Anyone for Tennis?

With Wimbledon just around the corner, and bikini season well under way, what better way to celebrate than with the new Nike campaign shot by Annie Leibovitz?



From the 'Make Yourself' campaign the shot features Allyson Felix, Chinese tennis player Li Na, Algerian-French dancer Sofia Boutella, British hurdler Perri Shakes-Drayton, Russian-born tennis star Maria Sharapova, USA goalkeeper Hope Solo and Australian surfer Laura Enever.

It's certainly got me to dig out my Nike trainers and make my way to the gym - a long over due trip!

10 for 10: Paris Couture Spring 2011

I'll try and to keep this post to as few words as possible, because I can't even begin to describe some of these looks. Here are my favourite looks, make up and accessories from the wonderful world of couture:












It would see there is a new optimism in Paris these few days, these looks are so light and airy - even at Armani with it's futuristic light reflecting materials. This has been one of my favourite couture seasons for awhile, even though Chanel was more subdued than usual I love the silhouette of the long floaty skirt with satin pointy flat shoes. I can't believe I'm starting to favour flats over heels, but such is the power of Karl Lagerfeld

Aymeline Valade

I have been desperate to post about this new face! I'm not sure why I've left it so long but I just had to share, as she has the most captivating look. Aymeline Valade, represented by Women model management and FM Models in London made her major debut at Balenciaga S/S 11:



After her appearance, things got a little quieter but then the Pre Fall collections came out and she only made an appearance for Balenciaga and Alexander Wang. If there were two brands to ever make a models career these are the ones to appear with:

(Balenciaga Pre-Fall & Alexander Wang Pre-Fall)

She has such an intense look, that photographs beautifully. Then she appeared in the first Alexander Wang mainline campaign (shot by Craig McDean)


And today her appearance in Interview Feb/March (again shot by McDean) has been published on models.com:




(models.com)


Aymeline really rocks the tomboy clothes, and doesn't get lost in Karl Templer's exquisite styling. For a new face, she photographs in such a confident self-assured way. I'm so intrigued to see what the next runway season brings for her, whether she will appear everywhere or just walk a select few blue chip runway appearances.

Joan, revisited

It feels like so long since I've been posting regularly, but the last three months I've been wrapped up in my dissertation, but the 10,000 words are done, bound and handed in. I can finally get back to blogging - a month before the A/W 11 shows kick off! I'm lucky enough to be at London Fashion Week again this season, and I'm really hoping to bump into a certain Joan Smalls. I first blogged about her all the way back in April 2010 and I was just thinking how far she has come.

For the S/S 11 campaign season she has both Gucci and Roberto Cavalli:




...and she's rumoured to appear in the (as yet unpublished) Stella McCartney campaign.

My favourite of her recent run of work, however is this editorial:

all images scanned by the wonderful users at TFS.

Shot by Mario Sorrenti it appears in the February issue of Vogue Paris. Joan is such a great mover, and in this editorial she has the presence of a veteran model with her compelling gaze and awareness of how the clothes move. She's one of the most versatile models today.

I can't wait to see the Stella McCartney campaign!

Work Magazine

Finding this magazine feels like an early Christmas present. I'm an avid reader of TheFashionSpot and have been for many years, and whilst browsing it the other day I found such a wonderful new(ish) magazine - Work magazine.


Isn't that such a striking cover? The cover star is model Tasha Tilberg, who isn't as regular on the runways as she used to be, but she she still pops up in only the coolest publications. Just looking at this cover is making me want to get a septum piercing.


There's not alot of information about the magazine but from what I can gather it's a quarterly based art/fashion magazine, this is issue number three. It's also prooving difficult to track down a copy, for all of you in LA you can pick up a copy at the Marc Jacobs bookstore on Melrose (as if you need an excuse to go down there anyway!). Otherwise, you can order online via the website. If you have a a spare five minutes head on over to the website, and have a browse through because I'm so excited to see a a magazine like this, with one of my favourite cover stars. I can't wait to see how this exciting project develops.

Jewellery fit for a superhero

This has to be coolest collaboration I've seen for ages. Noir Jewellery + DC Comics! I'm sure everyone has an inner comic book geek side to themselves. I, for one, love Batman. I have done since I was a little kid.
These suitably dark jewels will certainly stand out from all the Disney jewellery around at the moment, and it would be a definite talking point.

Bat Girl Dome Ring, $300


Catwoman claw earrings $235


Supergirl necklace $500

And my absolute favourite is the mini Gotham city ring, it would look amazing with a dramatic black cocktail dress

Gotham City Ring $225

Fly on over to http://www.noirjewelry.com/ to check out the full range!

All wrapped up

I'm literally snowed in. There's a foot of snow outside now, and as the UK have been unable to deal with it I've been spending a lot of time online (oh and baking snowflake cupcakes!). Two of my favourite editorials I've found today, I just had to share here:

Metal Magazine 21
Julia Nobis by Can Evgin






The next editorial is from Russh magazine, and I know I post about this magazine alot, but it's absolutely brilliant, and so worth tracking down. If you're in London you should be able to find it in Selfridges or RD Franks.
Russh Decemeber/January 2011
Cassi Van Den Dungen by Will Davidson






These editorials highlight how beautiful masculine, oversize clothes are on such feminine models with strong features. It's an interesting trend that's emerging in some of the indie magazines. I was pleasantly surprised to see it showcased on the red carpet by Leighton Meester:


She looks so sexy in this look, it's slightly disheveled which works and I like the flowing curled hair. I'm going to be copying these looks, just as soon as the snow disappears, because there is nothing attractive about having to wear ten sets of layers all the time.