“Every girl in the world wants to go there because it’s where ‘Intoxibellas’ are trained. Intoxibellas are drop-dead beautiful, kick-butt fierce and, yeah, maybe they have some powers too” Tyra Banks about her new book’ Modelland’. Powers but no brain. IntoxiKooky.

“They’re not that hard to walk in … They’re not uncomfortable! [But] you have to go to a sex shop to get this spray to polish them.” FemBot Vicky Beckham on her high heels.

“People say that I’m miserable all the time. It’s not that I’m miserable, it’s just that somebody’s yelling at me.”Kristen Stewart, blaming the paparazzi for her red carpet demeanor

“Pretty girls just lie there. Us girls who grew up a little more homely have to try a lot harder.”
Courtney Love, revealing why she (thinks) she’s good in bed.

“I am addicted to Nicorette Gum…It’s like a party in my mouth. It’s like fireworks, and I’m just like, ‘Oh my God, I’m talking a million miles an hour.’”Non-smoker Jessica Simpson. Like John Mayer

“She don’t want to come, my soprano friend.” Whitney Houston, explaining to the crowd after she failed to hit the high notes of her signature song. Bye Bye. Time to go now.

“I don’t know if that Parisian girl even still exists. I mean, stand on a corner in Paris for fifteen minutes and all you see is the stupid denim.” Carven’s Guillaume Henry on French vs. American style.

“If you and I were 16th-century prostitutes wading through the Venetian filth, I could see a point to us balancing precariously on two blocks of wood.” Lisa Armstrong wonders how clogs sneaked back into fashion.

Problem: You need some new cheap but chic furniture.
Answer: Ikea
Problem: It takes hours to get there. It takes hours to buy it. It hours to get it assembled. And who can do it for you? George Clooney is hopeless with a screwdriver.
Answer: Go to Get it Assembled. They will go to Ikea (or any other homewares stores) and buy it for you. It’s a dream come true! A kind of personal shopping service for homewares.They will then put it together and assemble it for you. Who cares if you have to pay a small fee: it’s a bargain from Ikea. Which can only mean more shoes for you. The good news? They even bring their own Allen Key.

Click here at Getitassembled.com.au for all the details.

What: A blue oxford shirt.
Why: Because it looks so simple and chic. Because it’s so refreshing after all a summer of florals. Because a shirt sits so well under the new season blazers. Because light blue is so chic and understated with black and navy. Oh and with choc brown and camel too. Because it’s all part of menswear inspired trend and the new clean minimalism. Read: no florals, prints or fuss. Because we love how model Raquel Zimmerman looks in this Chloe video here ! Because the shirt is coming back. (see Equipment shirts). Bless you if you had no idea it went away.
Which: You want a soft cotton, with a double cuff and a button down collar that sits just so. It should be in oxford blue. Or Oxford Blue. Or try a light Oxford blue. Or white. It might be a light denim. It could be cotton or linen. ( black is a no no but white is acceptable).
Wear: Make sure you wear it done up with the collar tucked inside the blazer. God forbid you bring those collars out and sitting on the lapels. Such a bad look. Save that for the news readers.  Wear with grey trackpants, blazer and heels, with jeans or chinos under a boyfriend blazer. Wear under a cape or even under a faux fur vest. Wear it with black of course. For some reason I am liking it more with pants than skirts. You don’t want it too preppy so make sure you have some monster shoes or something edgy like harem pants to groove it up.
Where: Head to Chloe, Net a porter, Belinda for Chloe, David Jones for Chloe, Sportscraft (!), and try the menswear departments. I see there is denim version in Witchery.

It’s a worry but I seem to spend hours late into the night  shopping on all the overseas sites like Net a porter and SaksFifthAvenue. Problem is I now have circles under my eyes to match my clothes. Black. Not a good look. Which is why I love the new Garnier Anti Dark Circles roll on.  It’s like a pen with a roller ball tip that you then draw onto those dark, horrible oversized bags. (I am talking bags under your eyes not handbags). I like to rub it in a little my fingers. It’s a two for the price of one, nifty little number that is a moisteriser and a tinted concelaer with sunscreen. I think that’s 3. Anyway it’s small enough to throw in your Birkin for quick, little touch ups during the day . They say it has caffeine and lemon essence. But just don’t try to drink it.

$18.95 Garnier Skin Naturals Youthful Radiance Anti-Dark Circles Roll-On Concealer
Available selected department stores and pharmacies or 1300 659 259

Garance Dore gets invited to all the best places.  After Sydney ? St Tropez for the Chanel Cruise show. Bien sur. ( To party with everyone from Diane Kruger to Anna Mouglalis)…Garancedore.

So does this mean that Boho is back? At the Chanel Cruise show ‘It was like something out of a quintessential Riviera movie. With the sun setting over the sea, hundreds of Chanel’s invited guests sat in the red wooden chairs of Saint-Tropez’s famous Sénéquier. Like the carefree starlets and jet-setters they were channeling, the models traipsed down the street-cum-runway often barefoot, wearing seventies-ish diaphanous caftans, long crocheted dresses, ruffle-lapelled silk jersey trouser suits, and patchwork denim skirts.’  Divine. Style.com

Now Watch REMEMBER NOW, a short film by Karl Lagerfeld  (well,  It’s about 17 minutes so get a cup of tea) based around the Chanel Cruise Collection : it’s funny , it’s cool , it’s chic and glamorous…”I want to be sur la page de St Tropez!” Chanel-news.com

Oh and while you are on the Chanel site checkout the this cute video here with Vanessa Paradis ( making the Cocoon ad in Paris in Lagerfeld’s Rue de Lille studio ) chanel-news.

Australian Tim Blanks tells the truth about Australian Fashion week “Romance Was Born …Dinosaurs mating with the Medicis under the volcano? The scenario could have been torn from Galliano’s back pages.”..right on. Style.com

A new Interview Editorial Featuring Daria Werbowy Stirs Up Racist Allegations. Amazing photos. Fashionologie.com

On May 30th, Showstudio will livestream an interview with Lady Gaga for their In Camera series. The conversation will be live and unedited. My question: how long does it take you to get dressed in the morning?  Fashionista.com

Following months of speculation, including would-be buyers M. et Mme. Sarkozy, the luxe Left Bank apartment shared by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé is officially up for sale. Hintmag.com

McQueen’s label was still straining to turn a healthy profit… bless. Timesonline.

For the 40th anniversary of Browns London, the store put together an exhibition of 40 Browns “ambassadors” in finery pulled from its archives. Paolo Roversi shot Marc Jacobs in Halston. Cute. Style.com

The new Givenchy ads supposedly feature a transsexual. great hair and makeup but do we really care? Only in America. Reports WWD

Cate Blanchett Kicked Off 2010 Cannes Film Festival in Lee Alexander McQueen-Selected Dress Style.com

10 Magazine Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary With 10 Covers. “Fashion Gods” chose to be captured with their own photographer of choice (Vivienne Westwood chose Juergen Teller, Ralph Lauren chose Bruce Weber, Dolce and Gabbana chose Terry Richardson, and-unsurprisingly-Karl Lagerfeld chose himself). Refinery29.com

Claudia Schiffer Captured Pregnant, Nude by Karl Lagerfeld for Vogue Germany June 2010   Fashionologie.com

Annadellorusso.com

She is fabulous.
She is eccentric.
She is fashion.
She is Anna dello Russo.
She is the Fashion Director at Vogue Nippon.
She says things like “I smell fashion, I sniff fashion. Fashion is as perfume, more you speak of it, more it fades away.” on her twitter page
You know her as the hilarious star in FiFi’s Quote de la Quote. Her wardrobe is amazing. Every fashion week she performs as if in her own runway show. Now she has a blog. There are Interviews and videos in French, Italian and English. There are her musings on fashion and life. Her incredible apartment.  And of course her famous wardrobe of head to toe designer outfits. What is there not to love?

Miranda Kerr ( and Gisele and Jeneil Williams ) are on different covers of i-D magazine modelinia.com. But has Miranda had a boob job?  Justjared.buzznet.com

Russell and Cate kicked off the 63rd Cannes Film Festival Vogue.italia and People.com

Katy Perry wants ’small wedding, but fat reception’..Russel will give her that.  Hellomagazine.com

Jake Gyllenhaal is handsome at the premiere of Prince of Persia. Popsugar.com

Heather Mills Wears Thigh-highs With Her Shorts. She shouldn’t have. Nymag.com

Here’s Lady GaGa in Stockholm and it’s nice to see she finally ran of out of ideas and just started walking around in her underwear. Thesuperficial.com

Cougars die young (but sugar daddies live to a ripe old age). What?? Outrageous! dailymail

Larry Birkhead Auctioning Off Anna Nicole Smith’s Mercedes, Dog Bed. …That should get a lot of money! USmagazine.com

Paris Hilton: “I’m Not Eating Fast Food Anymore” : Just fast men. Usmagazine.com

Uma Thurman and SJP remember Natasha Richardson: bless..Hellomagazine.com

What’s happened to Kristin Scott Thomas? Dramatic hairdo at Cannes adds years! Dailymail

Girl in Translation ….by Jean Kwok
A best seller on The New York Times best seller list: ‘A resolute yet naïve Chinese girl confronts poverty and culture shock with equal zeal when she and her mother immigrate to Brooklyn in Kwok’s affecting coming-of-age debut. Ah-Kim Chang, or Kimberly as she is known in the U.S., had been a promising student in Hong Kong when her father died. Now she and her mother are indebted to Kimberly’s Aunt Paula, who funded their trip from Hong Kong, so they dutifully work for her in a Chinatown clothing factory where they earn barely enough to keep them alive. Despite this, and living in a condemned apartment that is without heat and full of roaches, Kimberly excels at school, perfects her English, and is eventually admitted to an elite, private high school. A love interest at the factory leads to a surprising plot line, but it is the portrayal of Kimberly’s relationship with her mother that makes this more than just another immigrant story.

“The astonishing - and semi-autobiographical - tale of a girl from Hong Kong who, at age eleven, shoulders the weight of her mother’s American dream all the way from Chinatown sweatshop to the Ivy League.”  US Vogue

“Dazzling fiction debut.” Marie Claire
$11 Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (April 29, 2010) Amazon.com

Tom Munro.….with introduction from Madonna
‘One of today’s foremost fashion and celebrity photographers, Tom Munro has been making defining images since the mid-1990s.
This volume-Munro’s first monograph-affirms his status as a portraitist of the first rank.English by birth, Tom Munro moved to New York in 1990, embarking on his own career as a photographer in 1997, and achieving overnight success with his early editorial shoots for British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Over the last ten years, Munro has contributed to some of the world’s most prestigious magazine publications including Vogue, Italian Vogue, L’Uomo Vogue and Details. Munro’s dedication to his craft has attracted some of the fashion and beauty industries’ most prestigious names, including Armani, Banana Republic, Burberry, Calvin Klein, and Givenchy. Cool!

$47.25 Publisher: Damiani (April 30, 2010)Amazon.com

Economy Class
Witchery is on sale in the City Sydney (The snazzy new store is open in the new Westfield in Pitt st)
My picks on sale are:

• The Fabulous Khaki or navy cotton shorts: these are a little longer to just above the knee. Yes, if you have the legs then short is cool but a longer length is still chic especially if the cut is narrow. The idea is that you wear it with heels. No flats. Way too daggy, way too unflattering on the cankles. (unless you are Kate Moss. ) Wear with a blazer and a spray tan. On sale about $49
• I see some cool denim straight /A line skirts for $59. Denim is having another moment so this is a handy little number. In fashion the new trend is all about the double denim look : mixing a denim shirt with jeans: Now that is tricky unless you are David Hasselhooff or a model in the Chloe Show. I think I am steering clear of this trend. I also see some fab grey or stone chinos. A must buy for next summer. Just add heels and a blazer and voila!
• Speaking of denim there are racks of jeans on sale for about $69. I know skinny are still hot but so are the baggy boyfriend. Loose is good. Just make sure you wear with something structured like a blazer or the grey jersey boyfriend jacket (not on sale) for $169. You need sequins or heels or something sophisticated and snazzy to dress up the ripped baggy boyfriend jeans. Even a sharp leather jacket is cool. I get scared when the look gets all too sloppy.
• I looked everywhere for some blazers but none to be had but I did see a cute navy cotton short trench/ peacoat . Double breasted and collarless it’s now $89. A fabulous buy to take you through to next summer for sure.
• There are quite a few racks of dresses from about $69. The dress is still big news so it’s always worth investing.
• In the accessories you want anything tan or camel. It’s a big look back with denim. Also any T bar summer flats or wedges are big for next season. I spied a fab Alexander Wang style bag with all the zips now reduced to about $129.
• I can’t find any photos online of these looks so you can checkout the double Denim from Chloe here. see below. Or how to khaki chinos with a blazer from Net a porter and of course we love the chinos with heels (and a turban but no cigarette!)from Style.com

Forever New:
If you are on a budget then head here to buy a winter coat. OK, so they are not going to keep you warm on a really cold day in Hobart but they might do the trick in Sydney. Ignore all the horrible soft pink and cheap Madonna circa 1980 looks (and the glitz) here and head straight to the jackets and coats
My picks are :

• The black wool melton cape jacket. I have mentioned this piece before on The FiFi Report but the cape is a hot look. This is like a peacoat with slits in the sides to give that cape look. It has a belt and I love it. You can wear it to work with a sexy pencil skirt or with jeans/chinos on weekend. I can’t think what you couldn’t wear this with. Maybe a hippy floral maxi dress. But you shouldn’t have that in your wardrobe. It’s now reduced to 30% off from $119
• Love the gorgeous little grey wool melton peacoat: it’s double breasted (as all good peacoats should be). Love this with jeans or to wear to work. It’s ideal to take the kids to the playground and still look chic. Now 20% off $129
• You want the navy wool melton military jacket: A fabulous buy with brass buttons and a round collar. Such a great buy for $99. Remember navy and black are cool together. Just add a blue oxford shirt and brown accessories and you have the look.

Little Fuschia
This is a cute label that a friend of mine launched. She even named a dress after me: The FiFi dress! Black, of course. You must check out the online store: it’s full of easy to wear pieces for every day. Perfect for yummy mummies.
My picks are:

• The  chic, grey wrap cardigan in a gorgeous grey merino wool $199. It’s the perfect piece to give you structure in the shoulders but the easy drape flatters at the front. Go for grey although I think it comes in black. So nice over a tee and tossed with jeans.
• Now it’s getting chillier you want the long sleeveless knit vest. So right over a dress or just with jeans. It’s good to cover the bottom. Obviously not because it’s too big but because it gets cold. Good for traveling.
• You want the simple black dress called FiFi with a v- neck and cute detailing down the front : It’s in a wool jersey which makes it easy to wear and we love a long sleeve dress. Always need a dress that you can wear with flat boots, don’t you think?
• Of course the cargo pant is hot again so you need the black satin cargo pants : buy in a size bigger for that loose look and wear with heels for a fashion edge. $249.

Nine West
20% off all Nine West boots. Limited time only!
Here are my picks:

• The Gorgeous soft caramel round toe, long boots with stacked heel. Now $259. They might be in black. That neutral colour is chic but not so good in a muddy puddle. Stay in the limo and you should be ok.
• Also love the ankle boots that are very Givenchy inspired with a few silver studs and around the edge. Yes, a little out there for some of us and a little too fashion. But they are cool with a round toe and a good chunky heel $209.
• If you are out there on the fashion front you will want to wear pointy toes again. Of course some dags are still wearing them from 10 years ago. And that’s Ok. That’s why you are reading The FiFi Report. We are here to help. I see some very cool orange pointy toes with a smaller-ish heel. For you now $199.
• Of course we all love ballets flats for those weekends away or when we can’t stand the pain any longer. So check out the round toe , very Lanvin inspired ballet flats here for $129. I like them in the caramel moc croc or in black or black suede.
• I know I mention them every time I go into Nine West but I love the quilted parkas/puffa jackets in grey or black $289.

Business Class.
Country Road:
Best buys this week are:

• If you are still looking for a leather jacket then I do like the grey leather bomber jacket here. It has epaulettes and zips but it’s not too tough looking. Grey is a softer colour than black and not so harsh. Just wear with skinny jeans or over a dress. You should get the message by now - surely!-that this the way to wear a leather jacket . $599
• If there is a hot jacket it’s the khaki utility jacket. As you have been instructed in The FiFi Report months ago, the khaki jacket is to be worn with dresses and chinos and heels. With a pencil skirt and wedges. Over a sequin top, or throw it over skinny jeans. You need to dress it up. It’s about the eclectic mix. You can wear it train spotting next season.$199
• Buy the fabulous black silk, shirt dress with buttons down the front, long sleeves and a drop waist. It has a collarless neckline. You should roll the sleeves up as they have here. $179. Love this with boots and opaques and heels as Country Road is showing it. Sure, the fabric is a bit summery but perfect for now or your holiday in Paris in July. ( moi!).
• I do love a long sleeve dress for winter; so you should try on the grey jersey drape front dress with a long sleeve. it’s not as clingy as you would think and seems to skim over the bad bits. Wear with a trench and gladiators. $179
• In accessories check out the big black, stand up suede tote/shopper in leather. It has stud detailing and two handles and it’s just great for throwing everything in. Big enough to hide George Clooney. $299. Also check out the Alexander Wang style zip bags about $249 and the long gloves for $129. Now if only it would get colder.

CK Calvin Klein:
Adore this store. Adore the clothes. Am so excited they are opening in WBJ so there will no need to traipse into the Pitt st Mall and down into the depths of that shopping plaza. CK is also opening in the Centre point later this year. Even better news? DKNY and Mulberry are also opening there as well. Can’t wait. ( sorry no photos!)
My picks this week:

• The divine black straight cut, single breasted coat with hidden press studs and a round neck line. It’s in an amazing textured fabric with a subtle square black shimmer through it. Wear with everything including your PJ’S.  So simple and understated. $900
• Love the short fur jacket that is almost like a bolero shape and cut with a simple shape. It has round collarless neckline and no buttons. About $750
• You want the fabulous V neck jersey straight down dress with short sleeves: it has an amazing subtle black lurex texture all down the front. The back is simple Tee shirt jersey. $329. How can it be that price? Faaabulous.
• Adore the grey and black silk dress that is a loose tunic style: It’s in print like a shattered glass/dripped paint. If you know what I mean. Simple and chic .Also in blue. $519. It may be silky but we love it with black opaques and heels. if you are feeling chilly wear a knit under it. Then toss over a black trench and skip out the door.
• I insist you buy the T shirts here at CK: adore the long sleeve Tee in grey or black or navy $79.It has the perfect round/crew neckline and the fabric is so soft and gorgeous. What a price. What quality.
• Please buy the beautiful black top with short balloon sleeves and a deep round neckline. In a very lovely textured silk and it’s something you can wear with everything. I promise. $319.
• Adore the black harem pants $329. yes, a little bit of a low crutch but I think it works. Always wear with heels.
• Of course there is a lot of grey, black and navy. It’s just sooo difficult to pick out the best pieces : it’s all divine.

Arthur Galan
Always lovely to check out this store: please ignore the scary hot pink and the bright blue.
My picks are;

• The fabulous black and white tweed sleeveless, double breasted long line jacket. It might be a dress or a vest. Whatever. Who cares it is so chic you could wear it as a jacket with skinny pants or just as a dress with opaques and heels. It has a drape front and hidden press stud buttons. Love it over a long sleeve black tee and a leather jeans. $398
• You want the black silk shirt dress with serious ruffle/ mini pleating down the front. It’s almost like a dinner shirt. It’s a little short in length though, as all the dresses are this season. Which really annoys me. Which is why I swear by black opaques. It has big poets sleeves and it’s quite fab.$298. If you want colour in a dress go for the cute red ruffle dress (ditch the grey boots)
• Love the caramel leather short sleeve bomber : it’s perfect for summer , Autumn, winter, spring. Wear with all your trusted black but also with caramel. And it’s not too biker jacket-ish with over the top zips but soft and pretty. Love it $898
• Check out the cool knit sweater in a kind of loose mesh knit or crochet: it’s in a silver lurex and the shape is like a big cape or poncho with sleeves. Anyway it’s a great but because you can toss it on with jeans/harem pants. The fabric is a bit glitzy in that it’s silver lurex but the shape is very relaxed so it works.$349.
• You must try on the chic, black round neck shirt dress with a leather trim along the hem. Love it: the leather detailing adds a little bit of added extra edge. It has silver press studs down the front. $349. It’s in a heavy georgette (I think ) with interesting paneling and stitching.
• There is a trench coat as well as other gorgeous wool belted coats which I was drawn towards. Of course. Trench rehab just doesn’t work. I am still addicted. I wish it would rain.

First Class.
Jimmy Choo:
The new store has opened in WBJ and I finally made it there! It’s very glamorous.
My picks are:

• The black slouch hobo bag with a silver clasp about $2100.
• Love the classic Ramona bag in a few variations and colours about $2500
• For simple chic you must have the silver strappy heels with a stiletto heel about $1100
• We all need more black shoes like the black caged suede heels with a peep toe $1350
• Love  the beige or hot pink ( !) espradrille wedges with strappy ankle straps $640
• I see that Jimmy Choo is doing sunglasses : There all shapes but of course bigger is better. From about $300.

Pumpkin and Mascarpone Soup ….adulterated from The River Café (and from Tesco.com)

I love all the River Café recipes. This is from their book Italian Two Easy . And it is too easy! Toss it together and serve with a dollop or two of mascarpone to warm up these cool Autumn nights.

You need for 4 metrosexuals, 8 fashionista, 30 models

800 g pumpkin
3 medium potatoes
3 cloves garlic
1 teasp fennel seeds
250 g tomatoes ( or a can of peeled tomatoes)
2 stock cubes or 500ml of chicken stock
50 g parmesan or more
150 g mascarpone
Extra virgin olive oil

• Climb out gladiators, slip out of sharp shouldered Balmain jacket and ripped jeans.
• Pull on old ripped jeans and grey cashmere hoodie
• Pour wine and try not to gulp it down. Try.
• Now find the pumpkin and toss it over to George Clooney
• You know how he loves to peel and de-seed pumpkins.
• Instruct him to chop it into about 2cm cubes. You want it to melt into the soup.
• While he is doing that you can peel the garlics.
• Then grind the fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle. Smash it hard while you think of ex husband. it might take a while so don’t fret if it’s not fine.
• The River Café say to blanch and skin the tomatoes *. But I say just get a can of peeled tomatoes but drain it of excess juice.
• Find a jug and then dissolve the stock cubes in 500ml boiling water.
• Ask George to grate the Parmesan.
• Now find a saucepan and toss in the potatoes, tomatoes, the pumpkin and garlic and then just cover with the stock.
• Season it with lots of salt and pepper then toss in the fennel seeds.
• Time for another wine don’t you think? There are no calories in wine.
• You want to simmer it for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and tender as George. Bless him.
• Now find the masher and mash the vegetables with the potato masher : you want it as thick and creamy as Crème de la Mer.
• Voila! You now have a lovely soup.
• Now make sure you serve it with spoonfuls of divine mascarpone, a dollop or two of designer olive oil and the shavings of Parmesan.
• You can accessorise with a dash of green by adding a little sprig of coriander or parsley
• Serve with crusty bread, another glass of wine. Oh and George.

*To skin the tomatoes - make a slit in the side of each tomato, put in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for ½ minute then remove into cold water. Peel as soon as they are cool enough to touch.