Chanello!

So I last posted on beauty and this was meant to be a follow on BUT something stopped me in my tracks.  The Chanel show.  It's always nice to have a bit of a day dream on a Monday morning so I have been thinking about which of these outfits I'd choose if Mr Lagerfield gave me an open invitation!  A matter of weeks ago I was at the Grand Palais for Paris Art Fair, it is the most spectacular space and if you've never been there, go and take a look! (Random bit of trivia - the German troops stored their tanks there during the Second World War) It was breathtaking for the Fair, huge amount of fragrant roses everywhere, fountains, multi million pound pieces of art that you could get incredibly close to, from all over the world, almost better than a leading museum because if you had cash (rather alot of cash!) in your pocket, you could buy them!...and then his Karl-ness moved in and upped the ante.

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, so I'll shut up and let this small selection do the talking (for all the looks go to style.com) Again, please let me know which your favourites are!

I love feathers

..in the eye of the Beholder

Kate was pretty certain she'd smudged her lippy in the taxi

BEAUTY, aaah the quest for us all to look on peak form at all times.  It doesn't end with our outer togs but also with our face and bods as well.  Naturally inner beauty is the most important thing but finding the perfect shampoo/ mascara/ lipgloss etc can not only work wonders in the self confidence stakes but having a core group of products that you can rely on can transform flapping about into a swift, fool proof beauty routine.  Illustrated with some pictures by the fabulous Mario Testino.

Today is about fooling everyone..or rather make up! What products could you not live without?

I am going to share the contents of my make up bag with you..starting with the bag itself, Prada black nylon, 16 x 9 x 5 cm

Clinique anti blemish solutions clearing concealer, shade no 1. 
This stuff is wonderful and I have been using it for over ten years.  It used to be called Treat the Spot concealer and I had a minor breakdown when I thought they'd stopped making it but fortunately it was just being repackaged. Pretty heavy duty and ideal for covering up the odd blemish.

YSL Touche Eclat.
Needs no introduction.  The one thing to stop me looking like Dracula's daughter when the dark circles show..or even when they don't. I occasionally swipe it down the middle of my nose too for a little extra coverage.

Nars Bronzer in Laguna ( I also have it in Casino for when I have a bit more colour in my face)
I essentially use this as foundation as it almost matches my skin tone when applied correctly and I'm not a foundation fan. A quick sweep across the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, making sure it's properly blended in, keeps me glowing all year round.

Nars Blusher in Orgasm
Beautiful peachy colour,shot through with gold shimmer, looks flattering on everyone. Great for brightening up the face.

Guerlain Terracota Bronzer
I've had this soooo long that the shade I use has rubbed off the back so I can't tell you! It's really moisturising despite being a powder and has an SPF in it, plus it's quite matte so good for the Summer when I use it all over. For the colder months, I occasionally use it a more dramatic blusher than Orgasm as it's a warmer, slightly darker shade.

Mac Waterproof eye-liner in Graph black.
If my make up bag was going up in flames and I had to burn my fingers pulling one thing out, it would be this. It's perfect, it doesn't move.  You can layer it on for extra drama, apply flicks, smudge it and it's in a handy stick not like fiddly liquid. A WONDER product.  I bulk buy it at airports too because I couldn't bare to be without it.

DiorShow Mascara in BlackOut (Waterproof)
Apply exactly the same description as above- an essential, lasts all day, can put on as much or as little as you need.  Also a good one to buy in airports!

Nars Eye shadow in Biarritz
The perfect neutral cream.  Applied with a brush that is meant to be a concealer brush picked up in desperation from a pharmacy in NYC and does the job admirably.

Kiehls Lip Gloss in Golden Berry
Nearly the same colour as my lips when applied with a light swipe and perfect all year round. I am on the hunt for a more sophisticated nude for evening wear though so any suggestions send 'em my way!  I am much more a dramatic eyes than lips girl as you can probably tell.

Mac Pressed Blot Powder in Medium Dark
Not strictly a make up bag item as I transfer it between whatever bag I'm using that day as I HATE having a shiny forehead/ nose and with the blessing of olive skin (easy ability to tan) can come excess shine at times! Available in heaps of shade and perfect, if like me, you are foundation shy. Another absolute essential.

Gemma Ward from French Vogue 2005. This picture freaks me out a little.

The man himself, demonstrating the many uses of eyeliner.

Star Wars style

You know when you have been frantically running around and it all gets a little too much then something happens that just makes you, stop, sigh, reflect and take a couple of well earned moments for yourself? That is how I felt when I saw Gareth Pugh's Spring/ Summer ready to wear for 2011.  It was so clean and calm and space age.

On Wednesday afternoon the fashion pack were invited into Pugh's cyber world - via a digital fashion film presentation, shown in Paris on a giant screen at the Parc de Bercy sports stadium.  Directed by Ruth Hogben and featuring model Kristen McMenamy, a heartbeat style of soundtrack set the scene for the film which went on to introduce the designer’s razor-sharp tailoring with articulated armour-like tops, chiffon capes in chequerboard prints and Samurai-style looks.  There was an animatronic quality with McMenamy being seen to dissolve in a cloud of smoke and reappear in celestial rainbow lights.

“It was very graphic and beautiful using mirror imaging and lots of masterful morphing techniques,” said Vogue’s Harriet Quick.  Tim Blanks from Style.com said "What Hogben's film highlighted was the fluidity and movement inherent in Pugh's clothing. A runway could never have done that—nor could the lookbook images that were circulated after the screening."

Fans of Pugh can now watch the film on SHOWstudio.com AND now we can also get in on a piece of the designer’s spring/summer 2011 action as SHOWstudio.com’s shop has launched an exclusive scarf featuring the key monochrome graphic print from the collection.

 

 

I must say I think 'ready-to-wear' can be a misnomer in terms of, "could we pull it off the catwalk and start wearing it there and then?" but there were certainly a few pieces that caught my eye. I LOVED the silver dress at the end (last picture) and the fabulous structured jackets...ooh and the all black ensemble as well actually.  As you can see, I've included a couple of pictures of the men's outfits, but frankly if The Boy turned up wearing this I might ask if he'd finally got round to watching the original Star Wars trilogy (how can someone have avoided this?!) and found inspiration from the Imperial Officer's uniform..also could the topknots be a reference to Princess Leia's famous hairdo, juts relocated to the top of the head? Let me know if your thoughts, may the force be with you.  

Compare with picture 10...Grey? tick, structure? tick, asymmetrical jacket? tick.

UPDATE!! Sorry my pictures are all over the place.  I have lost my battle with HTML it seems.  Also this just made me laugh..I have boobs too and I would totally let Karl strap 'em down if he gave me a dress.

Hot Water

I did want to call this post 'Tea-bagging' but thought that may be a little too much to handle on a Monday morning. Suffice to say that I WANT THESE NOW as being British, I drink alot of tea and also because the idea of a miniature Karl peering over the edge of a mug/ delicate china teacup makes me happy.

Thanks to Donkey Products, drinking tea at will in tête-à-tête with icons of the fashion world is now possible with a collection of figurative tea bags equipped with the effigies of Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Donatella Versace...

 Also, if you're feeling like maybe the fashion world is not for you right now and your mood is more befitting a sharp shooter or monster then the Cup of Fame option may be for you..I particularly like Frankenstein and Audrey.

But if you're in crisis and need a soothing beverage then look no further than the Democratea group.  Obama is my favourite.  Obviously.

D & G & Glee!!

It's Friday and I am in a super happy mood.  One of my weaknessess in life is..don't judge me..musical theatre.  It makes me smile, laugh, mime with an imaginary mike, drift off into daydreams that I should have had a life on the stage in Wicked, Les Mis, Jersey Boys..heck ANYTHING! (I include Disney in this as well just to be clear).  Basically rocking out in my car/ bedroom/ bath/ occasionally at my desk if no-one is around to musicals will always brighten up my day so the wonder that is Glee was designed with me in mind.

Ah Glee, how I love thee.  The bitchiness, the singing, Sue Sylvester.  So imagine the level of excitement I felt when I heard that a talent from my other favourite televisual feast (Mad Men) was to combine with the Glee cast plus a few other luminaries for a skit at the Emmys.



Note to self: probably wasn't a sensible thing to watch in a public place as being almost reduced to the foetal position with laughter can generate some odd glances.

So, what else made me smile? The D&G show actually and I can't say I saw the uber florals coming but my golly I liked them.  The clue was in the invitation, which included a packet of flower seeds. At first glance I was thinking Laura Ashley in the 80s but..well...nicer, shinier somehow.  The set was planted with hydrangea bushes, roses climbed trellises and the catwalk was flanked with a grass border dotted with clumps of  primroses.  As Hurts announced from the speakers that we should “never give up, it’s such a wonderful life”, girls tripped down the catwalk in a floral lace dresses, frilled and flounced around the shoulders and hemlines, wide legged clam diggers and pretty midriff-revealing peasant tops.  Sweet tailored shorts came under matching floral jackets and apron fronted mini dresses accessorised with huge checked bags in bright yellow and red and cork platformed boots (worn with thick woolly socks) and wedged heel, perfect for next Summer's garden parties!

Well done boys!X