THE JACQUES TOWNHOUSE

An Alice in Wonderland world of English eccentricity, vintage glamour and bohemian mysticism entranced guests at the launch of The Jacques Townhouse, a quirky collaboration between Jacques Cider and David Carter, of award-winning boutique hotel, 40 WINKS. 1950’s attired concierge and bevy of bellboys greeted arrivals at reception to grant a key and offer guidance on the delights hidden behind each door. The basement held host to Benefit Cosmetics new Lash Couture service, while the dressing up box next door offered a suitably retro styling service. Ladies were transformed into vintage pin-ups and flash! The girls fluttered their exotic lashes and ruffled their frocks for the photographers’ lens. Cutesy cup cakes were served courtesy of Vintage Patisserie and, teamed with the fruit cider fusions of Jacques, created a twist on the quintessential English Tea Party. Wandering mystics played with guest’s fate as tarot cards were read and the curious could enter the palm reader’s tent to discover their destiny.  The exquisite Sophie Ellis Bexter and hubby (aka Me & Mrs Jones) headlined the evening and played a set centred around classic Blow Up Club tunes. We left wishing we could stay forever but, alas, the charming townhouse closes its doors on the 6^th August so ensure you get your fill of fantasy before the story ends.

The Jacques Townhouse, 33 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6EU

Words and images Emma Harding

ELOISE GREY: GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK

ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION IS TAKING OFF IN A BIG WAY AND ELOISE GREY IS KEEPING HER EYE ON HER GREEN CREDENTIALS. THE STORY BEHIND HER CLOTHES IS AS TIMELESS AS THE WRITERS THAT MOTIVATED THEM.

Eloise Grey showcased her summer 2010 Illuminated Garden collection in the fairytale tavern of the Hepsibah gallery.

With the new Doctor Who sharpening up the English gentleman look, this is the best time to get out your tea and crumpets and coin some garden party get up.

Grey’s creations bring together her love of ‘20s and ‘30s writers such as Katherine Mansfield and Noel Streatfield to craft a classical look that time forgot.

“I wanted my clothes to look like a costume drama, with Savile Row finishing.”

Grey gets her inspiration from photographs of fashionable writers. Having found a picture of Samuel Beckett wearing a tweed jacket before the change in fashion in the 40s and 50s, she sculpted an earthy collection of pretty country clothing.

Grey raved about her love of tweed while showing off her own tweed shoes.

“Older ladies remember the original tweeds from the 30s and how much quality and crafting went into them. You fall in love with it and how it continues to look like new. Rain literally rolls off it.”

Isle of Mull weavers  produce her tweeds organically, without a nasty in sight. Never dyed, the breeds are native to the North of Scotland.

The summer collection incorporates pink floral splashes into carbon-footprint-friendly linens. It could not be closer to nature, having been softened in dew-covered spring fields.

Her eco range is gleaming with natural-shaded hemps, bright whites and cotton prints from India that mirror the ‘20s era. Even the blocks are old, the dyes made from plants allowing as little electricity to be used as possible.

Words Jennifer Butler

QUESTION AIR CATWALK SHOW

DURING THE 20 YEARS IT HAS BEEN RUNNING, QUESTION AIR, NOW ONE OF LONDON’S LEADING INDEPENDENT BOUTIQUES HAS ALWAYS LIKED TO SHAKE THINGS UP.

“We’ve always been right at the forefront of mixing clothing. Way before when people were mixing Gucci with Topshop we were already doing this,” says owner Dylan Ross, who stocks everything from Juicy Couture and Citizens of Humanity, right through to Vivienne Westwood, Paul & Joe and other women’s and menswear brands.

“We don’t believe in creating an outfit for one person, we like to bring it altogether so you get a nice, cheap top with an expensive jacket with a fun pair of trousers.

“We just made fashion a bit fun and it worked, and we became an institution.”

Mixing things up was certainly what Question Air did at their annual Spring Summer 2010 fashion show.

Their very own customers modeled clothes from the shop. With so many supermodels around these days, sometimes mere mortals do have to take things into their own hands, don’t they?

The models donned Nicole Miller, Vivienne Westwood, American Vintage, Nanette Lepore, Tibi and Edwin Nautilus among others, as they grooved (yes, there was actual dancing on the catwalk, eat your heart out Naomi, these REAL models do more than pout and walk) to tunes such as Salt and Peppa’s Push It.

There were long casual blazers mixed with print shirts and military style shorts and sequined tops paired with jeans and stilettos, that screamed “I’m fashion conscious, but it’s only fashion, darling.” Long, halter-neck maxi dresses and a checked t-shirt dress with thick straps and full waist put already enthusiastic frowers in a playful summer mood as did the trilbies, which every second model seemed to have. Evening wear included a shimmering blue tulip-shaped strapless dress and a spandex body con with an elegant criss cross strap.

Former professional model Belinda Coleman, a Question Air customer for two decades, paraded several items from the store, including a black and white nautical style Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Mixed Fortune Dress – her “favourite” items of the night. She complemented this with Melissa Dragon Heart Shoes.

“I always buy Question Air dresses, the shoes, the boots, the bags. They do denim, Juicy Couture, Vivienne Westwood and I think they have targeted the financial climate far better (than other stores),” Belinda, 45, said.

“The last time I went in there, I didn’t buy a cardigan I was supposed to model tonight and it sold out within a week.

“It shows that what they do is good because they tailor the customer first. They know what you like, that’s why I go back to them.”

The family business started 20 years ago with a Covent Garden boutique. The chain, which recently added Rupert Sanderson, Christopher Kane and Rebecca Taylor, has stores in Hampstead, Notting Hill, Barnes, Dulwich Village, Wimbledon Village and Clapham. They ship online orders all over the world.

The annual fashion show is one of the highlights of their calendar.

“I was trying to fire the crowd up. I was just having fun,” said Dylan, who did some Zoolander moves on the catwalk for the photographers (the paps were out in full force).

“As you can see tonight, we’re very approachable. We have fun, that’s what we do in our business.

“We don’t want people to take fashion too seriously. They’re here to see the clothes, but they’re also here to be part of what we are and we choose basically what we do and hopefully they loved it tonight as well.”

Words and pictures Amy Fallon