The big pop up pampering experience returned this autumn at Stylist Live in London’s coolest district, Brick Lane. If you ever wonder how to create your own look, check out beauty and fashion festivals where you can wander and get (free) advice from dozens of experts. Here’s where you can really create your own look.
At Stylist Live which hosted more than 100 pop ups as well as catwalk shows and celebrity talks, I went in search for our favourite Scandi style looks at the massive Truman Brewery venue.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find any fashion or beauty brands from the Nordic countries – fingers crossed for next time. But there were quite a few stalls selling products or services that were straight out of the minimalist rule book.
Hygge and how to take pleasure in the small things in life
There was even School of Life workshops which aim to help us all to become calmer with more self-belief and self-awareness. And I spotted this book for sale: A Simpler Life. This could be a follow up to the iconic Hygge book which describes how to take pleasure in the small things in life and become happier as a result. Very Danish!
The funniest discovery was the beauty treatment for …. plants! Yes, leaves can have facials too in order to keep them looking fresh and free of dust and grime. A special spray for house plants has been developed by Sowvital called Aqua Leaf Cleanser. It contains Aomori Hibe Essensia, Yucca Plant Extract and Coconut Oil.
Stylist Live is hosted by the free magazine Stylist which focuses on fashion for the young urban professionals as well as beauty and wellness. The weekly magazine is big on wellness and fitness, empowerment and career choices for women.
Gift ideas and meaty interviews
I like the Stylist product pages which are tops for gift ideas all year round. And every so often it features a super celeb interview which goes beyond the glitz and glamour. You get really good informative (in fact inspiration) interview here sometimes.
TV presenter Alex Jones spoke movingly about the strength of female friendship and the superpower of resilience. The former anchor of the clever and popular BBC talk show The One Show spoke on how she regularly finds herself outside of her comfort zone when interviewing high-profile figures.
And she mentioned her upcoming documentary on making babies, what she learnt as a fertility assistant. Her talk pulled in the crowds, who moved straight from the catwalk show across the floor to listen to Jones’ talk.
It was a day well-spent even if there wasn’t much Scandi presence. The Nordic countries are big on fashion, jewellery and not least beauty. An incredible amount of fabulous beauty brands have come out of Denmark alone in the last 10 years.
But there’s much in the pared down style of the Scandi look to enjoy at the Stylist Live. And there’s enough to help you create your own style with simple, sustainable jewellery and beauty products. And great books on wellness plus free manicures – and, unless I missed something – not a needle in sight!