Tuesday 28 December 2010

Shake up at VW...

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfield swapped swathes of quilted Chanel fabric for alloys, fog lights and tinted privacy glass to appear in the advert for the VW 'Style add on package for Golf and Polo cars.  Karl is being used as a synonym of style and class, appealing to that fashionista that will be driving those cars (not). Since when have alloys and 'privacy glass' do meant style. Stick to fashion Karl, it suits you best. You can watch the bizzare advert below...



The blogs are buzzing with the sound of Palermo...

Our favourite city girl, Olivia Palermo, has announced in Spanish Vogue that she is to launch her own clothing line, after successfully stamping her mark in the style stakes this past year.  Not only that, she will be using her highly anticipated reality tv show to launch it. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone. I wonder what Lauren Conrad will have to say about this, seeing as her show will be doing the exact same! The Hills vs. The City, let battle commence...


Monday 27 December 2010

A round up of 2010...

It's that awkward period between Christmas and New Year that is a little like no man's land. You lose track of days, morn for the Christmas that has just left us and watch as the snow begins to melt into slush (where I am anyway). So I decided to fill my day with thinking about the highlights of 2010, which was a good year for fashion.


January 2010 arrived with SJP taking on a creative role at Halston while we were thrilled over the highly anticipated SATC 2. February brought the sad passing of Lee Alexander McQueen, Versace brought the catwalk alive with a vibrant pop of colour at Milan fashion week and Burberry put their mark on the 21st century with their catwalk show coming alive in 3d.  March encouraged us to eat more and embrace curves while April was pretty quiet on the fashion front.  May entailed the release of the eagerly anticipated SATC 2 and what a shambles that was.  Carrie became annoyingly fixated on how comfortable marriage felt, bumped into Aiden in the middle of the desert and Liza Minelli sang Single Ladies.  Need I say much more? Lack lustre story lines accompanied a lack lustre wardrobe collection.  We had a new obsession at this point though. Enter Betty Draper. Mad Men fever hit and nipped in waists, full skirts and bright lipsticks trickled through high street at designer stores alike. June came with outrage from Urban Outfitters scandalous 'Eat Less' t-shirt. Had they not been watching Mad Men? Curves were back! Sunny July (for some!) brought a price hike for Chanel with prices rising by a gigantic 20%, making it even more out of my reach for now. August seen Kate and Sir Phillip Green go their separate ways and US Vogue announced it was trading midtown for downtown. September means fashion week and collections hit the runway.  Mulberry had pastels, D&G went sensual, Reem Acra used gold, VB had structure and Chloe went all grown up! October was the month where Karl Lagerfield fell victim to new style crush, Georgia May Jagger,snapping her up to be the face of Chanel Cruise SS11.  November brought hysteria and disappointment of Lanvin by H&M as mine and thousands more online attempts fail miserably as hardcore shoppers queued round blocks, up streets and roads for a slice of Lanvin. December came with a battering of snow and the announcement of a Royal Wedding here in England. with a certain Issa London dress feeling the earth move after the announcement of said engagement. Hilary Swank announced she was jumping on the actress turned designer bandwagon and miserable face Momsen was dropped by IMG.  What a busy little year 2010 has been...

Monday 20 December 2010

Little extra work...

I assume you're here to read my take on the fashion world. Or maybe you just stumbled upon my little old blog while perusing the internet.

And seeing as you are here, I thought I'd ask for a little favour (I've already asked in a previous post but shhhhh).

My boyfriend is in his final year of university, and we all know what a b*tch that can be. And he needs a little help with his final year project - so it would be absolutely delightful if you could just fill in this very short survey based around advertising, it would be absolutely wonderful (and I will wish Happy fashionable Christmasses upon all of you).



Saturday 18 December 2010

A Busy Week for Fashion...

Indeed it has been. Caroline Roitfeld hung up her designer boots at French Vogue, Karl Lagerfield flew to Berlin to star in the new Volkswagen advert, the new pretty Ugly Betty hit London,  Leighton Meester landed herself a major part of Missoni's Spring 11 campaign, Kelly Brook was spotted looking like she'd had an awful dose of botox and pre-fall collections were spilling out all over the place (see earlier post re pre fall collections).

A busy pre-Christmas jostle for the fashion world it seems.  Speaking of pre-Christmas jostle, what a day it has been. Snow started falling here around 6pm last night and it seemed it snowed all through the night. We woke up to devilishly pointed icicles hanging from the roof, a blanketed road and some serious chic yet weather savvy dressing required for frolicking in the snow.

After snow fun I spent hours upon end watching this video again (below) so I'm going to post it again. True Christmas. True New York (where I was a year ago today...how time flies!) and true romance captured within the space of 1 minute, 28 seconds...


Oh also, before you go. My boyfriend celebrated his 100th blog post here with a little questionnaire - part of his final year university project.  So if you could be a dear and complete it for him, that would make my life a little easier.  Do be a dear and fill this in...

Merry Christmas! 

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Burberry Pre-Fall...

Images from Burberry's Pre-Fall 2011-12 have been released today, yes it is only the winter of 2010 but fashion plans ahead. Some of the pieces are absolutely beautiful. I love the men's tangerine coloured mac, the black coat with velvet skirt detailing, the dark grey belted coat with fur detailling on the arms, cuffs and bottom and the green belted trench coat with applique detailling on the shoulders (all coats I note, so lets just say fall 2011-12 will be a good season for coats and jackets).


January Bares All...

We're used to seeing her as ultra glam Betty Draper, clad is full billowing skirts and pretty blouses.  But for the purpose of the Versace SS11 ad campaign, January Jones took it all off. The ad campaign features January, posing naked with carefully placed Versace products. Very sexy, alluring and classy at the same time. The photographs were shot in London by Royal engagement photographer Mario Testino...


Friday 10 December 2010

A Galliano Affair...

Dior reopened it's 57th Street flagship store, with some fabulous attendees. Karlie Kloss, Dree Hemmingway, Jamie Burke, Liv Tyler and Natalie Portman were among the chosen few who were invited to the oh so fashionable evening.  The two level boutique squeals with luxury with mirrored glass installations by Rob Wynne and stunning ceiling art by David Wiseman...


Wednesday 8 December 2010

Blake for Chanel?

Blake loves Chanel and it seems Karl Lagerfield loves Blake. The rumour mill is going into overdrive tonight as whispers flurry round about Blake Lively fronting the ad campaign for Chanel's Spring handbag collection.  We seen it coming didn't we.  Front row at the couture show in Paris, effortlessly elegant in Chanel at event after event and coying up to the man in black himself at the New York Chanel store reopening in New York. A mutual appreciation society it seem and a fashion team from heaven...if what we hear is true!

Chanel have declined to confirm rumours at the moment, but soon enough the Gossip Girl could join an endless roll-call of celeb ambassadors for the brand.  Watch this space...


Nice girls finish last...

Usually I talk about clothes, fashion news and the likes, but sometimes I need to rant. So here goes. I am sick to bloody death of being patronised/ignored/made to feel inadequate by everyone around me. I'm 22, and a nice person, so it seems that gives people the right to try and belittle me, ignore me or make me feel as though I'm a bit of a loser because I haven't lived as long as they have.  My problems are never as important as theirs because I'm only 22. I say things and people don't listen, so I continue my conversation to myself.

Then there's other people who continue to make me feel like I'm not good enough. No my life has not fell as perfectly and magical as yours, I've worked hard to be in the position I'm in, but oh, that's not good enough. My hard work goes unnoticed as does my niceness.  People find it so easy to take advantage of those who are nice. It's true as the saying goes nice girls finish last....

Rant over.

Friday 3 December 2010

A Tiffany Christmas...

A while ago I posted the Tiffany & Co advert which captured the true spirit of Tiffany & Co. and New York (two of my favourite things), then I stumbled across their Christmas advert. Nobody does romance like Tiffany. The video below captures the true essence of Christmas, the magnificence of New York City and the heart wrenching romance that girls dream of. Take a look for yourself...



Lovely LBD...

An LBD is a classic wardrobe staple that every girl needs - especially when it comes to the festive season. It acts as a kind of blank canvas, you can go OTT with sparkling jewelled accessories, add a flash of colour with shoes or keep things one colour and just bring in texture (think glitter, faux fur and suede). These are my favourite LBDs of the moment...


The first dress is the Camilla and Mark Hope ponte mini dress. It's classic shape, corset style top and lace overlay makes it red carpet. The Rachel Gilbert cut out Kamilla dress is party season perfect. It has that wow factor with the sculpted cut out back and peplum detailing. The texture gives it that extra oomph while allowing you to play with different textures accessory wise...

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Pretty Pretty...

I'm a sucker for a pretty dress. Anything with a nipped in waist, a full skirt and a pretty print and my heart skips a beat! You can imagine my joy when coming across these beauties...


The first Jason Wu 'Ohanzee Printed Faille' dress is the type of dress that although with its eye popping colour and sleeveless style it is transferrable throughout the seasons. Bare legs and pretty flats for summer and black tights and sky scraper heels for those colder months. The middle dress is a 'Red Valentino' number. With a ruffled drop waist and mixed floral print the dress is the perfect party dress. And finally my absolute favourite. The wool crepe Valentino mini is the perfect winter wardrobe essential. With beautiful sculptured neckline and long sleeves really makes it one of those go to dresses for those chilly days that require your fashionista to shine through.

No No No...

What was Leighton Meester thinking? Anyone who is anyone hit the red carpet last night for the IFP's Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards, some looked good and some looked so wrong. Enter Leighton Meester. She usually wins our hearts in pretty dresses but Leighton opted for something different, which wasn't her best move. Looking dishevelled, odd and a bit dirty she graced (I'm finding it hard to use that adjective based on the fact that no she did not look graceful) in a men's Thom Browne suit. Oh Leighton, what possessed you? Bring back the polished princess, Halloween is long gone!


Friday 26 November 2010

Confirmed...

January Jones will front the Versace SS11 campaign. Following in the footsteps of Hallie Berry, Madonna and Milla Jovovich the beauty will sizzle as face of the campaign with her milky skin and all American blonde bombshell hair. I wondered why Versace was her designer of choice as of late...


Tuesday 23 November 2010

Ice Queen...

She won our hearts as icy cold Betty; mother of two, wife of Don Draper, swishing around her country house kitchen in full skirts, bright lipstick and perfectly under curled hair. And it seems she may have impressed Donatella Versace too as rumour has it that January Jones has been asked to star in the fashion house's Spring 2011 campaign. The power of Mad Men hey. It's influenced our fashion since it hit screens, gave us thrilling story lines and gave us new girl crushses.  All hail Matthew Weiner.


Lanvin gone...

So I got up early after about 4/5 hours sleep, to get myself in on some Lanvin by H&M action. After successfully getting onto the website and dropping a couple of beautiful items into my basket. I hit check out to be faced with;

'Right now everyone wants to visit us and the shop is crowded. Don't miss out, please try again later'

Talk about frustrating!! I then tried to get on to the H&M site again to find everything was sold out. Aaaargh. I wonder why companies choose to sell things online.  Surely they can predict the demand (similar to the Take That / Ticketmaster fiasco a few weeks ago!) and ensure that their website has the capabilities to support the amount of visits. But nooooo. There I was happy as Larry for two seconds with my Lanvin in my basket and it was snatched away from me as quick as I got it. Damn you H&M. Next time stick to selling in store or ensure your website can handle the amount of people trying to access. Lanvin dreams dashed for now...


Monday 22 November 2010

Tumble weed worthy...

Apologies for the lack of posting lately. Life has been busy with job offers, celebrity sightings and Christmas shopping. But here I am, sharing my Christmas present with you.  After settling on a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag - a nice practical bit of arm candy for a small price, I was offered the Mulberry Alexa. So of course I bit my mum's hand off and in about 5 weeks time (or 32 days) the Grape coloured Alexa will be mine. Yay!


And in other news. Lanvin for H&M goes on sale in the UK tomorrow. Do I get up and attempt to access the website in a bid to own a piece of Lanvin for H&M for myself? Racked NY tweeted their way through Saturday morning with the details of queues, wristbands and shopper fury as the magnificent collection hit stores in the US.  It seems as though Lanvin by H&M is hot property...Obviously!


Then news came of Miss Olivia Palermo and her new TV show. Yay. With The City cancelled after season 2 and with Kell on Earth not returning I needed my fix of NY glamour pusses - yes Ms. Cutrone, that includes you! All hail the US reality TV dramas. 

And I couldn't not talk about that dress. Prince William finally popped the question to Kate Middleton and then they went public.  For their official press conference Kate Middleton wore a stunning blue sapphire coloured Issa London wrap dress, which sold out within 24 hours of Miss Middleton wearing it. Do we have a future fashion icon on our hands?

It has been revealed today too, that Anya Hindmarch is taking a place on the British Fashion Council - replacing Hilary Riva. Her role as Non-Executive Director starts immediately. 

Monday 15 November 2010

Love at first sight...

This Notte by Marchesa silk and chiffon gown makes my heart ache.


Available at net-a-porter

Friday 12 November 2010

Heaven sent...

Giant wings and a collection of the most beautiful girls you have ever seen scantily clad can only mean one thing. The Victoria's Secret show.  Providing the soundtrack was pop princess Katy Perry who also got in on the Victoria's Secret lingerie action. Rosie Huntington Whitely, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima and Lily Donaldson strutted down the glittering catwalk in glimmering low cut playsuits, tutus, wings trailing feathers and embellished corsets. The life of an angel...



December Belle..

Elle magazine have the beautiful Anne Hathaway on the cover of their December issue and my, does she look beautiful. The Brooklyn born actress who won our hearts first as Mia in The Princess Diaries then as Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada dazzles in a sparkly gold Balmain dress which has already graced the covers of 6 magazines but it screams festive season and she looks stunning in it....


X Factor Drama...

Zzzzzz. Hysteria surrounds the dead end 'talent' show after Cheryl decided not to vote last Saturday. I really don't understand the 'scandal', it went to majority vote as it would have even if Cheryl did vote. Obviously she was going to choose Katie and was just saving poor Treyc the embarassment.  Fair enough it is Cheryl's duty as a judge to vote but does nobody remember when Louis decided not to vote when two of his acts were in the bottom two?

The show has become a farce. Simon Cowell relentlessy talks about how the show projects new talent, but then he chooses to send a girl with a great voice home over a girl who can't sing and actually said 'you know what sod it' in the middle of her performance before sitting on the floor pleading the with judges.  I feel sorry for the likes of Matt, Rebecca and Paije who can actually sing and have to worry about going up against these mini divas each week who seem to have the country behind them. I'd rather Wagner won than Katie or Cher. The drama is boring girls. Try a singing lesson or two and come back in a couple of years, see how you get along then...

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Christmas Spirit...

It might be a little early, but who cares.  Christmas is my favourite time of year so when I came across this video for 'Christmas Tonight' by Daves Barnes and Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum starring Jennifer Love Hewitt I couldn't help posting it...



Merry Christmas!

Gwyneth Paltrow...

Wowed at the 'Country Song' premier last night in a Chado Ralph Rucci dress. The black cocktail dress was daring yet elegant, with mesh panelling that revealed glimpses of her tiny frame underneath. Teaming the dress with matching Lanvin mesh heels and smokey eyes, Gwyneth looked every inch the red carpet goddess...


Spotted...

She's our favourite high maintenance Gossip Girl, an ambassador for Herbal Essences and now Leighton Meester is the face of the new Vera Wang fragrance which was shot in NYC over the weekend. Personally, I couldn't think of a better person for the job. And after having a sneak peek at images from the ad campaign I know there isn't a better person for the job. Sultry and sexy, in a beautiful wine coloured gown with frou frou fishtail detailing, Leighton can be seen casually leaning and pouting on a balcony in Manhattan. Absolutely beautiful, I can't wait to see the final campaign...


Wednesday 3 November 2010

Pretty time...

I'm a sucker for anything girly; a pinched in waist, a full skirt, a peter pan collar and a little lace. Hence this blog post. While browsing one of my usual haunts, Net-a-Porter I came across these beauties...

From left to right; Preen Harness dress, Sandro Epine silk blouse and 3.1 Phillip Lim silk flower dress.


Although the first dress may be a little summery so would be best saving for warmer months the silk blouse is a perfect wardrobe go to for winter. Wear it with a chunky pleated skirt (Zara have a gorgeous mustardy coloured one) and winter accessories.  The 3.1 Phillip Lim dress is breathtaking. Delicate silk flowers and gorgeous pleat detailing on the skirt makes it party season worthy.  All available on net-a-porter...

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Just imagine...

Being 16 years old and having designers falling at your feet, dying to design dresses for you.  Well that's just normal for Lindsey Wixson. Donatella Versace made a beeline for the 16 year old model for the ad campaign for her upcoming Versace fragrance, Mulberry then called for her for a recent shoot and now Jason Wu has offered to make her dress for prom.  Oh to be a beautiful 16 year old model...


Lanvin for H&M...

Oh wow. I'm not usually fussed on designer/high street collaborations, sometimes they are quite tacky and predictable and nothing like the designers usual designs. But enter Lanvin for H&M.  Images of the whole collection were released today and some of the pieces got me all in a tizz already. They're beautiful and classy and perfect for the festive season. My favourites and on my hit-list so far; the bright yellow asymmetric dress, the stunning legs and heels t-shirt dress with beautiful neck detailing and the black and nude tulle layer dress amongst a couple of other bits and pieces of course...


You can see the new promotional video below too...

Thursday 28 October 2010

Halloween come early?

Spotted sulking at the Roxy Theatre in LA on Tuesday in fishnet stockings, a mesh 'dress' boots that resembled lethal weapons and a leather jacket that has seen better days, Little J obviously got her dates mixed up and thought it was Halloween fancy dress time already. Teaming her fancy dress outfit with some very insipid pinky red eye shadow and burgundy lips Momsem committed the ultimate fashion don't. 

What baffles me is how she's allowed to go out looking like this. She may be in a rock band but she's also someone that young girls look up to (for some unknown reason!) and here she is baring it all near enough.  FYI Tay Mom, being a 17 year old 'rocker' doesn't always mean you have to dress like a hooker infused Bride of Frankenstein. Cover it up Taylor, you never know it might even cheer you up...


Expensive calls...

Images of the world's most expensive iphone have been released. The $8 million phone is handmade from rose gold and is encrusted with approximately over 500 individual diamonds down the side. The phone also has the apple logo made out of 53 diamonds and the main navigation button is a 7.4 carat pink diamond. Surely the biggest waste of money ever? What's also baffling me, is the screen background. Why on earth is it an image of the Liver Buildings? How strange...


Lara Stone gets Delicious...

Everyone wants a bit of Lara Stone lately. While fronting campaigns for Calvin Klein cosmetics, Versus by Versace and Infusion D'Iris by Prada Ms Stone/Mrs Walliams is also now the face of DKNY's Delicious. Talk about busy bee...


Tuesday 26 October 2010

Must have item of the month;

I spotted this gorgeous Manoush dress while shopping over the weekend, and I need it. It's the perfect party season dress with a nipped in waist, full skirt and plenty of sparkle. 


To fill in the gaps...

I must apologise for the lack of posting lately, but I have been sulking (see 'Who'd have ever thought' post below for reasons why). But now I'm back, and I'm going to fill in the gaping hole I left in my poor little blog.  So what's happened since I left...

Amy Winehouse has teamed up with Fred Perry for a line (no pun intended) that she designed herself. Although bits of the collection look okay, I wouldn't buy them based on how they look on her in the ad campaigns. I do not and never wish to look like Amy Winehouse whether she is healthy or not. So this will be an avoid at all costs for me.

Next up: Stefano Gabbana apparently has no idea who Stella McCartney is! In a twitter conversation with a friend, Stefano Gabbana let slip that he doesn't know who the minimalistic designer is.  The conversation (in less than 140 characters each time) went like this;


"Fabio Viscovo - I LOVE Stella McCartney!
Stefano Gabbana - who ??????
Fabio Viscovo - ahahaha! You don’t like Stella McCartney?!
Stefano Gabbana - Who ????? The daughter of the singer ?????"


I doubt Mr Gabbana meant to make sure a public statement but if one half of D&G doesn't know who you are, your career may not be as wonderful as you thought it was.

From D&G to Gucci and an absolutely beautiful ad campaign - featuring Jennifer Lopez and her two adorable twins, Max and Emme. Shot in Malibu by Marcus Pigott, the ads show Jennifer on the beach while her twins enjoyed playtime in the sand - clad in the new Gucci children's wear range of course.  Hitting stores on 20th November, the campaign coincides with Universal Children's Day - how apt, and Gucci have even donated a million dollars to Unicef to help bring education to disadvantage children in third world countries. How lovely!


Now to Hermes and LVMH.  The world leader in luxury goods, LVMH now has a 17 percent share of it's rival high fashion house, Hermes. In a statement released, LVMH stated that their intention was to merely be a long-term shareholder and contribute to the preservation of the family and French attributes which made Hermes the luxury brand it is today.


And finally, Katy Perry and Russell Brand tied the knot this weekend at an elaborate venue in India.  We know she wore an Ellie Saab gown but which one? We wait with baited breath for the Hello! magazine. who had an exclusive deal with the couple to see who had more makeup on, Russell or Katie?  My bets are with Russell...

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Mad Men Season 4...*Spoiler Alert*

Wow. The finale episode was absolutely fantastic, possibly the best Mad Men episode ever. I gasped as Don popped the question to Megan not Faye, wanted to applaud Peggy as she pulled in a new client, tell Don I was happy to see him happy and secretly felt sorry for Betty even though she has been a bit of a bitch. It rounded up a lot of story lines while leaving us guessing for season 5.  Will Don and Megan last? What will happen to Betty? How long will Joan's baby news stay secret? And what will Roger say?

Then it was the clothes, Janie Bryant you genius! Peggy was certainly a front runner in the fashion stakes this season.  Her peter pan collared dresses, ladylike coats and nipped in waists marked the change in her character - she even has a mutual understanding with Don now and vice versa! Joan was classically Joan, all hourglass silhouettes and pencil pun hairstyles. And then there was new comer Megan who was all full skirts and pretty paterns. What more could you want? Roll on Season 5 I say...


Monday 18 October 2010

A week without...

A week without my Gossip Girl fix is just too hard. So while I was watching good old Series One (Victor Victrola, series 1 episode 7) I came across the pictures of Blake Lively at The Scream TV Awards which were held in Los Angeles over the weekend. I don't think she could have looked any better. From her swooping floor length Lanvin gown ,which hit every AW10 trend - chunky embellishment, tan detailing and a daring thigh high split, to her burnt orange eye shadow and understated hair.  She looked absolutely perfect and shown the world exactly why Anna Wintour chose her to cover Vogue twice in one year. Oh Blake, we love you...


Kodak meets...

A whole host of celebs, who's the new addition? Rihanna of course! Their latest ad campaign for 'So Kodak', the new camera which allows you to share pictures with friends straight from your camera. Rihanna is the latest celeb to be added to the list, snapping pictures from front row at a fashion show.  The ad campaign also sees Trey Songz sharing pictures of a stunning NYC view with Drake capturing pictures of himself at the Radio City Music Hall. Have a look for yourself...


Who'd have thought?

That going to university could turn out to be a big fat waste of time? When I left school at aged 17, university was the way to go for me - I was under the impression that every potential job would be interested in my degree  and my university experience. But this no longer seems the case.  After graduating in July this year I am still being turned away from umpteen jobs because I'm 'lacking experience' - although I've studied PR, advertising and journalism, organised my own fashion show, interned as a Fashion PR intern and got experience as an event assistant. I can't help thinking that if I'd have come out of school/6th form at 17 and got myself into something fashion/media/PR related I'd be well on my way to where I want to be now, instead of constantly scouring the internet for jobs to be told my experience is just not good enough.

I've faced rejection so many times that I'm now on the verge of looking into starting my own Events/PR company (I've designed my email signature this morning and everything. Obviously the most important part!) But who'd have ever thought that you'd be at a disadvantage with a degree and experience?


Friday 15 October 2010

Style Crush...

My last was Rachel Bilson who well and truly wowed at Paris Fashion Week. But this week it has got to be Keira Knightley and that beautiful new haircut of hers. At the premier of her new film, Never Let Me Go, Keira looked glorious in a beaded nude Chanel dress and chic newly cut bob. Her style is so elegant and classic and it never too 'on trend', which I love...


The magic that is...

Tiffany & Co. And this video captures it all. The classic, luxurious elegance of Tiffany & Co. is portrayed alongside the magnificence of New York City. From jewels coloured childhood carousels to shots of my favourite place in New York City - the point on 5th Avenue where the giant stone buildings glitter into a scattering of trees and greenery. Then shots of yellow taxis, images of a doting father and two adorably dressed little girls and a breakfast at Tiffany's moment. Capturing the true romance of Tiffany's and New York City, an iconic pairing and an iconic video to match. Fall in love yourself...



Wednesday 13 October 2010

Bad move Karl...

I ranted a couple of months ago when I had to see Georgia May Jagger promoting Rimmel on my television every couple of hours. But now Chanel? Surely not. You can imagine my annoyance as I contentedly flick through my glossy magazines to find her fronting the ad campaign alongside Baptiste Giabiconi for Chanel Cruise SS11. Come on Karl, there are hundreds - even millions of beautiful girls out there who could have done the campaign much more justice (and complimented Mr Giabiconi better).  The perks of daddy being a millionaire hey...

 

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Almost good enough to eat...

First it was OPI and a Shrek themed collection of nail varnishes, then it was Nails Inc and Diet Coke who decided to get together and now it's Nails Inc and Cadbury.  The two companies have combined their resources to create two new delicious limited edition nail varnishes.  Vanilla and Cocoa Bliss, which really do look good enough to eat, will be available tomorrow from Sainsbury's (yes you read that correctly) and Nails Inc bars for a limited time only.  Talk about resourceful, you can now get your chocolate and nail varnish fix in one go...


Goodbye Columbia...*Spoiler Alert*

It's Tuesday, which means it's Gossip Girl time. The first four episodes were amazing, I even found myself thinking 'yes, it's well and truly back' as I watched Blair and Serena wander through the streets of Paris, shopping bags galore, to the sounds of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream. It can only get better I thought, once they're back in New York, it will be as perfect as series one and two. And it continued to be ok, I even shed a couple of tears here and there, but last night's episode was poor. Very poor. This Juliet character baffles me.  With her dress sense of a 45 year old she stalks the halls of Columbia not actually doing anything other than being a bitch, and I honestly find it quite boring. She's getting on my nerves, skulking around, discussing her plot to 'take Serena down' in front of all sorts of people! Come on now, bring it to a close, ship her off and lets get it back on track. Things were going well until she was brought in, I'd even welcome back little Jenny in place of her (which is set to happen in the next couple of weeks). The clothes have been fantastic, the love hate relationship between Chuck and Blair has been fantastic, as has will they won't they with Dan and Serena and of course the magnificent shots of New York City have been out of this world. This minor detail (aka Katie Cassidy as Juliet) just needs fixing and then it could continue to be a great series.

Next weeks episode has the potential to just so, Chuck and Blair together again? Yes!!


Monday 11 October 2010

Welcome to the world of e-commerce...

And we finally welcome Zara to our online world. After all this time of refreshing the Topshop site day after day we can finally shop at Zara from the comfort of our very own laptops - wherever they may be. Zara are a clear winner for winter wardrobe essentials, with knitted dresses and blazers, wool skirts and delicious winter cardigans and jumpers.  They're the type of clothes that make you wish for the cold weather to hurry up and arrive...


A Victoria's Secret shake up...

While Gisele hangs up her wings and focuses her attention on her other ventures, Adriana Lima has been chosen to model this years Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra. The bra, named Bombshell, will feature 2,000 diamonds set in a starburst design and is worth $3 million. Now that is what you call expensive lingerie...

Friday 8 October 2010

Beautiful...

The magnificent Diane von Furstenberg has announced that she is to launch a beauty line later this year. Yay! Our favourite designer of German descent will kick things off by releasing a fragrance in Autumn, followed by cosmetics and skin care later on in the year. No announcements have been made regarding who will be the face of the cosmetics line just yet but rumours are buzzing around already - could it be former employees Whitney Port or Olivia Palermo?  I love a good designer and cosmetic collaboration...


Thursday 7 October 2010

Louis Vuitton...

Fringed flapper dresses played amongst kimono style dresses as models gracefully glided down the runway while  glittered toggle tie waistcoats and sheer Louis Vuitton logo embellished mesh skirts and spare glitter knit dresses with thigh high splits made their dĂ©but in the collection. It was camp, sparkly and magical and seemed more like a winter collection than summer - but hey who am I to judge? Each piece as beautiful as the last, with a very kimono girl meets sexy with mandarin collar style jackets and high waisted hotpants, plunging v necklines, sheer backless tops and daring splits. With an array of prints, embellishments and details including a sequin pandas face on oversized blouse, zebra striped dresses, giraffes printed on the back of white silk trousers, the collection wowed.  It had a magical, circus buzz about it - even down to the red velvet curtains and stuffed tigers. Amen Marc Jacobs, you have truly stunned with this collection which broken down into separate pieces would be easy to wear for even the most demure girls...


Miu Miu...

Flashback glamour was the underlying concept of Miu Miu's SS11 collection.  Full of satin dresses, silver and gold embroidered jackets and shapes that took spectators back to the 70's, 80's and 90's. Satin dresses came in black, yellow, electric blue, red and silver while some were printed with swans or snakes.  Then there were the  oversized flower printed blouses were worn with knee length ruffle appliquĂ© black satin skirt. There were some pieces that were oh so 80's, the bomber jacket with jagged appliquĂ© star for example, but then there were pieces that were so elegant - the black neck cut out detail dress for example. The collection was big on embellishment, whether it was a print, appliquĂ© detailing or beaded bobbled that dropped from skirts and dress necklines. Similar to the Prada collection (of course!) there were not one pair of trousers to be seen and all hemlines stayed around the knee area, in a bid to showcase some amazing neon heels! Not as SS as I expected but a great collection...


Wednesday 6 October 2010

Full of scares...

Halloween for some means trick or treat, duck apple and a good old scary movie. But for others, it is just an excuse to dress up like a hooker for the night. And lingerie brands help them do this so well. Designers behind Victoria's Secret's 'Sexy Little Fantasies' collection which has just hit stores and the website have not only made this dress up and reveal too much skin okay, they have made it good.  You know girls all over the world will be eyeing up the items from the 'Sexy Little Fantasies' collection, which was probably intended to stay inside the bedroom, and making the oh so difficult decision between 'Sexy Little Airhostess', 'Sexy Little Senorita' or 'Sexy Little Sailor'.  Now I do not begrudge fancy dress, infact I quite enjoy it (when I have a good idea that is!) but I do not get this? Listen up girls, Halloween does not mean bare it all...


Paul and Joe...

Talk about colour pop! With a '70's summer' feeling, the SS11 collection debuted bringing to life the catwalks after previous collections kept to nude palettes.  Starting with a bright orange, high neck, belted jumpsuit, the collection kept with a 70's feeling theme with floral tea towel pattern blouses with white bootcut trousers then a mysterious metallic orange floral print suit. From here the collection became contemporary - a gorgeous Henri Bendel style blouse with yellow shorts lead into a plunging v neck yellow wrap dress and red and white striped flirty dresses. The collection maintained simple shapes, asymmetric body concious tops tucked into printed trousers, skinny white trousers and tailored shorts. To bring the collection to a close, the pieces moved into pastel floral prints in the shape of chiffon maxi skirts and dresses.  It was summer in the city at it's best with imaginative prints and easy, wearable shapes. A good collection, and a good cover of colour...


Saddle Up...

As his last collection for the design house, Jean Paul Gaultier went out with a bang for the Hermes SS11 collection.  With a very country and western feel, the collection was adaptable and strong, moving from camel and black hues to pops of colour with orange.  Boleros, jodhpurs tucked into riding boots, whips and high topped hats fluidly moved into leather short suits, magnificently structured waistcoat which crossed with an X on the front over bare skin, thick leather corsets and a trademark Hermes orange leather panelled jersey dress. The collection was very bondage meets horse rider, if you like, but was full of strong structure and defined shaped.  As the show rode out to a close, model Karlie Kross reappeared in a black chiffon waistcoat which floated behind her as she made her way down the catwalk.  Then came Gaultier's muse for the past 30 years, Farida Khelfa, closed the show to mark the significant ending of an era for the designer and the fashion house...

 

Very Valentino...

In keeping with the chiffon theme, Valentino ensured that pretty stayed cool and is a key trend for SS11. Beautiful sheer chiffon dresses in nude, pink, black, white and obviously one stand out gown in Valentino red that fell in vertical pleats to the floor. Tiny floral embellishments were a key appliquĂ© detail, cut away backs, shots of coral and neon pink and minuscule black hotpoants were perfect additions to the generally prim and proper nude palette. Typical Valentino shapes but with demure shapes, stiff collars and ruffle detail gave the collection texture and depth.


Grown up Chloe...

Pleated chiffon is not new to Paris Fashion Week, and not one to be left out, creative director Hannah MacGibbon ensured Chloe's SS11 collection was fully involved in this trend. It was minimalistic meets romance with smooth waves of billowing pleated chiffon skirts and ballerina like wrap tops, bandage style wrapped white dresses that screamed pretty purity. Gorgeous camel coloured leather cropped tank tops met swishing chiffon skirts while beige trousers with an elasticated waist were pared with the simplest of thin polar neck tops. Neutral colours flooded onto the white runway; white, camel, beige, khaki, and tinges of brown.  Then there was the occasional black jacket and super slim trousers or skirts.

I liked the simplicity of the collection and how while maintaining this it was pretty and fresh.  Injected with romance in the shape of the wrap over tops, bows, gatherings of chiffon and backless flats Hannah Macgibbon ensured the Chloe collection will be top of the hitlist for everyone's SS11 wardrobe...


Tuesday 5 October 2010

YSL...

Modern, glamorous, fun and classically YSL. The collection began with a simple yet effective white mac complete with black neck bow tie and slicked back hair - minimal. And it set the tone for what was to follow. Silk jumpsuits with cutaway sides, chiffon blouses, sleeveless trench dresses and marabou jackets with cut out backs. Sleek lines, simple shapes but classic feeling. The jumpsuit was clearly a key piece for Pilati, and they came in a number of different forms. And it was a similar story with the dresses. Halterneck dresses with bits cut out, high neck 'polar neck' like dresses with cuttings. Sheer blouses and classic straight leg trousers, belted fur skirts and coats and a gorgeous high neck jump suit to finish alongside another ingeniously cut dress.  A classic SS11 from YSL...


The legend that is...

Chanel. At it's usual space in the Grand Palais, the Chanel show was breath taking.  Not that anybody expected anything else - it is Chanel afterall. The entire ground floor space of the Grand Palais had been transformed into a black and white garden maze with paths that entwined around three delicate fountains, which an endless stream of models walked to the orchestral sounds of songs by Oasis, The Verve and Florence and the Machine. But the setting was just the start of it.  As the three mile front row (yes I said three miles!) looked on, strikingly beautiful, extravagant pieces trickled out piece by piece, beautiful model by beautiful model. Yellow tinged tweed suits and fine silk dresses gracefully glided amongst moth eaten signature tweed suits, stiff white skirts, feathered baby blue tweed dresses and Ines de la Fressange set the gothic tone for next summer in a floor length black chiffon gown (to a huge applause!).

Lagerfield had opted for a not too summery colour palette and had gone for cream, perfectly pale blues and pinks and white that worked perfectly alongside the strong gothic black tulle and feather gowns, black gauze shift dresses and navy bouclĂ© jackets and adds texture and intrigue to a summer collection.  From the baby that opened the show with his dad in a miniature Chanel jacket to the black gothic essence of SS11 the show    was by far the strongest and most breathtaking collection I've seen for SS11.  This was more than just a fashion show, this will go down in fashion history...


Monday 4 October 2010

Paris Fashion Week; Style Crush...

Rachel Bilson. Front row at Dior and sporting a oh so girly silky pink number from their SS10. Beautiful...