Rifling through Lily's wardrobe

Vintage shopping is heaven to me, so surprisingly it’s taken me a little while to getting around to checking out Lucy In Disguise, the vintage boutique in Covent Garden owned by Lily Allen and her sister.  I think what’s put me off thus far is the idea that rather than a treasure trove of vintage gems, the store would be packed with overpriced clothes and Lily fans on a pilgrimage to get a piece of her.

The first thing that struck me as I entered was how quiet it seemed; no fans in sight, just a few young women browsing through the racks (I visited on a Thursday so the clientele come Saturday could be completely different). It has the ambience of a high-end boutique rather than a vintage shop as there is plenty of open floor space and no loud music.

Cautious of the super duper price tags I began carefully flicking through the rails and was impressed both with the quality of the clothes but also the restrained prices. Lucy In Disguise has some beautiful pieces from sought after designers: Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel and Ossie Clark to name a few. There is a good mix of formal dresses, casual clothes and accessories (including a bang on trend 70s section with flares and Karen Carpenter dresses to die for) with the more expensive pieces carrying both a sale and rental price tag. I think the rental idea is a good one as I like the idea of being able to wear something for a special event that I couldn’t normally afford.

Despite promising myself I was only browsing I ended up heading for the fitting rooms armed with a quirky yellow playsuit with juice carton pattern(£60), amazing beaten-up black leather jacket (£150) and a leaf-print 80s jumpsuit (£60). As I tried on my selection I was entertained by two girls in the next cubicle.

‘You can’t pay £400 pound for a dress’

‘But I’ll have it forever though and I’m her biggest fan. I’m sure if Lily met me we’d be best friends.’

Hmm, what was I saying about the clientele?! I’m afraid she was to be disappointed as Lily was nowhere in sight.

 

The staff are very friendly, which was another surprise as I generally find customer service in retail appalling. Despite seeming pretty quiet in the store, the guy who served me said they had been incredibly busy since the November opening and are getting fresh stock all the time.

One thing Lucy doesn’t offer is the triumphant feeling of rummaging through rails and rails of stock before stumbling upon some weird and wonderful find at a bargain price. However, there is a time and a place for that and I’m not always in the mood for endless rummaging. What you will find at Lucy in Disguise is a well edited collection of good quality vintage at reasonable prices in a minimalist, mothball-free environment.

I have yet to go into any vintage shop in London and leave empty handed. This was no exception and the jumpsuit came home with me. If you live in London, it’s definitely worth a look.

http://www.lucyindisguiselondon.com/

Supercharged Skincare – 3 of the best facial serums

When it comes to achieving plumped up, hydrated skin the best way to begin your daily routine is to apply a serum underneath your moisturiser.  I was converted to using serums from my first use as they create a radiance and softness you just can’t get with moisturiser alone. The beauty spiel behind these products is that the particles are smaller than in a regular moisturiser and so sink further down into the skin’s layers ensuring that skin is hydrated from deep within. I’ve found they make your moisturiser work that little bit harder and can give skin an ethereal look.  I am wary of beauty companies selling us more and more ‘necessary’ products but I honestly believe that the addition of a serum works wonders to achieve perfect skin. I’ve been lucky enough to sample a fair few serums over the last couple of years and here are my top three:

Advanced Formula Cosmetox Intense Serum Plus, £19.50

Marks and Spencer have revamped their skincare collection and this is one of the hero products. I don’t have deep wrinkles so can’t verify the claim that it will diminish them in four weeks, however what it does do is soothe and smooth parched skin leaving it feeling comfortable and soft with no residue. They’ve gone down the scientific formula route with the packaging and the back of the tube proudly carries the beauty buzz words hyaluronic acid, collagen boosting and Matrixyl peptide, all of which can be found in high-end skincare products. At £19.50, it won’t dent your bank balance but will plump up your face.

Prai 24K Golden Caviar Age Defying Concentrate, £32.40 (QVC)

This floral-smelling serum contains the tiniest golden flecks which paired with its liquid feel formula creates super smooth, glowing skin. Another one which promises to turn back time, I love the luxurious packaging and texture of the concentrate, which provides long-lasting hydration. I find it gives skin an expensive look; even when worn under heavy foundation skin looks luminescent. If you’re seeking airbrushed, lit-from-within skin then you should give this a try.

Dr. Brandt Collagen Booster, £64 (Space NK)

This product proves that sometimes you do get what you pay for and although not a snip at £64, this baby delivers. The slippery textured serum goes a long way and you only need a pump or two per application. It sinks in almost instantly leaving skin that feels like silk, only naturally; you would be hard pressed to tell you had applied a product as there is no residue at all. Your moisturiser’s best friend, this product contains amino acids (beauty buzzword again) to stimulate collagen. For me it makes my skin feel more elastic and lets your foundation glide on (you’ll probably find you actually need to use less wearing this). If you can afford it then go for it. It could prove rather addictive, but an addiction I’m happy to be afflicted with.

First bloom

First post, yikes the pressure! Make an impact because you never get a second chance to make a first impression. These are the things going round my mind but I'm not sure I agree with myself; surely a blog is more about the quantity than quality - I'm not creating a biannual coffee table heavyweight! This first post will undoubtedly be read by approximately two people, one of which will be my mum. Instead of getting all het up trying to make a lasting impression I'll express my plans for this blog and tell you a bit about me.

I've worked in the fashion and beauty industry for 5 years and have recently stepped off the 7.37 commuter train from Putney in order to have a brief hiatus to do some freelance work and come up for air.

Getting to see the latest designs on the catwalk at London Fashion Week and then getting up close and personal with the clothes at press days means I'm a pretty picky shopper. Unfortunately, my humble salary has not facilitated a wardrobe filled with the latest Matthew Williamson and Christopher Kane lust-haves. The thought of buying fast fashion from the baddies of the high street makes me shudder. I couldn't live with myself knowing the person who created it wasn't paid or treated fairly. And of course, when that high-fashion piece falls apart at the seams after two washes or becomes so last season that it ends up in the bin, its value for money becomes apparent. The cost per wear is pretty high compared with a well-made piece, which cost you £300 but will be cherished forever. The outcome is I do most of my shopping at designer sample sales, vintage (charity) shops and the high end of the high street.

Inevitably I've rambled so I'm going to sign off. Watch this space for a daily dose of fashion and beauty miscellanea. Thanks for reading Mum.