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.