Friday 30 July 2010

A Mile in Her Shoes...

August 14th sees the beginning of Copenhagen Fashion Week, and they are looking to break some records. The event will see the painful 5,000ft+ runway unveiled. It's shaping up to be quite a week in Copenhagen with 220 models walking the horrendously long runway in more than 500 Scandinavian brands.

I for one could not think of anything worse that trawling a mile long runway in 5inch+ heels. It could be a very long week...

Lara Stone to sue Playboy...

The new Mrs. Walliams is taking legal action against the French Playboy magazine after they published unauthorised photographs of her in the June edition. Stone claimed that Playboy is not the type of magazine she would ever consider appearing in and said that legal action is being taken to protect her reputation.

Wednesday 28 July 2010

D&G play ball...

Well not really. The fashion house have signed a three year deal with Chelsea Football Club to design their formal wear and directors lounge at Stamford Bridge. The three piece suit in dark blue will be completed with a blue poplin shirt and a blue jacquard tie. The players will then also receive lovely D&G 'off duty looks' in the shape of a blue poplin shirt, jeans and calfskin pumps. And it doesn't stop there. The duo must have been feeling very generous as the coach and male and female execs will also receive suits and office accessories such as briefcases and tie pins. It must have been time for Armani to move on...

Speaking about their collaboration with the footballing world, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said; Football players are style icons both on and off the pitch, and, on top of this there is our love of England and of London which has always been a source of inspiration for our work.


Tuesday 27 July 2010

Playful for McCartney...

The ad campaigns for her Fall 09 collection were filled with Disney cartoons and her Fall 10 campaigns seem to be following suit. Her Fall 10 campaign features Natalia Vodianova stood against a plain canvas draped McCartney with doodled balloon letters, top hats and cartoon body parts on Stella McCartney's logo. Plain but playful. McCartney said that she wanted to show the key collection pieces and contrast them humor and a human touch in the treatment in sense of her logo. I like.


Port Eliot Festival...

You hear the word festival and instantly think of checked shirts, short denim shorts and florals. Completed with aviators, wellington boots and some form of satchel right? 99% of the time you would be right. But the Port Eliot Festival could not be any further away from this. The Port Eliot Festival which takes place in none other that Port Eliot in Cornwall is a literary festival, so scratch the cool bands and think Pulitzer Prize winning writers. Doesn't compare to standing knee deep in mud at 'Glasto' while watching your 'favourite' band? Let me change your mind...

This year, the likes of Anna Sui, milliner Stephen Jones and none other than Luella Bartley, will be attending the festival. Anna Sui will be there to do an event with Andrew Bolton from MOMA, Stephen Jones will be on hand along with Vogue's Sarah Mower to run a special floral hat trimming master class and believe it or not Luella Bartley will be in the Fashion Tent making one of a kind creations for festival goers! Now that's my kind of festival.

What's best is that there's a range of accommodation choices from the surrounding hotels, standard 'pitch your own tent camping', gypsy bow top caravans and tipis and yurts. A classy affair with no port-a-loo in sight!

Thursday 22 July 2010

Mad Men Season 4...

It's back!! Sunday sees the premier of Mad Men season 4 in America, but the stars of our favourite 60's inspired all turned out for the official premier at Hollywood's Mann's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday. The show couldn't have ended any better - we were left with the picturesque scene of Don, Roger, Peggy, Peter and saviour Joan cooped up in a hotel room resurrecting what was left of Sterling Cooper.

There's no doubt that season 4 will not leave fans disappointed, after all we're now in the position of pitying Don after Betty left him for another man. The once pretty, trapped housewife has now become unlikeable. Who'd have thought it? We seen Peggy become business woman extraordinaire with Don claiming he'd never stop trying to hire her and the return of office saviour Joan. Sterling Cooper would be no more without Joan to run her tight ship.

The sharp suits, daytime drinking, Polly dog, dark secluded bars, pretty undercurls and full dresses are well and truly back and the cast looked just as happy to be back...

Gossip Girl Gone Bad...

As much as I disliked her in GG I really do wish Taylor Momsen would pack this singing malarkey aka writing on the floor in suspenders and looking from under her eyes - and stick with acting.

The Pretty Reckless's video for Miss Nothing sees our once wannabe Queen Bee of the Met Steps crawling across a dining table barely clothed in stockings and a vest whilst glowering at us from under her heavily black made up eyes. What's so shocking is that the girl is only 16!! Risqué does not necessarily mean good. Put it away, get off the floor and remove some of that black eye make-up and then I'll think about watching one of your music videos.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Chanel goes up...

As if they weren't expensive enough! But reports out today claim Chanel have increased the price of their bags by 20%. For those who money is no object it isn't that much of an issue, but it's a big deal for those of us who would consider investing in a classic to last us years. Rather than saving a somewhat reasonable £1,600 (it is Chanel afterall!) for a classic 2.55 it will now cost a staggering £2,045 - which is a giant leap away from the original price. Chanel have put it down to the need to keep the brand luxurious and maintain it's difference from the high street - which is kind of understandable.

Is it just a method of creating that 'I can't have so I want so much more' frame of mind? Or is there ever going to be a 'too much' when it comes to the likes of Chanel?


Wednesday 7 July 2010

Chanel Haute Couture...

With a gigantic gold lion, clutching a giant pearl, placed in the middle of the Grand Palais the Chanel show began. Models emerged in dresses, coats, skirts and jackets that created beautiful silhouettes, in luxurious jewel tones, tweed and lace. Lots of cropped jackets with full sleeves, and mink trims completing the luxurious look and sleek dresses that finished just above the knee creating beautiful lines. There were some oh so Chanel pieces, like the lace midnight blue dresses and soft powder blue floral embellished dress but some that were a little un-Chanel like in my opinion. Overall the collection is iconic. Wonderfully designed pieces with intricate embroidery that gleamed with military elegance.

Gossip Girl Meets Chanel, in more ways than one...

Known for its label loving girls, Chanel is certainly not a new addition to Gossip Girl. After all, what is a Gossip Girl without a Chanel packed wardrobe? But it seems that season four could be a little more involved with Chanel, but this time in the shape of Mr Lagerfield himself. The cast of Gossip Girl have been shooting in Paris for season four, which is to be aired in September this year, and paparazzi captured Blake Lively stepping out of The Ritz hotel with Karl Lagerfield. Could this be his small screen cameo?


Blake Lively and fellow co-star Leighton Meester were also spotted front row at the Chanel show yesterday!

Monday 5 July 2010

Back to Basics...

The ott show productions were abandoned and the showing of the collection was more of a demure, sleek presentation. Pure simplicity at its best. With 10 dresses and 10 models, Givenchy debuted their Fall Haute Couture collection. Speaking of his creative outlook for the collection, Riccardo Tisci said; “I want to make couture even more special than it is, and not just another catwalk show.” And that was certainly a success. The collection featured lots of neutral shades, sleek silhouettes, lace, tailored jackets and fringe. The simplicity of the presentation, models and makeup ensured the couture was the centre of all attention. No gimmicks, strutting or over the top productions. Just Givenchy and haute couture...

Dior in Full Bloom...

Haute Couture has truly blossomed. Dior's Haute Couture collection hit the runway in Paris today and it was blooming wonderful. Vivid, romantic visions turned somewhat contemporary. Tulle, chiffon and mohair in bold explosions of lilac, turquoise, yellow and electric blue. Petal covered bodices, tulip shaped skirts, silk day dresses, upturned hairdos that resembled bouquets and masses of fabric that ensured the collection was as pretty as the most beautiful garden palette. A beautiful, tropical garden extravagance and creativity...

Darling Dahlia...

Tucked away in Fouberts Place in London lies a darling little shop called Dahlia, delicately packed with fabulous fabrics, contemporary yet classic cuts and bespoke detailing. The store is every girly girls playground. Dresses that are prim and playful, vintage looking jewels and more florals and lace than you could ever dream of. A beautiful shop with wonderful wardrobe staples...