AMTEvents

#AMTEvents - Creative Events Agency. Events, Styling & Lifestyle Blog!

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The global pandemic created a new chapter for the fashion industry. Some found it hard to adjust, and some saw the challenge as an opportunity to be creative and innovative. With the in-person fashion shows being not feasible, the designers had to come up with new ways to present their collections, and it looks like Virtual Reality shows are among the latest fashion trends. Famous designers like Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, Jenn Lee, Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière and many more, accepted the challenge and took it into another reality.  

Jenn Lee’s breathtaking 360 Virtual Reality show took place during London Fashion Week and presented her fall-winter collection. The VR display strived to bring together the ideas of transformation and dissipation. In this film, the chaotic Virtual Reality world was compared with real characters from our everyday life. For this project, Jenn Lee teamed up with Renovation Pictures, Inc. and was joined by a group of Taiwanese celebrities, actors, musicians, influencers, make-up artists and designers in seeking the utopia via virtual reality. (Torio, 2021)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_O2O5pxGvQ&t=15s&ab_channel=JENNLEE

Balenciaga collaborated with Oculus - a company specialising in VR Headsets and equipment for their dystopian autumn- winter 2021 collection. Their guests and press worldwide received Oculus glasses to experience the virtual reality runaway show. On top of that, Balenciaga released a video game called Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow, available through their website.  

(Balenciaga, 2021)

The fashion show took place in a blacked-out venue with elevated runaway and a soundtrack resembling a video game score. The guests were sited with other people around them, so realistic that they could study their wardrobe and even their body language. The audience, of course, was part of the virtual reality world.  (Madsen, 2020)

(Balenciaga, 2021)

After the show, Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga, told Vogue that:   “The fashion industry will have to face this inevitable new chapter and come up with its own solutions in everything from how it deals with creativity and innovation to how it makes and communicates product. It is unknown territory, but a very exciting one. Only the true and authentic creative intelligence will be able to pass a long-term test of survival. (…)”  

Nicolas Ghesquière, the creative director of Louis Vuitton took a different approach and demonstrated a ‘phytigal’ show - a combination of the physical and digital show. (Hawkins, 2020) The audience physically present could enjoy the socially distanced fashion show based on the top floor of La Samaritaine, a newly remodelled department store owned by LVHM, while non-attending guests were able to watch the show from their homes. The event was captured by 360-degree cameras, which allowed the at-home viewers to rotate while watching to see models passing and catching all the details of LV’s new designs. (Andrews, 2020) The absent journalists had allocated digitised seats, which allowed them to view the show online, while seated next to members of the actual audience, all from the comfort of their house. (Hawkins, 2020) Furthermore, the venue was fitted with green screens on walls and floors, so the at-home viewers, watching via live stream, could see models wearing the new collection against video clips of Wim Wenders 1987 romantic fantasy ‘Wings of Desire’.  (Hawkins, 2020)

https://vimeo.com/490724884  Over the past months, Virtual Reality became more popular and important in the fashion world. Due to the pandemic, a lot of brands were not able to showcase their collection during an in-person fashion show and chose VR as an alternative. That allowed them to create something different, creative and fresh. For the at-home attendees, VR not only made the shows more accessible but also gave them a chance to experience having front row sighting and feeling. (Fashion Week Online, n.d.) Something, they otherwise would not have an access to.  

Would you like to know more about experiencing fashion events without leaving the comfort of your home? Follow us on socials to be one of the first to to find out about our innovative and creative ideas for turning the debut of a new collection into a new fashion experience.

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Written by Gabi, The AMTEvents Team

Bibliography:  

Andrews, C., 2020. Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2021 Virtual Reality Runway Experience. [online] ChicTrends. Available at: <https://chictrends.co.uk/chictrends-louis-vuittons-spring-summer-2021-virtual-reality-runway-experience/>.

Balenciaga, 2021. [image] Available at: <https://videogame.balenciaga.com/en/>.

Davidson, E., 2020. 3D clothes and VR fashion week: meet the duo making them happen. [online] Dazed. Available at: <https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/50005/1/institute-digital-fashion-catty-taylor-leanne-elliott-young-3d-clothes-vr-tech>.

Fashion Week Online, n.d. VR Fashion Shows: What to Expect | Fashion Week Online. [online] Fashion Week Online. Available at: <https://fashionweekonline.com/vr-fashion-shows-expect>.

Hawkins, L., 2020. IRL to URL: S/S 2021’s most innovative show presentations. [online] Wallpaper. Available at: <https://www.wallpaper.com/fashion/innovative-ss-2021-fashion-presentations>.

Madsen, A., 2020. The video game imagines a new world. [online] British Vogue. Available at: <https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/gallery/balenciaga-autumn-winter-2020?image=5fcd118e94cc0b65da0f151b>.

Torio, A., 2021. Jenn Lee’s Virtual Reality Show for London Fashion Week - Our Culture. [online] Our Culture. Available at: <https://ourculturemag.com/2021/02/25/jenn-lees-virtual-reality-show-for-london-fashion-week/>.

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Restival 3.0

Restival is a virtual wellness festival organised by The Little Surprise Company, designed to bring joy to its participants during lockdown.

During this challenging past year it has been more important than ever to take care and focus on yourself, your wellbeing and your health; that is exactly what Restival encourages!

For the third edition of the festival, the organisers selected 10 fantastic workshops across a day-long festival, so everyone could find something for themselves. The participants were able to mix & match sessions customising their ideal festival day and all in the comfort of their own home.

I decided to join the ‘Calligraphy Class’, which was a workshop encouraging mindfulness by drawing beautiful letters. In preparation for the session, we printed out some practice sheets. However, I must admit, I cheated a bit and used an iPad, pen and Procreate to create my own Digital Calligraphy workshop. This session was a great start to the day and really built the excitement for what was to follow…

I next attended the ‘Power of Plants’ panel discussion and enjoyed listening to the different speakers talking about their experience with plants and their effect on our wellbeing.

The reflexology workshop was very educational as well as relaxing, teaching us how the application of pressure on our hands can help us reduce some of the physical symptoms of anxiety.

In the ‘Virtual Spa’ we were taught techniques for face massage including a way to massage your eyes if they are tired after a full screen day.

HOW TO: 1. Make sure your hands and face are clean & then warm a face oil or serum between your palms. 2. Close your eyes and use your middle finger to massage, starting from the bridge of your nose, along the top of your eyebrows outwards. Repeat that movement a few times. Make sure to apply gentle pressure to pressure points that are placed just below your brow bone, on the bridge of your nose and to your temples. 3. Use your thumb to softly press on the area above the inner corner of your eyes and slowly release the pressure. Repeat this process for a few minutes. Afterwards, using your middle finger, massage your temples located at the sides of your face in an up and down motion. 4. In the end, rub the remaining oil/ serum into your neck using light strokes.

I am sure I will be putting that knowledge to use many times in the future!

The last session of the day was ‘Yoga Nidra’, also known as ‘yogic sleep; a form of guided meditation’. It was my first time practicing yoga nidra, and I can confidently say is was my favourite workshop. We were asked to get comfortable & dress warmly. Slowly your relaxed body’s temperature began to drop with the beginning of each breathing exercise. The whole session was guided by warm instruction. After the full hour the feeling of relaxation had fully crept in and I was ready to wrap myself in a blanket and head to bed.

Restival is a great opportunity to take some time for yourself...to just STOP and RESET. You have the opportunity to learn useful and exciting new skills, make use of the ones you have and even discover new hobbies. If you are in need of some self-care or know anyone who does, we at AMTEvents highly recommends the next edition of Restival, which hopefully will happen in person….stay tuned!

Inspired by the festival, we thought it would be great to share with our readers our favourite wellness apps! 1. Calm will help you meditate & sleep. 2. Headspace is another great option for meditation. 3. Sleep Cycle will track your sleep. 4. Deliciously Ella will offer you plant-based recipes & exercises videos. 5. Tangerine will help you track your habits, moods and gives you a space to journal. 6. Yoga | Daily Yoga will provide you with guided yoga classes. 7. Fabulous will help you build better habits & reach your goals. 8. Forest will not only help you stay focused but also will plant real trees for you on Earth.

Written by Gabi, The AMTEvents Team

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OCCASION DRESS

With summer moving quickly upon us there are many events that require is to buy a new dress, that and just for the general love of buying dresses.

Here a fabulous dress from Forever Unique..the shape is luxurious and full of volume, the fabric soft and top quality.

The photographs online and those I have taken really do not do this dress justice; in the cold light of day the light peach really shines through and overall the dress says wow. Priced at £250, order the Fergie Ivory dress for your up and coming races, as a guest at a wedding or for an exquisite day out.

Also available in red for birthdays and and black for dinners and fun nights out. http://www.foreverunique.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/5133/category/37/

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A beautiful weekend and it was time for a little fishing, I myself am a complete novice but throughly enjoyed the day with a healthy picnic whilst observing the guys with their skill on the daily catch. 

The Isle of Sheppey is not far from London and a short drive from Essex or Kent. At fishing point at the end of the stone ridgeway, is a little quiet hideaway gem on the sea. A great day out, just make sure you are well and appropriately dressed for the weather, and as always in Style. 

Introducing BHOID, a smart luxury brand with printed silk scarves inspired by the rivers of Scotland making the perfect outdoors accessory and ideally stylish fishing accompaniment. BHOID manufactures all their products in the UK which is very important to the brands identity, also producing stylish umbrellas suited for very British weather fit for sunshine, wind or rain. 

A short drive and you can find yourself at The Three Tuns Pub Restaurant which I highly recommend for a wide range of delicious homemade bar snacks or specials and tasty platters and food dishes. With its friendly atmosphere and beer garden serving food from 12-9pm every day it's a must stop along the way home. 

So make a picnic, fish kit up, dress up, pack some desperadoes and limes or even better strawberries and Prosecco and stop for delicious nibbles on the way home for a Great British day weekend combination. 

BHOID Stockists www.bhoid.co.uk/pages/stockists 

Silk Scarves £159 Umbrellas £129

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AMADORIA really caught my eye at The Pulse latest show with its eye popping coloured tassels. Amadoria is a handmade jewelry brand inspired by the travels of designer Anne. Produced in Bali, personally sourced skilled artisans hand craft original designs using crystals, rocaille beads and tassels. 

Meeting the designer Anne was a true delight and pleasure, with such a friendly persona and enthusiasm for her pieces clearly absorbed and translated through the brand. These pieces are great to be worn in single or layered and add a real statement to your day or evening outfit with many colour combinations to suit your mood.

Personally I love the neon for daytime and gold & black for evening, great against a black top. My favourite collection is the simplistic Pasha, with bold design and a range of great colour combinations. 

Necklaces start at £18 Bracelets at £8 

With over 250 stockists worldwide from Los Angeles to London the brand is really creating a storm. Available to order at www.amadoria.com

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Staying at 98 Acres in Ella, Sri Lanka was a surreal dream. The adventure and beauty started right from the beginning travelling from Nuwara Elliya on the public 3rd class carriage train sitting at the door with our legs hanging out- the only way to travel by train in Sri Lanka with the best views, fresh air and travelling experience.

Upon arriving in Ella we were greeted by the 98 Acres tuktuk who took us through town and up into the hills to the resort. Reception quickly checked us in and showed us to our hut on stilts via a golf buggy.

Walking into the resort let alone our room was breath taking. Situated in the hills on a cliff edge, 98 Acres overlooks Little Adams Peak, which you can access via the resort private pathway. We did a 5am sunrise walk which took about 30 minutes, well worth the peace, colour, views and calm.

Hospitality at 98 Acres was great and the staff are very helpful. Cosmopolitans were even available at the bar which tickled the tastebuds after a day in the sun or morning walk up Ella Mountain to look up in awe at the Eucalyptus trees and take that breathtaking shot.

With a pool on site at the top of the hill this is the perfect resort for a luxury break mid trekking and exploring Sri Lanka.

The best views we saw on the whole trip (and climbing most mountain attractions we saw a lot).

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Kate Moss, Jourdin Dunn and Edie Campbell talk 100 years of Fashion, by British Vogue

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Vogue 100 - A Century of Style exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery is in its last week of great success and after a season of open doors accompanied by wonderful events. I was impressed and taken aback by Alexander McQueen who greeted entering guests in all his marvel, mystery and mightiness in portrait by Tim Walker. The exhibition, placed across 12 rooms and spanning 10 decades, began with moving image of modern day starting the experience with fashion and behind the scenes drama. I particularly enjoyed the Vogue Magazine archive timeline reaching from its first issue born in 1916 taking on a life of it’s own right through to 2016 featuring model of the moment, the eclectic Cara Delevingne. My favourite models over time featured in Vogue made appearances in blown up print; nineties supermodel, and natural beauty Cindy Crawford reaching to the modern & bold Gemma Ward with her amazing big eyes, strong facial shape and structure. This section in the exhibition also features my favourite Vogue issue so far, ‘Fantastic Fashion’ featuring Kate Moss in an elaborate yellow Dior dress on the cover and two of my favourite regular Vogue photographers Tim Walker, perfectly depicting the wonderfully exquisite Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter, and Nick Knight creating his vision editorial ‘Unbelievable Fashion’. This issue is a real page turner of beauty; each page fit for framing. My dedication to Vogue’s anniversary is as pictured; I have carefully selected my favourite pages from this wonderful issue, 'Fantastic Fashion’, a challenge in itself, and to compliment and accessorise the imagery I arranged in an element of 3D with small items in style and decoration. The Vogue exhibition is a must see if you haven’t already visited. Open until this Sunday 22nd May, the show contains a complete mixed media from the archives featuring prints, film, sound, printed fabric, stories, printed canvas, editorials, political and historical Issues, the journey of the magazine and models and a Century of Style. You only have 2 days left so hurry to the National Portrait Gallery to see it. Robin Muir Curator of Vogue 100: A Century of Style & Vogue Contributing Editor Exhibition Sponsors and Thanks The National Portrait Gallery, Leon Max Studio, Herbert Smith Freehills, Metro Imaging LTD Printing, Rutters, ADI Audiovisual LTD, Exib Ltd, Bourlet Conservation Frames + more.

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PULSE REVIEW London Olympia, 2016 I attended Pulse at Olympia in Kensington London this week and it was a refreshing and inspiring show full of new discoveries. The event layout was easy to navigate, designers had a good minimum size for their stands, the talks programme was very beneficial and informative and the speakers were inspirational, full of tips for designers and buyers alike; something for everyone. I met many new designers and some more established, learning a thing or two about their brand journeys in growth and success. A number of brands stood out to me and I shall be sharing these with you over the next week or so. I particularly enjoyed the Launchpad area used as a platform for new designers in startup. Well done Pulse, a great 3 day show. Www.pulse-London.com

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Following on from my ‘Pretty Things’ post I wanted to show you some pretty items. My favourite picks:

Paper Straws £3.25 Hanging Birds £3.25 Patterned wrapping paper £3.50 Paper Doilies £3.95 Floral Headpieces £15.00

Horsham Shop Www.prettythingsgeneralstore.co.uk

Fabulous Handycraft Item - Giant TissuePoms to hang from your ceiling to make any party look great for very little - just what we love - Courtesy of 'Pretty Things’ explained by the lovely Frances.

What you will need: * 20 sheets of tissue paper * String * Scissors

1. Take your tissue paper and pleat backwards and forwards folding neatly like a fan.

2. Cut a piece of string to the length you wish to hang it from the ceiling and then add 10cm.

3. Tie the end of the string in a tight knot round the centre of the tissue paper keeping the paper in place still folded.

4. If you would like to custom the shape of the Pom cut the edges of the tissue paper as desired whether jagged or curved.

5. Separate all the layers of the folds and arrange as desired.

6. Hang from the ceiling for your party.

Voila!

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I stumbled upon 'Pretty Things' whilst dress shopping next door in Horsham. The cute shop window window front stood out from the street which had a pretty flower bed wheelbarrow our front.

Upon entering I was welcomed by tables of bright star daffodils and a grand card cut out of the Queen. I ordered the traditional cream tea but with a cherry scone twist which arrived hot baked from the oven presented on a beautiful plate accompanied with a bowl of fresh sliced strawberries in jam and thick clotted cream. Traditionally serving loose leaves only, I ordered the English breakfast tea poured from my teapot through the strainer to the quaint gold lined teacup on it's matching China saucer.

Pretty Things has been open now for 3 1/2 years owned by 2 ladies called Louise Abbott & Susan Melbourne. Set for any tea party the shop offers free of charge private hire dependent on numbers for food & drink, highly popular with baby showers, engagement parties, book readings, birthdays and local club meetings also offering a separate room for a smaller groups.

There are also classes throughout the summer including bunting making, crochet and the book club. A friendly dog policy invites ladies who lunch (plus paws) to come into a central and easy location with doggie treats on tap complimentary.

'Pretty Things' is a beautiful cafe I recommend as a must see stop when visiting Horsham.

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OOOH YEAH, Louise Dear, Cloud Gallery, £4,950

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An incidental trip to the CLOUD Gallery in Horsham, West Sussex, made a very pleasant surprise. The gallery represents an interesting mix of eclectic artists working in a range of mediums portraying art through photography, painting, sculpture, screen prints and most notably different method in the manipulation of neon light. All artists have been handpicked, each with their own impact with use of strong colour injection, comedy, bold simplicity and 3D illusion. Art is personal and different for everyone. Art definition is a long story, as there is no right or wrong. I have chosen to describe the pieces in emotion and adjectives as this is what makes most sense to me and is what I am left with. I will save a few more of my other favourite notable artists for another post. For now these three artists caught my eye and smile. I have mentioned and picked my favourite of their current collection. LEANNE CHRISTIE Mysterious, magnificent, intriguing, blissful, free, wild, magical, blossoming, charming, beauty, warmth, joyful, summer, glistening. - DREAM OF BEAUTY Original Oil Painting 90 X 90 X 2cms £1,450 (incl VAT) LESLEY TAYLOR Fun, quirky, skilful, comedy, sweet, endearing, bold, simple, white, space, serenity, sound, scenic. - PLUCKY DUCK Original Mixed Media 38 X 53 X 9cms £1,250 (incl VAT) LOUISE DEAR Refreshing, collective, bold, young, fun, pattern, freedom, laughter, cute, statement, pop, metallic, independent. - OOOH YEAH Original Aluminium Box Panel 115 X 115 £4,950 (incl VAT) VISIT the Cloud Gallery in Horsham or otherwise online at Www.cloudgalleryfineart.co.uk

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A charming evening at Heels Boutique, located in the quaint arcade in Leigh On Sea, previewing the new season collection over a glass of Prosecco and Ferrier Roche #dontmindifIdo! Greeted by designer and shop owner Vanessa we were treated to a private viewing. For me the Bourne collection really stands out with matching accessories accompanying the bold statement designs. With summer fast approaching there is something for everyone from the turquoise holiday thongs to wedding fringe stilettos and graceful cream leather wedges ready for the races. Follow on Insta @Heelsshoeboutique! With an online fan base ever growing I recommend ordering your favourites before your size runs out. Www.heelsboutique.co.uk Xx From the top: BOURNE - Suki style in Liliac Nude Faux leather snakeskin Also available in Natural Coral £145 Matching clutch - Sian Zip closure £95 BOURNE - Cara style in Nude Satin Chiffon fringe Also available in black £140 Matching bag - Cristin Shoulder chain & magnetic closure £120 IBIZA SOUL - Thongs in Neon Turquoise £22 PRANELLA - Turquoise Glass Beads £63 Anna-Marie is wearing a vintage cobalt blue Basler coat by accompanied by sister model Natasha in a crimson H&M coat. ALPE - Nubuck Loafers in Coral Also available in Nude & Marino £75 MACARENA - CORA11 style in White & Silver Handcrafted woven leather £90 PRANELLA - bracelets in Silver & Turquoise, Gold & Black Onyx, Silver & Lime Yellow Real stones Also available in Hot Pink £25 individually ALPE - White loafer with coloured threading £75 PASSIGATTI - large scarf in white, blue and yellow neon weave Custom made, differences in each piece £35

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Favourite: statement pyrite crystal nugget necklace - hand drilled, limited quantity made - www.midnightdeer.com #weshipworldwide #monaco #devon #london #coventgarden #birmingham #cardiff #rome #crystal #crystals #crystalnecklace #statementnecklace #style #styleideas #styleinspo #ss16 #ootd #themidnightdeer #midnightdeer #friday

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One of my favourite accessory brands

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Dusk Cosmopolitan at 98

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Ruin is the road to transformation

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love