The BSB Team spent the weekend getting our make-up and nails done for free, being showered with free beauty products and Editor-At-Large Rachel Charlton even ending up sipping champagne on an exclusive VIP table with a reality TV star.

No, sadly, we have not yet entered the world of fashion blogging royalty, but we did have the chance to attend ‘Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model Live’, which had been advertised as ‘The Ultimate Girls’ Day Out’. And what a day it turned out to be.

Held in London’s Excel Exhibition Centre over the last weekend in October, ‘Next Top Model’ is a day out of fashion, beauty, catwalk shows and expert advice, topped off with endless free samples and a ‘dress-to-impress’ galore attitude of attendees.

When Set Loose With A Press Badge…

First, we took advantage of the makeovers offered by Revlon and the London College of Beauty, where I ditched my staple smoky eye look for a day and asked to be given a 'natural' look and Rachel C got a manicure - all for free, of course!:

Rachel Charlton, Starting A Riot...

Later on, Rachel spent time with The Only Way is Essex’s Amy Childs - who was promoting her new clothing line - chatting over champagne at the press bar. It would have been a fabulous occasion, had she not then spilt her drink over the star and got rugby-tackled out of the area by her security. Quite hilarious, if I do say so myself...

Rachel sneaks a shot of Amy over the press table, shortly before becoming 'BFFs'

The Catwalk

The winner of this year's Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model, Jade Thompson, starred in a spectacular catwalk extravaganza in the evening, along with the other girls from the TV show, mixed in with the addition of talented (and may we say ‘oh-so-topless’) male dancers and musical performances from Luminites and Bluey Robinson.

The show was a mix of concepts with regular costumes changes to make it feel like you were watching an entirely different show after each change altogether. Extravagant and exotically decorated lingerie was modelled alongside fairy wings and capes a lá ‘Victoria’s Secret’ and we fell in love with the luxe evening dresses to-die-for in opposing monochrome looks of ‘ice-queen’ white or ‘femme fatale’ black. The girls rocked a trashy-yet-classy look in leather and fishnets – an antithesis to the earlier display of a more floral 50’s inspired theme. They donned Perspex ‘stripper heels’ with feminine dresses and yet, it all worked.

For fashion fanatics, Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model Live offered a haven of catwalk shows, clothes, beauty, accessories and style activities galore. We’d be utterly thrilled to reclaim our press passes back next year, guys. Not that we’re trying to hint or anything…

Check out some more photos from our fashion day out:

Editor-at-Large Rachel Charlton and BINTM Judge Grace Woodward!

Designer Joey Bevan with his models backstage after his show

Text: Rachel Michaella Finn
Photos: Anna Peaston, Claire Napier, Rachel Charlton-Dailey, Rachel Michaella Finn
Illustration: Claire Napier

BSB X.

Written and attended by Sherin Malik, edited by Rachel Charlton

The relationship between Fashion and Technology is ever growing. With endless fashionable phones and apps suited for fashionista's, it wasn't too long until we would start decorating and covering our phones to match our shoes. Case Mate, an American phone cover brand, invited the BSB Team to Breakfast to have a look at the new collection before they launch in the UK. The collection including various different styles of phone covers, for different phones and also iPad covers, that not only protects your gadgets, but also makes them look pretty cool and stylish.

First off, we got to see some really amazing looking covers for phones. They were a sturdy rubbery material and came in the form of different animal shapes. These covers would be perfect for anyone wanting to make a statement, with something fun and original. There were monsters, fishes and owl shapes and each one was quirky and cool.

There were also several iPad cases, which definitely looked like a must have. They looked sturdy enough to protect and look after your iPads, and came in an array of different colours and prints.

The biggest must have for any fashionista was definitely the Kayla clutches. They're little wristlets that have a compartment for your phone, and also open up into a little purse. They came in a lot of different colours (and patterns for next season) and were a firm favourite for everyone there.

Will you be covering your gadgets with any of these cool, fashionable covers?

If you'd like us to attend your event please email rachel@britishstylebloggers.org.uk

Hi everyone, before we start on this month’s theme of Childhood we had to tell you about our experience at Fashion Mavericks.

For three London Fashion Week seasons now, Fashion Mavericks has taken place at the Strand Palace Hotel for two days. The event showcases new, up and coming and below the radar designers through exhibitions and catwalk shows. As it was a lot more intimate than the massive bustle of LFW, though still vibrant, it felt as though the designers really wanted to speak to us and there were no massive egos.

Myself, editor Amy and features editor Susie on front row. Photo taken by PR head Nicole.

BSB have supported Fashion Mavericks since the very beginning so we were thrilled that the organisers went the extra mile to look after us including getting us on front row for every show- something which made us feel very important and like part of the Fash Pack! We all attended on the first day (including our new photographer Sophie; who’s mac is broken trapping the photos!), but it was left in mine and Nicole’s hands on the Monday, hence why I’m writing this now.

Our Favourites

Kiki Kamanu

Vibrant patterns in greens and oranges teamed with blacks and metalics to give a warrior like feel which was still elegant and feminine. We also received a patterned fabric bag with a convertible plain and printed and almost concertina folded scarf inside, I know Susie was very envious that she arrived late and missed out on this!

Obscure Couture (jewellery by Bonnie Bling)

By mixing items, styles and materials which don’t traditionally make great bedfellows the Glaswegian duo have created a streetwear collection with a theatrical edge. Teamed with striking knuckledusters and glow in the dark cameo necklaces by fellow Glaswegian jewellery maker Bonnie Bling. The girls were down to earth and a joy to get to know too!

We just wanted to thank Jacqueline from Fashion Mavericks for looking after us and being a joy to work with, here's to next season!

Image Credits- Gavin Thorn