Joanna Sykes for Nicole Farhi at LFW

It hasn't even been a year since Joanna Sykes took up the role of a creative director at Nicole Farhi, but she has managed to convince everyone that she is there to stay.

Founder Nicole Farhi has previously described Sykes as "the perfect appointment for the company that has always been about timeless style and effortless elegance". This season Sykes has stuck to her roots and created a collection with a strong masculine feel dedicated to "real women".  

Keeping it to a true British feel, next fall will be all about multiple layers, jacquard knits, modern tuxedos, cropped trousers and white booties. 

Hearts & Hands Hackney neon yellow coat

Coat - Hearts & Hands 

Wedge shoes - Zara 

 Leather trousers - Topshop 

BoBelle London - HOT new luxury handbag line

Inspired by Proenza Schouler's coolness, Victoria Beckham's unbeatable quality and Anya Hindmarch's chic, Claire Watt-Smith, founder and head designer of BoBelle London (authentically English luxurious accessory brand), has made a statement of her own.

 The BoBelle London is famous for it's clean lines and simple shapes which are empahsised by the 

beautiful leathers, luxe suede lining, acute attention to detail with the finish result bringing true English luxury back to the accessories market.

All of BoBelle’s handbags are made in Somerset, England using the finest leathers and hardware available. 

Claire works with crisp designs and chic detailing including the signature BoBelle clasp and handle detail.

BoBelle London is where the quality matched the practicality for the modern women. 

Key to Great Friendship

My dearest, loving, caring and loyal friend, Iryna Borbelyuk, came to London two weeks ago to see me and spent the holidays together.
After not seeing each other for more than a year and half, I couldn't put my excitement of finally being reunited into words. On my way to meet Ira at the airport, my hands were shaking, my palms were sweating. I had too many thoughts in my head: whether she has changed or whether she will think that in one way or another, I might have changed. But when I saw her at he airport, it was like the old times back again. There was no awkwardness between us, we couldn't stop talking despite her being jetlagged and me having had absolutely no sleep for the past few months from working two jobs.
These ten days spent together have proven once again that despite having so many differences in views on fashion, guys and life, we fulfill each other in so many ways. Some may say that being with your best friend 24/7 could be hard, but not in out case.We have never been closer. She gets me and my moodiness. It's crucial, because friendship is not only about sharing the best of the times: partying together and gossiping about others. It is also about knowing how to support and trust your friend to be able to share the most sensitive information and then move on together.
Ira, I am so blessed to have you as my friend. I do hope you have enjoyed your stay here with me. I do hope I have done enough to make your stay full of unforgettable memories and great emotions. I wish that in 2013 we will be able to see each other more often! I am feeling very crashed and lonely without you. I was so used to having you there be my side everyday as well as being there by your side, making you porridge in the morning (at 1 p.m.) and walking around London.
I wish you could move to London one day!

FRIENDS FOREVER

British Fashion Awards 2012

 wearing Joanna R. Wodzinska 

A couple of months ago British Fashion Council invited me to attend the British Fashion Awards 2012. It didn't seem real until I held the ticket in my hands. It was not only an honour to be a part of it, but also the biggest pleasure to be in the same room with such incredibly talented people like Manolo Blahnic, Stella McCartney, Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders and VALENTINO !!!

The night was hosted by a very famous and quirky DJ, Nick Grimshaw and a beautiful actress, Gemma Arterton (who was a bit shy presenting, but looked absolutely stunning in one of Stella McCartney's creations). 

The ceremony was very intimate and secluded that took place at The Savoy Theatre in London on Nov. 27. 

The place was filled with beautiful women in the incredible, yet some in outrageous evening dresses. I was so honoured to have worn the creation of a very talented Polish designer Joanna R. Wodzinska. 

Having seen so many talented people in one tiny room made me even more inspired to keep going despite how hard it is in the beginning, because in the end it is indeed worth the pain. When Stella McCartney was her first award for the Best Designer Brand, her speech made me very emotional. She talked about how while receiving her work experience in Paris, she decided to come back to Britain to start her own brand and make her own creations. But she was told she would never make it work and she would never break through and become popular. She never listened and did what felt was right. This is why she is where she is right now.  

Overall, it was a very special night that I will never forget. 

(So sorry for not having more pics. Every time I tried to take my camera out of my bag, someone would come up to me to tell me off for taking pics)

 wearing Joanna R. Wodzinska 

British Style Award: Alexa Chung (public vote)

Emerging Talent Award for Ready-To-Wear: J.W.Anderson

Emerging Talent Award for Menswear: Jonathan Saunders

Emerging Talent Awards for Accessories: Sophie Hulme

Red Carpet Award: Roksanda Ilincic 

Accessory Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood

Designer Brand: Stella McCartney

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Louise Wilson

Model: Cara Delevigne

New Establishment Award: Erdem

Menswear Designer: Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton

Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney

BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Manolo Blahnik

Special Recognition Award: Harold Tillman

Rita Ora performing at the Awards ceremony

 wearing Joanna R. Wodzinska 

 wearing Joanna R. Wodzinska 

 wearing Joanna R. Wodzinska 

Gorgeous Ania, Banx from Glitter's Wall of Fame and Gemma from Gemma Satire 

Goody bag from the Awards 

Joanna R. Wodzinska's designs for British Fashion Awards 2012

Thanks to a very talented designer from Poland, Joanna R. Wodzinska, I have such a beautiful dress to wear to the British Fashion Awards 2012 (black tie) ceremony. 

She was so kind to send me the most amazing dress from her collection. 

It is not only stylish, but also very feminine and chic. I can't wait to show it to you. 

  At first, it was very hard to pick the right dress. I wasn't sure about what length to go for or what style. Should I have gone for a midi dress or a more fitted dress? I honestly don't know. But you will be my judge when I post the pics of me in the dress at the British Fashion Awards.  

Ready for British Fashion Awards 2012

I was so honoured and grateful to receive the invitation to the British Fashion Awards ceremony this year, which will take place at the Savoy Theatre on Nov. 27

Take a look at this year's nominees

2012 British Fashion Awards Nominees

1.    EMERGING TALENT AWARD – READY-TO-WEAR

An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the ready-to-wear category.

Nominees: J.W. Anderson, Michael van der Ham, Simone Rocha

 

2.    EMERGING TALENT AWARD – ACCESSORIES

An innovative and directional accessories designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the Accessories category.

Nominees: Dominic Jones, Jordan Askill, Sophie Hulme

  

3.    EMERGING TALENT AWARD – MENSWEAR

An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British menswear ready-to-wear design.

Nominees: Agi & Sam, Jonathan Saunders, Lou Dalton

4.    MODEL

A British model who has contributed most to the international fashion scene in the past year.

Nominees: Cara Delevingne, David Gandy, Jourdan Dunn

5.    DESIGNER BRAND

A leading British based designer brand that has excelled and made an impact on the international stage over the past year.

Nominees: Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Mulberry, Stella McCartney

6.    MENSWEAR DESIGNER

A leading British designer of ready-to-wear and bespoke tailoring who has been instrumental in enhancing men's fashion in the past year.

Nominees: Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton, Oliver Spencer, Richard James

7.    ISABELLA BLOW AWARD FOR FASHION CREATOR

A British creative, stylist, make-up artist, photographer, art director or producer whose creativity has been a major inspiration and influence in the past year.

Nominees: Edward Enninful, Katie Grand, Professor Louise Wilson OBE

8.    RED CARPET AWARD

Gives recognition to a British designer who is creating global awareness of their designs through Red Carpet dressing and the resulting media coverage.            

 Nominees: Alessandra Rich, Roksanda Ilincic, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham

9.    ACCESSORY DESIGNER

 

The leading British designer of shoes, jewellery, millinery or accessories within the past year.

Nominees: Katie Hillier, Nicholas Kirkwood, Philip Treacy

10.    NEW ESTABLISHMENT AWARD

The New Establishment Award recognises a particular movement in British fashion that is taking the industry by storm.

Nominees: Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Meadham Kirchhoff

11.    DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

The ultimate accolade, which recognises an internationally acclaimed, leading British designer of couture, ready-to-wear, knitwear or accessories who has directed the shape of fashion in the past year both in the UK and internationally.

Nominees: Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, Stella McCartney

Please, take a look at what celebrities wore to the last year's British Fashion Awards ceremony