Nicole Richie Covers Ocean Drive Magazine

I super-love Nicole Richie in her fashion-incarnation. I own House of Harlow jewellery and adore wearing it. I am smitten by her Winter Kate line and if you have ever seen me in a kimono (often) then know that is a bit of Nicole's influence. Proper fashion adoration.

This month she covers the LA-based Ocean Drive magazine. And looks all kinds of incredible wearing high fashion glossy pieces, quite dissimilar to her usual boho style. And working it.

What do you guys think of this version of Nicole? Yay or nay? Vote now.

Cate Blanchett Covers UK Harpers Bazaar

How we all love and respect Cate Blanchett. But it may surprise you to know that she is less highbrow than you may imagine. Her philosophy in life is, "always make sure you do your own laundry, it will keep you honest." Which I get. The minute you have people running around doing your every little thing, you loose your grip on reality a bit.

This month Cate does rather loose her grip, by going fashion-crazy for UK Harpers Bazaar.

Wearing a white Antonio Berardi suit and an Alexander McQueen golden gown - her favourite kind - she looks amazing and totally fit for high fashion. Amazing. Is there anything this incredible woman can't do?

Katy Perry Covers Interview Magazine

I have always adored the quirky stylings of one Katy Perry.I properly loved her when she met and fell in love with renegade comedian Russell Brand. And married him. And then it was all over. And I have to be honest, I was less enamoured with her all of a sudden. Just a little bit less. So I was pleased to see the sneak preview of her magazine cover for Interview magazine - in which she is grilled by Kristen Wiig, whom we adore more and more each day. So that's exciting, right? We can all feel a little better now and enjoy the beauty of the shot that starts to warm my heart once more. I assume that bejewelled corset top is Dolce & Gabbana. They usually are. Go Katy. Great cover girl. Yay.

2012 Independent Spirit Awards Red Carpet Best Dressed

So on the same weekend as the Oscars, there is always a somewhat more casual affair, recognising the casts and crew of the best movies of the year. It is an event called the Independent Spirit Awards and it is held near the beach in Malibu, reflecting the somewhat more relaxed nature of the shindig. The only problem with this is that it leaves the guests wondering how to pitch their outfits. And this year was no different, with a hodge podge of looks that made for a hard-to-watch red carpet. Even Jessica Chastain got it wrong. But there were a few ladies that got it right. Starting with a jumpsuit. In bright pink. You know how I love a jumpsuit. So thank you Kate Beckinsale.

Also looking awesome was Michelle Williams who wore a mini tuxedo and looked serious levels of adorable even for her, who usually looks adorable, right?

Then I know it is a bit contentious, but I loved Busy Phillips' vintage sherbet blue dress with collar. And Kirsten Dunst's little dress and jacket - due to the Miu Miu shoes of course, and the smiley Elizabeth Olsen, who looked exquisite and set the tone for how a lady should dress. But I still loved the pink jumpsuit most. Soz.

Jaime King for Wall Street Journal Magazine

I know this is the second post featuring a fashion photo story with actress Jaime King today. First of all Jaime is hot due to her role in TV series Hart of Dixie. Second, she really is a very pretty girl that started out modelling so she knows her way around a fashion shoot. And finally, I loved both the shoots so I decided to include them. There you are. This one is for the magazine that goes with the Wall Street Journal. So serious style stuff happening here.

It is called Strange Girl in a Strange Land. And the photographer is a chap by the name of Stephen Shore.
In the story Jaime is dressed in fashion by Balenciaga, Jil Sander, Prada, YSL and Celine. That's like the holy grail of fashion. Lucky, lucky lady.

In the accompanying interview Jaime makes it clear that she has the slim figure she has because she eats an unhealthily small amount of food - a product of growing up in Hollywood and a warped idea of what a woman should look like. There are lessons to be learned here. Great, honest talk from a very lovely actress. Now I seriously must download the rest of Hart of Dixie. I am going mad waiting for my next instalment of Lemon Breeland and her frenemies!

Jaime King for O, The Oprah Magazine

Just because I no longer work at O, The Oprah Magazine, doesn't mean that I don't still keep an eye on their situation. And their situation for March is an awesomely awesome photo story on Jaime King. I love these images. They remind me of my perfect holiday in the countryside of somewhere exotic and beautiful. And they are really pretty.

I have recently become obsessed with Hart of Dixie, the TV show starring Rachel Bilson and Jaime King. So I am super happy to see Lemon aka Jaime getting some love in the ladies magazines.

This story has hit the US version of the magazine, so I just hope that it reaches the local edition soon. I love it a lot and may even save it to my references. Pretty as a picture.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Walks Her Dog Lupo

I grew up with a cocker spaniel. Almost certainly my first love. He arrived when I was a tiny baby and left when I was 14 years old. And he was a dear friend. I can still hear his paw steps some quiet days. I know, maudlin. But there is a point. My delight that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has a spaniel friend to keep her company. His name is Lupo. And he was born to the Middleton's family dog, Ella. And now he lives with Kate at Kensington Palace.
She was out walking Lupo this past week. Dressed in her very expensive country casuals. I have to say I like the look well enough (LK Bennett furry jacket, Vierzon boots and that awesome hat). However, considering Kensington Gardens, where she was walking with her protection officer, is situated bang in the middle of London town, right next door to her flat, it seems a bit of an excessive outfit. But whatevs. She looks cool. She seems happy. And I love the puppy dog.

Victoria Beckham at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party

First of all The Vanity Fair Oscars Party must be one of the hottest tickets in town. But this year it was all about the Beckhams. Not only did they look amazing - Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham, David Beckham in Gucci - but they also hung out with their friends and Victoria also dressed one of the A-list attendees, Cameron Diaz. In glorious tangerine.

Victoria as usual tweeted a picture of herself getting ready, affording us a wonderful view of the back of her gown. As usual, it was zipped all the way up and most of the detail resided there, leaving the front for the lady to shine. I think it is very smart. Sadly, she also belted it with her currently ubiquitous double belt. So not a fan.

It was sweet to see the the Beckhams are still mates with the Cruz/Holmes'. They hung out together inside. I had my doubts as there haven't been any photos of Vicky and Katie in a couple of years.

I think that Katie looked beautiful in her Elie Saab gown. She is a bit hit and miss in the style stakes, but this dress is a real winner - very beautiful.

But nothing outshone Cameron Diaz at the shindig. Having changed out of her Oscars gown, she donned her tangerine Beckham dress and looked incredible. Very well played lady.

Elton John's Oscar Viewing Party Red Carpet Best Dressed

The annual Elton John Oscar Viewing Party in support of his AIDS Foundation always seems like a blast, although to be fair, not the most stylish of events. This year the best dressed ladies at the party almost all stuck to the new fail-safe, the little white(ish) dress. With the exception of Nina Dobrev, who I thought looked elegant and amazing in the old school choice of a J.Mendel black gown. Beautiful. But the rest we all in shades of pale. Take Miley Cyrus for example in this very grown up and exquisite Roberto Cavalli. With excellent hair, make up and jewels. Colour me surprised. And Paz Vega in Stephane Rolland Couture reminding me that she exists and that she is a very, very pretty version of Penelope. Stunning.

The delight that is Katy Perry (beautiful in Blumarine) and Dianna Agron (in mushroom print Carolina Herrera) took some risks and this time they paid off. It is hard to get both these looks right, but I think that they did in this instance. But none more so that the utterly sublime Dita von Teese. Dressed in Jenny Packham, she looked like a princess. For me, hands down, the best dressed of the night. And I don't just mean at Elton's party. A-MAY-ZING. Love it. You?

For me the best dressed party of Oscars night wasn't the Oscars at all. It was the 2012 Vanity Fair Party. Beautiful dresses. Really, really beautiful dresses. Starting with classic black:
Olivia Wilde in Gucci, Emma Stone who changed into Chanel Couture, Elizabeth Olsen in Christian Dior and Kate Bosworth in Prabal Gurung. Awesome.

Then there were more alternative options - and these I must warn you are probably my favourites: Elizabeth Banks in Chadwick Bell, January Jones in Wes Gordon and Jennifer Lopez in a second Zuhair Murad of the evening - both with the plunging v-neck.

Then there were the ladies in bright shining colour - shades of berries, including the stunning Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein, Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Antonio Berardi, Kate Hudson in vintage Versace and Claire Danes in a bold pink Valentino gown. Yum-tastic.

And finally the ladies in white - Minnie Driver and Sofia Vergara - who to my mind looked better than all the other ladies in white on the night (except Gwyneth Paltrow and Dita von Teese). So who was my favourite of them all, you ask? Maybe Minnie. Maybe emma. Lovely ladies. But I am more interested in what you think. Let me know.

Charlene Wittstock, HSH Princess of Monaco Attends the Oscars 2012

You have plenty of Hollywood royalty on a Oscars red carpet, but how often do you have real European royalty? With a South African flavour? Well at the 84th Annual Academy Awards, they did. Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene of Monaco (or onse Charlene from Benoni), attended with her husband Prince Albert, wearing white Akris. You like? I do. Well played princess lady.

2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet: 'Not Quite' Dressed

I've said it before and I will say it again, there were so many 'no quite' dressed people on the red carpet of this year's Oscars, or the 84th Annual Academy Awards as they like us to say. You know what I mean. People who look fine. And I really want to love their outfit. But I just can't. Like Natalie Portman. I mean it is vintage Dior so I should really love it. It is a soft black polka dot on a red background so it is a little daring. And yet...she looks old fashioned and dull. Maybe it is the hair. Maybe it is those short arms. I don't know. But no. I don't like this look. And then there was Angelina Jolie in custom Atelier Versace. She looks beautiful and happy. And there is some volume in the dress which I like. And it is black velvet. But what the what is she doing with her skinny stick of a leg?? In every single possible photograph. Weird, awkward and wrong. Like leg-gurning it was. Off-putting in the end. And one of my absolutely favourites Rose Byrne in a Vivienne Westwood shimmer of slickness. Looking a bit dumpy. And strange. When a risk doesn't pay off. But I still love you Rose.

Gold is definitely a new trend on the red carpet and what better time to bring it out than at the Oscars? Well, maybe not. The utterly magnificent and without peer, award winning Meryl Streep, was in gold Lanvin. On paper an absolute cracker of a combo. But she still landed up looking like a bit of a foil blanket. Which is not fair at all. Also trying out the gold was The Clooney's lady friend, Stacy Keibler, dressed in Marchesa. Which set the Twitter-a-tron on fire as apparently it was a knock off of a DKNY dress from a couple of season's ago. Well, I won't comment on that. I just don't really like it. She looks lovely. But just not to my taste you understand. Shailene Woodley is much more of a disappointment. Poor lass. She is only young. And she is dressed in Valentino couture. So she really should look beyond lovely. And yet. No. Fusty is the word I would use. Too covered up and drab, possibly more helpful. Do you agree?

But more controversial are these three ladies. You know I love me some Viola Davis. And I especially love her with her natural hair. She is dressed in Vera Wang. In a dazzling emerald green. But it is so tight and those boobies are so crushed and constrained it hurts me to look at her. It just isn't pretty even though she is. And I want to love Melissa McCarthy's dress of course. And the neckline is pretty. And I don't hate the colour really. Just the sack-like-ness of it all. No, man. You can do better than this. More structure necessary in your dress, ok? And then Penelope Cruz. Sigh. No it's not horrible. Actually she looks beautiful. Really beautiful in her Giorgio Armani whisper of thunder cloud. But it's the bust again that bothers me. This neckline is old fashioned and unflattering to a lady blessed with a rack like this. And so from the neck up she looks outstanding, below it she just looks a bit off. Or have I got this totally wrong? Let me know what you think. Do you totally disagree or do you get what I mean. Holler at me. 

2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Best Dressed

And so let me take you though what I call as the 84th Annual Academy Awards red carpet best dressed. The 2012 Oscars didn't give us much to work with in this department, but here are my picks. Starting with this magnificent Alexander McQueen gown worn by none other than Jessica Chastain. I knew she had one more magnificent dress in her after that loooong year of great dresses, but a tiny part of me feared a repeat of the Globes. No. It wasn't to be. She was glorious. Magnificent. Sensational. Love this beyond. I die. I know it is controversial but I am also loving Sandra Bullock's Marchesa dress and high ponytail. The back of the dress has a deep cowl and the embellished drop waist really appeals to me. I think she looks fantastic.

Then there were the ladies in colour. Bright vibrant colour. Emma Stone - who apparently was the most delightful of all presenters - was in fuchsia Giambattista Valli. Many didn't like the neck bow. But I did. I like it. She stepped it up from her usual sweetheart style. And it worked. Also Michelle Williams. Let's take a moment to just reflect on her tangerine dress of joy. By Louis Vuitton. What I particularly loved was that tiny little diamond brooch on the waist. It seemed to be a bit of a trend - embellishing the waist. I think it is adorable. Also the peplum was a trend so MW managed to get both key red carpet trends in on one dress without looking too try hard or over-done. So winning.

Speaking of the peplum trend, ch-ch-check out the divine Ms Tiny Fey in her custom Carolina Herrera.  In deepest midnight blue. My favourite shade. She really does look like a star on this red carpet. Well played my most awesome funny lady. Also in that magnificent shade of midnight blue was Judd Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann dressed in skin tight Roberto Cavalli. And a pony tail. Winning hair. Wonderful. Jessica is my favourite favourite. What about you?
PS: Yes, Gwyneth's Tom Ford could have been on this list too, but it fitted better with the white dresses. It really was a great dress.

2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet: All White

I want to note three things as I kick off my red carpet coverage from the 84th Annual Academy Awards - or the 2012 Oscars as we like to call it. First, this was not a banner year. There were no stand-out dresses that made us weep with joy. Neither were there any swans as dresses. Therefore it is safe to say that this red carpet was, well, safe. Secondly, that there were a higher than average number of 'almost but not quite' dresses and I will post alllllllll of these later. So many. And finally, that the little black dress as the go-to outfit for all occasions has been replaced. By the little white dress. Again, so many of these. So let's kick off with the best of the pale frocks. Three ladies rocked it hard. Gwyneth Paltrow needs a round of applause. Tom Ford new season. With a cape. BAM. Later on the cape came off, but this elegant sheath of a dress was, to quote Kelly Osbourne, perfection. And it hurts a bit to say that. And it reminds me how much I liked her short bob hair cut. But moving on. Rooney Mara mixed things up and brought it with Givenchy Couture. Pity she was so cool that she only picked it out that morning as it would have benefitted from a bit of tailoring. But nice. So pretty. And Milla Jovovich was exquisite in Elie Saab. With so many ladies wearing Saab to so many red carpets now, it is hard to look special in his designs, but this really worked and she looks super-super-lovely.

Continuing in the pale-but-lovely vein were another three actresses (can one call J-Lo an actress? I guess you can but I will call her baby). Cameron Diaz and her new bestie Jennifer Lopez got ready together and presented an award together. And both wore off-white. Cammie's dress is Gucci Premier and is lovely on her. Baby's dress is Zuhair Murad - and she has the girls out and the upper arms out. I am not sure that there is a style rule on getting both of those out simultaneously but I have now decided there should be. Too much. The deep v-neck should have been enough. Ah, but then it is all ok because the glorious and very relatable Octavia Spencer (or the girl Phillip Seymour Hoffman as we have decided she is) turned up the ante on the little white dress and wore Tadashi Shoji, as she does, and looked amazing, beautiful and special all at once. What a year for Octavia. Plus she got a standing ovation when she won proving she is the actors' actor of the moment. Love her. (although Gwyn still takes the white dress prize)

W Magazine Best Performances: The Chaps

Look. I am never going to pass up an opportunity to post a picture of George Clooney. Ever. The Clooney is The Man. For all eternity. And while I don't really care what he wears as he is funny and charming and social committed and talented, the fact that he always looks nice is a bonus. And makes him The Man. Glad we got that cleared up. His portrait in the awards season special in W Magazine story by Lynn Hirschberg, photographed by Mario Sorrenti, is mesmerising. He wears Giorgio Armani, should you care.

Now this is a man I care very much about. His performance in Romeo is Bleeding back in 1993 may have changed my life. I can still feel it now. And that's not even starting on the whole Nil By Mouth writing/directing situation. Gary Oldman has been criminally overlooked by the awards shows, but not by W Magazine. If this image doesn't do it for you, you must be less twisted than I, but wrong. Learn to love it as we love him. And he wears Tom Ford.

I posted this one for you. I am not a Brad Pitt kind of lady. But I know you are. So enjoy the splendour.  He wears a Burberry suit and Tom Ford shirt. This is a class style act.

And then there was Will Ferrel. In his pyjamas (Derek Rose pyjamas, mind you) and sending in the clowns. I thought the image was magnificent in itself. Nothing more, nothing less. Word.

W Magazine Best Performances: The Good Girls

This story that Edward Enninful styled for W Magazine piece by Lynn Hirschberg, shot by Mario Sorrenti is stunning. Each image is individual and out of this world stunning. This picture of one of this year's breakthrough actresses, my favourite Elizabeth Olsen, plays her against type and brings a whisper of the late great Elizabeth Taylor to mind. She wears Calvin Klein.

Viola Davis is already an award winner this year. She has also been experimenting with her look. This one has her trussed up and sexy in her Dolce & Gabbana dress and diamonds.

Youngster Shaileen Woodley is the baby of the group and her innocence is toyed with here in her Eres underwear. Granny pants, but still sexy.

And then there is Octavia Spencer. The winners' winner. The actors' actor. The female Phillip Seymour Hoffman to my mind. Stunning in her range of beautiful Tadashi Shoji gowns for all the events. Witty and gracious and self deprecating on the red carpet. Everything we want in a favourite actress. And then she announces she wants a boob job. Maybe she is joking. 
Can't wait to see what they all wear on Sunday. Come back on Monday morning for the full run down, trends, best and worst dressed. It will all be here.

W Magazine Best Performances: The Strange Girls

It is the Oscars on Sunday. I can't wait. Mostly for the red carpet dresses, of course, but also to see who takes the gongs and who makes the jokes. In the mean while the stylist of all stylists, Edward Enninful, has taken his pages of W Magazine and styled some the best actors of the year for a picture story by Lynn Hirschberg. Shot by photographer Mario Sorrenti. I will show you loads of these today. But I wanted to start at home, so to speak. With the more obscure girls looking beautiful. As they do. A little celebration of the strange or unexpected. Starting as is fitting with the Queen of beautiful oddness, Tilda Swinton. She wears Dolce & Gabbana knickers, Louboutin shoes and Falke stockings.

Rooney Mara and Kirsten Dunst are solid leaders in the darker films genre. Both have won awards this year for their performances. Rooney's floral top is by Nina Ricci.

Finally, the Oscar nod that nobody thought possible. A plump funny gal who burped and farted her way through her standout role. The divine Melissa McCarthy wearing Cartier jewels and being so perfectly and gorgeously real. Love her.