (11/06/2011) at Cabot Circus.

The event is organised by Bristol based fashion website MyStreetChic.com. Bristol shopper's hair will be transformed into the iconic topknot style as part of a speed styling challenge. A team from Robin James Salon Ltd will attempt to get through as many topknots as possible to score a World Record - and put Bristol firmly on the style map! I wish them the best of luck!!!

The topknot, otherwise known as a super high bun, has been hailed as the hairstyle of Summer 2011, with celebs like Kylie, Gwen Stefani, Blake Lively and Whitney Port all rocking the look.

Shoppers in Cabot Circus today will be able to get their hair styled into a topknot for free and become part of the attempt. Everyone who gets a topknot will also receive a free MyStreeChic.com goodie bag, packed with stylish treats!!

Want a new look to go with your new 'do'? Make-up artists from Bobbi Brown at House of Fraser will also be on hand offering free makeovers, while the Sactuary Spa will be providing mini-manicure. The event is being held to celebrate the launch of MyStreetChic.com, a new Bristol based fashion website that will cover all things stylish in the city.

"Bristol is home to a hotbed of different styles. MyStreetChic.com aims to celebrate what's best in the West for fashion and, with this World Record attempt we hope that people will sit up and take notice of Bristol as a style capital," said Gina Dyer, Editor of MyStreetChic.com.

If you want to take part in the Great Topknot Challenge, head down to the MyStreetChic.com std in the main street at Cabot Circus TODAY 11th June between 10am and 6pm!!

Much Love

Fashion Fantasist xx

The Dairy

This is long over due and for that I apologise!!! On Friday 6th August I went to The Dairy 'A Designers Hub' Launch. Like the Press evening I have never been to a Launch Party of anything before so naturally I was very excited! I was unsure what to wear but went for the smart casual approach channeling a classic Chanel-esk style.The Venue was really interesting, tucked away amongst rows of houses in Cardiff was an old, rather large shed. Inside areas were created by vintage furniture grouped together in a homey, comfortable style. Different wallpapers and different eras of furniture made an interesting mix. It was eclectic and quirky and every time I walked around I spotted something new. (Unfortunately most of the photographs from the evening are farrrrr to shaky to use but check out The Dairy Website.) To give you an idea there were suspended church windows contrasted against fetish photography, 80's furniture with mock roman busts, camouflage and 70's bar.

On the walls there were some very interesting examples of local photographers. My favorite was Catherine Day's work. Predominately white with striking examples of female beauty - a woman with chains round her neck and another with a syringe to her face but the whiteness made it seem pure.These are the pictures that were displayed but these are from Catherine's Website. Catherine is a British photographer and retoucher. She was interested in photography since the age of five. She strives to shoot and create dark or unusual fashion and beauty images. Her formal training started at the age of sixteen. She graduated from an Editorial and Advertising Photography course at the University of Gloucester in 2008.

Other photographic work that was featured was by Alex Mills, Maria Farelly, Robert Geary and Glyn Bateman.

Alex Mills

Maria Farrelly

Robert Geary

I actually met Robert Geary during the evening and made conversation about his Burlesque photography. My favorite is the middle photograph with a mug which has the word 'Dripping' on it. Robert laughed and said it was a bit of a 'Carry On' type photograph.

Here is Robert with his work! - Almost smiling. He said he prefers to be the photographer and be behind the camera not in front!

The venue had a stage type area, sort of a mezzanine level where a jazz style band - Rhian Grundy and Band and Radio Cardiff's D.J John Lenny played music throughout the evening. It accompanied a burlesque dancer called Miss Foo Foo La Belle who did two performances... One where she started in 18th century style clothing and finished by doing the splits into a cream pie and the second she wore black and white stockings a bowler hat and feather bower. Thoroughly enjoyable and unexpected. She also features in some of Robert Geary's work. (Also there is a Burlesque event on the 29th August, Guildford Hall, Cardiff)Through out the evening young models from Kirstie Howell's Model Agency paraded around the venue in hardly anything, well underwear from Big Girls Blouse. I particularly liked the corset with cup cakes on! There was also a fashion show showcasing one of a kind designs from Poppers. The garments were by Arrey Kono and they were created by hand pleating. I met Beverley Soal owner of Poppers and Wenda James-Rowe the stylist. Who were both lovely ladies!

(Photography by Nathan Bevan of the Wales on Sunday) Wenda and Beverley

(Photography by Nathan Bevan of the Wales on Sunday)

I must also mention.... If you have a blackberry and love sparkles you need to get yourself one of these...They are bejewelled Blackberry phone covers by Crystyled Ltd. I think they are lovely! They also do headphones which look like they are very popular with the celebs!

Phew that is a long post!!! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the event. If you find yourself in Cardiff do pop by The Dairy they aim to change the exhibitions often and all the vintage furniture is for sale.

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Bristol Rockstyle Press Event

Last Wednesday (14th July) I attended a press evening for Bristol Rockstlye hosted by Miss Bristol - Amy Willerton and H1 Hair and Beauty. I was very excited as I had never been invited to a press evening before and as my twitter followers know I had a lot of trouble deciding what to wear...but in case you are interested here is the final outfit choice.
The evening was hosted at View Art Gallery, which was somewhere I had never been. It was a great airy space and the exhibition that they had was really interesting. It was called 'Urban View' and it contained new urban and contemporary artwork from UK and international artists. Once I was there I was greeted with a glass of champagne and tables of Molton Brown goodie bags and canapes. The hosts were Tyrone Jones creator of H1 Hair and Beauty and the lovely Amy Willerton both mingling and having their photograph taken. There were photographers and models making the rounds in local designer gear. There was also a live music performance by Louis and Josh - a preview of the event.
Now to fill you in on Bristol Rockstyle... Thursday 19th August 2010 at 31 Corn Street, Bristol. Miss Bristol and H1 Hair and Beauty salon are bringing together their combined experience of the fashion and beauty business to raise money for The Variety Club through a fashion show with a difference.

The event is part of a spectacular launch party by H1 Hair and Beauty, a brand new salon which combines hairdressing, beauty treatments including a nail bar and tannin studio under one roof situated in a lovely period premises on the corner of Gloucester Road and Zetland Road. H1 Director Tyrone Jones has previously worked in the national hair and beauty media and has links with many of the country's top fashion brands.

Amy Willerton has been involved in and modelled in many Bristol and Bath fashion shows and is currently aiming to be Miss England 2010. Her younger brother suffers from a rare chromosomal disorder and sever autism and she wanted to raise money to help The Variety Club change the lives of disadvantaged children.

The professional choreographed show will feature local designers and high street brands and will include additional entertainment.

Amy said, "We wanted to put on a fashion event which will demonstrate that Bristol has talent and creativity to match that found in London but just like H1 we will make it affordable and accessible. Working with each brand we will create the essence of this on the catwalk. I wand to know and feel that the audience has had a fantastic evening. Knowing that it will also have helped less fortunate children in the UK will make all the effort worthwhile."

Tyrone added, "H1 is an exciting new form of salon. The surroundings are stunning, the atmosphere will be sophisticated yet fun and best of all - you can have the full range of hair and beauty treatments in one salon. You'll get London style treatments at realistic prices.
We wanted to have a launch party with a difference and have bought this fresh new thinking to the fashion show. We've been delighted at how many companies have jumped at the chance to show their products for such a great cause. "
I also did a mini interview with Miss Bristol/Amy just to find out what it is like being Miss Bristol, her personal style and what she wants to do next.

What is it like being Miss Bristol?
Amazing! I'm so proud and blessed to represent the city I love. I have had so many opportunities available since becoming Miss Bristol to become part of my local community and meet people from all walks of life - and use my title to benefit them in some way! I think it's healthy for cities to have positive role models connected to them - I believe in becoming the change you wish to see in the world and I want to help inspire people to achieve their dreams - As living as Miss Bristol is mine!

How would you describe your personal style compared with Miss Bristol?
I think I reflect my own personal style through what I wear when I've got my crown on! But I suppose I try to keep things a lot more neutral as I want people to be able to relate to me. I'm a girly girl and Miss Bristol gets to wear some awesome dresses - so there's no problems on my end on style alterations! I can't wait to see the stunning gown local designer Gilly Woo is creating for me to wear at Miss England :DHow did you get involved with event organising?
I have been involved with many fashion shows based in Bristol and Bath etc over the past few years and through this have gained a lot of knowledge into the organisation of events. Social networking has allowed me to make the contacts needed to make this show come to life - but boy has it not been easy!! I have been lucky in teaming up with the H1 team on this as Tyrone has been my rock with offering advice and keeping me organised! The end result will most definitely be worth it and hopefully the money raised for the Variety Club will make a massive difference to the lives of many disadvantaged children across the UK.
Go BRISTOL ROCKSTYLE!!

What do you plan on doing after your reign as Miss Bristol is over?
I've just began my gap year and my Miss Bristol reign will end in April of next year. In an ideal world I would love to be Miss England at that point and be continuing my work but on a national level! But I wont think about too much as this competition is extremely difficult and each and every finalist in her own right has a reason to win! What I will most likely do is travel - I'm desperate to see the world and I would love to do some projects abroad to help benefit other communities across the globe. Then off to university I suppose!!

Also a rather cheesy question - favorite fashion designer or shop?
Right........ I really don't know! I work at Hollister part time- and I adore the clothes there! So that would currently be my favourite shop on the days where my eyes can see through the darkness!! My favourite designer would be Miss Gilly Woo - She is an asset to Bristol fashion and has the most incredible designs with so much imagination - she will be showcasing her underwear collection at Bristol Rockstyle! I would also like to mention Charlie Crozier of Amour Fou - because her designs are so personal and carry a story always - She will be showcasing her designs at BR - and I can promise you this section in particular going to be so so exciting!!

Overall it was a really enjoyable evening!!! Aaaaaaand I got a free goodie bag! :)
For tickets head to the Bristol Ticket Shop and search for Bristol Rockstyle. Also if you wish to vote for Amy for Miss England head here!

Best Wishes Fashion Fantasist xx