London Travels: What to do when...

It's officially spring, and with the recent wrap-up of all your late winter trips, international jet-setting across the globe, various fashion weeks, and other traditional excursions, if your an artist, student, or working in any other lucrative industry then I'm sure half us are as broke as a mountains back. Whether your tapped out or not, stuff happens when you travel especially if your on a budget. Formatted below is my small, personalized scoop on a few of my Triumphant Discovery's upon the latest journey to London, England. And with hundreds from all across the globe heading into the UK for Spring and Summer(esp for the highly anticipated Royal Wedding), and with The Triumphant Scoops recent trip here so successful, I figured what better historic city to profile. New additions to this series will be added as our international travels continue. All in all, don't be ashamed to take advantage of all our little finds. ;-)

*This list will be updated periodically.

1.) When your hungry, on a budget and need a well balanced meal:

 The Spicy Basil

165 Kilburn High Road
Kilburn, London NW6 7HY-  Phone #:020 7328 6646

Spicy Basil, I found this spot on my first day here. An accidental discovery, I hopped off the double decker bus I was riding a stop too early. Looked left and 'wam bam thank you ma'am' Thai food heaven! Fresh salad-ware drapes loose fruits and veggies as their official trim to this tiny atmosphere. A great way to ease any guest into a very believable 'green' policy. The shrimp dish I had was wholesome, and it came w/ egg, fresh vegetables, and plenty of rice. You practically get tons of food for the price you pay. The appeal factor of every meal does seem to vary thanks to how busy they are, which always mass production to lessen the quality of a dish every now and then. However, I would definitely eat here again.

Average meal cost: £4.50($7.00)
Our fav meal: Prawn fried rice w/ egg. Cost: £5.00($8.25)

*I also found a beauty supply store across the street that sold just about every ethnic hair care product ever invented! An ethnic hair persons dream in any foreign country. Check them out below!

2.) When you have ethnic hair and your beauty products didn't make it past airport security : 

Global Hair and Beauty

Address: 186 Kilburn High Rd
Maida Ville, NW6 4JD - Phone#: 020 7372 7779

Memorable products:
* Motions
* Kera Care
*tcb
*Soft Sheen Carlson
* Suave
*Palmers
*Soft & Beautiful
*Lusters Renutrients


3.) When your broke, out of beauty products and dont know what to do...

The Garden Pharmacy and Perfumery...
Address: 119 Long Acre, Web: http://www.garden.co.uk/
Covent Garden

Notable Freebies:
*Moisturizers
*Toners
*Face masks
 *Exfoliant's
They give out samples of some of their finest products by the dozen. Don't make your skin suffer because of empty pockets, head on over!


4.) More finds on the way! Stay tuned..

Peace and Safe travels!
Tony Triumph

ROBBED: London model firm Premier Models Management gets raided!

Wow, and to think I was just sitting in the office of these fierce folks about a month ago in regards to representation interest. As of now, it might not be such a bad idea that I didn't end up signing a contract with them :/. Check it out what I read in the London Evening Standard yesterday:

"Celebrities may have had their persona details stolen by thieves who broke into the London offices of a modeling agency. The gang raided Premier Model Management in Covent Garden which represents Myleene Klass, Nadine Coyle, Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowden and Holly Valance.

There are fears that stolen documents could reveal home addresses, bank details and phone numbers. Thousands of pounds' of jewelry and valuables were also taken on February 16th. A spokesman for the firm said: "Four masked men battered their way into the safe, which contained some highly confidential documents and a quantity of valuables."
         A company insider told the Daily Mirror: "We don't know exactly how much information the thieves got hold of yet but we're worried it could include really personal details about our biggest clients. Some of the information we store can be very sensitive and concerns some very well known fashion and modeling personalities, so the most confidential documents are always kep under lock and key in a safe at the office. "Somehow the thieves managed to force their way into our safe so everyone here is now on maximum alert about what we keep hold of and shredding anything that isn't needed." A police spokesman said: "There was a burglary at 2:49am on February 16 at the premises on Parker Street. Camden burglary squad is investigating and there have been no arrests." -Peter Dominiczak


Interesting story yet it definitely has my eyebrows raised higher then a horses hamstring. I mean think about it,who the hell just robs a modeling agency? Sounds like the Premier Models office will be rather tense for a few weeks. Aspiring models, don't even bother hitting their open call for quite a while.

...and so much for our friend Naomi Campbell collecting all that un-paid royalty's she was supposedly suing them for. 


Holla,
Triumph

Triumphant Discovery of the Street #2: The Giles Fashion Show.

While London Fashion Week has been brought to a close and everyone shuffles on over to the highly acclaimed Milan shows, I'll throw you something really quirky I snapped and forgot to post outside of the Giles show from Monday.

The "I'm trying to look like a character" look.

The head peice is dope, the jacket looks expensive, the sheer dress, socks, and shoes--I'm not a fan!  I'm always down with mixing the cheap w/ the expensive, but c'mon now. Not in such an obvious, dirty-sock looking way!

This young lady knew she was quite the character though which is why I'm sure she didn't mind jumping on the photo op.

What are your thoughts on her quirky style?

Here's a snap of what the outside of the Giles show worked itself out as. Very much a classic old English Victorian style building. Great selection and great theme Giles folks!

Holla,

-Triumph

London Fashion Week with Winkball and Tony Triumph.

 Click the underlined link underneath the below photo to view video!

Tony Triumph Interview, London FW w/ WinkBall

Bopping along the press protruded gardens of Somerset House a bashful young lady holding it down for Wink Ball Communications interrupted my footsteps as I headed for the official LFW bloggers lounge. As their simplistic 2-word slogan stated "Communicate Happiness" I just had to give  the 'Wink Ball' folks a bit of my time.Besides, they're approachable, overly sociable demeanor reminded me way too much of NYC(in a good way).
Yet from the time it took me to travel into the press room, bloggers lounge, through the BFC Newgen Showrooms and back out, Wink Ball had ignited a plethora of priceless British smiles. Shining their mini microphones into chiseled faces and delighting tons of press hungry interviewee's. Most who were more then happy to get all up in a camera and joust in their two cents about London Fashion Week. I mean after-all, that's what it's all about anyway so who can blame them? Go ahead and jump into my two-cents via the link below. (Click the link as the image above is just a still shot of the video.)

Tony Triumph Interview, London FW w/ WinkBall

Enjoy!
Triumph

Triumphant Discovery of the Street: London Fashion Week.

Our lovely Ms. Lily Niu raced her savvy self out there nice and bright and early amongst the madness in London today. Setting her sights on conquering some good street-style photojournalism for The Triumphant Scoop, she did just that in-between covering high-end shows for David Koma, Holly Fulton, and Todd Lynn. Lily graciously took the time to snap the hot shots below and chatter up these fine folks all while promoting our our latest segment, Triumphant Discovery's of the Street.

Look 1:

The "Hornet from Heaven" look. Ultra chic, powerful, and cute via the blue!

Look #2:

 The "I'm so over Fashion Week" look. Love her hat!

Look #3:

The "I snuck to see shows on my lunch break" look. Love the lack of effort, wool jacket , bracelets and ring.

Look #4:

 The "I should be in a Ralph Lauren ad" look. We all know that the gentlemen look never fails. The scarf, slacks and watch won me over.

Look #5:

The "Militant Swan" look. Leopard print and leather always go well. An excellent everyday look for any FW.

So what do YOU think of our Triumphant Discovery's of the Street?




Stay tuned,


Tony Triumph + Lily Niu

London Fashion Week Day 2: Lako Bukia

Lako Bukia A/W 2011:

Militant w/ a Bohemian twist. I'll say it's an easy going approach for any female wanting just a touch of masculinity.

 

Look 1

 

Side of Look 2

Front of look 2

 

 Look 3

Look4

Look5

Not all the collections I saw today were wearable(or even likable), but I'll say this one made the grade. What are your thoughts on Lako Bukia?

Stay tuned,

Triumph

Introducing: Lilly Niu+ London Fashion Week

Eccentricity and originality, are two electrifying forces that spoil all their creative juices into one and bring POWER to London Fashion week. Fashion designers in this land are seemingly effortless at pumping loads of creative energy into the atmosphere, kind of like BP pumps loads of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Yet in the case of this international matter, bi-coastal buyers, anxious editors and onlookers of the outlandish all populate and take the place of any form of pollution. London Fashion week simply puts the fascination back into fashion and creates an arena for those awe-inspiring designers to showcase their funky yet highly wearable wardrobes. Only one day shy of clashing with NYFW, I personally describe it as much more of a delicacy and business-oriented scene as opposed to it's rivals(NYFW) over-the-top spectators arena. A huge inspiration to it's American counter-parts, I must say London folks have the most effortless style.

Above left: A red-wigged model struts for Paul Costelloe's F/W 2011 collection.

Keep in mind that more then 5,000 visitors are expected to patronize LFW this year, particularly due to the high expectations of the Giles, Christopher Kane and Erdem shows. Head honchos over in these parts are probably also busy preparing for Sunday as household name and Vogue editor Anna Wintour is expected to arrive into London midday.

Yet out of all the lively recaps and cozy cocktail storys I could batter up, nothing beats the refreshing elements of a females point of view. Especially one who makes writing about London's one-of-a-kind designs her living. Besides, I'll be far too busy elbow rubbing w/ publicist, canoing my way through ropes of agitated doormen, and of course fighting for shots with Getty Images(lol!). So, without further ado, I bring you this London Fashion Week with new and highly-anticipated collaborations from a fresh fashion Journalist perspective by Ms. Lily Nui. ;)

Name: Lily Niu
Occupation: Journalist, Student.
Based: London, UK.
Previous work: Running in Heels, Stylenews, House of Maffia.
Personal Style: Alternative, rock chic. Loves pastels and chiffon.
Favorite Designer: John Galliano.

Lily and I will be starting out at the Danielle Scutt show tomorrow morning amongst an overload of other activity's. Lily is also helping me launch a new blog segment entitled 'Triumphant Discovery's of the Street'! :D

Stay tuned!

Triumph

Introducing: Ken Kamara

Boy have the British embraced me quite admirably. About two weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot with a pretty dope editorial photographer by the name of Ken Kamara. With barely a stylist and no makeup artist, we simply "made it work". One thing I love about this place is that everyone, no matter what level of experience, is structured and maintains professional demeanor's when conducting business. "No ego's here", said the industry professionals. Folks that knuckle-up and handle their business never fail.

Check us out below! Cheers!

Photographer: Ken Kamara
Website: www.kenkamara.com
Contact: info@kenkamara.com

Peace,

TRIUMPH!

Just touched down in London Town: Cheers!

Growing-up, obedience is the one thing that I never struggled with yet it is something that I always questioned. Commonly indecisive, I've failed several times at listening to that inner compass of mine and simply going with spirit. Straightforwardly, I am for the most part always overly analytical. Following my own rapidly inclining decision to explore a new land, I finally did so on the 13th of January, 2011. Crossing the Atlantic was easy(and cheap!) thanks to our good friends at Virgin Atlantic airlines. The only hard part was getting through customs! I've arrived though, and the team is settled. With perseverance and Triumph I promise to keep formatting creations that envelope my depiction of Society, Fashion and Big city interests, yet with an edgy London twist! I openly invite each and every one of you to join me on this journey of career expansion, creative enterprise and cultural exploration. Stay tuned, there's a lot this place has to offer ;).

Make sure you all follow me on twitter @tonytriumph10.  Oh, and I won't have much time for TV so please keep me up-to-date on BET's The Game and all other reality TV scoops. :) 


Cheers!

Tony Triumph