Stylecartel

Gilgamesh is a lovely Pan Asian restaurant situated in the trendy area of Camden, London known more for its market’s and Punks than fine dining.

Here is how the restaurant got its name and the history behind Gilgamesh:
Gilgamesh was the son of a mortal King and a goddess; the king of Uruk (known in the Bible as Erech), the greatest king on Earth and the strongest super human to ever exist. Gilgamesh oppressed the people of Uruk and insisted on sleeping with every virgin. The unhappy people of Uruk prayed for freedom. Finally the gods responded to the prayers of the citizens of Uruk and sent a wild, brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. The pair were set to wrestle, however when there was no clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends.

The Gilgamesh tale encompasses the resto the impressive interior design of the Gilgamesh Restaurant and Babylon Bar. A big and bold Babylonian style palace which combines history with elements of contemporary design and modern art to make it one of the most dramatic interiors with hand carved furniture, lapis lazuli inlaid 50metre bar, retractable ceiling revealing al fresco dining experience and ornate walls of beaten bronze panels tell the epic story of Gilgamesh.

When entering the atmosphere of Gilgamesh it feels as if you are entering an ancient Byzantine palace, the establishment boasts 4 distinctively different and individual areas. Dine, drink, dance, socialise in fabulously glamorous and jaw dropping surroundings.

A Menu inspired by the food halls across Asia, Celebrity Chef Ian Pengelley brings his acclaimed Pan-Asian cuisine to Gilgamesh. A selection of signature dishes with influence from South East Asia, China and Japan that are all encouraged to be shared tapas style. You can watch the chiefs at working creating these delectable delights, and the staffs is friendly offering their recommendations and happy to see you lay back and relax after a delicious meal.

My favourites are the Champagne cocktails with fresh raspberries, and for starters Prawn Har Gau, Scallop Siu Mai, Prawn Spring Roll, Tomato Salsa, Duck Spring Roll and Prawn Katafie. The sushi is another favourite I suggest these Californian Vegetable, Salmon Inside Out Roll, Smoked Eel Oshi Sushi, Crispy Spicy Tuna, Spicy Spider Roll with Soft Shell Crab, Snow Crab California Rolls, Gilgamesh House Roll and Dragon Rolls. For main dishes Thai Red Vegetarian Curry (v), Thai Green Chicken Curry, Best End of Asian Spiced Lamb, Beef Penaeng, Fillet of Beef Bulgogi and Hoba Miso Chilean Sea bass are delightful.

When in London you must try Gilgamesh you won’t be disappointed!

http://www.gilgameshbar.com

An alumnus of Central Saint Martins College in London, Stefan Eckert’s technical talent was enough to gain him a place at Alexander McQueen’s design studio early in his career. But this isn’t the only reason why he should be on every fashion forward woman’s radar.
Thanks to his deep understanding of traditional tailoring, Stefan Eckert expresses his artistic sensibilities in a collection that has his distinctive artistic signature.

To create this first collection, Eckert retired to Germany for over a year, in hopes to nurture and process his experiences of the past. His inspirations are diverse, from early 20th century to modern photography, yet many of his pieces exude a timeless feel. Nostalgic of a more romantic era will find solace in his precise yet delicate designs. Seekers of bleeding edge fashion will revel in his use of metal and leather. Eckert has an eye for detail: bullet buttons on a lacy dress, leather for a pleated shirt, each piece is a classic with a twist and will fit into any wardrobe effortlessly, which is what Eckert is all about. Make no mistake though, these pieces are here to stay: leather, fine wool, cashmere, each has been crafted in time-tested material.
So snap him up while you still can and “Take Me Home Baby” as his collection is titled.
www.stefaneckertdesign.com

Jamie Reid & Comme des Garcons Come together at Dover Street Market

Rei Kawakubo’s endeavor is always to stay true to her mission behind the Dover Street Market. She set out to create a variety in the London shopping experience. DSM is not just for fashion it is a place where “various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision.” RK

Comme des Garcons will collaborated the Icon of Punk art, Sham anarchist Reid, for their Fall ’08 Homme Plus collection. Jamie will prepare an installation for the window display for DSM when the store reopens for Tachiagari A/W ‘08 on July 19th 2008.

The 50’ish Sham anarchist Reid pirate, artist, and sloganeer remains Britain’s top anti-establishment Big Name Artist. Creator of the famous for ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ record sleeve. Reid is the mind behind the safety pin through the Queen’s lip, which visually defined the punk error, and it’s icons, the Sex Pistols. Reid is best know for giving the Sex Pistols their look first on the groups album covers and on T-shirts which have transcended time now that the punk look is back in style. I wonder if these young fashionista’s even know that the look derived from Reid’s political attitude.

Reid never imagined that it would emerge into something fashionable for him it was a possibility to get visual and philosophical ideas through to the mainstream. Jamie argues, “It was the democracy of it all that mattered. I’ve always believed in the punk attitude and how that spread into other places.

Reid’s has evolved since his days of the London Punk error of the late 70s/ early 80s. Reid’s intends to return us back to our roots of revolution. He is still political and creates art to awaken our understanding of what is going on it today’s world politically. He is still interested in the elements of the punk error, the working class roots of music and politics, which is relevant to the past and the future. This making of a brilliant collection when combined with the minds behind Comme des Garcons Homme at the DSM.

The Fashion meets Renegade Event happened on July 19th in London. Summer has not yet hit London, so it was nice to have something to do on a Spring day. The opening was exclusive for quest to premiere the new collection and other collections like House Holland. Henry Holland who discovered Agyness Deyn was on hand to check it out as well.

Chanel nail polish is fit for tomboys. Even though I’m a fashion maven when it comes to beauty Je suis nul. I know nothing about beauty secrets and wax, what? Tweezers huh? I never saw the difference on my face after I got my eyebrows waxed, yet others saw an amazing difference. To me I looked the same.

I grew up in a household of women who just wore red lipstick nothing more. Saturday’s were for doing your nails before church on Sunday, I was never really interested in those things. Make-up was forbidden until your 18th Birthday, so I never really got into the early years of teenage make-up. Now that I am older I am happy that I did not get into it cause my skin looks great and I am not afraid to walk out the house with out it. I feel make-up and too much attention on beauty for young teenage girls ruins there out look on what it means to be beautiful. Take for example my 16-year-old sister who says she cannot leave the house with out make-up. She is beautiful and does not even need mascara!

I have always been a tomboy and painting my nails was a nightmare! Actually my little sister taught me how. I could never stay in the lines. I had the luxury of going to the Chanel fashion show and in the goody bags was Chanel nail polish!! I hardly ever painted my nails until the other day when I went on an interview and asked about dress code in the office. The main thing that stayed in my mind was the comment about nice looking nails.

So I decided to test out the Chanel #159 Fire. Wow I am in love; the polish dries quick enough for someone with ants in their pants, who can never sit still enough for her nails to dry properly. Hence I went out to buy another colour today Rouge Noir, at 19.60 € I had to calm myself down because some of the new colours Melrose hot pink, a purple Rodeo Drive, and orange La Sunrise and a blue black are to die for, so many choices!

Thank you Peter Phillips the new Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup for designing four “cult worthy, limited-edition nail colours in Pop –Art inspired shades.”

Available on: http://www.chanel.com

What can I say? Oh, what I wasted my money! I brought sales to an aging Empire. I have to put in my 50 Cents and weigh in on the ‘Black Issue, it was horrible. Yet, I have to say glad I have a reason to blog. I think that is why all the ageing magazine editors are loosing their ground in the industry. Move over the age of the blogger is coming and Free speech reins.

I think the old way to promote fashion is archaic and why so many fashion houses are re-thinking the entire online market strategy. Why cause we bloggers are free to say and e-print what we want. We really and truly can express ourselves and let our voices be heard. We don’t have to write stories to please advertisers etc. So I am free to say I hated it. Vogue Italia really “Dumbed it down.”

In today’s world it is sad to see that the world still looks at the ‘Black beauty’ as a sultry slave girl, Grace Jone’s kid sister, prostitute, token black girl and video ho. I support the women featured in the issue because at the end of the day business is business and all the models involved knew the rest of us black, brown, yellow and red bone girls just wanted to see an image we could relate too. I just wonder could any of you re-late?

I wish I had the time to go page for page, but I think it would just make me angry. How many more times do we need to see Naomi’s tits? Why did it take them until like page 166 to kick of the Black issue? OH thanks for the token beauty page ‘Hair so Frizzy.” With products by Phytospecific that I don’t think any women of colour uses. Would it have been too hard to ask advertisers to blacken it up a little?

Another missed opportunity for Vogue to do a black issue feature on the passing of Yves Saint Laurent sans the black models in his defile. How he revolutionized fashion by being one of the first to put black girls in his shows. They missed the target completely just check the pictures they used. Times like this I wished my Italian were better, so I could also judge on reporting not just visuals. Girlzzzzz and Boyz I even had better photos on, my blog about his passing. Missed opportunities.

Since I can only judge by the images because I only speak basic Italian. The images were awful, awful OK maybe not all but most. I am sickened by the image of Tina Turner, why did they have to print the worst picture of her just because Peter Lindbergh shot it!! Tina is timeless and reminds us that “black don’t crack” The entire ‘Outstanding’ story image wise was atrocious out of all the women featured Jody Watley, Angela Bassett, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Queen Latifah I have to say hands down how is it possible that the Queens picture was the best? Also, where was Mary J at, Jill Scott and Ms. Keys?

Now on to Ghetto Fabulousness this is a love hate story I love Toccara Jones beautiful face, a real sized feminine silhouette and man what a pair of tits!!!! Wow!! But, same old same old. What would a black issue be with out a Ghetto Fab story to end the issue typical and tired? Yet I have to give props where props are due, she is amazing and big ups to Toccara Jones for showing the world a real black woman with tits and ass, and a beauty at that. How ghetto rich!

Final note: what a dis to Bethann Hardison a renegade in the business no photo of her?

I do congratulate the new faces and I hope we see the likes of Hollis from the New York Agency and Bettine from Agency Muse to remind us that black is beautiful. I would really like to know what others think, so please leave a comment.

P.S thank you Franca Sozzani Editor-in-Chief of the Italian edition of Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. For using us Black girls and giving us the chance to discuss how the world looks at black culture and how women of colour are perceived in the world of fashion. As well as why many of us stick around in the hopes that one day an all Black Issue will not stir so much debate and hullabaloo.

Footnote: Page 158 big up too Jason Campbell of the JC Report for his 50cents in the issue.

Ever since I saw the ‘Sex in the City’ movie the idea of renting designer bags has been on my mind. I need a new bag and don’t know when I can afford another bag, or which one to buy? Because the idea of paying full price a designer bag makes my stomach hurt. When you’ve had a taste of sample sale shopping or outlet shopping in Italy, paying full price for designer goods is a no-no. These days buying a new bag is a big investment, when you know in a year it will be out of style! I also buy for the future, for me a designer piece is a collector’s item. I am thinking about my un-born daughter, who will have the pleasure or raiding her fashion Maven mother’s closet for that great vintage look in the years to come. I think the only bags that don’t go out of style are the monogram Louis Vuitton, any Chanel, or Hermes bag, other bags just come and go. We are lucky if we buy the right bag at the right time.

Now I found this site http://www.fashionhire.co.uk

It’s actually giving me an orgasm! Here you can rent designer hand bags by the month and pay as you go! How de-lish, now you can fake it, with a real bag! How ‘nouveau riche!’ You can choose from the categories of “Cheap and Chic”, Fashion Freak”, Glamour Queen and “New Arrivals.”

This is how it works:

Fashionhire allows you to rent designer handbags such as Gucci, Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and many more at affordable prices. At the same price as buying a Designer handbag, Fashion hire lets you rent many designer handbags throughout the year.

Members have access to an extensive catalogue of 100% genuine designer handbags, all purchased direct from their respective stores.

Since its start in 2006, it has enjoyed great success in the UK and Fashionhire will be opening its doors into Europe very soon.

Fashionhire is a great, discreet way to trial new designer handbags & to keep up to date with the latest fashion trends at a fraction of the cost.

For the same price as purchasing one designer bag, why not borrow many different ones throughout the year? This way you will always have the right bag whatever the event. Handbag rental is big in the US and Fashion Hire is the first to introduce this service in the UK. Enjoy live the life you always wanted through your hired handbag!

If you watch music videos today most performers have a personal style and one of the most popular props for an artist is a baseball cap. Most likely designed by the people at New Era. Now New Era enters the sportswear market.

When talking to the PR and Marketing executive for New Era Europe, Lynsey says the American market; the British market and the French markets are totally different. Yankees and Brit’s are more similar it’s all about he “Bling” and matching your hat to your kicks. While in France, it’s all about your personality hip hopers, skaters to Techtonique dancers wear New Era.

So the Wad offices with the Wad team were the perfect place for the French launch!

Today summer finally arrived in Paris! Dans le rue de style it was the 80’s linked to today. It was fantastic to see two young men with the trends of today, done up correctly with their own personal style, not just carbon copies marching down the street, showing me their briefs under skinny jeans Yuck!!! I wish someone would put this fashion trend to bed, and people thought the hip-hop trend of showing boxers was bad. I know a lot to people who would rather see Marky Marky and his boxers then some of these anorexic boys walk down the street.

Viola “Le Boys de Boulogne” I spotted these 2 in Boulogne and love the way they mixed the retro look of the 80’s, with Ray Ban sunglass en rouge on Plus, razor slashed stone washed jeans, cuffed up below the knee with the latest trainers, and an Ice Cream T-shirt to make the looks contemporary. Viola “Le Boys de Boulogne” bravo!

In today’s world your outfit is as good as how you accessories it, sometimes accessories can make or break the look. Hence StyleCartel would like to introduce you to a revolution in accessory design. Every wish you had a stylish fashion consensus grandmother, so you could raid her jewelry box! Or ever wanted that particular one of kind piece that no one has to accent that perfect black dress! Or do you just love the styles of the “Belle époque” like some vintage Christian Dior pearl and Diamante Golden Clip on earrings for only £34! Now that is a “throw back” for real vintage addict, because you can own pieces from the Jackie O or Grace Kelly Era.   With an opulent style and classic elegance to add to your own style.

v4vintage has got it all – glam, chic, hip and retro pieces. Vintage glamour has always been in with the in crowd… but recently all the Fashion Consciensce A listers have been taking to the red carpets in vintage glamour… Elle Macpherson attended Elton Johns party in over 250k of vintage clothing and jewellery just last week!!   There’s something special about owning a REAL piece of fashion history and nothing works better than vintage jewellery.

Here it is V4VINTAGE.COM your one stop shop for everything your grandmother never had. V4VINTAGE.COM invites you to celebrate the Fashion Era of the past 100 years. V4V has fashion accessories from the 1890’s Victorian through to the 1980’s Punk/Pop Error. V4V has pieces by Dior, Trifari, Haskell and much more. An expert team with over 30 years of vintage jewelry experience can give you interesting facts about jewelry and all things V4V. V4V will give you the history behind the pieces for sale. They will also help search for a hard to find piece for your jewelry box and ship all over the world.

www.v4vintage.com

Francisco Vanbenthum is a Dutch fashion designer has worked for labels such as SO by Alexander van Slobbe, Puma and G-star. In 2003 he launched his own Men’s wear collection. Francisco sets out to change men’s wear with his vision as a designer, it is clearly seen in his well-designed collections. He alters proportions and affixes altered elements based on the male form.

F. Vanbenthum’s S/S 09 collection was titled Radiant. The idea behind the collection came from scenes from the classic “Lawrence of Arabia.” He has taken ancient looks from the Bedouin tribes of the Sahara Desert and modernized them. Think Middle East, North Africa. The Moors, Jellaba’s, Bedouin tents, Sahara-ouias wrapped in rich hand dyed scarves, how dreamy and delicious.

The collection reminded me of the current trends on the streets today, scarves are big for men. The Palestine style scarf can be found in every colour. The likes of Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Marc Jacobs, Good Charlotte and Lupe Fiasco have turned scarves into a must have accessories for men, especially by Louis Vuitton.

This is proof that Francisco Vanbenthum is another men’s wear designer to watch because he pay’s attention to the street and what men want to wear. His collection was separated into three parts, candid style, for day and evening. He sent the colours from the desert sandy orange, Mediterranean blues, white and black. The fabrics are lightweight cotton, poplins, crispy nylon, coated silk and summer wools. Radiant S/S 09 includes suits, coats, shorts, and knits, and complement with footwear and accessories for the modern urban nomad.

This was truly one of the most unanticipated shows of men’s week Paris S/S 09 even http://men.style.com

didn’t cover it! You saw it here first

Photos:www.olivierlalin.com