Tagged with 'Events'

One of the highlights of the summer season is the English horseracing calendar and, on a sunny day, Ascot is surely one of its most celebrated events.

What to wear for the races? Ascot is known for its strict dress code, for which Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle famously wore her signature ivory ribbon embroidery lace dress and hat in the film My Fair Lady.

Outside of June's Royal Ascot week the fashion stakes at the racecourse are more relaxed but smart, with hats and pearls still the winning bet.

Winterson went to Ascot in support of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, the largest dedicated brain tumour charity in the UK. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK, with diagnosis times falling short of international standards.

The Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust recently launched its HeadSmart campaign, to promote awareness of tumour symptoms amongst parents and health professionals as improving diagnosis times can significantly help reduce life-limiting disabilities.

To find out more about the symptoms to be aware of in your child and to support this important initiative, visit HeadSmart here.

Christies have announced this week that jewellery from the estate of the late Elizabeth Taylor will be auctioned this Autumn. In honour of the celebrated film star and fashion icon, pieces from the collection will tour a series of special events, including stops in London, Paris and Geneva.

Elizabeth Taylor was a renowned collector of jewellery and a selection of her Legendary Jewels will go to auction on 13th December. Proceeds from the events and sales will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which has provided humanitarian funding and assistance to those living with AIDS and HIV since 1991.

One of the most famous pieces in the collection is La Peregrina, one of the most historic and remarkable natural tear drop shaped pearls ever found. Weighing in at a staggering 55 carats, this pearl was discovered in the 16th century and given as a wedding gift to Queen Mary I by Phillip II of Spain.

After a period of ownership in France by Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, it was sold by his exiled nephew to Lord Hamilton, Marquess of Abercorn in England.

It remained in the Hamilton family until 1969 until it was bought by Richard Burton as a Valentine Gift to Elizabeth Taylor. The pearl was reset by Cartier as a pendant to a stunning necklace of pearls, rubies and diamonds.

It is not known yet if La Peregrina will tour with other items from Elizabeth Taylor's collection. If so, this will be a unique opportunity to view one of the most celebrated pearls in history.

UPDATE

Dates for The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor Exhibition Taylor tour have now been announced, with the jewellery, fashion, art and memorabilia visiting Christie's, London 24-26th September 2011.

London Jewellery Week starts in just over two weeks, a treasure trove and celebration of beautiful design and luxury jewellery. If you have not attended before, there is a range of events and activities showcasing emerging designers, studio drop-ins and hands on demonstrations.

Be sure to also visit Treasure, the flagship design exhibition that runs from 10th to 12th June. We'll be looking out for designs with pearls by Lilly Hastedt, Leyla Abdollahi and Natalia Schroder, a winner of Professional Jeweller's annual Treasure competition with her stunning pearl ring.

London Jewellery Week runs from 6th - 12th June and all the information on the best events can be found here.