Was November Carey Mulligan Style Month?

Last month we established that Freida Pinto was the 'it' style girl of October. This month I am pretty sure it is Carey Mulligan. Not only has she been named the best dressed of the year by Harpers Bazaar, but she also took her wardrobe on a bit of an outing as she promoted her latest movie with Keira Knightly and attended lots of functions.
Plus, she is somehow managing the short-hair-awkward-growing-out-phase particularly well, so she needs double props for that. Just not something a lay-person can do that well.
Also, let us not forget that November was the month that Carey was named as the actress to play Daisy Buchanan in the VERY stylish Baz Luhrmann remake of The Great Gatsby. Can. Not. Wait. For. That.

How To Do Casual Chic: Ginnifer Goodwin and Whitney Port Show Us

I will be honest, as ever. Neither of these women are on my style radar. Whitney lacks credibility and misses as often as she hits. Ginnifer is super, but I often forget about her she tends to keep to a signature style that fails to excite. Never bad, as such, just forgettable.
Until now. We all know how hard it is to do smart-casual or dress-down glamour. Or whatever the invite says that means this same thing. Looking smart, presentable and as if you have made an effort, but not looking over dressed. Sigh.
So here is the formula:
1. Expensive leather somewhere n the outfit places some value on it. You will look expensive - and your host will appreciate it.
2. Neutral shoes look more expensive too, and can be affordably purchased.
3. A skinny or slim leg jean, cargo pant or silk trouser will be comfortable and appropriate. Keep colour in the blue/green/black range and the darker it is, the more formal it will be.
4. A nice loose top, tee or blouse.
5. A leather jacket. Cropped and ladylike.
6. Add a scarf for flair. It is the perfect smart/casual accessory.
Thanks ladies!

Dannii Minogue's X-Factor Style Just Keeps Coming

I know, I know. You guys are less enthusiastic about wee Dannii's style than I am. Except Alex. She loves Dannii's style as much as I do. But just look at what outfits she has cobbled together over the past three weeks for her TV appearances. Ne'er a foot wrong and with a small boy child to look after. That's got to be some inspiration. And I just LOVE the Grecian drape of it all. Props.

Fashion As Art: Body Adornment Exhibition at the National Gallery

Last week I posted twice about art exhibitions that were fashion-based, but abroad. And then right in front of my nose, a fashion exhibition opened at the Iziko South African National Gallery. Across the road. Luckily I was on hand for the opening on the weekend.
The amazing thing about the national gallery is that they have just rehung the entire space. There are FIVE (count em) new exhibitions on there at present and it includes some of the best photography this continent has to offer. Totally worth a visit.
But for you fashion guys, well, it is a MUST. The first small exhibition is a fashion based collection called Imagining Beauty - Body Adornment including Young SA Designers. It is a bit of the winners of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Award (Black Coffee, Darkie, Craig Native) and a bit of bead work and traditional adornments and then some stuff in between. I have got to say it had me wanting a lot more. A lot. Maybe next time.
But only if we support the exhibition, support our designers and generally support SA fashion. Go and see it! Oh, and if you go tomorrow on National Aids Awareness and Emancipation Day it is free entrance...
PS: We are shooting some O Mag fashion editorial at the Iziko Natural History Museum and that warrants a visit too. You might as well if you are in the area.

SA Designers Featured in Poetry Lifestyle Store

One of my favourite local designers - that I actually buy and wear often - is a label called August. It is designed by Cape Town local Robyn Victor and I find that her pieces hit the trends without looking like anything else. And are perfectly finished. And in natural, beautiful fabrics. What's not to love?
Well apparently the powers that be at Poetry (part of the Cape Union Mart Group) feel the same way. And now Robyn, together with two other local labels Nucleus and Trinity, each have a limited collection available in Poetry stores nationwide.
First, I love big retail supporting local designers IN THEIR OWN NAME. Awesome.
Second, I love the increased diversity offered in high street stores.
Third, it is great when there is obvious synergy between the retail store's philosophy and that of the designer. In this case, all natural fabrication, ease and comfort in design, casual and pretty. It really is a seamless mix. Congrats to all concerned.
PS: You can buy these at stores now across Gauteng and the Western Cape - and then at Walmer Park in PE from next week. I would just avoid the V&A Waterfront store where the basics of customer service seem a bit amiss. Smile, engage, assist, apologise for any problems. You know. The absolute basics. But all the others are awesome.

More Michelle Obama Style: This Time It's About Secrets

If America's First Lady Michelle Obama has any special talent it is the ability to come across in any situation as a very smart, very elegant, NORMAL person. No matter what the profile of the event - Barbara Walters interviewing you and your President husband for national television for example - she manages to seem real, honest and without artifice.
Well to a point, of course.
It is an interesting conundrum when your 'honesty' includes confessing to the twisting of the truth. Even if it is only to her husband. In a new television interview, Mrs O admits to fudging the truth to Barack about new clothes she has bought. I am slightly uncomfortable about this for two reasons: First, if she is earning her own money, surely she can be trusted to spend it appropriately and the idea of having to answer to your husband about what clothes you buy is weirdly archaic. And secondly, I am kinda flummoxed about admitting to not being entirely truthful. I don't really care, but I bet millions of right-wing Americans will make this an issue of lying to the American people in a heartbeat. Surely?
Oh well, the bit I found far more interesting was when Mrs O discussed her great physical asset - her Angela-Basset-toned arms. When asked by Barbara Walters if she's sick of people talking about them, she replied: 'No, I will never get sick of people talking about my toned arms. If it's a positive compliment, I am a woman, just, like, bring it on.'
You see, normal. Just like us. I heart Michelle. And I would kill for those arms. Sigh.

Best Dressed This Weekend: Jennifer Hudson

I am surprising myself this week. People who I have never even considered for a place on this blog are creeping in all over the place. Including Winnie Mandela. What? Oh, obviously I meant to say Jennifer Hudson. Who is looking smashing and inspiring me and all that. I mean just look at the woman.
Beautiful colour that WORKS with her skin, eyes and hair. Soft draping that is flattering and comfortable. Great length.
Um. Hi Jen. Can I borrow your dress for a thing I have on today please? Just let me know. Ta.

Alexa Chung Has New TV Shows in UK and US in 2011

I mentioned in passing the other day that Alexa Chung had a new TV series in the UK - it is on MTV and called Gonzo With Alexa. It screens on prime time Fridays there and is a classic music interview and bonding show to which Alexa has brought her own inimitable interviewing style. So far so expected.
Slightly less expected was the announcement in the New York Times this weekend that AC will be fronting a show in the States too next year. Called Thrift America, Alexa and Maya Singer, the series creator and the editor of special projects for Style.com, will comb the America's consignment shops, garage sales and flea markets for old clothing, furniture, music equipment and other potential treasures to use in various creative endeavors. In the first episode, Alexa helps Pamela Love, a gothic jewelry designer, create a pop-up shop in London during Fashion Week.
We are told to think of it as “Antiques Roadshow” meets the foodie romp “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.” Ms. Singer said viewers hoping to replicate Alexa's high-low style will see firsthand, “What does Alexa Chung pull out of the crap bin at the yard sale?” I hope we get it here on satellite! Ahem, yes we are talking to you, DSTV.

Local Fashion Stories on iPad and Fashion Blogs

So we are having quite a local day today. Local bloggers, local designers and local news. One of the big fashion sites in South Africa is iFashion. It is a site that posts news, industry jobs and profiles and some really interesting, fresh looks at issues in the local fashion industry.
I have been interviewed for two of these stories recently, so if you haven't already read them, I would suggest a click through or two this lunch hour to find out the following:
Will the iPad change the fashion industry?
and
What Role do Fashion Bloggers Play

New SA Designer: An-Mari Honibal

Anyone who has worked with me, shopped with me, asked me a fashion-related question or any ancillary activity will know that I am a fabric nazi. It is ALWAYS my point of departure when reviewing a collection. And student collections are no different. It is no coincidence that the three graduate collections that I have featured on my blog this month all have a fabric story to tell.
This collection by An-Mari Honibal is an abstract, minimalist story in beautiful soft cotton and voile. She was my pick for student designer of the year at Elizabeth Galloway. A combination of her expression, her choices and her aesthetic.
Just lovely.

New SA Designer: Roxanne Robinson

Every now and again all things align. Two of my inner circle readers of the blog have recently graduated from fashion school and presented their collections to the world. I didn't attend any of the graduate shows (if you attend one, you attend them all and I just don't have an additional 8 days/nights to hand right now) but I did invite some of the readers to submit their images to me.
The first of these, Roxanne Robinson, recently won a little competition I ran for my inner circle and when she swung by to pick up her prize, I asked her to send me the images from her collection as I was utterly charmed by her book.
I love the silhouette of course. The styling is excellent and absolutely on trend. And who wouldn't want to own one of those skirts right now? I know that the sofa fabrication isn't to everyone's taste, but for me, it is everything that is fun about student fashion and creating a look this season. And it has pockets. Yes, pockets. Show me a student who hasn't cut corners in their final collections and I will show you a future career. Done. Congratulations lady.

The Scent of Anna Della Russo by Juergen Teller

Well Anna Della Russo is up there with the most adventurous and exciting fashion icons in the world right now. With a profile largely created by the new gang of style bloggers (Garancé, Scott, Tommy etc.) she attends every fashion show and event with a sense of style and fashion-impact. She is growing in power and gaining in presence.
And with this relatively new international fashion profile, she is leveraging. The first of her new activities is the obligatory fragrance. ADR's is called The Scent of Anna Della Russo. And her campaign is shot by one of her key Vogue collaborators, photographer Juergen Teller.
All I am going to say about this campaign is that I would have thought it would have been more broadly appealing. I am not convinced that one feels compelled to purchase a new fragrance out of fear or discomfort. I am just saying.
But then she is ADR and ADR could probably sell flip flops to Swedes in winter if they care about fashion. May she rock on.

Blog Party!

Hey us bloggers are more sociable than you think. And we also like an office party, although I am uncertain whether any photocopiers or stationary cupboards will be involved. Unlikely.
So check out this invitation and RSVP to attend if you are a blogger. click on it to make it bigger.
I am going to use the opportunity to thank my blog team for their support and contributions this year - Sylvie, Rebecca, Luisa and Alex in absentia. Even though 90% of the blog is my voice, their input is what makes it all come together, provides the contrast and the high-points of interest.
For my readers, I am of course eternally grateful. I will be communicating with my inner circle with news of what to expect in the new year, so if you want to be a part of this core group of blog readers, participants and opinion formers, please email me on robync@assocmags.co.za and just put Inner Circle in the title.

Michelle Obama Named At No. 3 on Vogue's Best Dressed List for 2010

There has been much made of the fact that Blake Lively was named at the top of the Vogue Best Dressed of the Year 2010 List (yes, we are all about the lists today). If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will probably guess that we don't have too much of a problem with that. Good for her.
However, what was far more of a pleasant surprise was that First Lady, Michelle Obama, was named at number three,
So I did a bit of reflecting back on the year. Mrs O wore Alexander McQueen the week after his death as a sign of respect. She turned up just this week at an event wearing the super-brand-new trend colour, tangerine. She has pioneered the kitten heel. She has embraced the full circle skirt and the new length. As much as Mrs Obama her her own very distinct personal style - which has directly influenced the fashion world - she is also able to adopt trends as soon as they glimmer. And do it all looking like a normal woman from your neighbourhood. Accessible + fashion forward + unique personality = Vogue Best Dressed List. I like it.

Business of Fashion's Top 50 Fashion Creatives Announced

So the Business of Fashion published a preview on the list of INDUSTRIE's 50 most influential and inspirational creatives working in fashion today. And what a kerfuffle ensued. Seriously. Everyone loves a list. It is as much fun arguing with it as it is making it onto it. A list gives us a yard stick and some recognition - in someone's opinion. It does not make you creative or not. It does not state as fact, your talent. It is just a list from someone's head.
But the outrage that ensued has resulted in some hefty tail between legs and promises of public polling next time. Ha! Like that will change the resulting outcry. How I chuckled at that idea.
This list excludes Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington in favour of the French Vougittes, and includes Tony Richardson, so obviously my list of the most creative fashion people would be quite different. But for your information and entertainment, here is the top 10.
1. Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, Photographers
2. Phoebe Philo, Creative Director of Céline
3. Nicolas Ghesqiere, Creative Director of Balenciaga
4. Central St Martins Fashion School
5. Miuccia Prada
6. Tom Ford
7. Nicola Formichetti, Stylist/Creative Director of Thierry Mugler, Uniglo, Haus of Gaga
8. Riccardo Tisci, Creative Director of Givenchy
9. Emmanuelle Alt, Carine Roitfeld and Anastasia Barbieri from French Vogue
10. Joe McKenna, Stylist
Just to repeat: THIS IS NOT MY LIST. Have fun. Play nicely.

MARISA TOMEI
Robyn: Marisa Tomei has always been charmingly beautiful. But whilst I never really thought she deserved the Oscar nod for My Cousin Vinnie in her sweeter days, I definitely think it was deserved for her more mature woman role in The Wrestler. And it is this more elegant and self-aware Marisa that we see in this tangerine Westwood creation. On trend. Beautifully fitted. Still loads of personality. Gorgeous.
Marco: She whined a lot in the nineties, but I always thought she was a good actress. The real-woman-next-door kind of gal. Normal, perhaps which in itself is rare in Hollywood. The tangerine is anything but sour, in fact I think this is perfectly age appropriate and sexy all at once. She seems quite comfortable in her mid-forties while looking easily ten years younger. Dina Lohan could take cues from this one.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Marco: I've always favored Harry and his scruffy look over Williams clean cut much-like-his-dad look. Still, the royal engagement really does put old Willy in a modern day fairy-tale. And when you have such a knock-out for a fiancé then who cares about a little receding hairline? Nothing like a little blue-blood in a blue suit to show them. Beautiful tie, beautiful tailoring. This is why less is more.
Robyn: You know I am totally on board with this Royal Wedding situation, right? I mean, we had the FIFA world cup this year, next year it is all wedding and this time we can dress up. But I almost think that one of the reasons why Will must take a wife is so that she can be the ‘star’ and he can quietly do his Royal thing largely unnoticed. He seems like a sweet bloke. Let’s leave it there.

Dannii Minogue Covers Marie Claire UK January 2011

So everyone from book club has been a bit busy recently. It's that time of year. I have things on every night. Vicky is flying between the States and UK and has the boys and David to look after. Alexa is also trying to do the transatlantic thing and has her new show on in the UK GonzoWithAlexa. And Dannii is hard at work with her boys on the X-Factor. And looking stunning every week. Twice a week.
How she managed to fit in this shoot with the UK Marie Claire I really don't know. But just look how utterly divine she is. Baby Ethan is clearly good for her.
This is what I call a role model. The fact that she is an Aussie and not a South African is a detail. She might as well be.
PS: Can I just mention that Dannii has been on the UK cover of Glamour twice this year, InStyle once and now MC. Doing quite well I would say.
PPS: No, I am not deranged. I am well aware that my book club is a fantasy one. But fantasy football is allowed so so is fantasy book club. Who would be in yours?
PPPS: Yes she is wearing Victoria Beckham on the cover. One of the dresses Vicky leant her.

The Other Royal Wedding-in-Waiting: Charlene Wittstock Dazzles in Armani

Yikes guys. It seems we have forgotten that there is another Royal Wedding next year. And this time it's personal.
Our very own Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock, is set to marry Prince Albert of Monaco on July 2nd 2011. So even when Wills and Kate are all done and dusted on 29th April, we will still have a big occasion to dress up for. Yay! How exciting.
This week has seen the Monaco National Day's celebrations, where onse Charlene very cleverly chose to wear a Giorgio Armani Privé silk suit with a small two-tone jacquard pattern in cognac and tobacco. note the masculine lapels and soft peplum of the jacket that off-set the broad swimmers shoulders. She was exceptionally well received by both the media and the subjects of Monaco which is good to hear.
Apparently Charlene plans to launch into humanitarian work after her wedding. Prince Albert was quoted as saying the following about his future bride,

"[she has a] great sense of humour and insatiable curiosity. Charlene has a very strong personality and I have no doubt of her desire to get involved in things alongside me. She is already committed to humanitarian causes such as the Born Free Foundation, the Special Olympics and the Nelson Mandela Foundation and wants to intensify her involvement in lots of other areas."

Yet another wonderful South African, stylish on the inside and outside.
PS: Charlene is not the first Saffa that Prince Albert has dated, of course. He also went out with model Heather Mann. I remember this because she was at school with me. A long time ago.

Nicole Ritchie and StyleGuideCT: Sunglasses Mindreaders

I have been wearing glasses since I was eight years old. You all know by now that I am a speccy. What you may not know is that my glasses are also a part of my identity, a mask against the world and a cunning disguise as to my true age.
If you buy the January issue of O Magazine (out just before Christmas), you can read an explanation of all these things and also get to see how easy it is to choose the right glasses frames (specs or sunnies) for your own face.
And then last night I read this from designer Nicole Ritchie, “When I wear sunglasses, it’s because I don’t wear makeup. I don’t know how to do makeup — it’s just not a part of my life. That being said, sometimes you need to put something on your face, and that’s why I tend to wear bigger frames. So I almost think of sunglasses as masks to just cover it up.” Dude has been reading my mind! Or an early copy of O Magazine! Who knew she and I were so alike?

Burberry is Social Networking King. Christopher Bailey Says Thanks.

Yesterday Burberry reached three million facebook fans. Not only is this a staggering amount, but it is also the first time a luxury goods brand has been able to break this ceiling. What is more interesting is that it took Burberry a single year to reach one million fans, another six months to reach two million fans and just one month to reach three million. Exponential growth indeed.
Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey put his designing skills to the test yesterday and designed this note to thank the Burberry Facebook fans for their devotion.
Now we all know that it is not NUMBERS but INFLUENCE that count in social media. We have read the reports by Harvard, Gartner and whom ever else. And we agree. But still. This is luxury fashion. It is a niche of a niche market. I think we can celebrate this particular number. And the good manners to say thank you.

Trend Alert: Tasty Tangerine

If you have been paying a close eye to the red carpets and front rows of late, you will have noticed a resurgence in the popularity of the colour orange. Evidence is right here in looks worn by Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Minnie Driver in the past month. It has been noted as the surprise hit colour of the season. Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein and Victoria Beckham herself included tangerine in their collections and now we see them out and about. A great choice for stand-out, let's see how quickly this translates to our own streets and disco parties this summer season.

Kate Middleton Style News Roundup

Gosh. It has been a week chock-a-block full of news about the pending William and Kate Middleton Royal Wedding. Now that they have set a date (29th April 2011, of course), the media hype is really ramping up. I thought I might distill all the reports down and focus in on the fashion-related stuff for you from this week:
1. Date may be set, but the designer of The Dress is still up for grabs. There has been much speculation, but according to UK Vogue, British designer Amanda Wakely is the "favourite to design it at 4/1." The Today show reports that "Kate's dress alone could cost around £100,000." Also, it is not expected to look anything like Diana's, which would be a bit awkward.
2. Having said that, Kate and William are reportedly worried about not looking too ostentatious in tough economic times. As one tweeter noted, they already saved money by not buying a new ring.
3. Kate Middleton has already been called the new Angelina Jolie of the magazine world. Any cover she graces is guaranteed to sell by the bucket-load. However, fashion magazine editors at Vogue and Harper's Bazaar who desperately want her on their covers are in a bit of a spot because, well, how do they get Middleton in their issues? Let's see who gets her first! Bets anyone?
4. “I really love her,” my mate Alexa Chung is quoted telling PEOPLE about Kate Middleton this week, “and I think she’s pretty elegant and classy, and graceful – all the things that someone in the royal family should be.” Sharing the sentiment was the best dressed of the year Carey Mulligan, who said, “She never looks like she’s trying to be anyone else and she’s comfortable in her own skin. She does that well.”
5. And finally, the designer of this dress that Kate Middleton was wearing in a fashion show when Prince William first saw her back in 2002, might be worth £100,000 at this point, but the designer “probably” won’t sell it. Hmmm. They say everyone has a price. More next week!

New Fashion Exhibition

We were just chatting about fashion exhibitions yesterday. I was doing some research last night and discovered that there is another ENORMOUS exhibition opening in Paris today - running until the beginning of May. It is called (deep breath) Musée des arts Décoratifs’ “Histoire idéale de la mode contemporaine vol. 2 : 1990–2000″exhibit. Which I think we can roughly translate as the History of Contemporary Fashion: the 90s.
Considering I am off to a super-duper 90s party next weekend and am busy planning a costume, this struck my fancy. Maybe there will be ideas in all these iconic 90s looks?
The exhibit apparently begins with looks from the minimalists like Azzedine Alaïa, Yohji Yamamoto, Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela and ends with the more provocative and avant garde designs of people like John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.
The Italian duo of Dolce and Gabanna have provided two looks to represent Italian fashion – pieces that are definitely more provocative. The first look is an embellished corset, made famous by Madonna when she wore it to the ’91 premiere of Truth or Dare in New York. The second piece is a corset armour dress from Spring ’07, worn famously by Lady Gaga. I am really not sure why a Gaga costume from this decade is relevant to a 90s exhibition, but I am going to just go with the flow. If anyone goes to see this - let us know what it is like!

Oprah To Feature Givenchy Muse and Model, Lea T, On One of Final Shows

You can't fault uber-boss Oprah in terms of inclusivity or her ability to capture and propel the zeitgeist. And now she has managed to identify and secure one of the most interesting, compelling and current faces in the fashion industry for one of her last shows.
In an episode due to air in the US in February and in South Africa toward the latter half of next year, Oprah has invited transgender model Lea T onto the show.
Lea started out as the assistant to Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy designer, she quickly became first his muse and then his model as one of the faces of his fall campaign this year. Lea T has gone on to appear of the cover of US Elle and in a fashion spread in French Vogue. This has been a stratospheric year for her. A perfect guest then for our lady Oprah.

Gallery Exhbitions of Couturiers - Now Balenciaga in New York

In the years that I lived in Europe, I made it a habit to visit the museums and galleries of London and cities that I visited. I tried never to get complacent about having such exhibits freely available to me. And so I enjoyed years of the most exciting, challenging, delightful, beautiful art. It definitely enriched my soul.
Now that I have been back in Africa for almost three years, I often reflect on these exhibitions and dwell on those that really captured my imagination.
More often than not, they were the exhibitions of couturiers. Armarni, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and even Balenciaga clothes were seen up close and personal at various showcases.
And all of this came flooding back when I saw yesterday that Vogue US' Hamish Bowles has curated an exhibition of Christobel Balenciaga in Park Avenue, New York City which is now open to the public.
Housed at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, there are almost a hundred classic pieces from the Balenciaga archives are on display. If only I was in NY right now!

Alice + Olivia Spring 11 Look Book - and How to Get It In SA

Aren't these looks just a treat? So pretty and flirty and fun. I want to be the girl who wears pretty, flirty, fun clothes.
And in a way I can. My friend Deborah runs Iracema Boutique and she brings in some Alice + Olivia looks to SA. Hopefully on her next buying trip she will pick up some of these and add some pretty, flirty fun to our lives. Leave comments here if you want her to do this! Let's make it happen!
BTW, if you are in Joburg, don't forget you can go to the Iracema pop up boutique sale from tomorrow (Thursday) till Saturday at Wizards, 48 The Valley Road, Westcliff. Totally worth it for one of a kind pieces of fabulousness.

Sylvie Says: Do Your Bit for Movember

One for the your boys!
It’s Movember (just in case you hadn’t noticed) so, we thought we’d hand this one over to our chaps...
Head over to Man of the Cloth blog and post a pic of your bloke (or someone else’s if you like) and give him an opportunity to win a hamper of awesome L’Oreal grooming products to the value of R1000!
A hamper of equal value will also be donated to Look Good, Feel Better charity on behalf of the runner-up – so everyone wins. Don't you love that.
In the mean time, do you think I’ll win a Friday Fashion Face-Off with this look?
Xxx
Sylvie

SA Model Candice Boucher DOESN'T GO High Fashion for A Magazine

I was watching All Access the other week and saw an insert with South African Sports Illustrated and Guess model Candice Boucher as she was back in SA for a visit. She was charming, of course, but it was weird because as one of my Twitter friends, I think that I know her. I guess I think of her as one of my mates.
Her and her flatmate (and my birthday mate) Dominique Piek. And Behati Prinsloo, of course. But not Candice Swanepoel as she doesn't tweet enough for me to forget we aren't really mates.
Anyhoo, back to Candice B. Or Candy, as I know her.
She was REPORTEDLY shot recently for this edgy fashion editorial for A Magazine. But, thanks to the message in the comments below, we now know that this is NOT Candice, as it was widely and credibly reported. Apologies for that to all concerned. This lady is in fact Vanessa Cruz and, as she is not a Saffa, we will politely say 'what pretty pictures they are' and move on. Hopefully we can get a hold of some gorgeous new photos of the real Candice soon and post for everyone to marvel at and celebrate. After all, that is what we are doing here - celebrating all that our local girls achieve. We are proud.
Photographed by Kenneth Willardt
Styled by Sciascia Gambaccini

Oprah's Favourite Fashion Things

A couple of days ago Oprah gave away the last of her favourite things. And considering they included a brand new VW Beetle for each of the 250 or so audience members, I am going to go ahead and say it was GOOD.
I decided to extract from my uber-boss' list all the fashion-related items to share with you.
Each member of the audience got a beautiful cashmere jumper, a voucher for a lingerie fitting at Nordstrom, a Coach handbag worth $400, a pair of Miracle Fit jeans and a slightly gaudy pair of sequin Ugg boots - quite delicious as slippers, never to be seen in public, obviously.
They also got a bunch of other stuff but Oprah's number one favourite item was....of course the iPad. They all got one of those too.
Now, let me say I have been using my iPad for three months already. And it has, without question, changed my life for the better. A gift of productivity here, some entertainment there, a downloaded video for the nieces that you can't get in SA, access to images and feeds for this blog and nothing feels like work. This is where me and the boss agree. The iPad is my no.1 favourite thing for 2010.

Two New Collections from JCrew and Elizabeth & James. We Can Only Dream.

I debated as to whether you wanted to see these images from the new spring collections of JCrew and Elizabeth & James. I mean, it is so hard and expensive to get your hands on the items! But I figured that they would good for inspiration, information and imagination and thus worth a viewing.
So lovely.
Just for info, you can get a small selection of Elizabeth & James from Callaghan Collezioni at Hyde Park in Jozi and Cavendish in Cape Town. You can also order JCrew on Net-a-Porter, which will deliver to South Africa, but don't forget the 40% landing costs that you will owe customs.
Aren't they lovely though?

Shopping With Alex: Lace in London

To prepare for my first post from London, I decided to take a look at street style to get a feel for what trends were happening here. Of course as we expected, there is a lot of shearling - coats, jackets, waistcoats, boots! Boots are as popular as ever with a range of styles: biker, desert, riding, high heel ankle - mostly all in black suede. Utility/khaki and camel are still consistent across the majority of collections and in all stores.
I visited Topshop on Oxford Street the day after Kate Moss's collection launch. I was happy to see the variety of pieces but was disappointed with the fabrication and the quality. It was also the first jewellery collection for Kate. The collection is fun costume jewellery pieces but not sure if I could justify £30-35 (R335-R390) for this type of quality.
I also noticed that people are still wearing a lot of lace - in black and light pink/champagne colours - by all ages of women and I decided to hit the high street stores to see what was available. So here is my selection of lace and lace inspired pieces:
1. Lace dress by Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop - this would look great with black opaque stockings and a pair of patent mary-jane heels.
2. Lace jacket by Kate Moss for Topshop - this piece could be worn during the day with jeans or a great option to wear in the evening with a cocktail dress. As this is Kate's last official collection for Topshop it is timeless investment piece!
3. Lace jacket at H&M - For a high street store, H&M had a fantastic range of lace pieces all available in black or champagne.
4. Lace top at H&M - this one caught my eye due to the style of lace and that it is a midriff style for the younger ladies.
5. Lace style shirt at Urban Outfitters - 'Tried and tested' this is a great shirt that could be worn all year round. It is also available in maroon and navy.
6. Lace skirt at Urban Outfitters - fits with the ladylike trend and a good quality fabric for work or play.

Personal Style Bloggers Are Now Stars. Do You Want to Be One?

Last week, at Google's event to launch Boutiques.com in New York, this photo was taken. It may look like a photo ostensibly of three very awkward young people in strange dress. But it is actually a photo of some of the most influential style bloggers in the world. Despite the mouse ears. They are Rumi Neely, Bryanboy and Susie Bubble and they, together with Tavi, are changing the appearance of the fashion red carpet forever.
So do you want to join their ranks? Well if you want to become a star personal style blogger, the wonderful folks over at R29 have done a flow chart for you. Follow these simple (and hilarious because they are true) steps. Easy.
How to become a star style blogger
PS: Brought to you by the same people who did the flow chart on how to be photographed by The Sartorialist and The Selby. Proper funny stuff.

Jessica Alba's Style Weekend

Oh dear. Look. It was never my intention to feature Ms Alba. I just don't fancy the cut of her gib. Ya know.
But she went out to two industry events this weekend and played with her kid in the park. And all three times she looked pretty, trendy and unexpected. You just can't get away from it, this weekend was a style triumph for Jessica Alba. I will just have to deal with it and admire it all from afar. Join me.
What do you think of the three looks? Which is your favourite?

American Music Awards Red Carpet Best Dressed

So Justin Bieber won all the prizes at the 2010 Annual American Music Awards. Whatevs. The child had a good day out and leaves us to focus on the important things - the frocks. So who wore what successfully? This is my top 3:
In first place is the delight that is the new Mrs Brand, Katy Perry, who wore the new length. No gimmicks. No cartoons this time. Just a very pretty dress in the new length and she looked divine.
A gently preggers Mrs Hart, aka Pink, is in second place looking splendid in a simple, yet sexy black dress. Also no frills or fuss or games. Flattering and just risque enough. And I like the hair. This is a woman who has made her name as an entertainer and I fully get the combination of gorgeous, simple dress and striking hair. Nay, I may actually prefer it.
And then coming in at a surprise third is the creature that feels like the only girl in the, Rihanna. I think that the proportions on this dress are perfection. I like the colour and the soft train. I am not crazy about the sheer/pattern malarkey but it totally works here. And the perm? Well, take a bow, Riri. Somehow you made it look cool. WARNING: don't try this at home kids!
PS: I know some folks loved the Taylor Swift. I felt meh about it. Heidi Klum or Whitney Port would have made up the top five. Just FYI.
Now it's over to you - who was your top three?

Campaign Monday: The Selby for ASOS

Have you guys visited interiors blog, The Selby? Seriously, you really should. It is a way of seeing into other people's houses without being a total Peeping Tom. And it is very unlike interiors magazines who smarten and neaten and prop so that the home stops looking like a place you have been to and becomes a fantasy. On The Selby, everything is properly lived in. Down to the half-eaten piece of toast on the kitchen counter. (Although not obviously how I live....crumbs!)
Now photographer Todd Selby has turned online retailer ASOS' latest campaign into something from his blog. He shot models in ASOS' current collection - but inside their own apartments! This is like a two-in-one. You get cool fashion and cool interiors in one campaign.
Saved the best till last.

Campaign Monday: Chuck Bass for Urban Outfitters

I know many of my readers are fans of the Gossip Girl. Me too, obvs.
And many of us have a wee crush on Chuck Bass. And his style.
Well, it turns out, so do the cool hipster brand Urban Outfitters. And this season they have collaborated on a range with J Press (which is the posh preppy brand that the character Chuck usually wears) to develop an affordable range of bloke garments - perfectly in Chuck-style.
What more could you want?

Campaign Monday: Mert & Marcus Shoot Lacoste Spring 11

No campaign day could be complete without a fashion campaign shot by the famous Mert and Marcus. And I chose this new spring 11 campaign for Lacoste to show you. I am a very big fan of humour. And in fashion we often take ourselves way to seriously. Especially the higher up the food chain we go.
So to have photographers of this level, and an international brand presenting a campaign with a real quirkiness about it makes for a nice change.
Photographer: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
Models: Anja Rubik and Noah Mills

Campaign Monday: Prada and Jennifer Aniston Both in Glasses

It has been a glasses-kind-of weekend. Not only did a minor kerfuffle ensue when the lovely Jennifer Aniston appeared in public wearing spectacles. I thought 'yay, more for my speccy team' but it turned out it was just for a movie role. Sigh. Although these Oliver Peoples frames are deliciously 90s.
But then I cheered up again when I saw that Prada had just released their latest spring campaign. Which includes lots of lovely glasses. And I am even more delighted to find loads of bold colour, clashing prints and stripes and general mayhem. Always my best kind of campaign.

Campaign Monday: Valentino for Gap

Everyone has been so pre-occupied by the awesomeness of Lavin for H&M that the rather more subdued seven-piece Valentino for Gap collection seems to have slipped under the radar.
Developed as a celebration of the arrival of Gap in Italy, this small-but-perfectly-formed collection was conceived of by Valentino's creative directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. They explain:

'Valentino and Gap synthesise the current trend of combining luxury with basics. We wanted to mix traditionally high-end elements with Gap's celebrated street style, to create couture looks with a contemporary attitude.'

The Valentino for Gap collection will be available from November 27 at a limited number of stores worldwide: Gap's new Milan store, Colette in Paris, and, in Britain, Gap's flagship store in Oxford Street, London W1, from 9.30am, and at Dover Street Market, London W1, from 11am. For those of you traveling abroad - we expect a full report back!

Campaign Monday: H&M Christmas Campaign Featuring Stella Tennant, Lou Doillon

Name me a Saffa who, when lucky enough to travel abroad, doesn't make a bee-line for H&M, affordable fashion that's not cookie-cutter. Just this weekend, I admired two separate items of clothing on others, only to find they both originated at H&M.
So those of you who will be heading to colder climes for the holidays, you may be interested in the garments in this new H&M Christmas campaign. The rest of us can just marvel at the gorgeous inter-personal relationships played out in the ‘spirit of togetherness’ theme of it.
Each model is shot with the person they most care about - Stella is a picture of perfection with her daughters, Lou cuddles up to pal Sebastien Andrieu, and Alice Dellal gets a peck on the cheek from her mum, Andrea. How cute?

Pretty Louis Vuitton Outfits for Marie Claire Turkey

Sometimes, especially on a Friday afternoon, one just needs to look at pretty things. Louis Vuitton's things are pretty. So pretty. And here they are shot for Marie Claire Turkey, November issue. I think we can all agree that it is very, very pretty.
Enjoy.
The story features the Turkish actress Saadet Isil Aksoy and Tamer Yilmaz was the photographer.
Styled by Hakan Öztürk.
Beauty by Gamze Güven
Photography Assistant – Ümit Savaci