New Face of Dior: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence's adverts for Miss Dior were released earlier this week, and now a new behind-the-scenes video now also gives us an insight into the making of the campaign.

"Dior represents beauty and strength in women and that's how I feel when I'm wearing his clothes... It just makes you feel so confident… Being part of something with such incredible history is an honor..."  Jennifer Lawrence.

Amazingly, when Jennifer saw these photographs on the Oscar's red carpet last week, she remarked candidly, "that doesn't look like me at all. I love Photoshop more than anything in the world. Of course it's Photoshop, people don't look like that."

HAWT: Alexa Chung in J.W. Anderson for Topshop

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.

During London Fashion Week fashionista Alexa Chung nailed the ‘Winter White’ trend at theJ.W.Anderson A/W 2013 show by teaming a latex J.W.Anderson for Topshop off-white skirt (not available on line yet) with a cream cable knit sweater.  By adding contrasting black accessories and a pink pout, Alexa created the perfect cosy/chic ensemble.

The Oscars 2013

Last night I was invited to watch the all singing and all dancing 2013 Oscars at a party hosted by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody on a Santa Monica rooftop.  With macaroni cheese, margaritas and milk duds, it was an evening of pure Oscar awesomeness where I also won the sweep steak for predicting the most award winners.  Thank you Gary! 

Seth MacFarlane’s was a brilliant  presenter (his 'We Saw Your Boobs' song was hilarious!)  and amidst the awards for this year’s most enjoyable films (and what seemed like an inordinate amount of musical medleys) there were, of course, the all-important dresses… 

My Favourites Looks: 

Below (L):  Jessica Chastain shimmered in her custom-made bronze Georgio Armani, complemented by vintage Harry Winston diamonds.  The actress revealed that she chose the Old Hollywood-style dress as it said ‘Happy Brithday Mr President’  at her!  Below (R): Naomi Watts - a sure fire winner in this futuristic Armani-Prive dress with unusual neckline.

Aside from these two gorgeous dresses nothing completely blew me away, or made me Bjork-Gasp in style-horror either.  Well, having said that there was...

Jennifer Lawrence tripping up the stairs collecting her Best Actress Award (thankfully she styled it out, Phew!)  K-Stew’s hair (it’s the OSCARS Kirsten, could you not have brushed your hair this one time?! ) and Renee Zellwegger’s outta-this-world (literally) presenting style… "I’ll have what she’s having!"

Some key red carpet trends I noticed on the red carpet were as follows...
 
1)  Pale and Interesting Neutrals

Above (L-R):  Amanda Seyfried in McQueen, Anne Hathaway in Prada and Charlize Theronin Christain Dior Haute Couture.

2)  Go Big or Go Home Gowns

Above (Clockwise L-R):  Jennifer Aniston in Valentino, Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta,Sally Field in Valentino and Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Haute Couture.

3)  Sparkling Metallics 

Above (Clockwise L-R):  Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott,  Jessica Chastain in Armani, Halle Berry in Versace, Naomi Watts in Armani Prive, Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herreraand Catherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad.

4)  Backwards Necklaces

Above:  Both the night’s Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress wore their necklaces backwards.   Jennifer Lawrence slung her Chopard diamond bead necklace behind her, and Anne Hathaway’s tassle-infused Tiffany & Co necklace also faced backwards. 

My Favourite Oscar Style

So many perfect Oscar dresses have walked the red carpet in the recent years but these four stood out to me.  Fashion-forward, unique and award-winning in their own right.

I cannot wait until this Sunday!  I'm thrilled to actually be in Hollywood for Oscar week... 

Above:  (2006) Michelle Williams in Vera Wang.  My favourite Red Carpet look EVER. 

Above:  (2008)  Marion Cotillard in scallop detailed, mermaid-style Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Above:  (2011) Cate Blanchett in beautifully detailed and intricate Givenchy Couture.

Above:  (2012) Gwyneth Paltrow in the most stylish caped Tom Ford gown. 


Trend: Canary Yellow

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Here comes the sun... Ok, kindof!   We all knew Canary Yellow was going to be a big and bright SS’13 fashion trend after DKNY tickled us with their NYC Cab hues and then more delicate tones soon followed in the Zac Posen, Jenny Packham and Carolina Herrera spring runways.  On last week’s freezing, snowy EE BAFTA's red carpet, Marion Cotillard (in Christian Dior) and Rising Star nominee Andrea Riseborough (in Vivienne Westwood) bravely led the way, both looking stunning in their LYD (Long Yellow Dresses!)   
Lemon, Canary, Mustard… Get ready for the highstreet to flood with an array of glorious sunshine shades – just add some simple jewellery and pouty red lips... 

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Above:  To emulate the feathery Bridget Bardot or Girl-Of-The-Moment Lena Dunham (at this month's Grammy Awards):  Rag & Bone Knitted Ribbed Dress - RRP. £195.00, Nars Nail Polish in Amchoor (designed by Thankoon Panichgul of Thankoon) - RRP. £14.50, Whistles Structured Tee - RRP. £75.00, Topshop Mustard Brocade Cutout Dress - RRP. £59.00.

Musical Moment: Haim ('Forever')

I Wish We All Could Be Californian Girls... like Haim.

As I’m currently in LA I feel it both right and proper for my next Musical Moment to come from, Haim.  Influenced by 80’s pop and early 90’s R&B, these Californian sisters, Este, Alana and Danielle Haim, are about to be HUGE.  I love this song.  It reminds me of Gloria Estefan's '‘the rhythm is gonna get you,” and makes you want to dance around your bedroom.  A seeerious girl anthem.  

 

"Forever I see you and me, forever I'll try for you and I,
No I never believed in their insight, just another good reason to get it right..."

HAWT: Rihanna in Azzedine Alaia at The Grammys

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.

The 2013 Grammy Award for Best Dressed on the night, without a shadow of a doubt, went to Rhianna! How incredibly glamourous did she look in this beautiful custom-made Azzedine Alaia dress, accessorised with Neil Lane jewelery, Manolo Blahnik heels and a bright red pout? Dazzling and show-stopping. A red HAWT Valentine’s Day tribute.

Debit Buy: Bianca Jones Lotus Flower Necklace

I love this elegant 18ct Gold Vermeil Lotus Flower Necklace (above) designed by award-winning, London-based jeweller Bianca Jones. Inspired by peaceful love, the Lotus Flower signifies purity and beauty.  Delivered to you in a vintage style envelope with a hand-tied ribbon, this is the perfect present for a loved one… or yourself.  But preferably yourself.

RRP. £64.00
 
Bianca Jones' Cards (left) designed and printed by hand in collaboration with the illustrator Tessa Dunlop, are also seriously worth stocking up on. THEY’RE Ace.
 
RRP. £1.60

Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes

Pancake Day... My favourite Day!

Bruce Paltrow's World-Famous Pancakes

Recipe from 'My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness' by Gwyneth Paltrow

INGREDIENTS (serves 6)

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs (preferably organic)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1/2 tsp per batch to grease pan
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
About 1/2 cup whole milk
Maple syrup

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, 3 tbsp butter and buttermilk in another bowl. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Cover batter and let rest overnight in the refrigerator. Heat a large greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add milk to batter until it reaches desired consistency; the more milk, the thinner and more delicate the pancakes. Working in batches of three pancakes, spoon batter onto griddle or skillet. Cook until surface of pancake is covered with bubbles, for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle warmed maple syrup over pancakes; serve. Yum!