“I find doing karaoke incredibly depressing, really and seriously. I don’t know what it is but doing it involuntarily in front of a crowd of mostly drunk people is just a really bad, bad thing.” SJP on the Karaoke scene in SATC2 …Spoiler alert: see photos from the movie here

“I feel that some celebrities think that because they are famous, they can do fashion. Imagine if I want to be now a dancer. Trust me, I can’t. I can’t jump. I can’t even limp from one point to another. I feel that there is this kind of confusion”. Lanvin Fashion designer Alber Elbaz on red carpet dressing.

“He knows I don’t love it. I mean I loved it for a couple of months. I thought, ‘Okay, it was a cute joke. Get over it.’ But he is in love with them. What can I say? ” Marc Jacobs’ boyfriend, Lorenzo, talking about Marc’s love of wearing skirts. He shouldn’t jump ( or bend over!)

‘Life and love is like the ocean Sometimes the tide is in and sometimes the tide is out, and sometimes it’s like the frigging Mojave. Where’s the tide now? For me? Mojave! ” Sharon Stone on her love life. When the tide is out she needs to learn body surfing.

“We are being accused that some models are anorexic, but we as fashion designers cannot be blamed, when I talk to women around the world, rich and poor and young and old and intellectual and not, what they want to be is skinny. You ask them, what is your dream? It’s to be skinny. That’s all they want … Me, as a designer that is not exactly skinny, all I want is comfortable clothes. All I want is beautiful. I mean, I like gray hair, I love wrinkles. But this is me.” Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz

“What else do you really want to know about Angelina Jolie? With a lot of these celebrities, there’s nothing left to show unless they actually take their clothes off. We’ve covered them from every shape, every corner. We’ve shown them with their kids, and with their boyfriends and with their girlfriends, so that’s why you’re starting to see semi-naked soccer players and a semi-naked Tiger Woods. That’s what it takes to survive in a digital age.”  Samir Husni on why we are seeing naked men on magazine covers. ( More men in skirts? Bring it on!)

I had friends visiting from Melbourne for the weekend. I asked where they’d been shopping. “We went to Paddington and we loved William St” they said. “Oh and we bought the most fabulous vintage designer pieces from Trunk”.  What?! A shop I had not even been to: how embarrassing for a professional such as my good self. I knew that Robbie Ingham had opened a recycle designer vintage store called Trunk so I raced down there the next day like a maniac in Manolos to check it out. I tried on a grey Prada hood jacket about $400, a black Gucci slouch bag about $380 and saw a fabulous YSL safari jacket for under $500. So many great bargains. Some may have left the building but it’s a must visit. Even if you are from Sydney.

Trunk
5 William St
Paddington NSW 2021
(02) 9356 3519  (02) 9356 3519
No website yet but you can go to Robbie Ingham

The funny thing about fashion is that although you think it moves fast it actually moves quite slowly. Sometimes a new trend appears briefly on the fashion horizon and then disappears but then returns as a full on trend about 2 seasons later. This is what happened with capes. They have been lurking for a few seasons and now they are turning into a big trend. They were all over the runways for summer and winter - from Chloe to Celine and YSL.  Which means you can invest now and get seasons of wear.
The handy thing about them is that a cape is not as formal as a jacket but just as versatile easy to wear.  Oh and so comfortable! Who knows what you can hide under there. Wear with jeans, with shorts, with a dress. Go for camel, choc brown, black or navy. Perfect timing for a Robin Hood moment ! Time to buy one now. I suggest going to Myer where I saw a fabulous cape from DNKY as well as Forever New or try shopping online for the best selection like Farfetch.com, Net-a-porter.com and Theoutnet.com.

Photos from style.com left to right: DKNY ,  CHLOE , CELINE and FERRAGAMO

I am addicted to three things in life. Apart from trench coats and George Clooney, I am also addicted to black eyeliner. It might have something to do with my small, squidgy eyes. They need all the help they can get. Thank God that black eyeliner and smoky eyes are in fashion. Who knows what I will do when fashion goes back to the natural look. So I am thrilled with the new Model Co black Gel eyeliner. So clever, it has a very handy brush that screws into the lid. Which means that you don’t need to scramble around trying to find your brush when you are still half asleep in the morning. The gel is so smooth and glides over those wrinkly lids so easily. Leave it to dry and voila! The good news? It stays on for hours and hours of trench coat shopping.
.
$32 Modelco Gel Eyeliner with Inbuilt Brush from Adorebeauty.com.au

Cate Blanchett is on the cover of W magazine “With a theater company to run and her brood of boys to raise, Cate Blanchett barely has time to be a movie star. Good thing she’s a natural.”  wmagazine.com

Joanna Sykes Is Aquascutum’s New Creative Director -After signing the contract on Friday, Armani alum Joanna Sykes is Aquascutum’s new creative director; she replaces Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler, who left for Bally in April. Vogue.co.uk

‘US Harper’s Bazaar’s ad pages may have been up in the first half but Bazaar will combine the June and July issues this year for the first time. The title’s “Runway Report” will be back again in September and sold separately on newsstands.” reports WWD

SAMANTHA CAMERON is stepping down as creative director of Smythson in order to balance work with her “new life”. The new First Lady, who is expecting a baby in September, will now work as a creative consultant to the luxury leather brand in a part-time role.  Vogue.co.Uk

Check out the David Lynch video of “Lady Blue Shanghai” with Marion Cotillard, the latest Chapter  in the Lady Dior Saga…Ladydior.com click on lady Dior) It’s so beautiful ( scary!).

So you can’t afford a Prada bag? Then you shall have the Prada Teabags Graziadaily.co.uk

Model /actress Liya Kebede, currently in Cannes to promote her film Desert Flower, was awarded this year’s Chopard Trophy for Female Revelation (which has gone in previous years to Marion Cotillard, Diane Kruger, and Ludivine Sagnier) for her breakthrough performance…reports style.com

Isabella Blow’s clothing collection of over 90, yes 90, Alexander McQueen pieces, 60 Philip Treacy hats, and an assortment of Manolo Blahnik shoes is going up for sale. Reports Fashionista

MIUCCIA PRADA is set to be honoured for her achievements in fashion and business on Wednesday, when she becomes the 2010 McKim Medal Laureate at the 6th annual gala - at the Villa Aurelia of the American Academy in Rome. Vogue.co.uk

Exclusive Pics: The Selby For Louis Vuitton: love the sketches! Refinery29.com

Miranda Kerr does a GQ ’spread’ as they say for GQ June 2010 Fshioncopious.

Blake Lively is on the cover of the June US Vogue see the video here

Then read about Blake Lively and Hamish Bowles’ learning how to catch a wave..Vogue.com

If you love and adore YSL the man and the designer then you can wear his face on your T shirt Style.com

Karl helps Vanessa Paradis channel Edie Sedgewick and a 60’s look in this month’s Madame Figaro.  popsugar.com

Kate Moss Spring Topshop Collection
It’s Hippy, it’s BoHo, it has a dreamy, angelic lighting and Kate Moss dancing to The Strange Boys. It’s a fabulous short film shot by photographer Nick Knight to launch the Kate Moss for TopShop spring/summer 2010 collection. Topshop says new collection includes “vintage inspired pieces such as sorbet-lemon tiered maxi dress, laser cut leggings, floral blouse and a sequin embroidered cape”. Kate says ” the way Nick shot the film brings across the airy and romantic feel of the clothes”. Get shopping!

LADY GAGA has applied for an internship with Philip Treacy after they worked together on several headpieces.  Vogue.co.u

Between them Jackie Collins and Raquel Welch have 141 years, 6 husbands and 5 children - but not one single wrinkle… Dailymail.co.uk

New Irish Robin Hood Gladiator Movie Takes Box Office by Storm: The 50th remake of the famous Robin Hood franchise has been touted as a great success ….by film studio accountants Dailysquib.co.uk

Claudia Schiffer has a Baby Girl Huffingtonpost.com

What’s in a Name? Amy Adam’s baby girl is called Aviana Olea Usmagazine.com

Are Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams a Couple Off-Screen? I don’t know are they? people.com

Because Thetans aren’t going to E-meter themselves or however Scientology works (Internal combustion?), John Travolta and Kelly Preston have announced they’re geniuses and 47-year-old Kelly is pregnant. Thesuperficial.com

It looks like Carla Bruni has made it into the final cut of Woody Allen’s movie Vogue.co.uk

New Mom Sandra Bullock Is “a Natural” Baby Louis is “perfect therapy” Usmagazine.

This is Naomi Campbell heading to the Vanity Fair party in Cannes Vanityfair.com

After a whirlwind romance and engagement, 26-year-old Lara Stone and 38-year-old British comedian David Walliams were married in a traditional, ’40s-themed ceremony at Claridge’s Hotel in London. The bride wore a $44,000 custom long corseted dress in ivory silk satin designed by Riccardo Tisci, with lace incrustations, gold chain-trimmed straps, and a matching silk crepeline cape. The wedding was reportedly largely dry at the request of Stone, a recovering alcoholic - and the toasts were performed with popcorn in place of champagne…hic!. fashionologie.com

Lindsay Lohan’s lawyer thinks she’s going to jail ( for wearing bad outfits??) says The superficial

The Hand That First Held Mine… by Maggie O’Farrell
Amazon Best Books of the Month, April 2010.
‘Maggie O’Farrell has a singular knack for sensing the magnetic fields that push and pull people in love, and in The Hand That First Held Mine, she summons those invisible forces to tell two stories. The first is the spirited journey of Lexie Sinclair, a bright, tempestuous woman who finds her way from rural Devon to the center of postwar London’s burgeoning art scene. Her force of personality makes her a natural critic and she soon falls deeply in love. Fast forward fifty years and you’ll meet Ted and Elina: a contemporary London couple who’ve just had their first child, both afflicted with a crisis of memory–Elina can recall only bits and pieces of her life before the baby, while Ted fights off memories he can’t even recognize.
O’Farrell alternates these plots artfully Inevitably, the two stories collide, and the result is a remarkably taut and unsentimental whole that embraces the unpredictable, both in love and in life. ‘
$16.50 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (April 12, 2010) Amazon.com

Glastonbury - Another Stage ….by Venetia Dearden
If you love the Boho look you will love this tome (even though it has the worst cover ever for a book about a vibrant colourful music festival) . “Glastonbury - Another Stage” is a glossy coffee-table/tent floor book full of portraits of festival goers and artists, combined with scenic shots of Worthy Farm by photographer Venetia Dearden.
“So taken with photographer Venetia Dearden’s work were iconic British fashion house Mulberry that they’ve gone and sponsored the publication of her new book - a beautiful collection of Glasto-inspired photography that includes portraits of artists, performers and revelers alongside iconic, atmospheric shots of the site. The result is a very special document of a festival like no other - and of course, an obligatory campaign from Mulberry - that being their “Peace Love Mud” mini-site and cute installations in their stores that exhibit, alongside beautiful bags that you’d be clinically insane to take to the festival, a series of the book’s most provocative shots.” Says Weheart.co.uk
£30 Publisher: Kehrer Verlag (16 April 2010) Amazon.co.uk and  Mulberry.com

Economy Class
Sportsgirl
I see a bit of a sale happening with “take $30 off” a few items.  Just in time for the cold weather.
My picks are (that I might actually wear… as someone who is older than, um, er 30).

• The fab black and white stripe knit sweater dress $89. It has a classic round neckline : basically it’s like a long Tee shirt with a few brass military buttons along one side of the shoulders. It’s cool. Wear under a trench or with a black winter coat and black opaques. And heels. Did I mention heels?
• Check out the cute and tres cool drawstring grey marle track pants or harem pants. You already know you are supposed to wear with heels and a blazer. But secretly you can wear them on the weekend being a lazy slut on couch eating peanut butter on toast. $49. These track pants look cool because they have side pockets.
• Love the khaki utility jacket that I have been raving on about for months. I think I styled this jacket in one of the shows for Westfield. As I mentioned many times the idea is to toss it over a pretty dress or top. Over sequins or floral. Also a utility jacket looks cool over leather and skinny jeans a la Balmain. This is a little punk version with gold studs on the epaulettes. $129
• There are fabulous lace up, black suede ankle boots. Love them if you can walk in them. They have a cute little buckle on the ankle. The look is to wear ankle boots with skirts or with harem pants. Make sure you spray the suede with water proofer. Hate you to get them wrecked in this weather. Make sure you wear black opaques too. I see there are also some grey suede round toe wedge ankle boots that are just as fab $129
• In the jewellery I see a chic little black jet jewel statement necklace. You need a little bling this winter. And don’t be scared of black jewels with a navy and white stripe Tee. Cool. $38
• You should buy the grey or black wool melton peacoat now with $30 off. Please. There is no need to tell you how to wear this. If you don’t know then may I suggest you go back to the archives of the last 300 FiFi Reports and you will get the idea.Tip: wear over the red and cream stripe ¾ sleeve tees for $39 and you shall be as French as Emmanuelle Alt.

Portmans:
Ignore the bad lighting ( as I always say) and get in there for some good cheap but chic fashion pieces. I see a lot of great stripe Tee shirts….
My picks are:

• The caramel leather biker jacket with a round neckline. It has 2 front patch pockets and a zip front. It has epaulettes so that makes this jacket tres military but it’s not too tough. Which is good. Very similar to the grey one in Country Road so me thinks that it was a Givenchy original or something. I love a caramel jacket: it softens up all the black and brown and it’s a great neutral. Wear with stone chinos and a grey tee or tossed over a black dress. $299.
• You want the cute cotton stripe Tee in a white with black stripe. It’s quite cool because it has extra shoulder details so they look a little exaggerated but it’s just due to the cut. The sleeves are ¾. A great basic. A must have this season. But you know that. A fab buy for an outrageous $29.
• Love the tweed asymmetrical bomber jacket with rib knit sleeves. I see there is $30 off and we love a bargain. It’s got a brass zip off to the side and the black rib sleeves that go right to the elbows. It will look very chic once you get out of the shop. $130. Wear over a basic tee and harem pants and voila. Not sure if it will keep you warm but wear a little singlet under it.
• There is a cool, grey cotton jersey single breasted trench coat which I had to have a look at being a trench addict as I am . It’s clever in that it looks new in the relaxed cotton jersey. Like T shirt fabric. Otherwise it’s a classic belted trench with epaulettes. $129.
• On the Portmanswebsite is a chic knit sleeve pleather jacket for $149. I didn’t see it in store. Looks expensive in the photo. Like a leather vest with sleeves.
• Buy the cream and black stripe Tee with puff sleeves. Oh go on! You need another stripe tee! It might be a little scoopy but it has groovy zips on the sleeves and it seems to have a drape neckline with ¾ sleeves. $39. Stripes are so much chicer to wear than florals when you are doing cheap but chic don’t you think?
  

  
  Esprit:
  A great place for puffa jacket and casual weekends looks.

• The very chic black velvet blazer. A must buy. Velvet is a huge trend for next winter and it’s one of those pieces you can wear now and through to next summer. Now please don’t think that velvet is just for evening. Ditch that idea quick smart. You are not a dag anymore. You read The FiFi report and you now know that velvet is perfect for day. By the way I have absolutely lived in my black velvet jacket with jeans. Love it over a Tee shirt, over a stripe Tee or even over a dress. Very chic with the sleeves rolled up. Wear with peg legs or with a sexy, flippy skirt. $189
• You must check out the black twill military peacoat with silver double breasted buttons. It’s the right in the length to cover up the bottom. Love this for work or weekends. Layer it over a round neck knit sweater and wear with jeans. Cool $199
• I see there is $30 off alot of jackets and you want the khaki cotton utility jacket with a belt and a high rib neckline. I think I have mentioned it before in The FiFi Report and I still think it’s a hot buy. A utility jacket is the cool jacket of the season and just the thing to rejuvenate all the old daggy black in your wardrobe. Remember (Utility) Green is Good this season. It’s not about going hunting, shooting, fishing. $149. I think the black has sold out but the khaki is better.
• Also with $30 off is a fabulous black puffa jacket with a high rib knit neckline and belted and buttons $189. Wear with sexy heels and a pencil skirt .
• There is also a dark denim wrinkled single breasted fitted denim jacket and it’s very cool $129. Love this over everything. Remember denim on denim is a big trend this season but I think I am scared of the double denim look. Am sure Dolly Parton will love it. Just layer back with pretty floral dress or with leather. Wear with the grey or taupe Esprit chinos $89. You know chinos are hot too.
• Sorry, there are no photos to be found on the Esprit site. I must try to take photos next time and twitpic!

Business Class
Seed Femme
Always good here for casual, yummy mummy looks.
My picks this week are:

• Love the faux fur brown scarf that wraps around threading through itself. They call it a cape so maybe it is. It’s a shrunken cape. It’s a winner for this weather when you can add that and not have to buy another jacket: it will just add a little va va voom to everything else. $129
• You want the grey marle jersey blazer: It’s single breasted with stripe lining. It’s funny I have seen a version of this jacket in a quite a few shops but never seen anyone wearing it. This is a good thing. You don’t want to see everyone wearing the same look. Love this over Tees or a simple grey knit. The perfect casual blazer style jacket to throw on over jeans or with harem pants. I call them harem pants but I really mean peg leg pants. Whatever.  $229.
• •    There is a fab long sleeve cream with blue stripes fisherman’s Breton slub knit Tee $69. It has a good neckline that’s not horrible and wide and unflattering like a scoop. The stripe Tee is a hot piece for winter and summer. You know that by now? It was the item du jour months ago but don’t worry if you are a bit slow, buy one now and wear through to summer. Love it under a blazer. Or peeking out from under a cape or poncho.
• Buy the Bensimon cotton sneakers with a white rubber toe for $69. Love all the colours they come in from the chicest faded beige to faded navy or grey. I am sure they are normally about $89 or $99 at other stores. These will be perfect for holiday to St Tropez. Leave the laces undone: take them out so you don’t trip up. They look fab with shorts or slouchy peg peg pants. Or even a loose summer dress.
• Love the big chunky knot charcoal scarf $69 but how could I resist the brown suede desert boots called FiFi? Lace up and chic and perfect for dagging around looking chic at the country house with George Clooney. $149.

Coach :
Coach just opened over the last month in WBJ and I finally zoomed in for a look around..
My picks are:

• The fabulous black leather shoulder bag with silver hardware and a short strap and, of course, the obligatory long shoulder strap. It has a small handy outside pocket with a bit of silver hardware as the clasp. Handy for the pick pockets! This is a great everyday bag if you want one with silver hardware. $795.
• I like the men’s black leather stamped messenger bag with a fabric grosgrain strap. $545. I like a square bag and the messenger shape is cool for those weekends away don’t you think? Who cares if it’s men’s it’s very handy to tossing across the body and being hands free for lots of eating. Note: This stamped C logo is Ok but please keep away from all the other bright coloured logo stuff . I am sure it’s for the Japanese tourists it’s all so cute and pastel.
• There is a cute, one shoulder black or silver slouch bag with double C’s subtly on the front which for some reason don’t look too much like Chanel. Clever. $395
• Love the gunmetal bag slouch bag in silver if you want a bit of metallic to snazzy up all the grey. Tip: You do. About $795.
• For evening you want the gold clutch bag. Go on, go crazy and add a bit of Glitz. Watch it transform all your daggy pieces.
• There are shoes and boots here too. My pick for the shoes are the T-bar black sandals with a chunky square heel and platform. I think they have white stitching. $395. And I see some fabulous long, round toe boots with a gold chain across the ankle which is a bit Fashion but, hey, why not? $1000.

A/X Armani Exchange
Always worth looking here but as you know I see a little too much of that cheap looking purple and hot pink.
My picks this week are:

• The black leather punched hole bomber jacket with a hood. It’s very sporty luxe. Wear over the stripe tees you have been buying and with grey slouchy men’s style floppy pants. $759. I think the sporty trend has gone away and come back again. Probably went to the Winter Olympics and got inspired to reappear again.
• Love the grey/concrete fitted bomber jacket with silver zips in a tailored flattering cut. I do not see a price on it so maybe it was for free. You can’t wrong with this neutral colour and the cut is very tailored and flattering so you won’t look like a fatty boombah. You shall have shape Cindarella!
• Check out the fabulous grey princess coat: it’s fitted to the waist and then flares out a little. It’s in a wool Melton and is very chic. Again, it’s very fitted so you won’t feel like a big winter blob, blobbing around in a shapeless blob. I think it has silver buttons. The thing about a coat like this is that it wll joosh up the basics. You will immediately look pulled together. It will work with jeans and converse or you could toss it over an LBD if you are off to the Opera. As you do. $419
• Buy the fabulous grey knit hoodie sweater with big fat lacing up the front. Yes, it’s true it’s seems I am talking about everything grey this week but what do you want me to do? Tell you to wear hideous colours that will only cheapen your look and make it tricky to get dressed in the morning? No, that is not The FiFi Report philosophy. Anyway grey is THE colour and you can’t go wrong. This sweater is kind of in a chunky knit, with a round neckline and the rope lacing is woven through silver eyelets. Love it. $239
• Sorry, there are no photos ! You just had better get in there and see for yourself

Soy and Mirin simmered Beef with rice …Adulterated from Bill Granger’s book Bill’s Holiday
If you feel like red meat but don’t want to slave over a hot roast then this little Japanese inspired recipe is for you. I suggest buying excellent meat so you don’t get a tough as Old Gucci boots dinner.
It’s so easy: poach the Beef in the Mirin sauce and serve with rice. Delicious

You need for 4 fashionista, 2 hungry men and 35 models:
150ml white wine
100ml soy sauce
100ml Mirin
3cm piece ginger, peeled, cut into thin strips
3 tabs of caster sugar ( yes it’s a lot so cut back if you must)
150ml water
2 white onions, thinly sliced
500g fillet steak, very thinly sliced
Steamed Japanese rice
Pickled ginger
Spinach for accessorising

• Slip into Prada Leisure suit.
• Climb out of Gucci stomp-a-licious Stilts and slip into Chanel clogs.
• Pour a big wine glass or ten.
• Find the ginger and chop it up. I always double the quantity because I love fresh ginger.
• Pop on the new Chloe sunglasses and waterproof mascara.
• Don’t cry when you chop up the onion into pieces as small as a Balmain jean stud.
• Slice up the beef into small stir-fry strips (if your butcher hasn’t done it for you).
• This could be a good time to cook the rice.
• Pour another wine and decide to go cold turkey in 2022.
• Get a big saucepan and toss in the wine, soy, Mirin, ginger, sugar (but maybe half the amount of sugar as it’s very sweet) and water. Heat over a medium heat.
• Cook it (Believe it or not!) and stir it so that it dissolves the sugar.
• Bring to the boil and then turn down to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Now toss in the onions, and simmer it for another 10 minutes or until onions are translucent and soft as an Hermes bag.
• Throw in the beef and then simmer that for about 1-2 minutes or until beef is just cooked through. Don’t over cook.
• To serve pop the rice into chic bowls and top with the beef and onions and spoon over some of the divine broth.
• Accessorise with spinach leaves or any other greens like rocket.
• Sprinkle on a few pieces of picked ginger if you have it.
• Yum.