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.
Last week's report focused on the tartan and plaid garments that are coming through in next season's collections. This week lets look at another Scottish staple, the kilt. Christopher Kane referenced his provincial Scottish Catholic upbringing in his autumn/winter 2010 collection ,by opening the show with a short sexy version of this tradtional skirt. Cut with a high waistband ,a flat front and swishy pleats fanning out at the back , this piece is a key silhouette for next winter. Danish designer, Peter Jensen was inspired by the story of Scottish schoolgirls in the 1930's for his last show. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie novel and movie of the same name was the starting point for his autumn/winter collection. Pairing a grey mini kilt with a striped top and matching blazer, accessorised with cute ankle socks and heeled brogues, was Jensen's vamped up version of the fashions from the film.
