Friday, August 3, 2012
Whitney Port asks fans to fund her fashion show
Here's a concept not even the most cash-strapped, fledgling design talents of East London have thought of: general public fundraising.
However, Whitney Port - one of the stars of the MTV reality TV series The Hills - is one step ahead of them and has appealed to her fans to donate money to fund her forthcoming Whitney Eve catwalk show.
In a video appeal, entitled 'Road to the Runway' Port says: "I'm doing something that's never been done before: the first-ever fan-supported fashion show at fashion week in New York. That means I'm asking you, the friends and fans who've made everything I do possible, to join the crowd-funding campaign."
The "crowd-funding campaign" hopes to raise $50,000 (£32,000) to pay for the venue, make-up artists, models, production and publicity costs in order to stage her show at Manhattan's Lincoln Center.
Port, who is thought to be worth $3.5 million in her own right, hails from a wealthy Californian family and launched her mid-price label in 2008. Her designs have been sported by the likes of Nicky and Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum.
But a donation from a generous fan doesn't even necessarily equal a presence at Port's show: donors will be picked at random and rewarded with makeovers, bracelets or, if they're very lucky indeed - a front row seat.
Usually, small labels in need of a cash injection will look to corporate sponsorship deals or mass-market collaborations to raise funds, and as Whitney Eve is reportedly financially backed by Port's father, the appeal is all the more unusual. As fashion shows are industry-only events, attendees are never expected to pay for tickets.
With 39 days of her appeal left, Port has raised $2,661 . We'd like to say we wish her all the best, but…
Via: Whitney Port asks fans to fund her fashion show
Justin Bieber disses Prince William's hair
Off with his head! Big-haired teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has dared to dispense hair advice to our, ahem, breezy crowned future king, Prince William.
With all the subtlety of a teenager with a luscious head of hair, and no thought that he may one day boast an 'island of tranquility' up top himself, Bieber told Rollercoater magazine:
"I mean, there are things to prevent that nowadays, like Propecia. I don't know why he doesn't just get those things, those products. You just take Propecia and your hair grows back. Have you not got it over here?"
Easy as that! You just pop a pill, and hey presto, you'll look just like the Bieber yourself by breakfast. Why didn't anyone tell Wane Rooney (AKA Weetabix Wayne) that? Poor lad could have saved himself a fortune, not to mention a life of being ribbed in the dressing room and tabloids.
Prince William's 'island of tranquility' has famously been evolving into a 'sea of tranquility' since his early twenties, a fact which hasn't stopped him becoming a top international heartthrob and snaring a total McFittie for a wife. Plus he even knows there's a country called Germany where they speak German - a fact Bieber was totally unaware of…
Bieber, stick to the preening teen routine and leave William to grow old gracefully. Oh, and maybe stock up on the Propecia yourself. If that hair even does start to thin, what will you be famous for?
Via: Justin Bieber disses Prince William's hair
Still Styled to Rock? Henry Holland and Nicola Roberts take our style challenge
After August 12 there will be no more Olympic nail art to enjoy, no abundance of toned abs to marvel at, and no supermodels to spot in the stands … so thank god for Rihanna, and her new fashion talent TV show, Styled to Rock , to keep us sartorially entertained well into the new season.
READ: Olympics fashion latest
The Bajan popstar, who is also the show's executive producer, is on the hunt for undiscovered fashion talent in London and has invited 12 unknown designers to take part in creating outfits for various pop personalities. Each week a designer is knocked out and the finale will see two designers battle it out to create a stage outfit for Miss RiRi herself.
WATCH: Rihanna's new TV show teaser
Rihanna has called upon her stylist Lysa Cooper, designer Henry Holland and Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts to front the show and judge the talent. Henry, a self-confessed Big Brother fan, who started his own label, House of Holland, six years ago says the show is the sort he would "watch religiously", while Nicola, who was hand-picked by Rihanna to feature in the series says the singer is "really fun, really lovely" and is "passionate about the whole process."
The Telegraph was invited to meet Henry and Nicola, so we used the opportunity to dig out old photos of the duo and critique each other's looks...
TAKING ONE FOR THE BAND
PHOTO: Rex
Henry on Nicola's look circa 2003 (after much giggling): There's a good story behind this: the reason I have chosen this is because when I worked at Smash Hits magazine I did a 'Get the Look' on this particular outfit and I did an itemised way of how to get this look from Nicola. So I went and found a top - this was my job! - I found little blue wristbands; I found a white belt like this - god knows from where - and I did all the different pieces.
Nicola on her outfit: It's so funny because when we first got into the band I was seventeen so you're aware of clothes and how you feel in clothes but not aware of fashion. That to me is totally being dressed by a stylist, trusting a stylist, and taking one for the band.
THE GLASTONBURY
PHOTO: Rex
Nicola on Henry's festival style: This outfit, oh my god, you are so doing it for me. I think that your legs look amazing and that the colour pop of pink is just so pretty and fresh and summery, and I love the collaboration between the monochrome and the blast of colour pop. The quiff's looking particularly fresh. I also love the tribal bangles.
Henry: I'd blown up two people's winnebagoes' electricity doing my hair that day.
NICOLA'S MISH-MASH
PHOTO: Rex
Henry: For me, this is Nicola now, and I love it. It's really her and it's a real mish-mash of things which shouldn't work but really does and I also chose this because I saw this on a best-dressed list and I thought that was really wrong ("Did you?!" Interjects a wide-eyed Nicola). I really like that's it you with your hair, and less fake tan and it's more like you as a grown-up.
Nicola: I really am not afraid to try things at all. I actually get more enjoyment out if it when things don't necessarily work together, that feeds my creative level and my eye for fashion. I li ke when it has a direction. I can't quite say why, but I thought that it looked quite good together.
THE 'HAGGY'
PHOTO: Rex
Nicola: This is at the height of Haggy, where they were doing a Posh'n'Becks (lots of giggling). I think they complement each other brilliantly. I love the fact they have the same print on. She [Agyness Deyn] looks incredible; her body in that looks amazing, she looks so striking and I love the fact that Aggy's hair is down and Henry's is slapped up. I love the mis-match of colour and that Henry's got a rucksack and his little slippers.
Henry: This was all my collection; we only had one suit and we shared it - that's a joke - it looks like that though! We look like Jedward!
Styled to Rock starts August 14 on Sky Living HD at 9pm.
Via: Still Styled to Rock? Henry Holland and Nicola Roberts take our style challenge
Watch: Agyness Deyn for Dr. Martens
We've not seen or heard much of Agyness Deyn since she secretly and surprisingly married actor Giovanni Ribisi in June this year, but hopefully that's about to change with the launch of her debut range for Dr. Martens on August 15.
The Oldham-born model-turned-actress has collaborated with the famous boot makers on a collection of clothing, accessories and footwear, all of which is said to take inspiration from grungy Nineties power couples like Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
IN PICTURES: Agyness Deyn through the years
To celebrate the launch, Deyn and Dr. Martens have made an arty film in which she dons her new designs. Deyn, who swaps her trademark peroxide mop for a flame red bob, rebelliously cruises around California with a punky friend, graffitis walls and steps fully clothed into swimming pool whilst narrating "I'm very hard to pin down, I'm not a bird that would adapt well to having their wings clipped" and the like.
Deyn first started working with the brand in 2011 when she became the campaign star for their autumn/winter 2011 adverts, but her relationship with their footwear was founded a many years ago when she bought her first pair of Dr. Martens boots aged 13.
IN PICTURES: Models turned actresses
Since then she has continued to wear the brand's best-known lace-up ankle boots and brogue styles whilst championing the Nineties grunge style revival, and has been credited with helping them to achieve record sales over the last year. The label is currently for sale for a reported £200 million .
"The brand is a great fit for me, as it stands for strong character and being able to shape your own personal identity," Deyn told WWD back in March when the collaboration was announced.
Deyn, 28, will next appear on screens later this month when her film Pusher - which sees her play Flo, a cocaine-addicted stripper - is released. Following that, she'll star alongside Peter Mullan in the Terence Davies-directed Sunset Song, which is scheduled for release next year. Based on the 1932 novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon, the model will play Chris Guthrie, a young woman facing a life of hardship following her mother's suicide, her ill father's subsequent incestuous advances and the loss of her husband during the First World War.
Via: Watch: Agyness Deyn for Dr. Martens
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Giorgio Armani: I've sacrificed life for fashion
Victoria Beckham says she has sacrificed her smile for the sake of her fashion career, but Giorgio Armani claims to have forfeited a great deal more for his.
As one of the greatest living designers of the contemporary age, he's estimated to have a personal fortune of $7.2 billion dollars and every season tickets to his catwalk shows - both ready-to-wear and couture - remain amongst to most sought after by editors all over the world. But it appears even phenomenal success, and money, do not equate to happiness for the 78-year-old Italian designer.
"Life, I have sacrificed life. The life of a young man when I first started out and the life of a grown man at the age I am now," he tells the latest issue of Elle magazine, before admitting that friendship and personal happiness have been hard to find. "It is even more so now. Even harder, which is very sad because life is all about friendships, discovering people's personalities, falling in love, not just once or twice, but often. In a word, life. To live in the world. For example, I don't know Milan. People tell me of Milan [He has lived in Milan since 1957]."
IN PICTURES: Emporio Armani autumn/winter 2012
He's a reluctant icon, putting his status and success down to simply luck, and the start of his career down to financial need as opposed to creative destiny. His views on fellow Italian designers such as the trend-led Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana are equally as gloomy. "These designers have no reserve. They've chosen a path and thrown themselves onto it head first, regardless of everything. Whether or not their designs are sellable or vulgar. As long as it's new and people talk about it. That is the truth."
His approach, he says, is "completely different", and in particular it is his non use of famous supermodels on his catwalks that sets him apart from other designers of his calibre. "During a fashion show, I want the clothes to speak. The effort I put into my work must be respected. Far from the catwalks, however, it is personality that must come to the fore, as well as the capacity to interpret a dress - a brain is more important than a body."
We're so used to larger-than-life, extroverted designers that it's rather a shock to hear Armani's less-than-happy demeanour so evident in this interview, but, equally, it's also refreshing to see one that isn't perpetuating the stereotype too.
Read Giorgio Armani's full interview in the September issue of Elle, on sale now.
Via: Giorgio Armani: I've sacrificed life for fashion
Alexa Chung to star in Gossip Girl
We're used to seeing snaps of Leighton Meester and Blake Lively tramping around New York in designer ballgowns and Ugg boots filming their hit TV series, Gossip Girl, but Brit style icon, Alexa Chung, upped the fashion ante on set yesterday.
The 28-year-old model and TV presenter, who relocated to the Big Apple in 2009, was pictured walking to her trailer in an Azure-blue, short sailor style dress and kitten heels.
IN PICTURES: Alexa Chung's award-winning year in style
While its unclear what Chung's role in the sixth and final series of the show - which follows the lives of a young, beautiful and privileged clique in Manhattan - will be, filming took place in her new neighbourhood: the Lower East Side.
Red-lipped Chung could be seen clutching a bag of Cheetos and a can of orange soda, and then tweeted a photo of the empty bag of crisps and a Galaxy caramel captioned 'So lunch was tasty'.
READ: Alexa Chung channels her Sixties side for Maje
Chung follows in the footsteps of Liz Hurley, who played a 'cougar' in the last series and seduced Chace Crawford's character.
We wonder if there's any lip-locking in store for Chung… fellow Brit Ed Westwick, perhaps?
Via: Alexa Chung to star in Gossip Girl
Jaime King: She Wears It Well
Model-turned-actress Jaime King appeared in my idea of the perfect day-to-evening dress earlier this week.
It's a look from Giambattista Valli's pre-fall 12 collection and it ticks a lot of my current What I Want From a Dress boxes: midi-length hemline, pleats, demure cut but interesting colour combination that lifts it above the ordinary. This is a dress that could see you not just through a meeting (a classy meeting, yes, and with people who appreciate a bit of style - let's not waste this garment) but onto drinks and dinner.
It's also an excellent choice for a late summer wedding. And I can imagine this would go down very well with all those fashionable ladies at Frieze, the contemporary art fair which comes up again in October. Worn with one of autumn's statement coats (see Céline and Chloé for the premium versions) it could have mileage well into the winter months. In fact, for the pre-fall look book Valli had this styled with polka dot black tights, underlining my point very neatly.
Via: Jaime King: She Wears It Well
Victorias Secret already upsetting Bond Street neighbours
Upmarket department store Fenwick's, which is situated opposite the soon-to-open VS store, is allegedly "concerned about the potentially provocative window displays and the kind of shoppers it will attract" to the area, reports The Evening Standard .
IN PICTURES: Victoria's Secret opens in the UK: what to expect
The lingerie brand's choice to locate their flagship UK store on New Bond Street - which is home to mainly luxury labels such as Burberry and Miu Miu - is already controversial as in the US they are very much a high street brand with high street prices.
Victoria's Secret's first London store opened in Stratford's Westfield shopping centre - which lies right next to the Olympic Park - last week with no fanfare. As yet, no confirmed date has been released regarding the opening of the much bigger Bond Street store, although it is expected to coincide with the Olympics and to have some of the brands 'Angels' such as Alessandra Ambrosio , who will be in London to attend the Closing Ceremony of the Games, in attendance.
Via: Victorias Secret already upsetting Bond Street neighbours
The Last Emperor strikes back: Valentino retrospective heading for Somerset House
Six yapping pugs, his signature shade of red, and that signature skin-tone of teak: these are just a few of the many of things fashion has missed since Valentino Garavani's retirement five years ago.
Now Italy's greatest couturier is set for a long-overdue retrospective. A new exhibition opening at Somerset House this November will present over 130 couture commissions designed by Valentino for clients including Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sophia Loren. These will be presented around a Valentino "catwalk" along which visitors will negotiate their way through the thematically arranged collection of gowns, trouser suits, miniskirts capes and kaftans.
READ: Valentino: the musical?
"Each of these designs have a beautiful story," said Valentino for a press note released by Somerset House today: "The atelier crafted each so diligently by hand, taking hours, sometimes days to complete… The dresses have rarely been seen, so to be able to showcase these designs at Somerset House, where they can be seen in great detail by the public is very unique."
The exhibition - entitled Valentino: Master of Couture - will open with a room of photographs and keepsakes from Valentino's personal archive. Visitors will then take to that dress-displaying catwalk before finishing with an installation of Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece's ten-types-of-lace Valentino wedding gown, and a room dedicated to the Valentino atelier.
READ: Valentino: The Last Emperor
That atelier, in Rome's Piazza Mignanelli, is now under the highly praised creative control of Valentino's successors Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Valentino: Master of Couture opens at Somerset House on November 22 and will run until March 3, 2013. For those who cannot bear to wait that long, a viewing of the 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor comes highly recommended. Stand-out quotes from the man himself include "I don't care about the collection. My dogs are much more important."
For more information see somersethouse.org.uk
Via: The Last Emperor strikes back: Valentino retrospective heading for Somerset House
Micro trend: Body chains
Body chains are by no means a new phenomenon - have a quick hunt on Google and you'll see that ladies who make a living by shedding their clothes have sworn by them for years...
But along came Rihanna (another shameless poseur, pictured above) and upped their fashion credentials with a fondness for body chains of the fine jewellery variety. The Bajan pop sensation has been repeatedly spotted with a $2,3150 (£1,475) white diamond filigree body chain by jeweller Jacqui Aiche dangling around her midriff, most notably on her various holidays.
IN PICS: Rihanna's holiday wardrobe
Diving; snorkelling; wherever she goes that faithful chain stays put - heaven knows we wouldn't take something that fine and pricey for a dip in the sea, but then that's one of the many differences between us and RiRi...
In the same vein, earlier this month, while ogling over Victoria's Secret pin-up Candice Swanepoel's bikini body (below), we noticed she too favoured frolicking in the Miami waters in a delicate harness style chain.
Candice Swanepoel on holiday in Florida complete with harness. Right: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley chooses chain over bra> Photos: Rex
It seems that British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley may have kick-started the trend last year after she was snapped wearing a thicker style in St Barts with her beau Jason Statham. Rumour has it she picked it up at a local boutique, and then eked more wear out of it by pairing with a tuxedo (above), a trick which teen star Miley Cyrus went on to emulate at the Billboard Music Awards… which then leads us to camera-hungry TV star Kim Kardashian cottoning on…
All the usual high street suspects such as Asos, Topshop and New Look have their interpretations, but we can't guarantee you won't return from holiday with a rust-encrusted torso. A parting word of advice however, unless you work at Spearmint Rhino, maybe stay away from Topshop's bra version…
Via: Micro trend: Body chains
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Ted Baker's new Ottoman empire
I swear I only popped into the launch of Ted Baker's new Ottoman Lounge in central London to show a face and to blag a light beard trim. About two hours later I emerged into the late evening sun, blinking, woozy, a lot spaced out. That's the kind of effect "magic hands" Ergun, one of Ted's team of charming Turkish barbers, has on a man.
To explain: I got the beard trim all right (and very pleased with it I am, too), but then found myself talked into having a shampoo, like you do. Only shampoo doesn't begin to describe the pummelling, kneading and trance-inducing massage that go into a hairwash in Ergun's hands. It's more like schmeissing (Google it!) than anything you might get down at Greek Tony's in the parade. Schmeissing or being shoved through a carwash.
Still, I'm not complaining. It was all very invigorating, Ergun blow-dried my fringe into something like Phil Oakley's circa Mirror Man , a nice woman from Essex saw to my nails as Ergun did his stuff, and two days later I was back - this time for a pedicure and blissful facial, which was so relaxing that I nodded off.
If you're the type of man who disapproves of facials on moral grounds, the walk-in Grooming Room upstairs, which has been open a few years now, might be more your thing. It's all very blokey, with men flicking through copies of Nuts or talking about football as they wait for a crew cut. But the new bit downstairs, the Ottoman Lounge, whose opening coincides with the launch of a new range of Ted Baker grooming products, is appointments only and markedly more metrosexual, though they'll still flame your ears if you want them to. Prices start at £30 for the Ted's Shaving Grace package, which includes a full-on shave with hot towels etc and a massage and manicure. Oh, and as much Turkish coffee as you're man enough to drink.
PS Check out the ziegler "rugs" in the photo, which are actually images laid into the resin floor. Clever or what?
Ted's Ottoman Lounge and Ted's Grooming Room, 31 Theobalds Road, London WC1 (020 7831 6463; tedsgroomingroom.com )
Via: Ted Baker's new Ottoman empire
Inside Jacquetta Wheelers fairytale wedding
Hot on the heels of heiress Margherita Missoni's recent wedding , Jacquetta Wheeler has tied the knot with her own beau, Allsopp.
The statuesque model, who was discovered by photographer Mario Testino, picked designer friend Alice Templerley to design her fairytale gown.
IN PICTURES: Stylish brides through history
"She wanted a really soft, delicate dress," Temperley told American Vogue , who chronicle the big day in the latest issue.
It took ten embroiderers in Mumbai a month to create the appliquéd tulle dress, bolero and veil, which featured artwork such as forget-me-nots, dog roses and "Wheeler wheels" from in and around Wheeler's family castle.
PHOTO: US VOGUE/ Robert Fairer
Ah, the venue: unsurprisingly, the couple tied the knot at Chilham Castle, the 15th century estate bought and painstakingly renovated ten years ago by Wheeler's parents, Stuart Wheeler and Tessa Codrington.
"T'was the happiest night of my life indeed" Jacquetta, 30, wrote on her blog . "I loved my dress that Alice made for me more than anything else (apart from my husband!), I could have floated around in it for weeks. I keep dreaming I am still in it! And of course having all the people I love most in one place was beyond special."
Hiring the company who managed the pyrotechnics for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations for their fireworks, guests then revelled the night away well into the early hours in a Moroccan-themed nightclub-come-souk.
PHOTO: US VOGUE/ Robert Fairer
Via: Inside Jacquetta Wheelers fairytale wedding
Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker team up for Glee
We can't say we're fans of US musical cheese-fest Glee , but news of who is going to be involved in the next season has suddenly got us interested.
Not only will Sarah Jessica Parker be a recurring character on the upcoming season but she'll be playing a Vogue editor and she'll be dressed by Anna Wintour.
Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy revealed to his Twitter followers: "Guess who's helping us with Sarah Jessica Parker's costumes on GLEE? The amazing Anna Wintour!" Just last week Ian Brennan, fellow co-creator and executive producer of the show, also revealed that "Sarah Jessica Parker is gonna be running Vogue.com" to AccessHollywood.com .
Parker will be starring alongside fellow Hollywood actress Kate Hudson who is set to play a dance teacher in the next series, and both ladies will be following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow who played a much-publicised part in the last series.
We're not entirely sure how SJP's character will fit into a show based around a high school singing club but we are really excited to see how Wintour will style her, especially as the actress will basically be playing a caricature of the famous editor.
But if you're thinking it's a slightly odd tie up of talents then think again - we already know SJP and Wintour are friends ( remember that Obama fundraiser ), plus Wintour's daughter Bee Schaffer currently works for the production company that create the show.
Via: Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker team up for Glee
How Mr Kate Moss gets dressed
He's best known as Mr Kate Moss but behind the supermodel lays a rocker with just as much to say about style as his sartorially-lauded other half.
Whilst his wife could pull off a scabby bin bag with aplomb, Jamie Hince isn't so lucky. "Hoodies. Can't do that. Trainers. I can't wear trainers. They look good on the shelf, but as soon as I put on a pair of trainers, I'm disgusted," he tells the September issue of Esquire . He's had his fair share of awkward style moments too, citing a childhood spent in jeans with elasticated waistbands and clothing knitted by his mum.
IN PICTURES: Kate Moss and Jamie Hince's wedding
Now, having found his fashion path, he opts for the heritage look: "I just know what I like. I love that real old English thing, like Richard E Grant in Withnail and I . What a brilliant look - a high-waisted girl's coat with pleats!" That will explain why he's been spotted in some of his wife's threads then.
His ultimate style icon, he says, was the late artist Lucian Freud. "He always looked immaculate. We went to see him when he was ill in bed, and even then, at the age of 80-odd, and in just his pyjamas, he still looked completely incredible."
But despite being married to arguably the world's most famous model and style icon and mingling with the industry's biggest names, Hince is still not completely at ease with the fashion world, saying he feels "f**king stupid" if he finds himself front row without his wife by his side: "The show thing I find awkward. Why am I sitting there in the front row, unless I'm with my wife?"
Don't worry Jamie, whenever you feel that way just remember you're the man who gets to go home to Kate Moss and we're pretty sure you won't feel "f**king stupid" for long.
The full interview appears in the September issue of Esquire, on sale August 2. Also available as a digital edition.
Via: How Mr Kate Moss gets dressed
Why Keira Knightley hates the front row
It's August 1, which means it's only one month to go until the merry-go-round of fashion weeks kick off. However one face we are unlikely to see smiling back from the much-hyped front row is Keira Knightley.
In pictures: Keira Knightley's greatest fashion hits
The apparently camera-shy actress, who is the face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, has revealed: "I would totally sneak in the back! And sit in the back row. This sounds ridiculous but I don't actually like having my picture taken and I tend to avoid anything where I have that..." she explains.
Knightley in the magazine. Photo: Ellen Von Unwerth/ Harper's Bazaar UK
The 26-year-old, who recently announced her engagement to Klaxons musician James Righton , hasn't been seen at a Chanel show since 2010, but that doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate the magic.
"I love seeing [the collections] as they were presented. Because it is art, when you see it. And the couple [of shows] that I've been to, they were absolutely extraordinary" she tells the new issue of Harper's Bazaar .
IN PICTURES: Stylish celebrity couples
She describes Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld as "amazing" and admires the fact that he is an "avid reader", adding: "And he speaks about five different languages, so he'll be rattling English to you and French to somebody else, and German to somebody else, and then the phone rings and he's speaking in Italian."
Full interview in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar on sale Thursday 2nd August. Also available as digital edition.
Via: Why Keira Knightley hates the front row
