Dita von Teese Launches New Underwear Range

Of course I follow Dita von Teese on Twitter. You could have guessed that since you know I am a great admirer of her consistently retro style. As are many of you. I know, because you have told me. Well, this week she tweeted the following, "Just signed a new lingerie deal!!! Glam underpinnings in XS to plus-sizes! Launching in Australia, then going global shortly after. Excited!"
First of all the style of the lingerie will hark back to the glamour of the 40s and 50s - as appropriate for a DvT range. Secondly, it is aimed at women of ALL sizes. This is key for Dita. No matter what your dress or bra size, she vehemently believes you can feel sexy. Third, she is designing it for women to look their curvaceous best - to show off their assets in the most flattering way. With so much underwear that seems designed to punish women, this is a delight. And finally, her philosophy isn't for women to look good for men, but for themselves. She says, "indulging in elegant lingerie isn't about the seduction of another person, it's about seducing yourself first and embracing womanhood and femininity.'
The burlesque dancer will work with Australian company Lime Door Brands to design the underwear and will ultimately branch into dresses. We can't wait.

Has Michelle Obama Changed Her Stylist... Again?

Politics is different for everyone. For some it is restricted to local service delivery issues. For others it is an ideological construct. And then there are peeps like me, for whom it is all those things and also about fashion - how power is reflected in colour choices, how popularity is governed by first lady style and how subtle clues to shifts in partisanship can be detected early in style clues. And then there is the politics of the politics of political fashion. Like Michelle Obama's new stylist, Meredith Koop, and has she already been replaced? And what does this mean?
I know. A major political issue of the day, right?

Designer Peter Soronen, who designed these three frocks and at least another three for Mrs O, seemed to let on yesterday that Meredith Koop, whose appointment I posted about here, has 'already gone' and no one is quite sure who has replaced her. Look, Michelle Obama knows her way around an outfit. So my feeling is that this is an admin duty really. All she needs is access to designers and ideas and this she got in spades from her old friend and boutique owner, Ikram Goldman (left). Mrs Goldman has recently had twins so this may have been the reason why someone else stepped in for a while. But I am pretty confident that a combination of her long friendship and successful 'unofficial' stylist role will continue to influence and assist Michelle Obama. And that Michelle Obama's well placed and strong opinions on what she likes and what she wants to wear will continue to be the defining feature of her style. Case solved. Carry on.

150411

Source: Harper’s Bazaar US April 2011

via here

Celebrities Love Their Spanx

Uber boss, Oprah, and A-list actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, are just two famous names who have made no secret of their love for Spanx - the control underwear worn by every self-respecting celebrity on the planet. I am a huge fan myself. Spanx were designed by women and have all the necessary design features to make wearing them as easy as possible. And they are super comfortable. And you can't get them in South Africa except online. I would definitely suggest you do this.
Anyhoodle, dear old Kim Kardashian gave a flash of her Spanx yesterday and it made front pages of the tabloids. She is pretty unashamed about it, tweeting last year, "SPANX are my best friend!"

So I thought I would share some others with you. I had loads to choose from including Jessica Alba, Beyonce, Katie Holmes and Katy Perry, but settled on Kelly Osbourne and Eva Longoria. It's good to know that even the most stylish celebs need a bit of help to look the way they do. Just like all of us.

Celebrities Love Victoria Beckham Dresses

Quite aside from my partisan ways when it comes to Victoria Beckham, it seems that there is no more popular a designer of day and cocktail wear in America right now. There is something so satisfying about this Spice Girl who went from ruthlessly ambitious pop starlet, to WAG, to designer to the stars.
You all know that in my fantasy world, Victoria and I are great mates. It is her wicked sense of humour that makes me want to be friends. That and her dedication to her family and impressive collection of shoes and bags. But more and more, it occurs to me that I may also want to be mates because she is just really, really talented as a designer.
And it is not just me. Eva Longoria has made a habit of wearing VB for her book tour. Parenthood actress Minka Kelly also dons VB this week - and both girls accessorise with pops of colour that work really well. And Jennifer Hudson, who has worn VB many times before, now goes pretty short in one of my favourite pieces from the summer collection, in bright purple. Great girls. Great dresses.

END OF THE WEEK

prickly pear

Saw this fantastic collection of knitted cacti in the window of craft Victoria that I thought

I'd share with you. You may recall I bought on of  theses Odds and Ends creations last year for The Intern

they look so amazing grouped together like this. It reminded my of the arid section at the Botanical Gardens, one of my favourite spots.

I've got my Saturday gallery crawl coming up tomorrow (of course they are forecasting rain dang nabbit) so I'll get a second look at  these lovelies. Where else am I going? Pieces of Eight,  E G Etal, Handheld gallery, Blindside, Stephen McLaughlan, and my favourite city store L'uccelllo

I promise to take photos to show you all next week. RAMONA

Selma Blair Maternity Style Fiesta Continues

So many of you have told me that you have taken such inspiration from Selma Blair over the past few weeks and months, on how to do pregnancy style. To be fair, despite the giant number of pregnant ladies out there (who knew?) I don't think we should limit this to just the preggers ones as her style is so cool, I think we can all pick up a few tips.
But the fashion juggernaut rolls on this week with these awesome outfits. Note the long, fine gold chain she has worked for day and night.
PS: I think I may have hairstyle envy too. Seriously, can this woman do no wrong? If my hair doesn't fall out too badly from my meds, I think I am going to aim for this look. I'll let you know how it goes.

The LV Speedy Gets an Update

Last week we shot our main fashion story for O Magazine's July issue. It was all old money classic styling and we had a great time getting the look just right. When it came to handbags, it was obvious which one to use - it had to be the favourite of it girls from Audrey Hepburn to Aggy Deyn - the Louis Vuitton Speedy. This canvas monogramed tote is the go-to, every day bag for girls with a bit of money, and has been for years, with only minor changes here and there.

Now LV has launched the latest iteration, set to go into stores this week, called the Bandoulière, and the campaign is fronted by Austrian stylist Caroline Sieber. With a slightly younger edge and a cross-the-body option, the new Speedy is sure to do just as well as it ever has. Classic handbags, ladies. You just can't go wrong.

PS: You will have to wait until the middle of June to see the story we shot for O Mag, but here is a sneaky peek at the bag we shot...it is signature StyleGuideCT, for those in the know.

GIVEAWAY

 

fabulous surprise is just a click away

click here for details

o

New Favourite Campaign: Burberry's April Showers

Do you follow Burberry on the Twitter, hmmm? Well, I do. In short, designer and creative director, Christopher Bailey takes over their twitter account during the shows and that's fun, and then for the rest of the time it is a PR gal, I would guess, and a weekly update on what music Christopher is listening to. Music is clearly a strong influence on the designer and his collections. And now, it seems to me, the newest Burberry campaigns.

When I look at this unexpectedly colourful selection of shots, I see album covers. I see artful poses for NME. I can see, taste, smell England and the posh-indie rock bands that have defined the nation for decades from the Rolling Stones, through Blur to Radiohead, Coldplay and Keane. The latter of which is currently participating in the Chinese launch series of Burberry this week.

I love the splashes of primary colour (and a bit of green) of these otherwise classic raincoats and trenches. It makes me happy.
Photographer: Mario Testino
Models: Sophie Kennedy-Clark and Matthew Beard

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with Cat Deeley

Waaaaay back in the late nineties I shifted my life over to the UK (again) and landed up spending the best part of ten years there before returning to SA. At about the same time, a new charitable campaign launched in the UK called Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Every year they would release a cool t-shirt. Sometimes it was just the logo, then it started being designed by really famous fashion folks, then pin badges were launched and finally they diversified into other fashion lines.
It has now been 15 years since the campaign started and I have been - in some shape or form - participating. We do have our own fashion campaigns here in South Africa for the month of October usually and obviously I get involved with those too. I will keep you posted. It really is all about awareness. Making women conscious of breast health and checking regularly so that we can prevent breast cancer. So many women work in the fashion industry, love the fashion industry or just love to shop for clothes and these campaigns touch all of these women. It is so worth while.
It doesn't hurt that the glorious Cat Deeley is one of the faces of the new UK campaign either, together with Sadie Frost.

David and Victoria Beckham On the Airport Catwalk

Alright stop. Collaborate and listen. What is it that I see right there? Could it be? Is that a baby bump I see before me? Dressing for the first time in a loose-fit maternity-style frock rather than her uniform of skinny jeans, blouse and jacket, Victoria looked incredible as she stepped out yesterday. So chic, and so lovely and stylishly pregnant. I love it.

Of course, every day is enriched by seeing a pic of her equally lovely husband, David, so here you go. It's my pleasure.

Behind the Scenes Video: Who's That Girl?

The very talented film maker Daniel J Harris had nothing to do one day and so decided to follow my fashion team around as we shot the May fashion editorial for O magazine - called Who's That Girl? It was a long, hard day of shooting but made a whole lot of fun as we worked with a model called Monique (Max Models) who was a total pleasure and is currently one of the models on our season of Project Runway on Vuzu channel. 

Anyhoodle, the shoot was based on my "Charlie Girl" memories of the 70s, so you will see lots of wide-legged, positive strides on the streets of Cape Town. The styling brings together the two trends that are dominant for the season, namely camel and the 70s influence. All the garments are credited so you can see where to get them (if you pause the movie!)

To get the whole story, you will need to buy the O magazine that hits shelves on Monday - don't worry I will remind you. Click on the image at the top or here to watch the video.
Camera: Daniel J Harris
Editing: Cacod Studios, www.youtube.com/cacodstudios
Photographer: Anthony Friend
Hair & Make-up: Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Paris)

Leonie von Hase: From Levi's Summer 08 to London Summer 11

Back in the spring of 2008, I posted the campaign images for the summer Levi's campaign starring Leonie Charlotte von Hase - you can see the post here. Since then, this post has got some of the most consistent traffic and is up there in my all-time 'most clicked on' list. Much has changed since this campaign so I thought I would catch up with Leonie and find out what's going on with her these days.

* How has my life changed since Levi's? I think in general terms I have grown up a bit since then. I've finished studying, fallen in and out and back in with modeling and now moved to London, 
* My favourite all time item of denim? It would probably be the denim jacket that my boyfriend borrowed from his mom once to wear to a dress up. In other words, my favourite item of denim currently resides in someone else's cupboard, but I am working on changing that! Other than that, a denim style men's shirt. It's very casual chic and doesn't make doubling up on denim too much.
* This winter's definitive looks in London would definitely be 70s-style wide legged pants in a dark or really light washed denim. Also, denim skirts with buttons down the front are really cute, and boyfriend jeans with vellies!
* The weather in London has been amazing, so I'm not missing CT's sunshine, though I do miss the beach and the waves! Obviously I miss my friends and my man very much, but I am settling in fast, am inspired beyond and definitely finding the challenge of making a new life exhilarating. If anything, I wake up with the challenge of looking fab every morning - London folk are so well dressed!
* What you don't know about me? I trained as an opera singer for close to ten years, though I never wanted to pursue a career in Opera. From nine to 18 I trained almost daily, but when I left school I decided to follow my love for theatre instead. I am finding my way back to the music though, and have been playing with my Garage Band since living in London. Watch this space :)
* You can follow me on Twitter (@leonievonrabbit) or follow my blog here www.dashasenohr.blogspot.com. I am also in the process of possibly writing a weekly column for a SA men's magazine's online platform, if that happens I will let you know for more contacts!
Leonie is with Boss Models, Cape Town.

The Pictures From Katy Perry's GHD Campaign

I posted a few weeks ago, here, about Katy Perry being named as the new global ambassador for ghd. And now I have managed to get my grubby paws on some of the campaign images to show you. I was particularly interested in these images as Katy is styled to reflect different decades - the campaign is called Iconic Eras of Style.

These shots reflect the 50s, the 70s and the bloody awful 80s side-pony style - which of course made me laugh. The campaign was shot by David LaChapelle.

CLASS OF THE WEEK

Every First Sunday of the month we take Thom way across town to visit the Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria. Now don't get me wrong, this is great fun but I'd be lying if I said part of the appeal is that it's just around the corner from the Kaisercraft outlet store. I opted to take a card making class instead of lining up to ride Thomas the Tank Engine - lucky me!

It was nice to go somewhere crafty where no one knew who I was and I could just follow instructions and make six rather frou frou but fabulous cards. It was nice to be a student! It was nice to make things that weren't for sale or even that good.

Beck and I talked about it over pancakes on Friday and we both agreed that a return to these simple pleasures would help us get through the mountain of work on the professional and personal fronts. It's all about process. If you are feeling a little run down I highly recommend it. Don't worry about the uncool factor, it's just for you (and in my case my mother who loves everything I make unconditionally) RAMONA

Royal Wedding Style: Kate Co-ordinates in Navy

It is only three weeks to go till the Royal Wedding folks! And the future Princess Catherine (aka Kate Middleton) is certainly showing the strain. That aside, Prince William and his bride to be completed their pre-wedding appointments yesterday with a rainy stop by the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy in Lancashire (my official fatherland, that).
Having visited Wales, Scotland and Ireland, they have now been to all the home nations and done the obligatory walk abouts prior to the wedding.

Kate wore a navy blue dress and jacket suit in what looks like a a silk taffeta. Very rich, very beautiful and very appropriate for the occasion. She did pair it with those vile pantihose that she is so terribly fond of (sigh) but I am glad she stuck to the classic court shoe, rather than combining this particular outfit with the knee-high boots. So all-in, this is a definite style win. What do you guys think?

Gavin Rajah Dresses Paris Hilton

You can tell I have been trawling Twitter again, can't you? Look, you know I am all about the success of the local designer. And, while Paris Hilton isn't the reality TV megatron that she once was, she is still pretty tabloid-friendly. And she chose to wear a piece of Gavin Rajah couture, which Gavin helpfully posted on Twitter so that I could steal it and show it to you guys. Big ups Raj.

While I was Rajah-stalking I also saw this lovely image of Charlbi Dean Kriek, wearing Gavin Rajah and shot by Jacques Weyers. That's a killer trifecta right there. Props to all concerned.

Q&A With Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje

I posted a while ago here about an O Magazine shoot featuring exquisite stainless steel jewellery. It has garnered such a lovely positive response and I am so pleased. The team worked really hard on it and took some risks - so it is always fun when the risks pay off.
Some of the jewellery we featured was crafted by two of South Africa's most exciting jewellery talents - Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje. They have a store in Cape Town called Olive Green Cat, and the O magazine web team took some time to ask them a few questions about their brand, their work and how they got to where they are now.
I think it is a lovely read, and worth the few reading minutes. Talent is such a rare commodity that it is always worth digging a bit deeper and drawing those talents around you. Well, that's what I think.
read the Jewellery Q&A with Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje here.
Photographer: Gavin Kleinschmidt
Model: Lindsay from Y Models
Make-up: Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Paris)

Jennifer Lopez for L'Oreal Paris - In the Desert via Twitter

I love it when the peeps I follow on the Twitter post images of themselves that we would never have access to without the wonder of the little blue bird. Jennifer Lopez is a star that knows and understands the beneficial power of 'behind the scenes' insights and exposure.
There is no doubt that the access we have been given to her via American Idol, Twitter and the behind the scenes photos she releases have benefitted her public image and raised her profile considerably. Not everyone benefits, but people who have garnered an unfair reputation like J-Lo and Rachel Zoe are the real winners when it comes to reality TV and social networking.
Anyhoodle, Jennifer posted this picture last night of her and the mysterious Benny out in the desert shooting her latest L'Oreal Paris commercial. Looking, dare we say, not her usual glowing self. And yet, all the more lovable for it.

Her last L'Oreal campaign was sleek, smooth and chic. Effortlessly beautiful. Here's hoping we see another side to her for the next one. Go J-Lo.

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

check!

Ok so we have all had weeks like this: You know the one- where there is so much hard work to do (in my case writing a total of 4000 words in 3 different places, being interviewed, interviewing, and replying to probably 300 emails - apologies to friends I haven't got back to yet). On top of that everyone here had colds and were grumpy and high maintenance as hell. sigh. Times like these I turn to simple craft. I've made a couple of Christmas presents (don't laugh) for the little ladies next door, two gingham totes that I'll fill with some craft supplies (of course).

We broke my beautiful porcelain beaker I used to put cutlery in for couch eating - so I grabbed some scrapbooking bits and a tin - a project that Thom loved too - he stuck the little wooden knife and fork on with great pride!

I also made a set of coasters for Miss B's birthday next week. I did all of these projects as a 'reward' per 1000 words and they all took less than an hour, but they kept me sane in a tough time. Don't ask me about the housework tho, good grief. RAMONA

110411

Source: Numero via here

Weekend Style: Summer Edition

The Northern Hemisphere has got some sun eventually after months and months of a very cold winter. And the stars are wasting no time at all in embracing summer style. It seems churlish to point out that we enjoyed another weekend of rock-solid 30-degree temperatures here in Cape Town, so are also still embracing summer fashion-fun. But let's look at Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane Kruger and see what we can steal from them as we wind down for winter.
Pretty floral dresses and Mary-Jane shoes from our youngest, Taylor. Yup, we can defs get on board with that. Expect to see a lot of this next summer - but girls, please note the length of the dress. Above the knee, but still sufficient to cover the knickers and upper thighs. This is much more the direction to follow for next summer.
Cool, chic, classics from Gwyneth in denim button through skirt and white blouse. This is a universal outfit with longevity built in. Worth investing in a skirt like that for next summer.
And the striped romper and flats from Diane? Cute. Again, rompers are here to stay through next summer, but gang, please make sure the fabric is top class and long enough so you don't get 'crotch-creep'. Revolting, I know. But someone needs to say it.
PS: Someone also needs to ask, where's Pacey? Haven't seen him for ages Diane. Let him out to play, please. I miss his lovely face.

Weekend Style: Pregnancy and Couples Edition

Here is a round up of this weekend's notable style statements. Starting with the pregnant women who seem to be winning the style race at the moment, Selma Blair in colour, Victoria Beckham in heels and Kate Hudson in casuals. All of these looks would work equally well for a weekend, preggers or not. I am particularly loving the solar-inspired shift of Kate's and really wouldn't mind that sneaking into my closet.

Two striking couples also caught my attention this weekend. The ever-immaculate Dita von Teese and her boyfriend French model and aristocrat Louis-Marie De Castelbajac were definitely best dressed. His shoes, her belt...sigh...just lovely.
Also worth noting are brand new indie couple, Keira Knightly and James Righton (he of the Klaxons - that's a British indie rock band for those who don't know). They nail that casual look that the Cape Town/Greenside hipsters are so fond of. Expect to see couples around town dressed in these exact outfits any time now. Boom.

A Glamour Masterclass from Women Over 65

Last night we were schooled in glamorous dressing by three women over the age of 65. First, Raquel Welch (70) wore sleek, draped red and accessorised with gold. Second, Alana Stewart (65) dazzled in Grecian sparkles and third, Dame Joan Collins (77 - yes peeps she is 77) creamed the lot of them in her gown. All of the ladies wore their hair big, their clutches small, their hemlines appropriately long and all in the name of charity
Last year when Joan took young Hollywood to task for their lack of class and glamour, she was met with derision and calls of fuddy-duddy skepticism. But there is no doubt that this sort of style will never, ever go out of fashion.
There is no doubt that the older ladies of Hollywood are setting the style pace these days, and that the days of being put out to pasture once over thirty are long, long gone.
Now that is something to celebrate this Monday morning.

The Last Pia Toscano Style Post. Probably.

So American Idol favourite Pia Toscano was voted off, to many boos and hisses. You all know I was keeping an eye out for her as I believed that they were deliberately positioning her as the 'fashion' one so as to secure the female vote. But that tactic failed. And I have to say, for the record, I am not surprised.
I know, I know, she is a very good singer. But I felt that the Twitterverse got it right last night when they nailed why it was that Pia didn't get the votes, despite the voice, the style and the unquestionable good looks. @texxonfire said "Pia is basically a beauty pageant contestant who, come talent round time, decides to sing. FAIL."
My friend @Anele said, "it's like voting Rachel off Glee" - but so much better when she is gone.
I was also most amused by the outrage that so many Pia fans expressed online when they blamed the L.A.M.B jumpsuit outfit that Gwen Stefani styled for her (and the other female contestants), but I doubt very much that it was the cause of the early exit since, of the three of them, she was by far the best dressed.
No, with news articles flying thick and fast about Pia securing a record deal, dating Mark Ballas from Dancing With The Stars and photos of her looking fully made up in six-inch heels on a Saturday morning, I think we can be well assured someone has a plan for Pia that goes way beyond AI. The only problem is, will that work any better? Can she overcome her natural stiffness and lack of charisma to make any kind of dent with the public? Do we need another Maria? Celine? I really hope not. Sorry.

SHOW OF THE WEEK

MY PRECIOUS

We are so lucky in Melbourne to be spoilt for choice when it comes to contemporary jewellery. At HML we are always impressed with the level of craftsmanship and creativity that seems to have really energised this particular field in recent years. As other media struggle to find market place and audience, jewellery seems to be blossoming into the ideal craft - one that encompasses craft, community, creativity and commerce (sounds like a lecture title!)

The strong trend of using found objects and upcycling continues but as we become more accustomed to seeing bits and bobs in peoples work their has been a real shift in finish. Romy Mittelman,whose show opens this week at EG Etal is a fine example of this. 

The title Precious Debris says it all really - if you are going to use bottle caps, film canisters and beer rings you better pack them in something pretty special to create objects of desire.

The ladies of HML are really only in the market for pasta necklaces at the moment  but we are going to check out this new show this week and we think you should too. RAMONA