The UK arm of French mail order company La Redoute has promoted its chief operating officer Richard Burke to the role of chief executive, taking over from Saida Gallouj, who is now head of Laredoute.com.
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Womenswear brand Claudia Sträter relaunches in UK and Ireland
Claudia Sträter, the Dutch womenswear brand previously stocked by retailers including Harrods, Selfridges and John Lewis, is relaunching in the UK and Ireland after a six-year hiatus.
La Perla signs Naomi Campbell
Luxury lingerie brand La Perla has announced that supermodel Naomi Campbell will be the face of its autumn 15 campaign.
Ambika Pillai's Style Loft opens today
Hair and make-up artist Ambika Pillai is a bigwig in the industry—and it's natural that from her years of experience, her expertise has now transcended from beauty to fashion. Her store, Style Loft, that houses designer merchandise and Pillai's eponymous salon is all set to open doors today.
"Our clients are constantly looking for clothes. They are always on the lookout for new shopping destinations. I have been pointing them out in different directions, and then I thought, why not get it all under one roof where you can get your style fix and beauty makeover done?" said Pillai.
Style Loft houses a selection of established and emerging designers alike—including Pankaj and Nidhi, Dhruv Kapoor, and jewellery designer Preethy Vaidya—which are labels Pillai herself admires and wears. She made a conscious choice to stock merchandise below 30,000 rupees. "I want clients to be happy to go in and pick up something which is really smart, unique and easy to wear," she adds.
Style Loft opens doors today at M-4, 2nd floor, South Extension part 2, New Delhi 110049.
Meet Kangana Ranaut's army
In the June 2015 issue of Vogue India, Kangana Ranaut shares the spotlight with four strapping young men. Get to know the men behind the good looks.
Pranav Mishra, 30
About: The Lucknow-based designer has now set his base in the capital. One half of label Huemn, Misra writes poetry.
Bizarre food habits: Loves boiled veggies.
All-time favourite movies: Life Is Beautiful, Before Sunrise, Khamoshi and Pyaasa
On his current playlist: "Lazer Beams" by Green Velvet & Harvard Bass
Shahnawaz Alam, 27
Whereabouts: The Mumbai-based model has been in the industry for over two years.
Favourite shot: "The one with all four boys walking behind Kangana, who's leading the way."
Worst fear: "My biggest fear is waking up and being old—so age!"
Celebrity crush: Deepika Padukone
Loves: Running
Himanshu Bhati, 27
About: Lives primarily in Delhi, but tends to travel a lot because of his father, who’s in the army. He also loves meeting new people and making friends, every year that he has to move.
Worst fear: Fearless
Favourite movie: Queen
Workout style: "My dad's a commando and I workout with him on the cross trainer."
Rouhallah (Gazi), 28
About: Born and in raised Kashmir, the Mumbai-based model spent some time in Bangalore as a medical assistant before venturing into the industry.
If you had to eat something everyday of your life what would it be: Yogurt
Worst fear: "I'm scared of my own shadow."
Celebrity crush: "Kangana Ranaut—I think she's amazing!"
10 questions with Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle is anything but your average actress. She plays a powerhouse paralegal on the US hit TV series Suits, she's founded the lifestyle website The Tig, of which she's also the editor and writer—and most recently, she's received the title of UN Women Advocate for Women's Leadership & Political Participation, following in Emma Stone's footsteps. The LA-born actress, who has previously starred in TV show Fringe and the film Horrible Bosses, is making waves both onscreen and off-screen.
Vogue chats with Markle about her on-screen character Rachel Zane, her personal style aesthetic, and what tickles her funny bone.
How would you describe your character Rachel Zane's style?
Classic with a modern twist - Rachel wears beautifully tailored separates and always pairs something structured with something feminine, such as a perfect Tom Ford skirt with a lace cutout Nina Ricci sweater, or a Roland Mouret pencil skirt with a flirty flounce at the hem and a crisp Prada button down shirt.
The coolest pair of shoes to make it into the Suits set wardrobe
My cognac hued McQueen pointed toe stilettos - the richness of the tone is just so incredibly chic.
How do you bring your personal style to the show?
I personally prefer to dress tonally, so we have translated that into how Rachel dresses with a full gray silhouette, or variations of nude tones. We also incorporate a lot of my personal jewellery and heirloom pieces that our costume designer, Jolie Andreatta, sources at estate sales. We always want Rachel's aesthetic to feel rooted in a timeless sensibility, and that is very true to how I dress as well.
Your all-time favourite scene from the show
Louis in the mud baths with Mike. ["I Want You To Want Me" season 3, episode 2.] I buckled over in a fit of laughter!
Your most memorable on-set moment
The giggles that happen between me and Gabriel [Macht] in between takes (and sometimes during them) - we have so many scenes together this season because Rachel is Harvey's associate in season 5, and we get silly and fall into bouts of contagious laughter. And it could be about anything. It may drive the crew crazy, but we really can't help it...and it keeps the day fun and light.
Three of your go-to labels and designers
Misha Nonoo, who is a dear friend, Burberry (which I wear more than any other brand), and The Row.
Favourite city in the world to shop
Hong Kong! Endless shops, and no sales tax make for quite a great place to splurge. I promised myself that if we got another season I would treat myself to the Cartier French Tank watch I had longed for since I was 15 years old.
Three things you always have in your handbag
Dog treats for my two pups, La Mer hand cream, and a small container of Jo Malone fragrance (I currently love "Wood Sage & Sea Salt").
Your favourite TV shows, besides Suits, of course
Scandal, Orange is the New Black, Jeopardy
Your website, The Tig, covers everything from fashion to hosting to shopping—tell us some more about your initiative.
The Tig is a hub for the discerning palate—those with a hunger for food, travel, fashion & beauty. I wanted to create a space to share all of these loves, to invite friends to share theirs as well, and to be the breeding ground for ideas & excitement—for an inspired lifestyle.
Suits season 5 is currently on air in India
9 bags that brave the monsoon
When it rains, it pours and you better do everything in your disposition to keep your belongings dry. Don't sacrifice the life of your must-haves for the sake of fashion. The monsoon makes for an excellent time to step out of your comfort zone and embrace PVC in all its multi-coloured glory.
Pick a navy tote from Tory Burch or a waterproof leather bag from Longchamp. For the evening where your belongings aren't too cumbersome, go for a see-through number from Furla or Marc by Marc Jacobs. Opt for a printed overnight bag for your weekend getaways.
Remember, some dance in the rain and others just get wet—and we see no reason why you should be the latter.
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H&M to open East London Divided pop-up
H&M will open a 1,100 sq ft pop-up in the Old Truman Brewery in London on July 23 to showcase its Divided womenswear collection.
Expansion planned following Masai sale
Danish womenswear brand Masai is planning to expand its wholesale and retail business following its sale to private equity group Silverfleet Capital for an undisclosed amount last week.
Cardiff indie Pavilion Clothing to close after 29 years
Cardiff-based young fashion retailer Pavilion Clothing is to close its doors at the end of July after 29 years of trading.
Why you should use a scalp brush to wash your hair
Scalp brushes—in existence for years and often underrated for their powers—are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. They activate microcirculation on your scalp and relieve stress, while also detangling the hair through static electricity. The latest creation to join the scalp brush scene is the S Heart S Scalp Brush—one that you can use while shampooing and otherwise to achieve soft, super glossy strands.
Why it's better than your fingers
1. The haircare tool is implanted with 376 nylon bristles with rounded tips the same size as your pores that help clean out the dirt and oil.
2. The gentle massage movements result in stimulated blood circulation. It's like using your fingers to shampoo, only ten times more effective.
3. Similarly, your hair mask is distributed evenly with the help of the brush, making it simple and efficient in use.
4. Activated microcirculation helps incite the scalp’s natural oils, resulting in a healthy, shiny and strong shaft.
5. The Scalp Brush can also be used to detangle, style and blow dry your hair.
The Scalp Brush is available on s-heart-s.com.
Best dressed this June: Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez
The month kicked off with Bollywood's biggest annual event: The IIFA Awards—and it's hardly a surprise that Deepika Padukone topped the event's best dressed list. The actor walked the green carpet in a shimmering red Sabyasachi sari, followed by Jacqueline Fernandez in Anamika Khanna and Bipasha Basu in a Sabyasachi anarkali—both close sartorial seconds. Another Indian-ethnic look worn well: Aditi Rao Hydari in a polka dot Masaba sari.
Solid washes of colour emerged as a favourite this month. While Kareena Kapoor Khan and Lisa Haydon chose white dresses, Kangana Ranaut, Priyanka Chopra and Malaika Arora Khan stepped out in shades of dusky rose. Going darker, Anushka Sharma paired her black Michael Kors dress with burgundy lips, while Sonam Kapoor picked smoky eyes with her Ralph & Russo ensemble. Nargis Fakhri's best look this month? A navy blue cape gown by Samuel Dougal worn with her short new hairdo.
From the ladies who went bright, Shraddha Kapoor and Neha Dhupia favoured bright yellows. Internationally, stars were painting the town red: While Kendall Jenner chose scarlet, Kate Hudson opted for a reddish copper. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's brick-hued gown was another winner.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: 'Goodbye gown' moments at IIFA 2015
Why are women on the men's runways?
"It's raining men, Hallelujah!"...Wait, what—women too? No, that's accurate information the weather girls have for you this season.
The Spring 2016 men's runways were not without their counterparts, their better-halves, if you may. Following the endless slew of Pre-Spring/Resort shows, men’s shows started with women walking alongside—and not one audience member batted an eyelid.
The numbers naturally tip towards Adam's team, but make no mistake, there are some stunning womenswear looks falling into the rhythm. From Alessandro Michelle's floral robes at Gucci to Kendall Jenner in an alluring pink lace and tassled gown at Givenchy and the Courtney Cobain-esque floaty dresses at Saint Laurent—it's evident that co-ed is the way of the future.
Whether it's an attempt to get more women interested in the men's shows or a collective attempt on the designers' part to share their vision for the seasons, for both sexes, it's certainly gathering more fans at the bleachers.
Go through some of the best looks we have seen so far.
YOU MAKE ALSO LIKE TO READ:Celebrate summer Stella McCartney style
Monday, 29 June 2015
Lipsy settles counterfeit case
Lipsy has agreed to settle a counterfeit case with etailer WantThatDress.co.uk, receiving a five-figure sum as compensation, after the website sold fake copies of the brand’s designs.
Inside Arjun Kapoor's 30th birthday bash
An all-nighter at Mumbai's Trident Hotel, countless cakes and a trending birthday hashtag: Arjun Kapoor went all out for his birthday this year.
As the star turned 30, he celebrated with close friends and family from the industry. Karan Johar took over the camera with Sonam Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez, as did Bollywood boys Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. Other guests at the party included Katrina Kaif, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ayan Mukherji, Shehla Khan and Kapoor's little sister Anshula Kapoor. Photographer Rohan Shrestha showed up as well, bringing with him a rainbow of birthday balloons.
What made the actor's birthday a memorable affair? Find out as you scroll through our gallery of Insta posts—including a special #throwback by cousin Sonam Kapoor.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: Look back: Bollywood in baby pictures
8 Insta accounts that are conversation starters
Tired of fashion and beauty related images flooding your Instagram feed? Even your most favoured interests can get tiresome, when taken in excess. Follow these eight accounts for a broader perspective on the world.
National Geographic
Stuck in a cubicle? National Geographic's fantastic photographers bring to you the wondrous world beyond. Linger a little on their captions for a glimpse into the feature.
French words
Don't let your geography take away from your knowledge of French. Keep up with the language of love—one word and one day at a time—with this Instagram account.
Bon Appetit Mag
Is it any wonder that the staff at Bon Appétit has the most delicious lunches? Scroll through the account for quick fixes to make your worktime lunches a gourmet affair.
Michel Gaubert
The sound stylist who travels where fashion heads has one of the funniest Instagram accounts. Gaubert casually keeps it real with his tongue-in-cheek view of the industry.
Arati Kumar Rao
Follow the photojournalist's journey through the deserts of Rajasthan. A glaring window into the lives of those who still struggle for basic amenities.
@AratiKumarRao
The Museum of Modern Art
No art enthusiast can deny the MoMA's informative feed from inside one of New York's finest museums.
Idea Books Ltd
Fashion extends far beyond clothes. Dover Street Market's bookstore has the choiciest collection of books on design, fashion, art and music. Their archive will make this your go-to bookstore.
International Space Station
The ISS's newsfeed is infintely more interesting than anything else you may have seen all day, but offers a you a quick viewpoint on how tiny and fleeting all your problems are.
High jewellery's cruise collection makes waves
Deep blue sea, bubbling white foam and undulating waves in sparkling sunshine – the Mediterranean has never seemed so alluring as from high on the hill in Monte Carlo.
Except that this week's vision of iridescent water was played out in sapphires and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels has become the first high-jewellery brand to follow fashion and introduce a cruise collection.
The cruise from Monaco to Nice to celebrate the launch of the Van Cleef &
Arpels Seven Seas fine-jewellery cruise collection. Image: Suzy Menkes/
Instagram
Firstly, there was the theme: the Seven Seas, stretching the imagination of the jewellery designers, from the warm waters of Arabia and India and their hot coral colours mixing with the chilly depths of the Atlantic, expressed as a pair of yellow sapphire earrings set against blue stones.
Nicolas Bos, president and CEO of the Place Vendôme Paris jeweller, said that the idea of the Seven Seas was to catch the mythical Renaissance period when travel was as much in the imagination as a reality.
Nicolas Bos president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. Image: Suzy
Menkes/ Instagram
But the Van Cleef executive had another reason for trying to capture with gemstones the romance and preciousness of a past world, centred only on a few known oceans such as the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
"There are two important things about the relation between Van Cleef and the seas," Bos said. "Firstly we really wanted to capture the spirit of fashion's cruise collection – the idea that there is as much technique, detail and work in pieces that were once meant to be worn in the summer when you are cruising in your sailboat. It is the idea of the jewels being lighter, easier to wear, very comfortable, happy and joyful. And that comes with all the shades of blue and all the inspiration from the ocean and the sea, as you can imagine."
Left: MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Clapotis necklace with detachable pendant and 15.73 carat tourmaline. Right:
ADRIATIC SEA: Lagune Précieuse white-gold necklace and earrings with diamonds, sapphires and aquamarines.
Mer des Étoiles ring with a Sri Lankan sapphire from the Arabian Sea collection. Image: Van Cleef & Arpels
But the idea also has a business base that other jewellery houses will surely follow. Although accessible pieces starting in the hundreds of dollars or euros have long been on offer from the big brands, this Van Cleef collection is a gateway to the exceptional and rare pieces – but more warm and welcoming – despite high prices.
I looked at a starfish, glinting with diamonds and pink sapphires – inspired by the warmth and exoticism of the Arabian Sea. Another friendly offering from those waters was a tortoise clip, its diamond and sapphire "arms" and "legs" paddling out of its mother-of-pearl shell.
ARABIAN SEA: Étoile de mer (star fish) clip with pink sapphires. Image:
Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
Many other jewels – especially an onyx and pearl necklace inspired by the Black Sea and a Mediterranean pink-sapphire bird necklace – looked ultra high-end to me. But Bos tried to put them in perspective.
BLACK SEA: Rose Des Vents. This long necklace depicts a crossing of the Black Sea by night, with cultured pearls
and onyx with matching earrings. Image: Van Cleef & Arpels
"Sometimes with high Jewellery we tend to talk about exceptional pieces that are extremes: hundreds of carats and precious stones," he said. "That is one element of our jewellery. But I think it is very important that high jewellery – meaning a unique piece, high quality with attention to detail – is also a category that has to express itself in wearable designs. I am not saying that these pieces are inexpensive, obviously they are not. But we wanted to create a balance. For some clients, there are formal pieces that you only wear a few times a year. You add them to your collection as an investment that will live in a safe.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Rouleau Azur bracelet with lapis lazuli, turquoise, pearls and diamonds. Image: Van Cleef
& Arpels
"We want to make pieces that you see and you want to wear," he continued. "So you say, 'Great, I am going to Capri, and this is the piece!' I really think that if you look only in terms of pieces that are outside of this world and most people's lifestyles, we are not expressing the whole meaning of high jewellery. It is a about the mindset, about tradition and technique.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Flamant corail 'pink flamingo' detachable necklace
with pink and red coral, pink gold and sapphires, peridots and onyx. Image:
Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
These pieces will be a less formal shape, lighter and easier to wear – that is what we wanted to capture. It is very important for us to convey this message because high jewellery is so often seen through a lens of amazement – about pieces worth five million euros being sold by millionaires – there is kind of a myth around that. But it is very important that high jewellery is relevant for not just 200 people in this world, but for many more. It is something that should really be considered for its quality, tradition and creativity – not only for the formal aspect or its price. That is one of the driving intentions for this collection."
ARABIAN SEA: White mother-of-pearl and sapphire tortoise. Image: Suzy
Menkes/ Instagram
As Nicolas Bos took me around the three-floor exhibition of present and past Van Cleef jewels, a one-day-only event at Monaco's Villa Paloma museum, he explained the evolution of techniques and style – paying special attention to the three-dimensional sculpted effects of recent years. Since the Seven Seas Monaco jewellery alone has more than 350 pieces in its Iconic, Heritage and new collection this was a history lesson that became an orgy of gorgeousness.
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MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Flamant corail “pink flamingo” detachable necklace with pink and red coral, pink gold and
sapphires, peridots and onyx with matching earrings. Image: Van Cleef & Arpels
But it was only when we took a boat from the crowded harbour, sailing through the sapphire-blue water around the rocky headlands of Cap-d'Ail and Cap d'Antibes, with only a few spidery helicopters breaking the vista of sea and sky, that I felt a visceral connection between the jewellery and its Seven Seas theme.
BLACK SEA: Rose Des Vents. This long necklace depicts a crossing of the Black Sea by night, with cultured pearls
and onyx with matching earrings. Image: Van Cleef & Arpels
As the waves rolled and the spray rose, my mind's eye went back to the jewels: the little sea fairy resting on a reef of chalcedony with diamond and sapphire bubbles floating in her hair. Or the rhythmic roll of the sea in a white-gold and diamond necklace that was a development of a similar Van Cleef piece given by Prince Albert of Monaco to Princess Charlene on their wedding day. (They held a reception in Monaco for Van Cleef's most important clients, who wore some of the majestic jewellery – but that has to stay as a secret of the sea.)
ARABIAN SEA: Three white mother-of-pearl and sapphire tortoises swim in
Indian file through waves of white gold and diamonds. Image: Suzy Menkes/
Instagram
"Why the Seven Seas?" I asked Nicolas again, as we walked in the Cote d'Azur sunshine under our panama hats.
"It's the idea of different colours, different stones, different traditions," he said. "You have much bluer shades of the Atlantic ocean meeting the yellow shades of the Indian ocean. We found different colours and elements, and we also studied stories and myths. We tried to look at the Seven Seas as different chapters and explorations of this dream of the ocean, so they all have their identities which can be seen and enjoyed."
INDIAN AND ATLANTIC SEAS: Benguerra bracelet with blue and yellow
sapphires and white cultured pearls. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
One thing seems as sure of the flow of the tides: that this Van Cleef initiative of bringing high jewellery back to the realms of the possible (for some) and focusing on its life on the body, rather than in the safe, will be a new high-jewellery wave.
Has black died a fashion death?
Colour hits me wherever I look: Blue, yellow, mauve, turquoise, scarlet, pistachio or gold.
– Yoox founder Federico Marchetti interviewed in The Financial Times, May 2015
Those shades might appear together in one single, patterned dress. Or a few choice colours are targeted by the peacock male.
My phone, my camera and my Instagram have been awash with vivid hues from shocking pink to Minion-yellow. This was seen as often on Florence streets during the Pitti Uomo men's fair as it is likely to be in 10 days for Paris haute couture.
Pitti Uomo is celebrating ways of living "in colour" with a theme of "That's PITTICOLOR!" One of the installations
saw the main pavilion filled with a myriad of bright colours. Image: Francesco Guazzelli / Pitti Uomo
So I have to ask this question: is it finally all over for the little black dress? Can the look that Coco Chanel established nearly a century ago – and which was taken up en masse by chic French women – really be on the way out?
It is, of course, summer in Europe and America, a time when only a city office will coax women to wear boardroom black suits. I have no doubt that, come winter, black will be back in some chic shape or form.
But I am also ready to bet that colour will not altogether retreat but live to see another vivid day.
Salvatore Ferragamo at the Orto Botanico Giardino Dei Semplici Firenze. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
Lip Power
When Giambattista Valli decided to celebrate 10 years of his brand, he wanted to tell his story in lipstick.
In collaboration with Mac, Valli has produced five lipsticks, from Amal Clooney scarlet to Rihanna ripe cherry, all on sale from July 9. High gloss, lush blooms and a 'Flower Obsession' ball in Paris will offer 'Giambo' clients a make-up heaven.
Giambattista Valli's new Special Colour Collection for Mac. Image: MAC
Jewel of a Brand
We all enjoy the sparkle of fine – and semi-precious – stones. But British jeweller Tateossian went one step further by injecting colour into everything from beaded bracelets and necklaces to animals, birds and flowers at the end of a decorative pin.
Tateossian pill jewellery. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
I caught up with Robert Tateossian at the Pitti fair where he showed me some special wrist pieces in a limited edition to celebrate the company's 25 years.
The stand was hyper-colourful with its tiny gunmetal or gold-plated creatures such as butterflies, turtles and scorpions.
And for those who find colourful pieces hard to swallow, a collaboration between Tateossian and the Elton John Foundation with his partner David Furnish, brought colourful 'pill-shaped' pieces (shades of Damien Hirst in the Nineties) where 30 per cent of the retail price goes to the Aids charity.
Tateossian pill jewellery. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
Memphis revisited
The striking modernist furniture placed like beacons on the long stone runway at the Arthur Arbesser show in Florence took me back to the 1980s and the work of Ettore Sottsass at Memphis.
But the back-to-the Eighties influence ended with the interior designs – except for the bold colours.
Arthur Arbesser Memphis furniture. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
The Viennese Arbesser, who has just been appointed creative director at Italian house Iceberg, and who was a finalist in this year's LVMH prize, sent out an intriguing male/female show. Using geometric patterns and strong colours, he told a story that was a fresh take on Eighties androgyny.
Arthur Arbesser Memphis furniture by Ettore Sottass. Image:
Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
Still Life
Thomas Tait was the 2014 winner of the Louis Vuitton award, and he is moving slowly but purposefully ahead.
Instead of the full-scale show with an artist in residence, he used Florence's centuries old Limonaia in Pitti Palace's Boboli Gardens to create a modernist structure with a few choice pieces.
Thomas Tait installation. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
The boldest were animal-print thigh-high boots, made new by the use of silicon prints; and a similar effect with patent leather spots on purple stretch material.
Throughout the still-life display, Tait named the manufacturer of each piece. The most striking was a 'ghost stripe' knitted sweater which was a mix of cashmere and transparent celluloid rib knit.
Other pieces included a leather biker jacket, double-faced and bonded with patent leather – and Tait's own outfit: Italian work overalls bought for a song.
Thomas Tait event in the old Limonaia of Pitti Palace’s Boboli Gardens. Image: Vanni Bassetti/ Pitti Uomo
Foot Steps
Louis Leeman not only featured sports shoes in colourful stitched suede and bright leather alongside espadrilles where the string soles met precious animal-skin uppers. The shoes were also shown in a Florentine palazzo where frescoes competed with splashes of colour on the shoes.
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Louis Leeman shoes. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
Transparency
The pastel colours of the jackets dangling among Renaissance statues were as ethereal as the stone sculptures were powerful.
'It's all about transparency,' said creative director Carlo Brandelli of Kilgour. The British sartorial company constructed an illusion of pastel-coloured Perspex screens, where one single model stood with his dark suit in silhouette.
Mighty stone statues and semi-transparent summer jackets in pale macaroon colours made for a striking contrast.
A colourfully dressed Pitti Uomo attendee. Image: Suzy Menkes/
Instagram
Designs of Tomorrow
At Polimoda, colour, texture and intense decoration were key words for the end of the student year at the Florentine fashion college. Vibrant effects included splashy painterly shades for men's designs, the use of colourful marking tape and rich ethnic effects. Painterly patches of mustard, flesh pink and almond green appeared on a long white dress by Alice Saltarelli, while other sophisticated masculine looks came as jackets and capes with embroidered patterns.
Alice Saltarelli from Polimoda, the Florentine fashion school.
Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
But just as black seemed to have been banished, a collection in that dark hue from swooshing hats to long hemlines proved that the future still holds a place for fashion on the dark side.
To celebrate its 80th anniversary – and a decision to open a fashion school in Florence – Istituto Marangoni offered an all-male show. Staged in the Palazzo Corsini, the title was 'The Menswear Warrior Show'. The 16 graduating students, many of Asian origin, took a dramatic view of male style far away from the classic tailored suit. Wang Shiyi won 'The Best 80th Mens Collection'.
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Istituto Marangoni fashion school's 80th-anniversary menswear
show winner, Wang Shiyi. Image: Suzy Menkes/ Instagram
5 workwear looks to try all week
'Dress for the job you want, not the one you have' is all the motivation you need to haul your weekend coma-ed self to a bile-inducing, meeting-thronged Monday—followed by Tuesday, and the rest of your working week.
A sharp outfit, like a great lunch, has magical powers that can turn around the most drab of workdays.
The trick behind creating interesting looks out of your pre-existing wardrobe is to break the rules:
1. Swap you formal pumps for party heels (nothing metallic, of course).
2. Add a tailored blazer to give structure to a plain knitted dress.
3. Try a draped version of a basic white shirt for a not-so-basic look in the conference room.
4. Ditch the cropped trouser for a pair culottes to create a feminine silhoutte.
5. Work backwards by planning your post-work outfit. Throw on a blazer to get through until you clock out.
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Betty Barclay to launch new brand
German fashion wholesaler and retailer Betty Barclay is launching a new brand called Betty & Co for spring 16.
Sunday, 28 June 2015
The foolproof winged liner trick
The ever-evolving cat-eye: Elizabeth Taylor wore it faultlessly in Cleopatra in 1963. And women today have tried and tested infinite variations of this beloved eye make-up trend.
Stafford Braganza, national make-up artist, Lancome India, gives you a fail-safe technique to do the cat-eye like the queen of Egypt, in 2015.
1. For a perfect wedged liner, apply the liquid liner across your top lash line with your eye closed.
2. Start in the middle of your eye, making it thicker in the center, getting narrower towards your inner and outer corner of the eye.
3. Make sure your eyes are open before doing your flick and follow the curve of your eyelashes.
4. The wedged liner is a great look but avoid it if you have droopy eyes. The winged tip liner gives you an optical illusion of ‘open extended’ eye.
5. Keep the eyelids very natural, with a single shade of shadow and the complexion contoured and highlighted. Avoid using blush.
You Should Also Read: Runway trend to try: Divergent liner
Beauty quickfire round: Pat McGrath
If there's anything that Pat McGrath doesn't know about make-up, it's not worth knowing. The go-to artist for the likes of Versace, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana during Fashion Week and global creative design director at Max Factor, McGrath has a wealth of experience and enough tips to keep us talking for days. Here, we asked her some of our most burning questions.
What make-up product do you think is the most underrated and why?
Blush! It's the fastest way to create the illusion of those high cheekbones we all lust after. A creamy blush is super-versatile too. Backstage at the fashion weeks, we'll often use a blush across the apples and temples, and sometimes even on the chin and forehead, working it almost like a bronzer to give more life to tired skin.
How can women find their perfect foundation shade?
When choosing a foundation, be sure to match your face to your neck and don't overdo the coverage. Check your make-up in different mirrors and light sources around your home and apply in layers.
It's easy for eyeshadow to look dated. How should you apply it to keep it looking modern?
It's all about how you use shadow. The application is what creates glamorous, modern eye looks. One of my ultimate favourites is the shadow I used at the Roberto Cavalli spring/summer 2015 show and that's Max Factor Masterpiece Colour Precision Eyeshadow in Coffee. I rave about the Colour Precision Eyeshadows because the formula is so versatile that you can build and layer the colour to create the most divine tones that last. The wand also makes it super easy to apply, although my tip is to always blend and finish using eyeshadow brushes.
What is your favourite trend for spring/summer 2015?
Raw glamour - it's one of the most dominant trends of the season. A hard-edged accent on bare skin, it's a look that's a continuation of autumn/winter 2014's individualistic beauty. It's about the play-off between a youthful complexion and a rebellious spirit.
What's the best beauty advice you've ever been given?
Make-up should be playful and be a form of expression that's worn to inspire confidence. If you feel great in the look you've created for yourself, I'd call it a success!
What's the most used product in your own make-up bag?
It's hard to choose the most used product. It's probably mascara! It's the quickest way to draw attention to the eyes by enhancing what you already have.
You're currently promoting Max Factor's Masterpiece mascaras. What makes them so great?
Max Factor should be your first stop for mascaras - after all Mr. Max Factor was a mascara master who brought it to the masses all those years ago. The full range of Max Factor Masterpiece Collection is always in my kit and they've played a major role in so many of the looks I've created at fashion weeks. The classic Masterpiece Mascara gives amazing definition and super-stylish separation to the lashes, and for those looking for both definition and volume there's Masterpiece Max Mascara. One of the two newest mascaras to join the collection is Masterpiece Transform Mascara - it's my new favourite for instant, dramatic glamour. With an Instant Impact wand it liberally coats the lashes with for a quick hit of volume. Its sister is Glamour Extensions 3-in-1 Mascara which gives gorgeously dark, intensely volumised and lengthened lashes. There is most definitely a mascara for every woman in the Masterpiece collection if you love to experiment with lash and eyes looks.
What's the best way to apply mascara for really perfect lashes?
Wiggle the wand back and forward at the base of the lashes, then swipe to the tips. Even coating from root to tip will otherwise weigh down the tips. And have fun experimenting with your lashes. Don't get stuck in a lash rut! Instead, try different finishes by layering the mascara and holding the wand horizontally for thicker lashes, or vertically for sportier, more natural lashes.
This article originally appeared on Vogue.co.uk.
Celeb style steal: 10 watches we love
Everyone knows arriving fashionably late is de riguer. Showing up with your signature timepiece, even more so.
The easiest, most-available accessory for any outfit already rests in your wardrobe—as it does for these celebrities. While toppings may vary from sprinkled diamonds to mother of pearl dials, keep up with the clock by taking your style cues from these leading time-tellers.
Attending a wedding? Take lessons from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and pair a simple but timeless watch to accompany your ethnic ensemble. Her pick: Longines' 'Conquest Classic'. If the occasion calls for party dresses, Deepika Padukone's Tissot would make an apt choice.
If you're dressing formal—crisp shirts, overcoats and blazers included—a touch of gold can't hurt. Case(s) in point: Sonam Kapoor's white shirt-meets-Bulgari Serpenti watch and Victoria Beckham's chunky Rolex piece.
And now for the women who love their rocks, Nicole Kidman and Kate Walsch set great examples. Doesn't matter how understated your ensemble is, a timepiece submerged in stones is sure to up your glam game.
All images: Getty
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5 questions with author Candace Bushnell
For those of us whose hearts broke when Carrie Bradshaw walked down the aisle and pranced around an overtly exoticised Abu Dhabi, and for those of us who silently sighed at the loss of the wonderfully witty, unabashedly raunchy and satirical musings that was Sex and the City, the book—Killing Monica is classic Candace Bushnell.
The coming of age of a 40something woman in novel form—there's power play, celebrity, divorce, glamour, sex, drama and most of all, fun. Pandy "PJ" Wallis is a celebrated writer whose novels about a woman named Monica, lead to a series of blockbuster films starring SondraBeth Schnauwzer. Comparisons between the Carrie-Candace-SJP and the Monica-PJ-SBS triangle rage on—great press, denied allegations, let's move on to Candace Bushnell, who tells Vogue all about her latest creation and how she combats sexism.
What sparked Killing Monica?
Philip Roth's Zuckerman Unbound. It's this hysterical book about a writer who has to deal with the hatred that comes his way after his book is published. I thought that was a great premise. That’s how I decided to write this really funny absurd screwball comedy about a 40something writer who has created this character Monica, who goes on to become her own Frankenstein's monster. So it began with wanting to write about the creative impulse and how it manifests itself in real life.
If SATC was the single woman's coming of age, would you say Killing Monica is the middle-aged woman's coming of age?
It totally is. I wanted to capture the experience of being a middle-aged woman in today's world. I think the 40s is about reinvention—It could be because of a recent divorce or because your kids have left home or because your 20 and 30something persona just doesn't fit anymore! There's something exciting about getting older. With each stage you leave behind something and you open yourself up to new possibilities.
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Killing Monica is also about a woman writer wanting to get rid of the labels attached to her writing and move from popular to literary. Is this something you relate to?
Women writers get labelled a lot more than men. And those labels are usually pejorative. It's a cultural thing where we don't value women's work as much as we value men's work. If a man's name is on it, it's somehow more important. It's frustrating for women writers everywhere. Even literary writers! I think I relate to wanting to own your experiences as a person as opposed to being a gender.
How do you deal with this brand of everyday sexism?
I yell and put my foot down. It's a new thing for me. Just saying it as it is. I have to tell you, it's quite fun. But I do think it has a lot to do with being 56. It could also be because I'm a post-menopausal woman and don't have all those hormones anymore, so I just don't care. I cannot put up with it anymore.
Every second book written by a woman on sex and relationships is blurbed the next Candace Bushnell. How do you feel about these versions of you?
Writing is my life and I knew I was going to be doing this since I was an 8-year-old. So it's super important to me. The more women writing, the better. And it is quite flattering as well. But I hate it when people are described as this person’s the next fill-in-the-blanks. Why can’t they just be themselves? Why do they have to be the next or new anything? Why can't we treat writers like individuals?
Candace Bushnell's Killing Monica (Hachette) released on June 26
Friday, 26 June 2015
10 best Instagrams of the week
From Sonam Kapoor wishing her cousin Arjun Kapoor a happy birthday to the Magic Mike XXL cast celebrating with their star on the Miami Walk of Fame and David Beckham fishing with son Brooklyn—this week was all about bonding with your best.
Follow Vogue to see the best of what's breaking the Instagram scene each week—and double tap your way through our top 10 picks.
Image: http://ift.tt/10r7FIr
Wondering who these Bollywood babies are? Sonam Kapoor has a #FlashbackFriday moment to celebrate her cousin Arjun Kapoor's 30th birthday.
Image: http://ift.tt/1jAzqE9
Following in his paws: Hipster-glasses-wearing, Tolstoy-reading Nevile Jacobs (yes, Marc Jacobs' dog is something of an Instagram celebrity) steals the spotlight in the new Fall '15 campaign for Bookmarc, the designer's store featuring cultural accessories.
Image: http://ift.tt/13ApsOR
The Knowles sisters—Beyoncé and Solange—Flawless then, Flawless now. Beyoncé wishes her sister a happy birthday by posting a picture from their younger years.
Image: http://ift.tt/1o71aF4
Into the Wild: Star Nargis Fakhri goes bold and bare-faced on her hike in a rainforest.
Image: http://ift.tt/1d7tP9d
Family ties: Designer Donatella Varsace and Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci collaborate on a #FamilyCampaign for Givenchy's Fall/Winter 2015 collection.
Image: http://ift.tt/1dbiBE0
Sun's out guns out: The Jenner-Kardashian-West family spend some quality time off-roading. This is one family that's always up for an adventure.
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Image: http://ift.tt/1dlGUPb
Moves like Dhawan: With a moon-walk and a toe-stand, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan pays a smooth tribute to the King of Pop.
Image: http://ift.tt/1Hn3a8Q
There's nothing more eye-pleasing than pictures of the Beckhams bonding—and this one of David Beckham fishing with son Brooklyn is quite a catch.
Image: http://ift.tt/1mbJAP1
Magic Mike XXL takes over the Miami Walk of Fame. And can we just say, Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello make a terrific trio.
Image: http://ift.tt/17Vtm8z
Vision in white: Kylie Jenner attended the #seriouslypopularparty in Cannes wearing Francesco Scognamiglio.
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