February 2008

Napoleon's Reality TV Show

If you love Napoleon Perdis and would like the opportunity to become a professional makeup artist, you might just get your lucky break because Napoleon has a new reality TV show and is searching for Australian talent. He is looking for aspiring and experienced makeup artists between 21-38 years old who are male or female with one prerequisite, a passion for makeup. To enter, you must email NapoleonPerdisTV@gmail.com with your Name, Age, Phone Number, Current Photo and a Brief Paragraph about yourself. Good Luck!

The Scandalous Napoleon Perdis

Napoleon Perdis, Australia's makeup king, has stepped on a few toes by using guerilla marketing tactics...successfully. It all took place at the Holeproof underwear show in Brisbane which was sponsored by Myer. The show was being filmed for Australia's Next Top Model (FOX 8) as three of the models participating had won a competition on the show. Naturally, there were many important people around, including those from Myer and the Foxtel crew. Apparently, a dozen girls sat in the front row wearing t-shirts with the 'Napoleon' logo and the event officials were annoyed as the Napoleon brand is associated with David Jones. The girls who were from the Napoleon makeup academy were asked to cover their tops but they innocently replied that they had to watch the latest fashions as part of their training. "Game on, Mole!"

Buy An Oscars Dress

Allen B. Schwartz is the man who recreates afforable interpretations of red carpet dresses under the label A.B.S. If you liked any of the frocks that you saw at the Oscars, you can purchase your very own Oscars-inspired dress in the next month. For Oscars 2008, he has already created his interpretations of dresses worn by Renee Zellweger, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Garner. Unlike the Oscars gowns that cost thousands, Schwartz's dresses retail between US $200-$400. The new dresses are already in production and will be sold in department stores across the United States. For further information, visit A.B.S.

Oscars 2008 - Best Dressed

The 80th Annual Academy Awards took place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and as usual, didn't fail to impress. The dominant colour was red this year and off-the-shoulder was the style favoured by the glamorous ladies of the red carpet.

Calista Flockhart was dressed by Rare Vintage in Vintage Valentino. This ice-blue Grecian gown was my favourite for Oscars 2008. This simple yet elegant goddess look was perfect. Even the hair followed the theme.

Hilary Swank was dressed by Versace. She remains impressive and have you noticed how there aren't many bad photos of her on the red carpet? Has she figured out the formula?

Katherine Heigl was dressed by Escada in a stunning red dress. This was a simple gown but extremely flattering on her figure. Great choice!

Nicole Kidman was dressed by Balenciaga. The usually super-skinny Nicole chose a looser-fitted dress this year as she is pregnant. It's very simple but the neck piece changed the whole look and made it work.

Renée Zellweger was dressed by Carolina Herrera and therefore, got it right once again. This look was classic Hollywood glamour and the colour was great on her. She looked dazzling!

Marion Cotillard was dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier in a mermaid dress. This can be a risky dress for an Oscar's night but she made it work and she looked fabulous.

Cate Blanchett was dressed by Dries Van Noten. As she is heavily pregnant, she may have tried a number of dresses to get the right look. Fortunately, she chose the right one.

Kelly Preston was dressed by Roberto Cavalli. This marigold yellow dress was eye catching and even though it was really simple, it was a wonderful dress for a red carpet event.  

Yummie Tummie

The Yummie Tummie is a control top that gives ladies an instant tummy tuck. It was created by Heather Thomson who formerly worked as the creative director for House of Deréon (Beyoncé Knowles) and JLo by Jennifer Lopez. Thomson came up with the idea after giving birth to her two children. She lost most of the baby weight but was struggling to get her stomach flat. She tried many body shapers but they didn't fit right so, she created her own. The tops are available in short and long sleeves and retail for around US $60 (AU $65). For more information, check out the Yummie Tummie website.

Italians Bring Back the Black

Emporio Armani

I would hate to think that black was ever absent from anyone's wardrobe and the few that tried to convince us of a successor, have just been proven wrong by Milan Fashion Week. Colour was evident in the last few seasons but black is classic and it works its magic as a staple in everyone's wardrobe. Giorgio Armani (my favourite) and Prada totally embraced black in their Autumn-Winter 2008/09 collections and aren't you now glad you kept your little black dress?

Design Your Own Shoes

Steve Madden - Design Your Own Shoes

Shopping for shoes can be a real nightmare, especially if you need to match them up with an outfit. Luckily, this is becoming a thing of the past as more retailers are giving us the opportunity to bring out the designer in us. For sneakers, you can't beat NIKE iD as they have a wide selection of contemporary to classic styles. For heels, you can go all out and visit Tupli but if couture is not your thing, then Steve Madden offer cool selections, even for those on a tight budget. Steve Madden do great shoes for men as well and they ship internationally. For more information, check out the links.

Sydney Fashion Festival

Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival (RSFF) is the new annual event that was just announced to promote Sydney's image as a major fashion capital in Asia Pacific. It was launched on Valentine's Day to express Sydney's love for fashion and will be set up at Martin Place from 13-17 August, 2008. The festival will include collection shows, exhibitions, launches, in-store promotions, guest appearances and parties. The general public will be able to view the Spring/Summer Collections on the catwalk and then purchase items of interest in the stores nearby. The event will close with the presentation of the 'Australian Fashion Laureate 2008', an award given to a person for outstanding achievement in the Australian fashion industry. It is worth noting that due to this new event, IMG Fashion have confirmed that Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Transeasonal Collections (our industry event) will no longer have a central venue for the presentation of collections so, designers who wish to present will be included in an official schedule that will be distributed to buyers and media.

London Gets All Puffed Up

London Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2008/2009 is in full swing and the puffy sleeve is taking over the runway. No, this is not the only change that we've seen at LFW but it's a prominent one as it's been included in many of the designers' runway collections. The hemlines have also been altered and they are much lower for next winter. Check out all the designer collections at London Fashion Week and keep an eye out for Vivienne Westwood who is returning to LFW on Thursday, after 9 years of absence.

Project Runway Australia

'Project Runway', the successful US television series created by Heidi Klum, is beginning its 1st season in Australia and supermodel Kristy Hinze has been named as the host. The reality tv show consists of 12 designers who are given tasks to complete each week within short timeframes and usually, with limited materials. Their designs are reviewed by a panel of judges and the weakest designer is eliminated at the end of each episode. Arena TV is currently searching for designers of all ages and with any level of experience to become contestants. Applicants are required to submit a headshot and a full length photo of themselves, accompanied by two photos of their own designs and a video that reveals a little bit of their personality. Entries close on Sunday, 9 March 2008 so, visit www.projectrunway.com.au and fill in your application immediately.

Tyra Banks' New Fashion Show

If fashion is your passion, you must be enjoying this time of the year. New York Fashion Week is barely over and already, we have been witnessing red carpet action at the Grammys and the Baftas (British Film and Television Awards) and before we've had the chance to gather our thoughts, London Fashion Week is at full speed. Well, with all this excitement, I thought that I should share some interesting fashion news. Tyra Banks is producing another reality TV show and this time, she is searching for aspiring fashion editors. It is said that each episode will see contestants competing in individual and team challenges in order to create a mock edition of a fashion magazine. At the end of each week, the winning team will have their page become part of the show's magazine while the losing team, will have one of its members eliminated. The contestants will come across a panel of judges and the winner of the show will become an assistant editor at a popular fashion magazine. It is rumoured that the show will be called 'Fashionista' but this is yet to be confirmed.

Under Rihanna's Umbrella

Rihanna launched her new umbrella collection at Macy's Herald Square in New York this week. She hosted a VIP lunch to unveil her collaboration with Totes and signed autographs for a number of lucky customers who arrived early and spent more than US $50. The debut range was released in the UK during the european summer and considering its success, we might all be getting under her umbrellas in the near future. 'RIHANNA Umbrellas' will retail at Macy's this spring (US) and their price tag will range between US $20-$50 (AU $22-$56 / UK £10-£26). To purchase your very own Rihanna brolly, visit RIHANNA Umbrellas.

StarNow Australian Model Search 2008

The Bandage Dress makes a Comeback

New York Fashion Week Fall 2008 is in full swing and Hervé Léger by Max Azria seems to have attracted quite a lot of attention with the resurrection of the bandage dress. Max Azria's interpretation has brought it up to date but I dare warn you that if you are bootylicious and your name is not Beyoncé, do not - I repeat - do not take one in the change room or you will starve yourself for the rest of the year. You'll come across KFC and there'll be tears in your eyes. The Golden Arches will become a thing of the past. Allow the ladies with the washboard figures to happily step right into those dresses. As for the rest, admire these beautiful designs by Max Azria, enjoy your burgers and steer away from tight dresses.

Trinny & Susannah are coming to Australia

Trinny & Susannah, the UK star stylists of the series 'What Not To Wear' and 'Undress The Nation' will be touring the Westfield Shopping Centres around Australia in March 2008. They come baring advice on how to dress correctly for your body shape via their live shows and Westfield are giving you the chance to win a pass to an exclusive show if you spend $100 on fashion at one of their shopping centres between 3-24 February 2008.

The Exclusive Show Dates are as follows:
5 March 2008 - Westfield Chatswood, Sydney
6 March 2008 - Westfield Parramatta, Sydney
7 March 2008 - Westfield Marion, Adelaide
8 March 2008 - Westfield Chermside, Brisbane
9 March 2008 - Westfield Southland, Melbourne

The Ladies will also do Guest Appearances at Westfield Centre Stages on the following Dates:
5 March 2008 - Westfield Kotara, Newcastle
6 March 2008 - Westfield Miranda, Sydney
6 March 2008 - Westfield Parramatta, Sydney
7 March 2008 - Westfield Marion, Adelaide
8 March 2008 - Westfield Carindale, Brisbane

Kidman and Urban Launch Fashion Label

Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban are launching their own fashion label. The clothing range is named 'Hank & Evie' which is apparently a union of the pet names they have for each other. Some, believe that these names have been their pseudonyms for a while but I am certain they would've come up with new ones by now. Until recently, only Urban's concert t-shirts were sold under the label and as it wasn't public knowledge, nobody had suspected that more was to follow. The celebrity couple are planning to expand their collection and have already trademarked their name in Australia and the US. The couple seem to have a busy schedule ahead of them as they are also expecting their first baby together, in July.