Lent!

Decided it was A,B,C!!

That is Alcohol, Bread and Chocolate,

Day one

Couldn't resist fresh bread with my soup at lunchtime.

Ran to school at 3.30 as i hadn't realised no after school clubs this week. Collected tearful child sat on her own in the office so had to make it up to her (and me) with...chocolate!

8PM Had a row over suitability of 'Waterloo Road', fished around back of fridge found 1/2 bottle of Pino, how i didn't notice it before i will never know. Poured a glass ugh! Must have been in there weeks (how so)???

guess 2 out of 3 not so bad?

The London Fashion season starts this weekend with the clothing and accessories show called PURE.

It's several halls, upstairs and downstairs at the Olympia exhibition centre crammed with suppliers and designers from all over the world. The collections are divided into sections such as spirit, contemporary, classic etc.

It's a huge show and very important in the Industry. For me its 3 days looking at as many collections as i can, I will be looking for both The Glasshouse website and our concessions and also for the consultancies i am working with now and coming up!

It's quite fascinating, what is a winner to one business is mediocre in another! Not just a question of taste but timing and price and sometimes even availability.

I really look forward to seeing this UK show particularly after seeing Paris, Germany and Copenhagen. I hear i am to be back in Paris with my dear friend and colleague Debbie in a few weeks to see the showroom collections so a very exciting time!

This is my favorite part of the season and i hope to find the best designs, most interesting styles and of course value for money for Winter 2012!

A belated Happy New Year to all my customers and friends, here's hoping 2012 brings health and happiness!

The the website has been worked on over the Christmas period and I am just about to start taking delivery of the new

Spring collection

The Glasshouse pop up shop has been a great success.

Dame Judi has some fantastic new clothes a la Glasshouse and some jewelery for Xmas presi's!

Daniel Craig has wished Essie every success with her dancing and told Vivi she is a star!

I would call that a real result!

Thank you dearest Effie for this opportunity!

The collection has been sold and worn in some unusual places, now i hear some pieces have been worn on the set of the new Bond movie at Shepperton, can't say who bought it though!

Have spent 2 days this week doing reports on the British High Street.

I have looked at many shops from Miss Selfridge through to BHS.

I have to say it was a very sorry sight. Whilst its true we have tough trading conditions, the shops do not look good, exciting or enticing!

What a different story i have encountered when looking at Independants through the consultancy side of my business.

They have sharpened up their act and left no stone unturned, really upping their game.

Today i was to meet a friend for coffee in Wendover a small village in Buckinghamshire.

I was early and couldn't resist 'doing' the shops.

I bought some christmas presents in the village gift shop and a ring for myself in a lovely shop called The Forge, great shop with real customer service, none of the clothes would fit me, i would need 2 joined together but what an interesting and unusual mix!

Then onto the hand made choc shop for hot chocolate then finally lunch.

A great mix of interesting independant shops and cafe what a refreshing contrast to the High Street i saw earlier in the week.

Well what a busy day!!

I have sold out of 3 styles in the Rosie Fox jewelery, had a mad flurry just before midnight, I have asked Rosie if she can make up a few more for some of my customers as i dont want to let them down.

Have marked as out of stock on the site but will try my hardest to get some more!

There are so many great web sites available today.

Not just sites with great products but some with the most amazing customer service, far above and beyond any expectation!

Two come to mind the sago jago website for fabulous accessories, my good friend Hannah also works tirelessly collecting old bra's for charity!

Then there is eclectic shock- a wonderful site with hand strung jewelery. Louise will string, hand pick, mend what ever your heart desires!

Both above deserve every bit of success as they earn it!

I'm sat here watching the amazing program about the life of Vidal Sasson.

I worked for his clothing company just at the beginning of the first stretch jeans after the launch of Gloria Vanderbilt.

It was a fantastic company to work for based in Tilehurst.

We had a flag ship store in Knightsbridge!

The jeans were made in Mauritius so there were wonderful quality control trips there, all travel was club or first class and we were issued vouchers on a weekly basis for products and hair styling every week, i could hardly keep up i had so many i had to have my hair cut and styled by the creative director every week!!!!

I am remembering photo shoots, lunches, shows so much, it was such an incredible time to be part of the rag trade and to work with a successful designer label in jeans!

I still have two dear friends from those days, Jane Thorne and Val Simpson but remember Barry Stone, John Prior, Sue Seymour Williams, Clown Communications and many more...

Such fun when Image really was everything!

If you don't look good, we don't look good!

Thank you Vidal!

The end of a very busy week.

First a fantastic styling session with one of our favorite customers Nalini! Another season with her where we have left her looking fabulous and very happy with our service!!

Followed by the crazy Vicky! Nine pieces of Glasshouse and 2 pieces of Bibi, she won't have time to wear anything else! Just in time for her tour of USA next week.

Then a special Xmas evening at Marlow where i meet old and new admirers. Again Bibi went down a storm, perfect for Xmas gifts.

More scarves on their way from Paris as almost sold out!

and finally... Children in Need and a full on day at 'Pace' in Aylesbury, some fantastic fund raising-well done to everyone who got involved today.

Just off to the institute of Marketing at Moor Hall In Cookham for a meeting with the Thames Valley Business Women's group.

Non members are very welcome!

Its a great networking event, sharing skills, can't wait for my body wrap after showing off the Winter collection from Lauren Vidal and Eden Rock!!!!

I love Kate but would prefer not to see her shoulders in the Grecian look.

She looks so fab in other designs, her stylist slipped up here!

This week i have had 2 great days with Maggie White.

Tuesday looking at the wonderful 'Masai' collection with the lovely Kirsten and Wednesday at HQ in Burford.

If you get the chance, go to Burford and have a look around her fabulous shop, it's stuffed with quirky clothes and some fantastic jewelery!

It's quite unbelievable that its only a matter of weeks before Xmas!

Its been a busy few months with the consultancy, spa's and the web site.

Really looking forward to the re-vamped website in the Spring.

Thank you to everyone who supported me through this busy period!

Some fabulous gift ideas just going on including scarves - the incredible wonder boa,

Bibi jewelery and a lot more!!

We've just made a very exciting find...

Vogue Italia Curvy a website dedicated to celebrating the female curves and fuller figures.

Fantastic.... come on British Vogue keep up!

Now there is plus size and plus size: meaning not the anorexic looking waifs that usually grace the covers of Vogue but we think it's a really good step in the right direction.

We love the Daily Suggestions and the Curvy Icons.

(There is an Englsih Language version so you don't need to be fluent in Italian to enjoy thank goodness, which is rather lucky but we feel drinking a Cappucino while reading helps!)

Our new aim is to get some coverage of the-Glasshouse.com on the Vogue Curvy site....Watch this space...!!

Had a fab day with my sister at Nirvana Spa. We have been pummeled and pumiced, spashed and slavered with oils, floated  and dozed on the heated mosaic beds. Bliss!

Manicured and pedicured, all ready for our big family weekend complete with wedding.

I still cant decide whether to wear the grey silk or the grey linen, whichever it will definitely be grey on the menu, had a lovely make up session at Armani using peachy tones which look so good with the neutral grey.

Feeling very rejuvenated and relaxed!!!

Hoping tomorrow is a really happy day for everyone around the country!

Looking forward to seeing the dress but especially the tiara, there are so many lovely ones Kate has to choose from!

Come on sun!

It's been very quiet on these pages since my last blog. I am sorry about this but events over took me and  blogging became the last thing on my mind. I must admit it all seemed so trivial in a life or death situation but over the last couple of weeks i have had time to think about my initial reaction and i was wrong.

Clothes, personal style, self expression, confidence, pride-so many things are very important , even more so when you grow past 40 onto middle age. How you present yourself, how you see yourself and how others see you is very important and clothes, accessories, make up and hair all play their part.

Life goes on, happily for me this evening...and so will the blogging!

Lady GaGa is to receive the style icon award from the CFDA  it was announced today. She certainly is daring and provocative  dresser, but she is not the first, before her was Madonna, before Madonna was Cher and before her Elizabeth Taylor. Her own style got more and more daring, just think about 'the hat' in 1967, 'white lace hot pants' in 71 and 'the turban' in 82.

Her acting and style legacy will remain forever.

Had a great day today!

Effie did hair, Maddie did make up, Ann kept everyone happy and I styled.

TJ of course took the photo's of our fantastic collections on our lovely models Kris and Elizabeth.

Next week editing the photos so they should be loaded up by the end of the week all being well.

Editing will be quite a job as have 765 photos to go thro!!!

Tomorrow we have the spring photoshoot for the-glasshouse!

I am really excited, all clothes ready, hair and make up here at 9.00am first model 9.15am

We have got lots of outfits and sooo many combinations to get thro' .

Should be fun!!

What a difference in our weather! North of the border I'm getting requests for some spring scarves and knitwear and down South the linen is flying!!! The weatherman says the north will catch up soon!

very exited to put the first delivery of vintage Bibi on the site, it looks stunning!More to follow!

You may have heard of a new collection by 'Rosie Fox'.

This collection has been on every front cover over the last 6 months!

The delivery for us will arrive on Monday, look out for the name she is going to be big! You heard it here!!!

Had a great day today! Bought some fabulous high summer soft washed Italian linen styles and some Italian jersey!

Lots of white and mocha with a coral highlight colour, very stylish very sophisticated but easy to wear!

Keep watching!

I have had a delivery of Rosie Fox jewelery and Tutti, will have photos on very soon just waiting for the professional images!

I have had several emails and calls this weekend asking where the spring stock is???

Loading as fast as i can and having photoshoot on 22nd, please be patient its worth waiting for you'll see!

I was woken by the 5 year old at 3.45am then couldn't get back to sleep!

All of a sudden memories started flooding back complete with pictures and layouts, the lobby of the Holiday in on Juhu beach in Bombay, now Mumbai. It's bar complete with 'Foxy' the bar manager, Francis on the organ (yes a bar with an 86 year old organ and organ player) the dark red tatty carpet with matching red booth type seats, noisy a/c vent-wow i thought, how many nights did i spend in there going  over prints, fabrics and size charts??

Then the time i went to Hong Kong and took myself on the Star ferry, night markets in Korea in the snow, Mongolian BBQ in Taipei, closer to home - lunch in the black mountains complete with gypsy fiddlers and all in the name of business!

Just before i dropped back off i remembered C & A, we had such a successful working relationship with them, sooo many best sellers over the years with many departments but boy were they tough, on price, on quality, real task masters.

 My biggest claim to fame was the 'orchid print' ski jacket as seen in the 80's TV program 'on the piste' worn by such a daft women, it still makes me laugh! I hope John Molloy has forgiven me for that creation!

I have been so lucky to do so much, i only hope my girls get the opportunity to get as much out of their working life.

Textiles and the clothing industry may not have another hey day in my lifetime but i am so glad i have been part of it for all these years...and a few more to come i hope 

Paris fashion week well under way, Lady Ga Ga on the catwalk, New editor in chief at Vogue Paris. She says she wants her first new edition to come as a complete surprise when it lands on the doorstep-Do you think that means Size 16 models??

Today i took just short of 400 photo's. Eyes now like organ stops!!!

The combinations just ran away with themselves, now comes the huge job of editing, it was so much easier just to steam and hang on the rail and wait for someone to come in the shop!

 But...i have to say this takes more discipline and i knew straight away what was working with what and what is missing!

I need some good shape black and white soft swing t-shirts and soft pull on pants...I know there will be cheaper ones on the high street but i have something very specific in mind, easy care, crinkle or creased look thats easy for traveling, lightweight...ummm thinking cap on will look for some tomorrow!

Just a little mention of my eldest nephew, Joe.

He dreamed of going into film and music, Last week his team won an Oscar and on Thursday he goes into the recording studio.

Next week 'Lighthouses' is being played on Radio one!

He's not there yet but living and loving every moment of his journey.

He is such a lovely young man, as are his two brothers, i just wanted to say how proud i am of him and of my sister and brother in law for bringing up such fine young men.

.(and can you get me tickets to the Oscars next year and a contract to dress and style a few celeb's)!!!!!

After yesterdays blog about my lovely Jane, i started thinking about all the wonderful people i had met on this journey in the 'rag' trade and in my personal life.

It's great to meet new people and i have to say over the last 2 years i have met a whole new set of people and have made some true great friends.

Sometimes it takes absolute devastation and disaster to re-shape life. Mine has been reshaped beyond all recognition but i do believe i have come through stronger and happier and just very very grateful for such good friends old and new!!

I had a lovely email from Jane an old friend and colleague!

We met many years ago when we were very young whilst designing for Vidal Sassoon.

They were the second brand of the time to come up with stretch designer jeans (after Gloria Vanderbilt-remember them)!??

We were just so glam, in and out Vidal Sassoon in South Molton Street, crimped and cared for by the Creative Director!

Years later Jane became the Manager of the Guildford Glasshouse.

She still is beautiful and has such style.

When she says the clothes are looking great and so individual so unlike our high street - then i sit up and listen!!!

It just made me think about all the good friends i have met along the way in my career that are still in my life...

Well done Joe's team at Double negative on your Oscar (to add to your Bafta).

Joe i think you are a little too qualified to do my filming now!!

Fingers tightly crossed that my nephew's lot winds an Oscar tonight!

Double negative will be cheering you on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My good friends mum passed away today. God Bless her and her family!!!

Anyone reading this lucky and i do mean lucky enough to have still have their mums around, give them an extra hug, the saying they are a long time gone when they die was never truer.

Had a great day today with Maria-photographer to the stars!

Really got some great tips for taking the best possible shots of the new collection.

 It won't all be my work, TJ will still be doing the homepage and mood shots and Maria will do the occasional shots in between main shoots.

 I really felt that i should know more about the imagery side of things as over the last few months i have been involved on several professional photo shoots and it has been an eye opener and so creative. So... have taken the bit between my teeth and started taking advanced lessons!

Now i need to start saving for my new camera, upward and onward!!!

Below is a great picture of our lovely Mrs Glasshouse!!

She married Brian a couple of weeks ago and was given away by her son Harry!

She was the most fabulous asset to The-Glasshouse and remains so today!

Just had a delivery from Grisas!!!

Huge box, have put it on my to do list, its currently running at number 24 item to do, unpack, steam, hang, photogragh etc but i am sooo excited about this silk i might have to bump it it the queue...watch this space!

Last day of London Fashion Week, 4 full on days! Managed to cover 3 out of 4, head brimming with ideas and the most fantastic clothes! Menswear starts tomorrow!

Can't wait for next arrivals!

Had coffee with the teenager today, followed by a Brow wax at Benefit, semi permanent brow fill in, quick in out of Boots (eye pencil, lip gloss, mascara, make up remover etc) spent a small fortune on eyes and eye brows.

Got back and the little one had cut her own hair, well i could do with saving on the hairdresser i suppose!!

Sent pictures of the-glasshouse linen collection to K.L to my friend's new shop who is going to be a stockist for the Far East, she already sold a small collection of Hel & ice- Happy Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had a great lunch with my favorite niece at her and her husband's restaurant ' The green olive'.

Completely stuffed myself with new fabulous tastes and a glass of fizzy to wash it down!

My niece normally wears 'real' designer clothes but today was wearing clothes from Hel & ice, the-glasshouse sister

company, she looked great!!

The outfit looked so at home with her Louboutins, Cashmere Armani and handbag (i dare not

mention the designer in case her husband reads this)!!! 

Now PURE is over it's time to range plan. That is the process we use in the trade to decide the structure of the components we will buy or design for the season.

This is not the most exciting part of the job but recent work with some of the finest high street chains has showed us just how important it is to balance the collection, no matter how small, for the customer!

We've already started work on this and have far too many styles, will strip to the bone and have only the very best for the-Glasshouse.com

If you know you have to be on your feet all day and or do a lot of walking, plan your outfit from shoes up or take a spare pair of fold up shoes!!!

Today was the last day of PURE, did some accessory buying.

 A fabulous new collection from Madrid, really lovely, very on trend and some great prices, real value for money. Good holiday styling!!

Also bought some printed linen scarves, almost had to fight to get onto the stand, definitely a winner! They are big enough to make into a sarong and petal soft!!

Then to 'Bibi'. This stand has been mobbed for the whole 3 days, finally got to see my very good friend Maxine, who was maxed out!!!! Full on order taking for 3 days, Bibi bought by shops all over the world! We went through the best sellers (nearly the complete collection) and i bought my favorites, also bought into some vintage Bibi too!! Bibi has always worked so well with the Glasshouse look. We'll be adding lots to our online jewellery section here at the-Glasshouse.com very shortly...

Got side tracked looking at sparkle flip flops so knew it was time to go home.

On the way out saw my friend Maggi White, she has a fabulous shop in Burford if ever you are passing and just is the nicest person ever!! She was busy completing the last of her buys. I then popped on to 'Cut Loose' to see Will and Elizabeth from San Francisco, touched their soft creased washed jersey samples and just had to do a last minute buy for late summer, scrummy!!!

On my last legs, just of to a PTA meeting and school quiz night, the glamour never stops!!!

We spent another day at 'Pure' the UK biggest fashion event.We ordered some soft washed printed silk with angora and jersey layers, also some fabulous jersey from Charlie!

Do not throw away any soft layering petticoats! They are still around for next winter!!!

We love them here at the-Glasshouse.com!

Today was not a usual Sunday, it was the beginning of London Fashion week!

We have spent it looking at Winter 2011 collections from well known and little known designers from Europe and beyond.

There were some wonderful new fabrics, colours and styling, just can't wait for Winter to come!

Meanwhile we have a fantastic collection on its way for the Spring!

Black is Back (did it ever go away)???

 Some top tips for wearing black if you are not a rock chick or a nun!

•  
•                 Wear quality fabric, black shows up the 'cut' of the cloth.
•  
• Wear black with colourful or bold accessories
•  
• Wear it on your bottom half
•  
• Avoid it right next to your face, if you are not flawlessly made-up (or 18 years old)
•  
• Wear a lower neckline

Just got our invites through for  London Fashion Week.

We are starting off on the Saturday looking at the 'ethical trading designer's' both for clothing and accessories.

Quite rightly ethical trading is becoming more a of an issue.

 We think its very important to know who is making the things we buy and how they are treated. If they earn a fair wage etc etc.  

We can honestly say we know exactly where our goods are made and in most cases even know who is making the sample, cutting the pattern, marking out the fabric and stitching. The only person we don't know that well is the DHL man that delivers it to our door!

Welcome to the-glasshouse.com. The Glasshouse's online boutique is launched.

We really hope you'll enjoy shopping with us online, we aim that The Glasshouse ethos will be defined within the site.

the-Glasshouse (the concept of an ageless style regardless of size);

often layered, eclectic, unexpected, individual, quirky, arty, offbeat, funky, ‘lagenlook‘, unconventional, avant-garde, original, exceptional, unpredictable, distinctive, eccentric, intuitive… 

what is the-Glasshouse?

the-glasshouse ethos is ‘individual dressing‘, a combination of  colour, proportion and fabric textures put together in an unconventional manner. 

 A different style of dressing in clothes with accessories exclusively under the-glasshouse label and some capsule collections from like-minded international designers and labels.