"Thank you Kirk Originals!" - Mr. Darkwah

"I got them!" 

Isaac StJames, myself and Charles Ampadu in our Kirk Originals lenses!

As I'm sure you've noticed, that with the lack of posts to do with them, I have been out of the events circuit for a while but let me assure you, I'm back and loving it! Last Thursday saw me making my return to being (somewhat) a social butterfly at Kirk Originals' Award Win Party at their Conduit Street store. The event saw singer, Sophie Hiller perform a few of her own singles and covers of popular hits both past and present.

Simple and yet so stylish!

Kirk Originals never fails when it comes to style!

Songstress Sophie Hiller in action

Typical of an event overseen by TASK PR, I felt completely at home and enjoyed myself thoroughly! I even had my first cider (being known as a man who drinks only water or vodka)! The atmosphere was homely and light - the best type to welcome me back from my 'reclusive' nature of last season. I loved it!

The whole place was buzzing with bloggers, stylists and all-round fashionistas!

Looking at the style of Kirk Originals' new range, I realised why they are so loved amongst all age-groups. The brand, despite being around for 20 years still manages to produce innovative, exciting and yet wearable designs that suit all kinds of people! Upon walking into the store, I set my sights on one pair of glasses - the white Chip glasses from the kinetics range. This may sound like Dutch to you but I've been obsessed with those glasses since the "Gentleman's Day Off" post in which they were featured!

Hats off to Kirk Originals for winning Fashion Frame Practice of The Year and hats off to Task PR for another well-put-together event! I hope to attend many more!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"Let Me Dispel The Myth"

Wouldn't you want to be here?

It seems people get the idea that as bloggers, we live these luxurious lives. All they seem to think we do is party with celebrities, review collections and gain recognition for our opinions. When really, it's a little more complex but let me not bore you with the details of a blogger's life (though it does consist a lot of partying, being outspoken and spotted for your quirky style). I want to let you in on a little secret - a blogger's dream job!

Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub

This June, Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub will attempt to free-dive 703 feet just off La Cote D'Azur and Maurice Lacroix is sponsoring this expedition! Where do bloggers come in, you ask? Well in order to cover this event, Lacroix is looking from bloggers in English, Chinese, German and Russian as well as a pool boy and personal assistant. The team will be flown out to a luxury villa and represent their language audience worldwide - now do you see why it's a dream?!

Not to mention, each person selected for the team gets a stunning Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Watch!

I have entered myself in this competition and would absolutely love to go! My reasoning not just that "I need a break" but that I would bring a plethora of skills to the table - not to mention my love of all things en-vogue and daring!

For more information on the feat visit http://www.the-french-job.com/videos.php?show=4f9846b62799e and vote for me! 

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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What Are You Carrying?

In Shakespeare's "Advice to the young" it was said "The apparel oft maketh the man" and this is true - each of us dresses to portray an image and even if we don't mean to, we know that being the guy in the straight-cut jeans (a waist size too big), printed t-shirt, striped hoodie, New Balance sneakers and mismatched satchel means we're the new guy in town or more commonly (in American TV stereotype, that is) the nerd. 

What Shakespeare did not say, possibly because they weren't a part of the 'standard' outfit was that "The accessories too, speak of oneself". Yes, guys and dolls, we have all looked after our outfits - being careful not to team palazzo pants with oversized and baggy shirts as they would completely hide a figure but what we have neglected (for too long in my opinion) is our accessories. A simple all-black ensemble can be brought to life with the right purse/man-bag. 

After benig stopped by a few fashion students for the sheepskin and mink man-purses (yes they do exist) that I had been holding, I quickly realised that in a city where fashion is at the fore and (unfortunately) people's styles begin to look very similar, people turn to the smaller details in the outfit for fashion joy. So now, I pose the question to you. "What are YOU carrying?"

The most interesting 'carriables' I've seen recently are a product of Fashion Student turned Uber-Designer Kzeniya Oudenot. Graduating Central St Martin's, Kzeniya worked in events and designed costumes and sets. Working for Alexander McQueen, Royal Opera House and Scottish Ballet to name a few, Kzeniya soon found that her love was in creating leather accessories and so started on creating her statement leather pieces.

Upon seeing her work, I found myself wanting one for myself! (She only does womens' pieces so that's saying something!) It was no surprise I found myself feeling this way as once her complete work was viewed, it was seen in the hands of Jennifer Lopez, Fergie and featured in many-a-fashion Bible (Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and then some!) I don't think there's anything more chic and edgy than this right now in purses! It's exciting and so fashion-forward - I simply love it! (A word to the designer, please make men's accessories!)

If you're looking to carry one of Kzeniya's pieces, look no further than Selfridges (and look nowhere else) - they bought her whole first collection!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"You needn't be unstylish when looking for comfort!" - Mr. Darkwah

If you remember, a while ago I wrote about taking a day off to see the sites and relax - break the monotony of a the London rat race. I've been having a lot of those days recently and with the Easter break and bank holiday, I may as well have been going backwards!

J. Shoes was one of the brands featured in the accompanying shoot for their unrivalled comfort and beauty. I've just received some information on their new A/W collection and feel I must share it! The shoes and the shoot are everything you want from your shoes. You needn't be unstylish when looking for comfort and you needn't be impractical or completely avant-garde when looking for style!

Here's a little behind the scenes footage from J. Shoes! Enjoy!

I hope you all had a great Easter!

Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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News Update!

La Clique is changing!


Thanks for all the support from all of our readers and the different brands, PR companies and great people that we have met along the way. We are truly glad to have met, partied with and worked with all of you! 


There is an air of change in the air though... Much like that electricity in the air as we move into Spring from Winter, La Clique's roots are being set and we want to grow to do bigger and better things. Don't worry, we will still be here and operating this page BUT we are moving to more of a magazine format so you now can expect when to hear from us and know for sure that all your fashion news arrives in one, glamorous package!


There will be a new site as well but in due course. For now, enjoy La Clique!




Ciao Bellissimi!
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93'94

Our New Year Starts Here!

Ladies and gentlemen, fashionistas and 'nistos, happy new year and welcome back to La Clique!

It's been a long and restful break and I trust we've all settled into the new year. Starting afresh, making new year's resolutions (and discarding those that we found weren't exactly suited to us) are all parts of how we get ourselves geared up for the year ahead. Too often we get wrapped up in the need to change and be something new or more interesting at this time of year. We forget that what we need to do is not overhaul the person that we are in search of a more exciting existence but build and improve upon the person we already are.

The new year is not just about a new haircut, new jeans, a new bag and bracelet but about a renewed energy for life and the world around us. We at La Clique encourage you to take some time out on this, the  twentieth day of the new year, and take in your surroundings, appreciate where you are no matter where it is because we are all blessed to have the things we possess and the friends and family we have around us. Take time to acknowledge those who have worked with you and stood by you in getting you where you are now as if we don't know where we are from, we will have no clue of where we are going.

In our New Year's Appreciation, La Clique would like to thank Charles Ampadu, Camille A, Hanna-May White and Blood,Sweat&Fashion Magazine, Mode Parties, Forever 21, TASK PR, Paul Costelloe, Thomas Sabo, Arlene Olivera and Bolongaro Trevor, Kirk Originals, Angels&Men, Roberto Angeletti and all the other beautiful people without whom La Clique would not have gotten to where it is now!

This year we can only expect bigger and better things from La Clique so stay tuned, people! We're taking 2012 by storm!


Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue

Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"Take a Gentleman's Day Off" - Mr. Darkwah

Photos by Tameka Alexandra Photography

We are coming up to the end of November and I'm sure you're just as tired as I am of having to get up and go to work. Why can't Christmas be sooner? So close and yet so very far. It feels that more and more, life has become intertwined with the buzz or, as cynics like to call it, the neurosis of the city. I think we all need a break. Let's take a gentleman's day off - in style.

The first thing you must take into account is your comfort. You don't want to be walking around and feeling as though you were on your way to the office or to a board meeting do you? It's all about putting your mind, body and soul at ease. J Shoes, in my opinion provide the perfect footwear for comfort and style combined! I can tell you that walking around in J Shoes is a similar feeling to walking around in your most comfortable padded socks. There is very little rubbing and they allow for maximum ease of movement. Style and comfort, unfortunately, don't often mix but in these shoes they do!

I find it rather odd that a day off for some consists of walking around in tracks all day and eating food we know should never touch the lips of a man who lives "Vogue". For Les Hommes de La Clique, our days off are not lazy and so-casual-it-hurts. We are sophisticated and aim to look suave whilst feeling comfortable. A tie never goes amiss on a casual day but it's all about the type. Now I promised that when I started writing, I wouldn't bore you with the "science of fashion" cuts and shapes and materials and so on but let me educate you in this area. You might just love me for it. The broader ties with a pointed tip, I find to be rather formal - very formal in fact. You then get the narrow ties, skinny ties and then sports ties. Sports ties are less formal as they are often woven and have a flat end - no tip, it's completely flat. I've found one tie that I'm in love with at the moment (I know this sounds odd to you but when you're as immersed in fashion as I am, a single item can become a season's obsession)! Gentlemen, I present to you my casual tie of the moment by Brian Clarke.

Now I am fully aware that not everyone will change their glasses according to their outfit but these glasses are worth altering an outfit for! My obsession with accessories has gone full circle and returned to glasses. There have been too many occasions in which I've seen a well-dressed man - casual or formal - and hated what he's accessorised with. Glasses are worse still. We men don't seem to understand the rules that work for women and spectacles apply to us also! I know you don't want to have to overanalyse all of these things so I've found a brand that tells you about the faces their items suit, Kirk Originals! (You can't say I'm not good to you with all this research I'm doing). With bold colours, flattering frames and the power to turn a bland outfit into a vibrant and chic get-up, there's no way you can leave these out of your wardrobe - regardless of whether you need glasses or not!

Just a few notes for your next Gentleman's Day Off...

Ciao Belissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"Your luck is our charm" - Thomas Sabo Fortune Cookie

Thursday 27th October saw two new loves discovered by me. One, the Barclays Bike scheme (clearly the less important of the two) and the second, Thomas Sabo jewellery! The launch event for the the new line took place in the Thomas Sabo store on King's Road and was just as warm and enchanting as the jewellery. Luxury of the Orient was the theme for the new line and true to the theme, one honestly felt they were transported to a bar somewhere in Asia with the decor and fan-wielding women in kimonos in-store!

Adorable Luxury - The Panda is featured in different pieces from charms to pendants!

Unbeknownst to me, prior to the event of course, there was a lot of red around - being the colour of the rich and powerful in the Orient so I guess I fit right in with my red jacket. The night possessed a warm atmosphere with much conversation, champagne and laughs all round, I couldn't have asked for a better event to attend after being away from the event scene for so long!

 "I could not have asked for a better atmosphere than the one I met at the Thomas Sabo event!" - Mr. Darkwah

Looking at the pieces, it was no wonder to me that Thomas Sabo was being featured more and more in publication as well as worn by more celebrities. Sabo's charm bracelets are luxurious in an understated fashion and, in my opinion, the perfect gift for a loved one as they sum up one's emotions perfectly - be it young love, or that of the older kind. (Saying 'old' makes it sounds rather decrepit, no?)

Along with beautiful jewellery, I had the pleasure of mixing with beautiful and interesting people who only made the evening a more pleasurable one! From chats with fellow bloggers about the advances of the blogging world to finding out about each other's work and fawning over guests of the evening, Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing of Made In Chelsea (who, might I add, were very friendly and great to talk to), I cannot say that I have enjoyed myself more and liked the people as much as I did at the Thomas Sabo event!

Myself with Jamie, Spencer and Fraser - our guests for the evening

Many thanks to TASK PR and Thomas Sabo for being so warm and welcoming and a huge congratulations to the Thomas Sabo team on a successful event!

Be sure to look at images from the event courtesy of Karen Bengall!

Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah

"Cosy, Sexy, Cool! Damn, I wish I'd thought of that!" - Mr. Darkwah

Cosy? Sexy? Cool? I think it's all three, really...

Ladies, Winter has arrived and there's nothing worse than slipping on a pair of your favourite jeans and having them chafe your inner thighs and create static with your tights. Well, I'm told there's nothing worse than this... Being able to look good and feel comfortable should not be a trade-off - it's a necessity in everything we wear! I think I've found something you might just love!

Angels & Men was set up by Mellie Carroll and Jo Matthews, women who, I believe, got sick and tired of complaining about the discomfort caused by the jeans and tights combination. There is often the idea that anything innovative and relatively new sees a severe lacking aesthetically but practically, succeeds beyond everyone's expectations. Angels & Men's jeans are not a product that follow that rule. With the cleanest and most flattering cuts for women from size 8 up to 16 (yes, they also cover a good size range!), there is nothing that Mellie and Jo have left out!

The jeans utilise Fleecetec-Duothermolate in their lining to retain body heat in the colder parts of the year whilst remaining fully breathable for the hotter parts. All these jeans need to be able to do now is button themselves up and they're God's gift to womankind! The cuts of the jeans are perfect for the lean ladies but also have a good and deep enough seat for the woman with the more voluptuous posterior (hopefully I can write that without sounding inappropriate).

As a stylist, it's hard to find a pair of jeans for a client without them asking me if when they bend down, their "goods" will be on show. I can assure you, ladies, Angels & Men have seen to this problem! There is no room for the awkward moment when your son or daughter comes up to you and pulls down the back of your top because the small of your back and beginnings of... well, you know, are on display. These jeans are suitable for the mother, fashionista, student and the everyday Superwoman in and out of the city.

In case you don't believe me and you feel that this is too good to be true, keep your eyes on La Clique as we will have some of our readers test out the products themselves!

Happy Jeans for Genes day!

Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah

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"She's so much more than just a pretty face!" - Mr. Darkwah

On an unusually sunny Monday afternoon (taking into account the weather we've had in the past few weeks for "summer"), the Marylebone Hotel hosted the launch of Joseph Ribkoff's Autumn / Winter collection and a meet and greet with Miss America, Teresa Scanlan. The event was beautifully organised and bore the air of an afternoon tea held in a country estate. 

No sooner had I entered the door, was I greeted by Miss America herself, Teresa and had it not been for her bedazzling smile, I would not have known it was her. She was so down to Earth and polite - nothing like the preconceptions we have about pageant-winners - she took me by the hand and conversed with me as though I was the only one there and made me feel right at home! 

Asked about how she felt being the brand ambassador for Joseph Ribkoff she replied "It's amazing, and you know what? The clothes NEVER have to be ironed so they fit RIGHT in with my busy schedule! I love it!" She wasted no time at all, talking me through the finer points of her responsibility as Miss America and also showed me around the collection. 

Ribkoff's collection showcased designs and that were easy to take from day to night and shapes and materials that would flatter any form. I noted that the collection was very versatile, not only in the sense that the outfits could work for any occasion but also because they would work for any woman of any age - from the sexy Jessica Rabbit to the more refined, present-day Raquel Welch. All of the garments were made of silk jersey materials that required little or no ironing and truly allowed the woman to wear the dress and be ravishing rather than the dress wearing the woman. After all, every woman wants to be noticed for her being - not the dress on her being!

"Did you know that the four points on my crown have a meaning?" she asks me with the widest and, might I add, amazing hazel eyes and I reply, in awe of her "I wasn't aware that they had a meaning". She proceeded to explain that they stood for Style, Scholarship, Service and Success. Style would represent the individual flair that the winner of Miss America presented to have gained the crown; scholarship for the scholarship funds gained through winning the competition; service for the year's worth of work that Miss America would be doing for the cause she represented and success for what she would go on to achieve in her life after the pageant. 

I went on to realise that Miss America was much more than a pageant - it was a provider for that one lucky girl and would enable her to go on to college and gain a degree in her field of interest. "Being the middle child in seven, my mom and dad wouldn't have been able to put me through college and so this has literally been the biggest blessing!"

So young and so far-sighted, Teresa (Miss America) hopes to go on to study and then work in politics. "You've got to be nice to everyone," she laughs "because you never know what they'll pull up! I mean, I don't want to be speaking in public and have someone say she ignored me in high-school?" This may seem a tactical decision made by someone schooled in media but she radiated the most beautiful and warm beams of kindness. A true gem.

Grazie to Task PR for accommodating myself and my assistant. Grazie to Teresa Scanlan and a huge congratulations to her also. We wish her well on the rest of her touring year and hope to see her running for senate or even presidency! Finally, a gargantuan congratulations to Joseph Ribkoff on a beautiful collection that surpasses age and occasion to truly accommodate the modern woman!

If you want a piece from Ribkoff's collection, it is being stocked in Robina (on New Bond Street) and Fenwick department store as well as many other retailers throughout the UK!

Hope you had a good day!

Ciao belissimi!

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