It’s a well known fact that ladies love to be pampered, be it a day at the spa, or an evening at home with friends and a beauty therapist.
In London, a very special indulgence event regularly takes place at the beautiful, bijou hotel, 40 Winks. Inspired by a bygone era of beauty and grooming, Tart is an afternoon of vintage makeovers, styling, and an education in old-fashioned manners. Hosted by the very dapper David Carter, an interior designer and the owner of 40 Winks, the aim is to bring some alternative fun and frivolity to pampering parties.
Guests are advised to take note of the event’s very strict dress code: drop dead gorgeous is the order of the day. Don’t even consider a pair of old faithful denims, even if it happens to be a typically cold and rainy day in London, because Mr. Carter suffers from a strange allergy to jeans. Tea dresses and silk stockings are more in keeping with the surroundings.
During the afternoon, a team of top make-up artists from beauty brand Benefit transform the guests at this ‘girls only’ event into gorgeous glamour kittens. Experts from Lipstick and Curls, the retro beauty stylist specialists, tease hair into Victory Rolls for a foxy 40’s look. Part-time pin-up girl and retro enthusiast Fleur de Guerre is also on hand to share the secrets of her style, showing guests the most authentic retro shades of lipstick, and how to apply. Once the guests are groomed to perfection, then it’s time for the fashion and lingerie experts to pass on their knowledge and styling tips. A selection of fab frocks are available to browse and buy from Vogue’s favourite retro clothing supplier, Vintage Secret, and lessons are given on how to wear corsets and stockings from faux vintage lingerie brand What Katie Did.
Guests are advised to leave their cautious calorie counting at the door, since afternoon teas, chocolates, and alcohol are served throughout the day. At 6 pm, the pampering ends and the party begins. After four hours of self-indulgent preening, the ladies are given generous goody bags to take away with them. The girls then head out to suitably glamorous East-End eateries, such as Loungelover for dinner and drinks, or maybe even the Grand Vintage Attire Ball held in South London’s Rivioli Ballroom. After a day of transformation at Tart, the vintage vixens are then at liberty to fulfil their wildest retro fantasies.
