Out catching colours

I’m sure that for many other small business owners like myself , life since the first Covid lockdown in March has been a daily challenge with the unknown. I realise I’ve been so ‘consumed’ with my effort to keep going and to find a strategy to see the business through Lockdown and beyond,that I’ve taken no ‘time out’ to do some of the most fundamental things that have been my core inspiration. Little did I know when I took off the last 2 weekends in October that my luck was in, lockdown is back as of November. I was fortunate to re-charge my batteries on time.

For my first inspirational weekend off , I ventured out of London to the Chiltern Hills for some autumnal inspiration. ‘Catching’ colours as I call it.

I always choose my new season colour palette from nature, match the images to my desired Pantones and start forming my range

Here I am, lost in my thoughts

with my Silver Abstraction Pouch, I mean why not do muddy walks with a shiny silver bag?

Sawako’s New beginnings

During the lockdown, one of the most satisfying things I have done is to give some proper attention to my house plants. I had been noticing little plantlets popping up in the soil of one plant in particular, and I hadn’t found time to care for them properly until now. There was the added issue of not being able to get my hands on any compost for a while.

Having grown up in a house filled with plants I always hoped I had inherited the green finger gene. As soon as I moved into my own place, I was excited to fill every windowsill with pots, and have over the last few years, learned a few dos and don’ts of house plant keeping.

My biggest success so far is my beloved pancake plant – a pilea peperomioides. A quick look online proves what a popular and Instagram-worthy houseplant this is. The satisfyingly round, glossy leaves and easy-care make this a particular favourite with fellow Millennial plant parents.

The mother plant that I’ve had for around two years.

Once your plant starts to sprout little plantlets, it is easy to propagate them. Carefully, cut through the root under the soil and plop the plant into a small jar of water.

The little plant can be put straight into a new pot of soil, but I like seeing this stage of the growth. It is so satisfying to see the roots develop, and I feel like I’m doing my own little science experiment.

 

Here are some I made earlier. At the beginning of the year I also had a few sprouts that I’d removed and they are doing nicely. One of these babies was supposed to go to a friend who I will hopefully get to see soon.

Windowsill space is getting tight around here. Any takers for a new pancake plant?

Sawako is the Merchandiser at Nadia Minkoff London, currently in lockdown at home

 

 

 

 

Dana’s Quarantine Diary

Hello everyone!

Hope you are staying safe with ample amounts of toilet paper, and that you’re enjoying your one form of exercise a day.

During this time, it is easy to be inundated with suggestions to enhance “productivity,” how to spend this perilous time learning Mandarin while homeschooling 3 children, or growing botanical herbs in the garden. If one more person tells me Shakespeare wrote King Lear while in quarantine I might cry.

However, I prefer a more realistic approach to lockdown. Below are a few things I’ve been doing to pass the time.

1. A jigsaw puzzle

Somehow I had managed to reach the ripe old age of 24 before engaging with a jigsaw puzzle. To be honest I have no patience and didn’t really see the point of spending hours putting pieces together to pull them apart at the end. But desperate times. I’m proud to say with the help of my father I completed a 200 piece puzzle aimed at children ages 8 and above. Hold your applause.

2. Netflix

I must admit, I got a little nervous that I would finish all the content available on Netflix. I even watched some Argentinian true crime (thanks for the rec, Nadia) in trying to stagger my viewing, which ended up being the best thing I’ve watched in years. Using this time to slow down and veg out in front of the TV with family is the best. Trust me.

     3. Nadia’s Workshop Take Home Kit

Once this is all over, your first outdoor excursion should be to one of Nadia’s workshops. I happen to have the hand eye coordination of a newborn lemur, but Nadia and the most amazing team managed to coach me into creating a beautiful necklace (if I may say so myself) which made for a wonderful birthday present for my mum. The new at home kits paired with her Youtube videos allow you to make the same creations at home. I can’t wait to make more to wear to all the post quarantine soirees.

4. Download Tik Tok, feel old, get confused, delete it

This activity I cannot recommend in good conscience, it will leave you feeling geriatric and googling what the “Savage” is.

To conclude, this time is weird for everyone and we’re all just doing the best we can. Don’t let people online make you feel bad for not doing at home Yogalates or creating healthy and “delicious” (I don’t buy it) kale protein bars. If you woke up this morning and washed your hair, you’ve already accomplished more than I have.

Stay safe and take care of each other, as me and my best friend demonstrate below.

Dana

Bag fit for a blogger

My sister in law Sharon, is a lady of many talents. Apart from being a photographer and global traveller, she is also an amazing cook, consummate foodie and writes her own food blog.

It goes without saying that as my sister-in-law she has a decent collection of Nadia Minkoff handbags, mostly large bags that can accommodate her camera and lenses and are suitable for travelling.

So when we launched our Borough Camera bag she was intrigued to know if it would work for her ‘ bloggers’ camera and we decided to let her test-drive it and tell us what she thinks.

So here we go, Sharon and her Borough Camera bag, on location in Cadiz Spain. And for those wondering the camera is a Fuji X-T20 with a 18-55 lens.

We’re happy to confirm Sharon has advised that bag, camera and photographer are very well matched!!

Vive Paris

Location: Paris

Bag: The Richmond midi in Blue

Photography:Brian Minkoff photography

What a difference a day makes….

When shooting our blog post in Paris a couple of weeks back, the fire at Notre Dame could not be imagined.  It would be impossible for us to post this blog without reflecting on this.

Notre Dame is said to be Paris’s most visited and beloved monument, surpassing both the Eifel Tower and the Louvre. Having weathered many a storm since construction on it started in 1163, no one would have thought that 850 years later Notre Dame’s main spire and roof would be ravaged by a massive fire.

The world now watches as France and Parisians start the difficult task of establishing the full extent of the damage and work towards rebuilding its finest monument.

We will take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and relaxed Easter- recharge, spend time with family and friends, eat chocolate 😊  We leave you with photos of an overcast but beautiful Paris.

 

Make it a London Christmas/ part 1

Photography: Dennis Madden 

Those who know me know the diversity found in London is the backbone to my brand, Nadia Minkoff London   and a constant source of inspiration.

But as 2018 draws to a close I have doubts and concerns over London’s future, a sentiment I believe I share with many a Londoner. So in this, the first of my two part ‘Make it a London Christmas’ blog I will attempt to share London snapshots,taken over the first two weeks in December by photographer Dennis Madden as he captures my musings through his lens.

I start my journey at The Thames Barrier, recently highlighted in the news

Are we really down to 15 years before we sink?

 

In the shadow of The Emirates crossing  and City Airport flight path, just past the waste land, extensive riverside luxury developments being built. I wonder if there is anywhere affordable left in London?

Well, the wading birds still seem happy enough in Victoria Park, aka Tower Hamlets ‘people’s park’ and the winter sun makes an appearance, shinning through the Holly, I do love a good London park, it feels familiar, all are equal here

In upmarket Fitzrovia the Victorian toilets are now a speciality coffee and brunch cafe
We love our speciality coffee us Londoners, especially me and in an old Victorian toilet?? it’s a win-win

Regents place on the North side of Euston Rd  is unrecognisable, what a face lift and so festive with it. I wonder if London can continue to regenerate like this in the next few years, so who’s going to be moving into these offices and buying these flats?

Back in North London the Victorian street lamps light up Alexandra Palace. It is becoming decisively grey and chilly, but atmospheric like a film set.  I Haven’t decided the ending yet, it’s a cliff hanger at the moment

 

Finally home again from college

Blog by Ophir

Photography by: Fiona Yaron Field

I’m a creative and preforming arts student and home for the Easter break I went out and about in London Town with my things from the cool Nadia Minkoff.

As an artist I’m in to bright and like contrasting colours and I love the beautiful blue of this bag. I also love the movement of  the tassels I feel free,funky and cool.

(  I went to the Tate modern to see collections called materials and object’s.)

In my own patterns as artists I am into bright and like contrasting colours and the balance of them.

 

I thought the earrings were blue crystals and then I discovered the skulls  – super cool

 

Ophir models:

Nadia Minkoff London,The Angel bag in Blue

Nadia Minkoff London ,Crystal Skull & Spike earrings in Metallic Blue

Red Leather coat: My mums red coat is from a Vintage shop in Cheshire St, off Brick Lane

My red nails has been done at my lovely local nail bar

My leopard coat is from Pull and Bear.

 

I went to Tate Britain , Covent Garden, Paddington station saying goodbye to my friend that been visiting  and took her around London.

Also been to the Southbank.

 

 

 

 

 

Get the Look

Delighted to see yet more beautiful collaborations thank to Swarovski and Wolf & Badger. This time Blogger Tamara Kalinic takes us on a metallic journey with a hint of pink and a lot of silver . Full details can be found in her blog, but for those  keen to get the low down on her jewellery here we go:

Stack you rings! Tamara is wearing our Kate Cocktail ring in silver teamed up with our Crystal patina H ring in Sterling silver 

Don’t forget those all important earrings, Tamara wears our Rectangular drop stone earrings in crystal 

All our jewellery is artisan made in the UK,hypoallergenic, fine plated in Sterling Silver or 18ct gold and uses the finest Swarovski crystal but best of all?? It sparkles!!!

Tamara is photographed by The Street Muse/Melanie Galea

Get the look

 

How thrilled were we to see Diipa Khosla, the biggest Indian Fashion Blogger globally and big time Fashion Influencer fully adorned in Nadia Minkoff jewellery and looking absolutely stunning!

So the deal is… Wolf & Badger short listed 15 brands to be part of their ‘Crystals from Swarovski’ event and Nadia Minkoff London is one of the lucky 15.

If you want to get Diipa’s look, here are the all-important links

The Necklace: Rectangular triple stone necklace in Ombre, Swarovski crystal with  18ct gold plated chain and setting, Nadia Minkoff London £50 from Wolf & Badger

The earrings: Rectangular drop stone earrings in gold, Swarovski crystal and 18ct gold plating. Nadia Minkoff London £43 from Wolf & Badger

 

The Rings: Crystal patina H ring in Gold  and Crystal patina H ring in gunmetal , £20 each from Wolf & Badger

Clothing by Leka NYC 

Photography by Melanie Galea @thestreetmuse

 

 

Running up that hill

Just a day left before the year is over and as I sit at my desk, reviewing 2015, the enormity of what we have done over the past 12 months is quite staggering. So much so that I am really not sure where to begin.

I guess I may as well start with the highlight of the year, which was winning the runner up Award for ‘Most Enterprising business’ from the Federation of Small Businesses.

Being nominated was exciting enough, celebrating on the night with my motley crew was great, winning felt like having my cake and eating it.  Before the night ended, changes were heading our way that are now forming the backbone for an interesting and new journey that we at Nadia Minkoff London have already begun.  Recognition for fashion from the financial sector is never easy to get, nor one to be taken lightly and I am very proud and excited that we have been given the opportunity to work and be mentored by none other than Grant Thornton. Who said number crunching, spreadsheets and forecasts aren’t creative? They are, very much so!

We’re also up for the Dot London Award, in the ‘best lifestyle’ category. The awards will be held at the new Savoy Place, hosted by Katie Derham.  River views all round, entrepreneurs, dragons and investors, at the ready.

Thank you to all those who voted for us, votes close on Jan 8^th and if you still want to vote for us pls do so by following this link , find us in the ‘Independent lifestyle retailer’ category.

 Some of our other highlights for 2015 have been:

• With the help of stylist Charlene Campbell we made the Christmas issue of OK magazine

• The lovely Aizak Buyondo styled our jewellery as only Aizak could and made our day

• Beautiful Opera star Aylin Perez wore our Shard necklace for her Grand Finale at the Dallas Opera house and Nancy Dell’olio stepped out for her West-End stage debut wearing one of our ‘one-off’ necklaces

• Jess Impiazzi stepped out onto the red carpet with our ‘The Kensington’ clutch

• We have partied, yes- a lot of parties, too many to attend all but we did quite well!

• We’ve exhibited at Scoop London and INDX and opened new doors across the UK

• We have had so much support from the Blogging community across the globe, all of which can be found on our website. Thank you Bloggers, we love you!

We’ve held events at Liberty London and have seen our designs become best sellers at some of the leading UK multiples who we supply

 

But most of all, we have loved it all, even if we are forever running up that hill!

Wishing you all a successful, healthy, happy and especially peaceful 2016, from us all at Nadia Minkoff London.