Sunday, August 28, 2011

Remembering Isabella Blow

A tribute to one of fashion’s most revered icons, the eponymously named hardback book, 'Isabella Blow' remembers the lady behind the hat.

Isabella Blow's career was kick-started by Anna Wintour when she took her on at Vogue in 1984. She later became Fashion Editor at Tatler and enjoyed terms at British Vogue and The Sunday Times before returning to Tatler as Fashion Director. Isabella nurtured the careers of Alexander McQueen, famously buying his entire graduate collection; Philip Treacy, commissioning him to design her wedding hat whilst he was still a student; Sophie Dahl, whom she discovered crying in a doorway; Hussein Chalayan and Stella Tennant. Profuse as they are however, this book is not about Isabella's professional accomplishments but rather, is a celebration of her relationships. Written by her former PA, Martina Rink, the book provides a very personal insight into a woman who inspired a lot of people, many of whom just so happen to be incredibly famous.

"Why is everybody writing about this woman? She only wore funny hats and clothes". Anon

With a foreward by Philip Treacy, the bulk of the book is dedicated to letters from friends of Isabella, reminiscing and sharing anecdotes. With contributions from Mario Testino, Hussein Chalayan, Hamish Bowles, Juergen Teller, Paul Smith, Naomi Campbell - the list goes on and is increasingly and infinitely impressive. Printed exactly as they were received, some of the letters are typed, some hand-written, some printed on letter headed paper from world-famous publications, some illustrated, some scribbled and some with sentences and words crossed out and re-considered. One of the most poignant quotes from the letters is by Isabella’s sister Julie, “without her, life is like a stage without a star”. Beautifully produced, sensitively written and full of the flamboyance she was famous for, 'Isabella Blow' is a fitting tribute to an all-time i-con.

'Isabella Blow' by Martina Rink is published by Thames & Hudson.



Best Dressed Celebrity Of The Week

Brad Pitt: Let’s say, he is the total package of Hollywood. He is a good actor does not dodge the paparazzi like many other actors, besides he has a great fashion sense, as he proved recently heading into a restaurant in Bel Air, immaculately dressed in Ralph Lauren.




He knows how to pull of any kind of outfit. No wonder many beautiful ladies have an eye on him.

Kelly Osbourne Face Of Material Girl

At the ripe age of 26, Kelly Osbourne can hardly be described as a girl. But she has bagged the plum job as the face of Madonna and daughter Lourdes (Lola) fashion line, Material Girl.

While she didn't seem to be wearing much in the way of Material, Kelly looked cute and edgy in a pair of black high-waisted shorts, a cropped denim shirt and a Madonna favourite - a funky bra.

With her many tattoos on show, the blonde starlet showed off the style that had Lola and Madonna gushing when they announced she was set to front their new campaign.



Kelly hurriedly took over from Gossip Girl wildchild Taylor Momsen, 17, who proved slightly too edgy after she described the Material Girl look as Taylor Momsen, 17, described the range as similar in style to that of a 'high-class hooker.'

Madonna said: 'Kelly represents a true Material Girl. She is edgy, cool and has a unique sense of style that Lola and I love.'

The ads were shot in Manhattan's East Village neighbourhood. In a joint interview with co-designer Lourdes 'Lola' Leon Ciccone, Lola and Kelly confidently talked up the range pointing out their favourites.



'The military jacket. I love that and I put it with a bunch of badges on it to make it my own, too.

'When it comes to clothes for warmer weather, it’s shorts for spring that are all the rage for the girls. “I’m like obsessed with them,” said Lourdes.

While Osbourne pointed out the accessories. 'The shoes - there’s a pair of nude heels that I’m really obsessed with.

'There’s so much stuff in it that’s so me and what I wear. There’s a leopard dress that I get to wear next that I’m excited about. I love prints,' she told People Magazine.

The pair also mentioned the affordability of the brand.

'There’s not many other companies besides Material Girl that do clothes at an affordable price that are high fashion and [are] what people see in the magazines and can emulate themselves without having to go and spend $1000 on a dress, she said.

Kelly has also admitted to to taking 'so much of my style from Madonna in the 80's and I really admire how Lola dresses and that she stays true to herself.'

Madonna will be pleased to hear all the positive things Kelly spouted about the brand. It has been reported that Kelly had to sign an extensive confidentiality agreement.

Madonna decided on the draconian measure after her previous muse, Momsen, 17, described the range as similar in style to that of a ‘high-class hooker’ and was sacked.

‘Madonna doesn’t want any repeat episodes,’ said an aide.

‘Kelly will have to be very careful about what she says. The clothes are aimed at a teenagers so she will have to behave accordingly.’

Fashion Trend : Polka Dots

We couldn't help but notice the huge surge of polka dots on the fall 2011 runways. We've deemed them this year's stripe and we just had to share our polka love with you. Check out just eight of the shows where the dots made an appearance above. We love the LBD at Stella McCartney and Diane von Furstenberg got it totally right with her gorgeous piece.


We also think Marc Jacobs silhouette and top/skirt set is going to be one of the hottest new styles of clothing. Check out our hand-picked roundup of amazing polka dot finds below. Scoop a piece up today and be one step ahead of the trends.

Naughty Alice

Coming soon; The fictional adventures of our very own in company fashionista and mascot ‘Naughty Alice’.

Watch this space as Alice storms into the office clad in, as she details ‘ Intimidating wedges by Nine West, an Ironic smock by Balenciaga and Vermillion lip gloss’, no doubt fresh back from the Bar Mitzvah of John Galliano with Diane Von Furstenberg, to tell us the months low down from the style and party circuit.



Rafael Nadal Unveils Armani Underwear Campaign in New York

You've got to hand it to him, the guy's got balls...on and off the court.

Tennis champion, Rafael Nadal, has been stripping down once again for his second campaign with Emporio Armani.

The 25-year-old made an appearance at Macy's Herald Square in New York on Thursday 25 August, where he saw the new campaign photos for the first time.

The sports heart-throb was dressed head to toe in Armani as swarms of female fans chanted 'Rafa, Rafa', but the tennis ace wasn't bemused at all.

'It has happened a few times,' he said. 'It is nothing new for me.'

The tennis ace, who disappointed fans by keeping his top on, spoke proudly of working with the Italian designer label and how it had changed his style: 'Now that I’m working with Armani [it] is a new experience. It’s a different world that is very positive for me. I enjoy it a lot.'

The two new shots of the AW/11 campaign shows a polished Nadal wearing nothing but a pair of tight briefs and a smouldering stare in one photograph, and an unbuttoned pair of jeans in another.


He first modelled for the label back in January, but the news came as a shock to his fans who knew him for his shy and reserved attitude.


However, Nadal was quick to point out that he hasn't become fashion-obsessed, nor does his girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, offer him style advice. 'If I see something I like, I get it,' the Spanish player said.

His contract with Armani sees him follow in the footsteps of football players, David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo.

But it's not just fashion that Nadal's interested in. With the start of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships being just days away, the sportsman has been busy practising on a daily basis, but he has also found time to catch a Broadway show in the form of Mamma Mia: 'The music was fabulous,' he said.

The champion is currently staying in a hotel near Central Park and has admitted he loves 'being around all the people' in the busy city, which is great as it means he can stand and admire his 20ft billboard all day long amongst the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Perfect.

Angelina Jolie Models For Louis Vuitton's 'Core Values'

After months of rumours and speculation, Angelina Jolie has been unveiled as the new face of Louis Vuitton’s Core Values campaign.

The image, shot by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz  shows the Hollywood star sitting barefoot in a wooden boat on a river in Cambodia, wearing everyday pieces from her own wardrobe, with her long dark locks in natural waves and her own weathered, monogrammed Louis Vuitton Alto bag slung over her shoulder.



The au natural look reflects the unspoilt setting of the Siem Reap province in Cambodia, where Jolie reportedly took her gorgeous brood of children to the photoshoot.

The campaign image, which was released today, is set to run for at least 18 months as part of the French fashion house’s Core Values initiative, which aims to promote travel and an awareness of global issues. Other stars who have posed for the cause include Bono, Catherine Deneuve and Sean Connery.

The image reaffirms Angelina’s long-standing love affair with Cambodia. The star fell in love with the South-East Asian country whilst filming the first Tomb Raider movie in 2000. She later adopted son Maddox from the country and she and partner, Brad Pitt set up the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which helps community development and conservation in the country.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Matthew Terry For Vogue Hommes Japan F/W 2011

The Vogue Hommes Japan F/W 2011 cover featuring Ford Men’s Matthew Terry (Photographed by Branislav Jankic) surfaced  early this week, reinforcing the  buzz surrounding the 20-year-old Garden State native and VMAN 23 cover model.

The young male model who walked exclusively for the Versace Menswear P/E 2012 collection show in June claims his second cover, this time wearing gold chains and bracelet by, wait for it, Mugler and headpiece by Marianna Harutunian.

That’s already two magazine covers and neither have yet to even hit the newsstand. VMAN 23 will be available Thursday, 1 September and Vogue Hommes Japan F/W 2011 Saturday, 10 September.

Matthew Terry | Vogue Hommes Japan F/W 2011 (Photography: Branislav Jankic)



Best Dressed Celebrity Of The Week

This week, it's hats' off to Catherine, Dutchess of Cambridge who remained consistant in her safe but classical element.


The future queen-in-waiting  appeared sharp and elegant wearing Alexander McQueen during an opening ceremony at Summerfield Comminuty Centre, Birmingham, England.

Coco Chanel : Nazi Agent?

She was one of the most remarkable women of the 20th Century, but Coco Chanel's reputation is again under scrutiny over allegations that she was a Nazi agent in World War II France.

To millions of people around the globe Chanel stands for style, opulence and understated elegance, from haute couture worn by the few to ready-to-wear treasured by the masses.

Coco Chanel  at 42 years of age

Her achievements are undeniable. Chanel's instantly recognisable suits have been sported by stylistas from the Duchess of Windsor to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Jackie Kennedy was wearing a pink version when JFK was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

Did the creator of the little black dress have a little black secret?

And, the "little black dress", that byword for elegant simplicity as worn by Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, has regularly topped polls for the most iconic of all items of clothing.

But there is another side to the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, and it concerns her actions in occupied France during World War II.

Did the creator of the little black dress have a little black secret?

Like many luminaries, including the singers Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier, the writer Jean Cocteau and the late president Francois Mitterrand, Chanel remained in her native country following its occupation by German forces in the summer of 1940.

And since the war's end, rumours have abounded about the real nature of her association with the Nazis.

Now according to Hal Vaughan, author of the new book, Sleeping with the Enemy, Chanel is revealed as having actually worked for German military intelligence during the war.

Being a Nazi agent was "part of her daily life" in Paris during the occupation, he says.

"Chanel was a consummate opportunist. The Nazis were in power, and Chanel gravitated to power. It was the story of her life. "Chanel didn't believe in anything, except fashion. Chanel believed in beautiful clothes, she believed in her business and rightly so; she didn't care about Hitler or politics or Nazism."

Ensconced in the luxury of the Hotel Ritz, a privilege permitted to few non-Germans, Chanel, who had closed her shops in France at the outbreak of war, was in constant contact with the country's new Nazi overlords.

Key to the new allegations is her affair with the dashing 44-year-old German officer Baron Hans Guenther von Dincklage who, Vaughan says, "has been treated by every biographer as a kind of playboy tennis man".

"He wasn't. He was a professional Abwehr [German military intelligence] officer, who had been operating in France since the late 1920s.

"He manipulated Chanel, and Chanel manipulated him."

It was von Dincklage who arranged the 57-year-old Chanel's stay in the Ritz and who managed her business relations with the occupation authorities.

In return, Vaughan says, the Abwehr signed Chanel up as Agent F-7124, codenamed "Westminster" after a former lover, the second duke.

In a gavotte-like relationship, the feisty Chanel manoeuvred for the release of her nephew, Andre Palasse, from a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany.

Beyond this, the Abwehr dangled before her the enticing prospect of taking control of the highly profitable Chanel perfume business, which she had licensed to the Jewish Wertheimer brothers in 1924.

Audrey Hepburn's LBD by Givenchy sold for  410,000 pounds.

Indeed, she did make a claim to the company under Nazi "Aryanisation" laws, not realising that the Wertheimers, by then safely in the United States, had handed control of the firm to a Christian.

While agreeing that Vaughan's book adds some new detail to Chanel's war years, the writer Justine Picardie, whose biography, Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life, was published last year, believes that Chanel's motives were "a bit more subtle and nuanced".

"Everything she did was a paradox. She was so contradictory. On the one hand, she did make anti-Semitic remarks. But then some of her best clients were Jewish, like the Rothschilds, and indeed her business partner was Jewish, and he continued to be her business partner after the war."

But what did Chanel really do as an agent? Well, after having been promised that her nephew would be released, it seems that she travelled to Madrid in August 1941 with the special dispensation of the Germans, in order to use her contacts to gain political intelligence.

Coco Chanel in 1929

According to a document cited by Vaughan, though, this visit only saw her exchanging banalities with a British diplomat who reported that: "the Germans cannot understand the French and this is making them hate them to the point that she, Mlle Chanel, is afraid of what will happen."

Vaughan readily accepts that Chanel was never a spy. "Espionage ­- you take photographs, you take documents.­ Chanel never did that," he says.

"She was a facilitator. She knew everybody in Spain, she knew everybody in England, and she helped out the Nazis." At the war's end Chanel, who fled to Switzerland, was spared from being tried as a collaborator. Vaughan says due to Churchill's intervention, others say because of the British royal family.

Returning to Paris in 1954, her re-establishment in the couture business was financed by none other than Pierre Wertheimer, one of the men she had sought to dispossess during the war.

Coco Chanel died, aged 87 in January 1971, appropriately enough in her wartime home, the Hotel Ritz in Paris.

War and conflict always reveals the survival instinct. Coco Chanel, who had risen from a Catholic orphanage to become the mistress of all she surveyed, was a born survivor.


Kate Moss' Sister Lottie To Be The New Queen Of The Catwalk?


When Kate Moss tied the knot to fiancé Jamie Hince last month all eyes were on the supermodel.

That was until they caught sight of her younger sister Lottie Moss who was among one of Kate's 15 bridesmaids.

Now model agencies are rushing to sign the willowy 13-year-old after setting eyes on her porcelain skin, blonde hair and cheekbones and she's being tipped by fashion insiders to replace her 37-year-old sister as queen of the catwalk.

Will Lottie Moss become the new queen of the catwalk?

Vogue said Lottie was 'already showing signs she will follow in her sister's footsteps' according to the Sunday Mirror.

She is just a year younger than her elder sister was when she was discovered, aged 14, at JFK airport in 1988 returning from a holiday in the Bahamas with her father.

Carole White, founder of Premier Models and who launched Naomi Campbell's career, told the Evening Standard: 'Lottie looks beautiful and fresh - a very English rose look.

'Generally you need the height. Kate is an exception to the rule because models need to be 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in. I think Lottie would make a lovely young model.'

The teenager is the daughter of Kate's father Peter and his second wife Inger. She already models vintage clothes for the family store in West Sussex.

However, he family insist she cannot model full-time until she is 14 - which was the age her sister found fame. Leading fashion expert Karen Kay says Lottie's classical beauty is very 'now'.

She said: 'She’s even got a Cindy Crawford-style mole on her chin. She’s the full package. If she plays her cards right, she could eclipse Kate.'





Grace Coddington To Publish Fashion Memoirs

Despite sharing the camera with U.S. Vogue's famously fearsome editor, Anna Wintour, it was Grace Coddington who was hailed the real star of The September Issue.

Now the magazine's long-standing creative director is set to tell her story after signing a rumoured $1.2million deal with Random House.

The 70-year-old, who is hailed by many in the industry as 'the world's greatest living stylist', is believed to have enlisted fellow Vogue staffer Michael Roberts as co-writer.

Story to tell: Vogue creative director Grace Coddington, pictured in 2007 documentary The September Issue, has signed a $1.2m deal to publish a memoir

The news follows months of rumours that Ms Wintour has a memoir in the works - whether they were misplaced, or the two tomes will go head-to-head remains to be seen.

News that Ms Coddington had a memoir first emerged last year, in an interview with WWD. She told the trade title: 'I’m hoping it’s going to be very rich in fashion history. It’s more than just about me.'

But it is the stylist's own history that is likely to be the most riveting part.

Born in Wales to hotelier parents, she moved to London at the age of 17, where she began modelling for legendary photographers including Norman Parkinson.

But her career was cut short at the age of 26 after here eyelid was badly damaged in a car crash.

Unable to model, she used her knowledge of the fashion industry to carve a role as a stylist, eventually landing a position as a junior fashion editor at British Vogue.

She moved to the fashion glossy's U.S. counterpart when Ms Wintour took over as editor in 1988, and the pair have worked alongside one another ever since.

But as The September Issue reveals, their relationship is not an easy one.

In one scene, Ms Coddington is devastated when the editrice rejects a lavish $35,000 shoot. Others show their barbed repartee, which actually appears to give the pair some pleasure.

After one such tense moment in the documentary, she admits to the camera crew: 'I love to talk budgets with Anna in front of you guys. She hates it. It's a sure way to get the budget up.'



Monday, August 8, 2011

Mens Relaxed Tailoring : Loose And Pleated Pants

Loose pants

If relaxed and oversized shoulders are the hallmark of the emerging relaxed tailoring trend, then loose cut trousers / pants follow a close second. At the outset they may feel like an easy way to interpret the trend, but don’t be deceived: they’re the element that is easiest to get wrong.

For this part of the look what you’re looking for are those relaxed, oversized and generally loose interpretations of men’s trousers which are tailored. After all, this trend may lack formality but it certainly isn’t so casual that it is streetwear. Tailoring is key to the whole look.

In short, the elements you’re looking for in loose cut pants throughout 2011 and 2012 are:

· loosely tailored through the thighs

· loosely tailored through the crotch

· tailored

With those elements in mind, here are some on-trend interpretations of relaxed cut trousers from the autumn / winter 2011 men’s catwalks:


Dolce & Gabbana tailored, drop crotch pants.

Ermanno Scervino loose cut trousers styled in line with the aviator fashion  trend.

The return of pleated pants


Given that the tail end 2011 and the start of 2012 will see an experimentation with the fit of men’s pants, it naturally follows that other elements will also be experimented with. As we’ve seen with womenswear, we’re also watching for the return of pleated pants for men.

So far we haven’t seen one specific pleat return and across the recent men’s catwalks we’ve seen both forward pleats (when the pleat opens towards the centre of the pants) and reverse pleats (when the pleats open towards the pockets). Vivienne Westwood experimented with both fits in her autumn 2011 collection, pairing pleats with a casually tailored waist line as a counterbalance

Men’s pleated pants from Vivienne Westwood.

Solid Metal Jewellery For Women

A lot of the recent fashion trends we’ve featured have been obviously influenced by a particular era, movement or style. This is one jewelry trend, however, that is not worth trying to pigeon hole.

It’s clean , simple, minimalist, and modernist. But it’s equally inspired by the Ancients. We’re talking about cold, hard, solid metal shaped into the forms of cuffs and collars; and whether it’s gold or silver, copper or bronze, it’s a strong look for right now and one that will eagerly be carried over in to autumn / fall 2011′s fashions.

At Elie Saab A/W ’11
Influences

Minimalist influences

As the neutral tones and clean cuts of minimalism have breezed their way into fashion, so too have minimalist accessories been taking over from their ostentatious counterparts. It’s a natural progression, from clothing to jewellery; and thus no surprise that the minimalism so strong in 2010 is still being played out in 2011 by way of our accessories. To that end this particular trend is not about embellishments or filigrees or engravings or any other form of decoration bar for smooth, solid metal (as per the Elie Saab example above) and perhaps  if anything at all , a simple stone setting or two.

Ancient influences

While minimalism has shaped this trend to a large degree, it’s also stemmed from another of last year’s big fascinations: the warrior. 2010 was full of fierce ancient warrior influences and these fed into the kinds of gauntlet-like cuffs and jewellery inspired by armour plating that have merged in with 2011′s more glamorous takes. Historically this part of the trend harks all the way back to the Bronze Age through to the Iron Age, where armlets and torques (or torcs, a neck ring made of metal twisted together into a collar necklace) were popular.

Bronze Age embossed gold armlets, 2100-1900 BC. Image courtesy of the British Museum


How to wear it right now

As with much of 2011′s fashion, solid metal accessories are mostly being worn with a 1970s spin. Take a flowing frock or sharp tailored suit and there’s little better way to accessorise it than with a glamorous sleek gold choker or a heavy gold cuff bracelet. Your 2011 swimwear can also be magnified tenfold in glamour when being worn pool side as opposed to in the water by accessorising with some Grecian goddess-like precious metal jewelry.

For winter take cold metal pieces and contrast them against soft knits or cosy furs; or pair a strong metal choker with a structured, minimalist jacket or coat for some icy sophistication.

On the runway at Michael Kors, A/W ’11

As the mod sixties start to creep back around as we move into 2012′s fashions, original designs from the modernist movement – designs marked by mostly abstract forms and clean, sturdy designs – will emerge as willing accompaniments to a swinging ’60s look. Here you’re best off hunting down chunkier silver or silver-tone pieces.

Metals

In picking up some of 2011′s solid metal jewelry, what materials should you look for? There’s no real rules, though the most suitable are:

· Gold and gold-tone

· Silver

· Copper

· Brass

· Any hammered metal, which has a textured finish rather than a smooth one.

Silver cuff bracelet at Michael Kors, A/W ’11

Where they’ve been seen

Spring 2011′s fashion editorials have been chock-a-block with them; while for autumn / fall 2011 we spotted the trend on numerous runways from Elie Saab autumn 2011 to Michael Kors autumn 2011, proving these accessories are investments you can carry across from warm weather to the colder months without skipping a beat. Follow the links to those collections for more pictures of this solid metal jewellery trend on the winter runways.



The Recognition Of Olivier Theyskens

It was the business equivalent of a blind date.

Before teaming up with Theory, Mr. Theyskens was artistic director of Rochas and Nina Ricci.


On a February afternoon in 2010, Andrew Rosen, a founder of Theory, and the Belgian designer Olivier Theyskens met for lunch at Macelleria, a rustic Italian restaurant a few cobblestones away from Theory’s offices in the meatpacking district.

On the surface, the two men were an unlikely pairing. One was a blunt-speaking, hard-charging New Yorker who got his start in his family’s retailing business three decades earlier and who had built a fashion empire on the principle that clothes could be both practical and stylish. The other was an ethereal, almost waiflike presence whose three previous attempts to create a luxury line (once under his own name, then successively for the venerable European houses Rochas and Nina Ricci) had foundered despite ample critical acclaim.

Steven Kolb, the chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, was largely responsible for this face-to-face meeting. Acting as a sort of matchmaker, Mr. Kolb had sent Mr. Rosen an e-mail last year at the request of Mr. Theyskens’s lawyers, whom he knew through the council. Mr. Theyskens was interested in starting his own line, and he wanted Mr. Rosen’s support.


Mr. Rosen was known in the industry for providing crucial backing for up-and-coming brands like Rag & Bone, Alice + Olivia and Gryphon, as well as helping to revitalize the Helmut Lang brand.

But Mr. Rosen had other ideas, none of which included setting up Mr. Theyskens in his own business. As Mr. Rosen explained in an interview in his office this spring, “Starting a business today from scratch is a very complicated thing, and to do something on the scale that Olivier would be happy with would be a very expensive proposition.”

Moreover, Mr. Rosen was not shopping for a star designer. But he was on a mission to grow the Theory brand beyond its current markets in the United States and Japan. Bringing in a celebrated international designer like Mr. Theyskens might very well help that cause and give the brand some fresh energy.

So after lunch, as the two men strolled into the nearby Theory flagship, Mr. Rosen suggested that rather than start his own line, Mr. Theyskens design one for Theory.

Mr. Theyskens was intrigued. He had already calculated that it would be impossible to forge a new business with fewer than 30 people, including those with expertise in sales and the contemporary market. Theory already had the staff and expertise. “You always want to start things,” Mr. Theyskens said, “but you want to measure the risk.” Working with a retailing veteran like Mr. Rosen would help him do just that.

In May 2010, it was announced that Mr. Theyskens would design a new line: Theyskens’ Theory. Five months after that — before the first collection was even in stores, and thus still an unknown in terms of its commercial viability — Mr. Theyskens was also named artistic director of the entire Theory brand, which is owned by Japan’s Fast Retailing.

Mr. Rosen was asked whether the seemingly sudden decision to hand over creative control of Theory to the young designer was a risky move. “To me, it’s not a risk,” he said. “I know Olivier, and I know his understanding of Theory. I think it’s a great opportunity. I didn’t need a reaction from the consumer on Theyskens’ Theory. It’s amazing clothes that will get an amazing response.”


Looking back, Mr. Rosen acknowledged that the series of developments that led from that lunch to this current partnership came somewhat as a surprise to him and to Mr. Theyskens: “I don’t think he was ever thinking that, oh, one day he was going to become the artistic director of Theory.”

Victoria Beckham's Airport Style

When you head off to the airport, what do you put on? A pair of jeans and sandals? A cashmere sweater or scarf to cosy up in? Whatever you can see through your bleary eyes as you leave the house at four in the morning? In our dream lives we would look like Victoria Beckham as we stepped on and off the plane - perfectly polished and not a hair out of place.



The singer-turned-fashion designer has been leading quite the jet-set life over the past few weeks, travelling between L.A., Miami and the south of France in double quick time. And we can't help but be impressed by her perfectly turned out travelling wardrobe. Not for her bed head and creases - she's working heels and an enviable line-up of summer pieces.

At the beginning of June she touched down in London wearing an eye-popping red dress by Goat teamed with Louboutin boots, an Hermes Birkin and sunglasses from her own collection. She headed to Nice last week sporting a right-on-trend skater skirt paired with a black T-shirt, nude stilettos and, of course, her trusty Birkin. And this morning she arrived back in the UK dressed in a Marc Jacobs dress - straight to the top of our wishlist - high-heeled Louboutin pumps and oversized shades. We're in awe.

Vogue Model Aged 10


Top fashion magazine French Vogue has caused outrage by printing provocative pictures of a Ten-year-old model.


The shots show Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau posing on leopard print cushions, sporting a full face of make-up and wearing skimpy, cut-away clothes.

In other images the pre-teen pouts while applying lipstick and dons a metallic dress with the front cut to the waist.

The pictures have reignited the debate about the sexualisation of young girls.




The daughter of French international footballer Patrick Blondeau and TV presenter Veronika Loubry, Thylane has been modelling since she was five and is hotly tipped to be fashion's next big thing.

Comparisons between her and Brigitte Bardot, who appeared in Elle aged 15, are already being made.

But in reality Thylane is just the latest in a long line of young stars groomed for modelling.




Hollywood actress Elle Fanning, 13, is the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs and new adverts from designer label Miu Miu feature 14-year-old film star Hailee Steinfeld.

The controversial issue of Vogue, co-edited by designer Tom Ford, has sparked disgust online.


Last month, PM David Cameron called for more stringent rules on the depiction of children and the creation of a website where parents can complain about inappropriate material.

The Marriage of Kate Moss

Newlyweds Kate Moss and Jamie Hince are officially husband and wife after tying the knot in the Costwolds this afternoon.

Following their wedding at a village church, the bride and groom happily posed outside with the supermodel's 15 bridesmaids, including her eight-year-old daughter Lila Grace.

The bride, 37, looked stunning in a vintage-style cream dress and matching floor-length veil, designed by close friend John Galliano.

The model showed off her slim figure in a cream bias-cut dress with sheer skirt with gold leaf embroidery and rhinestones.



Moss's choice of designer is somewhat of a reprieve to disgraced Galliano, who is currently on trial in Paris for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks.

Her hair is styled in loose waves by Sam McKnight - not James Brown as previously thought - and she appears to have resisted her usual cat eye make-up in favour of a more natural look for the big day, created by Charlotte Tilbury. Her head piece features floral detailing on either side of an off-white headband.

Manolo Blahnik designed a special pair of wedding shoes that include a blue insole as Kate's 'something blue'.

Her new husband Hince shunned traditional dark colours and opted for a light blue Stefano Pilati for YSL suit, giving his ensemble a rock twist with a pair of sunglasses.

The bridal party included 14 young bridesmaids in white chiffon dresses with a gypsy-style neckline and matching ballet pumps, with maid-of-honour, Moss's former casting agent Jess Hallett in a blue Stella McCartney creation.

Close friends Naomi Campbell, wearing Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, Bryan Ferry in a Gucci suit and US Vogue editor Anna Wintour are understood to have attended the ceremony.

One of the guests, reality TV star Kelly Osbourne was clearly moved by the ceremony.

She Tweeted: 'This is the most beautiful, loving, amazing wedding I have ever been to. it's magical when you see people really in love!'

The Most Stylish Baby In The World: Harper Seven Beckham

Move over Suri Cruz. The world has been blessed with  a serious minature fashionista. Victoria Beckham has given birth to a baby girl – the first daughter for the former Spice Girl and her footballer husband David.

The baby, named Harper Seven, was delivered on Sunday at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

In a statement on his Facebook page, former England captain Beckham said: "I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham.


"She weighed a healthy 7lbs 10oz and arrived at 7.55 this morning, here in LA. Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister xx."

The Beckhams, who married in 1999, already have three boys - Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, five.

Their spokesman, Simon Oliveira, announced the happy news on Twitter.

"David & Victoria Beckham are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter," he wrote.

In another posting, he added: "Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family."

Forget trips to Mothercare for the Beckhams latest arrival though, baby grows and footwear from the likes of Chanel and Manolo Blahnik are already adorning the nursery.

Donatella Versace for H&M


H&M have just revealed that Donatella Versace is the latest designer to join the esteemed name of fashion elite to design a range for the high-street brand.

The Versace for H&M collection is going to be packed full of punch for a rock ‘n’ roll inspired range. Donatella is set to infuse her signature gold and leather looks with beautiful, bold prints and there will also be accessories to match. “I’m going to use iconic Versace pieces of iconic Versace moments,” said Donatella.


The range will also include homewares with cushions and bed linen set to go on sale.

The Versace for H&M collection will be available worldwide from 17 November, 2011 so the United Arab Emirates had better get ready!

Helena Bonham Carter for Marc Jacobs

She may be known for being more shabby than chic but it seems Helena Bonham Carter is a hit with the fashion industry.

The actress has joined the ranks of Victoria Beckham, Dakota Fanning and Sofia Coppola to become the latest face of U.S label Marc Jacobs.

Pictured wearing a futuristic nude dress and polka-dot tights, the kooky King's Speech star posed for the campaign shot by photographer Juergen Teller.



The choice may seem like an odd one, especially as Helena is a devoted Vivienne Westwood fan, but perhaps talks began after Jacobs dressed the actress for the Sagg awards.

Either way, Helena has always divided critics with her whacky sense of fashion.

But her mismatched style earned her a place on the Vanity Fair Best Dressed List last year.

The Harry Potter star, 44, who counts Marie Antoinette as one of her style icons, told the New York Daily News: 'It was a triumph!

'It made me laugh because I thought it was a joke when I found out'.

'But when I saw the article, I thought, "Oh, the photos they've chosen are as bad as the ones they print when I'm worst dressed."'

Fans of her acting will soon be able to catch her in the latest installment of Harry Potter, the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Lara Stone's New Calvin Klein Campaign

David Williams is one very lucky man.

We have found ourselves developing a girl crush on David Walliams's wife Lara Stone recently after seeing her latest TV ad for the Spring/Summer 2011 Calvin Klein Collection.

Lara appears alongside male model Tyson Ballou as a wealthy couple whose lives clearly revolve around all things Calvin Klein.


The 30-second ad shows the pair living in a house drenched in Calvin Klein Collection furniture and accessories as well as an entirely Calvin Klein Collection wardrobe.

Lara's previous Calvin Klein advertising campaign was banned  in Australia after it was branded "suggestive of violence and rape".