If you’ve ever been to Shoreditch in London, you’ll know that it’s hip with a capital H…stroll down the graffiti-sprayed side streets and you’ll stumble upon such stylish stores as Acne and APC, the main streets are littered with independent boutiques and cafes crammed with creative types, and the area is home to some of Britain’s most fashionable (and slightly eccentric) famous faces including Pixie Geldof and Rhys Ifans.

Now the ‘Ditch has another claim to fame – London’s coolest suburb is home to the world’s first Pop Up mall, Box Park. Located next to Shoreditch High Street overground station, Box Park takes the concept of ‘stacking’ to a whole new shopping level, 60 shipping containers piled on top of each other housing some of the most cutting-edge brands in the fashion and lifestyle spectrum.

Oakley, Nike and Puma sit aside Vans and my personal favourite, Brighton brand Irregular Choice. Calvin Klein has a ‘Box’, as does Levi’s and Lacoste. And food options come in the form of yummy Pieminster pastry delights and an al fresco coffee shop.

Box Park is a revolution for retail in a shaky economy – independent brands which may not have previously been able to afford space can rent Boxes for 1 – 5 year leases and leverage from the big brands sitting atop/aside them. Plus the Global brands can create short term pop-ups to promote particular lines or test their presence in an new area of London. And for shoppers (particularly us ladies with our heels and armfuls of purchases), no trawling around streets for miles – simply walk up and down the Box Park to visit over 50 fashion and lifestyle brands.

If like me, you feel that shopping in big cities can become a bit ‘samey’ with strips of international brands and a lack of local touches, Box Park will be right up your street.

Amy x

The perfect way to hint to that someone so they know exactly what you have been lusting for, or just the perfect way to keep a list of those timepieces you-just-have-to-have!!

The Belgium watch brand has officially thought of everything when it comes to making life easier, not only will you always be on time and rocking the best army candy available you now will have no chance of receiving those gifts with aboslutley no use.

Start creating your own ICE-LIST on Facebook – www.facebook.com/ice.watch

The Betties are all loving the Fluo collection, their on the top of our list!

Irene XX

Yes, you have read correctly … Converse has collaborated with Givenchy’s creative director Riccardo Tisci to bring us wild leopard skin pattern, tonal black treated covered canvas high-tops!!

A thin white piping strikes across the midsole as if to draw your attention to the heel tab, where a row of blacken studs runs down the middle.  Like many of Tisci’s creations, a dynamic showing of both subtle and wild, the GIVENCHY x CONVERSE collab is BEYOND amazing.

The collection is inspired by his men’s Spring 2011 collection.

I’m DYING for these ….

Montarna XX

So many of us desire to open our closet to a designer wardrobe, with a endless collection of head-to-toe designer outfits gracing each hanger…yet in reality most of us only manage, after the bills, groceries and other financial inconveniences to justify purchasing that one pair of must have Jimmy Choo shoes or eye catching red Balenciaga bag. Although justifying these must-have purchases becomes easier overtime it’s not the most viable and healthy for our bank balance we suspect!

Cue Mr. Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel chief designer and the genius behind some of fashion most distinctive and celebrated looks. Lagerfeld has personally ensured that this month all our bills are paid and credit card is not maxxed out (No promises!), introducing his luxe-for-less line ‘KARL’ exclusive to E-Shopping’s Heaven – Net-a- Porter.

If you’re expecting to see a collection of this season’s bright, bold block colours and pastels – think again,  this luxe-for-less line is an ode to Lagerfeld’s signature style of ‘pure androgynous- chic!’.

Natalie Massenet, Net-A-Porter’s founder and executive chairman, told Vogue: ‘From the moment we saw the collection we were hooked… The collection will speak to every woman who wants a bit of the inimitable fabulous street chic that Karl Lagerfeld is known for.’

Lagerfeld’s celebrated designs can be in our hot little hands for budget prices, with leather fingerless gloves starting from a cool $50. The savings don’t stop there with Lagerfeld’s crisp, clean cut shirts and jeans cruising into our closets for under $250. ‘Net-A-Porter will be offering over 70 different pieces from the collection in the next four weeks, including draped jersey dresses, classic pants, sweatshirts, skirts, t-shirts, shoes and bags.’

‘KARL’ was launched simultaneously last week in a coordinated global promotion in the world’s top fashion capitals including Paris, London, New York, Berlin and our very own fashion – forward Sydney!

The pop-up shops were in true Lagerfeld fashion, setting a  unrivalled precedent of innovation with the pop-up shops not containing any clothes,  instead the queuing customers were invited to scan pictures of the clothes they liked with their IPhone or iPad in order to buy the products online.

Okay, so I know we didn’t need another reason to ‘Add to cart’ but this exclusive luxe-for-less is too good not to miss!

Check out the ‘KARL’ virtual look book here! Click here

India xx

We were super excited this morning when we started doing our daily media monitoring and came across Chief Betty and a feature on her new book ‘Strictly Confidential’ in this week’s FAMOUS magazine!!

Via. http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/famous/

Thank you FAMOUS!!

Mon. Xx

The Betties definitely feel the need for speed so when Porsche’s “new identify”  book landed on Chief Betties desk last night we were all ooohh-ing and arrrr-ing over the hot new wheels Porsche is going to be offering come March 10.

The new Porsche 911 combines tradition and innovation seamlessly with technology that was born on the race track (BIG TICK) and distinctive design. It’s safe to say we are in LOVE.

Montarna Xx

What is Mother & Baby Awards you may ask?! Think: The Oscars of the nursery industry and 2012 marks its inauguration in Australia’s Mother & Baby Magazine. Proudly sponsored by Coles, Mother & Baby Magazine Awards will be an annual event that celebrates the star products in the nursery industry. To judge the Mother & Baby Awards parents along with industry specialists will test hundreds of baby and toddler-related products across 30 categories, ranging from cots, prams, high chairs and car seats to baby wipes, baby food, toys and nappies! The seven finalists in each category, along with the eventual gold, silver and bronze category winners, will be able to display a special Australian Mother & Baby Magazine Awards 2012 logo on their products, which will serve as a seal of approval that theirs is the top product in the business.

Coles and Mother & Baby want YOU! Testers are needed Australia wide.  To be a tester, all you have to do is apply through the Coles Baby & Toddler Club website: coles.com.au/babyclub. or alternatively email: mandbawardstester@acpmagazines.com.au. Including your full name, address, telephone number, date of birth and your child or children’s dates of birth, and explain in 25 words or less why you would love to be a Mother & Baby Magazine Awards product tester (applications close February 8 2012).

Who knows if you make the LUCKY list to be a tester you could be channelling fashionista’s like Kate Hudson and Rachel Zoe by having your bub test a Bugaboo. If only I had a baby! I could really see myself testing this pram!

Bernadette X

A gorgeous email from a PR student which I had to share –
Beyond Touched xxxRJ

To Roxy,

I have just completed reading your book which I loved! I first heard of you through one of my magazines I was reading, and I saw the book being advertised and bought it as soon as my pay went in. I loved your book and think your since an inspiration to your fellow workers and to many other PR people in the world. I am 18 years old and currently studing at Wide Bay TAFE in Maryborough which I am doing a Diploma in Business as my pathway to university. I am going to the only university in Queensland which does the full Bachelor of Public Relations at the University of the Sunshine Coast. And one day I hope to be as good as you are. And love to work for you one day. I love your blogs you put on your website. I try to read them every month. You are one inspirational women, and I thank you for the book as it is wonderful.

Thank You,
Cassie Davies
Maryborough  QLD  4650

XRJ

www.converse.com.au