London 2012 - My Summer of Love

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about this magnificent city. But recent events have compelled me to write this latest piece.

This is the city I’ve known with all my heart and soul. I lived in many others over the years but this is my birthplace, my home. Yes, my roots are firmly in Africa, namely Ghana, and they are here too, in London, UK. How wonderful is that?

My mind is wide open to endless possibilities and the realness that this city brings. The good, the bad and the ugly. I have witnessed it all, yet for me, the good always outweighs the bad.

The phenomenal London 2012 Olympic Games has cemented what I always knew. We kicked some serious ass. And as for the medal tally - Wow! The United Kingdom brought them home! It was momentous, historic and an unforgettable event. Bring on the Paralympics! 

The haters can keep hating, but London stands tall and represents every single time - from riots to triumph. When we’re down we get straight back up. Without question or doubt – why would we do anything less? I am truly energized and uplifted in these trying global times. Money doesn’t bring me happiness, good people and great hearts do.

For all you ‘Londoners’ out there that are weary of this special town or a little fearful – face your fears because most of the time that’s all they are. Embrace and appreciate this city for all it has given you. As what is the alternative? You leave? We live in a free (ish) democratic society so the choice is yours…

I’ve just spent most of the Bank Holiday weekend at the Notting Hill Carnival, which I’ve missed for the last couple of years. I went and celebrated life, music and people with friends and strangers. It was a spiritual moment. This is the feeling that music and good vibes always brings to my being. I got taken to my ‘church’, a place where I can feel free, happy and forget my troubles.

I can truly say this has been one of the most amazing summers I have ever experienced and so proud to have witnessed. I feel quite emotional writing this (nothing new there then ;) as we’ve had tough times as a city, as a nation and a people.  I’m inspired to focus on the positives and feel elated – and ever ready to take on the future.

We are one!

Doing the 'MoBot'

Happy people everywhere1

It's all love

Peace!

It’s been a great summer of 2012. It’s a great life.

Thank you London. Wherever I go in this world you’ll always be my one and only true love...

From this Londoner with Love.

Kate Middleton is the cover girl for Vanity Fair's September Issue

For some reason I didn't think she would go down this route, but hey I stand corrected.

This isn't a criticism she should tread carefully as you can't control the media. And once you go down a certain route there is no going back...

This is a major coup for Vanity Fair.

*Exclusive* Dr.Jart+ launch.. Finding your BB

Korea’s No.1 beauty range is now here in the UK.

Yesterday, I went along to Dr.Jart+ press preview launch yesterday at the London Film Museum. When I entered I was encouraged to think about my skincare needs before choosing the right BB for my skin with the help of a maze with questions that directed you to the right product - a choice of four. The experience was fun and different..

BB stands for Beauty Balm but its definition is different to the usual Beauty Balms we know. BBs in this instance, is an all in one skincare product - it is a moisturizer, serum and foundation with quality, power-packed ingredients.

After you decide on which BB is best suited. When applying please remember LESS IS MORE. Apply little by little and blend. If you are darker than a light Asian (Aishwarya Rai) or light black skin tone (Beyoncé), the WATER FUSE is the best product for you. I have a dark black skin tone with red under tones so will use it as a primer, not as a foundation. Once it settled, my skin felt like glass. Which makes it a perfect canvas for make up application.

I had the privilege to meet with the CEO of Dr Jart+ and with a Dr Jart+ team member translating, I requested a clear version that would suit all women of colour. He seriously took my feedback on board, so watch this space…

The products launch online today at Boots.com and are exclusive to Boots.

http://www.boots.com/en/New/Latest-finds/?cm_mmc=dr_jart-_-lf-_-n-_-n

Go check it out and find your own BB….

Feel free to give me your feedback and I’ll gladly pass it on seeing as I now have the hook up with the CEO himself. ;)

Whitney Houston – My role model and style icon

“I believe that children are our future – teach them well and let them lead their way.”

That is exactly what Whitney Houston did for me growing up in the 80s and 90s – she showed me a bright future and taught me so well, a young black girl trying to find herself in a world that confused her and oftentimes isolated her. 

My first most impactful visual of Whitney was her ‘Greatest love of all’ and 'Saving all my love' videos.

Her model looks and effortless style with hair forward framing her face and wrapped with a cool black band. Her netted shift dress and leather biker jacket – she looked so chic she communicated that look in the same way as if she were wearing an evening dress for a black tie event. All the the looks were simple and stunning.

Her style has set trends. Her beauty has set trends. Her videos has set trends. Actually trend is the wrong word as its defines a short period. Correction: she set the standards for us to follow. Timeless standards. She made me feel that it was ok to have big frizzy hair and her model height filled me with glee when as an adolescent the awkwardness of my height was at its height - She made me walk tall.

My friend Marco just texted me to turnover from the negative news channels with their putdowns and innuendos to Magic (radio) TV channel – It’s a Whitney day.. 'How will I know' is playing. “I tried to phone but I’m too shy – can’t speak…” Memories.

The ‘I have nothing’ video from the Bodyguard movie soundtrack made me scour East Street and Church street markets for similar headdress and jewellery.  In those days finding decent make up choices for black skin was rare but I hunted down those lip colours she wore in her videos relentlessly often to no avail. But they are here now - women of colour have endless choices now.

I wanted her hair, her style, beauty, her acting ability. I never ever yearned for her voice, as I knew that she was a ‘supreme songbird’ and was one of a kind.

Today I feel like I’ve lost a big sister and a friend. No, I never knew nor met her but I know she stopped me from going down certain bad roads in my London bred teenage years - as she was such a positive role model for me growing up. The irony, she who later succumbed to those negative roads. She steered me away from them because I saw the future in her bright eyes, in her soul and voice – a bright future for me that said regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin or what you look like - who you are - YOU ARE SOMEBODY SPECIAL.

'It’s alright but its ok' video – (in Dolce and Gabbana)

And I will always love you Whitney. Today I can’t stop crying but will always be inspired and motivated by what you've done and shared with us all.

Thank you and Rest In Peace.

Whitney Houston 1963-2012

Another exclusive! Luxury London on Swide by Dolce & Gabbana

New for 2012

Hi,

I have spent the last 9 months writing style and beauty features for Dolce and Gabbana's Swide online luxury magazine..I am now happy to announce that I have been given my very own column  -  Luxury London - An uber cool column focussing on events, hotels, spas and people. London lifestyle in a nutshell. As a born and bred Londoner I couldn't be happier to represent my city.

This is an exciting progressive development in my career. I hope you all can share it with me. Please read, like, feedback, suggest relevant ideas for the column. I'd be eternally grateful. My aim is to be writing this not only in 2012 but for a very long time.

Without further ado here is the launch edition of Luxury London by Karma-Style...

Launch edition of Luxury London - read all about it here

Thanx Camillea

Exclusive sneak peak! Dolce & Gabbana SS12 Menswear campaign

For Spring Summer 2012, Dolce & Gabbana are firmly going back to their roots. Following on from the SS12 womenswear collections, the menswear campaign plays homage to family, tradition and true love. Shot by Mariano Vivanco with an Italian cinematic and comedic vibe in Portofino - Italy.

In these times of austerity and uncertainty, Domenico and Stefano intuitively capture real life scenarios - and what we the public want - no more fantasy, we want the real deal, and they are given us just that so beautifully and eloquently. 

Real actors were also used, so those of you familiar with Italian TV and cinema I'm sure some of your faves are here. Chiara Francini is breathtakingly beautiful.

Sicilian/Southern Italian spirituality through the art of fashion and cinema. 

Art imitating Life. A brilliant campaign - I love it.

A letter to the great (fashion) loves of my life

After attending the British Fashion Awards on Monday and hearing about the Marni/H&M collaboration.  I became nostalgic about my past loves and conquests. Not the male kind, but the fashion designer kind...

So, dear readers, I hope you don’t mind if I take a trip down memory lane….

I remember the heartache of losing two medusa-head buttons on my Versace military coat – my 1^st ever Versace purchase circa. the Gianni era.  And falling in love with Jasper Conran and Jean Paul Gaultier at the same time! The reality is, there is no fidelity/monogamy in fashion. 

I would like to say thank you to Boyd & Storey for my first ever catwalk piece. It had to be mine; a black velvet, full-skirted 50s style corseted dress. I wore that dress until it literally fell apart – my mother helped to mend the damage many times over the years.

Then there was Versace – Mr Gianni Versace who lit up my life – he made me feel so glamourous and beautiful! Donatella has done you proud but after all these years you are still sorely missed.

I remember vividly the first time I was seduced by Jean Paul Gaultier – he was French after all, how could I resist the technical genius of his designs that charmed me during my 20s more any other.

JPG Jeans taught me all I know about double denim – these days so called fashion pundits proclaim it to be a no-no haven’t got a clue. Double denim forever I say!!

90s JPG Jeans <3

My first true British love was Jasper Conran – the tailored wit of his brightly coloured silk satin dresses turned me into a bonafide fashionista.

For the record, I have never been or will be a fashion victim for any of my loves – past or present. I always knew I had to be true to myself.

Vivienne Westwood, I'm grateful to for showing me how to explore my sexuality with my red velvet bustier - every time I wore it, it made me feel sexy but not hoochie mama. She defined my transition from a girl into a young woman.

Oh what memories…who else… Way In at Harvey Nichols for educating me on European designers. Thinking about the accessories still makes my heart swoon ..My obsession with hoop earrings has grown more and more over the years...Will never forget Harvest boutique on the Kings Road and YOOX.com for my most special love affairs...Hyper Hyper and Kensington Market where I got my freak on and the various boutiques on East Street Market, Walworth Road and around London, all got my creative juices flowing through style and customizing clothes; Dexter Wong, Pam Hogg, Red or Dead, Chantal, Pure Fabrication, Pyramid and Danny’s leather store there's a special place in my heart for you all.

Soap Studio outfit from Harvey Nichols back in the day <3

Marni and Fendi, you have been my rock through the noughties; you embraced my increasing size and age and never stopped putting me on a pedestal.

Finally - to all whom I’ve loved. Thank you for the good times during our worldwide travels to places like Italy, New York and beyond.

Love always and forever.
Camille xoxo

1. My London Fashion Week SS12 Faves

My personal blog is similar to London buses. You wait ages and ages for one, then, five come at once! Apologies, busy times. There are FIVE new posts for you! All London Fashion Week related...


Five days of traipsing around central London trying to look like I’ve just stepped out from my chauffeur driven car with not a hair out of place, or bead of sweat in sight – is no mean feat! As I’m not a senior editor at Vogue, glamourous it is NOT. A constant fashion show it IS! Everyday, my outfit is carefully thought through; full face of make-up courtesy of New CID cosmetics, all with the aim to look and feel my best. Being around models all day long, I have to stay strong and remember all that self-love that is within. Otherwise I’d crumble into a pile of dust upon laying eyes on all the pretty, skinny young things.

My schedule was filled mainly with the off-schedule shows with a sprinkling of A-list shows in the main tent at BFC Somerset House..

We have the off-schedule designers and the die-hard A-list who’ve chosen to stay in the UK, such as John Rocha to thank for keeping LFW alive. British fashion sets the standards for all others to follow. It’s the other stuff we fall down on like investment, logistics and strategic marketing and thought processes. New York may have its big budgets and end-to-end A-listers on the front rows - but we laid the foundations.

Today has been bliss; harems and a t-shirt with no make-up just chilling writing this and articles for Notion. I quickly ran into the West End to pick up some Euros and managed to not get seen by anyone in the ‘industry. I fly to Italy in the morning, am looking forward to a nice break and meeting my team at Swide.

Getting back to LFW. This season I had a partner in crime; my good friend and fashion photographer Yohanna Akladious. It was very strict entry this season but we had legitimate backstage access and entry to the shows. It was a lot of hard work but so much fun. He has brought my copy to life. 


Hope you all enjoy. 


Peace Cxx

Here are my favourites of LFW SS12

Fashion Mode:

Carlotta Actis Barone

James Hillman

Florian Jayet

Backstage shots: