Monday 31 October 2011

Christian Louboutin 'Les 20 Ans' – Behind-the-Scenes Video


Haven't gotten your copy of the 20th anniversary Christian Louboutin book yet? For shame!
Fortunately for you, we've got the CliffsNotes version of sorts thanks to Les 20 Ans, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage showing the making of the coffee table-destined Rizzoli tome.
Featuring cameo appearances from the likes of a topless Dita Von Teese, actress Kristin Scott Thomas (who has the cheek to request her rubber boots), and more than a few red soles, the film captures the magic behind each of the book's soon-to-be-iconic images.
There's also pop star Mika getting made over as a clown, a top-hatted Farida Khelfa offering to get bendy, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of a seemingly nude Diane von Furstenberg. That's our girl!

Milla Jovovich Stars in Campari Calendar


The Big Bang theory: Milla Jovovich is striking in the 2012 Campari Calendar.
It's the end of the world as we know it ... and Milla Jovovich is looking fiiiine.
The actress returns to her modeling roots as the star of the latest Campari Calendar, which offers a glamorous, dramatic, and somewhat upbeat response to 2012's apocalyptic warnings.
Titled "It's the end of the world, baby," the calendar's 13th edition sees Jovovich braving disasters both natural and mythical (floods, lightning storms, alien invasions, the usual).
And in the spirit of going out with a bang, lensman Dimitri Daniloff snapped the beauty in everything from a platinum crop and black, side-slit gown to a mop of curls and a dress inspired by a map of the world.
"As a model and an actress, this was an exciting new challenge for me, combining the skills to bring to life each of the hypothetical events in a theatrical, yet sophisticated way," Jovovich says in a press statement.
"What attracted me most to the project was the powerful inspiration behind it, as well as the positive approach of celebrating life with a special toast, with friends and family.”
Oh, what a way to go!

Friday 21 October 2011

The Winner of our Stella McCartney Competition Picks her Top Looks!


Imagine meeting your fashion idol - then having to quiz her about her amazing new collection. Gulp! Not that Katy Scarlett was complaining. She won our amazing competition to join the Grazia team during Paris Fashion Week and meet Stella McCartney at her Spring / Summer 2012 show. Read all about her exciting experience in the latest issue of Grazia and for her favourite looks from the show, take a look below...

I love the relaxed vibe of this entire ensemble, and those sunglasses are on my must have list.

I really like the contrasting blue prints  and mesh detailing, giving it a slightly sporty feel coupled with a femine twist.

For me this dress white dress with the wave trim is the ultimate in effortless daytime chic.

I adore the cut and tailoring of this outfit, and the pairing with a chunky jacket gives it a slight edge.

This dress is incredible, very modern and chic, and again I love the whole contrasting prints, colours and fabric.

Grayson Perry's very artistic Louis Vuitton trunk!


Thanks to his blockbusting show at the British Museum Grayson Perry is man of the moment, while Louis Vuitton are one fashion brand who are no slouch when it comes to supporting the arts – remember when they sponsored Tracey Emin’s retrospective at the Hayward Gallery?
So it makes perfect sense, then, that the loveable transvestite potter from Essex has created a sort of monument for the Louis Vuitton - Grayson’s distinctive take on the firm’s signature trunk, designed both to house Perry’s intricate, doll-like dresses and as a shrine to his teddy bear, Alan Measles (who also writes his own blog pontificating on the art world.
The trunk, which is on display as part of an installation in Vuitton’s Bond Street Maison, is painted on the inside with images of male and female folk characters and an impression of Alan the bear himself, who of course sits proudly on a golden throne right in the middle, flanked by Grayson Perry vases filled with white carnations – tres kitsch.It probably has something to do with Marc Jacobs, as he is a big fan of artists and loves to drag (willingly) cool contemporary artists into collaborations with him or Louis Vuitton, think Yayoi Kusama with the polka dots, or Stephen Sprouse’s graffiti prints. Vuitton also sponsored the mega exhibition at the British Museum (just around the corner from Grazia HQ – we are desperate to go!). Don’t you love it when a plan comes together!

Embrace the chic simplicity of your inner trolley dolly


Out of the various careers I considered pursuing but which didn't, it turned out, consider pursuing me, aviation was by far the best dressed.
I say aviation, but being a child of the 1970s, it never occurred to me that a girl could actually drive a plane. Not a whole one. In the sky. I wanted to be an air hostess. Or to give the job its full glorious title, a Mandy, Fly me.
Those 1970s Pan Am ads were something else - implausibly gorgeous women in unrealistically chic uniforms not-so-subtly conveying their willingness to offer services that strayed way beyond the terse "Meat or fish?" endearments of today's flight attendants. Worryingly, they provided a backdrop to my formative years. No wonder my feminist belief system was skewed for a while.
At the time, no one asked the obvious: namely, if Pan Am staff were really that beautiful, why were they busy clearing up sick instead of hot footing it to the nearest model agency? Pushing a trolley up and down a crowded 747 was already losing its lustre in the 1970s. Even my mild-mannered mother told me I could do better - and she never criticised anything that looked like gainful employment for her daughters. But those ads weren't concerned with career prospects: it was all about the gratification of male customers. I loved them.
Aged nine, I hatched a cunning plan. The navy blue caps that were standard issue to Girl Guides were almost identical to the old Boac ones. I'm not proud to admit this, but yes, I swore allegiance to Queen, country and reef knots just to get my mitts on one. Captain got her own back when we went to camp by putting me on latrine duty.
I'd like to say it was worth it, but by then I'd moved on from wanting to be in Pan Am to wanting to be in Pan's People. The hat was the business, though. Air hostess uniforms were terrific in the 1960s. Is that because the job was considered quite glamorous and airlines spent more money on uniforms? Or did the uniforms make the job seem more aspirational? Both, probably. Or perhaps, in a heady martini haze of the jet age, no one noticed whether they were made of polyester or wool gabardine. Also, unlike today's uniforms, they actually bore some resemblance to what chic women everywhere wanted to wear - ie Jackie Kennedy's wardrobe.
Shortly we'll be ODing on (retro) cabin chic. Pan Am, the glossy ABC TV drama starring Christina Ricci and an impressive back-up crew (director of The West Wing, executive producer of ER etc) launched this Autumn in the US to OK-ish reviews. The New York Times sniffed that it slinked around the shadow of Mad Men, and pointed out that, where the latter slyly dismantles the female-oppressing mores of the 1960s, Pan Am seems nostalgic for them - but conceded it was enjoyable all the same. The show will head here soon.
Air hostess-y clothes have already landed. Pencil skirts, elbow-length gloves, Peter Pan collars, pussy-cat bows, chisel-toed court shoes and boxy little jackets and cardigans - it's a male chauvinist's fantasy. In theory, that leaves feminists in a pickle. Clearly we should only wear this with lashings of irony. But irony can be such a faff. The only other alternative, if you love cabin chic, and I do, is to revel its practical aspects. These are comfortable, decorous clothes that won't date - a reassuring emblem on the bumpy flight of life in the 21st century. At it's best, it's essentially an expression of chic simplicity. Let's forget dungarees and boiler suits and pretend this is what feminism fought for all along.

Thursday 20 October 2011

Miu Miu trade Hailee Steinfeld for an older model


True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld had an introduction to the fashion world that Hollywood dreams are made of. Nominated for a best-supporting actress Oscar aged just 13, Steinfeld swapped Friday nights down the bowling alley for red carpet after red carpet, slipping into a Calvin Klein shift dress one night, then a Stella McCartney mini the next.
Before long, the teenager was most often decked out in designs by Miu Miu, Prada's funky, directional sister label. An invitation to the label's Paris Fashion Week show ensued and as if my magic, Steinfeld was made the face of Miu Miu's autumn/winter 2011 advertising campaign shot by renowned fashion photographer Bruce Weber.
But as Steinfeld is now learning the hard way, nothing lasts for more than a mere season on planet fashion. There's no sign of the teen in Miu Miu's latest campaign, for its Resort 2012 collection. Instead, Guinevere Van Seenus has landed the covetable role, and at 34 years old, she's more than twice Steinfeld's age.
Miu Miu have reversed the tack taken by fellow Paris Fashion Week giants, Louis Vuitton, who last season swapped their stable of older models for a cast of six teenagers with an average age of 18.
Well, at least this yo-yo casting ensures all bases are covered. Next season, perhaps we can expect to see an OAP fronting Miu Miu's campaign.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Emporio Armani’s 30 Colorful Years Sunglasses


Emporio Armani’s flashing back to 1981!
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with some serious specs, the brand is launching a capsule collection of super-bright eyewear.
The 30 Colorful Years collection features two styles: a flat shielded shape for men, and an oversized round shape for women.
Both come with the “30 Emporio Armani” name on the front lens and the signature eagle logo on the temple.
But the real draw of these sunglasses is the colors: pink, red, purple, green, blue, brown, black, and more. (Why limit yourself to looking at the world through rose-colored glasses?)
Emporio Armani’s anniversary eyewear collection will be available later this month.
In related news, check out Rafael Nadal’s new Armani video.

Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion and Beauty Products


October, as many of you know, is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And whether you or someone you know has been affected by the disease, or you just want to help make a difference, there are scores of ways you can get involved.
One of our favorite methods is, naturally, shopping. Designers and beauty brands have rolled up their sleeves and created everything from shoes to sunglasses to makeup, all with proceeds going to benefit cancer research.
We picked the best items, which means it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and shop for a cause.
Tory Burch Limited Edition Eddie Ballet Flat, $178
There’s nothing like a great pair of flats, and there’s one brand that makes them just so: Tory Burch. From now through the end of the month, Tory will donate 15% from purchases of these chic fuchsia flats to the Breast Cancer Foundation, up to $15,000. Did we mention the free shipping? And, if that isn’t enough, Net-a-Porter is donating 10% from Tory Burch sales to the Cynthia fund.
Lacoste Sunglasses, $138
We like to wear our sunglasses year-round and are thus always on the hunt for a new pair. Lacoste teamed up with Marchon Eyewear to create some pretty-in-print shades complete with our favorite little croc. Lacoste will donate 10% from each pair sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Hunter Boot, $125
With the rain season fully upon us across the country, a new pair of rain boots is essential. Hunter—who makes the best wellies, period—has teamed up with Nordstorm to donate 20% of the Pink Original Tall boot to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Makes jumping in puddles that much more fun, doesn’t it?

David Yurman Spiritual Bead Bracelet, $375

David Yurman’s pink chalcedony and pearl bracelet isn’t just a pretty bauble. It helps raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund. The jeweler is donating 10% of the price of every bracelet sold to help further research, treatment options, and more. And wouldn’t that bracelet just look amazing on you? A small price to pay for helping others.
Betsey Johnson I Am a Survivor Tote Bag, $75
If anyone can relate to what breast cancer patients are going through, it’s Betsey Johnson. She herself is a breast cancer survivor, and every year creates limited edition items to raise money for the cause, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the CFDA’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Our favorite piece from this year's collection is her I Am a Survivor tote. Everyone deserves to shout it from the rooftops.
The Pink Pony Ricky by Ralph Lauren, $3,750
We’re always big fans of the Ricky bag. It’s classic, it’s chic, and it can go anywhere and with anything. And now, when you buy the Pink Pony version, 100% of proceeds go to the Pink Pony Fund of the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. The bag is available at select Ralph Lauren stores nationwide. The Pink Pony fund has also launched an online card collection to help keep hope up. To send a card, simply go here. You can also donate to the Pink Pony Fund while there.
Elie Tahari T-Shirt, $35
Saks, Elie Tahari, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and Jennifer Hudson have teamed up this year for the 13th annual campaign to raise funds for the EIF’s cancer research. All the proceeds (yes, 100%) from the shirts will go to the foundation and will benefit more than 50 charitable programs aimed at new detection, better treatment, and finding a cure. As for J.Hud? She’s the spokesmodel! Love.

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipstick, $25
Shiseido has partnered with Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) to donate $5 for every Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden sold during October. CEW’s non-profit arm Cancers and Careers aims to empower and educate people with cancer on how to continue working and living their lives. So pucker up and help the cause!

Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in After Glow, $16
Good bronzer that works for a variety of skin tones is hard to find. And one that benefits a good cause, even harder. Which is why we’re all for Iman’s bronzing powder. Iman Cosmetics will donate $1 for every Sheer Bronzing Powder sold to the Intercultural Cancer Council, which promotes programs and research to “eliminate the unequal burden of all cancers, including breast cancer, among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations in the United States.” The bronzing powder is available at Target, Drugstore.com, Walmart, and ULTA stores.

Murad Age Reform Hydrate for Hope Duo, $85
It’s no secret that we are anti-aging junkies. The longer we can avoid Botox, the better. And if we can do a little good while saving face, literally!, isn’t that a win-win for everyone? We say yes. Murad is donating 10% from every sale (up to $1 million) to the City of Hope for breast and women’s cancer research, treatment, and education.
OPI Pink Shatter Polish, $8.50
Even your nails can say you care thanks to OPI’s latest shatter polish. The shade—a bright pink—features the chic shatter effect, which we just can’t get enough of. Each bottle comes with a ribbon, and OPI is donating $25,000 to Susan B. Komen for the Cure. Pink Shatter is available nationwide at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA.
For more products, check out Boy Meets Girl, which features a tote bag to help raise money for Young Survival Coalition, and be sure to watch the founder's video. Though we warn you, you won't be dry-eyed after.