I have always enjoyed airports. There is an excitement in the air which seems to transcend daily chores. So when my sister Natalia – who is based in Madrid — was returning from a swift visit we decided to make the most of our time together and make a day of her time at the airport.
The clocks have gone back now, and there is that familiar feeling of confusion in the air. We met at Victoria Station at 9.30 sharp, ready to take the Gatwick Express. Once on the train we travelled south over the river by Chelsea Bridge and the Battersea Power Station into the outskirts of London.
The announcement on the train came in five different languages – which we found rather amusing — with an automated recorded voice whose accent only a fellow robot would understand.
Half an hour later we were at the South Terminal and heading straight to the shopping mall: The Gatwick Village. Our first stop was Frankie and Benny’s, a New York Italian restaurant and bar located on the first floor which reminded us of the bar in Cheers. Dark mahogany furniture, red vinyl padded chairs and chrome banisters set the scene for a well-deserved session of catching up on our lives.
After some lattes and a couple of slices of Mamma’s Deep Filled Apple Pie, served with vanilla ice cream on the side and a big bright smile, we hit the shops with style.
Top Shop, Accessorise, and The Body Shop awaited, and we felt a sense of excitement and anticipation like children being let loose in a sweet shop. I went for a black and white sixties-style raincoat and Natalia settled for a bright red micro-mini in wool — very Austin Powers, baby!
Then we stocked up on Cocoa Body Butter from The Body Shop – it smells like something you could eat — and to finish we decided to pop into WH Smith to buy some chick flick-style books. Then it was time to say our goodbyes and for Natalia to go through to the departure lounge, which of course is also home to tax-free cosmetics and perfume …
Back in London I was invited to a press event where the latest Christmas party collections from Miss Selfridge, Burton, Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins were displayed. The good news is that classic chic is very ‘in’ this season, taking two very strong directions: a fitted sixties look which incorporates shiny metallic accessories and polo necks, and a fab vintage fifties look which centres itself around fifties’ lined skirts worn with flat ballerina pumps and twin-sets.
It’s a great look too, which is all the rage at the moment and in some ways less theatrical. Works well if you have a poodle.
So once I made some style notes, I decided to head back to Notting Hill where I caught up with some friends at The Bonaparte Pub. Otis Redding was singing ‘My Girl’ in the background and the fire was lit, greeting the earlier evenings with a unique atmosphere and a feeling of having returned home after a long day.
Laia Farran Graves
