The Luxury Network International – By Invitation Only

So we were out again at another ‘opening’ and this one was rather interesting. Hosted by the Luxury Network International at Rossano Ferretti’s Hair Spa in George Street, Mayfair, we passed from floor to floor tasting, smelling and touching luxury.

With a glass of 24-carat gold leaf-flecked Luxor Brut champagne in hand (£195 at Harvey Nichols) and with over 200 guests we explored a wonderful world of Italian leathers, fabrics and French beauty products.

Alexis Wolkowinski, UK General Manager of YonKa Paris, told about the history of his family company with an in-depth knowledge of biology and beauty. The YonKa products are only available in 60 or so spas in the UK, such as the Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa. Angelina Jolie is a fan.  Deborah,  the celebrity facialist in the Mayfair salon for fourteen years, gave us some samples of the YonKa for Men range and showed us around. The treatment and hairdressing rooms can all be curtained off for privacy and to create some small suites to enjoy food, drinks and invite friends.

Playboy Club Bunny

We were warmly greeted by the Brand Ambassadors Sarah and Farah from the Playboy Club at 14 Old Park Lane and were invited visit them in the club and see the new nightclub,  Baroque which is strictly for grown-ups and launches October 2nd.

Joy Montgomery is THE lady to know in celebrity gifting – she has worked with some big names to make sure her client’s luxury products are seen on some of the most famous people on the planet –  musiciansTinie Tempah, Take That, Jessie J, Rihanna and Madonna and actors including Gary Oldham, Michelle Dockery, Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan. JLS have been one of her favourites and she has worked with them since the beginning and says that ‘they are still lovely and polite and fame hasn’t gone to their heads.’ Joy is raising funds for charity at a Benefit Ball in aid of the Samuel L Jackson Foundation; where she will provide brands with direct access to Mr Jackson and his celebrity friends. Recent films she’s been involved with are Prometheus, Snow White & the Huntsman and Les Misérables. Definitely the First Lady of Gifting. See Joy in action behind the scenes at one of her gifting suites.

At the event Joy showed us the latest Pavoni  handbags – whose cream leather embossed clutch with the gold peacock motif is aimed at a younger fashion-conscious crowd like Pixie Lott and brand model a bit Cheryl Cole look-a-like.

Gent’s tailor Bespoke HQ were at the event with models wearing their beautifully fitted jackets – they dress Colin Jackson who looked dapper for the BBC coverage of the Olympics.

The world’s most exclusive affinity marketing group, The Luxury Network headquartered in London, is leading the way by connecting over 300 high-end brands from around the globe. Launched in May 2007, it’s an international private ‘invitation only’ B2B / B2C community of premium brands and high-end service providers through 17 international offices. Natch, there’s an online magazine http://www.luxurialifestyle.com edited by Lady Charlotte Lynham.

Luckily, this time, our invitation was actually in the post..

Shinesquad’s Intrepid Reporter Alan Greenhalgh