"My dream team of experts get me ready for Simon's Cowell's party" Dress: Vlasta Cullo
Make-up: Lina Cameron
Hair: Dar Singh
When the most beautiful thick blue velvet envelope slipped (barely) under our door, it was unwrapped like a favorite sweet. An invitation from the king to his dear friend! Paul and I knew this was going to be a night to remember and I would be accompanying my gorgeous man as his Cinderella. A treat to savor! All across London, similar tantalizing invitations were being secretly delivered and the whispers of excitement were growing.
Normally when there’s a big party I’m the last one to be planning my outfit. More than often relying on a last minute “open my closet and hope something works approach” but this time I’m taking the “oh my gosh better look seriously hot!” approach. This was also gently prompted by receiving various excited text messages from girl friends telling me about their super hot (and probably super expensive) ensembles. I can feel the cold sweat starting! I wanted to make my man proud and look like a princess.
It is after all, it is Simon Cowell’s 50th Birthday party and how often does that come around? When I start thinking about the guest list it puts it into context. I mean seriously, think about who is going to be there- all the BIG names in every industry! The fabulousness will be off the scales. This changes the stakes. Professional help is needed!
Bring out secret weapon- “action dream team”: expert couture dress maker- Vlasta Cullo, celebrity make-up artist to the stars- Lina Cameron and the legendary Dar, the master of seriously sexy hair himself. Thank my lucky stars I have such talented people in my life. We are all due to meet 15H30 sharp at Hari’s Salon in Kensington to unleash the creative genius and get the product out and into that stretch limo looking the part…. I’m going for a sultry 1950’s movie star look wearing a back-less floor length smoldering satin red dress.Put like that it all sounds so effortless, but don’t be fooled, this was an operation of organizing and collaboration.
Two weeks prior to the big day I still had nothing to wear and time was ticking. My fabulous globe trotting girl-friends where calling me innocently to discuss their fabulous outfits. Kelly planned to wear a cleavage-busting gold Armari number and all Lauren was letting out was that her ensamble was dazzling with sparkles. Needless to say, both of these girls are supremely beautiful and have exquisite taste. We are keeping the standards high ladies. I could feel a cold sweat about to break.
I had been searching high and low but alas, I could not find a dress. My dear friend Lina suggested I use Vlasta Cullo, one of London’s top bridal and evening wear designers whose creations have graced the pages of countless bridal magazines. Having worked with Vlasta at many bridal shows was very impressed with Vlasta’s precision cuts and attention to detail. With the pressure mounting, she could not have come at a better time. We had 8 days to go so I called Vlasta and we scheduled an emergency fitting for that evening. I arrived at her South Woodford studio and was greeted by the angelic Vlasta. After trying on a few sample dresses we found the winner, selected the deep red fabric and chose the accessories. The dress would be ready the day before the party. This made me think of the saying “ a stitch in time saves nine”. Phew!
It was the morning of the ball and the day of preparations lay before me. First stop; pick up the dress from Vlasta at the designer wedding show. It was like entering a magical dream land of white lacey satin silk with happy smiling mother and daughter teams. Amidst a sea of white, bright lights, flowers and fairy cakes I stood in my red dress, Vlasta stitching the fabric to fit me like a glove. It did, in a surreal way feel like a wedding day- a special moment. We wrapped the precious cargo and I jumped into a taxi.
Second stop: Hari’s Hair Salon to meet my dear friend, celebrity make-up artist Lina Cameron who would be starting on my make-up before handing me over to the talented Dar who would be creating a hair masterpiece to complete the look. I love walking into Haris. It’s the anticipation of being greeted in the warm excited frenzy of blow-drying, coffee and gossip. What a buzz. Let’s get me ready!
For Lina, make-up is art. She really focuses on understanding each individual client and the 
look they really want. During the make-up stage, she infuses her work with genuine love and passion almost as if she were creating an extended layer to one’s auric field, positively changing the way a client feels. It is wonderful to think that something as seemly simple as make-up has the power to alter the way we perceive ourselves. It can change our moods, or feelings, our thoughts and transform us into princesses!
Lina has done my make-up many times before… including my first date with Paul (don’t tell him though- men are supposed to think we always look that good. No effort required!). Each time I’ve always felt delighted. Lina has a wonderful happy energy and a soft touch with the brush, often dancing around me a smiling as she works. To the envy of the surrounding Saturday salon ladies, Lina started to transform me into a sultry 1950’s movie star with lushes smokey eyes and va va voom lashes. Oh, how I love lashes. Between all this transformation, Kelly and I were messaging each other across the salon (sitting only yards from each other!), each enjoying notching up the excitement barometer.
With only an hour to go it was up to Dar to put the cherry on the top. Dar makes everyone feel so special and has a luminescent personality- you can’t help but have a constant grin on your face. With Dar, it’s 20% hair and 80% magic. He took one look at my make-up and dress and like a true master, crafted a bespoke classic up-style with effortless ease. He believes in understanding the whole look from top to bottom and making sure the hair compliments the look. Watching him work is fascinating. It is obvious that he is talented and having worked with countless A-list celebrities including Goldie Horn, Katie Derham (and even Simon himself back in the 80’s) all confirms this.
Dar and Lina whisk me into the street for an impromptu wind swept shot of the dream team in the dusky streets of London. As passing cars merrily hoot their approval we know that we have definitely got the X factor.Five minutes to go and Paul calls to say the Limo is waiting. Quick, get in to the pumpkin taxi and get to the ball for a night of splendor. It is indeed a glamorous good life!
