André Leon Talley rips into the SAG attendees on Vogue.com
“Marion Cotillard, looked like a Ladurée coconut macaroon reject.”
“At the Globes, {Christina Hendricks } smiled through her peach-colored disaster. This week, her look was more like, “Please don’t tear me down. I’m trying harder with less makeup”
“The draped shoulders on Patricia Arquette’s forest-green sparkle-covered gown resembled Broadway stage curtain swag.”
“Katrina Bowden just looked like a tunnel fashion victim trying too hard.”
” Paula Patton what were you thinking with that strapless white froth of J. Mendel? Black Friday stampede shopping in a Jersey bridal warehouse?”
“Sophia Loren lost the plot this week in a black Armani Privé . Last week she looked like Hollywood royalty; this week, she tumbled off the throne.”
Worst dress of the evening: Helen Mirren’s gray embellished Badgley Mischka: Save that dress for a private Mardi Gras at home in New Orleans!”
“Sandra Bullock once again shows she doesn’t care what people say about her hair”
“Drew Barrymore: Did you dash out of your fitting and forget to look at the backsweep of your hair? And let’s not talk about your mall-like strapless Monique Lhullier dress”
Reasons to walk in ballet flats:
- You want to look directly at your boyfriend’s tanned chest.
- You are sick of patting your mum on the head.
- You want to to run to the new Miu Miu store in Chadstone (Opening March).
- You want to spend money on a new Hermes cuff. Not the physio.
- Your Prada heels sink in the sand.
- You are desperate for Fancy Flats: the cute, fold up ballet flats. Oh so comfortable and chic, they come in metallic silver, bronze, and black patent. Buy 3. Buy them online and you don’t need to walk anywhere to buy them.
$49.95 plus postage from fancyflats.com.au
Apple.com/ipad
It’s all anyone can talk about : The new Apple® iPad. Looks fabulous. I want one! I need one. I have to have one. It’s as sleek and thin as any model ( it weighs just 0.68 kg) and just as chic. They say “it’s a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more.” Check out the video. Cool.
iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US)
You need L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer :
- Because it will stop your foundation sliding off onto the collar of your Chanel jacket.
- Because dry cleaning Chanel is expensive.
- Because my foundation seemed to stay on all day. Woo Hoo!
- Because re-applying Chanel foundation all day is expensive
- Because it’s not gooey or greasy ( and seems to dry like a powder. )
- Because it’s invisible but seems to cover all your freckles.
- Because it smooths out the texture of your skin. Or it gives the illusion it does.
- Because we love an illusion.
- Because Linda Evangelista says she uses it.
- Because you have never looked like Linda Evangelista.
- Because there is always hope.
$39.95 L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer from loreal-paris.com.au and Priceline
We love teenage blogger TAVI and now Tommy Ton from JacandJil has photographed her at home for French Vogue; Love it. Checkout the shots HERE
Vicky and David Beckham both shot covers for the latest issue of 10 magazine. nymag.com
Lara Stone is on the cover of Love magazine: Model.com
Who is on the cover of the big bumper March issue of the major American magazines? US Vogue will have Tina Fey. OMG! Glamour magazine has Ellen von Unwerth shooting Victoria Beckham. Kate Moss will appear on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, photographed by Peter Lindbergh. Teen Vogue shot newcomer and Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, star of Tim Burton’s upcoming “Alice in Wonderland,” for its cover. And W will feature Megan Fox. US Elle opted for Keira Knightley, while US InStyle is betting on Anne Hathaway
Have anyone noticed all models are all lying down in the new spring fashion campaign? See Raquel Zimmerman below in Alexander McQueen and snakes!! The New York Times says it’s a trend...nytimes.com
Check out the new Jimmy Choo campaign which looks very similar to the shots of Jack and Jil. Sneaky! Watch Tamara Mellon in her new video with a new face of Botox and fillers!.jimmychoo.com
Love this cute fashion site where all the models dance around in the look book; So cool ! healfashionlab.com
It’s couture week in Paris! See all the shows here at Style.com; especially the Chanel show. Karl says “It’s the first time in my whole career I’ve done a collection without black or navy. There’s not one gold button” .
Gucci’s Frida Giannini says she wants to start a couture collection for Gucci but that they’ll “sell it on a by-appointment basis and use the couture label to service top celebrities.” Reports WWD
Love the Nick Knight film with Raquel Zimmerman dancing to GaGA : fabulous! www.showstudio.com
Rachel Zoe’s assistant Taylor has left the show and is now starting with makeup brand Everyday Minerals. The Cut reports that “She’s also writing a blog for the company’s site, which so far includes just two posts with a total of four sentences”. Bananas!
YSL. com : A Short film for YSL by Bruce Weber.
Ain’t Nothin’ Like The Real Thing is a very cool. short film for YSL shot by photographer Bruce Weber. It kicked off Yves Saint Laurent’s men’s wear show in Paris on January 22. “At the beginning, a muscled model pulls on a YSL tank top, but after that it’s full of naked women and then naked men and then a naked baby. Bruce Weber narrates, he wanted to call it, “If You Don’t Want to be Nude, Wear a Suit,”. At the end, you’ve forgotten why you’re watching and wondering where Stefano Pilati is….” Says Fashionista .
The Swan Thieves: A Novel (Hardcover)….. by Elizabeth Kostova
‘Elizabeth Kostova made a dramatic debut in 2005 with her mega bestselling The Historian. The first debut novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list at #1, The Historian has been published in 44 languages, has more than 1.5 million copies in print, and there’s a Sony film in the works.
In The Swan Thieves Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe has a perfectly ordered life: solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient. Desperate to understand the secret that torments this genius, Marlowe embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Kostova’s masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy; from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth, from young love to last love.
The Swan Thieves is a story of obsession, history’s losses, and the power of art to preserve hope.’ Fabulous!
$24.99 Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; First edition. edition (January 12, 2010) from www.borders.com.au
Olivier Theyskens, The Other Side of the Picture
‘When he was twenty, Olivier Theyskens dropped out of design school to create his first collection. Within the next year, Women’s Wear Daily head¬lined his “Star Quality,” Harper’s Bazaar christened him an “Instant Icon,” and The New York Times singled out his work in coverage of the Metro¬politan Museum’s Costume Institute, where it was already enshrined. That winter, Madonna wore Theyskens to the Oscars.
In the decade since, he has lent his power to two international brands, “restoring the fortunes,” as Vogue put it, of the house of Rochas, and then moving on to Nina Ricci as artistic director. His work has appeared on the cover of French, British, and American Vogue worn by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, among other stars.
In this special edition book, photographer Julien Claessens looks back at his whirlwind career thus far. Claessens, who was given unprecedented backstage access to Theyskens’ fashion shows, beautifully captures the designer’s romantic and mysterious oeuvre. ‘ A must buy !
$75.60 Publisher: Assouline Publishing (February 23, 2010) Amazon.com or from www.assouline.com
I was lucky enough go to Melbourne for the long weekend and check out the stores in the city such as the GPO: Fabulous!
Economy class:
Sportsgirl:
Yes, so it’s all young and groovy here but if you are not so young (such as my good self) that should not stop you from coming in and finding some fabulous cheap but chic fashion pieces:
My picks this week are:
- The black wrinkle leather bomber jacket: it has quite a few brass zips on the outside pockets so it’s not for the meek. Anyway why haven’t you bought a leather jacket yet? I have been ranting on about investing in one for years: A bomber jacket continues, of course, to be one of the winter wardrobe staples. You know how to wear it: over a pretty floral print dress or a soft flirty skirt. Soften it up. $299.
- For those who want some relaxing by the pool dresses I see a very cute, watermelon pink floral print maxi dress with a tropical print and pineapples over it , very summery and fun $149
- Buy the little silver glomesh bag now reduced to $35: it’s a square shape a la Lanvin with a turn lock buckle and a chain strap that you don’t need. So tuck that in. This will work as a cute little going out bag. What do you want for $35?
- Check out the fabulous white cotton Tee with black sequins stripe a la Balmain: you want this tee to instantly razz up the wardrobe. Don’t be scared of the sequins: they are not so obvious and not at all glitzy: This will look great under a blazer with dark jeans. $59
- If you are after a basic tee then head here for a simple V neck: it has with short /almost cap sleeves and chic stitching details on the edge of the sleeves. $24 in navy, black and white. A must have to wear with your faux fur gilet $129
- Ok, so I am not into animal print but it will be everywhere this season. Stick to the grey and navy and steer away from that tacky yellow and brown look. You will like the black, cream, pale grey animal print blouse: it’s in a soft silky fabric with a chic round neckline and then puff shoulder pad ¾ sleeves; very Lanvin and cool $129.
Mango:
On sale with racks and racks of things to go through: so have a good time doing that! Best buys in the new season collection are:
- I was drawn to a trench coat: How could that be? (Trench rehab was closed over summer). Let’s face it: you can never be too rich, too thin or have too many trench coats. Check out the stone cotton, double breasted trench with belt and epaulettes: it’s a ¾ length which is a little short but still chic. It will work on the height challenged. It has tortoiseshell buttons too. $199
- There are stripe Tee’s galore around this season and why not? They work on everyone and any age. Perfect for between seasons. You want the navy and cream V-neck Tee with short, rolled up sleeves. The cream stripe always looks chicer than white. $44
- So when it gets cooler perhaps you need the more covered up version in a sweater: so get into that change room right now and try on the navy and cream stripe, round neck jumper in a cotton. It has ¾ sleeves and a navy rib trim along the hem. So right to toss on with jeans on the weekend or with a pencil skirt and heels. Love a stripe tee with parachute pants and a serious blazer. $54
- Talking about blazers: I know they will be everywhere as well this season: Love the light grey marle, heavy cotton jersey boyfriend blazer: it has one button with silky stripe lining. You know the look: it’s about shoving up the sleeves to the elbow to show off the lining. Wear this jacket with lots of grey and black and silver chunky jewellery. Have I mentioned the serious stomp-a-licious shoe? It’s a given you have them. $149
- Buy the light grey wrap dress in a soft gabardine. It does up on the side with a bow and has a cute little cap sleeves and a tulip style skirt. It’s a great dress for work but it may be a little short for anyone with fatty Arbuckle knees that don’t like the daylight. $149
Esprit;
Sales is on but the best buys for the new season are:
- The cute, sporty navy and white short sleeve hoodie with a drawstring neckline : love a short sleeve hoodie. So right for summer. The sporty trend is here again next season so you won’t go wrong with this. $69
- Love the silver shiny nylon bomber with grey, cotton rib trim and a drawstring detail on the neckline and a hidden zip front ( I think). It has fabulous light grey marle lining which you see when you roll up the sleeves. This is cool. I like it with peg leg pants and heels. But you can, of course, wear it when you are being sporty spice on the yacht. $109
- SO much navy and white everywhere this season: mmmm. Let me see: I think Balenciaga originally did navy about 5 years ago so you can see how long it takes to become mainstream. It’s always chic. For this warm weather you can buy the navy and white stripe cotton halter drawstring top, with tiny shoestring straps …also in red $29. Chic but sorry about the bra situation,. Maybe you could wear a strapless one. Or let the boobs be free.
- Check out the pretty light grey silky floaty poet’s sleeve peasant top : It’s a little loose and perfect for throwing on for the weekend with jeans and covering the leftover Australia Day Pavlova sitting on your stomach $69. It has a round, drawstring round neckline and bottom hem with ¾ sleeves.
Witchery:
It’s all very slouchy, loose and BoHo here and I want to see sharp, sexy and tailoring. I suppose this shape is right for summer: my picks here are:
- There is a very Balmain black lace Tee (Also in blush pink but, of course, you will not be wearing that) . $99….As I have often said about lace: you need to dress it down for day with slouchy pants, faded skinny black jeans or layer it over a white tee. Be careful so it doesn’t look tacky. You don’t want to wear it with a leather jacket and pearls or you will look like Madonna. This is not a good thing.
- There is a very cool, pale denim military jacket with brass buttons: it has asymmetrical buttons This might be nice with a flirty skirt so it’s not too tough, You can wear it with skinny leggings if you have skinny legs to squeeze in them. This will work over a grey marle tee. With black harem style loose track suit style pants. You don’t want to look like you are going to march in the band. Playing the trumpet. Bless. $129
- You know they are hot so you should buy the black boyfriend, oversized jacket in a cotton linen : it’s long and will cover all muffin bottoms: this will work with a cute white or grey tank under it and slouchy harem pants and heels. Always heels. Push up the sleeves and it’s the look. $189
- Love the grey suede wrap / drape vest: perfect for right now over a Tee or a dress and then over a knit into winter. A must buy! $249
- You want the silver stud leather cuff strap : Oh, I have been going about these for so long so if you didn’t buy one in Diva when I told you months ago then get into the Witchery version now. Stack them up on one arm. $39
- Everyone needs the grey/taupe leather shoulder bag with zips all lover it: So very Alexander Wang , very cool $269
Business Class
Coach: www.coach.com
It’s always worth popping in here to check out the bags and the jackets….
- As a trench addict you will never believe what I found in Coach! A short and fabulous stone cotton trench: obviously very inspired by Burberry with the same gold buttons: this is on sale and it’s very chic: it’s a Mac/ car coat really in that it is short. It’s double breasted and now $400 on sale ( half price). Love it.
- There is a fabulous black puffa jacket $1000; In nylon and very nice with a belt. The Puffa jacket is still a big trend for next winter but if you live in Sydney then it’s hardly worth investing in one unless you stand in front of the freezer with the door open. But if you live in Wellington or Hobart then it’s a must have. It’s about wearing it with heels as a fashion item rather than as a let’s go for a bush walk jacket. Who does that?
- Love the black (or tan) one shoulder tall tote bag: it has one strap with a silver turn lock detail on the side: tres chic and an easy bag for every day except it doesn’t have a zip which can be annoying. For safety reasons of course. About $800
- Check out the messenger bag in black fabric: not bad all because the Logo is pretty non-descript. About $300 . handy for those weekends away and for traveling.
- Otherwise there are many over the top logo bags and I see hot pink too. mmm. Obviously catering for the Japanese tourists. bless
Country Road:
So nice some new season pieces: My picks are :
- The very loose knit, almost crochet round neck sweater: It’s in gold (outrageous!) or a shimmer silvery black $179. It’s a simple Tee shape and you need to wear something under it because it’s see through. Like a singlet tank. You could do the underwear as outer wear thing and reveal a bra but ooh la la that can be tricky.
- To wear now you should buy the black metallic shimmery, sleeveless, loose tank with interesting paneling and detailing around the neckline $149. It’s perfect to toss on over jeans or chinos or with even with shorts. It’s about evening wear fabrics in the day so don’t look at this and think ‘Oh that’s for evening.’ Wrong. So wrong darling.
- Ditto when you buy the lurex black tank top: it’s about rocking this look back with jeans and an over sized boyfriend blazer; You could even layer this over a white tank to soften the look. Love it with a flirty skirt and lots of silver chunky jewels. Tip: when buying black you texture shine, embroidery or some kind of detailing so it’s not just boring old black. $79
- For a dress to wear right now and skip into the sunset then grab the grey marle jersey drape dress and toss on your heels ( or flats) $149
- Check out the sleeveless silky round neck ‘tape’ top with strips of fabrics flapping around the sleeves $149, to make for interesting details in black or soft pretty colours. This is a great top to toss on with all your pants. Not so right with a skirt unless it’s a pencil skirt. this detailing on the shoulders could cover up the floppy bits if you have them. How thoughtful.
- Buy the classic white double cuff, cotton short $129; Wear it like Vogue Nippon’s Fashion Director Anna Dello Russo: (from Garance Dore ) and roll up the sleeves under a man style blazer.
Mimco:
On sale of course but I am having a lovely time snooping around the new season collections.
My picks are:
- The fabulous silver chunky Chain necklace. It’s a silver plated with ‘Czech faceted glass beads and round metal washers”. A seriously, big fat, chunky metal necklace is one of the season’s hot pieces. You want one because it’s one an instant wardrobe updater. Wear with simple grey T shirts and harem pants. It’s about wearing it in the day time with jeans or with a simple day dress. So yes, the good news is you can keep wearing your last season’s favourites and whip them into looking this season with a quick accessory change. Got to love that non? $329.
- Or perhaps you want the simple, single chain chunky necklace: I like it in blue links ‘of marbled acrylic’ Buy 3 and layer up : we love navy and black together. Remember the golden rule: when you wear a big necklace then ditch any other jewels. The eye should be drawn to one area. So no to earrings and necklaces and bracelets. THAT is confusing and everything is fighting for attention. And no one wants a fight. I am a peacekeeper. $129
- So if you don’t want to rock a big chunky necklace then that’s OK: I suggest you pile on the bracelets. You want the ‘Tomorrow silver plated chunky curb chain threaded with mixed diamond chain”. Wear one of these with a couple of the leather straps and cuffs up your arm. Tough love. $129
- In the shoes I like the tan leather ‘Prairie Platform heels. They have wide cross over straps with metal stud details. The buckle is in gunmetal. $299. A tan shoe always looks great with navy and with black. You can even mix tan back with bright colours. That’s why it’s a neutral it will be go with all colours. Also a good point is that this is a trans-seasonal shoe and will work right now with pretty summer dresses and then later in the cooler months with black opaques. And a trench coat.
First Class:
Prada
It’s time to head back to The Mothership. It’s time to pay respects and pray at the altar of the God of Fashion. Miuccia is a genius.
The girls here in the boutique tell me that they are about to unpack the next summer collection ( and may have already). Lovely.
- You want every one of the black dresses on the rack : All divine with lots of drape and exquisite detailing. You should try the heavy silk V neck dress that’s fitted through the waist with ¾ sleeves $2950
- Love the black simple taffeta silk dress: it’s a simple V neck then fits in the waist to flare out. So flattering and so easy to wear. ( it’s from the Prada Linea Rossa line) $1300.
- There is a divine black ( or stone) silk short trench with an amazing big bow (or knot) on the inverted pleat at the back…Gorgeous about $1800
- You will die and go bananas over the caramel ruched and draped sleeveless dress $2950. Or the red silk drape shift sleeveless dress $1900
- Please someone buy the white cotton shirt: clean and simple: it’s all you need in life. So understated. $700
- There are the gorgeous hot pink silk shirts with an orange trim down the front $1100. Outrageously bright but why not? You can wear bright colours when it’s Prada. It will never look cheap.
- Adore the simple caramel cotton slightly A line skirt: gorgeous and minimal and so right for next season. $700
- How cute are all the little trinkets? Very. They are funny teddy bear key rings or dingle dangle trinkets for your handbag about $300..
- The Prada book is here to buy of course! (see The FiFi Report)
- You might even buy the T shirts with a silk flower trim necklace : oh la la : it’s attached to the Tee shirt but looks like a necklace for you special price $900
- In the bags drool over the new season collection: a lot with punched holes in soft sorbet summer colours.
Acne:
On sale and I see some gorgeous pieces (in the Melbourne GPO store)
My picks are:
- The fabulous short ‘paper’ cotton black drape dress with shoulder pads: it’s a loose sleeveless shift with big swathes of fabric that drape and cross over at the front and back. It could be short. now on sale $200
- Love the beautiful black paneled, sleeveless dress which is fitted tight to waist and then has hidden inbuilt hoops on the hips: OMG. That’s right : it’s got padding so you can have bigger hips. Please pick your self up from the floor. You may remember I have written about this before in The FiFi Report. I tried it on and it’s actually quite flattering because it sucks you in at the waist and the exaggerated hips give you the illusion of a small waist. Also it has small shoulder pads tucked under the sleeveless shoulders. Love it. Now on sale for half price at $500.
- Adore the black long boyfriend jacket with one button in a wool gabardine about $700. You know how to wear this.
- You should try on the black shimmery loose tank now on sale about $230 and please check out the simple cotton Tees now on sale $99.
Spicy Prawn and Coconut Salad ………………adulterated from jamieoliver.com
A delicious, crunchy, tangy dinner with summery Asian flavours. So easy to whip up…. Oh and I did I mention slimming too? You can do this with poached and shredded chicken instead of prawns.
You need for 2 people : you and George Clooney or for 10 models.
12 cooked king prawns. Or large poached chicken breast
½ cucumber sliced very thinly
2 large handfuls of snow peas, julienne
2 large handfuls of beans sprouts
¼ fresh coconut, shelled, shaved.
½ bunch each coriander, mint, thai basil, chopped.
1 green and 1 red chilli, sliced (depending how hot you want it make sure you get a big, long red chilli )
Dressing
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 lemongrass, outer layers discarded, root finely chopped ( this is optional) Lemongrass can be a very strong flavour
Small knob of ginger, finely chopped
Juice of 2 or 3 limes
Pinch of sugar
4 or 5 tabs vegetable or peanut oil
TIP: I say also add a drop or two of sesame oil , dash of fish sauce and even some Mirin to get a fabulous dressing.
- Slip into your Gucci Caftan
- Slip on your Hermes thongs
- Pull your hair up into a chic chignon
- Apply crème de Mer
- Find a big bowl to toss all the ingredients in as you chop.
- Pour a glad of wine.
- Now slice up the cucumber ever so thinly: think a stick insect model or Vicky Beckham. Tip: You can do this with a vegetable peeler so the slices are truly as thin as Vicky B’s arms.
- Chop off the ends of the snow peas and chop ever so thinly: Think Nicole Kidman.
- Ask George Clooney to break open the fresh coconut with your sharpest Jimmy Choo stilettos
- Then order him to shave the coconut flesh: Hint: tell him to use a vegetable peeler to shave off thin slices.
- Now grab the lovely fresh herbs and roughly chop them.
- Now slice up the chilli with a knife and fork so you don’t get burnt when you are wiping the mascara off your eye.
- Pour another glass of wine. AA is booked for next week.
- Get the prawns shelled and ready for eating. Delegate George to do that it’s so icky with the manicure.
- If you are cooking a chicken breast instead of prawns then best to poach that now with a lime leaf in the water.
- When it’s cooked, drain and let it cool and then pull it apart and shred it with your fingers.
- Grate the ginger (or chop finely) so it’s as small as Heidi Montag’s brain.
- If you want to add lemongrass then chop it up very, very finely as small as your bank account……otherwise the flavour is too strong.
- Mix the dressing ingredients together in another bowl. Stick your finger and taste. Make more so that the salad is juicy and moist.
- Toss all the other ingredients in a bowl.
- Drizzle over the tangy dressing
- Sublime !
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