The SAG Verdict

I’m not a big fan of award show gowns: in general they tend to look a little tacky. Last night’s SAG awards didn’t turn out any show stoppers (except perhaps for Lea Michele) but here are the dresses that get my nod of approval. Love them, hate them, copy them for your matric farewell… whatever.



I’m a huge fan of Zac Posen evening wear. His dresses have just the right amount of drama without being tacky. Amber Heard wears it well.

This Pucci dress is a lovely statement of minimalism. It keeps Kyra Sedgwick looking sophisticated and has a decidedly sexy air to it, all at the same time.  

Naya Rivera looks like a vintage perfume bottle that belongs to some aristocrat from the previous century in this Naeem Kahn dress. (Yes, that is the strangest compliment I’ve ever dished out.)

Michelle Williams and Valentino go so well together. So effortlessly charismatic. Just lovely.

This is Rose Byrne in Elie Saab. It’s cool because it’s not a dress.

Okay, HOW amazing does Lea Michele look in this Atelier Versace dress and Fendi clutch.  I give this a big, fat, fashionable stamp of approval.

Images: elleuk.com

Ready To Stare

The Spring 2012 Haute Couture collections are your trump card in the ‘fashion is art’ argument. Some fabulously over the top, some beautifully understated, each piece will make you feel like one in a million.  



The high-flying fun at Chanel will leave you on cloud nine.



If you like it then you should have put a bow on it. Christian Dior is it.



Giorgio Armani Privé. Cue purr of approval.



Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Score.



Jean Paul Gaultier takes us back to black.



All tied up at Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal.



Valentino writes a Victorian fairytale.



Cutting edge Versace.



Images: vogue.it

Behind The Secret Garden

During my time at ELLE last year, I had the honour of interning on Asanda Sizani’s ‘Into The Secret Garden’ which is in the February issue -on sale now.
 
HERE you can see a behind the scenes look at this very special shoot that involved everything from fake flowers to live butterflies. Also, as fellow intern Nomalanga Ntuli likes to think of it, I’ve finally broken into the hand modelling business.

If you haven’t gotten a copy of the February issue yet, go get it now!  

When Fashion Gets Attitude

When you look at fashion campaigns and editorials, you’ll usually see a particular brand of ‘aloof’ or ‘surprise’ on the models' faces. Page through your average 758 page September US VOGUE and you’ll see one too many of these attitudes and expressions on the models' faces. It’s not until you come across an editorial or campaign that has some real personality that your realize how plain all the other are.

Here are a few pictures in recent fashion that have pulled me out of the aloof snooze and given me something to grin about.

I’m a huge fan of UK ELLE (do yourself a favour and follow the editors on Twitter for some comic relief) because of it’s amazing layout and the editors' ability to create really loud fashion images that jump right off the page.



These two are from the July 2011 issue ‘Now Make Your Move’ shoot. (Also the subject of my new header.)



These are from the AW11 ‘The Shock Of The New’ collections shoot with Coco Rocha for the August 2011 issue.





I love the strong attitude of the models in these Dolce & Gabbana SS12 campaigns. They might dance with you… or they might throw something at you.





Whether the Lanvin girls are dancing (AW11) or getting into a fight (SS11) one thing remains certain: it’s all going down in a hotel room.



Kate Spade ads always put a smile on my face. This one is like a happy Sue Sylvester.

Lastly, get a load of this: I don’t think anyone expected normal to be the result of a Helena Bonham Carter for Marc Jacobs (AW11) campaign, but this is quite something. A lovely (strong) dose of crazy.

The New Header

The new header features Lady Gaga with Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) in her Paparazzi video. She is wearing the now legendary Linda Farrow Mickey Mouse sunglasses.  

Image: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RnHFHYJtB8I/TMSxI2Mv3PI/AAAAAAAAFco/mCyFwlT_fGY/s1600/lady-gaga-jeremy-scott-linda-farrow-mickey-mouse-sunglasses+copy.jpg

Fashion Editors ♥ Prada

As proud as we are of the Prada SS12 campaign here in South Africa because of local model Katryn Kruger, Prada’s advertising is proving to be almost unnecessary. The February covers FOUR major fashion magazines all feature ladies in wonderful Prada ensembles.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me. If you look at each one of these covers you’ll see the clothes make a strong impression and often bring out the personality of the cover star. I look forward to seeing more of these.

(It’ll no doubt be very interesting to see which designer dominates the March fashion issues. Stay tuned.)

Images: designscene.net; elle.co.za; fashioncopious.typepad.com; ticktockvintage.com



The Pre-Fall 2012 Collections. (Because There's An Imaginary Chilly Breeze Outside.)

The pre-fall 2012 collections offer something for every taste and, even better – every shape. Still the common factor is a sense of comfort and style – something that, if these are a prediction for fall, is here to stay. 

Burberry Prorsum sends three strong messages: high wasted skirts, belts with bows, and gigantic shoppers. 

All your workwear needs are fulfilled at Calvin Klein Collection. One word: skirtsuit. 

Think about something different for evening-wear. Think Carolina Herrera.

When the leaves start to turn crimson, they’ll take a cue from your Erdem dress.

Louis Vuitton = fluffy. 

Lagerfeld takes the Slumdog out of Slumdog Millionaire at Chanel.

 If it’s oversized, it’s Céline.

The Gucci woman wears the pants – and won’t shy away from riding her own War Horse. 

Lanvin remains clean cut and relaxed… giving you just enough room to bust a move. 

It’s the Stella McCartney comfort of a jumpsuit. The maxi platforms make it high fashion. (And bring you closer to heaven.) 

Giorgio Armani reminds us that it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

For a modern sexy, go back to Versace.

Images: vogue.it  Louis Vuitton and Celine images: style.com

Note To Self: BUY ELLE

The new issue of ELLE hits stores today – something we can all be very excited about. The hype begins on the cover with Michelle Williams who just hours ago walked away with a Golden Globe for her performance in ‘My Week With Marilyn.’

Then there’s the fashion: I’m not just saying this because I had the honour to intern on Asanda Sizani’s ‘Into The Secret Garden,’ it really is one of the best fashion issues ELLE has ever done. Poppy Evans’s ‘Drama Queen’ shoot looks like an art collection and Tarryn Oppel’s ‘Love To Love You Baby’ will get you in the mood for the rough attitude of the new season. The ‘How To’ metallics shoot is also a stand out, as is the ‘Scent Of A Woman’ beauty shoot.

My point is: it’s a bloody fantastic issue, timeless really, so go get it now!

Clothes That’ll Suit A Man

The Suit. That is the key phrase over at Milan where the Autumn/Winter 2012 menswear shows are well under way. Designers have kept things classic, but have also delivered some differentiation on the wardrobe staple that is playful, relaxed, and sometimes downright royal.

Here are my highlights from the top designers that have shown so far…

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Suits are right up Burberry’s alley. Christopher Bailey did an excellent job of playing with textures and creating fun details (studded gloves and fox-face knits) while still managing to keep it all looking super smooth. Here are my top three looks.

The show was jam packed with to-DIE-for sweaters, but this one is my favourite because of how classic yet edgy it is.

I love how a more casual item like a quilted jacket gets thrown over a classic suit for warmth and edge.

This suit stands out because of how Bailey played with different colours. (Also note the new way to wear the scarf.)

ZOOM: A closer look at the style that shaped the show.

Jackets are double-breasted, gloves are studded, shirts and ties come from the same fabric, and files are carried in multi-colour leather bags.

Sweaters have loose necks lines and are adorned with fox faces, classic-style shoes are worn in refreshingly bold colours, scarves are striped and tucked into the jacket, and let’s not forget the all-important cap!

JIL SANDER

This season Raf Simons abandoned his signature pops of colour and took us down a slippery slide of black leather. Sweaters with animals and what I’m officially dubbing a ‘back bib’ made the show. Here are my top three.

I love the androgyny of a wet-look leather shirt over a white shirt as shown here. It makes a statement.

A classic rule in fashion: when going monotone, play with textures. This sweater will stay in your closet forever.

If Glee’s Rachel Berry were a man, she’d wear this sweater. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just one of the many reasons why I love this outfit. (Calling all Moby Dick enthusiasts…)

ZOOM

A Jil Sander man carries his lunch in a brown paper bag, sometimes the animals jump off the sweater and onto your shoes, the all new ‘back bib’ is a must, and dinosaurs are once again free to roam.

DOLCE & GABBANA

Dolce and Gabbana’s menswear shows are always a treat, and this season is no exception. With a broken down opera backdrop, the show had a very royal feel. Taking us back to the Sicilian boys of 1910, the suit was kept classic at times, and deconstructed at others. Here are my top three.  

Finally you get and excuse to wear your suit with a pair of jeans.

There is something high fashion and outrageous about wearing a wool-on-wool combo like this that appeals to me.

These beautifully embroidered jackets stole the show.

ZOOM

Shoes are anything but polished and socks are long enough to reach the three-quarter pants, and when it comes to jackets and overcoats, the beauty is in the detail.

Feel like being uber fashionable when you get out of bed for your midnight snack? This collection offers a wide variety of underwear and pyjamas to dress you for the occasion.  

Images: style.com