Burberry Styling Day

Last Thursday, some of our fashion advisors and staff members (nine, in total!) spent the day at Burberry’s headquarters in London to learn all about the collection for the coming season, Autumn/Winter 2009.

Burberry is a luxurious brand with a British sensibility and a truly great heritage, so we always thoroughly enjoy working with the brand and learning as much from their knowledge as possible.

The day helped all our customer advisers perfect their styling skills in time for the coming season. And just to give our lovely readers an advanced tip on the collection to come, expect lots of checks, soft cashmere, catwalk inspirations and a very special bag!

If you would like to see preview pictures of the collection, please contact us.

Champney's Mother & Baby Event

Childrensalon are delighted to be working in association with Champneys spa and supporting their Mother and Baby Event, which is being held on Wednesday 27th May, from 6.30 to 8.30pm.

Located next door to our store in Tunbridge Wells, Champneys are offering the chance for new mums in the area to meet and socialise, whilst enjoying an evening sampling some of their luxurious pampering products and treatments. As part of this, Childrensalon will also be offering some special discounts for those who attend - so if you’re local to Tunbridge Wells, why not come along for what sounds like a lovely evening!

Coco before Chanel

Legendary couturier and creator of the little black dress, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, is the subject of an exciting new movie called 'Coco avant Chanel', or 'Coco before Chanel'. The part will be played by actress Audrey Tautou. The film focuses on the early life of the designer - starting with her arrival at the orphanage that she grew up in, which is also where she learnt to sew. Tatou has portrayed Chanel so well that the design house has chosen her to succeed Nicole Kidman in the new campaign for the No. 5 perfume, which launched on the fifth of this month.

There are so many reasons why we are thrilled about a biopic movie based on the life of Chanel! Not only did she create a fashion revolution, the story of the mysterious designers life is riveting. The flapper image of the 1920s was popularised by Chanel, who pioneered a new breed of women. She gave women freedom. Women who could ditch the corset and instead wear comfortable or revealing clothes, smoke cigarettes, listen to jazz music, drink, drive cars. A bit of a rebel to conventions, she didn't believe in being kept down by 'the man'. She also charmed the rich and powerful and reaped the benefits (she spent most of the second world war tucked up in The Ritz hotel.)

It was really Chanel who was the first designer to be a celebrity and icon in her own right.

We had better start brushing up on our French skills, pronto!

still images from the film:






Portrait of Coco Chanel in 1935:


Chanel in 1938


Chanel in the 1960s adding some finishing touches:


The film premiered in Paris on April 22nd.

Pick of the day

The idea of walking a mile in someones shoes suddenly felt more appealing when we received the new delivery of Roberto Cavalli footwear. Sticking with his signature flamboyant style, these shoes are funky, fun and bound to put some Spring in any young hipsters step!

See the footwear collection here.

Bahrain Princess loves Ralph Lauren Childrenswear

London based stylist's blog, run by Rebekah Roy, recently interviewed Bahrain Princess and "International style icon" Raya Al Khalifa. Whilst reading the interesting article - which reveals her style inspiration and how being a mum has influenced the way she dresses - we were delighted to discover that she not only loves the Ralph Lauren childrenswear range that we so adore, she also dresses her son in their stylish attire!

Here's a peek at some of the interview:

How would you describe your style?
RA: Being Middle Eastern and having a good dose of Floridian glamour injected to my aesthetic tastes means I really love opulence and shiny bright pretty things. The Londoner in me, however, pulls some of it back, creating the perfect blend so as not to make me look too tropical or typical or even tragic… I hope!

What inspires your style?
RA - Location! I can get away with different things in Europe than America and the same for the Middle East. So my location inspires me. Art, sub-culture, and fashion shows inspire me as well! I’m always ready and willing to try something that seems a bit avant-garde before it does become very commercial.

Do you prefer Middle Eastern fashion or Western Style?
RA: I genuinely love and am inspired by both.

What fashion magazine/websites/etc. do you like?
RA: Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, both US and UK editions and I dutifully report to style.com to check out the shows and trends!

As a new mother are you finding that you’re shopping habits or passion for fashion has been affected?
RA: Having a son I have discovered my inner tomboy. I’m more ready to get dirty in the park while in London or run in the desert back home. Because of this I have expanded on my daily casual uniform. What was once heels and pristine outfits are now over the knee flat boots with leggings and a black mini Lady Dior bag with gold hardware worn with the shoulder strap. I’m also lusting after the hunter and Jimmy Choo collaboration, which yielded what is the most stylish Wellington boot I’ve ever seen! Croc embossed rubber boots!

Do you think your son will inherit your great style?
RA: I’m already dressing him like his father, which means English gentleman with a touch of polo player chic. Ralph Lauren children’s line is a dream, and has mini me versions of the men’s clothing line for little boys. There I just got him a lovely linen summer beige suit; complete with a green and yellow tie, and a colorful handkerchief for the jacket pocket!

Do you enjoy doing your own shopping?
RA: I love shopping I consider it to be my therapy!

By the sound of it, the lovely Raya has managed to transfer her eye for style from her own to dressing her son very successfully. We would have loved to seen the outfit on!

To view the Ralph Lauren's childrenswear range, click here.