The Beckhams never rest: David's Signature fragrance

First, i want to apologise for all these days I spent eating Christmas chocolate and mince pies instead of posting ... I truly have no excuse, but I guess that's what the holidays are for!
I really do need to figure out how to use that twitter.

I am sure everyone is still digesting the turkey and the pudding (I for one, am) so I will skip the clothing advice today - after all it's the week end, a snug jumper will do the trick.

It is Christmas week but the Beckhams have not wasted time: just after Victoria pre-launches her dVb dress collection, her husband is advertising his new Signature fragrance.



First off: I was really taken by the video. The way it is shot throws shivers down your back.

It is meant to be a more sensual and sophisticated version than the original Instinct perfume.

I only had the chance to smell a whit of it, and it is best to judge a perfume after it has been in contact with the skin for a few hours.

To be honest I prefer Victoria's clothes, but the fragrance does for a late present. It is young and has character.

And it will complete a dVb pair of jeans for the fans.

Merry Christmas!

Just a few of some of the amazing Christmas-Queen-like pieces McQueen made this year. Enjoy, and happy holidays to everyone.

French fashion Special 3 - The French high street

As promised I left my snowy mountains this morning and drove down to have a closer look at what a provincial French town has to offer clothes-wise.

To be honest I was expecting grey, grey and more grey. I was not entirely wrong, but in the midst of all these dull, dark colours I spotted the accessory I will be taking back to London.

This season the French are doing something big in fashion - literally: the oversize scarf.

They are in all colours, from clementine-orange to grapefruit-pink.

I later realised that the magazines are ablaze with the question: "the oversize scarf: do you dare, or do you fear it?"

I say: DARE.

Vogue featured it in an Amazonian shoot last year, and the effect is sublime: all wool, it really adds contrast (in colour and texture) to a black or uniform outfit.

The rest of the displays were well set out and embellished but the inside of the shops rather disappointing ...

Take your typical high street store and remove any items containing bright colours, tight fits, sequins and unusual textures (I am thinking the overly popular shinny or leather leggings). Now you have it: the French high-street.

Style, but safe style only.

French fashion Special 2 - do it Paris like Chanel

Cigarette-cut trousers, cropped bobs, a french actress once the face of Chanel and a french director: the French are so keen on their cinema - and their classic fashion - they are making yet another Coco Chanel film.

"Coco Chanel et Igor Stravinsky" staring Anna Mouglalis as Coco, should be released in April 2009.

The film is based on a novel by Chris Greenhalgh, Coco and Igor.

It is a romantic uptake on Coco Chanel and composer Igor Stravinsky's fiery fascination for each other. The producer, Jan Kounen, said it would be a film about desire, love and passion - Oulala!

Anna Mouglalis is going to rival Audrey Tautou and it could be a tie: both actresses appear to be a perfect fit for the role of fashion designer giant.

This could well suggest that Coco-style is the next French trend to follow.

The french Elle rates cigarette trousers as the trend of the winter - all very 1913 - and the magazine is full of ways in which to work it.

If you want a chic Parisian look this season try it with a tailored jacket, a bowler hat and Derby shoes. Very French, Madame.

I have yet to verify this trend rumour and see if all these items are actually lining shop displays (French stores are prohibited by law to open on Sundays), but I promise a full report on the french high street shops tomorrow.

French fashion Special 1 - France's next hot model

After a slight delay - I missed my flight yesterday - I am finally in France for a short holiday.

I decided to do a three-days-special on French Fashion.

I went through a bunch of magazines this afternoon and I came across an up-and-coming French model who seems like she could be big (not literally of course).

For starters, the 16 year old winner of the Elite Model Look 2007 contest, has a charming name and a stunning body. She moves in a very suave way, connecting with movement, every drop-points of the clothes she is wearing.
Adama Diallo could be the next Naomie Campbell - a la french.

She catwalked for Vivienne Westwood's Spring/Summer 2009 show, which is not an unnoticeable start for someone who has not even started to worry about her GCSEs.

She has got a really peculiar face, and she takes very special care of it (with mostly Chanel products). In an interview she admitted to always have a mirror on her, so that when someone looks at her quaintly she can check why.

Her features are striking, probably because her mouth is set in a continuous pulped pout. she has high eyebrows, high cheekbones and a roundish face - it could be baby fat, let's face it the girl in still in her best teenage years.

In short, she has more than a few elements of the new face: large lips, rounder face and slightly tabular features. It's all very lush.

To be honest, Adama is fascinating, especially when walking down a runway. She's beautifully odd - which, in modeling is the key to success - a little like an exotic bird with peacock feathers stuck on top of her own.

Natalia Vodianova and her fellow supermodels might well look out for this new sweet face.

Top Shop is deemed Wagalicious by Cheryl Cole

As it turns out I haven't been completely missing the fashion point by reading about the fascinating lives of Wags (yes, I have read the sequel A WAG Abroad as well and it actually is a really hilariously entertaining read).

Cheryl Cole, who does fit Alison Kervin's description of a superb Wag - tikka massala colour, impressive hair, even larger breasts and tight clothing - could be on her way to launch her own line.

After meeting with Kate Moss, she reportedly said she wanted to get into high fashion and the two girls started making plans.

The model-improvised-designer is rumoured to be in negotiations with Sir Philip Green to include her new Girls Aloud friend to work with Kate on her own Top Shop range.

I doubt there will be much designing, it will probably be an all-day-long window shopping job for the two fashion-fans.

Top Shop is betting on celebrities in an attempt to reach out to the high street customer (and not unsuccessfully it must be said if we take into account the Kate Moss collection still raises furies from fashion buyers).

It is a reasonable marketing plan, however it will probably mean another notch lost in high-fashion credibility for the store.

Hopefully the full stiletto, boob tube and lager Wagalicious-style does not perspire too much into the range; if the project ever sees the light of Oxford Street.

Travel fashion

I'm taking the plane to go to France tomorrow which raised a major fashion issue: what do you wear while traveling?

It's an easy enough question when you are flying first class, have a taxi to drive you to the airport in time, and own a stunning designer luggage to catch the eye, but what about when you are flying with Ryanair?

First the obvious, avoid tight clothing, shoes over 5inches (for obvious reasons) and laced shoes - mostly because with airport security you will have to take them on and off at least five times before boarding.

Airports are curious places, everyone dresses in a particular way while traveling. It's never about tracksuits and comfy - it's a middle-ground fashion, maybe because you want to look good for the person waiting for you at the arrival.

Something warm is also a sound idea, because no matter what they say, once you are hovering at 13 000ft above the ground its freezing cold.

I am opting for comfy military-style ankle boots (I could run a race and win in these), shinny leggings and an oversize woolen jumper.

Now all I will have to do is perfect my on-the-go-make-up skills tomorrow morning if i don't want to be late for the airport shuffle ...

Designers branch out for Christmas

It is the last week till Christmas, everyone should be rushing around Central to gather the last few gifts to put under the tree.

Except for designers who have been busy concocting Christmas trees for charity.

Zaha Hadid, Louis Vuitton, Miguel Adrover, and Jean Paul Gaultier, put their hands to the trees that went up for auction last week, after Paris's architecture museum was transformed in a holiday tree-shop.

Don't expect your regular pine tree though, the structures were more inspirational than traditional. Dazzling non the less.

Trees seem to be a popular structure to design this year, with Gareth Pugh creating a "modern seasonal celebratory symbol" for the new Westfield TopShop in London last month.

Lacking the minimum £40 000 Zaga Hadid's tree went for, I will be keeping to my mini-black, charity-shop tree this year. At least it isn't green: tradition with a twist is the new Christmas.

a WAG'S style

Ok so, this is going to be a slight digression from fashion, but I have a confession to make: I am reading a WAG book... The WAG's Diary by Alison Kervin.

Hear me out: I got the book free with Glamour a while ago and although it is far from being my usual literary choice, I though why not? It looks ligh-hearted and funny, and I was in dire need of distraction.

I have to admit that even though it is quite heavy writing (not in a Dostoevsky kind of way, but thick and sticky, like too many coats of lipstick), it has some really funny lines. I have to admit it is an amazing parody of WAGS.

It is all about (unnaturally) orange-coloured skin, see-through skirts, cropped tops, blond extentions that threaten to fall out at every moment of the day and make-up: coats of make-up.

To be honest I don't know much about the subject so I am set to research a little more about the subculture before I post what I find.

Meanwhile there are two short extract from the book - Tracie Martin, the mainWAG-character of the story is an online WAG handbook:

SUNTANS
Remember the Wag mantra: Wags can be orange, they can be caramel, but they CANNOT be white. If you feel your skin colour is heading towards white, or even cream or vanilla, it is important to get yourself spray-tanned as a matter of urgency.

DRINKING FOR WAGS
The question is, can you drink if you're a Wag? The answer is, most definately, YES: 99.4 per cent of your nutrition should come from champagne or Bacardi Breezers. (...) The key skill to learn is to be able to continue to walk in eight-inch heels while on the wrong side of a crate of vodka. No collapsing into the gutter or trying to get off with the doorman. You're a Wag now ... Hold your head up - throw your hair extentions back and walk towards the car without being sick all over the paparazzi.

Maison Martin Margiela wigs out

Margiela s/s show 2009

Last night, in Bruton Street, London, conceptual fashion fans were having a Wizard-of-Oz-like minimalist party.

Picture the scene: waiters serving you candyfloss in the street, a path of tabi-toed footprints and a rather empty room with white, helium-filled balloons, clustering the ceiling.

That, Ladies and Gentlemen, was Maison Martin Margiela inaugurating its new London main store.

To contribute to the faceless randomness of the brand, Margiela released a fashion dance film, Make Up Your Mind.

Imagine an eerie dancing picture of naked women, with stocking-covered faces, and a blond-wig coat.

Definitely worth watching - the designer (who collaborated with Nick Knight for the footage) has an amazing way of presenting Anti-fashion fashion.

Sienna's Fashion Week new hot ticket

Sienna Miller has been all over the news lately for her affair with Balthazar Getty - the on/offs of celebrity privacy poured over to the public by the raging paparazzi.

But regardless of the infamous gossip, Sienna seems decided to be back in the media's eye for something that, in my opinion, is of more public interest than her smooching a billionaire.

Twenty8Twelve, hers and her sister Savannah Miller's fashion label, is scheduled to make it's catwalk debut at the upcoming London Fashion Week in February.

On the provisional fashion week schedule released today, her label was charted to show on Sunday 22 February - just a hit for those who want to get their hands on the hot ticket.

The label started in 2007, and it has not been unsuccessful with the stockists.

They have some strong pieces and the collection could be a pleasant surprise. In my opinion it still lacks that sparkle, a little like a Cappuccino with no chocolate on top.

To be fair it has to be said, the Miller sisters' designs are a modern classy wardrobe with an edge with makes it an excellent city-wear choice.

Also, the price tag is much friendlier to the eye than say, the - however dazzling - dVb Victoria dresses.

Flap your capes

Picture it: you are about to step in inside an icicle (an average British winter) and you're wrapped up like a Christmas present - gloves, hat, double tights, thigh-high socks, tight cardigan, jacket, etc. All items on the check list have been ticked.

Now, imagine for a minute that you are a superhero, what key signature piece of clothing did you forget?

Unless you are Catwoman - and in this case all the leather and PVC does the job - you could not imagine facing the world without a cape.

I am fully aware that capes are often assimilated with men wearing underwear over neon tights - and even though AF Vandervost did the 'underwear as outerwear' look in sexy creamy tones at the last shows, this is not what I am suggesting you do: I am a fan but it is far too cold to think of playing with under-layers at the moment.

Cover ups however are needed in any shape or form, and capes could well become the new coat.

They are shorter than your average musketeer or 16th century floaty cape, and more shapely.

I know that capes are by nature thinner than a fur coat, and I am addicted to warmth just as the next person, but I like to believe winter can be more stylish than wool bulging coats and hand-knit scarves.

Capes add structure to the silhouette, and with the superstructure trends lurking about, it will not look out of place.

New Look has a military style cape and Acne does a cape dress.

They are also not as breezy as we would imagine - it is true you might need to add an extra thin jumper under your jacket, but overall a layer is a layer. And if it is a stylish layer all the better.

Fashion humour: The Harry Potter signature spectacles

I was re-watching some Luella shows yesterday and I noticed a preponderant accessory in her Spring 2008 catwalk, that I cannot believe I missed before: the geeky spectacles.

We all know about glasses, they are hard to play with. They can be sexy in a secretary-style look, or downright horrendous.

It's very tricky to find a pair that fit your complexion, bone structure, haircut and character. Everyone who ever had to wear them as a child will agree.

So why bring back some of the worst spectacles ever created?

Large black frames do not fit many people, no matter how gorgeous your features - it a shape that does not work well. It tends to sharply break down the face and drown the nose and eyes under plastic rims while taking the focus away from the mouth. Thus creating a Picasso effect.

I understand Geek Chic, how it was tweaked to add some dangerous sexiness into the trend. It can look dazzling and Luella like Paul Smith, work it really well.

It is also perfect as an everyday look, this is partly why it was so successful last autumn and spring (and it is still around in the streets).

However the Harry Potter glasses are an anarchy-statement too far. It surely does make a assertion but maybe not the right one.

I think fashion has a great sense of humour and sometimes, certain pieces must be taken as just that. Not everything on the runway is meant to be worn.

Fur silhouettes

There are a lot of fringed and fur coats all over London.

Today is not the first time I notice a particular silhouette that winter only accentuates: oversize upper-body wear.

Especially as fur is the new way of keeping warm in glamorous hippy-chic style.

Love it or hate it, it is the new texture.

No need to have real fur of course, but it is true it adds some statement to a coat. And most importantly it keeps you warm and snug.

The binge drinking anti-style

Just something I found fun. Most of you must have seen it but I have no TV.
I thought it was quite appropriate after that trash party I went to yesterday.



I did not finish in that state by the way!

Disco trash party look

Tonight I am going to a 'disco/trash' birthday party, which means I need to dress accordingly.

Who is on top of the trash look?

Well, there obviously was Courtney Love, anything punk in the 70s, Britney Spears during her downfall, Amy Winehouse. And these are only a few.

The trash look comes from the 1970s, as an anti-authority, anti-decency with a 'dress - or often, undress - to shock'.

It is all about micro shorts, torn fishnet tights, tattoos, a no-bra (or no t-shirt) policy and smudged make-up.

Courtney Love seems the most appropriate to copy for the occasion - well to an extent anyways.

I am not quite as brave with the indecency though, so I might conjoin the trickiest trend of the season - skin-tight shinny nylon leggings - with an 80s buckle-belt and call it Olivia Newton John in Grease.

It's always good to be able to try a trend in a party environment before wearing it during the day. So be it for the leggings.

Posh takes Selfridges by storm

Victoria Beckham is everywhere, on magazine covers, all over the news and in Selfridges...

Well, her dVb dress collection was anyways. That is, before a bunch of angry fashion-avid shoppers ripped the hangers bare.

By 3pm, only three of the 58 dresses purchased exclusively by Selfridges were left dangling on the rail.

The dresses are breathtaking, even with a price tag of about £1800.

Posh's influence in fashion is only beginning. She knows her fashion lesson and she is intent on showing it.

She told the Times: 'Being in the Spice Girls, fashion-wise probably didn't open any doors. If anything it shut doors and I've had to bang them down.'

Doors have been banged down (if only those of Selfridges), and in a month, Harrods' doors better beware as the range is going on sale internationally.

Victoria almost rivals Anna Wintour in terms of immaculate, perfectionist style and determination. The devil knows what these women will do with fashion next.

All I can say is that I can't wait to see.

The new hand: fingerless gloves and dazzling colours

Gloves are the new hands.

They are everywhere in all shapes and forms: they are the new accessory of the winter, and designers have declined them from classical to crazy.

They go from John Galliano red suede to Miu Miu's frilled leather pair to some puffy sleeves on eBay.

What most of them have in common: they are fingerless.

To me this means nail varnish.

After all, if the hand is covered the nails stand out even more, and it is a perfect excuse to match the nail varnish to the bold colours of the rest of the accessories.

It is also easier than trying on fluo eye shadows and it adds a personal touch to winter styles.

Burgundy and bright red are in vogue, but it is easy to break the mould and go for something dazzling.

Chanel does marine blue and gold. Bright green, yellow, clementine and myriads of other colours are easy to find cheaply at Camden market or smaller stores.

Let's beat the cold with (layers of) statement tights

I am making the bet that all the elaborate hosiery trends are really going to take off next Spring.

Not before, and especially not during the last mile before Christmas.

Knee-high socks might be spared because they are easy to accommodate with any pair of thick leggings, or even jeans.

They are a great way of adding a smudge of colour to a dark winter outfit - and colour lifts the mood.

Fancy print and lace tights however, are in danger of becoming winter-extinct.

Mostly, because they are too thin to protect against the cold.

And unless you work in an Caribbean-beach-like warm office and you have a taxi to shelter you from the frost and wind while traveling from point A to point B, they are often not worth a month with the sniffles.

The way out is to wear them over a pair (or two) of skin coloured tight. Because let's admit it, they look fantastic.

Statement tights however might be the solution

A lot of brands have opaque statement tights: they are thicker which rhymes with warmer.

Opaque also means it is easy to wear another pair underneath, without them having to be paper-thin and skin coloured.

And of course there are all the patent, PVC, shiny or leather imitation leggings.

Even ice-age temperatures cannot stop a girl to show off some leg from underneath woolen trenches.

DIY: maybe not for me...

Vivienne Westwood does it all the time to perfection, but with novice seamstress skills, turning a shower curtain into a wearable party dress might not be the best idea...

With the credit crunch, DIY fashion is the new craze.

It is true that, to some extent CIY (Craft it Yourself) does work – adding a few feathers and buttons to a plain black cotton t-shirt can sometimes give you a cool Art Student, edgy, Agyness Deyn-like style.

But most of the time DIY looks a little too much... well, DIY.

Also, the style does not particularly fit the party season: it only works for you if you already have that 'I can pull of anything, I could not care less' kind of look.

It is also time consuming: for non-expert hands, giving that dusty LBD a makeover could well take up until Christmas.

At least...

Other options

For those who, like me, prefer well-cut numbers with a DIY touch and a reassuring label. It might be worth considering the high street stores.

I am not talking about poor, sequined, runway-imitations. There are some luxurious party dresses that cost less than £70.

A Zara lace dress, very close to the Prada collection, has a smile-inducing price tag of £49. And you can get a Giambattista Valli-inspired, red ruffled cocktail dress, for only £55 from Next.

If you think about all the five pound notes used to buy textiles, ribbons and buttons, the plain cotton black dress that probably cost £20 and the lost hours fighting a stubborn sewing machine, maybe fighting a crowd in Central London might not be that bad after all.