WearItWednesday's THE BIG REVIEW in the ESPspotlight: International Jewellery London 2016, 6 September

When my Carer and I first arrived at Kensington Olympia, I was enthralled by all the glistening beauty surrounding me. Sparkling in every direction, it was hard to pick which way to go when all looked so inviting. Remembering my manners, I was intent on finding my kind host, the lovely Suzanna Hammond of Hammond PR, but there was only 10 minutes to go before the second catwalk of the day took place, and I was keen not to miss it. Vowing to find my kind host straight afterward, we were a literal blur amongst the aisles as we searched for the stage. Managing to find it just as the show began, I got some quick help with setting the camera up as my osteoarthritic hands chose the occasion to begin seizing and making life difficult.

In love 😍😍😍

A video posted by Erica Sharlette (@esinthep) on Sep 6, 2016 at 5:27am PDT

I managed to find an angle in which to hold the camera that would at least allow me to press the shutter button if nothing else. Focusing on holding the camera steady (no pun intended), I watched what seemed like a breathtaking catwalk routine through my viewfinder. Led by a male model that was positively delectable, a swarm of ladies paraded around him in trinkets and baubles that I could swear made my jewellery boxes cry out in wronged pain all the way from home. The wardrobe the ladies sported was as sharp as the diamonds they wore, that I'm sure could have cut glass - and that was just the crease in a well-tailored trouser leg. 

The Alpha and my competition - darn their size 6 waists...

Entertaining and well-choreographed, you could get lost in reveries of what it would be like to own some of the luxurious pieces on show. The bridal portion was a childhood dream of dress up, come to life. Diamonds, gold, platinum and pearls draped upon the ears, necks, chests, and wrists of the four female models, all cooing around the distinctly alpha male. At its sophisticated end, I kept my vow and began making my way to the Press Office. Noticing a woman with a makeup bag flitting around in a hurry, I recognised the show's makeup assistant, and cornered her on her travels. Offering to find the chief makeup artist for me instead, I agreed to wait whilst she went and located her for a brief, impromptu chat.

I met the lovely Shari, Head of Hair and Makeup at the show and asked her a few quick questions:

How were you able to come up with the inspiration for hair and makeup that matched each look within the show?

"Well I wanted something that was elegant, and expensive looking, but that would also last well with all of the constant changes; that would also be quite feminine, but with a little bit of edge."

How did you get the looks together when they came to your mind's eye?

One of the stunning catwalk models

"In my mind I wanted it to look quite Parisian; you know that wonderful femininity, and elegance that you see on the Paris streets. That lovely kind of clean hairline, but with a slight edge; so the plaits are quite textured, and quite knotted, so I thought that gave it more of a fashion edge, but nice and clean."

Is this your typical type of show? What sort of look do you put together when you're working with models everyday?

"I think I'm quite lucky because every job I do is quite different; I do an equal amount of advertising, tv shows, fashion shoots, and fashion shows - everything is different, it all depends who the client is. The understanding of what the client needs is also quite important. I've actually designed London Edge at the same time, so I've got a team over there now, and that look is very sort of, big quiffs, and slick sides, with long, slick straight bits. So that look is sort of younger, and much more 'fashiony'. So it's just about chatting to the client really, and seeing what they want."

Which do you feel plays to your strengths more - is this sort of event not more restrictive in what you're able to play around with usually?

"I think because of the nature of the show, I can't push it as much, it does have to be a bit more feminine, and sleeker; I couldn't get away with the frizz, and the bolder colours which is a bit more for the teenage crowd, it does have to be a bit more classic. But I just love doing everything, so it's nice that I can do that over there and do this here."

What's your next job?

"I'm at ITV's This Morning tomorrow, then I'm doing a commercial next week, and I'm doing a shoot in Berlin this weekend, so nice and busy!"

After kindly thanking Shari for her time, and giving her my information, I got back to my plan and made my way to the Press Office, but not without being sidetracked by some astounding beauty along the way. R.M. Shah made my eyes shine like beacons over their raw stones, particularly as Mrs Shah was nice enough to explain the mining and polishing process to me.

The Shahs Shiny Pretty Things...

Ilona Biggins was next; her necklaces were absolutely stunning, and I wanted everything, in duplicate. Feeling like Dorothy on the way to the literal Emerald City, I refused to be deterred by any more poppies. Spotting the sign for the lift, I kept my eyes glued to it, and powered my wheelchair at full speed in its direction.

Ilona Biggins and her Stones of Wonder...

Ever the gracious, welcoming hosts, I met Suzanna and her colleague Jennifer Hall-Thompson as I arrived at the door. I must take this opportunity to let you know that throughout my entire hiatus over the past few years, Suzanna and Jennifer were the only ones to keep in touch with me and find out how I was doing. For that I am eternally grateful and indebted for their kindness. Hence my determination to make the final day of the event at least, despite how rough I was feeling. Recognising me instantly without so much as the usual blink that I have received by every former colleague or contact that I have met who knew me before I got sicker; they welcomed me with kind, open arms, and took the time out of their busy schedules to check in with me and find out how I've really been. Their sweet, welcoming kindness will never be forgotten.

Venturing back out onto the floor after a glass of something grapey, I allowed myself to revel in the beauty surrounding me. Keeping my eyes on the time, because I wanted to catch the final catwalk one more time so that I could view him...I mean it more thoroughly this time, with Shari's aesthetic in mind. On the way back, I was mesmerised by the Bogarta stand. Regal, and fit for stately affairs, only the sight of a familiar face could tear me away, and I jumped at the lifeline. Saying hello to Lucy Quartermaine, she informed me that one of my friends was exhibiting a few stands down and, I promised to return and find her after I saw to my needs. Having to make my way back downstairs (after encountering a Security Guard who suggested I use the stairs when asked for directions); I found the disabled toilets and cannot write this piece without mentioning the most inconvenient stall I have ever encountered in my life - and for once, that's not an exaggeration.

At the point of entry into what also doubles as a mother and baby changing unit, there was some type of strange, hard plastic assemblage exactly head and body height with me in my chair, right at the door to the small toilet. Now, aside from the fact that there is room for one and one only when some disabled users (like myself) need a second person inside with them; this entity at the door made it almost impossible to actually get inside the room, because it blocked the entry. It is placed in the most ridiculous position and can only have been done by an able-bodied person who only thought (and I use that term loosely) from the perspective of someone who doesn't have to consider obstructions in their everyday life.

Back on the main floor, we made our way back upstairs, and went in search of my beautiful friend Maria of Maree London. Interrupting her showing her lovely Mum around the stand, we had a brilliant catch up, before she introduced me to her gorgeous new 'Ether' collection:

My beautiful friend Maria and her gorgeous baubles

After chatting about what's been happening with her work since we heard from one another last, and her recommending I read the compelling book The Secret, which I am currently entranced by; we were forced to say our goodbyes. The venue was due to close soon, and I still had an infinite list of brands that I wanted to see after the final catwalk, which we would miss if we didn't hurry back downstairs immediately. Down on the ground floor, we were almost in front of the catwalk space when I noticed an adorable little girl sitting on a bench in floods of tears. My conscience refusing to allow me to go further without checking if she was alright, I stopped and asked her if she was okay, to which she replied that she had lost her Mummy. Springing into responsible Aunty mode, I asked her and her mother's names, whilst my Carer noticed a security guard ahead of us, about to turn a corner. 

Speeding after him as fast as my chair would allow, I left the little beauty with my Carer whilst I got his attention. Explaining the situation to him, he hurried back with me to give a report to his colleagues. On our return, little cutie indicated that she was wearing a wristband with her mother's name and phone number. Working as an impromptu team whilst the catwalk began behind me, the security guard continued on his radio, whilst I began calling the number on her wristband. After the sixth call with no answer, I finally got a brusque callback that changed to grateful once I explained that I had found her daughter. Directing her to where we were, I informed the sweet, pretty young thing that her Mummy was on the way, and the weighty teardrops halted almost immediately.

Trying to distract her until her mother arrived, we discussed the books in her hands. She informed us that her Mummy had her sit there with them to occupy her whilst she went to look at stands! Shocked that a mother would actually leave her gorgeous young daughter of 8 years old alone in such a huge, packed out venue, just so she could look at some gems! Keeping my flabbergasted reaction to my eyes only, they met my Carer's over her head and mirrored what my own must have been saying. The security guard asked her how long her mother had been gone; after mulling the question over in her little mind for a few moments, she came back with "Mmmm...About...three minutes." With a look of intense contemplation on her face. The severity of the situation prevented the laughter that wanted to follow such an innocent faux pas.

My phone rang again, and it was the mother saying that she couldn't find us, despite my directions and her daughter's quite right refusal to move from where her Mummy left her, when suddenly, up little cutie jumps and hurtles at full speed over to a young, beautiful woman, hugging her for dear life. Mother and daughter reunited, good deed done for the day and on we went to watch the remainder of the show, right after pretty young thing ran back over to me, all huge smiles, eyes shining bright, with a bounce in her step, to thank me - I couldn't help but smile.

Back to my own mission, and I moved into place to catch what was left of the catwalk on camera:

After waving a mental farewell to my 13-minute, imaginary boyfriend, it was time to take in the stands for the rest of the show's opening time, if I could make it that long. The ugly pains and evil wooziness had begun to creep back in, and not just because I had to pass rather large gems that I couldn't take home with me. Remembering that there was a designer I had promised to come back to, we headed back upstairs to the stand for John Moore Jewellery, one of the Editor's Choice Winners. I had been borderline hypnotised by the most architecturally interesting piece of jewellery that I think I have ever seen, and I just had to learn more about it. Hoping not to offend, I told Moore that his piece reminded me of a slinky, the childhood toy that so many of us without stairs in our homes failed to take in the simple joy afforded by it; only to be told that that was part of the initial inspiration! I felt like I had just won a game of Blockbusters...

John Moore's neck slinky...if you can get it down that far

Insistent that I try the necklace on, I ran out of excuses of why I shouldn't touch the object that saw replicas start at around £5,000 - Mama didn't raise no fool, I learned from the jewellery atelier visit in Amsterdam she took me on when I was 7 years old; where the salesman let me hold what was then, the world's biggest diamond, which I promptly dropped on the glass case by accident, and had everyone in the room on the verge of a heart attack, not least my poor Mother, who instantly began going grey. Placing the necklace over my head and guiding it downward, it got as far as my mouth in the front, and the back of my skull, when the elasticity got as forgiving as it was going to be, and Moore promptly said: "I underestimated how big your hair was in the back..." on my particularly flat hair day...

Now returned from the Ladies room, my Carer had to help the eager designer detangle it from my hair and subsequently my personage. Still conversing all the while, she could hold her tongue no longer and simply had to butt in to remove the plum-coloured pinstripes that began at my lips and rose to my hairline, further proving just how stuck the necklace got around me. Stating: "Oh yes, I had noticed that," Moore was saved only by his immense talents...and the fact that there was a heavy security presence in the building. Too nice not to be forgiven, we conversed some more, and I talked being a part of my planned new feature, to which he readily agreed - so look out for that in the coming months.

Before we knew it, the announcement came that the venue was now closed, show over, and I had yet to snap the stand of my favourite nominee for the National Association of Jeweller's Designer of the Year 2016 as promised. Whizzing back to Lucy Quartermaine's stand, I got my fill of wonderment, including her 'Icicle' collection included in IJL's Designer Brands for 2016, among other breathtaking creations. Having a quick catch up with the blonde beauty as she and her staff packed up, I learned that she was shortly headed overseas for another show, but we agreed to talk future coverage on her return, so I'll be dropping her a line soon.

Lucy Q proved why she's a nominee for the NAJ Designer of the Year 2016...

With that I saw a burly, and hungry-looking security guard headed my way. Not one to keep a man from his evening tea...and because I was slightly frightened, I sped in the opposite direction and found myself at the lift before he caught up with us. About to break my camera down, I came across the shiny Sokolov stand and just had to grab a few snaps from there before I did.

Sokolov Filigree to die for...

Before I could be overruled by anymore of my magpie tendencies, the aforementioned pain returned, particularly in my legs, and reminded me that it was really time to get on my way.

__________________________________

That's all for this year folx, but be sure to check out the event photo album which will be up on the ESintheP Facebook Page this weekend. I had aimed to have it for you today, but having only just gotten my new computer sorted, I only just learned that my usual editing software has been discontinued (there were screams), so I shall get to grips with my new one and have a plethora of albums (well, 3 hopefully) for you to look through by then. PLEASE Forgive me, but I am only one humble human!

On that note, I shall be back later with the first part of my London Fashion Week series - WearItWednesday it NOT over!

Until the next...

ES

All photos courtesy of EricaSharlette of EricaSharlette Promotions Ltd.

MusicMonday's SoundOfTheWeek: Following My Intuition - Craig David

When I first heard that Craig David was coming out with a new album, I must admit that I did wonder what it was going to sound like. If I'm brutally honest, I haven't liked a single release since Born To Do It barring the odd album cut (need I remind you of that awful ice cream flavour song *shudders*), and so I questioned whether this was going to be anything that I could really enjoy as much.

Listening to opening track Ain't Giving Up, a hardcore dance anthem that makes you yearn for Ibizan shores; I thought 'this isn't too bad, nothing to offend my ears here'. In fact, I marveled at the fuller, richer sound of his voice. David seems to have developed a smoother texture that I don't remember in previous years - and I liked it. It made the track sound sexier, and more inviting, until thoughts of my bikini body crept in and made me skip to the next track in colder climes.

When The Bassline Drops and Don't Go follow in much the same vein as the opener, the only variance being a slower intro for the latter. It isn't until you check the track information that you learn 16 is not a Fill Me In remix, but a recycled version (in a good, responsible 21st century consumer kind of way). With the addition of a brand new bassline that makes the original sound like a pale comparison, and a rap filler that reminds you that David also does that sort of thing, the new version is the best moment of the album up to that point.

Could It Be Mine is an annoyance to every female on the planet. Despite the nice production, the lyrics are arrogant stinkers of Usher Raymond proportions. Lamenting over the prospect of imminent fatherhood, rather than questioning why he didn't put a jimmy on it (I know he's old enough to remember TLC and all of Left Eye's condoms) - he's calling the poor female's virtue into question. There's a name for the kind of role he casts himself in during this song, but as a lady, I'm not going to publish it...Arsehole (oops, my bad, I forgot my ladylike ways behind the line of sisters wronged by these types of male children).

Attempting to make amends for his previous spineless efforts, One More Time is a dance banger that I imagine being huge in the clubs before week's end, and on the holiday shores all of next Summer. Out to save his relationship, it's a last chance saloon type of ditty. Taking the pace down, Change My Love is a nice, mellow pop song for those not entranced by the main dance theme. It's a nice change of pace that reminds you David is not a one trick pony. Before you can get too comfortable however, Nothing Like This takes us back to the floorfillers. Ever the romancer, this one is the borderline dance equivalent of the previously mentioned Usher's U Make Me Wanna.

Slowing down again, All We Needed is a piano-led ballad about a doomed love out of its time. It left me scratching my head through most of it, as I felt that the lyrics were quite ambiguous, and it was hard to tell who he was singing to until near the end? Louder Than Words begins with a Spanish guitar that matches the timbre of David's voice perfectly, before turning into a hard drum-led ballad that mimics the emotion of a downtrodden boyfriend badly treated by a scheming girlfriend.

What If is the standout album track for Yours Truly. The most RnB-led track, with a Walking Away throwback; David sings of possibly losing out on the love of his life because he let the opportunity pass him by. The production is absolutely stellar, and the vocals reach ultimate perfection with David's trademark harmonies in the background. Like A Fan is another ballad - although of a poppier tense. A shoe on the other foot track where the lady in question has him chasing his tail, he can't get over feeling like the females that he has given the run around in the past. After a one night stand, that beautiful thing called Karma came to bite him in his backside - class.

Better With You takes us back to the guitar, and once again, the paired back ballad gives the vocals a chance to take centre stage. It's a good love song that you can tell will absolutely slay a live crowd. No Holding Back takes us back uptempo, but in a welcome Artful Dodger type of way. We even get the trademark 'Craig David and etc.' melodic tagline (replace with Robbie Craig where appropriate and you'll know what I'm talking about). Here With Me officially takes us back to the Soulful Garage days, and if you were a fan of the genre like me, then it's a welcome trip down memory lane.

Craig David

Warm It Up takes has a calypso-tinged rhythm that, like most of this album, will see David firmly back on the map when it comes to the discussion of vocal dance heavyweights of the current era. The skill with which he melodically rides the beat reminds us why we love David's multifaceted abilities. Sink or Swim closes us out with RnB smoothness. In some places, the production almost seem bigger than him, but for the most part David holds his own and overall, it's a nice place to finish.

It's safe to say that with the calibre of this album and the growth that he exhibits as an artist, timing will never be an issue - David's a sure fire bet to be one of those artists who can go away and come back as many times as he likes without missing a beat. It's clear after all that with a standard like this to offer, Craig David's Intuition is right on the money.

Following My Intuition is available at all independent retailers now.

That's all for this week folx - be sure to come back next week for a bumper round of reviews that we didn't get to touch on today, like Solange's incredible A Seat At The Table, Banks' alternative The Altar, and the controversial Frank Ocean's Blonde. See you next week for Music or on Wednesday for this week's Fashion fix - don't forget I'll be talking International Jewellery London 2016, and the start of my three-part London Fashion Week SS17 series - it's gonna be BIG!

Until the next...

ES

MusicMonday's THE BIG REVIEW in the ESPspotlight: FASHION UNDRESSED WITH MASTERCARD, 23 JULY (Part Three)

After the heavy thoughts left behind by the morning's first two sessions, it was a relief to enjoy something lighthearted, and so my Carer and I stayed put in The Clore Ballroom, which was currently being adapted for the Ryan LO retrospective that I was so keen to get to earlier. 

Set up in a circle, there was a small path left for the models to pass through, and little else. Noting that there was little space for me to squash into, I asked the same helpful staff member who offered his services at the start of the Diversity panel, to guide me to a place where I would not be in the way for the next segment. Moving a row of benches, he told me to move into the space that he had created, only it was on the end of said path, where the models would be walking past me, and focusing on the audience in the opposite direction. I had a prime view of the back of each - which was great, but selfishly, I have a thing about seeing the front of an outfit; I know, it's arrogant, but what can I say, we all have our vices...

The Ryan LO Retrospective - or at least a part of it...

Realising that I was not going to get a decent shot from the awkward position that I was placed in, I whizzed backstage in the hopes of pleading my case to be allowed to view the collection again, since I was incapable of seeing from the position that I had been put in; instead I noticed that amidst the commotion, the models were already being asked to pose for a gaggle of photographers! Deciding to get my fill, I snapped my way through every single outfit that I could find, until I felt that I had a good feel for the collection.

Dainty, and playful in some lacy areas, the LO collection made me think of the lead characters in Virginia Andrews' novels, once they had been whisked away to the collective rich families that they had all been ripped from at birth. That was one half of the collection. On the other, there was a playful, childish element to some pieces, in the shapes of animals, with soft, almost towelling textures, that reminded me of animal suits at children's parties, completely out of place with the ideals of what a catwalk should showcase (and maybe that was the objective). Bringing together eight seasons of collections, a quick fact check of the show information confirmed that the Hong Kong born designer's previous collections involved tulle and lace-clad bunnies in SS14; cosmic cowgirls in AW14, and Shanghai ladies in AW16.

The Ryan LO Retro...well let's just call it backstage...

Going so far as to quote him, the page stated:

"This is a really fun and rewarding project for us bringing together four years of hard work! Southbank Centre is massively important for the development of culture in London, and it's an honour to present a retrospective show here. I hope to see those new and familiar with fashion at the event!"

Ryan LO

Reuniting with the Carer I had left in the dust to get my shots, we headed outside to try to catch the FAD Fashion Young Designers Showcase, but it had unfortunately taken place whilst I was on the opposite side of the building snapping the models. Deciding it was a perfect opportunity to prepare for the next event, also due to take place in The Clore Ballroom, we saw to our needs in a very small, uncomfortable place supposedly designated for the disabled, but clearly not designed by anyone with special needs - before barely escaping with our lives, to go and join the rest of the spectators amassed to see the dance troupe choreographed by Lea Anderson.

Entitled 'Getting Dressed', we saw what I thought was an inspired interactive routine, where dancers were dressed and undressed in four ateliers that had been set up in a loosely circular shape; allowing the four people dressing up to climb down off of the platforms, and walk amongst the crowd until they'd done a lap in clothes by designers like Mary Katrantzou, Christian Dior, Regina Pyo, Natasha Zinko and Bora Aksu. Then, they would be helped onto another platform, where the process was repeated in artistic form. Spurred on by a soundtrack that included tracks like Do It Again by Royksopp and Robyn, I Got  A Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas, Turn Up The Love by Far East Movement, and Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO to close.

Choreographer Lea Anderson's 'Getting Dressed' performance was absolutely BRILLIANT - showcasing people with diverse needs #SCFashionUndressed

A video posted by Erica Sharlette (@esinthep) on Jul 23, 2016 at 8:12am PDT

Hightailing it outside, where the Festival Terrace was now extremely busy, we found a good spot where we could take in the Benjamin Milan performance, which had already started. Amazed at the feats which this man could perform with his body, it was mindblowing to watch him in action. Merging modern dance and 'vogueing' with what could only be described as contortionism, it was easy to see why celebrities like FKA Twigs return to him to express the music in their videos time and again. Speaking with him after his jaw-dropping performance; I learned that his inspiration never fails him; and there was no difference for him when it came to choreographing a fashion show, or a music video - both were about taking the designer / musician's ideas for the ethos and aesthetic, and turning those into movement that expresses the message behind each to their full, fluid extent.

Benjamin Milan moved in ways that made the human body question itself...well my human body, at least.

With some time to spare before the next event began, I used the opportunity to take in the What We Wore exhibition. Photographer Nina Manandhar collated Britain's style history dating back to 1950 in an attempt to find out how we have changed, and whether we had come full circle in that time. She also used the document to learn whether some clothes held memories attached - therefore making them an integral part to our make up as human beings.

A sweet reminiscent note, inspired by the nostalgia of the exhibition...

Heading back outdoors, it was time for the penultimate event on the timetable - The People's Catwalk. It was interesting to see the variety of people who got up to strut their stuff like a professional; from independent designers with a group of models in their creations, to children, to best friends, to bloggers in a wheelchair...

There's something familiar about this...

After my rolling merriment that earned me several hi-5's and congratulatory comments; I took in the rest of the catwalk and felt the shared camaraderie of individuals of varied race, creed and culture accepting one another, giving a brand new meaning to the term 'super' models.

All to soon, we had come to the end of the show, and two gorgeous rays of sunshine appeared at the DJ booth on the already hot and sticky day, made stickier by boogying on the Southbank to the feet-burning (I'm assuming) sounds played by the infamous DJ, The Last Skeptik. Playing one of the best multi-decade sets I've heard in awhile - the 90s RnB segment especially - then were my feet working, I assure you they too would have been burning! Making my way towards the shining beauties, I introduced myself to the very sweet and accommodating MAC Twins. Explaining that I had tried to book a quick 5-minute interview with them through their PR company, who'd informed me that they were booked up, both ladies happily hopped down off of the platform and asked me what I would like to know. Agreeing to move to a marginally quieter area, I asked them the following:

Which infuses the other for you: Music or Fashion?

Alana: "Mmmm...Probably Music!"

Lisa: "And I'm more Fashion!"

Alana: "She's a bit more outrageous with her fashion..."

Lisa: "I'm more charity bucket...

Alana: "Yeah!"

Lisa: "...and she's more...

Together: "Zara!"

Alana: "It's all about the basic, straight lines for me - black jeans and a tee-shirt - boom, I'm happy!"

Lisa: "And I'm like, whatever I can find..."

Alana: (rolls eyes comically) "more like fancy dress..."

Lisa: (mocks digging in the bottom of a charity bucket) "...bargain bucket - I'm like yep, I'll have that!"

Do you think style icons are relevant when it comes to Diversity?

Alana and Lisa AKA The MAC Twins

Lisa: "I think that...I mean, we're from a working class-sort of background, so we never had icons growing up, we just saw what all of our friends were wearing...we actually had fake adidas with (both finish) three stripes!"

Alana: "Y'know I think it's good to have style icons, but only if it's attainable? A lot of people have a style icon that they look up to, but there's no way that they could ever have a wardrobe like that. It's important to influence young people to be their own individual rather than be a carbon copy of someone else. Like I think that the Kardashians have a great style, but not everyone can look like them. Whereas I think it's important to influence people to be exactly who they want to be."

What is your advice for young women who wish to be taken seriously as DJ's in today's climate?

Lisa: "Stick to your guns about what you feel comfortable in and what you don't feel comfortable in. We were told so many times that we had to wear heels and a dress to DJ; whereas most of the time...(both cock an opposite leg almost as high as my head to show their trainers) we're in trainers! And also, Fill your box with stuff that you want to play; we were told you have to play this to DJ, you have to play that to DJ...whereas I like RnB, she's more house music..."

Alana: "If you wanna play Bewitched and Five, play Bewitched and Five!"

Lisa: "Yeah...You might clear a room with that...(Lisa patted her twins shoulder in mock condescension as Alana skulked in an adorably dorky fashion)...You have to be able to sleep at night with your integrity intact, knowing that you did whatever works for you, and that you didn't compromise yourself or anyone else."

At that, I asked the girls if they wouldn't mind taking a quick selfie with their new biggest fan, to which they humbly obliged, gave hugs, and borderline skipped away to take over their set like the double rays of sunshine that they are. I seriously want to know where to apply to become their new best friend - I adored them both with every fibre of my being.

Yours Truly with her new pretend Best Friends...

Dragged away from my fangirl moment only with the promise of painkillers for my now pain-filled body, I acquiesced and agreed that it was finally hometime. A brilliant inaugural event save a few tweaks, I can only wait to see what they come up with next year. But if there's one thing that's for certain - I'll be more prepared to rock that catwalk next year; and I won't need to worry about being on two legs to do it.

That's all for this three-part series! Catch me back here shortly for THE BIG REVIEW in the ESPspotlight on Craig David's new album, Following My Intuition - I know that I'm following mine!

Until the next...

ES

All photos taken by EricaSharlette and Eva Travnickova for EricaSharlette Promotions Ltd.

ESPnews on MusicMonday: Bank on Bowie

The loss of David Bowie was one of the biggest shocks of 2016.

He was prevalent in so many areas, and so technically profound, that a panel is actually convening at the Southbank Centre this Friday, 7th October at 18:30, to determine whether Bowie was more prolific as a writer - which he professed himself to be - than as a singer.

I unfortunately cannot make it, but if you can, then aside from letting me know how it went - worry not, because it's a free event, that you will find taking place in The Clore Ballroom, on the Ground Floor of the Royal Festival Hall. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website, where they breakdown the event in full.

In the meantime, I'm saluting his staggering catalogue with a very special tribute to kick off today's fashion-tinted MusicMonday segment. Let's travel back to before Yours Truly joined this crazy little place called Earth; when hair was either straight and spiky, or curly, big and bushy, and mullets were the multi-gender style du jour...

I hope you enjoyed Fashion, and I hope that you enjoy what's to come; as Part Three is up next - at 16:30 to be precise - which concludes THE BIG REVIEW in the ESPspotlight: Fashion Undressed with Mastercard - another event that just happened to take place in The Clore Ballroom mentioned above. Stick with me today, I've got a bumper day of features planned for your enjoyment. Come back an hour later for this week's Sound Of The Week - I promise you it's not from an advert! Craig David's new album, Following My Intuition gets a good going over by me - see you soon!

Until the next...

ES

Video courtesy of EMI Records.