The Wahanda team rose early this morning and donned leg warmers, to check out Frame, the new dance, fitness and holistic studio in Shoreditch. Housed under the railway arches between Curtain Rd and Shoreditch High St, Frame is the coolest, cosiest dance studio we’ve ever had the pleasure of setting eyes on. Combining exposed brickwork and plenty of wood and glass, the building is a light, modern, happy place to be. One large dance studio dominates the space, with several further smaller studios designed for mat work and spin classes, and another for reformer pilates.
There are well designed changing rooms for both men and women, with showers, plenty of mirror space, hair straighteners and products. Tucked away up some stairs is a little nook with squashy sofas and a viewing gallery, designed as a communal area for members to kick back, relax, check their emails and/or have their hair and make up seen to.
The team behind Frame are two bright, sparky twenty something girls, Joan Murphy and Pip Black. Having both come from business and marketing backgrounds, they had a dream to create a hallowed place combining fitness, fun and convenience. It was as if they had climbed into Wahanda’s head and stolen all our ideas for a fabulous workout venue. In addition to a body popping, totally rocking array of classes, Frame serves up a ‘help yourself’ style breakfast bar every morning to set you up for the day ahead and then on Thursday and Friday evening’s there’s a team of hair stylists and make up artists on hand to beautify you before you hit the tiles… we couldn’t have organised it better ourselves!
Those annoying, stoic membership schemes are thrown out the window too as Frame have introduced a pay as you go swipe card that you can top up as and when you wish – so it’s goodbye to lengthy contracts and hello to fitness freedom.
Exercise has never been so fun and Wahanda can verify this having learnt a few Lindy hop moves this morning. Tone up with aerobic classes like the Jane Fonda Tribute and the Buff Workout, embrace your inner showgirl by learning burlesque, the lindy hop or the charleston and find your inner balance with acrobatic yoga and pilates. These are just a handful of classes for you to try and from £8 a class, prices are light enough to enjoy all that Frame has to offer.
Friday 27 March 2009
Friday 20 March 2009
Pretty in Prada
Let’s face it, who doesn’t want to own a pair of Prada sunnies. Prada has become synonymous with style, elegance and good taste. Never knowingly over the top or excessive, Prada is always on trend and rarely puts a foot wrong.
One of last years hottest celebrity sunglasses trends were Prada’s Butterfly shades. At one time or another most of Hollywoods A-list could be seen sporting them. Nicole Ritchie, a big sunglasses fan, spent most of the summer in hers as did Paris Hilton and actress turned singer turned Anglophile Juliette Lewis. This year’s collection is all about smooth curves and wide frames in black and royal purple. The perennially popular aviator also gets an update for 2009 with a double bridged nose and an unusually wide arm. Eva Longoria has already been seen in this 56IS aviator style this year. While we’re yet to predict which style will prove a hit with the fickle fashionistas, you can bet your bottom dollar Prada will be adorning many a celeb face this summer.
Although Prada pre dates The First World War, (it was founded in 1913) it didn’t really enjoy commercial success until Miuccia Prada took over the company reins in 1978 and even then it wasn’t an overnight wonder. Having laid the groundwork throughout the Eighties, Prada finally came into it’s own in the early Nineties with the explosion of celebrity voyeurism, when just about every media darling was seen in Prada’s elegant threads. The ball kept on rolling and in 1998 the company launched their own line of sunglasses, which have proved popular with celebrities and ‘civillians’ alike. For all of us who covet a Prada piece but can’t quite (ok, not even nearly) stretch to over a grand for an item of clothing, their collection of eye wear means we can all own a little of the dream.
One of last years hottest celebrity sunglasses trends were Prada’s Butterfly shades. At one time or another most of Hollywoods A-list could be seen sporting them. Nicole Ritchie, a big sunglasses fan, spent most of the summer in hers as did Paris Hilton and actress turned singer turned Anglophile Juliette Lewis. This year’s collection is all about smooth curves and wide frames in black and royal purple. The perennially popular aviator also gets an update for 2009 with a double bridged nose and an unusually wide arm. Eva Longoria has already been seen in this 56IS aviator style this year. While we’re yet to predict which style will prove a hit with the fickle fashionistas, you can bet your bottom dollar Prada will be adorning many a celeb face this summer.
Although Prada pre dates The First World War, (it was founded in 1913) it didn’t really enjoy commercial success until Miuccia Prada took over the company reins in 1978 and even then it wasn’t an overnight wonder. Having laid the groundwork throughout the Eighties, Prada finally came into it’s own in the early Nineties with the explosion of celebrity voyeurism, when just about every media darling was seen in Prada’s elegant threads. The ball kept on rolling and in 1998 the company launched their own line of sunglasses, which have proved popular with celebrities and ‘civillians’ alike. For all of us who covet a Prada piece but can’t quite (ok, not even nearly) stretch to over a grand for an item of clothing, their collection of eye wear means we can all own a little of the dream.
Friday 13 March 2009
The Himalayan Day Spa
When an invitation to have a sneak preview of the new Himalayan Day Spa opening in Chiswick, dropped through my inbox, I was naturally thrilled and within minutes all booked up and mapping out the train journey to west London!
To say I was excited was an understatement, this is the first Himalayan influenced spa in the UK and I was one of the first to visit!
Sitting pretty on Chiswick High Road in an old bank, is the spa and hiding behind a big impressive wooden door (to keep those bank robbers out) is a haven of pure relaxation. A large reception area greets you, beautifully uncluttered and decorated in shades of nude and brown with plants and himalayan-sourced artefacts dotted around. There are four treatment rooms split over two floors, including a spacious treatment room for couples, a relaxation area, a jacuzzi and separate manicure and pedicure stations. Throughout the spa are loving, unique touches. There are wonderful carvings and pictures on the walls, an antique statue in the hallway, large copper bowls for soaking client’s feet in the pedicure area and the paper used in the extensive spa menu has come directly from the Himalayas. All this is the creation of the spa owner Kalpana Gurung.
Kalpana spent the first six years of her life in the Himalayas and has lived, studied and worked in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore before coming to London in 2007. Her background is in business and she and her Aunt, Sakun, an experienced therapist, are the brains behind the self-financed operation. The concept is interesting, because surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly for those in the know) the Himalayas do not have a spa or beauty culture to speak of. There is simply no money in the region and the last thing on people’s minds is a quick pick me up facial or a pampering massage, so consequently there are no spas or salons across the vast mountain range. The Himalayas stretch across six countries – Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan – and it is these countries that influence the culture of the the area and in turn, the design and approach adopted by The Himalayan Day Spa.
While I was there it was only fitting that I tried a Himalayan massage, and what a massage it was! Incorporating techniques from Thai massage and Swedish with some deep tissue and lymphatic drainage, my therapist, Sakun, kneaded and manipulated my body into a state of pure relaxation and bliss. Using an oil from the all natural brand Pevonia and accompanied to the sound of traditional Himaylayan music, Sakun’s fingers, knuckles and elbows truly worked magic. After an hour of pampering heaven it was time to take my leave and believe me, I left reluctantly, but not before vowing to return another day.
The Himalayan Day Spa opens to the public on Friday 13th and will be offering 20% off all treatments until the 31st March, and then 15% and 10% in April and May respectively. Regular clients may also take advantage of a 10% discount on all treatments by joining the Spa’s Pampering Club for an annual membership fee of £50.
To say I was excited was an understatement, this is the first Himalayan influenced spa in the UK and I was one of the first to visit!
Sitting pretty on Chiswick High Road in an old bank, is the spa and hiding behind a big impressive wooden door (to keep those bank robbers out) is a haven of pure relaxation. A large reception area greets you, beautifully uncluttered and decorated in shades of nude and brown with plants and himalayan-sourced artefacts dotted around. There are four treatment rooms split over two floors, including a spacious treatment room for couples, a relaxation area, a jacuzzi and separate manicure and pedicure stations. Throughout the spa are loving, unique touches. There are wonderful carvings and pictures on the walls, an antique statue in the hallway, large copper bowls for soaking client’s feet in the pedicure area and the paper used in the extensive spa menu has come directly from the Himalayas. All this is the creation of the spa owner Kalpana Gurung.
Kalpana spent the first six years of her life in the Himalayas and has lived, studied and worked in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore before coming to London in 2007. Her background is in business and she and her Aunt, Sakun, an experienced therapist, are the brains behind the self-financed operation. The concept is interesting, because surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly for those in the know) the Himalayas do not have a spa or beauty culture to speak of. There is simply no money in the region and the last thing on people’s minds is a quick pick me up facial or a pampering massage, so consequently there are no spas or salons across the vast mountain range. The Himalayas stretch across six countries – Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan – and it is these countries that influence the culture of the the area and in turn, the design and approach adopted by The Himalayan Day Spa.
While I was there it was only fitting that I tried a Himalayan massage, and what a massage it was! Incorporating techniques from Thai massage and Swedish with some deep tissue and lymphatic drainage, my therapist, Sakun, kneaded and manipulated my body into a state of pure relaxation and bliss. Using an oil from the all natural brand Pevonia and accompanied to the sound of traditional Himaylayan music, Sakun’s fingers, knuckles and elbows truly worked magic. After an hour of pampering heaven it was time to take my leave and believe me, I left reluctantly, but not before vowing to return another day.
The Himalayan Day Spa opens to the public on Friday 13th and will be offering 20% off all treatments until the 31st March, and then 15% and 10% in April and May respectively. Regular clients may also take advantage of a 10% discount on all treatments by joining the Spa’s Pampering Club for an annual membership fee of £50.
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