Tales From Thailand Fashion and Other Stuff 6

The highlight of my fifth day in Bangkok was undoubtably the great honour of having a private meeting with the South African Ambassador to Thailand, Ms Ruby Marks. Let me tell you, we have met some impressive women on this trip - not least of all Ms Baiyoke who took us for dinner at the top of one of her towers, the tallest building in Thailand. But as extraordinary as they have been, none resonated with me like my girl Ruby. And the result of that is that I WANT to help her meet her targets for her tenure in Thailand.

Our ambassador loves shopping on 36Boutiques. Loves SA fashion. Loves vintage style - especially the classics like Chanel. Loves a good red lipstick. Loves the idea of bringing SA fashion to Thailand. And won't wear the plentiful fakes that abound in the city. How can she not be a woman after my own heart? And that she has the credentials as both a struggle veteran from the Western Cape and a resume to rival anyone, makes me believe that she will get done exactly what she promises. Her focus, drive and insight make her one of the most impressive politicians I have met. And Thailand is lucky to have her. I am looking forward to the opportunities to work with her moving forward.

Aside from that, I am sad to say that our activities in Bangkok have come to an end and we are heading off to Chiang Mai first thing tomorrow morning. Of course more exciting fashion adventures await when we get there, so hang onto your hats, Monday will bring all sorts of new stories.

PS: This is what Chiang Mai looked like in September last year. I am hoping that things have improved since then as I didn't pack my Hunter's!!

Marion Cotillard Covers Wall Street Journal Magazine July 2012

As an old goth, I am rather enjoying this return to the dark side that is so fashionable right now. The deep red lip, the heavy brow, the black and the pensive all remind me of my own style in my youth. And considering I am a heartbeat away from buying a new pair of Dr Maartens, I think that maybe the style may be catching up with me again. It has for Marion Cotillard, who goes goth for the cover and inside story for the Wall Street Journal magazine July/August 2012 issue.

Photographed by Josh Olins, this story celebrates the natural elegance of the French actress as she is busy in New York filming her next movie.

I believe the story is supposed to reference the new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, which has her play the supposed one true love of Batman. Whatever it is for, I think that it is wonderful. She is unparalleled and stunning. Enjoy.

Cat Deeley Style

Cat Deeley is bringing the spangle back to our TV screens (well I hope so in SA), as the new season of So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 gets into full gear in the US. As a member of my fantasy fashion book club, it is important that we track Ms Deeley's outfits. So just to give you a taste of her recent shimmer, she attended an event the other night in a high street sequin top from All Saints and a flowing maxi skirt from Mulberry - classic high-low dressing. 

Then last night, for the 200th episode of SYTYCD, she wore what I suspect is her friend Matthew Williamson's pink spangle. A complete delight really. So which look do you prefer from Cat's closet this week? I am going for the boho maxi. You?

Blake Lively Schools Us in Red and Yellow Style

The lovely Blake Lively is on a promotional tour for her new movie Savages. As a result we are seeing loads of lovely style statements from her, after being quite quiet for some time. And if Wednesday's offering was a silent symphony of pale, yesterday's was a riot of bold colour. And you know what, I loved it so much more.

Blake kicked off the morning in a brilliant red trouser suit by Michael Kors. Bloody hell, I love this on her. It looks cool and interesting and challenging and awesome. The shoes are brilliant. Louboutin of course. And the pony tail is my favourite way to see her hair.

Later she attended at premier. This time she was in sunshine yellow Gucci. Flowing to the ground, the gown had a deep plunging v-neck and halter. The fishtail plait was inspired. And the turquoise jewellery shows you how confident she is when styling herself. Love it.

Royal Style: Bea Pips Pippa at the Style Post

Yesterday both Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton made public appearances. On an average day, you would be pretty sure that putting your money on Pippa would be a sure thing in a style-off. Not yesterday.

While Princess Bea looked amazing in a Roksanda Ilincic dress with contrast cuffs and co-ordinating Nicholas Kirkwood shoes, Pipps let us down.

Pippa, attending the Wimbledon tennis champs with her bro James, looked unforgivably dowdy and dumpy.

That squared-off jacket with the a-line skirt is bad proportionally. When combined with that heavy wedge shoe, it is just ridiculous. She looks like she has dressed up in her nan's clothes. Goodness me. Is she trying to look more demure or something? What the hell. Please will someone have a word? Thanks awfully.

Tales of Thailand Fashion and Other Stuff 5

There was no shopping in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. At least not by this crew of South Africans. First of all we woke up exhausted after four non-stop days of activity. And we headed off to the BIFF & BIL 2012 show at their ICC. This is the Bangkok International Fashion Fair. After watching the opening ceremony and a collection of several Thai designers, I conclude that fashion shows are identical the world over. It was cool. The models were much smaller than any others I have ever seen, but lovely. And there was lots of sheer, neutrals, flowing maxis and inset panels. As you would expect.
By the time we left the show, we knew a lot more about Thai fashion and were hysterical. Almost anything was making us laugh till be thought we may faint. Never have I travelled with a more lovable and fun bunch of fashion people.

And then we arrived at the house of Jim Thompson, and American who revived the international trade in Thai silk and then disappeared in a forest never to be seen again. He was an architect originally and had built this extraordinary house of teak that we all wanted to move into immediately. Honestly I didn't want to leave.

Signature Jim Thompson silk has elephant designs on it which are absolutely wonderful. Of course I wanted to buy them, but they were a little out of my price range sadly. If anyone want to buy me a gift, please consider this. Although you can't get them online yet as Thailand is a bit slow on the online shopping uptake it turns out. Who would have guessed that?

After an amazing lunch and tour of this iconic home, we headed off to something that is now one of the top three highlights of the trip. The Thai Design Centre. OMG. Seriously. It was like we died and landed up in a Thai version of our heaven. We are all going to work together to see what we can do to bring this concept to South Africa - specifically Cape Town for 2014. AMAZING.

The Design centre comprises an exhibition of inspiration - containing all the iconic design elements of the 20th century, divided into country of origin. For example the US has Levi's, Harley Davidsons, Eames chairs and Barbie. While Italy has Armani, Ferregamo, Alessi and Vespa. Amazing. A tour through this cannot help but inspire you to be creative and innovative.

The second part of the Centre contains a texture/surface/textile reference room. Stacks running parallel to each other down the length of the room, containing reference samples, explanations and origins of the most mundane and bizarre of materials. It is the most tactile fun you can have outside of the boudoir, I can guarantee you. And then there is the reference library. Every book on every conceivable element of design and creativity is there for use in the library. Desks with computer and power points, as well as casual chair groupings and even a couple of lounging beds make up the space in which you use these books and magazines. There is also music and movies to inspire you - with pod-like media rooms in which to enjoy these activities. If there was ever an answer to the question on how to get learners learning and researching and studying, this design centre is it. I cannot believe we got to see something so wonderful. We are all very, very lucky travellers. More fashion adventures up tomorrow. Speak to you all then.

Danni Minogue for InStyle Australia. At Last.

Many of you would have forgotten the other member of my fantasy fashion book club, seeing as she has all but disappeared off the radar for the past year. Just as a refresher, the book club members are me, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Cat Deely and Dannii Minogue. And just yesterday I managed to find the latest pics of Dannii from her native Australia.

They were shot for the new July 2012 issue of InStyle, and were shot on a boat, off Hayman Island in Oz. How stunning do they look? If I wasn't having a brilliant time in Bangkok at the minute, I would be booking my ticket to Hayman Island in a heartbeat.

Dannii is wearing mostly her own designs, Project D, which she designs with her friend Tabitha Somerset-Webb. Although that is a Louis Vuitton case she is carrying, of course. What do you think? Cool images, right?

Emma Stone in Burberry. Twice.

Yesterday the lovely Emma Stone wore Burberry. Twice in one day. Let us count the ways. First she popped out during the day in her local area of New York City in a classic Burberry trench coat. Emma has worn this coat at least twice before so we know it is her personal item and not a stylist's loaner. Nice to know, right?

Later she attended another charity function with her man Andrew Garfield. At this event she was wearing that ADORABLE doggie print t-shirt, also by Burberry. She teamed it with a jacket and her favourite skinny Rag & Bone jeans and Chanel flat shoes (just like mine...)

The last Burberry motif I was all over was that owl one that Lady Mary wore on the weekend. Now I am all about the puppies. Such a fun trend for next season. I don't think that I am going to wait that long. I just need to make a decision as to which critter I am going to choose. Any suggestions?

Behati Prinsloo for Vogue Germany

African Angel, Behati Prinsloo, is having quite a year. In between her duties as an Angel for Victoria Secret, this Namibian super model is racking up the campaigns (Sea Folly), the celebrity boyfriend (Adam Levine) and the high fashion editorials - this time for Vogue Germany July 2012.

The photographer of this shoot is Thomas Schenk and the story was shot for the fashion supplement of this summer issue.

The story was styled by Lynn Schmidt, the hair was by Uli Wissel and the make-up by Christine Corbel. And what a job they did!

I didn't recognise Bee at first - and I look at lots of pictures of her! But the styling is very different to what we usually see her do - which is almost always beach or lingerie style shots.

High fashion seems to be working for her though and I adore the sweetness that she brings to an editorial style that can verge on the camp.

With this story Behati proves that she can go high fashion but that she will never be the sulking-in-the-corner style girl. Which is a relief. There are plenty of those girls around.

Behati was recently in St Barts shooting some Victoria Secret with her bestie Candice Swanepoel. And whenever those two get together, there is bound to be a Twitpic. This is the most recent one from that trip. It's a bit small butit is adorable. Lovely local girls.

Blake Lively in Marchesa and Jenny Packham - You Decide Which Is Best

Yesterday Blake Lively was on one of the late shows in the US to promote the new movie Savages. She arrived for the taping in a stunning, flirty Jenny Packham dress which was in the softest of pink and had an embellished neckline detail.

The deep wrap scoop was tastefully done and the length perfect for her. She complemented the dress with even more embellished Louboutin heels.

She exited from the show wearing a not too dissimilar dress - this time by Marchesa. More elegant and sophisticated, but less girlish.

There was an embellished detail and this dress was white, but the differences were minimal. So it is over to you guys. Which one was best. Do you prefer your Blake coquettish and young. Or do you prefer her sleek and sensuous? Pick a side.

Thailand Tales of Fashion And Other Stuff 4

Yesterday in Bangkok we did a LOT of stuff. It was a never ending day filled with succulent, delicious and beautifully coloured fruits, displays of great beauty and craftsmanship and super cool shop tours. And shopping. Lots of shopping. That's what happens when you take fashion people to stores, they shop. If you are ever in Thailand and you want to buy local, look for stores called AIIZ - they are 100% Thai and have AMAZING on-trend pieces. That mint green blouse with the collar - WITH COLLAR TIPS - will stay with me for a long time. Collar tips. Awesome.

The people we meet are so lovely and so appreciative of our interest in them, it blows my mind. I mean there are great opportunities for business, but my job here is to experience it all and tell you guys about it. Maybe I need to do it in person though, because I don't know if I am a good enough writer to convey  how gracious the people are, how cool the fashion is and how incredibly rich the cultural experiences. I am loving every minute of my time in this sensational city.

We did visit the Exhibition of the Masterpieces - essentially examples of the local crafts of Thailand. Ahem. Yes well, it is craft but not as we know it. This is artisan skills of the highest order. No little trinkets here - unless you mean the gold leaf clutch bags with filigree jewels as the clasp? Or maybe you mean the silk embroidered wall hangings that evoke more depth than Monet's Water Lilies? Or the hand carved wooden screen with stories to tell every time you see a new piece? Whatever you thought craft was, let me tell you it isn't that. It is gold and beads and beetle wings that shine and glisten like diamonds. These beetle wings put sequin to shame. I am determined that I shall posses a piece made with beetle wings before I leave these shores. Maybe not tomorrow, but some day soon. I'll keep you posted. Till then, I am off to the fashion fair. Later.

PS: Apparently thousands of the iridescent beetle wings from Thailand were used in the costumes for onse Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsman costumes. I totally get it.

Ed Westwick for Garance Dore and Philipp Plein

I love Chuck Bass. I know it seems difficult to rationalise, but I do. The Gossip Girl character is played by English actor Ed Westwick, who was asked to open and close the show for Philipp Plein at the Milan men's wear shows this weekend. He was also interviewed by blog idol Garance Dore, who took this first picture. Amazing.

Apparently Chuck, I mean Ed, looked a bit awkward on the runway, but his facial hair more than made up for it. It has that edgy cool vibe. He looks dangerous, even if by all accounts he really isn't.

Emma Stone in Carven at the Empire State Building

Emma Stone, her boyfriend Andrew Garfield, and the cast and directors of the new Spiderman movie headed to New York's Empire State Building yesterday to turn on the lights to indicate support for the charity Be Amazing Stand Up and Volunteer. A mouthful I know.

For the occasion Emma wore a Carven dress and Louboutin heels. Only my favourite favourite of all the designers. Loving that collar. Sigh.

Of course the couple were adorably cute and larked about taking pictures of themselves. How can you not LOVE these two?