Showing that she is not only a strong fashion force, Anna Wintour is now proving her political power as the president, Barack Obama has given her a place on the Committee on the Arts and Humanities. According to WWD, the committee aims to help advise the president on how to "expand the roles of arts in society", and consists of 24 others, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker and Edward Norton. The announcement comes as little suprise to many, with a succession of recent rumours about Anna possibly leaving her job at Vogue for a place in the White House following her fundraising for the Obamas during their campaign, and placing Michelle Obama on the front cover of Vogue.
Double heeled platforms, harem pants, snoods, high-waisted everything, exaggerated shoulders, jump/play suits, over-the-knee boots, sequins and cinched waists, amongst other things, are currently the fashion industry and style-savvy fashionistas' 'flavours of the month'. These trends have slowly and steadily inundated the catwalks before filtering down to the high street over the last few seasons. Shoppers have flocked in droves to empty the rails and get their manicured mitts on these 'hot new trends'. This all sounds fine and good. However, it does beg the question of whether our generation has its own look and if so, what trends would sum up our 'look'? In previous decades, the trends of the era were more often than not reflective of the happenings and changes in society at that point in time and as such, the fashions of the particular decade could be seen to play an important role.
The big question is, are our generation simply copying old trends from different eras, or do we actually have our own identity?
What words come to mind when you think about Carolina Herrera. Luxury, elegance and glamour, right? So I'm sure, like us, the idea of her working on a diffusion line with Target sounds slightly far fetched.
However, The Cut managed to speak to the designer this week at New York City Opera's theatre debut this week where she revealed that a collaboration is something she would consider. “Of course!” she said when asked whether she would accept an offer. “If they asked me, of course.”
Does this mean we can expect a collaboration any time soon? Only time will tell.
It has been confirmed that one of Britain's most noteable designers, Matthew Williamson will be launching a menswear line to be stocked exclusively in Harrods and Matthew Williamson boutiques this February. The collection's instore date has yet to be confirmed, however we can also reveal that the designer, renowned for his use of exotic colour and print will be taking his entire womenswear collection online. Every piece from his most recent collection will be available for the public to buy from late November when the e-commerce site will launch, so we can get some Matthew Williamson beauties no matter where we are.
Remember that moment when Holly Golightly, a.k.a., Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, puts on that gorgeously simple black sheath dress? The dress that future generations of women would refer to as the LBD or the Little Black Dress? Or one could always argue that the LBD was championed by Coco Chanel when she showed off a calf-length black dress in Vogue in 1926. Oh god, I really am showing my age! I’m only 33 but am ever such an old soul.
This dress transcends social classes, is widely accessible and is always reliable when one needs to look smart, casual or effortless, depending on how and what is worn with it. (I suppose it's the Swiss Army knife of dresses.) And just as the LBD has become a stalwart item in every woman’s wardrobe, the world of make up has equivalents that I feel every woman should have. These products are the ones you know will always work for you and depending how you wear them, they'll give you a multitude of looks. Mind you, these aren’t just for you ladies - for me, as a make up artist, I would never be without them as well. On many an occasion, these LBD items have saved my life on photo shoots or fashion shows.
So what's on the LBD make up list? And how can you use these few products in ways you probably never considered?
The luxury goods industry is increasingly looking like the worst hit market as the onslaught of the recession continues. Some brands however are proving to be more fortunate than others given that they are owned by larger parent companies with several strings to their bows - case in point, LVHM (owner of Moet and Chandon, amongst other products).
Versace however, as an independently owned label is not in the same boat and has had to take serious measures to fend for itself. Having announced that it was to axe around 350 jobs worlwide, taken on a new CEO, closed down under-performing stores and signed Georgia May Jagger as the new face of the brand, it's clear that this is one brand that refuses to go down without a fight.
Last week we reported that the Versace brand was having a serious reshuffle in the workforce department. It seems from recent news as reported on Grazia.com that the reshuffle is to go beyond the regular in-house staff and will include the introduction of a new face to star in the ad campaigns.
Unexpectedly, this new face in question is that of 17 year old rising star and rock royalty, Georgia May Jagger , daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, who strangely enough, was also a Versace cover girl in her modelling hayday. The sultry looking golden haired model, who has already starred in campaigns for Hudson Jeans and Rimmel make-up, although not an obvious choice, is clearly what the brand needs to inject more youth and edge if it's to comfortably weather the current storm affecting the luxury goods market in the present economic climate. Ms Jagger's agent confirmed the signing, saying "We are delighted that Georgia is following the foot steps of her mother who did Versace with Avedon.She was thrilled to be working with Donatella and Mario and to be bringing it through to a new generation."
Green was the colour of choice for Alicia Keys at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards last night, held in Las Vegas. The star opted for this green and brown strapless maxi, a satin gren clutch, green jewellery and eyeshadow.
