I was lucky enough to be treated to a girlie day out, by one of my best friends this week, for an early Birthday Celebration.
We had the most fantastic day – it started with viewing the Alexander Mcqueen – Savage Beauty Exhibition at the V&A Museum in London. This was an impressive exhibition which told the story of the fashion journey of Mcqueen’s work. It was great to be able to see so many iconic pieces close up, and understand a little more about the late designer and the inspiration behind his world renowned fashion collections.
Tip: You need to book this exhibition and be allocated a time slot.
Then on for a real girlie treat – afternoon tea with a twist at the 5 star Berkeley London Hotel.
From the minute we arrived, we were greeted with a smile and all staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The fashioned themed afternoon tea did not disappoint either – you could order as much as you wanted from the fabulous selection of canapés, sandwiches and cake creations. Oh and not forgetting a choice of tea!
“Prêt-à-Portea adds a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries resembling the latest catwalk designs for the style conscious.”
The Berkeley London designer afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world. The menu is transformed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion.”
My favourite was definitely the themed cakes and biscuits in a smorgasbord of shapes, colours, flavours and textures inspired by famous fashion designers. We were like children in a sweet shop and couldn’t decide what to try first, of course we ordered everything twice!!
To celebrate the launch of the Mcqueen exhibition the afternoon tea included two of his most famous iconic designs to the cake collection. “The ‘armadillo’ shoes are transformed into a a heeled chocolate biscuit whilst the much adored feather Butterfly Hat by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer Collection in 2008 is reinvented as a deliciously dark chocolate mousse with a chocolate miroir and delicate red sugar butterflies.”
FASHIONISTA’S TEA INCLUDES
A collection of cakes and fancies in the colours of the fashion season and in the style of the world’s finest designers.
| Mathew Williamson sequin macaroon with Mont Blanc cream ganache and psychedelic swirl of black & whiteJimmy Choo monochrome chic Cayla zebra print bag in Dulcey chocolate moelleux topped with a rainbow of meringue drops Moschino’s quirky ‘Yellow M’ handbag of blood orange victoria sponge swathed in red quilted chocolate |
Charlotte Olympia ‘Sarah’ knee high dark chocolate biscuit boot covered in sultry scarlet and blackDiane von Fürstenberg’s iconic golden gown ginger biscuit with a sprinkling of sparkle highlighting 40 years of Hollywood glamourChistopher Kane silk-organza peanut sponge cake and Poire William brandy mousse with delicate pink meringue layering | Manish Arora pink lady apple, cassis jelly and crème de Menthe mousse crowned with a marzipan Candyland apple capValentino’s sexy sixties mini dress chocolate tartellette filled with caramelia cremeux, whipped ganache with red and pink chocolate polka dotsDolce and Gabbana’s whimsical night owl with blackcurrant bavarois and star anis pannacotta savouring the designers’ Sicilian forest fantasy |
Tip: Book this early to avoid disappointment!
I would highly recommend this for any special occasion, a birthday, baby shower, hen celebration, any fashion lover or just an excuse to get together for a girlie catch up with a cuppa and cake!
http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea
By Nicola Briginshaw
Creative Director – Fuschia – www.fuschiadesigns.co.uk
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