Daisy Lowe; the model, the celebrity, the face of Biba, the wildlife documentary lover… yes you read correctly. We met up with Daisy at Vogue’s Fashion Night Out at House of Fraser Oxford Street to launch Biba, and discussed all things fashion, Biba and the mating rituals of birds.

In the flesh Daisy is breathtakingly stunning as the pictures suggest; tall, slim but with curves and this mane of perfect model hair… sickeningly beautiful. After a quick introduction and chat about our love of velvet, it was time to jump into the interview.

When you heard that Biba was relaunching what was your first thought?

Daisy: I was so excited, I’ve missed it, Bella Freud brought out that collection and I was so happy, and then that went, so really really excited.

If you lived in another decade do you think it would be the sixties?

Daisy: Late sixties early seventies, so I could see Jimi Hendrix play, that’s all I care about.

Which are your favourite Biba pieces?

Daisy: The long leopard print coat and the grey floor length maxi dress, oh and the military coat, that’s really flattering.

If you could change one thing about Biba for Spring/Summer 2011 what would it be?

Daisy: Take it back to its heritage, vintage sixties and seventies, and bring more of the old school style back. Would love some prints, and puffy shirts with pussy bows and big sleeves. Love those sixties prints like Celia Birtwell.

So who do you think the Biba girl is?

Daisy: She is classy, not afraid to get her feet dirty – free, beautiful, peaceful and loving.

How will you be wearing Biba?

Daisy: Well, to Glastonbury I wore the floor length leopard print coat with cut off denim shorts and a cropped tank top with a neon bobbed wig.

That certainly sounds eclectic…

Daisy: [Laughs] yeah, but Biba is classic, you can match the pieces with anything.

What are Daisy’s top style tips?

Daisy: Always feel comfortable; don’t go out in something just because someone tells you it looks good, only wear it if you feel good. Be confident in who you are and what you’re in. Have fun with that you wear, play with fashion like a five year old.

So what’s on your AW10 wish list?

Daisy: The Burberry shearling aviator jacket and the shearling ankle boots  – that was a great collection. Oh, and those Chanel heels which are shaped like a gun and have pearls around the sole. I love Louis Vuitton I practically cried at the show, so excited to see womanly figures, Marc Jacobs is a genius.

What’s your Biba lust-have?

Daisy: Definitely the short leopard print coat, I have six leopard print coats, but you can never have too many. I love the black diamond butterfly necklace (Fine jewellery collection) and the double ring (Costume collection) and the big Biba pendant (Costume jewellery collection).

Have you always loved fashion?

Daisy: No, I haven’t always loved fashion, I used to be dragged around the shops by my mum, I used to say everything looked great just so we couldleave. But then I discovered Vivienne Westwood, Vivienne Westwood bags with all these pockets – how do you open [mimics rummaging through a Vivienne Westwood bag] and then I started to love fashion.

Is Daisy the cool kid we all think she is?

Daisy: No, I’m a complete geek, I like playing chess and watching Planet Earth, I stay in a lot. I love David Attenborough, my favourite show was this one about Birds of Paradise, great for fashion actually, and all these different birds which are all grouped under the name Birds of Paradise but all look really different. The males are really brightly coloured and have these amazing mating rituals…

Our interview ended mid-mating ritual chat, with a quick diversion to comparing outfits, it was time to say goodbye to Daisy.

So… to recap… she’s gorgeous, really lovely, has great style sense and knows her fashion, but she also stays home and plays chess whilst watching David Attenborough… well if it’s good enough for Daisy it’s good enough for me… now which way does the knight go?

Biba is now available to buy online, click here to shop Biba.

Check out mybiba.com for all the Biba buzz.

Finally the big day is here, you are now able to buy Biba! It’s been a long wait, but finally… finally you can have a piece of this fabulous collection.

Biba is stocked online at House of Fraser and in select House of Fraser stores, click here to go to the House of Fraser website.

Last night the face of Biba, Daisy Lowe launched Biba in House of Fraser Oxford Street as part of Vogue’s Fashion Night Out. An event which saw London turn into one giant shopping extravaganza.

Daisy looked amazing in the Biba military shorts and sheer blouse, after posing for pictures she watched the gorgeous Biba catwalk show. Daisy then took to the tills to make her first Biba sale. We caught up with Daisy after the big event, so stay tuned for the lowdown on our Daisy interview.

The Biba Boutique looks incredible, the black and gold are worked throughout the whole scheme, from marabou chandeliers, to Biba logo wallpaper… it is the most glamorous shop you will ever see.  The jeans are stacked on the denim wall, the fitting rooms have incredible light fittings, and the clothes are merchandised to a dream. Big heart shaped black gloss benches, mean that you can lounge whilst you shop. But of course the real wow has to go to the clothes, the marabou… the silk… the faux fur… it’s actually a fashion lover’s dream come true.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the Biba fever…

Click here to start shopping

Criminal Stanford Carbon Peached Shirt, £45

It’s Thursday. We’re 80% through the working week. And that can mean only one thing – it’s time for The Famous Friday Shirt.

This week’s offering is a hot, new season checked shirt in carbon peached cotton (‘brushed cotton’ to you and me). The fabric is super soft against your skin and reminiscent of old school lumberjack shirting – the perfect nod to this season’s woodcutter trend.

And, as if being ultra-touchable wasn’t enough, it’s also versatile enough to wear anywhere. You can take this puppy:

On a date with smart denims and a tailored jacket
To the footie with a chunky knit, puffer jacket and distressed jeans
On a country walk with a quilted jacket, dark denims and the new ‘en vogue’ hiking boots

So that’s it, with the Friday shirt choice done and dusted, you’re left with only two options a) stop browsing and get back to work…or 2) embrace surfing the net on your boss’ time.

PS. Don’t forget – order your shirt by 3pm today and for the cost of 2 London pints (£6) you’ll get it delivered tomorrow.  Get it now…

We all love a bit of a prize draw and when the prize is as hot as a Paul Smith goodie bag, it’s no wonder!

To celebrate the launch of Paul Smith AW10 collection in our Westfield store, we’re offering you lucky folk the chance to get your hands on a Paul Smith print bag, pair of jeans, polo tee, printed hanky, exclusive pack of socks and (as if that’s not enough) a100ml bottle of MAN fragrance.

To enter the draw and check out the new collection, pop on down to our London, Westfield store this Thursday (9th). Entry forms can be found in the Paul Smith area, so just ask a member of our helpful team for details.

If we were allowed to enter, the men folk in our office would be racing you down there (sigh). But as it is they’ll be consoling themselves instead by snapping up this rather lovely pea coat…

Pea coat, Paul Smith Jeans, £270

On 8^th September 2010, London will come alive with Vogue’s second Fashion Night Out. Capitals around the world will be celebrating all things fashionable, and at House of Fraser we hate to miss out on a party.

So, to celebrate this deliciously fashionable affair, we are holding lots of lovely events in our Oxford Street store.

The biggest and most fabulous event will be Biba. The face of Biba, Daisy Lowe will be in store on our second floor from 6pm to celebrate this fabulous launch. We will be showcasing the new collection, along with a fashion show and live DJ set. Molton Brown will also be on hand to offer customers complimentary hand and arm massages, the first 100 Biba customers will receive a 100ml Paradise Pink Pepperpod bath and shower gel.

In the shoe department, you can customise your own pair of Tom’s shoes courtesy of Office. Plus in the denim department, when you spend over £70 on Hilfiger Denim you’ll receive a £10 iTunes card.

But wait… there’s more…

On the accessories floor… Our Mulberry concession is giving each purchasing customer an exclusive amazing AW10 goodie bag, with the change to win a ‘Lily’ handbag.

Mimco will be turning their talented hands to all things hair, which catwalk look demonstrations and must have hair-accessories.

Cool off at our new Marc Cain boutique with a cheeky glass of Prosecco and take a peek at the new collection. Purchasing customers will also be treated to a goodie bag and the chance to enter into a prize draw to win a Marc Cain suitcase.

Kookai and French Connection are offering customers 20% off, French Connection will also be previewing their specially designed dress for Vogue’s Fashion Night Out, as well as giving purchasing customers a free gift.

The Wonderbra Girls will be turning heads, and helping you to turn heads, with a cleavage clinic. They’ll be offering fittings for their new Full Effect bra which will increase your bust by two sizes!

We haven’t forgotten the boys, Carhartt opens on the men’s floor and they will be offering a goodie bag packed full of Carhartt freebies and a live DJ set. Lab Series will be making sure your skin is in tip top condition with their mobile skin scanners.

On beauty there will be complimentary temporary tattoos being applied, plus Estée Lauder will be sharing their secret to Beautiful Eyes, and will every consultation, you’ll receive a free travel size Sumptuous Mascara. On Dior you can meet Dior Pro team artist Karim Harizi who will be offering VIP makeup masterclasses. 

Phew… it’s going to be one action packed night, see you there.

 Click here for Oxford Street store details

Haven’t you heard? Biba is back.

The iconic label of the sixties has been revitalised for all you fashion loving folk out there, and with Daisy Lowe taking a starring role, it’s the label everyone’s talking about.

Prepare to fall head over heels for this divine new collection; from embellished shift dresses, to dramatic leopard print coats, and not forgetting those fabulous floor length gowns, it’s a fashionistas dream. We can’t wait until it hits stores on 9th September 2010.

The art noveau logo has worked its magic once again, and has influenced the look of the costume and fine jewellery collections. The embossed logo handbag is a serious must-have item.

Our wish lists grow by the second, launch isn’t far away now… ooo how the tension builds.

Biba is exclusive to House of Fraser, stocked in 33 stores and online, 10 stores are getting the full Biba treatment with mini concept boutiques being launched. If you want to take a sneak peek at the stunning new range then check out http://www.mybiba.com/

We’ll see you at the tills!

Click here to find out more about Biba

Marc Jacobs 'Bang', 50ml £39, 100ml £49

In the office this week we were given samples of the latest men’s fragrance from Marc Jacobs. The scent is so unique  that I felt I must share the experience of it with you.
Launched on 26th August Marc Jacobs Bang is Marc’s newest fragrance invention and his first male scent in almost ten years.
His new design goes against the grain of traditional fragrances with a disconcerting and at first alarming aroma.
In true Marc Jacobs style Bang blends irony and irreverence with a dash of glamour.
Bang on first sniff is almost overpowering in its pepper scent. As it quietens down, its real pleasure and appeal come through and soon enough you are hooked on the delicious smell of masculine woods, explosive peppery woody spices and sensual white moss and patchouli.
Bang is undeniably masculine with a modern elegance and sophistication.
This fragrance is perfect for awakening dulled noses with a burst of energy that tickles and tantalises the senses, injecting a calming and euphoric tranquillity with each inhale.
Available in 50ml (£39) and 100ml (£49) bottles the range also includes aftershave balm, shower gel and deodorant stick allowing you to keep the Bang scent pure and untarnished with other scented toiletries.

Bang truly is for the gentleman of style and elegance, a scent that improves with every blissful insufflation.

This can’t be happening…Dad is…fashionable?

The news that quilted jackets, waxed jackets, tweed, Barbour, Hunters and all other Dad country classics are back is difficult enough to swallow. But beards? Seriously?

Dad Cool is reaching new and almost uncomfortable levels…

You can barely walk down the street without seeing a beard. They’re everywhere! And this isn’t trendy stubble or defined moustaches – we’re talking full on cornflake-capturing, finger-stroking BIG bearded beauties.

It’s like there’s been a hair fertiliser leak in our water system and only the menfolk are being affected…

But it hasn’t come out of nowhere, fertiliser theory or no – in fashion terms the beard makes perfect sense. Two of the biggest trends this autumn are Woodcutter and Country Gent, both heralding the return of that most mythical of creatures – Real Man.

As a result, our favourite fashion brands have been quick to book themselves a bearded Real Man for their AW10 ad campaigns. So far beards have been spotted in campaigns from J Lindeburg, Hugo Boss, Henri Lloyd, French Connection, All Saints and Jack Jones – to name a few.

So that’s it chaps – step away from the razor and beard it up for serious Real Man kudos, check out the accompanying fashion too…

See Woodcutter

See Country Gent

NAKED palette, £27, Urban Decay

Calm yourselves ladies, because the Holy Grail of eye shadow palettes is here… The Urban Decay NAKED palette has arrived. But hurry, because this palette won’t be hanging around for long… the palette is currently exclusive to House of Fraser, and last week it flew off our shelves quicker than we ever thought possible, so you’re going to have to act quick if you want to own this magical makeup.

Everyone’s after the NAKED palette because the colour range is just perfect for every skin tone. The range of shades means you can go chic and natural or dramatic and smokey. The 24/7 eye pencil is double ended with a stunning rich chocolate shade and a classic black. The set also comes with a travel-size eyeshadow primer potion to keep your gorgeous eye makeup in place.

Click here to buy the NAKED palette

They’re back, they’re quintessentially English and if you’ve never had a bash at wearing one, then now’s the time.

Yes gents, the humble pocket square has returned to the forefront of formalwear and if you play your cards right, it’ll elevate you in the style stakes – from rough diamond to sartorial superman.

To get the look right, check out our foolproof tips, collated by our very own dapper gents about the office, Luke and Aaron…

Top tips:

Colour:

Luke: ‘One of the first things to figure out is colour. You should coordinate the hue of the pocket square with the hue of the tie, or for added sophistication try matching it with the hue of the tie pattern (rather than the background colour).’

Aaron: ‘I agree with Luke, but I think an exact match of pocket square to tie can sometimes look a bit cheap. I like the colours to complement each other but not match exactly.’

Folds:

The classic one point

Luke: ‘One of my favourite folds – and the easiest way to wear a pocket square. Made for formal occasions, you should wear a white square with a tuxedo and solid black bow tie for a striking, elegant look. Think Martini, think casino, think Brosnan – superb.’

And here’s how you do it:

1. Open up the square and fold it in half lengthways
2. Fold it again in the other direction (so you have a square)
3. Position your square in a diamond shape with the non-folded edges at the top
4. Fold the left hand corner into the centre of the square
5. Fold the right hand corner into the centre of the square to meet the other point
6. You should now have something resembling a bacon and cheese folded pastry (I’m serious!)
7. Slide this into your pocket (the square, not the pastry…)

The square

Luke: ‘Another dead easy style, the square is good for tuxedo nights, but I prefer the one point…

How to get squared:

Just follow the same steps as for the classic one point, but instead of inserting it with the point upwards, insert it so that one whole edge of your square is poking out horizontally.

The puff

Aaron: …’this is a slightly less formal fold but great for when it’s too hot to wear a tie but you still want to cut a dash around the office.’

How to perfect a puff:

1. Lay your pocket square flat
2. Pinch the centre of the square with your fingers and lift it up leaving the corners to drop down
3. Wrap your thumb and forefinger around the hanging square at its midway point.
4. Fold the hanging points up and stuff the square in – keeping the ends pocking out the top of the pocket

And, finally – don’t get your squares mixed: a pocket handkerchief is made from linen woven cloth or white cotton cloth – perfect for giving a clean, finished effect. Meanwhile, pocket squares are made from fabrics like silk, cashmere or wool for a softer feel.

To smarten up your wardrobe, check out our selection of pocket squares…