Oh Christmas Tree

Today we shipped the last of our beautiful Christmas trees the largest of which was a 13 foot tree we provided for The Gherkin in Central London.  Our trees all found excellent homes - in addition to the Gherkin, we provided trees to celebrity agents, top interior designers, banks, a church, some of the most beautiful exclusive homes in London and many others.  Lee and I were really proud as this is Desmond Talbot's very first Christmas and we wanted it to be special.  

We like to think that our Desmond Talbot trees will bring a special kind of joy to the people who received them.  The trees will feature in receptions, Christmas parties, church gatherings but most importantly in the homes of families all around London.  With delight, some little children will wake up on Christmas morning to find their presents under their DT tree. 

This is a nice feeling....

Home for the Holidays

I always struggle slightly coming home to Tennessee.  In London and in every big city in which I've lived time is precious.  Time is money.  Time is a commodity.  In Tennessee it seems that time is in so much abundance, noone gives time a second thought. 

Case in point, the Christmas tree.

Desmond Talbot launched our first Christmas offering this year and one service we offer is a full blown Christmas tree design service - we supply the tree, installation, decoration, removal and recycling.  Of all the orders we received, one particular client's request stood out as the most stunning design.  Burgundy roses, gold poinsettas, mauve, steel grey and pearl white baubles, cinnamon sticks, dried fruit - the absolute works.  I fell so in love with this design I decided to create the same tree for my Mom as a surprise for Christmas in Tennessee.

So off I went to Hobby Lobby, our local craft shop in Kingsport, TN,  to buy all the dried flowers and decorations I needed to create this beautiful tree for my Mom.  When I pushed my shopping trolley to the till, the shop assistant clearly had not dealt with the likes of this crazy Christsmas tree crazed woman trying to match the likes of the well healed in Hampstead Heath in London.  Her eyes bulged at my huge cart full of flowers and she said, "Honey, what  on earth are you doing with all these flowers?  You decorating your whole house?"  I explained that I was buying the flowers to decorate a Christmas tree for my Mom as a surprise.  And so for the next 20 minutes at the till, I experienced a conversation with this lovely woman who discreetly requested and received pretty much my life story while she wrapped each individual flower in white tissue wrap until each one was placed safely in a bag for me. 

I have to get used to this again.  People being nice.  People actually caring and taking time.  I really don't want to.  I have lived away for so long I feel I don't have time and to be fair I wished that woman would have just shoved my flowers in a bag and let me be on my way.  Will I ever enjoy these people taking interest in me again...  

A Tribute To Angela Renee (by Tina)

Today was meant to be one of the most exciting days of my life.  Desmond Talbot in partnership with Glamoo and London Evening Standard to produce beautiful Christmas trees and wreaths, a personal dream come true for me.  Lee, I and our florists have been working around the clock to prepare for this. 

Christmas is the most special time of the year for me.  When I was little my sister Angela and I used to play Christmas records (yes records - no MP3 players back then) and create little performances for our Mom to music by the Christmas tree.  We also used to know all the hiding places for our Christmas presents and used to have opened them and resealed them well before Chistmas day.  We refused to sleep in our beds until forced because we wanted to sleep underneath the Christmas tree and look up at the lights.  I was so excited to be able to help re-create this magic for other little girls and boys in London.

Angela as she grew up never lost her Christmas spirit.  Last year she place a HUGE - I'm talking 15 feet - Christmas wreath on the front of her house and posted images of the tree on MySpace for all to see.  I laughed and laughed when I saw the photo.

My sister, Angela Renee White, died yesterday of a heart attack at 45 years of age.  She was a beautiful, vibrant and caring woman and was so incredibly talented.  She could make anything look beautiful.  I now face flying back to Tennessee to say goodbye to her.  She was my best friend.

We are all so busy.  Work, the kids - the responsibilities are endless.  The last time I saw my sister I was running for a flight back to London and didn't take the time to say goodbye properly.  I now wish I had just missed the flight so I could have had a few more precious minutes with her.

I'd like to post a tribute to Angela, my incredible sister.  I love you and will miss you horribly Sis.  Thanks for all the incredible Christmas memories.    

The Langham Hotel

Just when the cold weather and London underground delays were testing my resolve and love for this city, I finally arrived at The Langham Hotel. Whilst being given a personal tour by the lovely Minjoo Leutwiler-Lee, the Executive Housekeeper of the hotel, I was once again reminded of why London is the most incredible city in the world.

Built between 1863 and 1865, The Langham once completed was the largest hotel in London with construction so groundbreaking (with the first use of hydraulic lift systems in England) that the Prince of Wales attended the hotel’s grand opening.  No surprise that an inspired Arthur Conan Doyle set certain Sherlock Holmes adventures in and around the hotel.  Also, the hotel is quite the celebrity having starred alongside Pierce Brosnan’s 007, doubling as the St. Petersburg Grand hotel in ‘Goldeneye’. 

The Langham achieves an enviable balance of being extraordinarily beautiful and stylish yet unbelievably comfortable.

From the helpful hands of the porters to the ridiculously friendly receptionists - I say ‘ridiculously’ because I just didn’t think such service still existed - the staff are incredibly welcoming.  Having met several members of the management team, I began to understand that this is something that comes form the very ethos of the hotel. 

Navigating through various rooms used for events, it’s clear to see that the hotel has been meticulously cared for and that the current management feel very strongly about preserving its natural style. Seeing Minjoo light up showing me the breathtaking chandeliers in the ballroom confirmed this and it is completely understandable when you see just how stunning this hotel is.

So I leave The Langham, ready to love my London yet again thanks to this almost 150 year-old hotel.

Exclusive Product Launch Confirmed

You will hear it here first and I can't wait to be the one to tell you all about it!

Desmond Talbot is holding a launch night for the much anticipated introduction of our floral designs presented in the stunning L'Anverre glassware vessels.

The work we show will be a combination of stunningly designed glassware and of course, the unique style of Desmond Talbot floral designs.

The launch night is Tuesday the 2nd of November at a great gallery in Covent Garden and the exhibition will run for a week in the space. 

So if you are interested, please contact me and I will look forward to meeting you there.

We will also be having some light live music as well as canapes and wine to celebrate!

chris.lewis@desmondtalbot.com

Art London

Last night saw the launch of this years Art London fair, and this year there is a little something special on view...namely our work!

For years I have been going to this fair and witnessing extraordinary examples of sculpture, painting and all thats in between and finally I got to attach a little badge to my best grey blazer that said 'exhibitor pass'.

The fair begins in the reception area with floral work by Desmond Talbot combined with glassware from L'Anverre, and what a beginning it is.

The glass and flowers are stunning, truly stunning. There's a real sense of occasion and Autumnal bliss with the work our florists have created. It's a small piece of heaven at the beginning of what was an amazing fair launch.

So enough about our work, I wanted to take you through the rest...

Highlights for me included some incredibly scaled and crafted sculpture work, if you have been to the fair or are heading this week, you will know which ones I mean instantly. Unfortunately I didn't take the artist name down, mainly due to the fat that I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

I did manage to take down the name of Rick Kirby however, his work sits proudly in the garden as you enter through the gates. 'Crescent' is one of those pieces that is so brilliantly raw you can;t help but I think 'I wish I could do that' and this piece will inspire you to try by it's very nature of patchwork metal and obvious welding lines.

There is of cause the usual spread of more traditional paintings in beautifully finished antique frames. For me, the beauty in this works does come from the frame however, I've all ways been a sucker for a stunning frame and the style of painting is not my thing, not to belittle the talent of cause but this is a section I tend to graze rather than study.

What this year has over previous years I think is a sense of substance. Whilst there have all ways been a few stand out pieces in each show, this year I found myself saying 'stunning' a lot more often and in hind sight, I find it hard to pick the one thing that caught me more than anything else.  A true testament to the level of skill we have in this country when it comes to the art's.

In over view, any self respecting art goer needs to be there but for the people of London who just like looking at art if it's in front of you, I would still recommend you get off the sofa and head down, even for a casual perusal (yes I did just use the word 'perusal' in an artistic context) it is well worth it.

Art London runs 7th - 11th October at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

L'Anverre Glasswork Enters The UK

L'Anverre is a great artist that Desmond Talbot are honoured to work with.

Desmond Talbot will be working with these beautiful vessels everyday.

Combining them with stylish flowers, the results are breathtaking.

To see more of his beautiful glassware visit the website

www.lanverre.com

Italy Calling...

Today's blog is a slightly more personal one for you all.

Unfortunately I had the task of heading to Italy recently for three weeks. You're right, life is unfair. Of cause this was a work thing but it turned out to be so much more than that. It turned out to be a genuinely inspiring and influential trip that I would do again in half a heart beat.

Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Milan, Naples, Florence and Sienna all in one trip was a lot to take in for sure and I even managed a sneaky trip to see the ruins at Pompeii. Sheer bliss in a bottle...if I had a bottle that is.

It began with the riverside flower markets of Rome. What else can I say? One of the most architecturally beautiful river banks in the World is flanked with flowers, arts and crafts and local specialities all through July and some of August. The flowers were astonishing and so vibrant in colour. As I've said before, I like my brands and I'm definitely a high end consumer but it has to be said, there was something so humbling about touching, smelling and feeling such a huge abundance of flowers without the four walls or sense of occasion.

This is the everyday, no messing, great flowers do their own talking type of floristry and strolling down the river with a bunch of loosely handled beauties in one arm and my camera in the other I was becoming a big fan.

Next to the street sellers in Milan that design and create such beautiful arrangements on the spot to meet your requirements. I've never seen it done so fast and with such conviction! This is natural style at its best!

I really can't say enough positive things bout it, the architecture, art and beauty is overwhelming both in the rolling hills of Tuscany and the hustle bustle of the major cities. I've come back a new and humble man!

Not to get soppy on you all (there will be no tears I promise!) but if you are feeling a little lack-luster of frustrated with the hum drum of life, then this really is the country to visit. I've come back all ready to sink my teeth back into work with a new understanding of the beauty of design in all aspect and how important it is to build mood and evoke feeling from those around you.

Hmmm...I'm going to go and make some homemade pizza and eat it with a glass of great Italian wine. You should do the same!

Change All Round

Sorry to harp on at it, but it's fashion week, had you noticed?

Unlike previous years when I had gone to shows and parties, this year I haven't. Unlike previous years I've decided to sit at a safe distance and watch how London changes when the fashionista's roll into town and take over the pavement with their 6 inch Jimmy Choo's.

After much thinking and analysing (mainly staring though if I am honest) I have realised just how HUGE the effect of London fashion week is in all sectors of the London scene (please also note I wrote 'huge' in capitals so that means really, really big).

My day of revelation began when I heard that the chef at one of London's top hotels on Park Lane had introduced a skinny burger to his menu for Fashion Week only. I can hear all meat lovers crying in the corner as they read that there is such a thing. The Buffalo steak carries only 2.4g of fat compared to the 9.2g of a normal burger. Thats right, 9.2g of fat.

It's not my place to say if this is right or wrong but what I will say is this, its a burger. A burger is a burger and if it is healthier but tastes just as yummy then count my chubby little hand being raised to the sky as a resounding 'count me in' when it comes to the skinny burger.

After my skinny burger revelation, down the high street I strut and its everywhere. A certain mobile phone network are providing a VIP experience where you can win a Fashion Week style overhaul and a mobile brand have even converted a store into a catwalk complete with red carpet and actors to pap you. Glorious I hear you sigh!

The truth of the matter is this, its about branding. The quick and creative will come up with something that no one else is doing that has the power to make bloggers like me write about it (dam, I fell for it again!).

The smart ones get the plans in motions months in advance because they know the weight of the fashion circus that comes to town every time its Fashion Week.

As a very wise supermodel friend once said (yes, thats right, she is very wise and a model)...

"Fashion isn't about clothes. Its about a look, a touch, a taste or a smell for something more. " and she is right.

Tell me which sector you work in and I think I could construct a reasonable and solid example of how it effects you directly. If you don't believe me, well maybe its time to open your eyes and smell the leather of the new Marc Jacobs given to your competitor as a 'thanks' for their collaborative support over London Fashion Week.

A Floral Fashion Week

Floral Design is proving to be a hit at the New York Fashion week both on and off the catwalk.

Designers such as Carolina Herrera and Carlos Miele have showed new collections covered with bright floral prints whilst colourful butterflies aplenty shimmed and shone their way down the catwalks.

Its not just on the beautiful fabrics that flowers are having a big impact.

Marc Jacobs donned his 6ft something models with beautiful oversized flowers in their hair providing a stunning statement of colour and design. Beautiful purple and orange flowers made for stunning styling.

Such a heavy presence of the flowers is echoing the airy feel of the New York fashion week as a whole this year. Artistic floral displays have donned the entranceway to many more shows this year as a real move towards exotic yet natural colours have been a common threat through most shows.

It seems the fashion World is understanding and acknowledging the beautiful natural designs possible with flowers and with that thought, we look forward to London fashion week to see if it transfer over the water.

Poundland To The Rescue?

The discount retail outlet Poundland has set forward plans to open at least 50 new stores and create 2,000 jobs.

I can see the widening eyes off students all over the country as the £1 or less retailer provides big brands at low prices, but what does it mean for the sector as a whole?

As a man of taste and style (ish...) I have to say there is something a little off about stores like Poundland for me. I much prefer to know that what I am buying has come from the latest batch produced. Maybe I am the perfect example of the fresh and fast economy that has seen the growth of organic food and recycled packaging that has dominated the consumer retail sector of late. Marks and Spencer's Simply food being prime example of this growth. 


The fast and cheap culture of the 90's may have died with Little Chef and the development of 'healthy' MacDonals but is it set for a Poundland revival? With around 3 million customers a week, its hard to argue otherwise. Whats more, Piundland are playing the 'we will help the economy stabilise' card, a move that will surely win them more support.

I have to say I am sceptical. I'm not a snob, neither am I too proud to root for a bargain (I'm a car boot sale fan after all) but at the same time, I like to enjoy the entire experience of shopping. It begins with the building and continues through package design, store design, colours, the layout, the smells the sounds... all of which make me feel like I am choosing a product because it speaks to me and who I am.

I'm not saying that Poundland are a bad retailer, far from it, the company employ over 7,500 staff in 263 store nationwide so who am I to belittle that? It is also true that the displays and quality of fixtures and fitters may well be higher than you think they would be but, for me, it just doesn't quite hit the button.

So what's the conclusion? Poundland's top sellers include Kodak batteries, Malteasers and cotton buds so if your idea of a good night in is cleaning your ears out then eating a packet of Malteasers whilst watching the latest Katie Holmes film on your battery powered portal DVD player then head to Peterborough where the next Poundland will open.

If like me, you find it hard to buy toiletries that don't have the vintage European style label of L'Occitane stuck to the front then maybe its not for you. 

I may be paying a visit for AAA batteries however. I all ways did think they were overpriced.

New Standards In International Design Set

The Desmond Talbot July newsletter is now live!


If you work in an industry where image is important and you want to show your clients that you are serious about style then click the link below.


Maybe you work in Events, Retail, for a Spa, a Hotel or for a Design company that considers itself exclusive, you should take some time out to read the newsletter on the link below and see what Desmond Talbot, floral designer can do for you.


http://tinyurl.com/27encpj

Piranha Pedicure's all round!

I was slightly shocked to read that the new craze in beauty therapy is the 'Piranha Pedicure'.

Sounds like it will hurt and clip your nails a little too close to the bone doesn't it.

For those of you not quite brave enough to dip your feet below the water line, you will be pleased to hear that there are no real Piranha's involved. Instead the fish used are Garra Rufa, a type of mini-carp no more than two inches long. I can hear a collective sigh of relief from everyone in a ten mile radius.

To get technical about it, the carp feed on dead skin (appetising right?) which sees them eat the scales off larger fish in the wild and skin of women's feet all over London.

Prices vary ranging up to £45 per dip to let the little suckers remove around 2 layers of skin so it isn't cheap. So is it worth it I hear you ask?

The owners of the the Aqua Sheko fish Spa in Kensington would say so. The spa has steadily been increasing its client base and with good reason. The fish offer a non-chemical procedure that comes directly from nature itself and with a definite shift towards natural remedies who can blame the scores of women (and some men I am sure) flocking to the closest fish tank, river bank or sink to dip their toes in the water?

Camden is abundant with fish in tanks so my suggestion would be to head there to witness it before trying. We all like to watch someone else get their feet chewed up before dipping our own feet in I'm sure! As a slight word of warning, check the Spa's credentials before putting your feet into any tank. It has been known through Asia, where the treatment began, for different fish to be used and these fish are not as pleasant. They can leave bruises or tiny cuts on the sole of the feet which, I'm sure you know, doesn't look so good with the new sandals you just bought from Marc Jacobs.

Moving forward, now may be the time to try the fish therapy because who knows what the next wave of therapy will bring. Our fishy little helpers could soon be swimming back to wild only to be replaced by crabs that cut your toe nails or monkey's that paint your finger nails.

Madonna

I am a habitual person. Each morning as I head into the city I purchase 2 newspapers:  1) The Times and 2) The Daily Mail. I buy both papers because I really enjoy reading The Daily Mail but am embarrassed because I feel as a professional woman I should be reading something a bit more “high brow”. The result – I carefully hide the Daily Mail within the front page of The Times. 

I am proud to say that I have progressed since my youthful days 12 years ago when I used to hide The Times within the front page of the FT. I look forward to the day when I will sit proudly with The Sun without reservation.

But I digress…

Today, on page 3 of The Daily Mail is a photo of Madonna with her 13 year-old daughter Lourdes. I can remember when I was only a few years older than Lourdes dancing around in my Mom’s basement, “Like a Virgin” record (yes RECORD ALBUM for those who can remember such a thing) blaring from the speakers, microphone (aka hairbrush) in hand. Eyes closed and I was a superstar. Madonna was my idol. 

That was over 25 years ago.

Madonna and I have come along way since then. She’s 52. I’ve just turned 41. We both found our way from the States to London. We both married English men and divorced these English men. Madonna became the biggest superstar on the planet and a mother. I became a Director and a dog owner. 

I, like Madonna, have looked age in the face and said “screw you”. I will not grow old gracefully. I will botox, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, spin, run, juice, diet, detox my way to 70 and beyond.  I like to think I would never go under the knife but in 15 years’ time…we’ll see. Those who think the battle against aging involves “buying youth” are sadly mistaken. This battle involves huge sacrifice. Madonna has clearly made those sacrifices. And the older we get, the larger the sacrifice.

Happy birthday Madonna. You are a beautiful 52. And you are still my idol.