Archive for August, 2011
Ad campaigns, campaign, Fashion News
By shinychris on August 31st, 2011
The fashion department’s been busy recruiting some new meat, namely the high-street players. We bring you a round-up of pretty visages to look out for.
Marks & Spencer are going all out, it seems, for their Autumn campaign. According to the Telegraph, Transformers star Rosie-Huntington Whiteley will front M&S’s Autumn campaign alongside David Gandy and Ryan Reynolds. Yes you read right, Ryan Reynolds for Marks & Spencer! It’s a superstar line-up fit for the store’s high-end line called Autograph. The ad may risk lacking credibility mind you. Rosie comes fresh from a stint with Burberry, David from D&G. Meanwhile, it’s hard to believe Ryan (voted the Sexiest Man Alive no less) even knew what an M&S was before he was cast, being Canadian and, well…being Ryan Reynolds.
Next up we have supermodel Gisele Bundchen, a Victoria’s Secret gal like Rosie, looking fantastic for Esprit Fall/Winter 2011. Not that we need a reason why, she’s a Brazilian beaut, but nonetheless she was picked because ‘she embodies easy elegance, charisma and naturalness’ befitting of the brand’s spirit. Oh that she does.
Alexa Chung, ever the restless fashionista, will be the star of Vero Moda. She’s hard to keep track of, now unseen, now stateside with her own TV show, now breaking up with Alex Turner. Now though, she’ll front Vero Moda’s AW campaign, which was Gisele Bundchen’s role formerlyby the by (a lot of links amongst celebs here!). It’s safe to say any retailer fortunate enough to bag Alexa for their campaign is guaranteed a nice surge in business. The campaign launches in November.
Tags: Alexa Chung, Esprit, Gisele Bundchen, Marks and Spencer, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, vero moda
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Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Gossip
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
The French first lady of style, Carla Bruni, has praised her old friend and new editor of French Vogue Emmanuelle Alt for her femininity.
Carla and Emmanuelle have been firm friends since their teens – but while Carla’s look has matured, she insists that her good friend Emmanuelle is still as girlish as ever thanks to her refusal to succumb to plastic surgery and heavy makeup.
Carla said about the Vogue editor: “There is still something of a teenager about her. Emmanuelle has an unaffected way to be feminine. She doesn’t wear make-up and hasn’t had surgery.”
Emmanuelle Alt has taken the helm at French Vogue after Carine Roitfeld’s reign as editor recently ended. As a well-shod expert on the sartorial, Emmanuelle was the perfect candidate to take over at the iconic magazine – and Carla Bruni agrees, saying that the editor knows what French women want from fashion.
She told Vogue magazine: “She reflects how French women are feeling – simplicity is the state we all want to be in. We are tired of useless sophistication.”
Tags: carine roitfeld, Carla Bruni, celebrity gossip, Cosmetic surgery, editor, fashion, feminine, french vogue, make up, Paris
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Accessories, Bargain POTW, designer pick of the week, Features, Gallery, Trend Alert
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
Marlene Birger Cropped Burgundy Sweater
I'm dreaming of the perfect cropped jumper for this Autumn - and I think I just found it at My-Wardrobe.com. It looks soooo soft, and burgundy is a perfect colour for this Autumn.
Yay, that time of the week has rolled around again when I get to do my absolute favourite post – my weekly wishlist of dream fashion buys. This week I’m focusing mainly on Autumn/Winter essentials for those pieces that will make your wardrobe perfect for the new season.
What I want most in the world right now is the perfect jumper for this season – something in a jewel colour in a soft, snuggly fabric that I can wear with absolutely everything. I was lucky enough to come across Marlene Birger’s cropped burgundy sweater, which just looks so soft and fluffy that I want to rub my cheek against it. It’s expensive, at over a hundred pounds, but maybe the perfect jumper is enough of a classic to make the investment a smart one.
Another item very very high on my wishlist is Oasis’ leather skater skirt, which is just so perfect I could die. It will go with pretty much everything, whether you want to wear a T-shirt and flats or a pretty blouse with heels. If I get it I’m just going to have to remember to not overdo the sex-pot look with the rest of my outfit – the last time I wore double leather I found myself attracting a lot of trouble.
The piece that has to get the hot top-spot this week, however, has to be Asos’ fur collar coat in a leopard print. I’m totally loving the girlish look of collared coats at the moment, especially with a smidge of faux fur to add extra glamour. After all, no-one wants to look drab in the winter time, do they? That would be just terrible.
If you wanna see what’s on Shiny’s fashion wishlist this week, check out the gallery above.
Tags: autumn/winter, dream buys, fashion wishlist, marlene birger, purchase of the week, skater skirt, Trend Alert
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Celebrity Style, Fashion Crush, Gallery, vintage
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
Bitching & Junkfood Navajo Shorts
No grunge girl would be without a trusty pair of 90s-style denim hotpants like this cool detailed pair from Bitching & Junkfood - plus they're reduced too. Amazing!
The first great love affair I ever had wasn’t with a person; it was with grunge. At the age of eleven, bored of pop-punk like Busted and Good Charlotte and wanting something more, I inevitably discovered Nirvana. What followed was years of sitting in my room listening to Kurt Cobain wail in my babydoll dresses, band shirts and clumpy boots while posting tiny pictures of his face all over my wall to make a tiny Kurt shrine.
And what’s more, everyone at my school thought I was weird to be so obsessed with a band that had disbanded when I was two years old. But I really, really loved Kurt Cobain, and grunge. Naturally as I got older I progressed to other less poppy grunge, but Nirvana still holds a special place in my heart.
Well, HA HA to all the girls who picked on me at school for wearing a Kurt T-shirt under my school T-shirt, because grunge is cool again now thanks to the likes of Erin Wasson and Leigh Lezark. It’s cool to use dry shampoo instead of showering (though it’s probably better to shower – it’s not cool to smell, guys), it’s cool to wear band shirts and old babydoll dresses you found in the charity shop. This is something that Urban Outfitters have cottoned onto, because they’ve released the “Cobain Collection” as a means of tribute to one of grunge’s most famous frontmen.
When I think about it this is probably exactly the kind of thing that Kurt would have hated were he alive today – putting the collection in his name is probably in bad taste, but the clothes are nice..
The Cobain Collection is a cool selection of easy, wearable pieces inspired by the grunge scene (naturally there are a couple of Nirvana tees in there) including spiky silver jewellery, shredded jersey T-shirts and buckled ankle boots. Our favourite piece has to be the tan varsity jacket from BDG, which we want to wear with a pair of Levis, high-top trainers and a band shirt.
Check out our favourite pieces from the Cobain Collection in the gallery above.
Tags: "kurt cobain", 90s trend, babydoll dress, band tees, cobain collection, Fashion Crush, grunge, nirvana, shinystyle loves, silver jewellery, Urban Outfitters, vintage
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Footwear, Gallery
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
Burberry Prorsum
A double-breasted trench coat in a caper green that hits the spot.
Even though it’s only the end of August, it’s getting colder in the UK and all of my lazy-student instincts are telling me to go and get under the covers and sleep until winter is over.
I have to say, I hate the cold weather, with a passion – I am definitely a summer girl. So one of my little pick-me-ups when summer is over is to start planning new, fashionable ways to wrap up warm, and nothing can update or transform an outfit like a pair of great fashion tights or socks.
Marc Jacobs used a lot of polka dot hosiery in his Autumn/Winter collection, something that the high street has picked up on and copied. For a girlish Minnie Mouse look, team a pastel-coloured midi skirt with Asos’ nude polka-dotted ankle socks with a pair of high heels in the milder months – when it gets colder, go for a pair of polka-dot tights instead.
Another sexy hosiery trend is the sex-siren look that we saw on the fetish-inspired catwalk of Louis Vuitton, where it was all about peekaboo black underwear with tight corsetry, fur and terrifying heels. Asos have an amazing pair of 40s-style seamed stocking with tiny sparkle details on them for a pin-up feel. Just wear them with a leather skirt and a prim blouse and you’ve got a sizzling hot fashion look to go.
Or if you just want to keep your tootsies warm during the evenings, try a cute pair of statement socks – we absolutely adore Urban Outfitter’s lace mohair ankle socks, which are just so pretty and feminine.
Check out the gallery above to see our favourite tights and socks for this Autumn.
Tags: ankle socks, autumn/winter, fetish, Gallery, heels, hosiery, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, new season, statement tights and socks, Trend Alert
Posted in Footwear, Gallery | No Comments »
Celebrity gossip, Fashion News, Gossip, London fashion week
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
The late Amy Winehouse’s prodigal god-daughter, Dionne Bromfield, has been confirmed to be performing at the LOOK magazine fashion show during London Fashion Week, for the same show that Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding is making her catwalk debut in.
This isn’t Dionne’s first taste of the fashion world, because she’s already the face of the streetwear brand Gio Gio. Last year Diana Vickers performed at the LOOK catwalk, so Dionne is following in the footsteps of other quirky, up-and-coming singers.
We’ve always loved LOOK fashion shows for their ability to turn regular high-street clothes, style them cleverly and turn the whole thing into a proper fashion event. The magazine uses some of the UK’s best-loved high street brands such as Urban Outfitters, Miss Selfridge, River Island and Oasis.
Ali Hall, Editor of Look, said: “The Look Show has become an established part of London Fashion Week and readers absolutely love it. We’re thrilled to be working with Westfield to make this season’s show bigger and better than ever, and to be part of such an exciting retail launch.”
Good luck, Dionne, though you don’t need it – you’ll be amazing.
Tags: Amy Winehouse, dionne bromfield, Girls Aloud, London fashion week, look fashion show, performance, Sarah Harding, singer
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Ad campaigns, Advertorial, campaign, Celebrity gossip, Department Stores, Gossip
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
Britain’s poutiest supermodel, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, is going to be the new face of Marks & Spencer’s Autumn ad campaigns alongside the Green Lantern star Ryan Reynolds.
The A-list twosome are going to front M&S’s Autograph collection, one of the department store’s many different clothing lines, though Autograph is one of the most fashion-forward ones. Rosie, who’s previously modelled in Burberry campaigns, said: “I feel proud to be associated with a British high street favourite that holds fond memories for so many people.”
The Canadian heart-throb Ryan also has a fond connection with the store and thinks of M&S with “nostalgia”. He said: “Going into an M&S store with my family or friends always gives me a beautiful pang of nostalgia. The Autograph collection is a modern take on the classic style I love and feel most comfortable wearing. The pieces in this collection are lasting staples that’ll never go out of style.”
The executive director of the store, Steve Sharp, was absolutely ecstatic to get the Hollywood pair to front the brand – we have to say that a Victoria’s Secret model and a Hollywood blockbuster hero is a bit of a step up from Myleene Klass and Danni Minogue dancing around in their pyjamas. He told MailOnline: “Rosie and Ryan are the perfect fit for Autograph – beautiful, exclusive and absolutely contemporary. On set, they worked together to deliver a mesmerising performance which allowed us to capture shots that literally sizzle with excitement and an air of mystery.”
Keep an eye out for these two on the telly – Marks & Spencer just got sexy.
Tags: ad campaign, Burberry, green lantern, M&S, Marks and Spencer, rosie huntington whitely, ryan reynolds, supermodel, Transformers, Twiggy, Victoria's secret
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Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Gossip
By emilyborrett on August 31st, 2011
Clever little Christina Ricci has a genius attitude to the spurned pieces in her wardrobe – keep them long enough and they’ll eventually come back in style.
When the Sleepy Hollow actress asked her stylist how long she should hang onto a garment before it stopped being uncool and become a quirky vintage piece, the answer was seven years. There you have it girls, keep your horrible footless tights from 2006 for a few more years and suddenly you’ll call yourself some cool “vintage” legwear to wear again. (Though actually, we really hope that footless tights never go back into fashion.)
She explained: “I asked my stylist, ‘What’s the rule from when something becomes vintage and not just, like, last season? Seven years, apparently. So seven years later, I’ve brought out my Alaia dresses again.”
There you have it. Keep anything long enough and it’ll come back in fashion again, according to Christina Ricci’s stylist. That’s actually quite comforting considering the amount of crap in my wardrobe…
Tags: alaia dress, Christina Ricci, couture, designer, Fashion Tips, pam am, seven year rule, Stylist, vintage
Posted in Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Gossip | No Comments »
Features, Gallery, Get the look, Trend Alert
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Black Check Tweed Mini Circle Skirt
It’s time to get on board with one of this season’s snuggliest and most wearable trends: tartan. No, you don’t have to start dressing like Princess Anne, don’t worry..
Tartan and check fabrics were all over the catwalks for the Autumn/Winter shows, from tough and masculine grey check twin-sets at Yves Saint Laurent to sixties-style checked military coats at Burberry Prorsum and blanket skirts at Rag & Bone.
We’re desperately keeping our eye out for a plaid maxi-skirt that we can wear with tough boots and a simple white T-shirt for for a laid-back 90s grunge look, but no joy yet. However, the high street is already working with this trend well. We love Topshop’s leather and check bomber jacket, which would look so so good with a pair of cigarette pants. Meanwhile at Asos they’re already selling bold tartan capes in eye-catching colours – the chicest way to wrap up warm this winter.
The best variety of tartan fashion, however, is at River Island. Their high-waisted 1940s style trousers worn with a silk blouse would be European perfection. Our top buy though is the checked pair of navy blue lace-up shoes with bow detailing – just put those bad boys on with a tea dress and you’re good to go with a quirky, British look.
Check out the gallery above for our favourite tartan pieces on the high street.
Tags: autumn/winter 2011, Burberry Prorsum, capes, check, coat, fashion week, high street, Mulberry, plaid, Tartan, Trend Alert, YSL
Posted in Features, Gallery, Get the look, Trend Alert | No Comments »
Events, Gallery
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Notting Hill Carnival 2011
There was some speculation over the past few weeks whether or not the much-loved Notting Hill Carnival would be cancelled this year because of the recent riots across the UK – but we are so glad they went ahead with it. Besides the fact that to cancel Carnival would be punishment for everyone over the actions of a small few, it’s also an incredible, creative event that brings Londoners together.
As a lover of the theatrical, I’ve always been secretly a little bit obsessed with the carnival’s explosion of feathers, sparkles, colour and gem-encrusted detailing – it appeals to my taste in all things OTT. One group of carnival-goers stomped the streets of West London in sizzling red, orange and yellow feathers with contrasting blue beaded details on their head-dresses while another group wore lime green and hot pink bodysuits instead. There’s one thing to be sure about – there’s no time to be shy and retiring at Notting Hill Carnival.
Check out the gallery for some of the photographs taken from Notting Carnival, and try to get inspired. Maybe with a few more feathers and spangles in our daily lives, the world would be a better place.
Tags: 2011, celebrations, costume, dancers, Events, feathers, festival, london riots, notting hill carnival, sequin headdress, wings
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Celebrity Style, Events, Features, Gallery, Red Carpet
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Katy Perry looked pretty and girlish with her new pink 'do in a chinoise-style dress and a pastel blue parasol
Whether you watched the VMAs on Saturday night or not, it’s always fun to have a peep at what the stars wore to one of the USA’s biggest A-list events.
Katy Perry, who came away smiling like the cat got the cream with three awards, went through more than one outfit change but our absolute favourite quirky Katy look for the night has to be the girlish Eastern-style powder blue chinoise dress, which looked cute and cartoonish with her pink hair and a matching pastel-coloured parasol.
As we all now know, Beyonce glowed with new-baby happiness all the way down the red carpet in a sizzling one-shouldered, draped orange maxi with her hair swept to one side, vintage-style. We loved her chandelier earrings too – pure 70s Halston glamour. Meanwhile, our favourite home-grown talent Adele also rocked a look from a different decade as she went for a clinging black midi-dress with huge 60s hair and makeup. Perfect.
Katie Holmes sassed it out on the red carpet with expertly teased waves and a black lace skater dress and tan suede wedge boots, while poor old Jessie J still looked sexy and upbeat despite her crutches in a jewelled black corset-body and a pair of white jewelled Bebaroque tights.
To see all these celebs and more, check out the gallery above to see who we spotted at the VMAs.
Tags: Beyonce, Celebrity Style, dresses, Events, katy perry, MTV, pregnancy news, Red Carpet, Video Music Awards, VMAs, zoe saldana
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Celebrity gossip, Events, Gossip, Red Carpet
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
We’ve all been waiting for this to happen for soooooo long, but Beyonce and Jay-Z, the best celebrity couple in the world ever, are definitely expecting their first child.
At the VMAs on Saturday night, Beyonce made it very clear that she is definitely pregnant as she posed on the red carpet in a slouchy orange dress with her hands clutching her visible baby bump, telling the press, “I have a surprise!”
The “Run The World (Girls)” singer took to the stage later in the evening and sang “Love On Top” while proudly showing off her quite evident bump to her fans while Jay-Z watched with a great big grin on his face. Ain’t love grand?
For any sceptics that may remain unconvinced (yeah yeah, we know there have been false rumours about Beyonce having a baby before), her publicist went on the record after the VMAs, telling People.com, “I’m happy to say it’s true.”
Beyonce has been talking for some time about how she’s determined to become a mother: “When you’re young – 18 or 19 – you have the energy and drive. That’s the time to work as hard as you can. Now I’m a woman, and because I gave it my all, I can focus on my marriage. I can decide I want to have kids. I can be the mother I want to be and dedicate myself to my children.”
Congratulations, Beyonce and Jay-Z!
Tags: baby bump, Beyonce Knowles, celebrity gossip, Jay-Z, maternity, motherhood, mtv video music awards, pregnant, rapper, singer, VMAs
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Affordable Fashions, Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Gossip, Red Carpet
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Freida Pinto seems to have finally realised how famous and successful she is, because she’s admitted that she’s no longer trying to scrimp and save every penny at flea markets.
The “Slumdog Millionaire” actress may be rich enough to not buy second-hand clothes anymore, but she’s still amazed that she can employ stylists to dress her now. Freida said: “I have access to certain things that I wouldn’t ever have before. I used to go down to the flea markets and put these things together and take them to my tailor to be fixed up. And now there are other people who do that for me!”
While the down-to-earth star has been previously used to hunting in flea markets, she’s also confessed that she loves getting ready for red carpet events and getting to wear couture gowns. Freida explained her love of the red carpet: “I look at it as fun. I think it’s terrifying if you’re trying to do something you’re not comfortable with, or trying to channel something you’re not. But if you’re just being true to the kind of clothes you wear, it’s fun.”
Tags: celebrity gossip, chanel, evening gown, event, flea market, Freida Pinto, premiere, Red Carpet, rise of the planet of the apes, vintage
Posted in Affordable Fashions, Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Gossip, Red Carpet | No Comments »
Designers, Fashion News, Gossip, New York Fashion Week - Gossip, New York Fashion Week - Runway, Paris Fashion Week
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Zac Posen has revealed that he is planning to return to New York Fashion Week after previously showing in Paris.
Zac, who is loved by all women for his sultry, opulent designs, is moving back to New York Fashion Week because he feels “just like it’s the right time”. The designer said: “Paris is wonderful but it just feels like the right time to show in New York.”
His previous collection for Autumn/Winter 2011, which was showed in Paris, was his trademark array of sculptural-looking evening gowns, this time in leather and metallic fabrics for a harder take on the seventies trend – I absolutely cannot wait to see what he comes up with next, whichever city he’s in.
He went on to explain the city change: “For the Zac Posen Collection, I wanted to give a different voice and focus in the international fashion arena. Obviously, New York has been extremely supportive of me and the stars were aligned to base Z Spoke in my hometown. I have learned over the past 10 years to trust my instinct, to have fun with experimentation and to innovate. I do not see this choice as a focus on Europe, rather, it’s about taking a risk, which is something that is important to do as a creator in order to evolve.”
Tags: collection, couture, evening gown, Fashion News, Gossip, New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, spring/summer 2012, Zac Posen
Posted in Designers, Fashion News, Gossip, New York Fashion Week - Gossip, New York Fashion Week - Runway, Paris Fashion Week | No Comments »
Designers, dresses, Events, Fashion News
By emilyborrett on August 30th, 2011
Matthew Williamson has been given the opportunity to showcase his new collection specially inside the Tate Modern during London Fashion Week (yes, it’s nearly here again, guys!)
This has never been done before, so it’s going to be a bit of a unique fashion happening. A member of Williamson’s team told Vogue: “For our spring/summer 2012 collection we have chosen to show in the turbine hall inside the Tate modern gallery on the Southbank. It’s the first time a designer has been able to show in this iconic London landmark building and we are thrilled to have this opportunity.”
Matthew said about his Tate plans: It’s an amazing space which I feel will contrast really well with the collection. I’m looking forward to creating an intimate space within the hall and seeing the intricately detailed clothes work against the stark, minimalist structure.”
Whether you have the time of day for modern art or not (I don’t at all) we think you’ll all be able to find the time for some beautiful Matthew Williamson dresses, no?
Tags: dresses, exhibition, gowns, LFW, London fashion week, Matthew Williamson, s/s collection 2012, spring/summer
Posted in Designers, dresses, Events, Fashion News | No Comments »
From:Golden Globe awards 2012 best hair and make up