Signature9 UK

When Technology met Fashion

Filipa Oliveira — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:03 +0000

A digital clutch sounds like something you would see in a James Cameron’s blockbuster, right? Wrong. It’s actually a real deal and we assure you, very 2010 – that’s what you get when fashion and technology become partners in mission. Ever since Hewlett Packard and fashion designer Vivienne Tam teamed up in 2008 for their first high-end tech notebook, fashionable geeks worldwide have been clamoring for the second edition, after its debut on the New York runway last fall. Coinciding with the release of Tam’s spring collection, the new HP Mini 210 is finally expected to be available on March 19th.

“As a fashion designer I have always found inspiration in bringing contrasting worlds together.I use computers in every aspect of my life so it seemed natural to marry fashion and technology. Together with HP, we created this movement of fashionable tech accessories with the second-edition digital clutch.” Inspired by a Chinese love story, the “Butterfly Lovers” notebook bears a sleek and modern design (when closed reminds a very hip purse), combining the famed HP signature with Vivienne’s sophisticated style.

Now…let’s peek inside the clutch:

. 10.1-inch diagonal LED widescreen display (1024 x 600 resolution)
. HP Mini keyboard (93% of the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard)
. Windows 7 Home Premium
. Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz processor
. Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
. 2GB of DDR2 memory
. 320GB hard-disk drive
. up to 5.5 hours of battery life
. VGA webcam

Vivienne Tam’s HP mini 210 is set to retail in the US for $599 (around £397). And while there’s no official word on the UK price yet, a list of worldwide retailers is already available online.

In case you already own the notebook of your dreams – fast, light, responsive – but sadly that thing is all brains and no beauty to match, we have just what you need for a Extreme Makeover: Laptop Edition.

a. Bayswater sleeve for 13” MacBook (in ink blue and coral leopard print). Available at Mulberry for £350 buy it b. Croco stamped leather laptop bag in cognac by Pratezi. Available at Forzieri for £494.87 buy it c. Grained leather laptop briefcase in orange by Giorgio Fedon 1919. Available at Forzieri for £522.56 buy it d. Newspaper print laptop bag by Mitemite. Available at Farfetch for £120 buy it (perhaps this is the future of print)

Alice in Modern Land: If Money’s No Object

Filipa Oliveira — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:54:41 +0000

Now that Tim Burton’s Alice has finally appeared on screen and everyone, everywhere, is acting La-La Land like a child in a candy store, we started to wonder what kind of style Alice would go for if she suddenly got a reality check from the fashion troops. True…Burton is wowing us with his wardrobe extravaganza and we surely can’t get enough of the fantastical eye candy he’s brought to our lives, but we’re thinking something along the lines of today’s lifestyle – let’s say, a dinner out as opposed to a Mad Hatter’s tea party or a countryside evening that doesn’t end up with someone chasing a white rabbit down his hole (yes, you read us right…we like to think deep once in a while). Inspired by Wonderland’s colorful strokes but with an eye towards spring trends, we came out with some fashion stunners more suitable for the modern Alice that lives on the real side of the magic mirror.

a. Tapisserie gold-plated hairband by Bijoux Heart. Available at Net-a-Porter for £495 buy it b. The Lottie bag. Available at Jaeger for £250 buy it c. Mona cotton-blend dress by Roland Mouret. Available for £555 at The Outnet buy it d. Ruched dress by Roksanda Ilincic. Available at Matches for £918 buy it e. Gingham pleated bustier dress by Christopher Kane. Available for £1.500 at Browns Fashion buy it f. PS1 Medium leather satchel by Proenza Schouler. Available for £1.215 at Net-a-Porter buy it g. Leather gladiator sandals by Miu Miu. Available for £325 at Net-a-Porter buy it h. Studded star prive slingback heels by Christian Louboutin. Available at Matches for £1.095 buy it.

Boy Beauty Spring Trends: As Seen On

Filipa Oliveira — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:24:15 +0000

It’s a common misconception that men are not programmed to go beyond the basics of grooming. Come on…that is so last century! Men of today’s modern era like to take care for their locks and pamper their skin, whilst exploring further beauty treatments beside the occasional shampoo and soap combo. And while male grooming trends are not as varied as those of women, there are still some key tips every boy with an eye for style should be aware of.

Hairstyle:
. Fringe
In 2010, the fringe returns in a variety of lengths. Play with texture and layers in order to achieve the best style for your face shape.

. Retro
We’re getting a strong 50’s vibe for the upcoming season – Precise parting and vintage-style slicked back haircuts are utterly classy and not that hard to achieve. Take your hair type and texture into consideration as wavy hair is tamed differently from more straight hairstyles – once again, it’s all about your face shape.

1. Sage styling cream by Malin + Goetz. Available at Liberty for £15 buy it 2. Trevor Sorbie Mg hair moulding mud. Available for £5.99 at Boots buy it 3. Aveda Men Pure – Formance shampoo. Available at Aveda for £13.50 buy it 4. Molton Brown purifying Plum-Kadu conditioner (300 ml). Available for £17 at John Lewis buy it.

Facial beauty:
Keeping with the retro theme, you better give that beard of yours a good firm trim – a clean shaven face goes way better with the preppy mood.

5. 4 Piece Gillette Mach3 set in simulated ebony. Available for £139 at The English Shaving Company buy it 6. Post-shave soother/ beard control formula. Available at Clinique for £16.50 buy it.

Fashion for Women’s Empowerment

Filipa Oliveira — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:52:43 +0000

Held on 8th March every year, International Women’s Day celebrates female achievements throughout history, remembering their united struggle against oppression and discrimination. Starting as a political event, the day soon took a more lighter note in some cultures, being celebrated with thoughtful gestures and small gifts in a global birthday mode. In other societies, however, the event still assumes an intense social value and awareness of a common purpose, strengthened by the support of the United Nations that since early years has been fighting for the advancement of women, putting full equality and justice in its global agenda.

As expected, worldwide fashion and lifestyle media proved not indifferent to the constant endeavour. Supporting Women for Women International – a non-profit making organisation that assists women in crisis situations, providing them the necessary tools to move from poverty to economic security – Kate Spade New York has been promoting micro-companies in recovering communities since 2005. Now, in honor of International Women’s Day, creative director of the iconic American brand, Deborah Lloyd , has designed a metal bangle engraved with inspiring words, with 25 percent of the proceeds benifiting Women for Women – the bracelet is available online and in stores for £32.

One of our favourite tees by Twenty8twelve duo, sisters Savannah and Sienna Miller

In aid of the same charity association, Harper’s Bazaar is teaming up with key british designers to create a hip collection of twelve t-shirts. The Women for Women range features fashion skills from Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon, Nicole Farhi and Sienna Miller amongst other artists.“There’s something quite powerful and poignant about top British female talent using their creativity to raise money for a charity that helps other women, and I’m extremely proud that Bazaar is at the heart of this campaign“, Harper’s Bazaar editor, Lucy Yeomans, has said. The collection will launch March 8 and will be available at Net-a-porter for £30 each.

Style for relief – we’re sold!

LV “Mon Monogram” Now Online

Filipa Oliveira — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:03:05 +0000

Classic monogram handbags – the epitome of luxury and status combined. Top favorite amongst the fashionable and wealthy, monogrammed designer bags never fail to create an impact. In fact they can be trusted as fashion staple, as major design houses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton ensure their continuity, working hard in fulfilling every woman’s lust and fascination – Chanel bags are famous for their interlocking C ’s and the embossed LV signature is spotted miles away, bouncing around every hipster girl’s arm. Yes… nothing beats the logo factor. Unless, of course, it’s your own. Ever since Carrie Bradshaw proudly sported a monogrammed C-bag on Sex and the City and Madonna wore Gap jeans with an M embroidered in the back pocket, the monogram trend started to peak in popularity – from home accessories to clothes there are uniquely yours, personalised items began to reach a crescendo.

Fully aware of the marketing potential, Louis Vuitton din’t fail to delight its fans. Enhancing the LV shopping experience, the brand has lunched online the Mon Monogram personalisation service, a customisation project once only available in exclusive flagship stores. ”For more than 150 years, this company has united tradition and innovation, and there is no better example than this initiative, which brings one of Louis Vuitton’s historic services – personalization – into the digital era.”

Visitors will be able to bespoke their pieces, choosing from up to three initials and embellished stripes from a 17 color palette – that means more than 200 million possible combinations at prices that range from around £650 to £2.700 or more. Click, play and save – the LV Mon Monogram configurator is ultra quick and very user friendly … even for those who can’t afford it.

British Fashion Targets Plus-Size Market

Filipa Oliveira — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:00:56 +0000

Another London Fashion Week comes to an end, and once more plus size fashion is being brought to the table of debate – are curvier models real catwalk material? Knitwear designer Mark Fast seems to think so, as he brought (as a second time act) more than just skin and bones to his latest runway show.

“There’s an idea that only thin and slender women are able to wear Mark’s dresses and he wanted to combat that. We wanted women to know they didn’t have to be a size zero to wear a Mark Fast dress – curvier women can look even better in them.”

Featuring a mix of body shapes and sizes, Fast presented his winter collection last Saturday, a line “inspired by sculptures of the ballet russe“, filled with body-con knitted dresses, full swaying skirts, capes and drape effects – there’s clearly something for every(body) in Mark’s new fashion range. Amongst the full-figured girls was the successful Ford model, Crystal Renn, a size 16 who has been gracing fashion magazines around the world and is one of the most successful plus-sized models working today.

While Fast may be embracing a wider variety of body types, many of the agencies responsible for casting the catwalk noted that he was the only designer to request larger models.

In that same keynote “embracing real beauty”, High Street retailer, Debenhams, has recently introduced size 16 mannequins in its Oxford street window display, to better reflect the average British woman – a bold move set to be trialed across the UK and gain feedback around the shoppers community.” We are proud to offer a broad and varied choice for women of all ages, shapes and sizes in store. So we thought we should reflect this in our window displays. If it’s popular with customers we would love to roll it out.”

Plus size fashion: yay or nay? Stay tuned as the plot thickens and the script unfolds.

Let Them Eat Pie!

Filipa Oliveira — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:30:15 +0000

Calling all pie eaters and diet-crasher lovers – the British Pie Week is just around the corner. Ok…maybe this is only official in the great culinary calendar, but what a sacrilege it would be not to celebrate the date with the pomp and circumstance of a great festival treat! In association with Jus-Rol’s puff pastry team, the Pie Week starts on March 1st, providing the perfect excuse for seven days of pigging out in crispy crusts and steamy melt-in-the-mouth fillings (pause for a desperate attempt to control the cravings). In love with the pub food staple since the 12th century, the gastronomic week is being taken pretty seriously around London City, with some venues across town offering
the pie and pint experience for a special price of 10£.

Should you dare to embrace the tasty date (but don’t quite understand how a 10£ price can be named special), we bring you some delightful pie recipes for you to indulge at home. Don’t worry, you will burn that extra calories once the week is over – it’s all in the name of gastronomic research.

Holme Farm Venison Shank Pie

Ingredients:
4 x 7.5”x5.5” Jus-Rol Puff Pastry Ready Rolled ovals
4 Venison shanks-trimmed and bone cleaned (Holme Farm Venison – Nigel Sampson) or ½k diced venison meat
½ Bottle red wine
2 Organic carrots, peeled and chopped
1 Yorkshire onion, peeled and chopped
2 Organic sticks of celery, washed and chopped
2 Bay leaves
1 Organic leek, trimmed split washed and chopped
3 Measures of Malton ’sloe gin’
3 pints Homemade game stock
6 Rashers Easingwold bacon
2 tbsp Tomato puree
3 sprigs of Thyme, leaves-only discard the stalks
1 egg yolk mixed together with a teaspoon of salt using a pastry brush (to then be brushed over the top of the pie.)

Recipe for 4 Individual Pies
Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F/Gas Mark 3
Seal the venison shanks in oil in a frying pan until they have a golden colour on all sides, then place in a deep tray for cooking or seal the diced venison quickly on all sides sand transfer to a casserole dish.
Fry off the chopped vegetables in the pan and add the tomato puree, bay leaf, fresh thyme leaves and the Malton sloe gin. Remove from the pan and place in the dish with the meat. De glaze the pan with wine and pour over the meat and vegetables. Add the thyme stalks and the game stock and cover in grease proof paper. Scrunch tin foil over the top of the casserole and slow cook in the oven for approximately 2 hours at 160°C until the meat is tender and almost falls off the bone if using the shanks.
Remove from the tray and chill the mixture in a blast chiller if available. To finish the pies cut the bacon into chunks and fry in a little oil in a frying pan. Place in the base of 4 x oval individual pie dishes – (this adds some fat when cooking the venison or it can dry out). Top with the venison shanks or diced venison and the vegetables and cooking liquor. To assemble pies, brush dish rims with egg wash, top with the pastry ovals, pressing firmly. Flute if desired, brush tops with egg wash and rest in the fridge for 10 minutes. Bake at 220°C for approximately 15-20 minutes then serve with a Pickering salad and homemade chunky chips.

Vegetarian Shepherds pie

Ingredients:
454gm pack of Realeat Vegemince (usually frozen)
1 pack of Shwartz Shepherds Pie Mixture
1 Vegetarian OXO cube
Heinz Tomato Puree with Mexican Spices
2Tbs Olive Oil
1/4 tsp. chili powder
5 cloves of fresh garlic
3 tsp. grated fresh ginger root
1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1 tsp. salt
2 small onions
3 carrots diced
3oz peas
Pie Mash Topping

4 large potatoes
2 spring onions
2oz grated cheese
200ml semi skimmed milk
1tsp. margarine

Peel and slice the onions into small chunks. Do the same for the garlic cloves into smaller chunks and the ginger.
Peel and slice the potatoes and put in a pan and water to boil for making the mash.
In a large pan, pour the Olive Oil and heat up. Add the cumin seeds. Add the onions, garlic and ginger. Fry until light brown. Ideally, thaw the Vegemince before cooking, but it can be used from frozen. Add to the pan. Cook until the mince has gone a basic brown colour and contracted. Peel and dice the carrots and add to the pan.
Add the chilli powder to the pan. Add 5 squirts of Heinz Tomato Puree with Mexican Spices. You can add more if you would like it spicier. In a jug, mix the Schwartz Sheperd’s Pie mixture with the amount of water stated on the packet. Mix in the jug and then pour into the pan, mixing it in with the mince.
Add the peas to the pan and mix in. Add the one cube of Vegetarian OXO by crumbling it into the pan. Now add some more water to the pan until the mince is half covered with the water and mixture. Cook for about 10-15 minutes by stirring it and then let it simmer for about another 10 minutes. Take out the potatoes from the boiling water and make the mash potato for the topping with the margarine and milk. Slice the spring onions small and add to the mash. Add the grated cheese to the mash. Now pour the pie mixture from the cooking pan into a large rectangular oven proof dish . Top the mixture with the mash potato, covering it evenly across. Place in a fan assisted oven first heated at 200 Celsius (gas mark 6) then after about 20 minutes reduce to about 170 Celsius (gas mark 3) and slow cook for another 20-30 minutes until potato topping is brown and mixture is bubbling hot. Stand in oven for about 10-15 minutes. Serve on own or with bread and additional steamed vegetables.

Easy Cottage Pie

Ingredients:
2 lb / 900g peeled sweet potato, cut into large cubes
6 tbsp milk
1 stick/ 110g butter, cubed
Salt and ground black pepper
1/2 tbsp lard or dripping
1 cup/ 115g chopped onion
1 cup / 115g chopped carrot
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups / 450g ground/ minced beef
1 pint / 600 ml beef stock
1 cup / 115g chopped white mushrooms
2 tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1 cup/ 115g grated Cheddar Cheese

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Serves 6
Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C/Gas 5
Boil the sweet potatoes until soft, drain. Place the milk and butter in the pan used to boil the potatoes, return to the heat and warm gently until the butter has melted. Add the potatoes and mash. Season to taste and keep to one side. Melt the lard or dripping in a large deep pan. Add the onion and carrot and fry for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the ground beef and one-third of the beef stock to the onion and carrot mixture and cook, stirring constantly until all the meat is browned. Add the remaining stock, parsley and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly. Place the meat sauce into an 8″/ 20cm by 3″/7cm deep ceramic of glass ovenproof dish and cover with the mashed potato. Sprinkle the grated cheese potato on top and bake in the heated oven for 30 – 35 mins until the surface is crisp and browned. Serve immediately.

Emma Cook Returns To Topshop

Where the Wealthy Shop Online [Infographics]

YM Ousley — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:55:08 +0000

In sheer numbers, the high street trumps high-end when it comes to attracting high earning visitors. Our data is from Google’s Ad Planner, which only offers visitor and demographic information going back one year. We can’t say if the economy has played a role in shifting online shopping preferences, but at present, wealthy online shoppers in both the UK and US aren’t visiting luxury destinations as often as they visit high street e-commerce sites.

Want to know where the wealthy shop online in the US? Visit Signature9.com for a look at the US sites popular with high earners.

Who else has attracted wealthy shoppers online? Invitation and membership sale sites like Brand Alley and Vente Privee for starters. And designer discounters the Outnet and Yoox reach a large number of wealthy UK online shoppers proving that even those who may be able to afford full price are going for the best deals when staying stylish.

Percentage wise, e-commerce sites with physical store counterparts are attracting an audience with a high percentage of wealthy visitors.

Infographics may be copied or reproduced online with a live, followed link to this page. Please contact us for high-resolution images suitable for print.

Spring Beauty Must-Haves: As Seen On

Filipa Oliveira — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:17 +0000

Though the warm season may be playing hard to get (and anything less than two layers of clothing may feel like a distant memory from a past life), nothing can stop you from going out there with your spring face on. Take a look at the beauty roundup we’ve created for you to try and outshine the winter blues.

Pretty in coral is the look to go for these days, as coral shades brighten your face, giving your skin a fresh, natural appearance.
Top: Bobbi Brown cabana corals lip & eye palette. Available for £48 at John Lewis buy it
Bottom: Nars blush in Orgasm. Available for £19.50 buy it

Step out of your comfort zone and slick on a bright pouty as seen in Prada’s summer collections.
Left: So Chaud lipstick by M.A.C. Available for £12.50 buy it
Right: Intense lipgloss by Illamasqua in bright tangerine orange. Available at Debenhams for £12.50 buy it

Side plaids and chic messy buns were all the rage during spring fashion shows – styling products can be a blessing when it comes to tame those wild strings.
Top: Coiff sheer hold hairspray by Frederic Fekkai. Available for £19.50 at SPACE.NK buy it
Bottom: Toni & Guy boost it mousse (250 ml). Available for £5.29 at Boots buy it

We don’t know about you, but we’re certainly jumping on the taupe wagon for a while.
Top: Chanel‘s Particulière nail polish. The soft mushroom shade was first spotted at Chanel spring/summer ‘10 runway show, and as expected, went waitlisted long before it hit the stores- try your luck at Selfrildges, Chanel boutiques and eBay auctions.
Bottom left: You don’t know Jacques! nail polish by OPI. Available for £9.65 at Beauty Expert buy it
Bottom right: Mink Muffs nail polish by Essie. Available for £8.65 at Beauty Expert buy it

Miss Selfridge turns Gossip Girl

Filipa Oliveira — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:48:05 +0000

Ever since its premiere in 2007, Gossip Girl has always been more than just “your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite“. The TV show which revolves around a young group of Upper East Siders with too much money to burn, has clearly become an undeniable influence in pop culture, transforming style behaviours all around the globe. It’s no secret that Hollywood and fashion go hand-in-hand for decades, but while Sex and the City has immortalised stiletto-master Jimmy Choo, no other show has had such an impact in the retail market as Gossip Girl (raise your hand if you love the extravagant lifestyle). Proving the success, high-street fashion chain Miss Selfridge, has signed a deal with Warner Bros to create a collection that is “true to the ideals of the show and one that young women will aspire to own“.The range of eight dresses is inspired in the individual style of each of the key female characters in the plot – Blair (classy-preppy), Serena (vintage chic), Vanessa (quirky meets bohemian) and Jenny (girly rock) – and will include a “leopard-print maxi, a ruffle-front shift, a body-con bandage dress and a lace tutu prom-frock“. Can you match the girl with the clothing?
In addition, Gossip Girls’s costume designer Eric Daman (who assisted Patricia Field on the set of Sex and the City), will host video series to run in-store on how to mimic your favourite Upper East Sider. Starting from £39, the collection is due to hit the shelves in the end of April 2010.