Vogue Festival 2015: John Galliano

On the 25th and 26th April, the annual Vogue Festival was underway at the Royal Geographical Center in Kensington. With big industry names such as Alexa Chung, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Louboutain and Kate Upton all speaking at the prestigious event, securing that all important ticket was an expense worth paying. However, the big ticket and the star of the show was undoubtedly the John Galliano: Master of Couture talk, taking place on the final night of the festival. And I am extremely proud to say that I was there!

Since my interest in fashion began as a 13 year old, John Galliano was a huge inspiration, most especially his work at Christian Dior. I would watch and re watch all his old couture shows, taking in the dramatic effects, the beauty of the set design and the story the clothes portrayed. From his time at Dior between 1997-2011, Galliano was a visionary who lived inside a fantasy, fashion world where anything was possible. His imagination and historical references to the French Revolution, Victorian period and the opulence of the Georgian aristocracy all played a fundamental part in his collections, which were anything short of amazing. Not forgetting his collections for his own line, John Galliano and his short time at Givenchy, Galliano has been an ever present part of fashion and adds to the majesty and prestige of the industry in so many ways.

We all know what happened to John Galliano, regarding his ‘downfall.’ The anti-Semitic video rage, the stint at rehab in Arizona, the apology etc. And now, Galliano it seems has been forgiven, taking the reigns at the iconic Maison Martin Margiela. I for one am so glad and proud of the transformation Galliano has undertaken, from shamed designer to celebrated star. His talent is one too large and precious to go to waste.

So for the 2015 Vogue Festival, John Galliano took pride of place, interviewed by Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Alexandra Shulman. Focusing on his design process, his inspirations and most iconic moments in fashion, the talk was lively and interesting with the entire audience completely transfixed by the two influential industry experts on stage. Galliano spoke honestly with passion, while Alexandra Shulman asked a number of interesting questions provoking fantastic responses from Galliano.

Overall, the Vogue Festival 2015 was a fantastic and fun experience. As well as listening to one of the greatest fashion designers speak, you could try your hand at styling, speak to members of the Vogue team, have your hair and nails perfected by a strong group of experts, visit the Vogue shop, have your photo on the front cover of Vogue (which was one of my favs!) and dressing up in vintage Chanel accessories. If you've never attended before, I strongly recommend it, especially if you are interested in fashion and love reading Vogue magazine. It was an incredible evening!

 

My front row seat at the talk!

A Peek inside Hermes' Wanderland...

The new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery by the French fashion label Hermes, is truly a 'wonder' to behold. With an emphasis on the luxury accessories Hermes is famous for, this new art installation is different and unique. With its strong lighting, bold features and tasteful selection of Hermes pieces, this exhibition is worth a visit if you happen to be in the Sloane Square area.

 I went to visit the exhibition one sunny afternoon, (it's free by the way!) after hearing rave reviews of its modern interior. And I was not disappointed. You walk into the first room and all you see is light, as though you are walking into a set from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ You then walk through a maze of rooms all dedicated to various Hermes pieces, such as their vintage walking sticks favoured by gentleman at the turn of the 20th century, beautiful pocket watches made of silver and of course, their iconic handbags - the Birkin and the Kelly. There are other fashion pieces too, such as their scarves and accessories, but the real emphasis is on the craftsmanship and beauty of Hermes, which is perhaps the most expensive and respected fashion houses in the world. There are even cutlery and plates specially designed on display as well as their links to the equestrian spirit and leather goods Hermes have always been associated with. Either way, you understand that this is a luxury brand, how could you not with such wonderful craftsmanship?

I also loved the installations and the sets of the exhibition, created by famed designer Hubert le Gall. It is as though you are walking through the dainty streets of Paris, with a brassiere, decorated shop windows and modern graffiti ending with bright pops of colour everywhere, perhaps highlighting the place Hermes has within the youth culture of today. I especially loved the exotic elephant holding various plates and tea cups; cute yet elegant at the same time.

Overall, I wouldn't say this is the greatest fashion exhibition I've ever seen but it is something different and its quite fun. Hermes have shown that they don’t take themselves too seriously and are happy to show off their famous pieces in a humorous and witty style.

Gisele says Adeus to the Catwalk

Last week, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen bid a fond farewell to the catwalk as she retired from all runway modelling. The leggy mother of two, who began modelling at the tender age of 14, is now the richest model in the world with a huge fortune of $320 million and has an endless list of fashion contacts and friends. So why retire now? The saying 'quit while you're winning' comes to mind when talking about Gisele, as her current fame and fantastic career are clearly catastrophic, yet this savvy business woman knows when enough is enough, and now it seems is that time.

As Gisele made her final runway appearance at Sao Paulo fashion week, she posted on Instagram that, 'after 20 years in the industry, it is a privilege to be doing my last fashion show by choice and yet still be working in other facets of the business.' As she strutted down the runway at Brazilian brand Colcci in a pair of denim jeans and a white tank top, her smile was radiant yet tinged with a hint of sadness as she received a standing ovation from the audience which included her parents and husband, Tom Brady. She started on the catwalk in Brazil and that’s where she has now finished her career.

Gisele, who famously dated Leonardo DiCaprio between 2000-2005, has modelled for absolutely everyone from H&M, Versace and Victoria's Secret to Dior, Givenchy and Stuart Weitzman. She was the face of Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel campaign last season and took pride of place amongst an army of her younger contemporaries for the spring/summer 2015 show; giving those ammeter models a run for their money. In regard, to her magazine covers...we would be here all day listing how many Gisele has appeared on, yet she will still continue to model in photo shoots, ad campaigns and magazines. Alas her presence on the catwalk will surely be missed.

What made Gisele so successful? It was her hair, that long, tumbling mass of blonde hair, which earned her the place amongst the fashion elite of beauty and causing women all over the world to drool with envy. Not to mention her genetically perfect body! Gisele is famous for her endless legs and confident catwalk stance as well as her killer beach body and perfect sun kissed tan. She is the first model to have cracked the fine line between celebrity/business woman/mother, and always managed to handle the press and her fame professionally – without controversy!

I've compiled a few images from her twenty years on the runway for you to reminisce over. Enjoy!

Crazy at Coachella

If you are a follower of music, fashion, style or even just the latest news, you will know that the iconic and super cool Coachella festival is currently taking place in the Southern Californian dessert. With celebrities posting pics on Instagram every five minutes of themselves dancing away next to the stage as well as thousands of screaming indie fans heading to the venue to listen to their favourite artists, Coachella is officially the place to be at the moment.

But I'm not too interested about what happens on the Coachella stage - except maybe that horrible kiss between Madonna and Drake... or the fact that Justin Bieber's team took over a whole room backstage just so the pop brat could play the piano for an hour. I want to talk about the style! And believe me Coachella is famous for its style. Everyone loves getting dressed up in their boho/indie garb when heading to a summer festival and this year at Coachella there have been plenty of stand out fashion moments.

Kendall and Kylie Jenner along with their long time friend Hailey Baldwin turned up to the festival on the first day looking as always, amazing. Partying alongside Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, the famous teens rocked daisy dukes, hippy sunglasses and tasselled accessories, fitting right in with the whole festival vibe. The next day, Kendall looked equally fab in a billowing white gypsy crop top and black skirt with lots of gold necklaces to top it off.

Another set of famous sisters, Paris and Nicky Hilton also took Coachella by storm yesterday. Paris looked incredible in a paint splattered white maxi dresses and a pair of vintage cats eye sunglasses while Nicky opted for an Aztec print skirt and matching necklace with a simple black cotton t-shirt. Model Gigi Hadid was casual but elegant in a white maxi dress with a daring thigh high split as she wondered around barefoot with her boyfriend Cody Simpson. While singer Katy Perry also wasn’t keen to blend into the background as she rocked a matching pink crop top and frilly skirt, with her hair scraped back out of her face.

And who could forget party girl Rihanna? Always ready to shock and surprise, RiRi wore a full beaded necklace in replacement of her bra, teamed with a pair of brightly coloured leggings and huge oversized poncho. She was there to listen to her ex-boyfriend Drakes set, while she danced away into the night in the VIP section. Some celebs went all out in amazing Coachella style - Jourdann Dunn especially dyed her hair purple for the occasion while Alessandra Ambrosio and her group of girlfriends looked absolutely beautiful all dressed in white. The Victoria’s Secret supermodel worked a bronze tan with her pastel pink mini dress, round sunglasses and brown leather boots - definitely the best dressed at Coachella this year! Other famous faces spotted in the crowd was Suki Waterhouse, Bradley Cooper and Leonardo dicaprio who was seen around the festival with a group of friends. And with fashionistas like Alexa Chung, Dasiy Lowe and Zoe Kravitz sweeping everyone away with their amazing style, this Coachella has surely had some fantastic fashion moments.

Want to look like you've partied at Coachella? Head to H&M wear the high street retailer has a special limited edition collection titled 'Coachella.' Grab a cute floral crop top or tasselled gypsy skirt for a great price and a spring new look:
http://www.hm.com/gb/search/#!/products?q=coachella

Kendall Jenner, Fergie and Hilary Baldwin strolling hand in hand

Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid

Rihanna sporting her necklace bra

A Groovy 70's Revival...

The 1970s have always been a pivotal and influential decade for fashion designers. From the legendary music - The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Abba, The Beejees and Jimmy Hendrix, to the ground breaking and now iconic movies such as The Godfather, Annie Hall, The Great Gatsby, Taxi Driver and Saturday Night Fever. It's fair to say, whatever your view of the garish and outlandish 70's, it was most definitely a period which produced some of the most creative fashion trends. From the tasselled boots, gypsy skirts, hippy blouses and peace necklaces to the bright platform boots, huge sunglasses and boho chic - pieces which were also everywhere on the spring/summer catwalks and are now a major trend this season. 

From Henry Holland, Matthew Williamson and Burberry who channeled denim jackets and bold flower prints in London to a host of brands such as Chloe, Emilio Pucci, Valentino and Louis Vuitton... It would have been rather difficult to ignore the  rise of 70s nostalgia this spring. And now the high street has followed suit and produced some lovely pieces which allow you to wear a hint of the hippy decade, but not look as though you've time travelled back in time. 

I've never really been a fan of this decade. As my art teacher used to say in regard to the hippy era, 'The 1970's were a decade that fashion forgot!' And I agreed to a certain extent! But am now looking at this period with a more broad and appreciative outlook. I recently jumped onto the 70s bandwagon (even though I always said I wouldn't) and brought a lovely embroidered linen shirt from Zara for only £29.99. With wide bell sleeves and tassel ties on the neckline, this shirt is absolutely perfect to wear over a cute pair of denim shorts or with crisp white trousers. I also love the jewellery and accessories that reflect the 1970s. The stacks of bracelets in gold, fuchsia and electric blue to the loopy string necklaces with cool pendants attached to them; these pieces are summery and light with a nod to the spring catwalks.

It would be a crime to talk about the 70s and not mention the controversial flared trousers. I say controversial because you either love the flared denim jeans or you despise them with a passion. I for one prefer the latter - mainly because they look absolutely terrible on me. If you've got the body (and the legs!) to work this tricky piece then go for it and take inspiration from the Versace, Just Cavalli and Gucci catwalks. Frida Giannini, Gucci's former creative director, had often cited the 70s as a key tool for inspiration for her collections and this season was no different. From the patchwork fur gilets and denim jackets to the classic sunglasses and wide trousers; her show was an exceptional guide on how to work the 70s with a sense of Italian pizzaz. 

Celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Nicole Richie have long been boho pin up girls. Talking inspiration from 70s icons such as Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot, they take hippy and give it a 21st century revival with cute leather tasseled bags, flower power headpieces and chunky belts. Take a leaf out of their book this season and embrace the 70s with style by adding springs take on the trend to your wardrobe. Keep it groovy man!