Blog Title: The 16 Diaries

Don't cry because it's over...

...smile because it happened.

Want all the best in fashion, beauty, celebrities and much, much more? Then head over to my new blog The 16 Diaries.
"Sometimes 16 ain't so sweet..." ~MTV
Check it out for yourself...enjoy!


*Romany*

CFDA Awards 2007

This year, the CFDA Awards' red carpet was just bursting with big smiles and high fashion! But no smile was bigger than the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award co-winner Mr. Oscar De La Renta (shared with Proenza Schouler's Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough).

Here he is with his step-daughter Eliza Reed Bolen, who is wearing a simply gorgeous dress from Mr. de la Renta's Resort 2008 collection.

(left) Fashion mastermind Ralph Lauren, here with Oprah Winfrey (who is wearing a dress by the designer), won the award for Menswear Designer of the Year, and scooped up the coveted American Fashion Legend Award. (right) The Swarovski Award for Womenswear went to Phillip Lim, here with model Irina Lazareanu, in a dress by the designer.

(left) Pierre Cardin picked up the International Award. (right) And Mr Patrick Demarchelier, with wife Mia nabbed the Eleanor Lambert Award.
The winners:
Accessory Designer of the Year: Derek Lam
Swarovski Award for Menswear: David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall
Eugenia Sheppard Award: Robin Givhan, The Washington Post
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Lee Morris
CFDA Board of Director's Special Tribute: Bono and Ali Hewson

And now for the fashion...
(left) Heidi Klum always looks great, even when she's eight months pregnant (she's not eight months pregnant here, though, lol). I love this dress. The colour is so 70s disco (one of my favourite fashion eras), and the shape of the dress just sits perfectly on her. Heidi wears Michael Kors. (right) OK, Diane Von Furstenberg (in her own design) is an undeniable fashion legend of course, but I can only find one good thing about this dress, and that's the colours. Among a sea of dark hues (with the occasional exception) Diane opts for something to lift people's spirits, a little.

Trust the Olsen twins to class up an event, all on their own. Honestly, their style is impeccable. They are wearing pieces from their new couture labels: Ashley in The Row (left), and Mary-Kate in Elizabeth and James (right).

(left) Eva Mendes. Now here's another star who almost always looks flawless. She could win an award for her smile alone. Here with Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa, and wearing a dress by the designer. I love everything about this: the colour, the shape, and the fact that she's kept it simple without over-accessorising or sporting a crazy hairdo. Perfect. (right) If I didn't know that Donna (left) and Gaby (right) Karan were mother and daughter, I would automatically assume they were sisters. The resemblance is striking between these two gorgeous, powerful women, keeping it simple in black and gold, grecian style gowns. My only hang up is Donna's shoes: the straps are a little too thick, but I suppose it doesn't really matter because her dress would normally be covering her feet, anyway.

(left) Vanessa Williams (here with Carmen Marc Valvo, wears a dress by the designer), has an amazing body, and definitely knows how to show it off. The dress is a bit boring, but she's half made up for it by curling her hair and adding some sparkly earrings. She could have used a colourful clutch, or some silver heels (very hot right now) to make it more interesting maybe? I'd give this good. Not great, just good. (right) I can't quite distract myself from the fact that she looks as skinny as a toothpick in this photo. Besides that, however, Selita looks stunning. Simply stunning. Perfect colour, sleek up-do, and sky high heels. Selita wears David Meister.

Lily Cole (in Valentino), Natasha Poly (in Phi) and Hilary Rhoda (in Marchesa). I love it. All three of them look just gorgeous; but this is their job, no? Hilary opts for the grecian goddess theme, Natasha with a more conservative looking cocktail dress, and Lily...Lily is possibly one of the most beautiful girls in the world. Ah, to be a model...

The how-to of bubble skirts

Bubble skirts. The curvy girl's best friend. But, like a lot of things, only when done right. For a while, they seemed to be popping up everywhere. Now you're more likely to seem them on the streets, rather than on the runways. But, as Vogue has showed us here...

...the bubble skirt is timeless.
So now let's take a look at the best (and not so best) ways to pull of the Bubble Skirt.

Do wear a bubble dress with a defined waistline to accentuate your womanly middle. You'll have tongues wagging in no time.
Do jazz it up and wear it to a dress up event (e.g. dinner party? cocktail party?). But jazzing it up simply means adding a bit of jewellery and heels, don't go too overboard.
Do transform this into a winter look as well, by wearing it with a fitted parka, with small buttons.

Try to avoid really pale, neutral colours, especially if you have pale skin. Pale colours will drag the whole outfit down, with a total of zero desirability. The bubble skirt is a statement maker, so back that up with statement making colours too.
Try to avoid a shiny material for the bubble skirt. It tends to make the wearer look bigger.

Don't go crazy on volume. A little bit of oomph is always nice to see; but trust me, you won't be doing yourself any favours by adopting the 'bigger is better' aethestic with this style.
Don't wear a bubble skirt with a top with no neckline. This will cancel out the sexiness you're trying to achieve (especially for big-busted women, it will just make the wearer look saggy).
Don't wear a bubble skirt with a wallpaper-style pattern. Is an explanation really needed?

Kudos to...

Christian Dior Resort 2008

As far as resort collections go, I loved this one! Very flirty, and feminine...and with just a hint of 60s inspiration.

(left) This dress is very flowy and gentle, so why pair it with someone like the über fierce May Anderson? Oh well, the dress is cute. (right) I can see this on a rich, 1950s trophy wife...Am I the only one?

(left) Another very 1950s vibe, with, again, a hint of Vegas glam. (right) This outfit is cute, and could work almost anywhere.

(left) This is my favourite outfit of the show! Everything about it is perfect (well besides the fact that the only place one could wear would be around the house or at a very exclusive pool, of some sort). (right) Strange shape, but very pretty colours. Another one that can only look good on a slender girl.

(left) I change my mind -- this is my favourite outfit! Beautiful colour, beautiful hair and makeup, and worn by the dazzling (but unseemingly young) Chanel Iman. (right) Wow I cannot believe how Vegas some of these pieces are...But, rest assured, it's Vegas chic. Overall, I'm not actually sure about this outfit. It could use some sort of a defined waist.

(left) The Grecian styled floor length dresses of recent collections are all gorgeous in their own ways. This one is great because it also has a distinct Egyptian feel. (right) I like this one. I don't love it (although I'm loving the colour), but I definitely don't dislike it. It's pretty, but not beautiful. There is definitely something about it that I like, but there is also something that I don't. I can't really put my finger on anything. This is is very tricky.

The collection's two most gorgeous floor length gowns. (left) I can defintely see this dress on the gorgeous Eva Green (Casino Royale)...I think it would be to-die-for on her. (right) And this one...I'm getting 4 different vibes...Mischa Barton; Jennifer Garner; Drew Barrymore and Sienna Miller...I wonder who it would look the best on? What do you think?

(left) Another gorgeous gown. The bottom seems to be caught under her foot, I can just see an accident here. But what this dress may lack in practicality, it makes up for in beauty, so it's all good. (right) A maxidress with a difference. The difference being material that makes this look like it would be very uncomfortable. And an extra layer underneath. Sorry, I'm just not feeling it.

(left) Grecian, Grecian, Grecian. If this style weren't so drop dead gorgeous I'd probably be absolutely sick of it by now! Ok so it doesn't look grecian at first, but look closer and you'll see it. The frills are a cute addition, and proably what's keeping me from going mad. A lovely easy, peaceful colour too: that's always nice to see. (right) I must admit, this strikes me as a strange choice for a last outfit on the runway. The model seems unable to support the dress, and even looks a little uncomfortable, but then again, it could just be a bad picture. Nice colour, but the rest is too busy for my liking. Mismatching bags look great when done right. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times.

A chance find

I was strolling through Chadstone yesterday, and passed a shop that caught my eye (well my ear, really -- I can't resist Fergie's 'Glamorous'). Mango, aka MNG. I first went in because I saw that bags were selling for 30% less than usual, and realised that I'd never even been into this place before. I loved it! It was exactly my style.


Ok so I didn't get to buy anything, because I'm on a budget right now, but you can bet I'll be back there as soon as I get the chance! If you're willing to fork out a couple of hundred dollars for certain items of extreme style and beauty then this is the place for you. Sassy knitwear, metallic bags, hot clothes, awesome music and occasional discounts, MNG has it all!
Want to check it out? Click here to see where your nearest store is.

Enjoy!

*Romany*

Heat up your winter wardrobe: Night wear!

1. Copying this look is easy. Just grab a big, voluminous coat (if you're going to go for coloured, make it block colours, otherwise onlookers will get dizzy just looking at it if it's too busy; if you'd prefer going for plain, dress it up with a nice brooch, or a sparkly belt that will fit around the waist), throw on a light coloured dress, and slip into a pair of dark tights and heels. Perfect for a chilly winter's night on the town.
2. This outfit is very daring, and that might not be everybody's cup of tea. Also, this kind of look can be very contrived, so replicating it would take a lot of time and careful consideration. To take away the complication, just go with the basics: a zig-zag print top, paired with a dark brown skirt (or jodhpurs, if you're brave enough), dark tights and knee-high boots (make sure pants are tucked into boots, if wearing jodhpurs). Not for tha faint-hearted, but very worth the effort.
3. If it's cold out, this is a great option. Big, bulky jacket, balanced out with tights and heels. Belt optional (I, personally, think the belt gives it a sexy edge). Easy, sexy and oh so chic.

1. Love it, love it, love it. If I saw anyone wearing something like this when I was out, I'd die of envy. Big white torso-length coat, under layer is up-to-you (though opt for light colours to avoid going too overboard), light tights and heels. Easy and oh so worth it.
2. This top is beautiful; but it can look a bit pyjama-like so maybe sport this style (medium-density, flowing grey knit; paired with light tights. Bottoms are optional) when you're not going to be in front of too many people. Then again, if you've got the legs (and if you're brave enough), go for it, of course.
3. This is more a friendly-get-together outfit. But also good for a night of clubbing. Easy to replicate too: thin, oversized top? Check. Micro miniskirt to give it a kick? Check. Bright coloured stilettos making legs look as long as Gisele's? Hell yeah.

1. This is great because it's so cool, yet mature at the same time. Somehow I can just see this being worn at a book club meet or local poetry reading. Signed up for one of those? Why not treat yourself, and jump into oversized poncho-styled jumper (dark colour is advised, but not essential), pair it with dark tights and heels and you're set to turn heads.
2. and 3. These two are very similar, and some may say too shiny to be worn on an ordinary night out. But if this floats your boat, go basic to avoid becoming a busy mess: gold dress, fitted jacket (any colour, as long as it doesn't clash with the gold) and heels. The headband is such a classy addition, be sure to include it (with almost any outfit. As far as I'm concerned, there really aren't enough headbands around).

Best (and not so best) dressed at the Met's Costume Institute Gala

There were 3 standout best dressed stars at this dazzling event, in my opinion:

1. Camilla Belle....I don't think I've ever seen a person look more stunning. Hands down winner. Gaultier Paris Couture.

2. Cameron Diaz in this beautiful, voluminous Dior by John Galliano gown! What can I say? It's all perfect...the turquoise accessories are an excellent addition to this already gorgeous outfit. 2 big thumbs up from me.

3. At first glance, this dress seems like a strange choice for Mary-Kate, but give it a chance and you'll see that it's actually a perfect choice. The layers compliment her tiny frame, and the colour looks great with, what looks like, a slight tan that she's rocking here. Lily et Cie.

Rihanna's outfit is absolutely gorgeous...My only hang up is the glove. I'm just not feeling the edge she's tried to give it. Besides that it's lovely, though. Georges Chakra.
Killer outfit for a killer body. Is that tan real? Is Ivanka's hair really that soft? Wow, she's lucky. Jason Wu.
A+ for the dress alone, but Molly's skin tone is slightly washed out next to the gown. A sparkly accessory could have jazzed it up, but very pretty none-the-less. Armani Prive.

Quite plain, but something about it is making me unable to look away. Helena's hair makes it all the more easy-going. Calvin Klein Collection.
Very pretty Alicia, in Armani Prive.
Hilary is so classically beautiful. And it appears she has great style too. All the traits of a top model. Vintage Balenciaga.

Amber Valletta, Stella McCartney and Scarlett Johansson. Tres, tres chic. All in Stella McCartney.

This dress is really pretty, and I love how Raquel has done her hair. She doesn't really look like she's having fun, though, does she? Vintage Balenciaga.
I love America's dress. It's such a classic. But she could have afforded to dress it up a bit, with some cute accessories, maybe? Phi.
Jessica Stam is definitely one of the most gorgeous models out there...she could probably wear a potato sack and still look great. Dior couture.

I love this, it's so retro! It seems that Eva is always on the best dressed lists. She's with the designer of her dress, Michael Kors.
Kate Moss, in her own design for TopShop. It's safe. Safe isn't always a bad thing, but it's not Kate's usual style. Oh well, the dress is nice.
Kate Bosworth looks really pretty in this 1940s style Prada cocktail dress, with the right hair and makeup to match.

Caroline Trentini looks so much taller than Vogue's Hamish Bowles here. I really like the dress, it's cute and simple, and the nice bright colour gives it that extra kick. Vintage Balenciaga.
Gisele looks very modern in this somewhat space age style Yves Saint Laurent gown. Very now, with all the futuristic trends appearing in the collections showing at fashion shows around the world. She looks fierce. But then again, she always does.
Gorgeous gown. Really, really gorgeous. I've only seen Renee make one red carpet mistake in recent years. This is definitely not it. Carolina Herrera.

I think Ellen looks really lovely here. The posture sort of drags it down a bit, but otherwise a really pretty outfit. She has such gorgeous piercing eyes, and a really strong face. She's looks like she'd be really fun to hang around with. Michael Kors
I love Jennifer Garner. She can do no wrong in my eyes! She's with the designer of her gown, Valentino Garavani.
I'm not sure about this. Cate usually looks stunning. Her makeup does here, but the dress isn't really doing anything for her. She's with the designer of her gown, Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquière.

No comment.

Heat up your winter wardrobe: Workwear

1. This outfit is sophisticated, feminine and classy, with one of the most flattering jacket shapes around. If office uniform is strict, replace floral under-dress with shirt and pencil skirt.
2. Obviously this coat is to be worn with bottoms of some sort. A great and flattering option for those who want pretty and practical at the same time. Bell sleeves? So hot right now.
3. Very stylish and sophisticated -- prepare for an increased workload, promotion offers ensue (assuming promotions are based on looks alone at your place of work. Lol.). Belts are perfect for work wear, adding sexy definition to an otherwise boring office outfit. Leather accessories optional. Lol.

Some others you might want to consider...
1. Grey anything is great for work -- very practical, but can be sexy if worn with the right contrasting colours and accessories.
2. A black trench coat with a defined waist (beret optional) -- an absolute classic, for any occassion.

Heat up your winter wardrobe: Casual wear!

Here are some of the latest styles to hit the runway for this winter. A little guide showing you how to stay on the cutting edge of fashion while you're hanging out with friends or just hanging out at home, this winter...

1. This outfit (mini skirt, tracksuit jacket, tights and heels -- all dark coloured) effortlessly mixes comfort with sass. A beret gives everything an edge.
2. An dark-hued outfit heavy on layers is sure to keep you warm in cold weather -- "less is more" make-up is an essential addition; let the volume of the outfit grab everyone's attention.
3. I fell in love with this coat the minute I saw it, so I just had to recommend it. Bell sleeves are making their way into the collections of many designers, so be the first to covet this trend before anyone else does!

1. The dress is fun, so the blazer gives it a sophisticated edge. Considering winter is coming up, pair this with tights, instead of bare legs.
2. Top heavy outfits are so hot right now...make sure the colour combination is light on top, dark down the bottom to contrast the shapes. Perfect for a concert, or even if you simply feel like looking good while doing the grocery shopping.
3. This is more of a going-out look, but the pants are great at all hours of the day. Flares are, as far as I'm concerned, the best kind of pants as they flatter every body shape (transparent top not advised, but optional).

1. This outfit is so playful. You can be sure it's the comfiest out of all the choices. One could wear it anywhere, and still be the envy of everyone around. If colour boldness isn't your strength, wear a darker skirt with a lighter pull-over.
2. I love this, it's very shapely with understated femininity. Shows off curves. One could possibly even get away with wearing this to the office (paired with pants or tights of course), depending on how strict the dress code is.

Hope this helps!

Hot new trend: Houndstooth

Of the many retro trends being re-created recently, hounds tooth seems to be the most appropriate for winter.
Like many of this season's trends (which I am loving more than any other season, by the way) hounds tooth can be worn in a variety of different ways. Such as...

and...

and...

A Black & White Affair

The black and white striped knit is one of those classic pieces of fashion history that can be worn to/with almost anything. The Black and white cardi is one of my all time favourite pieces of clothing, one that's everywhere, but I still can't seem to find the perfect one. I guess I'll be searching forever...But in the meantime it's just nice to look at others, like this dazzling Dior from his A/W 05 collection (left). The length of this particular loose knit makes it a perfect choice for a fun and sexy night out, hanging with friends, or trying to impress someone special.

Jayson Brunsdon at RAFW

Wow...all I can say about the Jayson Brunsdon show is that it was stunning. A tad repetitive, and some would consider it safe, but I don't care because I think it's beautiful.
Jayson, as one of Australia's leading evening wear designers, shows the rest of 'em how it's done.

Ah, what did I tell you? Samantha Harris (middle) has been doing the rounds in runway shows, ad campaign shoots and magazine work all around the world...Young Samantha is definitely well on her way to becoming one of Australia's busiest international models.

Lisa Ho at RAFW

I have to admit, I wasn't too fond of the first half of this collection, but Lisa Ho has always been a favourite of mine so I kept browing and came across some really beautiful pieces.



The smock dress is so hot right now, I'm not at all surprised that it's shown up in almost every designer's collection this season. I really like this dress...It just gives a very easy going impression. (right) I'm pretty sure this is a bathing suit, but even if it isn't it's still devine...The jacket is a perfect match.



I don't really like the shape of this dress on the left, but I think the colours are so beautiful I just had to include it....The dress on the right, what can I say? I'm so glad that shirt dresses are everywhere because I, personally, think they're just gorgeous! They make every woman look like Jennifer Aniston ;-).



(left) I can't even describe how much I love this dress...It's definitely my favourite of this collection. (right) This dress is very simple and elegant, and has a very Greek Islands feel. I'm pretty sure I just saw Anna Coren wearing this at the Logie's (the Aussie version of the Emmy's pretty much).



These dresses are gorgeous as well...simple, elegant and again, very Greek Islands...perhaps grecian will be a new trend for this season?

*Romany*

Matthew Eager at RAFW

This collection from Australian fashion veteran Matthew Eager was one of the most diverse I've seen this season. A nice mix of evening wear, (what could be considered) work wear, futuristic, and floor length, flowing grecian summer dresses. There was a lot of material used more than once, but considering our current environmental situation, every kind of recycling is good recycling :-). I loved too many of the outfits, so there's a lot here, but they're all beautiful.















*Romany*

Fleur Wood at RAFW

This was a very simple collection from Fleur Wood. I found myself being reminded of a small country town in the American south. Fleur used what looks like a country-style house as a backdrop, to add to the southern feel. This collection was very practical, which I loved, but it was also very pretty and feminine (which I also loved ;-).



This first dress is so perfectly matched with the theme of the show. I don't think I love this one, but I can't stop looking at it, so I don't know what to think now. The outfit on the right is very cute. Quite plain, but in a good way. One could imagine wearing this to work on a balmy summers day.



(left) I love this dress! Everything about it. I would buy it right now if I could. It's pretty, feminine and practical (although maybe not so much for me, in the bust area). (right) This is probably my least favourite outfit of all these, but I thought I'd put it up just to show that there was some diversity in the collection, and that it was edgy as well as homely.



I love the colours of the left outfit. It's very spring, but very autumn as well. However, it doesn't look like it could be worn by anyone besides a supermodel. That being said, it could be used as a this-will-motivate-me-to-get-in-shape outfit perhaps? The same could be said of this (right) outfit, I guess. Although this one at least covers the arms (a weak spot of mine, I must admit). This one is also quite plain, but still quite pretty.



I love this dress on the left. It looks like it could possibly be used as a contemporary wedding dress...The colour, the shape, the material...perfect. (right) This outfit seems a little out of place. Perhaps Fleur strategically placed all the outfits in a lineup that demonstrates the transition this collection goes from southern to modern, this being the last outfit? I don't see the point in that though, it's just a silly thought I had. The outfit in itself, is quite nice. Well styled. A tad boring, but I still like it.

*Romany*

Bowie at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

This is another collection at RAFW that I loved. Despite the fact that it's one of the most sought after Australian fashion labels, I hadn't heard much of Bowie before, but I was perusing Vogue.com.au and saw his collection, and now I love it!
It's not necessarily everyday wear, and there aren't any evening gowns...this collection is really hard to categorize...but that's good. It's fashion that makes you think ;-). It's quirky but glamorous at the same time, with a hint of punk.








*Romany*

Alex Perry at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

Wow. I really like this collection. I have only recently discovered Alex Perry's beautiful designs, ever since I started watching this year's Australia's Next Top Model (I wasn't really paying attention to the judges last year), and have been thoroughly impressed.
Although I (along with many other regular sized teenaged girls and women in the world) could probably only ever dream of fitting into his dresses, looking at them serves just as much pleasure. :-)
Alex Perry is not what you'll find yourself wearing on the everyday occasion, unless you're famous. The label is full of evening gowns...and boy are they stunning.
Here are a few that stood out:



Ok for the first outfit out, he probably could have picked something a little more interesting, but the dress (if you can even call it that, it's so short) is still very pretty. It's glamorously athletic :-). (right) I am loving the bubble dresses (again, it's so short it's hardly a dress) of recent SS collections. The colours are very winter-y though. But we can never get enough winter in my opinion.



The dress on the left is a little bit plain, but I put it up here because I love Sam, the model. She's gorgeous, and is definitely on the fast track to making it big. (right) This dress is very fitting with the futurisic styles showing up in fashion weeks around the globe. Again, it's a bit plain, but I love the shape of the dress.



This rainbow dress is stunning, that's all I can say. The green dress on the right is cute, but it would work better as a top, in my opinion. I like that he's created a signature style for this collection: the neck-brace thing is of-the-moment.



(left) I love this dress, some people say that floral designs for spring are boring and predictable, but I think they're gorgeous, when done right. This is an example of floral done right. (right) I don't know what to think of this dress. I think I like it...Maybe it's just the model's facial expression that's putting me off..?



I am about 90% positive that the model on the left is Steph H from Australia's Next Top Model...am I the only one? The dress on the right is (like the other rainbow one) absolutely stunning. It's even better because it's being modeled by Miranda Kerr. :-)



(left) Ok now I know this model is Alice from Australia's Next Top Model. And I swear I saw Danica in one of the dresses before as well....maybe they're the final 3? Maybe this is the final challenge? We'll just have to wait and see...The dress on the right is simply perfect for a final outfit. Simple, elegant, and has the neck-brace thing again. Love it.

Can't wait for his next collection!

*Romany*

Vanity Fair goes GREEN

I love that alot of magazines are now joining in the hype of putting out green issues. Especially this months Vanity Fair. I have never previously read a copy of Vanity Fair, but I saw this on the stand today and thought, well I may as well support them, right? I made a good decision. This issue was so informative, my brain doesn't know how to process all this new information. It's full of useful tips, tasty exposés, profiles of celebrities who are helping to save the planet, and showing how much you're really contributing to the Global Warming Crisis.
I also was glad to see that Leo DiCaprio's upcoming GW documentary was mentioned alot, and a sneak preview was even included. I'm looking forward to the doco and I'm so happy that people are becoming more and more aware of his environmental acitivism, and will hopefully follow in his footsteps.



I thought I'd include a very meaningful quote from David Suzuki (like the car ;-), from the issue:

Economists don't include all of the things that nature does for us for nothing. Some technologies would never be able to do what nature does. For example, pollinating all of the flowering plants. What would it cost us to take carbon dioxide out of the air and put oxygen back in, which all the green things do for us for nothing? It's possible to do a crude estimate of what it would take to replace nature. Well, it turns out, (one researcher) estimated it would cost us $35 trillion a year to do what nature is doing for us for nothing. Now to put that inot perspective. If you had added up of the annual economies of all the countries in the world at that time, it would come to 418 trillion . So, nature is doing twice as much service for us the economies of the world. And in the madness of conventional economies, this is not in the equation.

Too true...

*Romany*

Victoria's Secret: no make-up still equals Beautiful

I was looking on People's website yesterday and came across this video. I thought it was really interesting. The angels are fairly natural, sans their wings and hair done. I think they might be wearing a tiny bit of make-up though. They still look beautiful, because they look like really nice girls, very friendly and just happy to be there.
The Models of Victoria's Secret

They've landed themselves on People's Most Beautiful list this year. I think they definitely deserve it. They're all healthy girls, none of them look emaciated in the slightest, and they're all about natural beauty and happy being women. They may be lingerie models, but it's all very tasteful.
I've always loved Karolina and Adriana! I'm so glad they're on the list this year.
P.S. Did anyone else notice the absence of Gisele??

*Romany*

Calm before the storm

Ok so by now most people have probably heard about the whole Stella-McCartney-for-Target-opening-fiasco...Something I would have probably been present at, had I known about it...If you're looking for that footage, look no further Stella McCartney Launch YouTube
But I had a different idea...I thought some might want to actually see the clothes as they are meant to be (on the catwalk), instead of the clothes, at the height of the chaos of the opening, ripped in half, hanging off a woman who has bite marks on her arms...?



Sorry, the photos are really small, but I though it was worth a look anyway...
There was alot of grey and black, very Stella McCartney.



I went into Target a few days after the craziness died down, and I don't remember seeing any clothes like this...maybe I wasn't looking hard enough...?

*Romany*

Music to an aspiring designer's ears...

I was searching online for a competition to post on here, for fashion designer's looking for their big break, and came across this one:

Nolcha Fashion Week International Fashion Design Competition: Silhouette

It seems a bit low-key, but they've name-dropped enough to have me convinced...besides, exposure is sometimes just what you need.

More bags of the future...

Anya Hindmarch has made and environmental tote bag. A fashionably cute one too. And it's currently sold out. But I'm not worried...this bag will be hanging off my arm in no time :-)



Soon we'll (hopefully) be saying "gone are the days of strolling in the park and getting smacked in the face with a used and dumped plastic bag. No more marinimals"(Ha I just made that up)"dying from swimming in polluted waters."
It's heartwarming to see people doing their bit for the environment. At least now we're on our way to having a Green Earth to look forward to.

Click Here to keep your eye on it

*Romany*

How do you say that?

Ok, so earlier I said I'd be giving help with pronunciation...well I thought I'd round up a few names of designers that are commonly struggled with:
Let's start with the seemingly simple Givenchy: I was clueless up until about a year ago, but if I had a dollar for every time I heard a story about someone getting into trouble (with some sort of fashion authoritarian) for pronouncing this one the way it looks (gi-ven-chee)...
Correct pronunciation: jhee-von-shee
Guy Laroche: You'd think it'd be simple enough wouldn't you? You'd be wrong...
Correct pronunciation: Gi La-rosh
Hérmes: the h is silent, and the s at the end is said like a z....er-mez...(some like to say 'air'-mez to make it sound fancier)
Christian Lacroix: christian (stays the same) la-qwa
and last but most definitely not least Yves Saint Lauren: eve-sahn-lore-ohn

Until next time...
Hope it helps!

*Romany*

FEEDing the world...one bag at a time

Now you may or may not have heard about this, but none-the-less I think it a very worthwhile investment.
Lauren Bush, Honorary Spokesperson for the World Feed Program, has designed an everyday bag with a difference. By buying this awesome bag, you'll be feeding an impoverished child in school for one year.
19 cents a day or 34 dollars a year can transform a child's life and provide the tools for a lifetime of self-reliance. School feeding is a simple but effective way to beat hunger and poverty.
Designer Lauren Bush says "...the most hopeful thing I have seen during my travels is WFP's school feeding program, where kids are given a lunch meal in school each day. This is incentive enough for kids to attend school when they might not normally, and the meal is nutritious enough for kids to stay healthy and engaged in their studies. It is truly inspiring to see kids, who are born into extreme poverty, in school eager to learn and improve their lives!"
It's a sturdy and fully reversible bag, made out of natural materials, such as cotton and burlap.
The bag costs $59.95 and can only be purchased here on amazon.com
$59.95 is all it takes to save a young child's life...(wow there I go sounding like an ad voice over again.)


*Romany*

All hail Alannah Hill

As you can probably tell from the name of this blog, i love femininity! Especially feminine fashion...It's is the ultimate expression for a female.
So it should come as no surprise that my favourite designer is the über feminine fashionista Alannah Hill. Hailing from Tasmania, before moving to Melbourne at 17 and was almost immediately snapped up to work in a fashion store, this glamazon started her mega successful label 9 years ago.
Ok so i know this is the SS collection from last years Mercedes Australian Fashion Week, but I just loved it so much I had to show it. Alannah describes this collection as being "inspired by love, sex, glamour, chocolate and ornaments on a mantle piece. The collection is opulent with beautiful long florals frocks, which go on forever..." Couldn't have put it better myself...:



(sorry if you can't see it that well) This opening outfit (left) is so original...Elegant, yet fun and flirty at the same time. The hair sort of bothers me though. I love the colours of the second one. They work so deliciously together. The necklaces are perfect, and the shoes are devine.



These two dresses are my favourites from this collection. The black one is feminine, chic and with a hint of vamp. The brown one is playful and could be worn anywhere with the right accessories.



These ones are a little less my style. I originally thought the girl in green was wearing a skirt, but then when I looked closer I noticed they were high-waisted shorts, and that put me off a little, but the colours are lovely, and the shoes and necklace are pretty cute. I like the purple outfit more. This is more of an everyday/work outfit. I fell in love with the colours the moment I saw them.



I love love love this floral dress! There were quite a few dresses like this in this collection, but this was my favourite. It's very country club brunch on a sunday afternoon type of dress :-). The blue dress, I'm not sure you could actually wear this out. It's more of a nightgown. But it's still the cutest nightgown I've ever seen.



What I love about Alannah Hill is that she's daring. You wouldn't find many headpieces like this in an ordinary SS collection. This dress is so cute, but again you probably couldn't wear it out.
And the designer herself. Instead of the usual jeans and t-shirt with a headset, she's dressed to the nines at her own fashion show. Gotta love that.

*Romany*