The 17,000-square-foot space will be situated on the shopping centre’s main promenade, The Street, in which Olympic 2012 visitors will walk down to access the park.

The store is due to open on May 28 and stay open until September 12, according to Vogue.

Two imitation Queen’s guards, dressed in full regalia, will stand outside the store – poised for photo opportunities and the shop windows will feature a retro-style photo booth, where shoppers can have their pictures taken.

The boutique will carry products covered in Liberty’s iconic prints – including umbrellas, sunglasses, stationery, kitchen items, shirts, scarves and ties – as well as its most recent collaborations, featuring Dr Martens, Barbour and Nike.

The images, which were shot by renowned fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø, include Tommy Nutter’s suit for Beatle Ringo Starr, which was recreated especially for the shoot, and Vivienne Westwood’s 1993 Harlequin dress.

Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson Philip Parker said: “Britain is famous around the world for the creative vision of its fashion designers, from the glamour and sophistication of Norman Hartnell, the punk influence of Vivienne Westwood, through to the world-class designs of Alexander McQueen.

“British fashion has grown to become a major national industry. It employs about a million people and contributes directly some £21 billion to the UK economy. So it is an honour to be able to pay homage to some of the designers who made the industry what it is today.”

FashionBite xx

Vidal Sasson cutting the iconic 'bob' in the 1960's

Very sadly, news broke last night that iconic hair stylist Vidal Sasoon has died at the age of 84.

I have delved into FashionBite’s archives and found this post, which was written after an event to celebrate his 50 year career, and includes how Vidal Sasson managed to grow his eponymous business into the huge brand it is today…

GUEST BLOGGER: Freelance Journalist Amy Golding, 15 July 2011.

Hairdressing brand Vidal Sassoon has revamped its range of home styling products, as well as launching a host of new ones, at a Soho Hotel, London, event this week.

Vidal Sassoon’s hairdressing career spans over 50 years, in which time he created the bob and became a styling icon. But the epnoymous founder’s climb to fame is even more extraordinary. Born to Jewish parents in London’s East End in 1928, Sassoon began his career as a hairdresser in the second-world war…

 As a child he was faced with extreme poverty, which led to him being placed in an orphanage. In his early ’20′s he fought for the Israeli Defense Forcesand campaigned against anti-Semitism. By the 1960′s he’d opened his first saloon in New Bond Street, where he created fresh, short asymmetric cuts for generations of women.

His autobiography is well worth a read if you want a deeper insight into his life! In 2010, ‘Vidal Sassoon The movie’ was also launched.

Vidal Sassoon is a brand close to my heart. In my first year of secondary school my mum, a lover of contemporary styles, took me to its Covent Garden salon to have my first grown-up haircut. As a 12-year-old girl, I befuddled my styling director by requesting a zig-zag parting (it was the 90s)!

As part of the revamp, the brand has redesigned its packaging to compliment the geometric styling Vidal Sassoon it is famous for. It has also launched two new collections – Classic and Contemporary.

The Classic Collection features products to make everyday styling easier, like a tangle-free hot air styler and the new daily hydration dryer. The products in the Contemporary Collection aim to help you create on-trend styles without causing long-term damage to your hair.

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I’m finding it almost impossible to carve out a spare half hour for myself…I’ve carted my Bikram yoga bag to and from work for the last two weeks and never once made it to the class!

So, the prospect of heading off to the Ajala Spa – in the 5* St.Paul’s Grange hotel – for two and half hours of total relaxation was absolute bliss!

I was treated to Ajala’s signature Face & Body Ritual, in which I handed myself over to a therapist for almost 3 hours of deep unwinding…

As I entered the spa room itself it felt like a warm and cosy haven, with decor which has been inspired by South East Asian travels. A bath and shower were situated at the back of the room, lights were low and my softly spoken therapist explained the next few hours of treatments, against a background of soothing music.

Body Exfoliation

First off, I experienced the all-over body exfoliation. The therapist used Ajala’s own brand Mandarin & Grapefuit Exfoliating Body Scrub (£17.99), containing JoJoba oil, which smelt absolutely divine and left my skin feeling so soft afterwards.

She started off with my feet and worked her way up massaging the scrub in to my body with firm, vigorous strokes – removing any dead skin cells on the way. Ajala’s own brand range uses all natural ingredients and I could feel the goodness working its way into my tired skin from the outset.

After the full body exfoliation, I washed off any excess scrub in the shower using the deliciously scented Ajala Spa Lavender & Eucalyptus Shower Oil. The water just seemed to slide off my skin, as the rich oils started to work their magic.

Hot Stone Aroma Body Massage

Next up was the full body Hot Stone Massage. During the treatment, hot stones were placed at 7 different points on my body and my therapist explained the use of this during the treatment.

The idea was to open up my Chakra – which has its origins in Hindu text, but is based on the  notion that the body consists of a series of energy points close to the surface of the skin – and by opening up the Chakra, you are able to release toxins from the body. The Chakra is then closed again at the end of the treatment, with the removal of the stones. Alongside this toxin elimination the hot stones, combined with a firm tissue massage, are intended to work deeper into the muscle to help relieve tension.

I totally drifted off during the treatment, somewhere in between consciousness and sleep and my mind and body were able to completely switch off. At the end of the treatment, my legs felt like they were melting into the bed and my body tingled with a warm, relaxing sensation.

Ajala Spa Facial

I was at a point of total relaxation for the facial, I didn’t want the experience to end (and normally at this point it does!), so it was lovely to have something else to look forward to.

Using the gorgeous Swiss skincare brand Karin Herzog, which uses oxygen as the base for many of its products, my facial consisted off a series of massages, masks and moisturisers which were glided on, dabbed off and re-applied. To be honest I couldn’t tell you in what order, as I had a cooling eye mask on throughout the treatment and was totally in the hands of my wonderful therapist! As I emerged an hour later though, my skin felt beautifully soft and plump – not a dry cell in sight. And I secretly wished I had the budget for this every week!

If you’re looking for a complete unwind, this is definitely the treatment for for you. The Face & Body Aroma Ritual (£185) is available at any of the 5 London Ajala Spa locations and all Ajala Spa’s own brand products are available online at AjalaSpa.com.

FashionBite xx

Click ‘Read More’ to check out the announcement and find out details on how to apply…

FashionBite, Editorial Internship, x2

FashionBite, the fashion, beauty and lifestyle website, is seeking x2 part-time fashion journalists to join its editorial team as part of a major re-launch as an online fashion and lifestyle publication.

A key part of the role will be writing daily fashion and beauty news stories, working closely with editor Emily Seares, alongside researching feature interviews across the fashion, beauty and lifestyle channels. The successful candidates will also be required to work alongside art director Michael-Caleb George to co-ordinate monthly fashion shoots and represent FashionBite at events and press days.

An understanding of the fashion industry, social media and key writing skills are essential. Digital experience and Photoshop skills are highly preferable.

This is an unpaid position, but expense will be covered. Candidates will need to be London-based and available for work weekly on both Thursdays and Fridays.

If you are interested in this role, please email editor Emily Seares at eseares@fashionbite.co.uk, with a covering letter, CV and x2 samples of your work.

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i-D says: “Every once in a while a designer comes along with the ability to change the fashion industry forever. Raf Simons is that designer. As he prepares to make his Dior debut at Paris Haute Couture this July, we celebrate the start of a momentous new chapter for two of the industry’s biggest players. To say we’re excited is an understatement!” 

For the cover, Raf joined forces with good friends, stylist Olivier Rizzo and photographer Willy Vanderperre, to shoot the look. All clothing is Raf Simons.

Raf’s appointment was one of the most highly anticipated fashion appointments of the last year, check out FashionBite’s article ‘What Will Raf Simon’s Appointment Mean For Dior?’ for more details.

i-D’s first summer issue will be available online at i-Donline from May 7 and on shelves May 10. The second cover will feature Julia Restoin Roitfeld.

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Chapman set up luxury fashion retailer Matches over 25 years ago and he was the first retailer to work with brands including Versace, Prada and Bottega Veneta in the UK. 

Tom spoke of how he engages with customers, what he does to create a point of difference as a retailer and how he keeps customers interested online…

How Do You Set Yourself Apart As A Brand?

“You need to have a point of difference as a retailer. You need to find an identity that’s your own. For us, it’s about having a collection that noone else has, that’s why we launched Freda [Matches own label brand]. Product is the most important thing, along with customer engagement and loyalty. The edit/choice and selection of the products is absolutely key.

How Do You Engage With Customers?

Events are about engagement and we also engage in new marketing and pop-up shops. We take new product and designers and show them to customers, we give them a vision of the business. When we bring a new brand into our business, it’s important we follow through the journey with them.

How Do You Support British Brands?

As a British retailer, you have a responsibility to support British brands. We are bringing in lots of new British brands, this is a direction we’re taking.

How Are You Embracing New Media?

Social Media is very important, we aren’t elitist about what we deliver in our store or online. Editorial is also a massive thing for us and the involvement for the consumer on the digital side.

How Have You Created A Successful Online Business?

Colour is a key performer online, you need product that is visually exciting to the consumer. For example, a Jonathan Saunders print that is exclusive to Matches. Also, don’t buy safely because the market’s difficult, find the special pieces to engage the customer. It is about editing the selection and the way you display the product that engages the customer online. It is creating a point of difference. It is also about how you manage returns and how you communicate sizing.

How Do You Stay Top Of The Game?

You have to bring something new to the market to remain interesting to your customers. We are introducing 35 new brands for AW12. Our decision to bring on a brand or leave a brand is not taken lightly and we always work with a new brand to build up their presence.”

FashionBite xx

Pippa Middleton in Temperley London

Brit designer Alice Temperley is launching her first high street collection for department store John Lewis.

The collection, called Somerset by Alice Temperley, will feature 60 pieces (including accessories) and be exclusive to John Lewis.

The range is due to launch in select John Lewis stores and online on September 4. British model Lily Donaldson will front an ad campaign for the new range. Prices will range from £99 for a dress to £1,000 for a sheepskin coat.

Alice Temperley said: “We have spent the last ten years building our lines and Somerset will compliment our existing collections; it is a very accessible product that will take our aesthetic to a wider audience.

“I wanted it to be very much a collection of essentials and to design a collection that would provide a feminine and functional wardrobe for women in their everyday life. This collection is all encompassing, effortless and draws on our classics.”

John Lewis Head of womenswear added: “Working with Alice to create Somerset by Alice Temperley has provided us with a unique opportunity to launch and build an entirely new and exclusive brand. We have worked incredibly hard on the quality, design and fabrication to ensure it meets the high demands of both Alice Temperley and John Lewis customers.”

I love Alice Temperley’s designer womenswear label Temperley London - stunning embellishment, striking prints and beautiful fabrics, so I can’t wait to see her collection for John Lewis!

FashionBite xx

An alternative to your normal festive season jumpers colours, they would look fab teamed with skinny jeans and some brogues for relaxed weekend wear. You’ll have to wait a few months though, as new season product doesn’t start dropping until June.

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It’s the kind of weather where you want to hide away at home, wrapped up in a duvet watching films! But if you have to venture out in the rain…at least you can do it in style!

Check out my previous posts on Christopher Raeburn for more info on the ethical designer.

FashionBite xx