Fashion Foibles

HAPPY MAY DAY

2011-05-02T16:16:00.001+01:00

Happy May Day! Be it coincidence or not, today's fashion thoughts have been occupied by floral headbands. Maybe it's because I spent yesterday enjoying a spot of urban gardening (that makes it sound far more adventurous than the reality: purchasing geraniums and such at Columbia Road flower market and then popping them in a pot, Charlie Dimmock, eat your heart out.) Or maybe it's because lurking somewhere in the hazy sunshiney confines of my mind on this (greatly appreciated) Bank Holiday May Day Monday is the thought of Maypole dancing - for which a blossoming headband is essential, right? I think, at least.... Can't say I've ever seen a Maypole in action (and very unlikely to find one in Dalston today...) so big thanks to the Big G Google for it's plentiful Maypole information.

As well as flowered head-pieces being recently featured in Emmanuelle Alt's debut edition of Vogue Paris, the image of The Wicker Man's cult seventies styling has been at the forefront of my ideas for working summer's soft-focus bohemian look, and my yearning for one of Piers Atkinson's herbaceous headpieces shows no sign of abating. Piers, call me. So, whilst it's super fun to make your own daisy chain, it's likely that you won't have the free time to spend on creating a fashion item that expires faster than a pair of Primark tights. Fotunately there's plenty on the market out there for the lazy but oh-so-haute hippy. My faves? Urban Outfitters, ASOS and Topshop'll do it.

LIVING IN A BOX

2011-03-15T21:45:00.000Z

There are plenty of Fashion Week moments, trends and moods swirling in my head, all so ready to escape that they‘d come out of my ears if I let them. I’ll compile a rundown of my new favourite things very soon, so stay alert. But even before I ventured into the all consuming style vaccum that is Fashion Week, I had all things box-related on my mind. Obviously, there’s no escaping the new London club phenom, The Box. I almost feel like I'd rather not go and avoid disappointment. Then there’s my new pink Miu Miu shoe box that although has pride of place in my shoe mountain, it cannot be opened, for inside are sandals, and now is not the time for such daringly open footwear. So all I do is look at the box and count the hour… And then, there’s the boxy tee. Not boxing tees, that sounds like far too energetically sports-luxe for me to partake in. No, I’m talking t-shirts with structure; unfitted, oversized and somewhat rigid. I’ve had this inkling that it’s a shape of the future. And in the same way that we’d never have accepted peg-leg trousers straight away, these silhouettes always start somewhere - even if it’s one (or two) steps removed - and then slowly but surely seep into our fashion pschye. Luxe t-shirts are an integral part of the current season: working as a clever buffer to evening wear as day wear, which has become one of this season‘s most noticeable styling shifts (mostly thanks Raf Simons' high/low vision for Jil Sander). So of course, my ears pricked up whilst at London Fashion Week’s autumn/winter’11 shows when cocktail gown queen, Roksanda Illincic, assembled a molten silver satin bias cut maxi with an oversized tee - realised in what looked like stiff grey tailoring felt. Unexpected, right? Take it back a year and this skirt would’ve surely have been a full gown or paired with an equally silky, dressy blouse. But, wait, I actually remember boxy tees from seasons past. And after a little catwalk investigatory wok (go go gadget arms), I noticed that the box-tee has in fact been a bit of a slow burner on what’s a usually fast-to-ignite runway. This is my favourite type of trend. The ones you don’t jump on straight away, the ones that other people easily overlook, the ones that make you look fresh without anyone really knowing why. And when in the midst of a very different fashion movement in which individual style has become less about mega-snap-em-up-trends and more about a beautiful progression (whether minimalist or maximalist) these are the kind of tricks I’ll be turning out.

A LITTLE BIT IRONIC

2011-02-23T20:59:00.000Z

Isn't it funny how a fur stole can become one of the most coveted items of Spring/Summer? Proves the power of Miuccia Prada once again! Will we still be sweating away in them come July? I'll do it if you will.
P.S. SO happy this now comes in a faux fur version.

Rihanna in S&M video.
Shala Monroque ('mazing blog, click it)
Great Anna Dello Russo via Jak & Jil.

GRAZIA - THE BIG FASHION ISSUE

2011-02-20T17:47:00.000Z

In honour of London Fashion Week, Grazia's BIG FASHION ISSUE is OUT! (Well it's been on the newstands since Tues, but I've been too busy to post this and if you've got your head screwed on, you'll have your issue already anyway, riiiiight?) It's packed with A-MA-ZING fashion shoots, shopping specials, news and features like this one that I so lovingly put together. A gazillion emails, phonecalls, sweat (and some tears when the hard drive crashed with all the images lost - SUPERSIZE EEKS for 24 hours until they were retrieved), plus many early mornings later (thank you ladies for letting me into your homes and wardrobes at such ungodly hours...) and the result is this. Five of the fash pack's leading style arbiters unveiling their fashion week wardrobes. Buying Director extraordinaire, Holli Rogers of Net-A-Porter (who has officially made the whole office raging with Theysken's Theory jealousy!!), along with up and coming model Tali Lennox (yes, she is the daughter of the one and only Annie and signed to mega agency Next Models), beautiful and brilliantly bonkers blogger, stylist and creative whizz Gala Gonzalez of Am-Lul's closet, Grazia's very own gawgeous Shopping Editor, Sophie Ferguson Jones, and the super talented PR Sara Byworth of Relative MO, revealed their must-haves, styling tricks and all-time favourite pieces to me. These be-a-utiful photographs were taken by Phill Taylor around Londontown and boy, did he do a good job, or WHAT? Enjoy and be sure to check the latest LFW Grazia goings-on at Graziadaily.co.uk

TAKE A PICTURE, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

2011-02-06T18:27:00.000Z

Self portraiture is having a fashion moment. Yes, it must be flattering to be requested your portrait. I wouldn’t know. * BIG time hints*. But, seriously, who needs someone else? Surely you can make yourself look your absolute best (unless you’re the riddled-with-self-loathing artistic type, then the self portrait is more cathartic or, perhaps, punishing). I doubt that the Lookbook.nu generation (if they aren’t taking the photos oh-so-flatteringly of themselves - from above, hazy vintage colour processing, etc…) haven't been stumbled upon by roving street style photographers who just happened to notice them strolling around in minus three degrees in their latest purchase - a casual pneumonia-encouraging chiffon maxi dress. No, the self portrait can be a calculated style statement and no more so than right now, where spring fashion editorials and campaigns are capitalising on our narcissistic nature. Ironic when you take a second to think about the general public’s self confessed state during these early months of the year - talk about feeling sluggish!

Throughout history, portraits - whether self-obsessed or not - have acted as an indication of wealth, status, sexual allure, intelligence etc. In fact, the very instant mirrors were invented, the self portrait was born. The self portrait isn’t as honestly representative as a mirror, but a projected desire instead. Oh, we’re a self-adoring bunch (just think of the vain people who photoshop their Facebook pics!) - fashion industry or not. I’ve long been fascinated by fashion photographers who include themselves within their work (Terry Richardson springs to mind!) - are these really self portraits masquerading as a fashion image of a model?

In 2006, Elle Muliarchyk became the first ‘guerilla model’, targeting the most elite stores, only to try on clothes for the purpose of capturing shots of herself in the changing room - and beautifully executed they are, when one considers the restrictions of time, space and the obvious lack of a photo-shoot crew! Another model, Israel based Yulia Gorodinski, has also built her career on her, um, how do you say, less clothing-orientated self portaits. Look her up. Then two years ago, Topshop created a fashion photo booth, where regular girls could dress up and take pictures of themselves. A success? But of course! (It was indeed called the Helmut Newton photo machine - in homage to the photographer’s previous project with French Vogue in 1972). It’s a trend that just keeps growing, and more recently, you’ll notice that the camera itself featured as an integral part of composition - with shoots relying on the models to take the pictures themselves with cable release shutters. Ladies in control? That's what I like to hear. “You will decide when to stop, the entire responsibility is with you,” Newton said to the volunteer models on entering the original booth. After all, who knows your best side better than you? Here you'll see Julia Restoin Roitfeld shooting herself in Tom Ford's greatly anticipated first collection - for her interview with the designer in V Magazine. Another noteworthy mention must go to Singles Korea Feb 2011 issue, with a shoot simply titled - Self Portrait. (!)

MAXI/SLASH/MINI

2011-01-09T21:50:00.000Z

*Insert living under rock joke here* and state obvious fact that maxi-length hemlines (whether skirts, trousers or dresses) are going nowhere for spring. You know already that throughout 2010 skirts dropped to greater extents than the hippy skirts confused wardrobes spurt out each summer. The midi has been radically lifted from fashion-famine-frumpstown, to an award winning style status where every girl and their dog keep American Apparel’s double chiffon versions close at hand for those special midi-moments (I’m not exempt from this.) And if they you aren’t swishing around in one them this very minute, it’s only a matter of time. Those skirts are too damn versatile to ignore. For this coming spring/summer season ball gowns have been taken from the night and into the day with a simple slinging on of a casual knit or crisp white t-shirt. And even body con still clings onto a place in this world with jersey tubes stretching down to tickle one’s ankles. But don’t be fooled by all this maximising, because super-minis will not be easily beaten by their counterparts with extra bolts of fabrics. Micro minis will soon be bursting back onto the scene in their teeny-weeny droves - and most commonly in the form of the skater.

So it looks likes two tribes will be going to war and for those of us who aren’t inclined to choose just one camp then take this side for inspiration instead - the side split. Yes, there’s still some *MAJOR* leg toning to do before I can even consider trying such a raunchy silhouette, but there’s no avoiding it‘s arrival on the catwalks. It brings out your inner sex goddess (conjuring up the image of Marilyn and Jane in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) even if you didn‘t know you had one. You certainly can’t walk around like a hunched old bag of spanners and spuds in a split hem - instant va-va-voom-age and wiggle will happen. Snaaap! And before you think it’s the side-split prerequisite to be a super starlet with many a red carpet to walk, please think again. Whilst Angelina Jolie types will rely on such a style for movie premieres, these dresses shouldn’t be restricted to after-dark schedules. Choose a split frock with a covered up, longer sleeved top like Elie Saab, Valentino or Louis Vuitton or a layered sheer version like the stunning black gown Ines de la Fressange so elegantly modelled at Chanel - and you’re onto a very special summers day look. I’ve selected some of the more casual options in my collage above. Maybe, if you are feeling bold, you could even give one a whirl with hosiery or OTK socks to flash just a teasing slice of thigh. Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself thinking about ultimate BBQ attire, but this, would surely skewer the competition!

Fruit print dress, Stella McCartney
Peach gown, Elie Saab
Red frill front maxi, Valentino

FRILL SEEKER

2011-01-09T17:51:00.000Z

Super flamenco frills + lace up ankles boots + hoop earrings = a strong spring look courtesy of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' record cover. Ta Donna.

BEAU BANGLES

2011-01-07T16:13:00.000Z

Yes, it’s a total ball ache to wear bangles in the winter. Coat sleeves are never roomy enough to accommodate thus leaving you with a limited blood supply. Quite a problem. And bracelets never look great over knitwear either.Even more of a problem. Oh, the tribulations of following the latest trends! See Prada’s fantastic Resort collection and in one swoop you’ll drop your earrings, necklaces and headbands, bag some bangles and maybe even shed the cold weather layers for the pure satisfaction of freely jangling these beauties around. Plastic are the most fantastic, in bold primary shades or acid brights and I’ll be searching for vintage Bakelite versions on eBay too. For inspiration, who else but British writer Nancy Cunard could demonstrate so masterfully how to virtually disable yourself from normal functioning by piling ‘em up to your armpits. Seriously though, who needs to work through their January blues anyway? Bangles will make the world a far happier place!

Images:
Rihanna wearing African bangles
Nancy Cunard
Ashley Smith modelling Prada’s Resort 2011 collection.

2011-01-03T17:18:00.002Z

Follow my blog with bloglovin

ORIENT EXPRESS

2011-01-03T16:55:00.001Z

WAYHEY! I HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION! Out of 2010’s dark age and into the cable-hooked-up bright lights of 2011. Regular blogging can recommence.

Safe for a few ski stories and cold-weather-friendly trends I can really sink my teeth into spring/summer’s fast approaching trends right now. The Grazia fashion team are gearing up for a very exciting season. It’s almost here and every retailer from Topshop to Net-A-Porter are ringing in the new year with their own outline predictions of the hottest soon-to-be trends. There are, of course, a truck load that I want to share with you, but lets take one trend at a time…

Well over six months ago - before the shows - I had an inkling that an oriental influence would sprinkle the spring catwalks. During a vintage shopping spree in Brighton my usual attraction to brown skirt suits subsided and I was lured in to stroke rails of silky floral kimonos, demure mandarin collared dresses and embroidered satin jackets in jewel colours. Still not accustomed to my iPhone camera, I took some truly rubbish pictures (of which I won’t share) and just a few months later, lo and behold!, mega designers like Marc Jacobs were plunging the luxuriously indulgent Orient for inspiration too. Chinese and Japanese inspired fashions haven’t been popular in quite some time (I’m pretty sure I had a fake *cheap* Cheongsam in the mid nineties that has looked naff ever since) but with a major 1970s YSL glamour-streak running through most major collections (and Monsieur did make the Orient rather popular during that decade), this hit of style opium feels just right for a decadent backlash against all the camel, simple and classic things that have ruled the fashion roost this past year. (Can I do a secret yippee please? Camel will never suit my yellowy skin tone!)

Top of my shopping list?

Vintage kimono from a specialist market stall holder in Camden Passage (wish I knew the name of the place, sorry)
Wooden heeled chunky wedges (Japanese inspired but I’ll need a pair that are easier to walk in. No one likes a shuffling fashion girl)
A big flower to slip into my hair for nights out (think Bianca Jagger)
Winter Kate kimono jacket (these have been mega sellers for the likes of My-Wardrobe.com over the past year already!)

Images L-R:
Vintage YSL Opium advert
Karlie Kloss modelling Louis Vuitton S/S’11
Red Chinese brocade
Sigred Agren modelling Louis Vuitton S/S’11
Vintage picture of a Cheongsam
Full length and close up of a market stall holder at Vintage At Goodwood festival - for which I did a Grazia Style Hunter special with photographer Phill Taylor.

TEST SHOOT: NAVARINO

2011-01-03T15:31:00.000Z

Perhaps the only decent thing to have come out of living in a hell hole on Navarino Road (thank goodness I now have moved!) was the amazing afternoon light....

Photographer: Phill Taylor

Styling: Hannah Almassi

Hair: Josh Goodwin

Makeup: Nancy Sumner

Model: Danielle Copperman at Select

LOVE-LY TO BE BACK

2010-09-26T18:37:00.000+01:00

Oh, it’s been too long hasn’t it? What with two house moves, multiple work trips, a work schedule to not be reckoned with, lots of fun in between and a rather unfair dismissal of my laptop (well, the current household doesn’t even have that modern thing - an internet connection) it’s been tricky to keep up this blogging lark. BIG respect to those daily bloggers out there, I truly don’t know how you do it and do it so well.

So my head is all muddled and kerfuffled. I’m still very much at the beginning of autumn/winter ‘10 for my Grazia pages, but with a constant stream of emails about Xmas gifts and my immediate concentration on the catwalk shows for spring/summer ‘11. I’ve personally launched into tights and knitwear mode, but can’t wait to try out next summer’s seventies sunray pleat dresses and ultra brights too. The confusion! The psychotic wardrobe choices! So I thought I’d reboot with a focus on what’s inspiring me in the present, irrelevant of the season. And first up - Chloé’s feel good commerical for the new fragrance Love. Featuring (the ever gorgeous) Raquel Zimmerman being all bouncy, skippy and fabulous in her camel flares (the most coveted trousers of the season, no?) it has a total ring of Revlon’s retro Charlie Girl about it. The iconic print ads and commericials from the 1970s of Charlie perfume’s business-gal-with-equal-rights-in-the-workplace/has a gorgeous-beau-and-probably-great-cooking-skills-too has been referenced in almost every fashion magazine recently. It’s all about skipping through the city in a three piece suit, blow out curls and a pussy bow blouse (I‘m trying it, but you definitely need a little extra height to carry off high waisted flares. Note to self: aim for minimal tube travelling - flares get all caught up at rush hour!). Parisian fashion house Chloé first launched an eponymous perfume in the 1970s under the helm of Karl Lagerfeld. It’s strange to think that once upon a time the concept of buying or creating a designer perfume was so radically new and different. For more perfume related facts it’d be a darn good idea to check out the exhibition, The Perfume Diaries, curated by expert perfumer Roja Dove at Harrods. Fragrance is obviously having a moment (it is recession proof after all) and so I’m re-evaluating which spritz will get me through the winter. I’ve been a Gucci ‘Gucci’ girl since that launched with a more Donna Summer '70s vibe a few years ago…

If you haven’t seen Chloé’s latest ad, check it out here and contrast and compare with some retro commericials below.

1979 Shelley Hack wearing Charlie. Hannah MacGibbon recently wore a white blouse with a black neck tie so incredibly similar to Shelley’s. I think it’s certainly a trend to keep a look out for - Urban Outfitters have a great version by Pins and Needles.

1973 Charlie ad:

TEEN ANGST

2010-06-08T21:30:00.000+01:00

On an whim, I decided to see a couple of live band’s at my friends ultra cool work events space in Spitalfields last week (on a school night no less!), I never expected to find anything more inspirational than the usual Shoreditch-y crowd. WOW, was I wrong. A band called Teenagers In Tokyo rocked up (four gorgeous beer swigging girls and one rather beard-savvy young gent of a drum player) and I fell in love. The lead singer Samantha Lim was mesmerising. It was the first time in my life I’ve ever felt like I actually wanted to be someone else so badly, that I could’ve just followed her around all evening, left my home, job and life behind to dedicate myself my future to being her not-so-cool-but-unshakeable shadow. And I could’ve punched myself in the head for not having a camera on me. Sorry. So I had to find out more. She was like a gorgeous Asian version of a dreamy Donna Summer, but with a bowl haircut to rival Karen O’s and a fierce scream that could give Skin a run for her money too. Wearing an white asymmetric Halston-like dress with super high platform mary-janes and a gold Mawi necklace, Samantha made it feel more like Studio 54. The 1970s (my favourite fashion epoch) are set to be the decade of inspiration for next Autumn/Winter’s collections and I cannot wait to see these looks develop on the street and in to the stores. I will keep you posted and be trying out some of my own seventies looks very soon…

Check out their vid for Peter Pan here:

MEET MARLIES

2010-06-07T21:54:00.000+01:00

Marlies Dekkers - remember that name. I first was introduced to Dutch fashion designer Marlies Dekkers’ work during one of my ever press events as an intern at Grazia, back in ye olden days. Her speciality - superbly sexy, directional yet perfectly manufactured lingerie- tickled my fancy from the off. I’m a sucker for really statement underwear, so all these years later, I’m pleased to see that Dekkers is getting stronger and stronger by the season and that my taste in undies is now so popularly shared amongst such stylish greats at Gaga, Rihanna, Dita and Carrie Bradshaw. They’ve all been decked out in Dekkers recently - there’s at least one email a day from Marlies' PR department regarding a new celebrity wearer. The most popular pieces appear to be the bras with the extra straps that hit just above the cups from Marlies’ Undressed collection - they’re a sure fire route to subtly mastering the underwear as outerwear trend when teamed under a vest or dress. And they don’t half make you look great. Be sure to check out her website here.

I WISH TODAY COULD BE....

2010-05-08T18:53:00.000+01:00

... but instead, the rain won't cease. And Victoria Park's canal is reminiscent of a scene out of impoverished East London circa Oliver. Oh for the sun to return and life to be a John Singer Sargent painting.

THEDA'S THEATRICS

2010-05-08T18:02:00.000+01:00

Theda Bara, American silent film actress from the turn of last century. Where words are unaccounted for, how better to express oneself than through the wonderful medium of, yes, you know it well, fashion. And what Bara may had to have lacked in sound, she made up for in accessorising. (Is it just me or is there a very Olsen feel about the dark eyes glaring out of a decorative head dress?) As one of the screen’s first ever sex symbols with an intimidating penchant for barely there costumes and a tendency to play the most fatale of femmes, it was inevitable that the role of Cleopatra would be one of Theda’s best loved characters. Her piled on accessories and little more than a transparent dress (the likes of which were later banned in 1930s Hollywood films) made me think about this season’s abundance of sheer, soft and sensual fabrics and how to wear them without looking like you’ve stepped out in your nightie or rolled around in so many layers of tulle that you‘d be better suited to a tween pageant than a catwalk. With lashings and lashings of jewellery, a dashing head-dress or two and plenty of dramatic vampy makeup (Theda’s nickname was ‘The Vamp’) there’s no way you can look like you’ve just dragged yourself out of bed to grab a pint of milk from yer local corner-shop. Well, unless you had a really fantastically liberated time the night before and hadn’t quite got around to changing yet….

IN THE RED

2010-05-03T20:07:00.000+01:00

If you paid attention to one of my previous posts regarding the ever-so-trendy London Fields and my rebellious red on red combination of blood red top and fire-truck COS pants (rather than the usual denim hotpanted and leather jackted get up), then this next idea will make sense. (And if you didn’t, wise up and read it here fool (said in Mr T voice)).

I’ve always worn a lot of red. There was a phase where orange prevailed (2005), but now red and all of it’s vibrant yet contradictory connotations - (is it aggression or passion? Love or hate?) - is back on my fashion agenda. Whilst researching I found not only the red on red trouser suit that reignited my interest in the fiery hue a year ago (it’s Bottega Veneta Resort 2010 - the one Penelope Cruz so bravely wore against a red carpet and styled with a red top too) but images of everyone from Santa to Elvis to Sarah Palin to Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby firecrackered their way out of the internet. And for each of them (except Elvis, soz) the red suit, whether skirt or trouser always creates a fierce, memorable and assertive sartorial choice. Hell, even Spiderman agrees with me. No one wearing a red trouser suit will be walked over. Simple as it sounds, putting bright red separates together is more complex than sexily slinking into a scarlet red cocktail dress (mathemagicians stop laughing). We all know a perfectly fitting but refined and un-slutty red frock can do wonders for even the shyest and most super-glued of wall flowers. But The Little Red Suit, (yes, that naturally will now be abbreviated to LRS despite sounding like a tax consultancy firm)… opens you to more fashion forward stylings - you can combine varying shades or go for a stunning block on block approach, a la Penelope or Janice Dickinson as pictured. And with head to toe red you can even match accessories - I can’t imagine any other colour that you could apply this rule too… Lime green pant suit and heels? Um, no thanks.

Images left to right:
Dior advert
Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby
Paul Robert’s painting The Red Suit
Guy Bourdin advert for Charles Jourdan
Janice Dickinson
Penelope Cruz

ONE'S NOT THE LONLIEST NUMBER

2010-04-24T17:23:00.000+01:00

I realise this is an incredibly random post. But bear with me. This is after all, what Foibles is essentially here for - the strange thoughts that crop up in between all of the ideas, trends and news stories that I cover at work….

After muchly enjoying the latest edition of Citizen K (no, I don’t read or speak French particularly well, but it doesn‘t hinder the pleasure I experience when carefully leafing through the pages) I couldn’t help but notice that the cover shot, by Grégory Derkenne, with a model wearing an out-of-this-world Alaia dress (see, I’m hooked on a first glance) with decadant joyarie des Dior, has been instructed to sneakily hoik up her dress up to reveal one breast and that a few pages further through the magazine, you’ll find a major resemblance in the pose and drape of the Allégorie de Charité statue (minus the Alaia, obvs a shame, but unfortunately Alaia wasn‘t around in the 18th Century). The thought train then choo chooed it’s way along, and I remembered how the allure of just revealing one breast and one breast only is a trick that many an artist or photographer employs to create striking, sexual, without getting into a realm of tackiness and TMI - a topic so feverishly debated right now- and mostly regarding Terry Richardson. Both boobies exposed is more likely to reference closely to our ever-growing glamour model culture - I very much doubt that you’ll ever find Page 3 of The Sun feature just the one boob, especially if the girl is of ample boob-age. It’d be a waste, right?

The master of creating images of scorchingly subversive sexiness, Helmut Newton, sprang to mind. Naturally. The one boob concept runs throughout his much of his work, whether it’s the snap of Madonna ferociously atop a bar prodding the mouth of a punter with a cane, or the series of images you’ll find where the model at first has her LBD firmly in its rightful place, only to be followed by another image where the strap is pulled down and a perky little booby is out in the open. At the moment when Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, 1446, emerges from the sea as a fully grown woman, her sexuality is only further enhanced by the fact that she coyly covers one breast. There aren’t many guys out there who like a girl shrouded in much more mystery than a pair of hotpants, I know, (imagine the outrage at the idea of a Page 3 girl with only one breast showing!!), but creative eyes out there acknowledge that holding a little something back only further intrigues the eye of the viewer. I’m kind of over all of the full nudes that fashion magazines are repetitively putting out there (for media attention?); Lara Stone with one breast out, would surely beat seeing the usual pic of her with both on show, don’t you think? And how stupidly genius was that Janet Jackson moment on the superbowl?

THE ALICE EFFECT

2010-04-18T19:27:00.000+01:00

I have spent this gloriously sunny Sunday in what is now known as Fashion Fields. It’s London Fields park in East London - sounds nice, huh? - but it’s so achingly cool that you’ll be more likely to find a catwalk fash-off than a hungover and relaxed group of friends mooching around. General mooching around the park should be enjoyable and not try-hard. But not in the Fashion Fields. Oh no. Chic and effortless, this place is not. It’s the Bermuda triangle of uber-coolness - sucking everyone from E2, E8 and E9 into it’s epicentre (not the actual centre of the park, no one sits there unless they are a total lame-o, a cool person must sit nearer the pubs) and thus, everyone gets squished into a tiny patch of fairly dried out and fag-butted grass only to bend, and flex, and twist, and vogue and strike a pose whilst trying to pretend to A.) have lots of equally edgy friends and that B.) they are enjoying a relaxed and chilled out day in the sun after a banging night last night. Or C.) showing off their barbequing skills. Very funny to watch. And most definitely not very chilled.

Whilst trying my best to not blatantly point and stare at the three amazing Lady Gaga-alikes sat nonchalantly together , ’Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on’ (how long must it take that household to get ready in the morning?), all I could concentrate on was the humorous irony that some people who live and breathe the Shoreditch/Hackney/Bethnal G life all think they are different and that their dress sense (being second to none ’n’ all) sets them apart from the rest - but what may set them apart from the straight trend-copying high street shoppers or sleek kittens of the West for example, doesn’t actually set them apart from each other. And so Fashion Fields coolness is a bit, like the grass, drained and dry, resulting in a major bore off (exception for the Lady Gaga girls). So what’s the common look? Tis the bovver booted Alice Dellal thing - it’s claws are still firmly gripped into fashion’s front line (most people at Fash Fields do work in fashion) - albeit a more feminine version with a few florals thrown in and softer pastel fabrics too. It was last summer that I actually first spotted Alice herself in Fashion Fields, wearing, I think, that outfit above, at a time when no one else was so slavishly doing the look. It’s intriguing to know that an incubation period of one year has created this Alice-effect and so strange considering that the gorgeous Dellal hasn’t really been in the spotlight for the past six months. It’s not that I don’t like the look, I do, or that all these girls look bad, because they don’t, it’s simply that girls like Alice who have the attitude and authenticity to support the aesthetic look natutrally awesome and therefore show up the rest of the followers. So if I see one more style-sheep wearing uncomfortably tight high-waisted denim shorts (cut-off Levi’s, rolled up a little bit so that an ample amount of butt can poke out) with black tights (ladders optional, maybe a good trans-seasonal styling idea for spring), big black chunky boots (wedge, buckle, platform and MUST BE BLACK) and a crop top thinking that they are the new-generation of fashion forwardness, then I’m either turning into a frumpy and grumpy old grandma (ssshhh yourselves) - or the scruffy punk-fashionista idea is O.V.E.R and NOT different (let us decide on the latter purlease!). After all, the 80s rock groupie look has been violently kicking itself around (around the head?) for about two years now - isn’t it time we gave it a well deserved rest?

* Just in case you were wondering what I was wearing, it was not denim based, black or included having my hair piled up in high top bun, I instead felt inspired by Bottega’s all red suit (the one Penelope Cruz wore a couple of months back) and opted for bright red wide leg trousers from COS, a clashing red top, Margaret Howell trench coat, some tan and gold accessories and that my friends, was that.

WRAP YOUR LOVING ARMS AROUND ME

2010-04-16T19:18:00.000+01:00

Could upper arms possibly the new erogenous zone? Well, spring has sprung after all, and one’s pasty limbs need a little TLC and exposing after months of hibernation, and if you don’t have bingo wings to knock small children of pavements when hailing a taxi, then yes. I still stick by my guns (geddit? - guns?) that the sexiest bit of flesh you can flash right now c’est les ankles, but after love of my life Chloe Sevigny sported some scrunched down long leather gloves this week with a tank jumpsuit (tout Yves Saint Laurent - lucky lady) it reminded me of the everlasting and enduring elegance that comes with wearing long gloves. And so upper arms are now officially in second position for my sexiest slice of skin to reveal chart. Here are a few of my favourite long glove moments. And just so that I can get these off my chest before I giggle to myself any more like a total loser, puns can and will follow…NOW. Gloved up, I’m in glove, no glove no love (HA!), blog gloving, it must be glove, glove will tear us apart. ENOUGH already! ENOUGH!

From ze left to ze right:
Lady Gaga wearing Gloved Up puff sleeve gloves
Lanvin A/W’09
Chloe Sevigny in YSL
Marilyn Monroe - so damn sex-u-al, 1955, shot by Gene Lester
Keira Knightley on the cover of Interview magazine, Dec 07/Jan 08
Elsa Perretti as Helmut Newton’s ‘Bunnygirl’ 1975

JAMIE, CHER & ANJELICA

2010-04-14T22:58:00.000+01:00

There’s been much talk of late regarding fashion models and how the faceless and nameless --anovas of the 1990’s are thankfully creating a wee bit o’ space for girls who are different - and less blah and more hurrah! Recognising a model is one of those strange but true fashion topics, where if you are good at it, instant respect comes from other industry folk. I say kudos and big congrats to those peeps who can tell their Olgas from, well, their Olgas. But there are some fine specimens who look so different to the rest, that even the biggest bozo can put a name to a face (um, that‘ll be me then). Jamie Bochert par example… her dramatically masculine features have created great debate amongst my fashion team and divided opinions, and there has been much more talk has been of Jamie than many others, because one can't fail to notice her. Like her look or loathe it, the wonderful thing about American born Bochert, is that she‘s instantly recognisable - without being over exposed. I LOVE HER. And I adore the S/S’10 Lanvin campaign shots (despite not being able to really see her slender jaw and sunken cheekbones in action) by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin (more of those pics below peeps). But whilst trawling through images of the lady in question, I suddenly noticed how while she may not bear resemblance to any other current models, there’s a striking similarity (but more mannish and sculptural) between her and two of my favourite ladeez in the whole vide vorld eeever: Anjelica Huston and Cher. Maybe they don’t technically look the same - it’s just that along with the long raven hair, dark, gothic eyes and moody ‘don’t even think about coming near me, pal’ glare, they’ve all got this ultra cool vibe in common. An ultra cool vibe that a lot of girls - model or not - can only dream of!

RUNNING RINGS AROUND STYLE

2010-04-12T21:20:00.000+01:00

Because no one will ever wear round glasses quite like her, or have the innate style sense to mix Masai tribal necklaces with Parisian Haute Couture in the same mad, liberated and wonderful way I so admire and adore. And because I think about Iris Apfel on most days, I thought I'd post a few of my favourite shots of her wearing her signature specs. Shouldn't ever go to Specsavers, eh?

BEING A CEL-WEB-RITY

2010-04-12T21:01:00.000+01:00

Pelayo of Kate Loves Me blogging phenomenon got me thinking. No, sillies, not in that way. Although yes, he is incredibly scorchio (just check out his blog aqui). I spotted him, as I blearily walked out of H&M Regent St - discontent because I found NOTHING to buy and have a voucher burning a ferociously bright hole in my purse - after a full day’s worth of pounding the pavements doing Style Hunter. Ooh achy feet, yesiree. I looked a mess, I looked like a tired, dishevelled, big fat mess and I think he looked at me like he knew that I was a total tired mess and predicted that maybe I looked like that 24/7. (Yes, we had eye contact and yes, he was right to think I am suffering from trans-seasonal dressing disorder). Mentioning said story on my arrival back to home sweet home (with still rien de rien to wear for my Friday night out) everyone made a ‘who?’ kind of uninterested grumble and carried on drinking. And their reaction sparked a train of thought, the cogs in my brain reluctantly started clunking into place and I realised that as I know who this guy is, what he looks likes, what he writes about, how he looks even as cute with blue eyebrows, that this sighting was important to me, but as for the rest of H&M’s customers - would it be? And that’s not in a patronising sense, it’s just that if the webosphere hasn’t taken a hold of your computer and you haven’t become blog-savvy enough to know your Tavi from your Terry, it’s like a whole other host of celebrity comprised of supposedly ‘normal’ people that maybe, even if you don’t know about it, are all around you. With even the most major online status, there'll probably be no walking of red carpets or doorstep papping. As famous as someone may be on the internet (unless a major You Tube hit!), it’s rare that they become a recognisable figure and so, the general public will still not know/care who the dickens they are. But, this is nice. This makes it something special and separate and selective. To be honest though, this post is just a gratuitous pic showing of Pelayo and to also send out that word that I’m not always a tired fugly mess, mmmOK?

TEST SHOOT: ABI FOX

2010-04-11T20:19:00.000+01:00

Photographer: Phill Taylor
Stylist: Hannah Almassi
Makeup: Nancy Sumner
Hair: Marcia Lee
Model: Abi Fox @ Models 1

THE SUN'S BEST RAY

2010-04-06T23:55:00.002+01:00

Ray-Bans: still as cool today as the day the company was founded in 1937 by Bausch & Lomb. It’s almost hard to believe that once upon a time sunglasses didn’t have a cool-factor. They were a purely functional item - shading the sun from eyes of pilots or when the industrially booming west first offered rail transport to more than the richest of the rich, it was a cunning way to hide one's glare from other passengers (lord knows who you might get plonked next too! Some things never change do they?). As a method of shielding one's eyes not from the sun, but from other people, really resonates with the current way sunglasses are now worn and used as props too (not always necessary, are they?) and it goes far to explaining how functional sunnies became a fast track to looking insouciant and detached - and therefore deadly bloody cool. What’s NOT cool, may I add, is wearing sunglasses at night. I don’t think there’s anything more annoying than this. Nothing. Not even when girls leave the sticky labels on the soles of their shoes. Eugh, I feel irritated just thinking of those two things together - it’s what nightmares are made of! My main point though, apart from never leave sticky labels on shoes and take your sunglasses off when the sun goes down, is that Ray-Ban is a by word for summertime fashion cred. You can perhaps forgive a guy for dodgy beach sandals (it’s a tricksy thing to master with all those Velcro Jesus styles on offer) but crappy sunglasses? There’s no excuse! A classic Wayfarer or aviator will forever be a safe (but never dull) eyewear choice. For me though, I always feel a little mannish in my Club Masters, they look way cooler on someone like Chloe Sevigny or folks with slightly less chub-ster visages than yours truly. This old advert from Ray-Ban covers two of this season’s biggest eyewear trends - cat eye & super round. If I were a cute little 1950s headscarf-ed housewife on her way to a family beach holiday (terry towling and conical swimsuit in check) then I’d most definitely give the Marchés a try. My rich pilot husband could buy a matching pair of aviators, of course!

ARE DRESSES DEAD?

2010-04-04T20:06:00.002+01:00

Are dresses dead?

With an ever growing army of different trousers shapes storming into stores, even I, a one time completely devoted dress wearer has found myself slipping into pants on a more than regular basis. Each time I peek into my closet to fathom the day’s outfit, trousers are seamlessly replacing the spaces on empty hangers left by the dejected dresses I’ve packed away. And I’ve been putting them into storage faster than you can say ‘a pair of gabardine flares’. The frocks that have fought successfully to remain my wardrobe err on serious and are a million miles away from my former life as a cutesy dress addict. Boy, was I a sucker for a vintage floral print, or a frilly frock - or for anything unashamedly bright, indulgent and unavoidably feminine. You wouldn’t have caught me anywhere near a palazzo or tux pant a few years ago, because dresses were (and still are) a very easy one-stop way to looking good. Think about how simple it is to pop a little tea dress on - an accessory or two later and kazaam! your outfit is magically complete. But times have been a-changing - jumpsuits are in, tailored pegs are in, printed harems are in, wide legs are in. All of the above are preferential to any dress you could offer me (except a grey marl draped dress from Donna Karan - THAT I will gladly accept). And it’s not just about following the catwalk. My turning point was in the discovery that whilst jeans may still be an absolute nightmare on the thighs, trousers, if you put the effort into finding a perfect fit, can be an incredibly flattering option - more so than I previously gave them credit for. Maybe it’s because once upon a time one never had so many trouser options so widely available (say at Topshop for example, the only style you’d find a few years ago would be those dodgy poly-cotton black wide legs that were the usual fare of unimaginative office girls te- the kind of trousers that bobble in the middle and gape at the butt and give you static shocks, you know?) but then I tried on a paper bag pair of wide legs from Vivienne Westwood, a black crepe tie-up harem pant from Zara and a vintage pair of navy high waisted grandma trousers (that once rolled up are given a whole new lease of 2010 life) to find that they actually made my legs look skinnier than any dress. Would you ruddy believe it?!

Putting aside my own reasons for *hallelujah* becoming a born again trouser worshipper, there are proclamations from fashion commentators of the dresses coming death occurring on a daily basis. There will, of course, forever be suitable times and placesfor dresses - a red carpet full of girls wearing carrot leg pants is unlikely. And there are some parties that would be incomplete without a fluffy prom dress or two. And for girls with fantastic pins, I doubt that a mini will ever be far out of reach. But it’s safe to say that right now, dresses feel exhausted - wrap, sack, shift, asymmetric, tiered, ruffled, gathered, ruched, bodycon, tunics- we‘ve seen them all designed and re-jigged around in all manner of ways, with all the fancy icing and detailing a designer could muster over the past few years, that the only silhouette retaining an elusive cool-factor - if your not wearing trousers - is the maxi. Not the peasant maxi lounging in your wardrobe, wishing for a heat wave - it’s more of a slim tube maxi that cuts just about the ankles (tis all about showing your shoes off, not hiding a pair of scary Birkenstocks under there - see Hermes SS10) or more dramatic swooping hems lengths full of bolts and bolts of luxurious fabric (see Aquascutum AW10). Other dresses possesing a semblance of currency for this year, in my opinion, are figure skimming shifts and stiff A-lines realised in simple colours and fabrics. The thought of anything with more detail than an exposed zip feels OTT (maybe that’s part of the reason why Victoria Beckham’s elegant sheaths are still selling so incredibly well)

The new, quiet, luxurious, simplistic minimalism, as spearheaded by comeback queen Phoebe Philo at Celine, has prevailed as the strongest thing to come out of the AW10 catwalks (there was a hint of it for spring/summer, but it is grappling alongside the more flamboyant trends too), and so what should technically become fashionable in six months time, has already forged it’s place as being so, so, so right for now instead. It’s about women ending their foray with clothes that feature everything bar the kitchen sink - and that are instantly indicative of transient fads. There’s been a visual overload in the stores of late - and no other item has been so decorated, and therefore culpable of this fashion overdose, than the dress! (May I just reiterate, that never ever thought I’d turn my back on them. And to the ones now folded in suitcases, I‘m sorry.)

Out of the ten latest girl’s I’ve spotted on the street for Grazia’s Style Hunter (check it out daily, here) there’s only one wearing a dress. And it’s not just my own selection creating this statistic - in the past six months I’ve noticed this to be the biggest shift in girls’ style that I’ve seen for years. And where micro trends may come and go relatively easily, I honestly thought that getting to grips with trousers and separates again would be slightly tricky and a slower process. To my surprise they’ve been fully embraced, and not just by the most fashion forward girls either; I recall a colleague scoffing at the fashion team for wearing harem pants a year ago. And now, lo and behold, she’s bought a pair of her very own - and she looks fabulous in them. Trust me, if we can persuade her out of a dress, the trouser possibilities really are endless.

TEST SHOOT: LONG HOT SUMMER

2010-04-03T22:35:00.000+01:00

This picture was taken almost three years ago. I can remember it was the most beautiful sunny Sunday, quietly spent doing an impromptu photo-shoot on the grounds of an impressive private boys school in Nottingham. This was when the high waisted skinny jean was coming back into fashion (even Primark did a pair that summer), and the 1950s style buttoned up cardigan, along with pearls and high waisted kicks were complemented by model Kelly’s retro long bob. Looking at the photo again makes me long for summer. It still feels so very far away.
Photography: Phill Taylor
Styling: Hannah Almassi

J-LO: SPRING'S UNEXPECTED STYLE ICON

2010-04-03T20:55:00.000+01:00

I’ve been doing a lot of obsessing over J-Lo recently. Don’t laugh. I can hear you. Ask any one of my colleagues and they’ll have had their ears chewed off about ghetto this and gold hoops that and how despite J-Lo’s look a decade ago (the feisty Jenny From Da Block days) was totally and utterly wrong at the time, now it feels right. And whilst you may contest my belief that she’s a talented actress - have you seen how convincing she is in The Wedding Planner? - what you can be convinced by however (I hope), are the parallels that can be drawn between J-Lo’s signature looks from the past and current fashion trends. Her gold hoops for example - perfect for this season’s return to earrings. I’ve recently worn my gold hoops more than a chav at an Elizabeth Duke free jewellery convention. Then there’s her red and cream striped crop top, from like, 1999... those stripes are suspiciously similar to Alexander Wang’s sporty striped knit from his S/S’10 collection and truth is, crop tops are still hot (no matter how many people can’t/shouldn’t wear them). Do you see it yet? The relevance of the big bootaaayyeed Jennifer doesn’t end there my friends - everything denim was her thing, and everything this spring/summer can be seen rendered in denim. Even pants. And look at how well she wears lilac - not an easy colour to pull off in a cool way - but when combined with metallics a la Lopez, it can work. Raunchy combat separates were also a fave - one look at J-Lo‘s khaki shorts and you’ll see the undeniable resemblance they bear to Balmain’s £1,100 pair on NET-A-PORTER right now. And let us not forget the high heeled Manolo Blahnik Timberland ‘Okla’ boots that she made famous - there’s an army of sandy leather or tough canvas lace up heeled boots storming the catwalks and high street that share a likeness to Jennifer’s (Giuseppe Zanotti’s military green ones were particularly popular during fashion week). So there you have it, J Lo can officially take up her role as fashion forecaster. If she wants to. But if I could choose, I think I’d prefer her to spend her time filming Maid in Manhattan - The Sequel.

On a side note - please check out the way Jennifer Lopez poses for every red carpet event. It’s almost as extreme and distracting as Victoria Beckham.

INTRODUCING... THE WONDER GIRLS!

2010-03-23T23:04:00.001Z

Strange obsession of the week… it’s South Korean girl group The Wonder Girls! They are possibly the cutest little things I’ve seen. EVER. Better than woodland critters. And after noticing photos of them crop up at Anna Sui's show during NYFW, and witnessing their style progress from cheesy-kitsch into something more individual and fashion forward (albeit with a pop-tastic edge), I have high hopes that Sun, Yenny, Lim, Yubin and Sohee will hit the big time outside of Korea. Their latest single ‘Nobody’ is pure unadulterated pop, and although I would highly recommend checking out their (frankly bizarre) video here, it's probably best to just watch one video only... you wouldn’t want to revisit your ten year old self, screaming and singing along to Spice World: The Movie. But even if you don’t admire their musical talent, then at least appreciate the length these girls go to coordinate their outfits.

HAIR TO PUSH THE CITY LIMITS

2010-03-22T22:52:00.001Z

After watching the latest episode of Glee (yes, I’m not ashamed to say so) titled ‘Hairography’, one learns the efficacy of fantastically swooshy hair on stage as a method of drawing attention to oneself. Same could be applied for the fashion crowds front row at the shows, don’t you think? There’s no doubt about it, you’re a nobody until your somebody‘s regular blow-dry client. No one likes a fashionista with lank locks after all! Eugh. The Glee kids eventually realise (here cometh the *cheesy* moral of the story) that crazily head banging your way through a song isn’t equal to having the talent to sing or dance. So cringing aside, this programme made me think about who can do all three of these things - sing, dance and have killer hair. At once. Yeh, it’s takes some skill. My conclusion? There’s no better all round performer and professional hairographer than Tina Turner. No other's crimped barnet that can hold a torch (just as well really, think of the fire hazard) to Tina’s hair. Not even Noel Fielding on a really great full bodied Elnett-supported day. She makes that stage rock because of her bobbing hair, teeny tiny dresses, great moves and even better tunes. I love her. I wish I had such a thick head of hair like Tina. But, as we gleaned from this week’s Glee - there’s plenty of voluminous wigs out there, should I so choose to give one a spin…

MARGIELA'S NUDES

2010-03-20T11:09:00.003Z

Anyone else spy a recurring theme here? Hmm… After seeing Miroslava Duma (the amazingly dressed Russian ‘it’ girl who works for Harper’s Bazaar Russia) out and about at Paris Fashion Week wearing a nude bodysuit with brown leather trousers and a camel cape - it was a truly beautiful outfit - I started to notice other girls doing exactly the same nude bodysuit thing. Fitted, slimming, surprisingly versatile and a less fluffy way to tackle the season’s new nude colours, I discovered that hers is from Margiela. And after a little research I started to realise that along with asymmetry, fantastic suiting and shoulders even sharper than Balmain‘s, the nude all-in-one has cropped up on practically every Maison Martin Margiela catwalk since spring/summer’07. Even with the invisible man’s departure the nude bodysuit will be forever a signature of Margiela’s inimitable eye for conceptual but wearable fashion.

SPEAKING EN SPIJKERS

2010-03-16T21:22:00.001Z

Oh I’m so confused. What season is this? Where am I? What wardrobe do I want? And what is it in fashion right now that I want to write about? I’ve been so inspired by the A/W’10 winter shows (and our lack of decent weather until today’s no-coat moment) that it’s been hard to think about the current season - spring shopping, pastel shades, bikinis, kaftans et al. And I’m still finding it hard to do so, even with the arrival of this sunshine. So when Spijkers en Spijkers sent me their autumn/winter collection look-book it truly cemented my belief that I really am only a winter dresser. I don’t do mid-season. I don’t do bare legs or bare arms. And I certainly don’t do glamorous beachwear. What I do do well (well, I hope so) is layering, and sludgy, muddy but luxurious colours (olive green is a particular fave right now, but obviously grey reigns supreme) with cosy textures, black opaque tights and great boots. And this gorgeous collection from Spijkers combines all the above and then some - the some being a gorgeously wearable camel skirt suit, some boldly graphic pattern cutting (that jumpsuit - wow) and a little bit of lamé (which believe it or not is gonna be a hit next season) textured clashed with snuggly mohair knits. Owww. I want winter back already….

WANNA PLAY BALL?

2010-03-09T22:32:00.001Z

Never been to a baseball game in my life. I’ve never even sat still long enough to try and watch (understand) one on TV apart from during that classic Richard Pryor film - Brewster’s Millions. I’ve never even been to America (I know, I know), but for some reason, there’s nothing more appealing to me right now than a baseball jacket. I’ve spotted girls on my street style hunting rounds who have swapped bikers and blazers for baseballs - most of which, from what I can tell, are vintage (there are a lot in vintage stores atm). I’ll endeavour to get some street snaps soon. In the mean time, lets think about how the trend has evolved… Sportswear has been a quietly bubbling away for the past two spring/summers. We were initially eased in by trend blending - where the fading out of fun nu-rave day-glo had a last hurrah when combined sporty shapes, tight jersey whites and heeled trainers (not of the Spice Girl variety, we’re talking Sergio Rossi for Puma here, people!) Then hoodies went from thug-fave to the instant symbol of off-duty-model or East-End-cool-girl and the sporty look became a runway phenomenon all because of young boyo Alexander Wang. Before you could shout GOOOOAAALLLAAZZZOO or whatever that shouty thing is that boys do at the football, the fashion industry’s finest were no longer turning their noses up at sneakers or grey marl (even joggers!) and David Cameron was suddenly bang on…we did quite want to hug a hoodie - problem was, it was our own cashmere one from Young, Broke & Fabulous. And now this season, well, sportswear has really dug it’s cycling-shorted muscular legs onto the catwalk and determinedly spread to even the most luxurious of brands like Hermes and Bottega Veneta. Wang continues a more casual streak in comparison to the afore mentioned labels - whose interpretation of sporty has a more glamorous undertone of ladies-who-lunch-and-then-play-a-bit-of-badminton - and the baseball jacket, of which he’s cut one with a sexy deep v neck, is one of my favourite pieces from his all American I’m-a-jock-and-I’m-gonna-whoop-yer-ass collection. The idea of wearing something so boyish with the softness of sheer chiffon harem pants makes me feel all ready and eager to tackle a new season.

GET ROOOOOOOOOODE

2010-03-07T17:28:00.001Z

Isn’t this video of Rihanna clever? Wonderfully reminiscent of her original sartorial voice - of the “Shut Up and Ride Days” - but with a new found confident fashion-ness and a depth of irony that once upon a time, the more manufactured version of this pop princess didn’t have. Rihanna bounces around with various looks on a daily basis and I do love her experimental spirit. Sometimes it works (still loving the Chalayan thigh high boots during last Paris FW and how cute did she look in matching Topshop Unqiue knitted pants & a sweater on Alan Carr‘s Chatty Man prog?), sometimes notsamuch (eek scary camouflage trousers). But something about this Rude Boy video makes me adore her even more. She looks at home, shaking that booty in a pair of Jamaican flagged tasselled pants. Not one to be left out of the 90s revival (hello those crop tops, brightness contrasts and ghetto blasters), don’t you sense a Fresh Prince of Bel Air vibe? And (as it happens every few years) those rhythmic and ubiquitously street squiggles from Keith Haring (of which I saw on some footwear at Tommy Hilfiger’s press office the other day - waaaaay cool) have cropped up . It’s unequivocally her natural style - by way of slightly trashy, gansta Barbadian girl takes a trip to a Parisian couture house. The two have a jamming‘ sesh. Maybe Lagerfeld acts like a rooooode boi. Who knows. What I do know is that Rihanna’s ability to so sexily yabadabadoo in Jeremy Scott’s bizarre and kitsch Flintsones-inspired SS10 collection (that’s the leopard crop top and leggings) is something to be appreciated. She‘s been wearing a great deal of Scott lately - no surprise really, with their shared ironically twisted aesthetic of street and pop and the modification and appropriation of all things mass culture. I‘d love, love, love to see a collabo, wouldn’t you? And that sliced vinyl tiered dress from the Artisanal collection from Maison Martin Margiela and gold ring-pull bodysuit from LaQuan Smith… pure genius.

COLOUR ME MIRANDA

2010-03-03T21:16:00.001Z

Yowsers. It’s been well over a month since my last post…Sorry. Further proof of how busy life is on a weekly magazine. Well, that and the madness of fashion week - before, during and the aftermath! So finding time to blog is nigh on impossible and I’d hate to just shove up any old rubbishy post. Onwards. Upwards. And fingers crossed for some regular web action. What’s inspiring me today? Well, aside from Mariah Carey’s most recent stage outfit (it’s a double whammy dress, big meringue thing that detaches to become a short meringue thing, geeenius), the sliver of Tuesday’s sunshine has bumped up my endorphin levels and they’ve peaked sufficiently to encourage colour into my wardrobe. Light! Oh joyous light! I’m thinking of banishing black entirely (well, not totalmente, I am a fashion girl after all) and entering a tropical time-warped cocktail of colour - think of the yellow of Josephine Baker‘s banana skirt, Harribo’s cherry red and Del Monte Man orange juice all thrown into Carmen Miranda’s fruity turban, whizzed through a food blender and furiously splish splash sploshed onto the S/S’10 catwalks. Brazilian 1940s actress Carmen was, did you know, the highest paid of her time (is it currently Angelina?) and she was part of a rather beautifully coined art movement in the 60s called ‘Tropicalismo’. Sounds like my kind of movement. Tropicalismo’s expressive music was heavily influenced by African rhythms - another trend that has resurfaced in a major way for the season. Feast your eyes on these colours, prints and headgear for summertime inspiration….

IT'S A KNOCK OUT

2010-02-02T22:42:00.004Z

Yeeeeeah, I'm about to get all bustin' a cap in yer ass kinda HOLLLAAAAA about the latest jewellery trend punching the dainty H.Samuels and Tiffany Co. types outta da ring (ring, ya get meh?) Ok, enough of my gangsta talk, it's far from convicing. BUT, one thing I don't need to convince you on is that these knuckle duster rings are tooting amazing, do I? No. I don't. But lets discuss... Forget the statement necklace, these are dead and buried well within the confines of Primark's high fashion department. PAH. I know a few have crept onto the S/S'10 catwalk, but to be frank, there's nothing new or developed about them. Whereas knuckle dusters- who'd think they could look super cool on anyone other than a back street fighter or at a push, Rihanna? Not I. Until I met the ever lovable Dominic Jones last year (he's the hottest jewellery kid on the block, Anna Wintour went personally to his stall last FW and even took her sunglasses off!!!!! to look at the products, then called her American contacts to guarantee Dominic a place in Barneys! And this powerhouse, as you know, takes her sunglasses off about as often as she wears faux fur) and had a good ol' eye popping ogle at his amazing collection (and baby blue hair, swear he was the first guy to start the pale hair trend going on right now). His aesthetic is tough, spiky and temptingly untouchable, but you want to wear it and have an edge over all the pretty-pretty jewellery pieces that most others girls choose on autopilot. And when I saw his knuckle duster ring (on sale now at Browns) I knew there'd be a trend bubbling there. McQueen is also a fan of the knuckle duster ring, creating them alone or attached to his signature box clutches and ever since I've been on high alert to this fashionable bruiser* I've spotted ones from Gisele Ganne, Made her Think, Katie Rowland, Auds and even ruddy Topman are doing them (albeit a really naff guitar one).

*Fashion Foibles is by no means encouraging you to wear these for fighting purposes. Style, world peace and love please, not hate.

TWO POUND A POUND OF NANAS

2010-01-30T16:57:00.002Z

Primarily on my mind this week - first of all, that heinous, heinous, yet incredibly entertaining crime against fashion/common sense in which Amber Rose (Kanye’s piece of Front Row arm canday) opted for what can only be described as a king size gold condom as her show stopping outfit for Chanel’s couture show in Paris (I‘m sure Karl and his minions giggled in delight.) Zis girl is covered ‘ead to toe in gold luuuurex. Oh, no, no, no. On to the other topic with a smidgen more fashion credibility - I’m obsessed with the Del Boy coat. I’ve had the Only Fools and Horses theme tune stuck on repeat every time I step out into the cold and spot both girls and boys snuggling up in their shearling jackets. And today, whilst out Style Hunting at Broadway’s Saturday market, I discovered that most of these are vintage, and that they naturally own a market trader scruffiness about them, which I like very much. And of course there’s no obligation to wear a dodgy poly/cotton shirt underneath and don a tweed cap, but it‘d be nice to see the whole look in action. There’s a fresh crop of these coats from both designers and the high street too- Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry (have you seen how Keira Knightley hasn’t taken hers off all winter?) and Acne to name but a few. This material can be harshly unflattering, so my favourite silhouette is a bum skimming, slightly A-line, fitted coat. As cool as the biker shapes are, there are few people who can carry them off without looking as though they’re packing a few extra pounds too. Now, where does one find a three wheeled yellow van???

STYLE HUNTER: RONX

2010-01-24T12:27:00.001Z

Each and every week, come rain or shine (or that ruddy snow), I morph into Grazia's Style Hunter - out on the streets searching for and jumping onto fashionable ladies that we can feature both online and in the magazine. This takes up a great deal of my time, but getting to meet inspirational dressers like Ronx, above, makes it worth the frozen toes and near death experiences from blindly running across streets in the pursuit of the perfect desert boot or sharp shouldered jacket. I've spotted Ronx out a million times before on her bicycle, cooly weaving her way through the crowds of Brick Lane. But this time, I was fortunately out Style Hunting with Phill Taylor (who takes these lov-er-ly pics of the girls I spot - you can see more on his blog here) and we managed to grab her for a few seconds before she started/we made her late for work. I always presumed Ronx was in fashion, but surprisingly enough, she works in medicine. She has that perfect Agyness Deyn /Freja Beha (I LOVE FREJA) ability to look boyish and strong, yet still so incredibly sexy at the same time. And after reading up last weekend in The Guardian about NY's new 'it' boy - the incredibly beautiful white blond Martin Cohn, Ronx's look feels right for now. Funny how the majority of the spring/summer catwalk trends are so frothy and uber feminine but that the majority of London's trendsetting girls are rebelling against anything too girly and revelling in their boyfriend's shirts and battered up brogues instead.

P.S. can the briefcase become the next must-have bag please?

CHEERING UP

2010-01-23T14:44:00.002Z

Not only by my own standards, it's a scientifically proven fact that the past week is the most bloody miserable one of the year. Indeedy do, for the first time in my whole life I've experienced the so called 'January Blues'. How to cheer oneself up? I find that looking at something divinely beautiful kinda helps. And while searching for one of my favourite fashion illustrator's Art Deco pictures online (it's the Russian born/French painter and costume designer Erte FYI - apologies for the lack of an acute accent, not quite got to grips with such complex computer mastery yet) I came across a website called vintageavatars.com, where they have amazing pics from Erte right through to original Jungle Book sketches. For some reason all things Art Deco have been whirring around in my head after meeting up with Rupert Sanderson's PR Alex, and viewing the pre fall collection, complete with a gorgeous trend section dedicated to Deco inspired Mary Janes and platforms. Erte's artworks and Rupert's shoes are both wonderfully romantic and they have (thankfully) most definitely blown my grumpy cobwebs away.WHOOSH!

SHE'S GOT STYLE, SHE'S GOT GLASS.

2010-01-21T22:31:00.004Z

Fully expressing my love for Prada's spring/summer collection at almost 11pm feels impossible. There are no words that can quickly sum up how fantastic I think this season is. Miuccia's grand palazzo inspired catwalk was beautiful, the clothes were- of course - beautiful, the shoes were amazing, the pigtailed hair, the red lips... EVERYTHING, yes, everything was perfection. Whether I'd actually be able to get away with wearing any of it (silk palm tree print short shorts? Not on these thighs) is another questions. Dreamy and escapist, it supplies the heady dose of suberversive cheekiness we would expect of Prada. The highlight for me (literally) were all of the sparkling crystal dresses - like walking chandeliers, these twinkly finale pieces spoke of great craftsmanship and a desire to push boundaries. Which in an industry where many fashion comentators feel that style is no longer so groundbreaking, rather a small dent in the tarmac (in particular Cathy Horyn blogging about the Golden Globes frocks this week) - I'm wishing that some high profile darling would snap one of these Prada looks up and leave the truly boring sequinned-mini-body-con-dress clan behind.

GEE WHIZZ GIANNI

2010-01-19T22:17:00.001Z

It keeps whirling around in my head. Gianni Versace. Gianni Versace. Gianni Versace. Gianni Versace. I can’t get the legendary designer's signature prints out of my head. You know the 1980s ones with the chains/lions/excessive amounts of gold? Maybe it’s my gaudy Iranian side coming out, but there’s something about these prints that feels fresh for 2010 - and surprisingly tempting. And although not a catwalk trend for spring/summer, I have noticed these prints creep into places like River Island. I guess with all things 80’s being dug up last year these were bound to emerge at some point. And of course, I’ve not seen a season this tacky in a long time. All of the most unexpected things are gaining style momentum - bumbags, clogs and cycling shorts to name but a few. So why not these tack-o-rama vibrant prints. How to wear them now? Well, lets just say that head to toe, like this model, should be avoided at all costs.

MY TOES WANT THOSE STILETTOS

2010-01-19T22:05:00.001Z

I can’t profess to know a great deal about shoe designer Max Kibardan. But these are the facts I do know.

1. He is incredibly good looking.
2. This makes no difference / adds no extra merit to fact he makes seriously sexy shoes.
3. He may be from Siberia. Sounds farfetched, but the facts online point to it.

4. His stilettos are TO DIE FOR. And if you wore them for too long, you probably would.

5. And if the worst should happen, his loafers ain’t half bad either.
6. I have no idea where these are stocked, which makes me not only useless, but shoeless too. (Well, almost)

Please take a moment to enjoy the sassy Guy Bourdin/Helmut Newton worthy pencil thin heels - imagine them teasingly dug into a hot guy’s chest. *Ahem*, Max for example.

BARBIE DOES SS10

2010-01-16T18:43:00.002Z

Back home for the weekend and I've been helping my Mum clear out the loft (in anticipation of the big move!) and I uncovered beneath my Maths tutorials, cobwebs and pattern cutting pieces, my vast selection of Barbies (some mutilated in a pre pubescent angst-ridden I'm-growing-up rage). After rummaging through all the glitter and rubber of the Barbie's bag of clothes, I realised there were one or two garments that wouldn't be too out of place for S/S'10. So, of course, instead of being bored - alone at home, in the sticks - I employed my Dad as a production manager/set designer and created these Barbie trend parallels. Enjoy!

HEY MAMA MISSONI

2010-01-16T13:17:00.001Z

I've just discovered French born but New York based stylist Christopher Niquet's blog. And on it these adorable campaign shots for Missoni SS10. Instead of Abbey Lee or Jamie Bochart or even Madonna, the Missoni clan have kept their close knit (geddit?) family together and are starring in these adverts. How cute does Margarita look? I think she's definitely a stylish girl to keep an eye on from now, she's always perfectly turned out with a total vibe of her own - albeit an often Missoni-clad one! Who can't resist those lurex zig zags? Not me darlinks. The piling on of trinkety heirloom, vintage, and mismatched jewellery looks fresh and exciting to me too. I think I'll start opting out of the the 'statement' pieces and decorate myself with more traditional jewellery - the type Mama would proudly pass on to you.

BUBBLEGUM

2010-01-16T00:49:00.001Z

THE GAP

2010-01-16T00:36:00.001Z

You can probably guess what this post is about. Yes braniacs, it's gappy teeth! How fabulous are all of these women? Is it down to said gap? Probably not, but it does make them even more alluring. Imperfection = perfection. That's what I tell my big nose.

DUNGARDO OR DUNGARDON'T?

2010-01-15T21:57:00.002Z

When I was about six years old, my mum and her friend set up a kids clothing company with the USP of reversible dungarees. De-light-ful. It’s a wonder that I could ever wear dungarees again or bright prints again. Therefore it’s been almost two decades since dungarees have felt like a viably stylish option for weekend mooching. Roll up the hem, slip on a Breton and I think that there may be some mileage in this utilitarian staple. SS10 showed a hefty bolt of denim realised in everything from jean bras (D&G) to denim handbags (Lanvin) and right through to the most hardworking of them all denim overalls aka dungarees. No matter how sexy Jean Paul Gaultier can make them, I can’t help but feel tempted to go all ‘The Waltons’ and start ploughing a field, milk a goat, go to bible practice. If only I weren’t stuck in the industrial smoke of London I could live the real dungarees dream.

IS IT VERY VIONNET?

2010-01-15T20:59:00.001Z

Vionnet is back. You know this already. The Cruise collection has been greatly lauded as a triumph. And it’s this success that sparked a train of thought in this little noggin of mine. In the 1920s and 30s, Madeline Vionnet (who preferred to be called a dress maker rather than a designer and first became a seamstress aged 11) was one of the few driving fashion towards a new silhouette. Along with Poiret and Chanel, Vionnet’s designs did not rely on corsetry - it in fact liberated women from any restrictions whatsoever, where even Poiret’s bubbled ‘hobble’ shapes did just as you would expect from the name - they made women hobble. Chucking the corsetry away resulted in her inventing a fine bias cut gown, fit for Grecian goddesses and sexy socialites alike. And whilst many people are still oohing and aaahing over anything bodycon (eugh, OVER IT, it‘s 2010, lets move on), I’m glad to see that the re-launched Vionnet incarnation (now designed by ex Prada - Rodolfo Paglialunga) shares the same ethereal and feminine principles that it did almost a century ago. The Vionnet elements are present, but not adhered to in as strict a manner as to make it a sorry pastiche - bias cut, exquisite draping, exposed shoulders and versatile garments (you can wear some pieces back to front or tie differently to alter the silhouette) do make the Paglialunga mix pop.

Regardless of the incredibly gorgeous new collection - which I adore, it’s made me think about the bias cut and how it’s been such a long time since it had an edge. Think of the all the fantastic bias cut gowns that we could have missed out on in the past had Madeline not been so ingenious with her warp and weft! One of Kate Moss’s staple evening outfits is famously a vintage silk bias cut gown (most often she picks them up from Rellik) and one look at her Topshop collections each season reflects this too. Think of Kate Winslet wowing the red carpet in Ben de Lisi, Keira Knightley in that gorgeous emerald silky gown in Atonement. All great moments. Needless to say, bias cut now looks a bit dated (esp. on the high st) and the last time I wore won was my 6th form ball (forest green satin, halter neck maxi - mmmm) but it looks like the rebirth of Vionnet will be so forward thinking again as to herald the cut equally fabulous but fantastically fresh for the new decade. Because after all, it’s pretty bloody flattering.

TEST SHOOT: EVA

2010-01-07T13:00:00.000Z

DRESSING THE PART

2010-01-07T12:10:00.000Z

Call me a total sad case but I’ve always had a soft spot for afternoon TV. Particularly the 2:30pm slot where some 1980s murder mystery programming is essential. Most of all the classics I just adore the character of Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote (you can hear the plinky plinky piano intro as I type, can’t you?) How does she know so many people? How is her extended family so all engulfing of every state of America? How can she so effortlessly glide from outdoorsy horse-riding type to NY socialite to serious super detective/crime novelist in one clip of hair curler? I can’t help but enjoy her two piece skirt skirts, the buttoned up collars, belted macs, pussy bow blouses and strings of pearls. This is grandma chic at it’s best - served with a slice of fearless death defying panache. No pencil skirt will get in her way of luring the killer into a well constructed trap.

NO GO FOR A LOGO?

2010-01-07T11:38:00.001Z

Ask me five years ago and I would’ve told you that logo emblazoned designer goods were my idea of hell. Brash, showy, flashy and more suited to blonde hair extentioned foxy ladies in Faces than a sophisticat strutting down Bond St. They are such a conspicuous show of wealth (or at least having enough $$$ to buy just the one) and still there are plenty of folk out there for whom sheep-like conspicuous spending is still te way to do. (Shame it didn't get left behind in the 80s along with bright blue eyeshadow). With so many awful fakes produced, I can recall everyone having some sort of logo’d bag - and it was a game of keepy-uppy. But a little time has passed and fakes, show offs and wannabes aside, monogram print handbags do have longevity. And suddenly, I have an urgent craving for such a piece of arm candy. Louis Vuitton still puts their monogram totes in pride of place for their new SS10 campaigns alongside the ever-lovely lounging Lara Stone, and more than ever I’m spotting old MCM bags (that’s the German equivalent to LV) cropping up in vintage stores. The retro styles like satchels and or old fashioned luggage holdalls are the ones holding my attention - not the big oversized mega-trons. Seriously though, when you think that the LV monogram is around 120 years old, that’s quite an achievement. What other items from the 1880s are still enjoying such popularity decade upon decade? Forget the Sprouse graffiti, denim, fluoro neoprene or camouflage canvas versions, for me it’s all about the classic tans and browns in scotch guard or leather, or Goyard’s initialled totes in navy and grey. They’re a little bit retro but still current, and a little bit nouveau riche but 100% wearable if you steer clear of a pink flannelled tracksuit and sheepskin boots. Maybe even for another 120 years. Perhaps they are worth splashing out for after all.

Main pic - Louis Vuitton SS10 campaign with Lara Stone.

IRIS NO.2

2010-01-04T20:32:00.000Z

Iris obsession numero dos! I watched the 1976 Scorsese classic Taxi Driver for the second time the other day and couldn't help but fall in love with Jodie Foster's character - the teeny weeny teenage prostitute 'Easy' aka 'Iris'. Ok, so I'm by no means glamourising teenage prostitution but her cute crop tops, hotpants, wide brim hats and platforms do reflect that 70s look I'm so lusting after. And lime green bug eye sunglasses? Well, who'd ever think they'd look so fantastic.

IRIS NO. 1

2010-01-04T20:04:00.000Z

There must be some strange cosmic force driving me towards the name Iris today. Before my next Iris obsession (post to come) first, let me explain my new found love for Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen. Her 'Radiaton Invation' collection for SS'10 is what editorial wet dreams are surely made of. The texture, the sculpture, the silhouettes, the life that breathes within these garments every tuck, every stitch and every seam is almost unbearably beautiful. It's like a a cyborg stepped through a deep freeze, broke through shards of the finest glass, ended up in a murky and moody waterworld where the sand whirls and whirls around you and you're lost in a sea of flora and fauna. Ooo, int it magical.

TEST SHOOT: CAMILLA

2010-01-04T13:23:00.000Z

THE NEXT PLATFORM

2010-01-04T12:24:00.000Z

Finally, we’re over that boring hill of Xmas and New Year and the vision of a new season is within reach. Store rails will soon be shedding the skin of the sales of yore and filling up with brand shiny new beauties. At the moment I’m most excited about the changes in footwear. No, not the kitten heel. Couldn’t think of anything more unflattering and frumpy, sorry Marc Jacobs. No, toosties are taking a turn to the 70s and big chunky, storm-around-the-disco platforms are in. Nay to the hooker shoe (please, I can’t take any more of these ridiculously OTT heels on the High St) and yay to a high, but wearable, leg slimming thick platform heel. The decade that the coming season’s biggest trends are being drawn from most probably isn’t the 1970s - the 90s are enjoying resurgence. But, 70s elements have crept onto catwalks here and there – Stella McCartney’s interpretation of her mother Linda in a 70s denim pencil skirt and loose fit cardigan is my favourite right now. And when I went to the Kurt Geiger SS’10 press day the other week I was absolutely in awe of all of their 70s platforms – from earthy nautral tones with clunky wooden heels or their prettier than pretty My Little Pony shades of pastels they’ve created a pair in every imaginable colourway possible. I cannot wait for them to start dropping in store. Already a more winter-friendly pair called Haddassah are online (grey suede crossover slingbacks). But the shoe-masters who are creating the most covetable 70s platforms (and pretty much always do) are L’Autre Chose. There’s only one word for them and it’s YUM. I cannot wait until Fashion Week to wear this retro shape – maybe my feet won’t complain so much!

DAILY QUOTA

2009-12-23T21:35:00.002Z

For most people, the London Underground isn't instantly associated with being a thriving hive of creativity. Being wedged into someone else's armpit for half an hour whilst attempting to read the Metro and having your head smashed to pieces by those angry automatic doors isn't a breeding ground for inspirational material. However, the many artist's interpretations of the tube sign, I do enjoy. Even if purely for the fact that it demonstrates just how all artistic minds work on such different tangents. Which is fascinating. But these new giant tube posters with thought provoking quotes have managed to catch my rather 7:30am sleepy eyes. Have you seen them? This has led me to search for some meaningful fashion and style quotes. Maybe Boris will fancy one of these next - he's a fashionable, happening guy, non?…

“A woman’s dress should like a barbed wire fence: serving it’s purpose without obstructing the view.” Sophia Loren

“Please do not have a fit in the fitting room. Your fashion life begins there.” Florence Eiseman

“If you are not in fashion, you are nobody” Lord Chesterfield

“As to matters of dress, I would recommend one never to be the first to in the fashion nor the last out of it.” John Wesley

“So soon as fashion is universal, it is out of date.” Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach

“Life’s too short to blend in.” Paris Hilton

“I’m not that interested in fashion… When someone says that lime green is the new black for this season you want to just tell them to get a life.” Bruce Oldfield

“Fashion fades, style is eternal.” Yves Saint Laurent

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel

BRALET STARLET

2009-12-23T20:06:00.000Z

It’s that time of year where standards of intelligence, sense or rationality in TV advertising are thrown out into an icy abyss. Perfume ad pay off lines become more ridiculous by the minute and it bewilders as to how they lure in consumers. The Iceland Christmas obesity-feast adverts are unspeakably naff even after the firing of king-prawn-ring-queen Kerry Katona. However, the one that’s baffled me the most (apart from the utter cringe fest of the Boot’s girls get together for embarrassing Xmas dinner) is for Clairol Nice ’n’ Easy hair dye. A woman walks through a bar/non descript public place with her t-shirt pulled down on one shoulder revealing a bra strap, two other nasty women scowl at such a brazen hussy. But once she takes her hair out of a ponytail to reveal luscious confidence boosting locks, its suddenly ok to flash a bit of lingerie again. Does that make any sense? And what does it mean for the soon to be mega SS’10 trend for lingerie as outerwear. Will you be on the end of frowning bitchy women unless you have fabulous hair? Is that why it doesn’t work when Amy Winehouse gives us a glimpse of her bursting brassiere? Because her beehive is such a basket case? Either way, I’ve been obsessing over bras a lot recently (mostly because I find it so hard to find ones that fit me that I shouldn‘t have to share with Grandmas across the UK) and I’m pleased that what Topshop are now calling ‘bralets’ (like a long-line vintage inspired shape) are back and that pointy perky silhouettes as featured on Louise Goldin and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer catwalks will be mainstreaming any day soon. I was discussing this with a friend last week, also of ample boobage, and we couldn’t agree more that some vintage-style big waist nipping knickers and a well fitting bra does wonders for one’s self esteem. It worked for Bettie Page, it pretty much turned out ok for Bridget Jones, and Madge’s triangle JPG creations are practically a by-pass into harnessing sexual prowess. So my friend has chucked out all of her old undies and filled her drawers up with nothing but sexy yet practical lingerie. I’ll be sure to follow.

ELTON'S CLOSET OPEN TO PUBLIC!

2009-12-11T19:03:00.000Z

Freaky Friday. Not in the Lindsay Lohan kind of way. But today I was interviewed today for Sky News’s coverage of the Elton John’s “Out the Closet” pop up shop which launches in Covent Garden tomorrow. To summarise, it’s a huuuuge collection of both his and David Furnish’s clothes that are on sale with all proceeds going towards the Elton John Aids Foundation. And when I mean a huge collection, the Flower Cellars on Russell St is literally bursting with goodies (and it's being replenished every day - begs the question, how did it ever fit into a closet anyway?) - some amazing stage outfits, some couture, a little Prada and Dior thrown in for good measure, even down to the kooky eyewear and Elton’s football tees. After re-recording my, like, 15 seconds of major intelligent fashion talk* (uhuh, yeah), I couldn’t stop thinking about all the sparkles and jumpsuits and platforms and who’s closet they’d end up in. It’d be amazing to track the buyers down and see why they bought something and what they’ll do with it in their own home. Hmm, could be a very snazzy Step into Xmas for one family. (See what I did with the song lyrics there?)

*A-list fame. Move over Fearne Britton, I'm in town.

TEST SHOOT: HOLLY

2009-12-09T23:08:00.000Z

A STERN WORD

2009-12-06T17:33:00.000Z

As far as hosiery goes, my actual wardrobe consists of 99% M&S 40 denier black opaques and 1% ugly tartan tights I‘ve bought in a panic. However, in my wildest hosiery dreams, I own the WHOLE Bebaroque range. Especially the ones with the ankle bows. I thought that was the extent of the tights-world’s creativity (minus John Galliano’s adoration for a whole tattooed bodysuit) and then I discovered Gal Stern’s Dare to Wear. Gal recently graduated in Textile Design from Shenkar College of Design in Israel. Her gorgeous snake prints or metallic finishes are all hand produced and therefore very very special. And at about £40, they won’t be giving my wallet sleepless nights. You can find them at No One boutique here.

ARGHGAGA

2009-12-06T15:55:00.002Z

So I’ve been literally hanging off the edge of my bed/sofa/kitchen coffee table all Sunday in anticipation of Lady Gaga’s arrival onto the set of Nick Knight’s SHOW studio ‘100 Portraits‘ at Somerset House. Joining forces with i-D mag, this Fashion Revolution project is powering through portraits of some of the best loved names in fashion, music, art, culture and well, just generally 'cool' people (Vivienne Westwood and Andreas plus many more were on Friday). Before this morning (it’s now 16:00, I’ve been waiting since 12:00 staring at SHOWstudio‘s live stream) I didn’t even realise that I cared about Lady Gaga so much so to be addictively tuning in and watching her have her picture taken .I don’t know if I'm even much of a fan right now, but my attitude towards her is shifting - positively. And today, I am totally fascinated by viewing her and her style crew ‘Haus of Gaga’ (Nicola Formichetti et al) settle into Somerset House with Nick. Maybe it’s 'cos my very own boyf is working on the project today (it’s so weird to be a fly on the wall and watch him get his serious work face on) or maybe it’s because no matter how anyone feels about Gaga, she’s undeniably a huge presence in popular culture - from the scummiest tabloid newspaper to the most high brow of publications, she’s unavoidably there. Heck, even my un-cool parents know who she is and that her most recognisable fashion incarnations usually include a leotard and some mental sunglasses or headgear. But what interests me the most is whether Gaga (born Stefani) actually has a say in what costumes her design team Haus of Gaga and chief styliste B. Akerlund lace and zip and buckle her into. Because unlike all the artsy farsty bull that she reels off about her ‘performance’ (ahem, pop music - albeit of the highest quality when it comes to it's catchiness), her style is actually out there, and conceptual and brave and more importantly, it's the wildest non-catwalk fashion that we’ve seen in ages. I think I've been over the cookie cutter celeb girls for quite some time and Gaga is a breath of fresh (if slightly creepy) fresh air. Akerlund is Gaga’s first official stylist, and the pop power house herself tracked her down with the hope that they were made for each other. I guess they were. (Argh, as I’m writing my computer is FREAKING OUT and won’t let me connect to the darned live stream. Maybe I’ve missed the whole event. Wipe-out. Four hours wasted.) Anyway, what intrigues me the most about her, is whether after a good eight hours beauty kip Gaga wakes up and says: ‘Akerlund, sweetie, today I really fancy wearing a leather biker jacket covered in stilettos’, Akerlund: ‘No Stefani, ahem, Lady Gaga, today you shall be wearing the lace up thigh high boots and an umbrella. BUT, they do take an hour and a half to fasten, so you may want to do it during a low carb breakfast and it's a possibility that you'll have to stay in them for the next three days - just to be economical on the ‘Haus’s’ services.’ Gaga: ‘OHHHH. Akerlund, you are so tough on me. All I wanted was a low key and cosy Gaultier satin all-in-one today, it IS a Sunday.’ Akerlund: ‘NO GAGAAAA! You’ve got to maintain your style icon status as the most daring one of them all. Beyonce, Shakira and JLO won’t know what to do if you suddenly start lazing around in combats and a hoodie.”

Here's a screen grab of what I've missed - BOO... Check out the rest of SHOWstudio amazing live footage here

BODYAMR SS10

2009-12-05T11:29:00.000Z

The whole of fashiondom has become hooked on the moving image. Gone are the days of an ordinary paper lookbook (well, almost) and in are the hours and hours I spend fascinated by fashion videos. The most recent one to catch my eye is from Bodyamr - the London based but Omani born designer Amr, who creates the most glorious silk jersey evening wear. This vid may not showcase the clothes to their fullest, but it sums up a mood and a feeling for the collection. The slightly eerie Middle Eastern music clashes with the bright lights and thumping atmosphere of Las Vegas, so no wonder this brunette goddess needs to escape to the desert for just a little peace and quiet. Watch it here....

SONIA RYKIEL POUR H&M

2009-12-05T11:03:00.000Z

Finally, the time has come dear friends, to think of other things,

Stop buying presents for your Nan,

And snap up some lingerie that zings,

For French darling Sonia Rykiel is offering you a treat,

Today's the day her H&M range,

Will launch into stores and turn up the heat.

* But Oxford Street right now is unbearable, so who knows if I'll ever brave it....

* I LOVE YOU SONIA.

JANELLE MA BELLE.

2009-11-30T23:33:00.002Z

So much to my great disappointment, I tried on the afore mentioned Surface to Air leopard print wedge sandals to discover that they don’t look too hot on me. As beauteous as they are, my short stump excuses of legs just can’t take such a radical idea. HURUMPH. Not impressed whatsoever. But, whatever, I guess there's a chance life could be worse and I did then spend the dollar on some timeless paper bag wide leg trousers from Vivienne Westwood instead. I’ll be wearing them tomorrow should the selfish heavens quit opening up and just shut long enough for me to run to the tube and then dash across to work. Anyway, back to the reason of this post… Instead of drooling over shoes today, I’m drooling over Janelle Monae (not literally). She’s the cutest little button of a popstrell but with a seriously cool and boyish edge. Her style is 50s rocker and all I can say is that I wish I could do monochrome as half as good as she. On the weekend, I looked like a chequerboard. Which was not the aim. Check out her songs because she’s ace and ‘cos I said so! The collage is all mine, but the pics are from her website jmonae.com.

TEST SHOOT: DANIELLE

2009-11-30T23:07:00.000Z

BACKPACKING ACROSS FASHIONTOWN

2009-11-27T00:36:00.002Z

Geeks, tourists, cyclists and little emo kids may not share the same taste in say, denim, but they sure as hell would all be lost without a backpack, wouldn’t they? The rest of us however, remember how backpacks fast became the naffest word in fashion when such cooler items as record bags and drawstring sports bags raced ahead in the popularity stales at the beginning of the noughties I can recall the day I threw my Janson down in fear of the most severe of all types of bulling - adolescent clever girls - for a shinier, bigger World Dance record bag* (I still don’t even know what World Dance is, mind you) and my school friends were impressed so I therefore was very content and safe. Rucksacks were for losers. Rucksacks were for the girls who never EVER had boyfriends. Or friends. But isn’t it funny how a decade later something so miserably un-cool is creeping its way back onto the fashion radar? Maybe it’s down to Gucci sending some sexy models in swimming costumes down the runway accessorised with nothing but the said bags and heels for SS09. Maybe it’s because Raf Simons collaboration with Eastpak has been actually really awesome. Maybe it’s because sportswear has been a bubbling trend for quite some time and is due to boil over come spring time. Maybe the cool kids who turn everything geeky and awkward into something mainstream have gone and done it again. Maybe it’s because we’re bored of bags that are everything but the kitchen sink and we want something that just does it’s job of holding the crap you tug around with you all day - without the backache. Enough of the reasoning - I like them again. End of.

*And therefore a less likely route in for meanies.

Sequin, Sophie Hulme

Chambray, Topman

Dark brown leather, David King & Co

Red patent, Boden
Tan, coach

LAMENTING LUELLA

2009-11-26T23:03:00.003Z

I’ve spent two weeks away from the UK in Egypt, and that means I’ve been away from the internet too - unless I wanted to trade camels to spend a few minutes surfing (and, after buying that new husband, I’m fresh outta camels) to come back and discover that one of my favourite all time designers, Luella, is now out of business. Her factory has gone into liquidation and I’m feeling pretty emotional about it. To add further injury to insult in an already heartbreaking situation, this means the SS10 collection which was an absolute gorgeous girly-fest of tulle, polka dots and eye watering brights in minimalist 60s shapes will not be produced. Not only is this a shameof course for the Queen of All Things Eccentrically British herself, but I really had my eye on those black and white polka dot trousers. They. Were. On. My. List. And with my limited funds, The List may not be long, but it’s darn precise and thorough in it’s making and there’s only space for the things I really truly, madly, deeply love. So, lets hope that she’ll another chance to make these for me. Else my SS10 wardrobe will be a very melancholy place indeed. On the bright side, everything in store and online is now reduced *yiiiipppppeeeeeee*.

MO' LOVE FOR THE MOHAWK.

2009-11-23T22:33:00.002Z

What do Rihanna and Mr T have in common? An unyielding addiction to Snickers? I can’t talk on behalf of Ri Ri, but the way she wears those over-the-knee boots I doubt she stuffs her face full of peanuty chocolatey goodness. No, right now, all of my favourite style influences own rather impressive Mohawks. And I’m not talking wimpy David Beckham wannabe Mohawks here. After discovering that the Mohawk is potentially over 2000 years old, I think that beats Jennifer Aniston’s layered look or Audrey Hepburn’s crop in the popularity stakes, don’t you? Apparently, in Dublin in 2003, a body was discovered in a bog (Clonycavan Man) from over 2000 years ago, and his hair was styled in a Mohawk. I don’t know the clothing details but one can only hope for a Sex Pistols tee, leather biker, tartan zipper pants and a pair of DMs. I digress… Mohawks just look like so much fun, unlike many other high maintenance hair styles. And because I’ll probably never achieve such great hair status, I’m a little bit hooked. Did you know there are over 10 different named ‘hawks? From the Dreadhawk to the Deathhawk and the Cross hawk - there’s even more depth to this ‘do than I first thought.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

2009-11-22T18:08:00.002Z

When I first discovered Surface to Air, I assumed that it was just a collection of seriously cool boots and nothing more. What with wedges being my biggest obsession this year (and so it seems, a big deal for the rest of the fashion world too - who have all embraced the chunky wedge despite it‘s corrective shoe resemblance), naturallement, Surface to Air took the lead. When the luuurvely Browns press office sent through a picture of some new leopard printed buckled beauties coming in store from Surface to Air for Grazia’s Xmas Gift guide the other week (LEOPARD PRINT + WEDGE + BUCKLES = Shoegasm) my name was put straight down on the list. But my sensible side piped up (not about the £££ luckily), but that if I’m going to start having a whirlwind affair with a selection of footwear, I should at least be wise and do a background check and a little googling. Guess waaat? Not just shoes. Surface to Air is like a lifestyle, a style force, an omnipresent fashion being… A Parisian based collective of creative folk, they do everything from fashion design to as a creative agency producing the work behind campaigns, launches, boutiques and films for such high profile names as Louis Vuitton or high street giants like Uniqlo, as well as musicians like Pharrell and The Streets. In short, Surface to Air pretty much do everything, and really really well. You can check out their online store and creative agency here. They’ve even gone a created the first online fashion fair LENEWBLACK, the “ 24/7 marketplace for the fashion industry” where buyers, press and retail can view new designer collections for 6 months, not just a few hours at fashion week. And an exclusive 3 piece clothing collection with photographer extraordinaire, Sølve Sundsbø. It’s not just from surface to air, this lot are conquering the entire galaxy!

OH CHLOËËËË, HOW I LOVE THEE.

2009-11-22T11:43:00.003Z

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t admire Chloë Sevigny’s fearless take on fashion - and if I‘ve ever met someone who falls into that strange category, then I will have blanked them out of my mind in disgust. Nah, not really, but if you don’t agree that she’s one hell of a dresser please take a second to witness how she’s manage to work so so many really tough looks here… Wearing Miu Miu (I LOVE this collection, thanks Miuccia) Chloë’s sheltering her famously fabulous legs by tackling a mid calf length skirt - not an easy option, but she does it thanks to the glamorous embellishment, high waist and slim line silhouette. Platform heels add some much needed height (else this’ll be frumpsville), but she’s wearing a soft bra too! Just too clever. The bra doesn’t look slutty because of the skirt length and a grey grandma cardie casually slung over the top. Oooh, keeps out the winter chill too, doesn’t it? Perfect Sunday outfit. Hello pub, here’s my bra!

TOM TOM

2009-11-20T19:22:00.003Z

From Sloane Ranger to, well, Porn Star, Tom Ford’s eyewear and fragrances have a strangely vast audience… Well, I can’t give you hard proof that porn stars shell out on a pair of Fords over a pair of plastic platforms, but he doesn’t half like to advertise it that way. Back in 2005, Tom arranged a fragrance campaign to be shot with two male and two female porn stars - “And we paid for them to have sex on set. You don't see it in the shot, but you feel it” Oooh blimey, Tom, I only wanted a pair of sunnies for me hoildays! It’s an interesting tactic and even with his Spring 08 ads banned in Italy, Tom just keeps on keeping on.

whenever I’ve been on the search for street style around Brompton Cross or Sloane Square, I can guarantee that should you pick any wealthy, sophisticated lady out from the crowd, the frame wear will be Ford. And if it ain’t Ford, she’s totally banned from the Yummy Mummy Lunch until further notice. Forget the scallops lady, get yourself down to The Sunglasses Shop. Maybe these women like these overtly sexual and slightly tacky adverts. I do. Maybe if we all wore Tom Ford sunglasses we’d suddenly morph into a type of Guy Bourdin girl, with pouty scarlet lips, silky smooth, greased up, toned thighs, perfectly sexed up bouffant hair and we'll be endlessly lusted after. *daydreaming* The latest shot to capture my attention and cause great debate within in my office - is this one of Jon Kortajarena. I just can't help but do a big PHWOAR everytime I see it. What a saddo I am. Feel free to 'phwoar' now and not tell anyone...

And whilst you’re at it, check out Tom’s latest venture into film “A Single Man” trailer here - it’s truly beautiful and not a foof in sight. God, I love Julianne Moore. But that’s a whole other post to come.

ARE YOU FUR REAL?

2009-11-20T19:01:00.002Z

Believe me. Fashion does have it’s morals. Never wear a baggy top with loose harem pants. Never get blind drunk at a fashion party unless you‘re throwing it. And most importantly, you should never lie about purchasing a £12 pair of heels from Matalan that could (from a distance and to an un trained eye) pass as YSL, because you‘ll only get busted eventually. Oh yes, there’s an abundance of rules and regulations for us all to monitor and adhere to on a daily basis. But, before you lose all hope of the industry actually having a conscience, please don‘t. If anything, the past year has created a rather self analytic fashion being, worthy of a couch, a shrink and a few self help books. More than ever are we aware of eco fabrics, which high street stores use sweat shops and we’re so keen to save the planet without compromising on style, that even veg tan leather can be considered an option this season (well, Boho is always a little bit fashionable isn‘t it?) Models with low BMI worry us, mineral makeup’s improved no end and swishing clothes with fashionable friends has become as acceptable a past time as spending an entire Saturday in Selfridges shoe department used to be. And yet, in spite of these many pat-on-the-Balenciaga-jacketed-back improvements, there’s one fashion taboo that has appeared to sneakily climb its way back onto both the catwalk and the streets somewhat undetected - fur.

London’s pavements last Winter bore witness to a lot of fur. Stylish girls from East to West were fuzzied up to ditch a normal winter coat in favour of a more Kate Moss approach to dressing in the cold. Temperatures did not dip to arctic standards and yet, nothing could supposedly keep the chill out better and more glamorously than a bit of fur. A friend of mine was so dead set on sticking to her rabbit number (a sumptuous beige mid length) that even once it started severely (and quite grossly) malting, at work, over dates and in her food, she still wouldn’t pitch the pelt. It had become her new furry friend, and for many of us, living in London tied to strict rental contracts were pets are practically as illegal as setting up a cannabis incubator, this is the closest we can get. All very harrowing I-miss-Mummy-and-Daddy stuff. But it’s not just a physical comfort to cocoon oneself away in a big hairy coat especially during a depressing season full of grim economic predictions; there a multitude of reasons why ladies are fancying fur. Firstly, nothing spells out vintage 40s film siren quite like the ultimate in luxury, and lets face it, there’s a wannabe Marilyn Monroe in all of us. Secondly, a big Chewbacca coat reflects the most of the moment silhouette, a very Swedish affair of big proportioned torsos set against skinnier than skinny matchstick legs that stretch down for miles upon miles. And thirdly, most girls I’ve spotted are wearing second hand furs, which apparently, makes this decision on as justifiable as picking up a quick fix mass produced coat on the high street. If anything, it’s even more eco friendly. Agyness Deyn fought that case earlier in the year after a hasty purchase of a full length vintage fur coat when upon arrival back in the UK from NY, totally unprepared, she didn’t know quite how nippy things would be. When approached at a party, teaming said coat with a pink Giles dress, she was faced with the question of, ‘is this acceptable for you as a style icon?’ To which her response was that its vintage, therefore, she can’t see a problem. Bizarrely enough, only a month or so before, she attended an event campaigning for animal rights. A clothing conundrum for sure. Sales of vintage fur sky rocketed last winter and that’s without the support of UK magazines. It became so widespread that I even bumped into the London Paper taking street style pictures of ladies in fur. It was nice to know, however, that my faux WWF 1970s coat also made it onto that page. More and more stores are stocking fur this season and whichever way you feel about it (La Wintour loves it (even after countless PETA problems -remember that poster? Stella hates it) it was undeniably all over the AW09 catwalks (even from a sprinkling of Brit designers who usually leave the pelts for the Italians). I'll be out and about style hunting all winter so I'll soon find out what's cat-walking on the streets of London... grrrrr

TEST SHOOT: ANNA

2009-11-20T18:40:00.000Z

WHEN GOOD WANG HAPPENS TO BAD PEOPLE.

2009-11-20T18:21:00.002Z

It’s strange how some people get hold of such wonderful garments. Like, who helped Katherine Jenkins into that black sculpted AW09 Jil Sander dress? And why oh why is everyone ruining Alexander Wang’s perfectly clean and simple off-duty-model look by tarting it up to nines or not wearing it with the full tough girl attitude? Ugh, Les Kardashians, I blame you entirely. It’s not that they look bad or don't particularly suit Wang's wares, I just want these precious pieces to be saved for the Erin Wassons or Chloe Sevignys of the world. The cool girls. Not the wannabes. Similar problem with Victoria Beckham's dresses being on Carol Vorderman isn't it? True they may suit her body, but she's crapped on VB's fashion credentials.

TEST SHOOT: MELINDA

2009-11-20T17:37:00.002Z

WHAT'S NEW PUSSY CAT?

2009-11-20T16:47:00.002Z

OH. MY. GOD.

I’ve been missing my own little cats (Mufty & Tufty are their names, a wise decision I made aged 11) and so I’ve befriended a black cat down my road, to whom I have given the name Geoff, and I say a BIG‘hello kiiiiiitty’ to every morning. I’ve been trying to lure him back to my house for a week or so now. It’s not working. But maybe if I own this cat calendar by United Bamboo, I could survive without an actual feline friend. Maybe, just maybe, I could even persuade Geoff to try out new season Prada gladiator dress. But I think Rick Owens may be more his scene. Kitty, meet fashion, fashion meet Kitty. Purrrfect. God, this story has too many oppotunity for puns. I should work at The Sun.

FINALLY FOND OF FONDA

2009-11-20T16:29:00.002Z

Jane Fonda feels right for now. Until this week, I’ve never been a fan. Maybe it was the awful L’Oreal ‘not bad, ngah?’ TV adverts that made even my relatively fresh faced 23 year old self worry about wrinkles. Maybe it was because, disgustingly enough - according to friends - I had not yet watched the 1980 classic film, Nine to Five. The shame! The ignorance! So, bobbing along to do the dum-dum-dum-dum-dumduhduhduh intro, I thought Dolly would win hands down in the style, personality and popularity stakes. Parton’s amazingly kitsch, cute and busty - but it’s the underplayed, softly spoken and quietly rebellious Judy Bernley character that captured my imagination and made me find a bit of Fonda-love.

Judy/Jane’s photocopying skills (or lack thereof) are not unlike my own. That’s about as far as our similarities go. Unfortunately. So, despite the fact that I’m trying out a Jane look (picture to come later, but think prim skirt suits, pussy bow blouses, neckerchiefs and a top quality camel coat and supersize pastel rimmed specs - the kind your Nan would so have loooved in the early 90s) it’s more than obvious that I won’t be fashioning a true Jane Fonda moment any time soon. Jane’s 9 to 5 wardrobe is magnificently prissy (costume designer was Ann Roth of The Talented Mr Riply, Working Girl, by the way) and therefore right down my style alley, but her famous leotards certainly aren’t for the meek or me. I bet those all-in-one jersey pieces are Jane’s closest confidants. They flocked to her. You can imagine the dancing around her room, flexing, stretching, toning buttolks by the second. Me? I walk past American Apparel and see the little spandex suits quaking with the fear of me entering the store and trying to squeeze and stretch my KFC friendly thighs into them. Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kylie, Beyonce et al, keep on stripping down to the ’tard (it‘s a dead cert for winning front page coverage), but no one does it quite like foxy Fonda. She didn’t wear hers to Nobu or to the launch of a new mobile phone. She didn't wear them for column inches. She wore them to show off her waist inches. Oh, and of course for her amazing turn as Barbarella. More on Babs for another time methinks. These pictures are enough to put me on Atkins…