Author: Alicja Jasnikowska

London based Fashion Stylist & Writer with over 10 years experience working in TV, editorial & advertising. TV credits include: Ashley Banjo's Secret Street Crew (Sky 1), Gok's Fashion Fix (Channel 4), The 21st Question (ITV), Pop Goes the Band (Living). Published editorial work: Harrods magazine, JFW magazine, The Sunday Times Style, The Guardian, Country & Townhouse magazine, Exalt Magazine, Drafted, The Sun 'Buzz' magazine, She, Velvet (Dubai), Spoil Me (Greece). Advertising: Aspinal of London, Barbour, Burton, Gap, Gok for Tu at Sainsbury's, Interflora, Marks and Spencer, People Tree, Puma, Sleek Make-up, Timberland, Tusting Luggage, Weight Watchers, White Stuff. Celebs: Danny Dyer, Gethin Jones, Sarah Beeny, Gok Wan, 911, Joe Hart.

Hit the Lido

Published on July 22, 2013July 22, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

In this hot weather there is only one solution… water. Not the type you find in a bottle (although that is also very helpful in times of intense heat) but the kind you find in a deep pool or at the end of a sandy – or even pebbly – beach. If you happen to live by the coast, then lucky you (I’m not jealous at all… honest!). However in London there is only one option for those without an open entry to Shoreditch House – the Lido. Retro, kitsch and minus the 1-year-waiting-list membership policy, the Lido is your pass to staying cool this summer. Which is exactly what I did last Friday. It was heaven.

There are quite a few Lido’s in London – Brockwell, London Fields & the recently refurbished pool in Charlton to name a few. I happen to live very near Tooting Bec Lido, the largest outdoor open-air pool in the UK. With cute brightly-coloured wooden changing cubicles and a massive 90 metre pool this is The Shard of Lido living.

Top tips – get there before 10am to avoid hour long queues and be prepared for mania on sunny weekends. Also I advise bringing your own food as the selection on offer (similar to many UK swimming pools) tends to lean towards the greasy, beige, deep-fried variety of cuisine. This weekend they are also showing a selection of cult classic films in the evening including the ever popular Withnail & I, and (hilariously) Ghostbusters. Pack a picnic, a bikini and your favourite sunnies and get down there pronto.

Tooting Bec Lido: Currently open 6am-8pm. Entry: £6.20 for adults; £3.80 for children/concessions; under 5’s free; £3.80 after 6pm.

http://www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk/centres/tooting-bec-lido/

Cinema at Tooting Lido (26th-28th July 2013) http://www.tootingartsclub.co.uk/

For further open-air swimming areas in London check out this article in The Telegraph archives

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/9357593/Londons-best-outdoor-swimming-pools.html

Street style snap

Published on July 17, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

I have just discovered that last month I appeared on www.ElleUK.com in the street style section (yay!). Above is the featured image and a couple of the pieces I was wearing. I love a print and here have opted to clash bright florals and monochrome zebra. The Urban Classics baseball jacket is a recent wardrobe addition, influenced by my styling work for Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew (Sky 1). I am a fan of the lack of branding on this jacket and it also comes in a huge range of colours for those that prefer a bolder option. The sunnies are by Jeepers Peepers and always attract attention. These are a few years old, but the label is currently selling its vintage-inspired designs on www.ASOS.com and www.jeeperspeepers.co.uk (as spotted on Fearne Cotton and Denise van Outen). At £16 a pair they’re a real statement bargain.

Jacket, Urban Classics; Floral top, Dorothy Perkins; Zebra print trousers, H&M; Sunglasses, Jeepers Peepers; Yellow bag, NW3.

Glam squad

Published on July 15, 2013August 5, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

A month ago I styled the cover and main fashion shoot for Velvet magazine’s July/August issue. Whilst it may be scorching outside fashion mags are already focusing on the forthcoming winter season and this story features looks from the AW13 collections at Chanel, Burberry Prorsum, Gucci and Stella McCartney. Above is the cover (photography by Jenny Brough) and below are some behind-the-scenes snaps of the shoot. I hope you like…

The rail featuring (from left to right): Dress by Gucci, Dress by Bottega Veneta, Skirt and top by Burberry Prorsum, Dress by Prada.

The talented hair stylist Craig Marsden works on model Lisa.

Black and gold foil nails by Megumi Mizuno add metallic glamour.

Photographer Jenny Brough & Fashion Director Natascha Hawke viewing the images.

Amazing Burberry Prorsum AW13 skirt!

Lisa looks striking in high-shine quilted Chanel.

Photographer Jenny Brough shooting the final look.

Cover and main shoot credits

Photographer : Jenny Brough
Fashion Director: Natascha Hawke
Stylist: Alicja Jasnikowska
Make up : Caroline Barnes @ Frank Agency
… Nail artist : Megumi Mizuno
Model : Lisa Akesson @ Union Models
Hair styling : Craig Marsden @ Carol Hayes
Retouching: Monica Chamorro
Photographers Assistant: Ruben Hart

Think pink

Published on July 12, 2013September 26, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

Ah pink! The colour of rose petals and sunsets and healthy flushed cheeks, and traditionally, the colour most associated with young girls. Furthermore, as decreed by Vogue’s AW13 trend guide (aka the fashion bible) head-to-toe pink is this season’s top trend, with Lanvin, Celine, Mulberry and Dior all opting for rosy hues in their catwalk collections.

Vogue Autumn/Winter 2013 catwalk edit (August issue)

Supremely feminine and particularly striking on blondes, this season’s top garments include oversized outerwear, 60s inspired skirt suits and slinky silk dresses. The high street has been quick to pick up on the trend with Oasis, Jaeger and Marks & Spencer all producing baby pink cocoon coats ready for the autumn chill.

Jaeger AW13 press day

Dress, £42, Topshop; Fake fur stole, Warehouse; Pearls, vintage.

Tying in with the theme are 2 personal items:- my shoot for this month’s Country & Town House magazine (aptly titled Pretty in Pink) featuring a Roberto Cavalli SS13 pale pink leather lace dress & floral garland hairpiece; and my outfit for a forthcoming 20s inspired wedding party (see above). My friend Danielle – who dons pink on many an occasion and is not shy of declaring it her favourite colour – will be most pleased. This one’s for you hun…

Pretty in pink, shot for Country & Town House Magazine. Photography: © Clara Copley. Styling: Alicja Jasnikowska. Beauty Editor: Nathalie Eleni. Hair: Laura Lawson. Model: Fifi Newberry

What I’m wearing

Published on July 11, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s post is a quickie of a few snaps of my outfit. I am a huge fan of charity shop shopping! NB. not overpriced vintage stores, but bargain-basement, mildly musty charity shops. I love rooting around for a good bargain. Today’s top and bag were both recent purchases in the lovely shops in Wimbledon town, which has Oxfam, Scope, Cancer Research & The British Heart Foundation all within a stones through. I highly recommend a visit. They are a little pricey in this area (I generally prefer charity shops in villages out of London for the best finds) however, I managed to buy a knitted Chanel inspired jacket, this blouse & bag and a preppy cardigan all for £25.

Shirt £4, and bag, £6.99 originally from Marks & Spencer, bought in Scope and Oxfam, Wimbledon. Teamed with cobalt skirt from Topshop, studded slippers from New Look and printed scarf (in hair) from Miss Selfridge.