Tom Ford always has something fabulous and fashion to say ! More here.

• “She needs to have a few drinks and cry a little — then she’ll be perfect.” (1996) …Giving a model a more modern look for a Gucci fall collection show.
• “The fashion world thrives on irony and bitchiness and meanness. This attack is making people sincere. I’m not sure that will be good for fashion.” (2001) …After 9/11.
• “Richard hardly ever has anything nice to say about my work. It’s my mother all over again.” (2009) …On his partner Richard Buckley.
• “We shot it with p**n stars. Two men and two women. And we paid for them to have sex on set. You don’t see it in the shot, but you feel it.” (2005)…. On an advert for his eyewear.
• “We have the Terminator as governor, and we had an actor as president, so why shouldn’t we have a fashion designer as a senator?” (2008) …Considering a political career.
• “I’m so tired of getting teased about painting my tractors black! And she said: ‘Well, I paint all mine grey’” (2007)… On Martha Stewart.
• “As I’ve gotten older I’ve realised a tan line makes your butt look higher.” (2008) …On no longer frequenting nude beaches.
• “The Gucci woman — you know what she’s after. The Saint Laurent woman — she’s going to torture you a little bit. You might have sex, but she will drip a little hot wax on you first” (2001) …On the difference between Gucci woman and Saint Laurent woman.
• Check out his London house here ! So chic.

Things you can buy for $5:

• A two minute session with your therapist.
• A buckle on a zip on a Lanvin bag.
• A half hour park outside Prada.
• A few fake eyelashes.
• A dab of Creme de la Mer.
• A third of American Vogue.
• A half glass of (bad) wine.
• A whole lot of fabulous jewellery from big chunky rings to jewelled necklaces and stud cuffs all on sale for $5 at Diva. Amazing!

What: Hot Sunglasses
Which: I love these new sunglasses from Giles worn by model Dree Hemingway. (In fact we love her whole look from head to toe.) You want big sunglasses. The oversized cat’s eye shape looks new and quite fabulous non? Alexander Wang also did fabulous eyewear for next summer. For a more classic look try aviators, the Raybans seen here at Style.com and of course you can’t go past the classic Jackie O style.
Where: Try Sunglass Hut, Net-a-Porter, General Pants or Tom Ford.

The good news: You are about to look fabulous and save money. How so?
The economy is looking better.
The Australian dollar is up.
Time to save money on cosmetics and makeup by buying online. Head to StrawberryNet. You can buy everything from Prada makeup to Smashbox. Pick what you want: Perhaps you are wanting to buy Chanel Foundation Vitalumiere? It sells here for US$61 which is now AUS$67. The shipping is free. The Chanel Vitalumiere cream foundation retails for $95 in David Jones. That’s a chic but cheap saving of about $30. Fabulous.
Don’t panic about using this site. I have friends who use it and love it.
Maybe you want Nars or Laura Mercier? Head to Kiss and Makeup. They offer flat rate shipping of US$7.95 for the entire world, no matter how large your order is.
Beauty heaven.

• Check out the new Paris Vogue and Garance Doré’s shots of Carine at the shows and here at Garance Doré.
• While on the subject of Paris Vogue checkout the November cover with Isabeli Fontana.
• Can’t wait for Jimmy Choo for H&M to come into stores in the US.
• Check out the fab site for the new movie Where The Wild Things Are, apparently filmed in burnt out bush outside of Melbourne.
• Grace Coddington chats about skinny models, “I remember when I was young, they told me that if I didn’t lose weight I’d be out of the show, so I spent a week living off of coffee.”
• John Galliano has cast hot model du moment Karlie Kloss to star in his spring 2010 Christian Dior campaign. She’s just 17. Bless. Says WWD.
• Karl Lagerfeld will soon have a new stamp in his passport: Argentina. The designer is shooting the next Chanel campaign on location in Buenos Aires with Claudia Schiffer, Freja Beha Erichsen and Baptiste Giabiconi. It will be Lagerfeld’s first time in the South American nation. “I only go to places if I have a professional reason. I’m not a tourist,” he said. The multitasking designer said he would also work on a forthcoming book about architecture in Argentina. Reports WWD.
• Louboutin Fetes Barbie at 50. WWD
• Grazia UK talks to Tom Ford’s costume designer, Arianne Phillips “[Tom] is the most prepared director I have ever worked with. Tom is an extremely generous and gracious man, who was encouraging, agreeable and allowed me to do my job”.
• Kristen Stewart: her Allure photo shoot.
• The New York Times’ The Moment magazine has a British theme and lots of ‘Batty Brits’ and Samantha Morten is on the cover.
  
• Rimmel London has added rock’n'roll progeny and runway royalty to its star-spangled lineup of spokeswomen. Georgia May Jagger and Coco Rocha will join the Coty Inc-owned brand’s roster, which already includes Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The new pair will begin appearing in 2010 advertising. Says WWD.
• It’s the fabulous Linda Evangelista for W magazine art issue video!
• Jean Paul Gaultier will be the third in Target (US) series of Designer Collaborations. The exclusive Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection will debut on March 7 in more than 250 stores in the US and on Target.com. Says WWD.
• Tom Ford finally acknowledged on the record he’s returning to the women’s arena and confirmed he and his longtime business partner and Tom Ford International chairman Domenico De Sole are on the hunt for financing. Says WWD.
• Check out Aerin Lauder’s over the top house in US Elle Deco.
• Conde Nast US keeps laying off new people: Now we hear Executive fashion director Candy Pratts Price and Senior features editor Laird Borrelli-Persson will leave Style.com at the end of 2009. Reports Fashion Week Daily.
• Hillary Swank is on the cover of US Marie Claire

La Reine de la Mode

We love Carine Roitfeld, Editor of Paris Vogue. She is chic, fabulous, talented and (how can it be in this youth obsessed world?) over 50. An inspiration.
Check out this engrossing, new behind the scenes doco from French TV channel TF1 following her during Paris Fashion week. Love the shots of Paris, the glamorous front row, and the craziness back stage. There is even a quick meeting with Elle Macpherson and footage of Carine as a 20 something in jeans.
For those of you who can’t speak French you can just look at the gorgeous shots of Paris. Tant Pis!

• ‘Bit dull politics, eh Nicole Kidman? Ms Kidman looks ready to drop as she gives evidence to Congress in U.S.’ says  Mail Online.
• Apparently Paris has been invading the Middle East. She is on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Dubai November 2009. Who knew there was a Harper’s Bazaar Dubai?
• Here’s Eva Longoria and Tony Parker in the latest ad campaign for London Fog along with some behind-the-scene shots. Judging by Eva’s poses, I’m assuming this is a line of coats designed for flashers at the park? Says The Superficial
• George W Bush lost on runaway homemade balloon. The Daily Squib
• Has Kate Boswoth run off with True Blood’s Alex Skarsgard? Love her animal print shooties (shoe boots). Just Jared
• Russell and Katy kiss their way through the weekend (will break up when they start talking). Popsugar
• Bill Clinton coached David Letterman says Ex-Producer.  The Daily Squib
• Looks like Jessica and Justin are back together or never apart. People
• Nicole Kidman has a fabulous plastic surgeon and dermatologist but not a great hair dresser. Hint: Please ask Angelina how to wear your hair to the UN next time. People
• Jessica Simpson and Gerard Butler: “Nothing Romantic There”. Us Magazine
• Alec Baldwin would “kill” Renee Zellweger in the sack. His words. The Superficial
• Robin Wright Penn will remain friends with her ex (until she goes back to him). People
• Angelina Jolie is in talks to star in the next big fashion film - Gucci, a big-budget thriller about the murder of Maurizio Gucci. Style.com
• Mischa Barton actually believes she has a serious career in film ahead of her which proves she got out of the psych ward way too soon. Says The Superficial
• Hollywood film stars including Cameron Diaz and Mike Myers are being banned from using Twitter because bosses think “tweets” are damaging the industry. The Telegraph
• Miley Cyrus: I don’t miss Twitter “I thought I was going to miss it a lot more than I do,” she says. She doesn’t miss her brain either. Us Magazine
• US Vogue editor Hamish Bowles goes bush and tries to eat poo? (US Vogue)
• Lindsay Lohan is refusing to check into rehab. Which isn’t surprising because I hear they don’t even serve booze there. Says The Superficial
• Madonna looks fabulous in black. People

Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel… by Jeannette Walls

if you loved The Glass Castle you will love this new book from Jeanette Walls.
“For the first 10 years of her life, Lily Casey Smith, the narrator of this true-life novel by her granddaughter, Walls, lived in a dirt dugout in west Texas.
Having been educated in fits and starts because of her parents’ penury, Lily becomes a teacher at age 15 in a remote frontier town she reaches after a solo 28-day ride. Marriage to a bigamist almost saps her spirit, but later she weds a rancher with whom she shares two children and a strain of plucky resilience. (They sell bootleg liquor during Prohibition, hiding the bottles under a baby’s crib.)
Lily is a spirited heroine, fiercely outspoken against hypocrisy and prejudice, a rodeo rider and fearless breaker of horses, and a ruthless poker player. Assailed by flash floods, tornados and droughts, Lily never gets far from hardscrabble drudgery in several states-New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois-but hers is one of those heart warming stories about indomitable women that will always find an audience.”

US$14.97 Amazon. Publisher: Scribner: (October 6, 2009)

The Christmas List: Mario de Janeiro Testino… by Mario Testino

Another fabulous book from Mario Testino!
“Mario Testino is one of the world’s most successful fashion and portrait photographers, whose images are noted for their freshness and intimacy. Peruvian by birth, Testino has been fascinated by Rio de Janeiro since his earliest summer vacations.  Testino has been going back ever since, for work and fun, passion and inspiration. Featuring candid shots of exquisite cariocas baring nubile flesh, including supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Mario de Janeiro Testino captures the essence of this incomparably seductive city and its sultry citizens.
From its breathtaking sunset panoramas, to the throbbing chaos of its world-famous carnival, this is Testino’s love poem to the Brazilian metropolis that captured his teenage heart, and never let go.” Sexy. Not out till December so it’s definitely for The Christmas List!

US$26.39 Amazon. Publisher: Taschen America (December 1, 2009)

The fashion is a little different this week. I have decided to go shopping to more stores but will mention fewer pieces in each. So rather than go to 3 stores in each Economy and Business section I am now going to more stores but just talking about the hot and stand out pieces I have seen each week.
Hope you like it !
Let me know what you think and leave a comment below or email me: FiFi@FiFi.com.au

Economy Class:

Zu Shoes

• Love the flats here: there are a few styles that are not so gladiator style. Just chic and simple T bar sandals. Love the very Prada-esque black with a small silver buckle on the T bar. Chic $180.
• Or buy the black (or gold) multi straps sandals that have no outrageous hardware. That means you can wear it with your handbags that have either silver or gold buckles. $160
• You want the black T bar flats that have fabulous jewels now on sale $80. See main picture.

Portmans
Getting better here!

• Love the new soft grey silky floppy double breasted shirt/jacket. It has fabulous big puff sleeves and a belt. Tres chic $199.
• Buy the cobalt blue or black silky cami with a few scatterings of black jet beading on one side: it’s very sexy mama and quite low cut. A great top to wear with jeans/harem/shorts and killer heels when you are going out for dinner. $79
• You want the very cool black jacket with serious Balmain shoulders. Yes, it’s been in store for a while but it’s a winner. $299
• Love the jewellery and clutch bags here especially the multi jewel ring. $29
• Memo to Portmans: please get rid of the bad lighting and the red walls: you will double the sales if you ditched the bad lighting.

Just Jeans

• Love the navy and white print maxi dress with shoestring straps and V neck: classic maxi dress style. This is great for beach and holidays. Wear with flats. Wear with a gin and tonic. $89
• You want the grey (or black wrinkle) very tailored leather zip biker jacket: Once you get the grey jacket out of the shop, voila! It looks way more expensive than $199. By the way the leather jacket is still hot next season. You know how to wear it. Over dresses like Vanessa Traina (from Jak and Jil) or thrown with harems. That’s about it really. You shouldn’t own anything else.

French Connection

• Check out the white with navy stripe Tee poncho: how cool is that? It’s Tee that has grown. $99. Not sure that you can wear a jacket over it, it’s more like a dress. Can’t find a photo of that so I will show you the chic stripe beachy Tee dress as well. $129
• Try to get your hands on the stripe tee dress with a sheer overlay but it’s on sale $49
• Love the silver shiny grey marle tank: a great basic that will lighten up all the boring bits you own: it’s an instant updater. Fabulous under a blazer. $69

Mango MNG
The new winter collection is in store and there are great pieces; there’s a sale on now so get in there now…

• You want the faux fur vest. It’s in a cream and grey fur like a stripe. Not sure what fur that is but it’s chic. Tip: there will be thousands of fake fur vest next winter so get in now with the trend while it’s still a bit chilly. Especially if you live in New Zealand or Melbourne or anywhere else in the Antarctic circle. Bless. $189
• If you have great legs and more budget than the usual economy then you must have black leather mini shift dress $499, it’s fabulous! It’s a straight 60’s box shape and you know that leather is the hot trend. Why? Because I told you it was the hot trend 2 weeks ago.
• Love the black sequin jacket, $119. It was last week’s item du jour so look back to last week’s FiFi Report and read the instructions on how to wear it. With a smile.
• If you have a few lumps and bumps on the rump but you want to wear a Tee dress then try the grey and white stripe Tee dress here: it has a waist with cap sleeves. It won’t be so clinging and you can belt it. (Like the fridge.) $79

Peep Toe Shoes

• The jewellery in here is amazing. You must check it out: Adore the big bold and very Lanvin inspired necklaces or cuffs from $69.

Business Class:

Max & Co
The new winter collection has arrived and of course who wants summer when you can wear next season. Gorgeous winter pieces. Perhaps for your trip to Europe?

• Buy the divine grey wool melton peacoat with a frill along the hem: How unexpected. (A bit like Lindsay Lohan suddenly looking good.) You can go past a grey peacoat. $780
• You want the lovely brown leather biker jacket with brass zips. It’s more subtle biker than the Heels Angels. You will live in this. Toss over a pretty dress and killer stomp-a-licious heels.  $1100
• For summer there are a few pretty blue print maxi dresses. Try the chiffon dress with short cap sleeves. $535. Also a short version that you must wear with your outrageous gladiators to add a groove edge.

Mimco

• A lot of fabulous jewellery at Mimco but I am on the look out for a big chunky silver chain necklace. You will find it here. It’s called a Mod Tough Love choker: $179. It’s chunky with a very Chanel style leather threaded through to make it look cool. This will groove up all those last season black dresses for summer. Or wear with prints. The only problem is that I think you need to wear 3 at a time. Or try the silver old school chain necklace $199. Same problem. 3 x $199 = too much. Might have to dash to Diva to find more to layer up.
• Love the hats: the cute fedoras in blue, black or white (with a little button on the side). Great for the races if you don’t want to spend a million dollars. $79
• You want the flat T bar sandals, $179. They have a silver chain strip along the front which adds some hardware. Which means you don’t need to wear so much jewellery. It’s on your feet.

A|X Armani Exchange

• Love the navy blue/aqua/cream leaf print maxi dress in a cotton jersey. $299. It’s pool dressing at its best.
• Buy the black boyfriend jacket if you don’t have one already. A must have in any wardrobe. Wear over a tank, with your fav dress and belt it in. Love it with shorts. $299
• You want the cream round neck pleat front silk tank. Cream or white next to the face will take years off. I should know. $159
• Drool over the cream taupe/concrete suede biker jacket with a rib trim. Neutrals and pale colours are the new hot trend and this will look divine with choc brown or black or  navy… What a pity you can’t eat spaghetti wearing this. Or make chocolate cake. $699

David Jones (at WBJ)
The handbag department has a fabulous collection of Marc for Marc Jacobs bags. Great prices.

• Love the grey silver slouch bag with gold hardware. $895
• You want the black shoulder bag in a slouch shape with 2 silver zips and turn lock pockets. $795
• Love the black patent slouch shape with one strap and a silver chain strap. Yes patent has been around for so long but this still looks chic. $895
• There are other bags in great colours all about the same price: orange, green, chic brown, caramel and I think blue. Not sure you want a blue bag. Bless.

Lacoste (in David Jones)

• Love the black (or navy) cotton cropped peacoat with epaulettes and a swing back: it has a deep inverted pleat. The crop trench is still the hot look. perfect for weekends or with a pencil skirt for work. Perfect for travelling. It’s my fav find for the week and it’s on sale. What more do you want? For you about $229. see above

Marcs

• You want the dark denim blazer with the stripe lining. $199. A blazer is a must. Tip: Not sure about denim jacket with denim jeans. But love this over caramel and taupes and with black or bright colours.
• Love the black sequin blazer $349. Love the matte black sequin tank: it’s long so it could be a dress. Maybe. $199
• The best stripe Tees are here with a higher neck line and great cap cut off sleeves. $59. So french so chic. It was a hot look at the shows, as you can see here from Fashionista.

Myer

• Love the FN by Nicole Finetti black chiffon halter (almost a Trapeze shape) dress with huge fabric flowers scattered nonchalantly all over it. It is a loose cut and floats: great for a party. You could hide the food in the flowers. $199.

Cue

• You want the black lace Tee shirt a la Balmain with shoulder pads. $99. This is a hot wear right now look. Love it with denim. You need to dress it down. Or punk it up with leather.
• Love the chunky silver and/or diamante jewellery: the necklaces and the cuffs. All fabulous and instant wardrobe updaters. $199

Country Road

• I see that new in this week is a cobalt blue sleeveless top with an asymmetrical neckline and a square shape. $129. Only buy one piece of cobalt blue. You will be over it next season. Love it with black or grey or with denim.
• The black crop peg leg pants are a great cut and will fit all sorts of shape and sizes. This I know for a fact. Get used to the new shape trousers. $179
• You want the black silky jumpsuits with a drawstring waist. $229. Why not? It’s a cool look. Just don’t be in a hurry getting undressed. Or Drink too much.
• Love all the shoes here: a fabulous selection!

Satch
The best place to go for dresses that just sit above or right on the knee. If you don’t want short short dresses then rush here. The cut is great for women with curves.

• Love the black simple sheath dress and the simple chiffon dresses about $279.
• Adore the long silk print maxi dresses in black and white. very chic with shoestring straps and a square neckline $399
• Tip: Ignore the shots on the website they are so daggy and completely don’t do justice to the clothes (those shoes? Please explain).

First Class:

Bally
You can’t go past Bally for fabulous shoes, bags and now great clothes (in the city store).

• New in is a chic new leather collection of travel accessories in soft nude pink.
• Love the manicure set $635 and the jewellery box: divine $775 and the lipstick box $245
• You want the luxurious carryon toilette box $1800 and the laptop bag $2500.
• Buy the amazing little brass filigree evening bag that is the same shape as a box of cigarettes (Obviously designed by a European!) $970

Pear & Blueberry Slice: … adulterated from Bill Granger’s Peach & Raspberry Slice

This should be a slice but I made it as a cake. You can slice it up if you so desire. I didn’t have any peaches or raspberries so I used pears and blueberries. Delicious.

You will need to make a cake to feed 100 models (cut into slices):
185g (1½ cups) plain flour
1½ tsp baking powder, plus ½ tsp extra
125g butter, chilled and diced
115g (½ cup) soft brown sugar
115g (½ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
3 ripe pears or peaches, peeled and sliced into wedges
90g (¾ cup) raspberries or blueberries fresh or frozen
2 tsp natural vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten lightly
185ml (¾ cup) milk

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Slip into new Chloe caftan.
• Pour a wine.
• Promise to AFD tomorrow (alcohol free day).
• Promise to go on diet tomorrow.
• Moisterise and grease and also line a 20×30cm baking tray.
• You should moisterise the baking paper too so it doesn’t stick.
• Cut up the pears. You can peel if you can be bothered.
• Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
• Rub in the butter with your fingertips. Feels good. Ignore the manicure.
• Stir in both the sugars. Give it a mix.
• Press half the mixture over the base of the tin.
• Try not to eat the rest. You want to mix that in a minute with the milk, etc.
• Now lie the pears/peaches over the top and then sprinkle with blueberries/raspberries.
• In another bowl toss in the vanilla extract, baking powder, egg and milk and whisk for a minute.
• Add that to the rest of the base mixture and stir well.
• Don’t worry too much about lumps. It’s a bit like getting dressed. There is nothing you can do. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
• Pour this evenly over the top of the pears/peaches and blueberries/raspberries
• Throw in the oven. Gently. (Can you throw gently?)
• Bake for about an 1 hour but keep an eye on it.
• Cool in the tray.
• Then cut into squares to serve if you want.
• Divine!