Today marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and to help beat breast cancer, Pretty Stylish London is hosting The Big Pink Pamper Party in an attempt to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Here's an exclusive offer for Pretty Stylish London readers. Studio TMLS will be reserving a VIP 20% discount for your first order!

To get 20% off your purchase, all you need to do to is leave me comment with your full name and then register your details on the TMLS website creating a password that starts with PSL.

Today's post is dedicated to a footwear brand that you really need to know about. It's likely that you already own a pair of Studio TMLS shoes, albeit without realising. If you've bought shoes from Top Shop, Kurt Geiger or French Connection, chances are that the shoe was supplied by the footwear brand. Now after 20 years of supplying shoes to the high street, the brand has stepped out to create an exclusively signature collection, currently sold through their website, also via Selfridges and Harrods.

The new collection for Autumn combines luxurious platform sandals, quirky modern heels and provocative ankle boots alongside the staple flats. The inspiration came from vintage classics, using tactile materials and contrasting shapes. The colour palette is right on-trend featuring rich hues of dark red, emerald green and muted tones of black and grey.

The brains behind the new collection is Veronica Pistolesi, a graduate from the University of the Arts in London and a woman who has always had a passion for super sexy high heels. She talked to Pretty Stylish London about her love footwear and the style icons behind the latest designs.


Thinking back to her childhood she reminisces on her first encounters with shoes and how her experience unknowingly shaped her career path into design. She explains:

"I remember being little and always wandering around the house with my mom towering heels, which of course were so big for my small baby-feet but they appeared to me as the most incredible things to wear. It was like the most beautiful of the transformations...seeing my skinny legs taking that sexy shape made me feel like I was entering a new world."

As for the vintage inspirations behind the new collection, Pistolesi marks London as one of the key places she draws creativity from. Moreover, it was style icon Audrey Hepburn that helped her channel elegance and sophistication into her recent work. She recollects:

"For my inspiration I mainly look at the world around me and London is a great place to observe and to take inspiration from. My style icon is Audrey Hepburn, I always loved her style and spontaneous elegance, she is the perfect balance, she is the perfect beauty."

Studio TMLS hopes the new designs will offer the wearer a journey of luxury with power and modernity. Now that's no mean feat. But with their extensive years of perfecting footwear for the high street, I suspect they know a thing or two about what women look for in their shoes and judging by the new designs, they are well on their way.

See the full collection online: www.studiotmls.com

It's popular knowledge that The May Fair hotel is a regular haunt for celebrities and fashion moguls. London Fashion Week was a prime example of the calibre of guests that the hotel opens it's door to on a regular basis.

Designer Elsa Schiaparelli, model Erin O'Connor and socialite Peaches Geldof all favour the sumptuous surroundings of the bedroom suites. And now as the official hotel for Fashion Week, The May Fair is a highly sought after place to dine. The Bar has a feeling of exclusivity but is far from 'poncy', rather, it has a quiet, understated sophistication. The décor is rich and inviting; I particularly liked the fireplace which worked as a luxurious feature and the spacious leather seats.

I recently visited the bar to catch up with a friend over cocktails and finger food. We ordered the MayFair Mojito (if you're a regular reader, you'll know it's my favourite tipple!) You have to try it, it's one of the best tasting versions of the cocktail I've sipped by far.


I also tried a recent addition to the menu - Bento Boxes; a box designed to share and featuring an internationally inspired menu. The Mediterranean option contains ham, grilled sardines and marinated artichokes alongside traditional kalamta olives and Monte Enebro cheese.

There's also Bento box in honour of seafood lovers, with all the favourite catches included such as smoked Scottish salmon, Cornish crab and potted shrimps. Are you feeling hungry yet?

Not forgetting the vegetarians, the Warm Char Grilled Vegetable box is a healthy treat, served with Parmesan polenta cake and basil dressing. This is just a small selection of the type of platters available, there was also a cheeky chocolate theme box to satisfy a sweet craving.

Personally, I opted for the classic Asian dim sum box, a delightful variety of Japanese nibbles, and it included my favourites; Maki sushi rolls, shell crab and sweet chili king prawns.

The Bento Boxes vary in price, the cheapest being £12.50 and the priciest at £23.50. One box between two to three people is very filling, as the portions are quite considerable. I'm already planning my next visit to try the Chocolate sensation box, it sounds so tempting; White chocolate tart, warm chocolate fondant and dipped strawberries. I know you must be hungry now! Bento Boxes are served from 12pm.



The May Fair Bar
The May Fair Hotel
Stratton Street,
Mayfair,
London, W1J 8LT

Tel: 020 7629 7777
Email: mayfairbar@themayfairhotel.co.uk
Web: www.themayfairhotel.co.uk