CITIZENS OF HUMANITY: BEHIND THE SCENES IN L.A!

Blue jean baby: a stack of Citizens of Humanity jeans snapped at the L.A. factory.

As I've mentioned before I'm big into jeans, so you can imagine by excitement when cool Californian denim brand  Citizens of Humanity invited me, along with a group of other European journalists, to travel all the way to L.A. for a once in a lifetime, behind the scenes trip into their world of denim.

In case you don't already know: Citizens of Humanity was founded by Jerome Dahan (previously of Seven for All Mankind fame) just a decade ago, in which time he's created a world renowned denim label worn by everyone from Kate Moss to Rihanna, which now manufactures over 1 million pairs of jeans per year! 

Around fives ago, Jerome joined forces with denim godfather Adriano Goldschmied, who working specifically on product development has a hand in creating Citizens of Humanity as we know them today. 

Together, Adriano and Jerome took us through the entire jeans making process: from mood boards, swatches and initial ideas in the design studio, to the finished article, quality checked and ready for shipping to the suppliers.
We visited the factories and denim laundry, where Adriano gave us an insight into the Citizens of Humanity product development process, my highlight of which was watching a pair of jeans be distressed and printed on via a computer controlled laser machine (I am a self-confessed denim geek after all).
And when we weren't swatting up on jeans, the Citizens of Humanity team showed us their favourite L.A. hot spots from delicious restaurants, to an afternoon surfing with pro. surfers on Malibu beach! We even got to cheer in Obama's reelection at a trashy bar on Sunset Boulevard (my choice entirely!)

THE TRIP IN PICTURES... 

The trip in pictures, snapped on my iPhone. 

WHAT I WORE...

For a day at the factories I wore: MiH Jeans star print shirt and shorts with Jimmy Choo sandals, a clutch by Whistles,
and Elizabeth & James sunnies.

For dinner at Mozza I wore: a printed dress by Olivia Rubin with Christian Louboutin sandals and a clutch by
Lulu Guinness.

For breakfast at Jerome Dahan's house followed by a trip to Malibu beach I wore: a butterfly print top from Zara,
shorts and cardigans both Gap, sandals by Tibi, with Elizabeth & James sunglasses.

For supper at Mr. Chow, I wore: metallic top and cardie from Marks & Spencer, skirt by Tucker, sandals
by Topshop and Whistles snake print clutch. 

On the last day, me wearing: my new Citizens of Humanity 'Dylan' jeans(!) with a Rodarte t-shirt, Chanel bag,
Keds x Opening Ceremony leopard print trainers (and sunnies as before).

To see and shop Citizens of Humanity’s current collection click here.

HIGH STREET HIT: KAREN MILLEN'S BOLD CHECK MINI

Me wearing: Karen Millen's Bold Check skirt, with a Jaeger sweater and Whistles pumps.

Mini skirts and flat pumps are a match made in workwear heaven for me and I’m thrilled with this little beauty from Karen Millen. 

First and foremost I love its sixties vibe, but it’s also an excellent cut, which makes it both flattering and expensive looking too. Plus, its neutral colour palette means it's super easy to coordinate: I’m wearing it here with a beige cashmere polo-neck from Jaeger but I think it looks equally good with black, and all shades of grey. And at £99 it won’t break the bank either! In stores now...  

To shop Karen Millen’s 'Bold Check' skirt click here.

ANNINA VOGEL: VICTORIAN JEWELLERY EXTRAORDINAIRE

A gallery of gorgeousness: Annina Vogel and some of her wonderful designs.  

Ever since I started Nieto Noticed earlier this year, I have been planning to share my passion for Annina Vogel's namesake jewellery line with you and finally... here is Annina's journey to jewellery heavy weight through my eyes. 
We first met about five years ago when Annina had just begun creating her gold jewellery. I'd heard about her unique concept through a colleague (Annina creates her jewellery by sourcing the most amazing vintage charms and Victorian gold which she reworks into modern day treasures) who was raving about her designs and was convinced I'd love them too. 

Annina bought her collection of charms to our meeting, some of which had already been developed into rings, stud bangles and earrings, and charm necklaces, whilst others lay mingling with each other in her overflowing jewellery trays. Horseshoes, swallows, lockets, tiny teapots, little figurines, fox heads, there was hundreds of unique, one-of-a-kind charms and I was hypnotised: it was like being in Aladdin's cave and I could of spent forever admiring and inspecting Annina's stock.

But I wasn't the only one: Kate Moss had gotten wind of Annina’s designs a couple of months before and after a personal appointment had already been spotted wearing what is now Annina's signature charm necklace. 

Back then, Annina was selling mainly through personal orders by word of mouth, however it didn’t take long for what had started out as a hobby for Annina, fueled by her passion for charms and antique jewellery, to become a total jewellery sensation, which has since attracted many inferior imitations!
A little over a year later, Annina was stocked in Liberty, where she went from being a relatively small Christmas pop-up, to the biggest selling jewellery counter in the shop that festive season and it wasn’t long before Selfridges wanted in on the action too! 
Annina’s collections are now available worldwide, both online and in other luxury department stores and I'm not a tinsy bit surprised at her success, for there's no escaping it: Annina Vogel’s jewellery is incredibly seductive. It's precious and whimsical and nostalgic and sentimental, fashionable and timeless, in no uncertain terms:  it has everything going for it!

But a warning: do not under estimate its power to bewitch and dazzle you, in other words approach Annina's  jewellery counters at your credit card's major risk! 

A selection of some of Annina's personal favourite charms.

Me wearing: my treasured Annina Vogel, Victorian gold horseshoe necklaces.

And here is the rest of my adored Annina Vogel collection, which I was powerless to resist... 

This agate and diamond ring was a present from my mum for my 25th
birthday.

This Victoria gold and diamond charm stud bangle can also be worn high up
your arm. I love it. 

Victoria gold chain ring: I wear this both stacked up with other rings and
singularly. 

Pearl and gold charm cluster bracelet: I love the unique pear and wishbone
combo.

Top of my Christmas wish list: Annina Vogel's mismatch stud earrings.

To see more and to shop Annina Vogel’s jewellery click here.

CHRISTOPHER KANE CASHMERE

Me wearing: my Christopher Kane cashmere camo stole and matching fingerless mittens. 

A couple of years ago, I’d been admiring Christopher Kane’s cashmere accessories from afar when a friend of mine treated herself to the yellow and pink leopard print stole and I don’t think I’ve ever been more jealous. Ever. 

So last December I hit the Christopher Kane sample with the sole purpose of purchasing one of my own... no matter the price tag! Luckily for me it was a lot less steep than the normal retail price but to be honest, had I not found one: Matches or Net-a-porter.com would have been my next stop. 

For in the softest cashmere, which is double layered for extra warmth, it’s the chicest, coziest barrier against the winter chill going. 

Whilst their gorgeous patterns makes them not only memorable to the season they were created, but perfect for wearing indoors too. I layer mine with fine, coordinating knits creating a polo-neck effect. Or drape it across my shoulders like a shrug. And I am yet to come across a coat the CK stole doesn’t look great with, making it a truly versatile investment indeed.

Oh, and I couldn't resist the matching fingerless (iPhone friendly) mittens too... good luck with that!

  Current season: Christopher Kane, leopard print purple cashmere stole, 
£650 at Net-a-porter.com.

Current season: Christopher Kane, leopard print purple cashmere gloves, 
£220 at Net-a-porter.com.

To see and shop more current season Christopher Kane click here.

TORYBURCH.CO.UK & OTHER AMERICAN ARRIVALS

The perfect package: my Toryburch.co.uk online shopping.

I’m so pleased there’s been an influx of my favourite mid-market American labels, particularly those with a very New York, or should I say Upper East Side, aesthetic arriving this side of the pond. 

Introduced to the Brit masses by the likes of Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, these brands may have been available to buy online at Net-a-porter.com, and in store at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, for a while now but it’s great to see both Kate Spade New York and Tory Burch open their own doors in London. 

For Kate Spade New York that’s three gorgeous shops, which sprang into action last year, my fave being the Covent Garden boutique, a space which brilliantly houses not only ready-to-wear but Kate Spade New York’s quirky and fun accessories (see my new playful book clutch below), stationary and gifts too. 

Meanwhile Tory Burch who in 2011 bought her all-American gloss to New Bond Street, with an incredible store (if they’d let me move into even the changing room I would!), wasn’t content with just a London presence, has made her entire collection available to the whole of the UK via the newly launched Toryburch.co.uk! 

...Naturally I had to try it out: and snapped-up the gorgeous leather detail 'Ross' cardie (also below).

And they’re not the last of the all-American arrivals, for elegant and cool New York institution: J. Crew (who's online store currently ships to the UK) have too announced expansion, also in the form of a hotly anticipated London store, I for one am rejoicing! My credit card not so much. 

Me wearing my new Tory Burch 'Ross' cardigan with James Jeans 'Twiggy' jeans and Toast riding boots.

Another American label purchase: The Kate Spade New York 'A Tale of 2 Cities' book clutch.