A Visual Wolf Whistle Moment

The title is an ode to Deex's over at Pistol Whipped's most recent post, and I thought "visual wolf whistle" was the perfect way to sum up that instant "ohmygoshthatoutfit" moment that we all experience every now and then.

I just had this wolf whistle moment, but it wasn't at a gig or on the bus as usual, it was on the net, which really dilutes the great moment that it usuallly creates (is it only my system that creates adrenalin when a perfect outfit rocks down the street? it's like i'm excited on the person's behalf for putting together something so genius.)

but I digress.

For this momentary girl crush was Lena Headey, a brit actor (yes, I had to look her up..) with a not so great resume, but what do I care.

Take a look at this. Well, I fear that I have over-hyped the moment, but really I wanted to put more emphasis on the wolf whistle moment rather than her outfit. Instantly assuming the tee was Urban Outfitters (she just has that look) I found it on the online store (on both sides of the atlantic).

This look is very easy and perfect for a day when you fancy hitting the snooze button on your alarm. Roll out of bed with 20 minutes to leave, skip washing your hair and pull this gear on with a squirt of your fragrance du jour. Of course, the just "got out of bed look" doesn't excuse sleep breath or dribble mouth. Whoa there, don't be forgetting etiquette.

now playing: a sunday smile by beirut

Wes

I already channel Margot Tenenbaum. Subconsicously, I think she is always tucked somewhere in my brain, moping about and smoking in fur.

Then sometimes I find myself wishing that I was a man just so that I could dress like Wes Anderson. And maybe Team Zissou.

Then I thought, I should just dress like them all anyway.

You have one day to swap shoes with any well known man. Who is it?

now playing: ping island/listening strike rescue op by mark motherbaugh

(from life aquatic with steve zissou.)

Sunday Pleasures

It's been a while since this blog last saw a delightfully trashy celebrity post. It's Sunday. It's when that "day before Monday" syndrome kicks in and trivial delights help to distract the calling of workload and tedious preparations.

Today is also a significant day...drumroll... because I have lifted the Lauren Conrad ban. I always think carefully about the people who grace this blog and reality stars are usually banned, but there is no escaping the fact that girl hired a stylist!

If there was anything guaranteed to get the Olsens out of hiding (wise plan, attacks from PETA, US tabloids and dodgy Heath Ledger business, they did good staying out of the limelight..) it was Paris Fashion Week. And ever the exhibitionists, they showed off a couple of new looks.

Whilst Mary Kate received lots of attention for that Givenchy studded jacket, the simplicity of this outfit from Ashley caught my eye. As did a very similar look from newly fringed Rachel Bilson.

Both looks show how girls who cover up are always sexier than those who leave everything on show. Casual cashmere sweaters (reminds me, must pop into Uniqlo..) paired with killer heels; so easy and effective.

I'm guessing Lo Bosworth is to became a regular fixture in The Hills (another of Sunday's guilty pleasures..) as the season continues.

She hardly seems on a parr with Whitney who appears to be the only one on the show with a genuine interest and understanding of fashion (although bizarrely this never translates to the red carpet..) but she certainly has more style potential than Audrina. Another example of great simple style, she comes across a little American Apparel and makes me lust after a pair of aviators; a refreshing change after two summers of wayfarers.

Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman and yes, Rihanna all caught my eye when out this week. (that's right, I personally bumped into each of them. hehh.) Rihanna caught my eye because, well, to be honest this girl astonishes me, and not in a good way. She really has the most unpredictable wardrobe out there (even more than Fergie.) It's just so inconsistent and usually very tacky. So when I saw her donning this dress to a Fendi event, I was pleasantly surprised.

Julianne Moore, I think, has a classic style that is underestimated. For someone in her forties, she has a the kind of look that I one day aspire to. Always looking polished and groomed but modest at the same time.

Speaking on modest. Well, Natalie Portman shall never cease to be cute, will she? Click on the image for a closer peek at the fabric of the dress which caught my attention.

EDIT: I know they were looking uncannily alike during Fashion Week, but I never thought I'd have to go through the shame of confusing the Olsens! I thought it was Ashley, but is it really MK? Place your bets.

now playing: double shadow by junior boys

A little bird told me.

Daphne Guinness on getting dressed in the morning

"I begin by covering myself with scent. I start with a key piece and build on that. Then finally I take things away-shrinking my look down to the proposition. I always check the proportions and width of the shoulders to make sure they are aligned. "

Jonathan Saunders on his style mantra.

"Don't be afraid of colour. A great outfit doesn't always have to be just black. Be brave!"

Kate Hudson reveals her style icon.

"My Mom. She has a wonderful sense of style. All of her amazing Bob Mackie outfits...My Mom's the queen of the minidress and matching underwear."

Keira Knightley's best (and most honest) style tip.

"Get a good stylist!"

Diane Kruger on Karl Lagerfeld.

"I met him at a casting when I was 16 and he lives a couple of doors down from me in Paris now. He must be the only person in Paris who drives a Hummer-you can see him coming a mile off.

His style tips? Richard Nicoll uses the C word.

"Rock it with confidence. You can wear anything, cheap or expensive, if you do it with confidence."

Stella McCartney on eco fashion."It makes me feel very reassured and proud that we've been promoting eco-awareness for a long time and people are now responding and understanding what it is we are trying to do. I'm glad people are thinking about these things and that the media is talking about it. But I do wish more designers would join us. Most fashion-company profits are based on leather handbags. It't not a particularly eco-thing and it's not very compassionate."

all quotes from various interviews from March Issue of UK ELLE.

pictures the fashion spot, leadfashion, londonfashionweek, googleimages

font by neale davidson

now playing- je ne regrette rien by edith piaf

Gloss Girls

The mass of March magazines with glossy girl icons parading around is making my heart double-flutter and my eyes pop.

This is cover design at it's best. Scrap that, this is cover porn.

Gwen Stefani looking, as Adrian G over at Fashion Verbatim pointed out, uncannily like Ms Lara Stone is decked out in one of the cute SS08 Miu Miu dresses and was shot by Mert and Alas (who else?..) She looks like the 2008 version of her Love/Angel/Music/Baby Alice in Wonderland look.

Lindsay Lohan graces Paper Magazine looking fabulously Hollywood. Shot by her BFF Jeremy Scott and styled by Marcell Rocha (who also styles for i-D when it takes his fancy.) Her blonde hair looks great here, shame she didn't put the effort to get somebody to style it like this everyday. She may be shamelessly whoring her comeback, with a string of magazine covers, but it's working because she finally has a film on the agenda. Put those Razzie awards behind you, and get a stylist to keep up with the hype, pronto!

And while you're at Borders picking these up, be sure to get your mitts on March's i-D with eye candy in the form of Raquel Zimmerman looking not at all US Vogue and very Louis Vuitton. It's got the best editorials in it this month, I kid you not.

"I have a fully formed character, then I break it down."

Fancy a peek into Luella Bartley's LFW diary?..

The best moment for me was seeing the first look for my show come together-the hair and the make-up was done, the shoes and the bags were there and suddenly, I saw the character, I was like, "Oh, yes! It's brilliant!" At the beginning of the season, I have a fully formed character, then I break it down into fabrics or whatever. At the end the doll comes alive again-that's always the most exciting bit.

You do end up staying up all night preparing, but there weren't any real hardships this season-although the shoes were very tricky. When we were doing all our fittings, everone was tripping over. Luckily, when push came to shove, the models were very professional. I was literally imprisoned in my studio with the same people for five days. It was quite surreal. I didn't go to many parties-you can't party like you want to because you are so focused. I feel so boring, single-mindedly thinking about a look. And I didn't go to any of the other shows because it can be intimidating. I've learnt not to compare. It's safer just to do your own thing and not be involved in the fashion thing.

An hour or so after the show, I felt normal and part of the real world again. I was so desperate for the show to be over,but now I miss it; it's quite anti-climatic. I went to a karaoke bar to celebrate-nothing glamorous. Last year, I had a big party at Claridge's and it was nice not to have to perform again. You have to become a personality and it can get a bit much.

Seeing the reviews is hard-I've just stopped feeling nervous and then it all starts again. I'm going back to the countryside to chill out with my kids. I won't look until I feel strong enough. Denial is always best for me.

from Mary Meyer's "Backstage Pass" article from The Sunday Times Style Magazine, 24th Feb. http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3386581.ece

now playing: don't let him waste your time by Jarvis Cocker

Zip that dress and open the envelope

The Right Edge

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Could you please try a little harder?

Prada is the one collection that is guaranteed to make my hands clammy during fashion week. So when I rushed to read style.com's runway review and was greeted by the word "lace", I felt a little let down and images of cliched Victoriana styled collections sprung to mind. Could the AW08 collection possibly to be the first season that Miuccia Prada wouldn't get it right?

But after putting to the side these inital fears, the collection was a certain grower (hell, maybe not being a fan of Ms Prada's designs would be more interesting?) and now I rather love it. I'm glad to see that Miuccia's feminine yet modest collars which often make appearances in her designs (most recently Miu Miu SS08) are back again.

The plain shapes and muted colours seen in the shirts and thigh grazing dresses, struck me as a little reminiscent of Raf Simmon's designs for Jil Sander, and seemed a perfect contrast against the elaborate doily like lace patterns of the skirtsuit and occasional jumpsuit.

Who's ready for Miu Miu?

now playing: Great DJ by The Ting Tings

Model Citizen

One of my favourite parts of fashion week is the people watching. When flicking through pages and pages of style.com collections pushes me to breaking point, I take comfort in snaps of the models backstage and on the the street, prancing and showing off their own outfits, for once able to style themselves.

apologies for the break in posting; for the past few days neglecting the blog has made me feel like a distracted parent, but it's good to be back.

Went to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on saturday night, and enjoyed it so much, I genuinely recommend you all see it, if not for the incredibly moving and in parts humorous narrative, then for the perfect French women with floaty minidresses and bedhead hair.

now playing: All The World is Green by Tom Waits