David Beckham's H&M advert directed by Guy Ritchie

H&M are so thoughtful.  Just when you feel unable to cope with being back at work, the dreadful weather and January life in general (yesterday was 'Blue Monday!')  they present us with a fresh new dose of pictures featuring Becks in his undies to cheer us up.  'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' director Guy Ritchie has filmed footage of a scantily clad Becks and his pecks in Beverley Hills for the latest H&M advert due out on February 6th. 

"David makes the perfect leading man," said Ritchie. "For me this felt more than a campaign - it was like directing a short film."   The humorous commercials will debut all the collection's new colours, including red and blue, added to Beckham's Bodywear range just in time for Valentine's Day.  David Beckham commented, “working with Guy has been a fantastic experience. I hope everyone has as much fun watching the film as I had making it…”  Probably a whooooooole lot more David.  That’s an (unw)rap! 

Zooey Deschanel's Golden Globe Manicure

I'm not usually a fan of thematic manicures but I loved 'The New Girl' actress Zooey Deschanel teaming her red silk taffeta Oscar de la Renta gown and Kwiat jewellery with her quirky retro film strip nail art at this weekend's Golden Globes.  ADORKABLE.

Golden Globes 2013

I have made no secret that I LOVE award shows.  I am thrilled that people from all areas within the film industry are annually rewarded for their often extreme and valiant attempts to entertain us… But mainly, I just freaking love seeing all the pretty frocks on the red carpet.  The fashion at last weekend’s 70th Golden Globes may have seemed a tad disappointing to some in comparison to last year’s more glamorous turn out, but I for one actually really appreciated the more fresh-faced actresses wearing simpler, cleaner silhouettes giving the typically bejeweled and fishtailed crowd a run for their money. 

My two favourite looks of the night were those of Thandie Newton (above, in Giles Deacon teamed with I'd-sell-my-granny-for-this-pair-of bubblegum pink heels) and Marion Cotilard (below, in custom-made Christian Dior by Raf Simons accessorised with a leopard print clutch).   Both actresses wore unconventionally shorter cut dresses than we are used to seeing at these Tinseltown ceremonies , and both looked beautifully modern, unfussy and surprisingly natural in a sea of Veronica Lake hair and embellished tulle.

Several red carpet trends (which in turn, usually indicate what will be 'coming soon to a cinema high street near you’) were very clear for us to see – alongside a bizarrely large amount of black dresses (luckily made more interesting with varying degrees of pretty gold embellishment, as seen below) I noticed the following styles having their moment; 

 1)  Peekaboo Cutaways

As seen in abundance on the SS’13 catwalks, cutaway styles and peekaboo detailing is a mehejour trend for this year, one that was shown in all it’s glory a the Golden Globes.  Below (L-R):  Peepo!  Emily Blunt sparkling in Michael Kors, Nicole Kidman and Kate Hudson looking utterly regal in Alexander McQueen and Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors.

2)  Fifty Shades of Red

From scarlet to ruby, from ox-blood to tomato, all the colours of the red rainbow were well represented on the matching carpet.  Below (L-R, Clockwise):  Ben Affleck's Argo-rgeous wife Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood, Clare Danes in vibrant Versace, Zooey Deschanel was fairy-tale cute in Oscar de la Renta, girl-of-the-moment Jennifer Lawrence dramatic in Dior, Naomi Watts in Zac Posen and Marion Cotillard looking aDiorable.

3)  It's Just, A Little Blush 

The Red Carpet made many an actress blush last night, with a bevy of beauties choosing nude tones.  Below (L-R):  Kerry Washington Wow Wow’s in Miu Miu, Meghan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana, Anne Hathaway elegant in Chanel, Amada Seyfried ethereal in Givenchy.

4)  Backless

Rather than strapless, this year's red carpet was all about backless... Just perfect for that 'looking over my left shoulder' pose.  Below (L-R):  Naomi Watts posing in Zac Posen, Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein and Julianna Margulies being Pucci Perfect. 

5)  Fishtailed Fancies

There was lots of swishing and wiggling with beautiful mermaid tails a'plenty at this year's Golden Globes.  Below (L-R):  Taylor Swift looked amazing in Donna Karan Atelier, Amy Adams in Marchesa and the always perfect Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta.

6)  Brits Abroad

Say what you want about their outfits, and a couple of these choices have indeed had some critics on the fence, but the Brits are all about non-traditional, fashion-forward style.  Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the… Carpet.  I salute you ladies.  (Below L-R):  Dotty for Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton, cream of the crop(tops) Sienna Miller in Erdem, Thandie Newton in Giles Deacon and a lady(Mary)like Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier.

7)  Jolie-ing

An odd trend but a trend nonetheless!   Angelina’s awkward right leg thrust at last year’s Oscars obviously had a resounding effect in Hollywood with several actresses at the Golden Globes also putting their best foot (far too) forward for the cameras.  Below (L-R):  Eva Longoria in Pucci, Lea Michele in Elie Saab , Halle Berry in Atelier Versace, Rosie Huntington-Whitely statuesque in Saint Laurent and Heidi Klum in Alexandre Vauthier.

When Bad Dresses Happen To Good People...

Unfortunately there are always some ladies who just… get it wrong.   This year, I think the worst dress was worn by Jessica Chastain (below).  Usually on all the 'Best Dressed' lists, the Golden Globe Award winning actress wore this saggy light blue dress by Calvin Klein. 

Jessica's style travesty was closely followed by Halle Berry (in Atelier Versace - very nineties J-Lo),  Lucy Lu (this Carolina Herrera dress is too big with too complicated a print for the red carpet) and Eva Longoria (just too chesty and too leggy in Pucci – pick just one). 

Credit Buy: Lulu Guinness Perspex Lips Clutch

Coolest Couple Award at this year's 70th annual Golden Globes?  Without doubt, Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton!  Unconventional, individual and  HOW much do I LOVE  Helena's Lulu Guinness red perspex Lips Clutch?  LOTS. Available here, RRP. £245.00).

Trend: Meggings

Ok… I go away on holiday for a few weeks and what happens? Men wearing leggings becomes a trend?? Yes.  This is actually happening.  Errm… #Ew. 

According to my very reliable and oh-so-fabulous sources in New York, the most current fashion trend sweeping across Manhattan right now are men in tights.  Huh?  With The Telegraph reporting that ‘meggings’ (really?!) are "taking the fashion world by storm"  it appears such an ensemble is no longer reserved for male ballerinas or… Medieval outlaws?!  This winter men are apparently following fast in the footsteps of Justin Beiber, Russell Brand and Lenny Kravitz and donning ‘meggings’ (I refuse to write that word without abbreviation marks) with Versace and Givenchy apparently being the most sought after brand.  What could be worse than that?  Oh… I know, how about this  so-called ‘fashion moment’ catching on in the UK? Uniqlo is already selling them on their website and the Boy London 'meggings' sold out at Selfridges within a week.   I can only imagine that with no pockets to hold their wallets (or girlfriend’s handbags to help since they, along with their owners, fled for the hills after the ‘megging’ purchase) Man-Bags (*shudder) will soon be reappearing back into our lives.  Why God, Whhhhy?!!

First Official Portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge Unveiled

If the camera adds ten pounds, does the paintbrush add ten years?!   The first official, highly anticipated, painting of the Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled today and no, you would not be alone in thinking you just woke up in the year 2023.   The portrait, called HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and painted by the artist Paul Emsley. Despite the portrait clearly not doing the pretty thirty-one year old Duchess any justice, ageing her quite dramatically, when affronted with the painting and it’s artist Catherine graciouslyand politely praised the work as, "just amazing. Absolutely brilliant."   Someone get that canvas some eye serum pronto...! 

The London Underground turns 150

Today is the London Underground’s 150th birthday.  In celebration of this occasion I thought I would share with you some facts about the oldest Underground in the world… 

The Underground has the oldest section of underground railway in the world, which opened in 1863. 

The tube network is 249 miles long (or the length of 4.98 million Oyster Cards!) 

The Underground is the third busiest metro system in Europe, after Moscow and Paris.

Each week, the Underground's escalators travel the equivalent distance of going twice around the world. 

In cockney rhyming slang, the tube is known as the Oxo (Cube/ Tube).

In 1924, the first baby was born on the Underground, on the Bakerloo line. 

As Princess Elizabeth, the Queen travelled on the Underground for the first time in May 1939, when she was 13 years old, with her governess and Princess Margaret.

An estimated half a million mice live in the Underground system.  Ew.

The Underground was first used for air raid shelters in September 1940. 

During the Second World War, part of the Piccadilly line (Holborn - Aldwych branch), was closed and The British Museum treasures were stored in the empty spaces.  

One of the early names proposed for the Victoria Line was the Viking line. 

The American talk show host Jerry Springer was born at East Finchley during the Second World War:  his mother had taken shelter in the station from an air raid. 

According to a 2002 study, air quality on the Underground was 73 times worse than at street level (20 mins on the Northern Line has "the same effect as smoking a cigarette")
 
Albus Dumbledore, a character from the Harry Potter series, has a scar just above his left knee in the shape of the Tube map.

Every day over 1000 people accidentally leave something on the Tube;  some past items in include Samurai swords, false teeth, three dead bats and a 14 foot boat.

Scenes from the film Sliding Doors were shot at Waterloo station on the Waterloo & City Line and at Fulham Broadway tube station on the District Line.

The record for visiting all the stations on the Underground network – known as The Tube Challenge – is currently held by Andi James and Steve Wilson, who completed the challenge in 16 hours, 29 minutes and 13 seconds on May 27th 2011.

Wildlife observed on the Tube network includes woodpeckers, deer, sparrowhawk, bats, grass snakes, great crested newts, slow worms. 

Sting and Paul McCartney are rumoured to have busked on the Underground in disguise. 

In the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, Daniel Craig narrowly avoids being crushed by the Circle Line during a chase scene that took him through several tube stations. 

To celebrate the anniversary there is a special 150th souvenir Oyster card on sale.  These cards are limited edition and will be available to purchase from all London Underground stations. 

Versace Goddess Kate Moss

I LOVE this photograph (below) from  Versace’s SS’13 campaign, featuring a bronzed, shimmering Kate Moss dominating three gladiators (Kacey Carring, Veit Couturier and Edward Wilding) whilst looking every bit the powerful goddess.  Set against a dramatic midnight blue backdrop, an illuminated Kate Moss shines in a vibrant orange dress.

Other images from this campaign feature Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy (below left) and Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls (below right).  Donatella Versace has praised photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for the campaign, “Mert and Marcus really outdid themselves, each image is composed like a work of art.”  

I have written about this before (here) but as an aside...  Did you notice that the photographers Mert and Marcus have once again used the same thick coil of rope in their Kate Moss Versace image that they also featured in their David Beckham Armani shoot and their Kate Moss Vogue June 2012 Cover?  This rope needs it's own manager pronto.