Amara Interior Blog Awards 2015

Firstly I want to apologise for not getting this article written up sooner.

Since last Wednesday night in London; I’ve moved home and office, got a builder started on my renovations and now I’m in Newcastle for the start of the Christmas Fair season at Living North’s four day Fair.  Each of those three tasks so huge, I’ve been busier than a busy person.

This exciting London trip started off by meeting the forever smiling fashion designer Henrietta Ludgate.  As we walked the streets of Notting Hill and Portobello we chatted away about life, fashion, business and days gone by.

Intriguingly the infamous London Saint Martins Art and Fashion College that Henrietta attended which launched her into the fashion industry was very competitive.  Slack off a little and you were out, the course chucked people out at the end of each year.  According to Henrietta it was an experience she had to work hard for and it’s paid off, her own brand has been going from strength to strength.

As we walked and talked I asked her who her favourite fashion designer was at the moment.  “Schiaparelli, a brand that is having a revival at the moment” she replied.   Elsa Schiaparelli, an Italian designer who rivalled Coco Chanel back in the early 1900’s was a name I recognised.  Famously quoted for having said,”In difficult times fashion is always outrageous”, she too was a fashion heroine of her time.

We walked around Paul Smith’s full townhouse flagship store and studio.  A design feast where luxury clothes gently oozed the surrounding stylish rooms.   I  couldn’t help but click away at this incredible store interiors.

‘The Camilla’ dress designed and made by Henrietta has a rather special story behind it.  Made in collaboration with Will.iam and Coca Cola for his Ekocycle brand, this dress was made out of 100% recycled coke cans.  Used Coke cans are literally spun at such a force they turn into fibres.  What an honour to be the first person to wear this dress that will soon be available to buy at Harrods.

 (image via iphone)

Amara had worked so hard to host a glitzy evening at Kit Kemp’s Ham Yard Hotel in Soho.  Fizz, Cocktails and Canapes on arrival.  Followed by a sit down awards ceremony hosted by Stylist and TV host Sophie Robinson.  She was a witty presenter and did reveal that evening The Great Interior Design Challenge that she co-hosts will be back on our screens soon with series 3.

The aim of these awards was to showcase and commemorate interior blogs.  I couldn’t have been any more grateful to be surrounded by some seriously talented people.  Very deservedly Design Hunter UK won the category I was nominated for the second year running.  This blog was in a class of it’s own.

I’d like to thank Amara for hosting and to all the amazing readers and friends who spared their time to vote for me.  Also to all those amazing sponsors who put some fabulous items in this years goodie bags.   Headline Partners Firmdale Hotels & JP&G Baker and the sponsor for my category, Best Luxury Blog, Roberto Cavalli.

Her are some images of the night along with some shots I took of the wonderful eclectic style of the Ham Yard Hotel.

(Image |  John Nassari)

Front middle, Emily Quinton and I catch up (in the yellow cardigan beside the table).

 (Image  | John Nassari)

(Images |  Laura Thomas)