Livin La Vida Lanvin

The new A/W'11 ad campaign for Lanvin by Steven Meisel teaches us 3 things:

1. The elegant collection is goooorgeous (those capes... those wide-brimmed hats!)
2. Move over chaps: Alber Ebaz is a serious scene stealer of note.
3. Models can walk... but not dance...

Zumba Wii Moves: Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmermann

Vivienne Westwood in Kenya

From Kenya With Love...

Having been raised in Kenya this project is particularly exciting for me...

Vivienne Westwood’s ethical range of handbags, made from environmentally sustainable materials in her second collaboration with Nairobi-based social enterprise Ethical Fashion Africa were unveiled earlier this year and the pictures taken on her last visit to Kenya are featured in her new A/W’11 ad campaign. Taken by photographer Juergen Teller some of the photos feature Kenyan supermodel, Ajuma and also local discoveries, Elsie and Sonnietta.

The project is designed to support and empower disadvantaged female artisans living in two of Nairobi’s slum areas Kibera and Korogocho by utilizing their creative skills – London based Vivienne Westwood’s confirms, “this is not charity, this is work… What I do, making bags, can make a difference. This project gives people control over their lives—charity doesn’t give control, it does the opposite, it makes them dependant.”

Available to buy here on Vivienne Westwood's Website

A video explaining the project;

In Vogue: Kate Moss' Wedding

I do. I Vogue.

My sister just arrived from New York dragging her handbag behind her… In it, the whopper, super-sized September issue of American Vogue she bought for me containing the much anticipated beeeeyooootiful wedding pictures of Kate Moss’ wedding last month.

After various relationships, some good, some bad, some plain ugly, Kate agreed to marry Jamie Hince, guitarist of rock band the Kills whilst cuddled up on the sofa watching television. Were they watching some big ol’romantic classic when they decided to tie the knot? No… They were watching an episode of ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!’ Kate explained, “I was just watching Jamie, so cute, and I was like, these girls, they just spend their whole life waiting for that day—let’s do it!”

The pictures were taken by Mario Testino and were well worth the wait to ogle at... Wow! Beautiful, softly lit, bohemian and extremely romantic.

Determined to have a decadent, dreamy 1920’s wedding, Kate even gave her forthcoming Big Day the secret code of ‘GG’ - after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Inspired by old Jazz Age pictures of Zelda Fitzgerald, John Galliano designed Kate’s delicately exquisite dress (which he subsequently called his ‘creative rehab’) and in custom made Manolo Blahnik shoes, Kate entered the church to the sound of applause, wolf whistles, and The Rolling Stone’s anthem ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’

The swagger of Jagger: A very Mick and Bianca shot of the couple.

A stolen moment.

Kate had a fairy-like cluster of 13 young bridesmaids all wearing dresses by BonPoint (designed by Christine Innamorato) and Pretty Ballerina ‘Hannah’ flats.

Vogue has also released a Kate Moss Wedding Video, featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in fashion and a look at Kate’s career...

Thank you Vogue - and Congratulations Mrs Hince!

Musical Moment - Slow Moving Millie ('Beasts')

Having played the piano, making up little stories to the music, from a very early age, beautiful actress Amelia Warner, 29, star of the movies ‘Quills’ and ‘Stoned,’ is now writing and singing under the name ‘Slow Moving Millie.’

Living in London and currently working on an album of British 80's covers and composing several film scores, you may have heard her ethereal, mischievous sounding, debut single, ‘Beasts,’ on the Virgin Media advert last year (shown below.)

The quirky lyrics of this song came to her whilst walking through Highgate Cemetery - she saw a gravestone that read 'Where Sleeping Beasts Lie...'

"This could be our fairytale,
We'll make them all disappear.
I could be the rabbit,
to your magic hat..."

Best Of London - Kelly Hoppen

Kelly Hoppen; MBE, Interior designer extraordinaire and the undisputed Queen of Taupe.

When not designing celebrities homes (or the interiors of their private jets... yachts...) or busy writing her 8th design book, Kelly also runs her own design school, has her own collection of home accessories, designs ranges of organic clothing for Earth Couture, has a super successful QVC range, oh – and has a new TV show helping five families create stylish interiors in their own homes starting next month.

Phew! This is one busy lady.

Surely Kelly, based in West London, has no time left to go out and about and enjoy London?! Wrong. This lady is nothing if not a serious multi-tasker!

Kelly shares with us some of her London favourites;

My Transport – Black Cab or I drive my Jaguar.

My Cocktail – A Caipirinha with agave at E&O - they have the best barman.

My Date Night – With my man - Big A, at J.Sheekey – Love, love, love! 

My Sunday Brunch – At Raoul's in Notting Hill Gate – Great food and happy, Spanish staff. 

My Boutique – The Cross, its small and full of unusual one offs.

My High Street Store – All Saints, I love their t-shirt clothes. 

London’s Best Kept Secret – The Idle Hour in Barnes; its cute, has great food and is tucked away. 

My London Icon (Past or Present) – Vidal Sassoon. A good friend, he is an extraordinary man and pioneer in his field – he was also so inspired by architecture – his new film is a must!

www.kellyhoppenretail.com

'Super Interiors with Kelly Hoppen' starts on Sept 21st at 8pm on Channel 5.

X Factor Fashion

Its back! The 8th series of X Factor launched this weekend and 12.6 million of us tuned in to boo and to cheer this year’s hearty concoction of desperate, deluded bellowers and genuinely talented songbirds.

They have a brand new, super shiny line up of judges… and Louis (who I’m sure will still be telling contestants they “have the full package” on X Factor 2070, having outlived us all.)

But what of the newbie’s? Handsome, stubbly, no-nonsense Gary Barlow, will surely have become the nation’s biggest crush overnight, but as with every X-Factor series, it’s really all about the gals...

Kelly Rowland is awesome.

With 15 years experience in the industry, a flirtatious Southern drawl and a swaggersome, super slick style (outfits for the audition stages have included this figure hugging Versace dress and lots... and lots… of bare midriff (hey, if we could, we would!) She’s also promised to wear more Brit designers for the live shows – Top contenders include Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, McQueen and Bass & Brooks.

I also love that her responses always include the liberal scattering of words such as ‘boo,’ and ‘mama’ – terms of endearment I feel, having obviously tried them out immediately, only Kelly Rowland can pull off.

N-Dubz feisty singer Tulisa totally held her own on the panel and also won the audience’s sympathy when a gobby auditionee verbally attacked her.

After seeing the above promo shots of her looking all a bit too reminiscent of Our Cheryl (tight Hervé Leger and glossy biiiiiiiig hair) Tulisa’s outfits for the auditions have been a relief - I especially loved her DKNY jumpsuit covered in little lips (available at Selfridges) which along with red lips and a retro hairstyle, she is definitely set to make her own fashion stamp on the proceedings.

The best audition of the night? 16 year old Janet Deviln (watch audition here.) A little bit Ellie Goulding, a little bit cupcake – this shy, ethereal girl from Northern Ireland was adorable and definitely one to watch.

Credit Buy - Melissa Lo Cosmo Bangles

I really like these Melissa Lo Four Stone Cosmo Bangles.

Available at Austique, you can choose between four colours of semi-precious stones to adorn your gold vermeil bangle; Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Chrysophase or Smokey Quartz.

These would look great on everyone - and they are perfect for the summer, worn alone or stacked.

£120.00