Wednesday 28 April 2010

Vintage Pampering




Ladies love to be pampered. It's a well known fact. Be it a day at the spa or an evening at home with friends and a beauty therapist. It's a treat that girls the world over look forward to once in a while. In London, Tart, a very special indulgence event regularly takes place at the beautiful and bijou hotel, 40 Winks. Inspired from a by-gone era of beauty and grooming, Tart is an afternoon of vintage make-overs, styling and an education in old-fashioned manners. Hosted by the very dapper David Carter, interior designer and owner of 40 Winks, the aim is to bring some alternative fun and frivolity to pamering parties. Guests are advised to take note of the event's very strict dress code. Drop Dead Gorgeous is the order of the day. Don't even consider a pair of old faithful denims even if it happens to be a typically cold and rainy day in London. Mr Carter suffers with a strange allergy to jeans. Tea dresses and silk stockings are more in keeping with the surroundings. During the afternoon a team of top make-up artists from beauty brand Benefit will transform the guests at this girls only event into gorgeous glamour kittens who, literally squeal with delight at the results. Experts from Lipstick and Curls, the retro beauty stylist specialists, tease hair into Victory Rolls for a foxy forties look. Part-time pin-up girl and retro enthusiast, Fleur de Guerre is also on hand to share the secrets of her style, showing guests the most authentic shades of lipstick and how to apply. Once the guests are groomed to perfection then it's time for the fashion and lingerie experts to pass on their knowledge and styling tips. A selection of fab frocks are available to browse and buy from Vogue's favourite retro clothing supplier, Vintage Secret and lessons are given on how to wear corsets and stocikings from faux vintage lingerie brand What Katie Did.
Tart is a decadent afternoon where naugtiness is positively encouraged. Guests are advised to leave their coats along with their cautious calorie counting in the cloakroom. Afternoon teas, chocolates, and alcohol are served throughout the day for guests to graze on. At 6pm the pampering ends and the party begins. After four hours of self-indulgent preening, the ladies are given generous goody bags to take away with them. The girls then head out to suitably glamourous East-End eateries, such as Loungelover for dinner and drinks or maybe even make an appearance at the Grand Vintage Attire Ball held in South London's Rivoli Ballroom. After a day of transformation at Tart, the vintage vixens then indulge in an evening of retro fantasies and alter egos.
Pictures: Top left- Specially commisioned chocolates.
Top right- Dressing table in the guest room at 40 Winks
Bottom: Pampering in progress.

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