Bimba y Lola: Vogue Write Up

"For Spanish-based label Bimba & Lola, the future looks bright. Already present in 16 different countries since its inception in 2005, its youthful - yet accomplished - aesthetic and luxe separates has made the fashion industry sit up and take note - think Carven-meets-Jonathan Saunders and you'll be on the right lines.

For founders and designers Uxia and Maria Dominguez, the label is very much a family affair (the name came from their pet dogs, Bimba and Lola, hence their greyhound motif), and one that has nurtured a very personal design aesthetic. "To create Bimba & Lola we look for inspiration in nature, art, film - even in friends and family," Maria Dominguez told us. "We know each other really well and have great respect for one another, which helps when reaching agreements."

Until now the brand has managed to stay relatively under the radar, but with their autumn/winter 2012-2013 collection that is all set to change. This season the sisters have gone bold with geometric-print dresses, textured tweeds and striped fur, and for those with less of an extrovert temperament - there are neutral overcoats, block-colour skirts and sleek pleated trousers that have seasonal staples written all over them. Their easy, oversized silhouettes are a particular highlight. 

"This collection is inspired by the hyper-culture concept, a mix of tradition with modernity, the rustic and the technological," Uxia Dominguez explained. "Because of this, we have achieved a combination of rich and technical fabrics and geometric prints with the more ornate."

With international expansion planned in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe, the girls will no doubt be arriving on a street near you very soon. "Our dream is to continue growing but never forgetting who we are." Let's hope that they don't as, for now, their accessible price points and uber-cool designs are proving to be a winning formula."

Bimba & Lola

Upon visiting Valencia three times now (my twin is on her year abroad studying there) I have stubbled across the Spanish designer shop Bimba & Lola. 

Bimba and Lola catches your eye immediately as you walk past. Each of the shops feel like you are walking into a wealthy spanish lady's well- organised wardrobe.  Shiny dark wood shelves and perfected spotlighting display their playful but chic collection.  Colour is important with Bimba and Lola. Hues are never dull or dark.  Take a look at the clothes rail to see what I mean.  What make the bright colours look expensive and very much wearable are the beautiful expensive luxurious fabrics they use and the cut of each piece.  Attention to detail is second to none.  Bimba and Lola are not just a clothing line.  Although their clothes are stunning,  it is their accessories which are more sought after- or so it seems (their shops primarily display their bags, jewelry and shoes).

I have to say it was the shoes and the jewelry that caught my eye most.  The SHOES!  They are all a little bit wacky and unusual but they still look classy and sophisticated at the same time;- a difficult balance to strike.  These ones were my absolute favorite;

Printed Snakeskin Wedge: The ones I would take home if I grew £50 notes (or ¢50 for that matter) on a little tree. 

I thought these were very similar to Vivienne Westwood's S/S '12 shoes

People are wearing these type of dessert boots all over Spain.

Sweet ballet pumps

Colourful Wardrobe: The clothes

The jewelry:  The jewelry is not small, delicate or dainty;  it is a statement.  Each piece screams 'look at meeeee' because everything is over-sized and in a colour which refuses to be ignored.  

More jewelry.

Their Sunglasses- I fell in love with the bottom pair (round).  They were ¢85 but looked odd on my face.

More Shoes

Shoes

And shoes...

Mirrored Wardrobe

Jewelry

Scarf

The clothes

Jewelry

Their Washbags 

Bimba and Lola are expanding fast.  I now know (and vaguely remember) that they have a shop in Westfields, Shepherds Bush, London.  They probably have other shops in London too, although I am yet to check those out.

Anyway, take a look at their website and you will see what gorgeous things they have. 

Scrap Blog update

For those of you that havent gravitated towards the word 'Scrapblog' on the navigation bar and clicked it, then might I suggest you give it a go?  It really has got lots of wonderful photographs and quotes; bits and bobs even if I do say so myself.  When I need inspiration, this is where I head.  It is my own little collection of things that catch my eye and make me think twice.  I hope it does the same for you!  

Here is a sneak peak of what you are missing if you don't click HERE.

Style File: Cait in Chelsea

I have done a style file on Cait previously when the quirky kid bought some dungerees.  This is what Cait wore to our brunch at The Chelsea Teapot. 

Shoes: Pink Converse

Jeans: Topshop

Jumper: Adidas Vintage

Polka Dot Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Leather Jacket: Topshop

Bag: Jack Wills (old)

Necklace: Designed by her Mum. 

I love how Cait just chucks on the most random and wonderful pieces of clothing and looks great.  As always, it is the way she is wearing each piece that make the outfit look current and cool.  Her top button is done up, her sleeves are rolled up, her jeans are rolled up and her studded leather jacket is slung on over the top, as the cherry on the already iced cake.  For most people, I think this would look weird and bulky, but here, she pulls it off a treat. 

This is bold layering and I think it works:- Stylish Shmaity! X

Style File: The Chelsea Teapot

This is what I wore the day we strolled to The Chelsea Teapot.  

I didn't have much choice what to wear this day.  I had stayed at a friends apartment so only had a small bag of clothes with me.  Heels are never my first choice for sunday footwear but, like I said,  I didn't have much choice. The only choice I had this morning was between this grey handmade QuiBelle jumper, or a Sandro coral one.  As it was a crisp but nippy cold sunny morning (my favourite), I decided to go for the warmer option.

Jumper: Uniqlo (customised to say 'QuiBelle' by myself)

Black Suede Handbag: The Retro Boutique Leeds (vintage)

Jeans: H & M

Boots: M & S

The Chelsea Teapot

Last weekend I stayed at my friend Lu's which happens to be in the nicest part of London: Chelsea. After having our morning cup of tea to wake us up and soothe our heads we walked along Chelsea Harbour in search for some late breakfast.

Chelsea Harbour

Lu and Cait walking along Chelsea Harbour

River Thames in Chelsea

We ended up strolling right onto the notorious Kings Road, arriving at the Chelsea Teapot Cafe.  They did exactly what we were wanting (eggs on toast) for a reasonable price. 

The Chelsea Teapot

This is the first sight you are greeted with at The Chelsea Teapot; cake, cupcakes and more cake. Everything is surrounded by all things sugar and spice and all things nice.  

I always think cafe's are that much more authentic when they have chalk boards with the daily specials.    They are even more authentic when the word 'homemade' is on there.  The day we went, on the counter was a large glass bowl of 'homemade' butternut and ginger soup.  Next to this bowl were 'homemade' hummus, carrot and spinach rye bread sandwiches. -Yum!!  

Opposite the counter is a shelf of little English tea-themed presents. 

We sat down in the cafe and ordered our eggs on toast.  They arrived promptly and cooked to perfection. 

Cait and Lu with their breakfast.

It was just one of those lovely mornings where you eat a delicious meal, chat for two hours afterwards and leave with a big smile on your face because of the enjoyment of it all.  So, if you are ever in Chelsea, with good company, with a grumbling tummy, and five pounds to spare, pop into The Chelsea Teapot for lovely atmosphere and brilliant breakfast.  You won't be sorry.

Style File: Last day of Work

 I am just logging what I wore on my last day of temporary work... just in case you wanted to see... -You probably don't but hey, your reading this...!

Jumper: Uniqlo

Dress: Jack Wills

Boots: Whistles

Watch: Longines

Bracelet: Pandora

Necklace: Present 

S Pendant: Thomas Sabo

Booties: Whistles

Dress: Jack Wills A/W '12