Kate Me To The Moon

Annie Leibovitz Paris, 1999

David Sims London, 1996

Bruce Weber Golden Beach Florida, 1997

You may love her or you may loathe her, but Kate Moss has been feeding our fashion senses for over 20 years. Famous for her simple yet extravagant style (which only she has defined), Kate has graced the cover of our most beloved high- end magazines. Her talent and versatility is portrayed as a model and as a designer, for she has conquered both facets of her career. 

As a model however, she has worked amongst some of the most prominent artists and photographers, from Tracy Emin to Mario Testino, and her most recent collaboration has been with James Dazinger of Dazinger Projects in NY: 

"...on curating a portfolio of 11 images of her by 11 of her favorite photographers. The result, a limited edition of 30 portfolios designed by Ruth Ansel and priced from $75,000 each (the figure is expected to go up as the series sells out), is being exhibited for the first time at the Pulse art fair in Miami Dec. 2 to 5."

Within the collection of 30 portfolios, Kate has hand picked 11 of her all time favourite photographs; in an interview with the NY Times, she revealed that her ultimate favourite was a shot by the legendary Mario Sorrenti in 1993 for Calvin Klein's Obsession campaign.

source: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/kate-on-kate/?ref=fashion

http://www.vogue.it/en/people-are-talking-about/art-photo-design/2010/11/kate-moss-miami

When Soul Meets Style

Courtesy of Last FM 

Courtesy of Birha Wordpress

Courtesy of http://www.babelsound.com/

Better known as the Non Conformist or, "The Bob Dylan of Iran" (according to the NY Times), Mohsen Namjoo's music will make the hairs on the back of your neck salute you. With what seems to be one effortless breath, Namjoo's blend of the modern and the classic is only one facet of his unique musical style. 

The beauty about his music, is that it has this incredibly powerful, modern edge but at the same time, the way he manipulates his vocals makes you feel as if you are sitting amongst a Sassanid Orchestra in ancient Persia.

Namjoo's style is emanated from his soul; be it his capturing vocal abilities or the way his character is captured in the awesome black and white streaks of his afro- these iconic features are not the result of a $495 per hour stylist, or the effects of a Hollywood photoshoot. They are raw, real and riddled with character. His style is not dictated by designer clothes, similar to the way his musical style is not dictated or restricted by any form of trend. Nevertheless, the uniqueness Mohsen Namjoo exudes, certainly makes him one of contemporary-Iran's most talented style icons and artists.

sources: http://www.mohsennamjoo.com/

Nadine Kanso

"Resist"
Lambda print
30 x 50 cm, 2009

Courtesy of Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde

Harper's Bazaar Dubai: Best Dressed 2010

 "Bil Arabi", Nadine's 18-carat gold collection

One fine Saturday morning, on one of my trips to Dubai (whilst living in London), I made an appointment to go to NBar in Palm Strip, as my fellow female Dubaïns are probably aware, part of NBar's charm is, that it is a place where you might end up sitting next to an old friend, or bumping into someone you haven't seen in ages. 
As I was in the lounge, enjoying my mani/pedi this incredibly striking woman walked in and sat on the chair next to mine. Have you ever seen someone and immediately thought "ah, this is a person with alot of character"? I took one look at this polite yet intense person and the word CREATIVE was the first thing that came to my mind.
Several months later, back in London, I was doing research on contemporary Middle Eastern artists based in Dubai, for a paper I had to write for my MA, and low and behold- I came across an article about the work of a Lebanese artist called Nadine Kanso. I sat back in my chair and quietly cheered "I knew it!!"
All of a sudden this body of research became so much more meaningful, and I sprang into efficiency immediately, with the objective to not only complete the paper I was writing- but to learn as much as I could about Nadine's work, her evident love for Middle Eastern culture, and ultimately the way in which she has transformed this love into art and jewelry.
Nadine has become one of my favorite contemporary Middle Eastern artists, I find that her work is not only aesthetic, but it is honest and in a world where the truth isn't always beautiful, Nadine makes it inspiring and enjoyable to admire.

You can learn more about Nadines work on her website http://www.nadinekanso.com/, prepare your eyes for a feast!

sources: http://www.ivde.net/artists/Nadine_Kanso_works.html

http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/200910113110/Culture/nadine-kanso-arab-hip-and-proud-of-it.html

http://www.redvelvetnation.com/2010/03/harpers-bazaar-arabias-best-dressed.html

http://www.whosnextindubai.com/en/2010/09/23/bil-arabi-by-nadine-kanso-lebanon/

She can be both the Xbox and the Atari

Gwyneth Paltrow, my new favorite Glee cast member



Read reviews of the Glee episode guest starring Gwyneth: http://x17online.com/celebrities/glee/gwyneth_paltrow_wows_as_holly_holiday_on_gle.php

http://www.reallyrics.com/cee-lo-flattered-by-gwyneth-paltrows-glee-cover/

Hairography?

Last season on Glee (yes, I am a proud Gleek) there was an entire episode dedicated to Hairography- the art of dancing with your hair (if you don't know what I am talking about then you must Google it!).

Turns out that La Cinémathèque française in Paris has dedicated an entire exhibition on Hair. The hairstyles of women in cinema and the profound effect these hairstyles have had on their sensuality.

A weapon of seduction, a widely recognized symbol of femininity, the hair has an unparalleled erotic allure.
Bold, teasing women exploit the magical appeal of their tresses. Now all this is the subject of an exhibition, Brune/Blonde, in Paris at La Cinémathèque française (thru to January 16th, 51 rue de Bercy): a journey through the history of films in the hairstyles and hair colors of the most famous stars of the silver screen. In playbills, on-set photos, film frames and posters, the exhibition offers a parade of the divas who turned the heads of generations of men.

One can say that Hair is an aid to sensuality, be it in dance, sex, art, cinema.
So as the saying goes.... Just let your hair down

source: http://www.vogue.it/en/beauty/beauty-in-vogue/2010/11/blonde-and-brune-at-the-cinema

Vince & Eddie's


Lady Gaga has recently invested in a restaurant in Manhattan's Upper West Side in her native New York City. According to an article on Vogue.com, the restaurant did a promotion with Gaga when her Monster Ball Tour stopped at the city's Madison Square Garden in July.

I must admit, as an avid Gaga-phile, Vince & Eddie's is right up on my list of things to-do in NYC.

History, Class

A flamenco inspired evening dress, 1951

Balenciaga evening ensemble with toreador bolero, 1946

Balenciaga evening dress and stole, 1952

Last week, at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute in New York, the exhibition “Balenciaga: Spanish Master" opened in Park Avenue.
One of the honorary attendees was the Queen of Spain, and her attendance was monumental for this occasion because of how significant Spain/Spanish culture was is Balenciaga's work.

The exhibition is presented on two floors, giving a separate view to clothes inspired by the Catholic church, like a crimson coat and a severe black evening dress (1939) that must have been based on a priest’s cassock, and another view to more festive garments influenced by flamenco and the bullring. On both floors are examples of Balenciaga’s stunningly simple dresses and suits, like a dress in beige wool jersey with the front buttons set diagonally to follow the grain of the fabric, and a black silk crepe suit that Mr. Bowles insisted “looked like nothing” on a hanger.

Balenciaga, who did all the fittings himself for his collections — which in the early years numbered as many as 250 outfits — never gave an interview during his career. As he told a British journalist after he had retired, he just couldn’t explain what he did, so he thought it was pointless to give press interviews. The clothes, however, speak volumes — with many asides that Mr. Bowles has helpfully interpreted.
Standing before a ravishing silk faille dress in a deliberately blurry print of red carnations on a pale taupe background, Mr. Bowles said, “It reminds me of a bullring on a hot, hazy day with the carnations scattered in the dust.”

Furthermore, the exhibition focuses on dresses and paintings, designed and created by Christobel Balenciaga throughout the duration of his career. This amalgamation of creativity, history and education puts art and fashion on the same platform. Some of the pieces on display came from the Balenciaga archives, while others are on loan from prestigious private collections, including the one belonging to Hamish Bowles, who wrote the texts for the exhibition.

sources: http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/balenciaga-exhibition-opening-on-park-avenue/
             http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/daily-news/2010/11/balenciaga-exhibition-new-york

A Match Made in [Fashion] Heaven

January Jones ladies and gentlemen, be it behind a white picket fence or front row of a runway show, this woman can almost defy gravity with her grace.

Rumors of Jan being the new face of Versace have been confirmed and the S/S '11 campaign has already been shot by Mario Testino.

In my opinion the brand's new Ambassador is a living rendition of both Springtime and Luxury.

source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/archive/2010/11/23/january-jones-for-versace.htm 

Don't Mind the GAP!

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Street Style, than to sport an outfit designed by Valentino and sold at GAP.

Haute and Hot have finally been introduced.

Over the past few years we have seen collaborations between the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Jimmy Choo and Lanvin for high street legend, H&M, all of which have proven to be not only a commercial success, but a success amongst the souls of High Street shoppers.

source: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8143938/Valentino-for-Gap-combining-luxury-with-basics.html

David Downton

All I want for Christmas, is a copy of David Downton's "Masters of Fashion Illustration"

David's collection is so effortlessly dreamy, his brushstrokes are reminiscent of a night in Paris in the 1960's, intense, beautiful and memorable.

His iconic sketches are the perfect stocking fillers, for all your fashionistas in your family!

source: http://www.daviddownton.com/

A Little bit of Clare-ity

The phenomenon that is the Cashmere Twin Set, warm yet chic, snug yet stylish, is known to be synonymous with class, countryside (Scotland), and cognac.... Until Clare came along.
Today Pringle of Scotland may be synonymous with a quaint country lifestyle, but that is only one of this brands multi-faceted images. Cashmere has been given an extreme makeover, and not only does it look great, it lends its legendary-chic to the inhabitants of the City.
Clare has turned around the meaning of wearing cashmere, and wearing it in the hustle-bustle of Sloane Sq, or at Cecconi's- she has made the Twin Set a citizen of the modern world, maintained it's stature and it has befriended the likes of Carine Roitfeld, Jacquetta Wheeler, Olivia Palermo and many many more.


source: http://www.pringlescotland.com/

Fashion Philanthropy

"Lanvin's Creative Director Alber Elbaz has customized unique haute couture looks from the Lanvin for H&M collection. The looks were revealed at a fashion show in New York and are now being auctioned exclusively at this site. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to UNICEF, as part of H&M’s “All for Children” project."

When it's fashionable it makes my heart flutter, and when it is for a good cause, I simply fall head over heels in love!
Alber's work is nothing short of mesmerizing, it's almost as if the sketches are prancing down the runway!
The actual in-store collection will help dress you for all occassions this Holiday Season...

Don’t miss your chance to own a unique piece of the Haute Couture collection from Lanvin for H&M. Bidding closes at 11:59 PM CET on November 26th.

source: http://www.lanvinforhm.com/