Sunday, October 25, 2009

Kate Moss' Knickers

(Apologies for the childish title...I couldn't resist. I'll be serious from now on.)



KATE Moss’ Christmas collection launches this Thursday and alongside the exquisite oriental – inspired pieces for day and evening festive wear, we see the debut of an exclusive lingerie range.

Moss – who says she just dreamt up what she wanted in her own wardrobe has designed twelve collections for Topshop now and has just extended her contract with the UK high street fashion store for another three years.

Influences of traditional Chinese and Japanese clothing run through this winter collection. The Cheongsam dress, normally made in embroidered satin is brought up to date as a luxurious knit whilst kimono shape dresses in chiffons and silks offer a laid-back style. The sleeves on the 'Geisha Rose' print blouse are voluminous and bell-shaped. Prints of bamboo, flying stalks, lotus flowers and fireworks reflect the richness of the orient.

Knit wear has been jazzed up with sequins and beading to add sparkle to a Christmas look. Whilst for the evening, Kate’s sought after maxi and mini dresses epitomise festive party wear mixed with her signature rock n roll style.

Continuing from the previous season; chic smart tailoring can be seen in the satin pencil skirt, Victoriana jacket and a jacquard Princess coat with jewelled buttons, already a stand out piece from the collection.

None the less the most talked about items are the debuting nightwear and limited selection of the lingerie range.

Moss said she was inspired by her perfect pair of pyjamas that she had made in Hong Kong last year, but her boyfriend stole them ("Jamie lived in that pyjama top all summer") so she's included a silk copy in the range, alongside the luxe lingerie. "I've test-run all the underwear. My boyfriend likes the lot. It's all very sexy, but not nasty-sexy, glamorous-sexy. Not vulgar. I love the lounging suit, and I do like a pyjama.
I wore a pair out as eveningwear in New York once and there was a massive snowstorm. We couldn't get a cab, so I had to walk home in them. It was freezing, but they did look good."

The range also includes beautiful triangle shape bras in printed chiffon, feminine silk teddies for 1930s inspired glamour, whilst the leopard print balcony bra with an eyelash lace trim gives instant sex-appeal. Similarly floral printed silk pyjamas are adorned with an embroidered 'K' and come with a drawstring bag in the same material making it the perfect gift for Christmas.

Go to www.topshop.com for a preview of the collection.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

" Merry Ex-Mas Kate"




My favourite story in the Sun today was a piece on how Kate Moss, her beau Jamie Hince and daughter (with Dazed and Confused editor Jefferson Hack) Lila Grace have been invited to spend this Christmas with her ex-boyfriend Johnny Depp.

The paper reported that the family will join Depp, his model wife; Vanessa Paradis and their two children Jack and Lily - Rose for a winter escape to Johnny's private 45-acre island in the Bahamas which he bought in 2004 for more than £2million.



Depp's island is called Little Hall's Pond Cay and the only access is via his 156ft steam-powered boat called Vajoliroja.

There are five beaches on the 'pirate' themed solar powered island all named after Johnny's favourite people.

One's called Gonzo after the style of journalism used by writer Hunter Thompson, who Johnny famously played in the 1998 film Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.

Another is named Paradis after his wife. Then there's Lily - Rose and Jack and finally Brando after legendary Hollywood actor Marlon Brando.

Johnny said: "I don't think I'd ever seen any place so pure and beautiful. You can feel your pulse rate drop about 20 beats. It's instant freedom."

Kate and Johnny had a famously intense relationship back in the mid 90s - but Depp has recently hinted they encouraged each other to party a lot harder than was good for them.



N.B: Johnny - I'm assuming my Christmas invite simply got lost in the post?!

My sister will be happy....




JUST in time for Britain's quintessentially bad weather, comes a birthday collaboration from another couple of British favourites: Fulton Umbrellas and Lulu Guinness, whose label celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

For the second time, the two have teamed up to create a range of umbrellas which will definitely make you wish it would rain, featuring Guinness' trademark wit and humour.

"We're delighted to have worked with Lulu Guinness to celebrate such a special occasion. The glamorous and stylish umbrellas combine Lulu's iconic prints with Fulton's quality designs," says Nigel Fulton, chief executive at Fulton.

A sought after piece will most certainly be the Birdcage design, which pays tribute to Guinness' collectible birdcage range and comes as a transparent umbrella with the cage outlined in full, complete with a little bird perched on it – enviably sheltering from the rain.

For stockist details visit www.luluguinness.com.

A date to remember...



IT was announced today the date to get in your fashion diary for this year's British Fashion Awards is the 9th of December.

Supported by Swarovski and to be held at The Royal Court of Justice, the awards - which recognise and honour the most influential people in fashion today - will bring to a close the 25th anniversary celebrations of the British Fashion Council.

Among the 11 awards to be had on the night include the 25th Designer of the Year, Menswear Designer, Model, Designer Brand, the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, as well as the coveted award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council says: "Throughout the year fashion opinion formers from around the world look to British designers for inspiration. The British Fashion Awards recognise the best of this design talent and creativity."

Swarovski will also sponsor two awards, the Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for ready-to-wear and accessories.

Luella Bartley (pictured left) was named Designer of The Year at the British Fashion Awards last November.

Friday, October 16, 2009

300 Years of Mischief 1709 - 2009



TATLER and its famous friends descended on the lavish surrounds of Lancaster House last night to celebrate a very momentous milestone - its 300th anniversary.

Tatler first began covering parties photographically in 1901 for a party in a house then known as Stafford House and owned by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland - these days it is known as Lancaster House and it is, said Tatler editor Catherine Ostler, "the perfect choice for this incredible celebration."

The party boasted guests from all corners of the great and glorious fashion world; Manolo Blahnik (holding his left cheek following a trip to the dentist), Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman (who said that her time working at the magazine with Michael Roberts was one of the funniest of her life), and possibly the quirkiest design duo currently working in fashion: Viktor & Rolf.

Similarly Sirs Philip Green and Stuart Rose helped to fly the fashion flag, as well as Amanda Harlech (wearing Chanel, who revealed that it was her first ever fashion shoot for Tatler that had set the scene for her ongoing career with Karl Lagerfeld), and her daughter Talullah (wearing Temperley London). Meanwhile, Peaches Geldof added a rock 'n' roll edge in Dolce & Gabbana.



As well as the big fashion names, an impressive political showing was led by Samantha Cameron (along with brother Robert and sisters Sophia and Vogue's deputy editor Emily Sheffield), Hollywood stars - led by Rupert Everett - and endless royal connections ( including a scattering of Middletons, Marie Chantal of Greece, and the others who can't be named for legal reasons...!).

Champagne, canapés and then a cake led out by Ostler followed - as no less than 700 people sang "Happy Birthday to Tatler." All for a magazine that “promises us as many stories in the future as it has regaled us with in its past.”

I Can't Get No Satisfaction.....




GEORGIA May Jagger, Sir Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall’s youngest daughter insists she never wanted to be famous – whilst posing topless in a lucrative ad campaign.

"I don't want to be famous," wails the 17-year-old model. "My dad got famous because he's a musician and people liked his music, not because he just wanted to be famous.

"It's great in a way, but it really restricts your life. I think my dad would have trouble on the Tube. And I really wouldn't want to have deal with that. I'm not one of those who wants to go out and be photographed."

However she says this in the course of an 8 page glossy magazine interview and photo shoot publicising her recent contract with Hudson Jeans.

Monday, October 12, 2009

'Les Fideles de Chanel'




COCO Chanel's love for her lucky number five is being kept alive not only by her signature No.5 fragrance, but also in the form of her iconic label's new it quintet, Les Fidèles de Chanel (the faithful ones). The House of Chanel recently chose five of the most bold and beautiful women from the fashion set — model/DJ Leigh Lezark, stylist Caroline Sieber, agent Jen Brill, model/actress Poppy Delevingne, and model/stylist Vanessa Traina — to provide support for the brand's upcoming projects and launches. The über-stylish ladies, along with Alexa Chung, another fashionista friend of Chanel, will help by bringing their own original style to the haute couture brand.

Ronaldo Vs Beckham



RONALDO the new Beckham....in fashion terms?

They both made their infamous names at Manchester United before both signing multi-million pound contracts with Real Madrid. Both have captained their country, both have courted media attention for their skills on the pitch and their looks off the pitch and now Cristiano Ronaldo is set to follow in David Beckham’s footsteps once again: by becoming the new face and body of Emporio Armani Underwear.

From spring/summer 2010 Ronaldo will replace Beckham - who has fronted the Armani campaigns for four seasons - and wife Victoria, who joined him as the face of the women’s range for the past two seasons.

Victoria is said to be keen to focus on her own collection and has therefore not renewed her contract.

Whilst Beckham is said to be in talks about developing a Beckham – branded men’s underwear line, thought to be set to launch for autumn / winter 2010.




COLEEN Rooney has today proved she’s just an average girl, by snubbing traditional WAG ways and choosing to have her baby at a NHS hospital.

Having already insisted she’s not ‘too posh to push’ and maintaining that she will have her baby delivered naturally, now Rooney has decided against private health care in favour of her local hospital.

She and husband Wayne’s first child, which is due in the next fortnight, will be born at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

This is just another stark contrast between the Rooney’s and other WAG couples who generally prefer to pay to give birth at London’s renowned Portland Hospital.

Victoria Beckham, Jamie Redknapp’s wife Louise and Frank Lampard’s ex-girlfriend Ellen Rives all had their babies there.

The Rooney’s have also broken ranks with their fellow celebrity couples by denying the customary magazine deals for pictures of the baby.

Insisting she wants her child to be kept out of the spotlight, she turned down a £1million offer from OK to pose with her husband and the latest addition to their family, the News of the World reported.

Her decision to give birth on the NHS has delighted staff at the specialist hospital, which claims to have the highest standards of maternity care.

A source said: "The midwives here can't wait to help her through the birth.

"It is a tremendous fillip for all the dedicated and hard-working staff. They are really proud of LWH and overjoyed Coleen has opted to support them and the NHS."

Coleen, 23 - worth £8 million in her own right - recently made a documentary featuring her adopted sister Rosie, who suffers from Rett Syndrome, to raise funds for NHS hospices.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Love, Love, Love at Paris Fashion Week




A shameless selection of pretty celebrities all loved up in the City of Romance:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Paris Fashion Week:




CHANEL goes back to basics in Paris today.

Karl Lagerfield’s spring / summer collection for Chanel at Paris’ prêt-a-porter (ready to wear) season turned into a cheeky romp in the hay this morning.

Three barefoot models culminated the show with a roll around and a kiss in a haystack as part of the finale to the rustic presentation.

Backstage, pre show; Lagerfield cited Marie Antoinette in her shepherdess phase and a love of the countryside as the inspiration behind his ‘back to nature’ theme.

That said there were Chanel cardigan suits aplenty in fitting colours of corn wheat and poppy red. Whilst the classic cotton jeans, calico knickerbockers and short skirts made a welcome comeback. The models wore crowns and stalks of wheat in their hair as well as high heeled, wooden clogs – Lagerfield’s answer to the platform!

The stage was a flower-adorned, wooden barn, next to a giant haystack, with concealed “doors”, from which the models emerged.

The audience – including pop star Prince and supermodel Claudia Schiffer, took their seats on the front row which were actually hessian covered benches.

There was plenty of rural styling in the use of raw-edge linen for pretty pinafores, wench-blouses in white lace and crocheted dresses embroidered with meadow-flowers, with matching straw and raffia bags.

Not to mention the gorgeous party dresses in Taffeta and lace in cream and black that featured a drop-waist embellished with silk roses.

Finally a definite highlight was the arrival of Lily Allen, who came up through the floor to perform her song ‘Not Fair’ with her band, followed by a closing kiss from a Chanel boy on a haystack!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Paris Fashion Week:


WEEKENDS in the City of Light are more uniquely associated with love; romance, fun and fashion de jour - well not this one.

Paris took a serious note to the catwalks this weekend with thoughts of war, recession woes and saving the planet all playing on many designers’ minds.

The play school pastels and feminine shapes we saw at Milan, gave way to military influences in muted shades at Balmain on Thursday, with Friday seeing Vivienne Westwood issuing a “call to action: for all eco – warriors,” asking people to sign her petition, to help save the rainforests.

On Saturday, Viktor and Rolf sent frou frou ball gowns with cartoon–esque pieces missing; cannonball holes and missing slices, whilst on Sunday Karl Lagerfield completely contrasted his previously frilly offering for Fendi with a primarily monochrome, heavily structured collection, under his own name. The anti-fur protesters prowled outside.

Fortunately Alber Elbaz reminded us; life isn’t all doom and gloom because there will always be pretty dresses. The designer produced arguably his best collection for Lavin, reminding us that fashion will always be there to delight as well as portray the serious.

Finally something else that was considered not altogether serious was Lindsay Lohan taking a bow next to Emanuel Ungaro’s chief designer Estrella Archs at the end of Sundays’ show.

Traditionally the only person who took a bow at the end was the person who designed the clothes, but Unargo CEO Mounir Mouffarige chose Lohan too because she was defined as being; “a dancing, swinging, living doll” and a “moving advertising campaign for the brand.” Awarded the position of ‘artistic director’ Lohan herself said she has overseen all the work of the woman who took a bow with her: Estrella Archs. Thankfully there wasn’t a sequinned nipple sticker in sight.