Running around during fashion weeks used to mean stocking up on plasters and mandatory foot massages in every city. Despite the perception that it's all endless parties and colourful cocktails, sprinting in heels from 9am to midnight, from show to show is no mean feat (no pun intended!). Taking on the four fashion capitals seemed to require the stamina of an Olympic athlete... okay, maybe not quite. But over the past few seasons I've been saved by a few pairs of incredibly comfortable Jimmy Choos.

So when the team at Jimmy Choo approached me to become their inaugural StyleMaker for their new digital Jimmy Choo 24/7 platform, I was more than happy to say yes! It meant a fun day of shooting with Eddie Newton, from street style blog Mr. Newton and the Jimmy Choo team - despite a freezing London, being surrounded by 7 pairs of Choos (Eeek oh yes!) to get me through a week was all that was needed to perk me up.

And now the digital platform is unveiled and ready for YOU to upload your best shot with your own Choos. Take a picture with your Jimmy Choos and upload it to the site or Tweet it to @JimmyChooLtd with the #Choo247 hashtag. The best pictures will appear on their site.

Oh, and you can watch me here spouting off on all things shoes.

Above: Designer Leila Kashanipour by Michelle Bobb-Parris

If you're not familiar with jewellery brand LeiVanKash, prepare to be bowled over. This young brand, established in 2011 by Leila Kashanipour, will have you emptying your purse and snapping up every neon roped skull, chunky gold cuff and dagger pendant you can get your hands on. The London-based label is edgy yet romantic and the SS12 collection has already caught the magpie eyes of Olivia Palermo, Amber Le Bon, Chloe Green and Florence Welch. Designer Leila Kashanipour, the lady with both the vision and the artistic flare, chats to us about her journey into design and her work.

Because: Can you tell us a bit more about your story and how you became a designer?
Leila Kashanipour: Funny enough I wanted to study chemistry and fine art. I love to paint and I was really interested in art restoration. Initially my goal was to apply for American universities, major in Art and do a minor in Chemistry but then things changed as they do... So I applied for a foundation course at Central St Martins as my art background in fine arts was pretty strong. During my foundation year though, I realised my real passion during a jewellery making course and the rest is history.

B: How does your culture influence your work?
LK: Quite a lot actually. I try to stay truthful to my identity, style, personality and ultimately my origin. I grew up in Iran and although I left there about 9 years ago to pursue my education, I am in many ways very much Iranian and naturally use what I have seen, learnt and felt in my pieces.

B: How do you begin to create a collection?
LK: After research into what I have in mind and a bit of design development, I start making prototypes and models mostly with wax. All my pieces are first carved into wax or modeled by me and then if approved and I feel happy with them, they go into production; making a mould, casting, polishing, setting, plating etc... it's a long process!

B: How would you describe your style?
LK: Oh Lord, here comes the tricky question… I like mixing things up, high street with designer. I guess my style varies on my mood and the seasons. Some days I'm more boho, while others I feel more punk chic, and sometimes quite minimalist. The only thing that doesn't vary is my jewellery. Considering that I have 5 different collections, I always find the right piece to wear to compliment my outfit.

B: What inspires you the most?
LK: Nature, feathers, animals, magic, people, fashion. My Flora collection was inspired by roses, as I love their mysterious, dark yet romantic feel. During my foundation year we had a project based on Memento Mori art and I also loved vanitas paintings so I combined them together and Skullmania was born. My daggers were inspired by the 'fabled sword of Damocles'. They have this edgy feel with a girly twist. Persepolis is very much about my background and culture. I'm Persian and was bought up in Iran so it's really about the architecture, heritage, history, and Old Persian dynasties.

B: What's the one piece of jewellery that you never take off?
LK: My LeiVanKash skull bracelet, dagger bracelet in yellow, the rose bracelet with the fuchsia cord and one of my evil eye bracelets are permanent residents on my right wrist. And of course my wedding band.

B: When you're not designing, what do you enjoy doing?
LK: Catching up with friends over lunch or coffee and a little bit of retail therapy, London's great for that!

B: Who are some of your favourite jewelry designers?
LK: I have great admiration for Sevan Bicakci's jewelry! His intricate work is absolutely magical.

To buy LeiVanKash head to Oxygen Boutique and Harvey Nichols at the end of the month. Or all jewellery is available online.

Text and interview by Soraya Bakhtiar

Ah temptation, the many forms she doth take. From glitter to gold, crystals and stones, many faceted materials catch my raven eyes yet none more so than the smooth touch of leather. This humble fabric, long under the hold of handbags has recently made a mainstream transition to ready-to-wear and more significantly jewellery.

A designer making waves among early-adopters in the craft, is Malaysian born Ching-Ching Ng, the founder of L.A.R.K jewellery. An emblematic designer, Ching uses pastel shades and geometric patterns to give faux-leather a new feminine- boho flair. With hand stitched lining, and meticulous attention to detail, the high quality design and antique- brass snap closures mix heritage in both design and her Navajo inspiration. Modern day pocahontas or 80's geek-chic, either way snapped up with a daytime outfit these cuffs and necklaces are an instant style hit.

Amber Atherton