Archive for March, 2011
designer pick of the week, Designers, Gallery, Style spotlight
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Carrying on with our archive galleries of our very favourite designers and their best designs, today we’re going to look at Louis Vuitton, one of France’s most loved and celebrated design houses. Even if you’re not familiar with their collections, you’ll probably know what their luxury handbags and luggage looks like – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to some truly gorgeous work.
We’ve got a lot to thank Louis Vuitton for – three cheers for the fashion house that brought womanly curves back into vogue with a now unforgettable Autumn/Winter 2010 collection, which featured the likes of Lara Stone and Elle MacPherson wiggling down the runway in staggeringly sexy nipped-in 1950s dresses and two-piece suits. And thus the ladylike trend was born, one of the most flattering trends to have surfaced for a while.
We also fell hard for their 2011 spring/summer collection which showed an opulent range of oriental-inspired silk prints, and their delightfully silly 2010 collection filled with florals, bows, fluff and afro wigs galore. This is truly a fashion house that never fails to surprise us. Have a look at our favourite LV moments in the gallery above.
Tags: afro, autumn/winter, best of, collections, designer spotlight, kitsch, Louis Vuitton, luxury, pattern, print, spring/summer
Posted in designer pick of the week, Designers, Gallery, Style spotlight | No Comments »
Accessories, Events, Gallery
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Vivienne Westwood Patent Wallet
Got money to burn? Why not treat your mum to this deliciously luxurious Vivienne Westwood purse that you can find here.
I don’t know about yours, but the state of my mum’s purse is absolutely atrocious – she’s a horder born and bred whose handbags and purses are stuffed completely full of a lifetime’s worth of train tickets, phone cards, store cards that have never been used and old dog-eared magazines. As a result all of her purses are completely knackered and burst apart at the seams every few months or so, only to be replaced with a new one – that’s why this year I’m thinking that I’ll get her a really good one that she can’t bring herself to spoil.
If you’re thinking of getting something similar for your ma this year, don’t just go for something practical and cheap from the reduced bin at TKMaxx – she may say thank you, but really she’d probably prefer something a bit glam and silly. After all, wouldn’t any girl rather be given a pair of Vivienne Westwood heels instead of practical wellington boots, no matter how useful they are? You know I’m right.
We’re making this easy for you – above in the gallery are some of our favourite purses to buy online. Have a peek!
Tags: "gift ideas", accessorize, florals, high street, money, Mothers Day, pret-a-porter, purses, TopShop, Vivienne Westwood, wallets
Posted in Accessories, Events, Gallery | No Comments »
Fashion Tips, Gallery, Trend Alert
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Black Daisy Print Silk Shorts
Wasn’t the weather beautiful today? I spent most of the day daydreaming about the summer, keeping a lookout for cute bikinis online and fighting the urge to go outside and read in the garden when I should have been doing my university courswork – and then I came in here and wrote this.
Today’s blue skies and warm breeze was a pleasant reminder that winter is over - bring on the spring and all that it entails. In fashion terms that entails lightweight fabrics, pretty prints and baring your legs – and there’s no better way to do that than with a cute, femininely cut pair of shorts to show off your (fake-tanned) pins.
The great thing about this year’s spring/summer trends is that absolutely anything goes. You want delicate prints as seen at Miu Miu, or sizzlingly bright block colours a la Jil Sander? There’s a pair out there at the moment on the high street to suit absolutely everyone. Pick out a pair of our top 10 spring shorts in the gallery above, pair them up with a little top and some cool wedges and voila! Your new favourite spring outfit, without even having to try too hard. Aren’t we good to you?
Tags: "Paul & Joe", bare legs, bows, florals, Miss Selfridge, paperbag shorts, shorts, spring/summer, TopShop, trends
Posted in Fashion Tips, Gallery, Trend Alert | No Comments »
News
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
Lady Gaga “became the human form” of Nicola Formichetti’s style ideas.
The stylist and fashion editor has been styling the ‘Born This Way’ hitmaker since before she became a megastar, and he told how the explosion in her popularity helped launch his career.
He told VICE magazine: “We were just doing what we were doing. It was like jerking off-doing your own thing and being happy.
“Gaga made that stuff into a reality. She gave a purpose to my jerking off. She became the human form of all the pages of the magazines I was doing. Now I’m doing something that actually exists! My ideas are walking around and talking to people.”
Nicola – who was born in Japan and raised in Italy – recently became the new creative director of Thierry Mugler and launched the fashion house’s debut menswear collection at Paris Fashion Week.
He also told how when she first appeared on the fashion scene none of the design houses were willing to lend Gaga their clothes apart from Alexander McQueen, who went on to form a close bond with the star.
He added: “McQueen was the only one at the beginning who loved her. He just said we could take whatever we wanted from his stock.
“People were so horrible to her. I can’t say who it was that said ‘no’, but of course I remember them.
“But I’m attracted to the freaks, I always loved her.”
Tags: Born this way, fashion, lady gaga, Nicola Formichetti, Vice Magazine
Posted in News | No Comments »
Celebrity Style, News
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
Helena Bonham Carter is a fashion “genius”.
The ‘King’s Speech’ star is famous for her eccentric dress sense including famously wearing one red and one green shoe to this year’s Golden Globe Awards but Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman loves her style.
She says Helena is “a genius who made my [Golden Globes] evening so much fun. And why not wear two different colored shoes?”
Georgina founded her eveningwear label in 2004 with co-creator Keren Craig and despite their success- with A-List celebrities frequently spotted wearing Marchesa – she admitted it was a struggle at first.
Georgina said: “Sure, there was Valentino and Versace, but there weren’t a lot of young brands out there doing eveningwear. People thought we were crazy. They said no one does evening anymore, which only encouraged us to do it more.”
The British designer has been married to Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein since 2004 but Georgina admitted they attend award ceremonies hoping for very different outcomes.
She told US Harper’s Bazaar: “Harvey will be at an awards show, worried if an actor in his film is going to win, and I’m thinking, How does her dress look? We’ll both be biting our nails. And sometimes his doesn’t win, but if I see my dress up at the podium, I’m clapping and screaming, ‘I won! I won!’”
Tags: fashion, Fashion genius, Golden Globes, Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech, Vivienne Westwood
Posted in Celebrity Style, News | 1 Comment »
Celebrity Style, News
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
Katy Perry is obsessed with cats.
The ‘California Gurls’ singer and her husband Russell Brand own three moggies, Kitty Purry, Morrissey – who gets his moniker from the former Smiths frontman of the same name – and Krusty, which is a combination of the pop star’s name and the comedian’s nickname ‘Rusty’, and admits she loves her feline friends as much as anything else in her life.
Katy sees a lot of similarities between herself and the demanding pets and she believes this is the reason she has such affection for the animals.
She said in an interview with more! magazine: “I am obsessed with cats. I’m kind of trying to make that cat-lady personality cool. I want it to be chic! Cats are like, ‘You have to earn my affection.’ And I really associate myself with that. People have to earn my affection, but when I give it, it’s going to be good. I’m very independent like a cat too, and I do things in my own time. My cats have a feminine way, it’s sexy.”
Katy’s love of kitties could even lead her to record a track about the animals, although she insists she already has a pussy-referencing song on her current LP ‘Teenage Dream’.
When asked if she would record a feline-inspired song, the 26-year-old singer said: “I have a lot of those on the album already. I do have a song coming out in a few months that has a couple of cat references, but I think that’s a little too saucy to talk about. I like to leave things a mystery.”
Tags: cats, fashion, feline friends, katy perry, obsession
Posted in Celebrity Style, News | No Comments »
Designers, News
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2011
Blake Lively won’t design her own fashion range because she could never compete with Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld.
The ‘Gossip Girl’ star was named the official ambassador for the French fashion house’s new Mademoiselle handbag line earlier this year and while Blake loves fashion, she revealed she knows her own design limitations and plans to stay in front of the camera.
Asked if she would consider designing a fashion range, Blake told WWD: “I’ve been asked about that but I have such a respect for fashion and such an appreciation for it that, if there are people like Karl Lagerfeld out there designing, who am I?”
Blake has previously revealed she was “intimidated” when she first met Karl and struggled when she was
talking with the German-born designer because of his “genius”.
She said: “I was wildly intimated. He’s an incredibly intimidating person because he’s so accomplished and he’s such a genius, but the moment you meet him, he doesn’t try to intimidate you. He’s so kind and humble and alive and passionate. I love and respect him so much.
“I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else. The moment I met him I said, ‘I don’t want to do a campaign unless it’s Chanel’. So it’s nice that we get to work together.”
Tags: Blake Lively, chanel, Designers, Fashion Designers, fashion range, Karl Lagerfeld
Posted in Designers, News | No Comments »
Tags: "Sarah Palin", Alexander McQueen, Face Off, fashion, michelle obama, style, stylish, vote
Posted in Celebrity Style, dresses, Fashion Face Off, Features, Gallery | 3 Comments »
Celebrity Style, Gallery, Gossip, Spotted, Spotted in London
By Andrea Petrou on March 22nd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Elle MacPherson looks glam on the school run in a cream blazer and skinny jeans
Mandatory Credit: WENN.com
Today was a great day for spotting famous faces as we trawled through endless paparazzi pictures to find our readers the highlights.
The fashion pack were out in full force to drop off their kids at school, showing us that celebrities can be down to earth too – we spotted supermodel Elle MacPherson on her way back from the school run looking lithe and leggy in skinny jeans and a beautifully tailored cream blazer. My mum used to do the school run in jam-stained pyjamas…. I digress. We also spotted fashion superwoman Stella McCartney on the way back from dropping off her kids with her husband, looking fashionable and charming in his ‘n’ hers belted macs and jeans. A true fashion family.
Meanwhile, Miss Fearne Cotton was seen on her way into work at Radio One looking cool and immaculate in fawn-coloured chinos and chunky heels teamed with socks. Looking boyish and summery, she showed us exactly how to dress for March’s milder weather. We love. Also seen was Sienna Miller leaving the theatre last night after a long day’s acting looking kooky and cool in stonewashed jeggings, a sloppy man’s top and trainers. The high knotted bun that she wore her hair in set off the London girl-about-town look perfectly.
It was a good night for glamour over the pond last night at the NYC première for ”Mildred Pierce” – we spotted Kate Winslet looking sexy in a tight black little Stella McCartney number which we recognized as being hot off the catwalk – top fashion points for Miss Winslet. Also in attendance was the beautiful actress and on-off squeeze of Marilyn Manson, Evan Rachel Wood, who looked staggering in a wine-coloured dress slit up the thigh, with lipstick to match. Along with 1930s-style finger waves, this was an impeccable vintage look.
The top spot for celebrity sightings today has to be Taylor Swift being papped shopping in Portobello Market earlier today – the actress was spending some down time with friends looking at antiques and looking cute in men’s brogues and a blazer. It was a look that was pure Alexa – well, when in London, dress like a Londoner.
To see the best celebrity sightings this week, check out the gallery above.
Tags: celebrity sightings, gown, kate winslet, london style, premiere, sienna miller, Spotted, Spotted in London, Taylor Swift
Posted in Celebrity Style, Gallery, Gossip, Spotted, Spotted in London | No Comments »
Accessories, Fashion Crush, Features, Gallery
By Andrea Petrou on March 22nd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
It’s been a good while since we’ve had a scout about on crafts site Etsy for cool stuff – we’re a big fan of supporting lesser known talent here at Shiny Style and Etsy has tons of it. From vintage-style dresses to home made jewellery, it’s a great place to find pieces that no one else has to keep your look a bit original. Which is why we were so happy to find Rosie Music, a seller that specialises in pieces branded with their own kitsch, cute artwork.
If you admire kooky dressers such as Eliza Doolittle, then it might be worth your while to check Rosie Music out. They sell a range of unisex t-shirts and sweatshirts all showing off their sweet, silly paintings of animals – we adore their designs, which include a painting of a wolf in glasses and an aloof-looking cat in full military regalia.
Their tops and designs would look absolutely perfect dressed down with skinny jeans or leggings for a cool, youthful look. You can check out our favourite Rosie Music sweatshirts in the gallery above.
Tags: art, crafts, etsy.com, home made, online shopping, original fashion, rosie music
Posted in Accessories, Fashion Crush, Features, Gallery | 3 Comments »
Designer Fashions, Designers, Gallery, London fashion week
By Andrea Petrou on March 22nd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2007
We’ve already looked at the likes of Henry Holland and Vivienne Westwood in our designer spotlight galleries, celebrating the great British talent that dazzles us at London Fashion Week each season and inspires what gets produced on the high-street. So today we’re going to look at home-grown talent Christopher Kane, who has been wowing us at LFW with his body-conscious, sexy designs since 2007.then
Ever since he exploded onto the fashion scene with a youthful, fresh and sexy collection of microscopically short bandage dresses, trimmed with neon lace and zips, he’s been the darling of the fashion industry ever since. Cited as an inspiration by young wannabe designers everywhere and hand-picked by Versace to design their diffusion line, Versus, his career has been a total fairytale so far. With the help of his sister Tammy Kane, together they’ve created a legacy.
Neon lace, cosmically starry prints, knife pleats and gingham – these are all trends that you saw at Christopher Kane first. In the gallery above we’re taking a trip back through his best collections to show you our favourite pieces that he’s designed. Our favourite is the floral-embroidered leather miniskirt – check it out here.
Tags: bandage dress, best of, body con, Christopher Kane, designer spotlight, dresses, lace, LFW, London fashion week, tammy kane
Posted in Designer Fashions, Designers, Gallery, London fashion week | No Comments »
Accessories, Department Stores, Events, Gallery
By Andrea Petrou on March 22nd, 2011
By Emily Borrett.
Flat Yellow Lace Print Washbag
Every mum wants a beautiful washbag for holidays and little trips away - while this Liberty-print washbag is a little more luxurious than your average Boots one, it's still not an extravagant price.
If you’re anything like me then Mother’s Day has a horrible habit of sneaking up of you, leaving you in a cold sweat resorting to Shell Garage flowers at 11 p.m. the night before. This year to avoid cold sweats in the middle of the night and disappointed reproach from your lovely long-suffering mum, why not plan ahead and order her something amazing right now? For a beautifully packaged little gift that will make her gasp and keep her sweet, there’s not many shops to buy from that will win you as many brownie points as Liberty’s of London.
The big daddy of home and interiors design, Liberty’s is the place to find small, beautiful gifts that will make your mum smile and feel special. Whether it’s a small ornately decorated piece of china, a gorgeous notebook or something little for the kitchen, there’s a gift to suit every mother. Your dear old ma brought you into the world – why not treat her to something from London’s finest department store?
Tags: "gift ideas", affordable presents, department store, homewares, liberty's of london, luxury, mothers day gifts, print, stationery
Posted in Accessories, Department Stores, Events, Gallery | No Comments »
From:Golden Globe awards 2012 best hair and make up