London's Calling....One Girl's Wanderlust Goes and Investigates!!

London has long been the fashion capital of the world, with many great designers such as Alexander McQueen, GILES, Charlotte Taylor, Katrina Ferrari and Brett de Jager all revolutionising the way we dress. London Fashion Week has now become the biggest event in the fashion calendar and all the major fashion bloggers either come from London or are living in London.

What is it that makes London so special?
Living and working in London, it is hard not to favour this city above others in the world, however, in no other city do I feel as inspired as I do when I am immersed in London culture. I can feel a vibrant energy pumping through my veins,via the Central line, when I walk down the street, feeding my brain with inspiration. London is a melting pot of different cultures, made so by the vast collection of nationalities that make up it's population. It is no surprise then that London is home to a rich and diverse art scene.


London inspires so many people with its eclectic array of food, art, culture, entertainment, personalities and so much more. Fashion plays a massive part in this. There is a certain 'London Look' that epitomises the capital's creative edge. With the culture clashes, freedom to wear what we like, the availability of throw away fashion and the strong emphasis on art, people can create their own unique look, a look unique to London...something that would be impossible to recreate anywhere else in the world. It is safe to say that fashion has definitely stamped its sharp stiletto heel into the paving stones of the Capital...(Hungerford Bridge...ahem!!)

The Kate Middleton Effect:
London has only just become the fashion capital of the world earlier this year and we have one woman to thank for that....Kate Middleton! With all the media hype and social media buzz surrounding the royal wedding and her beautiful Sarah Burton wedding dress, London knocked New York, Paris and Milan to second, third and fourth positions in the Global Language Monitor survey. Despite this, some industry insiders dismiss the survey, still recognising Paris and Milan as the commercial and creative hubs of the industry. For some people like the milliner Stephen Jones it is a generational thing: "For young people, London is the fashion capital, but if you are an American buyer it would be Paris or Milan."

What is the future of the fashion capital?
Now that London has received and is getting used to all this love and affection it is learning to embrace it and forget its modesty. This is not a bad thing, after all it is widely recognised that Brits are far to modest in comparison to the rest of the world. 


The focus has shifted away from the commercial, harsh sales where all that mattered was turnover and profit and we are learning how to nurture and develop the brands/designers we love. Over the past year (especially during LFW during September) a plethora of emerging young talent has moved onto our radars. Names like Jessica Au, James Kearns, Susie Stone and Stephanie Grace Foy have become household names for anyone interested in fashion. This is due to the increased support and funding given to recently graduated designers. It seems that finally people are realising that the smaller, fresh faced designers of the present will be the profit earners of the future. We only have to look as far as Alexander McQueen to see that.


Saying all this however, you would have to have been living under a stone over the past few months not to hear about Westfield Stratford City opening it's doors to the public. Being Europe's largest urban shopping complex it is no shrinking violet and it doesn't pretend to be. The shopping centre is situated alongside the London Olympic Park and is home to over 300 shops and 70 restaurants. It has also been said that by building the new shopping centre, it will create 10,000 new jobs. 

How will this affect One Girl's Wanderlust?
As a fashion intern in the big bustling city that is London, I need to stay on top of all the fashion current affairs and working in a city that is as fashion forward as London is really helps. More and more I have seen pivotal people in the fashion industry favour London over New York when it comes to hosting their events or opening a new store. You would think that with the media frenzy surrounding London earlier this year and the increased popularity of smaller independent designers that it would be easier to find a job. Personally, I don't think that having London as the fashion capital has increased the possibility of finding a job at all. In fact, I think it is harder than ever to find a job in the fashion capital and even unpaid internships are hard to come by. It all comes down to networking and getting your face out there. 


What is really important to me is the increased level of support and understanding that British fashion has received since London has been elected the fashion capital as it means that the British fashion industry can remain as fresh and diverse as it always has despite the current economic climate.


What are your views on London? Should it be the fashion capital of the world?

Oh I'm Just A Girl....Gwen Stefani-A True Global Style Icon

Gwen Stefani has been in the public spotlight for the majority of her life, inspiring millions with her songs and her fashion sense. You may know her from back in the day when she was rocking out with No Doubt or you may have recently discovered her through her solo career. It doesn't matter how you came to know her, all that matters is that she is recognized for her amazing sense of style. Being an inspirational role model for millions, I thought I would share this video I found of her when she was still in high school, trying to make it big in Orange County. She is a fascinating, strong, powerful, inspirational and fashionable woman-not one to be messed with, only admired.

Noon by Noor Fall/Winter 2011-12 Fashion Show

It It is not everyday that you get contacted by a designer personally asking to be featured on your blog, so when I received an email from Noon by Noor I jumped at the opportunity to feature them on my blog.....

Noon by Noor are a new fashion house situated in the United Kingdom of Bahrain and led by the designers: Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa who are cousins that both studied Fashion Design in the USA.

The name for the brand comes from the Arabic letter 'N' which is pronounced as Noon and it is not just the name which has been influenced by their homeland of Bahrain. The collection itself has been infused with elements from their homeland such as the use of luxurious silks, satins, jerseys and exquisite beading which really encapsulate the vibrant culture of Middle Eastern society.

The collection was unveiled on March 10th 2011 at a fashion show in Bahrain in front of an audience of prominent figures in the fashion industry from all over the world.  The audience were not disappointed as before them was a collection so divine and full of elegant but playfull elements that it was very difficult not to be pleased with the collection. The collection is made up from luxury garments which have that timeless and exotic twist that allows them to be worn not only in the day but also in the evening due to the unexpected detailing such as the hand stitching or the homemade accents which add elegance and individuality to every garment.

“It feels incredible to see how months of hard work and commitment have

materialized in one single event. We have been very hands on during every

stage of the process, and so tonight we were paying very close attention to our audience’s reactions. We consider this feedback as part of the learning

experience. I’m sure that our success this evening will only push us to outdo

ourselves for future collections” states Shaikha Noor. 

The future looks bright for Noon by Noor as they have just set up an exclusive boutique in the Seef district of Bahrain which is now the headquarters for all the Noon by Noor operations and in the coming year they are going to take the fashion world by storm whilst attending worldwide trade shows to display their collection to a global audience.

Here is a glimpse of some key looks from the Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection:

To see more visit there website by clicking here.

Some of My Favourite Travel Photos....

Images from Pinterest. Which one is your favourite??

Valencia...a forgotten city!!

When you think of major Spanish cities the first ones to spring to mind are Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Granada but no one ever really thinks of Valencia. Before I went there this summer, I knew little of what it had to offer but soon after arriving there I knew I was in for a treat.

Situated on the Eastern coast of Spain Valencia offers the best of both worlds, the city and the sea. I was based just outside the city centre for the week meaning I could easily escape the bustling crowds to relax a little but I wasn't too far away to feel isolated. Everything in this city is within an easy reach of each other allowing you to pick and choose exactly what you want to do without worrying too much about getting there and back.

There appears to be two parts to Valencia city, the ultra modern ciudad de las artes y de las ciencias and then the older traditional area where the cathedral and the churches are situated. The city is so diverse and has so much to offer that it makes it almost impossible to know where to start. I will begin to tell you the top 5 places to go which are: L'Oceanográfic, The Cathedral, The Central Market of Valencia, The harbour (home to the F1 track) and Flash Flash.

L'Oceanográfic is home to 45 000 different animals and over 500 different species making it the largest aquarium in Europe. It is situated in the modern area of ciudad de las artes y de las ciencias near to the bustling city centre but whilst you are there you forget all about the rest of the world as you are totally overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the aquarium. One of the main attractions which you must not miss at L'Oceanográfic is the amazing dolphin show which takes place out in the open allowing you to see the dolphins perform their tricks and believe me...these dolphins can really dance. Another thing the aquarium has to offer is a night sleeping with the sharks. It sounds a lot scarier than it really is but all you have to do is bring a sleeping bag along and sleep in one of the glass tunnels under the shark tank. Great idea for a children's party!!

If you want to go for something more cultural then there is always the Cathedral, a true architectural masterpiece. Constructed in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the Reconquista, it is built in a Gothic style but contains elements of Baroque, Renaissance and Neo-Classical architecture. It is safe to say that this is one of the most beautiful buildings Valencia has to offer and a view from the Micalet (bell tower) is not to be missed.

Moving on from the Cathedral which is a real feast for the eyes, it is important you visit the Central Market which provides a feast for the belly. Built at the start of the 20th century in a true Valencian style with lots of ceramics and mosaics, this market offers an insight into daily life in Valencia. It is important to walk all the way around the market so that you appreciate all the stalls the market has to offer. All the sounds and smells of this market mixed with the busy hustle and bustle really makes you feel alive. Occasionally some vendors will let you try some fresh produce while you walk around and believe me, you will have never tasted food any fresher unless you have grown and picked it yourself.

Valencia is also home to the F1 racing track along the city's port and harbour. It is possible to walk where F1 giants such as Vettel have driven their racing cars as the road is also used as a normal city road which takes you to a lovely strip of restaurents along the sea front. Whilst I was there in July, they had a small firework display on the beach one night. It was unlike anything I have ever seen before. The bangs were so loud that each one made me jump a foot in the air and the explosions were so colourful I almost needed sunglasses. I was such an unforgettable experience.

Last but not least, I was taken for lunch after a long morning shopping at Flash Flash, a restaurant specialising in Spanish Tortillas. Unlike any other restaurant I have seen before, Flash Flash is completely white and minimalist with black stickers of paparazzi stuck onto the walls. The food was delicious and the staff were so so friendly. I would definitely return.

Flash Flash

There is so much Valencia has to offer that I would be writing all year if I wrote about them all. I hope however, that I have given you an insight into the wonders of the city and inspired you to travel to it yourself.