All Babes are Wolves

Dollbabies

2012-02-10T19:39:00.000+13:00

Check out this gorgeous video by two of my faves, photographer Ellen Von Unwerth for glam Aussie brand Wheels and Dollbaby.

"We were of course absolutely thrilled to work with Ellen Von Unwerth - the Wheels & Dollbaby look just works so perfectly within her aesthetic, our visual reference points were on par... and we really wished to shoot around an authentic, typically French venue - the Theatre too was just a perfect fit". Designer & Founder, Melanie Greensmith

See more on Ellen here, and Wheels & Dollbaby here.

Coo Coo Catroux

2012-02-03T17:49:00.006+13:00

Last year, a cafe called Catroux opened in Auckland. The name had only recently come into my consciousness, through reading a book I got for my birthday - The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake. It chronicles the lives of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld from their childhoods and how they entered the fashion industry in Paris in the 50's and beyond. I guess I had seen the name pop up here and there in the past, but didn't know who it was. I had heard of Loulou de la Falaise, the Bohemian aristocratic model & designer who sadly passed away at 63 earlier this year through her model niece Lucie and muse status, but not her cohort Betty. I'm up to the part about the young YSL and Karl, and YSL's relationship and subsequent heavy reliance on Svengali-esque boyfriend Pierre Bergé. I love reading about the painfully shy Yves, Betty and Loulou, gallivanting about the Left Bank, Marrakesh, London and New York with gay abandon, sipping cocktails and generally being fabulous.

Betty, Yves and Loulou

Betty was working part time in an art gallery on the Boulevard Saint Germain. As chronicled in The Beautiful Fall "she looked like a deviant schoolgirl with high black socks, and short black mini." Yves St Laurent first laid eyes on Betty Cattroux in 1967 at Régine's, a gay nightclub in Paris. "Seated at the table of Régine's nightclub was a young woman...in her hand was a burning cigarette, on her face was the gloss of beauty and ennui." Betty was tall, thin, lithe, bleached blonde - just like him. YSL loved her legs "just what I love. Long long long." Betty says it was a "physical attraction" to her. I think he saw a kindred spirit.

"Yves picked me up in a nightclub!” she recalls. “It was coupde foudre when we met, and we never left each other. After that we only livedfor fun, two of us against the world. We hated normal life!” The two, along withLoulou, became fast friends. "He wanted me to work for him straightaway" say Betty. "He decided that I was for him, he ran after me, heharassed me, he tied me up, he wanted to posses me and I ended up doing onecollection with him. I realise that in fact we were very similar." We loved too much to drink, we loved everything bad - even our sense of humour was the same.

"We loved too much to drink, we loved everything bad - even our sense of humour was the same."

Betty's flatmate at the time, Jean-Pascal Billaud describes her as "the best dressed girl in Paris. She already had her own defined look and an attitude of provocateur. She was always extremely modern.' She was a debutante with an anti-debutante attitude. She drank Crème de menthe and swore she was drunk on the second glass; she flirted with girls and was chased by boys. There was something deliberately ambivalent about Betty."

I love this series of famous pictures of the 3 musketeers in 1978, looking louche & ready for mischief at YSL's home.

Loulou, Yves and Betty - then, and in 2010

Betty and Loulou with Kate Moss.

Betty Catroux and YSL portrait

Betty photographed for French Vogue by Tom Ford

Betty & Tom

Betty front row

Not only does Betty have the looks and style but that flirty, impish yet smoldering sexy personality to go with it - an unbeatable combination. It is easy to see how this incredible woman enraptured two of fashion's greats, Yves Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane and Tom Ford (below). Her sexy yet masculine style is often emulated, with Tom Ford dedicating his entire debut YSL Rive Gauche collection to her.

Tom Ford for Rive Gauche, 2001

More Betty inspired looks:

More Tom Ford for Rive Gauche

Versace

Thierry Mugler

Andrej Pejic for Jean Paul Gaultier

Andrej Pejic by Mert and Marcus

Kate Moss

Abbey Lee Kershaw

Daphne Groeneveld

YSL called Betty his "twin sister". To this day Betty wears only YSL, and toasts a painting of him by Andy Warhol every night. It was given to her by Pierre Bergé, the man it took her 30 years to become friends with (pictured with Betty below).

I love this pic of effortlessly cool Betty now, lounging with her husband François at their home in front of a giant 1995 portrait of Betty by Philippe de Lustrac.

Below is an interview with Pierre Bergé and Betty from Fashion TV.

Supermodel riot!

2012-01-25T16:23:00.003+13:00

I grew up during the birth of supermodels. I adored them all - Cindy, Christy, Helena, Kate, Lindy, Amber, Yasmin, Naomi. Over the last year it seems to be a bigger renaissance than ever of the 'original girls', with Eva Herzagova, Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Yasmin le Bon and Naomi Campbell (above) all appearing in Duran Duran's Girl Panic video (check it out here - fabulous!) and Kate Moss continuing to appear in countless campaigns and editorials. Looking at these shots from 2010 and 2011, it shows that these 40+ sirens are still giving the latest ingenues a run for their money!

Naomi, Kirsten and Karen show Daphne how it's done for Roberto Cavalli

Naomi, Karen and Kirsten for Roberto Cavalli

Kate for Vogue Brazil, 2011

Kate by Mert & Marcus, Vogue Paris May 2011

Kate on Harper's Bazaar May 2011 cover by Solve Sundsbo

Lindafor Visionaire magazine and by Steven Meisel for Oyster November 2011

Love this Linda editorial by Pierpaolo Ferrari in W magazine from 2009

Naomi in Girl Panic

Cindy for Harper's Bazaar Singapore September 2011 and Vogue Mexico, May 2011

Cindy in Girl Panic

Helena in Girl Panic

Helena for Guy Aroch

Claudia, Helena and Eva for Vogue Spain,September 2011

Helena for Harper's Bazaar Russia, May 2011

Kristen McMenamy for Vogue and I-D Magazine

Christy Turlington by Ellen Von Unwerth for Madame le Figaro, June 2011

Amber Valletta for Vogue Italy March 2011 and I-D Magazine

Yasmin Le Bon in the Girl Panic video

and for Moschino Spring 2011and Joseph Ribkoff Fall 2012

Dolce & Gabbana Jewellery 2011/12

2012-01-13T13:23:00.011+13:00

I thought this was Isabeli Fontana when I came across this pic in my mag! Bianca Balti was photographed by Giampaolo Sgura for the inaugural Dolce & Gabbana 2011 Fall jewelery campaign. Dolce & Gabbana have just launched their jewellery range. Launched at the end of last year, the 80-piece range is inspired by Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana's hometown Sicily, & the religious iconography of the Catholic church.

"A statement of faith, a wave of passion, or a celebration of love: the most precious feature of any jewel is the emotion it stirs in the woman who wears it. For their first ever jewellery collection, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have combined the most exquisite materials – tri-colour gold, rubies, sapphires and pearls – with the most significant symbols at their disposal...Not just Made in Italy but made italics of italics Italy – this is jewellery crafted with the soul of Dolce&Gabbana. Because jewellery becomes truly priceless only when it acquires meaning, and makes the emotions dance." Press release, September 2011.

D&G's Beckham Rosary from a few years ago, that Becks wore

The range reminds me of Madonna circa 'Like a Prayer'. Madonna has modeled for D&G many times, the label is one of her faves and she one of their muse, as seen in my blog on lace looks here.

Following are some more shots of the beautiful Bianca from the Jewellery Fall 2011/12 campaign, and the raunchy video starring Bianca here.

The range perfectly compliments the dramatic and sexy black lace looks that Dolce and Gabbana are famous for.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 by louloublue

Dolce Gabbana sleeveless dress

Dolce Gabbana lace bodycon dress

D G black top

Alexander McQueen stiletto high heels

Dolce Gabbana animal print bag

Dolce Gabbana wool bag

Flutter jewelry

Dolce Gabbana black brooch

Dolce Gabbana gold tone jewelry

Dolce&Gabbana gradient sunglasses

Dolce & Gabbana Double braided leather bracelet

DOLCE & GABBANA MAKEUP Ruby Collection Classic Cream Lipstick In Devil...

Dolce & Gabbana The One Lace Edition Eau De Parfum

Dolce & Gabbana

Fab Fashion Books!

2012-01-13T12:26:00.010+13:00

I LOVE books! I'm lucky enough to be given loads of amazing fashion and music books from fab friends, plus I often use this great UK website The Book Depository, to buy myself very reasonably priced books - free postage too! My sister took this pic of one of my book shelves - this houses barely a quarter of the books I have piled up in every available surface - between stacks of glossy mags! Inspired by my sister's bookie blogs (here), I wanted to post on some fab fashion books I have been given or borrowed lately.

Kate Moss by Mario Testino

This book was obviously a must-have for me and I bought it for myself straight away! I am such a nerd that I have rarely dipped into it as I don't want to finish it too quickly! This book is an homage to Testino's friend and muse, a treasure trove of some of Kate's best photographs, from casual & candid snaps to haute couture & high fashion. Many of these pics belong to Testinos' private collection and have never been seen. “I met Kate very early on. Shortly after her first Galliano show I went backstage to congratulate her, only to find her crying: she was disappointed that she had only been given one outfit to model in the show. My answer to her was this: “In life there are perfumes and colognes. You need to use lots of cologne as the scent fades away; with a perfume you just use a drop and it lasts all night. You are a perfume, you will go on and on.” Little did I know just how true that would become! And that I had made a friend for life.”

Undressed by Stacey Gregg

As my business partner and I are starting our own label (watch this space!), I have just borrowed this book from her which looks very interesting. Author and Magazine Editor Stacey Gregg interviews some of our best (New Zealand) design luminaries such as Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, World, Nom D, Zambesi, Blanchet and Marilyn Sainty about got their start in the industry, plus inspirations, influences and personal anecdotes. Click here for a review from Lucire.

Amazing Face by Zoe Foster

This book is a brand spanking new Christmas present from my sister, Bananameet-cute. She said she has pored through it already to get some great make up tips. Having worked in the industry and having many fab makeup artists friends, I like to think I'm fairly schooled on great tops, but this book has some fabulous new tricks and ideas! A must read for make-up junkies! It's a great book to dip into.

Blow by Blow by Detmar Blow

One of my dearest friends Ally Grrrl (see her fab fashion, architecture & art Blog here) stays with my every New Year and sneakily leave me a fabulous gift upon leaving. This year we trawled Auckland town for a book she was determined to buy, to no avail after trying one of my favorite local 'arty' bookstores, Unity Books. "Why not try The Book Depository" I suggested." I need it now!" she said. I understand that - often I will see a book reviewed or in a store and need it in my hands THAT SECOND! Plus as she was traveling back to Sydney I assumed she wanted a great read for the way home. then I found it swathed in silver ribbon the morning of her departure - the little minx!

1980s Fashion Print by Marnie Fogg

As a child of the 80's, I was thrilled to receive this book from one of my stylish male friends for my birthday. My fashion icons were Annie Lennox, Alannah Currie (from the Thompson Twins - a Kiwi!), Daisy Duke and Sheena Easton and pinned to my wall I had posters of Simon le Bon and George Michael. Although I grew up in a town of 40,000, I can still identify with the fashion and primary school days depicted in the fantastic Kiwi movie 'Boy', set in rural New Zealand in 1984. Check out the trailer here. Hilarious, and a must see!

Decade of I-Deas by I-D magazine

I loved British style bible mags I-D magazine and The Face during my teenage years of the 80s, and beyond (until Jason Donovan got The Face bankrupted - boo). Published in 1990 and dedicated to 'youth culture' of the UK, the mag started as a type-written fanzine by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. Over the years the magazine has evolved into a fashion and style Bible yet kept it's edgy 'cool' cred. This book is a compilation from I-D magazine of he fashion and music trends, movers & shakers and style arbiters of the 1980s including Buffalo, Ragamuffin, New Romantics, Neneh Cheery, Boy George, Patrick Cox, Comme des Garçons, John Galliano, Malcolm McLaren & Vivienne Westwood.

The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake

This was another gift from a great friend, for my birthday last year. Unfortunately I am still not finished (my addiction to magazines, blogging, movies and TV has serious repercussions on my book reading, despite having an amazing library!) It is a fascinating read about he lives of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld from their childhoods and how they entered the fashion industry in Paris in the 50's and beyond At the moment I am reading about the young YSL and Karl, and YSl's relationship and subsequent heavy reliance on Svengali-esque boyfriend Pierre Bergé, who he ended up staying with for . I love reading about the painfully shy Yves and his muses - the fabulous Betty Catroux, and Loulou de la Falaise - gallivanting about the Left Bank, Marrakesh, London and New York sipping cocktail and generally being fabulous.

The Sartorialist by Scott Shuman

A marvelous Christmas present a few years back from my sister and her partner. A photographer of street style, Scott has the most amazing eye. Scott Schuman began by snapping pics of people that he met on the streets of New York - not unlike the legendary Bill Cunningham (if you have not seen this film on Bill, you must! Bill is amazing and adorable!). Then he started his blog www.thesartorialist.com, and the set is history! This is another brilliant book to dip in and out of as you peruse the streets of Florence, Milan, Paris and New York with the Sartorialist.

Unseen "Vogue": The Secret History of Fashion Photography by Robin Derrick & Robin Muir

Collected from the archives of one of my favourite mags, British Vogue, this book is a compilation of unseen, vetoed, cut, culled photos & outtakes that never saw the light of day. These pics include an array of noted models and photographers including Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Sophie Dahl, Irving Penn, Mario Testino, Cecil Beaton, Guy Bourdin, David Bailey and more.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

An oldie but a goodie! A searing look at the behind the scenes through the eyes of fresh faced Andrea Sachs, a journalism grad working as a PA to high profile fashion Editor Miranda Priestly at a major fictional fashion publication akin to Vogue. (Tellingly author Lucy used to work at Condé Nast as a PA to Anna Wintour) This book will strike a chord with anyone who has ever been a secretary or Personal Assistant cow-towing to condescending, unfeasible, demeaning and often ridiculous demands of a ego maniacal boss. I enjoyed the movie of the book (see the trailer here) & the depictions of Andrea, co-PA Emily and Miranda - but prefer the book, which obviously has more fleshed out characters, especially that of Andrea's teacher boyfriend Alex, and live-wire best friend Lily.

To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? By Lucy Siegle

Given to me by a clever and fashionable greenie friend, this book as an expose on the unsightly side of the fashion industry - exploitation of garment workers, fair trade, animal welfare and ethical products. I am yet to read it as it will likely depress me, but is something we should all be aware of. Sometimes you need to face the yucky stuff. See a review of the book from The Guardian here. Lucy is also the Ethical Living columnist for The Guardian UK.

What a swell party this is

2012-01-08T13:17:00.002+13:00

Jessica Stam & Erin Wasson for Roberto Cavalli for H&M

Happy New Year all! I can barely believe we are now into 2012! I hope you all had a fabulous NYE. Mine are now a little more sedate now that I am a more mature vintage, however with good friends around me, a view of the Auckland skyline and a bottle of Grey Goose Pear Vodka it was perfectly sublime! Here are a few pics of some fabulous parties past and present that I would have loved to be in attendance at.

Ziggy Stardust's farewell party - Ziggy/David Bowie with Mick Jagger

Angie Bowie and Bianca Jagger at Ziggy's farewell party

Vogue's Millennium Party 1999 with Vivienne Westwood, Helena Christensen & then husband Norman Reedus, Fatboy Sim, Tracey Emin, Paul Smith, Blur's Alex James, milliner Stephen Jones & others

Sadie and Jude,The Party's Just Begun, millennium issue of Vogue

Kate Moss by Mario Testino, The Party's Just Begun, millennium issue of Vogue

Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra at Truman Capote's Black & White Ball

Bianca Jagger at her birthday at Studio 54

Halston, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minelli and Michael Jackson at Studio 54

Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote, Paloma Picasso at Studio 54

Andy Warhol and Jerry Hall at Studio 54

Grace Jones holds court at Studio 54

Kate Moss, Johnny Depp & Iggy Pop, London 1996

Robyn, Katy Perry, Jeremy Scott at Katy's Ho-Down Throwdown Birthday Party

Jessica Stam, Erin Wasson & Theodora Richards by Terry Richardson party shots for H&M

Dita Von Teese, Scarlett Johansson, and Christian Louboutin

Sasha Pivovarova & Maryna Linchuk at Vogue's 90th Birthday Party, Paris

Rihanna at the Kadoomant Day Parade In Barbados

Daisy Lowe at her 21st

Duran Duran's Girl Panic video

Domenico Dolce, Cindy, Helena, Eva, Stefano Gabbana, Naomi and Yasmin on the Girl Panic set

Suitably debauched after the Party! (Girl Panic video)

Things I'm liking in December

2011-12-21T15:22:00.030+13:00

Well after an insanely hectic few months, I find myself at 5 days before Christmas with a mad dash to buy pressies, buy a free range turkey and get the house glammed up for the Christmas season! There are so many gorgeous shiny pretty things to buy around over Christmas, especially lovely Christmasy lingerie and makeup collections. Here are a few of my fave Chrissy items this year.

Fairy Lights. (In actual fact, I have them strewn about the house all year round)
Kate Moss by Corinne Day

Marc Jacobs' Family Christmas snaps

Stella McCartney bedazzled Christmas knickers. I got mine from Bendon.

Cute starry Jewel Rocks bracelet from Superette

Crabtree & Evelyn yummy Christmas candles

Archipelago also do the most divine candles.
I'd love to nab these Holiday Collection ones.

I want some sparkly shoes for Christmas.

Heston Blumenthal's 'Hidden Orange' Christmas Pudding. I've got mine from Nosh. Mmm.

I want to catch up on some movies, including Drive. I just downloaded the soundtrack.

I also want to see:

MAC Holidays Collections - 2011 is Glitter and Ice

Prosecco is a great Christmas tipple.
(Perhaps not Paris's canned version, however! But I do like her sparkly frock).

TOWIE Christmas Special - I love trashy TV

Terry's Chocolate Orange

Home made Christmas mince pies

Fave Summer jam

I'm being whipped away to a hol up North next week. I've always wanted to go to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach (where The Piano was shot) - beautiful.

"Maori refer to Cape Reinga as the departing place of souls (Te Rerenga Wairua). Maori legend tells of a spirit trail (Te ara wairua) along Ninety Mile Beach. At the south end of the beach, departing spirits will wait for an outgoing tide before journeying back home to their ancestral land of Hawaiki."

I'll be heading to the Coromandel after New Year &
visiting my good friend Lorna's cafe in Colville - The Green Snapper Cafe

Love this movie @ Christmas time! Sunny LA, and the Cotswalds!

***Check out my sister bananameet-cute's Chrissy round up here

Daphne Guinness for MAC

2011-12-14T15:53:00.004+13:00

I'm excited to see Daphne Guinness's new collection for MAC, landing on Boxing Day. I saw that today the local Mac stores are showcasing her buddy Gareth Pugh 's range, which appears to be similar dark plum tones (below).Daphne's collection will follow his. To this end she says "We’re a gang. He’s like one of my brothers."

Gareth Pugh for MAC

"When we first started working on colors, [Guinness] pulled a tiny watercolor case out of her handbag and, using her own saliva, began mixing colors immediately! When she walked into the office…You instantly understand how seductive she is as a person. Suddenly, you’re in love with her” James Gager, MAC Senior Vice President and Creative Director.

Daphne Guinness for MAC

"I tried to make myself look Japanese [as a child]…But instead of makeup I would use watercolors or acrylics or anything I could get my hands on. Sometimes I would paint pictures on my face, on my eyelids or whatnot.” Daphne Guinness. Inspirations include “the whispered luxury of an antique Chinese porcelain vase” and “how the intricate wings of a butterfly resemble the images of deepest space". The 'Pigeon Blood Red' "was based on pigeon blood rubies. If you’re the owner of a pigeon blood ruby, you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s very difficult to get one. It’s a beautiful red that’s got the most blue in it."

Daphne Guinness for MAC

Here are some pics from Daphne's December Harper's Bazaar Russia shoot by Alan Gelati.

See more Daphne here.

Christmas Mag Love

2011-12-12T13:41:00.003+13:00

Dree Hemmingway does Madonna for Vogue Espana

As you know and as attested in this Blog, I love mags! Here are a selection of December covers from the glossies sourced from Cover Junkie.

Donatella Versace for Ponystep

Mila Kunis, GQ Woman of the Year

Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina for ELLE Espana

Alison Mosshart & Jamie Hince by Rankin rock Dazed & Confused

Kate by Rankin for Dazed & Confused


Scarlett Johannson by Sølve Sundsbø for Interview

Nigella

Brit Girls Emma Watson & Carrie Mulligan for ELLE

Agyness Deyn for ELLE Korea

The Supers Yasmin, Helena, Cindy C, Naomi & Eva for Harper's Bazaar UK

Daphne Guinness for Harper's Bazaar Russia

Madonna for Harper's Bazaar US

Actress sisters Elle & Dakota Fanning for W

Hailey Clauson for W Korea

Giselle by Mario Testino for Vogue UK

Kate for Vogue Paris

Isabel Lucas for Vogue Australia

First transsexual cover for a mainstream mag, Lea T smolders on ELLE Brasil

Adele for Billboard

Floral Summer

2011-12-06T14:59:00.014+13:00

Wandering past Zambesi on Ponsonby Rd this morning I noticed this fabulous dress in the window. I love the acid-bright injection of florals, a splash of color against the usual neutral and dark Zambesi palette.

Zambesi Tumblr

Zambesi

These prints remind me of Stolen Girlfriend's Karl Maughan print dresses. NZ fashion is embracing painterly floral looks this Summer. "It's an interesting concept and fun doing something slightly off-beat. I particularly like it on the light fabrics. It's also interesting in negative. They've changed it around and transformed it into something else" Karl Maughan. Stolen Girlfriends Club's Marc Moore says this is the first time they have used so much colour, to attract the Australian market.

Karl Maughan, b. 1964 Wellington, New Zealand

Pics from Isaac Likes

Fashion Quarterly pic

Stolen Girlfriends Club

I walked past these absolutely gorgeous pink and blush hued roses and peonies at the market on Ponsonby Road - reminiscent of Madame Hawke's latest dreamy, romantic, watercolour palettes for Spring and Summer.

Madame Hawke

I am also loving Juliette Hogan's 'Vintage Florals' for Spring Summer 2012 - "Madame Hawke goes for a romantic, Peony-pink watercolour palettes."It’s summer at Juliette Hogan and our muse for the season maintains a tenuous grip on her usual polished exterior as she falls hopelessly and utterly in love. Clothes are thrown together, hair pulled messily back and cheeks are flushed as she moves about in a daydream through day and night with an air of mystery and adventure. She’s the studious type with a trashy romance novel buried inside her text book... while fabrics flow fluidly at hems and on sleeves giving an air of softness and romance."

Juliette Hogan

Kate Moss & David Bowie

2011-12-02T12:31:00.005+13:00

Kate by Mert & Marcus

I'm loving the cover of Paris Vogue's December/January issue! Kate does a great Bowie, as she did in British Vogue in 2003 for Mario Testino.

Kate and David are buddies. I love these pics by Ellen Von Unwerth.

Blow up style

British Fashion Awards 2011

2011-11-30T09:54:00.006+13:00

Kate

Congratulations to Victoria Beckham who deservedly won the award for Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards 2011. Overwhelmed, VB said "I'm so sorry for crying. I'm being so rubbish." Bless. Am also LOVING the fabulous outfits on my fashion faves Kate Moss, Kristen McMenamy, Stella Tennant and Daphne Guinness. See below. (Pics from here).

Victoria Beckham

Kate Moss & Stella McCartney

Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss & Marc Jacobs

Kristen McMenamy

Daphne Guinness

Stella Tennant

Kate Hudson & Matt Bellamy

Poppy Delvigne & Matthew Williamson

Olivia Palermo

Georgia Jagger

Alexa Chung

More pics here.

Plain White Tees

2011-11-30T08:50:00.016+13:00

Kate Moss

There's nothing better than a great white T.shirt. It is the quintessential rock chick/model off duty/easy cool look. As Nina Garcia says, you can’t make a fashion must-have list without one! White Tees are so versatile - get the right cut for your shape and you can dress it up or down. I like them with jeans and a black waistcoat on top, a la Erin Wasson or Kate Moss, ripped up and punk or glammed up with a tuxedo jacket & pants or a sequined mini. But, it has to be that perfect cut. For my shape (being broad shouldered, long body and small waist) the best white Tee is fitted, soft cotton, long length low cut v-neck with capped sleeves - harder to find than you may think! Most Tees I find are high neck scooped, is to find a good, flattering plunging V is a winner.

White Tees by louloublue featuring short sleeve tees

James Perse v neck tee

Bassike scoop neck t shirt

T by Alexander Wang short sleeve tee

T by Alexander Wang scoop neck t shirt

Sophomore white cotton t shirt

James Perse t shirt

Here are some celeb white tee aficionados rocking some great Alexander Wang & James Perse-style classic white Tees.

Blake Lively

Megan Fox

Miley

Nicole Richie

Mickey Green

Alison Mosshart in Rick Owens Tee

Daisy Lowe

Kate

Ashley Olsen in James Perse

Erin Wasson for H&M

Erin Wasson & Alexander Wang

Erin Wasson by Hanneli

Helena Christensen's Brand 8 Tees for the Aids Foundation

Chloe Sevigny for Terry Richardson

VB

And now, let's hear it for the boys!

Kanye

Russell

Johnny Depp

I love Kiehl's

2011-11-25T14:35:00.015+13:00

I first discovered Kiehl's in my Mum's Vogue and ELLE mags, this magical brand that didn't do any advertising or mass marketing, yet had these amazing cult skincare products, beloved by celebs and beauty buffs. Finally when I moved to London in 1997, I got to do a pilgrimage to the fabulous Harvey Nichols where they stocked Kiehl's. It was like Mecca! Then I got a job at Harrods and they had a Kiehl's counter also. My friend worked on the Kiehl's counter and supplied me with loads of lovely sample which was bliss, given my budget allowed only for cheapies from Boots chemist and whatever I could blag off my friends on the beauty counters. Robbie Williams came in one day to buy his cucumber cleanser, mind you Kiehl's was always playing host to celebs! My must buys were the Foaming Non Detergent Washable Cleanser, Lip Balm (a cult favourite) Blue Astringent Herbal Toner (Andy Warhol's favorite product) and Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser in Vanilla.

Kiehl's was began in 1851 New York's East Village on the corner of 3rd Ave and 13th Street as Brunswick Apotheke, a homeopathic pharmacy. In 1894, apprentice John Kiehl took over as Kiehl's Pharmacy was born. For the first 150 years, Kiehl's only ran this store, with certain products only available off-site in a few high end department stores such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth avenue, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. In 2000 L'Oréal bought Kiehl's with the proviso that they would maintain the integrity of the company - i.e. a boutique brand heavy on natural ingredients with recyclable packaging that is not mass-marketed and relies on free samples to drive business. The sales associates still wear lab coats to maintain the 'pharmacy' feel. I got to visit the flagship store in the West Village in 1999 and it was such a fun experience - after searching the streets of SoHo, I arrived to be looked after by a lovely salesman who gave me a bulging bag of about 15 samples.

Kiehl's also continues it's philanthropic activities, supporting many charities including the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, Lower East Side Girls, War Child Australia, amFAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) and the Rainforest Alliance.

I love these David LaChapelle campaign shots from last year of Pharrell Williams & Julianne Moore with their Acai Damage-Protective Mist. 100% of the net profits (up to $200,000) went to the Rainforest Alliance.

Artist Jeff Koons designed these fab Body Creme de Corps labels. another cult product, this body moisturizer is super luxe and just melts into the skin. You must try the Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter version - it simply melts into your skin and smells delicious -sublime!

I've just done a quick run up to Kiehl's at Smith & Caughey's and got a bottle of the Body Creme de Corps by Ksubi (below) - very cute, and 7.4% of all sales go to War Child Australia. I was also loaded up with fab samples, including my favorite new cleanser, the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser. One little squirt goes a long way, and it's great for combination skin. It's a Godsend finally having Kiehls' here in NZ, and the girls who man both counters at Smith & Caughey's Newmarket and Queen street are fantastic, full of advice and always send you on your way with yummy samples - a Kiehl's tradition.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Special Edition

Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

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More Miss Havisham Gothic Delight

2011-11-23T10:51:00.000+13:00

After I posted this Blog about my obsession with Miss Havisham lace-goth style, I came across these pics from Prabal Gurung's Fall 2011 show. Gurung was inspired by the character. "It’s a book that I was given when I was probably 6 or 7 years old. At that time I was kind of unclear about who she was - she’s a crazy old lady, that’s what I thought. As I got older and kept going back to it, [I found that] there’s something extremely, extremely sad, but all of us can somehow relate to her. There’s something beautifully melancholic and romantic about giving everything up for love, giving so much". Grazia .co.uk. The looks in the campaign below also remind me more of a disheveled Cathy roaming the Moors in 'Wuthering Heights'.

"Gurung captured the disintegration that was central to Miss Havisham's character in a more believable way with dégradé furs that were echoed by the colored streaks the models wore in their mussed-up hair...Great Expectations' tragically faded Miss Havisham—was an unexpected and potentially risky choice for red-carpet favorite Gurung, whose latest offering was noteworthy for its midi-lengths and ultra-rigorous fits. But this ambitious designer is nothing if not up for a challenge; the question he asked himself: "Can I do undone?" The answer: why, yes." Style.com

Great Expectations looks to be having a resurgence with the BBC in the UK filming a mini series to coincide with the bicentenary in 2012 of the birth of Charles Dickens, to be shown over Christmas. X Files actress Gillian Anderson makes a very cool looking Miss Havisham.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2012

2011-11-22T09:44:00.011+13:00

Pics from Vogue.com

The new Tom Ford Spring/Summer collection has dropped! It's a combination of slick, sexy signature Ford as some more feminine looks with a Western twist. Tom says "My focus is really old-fashioned...I want to do classic clothes. I don’t want to do trendy collections that swing around from season to season. I want to do things that will stay in a woman’s wardrobe a long time—quite ‘forever’ pieces. So I’m looking for consistency.”

Tom Ford's signature look is effortlessly, naturally sexy. “Blouses with a loose, slouchy quality; something fitted at the waist, and with a bondage-y thing on the foot—my favorite is the wedge with the chain-strap! I’ve streamlined things more this season. I think I’m very classic, because what I do is always based on something you’ve seen before. And yes, maybe there’s something YSL about it. When I left off designing for women, I was at YSL so I’m working through that to be me, asking myself, What do I like? What defines your brand?”

On nails - Tom Ford, including darkest brown Bitter Bitc h

Tom says that this Spring collection was inspired by the reactions to his first 2 collections. “It seems people came looking for what they used to find from me—the ruched dresses, the shaggy fur jackets.” Tom says that while there is still a lot of his signature slick Gucci look, the difference is the “worked” surfaces and immaculate fit - super luxe, super tailored, super sexy, like the electric violet fitted suit below: “They’re in double-stretch satin, so they hold you like Spanx!”

The fringing and cowgirl style look is influenced by New Mexico, where Tom & his partner Richard have a ranch designed by Tadao Ando live part of the year. Tom also grew up in Texas.

“We always go to three amazing Western shows in Santa Fe. Richard bought me a piece of barbed wire from the 1870s, which is where the idea for the twisted cuff originated. But then, you have to be careful with inspiration. There’s fringe, but I didn’t want to end up with a Pocahontas collection.” Vogue.com

See the full collection over at Fulltime Ford.

Red or Dead

2011-11-17T12:59:00.018+13:00

(*An aside - the title of this post is a reference to a fave London label, Red or Dead, that I used to wear when living there in the late 90's - it just popped into my head).

I love a red lipstick. Perhaps not like the application in the pic of Kate above, but a red lip is such a striking, sexy, iconic lip. However I but apply it with trepidation, as it is quite the task to get it on properly, especially anything with a gloss or shine. Infact, yesterday I wore my new Kate Moss Rimmel red lippie (thank you to my lovely friend Krissy for that fabulous gift) and my colleague said "Look at the state of you!". I had smears of red all over my hands where I'd touched my lips. Oops. Messy! As Kate says of her red shade, "It's the ultimate shade. I wouldn't wear it during the day, but at night, or if it's a do, then it's good. Lipstick is the classic, iconic make-up, isn't it? You think of Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, and it's always about the lips."

Tom Ford Beauty

I asked my make up maestro friend Fox about best tips for applying disaster-free red lippie. She says to simply slough the lips to ensure they are not dry or flaky, then apply with a brush for more control. A darker centre lip with a dab of strong red gives you a fuller, pouty look. Then you can blot for a matte look or dab gloss on top for shiny. A lip prime like MAC Prep & Prime will stop lipstick bleeding, as does a dust of powder with a fat brush- just shake your powder brush well before dusting! Fox has a great tip for lippie on the run and emergencies - mix a little blusher or lip liner with a gloss or chapstick to colour your lips. (Conversely, I used a dab of lippie on cheeks if caught sans blusher and looking wan/hungover). Makeup artist Pat McGrath has used Blistex & lip liners for years). I also lie using a lip liner to get into the corners of the mouth when wearing bright reds - one area I never seem to be able to get to without the aid of a brush or a lip pencil. I had that 'nude corner look!

Striking red lips are trademarks of beauties such as Gwen Stefani, Dita on Teese and Marilyn Monroe. Gwen & Dita love Mac's Russian Red. Dita also recommends matte reds such Mac's Ruby Woo, Face Stockholm Matte Clare and Guerlain's Kiss Kiss Excess de Rouge. And Marilyn Monroe wore Max Factor's Ruby Red.

Dita

Gwen

Marilyn

When choosing a red to suit your complexion and colouring, the rules to stick by are:

* Pale skin tends to suit blue-based reds

* Olive or dark skin -tends to suit orange-based reds

* A satiny, medium-tone red tends to suit most skins

* Poppy King's Medieval or Kevyn Aucoin's Sheer Red are good sheer reds for first-timers. A red lip stain like The Balm's Stainiac is another good option for a more subtle, muted red look (It is for cheeks, but I use it almost every day as a lip stain)

* If your teeth are yellow, choose a red lipstick with blue undertones to make them look whiter

* If going for red lips during the day, keep eye makeup minimal

Here are some of the most popular tried and true products. For more on how to apply red lip-stick, check out this brilliant MAC video, The Art of the Red lip.

Red Lips by louloublue on polyvore.com

Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick

Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick Deep Mink

Rimmel London Kate Lipstick

TheBalm Stainiac Beauty Queen

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 -Old Hollywood

MAC Tinted Lipglass

MAC Lip Pencil Redd One Size

Fabulips sugar lip scrub

Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour - # 05 Mademoiselle

Amazon.com: NARS Jungle Red Lip Liner Pencil

M·A·C Prep + Prime Lip

Blondie Girls

2011-11-16T16:44:00.009+13:00

I just came across this fab shoot by Ellen Von Unwerth for Vogue Turkey (March 2011) inspired by Debbie Harry, which reminded me of some other fave editorials with models playing Blondie. But to be honest - there will always only be one Debbie Harry!

Ashley Smith by Ellen von Unwerth for Vogue Turkey

Raquel Zimmerman for Vogue Paris

Sophie Dahl for British Vogue

British TV presenter Fearne Cotton for Very

And now, one of my fave songs of all time, Blondie with Rapture.

*This video is a bit of a legend, it was shot in 1981 and the first 'rap' video ever to be [played on MTV, with Debbie harry being heavily influenced by the musicians of New York City. DJ Fab Five Freddy features in the song and video and street artists Lee Quinones and Basquiat make cameo appearances. Basquiat was hired when Grandmaster Flash did not show up for the shoot.

Versace for H&M

2011-11-11T13:23:00.006+13:00

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Versace H&M Campaign

Oh if only H&M was available here in NZ! They have had some great collabs with designers (Matthew Williamson, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli) but this Versace one looks absolutely fabulous. The Very Best of Versace by H&M is drenched with colour and signature Versace glam such as gold and silver lame, jungle green (a la J.Lo) & hot pinks, studs, sequins and leopard & zebra prints (my fave print of the season) pitched at the hip younger - and more financially challenged - H&M market. With daughter Allegra's help, Donatella has come up with a slamming Summery collection - despite it being the Euro Winter, but perfect timing for the Antipodes!

'It was done totally wrong the last time the economy failed,' Donatella said in an interview with Associated Press. 'Everyone said, "Let's do safe clothes of a good quality that people will invest in and wear year after year." That couldn't be more wrong. The companies that survived the most were the ones that were recognizable, that stuck to their DNA, and our DNA is glamour.This is a very joyful collection...'I know this customer. I know what they want. They follow music, fashion. For the new generation, it's all pop culture.' The campaign is shot my Mert & Marcus and features wide eyed Hitchcock blondes such as Sasha Pivovarova, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Daphne Groeneveld and Lindsey Wixson.

In true Versace grandeur and style, the launch kicked off at Pier 57 @ New York's uber cool MeatPacking district with none other that Prince(and Nicki Minaj) performing and celebs such as Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista, Debbie Harry, Zoe Kravitz, Uma Thurman, Blake Lively and Mark Ronson gracing the red carpet decked in Versace.

Helena & Donatella

Blake & Donatella

Prince & Dnatella (Pics from Fashionmangazine.com)

Prince performs

Deborah Harry

Nicki Minaj

Blake & Helena (Pics from The Observer)

Donatella and Allegra

Mark Ronson

For the collection catwalk launch, Estee Lauder's Tom Pecheux did the makeup and Orlando Pita was on hair. Ginta Lapita and Natasha poly joined Sasha Pivovarova, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Daphne Groeneveld & Lindsey Wixson among others on the catwalk.

Backstage pics from Harper's Bazaar

Pics from Style.com

Versace for H&M by louloublue featuring a lbd dress
Dress
fashionista.com

Dress
fashionista.com

Lbd dress
girlpower.it

Silk dress
company.co.uk

Robe Versace for H&M. Prix : 99 euros - Marie...
marieclaire.fr

Skirt
girlpower.it

Hot pink shoes
company.co.uk

Checkered shoes
teenvogue.com

Necklace
girlpower.it

Sunglasses
tooklookbook.com

H&M - Versace Women's Accessories | Lofter by Sur la terre
tooklookbook.com

Versace for H&M är här! | Sofis mode | Aftonbladet
aftonbladet.se

Versace for H&M - de volledige collectie - Zien! de volledige Versace...
elle.nl

Versace for H&M är här! | Sofis mode | Aftonbladet
aftonbladet.se

See more here:

New York City Girls

2011-11-09T12:15:00.015+13:00

I love the latest Vogue Italia cover & shoot on a New York subway by Steven Miesel, starring Raquel Zimmermann.

I love New York. I wish I lived in NYC in the 70's - Disco, Studio 54m, CBGBs and punk! Love all the artists, musicians, models and hipsters who hung out in NYC 70s'. Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgewick, Basquiat, Bianca Jagger, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, Nico, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Janice Dickinson, Jerry Hall, Halston, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry. I wish I lived there now! I went to NYC in 1999 and 2010, and want to go back asap!

My passing shot of CBGBs,1999

A rainy day @ Agent Provocateur on Mercer St, 2009

My beautiful friend Nikki lived there awhile, check out her Blog of her latest visit. here she is below with photographer Adrian Nina and his gorgeous wife, model Lyoka Tyagnereva. Lyoka says ""The thing about living in New York is that it's the fastest city in the world. After you've lived here, you can't live anywhere else because anywhere else is too slow and uninteresting." Check out Adrian and Lyoka at work @ New York Fashion Week here.

Lyoka in Marie Claire Spain looking very Studio 54-glam

Here are a couple of my other latest fave NYC editorials. This one is from fab New Zealand mag NO, shot by Jason Perry and featuring New York model Taylor Warren "I live in the most amazing city in the world".

Taylor Warren for NO Magazine

New York Dolls shoot Terry Richardson

Shots by Roman Gorchakov

Lindsay Wixon for Terry Richardson

Karlie Kloss for Arthur Elgort

Karlie Kloss for Stephane Sednaoui

Karli Kloss for Terry Richardson

Giselle rocks Pam Hogg for British Vogue

2011-11-09T09:38:00.011+13:00

I'm very fussy about mag covers. A cover can put me off buying a regular favourite, and a striking cover can encourage me to part with my readies at the drop of a hat without so much as a glance at the content of the magazine. I religiously buy UK Vogue and have done since my early teens when I switched from Dolly magazine to Vogue taking a cue form my Mum. I'd pour over the photos of Linda, Cindy, Christy et al. I adore this cover for the December edition shot by Mario Testino of Giselle rocking Pam Hogg leggings. Giselle's sky high pins are the perfect canvas for these striking leggings which make a festive and eye catching cover!

Pam Hogg

"Gisele looks fantastic in the leggings, I made them a few years ago now, so they are from my archive but can be worn at any time and in many different ways. Lucinda [Chambers, the Vogue fashion director who styled the shoot], has a good eye - she's good at choosing my timeless pieces." Hogg says that she was "knocked out" to see Gisele wear her multi-colored, striped leather and lycra design. They were originally created in 2008 and appeared in her Fall/Winter 2009-2010 collection. "For the show, my model wore them with a matching multi-coloured fur jacket, but they're versatile," she explained. "I designed them with a feeling of glam-rock-meets-Parisian-chic. It's a misconception that I make punk clothes, I design with an individual style, and the punk era welcomed that way of working. Gisele wears them in a very classy way, and I love that." British Vogue

Daisy Lowe

The leggings are from Pam's 2009 London Fashion Week show, her first in over 10 years. the leggings were worn by Daisy Lowe, who I love, and the show also featured London It girls Peaches Geldof, Jaime Winstone and Alice Delall.

Daisy for Pam

Jamie Winstone and Pam Hogg

Peaches in Pam Hogg

Pam Hogg and Siouxie Sioux

Siouxie in a Pam outfit

2008 Collection

Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal and Pam Hogg

I love Pam Hogg. Musician, DJ, designer and fashion rebel, she is kind of like a cross between Vivienne Westwood and Pamela Anderson (who are great friends) - a cross between punk wild-child and sexy Vargas girl.

Pam rocking out in her band

The iconic image of Pam in I.D Magazine #72 - The Raw Issue (August 1989)

Pam Hogg is a Scot who started making her own clothes at age 6. Rocker Pam says "I loved the Stones and the Faces and later on Roxy Music and Bowie. I grew up before stylists had become so dominant and bands were unafraid to create a vision that reflected their own identity."Then she discovered Blitz Kids, hipsters who frequented Steve Strange's Blitz nightclub in Covent Garden London, a place to escape grey hum drum Thatcherite Britain and dress up like superstars and engage in their own world of fashion experimentation and exhibitionism. A melange of punk kids & musos including Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Boy George, Marilyn (yes, Gavin Rossdales' ex), Tony Hadley (from Spandau Ballet) and Pete Burns (pre-scary surgery). As the punk era faded, the Kids such as Boy George and Sandau Ballet looked to androgyny and created the New Romantic look, with musicians such as Marc Bolan and David Bowie as their style icons. The punk crossed with supersonic slightly alien style is still prevalent in Pam's designs today.

One thing I love about Pam is that she isn't formally trained as a designer, she didn't go to fashion school, she just made her dreams come true through perseverance & raw talent." I never design a collection on paper and then make it – it just all creates itself in my head, just like when I do a painting. It’s just that I have to edit faster than that to be in time for the new season. That’s good, though, as the time limit sets off a kind of creative frenzy where I have no idea what’s going to emerge next. It’s a high risk way of working but gives me the most pleasure and gets me the best results...Fashion means nothing to me. It’s always been about making clothes and dressing up." Vice Magazine

LOVE magazine Pam Hogg shoot by David Sims