Working Out in London

T H E L O U I S A D R A K E M E T H O D

Although one can’t quite avoid taking note of the fact that she’s trained stars like Gwyneth Paltrow + Victoria Beckham Louisa Drake is much more than just celebrity trainer made famous by her client list. As a dancer, choreographer + expert trainer, Drake is now an authority in her own unique method, a mix of all her years of movement. Her combination of multiple disciplines brought The Louisa Drake Method to life + people can’t get enough. Merging all the best parts of dance, yoga, pilates barre she has created a full body workout which thoughtfully targets exact muscle groups to ensure a longer, leaner + stronger form. Her boutique offering, located in her delightful Fitzrovia studio where you can be sure to find Louisa herself often leading the classes, is sure to put you through your paces + leave you ready for whatever the day throws your way. 

BOOK // louisadrake.com

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B A R R Y’ S

In a word, Barry’s is K.I.L.L.E.R. Killer as in the most insane ass-kicking workout you can do, in any city you might find yourself in (they have locations all over the planet now). Working from the second you step inside the Red Room to the second you leave, the session is different every time with a focus on a different body area each day of the week. However what remains the same is the treadmill to weights format and the fact that whether it’s your first time or your a Barry’s seasoned pro, you will leave on a naturally occurring endorphin induced high - not to mention a stiff and sore body (in all the good ways though of course). My favorite London location has to be the London Central or London East.

BOOK // barrysbootcamp.com

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S O U L C Y C L E

From city to city, SoulCycle is a go-to staple in the life of anyone who moves on the regular. A workout of sweaty proportions, this bike based session is build to make you feel like you’re on the night out of a lifetime - the music is loud + absolutely vibe-ing, the lights are low + moody, the instructors are hot AF + the experience is a whole entire thing. It’s all about peddling your way to an inner happiness + the body of a SoulCycle-r. The London outpost is situated in Soho + a definite scene..

BOOK // soul-cycle.com

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B O D Y B Y S I M O N E

Created by Aussie trainer + dance extraordinaire Simone De La Ru, Body by Simone, known as BBS to those in it’s ‘inner circle’, is a favourite of major celebrities like Reee Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karlie Kloss, Sandra Bullock and of course Chrissy Teigen. BBS consists of five class varieties, including Dance Cardio, Trampoline Cardio, ABC (Arms, Back and Core), HTB (Hips, thighs and Buns) and Full body. No matter the class or the location, any of the signature classes are the perfect time to leave all your inhibitions at the door and get your sweat on, dancing your way through the graceful and powerful BBS method. 

BOOK // bodybysimone.com

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H O U S E O F V O G A

Voga is like nothing you’ve ever tried. Trust me, it’s the dream workout + perhaps one of the only styles of movement that you look + feel as fabulous doing it as you do in your head. Taking the core elements of yoga + merging them with fabulosity of vogueing, Voga is all about channeling your inner goddess + getting your body flowing. Voga was by Juliet Murrell, a successful set designer in the fashion, film + design industry who qualified as a yoga instructor in 2011 to restore her natural energy levels, which had been depleted by post-viral chronic fatigue + if ever there was an inspiration to get your ass moving, Juliet’s class is it! With trained instructors across the globe from London, Paris, Barcelona and Ibiza to New York, Rio, Buenos Aires, Edinburgh + Mexico City, you can be sure that catching a Voga class in London you’ll get all the feels of what it’s meant to feel like to workout. V fab! 

BOOK // houseofvoga.com

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Image Credits 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Where to Stay.. The London Edit

T H E L O N D O N E D I T I O N

Primely situated on the edge of Soho and just a seven-minute walk from Oxford Circus, The London EDITION is a faultless blend of edgy elegance. The brainchild of American entrepreneur Ian Schrager, the once co-founder of Studio 54, it’s a bucket list London stay that doesn’t disappoint. Upon stepping inside, one is left somewhat open-mouthed at the splendour of the lobby. Swiftly captured by the sheer opulence, it’s a room within itself, doubling as a meeting space come day or night with it’s statement, low-lit bar and stylish seating area. A destination of sorts, the hotel conquers the quintessential magnificence of London with it’s social hub spirit. Rooms at The Edition are a minimalist affair; one that lovers of contemporary interiors will really appreciate. Cosy in a chalet way, the rooms are a true escape.

The London Edition is a new generation of luxury with an attainable feel at the heart of exactly what makes London have that London feel. 

Rooms from £288 per night // Reserve at editionhotels.com

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T H E S T A N D A R D

If you know, you know and knowing starts and ends at the Standard’s latest addition in London. With existing locations in New York, California and, now, the Maldives, The Standard’s British outpost was it’s first outside the the US, opening in 2019. It has quickly and undoubtedly become thee place to wake up to and party at till the lights go down for those who know. 

Founded by hotelier André Balazs - who’s other properties include Chiltern Firehouse in London, The Mercer in New York City, and Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles - the Standard is located directly across from King’s Cross Station, towering above Euston Road. Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex the building boasts a very distinct Brutalist architecture of the 1970’s. Inside too plays homage to those 70’s vibes. Designed by Shawn Hausman, with the aim to be in complete contrast to the greyness of London, visitors are treated to bright red ceilings met with striped wooden walls in the ground-level offerings and can treat themselves to any of the many themed areas specifically designed to lounge around in. 

The lobby lounge with its library setting plays homage to the buildings original use where the Sounds studio (yes the hotel’s VERY own recording studio) holds weekly talks and live music. Next door to the lounge is the now infamous Double Standard bar, headed up by executive chef Adam Rawson where guests can expect a casual - yet always cool - drinks and dining experience. Also part of the hotel’s restaurant offerings is Isla, also headed up by Rawson and the recently launched Decimo by Michelin-starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias who merges the Spanish cuisine of his family with his deep love of Mexico, created for his first ever London restaurant. 

The rooms are witty, in a sense playfully lighthearted - they are bright (AF) and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From the typical London small to suite size, there’s something common to all and it’s the outlandish swanky kitsch vibes - think curved walls, retro style lighting, bold Wallace Sewell geometric-patterned bedspreads, deep blue carpets and the bathrooms which are adorned with pink-and-black tiled walls. It’s V seventies without fail. 

Whether you’re there to stay or just to play, The Standard London is the absolute chic!

Rooms from £198 per night // Reserve at standardhotels.com

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T H E N E D

This 11-floor hotel and member’s club bares some family resemblance to it’s founders now infamous ability to create a vibe with each new Soho House opening.. however, The Ned is really it’s own thing. Mature and more decidedly grown-up than it’s younger, party-lover counterparts, it’s Edwardian grandeur plays into a more opulent clientele looking for London glamour at it’s absolute best!

The £200 million creation took four years to complete and was worth the wait.. and every penny it seems. It’s a vibe-seekers haven with everything apart from the rooftop and underground Vault Bar open to non-members. The rooms themselves ooze opulence and elegance and are adorned with magnificent intricacies. There are armchairs and big luxurious sofas in lavishly appointed colours like rose and chartreuse and the four-poster beds come in mahogany, while the light situation is rather on point - think palm-tree shaped chandeliers and uniquely shaped lamps bringing the mood to another level. It’s luxury chic, in the true sense of the meaning. 

It’s got plenty to see and do, with 252 bedrooms to chose from, nine restaurants, 15 bars, a spa, a barber shop, a boxing gym, two pools and as one would rightly expect at The Ned, a vintage cabinet is situated at the door to the old Tapestry Room, with specifically designed compartments to ensure the highly secured storage of one’s bowler hat. I mean.. what else could one want, right? It would seem The Ned has it all.

Rooms from £208 per night // Reserve at thened.com

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A C E H O T E L

Whether you’re a trendy traveller or simply on the lookout for somewhere to ‘co-work’ with the too-cool-for-school Shoreditch crew, the Shoreditch outpost of the Ace Hotel is definitely your first stop in London. Located on Shoreditch High Street and just a 10 minute stroll north of Liverpool Street Station, the hotel is a hotspot for the cities achingly cool crowd. Upon entering through the main entrance, you’re met with a fetching first impression: the lobby with it’s concrete walls, dark wood floors and chipboard ceilings set the tone around the main feature of the lobby which is the endless array of hipsters holding meetings and working away on their laptops in the hotel’s, a space that has infamously become that of a co-workers heaven.

From NYC to LA, Chicago to Palm Springs and Seattle to Pennsylvania, staying the night is always a treat at the Ace. Upstairs, with seven different categories, rooms are in complete contrast with the lobby’s dark characteristics and are enveloped in the freshness of stark white walls and industrial style lighting, all adorned with Ace appropriate mid-century modern furniture. It’s innately and authentically Ace at it’s core, yet very East London in it’s detailed eccentricities - there are acoustic guitars on the walls with each room hosting it’s own quirky elements, think fun amenities like record players and vinyls. 

Hoi Polloi is the hotel’s independently popular brasserie style restaurant and is typically buzzing with a vibe-y atmosphere. The menu is extensive, serving everything from oysters to burgers. For coffee lovers too there’s Bulldog Edition which serves (delicious) coffee and on-the-go pastries, small bites and juices. 

Rooms from £151 per night // Reserve at ACEHOTEL.COM

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T H E H O X T O N

With three locations in London - Shoreditch, Holborn and Southwark - The Hoxton has quickly become a favourite of trend seeking travellers in appreciation of a quality hotel stay at reasonable price points. No matter which of the groups London settings you decide to frequent, you’re sure to fall in love with each destinations ability to fit right in with it’s selected surroundings. From Shoreditch to Holborn to Southwark, each Hoxton has it’s own interesting finishings while collectively boasting a combination of old-fashioned elegance alongside elements of bold playfulness. 

Like The Ace, it’s very London. Each lobby is full of creatives hosting power breakfast meetings and click-click-clicking away on their Macs. Sitting for a morning coffee makes for very good people-watching. On the food front, each hotel has it’s own in-house restaurant, the Hoxton Grill in Shoreditch, Hubbard + Bell and Chicken Shop in Holborn and Albie and Seabird in Southwark. 

In Shoreditch, the rooms come in four different sizes, from smallest to biggest, the ‘shoebox’, ‘cosy’, ‘roomy’, and the nine ‘concept’ rooms, each of which have been designed by a local artist. The nine ‘concept’ rooms cannot be booked however, only requested upon reservation, so fingers crossed you’ll be luck out when booking. In Holborn and Southwark, the room sizes are a similar system with one or two more sized rooms available. 

All-in-all the group attracts a loyal repeat customer for it’s atmosphere and attractive prices. 

Rooms from £155 per night // Reserve at THEHOXTON.COM

Designer Spotlight; Kosedy

Hot on the market - not to mention, putting the chic in our step, we’ve fallen head-over-heels for the hottest new luxury footwear label to come into our lives, K O S Ξ D Y. 

Kosedy, pronounced [ko-sed-e] is a new women’s footwear brand making it’s mark on the luxury market. Kosedy was recently launched by two beauties, Zimbabwean sisters, Hailey and Shellen Edy who have a passion for creating classic pieces to last a lifetime and are admirably on a mission to change the way we invest in shoes forever. Their new label is inspired by the harmonious wilderness of their African roots, dreamed up by the sisters in their Manchester atelier and produced in limited quantities in the Marche region of Italy where shoe-making practices hold an age-old and deeply loved history, honouring great design and ensuring the finest quality, craftsmanship and attention to every detail.

Saying buh-bye to fashion’s seasonal trends and the nasty business of fast fashion, the designers bring a seriously stylish vibe to the practice of sustainable wardrobe investments. As we said, they are putting the chic back into our step and bringing about the opportunity to not only invest in our style but show a little love to the world we live in. Merging their love of fashion, their personal heritage, and embracing the opportunity to create pieces that stand the test of time, trends and seasons, Kosedy is a way if life, it’s about asking questions and considering the source of and ethos behind the things we consume while being brave enough to demand clear and considered answers. 

So far Kosedy’s collection consists of two core styles. The Nairobi Boot which features a curved block style heel and a high, slim fitting ankle and which comes in six varying textures and hues - all within Kosedy’s natural colour palette. And the Serengeti Sandal which plays as the perfect all-rounder day-to-night strap sandal with it’s beautifully unique silhouette - which also in line with the brand’s aesthetics comes in the same colours and textures. 

As one of Britains thought-leaders in sustainable fashion, Kosedy is definitely here to make our purchases as chic and stylish as they are ethical and practical. 

Shop the full collection at kosedy.com

Designer Spotlight; Mach + Mach

Founded by Georgian sister duo Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili, Mach + Mach is a perhaps Georgia’s most celebrated fashion brand and a dream come true for those looking for an Instagram-perfect-fashion-moment. Established in 2012 in the sisters hometown of Tbilisi, Georgia, the brand has garnered international attention and a love the world over for it’s glittering temptations and glamorous, shine-heavy pieces. 

The sibling partnership came to life from the duo’s deeply innate love of fashion. Describing their aesthetic as ‘bright, futuristic, pop’, it’s as though the masculine side of our most dreamed about fashion moment has just met it’s sexy feminine counterpart and they had the most flawless idea for a collection. Think key pieces but make them FASHUUUUN - the vibe is business now, party later. So think perfectly structured blazer dresses paired with diamante embellished see-through fishnet cycle shorts and a side of killer heels. Like who can resist!

Ideal for parties and making a statement, it’s all about the glam at Mach + Mach and in doing party chic just right, they’ve hit their niche, no wonder celebrities including Solange Knowles and Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner and Danielle Bernstein are huge fans. The brand shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi and is stocked at Moda Operandi. 

Shop at modaoperandi.com

ALL IMAGES VIA MACH + MACH

The Jumpsuit Edit

Jumpsuits, no matter the day or reason, are always a good idea. Whether you’re dressing up for a hot date night or simply running errands on the weekend, the magic of the one piece wonder is definitely something that will up your game in the style department. It’s all about versatility and scope though when deciding to purchase, considering how you can dress it up or down is always an important factor when investing in your next purchase. I always look at new pieces in a way of how many ways I can wear it, so take a blazer - can I wear it by day or by night or perhaps a summer dress, can I wear it with heels and then translate it into a day time piece with my flats? It adds immense value to your wardrobe, not to mention the benefits of a streamlined style and way of living. A jumpsuit is no different; here are 5 of my current favorites styled 5 different ways.

“D A T E N I G H T C H I C”

Khaki green military style jumpsuit, The Frankie Shop // Obu leather corset belt, Loewe // Perfume, Byredo at SpaceNK // Red Lipstick, Code8 at Net-a-Porter // Embellished clutch, Simone Rocha // Shoes, Marques ‘Almeida

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“E V E R Y D A Y C A S U A L”

Jumpsuit, Good American // Gold plated chain bracelet, Tilly Sveaas // Beenie, Acne Studios // Perfume, Bella Freud // Old school trainers, Vans // Leather belt bag, Wandler

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“I W O K E U P L I KE T H I S”

Jumpsuit, Asos // Boots, The Row // Bag, Acne Studios // Perfume, ROADS // Watch, Larsson + Jennings // Ear cuff, Astrid + Miyu

“G I R L S N I G H T O U T“

Jumpsuit, The Frankie Shop // Earrings, Rosantica // Lady bag, Zara // Shoes, Gianvito Rossi

'“W E E K E N D C O O L”

Jumpsuit, BOYISH // Sneakers, VEJA // Bag, STAUD // Lipstick, SHISEIDO // Sunglasses, SAINT LAURENT // Hoops, ASTRID + MIYU

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** Disclaimer, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and decide to purchase the item, I get a small percentage of the price. Commission is only transferred if you purchase however, and you do not pay any more than the store’s recommend retail price **

Designer Spotlight; Rotate Birger Christensen

Established in 2018 in partnership with Danish stylists, power influencers and now creative directors, Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars, ROTATE Birger Christensen is a young brand on a rather stylish mission. The Copenhagen-based design house is Madsen and Valdimars solution to the pieces they felt were absent from their own personal wardrobes and nowhere to be found on the market at an affordable price point, they decided to take matters into their hands.

No matter the day, occasion or audience-lined runway you’re looking to wow your way through, it’s all about WOW-ing at ROTATE. Think puff sleeves, loud and beautiful prints, pink jacquard minis, off-the-shoulder full feathered canary yellow mini dresses or perhaps for those looking for a slightly more pared back style adventure, a darkly chic vintage inspired piece. Whatever the level of magnificence though ROTATE’S mission is to inspire you to bring YOUR extra to the ordinary. It’s about the excitement of making the everyday seem that bit more effervescently glowing. So if statements on a Monday are your thing, ROTATE is your new best friend.

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S H O P R O T A T E

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Who Is.. Nick Knight

Creativity, in all it’s messy masks, isn’t always something that reveals itself to be conventionally beautiful. It can be dark and dirty, dangerously seductive and at times, hideously painful. However, in all it’s forms, the creativity of famed fashion photographer Nick Knight is somehow consistently exquisite. Esteemed for testing the boundaries of traditional practices and the ideal beauty, he relishes innovation and continues to prevail as one of the industries leading image makers. 

Born Nicholas David Gordon in London in 1958, the young visionary studied at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design which was where he published his first photography book, Skinheads. Before even completing his studies he was already one of the world’s most sought after photographers. Around this time he was commissioned by I-D magazine’s editor, Terry Jones, to produce 100 portraits for the publications fifth anniversary issue. As a consequence of the partnership came the beginnings of Knight’s future and the opportunity to work with Yohji Yamamoto, the Japanese designer, shooting his 1986 catalogue under the art director Marc Ascoli. The success of this project saw him go on to create 12 successive catalogues for the designer. 

From there Knight found himself the commissioning picture editor for i-D, work that enabled him to sharpen his craft working alongside the great Terry Jones - former art director of British Vogue and co-founder of i-D.

His reputation as an avant-garde figure in the space of progressive image-making has been hard earned and over the past three decades his lengthy career and impressive portfolio has earned him that rightful title. He continues to experiment with the latest technologies and his curiosity in such advances saw him launch his fashion website SHOWstudio.com in 2000, which he says in his own words is there to show ‘the entire creative process from conception to completion.’ His passion for the experiential has stood to him and seeing the future of film as an important medium in the industry he has acted as a leading force in offering a unique way in which we consume fashion, encouraging and nurturing the industry through the transitional age of the digital era. SHOWstudio also aims to work with the worlds most influential and yet to be discovered creative visionaries, from writers and filmmakers to photographers, illustrators and authoritative cultural personalities.  

A true perfectionist, Knight works in the exact same outfit every single time he produces. The jeans he wears are specially commissioned - as when they went out of production he just had to have them. Beyond the beautiful he has some very important themes in his work, one of which is imagined in his collaboration with Lady Gaga for whom he directed the video for her hit single Born This Way. The theme of empowerment and showing unity and community within minority groups is something he comes back to again and again in his work. Some of his most revered creative collaborations have been with leading designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen while some of his major commercial clients have included an array of global brands including Audi, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Lauren, Levi Strauss, Mercedes Benz, Royal Opera House, and Swarovski. He is responsible for no less than 36 British Vogue covers and has shot the record covers for greats like David Bowie, Paul Weller, George Michael and Massive Attack. In 2010 he received an OBE in recognition of his contribution to the arts. 

Knight lives in Richmond, London with his wife Charlotte and their three children.

5 Dreamy Brands We Just Can't Resist

M - K A E

With an emphasis on delicate, feminine designs built on a foundation of strong and structured equivalents, M-Kae is the creation of Maria Kragmann, a 24 year-old Danish blogger. Her passion for design and love of mixing the high-street with high end found her sketching up her own creations on a vacation a few years back and within a year her beautiful imagined drawings were brought to life in the form of this collection where power is found in the dainty and authority in the girlish refinement of her own style.

FOLLOW @mkaecph // SHOP m-kae.com

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R O T A T E

This Copenhagen based brand is of otherworld proportions beautiful. Think statement dresses and jumpsuits, in metallics, feathers and the dreamiest bold patterns your all-monochrome-everything heart never realised it needed. Created in the most distinctive Scandi-cool manner and dreamed up by  Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars, two Danish stylists and influencers who, in understanding exactly what they were missing in their own wardrobes envisioned the perfect closet and so Rotate was born. Rotate is the cool girl’s go-to for party pieces that will ensure your night is one to remember, and you very much remembered.

FOLLOW @rotatebirgerchristensen // SHOP rotatebirgerchristensen.com

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S A I N T B O D Y

Saint Body is an independent fashion brand founded by Kasia Porycka and Manuela Pieniak with the intention to create classic, ultra-feminine yet comfortable bodysuits that are functional in the every day while also ensuring the wearer benefits from the serious attention to design, looking absolutely boss lady hot. Running short series, each piece is produced locally in Europe and gaurantees to compliment the female form.

FOLLOW @saintbodyofficial // SHOP saintbody.com

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W E S T 2 2

West 22 is a top secret fashionistas paradise. With dupe versions of the latest Bottega’s, in full leather, cute cashmere beanies, the prettiest hair accessories and endless fashion finds that add the perfect touch of fabulous to any outfit, this website is one of my favourites to get a stylish fix or little pick-me-up.

FOLLOW @west22_ // SHOP west22.uk

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C E C I L I E B A H N S E N

Feminie, frilly and oh so freaking fabulous, Cecilie Bahnsen is one of Denmark’s most infamous designers to emerge over the past five years. Despite being in contrast to the stereotypical minimalist aesthetics of Danish designers, the brand has made waves throughout the industry, with editors and consumers falling head over heels in love, collection on collection. The young designer operates at the centre of couture and ready-to-wear, creating a perfect line of luxury pieces that are timeless, elegant and youthful in their unimaginable uniqueness.

FOLLOW @ceciliebahnsen // SHOP ceciliebahnsen.com

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Image Credits 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

The Ski Season Edit

Ski season is currently in full swing; think full days on the slopes, Champagne lunches and a hard earned hot-cocoa upon return to the chalet, with a steaming dip in the hot tub under the nights stars to top the day. It’s all the little things that make this time of year, not to mention a holiday in the snow so seasonally distinctive.

With a definite need for functional pieces that allow you reach new heights and actually stay warm and cosy while doing so, it’s always about keeping things as chic as possible in the process - and most importantly for the apés ski, amirite? Yes well, so whether you’re someone who’s winters have been spent on the slopes since baby trips to St. Moritz or (perhaps like me this year), you’re heading on your first trip and are headed for the bunny slopes with the kids, here are some outfit ideas for all those essential pieces, no matter what level a (aprés) skier you may be..

“A L L B L A C K E V E R Y T H I N G”

All in One Ski Suit, Topshop // Boots, Zara // Hooded ski jacket, Topshop // Snow Goggles, Oakley on Mr. Porter // Beanie, Acne Studios // Lip Protection, Ultrasun at Space NK // Phone case, Jil Sander // Foundation, Giorgio Armani

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“C O S Y, B U T M A K E I T F A S H I O N’

Jacket, Zara // Leggings, Zara // Boots, Zara // Quilter crossbody bag, Zara // Phone, Apple // Sunglasses, Loewe // Sunscreen, Dermalogica

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“O F F - W H I T E”

Gilet jacket, Topshop // Boots, Bogner // Ski Trousers, Topshop // Sunglasses, Givenchy // Gloves, Bogner // Go Pro, Mr. Porter // Bag, & Other Stories // Sunscreen, Ultrasun

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Sweater, River Island // Sunglasses, Les Specs // Red Leather Pants, Zara // Boots, Woolrich // Phone, Apple // Jacket, Topshop // Sunscreen, Dr. Dennis Gross // Apres Ski Skin Kit, CODAGE Prescription

Museums & Galleries, The LA Edition

T H E B R O A D

Residing at The Broad is Eli and Edythe Broad's private collection of post-war art works. With a stirringly large collection of over 2,000 pieces from 200 artists the philanthropic couple personally financed the $140million building in which they share their love of the arts with the general public. The building itself is a masterpiece designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler.

Having commenced their love of cultural investing over five decades ago, the Broad's collection is unquestionably one of the most extensive personal accumulations in the world and the couple have cleverly built it up on the base belief that “the greatest art collections are built when the art is being made”. And so it is that it plays home to iconic works of art from some of the most notable artists in the world including Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Kara Walker, Cy Twombly and Jasper Johns - alongside a variety of incredible new up-and-coming artists that the couple consider to be worth investing in right now.

With just 250 of the 2,000 pieces on show at any one time, The Broad boasts a permanent line of eager art enthusiasts who cue up daily for up to an hour and half just to gain access. With free general admission, it's best to book in advance to guarantee entry and avoid any disappointment. 

221 S. Grand St., Downtown // Visit thebroad.org

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H A U S E R & W I R T H

Hauser + Wirth opened its Los Angles location in 2016 right in the centre of Downtown LA Arts District. Located in a former flour mill the contemporary art institute plays home to a vibrant communal space with an aim to bring together art and architecture alongside it’s very active events schedule. This space is not just to come and observe, it’s about getting involved and in supporting and joining forces with a variety of local and international art and culture establishments, this unique LA gallery has created an interactive experience with the art world like no other. 

901 E. 3rd St., Downtown // Visit hauserwirth.com

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G A G O S I A N G A L L E R Y

Larry Gagosian’s presence in the contemporary art world is something of legendary status. His first gallery is the Beverly Hills location which he opened in 1980. Since then he has built an entire empire, now with seventeen exhibition spaces in cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Geneva, Basel, Rome, Athens, and Hong Kong. Showcasing the work of major international artists such as Georg Baselitz, Ellen Gallagher, Andreas Gursky, Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra, Taryn Simon, Rachel Whiteread and Damien Hirst, the always vibrant program at Gagosian is not to be missed when in L.A. 

456 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills // Visit Gagosian.com

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H A M M E R M U S E U M

First opening to the public in November 1990 by former Chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Armand Hammer, the Hammer is one of L.A’s top art spaces. Financed by Occidental, Dr. Hammer had several galleries dedicated to his extensive art collection. Upon his death just three weeks after the opening, the museum began negotiations with UCLA which would see the beginning of a great partnership whereby the college has since managed all operational runnings of the institution. Over time the museum has amassed it’s own very prestigious collection which now holds over 2,000 artworks. Fuelled by varying thematic contemporary exhibitions, historical exhibitions, and contemporary artists’ projects, the museum’s aim is to continually provide important insight into the critical cultural, political and social matters of our time through the artists they work with and the invaluable perspectives they provide while always igniting the imaginations of those who observe, ultimately inspiring change in the way we live and the world we create. 

The Hammer is open to the public on a free admission basis. 

10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood // Visit hammer.ucla.edu

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T H E E A M E S H O U S E

Also fondly known as Case Study House No. 8, the Eames House is a distinguished landmark of mid-century modern architecture. Designed by husband-and-wife Charles and Ray Eames and constructed in 1949, the house remained their home until their respective passings in 1978 and 1988. Today the house is a sacred sanctuary for lovers of mid-century interiors and design.   It reflects their consideration of life as an act of design itself and remains filled with ‘stuff’ representing the story of their lives and how they lived it. One of the most notable and understood aesthetics the design duo left behind is the Eames Lounge and Ottoman - furniture that today is highly valuable in it’s original form and an often copied piece of work. 

Reservations are required for all visits. 

203 Chautauqua Blvd., Pacific Palisades // Visit eamesfoundations.org

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L A C M A

Showcasing the work of living and historical artists in the view to serve the public’s curiosity and vision of the world we live in, LACMA is the largest museum in the western united States. With an astonishing collection that boasts 142,000 artworks, each representing a specific element of the past 6,000 years of life through the artists eye. Each exhibition at LACMA aims to illuminate the rich and cultured spirit of the regions heritage and varied population, while the museum’s experimental philosophy is very much reflected in the artists and mediums they work with from traditional forms of art to technological channels and very much the most important thought leaders of our time. Don’t miss ‘The Story of Light’ - one of the most photographed places in L.A and one of the most visited artworks on campus since it’s opening in 2008 (pictured above).

5905 Wilshire Blvd., West Hollywood // Visit lacma.org

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T H E G E T T Y V I L L A

Inspired by the remains of the Villa Dei Papiri in Herculaneum and the Roman era, The Getty Villa was originally opened in 1974 by oil magnate, billionaire and art patron J Paul Getty as a way to share his vast collections of Classical and Renaissance-era artworks with the public. With a minimum of 1,200 artefacts on show at any one time, the Getty Villa is a destination spot to lose a few hours of your day, wandering happily through it’s galleries and it’s varying on site exhibitions. Upon it’s initial opening in 1974, the launch was met with mixed reviews from critics. The art itself was received with open arms and applause, however the building encountered incredible criticism from historical and architectural experts who felt the era that inspired it’s creation wasn’t at all reflected correctly. The Villa closed in 1997, with the artworks being move to the Getty Centre, so that the villa could be properly converted into a museum level space, only reopening again 2006. Since it’s reincarnation, the Villa has become a hotspot fo tourists and locals alike and being located at the easterly end of Malibu, getting there can be a day out from the city, stopping at Malibu Farmer’s Market which is open on Sunday’s (come hail, rain or shine) or perhaps a nice date night dinner at Nobu.. 

17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades // Visit Getty.edu

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T H E G E T T Y

Not just for art lovers and or those in search of the museums latest world-class exhibitions , the Getty Centre is an escape. Looking out over the hills, perched high above West L.A it’s the perfect place to decamp with a picnic and relax for a few hours away from the city. The centre is very family friendly hosting free music and theatre performances on the weekends and also holds kid-friendly workshops. Designed by Richard Meier to reflect an elevated modernist city and occupying a vast 750 acres, whether you go for the art and architecture or the gardens and walks, it’s sure to inundate your senses with inspiration and insight into the exact world J Paul Getty originally intended, one where art stimulates the imagination and the imagination can perhaps give rise to a better world.

In it’s entirety, the complex includes the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Harold M. Williams Auditorium, two cafés, a full-service restaurant. Admission is free to everyone. 

1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood // Visit Getty.edu

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H O N O R F R A S E R

With a mission to issue the best platform possible to varied and significant community artists, Honor Fraser opened in Culver City in 2006. Working with a diverse range of artists creating with a range of mediums focusing on process-driven, research-based, and object-focused strategies, the gallery is surprise for the senses and never fails to delight. What you’ll find at Honor Fraser is always unexpectedly intellectual and consciously created to ignite a curiosity around the conventionality of societal norms. The gallery aims to consistently challenge the standard, both in the artists they work with and the pieces exhibited. You’ll find artists such as Jeremy Blake, Tillman Kaiser, Annie Lapin, Sol LeWitt, Kenny Scarf and Tom Wesselmann. 

2622 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City // Visit honorfraser.com

Who Is.. Rankin

Whether you’ve ever even heard the name John Rankin Waddell or not has little bearing on the fact you are sure to know the work of Rankin - the name by which the celebrated British photographer is better known. Considered one of our times brilliant creators, a capturer of stills and film that reach the world in a way that has allowed him become a recorder of the century.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1966, Rankin moved several times due to his Dad’s job and ended up spending his teenage years in St. Albans in the countryside of Hertfordshire in England. Of his childhood he says ‘I wasn’t really surrounded by much imagery growing up. My parents were lower-middle-class. Art and culture wasn’t something they ever had any contact with and consequently I didn’t either”. His first foray into photography didn’t comet light until he was in his late teens when a local hairdresser who typically cut his hair asked if he could photograph his new look. However it wasn’t until he was 21 that he actually starting shooting his own work - all the while doing the rather opposing task of studying for an accountancy degree at Brighton Polytechnic. During this time he began to further investigate the medium of print and with a quickly growing love of the creative world he deserted his accountancy studies and began a formal education in photography at the London College of Printing.

It was at college that he met Jefferson Hack and together they started a friendship that would become an infamous relationship from which would stem successes far beyond realms of anything the young photographer had once been allowed imagine in his childhood, once the furthest thing from art and the cultured world of London’s creative scene. Together they founded Dazed + Confused. The celebrated publication began - and has ever since remained - a cult status monthly style magazine, documenting the art and culture scenes of the Brit Pop and Britart movements. Now just called Dazed, the publication has been in existence for 28 years and continues to be one of the industries go-to authorities on style and culture. 

It was the early 90’s and the era was a super creative one, the parties were notorious and the high-brow fashion scene was on fire. The magazine was a direct link for Rankin to create and share amazing images and be invited to all the right parties. He got to shoot all the ‘in’ crowd and using his inherent curiosity about people’s character he was motivated to keep on creating. While working with his subjects he is known to talk to them ceaselessly so as to provoke a natural yet different outlook of their personality. “Portraiture for me is all about making a connection with my subject, building up a rapport, which the viewer also feels”, he says. 

He has gone on to shoot an incredible list of famous faces including celebrities, politicians, models and , from The Rolling Stones, Daniel Craig, The Spice Girls, Bill Nighy and George Michael to Kate Moss, Jude Law, Britney Spears, Tony Blair, Alicia Keys, Cindy Crawford and Grace Jones. Also part of his priceless portfolio is Adele, Alexander McQueen, Pharrell Williams, Kate Winslet, Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander, Ralph Fiennes, Selma Blair, Madonna, Damien Hirst.. the list goes on and on. Perhaps some of his most notable portraits are of Queen Elizabeth and Prince William. Rankin’s commercial work has included campaigns for Rimmel, Nike, Dove, H&M, BMW, and Coca Cola. Branching into directing, he has also creatively directed music videos for artists like Kelis, Miley Cyrus and Rita Ora among others. 

Apart from his extensive work as a portrait and fashion photographer he has extended his collection of magazines over the years, launching others publications like RANK, Another Magazine, Another Man, and his most recent, HUNGER, a bi-annual fashion bible which is accompanied by HUNGERTV.COM, a website that adds a whole other creative layer to each shoot in the magazine with behind-the-scenes film. 

So from his early and more provocative portraits in the 80’s to becoming one of the most sought after photographers of our time, Rankin has helped both the creation and capturing of the attitudes and aesthetics of a generation.

Instant Outfit; Everyday Chic

Here, in a new weekly themed inspiration for your next outfit assemblage, it’s all about mixing and matching, from hight street to designer, and well, just generally bringing together what works. This week we take a look at four different casual looks that, whether mixed or matched, can add a little fun to your everyday getup. Head over to Haute So Fabulous on Instagram to let me know what kind of outfit’s you’d like to see her going forward..

“I ‘V E G O T A M E E T I N G W I T H M Y M A N A G E R”

Jeans, Zara // Body Top, Saint Body // Sleeveless Sweater, Max Mara // Leather Jacket, Iris + Ink // Bag, West22 // Earrings, Missoma // Shoes, & Other Stories

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“S H E ‘S G O T T H A T L. A K I N D A C O O L”

Jeans, River Island // T-shirt, The Frankie Shop // Jacket, KSUBI // Shoes, LOU.EARL // Perfume, Byredo // Earrings, Grace Jacob // Bag, Danse Lente

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“R U N N I N G E R A N D S“

Hoodie, KSUBI // Jeans, River Island // Shoes, Converse // Bag, Stella McCartney // Watch, Larsson + Jennings

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“I T ‘S F R I D A Y, S O M A K E I T F A S H I O N”

Earrings, Grace Jacob // Top, Nanushka // Pumps, LK Bennett // Jeans, Dorothy Perkins // Perfume, ROADS // Bag, The Sant

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This article contains some commercial, affiliate links.

Who Is.. Rick Owens

Crowned the Dark Prince of design or to some the Lord of Darkness, Rick Owens is something of a gothic genius, if not, the epitome of gender neutral dressing and an originator of the idea of goth, but make it fashion.

Born Richard Saturnino Owens, on 18 November 1962 in San Joaquin Valley, California, Owens grew up in a strict and controlled Catholic environment eventually leading him to a deep desire to escape his small town upbringing and make a break for the bright lights of Hollywood. Arriving in L.A, the young designer found himself in the pre-sanitised era of the city’s evolution, a time when L.A was as unwholesome a destination as one could imagine and the hedonistic nature of the time was something he couldn’t resist. 

The American born, Paris based designer started his career in fashion studying fabrics at Otis College of Art and Design before dropping out and moving to a more technical college, gaining knowledge in pattern-making and draping, two skills he is now so infamously known for. He then went on to work for sportswear and knock-off brands around L.A. In 1990 he secured a job at Lamy, a design house headed up by designer Michelle Lamy whom Owens later became business partners with and later again married. Just four years after starting with Lamy however he broke out on his own and started his own namesake brand, showcasing his arrival as a womenswear genius. It wasn’t until 2001 though that his brilliance was truly recognised on a more global level when his work came to the attention of just about everyone in fashion, in 2001, when Anna Wintour, at the helm of Vogue, sponsored his first New York Fashion Week showcase after Kate Moss wore one of his signature leather jackets in a fashion story in French Vogue. Working with stylist Panos Yiapanis on the presentation, it was a huge success and the two have collaborated on every single Rick Owens runway show since. The following year Owens was appointed Creative Director ta Revillon, a French fur house, a post he remained in for five years.  Around this time he broke into menswear and quickly became known for his interpretation of classic silhouettes.

Owens, at one point, a self-confessed savage drinker, often spent his days and nights on massive boozy benders during a period in his life that now thankfully finds itself in his rear view after he eventually stopped upon realising he felt like death on a daily basis. He ultimately sought help to leave the party when it all got too much. A defining life event in which he had a run in with a mugger in 2003 in L.A, saw him make a permanent move to Paris with Lamy, where the two have called it home ever since. 

Over a longstanding and estimable career that has spanned 25 years, Owens has brought to life many of his creative inclinations, from sneakers - his first was named the Dustulator Dunk to furniture - he designed a collection inspired by pieces he originally designed for his Paris HQ. He has collaborated with Adidas and his collections have been the subject of many fashion exhibitions. His work was celebrated in Milan in 2017 with his first major retrospective which chronicled his career to date in a museum exhibition at the Triennale de Milano. 

His collections are always in the hottest colour of each season, black on black on black. Always black. Long t-shirts, asymmetric dresses, avant-garde yet wearable, it’s all about the simple pieces , but always making them fashion. Aesthetically he’s got a post-apocalyptic take on dark glamour, a revered niche that has been described as ‘glamour meets grunge’. He is his own thing and in his own words he says “it’s about an appreciation of teenage angst without actually having the angst”. Perhaps some might say it’s an ideal elegance build on a foundation of rock couture. 

His pieces can be found in obscure boutiques around the world and on the backs of the hottest names in popular culture including Madonna, Kate Moss, A$AP Rocky and Bieber, Cher and Fergie, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West, fellow designer Vera Wang and Kanye West. 

All Images via Pinterest

Working Out in L.A, Part I

T H E C L A S S B Y T A R Y N T O O M E Y

If you’re looking to feel alllll the feels, The Class by Taryn Toomey is the ultimate life-changing workout for your mind and body. The Class, as created by fitness and well-being genius Taryn Toomey, is a unique physical training experience that engages the mind like none other while working to build a long, strong, lean and toned physique. Through a simple collection of repeated calisthenics and plyometrics series you can expect to challenge your body’s ability to move like it’s never before while also seizing the opportunity to engage your mind and capture the relationship between mind and body in all it’s previously undiscovered glory. Try to book when Taryn herself is in town or if not then just get your butt to any available class because whichever trainer you get, you can be sure they’re about to rock your world. 

BOOK // theclass.com

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B A R R Y’ S

In a word, Barry’s is K.I.L.L.E.R. Killer as in the most insane ass-kicking workout you can do, in any city you might find yourself in (they have locations all over the planet now). Working from the second you step inside the Red Room to the second you leave, the session is different every time with a focus on a different body area each day of the week. However what remains the same is the treadmill to weights format and the fact that whether it’s your first time or your a Barry’s seasoned pro, you will leave on a naturally occurring endorphin high - not to mention a stiff and sore body (in all the good ways though of course). Try out the WoHo location, it’s the OG of all Barry’s and the L.A vibes are, well , let’s just say V L.A. 

BOOK // barrysbootcamp.com

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S O U L C Y C L E

From city to city, SoulCycle is a go-to staple in the life of anyone who moves on the regular. A workout of sweaty proportions, this bike based session is build to make you feel like you’re on the night out of a lifetime - the music is loud and absolutely vibe-ing, the lights are low and moody, the instructors are hot AF and the experience is a whole entire thing. It’s all about peddling your way to an inner happiness and the body of a SoulCycle-r. Try the Beverly Hills or West Hollywood locations, you never know who you might be spinning with!

BOOK // soul-cycle.com

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B O D Y B Y S I M O N E

Created by Aussie trainer and dance extraordinaire Simone De La Ru, Body by Simone, known as BBS to those in it’s ‘inner circle’, is a favourite of major celebrities like Reee Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karlie Kloss, Sandra Bullock and of course Chrissy Teigen. BBS consists of five class varieties, including Dance Cardio, Trampoline Cardio, ABC (Arms, Back and Core), HTB (Hips, thighs and Buns) and Full body. No matter the class or the location, any of the signature classes are the perfect time to leave all your inhibitions at the door and get your sweat on, dancing your way through the graceful and powerful BBS method. Try the WoHo or Brentwood locations. 

BOOK // bodybysimone.com

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T R A C Y A N D E R S O N

Founded by fitness and health pioneer, Tracy Anderson, the Tracy Anderson Method is something of a cult favourite among celebrities and fitness fanatics alike. With personal clients including Gwyneth Paltrow (who loved Anderson’s method so much that she invested as a business partner after initially training with her for her role in Iron Man), Tracee Ellis Ross, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, Anderson has justifiably build a global fitness empire on her very credible and long-lasting results. Through immense research, self-testing, and refinement of her method over the past 20 years, Anderson is all about changing things up, never letting working out get repetitive or boring and her classes are held in specific temperatures (86 degrees with 69 percent humidity) over a duration of 50 minutes. Combining strength training and cardio, via an ever-changing series of dance moves, the results are undeniable no matter your genetic dispositions.

BOOK // tracyanderson.com

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Image Credits 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Healthy Hair, Happy You - Clean Haircare Brands We Love

A C T + A C R E

Act + Acre is a brand that could, legit, swear under oath of it’s place as the world’s best hair care company in a court of law. No joke, this Irish founded, New York based company was created by hair boss Helen Reavey and her husband Colm Mackin and boasts a completely clean approach to achieving your best hair yet. Uncomplicated yet indescribably effective, each Act + Acre product is created by a cold pressed method so as to contain the integrity of each carefully chosen ingredient. Kicking the million trillion products/steps in the butt, the Act + Acre process is a effortless three step affair, beginning with the brand’s hero product, the Scalp Detox which works to eliminate all the product buildup and sweat that naturally gathers in the scalp over time - moving on to the cleanse and conditioner which leaves your hair smooth, soft and totally hydrated. If there’s one hair care brand you try this year let it be this one!

Hero Product(s) // Scalp Detox // Cleanse // Conditioner

FOLLOW @actandacre // SHOP actandacre.com

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O U A I

Founded by celebrity hair goddess, Jen Atkin, Ouai is one of the industries new little hotties on our shelves. Atkin, who has worked as a hairdresser since - well as long as social media has existed - and includes Chrissy Teigen, Jenna Dewan Tatum, and just about every member of the Kardashian-Jenner family as some of her most famous clients. It was no shocker so when she brought out her own brand. However, unlike many celebrity endorsed or created brands and products, this is actually the shit. Tried and tested (as all these brands are here in the article), Ouai is one to go back to again and again.. and again. The matching shampoos and conditioners are a staple in my shower, while the Hair Oil is something I use daily, not to mention the Texturising Spray, which is other level. For anyone looking for a haircare supplement too, the three available from Ouai are totally legit and once you start you just can’t get enough. You can be sure too that the brand continues to grow with it’s loyal customers as Atkin uses the feedback she receives on social media to better existing products and create new ones.

Hero Product(s) // Hair Oil // Oily Hair Supplement // Texturising Spray

FOLLOW @theouai // SHOP at spacenk.com

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O L A P L E X

Repair, protect and strengthen is Olaplex’s motto and with their patented active chemistry, the products work on a molecular level to repair damaged and broken elements of each strand that are compromised by the natural ageing process of the hair, environmental damage and general lifestyle harm. Often used by professionals, Olaplex products can be used at home together or as individual additions to your current routine. Following a simple yet effective route to better hair, Olaplex is all about the repair and maintenance of your hair, bringing the shine and lust back into your do.

Hero Product // Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

FOLLOW @olaplex // SHOP at spacenk.com

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L I V I N G P R O O F

Created by world-class biotech scientists and beauty experts who seek to bring all the sleek and shine to your tresses, Living Proof is a long term treatment style collection of products that work to nourish your hair over an extended period of use. Living Proof seek to restore your hair to it’s natural glossy self and take no short cuts, it’s all about the long term results of continued good hair care. Their dry shampoo is infamously wow and leaves little to no residue which is always a plus whether you’re just a little stuck for time in the mornings or simply just want to get one more day before shampooing! Come on, we all do it, right?!

Hero Product // PhD Dry Shampoo // Restore Treatment Mask

FOLLOW @livingproofinc // SHOP at spacenk.com

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Image Credits: Each brand is with thanks to their respective Instagram accounts and the over image is iStock

Designer Spotlight; Beaufille

Much more than simply a nonsensical French word (meaning “handsome girl” or also “one who presents an effortless chic demeanour”), Beaufille is a modern wonder and something of a fashion lovers dream. Pronounced bo-fee and founded by Canadian sisters Chloé and Parris Gordon - both of whom studied design at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design - Beaufille celebrates an inspired take on the French way of dressing, epitomising the meaning of classic while bringing to life just the perfect amount of interpretation.

The sibling design duo officially launched the brand as we know it today in 2013 after a rebranding of their original manifestation - Chloe Comme Parris, after their creations gained serious attention in Canada from the start. From the beginning it was a pretty huge success with the girls debuting at New York Fashion Week in September 2015 to rave reviews from editors and stylists while also gaining major retail recognition in the form of contracts with Net-a-Porter, Intermix and since then Moda Operandi, FarFetch, Browns Fashion, Forty Five Ten and Holt Renfrew. Stockists whose influence can bring a brand from zero to sixty in the click of an ‘add to basket’. 

Difficult to master, yet eternally in vogue, the young and empowered brand personifies a level of chic often difficult to achieve; it’s the perfect mix of masculine and feminine while consistently keeping a very evident current of French heritage flowing through each design. Collectively, the collections play host to an aesthetic of intoxicating elegance; a sophisticated take on the everyday, where wearable meets ‘high-fashion’ every time. Think menswear inspired trench coats and comfy knitwear with carefully placed cutouts, statement style jackets and jewellery pieces worth beans on toast for the next 3 months. It’s solid yet playful. In three little words, strong, sexy and understatedly stylish - ok four, I tried. 

With such a strong foundation in it’s design direction and a consumer interest that runs deep, some would say to an almost cult level following, it’s no wonder the young brand has seen astonishing successes in every regard from the get-go. So if you’re interested in the dramatics of a minimalist look, Beaufille is your next investment. 

Brian Conway, The Interview

Brian Conway is one of Ireland’s great creative exports. The Irish born, London based freelance stylist and creative producer is something of a dreamy genius and inventor of fashion stories, from editorial to commercial, that go beyond the visible, the evoke a sense of something so ethereal and exquisite that one can’t help but fall into the tales he tells in the shoots he styles.

Brian’s work has appeared in major fashion publications such as Tatler, British Vogue, Harpers Bazaar Spain, Rollacoaster Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and Empire Magazine while his commercial clients include Aer Lingus, Specsavers, Guinness, L'Oreal, H&M, Volkswagon. He splits his time between his homeland and London and continues to work with the international set. Here I spoke with him about his career so far, his favourite designers and how to long-lasting capsule wardrobe..

Brian, where did your love of fashion begin?

I was quite young! There are photos of me dressing up with my siblings from a very young age. I was also glued to fashion TV and fashion shows as a teenager, and that further fuelled my interest. Growing up in rural Ireland before social media was a thing, TV and magazines were my main outlets when it came to learning about the industry.

How did you get your start in styling?
I was exposed to styling when I was at university, where I was involved in the DIT (my college) fashion show. Through the show I met various editors and stylists which gave me a great insight into the industry in Ireland. I then moved to London for a short period of time to intern for the designer J.W Anderson where I had the opportunity to work with the brand’s renowned stylist Benjamin Bruno. I gained hands on experience with the styling, prepping the show with Benjamin, seeing the castings, fittings and backstage on the show day. I then went back to Dublin taking any knowledge with me to give styling a go. I did a test shoot for a friend who was doing a college photography project. A well known Dublin photographer saw this shoot and contacted me to shoot with them and it just spiralled from there really.

Moving to London, how does the industry differ from working in Ireland and how did you break into the industry in such a big, creative city?

It’s a completely different ball game. In Dublin I was one of the only male stylists on the scene. Moving to London I was a small fish in an ocean of bigger fish. Competition is so fierce here and to getting your foot in the door with any publication or getting to freelance with other big name stylists is incredibly challenging. I’ve been lucky to have worked with some top artists through my Vogue and LOVE magazine freelancing.

Yes, you’re a freelancer with Vogue, tell us about your work with the Bible and how that came about..

I started freelancing for British Vogue in 2017, shortly after I moved as a fashion assistant with Hannes Hetta, the following year I worked with fashion editor Jack Borkett as a fashion coordinator on the trend supplement for the Rihanna September issue cover where I got hands on experience on how to put together a magazine. I’ve been freelancing with them ever since. The knowledge I have gained from Vogue has been very useful for my career to date.

Your editorial work is beautiful, explain to us the process of bring such amazing shoots to life and the relationship with all involved as you create from concept to the end result..

Thank you! Team work and communication are the keys to success when it comes to editorial. It’s a collaborative process between the photographer, stylist, editor, movement director, set designer, model, makeup artist and hairstylist. You need to communicate your vision clearly to execute your vision as best as possible. In terms of process, it can really vary. Ideas could stem from the stylist, a photographer or are commissioned by an editor. If an idea comes from a stylist or photographer then there’s normally a collaborative approach to refine the mood and theme the idea, in addition to the various elements involved (from location to model). After that it’s straight into pitching the publication you have in mind for the shoot. Once commissioned I’d usually dive straight into turning the idea into a reality.

Who are some of your favourite photographers and creative directors you’ve worked with?

I’m really into shooting on film right now. It adds cinematic quality to the images. I really love what Grant James Thomas and Piotr Marzec are doing right now.

How do you balance between personal taste and opinions and working on commercial projects?

When I work with commercial brands, what’s most important is helping them achieve their objectives. This often boils down to producing something that would best resonate with their target audience. Of course, there’s always room to push boundaries and inject a bit of my personal taste too. But ultimately any form of creative flair or personal input has to make sense in terms of a brand’s core identity - otherwise you’ll end up with a huge disconnect with their audience.

Where do you find yourself most inspired or how do you continue to feel inspired to create new work?

I feel most inspired when travelling, I feel like my brain switches off from mundane everyday tasks. Seeing different cultures, architecture and art really gets my creative juices flowing. I also get inspiration from designers. If a designer produces something out of the ordinary in terms of design that I will want to shoot then that will help me lead my creative process.

What are some of your go-to designers?

I really look at what every designer has to offer. I review the collections post fashion month and have a strong database of who’s doing what for the season ahead. I love Bottega Veneta under the helm of their creative director Daniel Lee, who at the tender age of 33 has an impressive resume of Maison Margiela and Balenciaga. I also adore Noir Kei Ninomiya, he creates beautifully structured masterpieces. John Galliano for Maison Margiela is always a favourite. His work with movement director Pat Boguslawski on the SS20 Paris show is a must-see. Another brand I love right now is the PeterDo.

Are there any young up and coming designers you’re digging right now?

I love discovering new designers, I think it’s good to nurture young talent and give them a platform. I always keep an eye on the Central St Martins and London College of Fashion graduates along with the designer colleges back home in Ireland like NCAD, LSAD and The Grafton Academy. Right now I’m digging Patrycja Pagas, the UAL graduate who I have used in some of my most recent projects.

Do you have a favourite shoot you’ve done?

It’s too hard to choose one as I like aspects from all of my shoots. Recently I got to work with Bella Hadid and Kate Moss, freelancing under the major Katie Grand and her team for the LOVE magazine. That was pretty great.

Who are your own personal style icons?

I don’t think I have any personal style icons but I really love @yanggenn88 on Instagram. I really love the Korean and Japanese style. They are so ahead of the game. In terms of red carpet I love Timothee Chalmounts looks, especially as he doesn’t work with a stylist - they are all curated by him.

Major fashion faux pas you can’t cope with..?

This is a funny one, I used to despise kitten heels a few years ago and now I’m obsessed with them and they are all the rage. Like any trend my pet hates can definitely change over time!

Do you believe in closet editing or building?

I find it really hard to edit my wardrobe as I have a significant memory attached to each piece I’ve worn over the years. I also believe in keeping old pieces as they can be reworked with new pieces over time. If that sounds like hoarding to you or if you are into wardrobe editing you need to be cut throat. If you haven’t worn something in over 12 months then I think you should donate it to charity or sell it on Depop or whichever online platform is at your dispoal. In terms of building, it’s great to have a capsule wardrobe in mind.

What are your top tips for creating a trustworthy and long-lasting capsule wardrobe?

As I’ve matured my wardrobe mindset has majorly changed. I used to really buy into trends and I would get carried away with the low price of something. When I’m shopping now, I really think about how a new piece can work with my existing wardrobe. I think it’s really important when purchasing something new to think how it will integrate with your wardrobe and can you create three or more looks with it and what you already have. I try and stay away from fast fashion and trends and I really focus on quality and sustainability. I build my wardrobe around coats, for me that is the foundation of my look because living in Western Europe, we layer up for most of the year, a good coat can elevate any look.

Follow Brian on Instagram @briconstyle

Images with thanks to BriConStyle.com

Where to Stay.. Los Angeles Edition

A C E H O T E L, D O W N T O W N

This 13-storey hipster hotel in Downtown Los Angeles is another of Ace’s sleek hotels and part of their wonderful selected collection of global locations. Housed in a Spanish Gothic building, originally built in 1927 for United Artists film studio the interiors are the ultimate blend of Noir and well-worn vintage sophistication. Located within walking distance of The Broad, Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Museum and the foodie paradise Grand Central Market, the hotel is what started the process of the re-gentrification of Downtown. Also just an short Uber journey from the Arts District. With the usual laid-back, casual vibes of an Ace production, the staff are very welcoming and accommodating - in that wonderful LA sense. Rooms vary from quite small and neat to open-plan lofts which come complete with a small kitchen and lounge. Pick up your morning take away coffee at the front door counter or eat at the Best Girl bistro or a cocktail at the rooftop bunker bar Upstairs. 

Rooms from £112 per night // Reserve at acehotel.com

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S A N T A M O N I C A P R O P E R H O T E L

Laid-back luxury, tucked away from the upbeat hype of West Hollywood and the bustle of the city, Santa Monica Proper Hotel is one of the cities newest hotspots. Marrying the arresting design of interior designer, Kelly Wearstler with the natural elegance of the buildings 1920s landmark status, Proper Hotel is an escape not to be missed. Designed by Wearstler who focused on a polished earthy feel - think sandy palettes, organic textures and light hard-wood flooring.  Located on the sun-drenched wonder of Wilshire Boulevard and within a strolls distance of the beach it’s a hit with visitors and locals alike. On the property is the first-class Onda restaurant, a collaboration between the masterminds behind Sqirl and Contramar. Not to be missed is experiencing a sunset or two on the hotels rooftop pool - the only one on the city’s westside. Also within walking distance of the heart of Santa Monica and all it’s healthy option cafes and restaurants, the infamous farmers market, cute boutiques and of course morning runs on the beach. 

Rooms from £247 per night // Reserve at properhotel.com

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P A L I H O U S E W E S T H O L L Y W O O D

If you’re looking for the next best thing to a your very own pied-a-terre in West Hollywood, Palihouse is where it’s at my friend. Making yourself right at home is the deal, whether it in one of the hotel’s studios, a one or two bedroom suite or one of the apartment-style residences  - which all come complete with fully equipped kitchens and open-floor plans. The hotel’s hipster ground floor is all kinds of cool where it’s restaurant Mardi serves farm-to-table while also on the level is a workspace and bar where you can take yourself from work to play without leaving the couch. Here you can expect to see power meetings in process, and imagine the celebrities and Hollywood Execs cooking up the next Netflix hit. Another feature is the rooftop terrace, where sundowners are a plenty and Despite the fact that there’s no pool, Palihouse’s level of cool well and truly makes up for it and whether you’re in town for a night, a week or a month, you’ll never want to move out. #WeLiveHereNow

Rooms from £209 per night // Reserve at palisociety.com

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S I X T Y B E V E R L Y H I L L S

Think East Coast sophistication but with a California kinda scene-y-ness. At SIXTY, it’s all about making the most of the sunshine and warm summer-like days at the hotel’s rooftop pool, soaking up the sun with a cocktail in hand. While most of the buildings in the area play into the Old Hollywood hertiage, Sixty tones things back and plays more to the contemporary lovers heart. Designed like a 1970’s Helmut Newton photograph, you’ll find dark tones and heavy leather embellishments. It’s exterior portrays a very cubist architectural design and back inside you’ll find soft marbles and sandstone walls with sleek sofas and low lighting. Located in close proximity to the famed Rodeo Drive (shopppppping anyone?) and all the fancifulness that Beverly Hills has to offer, SIXTY is quickly becoming a thing of it’s own and somewhere locals find themselves falling for just as much as out-of-towners. 

Rooms from £141 per night // Reserve at sixtyhotels.com

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T H E L I N E

Situated in the heart of Koreatown, The Line is a super hip, industrial-style concept hotel with a youthful edge. Located in a mid-century modernist building complete with endless amounts of exposed concrete and super sleek lines, the vibe is on point and it’s friendly 20-something year old staff members reflects it’s sprightly energy. The rooms, with their floor-to-ceiling windows offer residents beautiful views out over the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory while the hotel’s restaurant Openaire is perhaps one of the city’s most fetching, featuring it’s two Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin delicious delights, in a greenhouse filled with hanging plants. Something unmissable is the hotel’s store, Poketo- a design and art collective curated by Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, the LA husband and wife duo who are renowned for their painfully high knowledge of what’s hot. Living up to it’s neighbourhoods reputation as the city’s known sole 24-hour district is the hotel’s all night wonder, Break Room 86, an 80’s inspired nightclub situation inside the hotel. If you’re looking for something young, vibrant and super trendy, hit up The Line next time you’re in town. 

Rooms from £118 per night // Reserve at thelinehotel.com

Designer Spotlight; Amina Muaddi

Admittedly anything Rosie Huntington-Whiteley or Kendall Jenner wear on repeat very quickly and absolutely gets our attention. This time it comes in the form of Amina Muaddi, the Paris-based shoe designer who has cultivated a following bordering on religious level standards in such a short time that it’s impossible not to be wide-eyed in awe. The thirty-three year old designer, who grew up in Italy and with her half Jordanian, half Romanian heritage, has used her stylish roots while cultivating a world class taste and knowledge for life’s heavenly high-heels.

Coming from a place of immense knowledge and understanding of the shoe industry, the young designer has carved our quite a niche for herself. She began her career upon graduating from the Institute of Design in Milan after which she spent time as a stylist with stints at l’Uomo, Vogue and GQ. Realising her innate talent and passion for designing she landed in the Riviera del Brenta, the celebrated destination of all destinations for artisan shoe-makers. Working with high-end craftsman there, she learned her craft, using the time developing the 40-50 elements that go into each of her designs. She then moved to Paris to collaborate and create with the famed French couturier Alexandre Vauthier on his shoe line, a line she still designs today. 

Today though, along with her other design commitments, she heads up her very own brand; Amina Muaddi Shoes. Recognized for her fabulous architecturally inspired designs, each collection is created with a whole lot of sass. Bold shapes and sparkling embellishments, you will instantly recognise a pair of Muaddi’s creations by their flared heel, her identifiable point that sets her apart from the masses of stiletto styles or regular block heels we’ve become so acquainted with in all our heeled existences. 

Upon branching out to go solo (at just 31), her business-boss-lady-taking-over-the-world self came to the forefront when it came time to find retailers who would take her on and of the process she explains how she “wanted everything to be secretive and super exclusive. I was in no rush to take on lots of stores, I wanted to do things the right way”. Her attitude stood to her because upon meeting her, every single major buyer bought in. Now, with her eponymous brand, she designs just one large collection a year, which she then drip-feeds in to high-end retailers alongside her own e-commerce platform month on month. Hyper sexy with an edge of cool and a major helping of sass, Muaddi describes her collections as “shoes from nine to midnight”. Each pair is designed in Paris and produced in Italy with impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail and a creative mastermind with an eye for beautiful aesthetics. 

With celebrity followers like Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who all became self-proclaimed fanatics upon independently finding their way to her shoes, not to mention Princess Rania of Jordan also being a fan - she donned a pair on an official meeting with the Queen in London, you can be sure Muaddi is here to stay. 

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SHOP AMINA MUADDI

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Who Is.. Annie Leibovitz

Born Anna-Lou Leibovitz in Waterbury, Connecticut, October 2 1949, the celebrated portrait-photographer Annie Leibovitz, as the world more famously knows her, is something of a brilliantly talented creator, perhaps one of the finest of her time. Growing up in an idyllic middle-class family where her mother, a modern-dance teacher, instilled in her a love of the arts and a passion that would later thread it’s way through her majorly successful career. Her first experimentations with photography came about in the 1960’s when her father, a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force, was stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam War and she would spend her time there documenting the very raw scenes around the military base along with her explorations of nearby locales. However, she didn’t really ignite a real enthusiasm for her craft as a possible profession until, in 1967, when she moved to San Fransisco to study painting at the San Francisco Art Institute. In her second semester there she signed up for a photography module and transferred her major in a heartbeat. 

While still in school, Leibovitz started her first big job in the industry, with a position at, the then very new and experimental, Rolling Stone magazine. She had shown her image of Allen Ginsberg smoking pot at an anti-Vietnam march to the magazines creator, Jann Wenner and he immediately hired her. The magazine’s culture suited her and her new vision of the world, focused on counterculture that was steadily emerging from the nonconformist mentalities of the late 1950’s.  Within three short years, at the age of just 23, she worked her way up the ladder, landing the role of Chief Photographer. Her time at the prominent publication saw her create a very distinctive look for them and with her creative freedom a completely boundless liberty, she thrived as a creative, paving her way and making her name known in the industry. Renowned for her dramatic iconic portraits of rock and roll stars up until this time, it was a huge risk in deciding what to do when, in 1983, Vanity Fair came knocking on her door. 

Shifting from the gritty, fast-paced and very unforgiving ways of the Rolling Stone way of life, she took Vanity Fair up on the offer and jumped ship. Her 13 years at Rolling Stone had left her with a heavy drug habit; she had overdosed twice in recent years and it is said that she reportedly once peddled her camera equipment to fund her cocaine habit. So, in many respects, the glossy pages of Vanity Fair and it’s more polished mainstream culture came at an important time for her, both professionally and personally. Her iconic work brought a lot to the magazine in terms of a celebrity base, a lot of whom previously had not wanted to be shot for the publication but once hearing it was Leibovitz as head creative, they jumped on board immediately. Budgets at Vanity Fair were practically non-existent and her career soared to such heights and made her a household name for all the right reasons. 

Her personal life sees her mother to her daughter, Sarah, whom she gave birth to in 2001 at the age of 51 and twin girls Sam and Susan who were born in 2005 via a surrogate. Her adult life has been marred with moments of difficulty and distress. Seeing her life partner, the critic, writer and political activist Susan Sontag, lose her battle to acute myeloid leukemia in the Spring of 2004 left Leibovitz devastated. Also, despite commanding six figure payments per shoot, she is legendarily bad with money. During a period of personal sadness, around the time of her Mother’s death, Leibovitz found herself a cool $24 million in debt. She journeyed through a lengthy legal battle while filing for bankruptcy and trying to remain the solo owner of the rights to her extensive and vastly valuable portfolio of images. Which she eventually secured. However trying this period of her life, she lived many amazing moments too, one of her proudest being deemed a Living Legend by the Library of Congress and her honour at being awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal and Honorary Fellowship in 2009.

Known firstly as a celebrity portrait photographer, she credits the foundational ideas and philosophy of her work, and a career that has spanned almost 40 years, to her biggest inspirations, industry greats such as Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank and their ability to create images that last a lifetime. She lives in New York City.