Vodafone UK Announces Partnership With Mary Katrantzou

Yesterday morning, over cappuccinos and mini granola berry pots at Soho House, I heard how this Autumn Vodafone UK and acclaimed fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, famous for her graphic print dresses, will enter into an exclusive two-season partnership.  This collaboration will see Vodafone UK supporting Mary’s shows in London Fashion Week and the designer devising a fashionable and innovative way to use Vodafone technology.

Vodafone UK have long championed British fashion, teaming up in the past with other well renowned designers, Christopher Kane and Richard Nicoll (the results of which saw a fleet of London cabs decorated in Kane’s Galaxy print, with mobile phone charging capabilities for it’s passengers, and Nicholl’s unforgettable white leather handbag with in-built phone charger!) 

Danielle Crook, Vodafone’s UK Director of Brand Marketing, also assured me that they will once again at this year’s LFW be providing the life saving mobile phone re-charging units on the front row at the BFC space and pop-up re-charging points at Somerset House – Phew!

(Above L-R: Mary Katrantzou, Danielle Crook and Chairman of the BFC, Caroline Rush)

The lovely Mary Katrantzou, who I had the real pleasure of meeting (left), spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming collaboration, “I am excited to be working with Vodafone, as a brand they have really cemented their credibility and support within the fashion industry over the past few seasons. Their innovation elements really appeal to me and it felt a natural fit to join forces. I'm really looking forward to be able to widen the fashion net to their customers and bring them to the front line of fashion week.”

Danielle Crook, whilst wearing a head turning Mary Katrantzou dress, said, “Mary's bold graphics and iconic designs have attracted a cult following from every part of the fashion world and we are thrilled to be working with her.”  The partnership launches next month and will run across the spring/summer 2013 and autumn/winter 2013-14 shows.  

If you are a Vodafone UK customer you can register for Vodafone VIP online here for the opportunity to meet Mary Katrantzou and watch her catwalk show during LFW.  If you are NOT a Vodafone UK customer... There's never been a better reason to become one!

Super Girl Power at the Closing Ceremony

There was some SERIOUS Girl Power in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night when we were not only treated to an awesome Spice Girls reunion but also to a strutting swarm of stunning Supermodels. 

Ever since Stella McCartney signed up to design the Team GB outfits (unsurprisingly, the most coveted by all other athletes) fashion was always going to play a part in London 2012.  Soooo… Who wore who?

The Spice Girls

Victoria Beckham looked very ‘Posh' in a stunning, custom-made Giles Deacon dress with black Christian Louboutin stilettos.  Ginger Geri Haliwell paid homage to her infamous Brit Award’s Union Jack dress wearing this Suzanne Neville peplum dress, an Olympic inspired tiara and Isabel Marant gold Dicker boots. ‘Baby’ Emma Bunton wore her signature pink in a dress by Maggie Cook with glittery heels.  Melanie C wore a white jumpsuit from JD Sports with some Sporty silver wedged trainers. Melanie B wore a nude cat suit embellished with amazing gold detailing by Lenanese designer Zuhair Murad – definitely more sexy than Scary!  A-Zig-A-Zig-Aaah.

The Supers

This army of British Beauties were a glittering mirage of gold medal hues in outfits created by iconic British designers.  A totally immaculate vision paying tribute to British fashion and it's  Midas Touch. 

The Supermodels were styled by Lucinda Chambers, Vogue UK's fashion director, who nervously spoke from backstage on the night, "It's incredible that Britain, such a tiny country, has such a broad range of talent in fashion, and that's what we wanted to show. We're known for bonkers fashion, but what I hope came across is that these designers make beautiful clothes… that people would want to wear."

Above:  Kate Moss in a mermaid-like, gold and silver Alexander McQueen dress.

Above (L-R): Karen Elson glamourously glistening in Burberry and Naomi Cambell looking beyond radiant in Alexander McQueen.

Above (L-R):  Stella Tennant glitters in a Christopher Kane tuxedo while Lily Cole is effortlessly ethereal in Erdem.

Above:  Lily Donaldson shimmering in Vivienne Westwood

Above (L-R):  Georgia May Jagger shines in Victoria Beckham, David Eye-Candy Gandy wears a suit by Paul Smith and Jourdan Dunn models a Christopher Kane dress and a feathered headpiece by Stephen Jones.

18 carat Fashion Fabulous.

These images appear in Vogue's September Issue - Out Now.

Mila Kunis Returns As Miss Dior

Mila Kunis has returned for her second year as Miss Dior for the French fashion house’s Autumn/Winter’12 handbag campaign.  The beautiful black and white photographs, with their 1960’s film noir feel, were taken by Mario Sorrenti and styled by Carine Roitfeld.

Looking seductive and sophisticated in the campaign, whilst being hounded by paparazzi, Mila recently said that Christian Dior designs are "very classic, very consistent, really elegant, and really beautiful," as these photographs certainly go to show – those handbags are all gorgeous! I’m running off to find a bow for my hair, c’est tres chic!

The Mulberry Bryn

'Four colours, three locks, two sizes, one new style...'

When Mulberry adds a gorgeous new member into its much coveted family, you can count on Alexa Chung (right) and Fearne Cotton (below) to be the first Mulbabes strutting it around town and making us all beyond jealous. 

Celebrities, including Keira Knightley, have gone mad for the latest Mulberry ‘it’ handbag, Bryn, and I can toootally understand why.  With its no-nonsense appearance (the bag was inspired by the Mulberry Brynmore satchel deigned for men) the Bryn is available in four colours and in two sizes... I am LOVING the small 'Flame' red Bryn.

On the Wish List.  Available here from £550.00

Kate Moss: The New Face of Rag & Bone

This autumn sees the American label Rag & Bone returning to its British roots...

After opening it’s first European flagship store on London’s Sloane Street last week the brand has revealed they also plan to show their A/W’12 collection at London Fashion Week and are using British supermodel Kate Moss as the face of its first ever print campaign. The British Rag & Bone designer David Neville, who moved to New York with fellow designer Marcus Wainwright to focus on the label, commented, “Although we are essentially a New York brand, our English roots have always influenced our aesthetic, and casting Kate was another nod to our heritage.” 

Photographer Craig McDean shot the campaign on a derelict North London street using minimal make-up, natural light and a hand-held camera.  The pictures scream COOL.

HAWT - Victoria Beckham in Comme des Garcons

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

Victoria Beckham arrived in London last week wearing this ridiculously awesome trench-cape dress by Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garcons.  Victoria completed her outfit perfectly by wearing some black Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Hidden-Platform Booties, a rose-gold Rolex and her own Victoria Beckham black Granny Cat sunglasses. SO chic and SO bizzarely similar to how I look when I disembark from an eleven hour plane journey...

Lana Del Rey - New Face of H&M

The rumours were true, Lana Del Rey IS the new face of H&M.

The H&M Autumn/Winter’12 campaign, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, will feature the sultry songstress in her signature retro style, with her trademark black eyeliner and pale pout, wearing key pieces from the collection.

Donald Schneider, H&M's Creative Director revealed, "the mood is very LA noir… It’s inspired by our fall collection."   An advert has also been filmed where Lana Del Rey sings 
‘Blue Velvet,’ a 1950’s Bobby Vinton classic.

Also confirmed this week by H&M is its latest designer collaboration for autumn/winter 2012: French fashion house Maison Martin Margiela.
The statement released promised to “bring together the contrasting universes of the two houses in ways that will surprise all.”

Available from November 15th 2012.

Emma Stone - In Vogue

Forget ripped denim and peplums, Emma Stone is officially the new Black. 

In the space of a mere month, the 23 year old Spider-Man actress has covered THREE editions of Vogue and quite frankly, I could do with a few more.

Emma Stone covered July’s US Vogue, and August’s Teen Vogue and British Vogue (the latter, naturally, being my favourite where Emma wears a veritable feast of Autumn/Winter’12 trends and is interviewed by the gorgeous Alexa Chung.)

Emma Stone has long been my ‘one to watch’ on the red carpet and I loved seeing her stunning, highly anticipated, premiere choices whilst promoting the new Spider-Man film, which she stars in alongside her real-life British-beau, Andrew Garfield.

Above: Wow. Emma Stone wearing Chanel and spikey Louboutin's at the LA premiere. 

Above: Day Time Demure 
​L-R: Dolce & Gabanna in Spain, Andrew Gn in Berlin, Emilio Pucci in Moscow.

Above: Gothic Nights
L-R: An Ellie Saab jumpsuit in London, Gucci in Paris, Bottega Veneta in Rome.

Gorgeous, talented and dating Spider-Man. This girl rocks.

The Amazing Spider-Man is at cinemas now. 

Trend: Olive Green

If there is one person’s wardrobe I covet, it would be Olivia Palermo's. The ex-Hills star and renowned fashionista always looks enviably glossy, elegantly accessorized and perfectly put together.

Recently Olivia has been wearing a lot of olive green – recycling her olive green jeans and olive green parka in numerous ways.  Last week she was seen (left) in New York looking like an olive green dream, from top to bottom.

Olive green combines really well with most colours, but Olivia prefers to wear her jeans/parka with white or black, accessorized with ballet flats or heels (usually leopard print - girl after my own heart!) and whopper sunglasses.

I think olive green is the perfect multi-seasonal neutral and a great way to ease your way into the London 'sunshine' (... a gal can dream!)

Luckily for us, Olivia's Olive Green look is really accessible on our highstreets:

I would recommend Topshop for their Moto Leigh Jeans (RRP. £38.00) and their Army Shirt Jacket (RRP. £48.00) or the skinny jeans by Victoria Beckham for a super flattering fit.

Debit Buy: Carvela Kute Sandals

I have seen these oh-so-cute  Carvela shoes being worn by one of my favourite fashion bloggers, the very romantic Parisian Alix Bancourt (of ‘The Cherry Blossom Girl’) and think they are the perfect summer footwear.  Worn with jeans/a dress, in the city/on the beach, they are pretty versatile regardless of which colour you choose. As Alix shows, pink nailpolish looks great with them.

Above:  Pink Kute by Carvela RRP. £55.00, Gold Kute by Carvela RRP. £55.00, 
Light Blue by Carvela (now in the sale) £55.00 £39.00

Available at Kurt Geiger