Anusha

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-08T17:51:00.004Z

No, I'm not talking about Tim Burton's latest release, but the first-ever film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's story, directed in 1903 by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow - watch it here.

It's just been restored by the BFI National Archive, and forms part of a Alice in Wonderland season, running at the Southbank from 11th to 17th March.

The 1903 film ran for 12 minutes (around eight minutes survive) and was closely based on John Tenniel's original illustrations for Carroll's story. I just love the adorable little children marching past the camera, dressed as playing cards!

Surina kimono top

2010-03-05T11:17:00.000Z

Our Surina silk kimono wrap top is really something special. The dot design is created using the ancient Indian technique called bandhani (the silk is tied with thread before dyeing), and then it takes TWO days to sew on all the sequins by hand!

Back by popular demand

2010-03-01T10:29:00.001Z

I couldn't ignore the requests any longer! I've just managed to reordered our popular Gabrielle maxi dress. It's online and available to order now - delivery will be end of March.

Don't forget to team it with one of our gorgeous bandhani scarves for the perfect laid-back wedding outfit.

Around midnight

2010-02-26T16:41:00.002Z

I love the colour blue, and I've always been a fan of midnight (I find it a flattering alternative to black, which can be draining).

And it seems you agree. Two of our best-sellers so far this season have been Leah and Ava - both in midnight blue. So versatile, as you can wear them with opaque tights now (I've found the perfect midnight match in M&S) and then with bare legs and our cobra sandals - coming soon - through the summer...

NEW IN: Spring collection!

2010-02-24T12:05:00.000Z

The first part of our spring collection has arrived! Here's our pick of the just-dropped crop.

More to come over the next few weeks...

Walk this way...

2010-02-19T08:08:00.002Z

Health advice says we should try to walk 10,000 steps a day, so this week I downloaded a pedometer app for my iPhone and decided to take the challenge.

I've always considered myself to be fairly active, so I was shocked to see that on Monday I was struggling to do 4,000 steps - fewer than HALF the recommended number!

Even when I walked to and from the train station in Bath and then spent the day pounding the aisles at a trade show in London on Tuesday, I only notched up 8,500 steps.

It's been a real eye opener, and even if I don't manage 10,000 every day, at least it's made me aware that I need to increase my foot count. A lot.

What's Up With Illustration II

2010-02-15T12:41:00.011Z

I was in London on a buying trip yesterday, which meant I missed the private view organised by Rich at his gallery, Mauger Modern Art in Bath.

The show runs until 16th March 2010, and features work by five leading commercial illustrators: Noma Bar, Adrian Johnston, John McFaul, Paul Davies and Simon Spilsbury.

If you can't make it to the show, all the prints are available from his new online shop, The Print Dispensary

Take a peek

2010-02-15T11:56:00.007Z

Here are a few contact sheets from the spring/summer collection, which will be online in the next few days. Meanwhile, I'm visiting Pure tomorrow to start ordering for AW10/11.

Alexander McQueen dies

2010-02-11T18:28:00.005Z

I was saddened to hear the news today that one the UK's most talented and influential fashion designers, Alexander McQueen, was found dead at his London home.

Images of his SS10 collection from vogue.co.uk

Dress of the Year

2010-02-08T12:28:00.002Z

The Fashion Museum in Bath has announced its Dress of the Year - Antonio Berardi's black and white trompe l’oeil corset dress worn by Gwyneth Paltrow to the premiere of her film Two Lovers in Paris.

Gwyneth said the following about the dress: ‘When I tried this dress on, I was amazed by the construction and the uniqueness of it. It was at once elegant and sexy and very very much its own dress. It is one of the absolute favourite dresses I have worn and I feel so lucky that we had that evening together in Paris’.

Each year since 1963, a fashion expert has selected a dress or outfit for the museum’s collection to represent the most important new ideas in contemporary fashion. Take a look at the Dress of the Year choices from 1963 to 2009 here.

Gardeners' world...

2010-02-03T09:00:00.000Z

I've just come across these hanging Sky Planters, designed by Patrick Morris.

I quite like the idea of the upside down herbs in the kitchen, but the maidenhair fern and spider plant in the picture below reminds me a little too much of the macrame hanging baskets I used to make as a child in the 70s!
Having said that, I think they're really nicely styled images...

Reboot

2010-02-01T14:00:00.010Z

After a four-week exercise break over Christmas (well, I'm only human!), I was raring to get back to bootcamp in January.

Finally, I'm beginning to feel like I'm getting back on track.

Exercising first thing in the morning does mean I have to get up at 5.50am, three times a week (urgh), but I'd much rather get the workout done before other commitments get in the way (and, more importantly, it's not hanging over me all day - something I hated when I used to go the gym after work). Our trainer, Zita, pushes us without being a bully, and each session involves something different - so much better than doing the same boring old routine every day!

Have I lost weight since I started bootcamp last summer? No. Am I feeling fitter and less stressed? Yes - dramatically so!

Photographing fashion

2010-01-29T11:35:00.004Z

I'm looking forward to the 'Photographing Fashion' exhibition, which is opening in March at the Fashion Museum in Bath.

It's going to include examples of British fashion from the 1960s, including pieces by Mary Quant and Jean Muir as well as original photographs from the Sunday Times fashion archive.

Spring is in the air

2010-01-25T10:00:00.010Z

Mondays are always a busy, busy day in the Anusha office, as we catch up after the weekend. We're especially hectic at the moment as we're beginning to take delivery of our new spring/summer collection - I do enjoy the excitement of unpacking boxes of goodies!

My love affair with gold jewellery continues (we're talking subtle/tasteful, not bling!). I'm really pleased with our new range of beautiful, textured-finish gold and semi-precious stone earrings, bracelets, cuffs and necklaces. Perfect pieces for summer - I know you're going to love them. They'll make an appearance online in the next couple of weeks...

Full length and fabulous!

2010-01-22T10:00:00.022Z

I'm very excited - tomorrow evening, Mr Anusha and I have been invited to The Pump Rooms in Bath to celebrate the civil partnership of some wonderful friends of ours.

With a dress code of 'full length and fabulous', it seems rude not to push the boat out for the occasion! Claudia, Anusha's hair and make-up artist has kindly agreed to come round to my house tomorrow afternoon to work her magic. I'm ashamed to admit, I've been inspired by pictures of Cheryl Cole's messy-dressy do, which she was sporting at the National TV Awards on Wednesday!

Photo location - booked!

2010-01-20T12:01:00.014Z

I've just come back from George Bayntun, a family-run bookshop and bindery in Bath, where I'm going to do my next Anusha photo shoot. Little inside the shop has changed since 1938.

Downstairs, in the amazing Victorian bindery, a small team binds books entirely by hand (apparently, there are over 100 stages in this process). Lovely Annie showed me round the building today, giving me a chance to see the huge collection of hand tools and blocks (they have over 15,000 - some dating back to the eighteenth century), rolls of colourful goat and calf skins, and gorgeous hand-marbled papers.

What a treat for a wet Wednesday morning!

Deary me!

2010-01-13T09:00:00.000Z

I came across this brilliantly kitsch 1950s vintage print, 'Deary Me', via stylist Selina Lake's blog. It's available as a canvas or print at Surface View.

The big freeze

2010-01-11T09:00:00.000Z

Brrr! This amazing image of a frozen Britain was taken by Nasa's Terra satellite last Thursday.

(Image via bbc.co.uk)

The Aigle has landed

2010-01-08T12:05:00.007Z

My Aigle (French for 'eagle') lace-up welly boots were delivered today. Perfect timing: this terrible weather we've been having looks set to continue for at least another week. I'm giving the boots a test-run tomorrow - I hope the chunky soles will give me enough grip to deal with the incredibly icy hills of Bath!

Keep warm!

2010-01-06T16:03:00.002Z

Forget about fighting your way through the snow today! Relax and click through to the Anusha sale - more items have just been added, with some seriously slashed-down prices!

Merry Christmas everyone!

2009-12-23T06:30:00.004Z

I'd like to wish you all a very happy Christmas, and say a huge thanks for all your support again over the past year. It's been yet another amazing year for Anusha.

The offices are closed at lunchtime today until 30th December (but, of course, you can shop online anytime over the Christmas period!). Orders placed during that time will be despatched on 30th December.

In the meantime, I'm waiting for Dave from Abel and Cole to deliver all our lovely Christmas grub this morning. I ordered it online weeks ago - you won't catch me braving the high street at this time of year!
xx

(Festive picture via Living Etc.)

It's not too late!

2009-12-22T10:22:00.002Z

There's still time! Order by midnight today, and we'll get your Anusha goodies to you in time for Christmas.

Party time!

2009-12-19T11:37:00.005Z

Last night I went to the annual 'freelancers' party. As many of my friends have their own businesses, 20 or so of us get together at Christmas time for a festive meal. This year we had delicious (and lethal) pre-dinner cocktails made by the lovely Ice House chaps and then headed to the upstairs dining room at The King William pub for supper.

Coco is back in stock!

2009-12-14T11:28:00.000Z

Our best-selling mulberry velvet and silk Coco dress is back in stock - it's the perfect dress for Christmas day!

Delicate decorations

2009-12-09T22:21:00.000Z

I love these beautiful baubles, created by Land-Rich, a shop based in Brooklyn, New York.

Here's what they say about themselves:

"Inspired by raw nature and those who embrace it, we collect and design classic goods for the discerning customer. Our mission is to provide beautiful objects that symbolize the quality, functionality, and sustainability of simpler times.

"Each quarter we will debut a new edition of products. These timeless items will then become a part of Land-Rich's permanent collection."

(Found via the fantastic Oh Joy blog).