Last Year's "Too Much" Is This Year's "Not Enough"!

Decadence and luxury that screams bourgeois glamour

We've made it into 2012 with no problems (aside from the economic downturn that is) and have put those "scientists" who said that this year would see the end of the world to shame. See - we already have reason to celebrate and be as outlandish as possible! Let's go GaGa and do it up right! We haven't seen this as a trend but who says we need signalling? We are leaders in fashion, not followers.

It's okay to act a little "nouveau riches" once in a while and when it comes in the form of Butler&Wilson jewellery, you'll find yourself asking why you didn't do it sooner! In times of darkness, it's nice to have even the slightest bit of light to help you see the way and in these bleak conditions, Butler&Wilson provide the equivalent of a supernova!

True artistry in the form of a purse! Bravo Butler&Wilson

With pieces featuring Swarovski Crystals in intricate designs which can only be described as something out of a fantasy world, Butler&Wilson are set for massive exposure in 2012! Your outfit is incomplete without a Butler&Wilson piece! Beautifully crafted and proudly British, their pieces will make you look and feel like you're worth millions (especially when your bracelet slips out from under your cuff and dazzles all in the room!).

True Brit Edge and all the glamour one can ask for!

Walking into the South Kensington store, you forget you are in England and are transported to the treasure chest of royalty past and present. You gain a true sense of British style in their jewellery. Skulls, Union Jacks and old Route Master buses adorn the menswear pieces and you gain a sense of the playful edge of Brit style in the use of ducks, puppies and lips in the womenswear range. I can honestly say that I am truly happy to have stumbled upon Butler&Wilson and will pledge a part of my monthly expenditure to them!

Beautifully crafted, proudly British - only Butler&Wilson

This is not merely a seasonal must-have. It's a year's! Indulge yourself, you know you want to.

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue

Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"It's not a 'thing', it's a way of life" - Mr. Darkwah

It's been a while since I last wrote and I apologise for that. I've been battling a serious bout of writer's block and finding new things out about myself and the way I perceive things. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about image and style. GaGa, Lagerfeld, Donatella, Madonna, Andre 3000 all have an image and a definitive style (in the case of GaGa, the style being "expect the unexpected"). Working as a stylist, I have to dress others and find out about them, what their style is and I have to put that forward every time they step out. Whether they are looking to brand themselves and become a 'staple image' or simply to find out about themselves and create a more consistent look - I must know what makes them up.

 

What I admire most about GaGa and Lagerfeld as well as the other famous names above is that they LIVE their style and are unafraid to become whatever character they create! It's who they are!

This brought me round to thinking about my own style. What is it that sets me apart and makes me who I am style-wise? I cannot deny that I am influenced greatly by a lot of people who dress in many different ways that could be described from "hippie" to "high-power fashionisto" but influences aside, what makes me up? I then began to realise that style was much more than what I wore - it was my whole being.

I look back at some of the outfits I've worn over the years - as a student when I thought it was 'cool' to wear my jeans low and trainers the size of baby elephants in the style of 'hipsters' and 'gangsta rappers' to the time I thought that the skinnier the jeans, the better the look (right until the point that simply walking was challenging the Titans because my jeans were so tight!) In this busy city, it's hard for us to take time out and think of these things, to think of the image you wish to portray of yourself outside of work when you're relaxing and being yourself; the image that you want that guy or girl who sits on the bus who you've been trying to talk to to see; the image you want to signify you. What is it?

I bet you never thought we would get this deep...

Well, my friend, that image you want to portray comes through in your style so be careful the image you're sending out. Too many times we fall victim to following a trend - what's in this season and how to wear it. That's all well and good but if you're blindly copying mannequins from Armani to Zara, you're never really going to understand what is and isn't you. I took a long, hard look at myself today and asked myself what my style was. Upon deciding, I started to live it. It's all about creating a solid image and making sure that you are one hundred percent comfortable with it.

So tell me, what is your style?

Just one of my musings...

Ciao Belissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"It's crazy! I love his work! It's everything a woman should be - fierce, sensual, sexual and powerful!" - Nuno Miguel on The Clique's new obsession - Hayden Williams!

There are a few things that will always make us at BienvenueALaClique go gaga. For one, Lady GaGa, Rollerboy Louboutins, London Fashion Week and an interesting art exhibition at an obscure venue. Right now, there's only one person who has this power over us - Hayden Williams! 

After Rihanna changed her twitter picture to one of his illustrations, the fashion world took notice of the bright young thing. We looked into this and found that Williams is much more than a one-hit-wonder (or should we say sketch in this case?). His sketches embody the raw sexuality oozed by femme fatales of all ages from Jessica Rabbit to Bo Derek and Elizabeth Taylor whilst remaining as classy as a vintage Chanel purse! 

When asked if he saw himself going forth to launch a collection, Williams replied "It's something that I'm working towards but I'm also letting things take their natural course. Nothing happens overnight!" His blog (www.haydenwilliamsillustrations.tumblr.com) has become "the one to watch" amongst his new-found admirers and, we're sure, noted names in the fashion industry. With more than a thousand followers on his tumblr and an explosion of Facebook friend requests Williams is definitely hot stuff and after celebrating his 20th birthday on July 22nd, we're sure he's going to be quite the sought after figure! 

Congratulations to you, Hayden and we look forward to seeing you at London Fashion Week, and some day, seeing your work on the runway!

Love life, be "Vogue", and remember, The Clique is only a click away!

Ciao Belissimi!

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