Adidas and Diesel Deal

International brands Adidas and Diesel have teamed up for a year-year collaboration to develop Adidas Originals Denim by Diesel. By joining forces and producing more chic clothing, Adidas hope to make their brand available to everyone, not just the sport-lovers out there.

Adidas is planning two styles of Diesel denim for both men and women, available exclusively at Adidas Originals stores worldwide. The women's styles vary from a high-wasted blue denim with boot-cut leg to a chic black denim alternative.

The range will have both Adidas and Diesel branding and will sell for £115 for women's jeans and £150 for mens.

www.vogue.co.uk

British Fashion Awards 2007

Stella McCartney threw off stiff competition from Anya Hindmarch and Luella Bartley to be crowned the Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards 2007 last night. The heavily pregnant star emotionally dedicated her award to her parents and the team behind her.

"My team really deserve this. I couldn't possibly manage with three children under the age of three without them."

Agyness Deyn was also the star of the show by winning the Model of the Year award ahead of red-head Lily Cole and fellow model Irina Lazareanu. Wearing a long, black Giles dress, the queen of cool spoke to her mum on the phone as she collected her award on stage.

The show, hosted by Zoe Ball, saw Vivienne Westwood collect the most pretigious award of the evening - Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design. "I want to talk about more serious issues but this isn't the time," she said. "Fashion is a life-enhancing activity and I hope you continue to love it. And I've noticed over the last few years that people are really looking better. Everybody looks great tonight, so I'm pleased about that. On the other hand, in 100 years we're not even going to have enough oxygen to breathe – but I've written a manifesto about that which I hope will help. But now isn't the time."

Full list of winners:
Designer of the Year:
Stella McCartney
Also nominated: Luella Bartley, Anya Hindmarch

New Designer of the Year:
Christopher Kane
Also nominated: Gareth Pugh, Marios Schwab

Best New Retail Concept of the Year:
Marc Jacobs
Also nominated: The Shop At Bluebird, Dover Street Market

Model of the Year:
Agyness Deyn
Also nominated: Lily Cole, Irina Lazareanu

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator of the Year:
Michael Howells
Also nominated: Terry Jones, Mert & Marcus

Red Carpet Designer of the Year:
Marchesa
Also nominated: Giles Deacon, Stella McCartney

Menswear Designer of the Year:
Christopher Bailey for Burberry
Also nominated: Alexander McQueen, Cassette Playa

Accessory Designer of the Year:
Tom Binns
Also nominated: Anya Hindmarch, Rupert Sanderson

BFC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion:
Dame Vivienne Westwood

The BFC Fashion Enterprise Award, sponsored by Swarovski:
Erdem

www.vogue.co.uk

Roberto Cavalli for the Spice Girls tour

Vogue.co.uk has reported that Roberto Cavalli is set to 'spice' up Sporty, Baby, Posh, Scary and Ginger's forthcoming reunion tour by designing some seriously glamourous frocks for them to wear.

The girls are set to sparkle in silver outfits tailored to suit their own personalities - designs that the fashion world aare eagerly anticipating.

"I have known Victoria Beckham for a long time and have always admired her style and personality," Cavalli explains.

"When we talked about the worldwide tour, The Return of the Spice Girls, she put forward the idea of me creating all their costumes to which I immediately agreed."

And despite the singers having had their fair share of questionable fashion moments, Cavalli is confident that he has brought their look bang up-to-date. "At their debut, the Spice Girls generated a trend with their individual looks and now, ten years later, they have put their trust in me to get a new, unique and iconic appeal for the tour," he says.

"The Spice Girls are one of the biggest global success stories with their appeal crossing many generations and millions of fans awaiting their return. When I met them, I immediately understood the reason why the world went crazy for their unique brand of 'girl power' - they are an irresistible mix of energy, pure joy, humour and a spicy dash of glamour. I'm sure their strength will take us by storm again."

20% off at Dorothy Perkins

Christmas has come early for us mad shoppers with 20% off everything in-store at Dorothy Perkins and online at http://www.dorothyperkins.co.uk/ today and tomorrow (Thursday 22 and Friday 23rd November)

That purple dress that has featured in the December issue of every fashion magazines is not available online yet, but you can get some fab party frocks and winter wooly knits to take you through to the New Year:



1. Grey rose bubble hem dress, £40 > £32
2. Silver cut out dress, £30 > £24
3. Aqua cowl back sequin tunic, £35 > £28
4. Gold peep-toe shoes, £15 > £12
5. Purple metal platform shoes, £25 > £20
6. Pewter platform shoes, £25 > £20
7. Pewter lurex batwing v-neck, £20 > £16
8. Cream empire slouch jumper, £25 > £20

Manolo Blahnik - CBE

The one and only Manolo Blahnik, the most famous mogul when it comes to shoe designing, has been made a CBE - Commander of the British Empire - by the Queen for his contribution to fashion.

The Spanish-born, London-based shoe designer has received the award "in recognition of his status as one of the most successful and influential designers of our time".

Culture Secretary James Purnell, who presented the honour, commented: "Manolo Blahnik is one of only a handful of designers whose name is synonymous with their product. His avant garde designs mixed with timeless classics ensure that women all over the world are desperate to get their hands on a pair of Manolos.

By basing his business in London, Mr Blahnik has played a huge part in enhancing the reputation of the capital as a leading fashion industry centre."

And Manolo himself couldn't be more thrilled with his new title. "It is the greatest privilege to have been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to receive such an honour for my small contribution to the fashion industry in Britain," the modest designer said. "I'll always be proud and grateful for it."

Devotees represent an international A-list of stars from American Vogue’s Anna Wintour, to Oprah Winfrey, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kylie Minogue, J.Lo and Madonna who said "they’re as good as sex ...and they last longer".

For the full story go to www.vogue.co.uk

Christmas gift ideas #1 - Benefit

If my boyfriend hadn't already spent £150 on presents for me this Christmas, this is what I'd be asking him to buy me!

I love Benefit; it's amazing. I first fell in love with it when me and my best friend were christmas shopping last year and we got pulled in by the Benefit desk for a makeover type thing. We walked away with some fab goodies and it's such quality make up that I can't resist the price tag any more and just have to get some.

This 'big, beautiful eyes' eye contour kit provides big results when you need to define, contour and enhance your eyes. Included is a step-by-step make up lesson and the kit consists of a primer, a pink base shadow, cocoa shimmer countour eyeshador, a chocolate brown liner shadow and 2 brushes.

£17.50



This justine case is "just in case" you need a beauty refresher. The kit contains Benefit's favourite one-hit wonders - 'some kinda gorgeous' for a flawless complexion, the infamous Benetint for rosy lips and cheeks, 'californian kissin'' for a bright smile, and 'eyecon' for fading action day or night. These minis come together in their own little kit with its own mirror.

22.50


One of their most famous and successful products, Benetint gives cheeks and lips a healthy glow. It's a stainer [so don't hold it upside down!], it's kiss-proof and water-proof [brill for those meetings and greetings and the wondering or not winter weather] and gives you an innocent glow for the party season

£22.50



Dr Feel Good is a new idea for smooth, matte skin. It's colourless and weightless and can go on bare skin or on top of make up to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, while soaking up excess oil. It's enriched in Vit A, C and E, and can be used with the sponge provided or your fingers for quick and flawless touch ups throughout the day.

£19.50


On my chrimble present list from my parents this year is this classic pack of three Benefit timeless classics. The best of Benefit : iconic classics set includes their best mascara, their best skin mattifier, and the original Benetint. It's limited edition and you save £17 from the RRP of the individual items put together.

£39

David Beckham for Armani Underwear SS08

Emporio Armani have been selling underwear in Europe for years and are just about to go stateside, having picked David Beckham to be the face of their new US SS08 campaign.

Beckham, who recently launched his second his-and-hers perfume with wife Victoria, has reported had a loss of earnings last year, falling 28% to £11.1 million due to a loss of endorsement deals. But it looks as though that might be on the up after his modelling shoot with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in LA last week.

The ad campaign will be up and running in January, and the US underwear range will be available through top retailers Macy's and Bloomingdales.

A fine example of high street glamour

Gorgeous girls, glamourous performance, high street dresses.
Love it.

Lily Cole for Marks and Spencers

Our own gorgeous Lily Cole has been unveiled as the new face of Marks and Spencer's SS2008 campaign.

Known for her flame coloured hair and amazing elegance on the catwalk, Lily's bound to get hearts racing by bringing a bit of youth and a lot more glamour to M&S's television ads, already starring a host of celebrities such as Twiggy, Erin O'Connor and Noemie Lenoir.

The stunning 19-year-old posed for cameras today with the high street chain’s chief executive, Stuart Rose, at the launch of the spring-summer 2008 collection. She will be the exclusive face of the new high-end Limited Collection, on sale from January, featuring ankle-length maxi suits, fitted macs and tailored casualwear.

Marketing director Steve Sharp said: “We are thrilled that Lily has joined us as the face of Limited Collection. Her striking beauty goes without saying and her commitment to environmental issues makes for a great partnership with M&S.”

Lily supports WaterAid, who provide safe water to the world’s poorest people, the UK based NGO Environmental Justice Foundation and is an ambassador for Global Angels Children’s Charity. And she recently wrote the foreword for Tamsin Blanchard’s ethical fashion book Green Is The New Black.

...I love Lily, I think she's fab. I just hope she's not permanently hopping from catwalk to catalogue, and that this won't affect her runway bookings for SS08 [she was hardly anywhere to be seen AW07.]

Harper's Bazaar - Best Dressed list 2007

There's news out this week that Kate Moss may be 'losing her style icon status' after just scraping the list for Harper's Bazaar's best dressed list 2007.

The British supermodel, who topped the list in 2004 and came 2nd and 3rd the following two years, only made it in at #10 this year, being overshadowed by the likes of Lily Allen, Dame Helen Mirren, and... J.K.Rowling.

Not the most flattering position for Ms Moss to be in, is it?

Harper's Bazaar's best dressed list 2007:
1. Natalia Vodianova
2. Thandie Newton
3. Agyness Deyn
4. Dame Helen Mirren
5. Lily Allen
6. Emily Blunt
7. JK Rowling
8. Anouck Lepere
9. Irina Lazareanu
10. Kate Moss



We have to admit, the top two on the list consist of the most beautiful women of our time, and Agyness Deyn is, well, she's just Agyness. She's one of the biggest supermodels right now and with her peroxide crop and quirky fashion sense she has definitely earned the right to be in third place.

But Kate Moss has to be up there too, surely?

I do think that Dame Helen Mirren and J.K.Rowling are beautifully dressed, elegant women, but Kate Moss has had a brilliant year; she's fought to get her campaigns and contracts back, she launched one of the most successful high street fashion clothing lines of all time, and, let's face it, she dumped the crack head. All year she has been pictured looking nothing but glamourous, and I think the media's intrusion of her life [and their dodgy-lighted pictures] has maybe contributed to her being placed further down.

As for the others; I love Emily Blunt and Lily Allen. They are both beautiful British girls who have their own sense of style and they deserve to be high up on the list.

Irina Lazareanu wouldn't have been so well known for her modelling if Kate Moss hadn't had asked her to front her Topshop campaign........ and the world wouldn't have batted an eyelid that she was dating Pete Doherty if Kate hadn't have got to him first.

Vogue's "most glamourous"

She is never seen in public in anything less than her top attire, her fashion sense is admired by millions, and she had just been voted one of the top 50 glamourous women in the world by fashion bible Vogue.

No, we’re not talking about Kate Moss. We’re talking about the one and only Her Majesty the Queen.

It may come as a surprise, but the 81 year-old Queen of England features in Vogue’s “definitive list” of the most influential and glamourous women on our planet today.

When it comes to thinking of glamour, you wouldn’t usually put the Queen up with the best supermodels, actresses and fashion designers the industry has ever produced.

So what exactly makes her formal suits and sensible shoes glamourous?

We all have to admit, she does have colour-coding down to a tee and her crown jewels create more bling than the rest of the 49 women’s jewellery put together.
But does she really deserve a place in one of the most exclusive lists in the fashion world?

According to Vogue, it’s “not what you wear but how you wear it,” and that the Queen looks “as glamourous in her brogues and headscarves at Balmoral as she is wearing the crown jewels.”
“Everything the Queen wears is worn with confidence and style, setting her apart in the fashion stakes.”

The Queen favours conservative but often brightly coloured assembles for her public appearances, and always accessorises them with sensible shoes and handbags. And when it comes to her days of relaxation, brogue shoes, waxed jackets and headscarves knotted firmly under the chin are clearly no passing fad for Her Majesty.

When compared at first to the likes of Claudia Schiffer, who also made the list, the Queen seems a lot less fashionable and much more reserved. Yet as we take a closer look we see that she has grown more elegant with age and she always stays true to her own personal style.

This shows that having the latest fashion fad doesn’t make you worthy of glamour, as the most famous quote from Coco Chanel states: “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” This woman ruled Parisian haute fashion couture for almost six decades, so she certainly knows what she is talking about.

“It’s a great compliment,” A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told the media. “She has a very practical approach to fashion and a great sense of occasion."

And she also seems to have a hold on the fashion industry, as when Dame Helen Mirren appeared as the British monarch in the Oscar-winning movie “The Queen”, sales of Barbour waxed jackets were given a major boost in the US.

The older generation certainly holds its own in Vogue’s list, out in its December issue, with 70 year-old Vanessa Redgrave and 62 year-old Charlotte Rampling up there with the teenage supermodels of today.

And the advice from Vogue for all of us out there who can’t quite buy the pearls around the Queen’s neck or use her status to get into the definitive list? “Beauty is within everyone’s grasp.”

Gisele Bündchen

"I won't get out of bed for dollars."

It has been reported in the press recently that supermodel Gisele Bündchen will no longer get out of bed for a day's work... unless she is paid in Euros.

With the dollar hitting an all-time low against the Euro and Pound, is seems Gisele is determined to get her money's worth. According to a Brazilian newspaper, the 27 year-old demanded that the owners for her new campaigns with Pantene hair products and Dolce & Gabbana both paid her in Euros.

It may be a wise move as the Euro is the strongest currency at the moment but is this just greed gone too far? I absolutely love Gisele, she's an amazing supermodel and does work really hard.

But having this amount of money in her pocket surely means that she has enough to make sure she and her whole family live comfortable for the rest of their lives. Does it really matter what currency she is paid in? I'm sure losing a hundred pounds or so every few months shouldn't really matter all that much.

She is the higest-paid supermodel in the world having earned £14MILLION in the first six months to 2007, adding to her reported $150MILLION fortune from exclusive modelling contracts over the years.

She is currently the face of 20 brands worldwide and has represented the following fashion houses during her career:

Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Versace, Celine, Givenchy, Bvlgari, Lanvin, Guerlain, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Earl Jeans, Zara, Chloe, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria's Secret.

This reinstates the fact that she is one of the best supermodels in the world, and I think at this time in her highly successful career things such as currency shouldn't matter.

Holly Willoughby for Oli

TV presenter Holly Willoughby has been chosen to front the AW campaign for brand new fashion brand Oli.

The gorgeous Pretty Polly model was scouted by Storm Models at the age of 15 and is signed up to one of Hollywood's hottest acting agencies.

And now she's been scouted for Oli, who have been entertaining us all summer with their fabulously quirky ad campaigns [above].

I think Holly is absolutely gorgeous and her success comes down to being a great presenter, a fab fashion sense and a real girl-next-door personality. She's destined for ever bigger success than she's already achieved and I can't wait until the campaign goes live.

'Tis the season to be at a party

I'm really, really excited about the party season - the next two months are my favourite of the whole year... it's a chance to have that rare get together with your closest friends, show off your [chocolate filled, in my case, but now it's time to diet] gorgeous body, wear some fabulous heels, and make the man in your life melt with your sexiness.

I have 6 dinners/parties to go to during November, and only around £120 to spend. So, it's got to be glamourous but it's also got to be cheap. Here are a selection of the best party dresses on the high street:


1. All-over sequin dress, £30, F&F at Tesco
2. Silver bubble mesh dress, £35, Miss Selfridge
3. Teal dress with bead detail, £40, Miss Selfridge
4. Rosette lurex shift dress, £39.99, River Island
5. Gold silk fuji dress, £50, Lipsy
6. Square neck bubblehem dress, £25, New Look
7. Silver sequin t-shirt dress, £35, Red Herring at Debenhams
8. Plait silver dress, £30, Miss Selfridge

As you can see, I absolutely love the metallic/silver/sequin/gold look this winter. I love all the sparkle and all the glamour, and love the fact that most of the dresses can be teamed with black tights and shiny shoes for a more wintery fashionable look.

My favourite has to be #7, from Red Herring. It can be dressed up or down, and I've always wanted to own a sequin dress. It looks great plain but the problem with my big hips is that shift-style dresses seem to go in at the bottom instead of out, and so I might need to add a belt to make it look better.

I also love #6, it's soo adorable and great value. It's bound to be easily affordable coming from New Look and it's a really cute, girly dress that looks fab on everybody.

#2 might be a little low-cut for me but #5 is a great dress that stands out from the crowd.

I love them all, and all of them are under £50. They can also be teamed up with jumpers and/or tights, which means you can wear them to more than one occasion. Perfect!

Outfit of the Week - Week 2

Seems as Bonfire's night is on its way I thought I would make up an outfit that could be worn to a great bonfire 'do, and then with just a bit of change can be glammed up to rock any after-party events.

Bonfire Party
I love this casual look: we'll start off with the jeans. Skinny-flare jeans are really huge right now and unlike The Skinny, they can look good in any size. These are from Miss Selfridge and I love them. I chose black because winter's on its way, and to be honest we're a bit sick of wearing blue all of the time. I love the tshirt too [and own one in charcoal.] It's casual and will keep you warm under this oversized roll neck jumper, which is both comfortable and stylish. Top off the look with some flat, black ankle boots, a dark beret and a lovely wintet coat, and voila: you'll be fashional, warm, and most importantly, your brand new jeans won't get ruined by the November mud!

Jeans, Miss Selfridge, £35
White t-shirt, River Island, £15
Roll-neck jumper, £45, Topshop
Beret, £10, Warehouse
Flat ankle boots, £79.99, River Island

After Party
You can glam up the casual t-shirt and jeans combo by ditching the jumper and adding this gorgeous black waistcoat for a glam rock-chick look. I don't usually like wedged shoes but these black patent ones will add height and make your legs look slimmer. Accessories are optional but adding the black trilby will give you an effortless look a la Ms Moss, and the black chainmail purse is gorgeous and adds a bit of sparkle to the whole outfit.

Tshirt and jeans, as before
Chopped silk trim waistcoat, £40, Kate Moss at Topshop
Trilby hat, £19.99, River Island
Black patent wedges, £35, Miss Selfridge
Chainmail zip purse, £14.99, River Island

Nolita : No to anorexia

In my practical journalism class on friday we were looking into specialist journalism and I chose to do my 300 word article on the size zero debate. I am continuing it for my feature writing in the next two weeks and thought I'd post my original article here.

Billboards of a naked French actress who has suffered with anorexia for half her life have been unveiled in the campaign to stop size zero models being allowed on the catwalk.

Actress and model Isabelle Caro, 27, has been anorexic for 15 years and weighs less than five stone, and she hopes the shocking image commissioned by Italian fashion brand Nolita will make influential teenagers think twice about starving themselves to fit the UK size four frame.

The picture was unveiled to coincide with last month’s Milan Fashion Week, who last year prohibited any size zero model from appearing on their runways. The move came after the deaths of anorexic models Ana Carolina Reston and Luisel Ramos, who collapsed and died of a heart attack on the catwalk during a fashion show in Monterideo.

A 2007 report by the Model Health Enquiry suggested that four out of ten models are suffering from an eating disorder. But after London Fashion Week refused to withdraw the skinniest models from their catwalks, health organisations fear that their influences on admiring young British women will get further out of hand.

Models unnaturally maintaining a size zero body live on just 500 calories a day from the 1,500 set out as a guideline for women. They have a waist of 22 inches, the size of a seven year olds, and can suffer hair and teeth loss from the lack of nutrients in their body as well as being at severe risk of heart attacks and organ failure.

At her lowest point, Isabelle fell into a coma weighing only 25 kilos (3st 13lbs) and she hopes that her picture, photographed by Oliviero Toscani, might prevent other young women from following in her footsteps. She said: “If I had seen a campaign such as Toscani’s, I probably wouldn’t have become anorexic.”

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

Five of the hottest supermodels on the planet, fashion guru Ralph Lauren, photographer Patrick Demarchelier and creative director David Lipman have contributed their time and talents to produce this beautiful image for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and NET-A-PORTER intiative.

The shoot for the campaign took place in August 2007 with Lily Donaldson, Lily Cole, Daria Werbowy, Du Juan and Sasha Pivovarova teaming up and wearing limited edition Ralph Lauren polo shirts emblazoned with the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer logo.

Supermodel Lily Cole said: "It's an obvious thing that breast cancer affects everyone, and [buying the tshirt] is a really small thing that each and everyone one of us can do. It's an overwhelming problem and people wonder how they can make a difference. If you get on NET-A-PORTER.com and buy the tshirt, it really is a great way to help."

The tshirts, in white, blue, red, green and yellow, are £55 from NET-A-PORTER.com and all proceeds go to the charity.

Creative director David Lipman said: "When i got the phone call asking would i be involved with this i said absolutely. I believe it's something that is my duy and my call to do, to make it exciting and fresh, to play off the colours of Ralph Lauren's shirts, and making everyone think we can buy this really easily, and support the cause, and feel really good about the cause."

The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer WORLDWIDE campaign is a charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation, and is a year-long project planning to collaborate with many more top designers. Since its launch in 1994, FTBC has raised over $40million for breast cancer in 13 countries.

Go here to watch behind the scenes action from the day of the shoot and to listen to how breast cancer has personally affected the lives of the models and people involved in the fashion business.
http://www.net-a-porter.com/FTBC/FTBehindTheScenes

Miss Dior Cherie

Reasons for posting?
Old campaign, but it's my favourite.

Kate Moss at Topshop AW07/Christmas

Kate Moss's AW07 Topshop collection hit the shelves country-wide today, and I wouldn't be surprised if it caused even more of a frenzy than her first attempt at designing clothes did - this collection is much better and much glitzier - I absolutely love it and think it's put the British supermodel way ahead when it comes to icons-turn-designers [sorry Lily and Amy but yours just don't match up].

Kate tried and tested every garment before it went into production, and looks absolutely fantastic in the campaign shoot - she's really risen back up after her fall in 2005 and I've got a feeling 2008 is going to be even bigger for her.

I didn't really like any of her first collection, and even though this collection features many items [tshirts, scarves..] similar to the last, I absolutely love some of the dresses and purses she has designed for Autumn and Winter.



I think all of these dresses are perfect for the biggest party season of the year. The first one is perfect for a prom and will even fit in with the Halloween parties coming up this week. The last one is a bit too silk nightie-like but it's still pretty and I love the colour. The middle two can either be dressed up or down to fit your mood or your party theme.

I love both of these purses, and am drawn to them because of their beautiful detail. I wouldn't really pay £45 for one, but they're pretty to look at and would go with any outfit.

The only problem with the Kate Moss collection for me personally is the price of everything, it's very exaggerated and I think if the garments didn't have Kate Moss's signature on them then Topshop wouldn't sell half as many, although they would sell them at half the price.

This gorgeous dress is by far the best [and most expensive] of her collection. The 1920's style shift with beaded sequin strands and diamante clusters is a copy of the Topshop/Swarovski dress Kate wore for Fashion Rocks, and is priced at £250. It can be bought at the following stores, but snap it up quick because it's sure to go like hotcakes:
London, Oxford Circus
London, High Street Kensington
Manchester, Arndale Centre
Dublin, St. Stephen’s Green
Glasgow, Argyle Street
Leeds, Briggate
Birmingham, Bullring



To see and buy from the collection, visit:
http://www.katemosstopshop.com/