Gisele for Chanel S/S 2015

Kim Kardashian: 2014 Style

Her older sister kourtney may have just given birth to a baby boy (Reign Aston Disick if you're interested) but it has been Kim Kardashian who has been the real star of 2014. With her marriage to Kanye West this summer, her trips to Dubai and London, celebrating her daughter North West's first birthday and sealing the exclusive cover of American vogue... Kim has had a record year full of amazing moments and fashion triumphs. Most recently, her attempt to 'break the internet' with her infamous Paper Magazine cover highlighted not only her amazing figure (who else can balance a champagne glass on their arse?) and the power she holds over social media and the press.

Wherever she goes, a strong paparazzi following will be a step behind while her fashion sense has changed her image from trashy reality star to aspiring fashionista. Givenchy, Balmain, Chanel, Celine and Lanvin are some of Kim's most favourite brands, as she is frequently snapped in such luxe designer wear it will make your head spin. There's no denying Kim's struggle to be taken seriously by the fashion world. She staged her wedding in Paris - the fashion capital of the world and attended a number of shows at Paris fashion week accompanied by her her husband and daughter. She had also managed to crawl her way into the ice queen Anna Wintour's heart, bagging a best selling vogue cover shoot. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you google it fast!

I have always been a fan of Kim Kardashians, and admire her climb to the top. She's a little like marmite - you either love her or hate her, and I prefer the former! Yes, she graces the cover of probably every magazine on the news stand but then again... Whatever she endorses she sells! It's no wonder she has been compared to the iconic Marilyn Monroe who was equally the most papped woman in the world at the height of her fame. Kim is growing into an icon.

2014 has been great for Kim, especially in terms of fashion. She has got it right so many times with her sexy but simple pencil skirts and roll neck tops, dramatic party dresses and stylish man coats. Hair and make up is always immaculate thanks to her crack team of stylists while her choice of clothes has had fashion fans fawning over her style in wonder. Kim highlights her curves and doesn't pretend to be someone she's not. In fact, some would say she is one of the most real people out there with her pleasure in sharing everything about her private life on twitter and Instagram and her family's reality show 'keeping up with the Kardashians.' I've hand picked some of my fav Kim fashion moments from the past year so take a look through and enjoy! To finish off, I also want to wish you a very merry Christmas as this will be my last post before the festive fun begins! Have a good one! X

FRIDA GIANNINI LEAVES GUCCI

As soon as I saw that Frida Giannini, Gucci's creative director, was trending on Twitter, I knew that something really good was about to happen or unfortunately something bad. I was right in thinking the latter; Frida will be leaving her position as creative director at Gucci after the fall 2015 collection in February next year. Both Frida, and her husband, Patrizio de Marco who is currently the CEO of the Kering group Gucci belongs to, announced their exit from this luxury fashion label only hours ago, which has left many loyal fans (including myself) in shock. Instead, Marco Bizzarri has been named the new CEO of Kering, with a designer for Gucci still undecided.

Frida Giannini joined Gucci in 2004, heading women's accessories under the watchful eye of Mr Tom Ford. By 2006, her hard work and clear understanding of the brand saw her acquire the role of creative director; a role which she held for 7 years until now. Under Giannini, Gucci grew and flourished after the departure of Tom Ford, with nods to the 70's, an emphasis on the leather good the label is famous for and a sexy, polished Italian style that only Gucci could possibly pull off. Her use of colour and prints was unique, setting trends every season such as the knee high leather buckled boots, the fedora hat and her jewel coloured silk dresses. Her style was immaculate, and Gucci saw their sales rise year after year. Frida also was a champion of the 'Chime for Change' concert in London last year, with the help of Beyoncé and Selma Hayak. Together they focused on bringing around equal opportunities for girls all over the world, in a spectacular concert which raised thousands for charity.

There is no doubt that Giannini will be missed. She was and still is wonderful for the brand, and whoever comes in to take her place defiantly has a lot to live up to.

Take a look back through some of the best moments during Frida Giannini's collections for Gucci:

 

Julia Roberts for Givenchy

 'I decided to make her more intellectual, more serious, more pure...It's a different, fresh, new way to see Julia - really cool and urban, I think.' 

- Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy creative director

I was as surprised as everyone else when Givenchy revealed Hollywood actress, Julia Roberts as the new face of their spring/summer 2015 campaign. Known for an essential, minimal yet obvious cool, Givenchy as a brand associate themselves more with the urban music scene and the glamoros models of the past decade eg. Kate Moss, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Joan Smalls... Yet Julia Roberts fits that 'cool' look in this campaign, in mascuine black suits, feminine silk blouses and tailored fitted trousers. Her make up is minimal, scraped back to the bare minimal almost while her hair has that effortless 'I just got out of bed look.' Yet, with all the messiness going on there is something very polished and beautiful about these photographs, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. I love these photographs, even though only three have been released there will be plenty more I'm sure; this is just a sweet taste!

Its quite nice as well to see a talented woman such as Roberts shoot for a major Parisian fashion house like Givenchy - Tisci could have just called upon the charms of the Kardashian/Jenner clan. Instead, Julia is a woman who has stood the test of time in Hollywood, carved out an incredible career for herself, won an Oscar, starred with some of the biggest movie actors in the world and is also a mother, wife and charity campaigner. She is a role model for our society and has such a big, captivating smile its hard not to return it when looking at her parading down the red carpet. My final point I want to make is that Julia is not young - well, what society considers young! She's in her late 40's and is plastic surgery free, which is rare these days. She is not a young, hot a-list actress who has no real idea about life or the fame, but someone who is recognized the world over as a talented woman, with an immaculate fashion sense!

Chanel Metiers d'Art 2015

Even though there was a certain Victoria's Secret show going on in London, that wasn't going to put Karl Lagerfeld off as he delivered his latest show for Chanel. Staged in the Christmasy setting of Salzburg, a host of supermodels which included Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner strolled through the large, Austrian mannor house clad in Chanel gear.

The annual Metiers d'Art show is a special collection, a kind of pre-spring show giving Chanel fans a little chance of what to expect next year. The clothes were romantic and pretty, Austrian hats, jeweled jackets and cute knee high socks with delicate floral patterns. Of course, there were tweed Chanel suits thrown in for good measure updated with intricate prints and military style buttons, but there was plenty of 'new' too. I loved the boxy bolero jackets with extra padding around the shoulders as well as the cute ribbons in models hair and the high-neck jumpers, complete with lovely ruffles. This was a show which could have jumped straight out of The Sound of Music. I could almost here the Vontrapp family singing in the background...

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2002 campaign ft Gisele

Audrey Hepburn: Timeless Style

Audrey Hepburn is an icon. What I mean by icon is that people from all ages see a photograph of her and recognise who she is. Fashion and movie fans alike are able to relate to her elegant beauty and talented acting skills. Her work in Africa in her later years is met with respect and acknowledgment of a lady who defined the striking 1950's and 60's of Hollywood glamour and has set trends which are copied and reworked again and again. She is iconic.

Her role as Holly Golightly is one of the most famous in cinematic history. That little black dress with the necklace around her neck, hair scraped up into an elegant bun with a cigarette resting lightly in her hand is an image that many of us have seen in timeless fashion shoots and editorials. Since her breakout role in the 1952 classic, 'Roman Holiday' with Cary Grant, she went on to win an Oscar, star in movies opposite Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart and Sean Connery and reinvent fashion with great success. Hubert de Givenchy claimed her as his own, dressing her for all official engagements with his elegant and classy dresses which had the whole world talking in awe about the Hollywood starlet. She was the hot toast of the movies!

Born in Europe, Hepburn never craved the glamour of America or in fact Hollywood. She wanted to become a ballet dancer, but this dream abruptly ended after picking up an injury. Her athletic and tall body was at first considered not the right fit for movies, with curvaceous  actresses Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren leading the way in the sexy 50's look. But Hepburn represented a different type of woman, the girl next door type who was incredibly skinny but used her body in such a fashionable way that a new breed of icon was born. Her classic roll neck jumpers, Capri pants, cat eye sunglasses and classic eye liner flick had women all over the world copying her look, with Hepburn featuring on the US cover of Vogue twice.

I love Audrey Hepburn because she was different in a world full of artificial beauty. She had her hard times (she miscarried her first child and fought her battle with cancer in the 90’s) but was always seen as the epitome of elegance and class. From 'Sabrina,' 'Funny Face' and 'My Fair Lady,' to 'Nuns Story' and 'Charade' - her movies will go down in history and are defiantly worth watching if you haven’t already seen them! The famous quote by Coco Chanel sums up Audrey perfectly: 'Fashion fades, only style remains the same...'

Remembering our World War 1 Girls

As you probably know, this week marks 100 years since the start of the First World War. From the beautiful poppies surrounding the Tower of London to the meaningful ceremonies at various historic landmarks, it is very hard not to understand the depth and sincerity this country owes to those who died during the war.

For most of us, we will hopefully never know what it feels like to live through a war. We will never understand fully what it's like to live on rations, to see our loved ones leave home and never return or feel the terrible consequences of fighting. That is why it's so important to wear a poppy in honour of those who fought for their country and died defending our nation. War is a truly terrible thing.

We always think of the brave men who fought during the Great War, but rarely do we cast our minds back to the women left behind. The women whose job it was to basically run the farms, factories and businesses normally occupied by men. Even though this was a time of upheaval and public outcry from the suffragettes and 'votes for women' campaigns, girls up and down the country stopped their call for political rights and instead dived straight into hard work during the war. Even they were not prepared to see their country suffer and did whatever they could to keep it afloat. That kind of loyalty and pride is very rarely seen these days, mainly because (thank goodness) we are not living through a war. So this week I want to pay a special homage to these women whose lives were also turned upside down by the start of World War One in 1914. It was brutally tough, but they along with England survived it and that makes me very proud, as well as eternally grateful.

I've found these beautiful and heart warming images of women and girls during this difficult time. The photography is honest and true while the facial expressions speak completely for themselves. Let us all remember those who will never be forgotten.

 

I also wanted to share this sorrowful and strong poem by Wilfred Gibson, one of the great war poets.

 

'Back'

 

They ask me where I've been,
And what I've done and seen.
But what can I reply
Who know it wasn't I,
But someone just like me,
Who went across the sea
And with my head and hands
Killed men in foreign lands...
Though I must bear the blame,
Because he bore my name.

 

Galliano Greatness: Dior Couture Fall 2005

It's no secret that I am a huge John Galliano fan. I think he is an amazing fashion designer with an imaginative creativity like no other. Despite his obvious 'fall from grace' he is still one of the best out there. One of my favourite collections Galliano created for Dior was the Fall 2006/7 Haute Couture show which pushed the fashion theatrical boundaries to the max. Opened by British model Erin O'Connor and featuring some of the most beautiful models ever, this show is just stunning and sums up the greatness of Galliano at Dior. Let me put it into perspective for you...

The setting is dark and eery with a thick layer of smoke covering the wide catwalk. Statues and shrubs are dotted along the runway like an overgrown garden belonging to an English stately home. A carriage rolls up (complete with real horses and a footman) and a little boy jumps out, followed by O'Connor herself wearing an Edwardian inspired outfit. Her huge hat, silk dress and dramatic make up create such an impact it's as though you're actually walking through a night garden with her. Following that powerful and haunting entrance, models parade elegantly down the runway wearing exquisite dresses decorated in jewels, applique and lace details while all playing the character of the rich, aristocratic woman of old. Linda Evagalista and Eva Herzogova take a turn wearing beautiful dresses as ballet dancers prance along wearing electorate tutus and a mask of make up.

Not only is the atmosphere incredible, the clothes have meaning and heritage running through them. The famous dresses from this collection are instantly recognizable as they look as though they are still incomplete on a mannequin with pieces of thread hanging from waists and pins still stuck between the fabrics. White chalk lines draw out the female figure on the material, similar to how Christian Dior himself would have designed his couture dresses. The words 'Dior couture' are printed along the tummy, a clever use of showing off the iconic fashion logo embedded in the fashion house while tulle and netting are carelessly draped around the bust and hip areas. In this way, Galliano portrays beautifully the Haute Couture process which has the whole audience clapping widely on their feet at the end of the show. And why wouldn't you?

These clothes however are not practical... you wouldn't go to Tesco wearing something like this! But it's a fantasy, an unrealistic one at that. These pieces look as though they should be displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, not shown as sell able clothes on a 21st century catwalk. Galliano always did couture very well. It was his thing, his trademark - basically a way for him to show off his design talents. That's why I wanted to highlight this particular show and share with you the beauty of high end, jaw dropping amazing fashion...

Dior's Iconic 'New Look'

It defined style and changed the history of fashion: the iconic Dior 'New Look.' After the Second World War and the couture scandal in Paris, people were in desperate need of a new look, quite literally. Christian Dior who had previously worked at couturier Lucien Lelong's fashion house was the man to reinvent fashion and played on a new feminine silhouette.

It was Chanel who abolished the corset and brought in a more masculine form of dress by using the flexible jersey material favoured by men. Yet Dior wanted to make women feel feminine and sexy again, especially after the depressing war years. In February 1947, he launched his iconic collection in Paris showing dresses that highlighted the waist and upper body beautifully. Women were amazed and immediately wanted this new kind of dress which allowed skirts to billow romantically out at the waist. It was pretty yet revolutionary. Harpers Bazaar's Carmel Snow coined the phrase 'New Look,' in her monthly magazine column and established the term that would define Dior's design aesthetic.

From actresses like Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Lauren Bacall to the everyday women living in cities; the Dior look was copied by mass production companies as well as magazines who couldn't get enough of it. It brought back femininity, romance and most importantly Fashion! Paris was re-established as the most stylish city in the world and the press from America and Britain once again were lured back to the biannual fashion weeks. Dior sadly died 10 years later, even though his impact on fashion was one of greatness and importance. Long live the 'New Look.'

Heaven Gains Another Star: Oscar de la Renta

Yesterday morning when I turned on the news, the last thing I expected to hear was that the legendary designer, Oscar de la Renta, had passed away. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, de la Renta died yesterday peacefully at his home at the age of 82. It is desperately sad that such a kind, gracious man has left our lives as the designer we knew him as.

He was a hot favourite at New York Fashion Week, with model of the moment Karlie Kloss always closing his shows while he was the go-to designer for red carpet fashion, whether it be the Oscars or the Grammys. De la Renta has dressed some of the most famous women in the world, including Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana and Michelle Obama while celebrities Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lopez have all donned one of his dresses over the years. And the glowing tributes have just been pouring in for him, from the likes of Taylor Swift, Anna Wintour, Jennifer Lawrence and Amal Clooney - whom he designed her amazing wedding dress.

Oscar de la Renta's last spring/summer collection presented last month at NYFW, was a pretty display of pastel coloured gowns and ornate floral patterns. He was known for his Fairytale, couture like clothes that made a woman feel extra special and fabulous. And that's how he will always be remembered: as a talented man who spent his life dedicated to the fashion industry. Former Nina Ricci designer, Peter Copping, has been named as the new creative director of de la Renta - a match which suits this iconic fashion house beautifully as Copping knows a thing or two about beautiful clothes. It will be exciting to see his effect at the house of de la Renta, but the man himself will be surely missed.

Take a look at some of the most memorable moments of Oscar de la Renta's extraordinary career and the dresses which defined his immaculate style.

The New Chanel No5

Who remembers the iconic 2004 Chanel No5 commercial starring Nicole Kidman? She ran through the streets of Paris in a huge, pink feathered ball gown and then hid away from the celebrity life that was engulfing her. And that beautiful ending which always gives me goosebumps - walking up the red carpet with swarms of paparazzi on either side, Kidman looks back over her shoulder and smiles. That's the Chanel no5 woman.

Now, 10 years later acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann is back with another ad featuring Brazilian supermodel Gisele. Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour and the woman of the moment, Gisele were all present last night at the premiere of the short movie as well as Baz himself. 'Gisele has a can-do attitude and an incredible positive energy. I would have dialled up or dialled down the amount of acting required in the ad depending upon what she brought and what she could do - and as you can see I've dialled it up,' stated the visionary director. Gisele looks amazing throughout the ad, as she goes about her normal life, but with some Chanel magic. From the school run to surfing the waves, the girl who wears Chanel no5 can do absolutely anything!

The power of perfumes and the advertisements they require are fundamental to a fashion house. Without a successful perfume, fashion brands would just crash and burn; it's the perfumes that bring in the money. Let's say it costs £4 to make the famous Gucci Guilty perfume. Sell that at £63 and Gucci have already made a gigantic profit. And that goes for all the fashion brands, whether that be Paco Rabbane, Chloe, Marc Jacobs or Chanel. Perfumes are a way in which normal, everyday consumers like you and me can buy a slice of designer luxury. Knowing that you're wearing a Stella McCartney scent is a lot more attractive and desirable than spraying yourself every morning with a Boots floral eau de parfum! We are brand snobs and therefore the way in which perfumes are advertised to us are so important. They represent millions of pounds worth of profit and allow you to be entranced by the romantic and beautiful world a particular fashion house is trying to portray. So Lurhemmn for Chanel, is a canny and clever move by the powers at be of Chanel; they know that a successful campaign will bring in the cash!

To quote Jessie J, it's not all about money though! Some of us, like myself, just love watching and looking at exquisite ad campaigns, full of wonderful scenery, spellbinding cinematography and usually a very beautiful woman - like Gisele. That's another thing, have you ever seen an ugly model fronting a perfume ad? No, didn't think so. We are obsessed with beauty and perfection and I believe the next Chanel commercial will have all the Fairytale elements listed above.

Watch the amazing new Chanel No5 ad now...

Galliano - A Fallen Star on the Rise

Yes. I know it's not breaking news now but I just haven't had the chance to write about it! If you're a follower of fashion, a keen style enthusiast or indeed a John Galliano fan, you would have heard the news that this incredible designer is to become the new creative director at Maison Martin Margiela. It's a shock and a surprise that Galliano will be working at this particular fashion house, known for a completely different design aesthetic, but it will defiantly something to look forward to in the future.

John Galliano, originally from Gibraltar in Spain, was the golden design child of the late 80's and 90's, changing the face of fashion with his flamboyant and intricate designs. Taking inspiration from the French Revolution and English culture/history, his clothes were worthy enough to display in the V&A as well as parade on the international catwalks. After setting up his own fashion house, he joined Givenchy as chief designer before moving to fellow LVMH group brand, Dior. From 1997 onwards, he transformed this iconic Parisian house and made it cool again with a cult following of singers, actresses and adoring fans. From the famous Charlize Theron 'J'Adore' perfume ad to the amazing couture shows which rivaled those of Chanel, Galliano always put on a show for us and delighted editors, stylists and journalists alike with his creativity.

However, this Fairytale world of Galliano came crumbling down in 2011, when he was caught using anti-Semitic language to fellow customers in a Parisian cafe. Under the influence of alcohol, Galliano's actions were recoded and released all over the internet causing a fierce backlash and huge controversy for Dior. After a very public turmoil of events, he was fired from Dior and sought help in rehab centres in America. Since then, he has kept a very low profile, completely out of the radar of fashion and the cruel world it entails. There are even conspiracy rumors that Galliano was set up by LVMH as a way to get rid of him and bring in current designer Raf Simmons... But that doesn't change the words that came out of Galliano's mouth and language like that cannot be justified.

Now, he's back! I am so excited for him to rejoin Paris Fashion Week as a creative genius because, the man can design like no other. His Dior womenswear collections were incredible and the best shows (hands down!) at PFW. Everything he touched at Dior was just spectacular and his talent has been very much missed, especially by me! He was my favourite designer for so long, so much so that I even dedicated a paragraph of my university Personal Statement to him!

Yet, is this the right move for him? Maison Martin Margiela is a fashion house know for it's anonymity, privacy and minimalist designs that break and challenge the rules of fashion. When Margiela himself designed for his brand, the shows were always futuristic, technical and raw with an edge like no other. While he looked to the future, Galliano looks to the past for inspiration which could prove to be a problem for him. Yet no doubt he will adapt and learn the archives of Margeila, change the status of the house and make it his own as well as serve the faithful customers that Martin Margiela built up over the years. This is what I love about fashion, you never know what's going to happen next, especially when Mr John Galliano is involved!

Chanel ss2015 - Catwalk Review

This show was girl power like you'd never seen it before. Karl Lagerfeld clearly wanted to make a statement and succeeded in style as he called in supermodel Gisele to walk for his latest Chanel catwalk show. But apart from that, the clothes and the setting were absolutely remarkable. If you thought it was impossible for Lagerfeld to top his ginormous 'supermarket sweep' from last year, he upped the stakes even higher with a genuine Parisian street, filled with houses, paved streets and even real puddles! The Grand Palais was pretty packed out!

The clothes were very Chanel - you had the tweed suits, monochrome basics and pearls. But the use of the stripe was printed onto dresses and skirts while the everyday, grey working suit was given a stylish makeover with palazzo pants and oversized jackets. There were some lovely bright jackets and tops, knit and cashmere while the relaxed attitude of the show was cool and chic. I thought the use of grey as a bass colour for spring was interesting, so perhaps Lagerfeld has predicted subdued weather for the new year.

As for the epic finale, models paraded down the 'street' holding huge plaques baring slogans and messages. 'History is her story,' 'Free Fashion' and 'Make fashion not war' were just some of the messages making quite a statement as Gisele and Cara Delevingne shouted through megaphones at the fashion press. Karl Lagerfeld proudly strutted his stuff down the catwalk - it's hard to believe this man is over 80 and still designs like a young genius. Trust me, this collection had Instagram as Twitter in a mini meltdown, especially with Cara and Kendall Jenner walking the runway. An amazing show and well worth the wait!

More from Day 5 at Paris Fashion Week - Valentino and Alexander McQueen...

Valentino 

Alexander McQueen

#PFW - Givenchy, Stella and Chloe

Sonia Rykiel - There's not really too much to say about this show as nobody does effortless, Parisian chic like Sonia Rykiel. There was navy, white and khaki as well as jumpsuits and summery parkas, that could probably be used for autumn too. And with Miranda Kerr making a surprise catwalk appearance, this collection has the fashion approval of many fashion elite out there.

Givenchy - Kim Kardashian and North West seemed to draw all the attention straight off the catwalk and onto the front row. But, I am going to focus on the collection which was pretty amazing. Everything was black and white except for a baby pink dress, which gave it a very sexy theme. Crucifixes and plunging necklines were reminiscent of daring nuns while the supermodel line up was spectacular!

Chloe - It was beautiful and clean. From the lace dresses to the knee high gladiator heels in beige and cream, the Chloe girl is extremely cool and very chic. I loved the laid back attitude of the whole show and the way the models hair just seemed to wave effortlessly as they walked. The details were exquisite, the colours perfect and the word 'sell out' springs to mind very quickly.

Stella McCartney - Denim is a trend for spring summer 2015. That has been firmly established after the Stella show this Monday morning. There were some amazing white pieces while the summery prints on dresses and skirts at the end of the collection were so inviting and original. As always, the tailoring was perfect and so crisp whereas the show had a slickness only Stella can produce.