‘First there were designer celebrities, then celebrity designers and now the latest phenomenon: stylists-turned-celebrities-turned-designers. (from wwd.com)

In celebration of Rachel Zoe launching her own line…

“One time at a fashion show, an editor said to me, ‘Did you just come out of, like, thin air? You just appeared and now all I do is see your name and hear this and that, you’re sitting in the front row next to me at all these shows and dadadadada.’ I said, ‘I’ve been working my ass off for 15 years,”. Thin. Air. Literally.  ( I hear you sister!)

“I would never consider myself a celebrity. Ever. Yes, I have a TV show and I realize that I am in the public eye because of that. But because I work with celebrities I’ll never think of myself like that. Cameron Diaz is a celebrity, Kate Hudson is a celebrity, Demi Moore is a celebrity - you know what I’m saying?”.

“I go about my everyday life, working like everybody else does, but the things that get difficult is when I’m walking on the street or if I’m in a mall or, like, whatever, and people are, you know, if they come up screaming and taking a picture and shaking and all these things.” Not considering herself a celebrity? I am literally screaming and shaking .

“You will definitely see me in the clothes. Like, you will absolutely see my trademark pieces. I’ll definitely do faux furs and incredible leather jackets and great trousers. ” And bananas. Lots of bananas.

” I want to have an entire lifestyle brand. Everything. No limits. No limits! I hate limits. Give me a limit, I’m going to break it.” Like a credit limit? Me too.

“Oh my God! There are things you do for your business. Trust me: I was never someone who felt the need to reconnect with someone from 20 years ago. I have enough friends right now and I barely have time to see them”… about her Twitter account  (over 181,000 followers and counting).

Read the entire interview here at WWD

What: Groovy, big black spectacles.
Why: Because it gets embarrassing not being able to see the clothes in detail when you are a professional shopper. Because it gets embarrassing asking the shopper/stranger next to you to read out the price on the price tag. Because it gets embarrassing walking straight past George Clooney and not recognizing him. Because I am so over those mingy, small spectacles. Sunglasses are big and over sized why can’t your reading /shopping glasses be the same?
Which: You want big black, chic frames just like these (above) from the latest net-a-porter.com magazine.  Which is why I love my Specsavers’ ‘Osiris’ frames which are just about exactly the same as Raybans Wayfarers.
Where: I skipped in my Chloe Clogs straight into Specsavers at Westfield Bondi Junction and had my eyes tested (do I really look that old? Why didn’t you tell me?). The lovely people there were so fabulous and not once did they smirk at my old, crappy chemist glasses held together with a safety pin. So now I have two new pairs- with most advanced multi focal lenses- in the same big Wayfarer style frame: One in clear optical and the other multi focal sunglasses. Now it’s a miracle I can see! I can see!
Price: The frames are just $199. Buy one and get one free. You know, two for the price of one. The lenses are $350 plus get one free. Which means for $549 you get 2 pairs of spectacles that can change your life.

$199 ( buy one, get one free) from Specsavers at Westfield Bondi Junction; 9386 0788

I love handbags. I have been known to spend hours window shopping on my Iphone just drooling over the latest handbags on net-a-porter and Barneys. I can spend days discussing them. It’s an obsession. My new infatuation (after the Celine bags) is the Rocco bag by Alexander Wang. As all serious fashionstas know it has been around been around since last year but it just seems to be quietly taking the role as the hot bag du jour. I mean how cool - and practical - are those studs along the bottom? I love the simplicity of the shape and the absence of any other glitzy hardware. I love the way Meridith Melling Burke from US Vogue and Blogger Hanelli wear it . Refinery29 calls the shot below ( left) the “perfect outfit”. Maybe. I have seen several sightings on cool girls in Sydney.
Now The Rocco bag is available in all sorts of colours and in suede as well as leather. It must be love. At least until I get to Paris in July. That’s when I will begin training in handbag shopping as an Olympic sport. …

From about US $875 Alexander Wang Rocco bag from Net-a-porter.com, and Shopbop.com ,Farfetch.com, Marissacollections.com, and Mytheresa.com/

I don’t know about you but the sales everywhere are making me crack up. All that trying on, rifling through racks, pulling things off coat hangers and rummaging through piles of clothes is just hell on my hands and nails. Which is why I am loving the new Lanolips Rose Balm for Very Dry Hands and Nails. It’s really the sister of lanolips lipgloss and it works just as well for your hands. It has the same “ultra-pure medical grade” lanolin as well as Keratin to protect nails. The Rose Oil soothes calloused hands caused from whipping out the credit card too many times. It smells lovely but doesn’t overpower the Chanel 19.  Just make sure it sinks in before trying on divine long Marni gloves.

$18.95 Lanolips Rose Balm Intense for Very Dry Hands and Nails: from Myer, David Jones, Priceline, and Adorebeauty.com.au.

Megan Fox is on the cover of Interview magazine says” I’m not pretentious enough to just sit around and think about how I’m a tool for the whole Hollywood machine. But it has crossed my mind.” So she does actually think at least…. Interviewmagazine.com

Liz Taylor is on the cover of the latest Vanity Fair ” Long before Brangelina, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (Lizard?) blew the fuse of celebrity-couple wattage. “Vanityfair.com

Want to see the major designer Fall ‘10 Campaigns? (With Superlatives!): Love it! Thank you Refinery29.com

SHOWstudio’s Nick Knight, Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon, and Jaeger and Aquascutum’s Harold Tillman were all recognized by the Queen of England at her birthday honors.. Vogue.co.uk

We love, love, love Tonne Goodman from US Vogue: Check out her fabulous house! Divine photos ! Amazing shoots she has done over the years ( but we wonder why Vogue has used her Harpers Bazaar shoots in the video? What? Please explain). This video is “coincide with her acceptance of the Eleanor Lambert Award at the 2010 CFDA Awards” style.com

Rachel Zoe Will Have a Fashion Line - and Then a Child, If Her Schedule Allows….”Though she hasn’t announced the name of the line, I DIE wouldn’t be a bad one. Just think: “What a great faux-fur muumuu you have on - who is that by?” “I Die.” “Are you okay?” “Duh, I am! I said, I Die.” [Slowly backs away] You’ll sound totally crazy telling people that’s what you’re wearing, which is so batty-old-lady now.” funny! thank you Nymag.com

Evan Rachel Wood was chosen as the face of Gucci’s latest fragrance. A strange choice…Whatever. wwd.com

Marion Cotillard in on the cover of US Vogue read the interview here Vogue.com and video here Style.com

Also inside this latest July issue of US Vogue is Peter Lindbergh’s has First Spread for Vogue in 18 Years with a 14-page editorial featuring Natalia Vodianova and Ewan Macgregor. Fashionologie.com

Legendary Makeup Artist Pat McGrath is Lovely, Talented, and Now a Designer for LeSportsac Fashionista.com

Karlie Kloss stars in the fall 2010 Aquascutum campaign ..Vogue.co.uk

Will Halle Berry be on the cover of American Vogue’s All-Important September Issue?  Fashionista.com

Daphne Guinness has bought the entire Isabella Blow wardrobe that Christie’s was about to auction  - over 90 Alexander McQueen outfits, 50 Philip Treacy hats, and Manolo Blahnik shoes - “It’s Issy - it’s her DNA - it should not be scattered to the four winds,I want it to remain as a monument.” Nytimes.com

Naag.com

Model Agyness Deyn has launched an online magazine , apparently with her friend Fiona Byrne. It’s called NAAG. They say the name is a combination of the last two letters of Fiona’s name and the first two letters of her name. Sounds like something kath and Kim would do . Anyway it has fashion, beauty, culture and ‘places’. What a great idea! Ahem…Just a little late: The FiFi Report covers all of those things and was launched years ago. Mais oui! But Naag mag is a cute site with everything from favourite drinks to Hermes watches. Cool.

Eva mendes looks amazing in (and on) the cover of the latest W magazine. She has a new Will Ferrell film out so she is showing off her funny bone… wmagazine.com

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart finally got married. why now? People.com

Here are first pics of Model Coco Rocha at her wedding . Sweet. huffingtonpost.com

Jennifer Love Hewitt Advises Girls to ‘Love the Way You Look’. Which is why she went on a diet and lost so much weight? people.com

Taylor Lautner: I’m Tired of Being Asked to “Take Off My Shirt”…. Usmagazine.com

Penelope Cruz enjoys laid back beach break with lover Javier Bardem..Dailymail.

Miley Cyrus: ‘I’m Not Slutty’  : yeh right, so shut up about it then….Thesuperficial.com

Jennifer Aniston to Play a Swinger, Pothead in Film…In another movie, she fondles a patient under anesthesia..(so it’s a movie about Miley Cyrus now ?) Usmagazine.com

When he’s not jetting around the world spewing nonsense about global warming, Al Gore hangs out in his home dungeon listening to sordid heavy metal music and skinning live bats, his wife has claimed. Dailysquib.

Who needs a skirt when you have legs like Renee Zellweger? Actress wears shirt out to dinner   Dailymail.

Jewel Ate an “Entire Cake” After Being Called “Chubby Renee Zellweger”…”I tried to throw it all up,” she admits Usmagazine.com… why not just love the chubby way you look?

Nicole Kidman is back on town with daughter Sunday. Popsugar.com

Trainer: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Weight Sometimes “Goes Up” ..OMG! Usmagazine.com

” As fans lick their fangs in anticipation of Eclipse, the third film in the unstoppable Twilight saga, Vanity Fair rescues the franchise’s supporting starlets from the shadow of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.” Vanityfair.com

The same day Lady Gaga released her “Alejandro” music video cavorting semi-nude with a cross, Katy Perry Twittered, “Using blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.” too funny. so true. it’s a big Yawn. Usmagazine.com

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel …..by Amiee Bender

‘The wondrous Aimee Bender conjures the lush and moving story of a girl whose magical gift is really a devastating curse. On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother-her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother-tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose.
The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden-her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. ”

“It is heartbreaking and funny, wise and sad ” (San Francisco Chronicle).
“Odd and oddly beautiful….moving”–The Washington Post
“Haunting….Bender’s prose delivers electric shocks….rendering the world in fresh, unexpected jolts. Moving, fanciful and gorgeously strange”–People Magazine
“Charming and wistful….[Bender] harness[es] her exquisite, bizarre sensitivity, in this haunting examination”– The Atlantic
“The fairy-tale elements in her writing, far from seeming outlandish, highlight the everyday nature of her characters’ flaws and struggles. In Ms. Bender’s stories and novels, relationships and mundane activities take on mythic qualities.”–Wall Street Journal
“Dreamy….Playful prose….one of the most pleasant books we’ve read all year”–New York Observer

$15.17 Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (June 1, 2010) Amazon.com

Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play [Hardcover] by Susanna Salk

This looks cool! ‘For Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play,  Salk culled images of every type of kids’ space, from nurseries and teen retreats to multi-child bunkers and playrooms in which we’d welcome the chance to hang out. The rooms were shot by the industry’s top photographers and designed by some of our favorite designers, including Kelly Wearstler (who wrote the book’s foreward), Amanda Nisbet, Amy Lau and Sixx Design. You might even recognize the spaces if you’re an ardent follower of shelter mags and design blogs. (Hint: J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons’ much-touted dark-walled nursery makes an appearance.)” ~TheInsideSource.com

“Knowing that designers had been creating bedrooms and play spaces for their clients’ children all along - [Susanna Salk] often saw photos that were never published - inspired her to write Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play, published this month by Rizzoli. ” ~The New York Times

Publisher: Rizzoli (April 20, 2010) $29.70 Amazon.com

Yes, the sales just keep happening everywhere.

So that you don’t go crazy filled with buyers remorse, here is a reminder ( from The FiFi Report 306) on what you should be buying to take you through to next season:
Camel coats, velvet, denim shirts and dresses, any faux fur, capes and of course blazers. You want a utility jacket, a blue oxford Chloe style shirt or any silky sexy ones that are 70’s Equipment inspired. Flares are coming back and look out for any pretty ‘nude’ drape dresses .
Trends for summer are digital prints and summer time leather ( yes, a leather T shirt ) plus there is very 50’s trend with full skirts. I am so not keen on retro (even if Prada and Vuitton showed it) so go for modern clean shapes and get inspired by Celine instead.
In accessories you want navy, black and choc brown but also look out for tan accessories - a huge trend for summer. Buy wedges, small structured bags, jewel necklace , a big chunky ring and feathers …

Economy Class:

Sportsgirl.
My picks this week include:

• The very cool ’snow’ wash faded denim bomber jacket with zips: you know you can do denim on denim if you think you can carry it off. Make sure you wear it slouchy and sexy (Tight= kathnKim) and break it up with camel or tan accessories. Was $129 now $99.
• Buy the very cool cotton canvas, khaki zip jacket : it’s cropped and tight and perfect for next summer. The khaki utility jacket is hot back with black harem pants or with a sexy pencil skirt. This will definitely take you through to next season. Was $89 now $39. Woo hoo.
• Not on sale but quite a fabulous buy is the fabulous wide silver beaded cuff: it’s perfect to throw on for an instant statement: for you $29.
• Also not on sale but a great buy going into summer is the ‘Crissy’ clog sandals: is this the first sighting of the many that we will see for next summer? I think so. Clogs will be everywhere next season so get used to it. Buy now and you can wear on your holiday in Port Douglas/Capri/St Tropez. $109.

French Connection:
My picks this week include:

• The fabulous grey and black deconstructed knit long sleeve dress. Very cool with all the knit panels in different contrasting shades. Seems very Balenciaga to me. Not for those with any lumps so if you do have a few bumps maybe you could try it with with Spanx . Love it. Wear with ankle boots, opaques and a faux fur tossed over it and you will look fabulous. Or even just a black trench. Was $129 now $99.
• Buy the ‘Pash’ swing jacket. Wonder why it’s called a pash jacket? Maybe you feel like one when you are wearing it.. Anyway this is a fab buy to get through winter if you don’t want a coat. When you have a swing jacket make sure you have a narrow bottom. Literally. Or skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. We can’t have FiFi report readers looking like they are big round blobs. Was $179 now $129.
• You want the black fitted stud jacket. It’s almost to be worn like a cardigan. It’s short and you should wear it done up. With a tight top your bottom can be loose ( don’t worry mine is) so wear with harem pants. And by the way studs are going to lurking for another season so you will get your wear out of it. Love this with jeans too. Was $199 now $149.
• Feeling flashy? Feeling like a party? Then slip into the black sequin sheath dress. It’s seriously not a day dress but quite the perfect little number if you have something where you want to make a scene: (Like meeting your new, soon to be mother in law.Not ). was $249 now $179.

Witchery;
On sale and there are a lot of really great buys;
My picks are

• The ‘crystal nights’ ribbon and multi bead necklace. You should buy two. The big necklace is just about peaking on the groove richter scale which means that it has hit the height of the trend. You can wear it this season and possibly into summer with a stripe Tee but what do you want for $89? It is worth buying in that it will add instant chic. Hint: you are supposed to wear in the daytime with jeans and a Tee. or something low key. Was $129 now $89.
• Everyone needs a sharp shouldered jacket so just get used to the idea of shoulder pads will you?! Amazing how flattering the look is: it gives you a great shape and a waist. Check out the black short sharp jacket : it’ single breasted with one button to cinch in the waist. Perfect to wear with high waist pants or skirts. Was $229 now $129.
• You want the all over sequin black drape tee. Yes, I have been going about all of these things for years; Sequins tops in the day, a big jeweled necklace, a sharp shoulder jacket. Layer the sequin top over a white tee or just wear back with jeans and a blazer for day. Sequins will continue to be right for next season. was $149 now $99.
• Also you can’t go past a stripe Top: now or ever. It’s always chic and always right. Stripes are a big trend now and into next summer. Thank the lord: I much prefer stripes to florals. Although I do like mixing the two prints together. You should buy the navy and white nautical stripe long sleeve round neck knit . it has buttons across the shoulders. Was $99 now $69.

Business Class;
Seedfemme.

On sale and my picks this week are:

• The simple light grey knit long sleeve dress. it’s called the ‘Space dye swing jersey’ dress and it’s for you. So easy to wear. Such a flattering and relaxing shape. Love a long sleeve dress for winter and this will work with flat or high boots or just your fav stomp a licious heels. was $99 now $79.
• There is a faaaabulous navy double breasted and very tailored blazer with silver buttons. Quite the most chicest buy. I have seen it on the website and the price was $249 and now $49. What the ? So Balenciaga, so right, so you must have it. It’s the key piece of this season and next. Wear with a grey tee and stone chinos and heels. Divine. If I didn’t already have one very similar I would be buying that one toute suite.
• You want the grey jersey knit blazer if you don’t want anything as structured as the navy one. It’s stretchy and easy to wear as long as you push up the sleeves. A fab buy to wear with jeans and chinos too. Add a scarf if you are a little chilly. Was $229 now $199.
• Please be aware that faux fur will be a huge trend for next winter so I insist you buy faux fur cape /scarf here and tie it up and toss it on with everything was $129 now $49. So there.

Ck CalvinKlein;
One of my favourite stores and it’s still on sale:woo hoo!

My picks are :

• The divine black crop jacket in faux feather fur (if you know what I mean). It’s cut like a classic Chanel jacket in that it is completely simple with no buttons or collar. Now $517.
• You want the divine black wool melton cape: I tried it on and it’s gorgeous. I think I need it. Now about $450.
• Check out the fabulous black/ grey /green abstract print dress sleeveless dress in a silk, it has a drape front and is sleeveless. So right , so chic. about $360
• Adore the black textured round neck, puff sleeve silt long Tee top now abut $200
• Buy any of the fabulous rack of dresses from about $200. yes, please.

Sambag;
Not yet on sale but I spy some great bags, boots, and divine cashmere knits and you can buy online anyway..
My picks are:

• The chic de la chic grey suede and patent two handle tote. Love a grey bag to lift and contrast with all the black or bright you are wearing. This oversized bag looks handy and perfect for day $260
• You must have the very comfortable and chic taupe cashmere track pants. With a drawstring waist and ruched at the ankle I say ‘Yes, please’. Perfect to toss on while you relax drinking wine and George Clooney cooks. $220
• Check out the lovely V neck knit 100% cashmere sweaters in lots of great colours :of course I love the dark grey. Wear over a white Tee and back with jeans, chinos or harem pants. $190.
• If you still haven’t bought a leather jacket then check out the caramel leather bomber here: Love it in brown and the shape is quite feminine with the pleating at the front. $420.

First Class;

Paul and Joe.
Finally a new collection is instore. it’s the new spring summer and there is a lot to drool over. Lots of navy and white.
My picks are:

• The black sequin blazer: Totally covered and pretty amazing $1430
• Buy the divine black one button dark navy ( I think) waiters tuxedo jacket with satin lapels. So chic. $1210
• You want the navy and white stripe knit top with a scattering of sequins over it. very Balmain. $1030
• Love the Paul and Joe sista pretty, jungle print, cotton peasant dress in oranges, brown and navy. So chic $395
• If you want a summer dress then have the pretty light blue denim collarless tunic shirt dress; it has big raglan, very loose roll up sleeves and buttons down the front $420
• Love, love, love all the bags: fabulous ! About $1000.
• I see a divine grey wool melton princess coat on sale for about $720 ( half price) Divine!

Slow cooked Greek style lamb…adulterated from the woolworths magazine

You need for 6 girls, 4 hungry men, or 20 models

1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
6 to 8 lamb forequarter  chops
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 large brown onions, sliced into rings
4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/2  bunch oregano or lemon thyme, leaves picked
2 lemons
2 tabs chopped parley
50g pitted black olives
1 tab dried mint
6 small potatoes, thickly sliced
1 red capsicum, deseeded and sliced into thick strips
1 small red chilli, split if you want to add a little zing

• Slip into Mongolian fur pajamas
• Pour a huge glass of wine and celebrate! It’s Friday!
• Preheat oven to 200c
• Pick off the leaves of the oregano.Put aside.
• Now season chops with the oregano, mint , salt and pepper.
• Slice up the capsicum as small as the straps on your gladiators sandals.
• Slice up the lemons into about 8 chic slices as slim as the clasp on a Gucci bag.
• Chop up the garlic into small slices: Think as small as Lindsay Lohan brain.
• Chop up the potatoes into small quarters : think Prada platform.
• Pop on your new Burberry sunglasses to chop up the onion into chunky slices.
• Chop up the parsley very roughly, for chic accessorizing later.
• Pour another wine .
• Heat boring old non designer olive oil in large frying pan.
• Add chops in batches and cook for 2 mins each, until as well browned as your Chloe bag.
• Place half the lemon slices onto large sheet baking paper.
• Scatter potato pieces around the lemon slices.
• Top the lemons with half the onion, garlic, capsicum and olives.
• Then top that with the chops and cover with remaining onion, garlic, capsicum and olives and lemon.
• Wrap the lamb tightly in the paper and place in baking dish.
• Tightly seal top of baking dish with foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes then reduce heat to 170.
• Bake for another 1 hour and half .
• Read the latest UK Vogue.
• Pour another wine. AA who?
• Redo manicure.
• After about an hour and half test the meat: it should be very tender and fall off the bone. Like some models. Sorry bad joke.
• To serve with accessorise with chic green parsley.
• YUM!