Rococo Chocolates of Kings Road, Chelsea

Chocolate can melt the coldest of hearts in the coldest of winter.

I have been a regular visitor to The Chocolate Festival for a few years, and my design stop would be the Rococo Chocolates stand.

Each year I am reduced to a little girl, staring lovingly at the illustrated cherubs, ribbons and chocolates. They make my heart flutter.

Heart-melting gift. Photo © Zarina Holmes

Rococo Chocolates is one of the best designed chocolate brands, and a visual treat to look at. It conveys the romance, fun and indulgence that accompany the chocolate eating experience.

Founder Chantal Cody had envisaged Rococo to be “a chocolate paradise.”

Ms Cody, who attended art school, was inspired by the “cherubs and clouds on the ceiling after Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.”

The Birth of Venus or 'La nascita di Venere' by Sandro Botticelli (1445–1510)

The Rococo Chocolates’ first branch was opened in Kings Road in March, 1983. Today, it has sister branches on Marylebone High Street and Motcomb Street in Belgravia.

The Rococo visual style is described as “eighteenth-century-meets-punk style fit into the rebellious vibe of Kings Road.”

It reminds me of another notable design neighbour and punk pioneer down at the same road, Vivienne Westwood‘s Worlds End boutique.

Rococo Chocolates has won numerous awards and recognised for influencing the way people think about chocolate.

Rococo Chocolates is at no. 321, Kings Road, London SW3 5EP.

Photo © Zarina Holmes

Photo © Zarina Holmes

Rococo's signature letterpress-style packaging design. Photo © Zarina Holmes

Chocolate eggs at Rococo Chocolates stand last Easter. Photo © Zarina Holmes

Photo © Zarina Holmes

Edwina Ibbotson hat boutique at Queenstown Road, Battersea

Edwina Ibbotson’s hat boutique in Battersea is a rare jewel in British fashion.

She is one of few independent milliners in the country, with loyal followings from the design community. I was invited to photograph her millinery studio not long before the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding. My good friend, Myriam Lengliné, was an apprentice at there before she set up her own millinery practice, La Dame Au Beret.

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Stepping into her showroom was like walking into Kew Gardens. Colourful hats, decorated with feathers, nettings and sequins were perched on stands like exotic tropical blooms.

Ibbotson started her company 20 years ago and now is a household name in the UK.

She offers one-to-one consultation and bespoke design service. Her hats are hand-made and the quality is far better than the average factory-produced high street hats.

Hat designer Edwina Ibbotson at her studio in Battersea. Photo © Zarina Holmes

Bespoke hats are pricier than the average high street offerings, however a proper consultation can save you from sartorial errors of judgement.

“A hat finishes you,” Ibbotson told us. “Some people use hats to enhance, some use hats to hide themselves.”

It was a pleasure observing her millinery apprentices perfecting their crafts at her workshops.

Edwina Ibbotson studio is at no. 45 Queenstown Road, Battersea SW8 3RG, London. She offers evening millinery classes on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Hat apprentices at Ibbotson's millinery studio. Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Photo © Salina Christmas / Sojournposse

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Hat apprentices and SWXX at Edwina Ibbotson's studio. Photo © Salina Christmas

The Crush Room at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

The Crush Room at Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is a breathtaking venue. The red-and-gold splendour dated back from 1858, where the crystal chandeliers are said to be made up from the original that was once hung in the opera hall.

Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez at The Crush Room, Royal Opera House. Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

These images are from my 2010 photography archive, an assignment for The Ballet Bag magazine. The Royal Ballet‘s principal dancers, Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez were interviewed for a special feature titled “Dancing Cheek to Cheek.” The editors came up with the idea of a Fred-and-Ginger photo shoot, which worked really well within the opulent Crush Room setting.

Marquez was wearing a fuchsia dress by Betsey Johnson (Ed’s note: Not Oscar de la Renta), while McRae was wearing Paul Smith.

Needless to say, the ballet fans were swept off their feet.

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse

Photo © Zarina Holmes / Sojournposse