MLPR - Marie Louise Public Relations.

March 10th – Apartment C goes cyber…

…which is good news for gift-giving boyfriends in need of inspiration/prompting (delete as appropriate). From this week, the Marylebone High Street boutique’s buxom bounty-load of top lingerie labels will be laid bare online for the first time. Find a frill or two amidst the gorgeous sets and separates from labels like Stella McCartney, Wundervoll, Princess Tam Tam and Damaris.

Alternatively, for those with no one to impress who plan to snuggle up at home with Ben and Jerry (the ice-cream of course) – don’t despair! There are plenty of comfortable, curve-embracing loungewear pieces to choose from. We’re certainly seduced.

apartment-c.com

Once a month or so, we are going to be talking to different editors to dig out some interesting & insider knowledge.  First up is Jane Druker, the editor of Healthy Magazine.  Jane’s career spans London, New York and  Sydney and positions have included Fashion Features Editor on You, Health Editor on Grazia and Beauty Editor on Australian Vogue.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on the cover of the May/June issue of Healthy – each one has to be special so getting a crack team of photographer, stylist, talent (either model or celeb or chef) and hair and make-up in uppermost in my mind right now.

What is the best ways for PRs to pitch a story?

The best way for PR’s to pitch is definitely email first, I find telephone pitches irritating because you don’t have the information to hand

How many emails do you get a day and can you read them all?

I get approximately 80-100 emails a day.  I skim read everything except those that go straight in my junk mail, any copy I have to read I print out. I only spot errors in printed matter rather than that on screen.

Any tips on what PRs should avoid doing?

Pr’s shouldn’t call me – unless they are inviting me to a spa trip in New York/Rajastan/other!

Best invite you have ever received?

Best invites are usually travel related – a trip to Cuba and Jamaica was a particular favourite

Best press day you have attended?

Hmmmm….fraid they all segue into one

What is your wish list item for this season

Celine handbag, classic nude Louboutin courts

Best PR gift

- Chanel camelia corsage – Christmas pressie when I was beauty editor of Vogue circa 1995 and a gold Jimmy Choo evening clutch 2006

Top Press trip

Cuba/Jamaica(see above) – danced, drank, travelled and laughed….a lot!

Top tip to make a story catch your eye?

It has to be TAILORED…to my magazine. It’s hopeless when PR’s don’t know the product they are selling to. So, read the magazine and suggest a regular slot your story could fit into. Do your homework!

www.healthy-magazine.co.uk

Here is the latest from Paris by leading fashion insider & blogger Katie Chutzpah

Alongside the established design houses of Chanel, Dior, Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier, there are a growing selection of old fashioned, iconic brands, headed by bold new designers, keeping the house heritage resonant yet reinvigorating the brand and moving design forward to a feisty new breed of clientele hungry for change. Keeping the balance between old custom and new horizon, the designer often treads a wary line caught between commercial warp and weft. There were a cool half dozen who were right on the fashion money, straddling commercial need with flair and aplomb.

ROCHAS
Marco Zanini triumphed at Rochas with an easy, upbeat ’60′s Chelsea girl feel. Tight A lines, ruffles, and attitude. What’s not to like? A fabulous show that’s bound to influence the high street. You can keep you bangs and whistles. This was straightforward ingenuity, freshness and a new angle to shape and form which always does it for me. This collection was tight and totally on trend. A whole new legion of fans is due. Cute Capri pants were teamed with a tight gold sweater. Pointed collar shirts were worn under shifts, sure to be replicated by the SHoxton massive. A sweet black velvet pantsuit had a tight short jacket and ankle skimming boot cut flares. Ruffles shirts and detailing on dresses abounded and oh, the sweetest of touches – coloured bow detailing as a waist corsage and bouffant hair styling was all it took to inject infectious youthfulness.

This was a simple, sexy collection that knocked Marc Jacobs into a barrel. For the young Mrs Robinson to be in 2010.

LOEWE
Polished to perfection, Stuart Vevers’ updated Loewe’s prime insistence on leather, concentrating on the two piece 40’s style dress suit with short boxy jackets, sheer spot tights and flippy above- the- knee skirts. Women of a certain age are guaranteed to love this. Perhaps there just isn’t enough of a ‘fashions statement’ for those desperately-seeking- an- identity popular celebs. This is a collection that needs confidence, maturity, strength of character and charisma to carry the look. Smart day wear for smart, sexy Knightsbridgers.

LANVIN
Alber Elbaz’s African inspired trip saw models stomp to a Conga soundtrack, all with poker straight long black bobs and the severest of cheekbones as if to cut an extra edge to such sophisticated, covetable and intelligent clothing. If you choose Lanvin, you choose to make an inexplicable statement about yourself – intelligent, fashion aware and wealthy to boot, the Lanvin lover has impeccable standards with raw edging.

Fur trimmed long sleeve dresses in the softest, chicest putty, all in one strapless pantsuits, and the severest long line coats with shoulder emphasis, cut to perfection.

It was the intricate drape and wrap of the day to evening cocktail dresses that awed. One sleeve, wrap, film noir dresses skimmed the body and intricately pleated short dresses in deep gray were part African warrior princess, part dominatrix Roman Centurion. Elbaz’s vision for Lanvin is gutsy, glamorous and oh wow, we want it. Massive amulets, rough hewn fabrics, deliciously muddy hues and tribal feathers decorated. Embellishment with intelligence.

VIONNET
Already favoured by Carey Mulligan for her BAFTA Award, Vionnet is undoubtedly the house to watch.

Lead designer, Rodolfo Paglialunga, showed another outstanding collection bound to be worn by both the very chic or the very discriminating starlet and coveted by every style seeker worth her salt. Oh, how it rocked!
Comprised of hybrid evening wear sexily styled as killer daywear with thigh length boots, these pieces are kick ass couture, bringing Vionnet firmly into the 21st Century. A vision of a sharp, luxurious, hyper modern neo Goths, with heavenly fox fur trims, thigh length boots and leather gloves meant business. Sublime styling appeared as sharply gathered, hard shouldered chiffon or grey cashmere fur trimmed dresses vied for the most luxe. A capelet style, navy geometric pattern two piece skirt suit was divinely different while the sequin embellished skirt suits and dresses, with lace subtly peekabooing through slits breathed sensuality. Add chunky sleek silver belts and reams of silver bracelets and Bam! Pow! Red carpets ahoy.

CELINE
Phoebe Philo’s hotly anticipated show delivered a vision of wealthy wearability. Philo injects the brand with hip as well as sharply tailored scruples. With the slightest of nods to the ‘60’s, at Celine, paired down minimalism met ‘The Prisoner’ as slim, sharp, structured lines dominated with an emphasis on navy blue and the skinny flare. Fashion editors foamed at the mouth.

BALMAIN
Christophe Decarnin veered lusciously out on a limb at Balmain. Not for him, the paired down minimalism and functionality so prevalent this season: Gold, brocade, sequin, feathers, leather and lame, this was no show for shrinking violets. Decarnin delved into the ‘90’s box of Gucci dress-up: Leopard print studded frock coats with gold lame trousers, sharply cut dandy suits with flock gold thread, purple and gold brocade mini dresses and fringing galore, this was more baroque and roll than Prince for a new generation. There were still some mighty show stoppers such as the slash to naval and thigh, black sequin floor length evening dress. Pop stars the world over will adore in a world gone Gaga for glitz.

Have you noticed how wierdly tidy Virgo’s are?  Being an untidy Leo myself, with serious Virgo envy, I was thrilled to hear that one of my favourite companies Total Wardrobe Care has created a folding palette!  Apparently they have been using them for years in all the uber designer boutiques.   So, if like me, you’d love to recreate that look in your closet, but have never succeeded then do check out the website.  They are very pretty to!

We just wanted to give you a heads up on the new Wilbur & Gussie studded leather cuff bracelets which have just gone live on the website.  I was lucky to snap one up a couple of weeks ago & it has received great reviews.   They are limited edition, and they only cost £50.00 which is why you had better be quick!

Not wanting to brag too much but I just had to put these latests client reviews up:-!

March, 3 2010 Lucy Morello, Founder & Creative Director of Brazelle: ”

When I signed up with MLPR the change in gear took me by surprise.These girls have an endless reservoir of new angles, promotional ideas and enthusiasm second to none. Within weeks of signing MLPR had got Brazelle into the cover of a major UK publication, auditioning for brand programs on the BBC, lots of internet articles and even its own stand at London Fashion Week. On top of this blastering efficiency the team is a joy to work with. Being a new ‘invention’ my product is not what I would have considered ‘PR friendly’ yet it seems that when Marie Louise believes in something its like if a magic wand gets to work. Looking at her calm exterior I would have never guessed the astonishing speed with which she makes things happen.

MLPR has been a god-sent.”

February, 28, 2010 Nick Bartley, CEO, Lucas Jack jewellery:, “Although I was told it normally takes a few months before generating any press, MLPR started getting results for me in a matter of weeks.  Almost immediately after taking them on my brand was being featured in key magazines and broadsheets and the benefit to my business has been substantial.  They are pro-active in their approach and give a very personal level of service.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend MLPR”

A brilliant & funny fashion-insider, will adding to our fashion blog on a regular basis.  One to watch-out for, her wry & witty take on the  fickle fashion world is designed to bring a smile, whatever the weather - See below for her review on Milan Fashion Week –  and for more take a look at her blog - Katie Chutzpah

“As the fash pack moved to Milan, it seems they were in for a stellar season of luxe, lush, wearable, ‘make an entrance’ clothing not seen for years. Hankering after better times when economies were flush and a ‘recessionista’ was unheard of, the stalwarts of Milan Fashion Week (and who better to inspire the UK high street) turned out ‘best of’ collections that have droves of die hard fashion luminaries, already lining up for pre-orders.

At Prada, Miuccia continued to marry her vision of fashion & art, sending out reams of today’s supermodels including Lara Stone Doutzen Kroes and Catherine McNeil to a soundtrack of Beatnik jazz in a cavernous, intimidating set designed by architect, Rem Koolhaas. Ms Prada stated she was ‘revising’ things she did in the ‘90’s. But, oh how we loved it. Her stereotype uptight yet sexy early 1960′s secretary who’s wondered into a jazz club by default, this girl’s wardrobe would have Mad Men salivating – Strictly tailored A line dresses with bullet bra form and petticoat frills worn with knee socks. Ruffled bosom fit and flare dresses competed with double face cashmere wiggle dresses for attention while loud, dull plaid two piece suits epitomised covered up sexiness and knits were juxtopositioned with leather look cire. And all worn with chic beehives. Fabulous. (Prada picture below)

Back at Gucci, Frida Giannini’s super sexy collection even managed to up the ante on Prada. Delving the house classics from the ‘70’s and ‘90’s, the vision was of a modern day, kick ass ‘Charlie’ (perfume) girl and oh so glam. The trouser took centre stage for day or evening – the perfect cut and length, falling to just over the shoe, and when paired with satin, feathers, tulle and lace and heaps of fox fur – Wow! Fierce said the low slung trouser worn with beautiful silver fox fur, fierce said the body con sheath dresses, slit to tease at flesh and double fierce said the chocolate ostrich feather jacket that shimmied with every move, paired with sequin vest and satin chocolate pants. Make no mistake, molto sexy Gucci’s back with a vengeance.

The boys at Dolce & Gabbana teased with a black lace invitation, a taste of illicit things to come. Focused on ‘sartorialita’ ie tailoring Italian style, attention to detail in the infinite was paid to reams of impeccably tailored and severely lapel jackets worn with big knickers (not in the Bridget Jones manner) and lace or chiffon slips. Structured corset shapes that we know and love made their return, some bedecked with gold coins and, of course, the right-side-of- taste leopard and lace dresses, as delicate as they were raunchy. Breathtaking big florals worn with Sicilian lace were heart stopping. The classics from Dolce’s divine heritage proved a winner. This is one sexy Sicilian mama – can we carry this off in London? Yes please.

To fall back on reworked classics from happier economic days of yore in an attempt to regain custom and house dominance in these uncertain times sounds like a winner.

As Ray Charles said, let the good times roll, baby.

We think The Handbook captured exactly what Brazelle is about -  See below

“With the underwear as outerwear trend creeping into our wardrobes by degrees and hopefully even making the transition onto our bodies if it ever stops snowing, we’ve found a great new accessory to flaunt once the temperature rises.

The brazelle is the perfect way to combine jewellery and lingerie in one fell swoop.

Up until now, disguising or doing away with the bra strap altogether has been a constant dilemma but the brazelle is makes a virtue out of that age old problem.

The pioneering device comprises a glamorous silk strap featuring swarovski crystals and murano glass which can be teamed with any strapless bra or bustier to devastating effect.

The luxury line starts at £147 but diffusion range, B by Brazelle is coming at us in April and retails for under £45 including a neutral strapless bra – padded versions are available too for that bit of extra oomph.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”

www.brazelle.com