September 2007

THE GIORGIO ARMANI PHONE

Samsung has teamed up with Giorgio Armani to launch a luxury mobile phone. The Giorgio Armani-Samsung P520 phone is a tri-band GPRS/EDGE with a 2.6-inch LCD display. The features include a touchscreen which gives off a light vibration when selecting an icon, Bluetooth, microSD expansion, music player, USB 2.0 and a 3 Megapixel camera. It is the size of a credit card, 10.5 millimeters in thickness and comes in a black leather carrying case. I am very excited about this collaboration as these are two of my favourite brands in their respective fields. For those who are lucky enough to be living in Europe, they will get their hands on them in November for €400 (US $565 / AU $645). The rest will have to wait until January 2008 which is when they will also launch the LCD TVs as part of the Samsung-Giorgio Armani high-end product line for Armani/Casa.

The girl from Ipanema

Gisele Bundchen will arrive in Melbourne (Australia) on Tuesday to launch her footwear label, Ipanema. The cocktail party for the event is being held on Wednesday night at Docklands and the thongs (flip flops) will be available from Novo Shoes throughout the country. The prices range between AU $24.95 - $39.95 and Giselle will forward a percentage of the proceeds towards her favourite cause, the Y Ikatu Xingu Campaign (Pure Xingu Water). This campaign is trying to preserve the headwaters of the Xingu River that flow into the Brazilian Amazon from drying up. It has doubled in the last 10 years and deforestation is affecting 18 Kisedje Indian villages, 250,000 native people and Brazil's economic health. So, buy a pair of thongs and save Brazil. I cannot imagine this planet without Samba.

Create your own Fashion Empire

Ever wanted to run your own fashion empire? Well, now you can. Bocconi University (Milan, Italy) and Times Online (UK) have released a mobile phone simulation game called Bocconi Fashion Empire. It enables you to create a label, design and manage stores in fashion capitals around the world and test your business skills by making strategic decisions regarding production and distribution. You have one virtual year to see if you have what it takes to become a successful fashion designer. It is an excellent game with many features. Check it out at Bocconi Fashion Empire

NO-ANOREXIA NO-L-ITA

Italian fashion label No-l-ita has used an anorexic model to promote their brand during Milan Fashion Week. Apparently, they hope to raise awareness to this serious disease but so far, it smells a little bit like a well thought marketing ploy that is gaining a lot of media attention. The campaign was photographed by the controversial Oliviero Toscani and is backed by the Italian Ministry for Health who hope to promote responsibility towards the problem…while No-l-ita cash in.

FASHION NEEDS A LAUGH

Actress, Emma Thomson, wants to bring back the smile into fashion. She saw London Fashion Week photos and stated that the models looked miserable. Her thoughts are that if you're wearing a posh frock, you should smile. The fashion industry does not agree and I will explain why. Models do not smile on the runway because designers feel that the attention should be on the clothes and not the model. When models smile, they instantly gain character, which takes away the focus from the clothes. Now, here's the question. When they're using a well known model such as Giselle or Naomi, where do they think the crowd's focus is? Perhaps, more acting coaches need to get on board in this industry. All runway shows are not the same and the roles that models assume on the runway should vary, depending on the label's theme for that particular event. Here's a hint: Acting 101.

VOGUE India has arrived

Vogue India was launched on Friday, 21st September in India's Rajastani city of Johpur. The first issue features Bollywood actresses Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra and the Australian model Gemma Ward, who is well known throughout the country. Its first ever issue, October 2007, begins with a large print run of 50,000 copies that will be available across 40 Indian towns and will cover more than 5000 outlets. This is the 17th edition of Vogue and it is priced at 100 rupees (US $2.50).

NICOLE KIDMAN'S GIFT TO ANTONI & ALISON

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If you thought Prince's performance at the Matthew Williamson show was the highlight of London Fashion Week, think again. We've all heard of the expression "Save the best for last" and that's exactly what Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts did for their label Antoni & Alison. As they are celebrating the 20 year aniversary of their label, they wanted to do something a little bit different for this year's show so, they made a 10 minute film which they screened at Curzon Cinema in Mayfair with Nicole Kidman modelling their Spring 2008 collection. Nicole filmed the video in Sydney and volunteered her services as an anniversary present to the couple. Top that people.

Diana: A Celebration

Diana's royal wedding gown is amongst 150 of her personal items that have just arrived in Sydney, Australia for an exhibition that celebrates her life and work. The Powerhouse Museum follows the Princess of Wales' life from her birth to her untimely death. The exhibition is produced by Arts and Exhibitions International in association with the Althorp Estate (Home of Diana's family, the Spencers) and it will display outfits, jewellery, letters, home movies and family memorabilia. The exhibition is on from 29 September 2007 – 4 May 2008 and the profits will be donated to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Visit Ticketmaster- Diana: a celebration and get your tickets early to avoid disappoinment.

THE AMAZING JONATHAN SAUNDERS

Jonathan Saunders always commands my attention. This Glasgow boy is seriously talented and a breath of fresh air amongst some of those designers who send rags down the runway. He showed his collection at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2008 and impressed once again even the harshest critics. His collection was partly inspired by Ettore Sottsass of the Memphis Group (an influential Italian design and architecture movement of the 1980s) so, he used colour-blocking and chose a palette of colours that included black, white, grey and pastel shades. His hand-blown glass bangles were also a much talked about accessory. Check out his collection at Jonathan Saunders @ London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2008

WOMENS SIZES CHART

For those of you who are interested in the womens sizes and what the corresponding inches are, have a read.

Size to Inches

0 ----- 24"

1 ----- 25"

2 ----- 25"

3 ----- 26"

4 ----- 27"

5 ----- 28"

6 ----- 29"

8 ----- 30"

10 ---- 31"

12 ---- 32"

EMMY AWARDS 2007 BEST DRESSED

Debra Messing (Will & Grace) was nominated for 'Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie' for Starter Wife and was dressed by Ralph Lauren in a tri-tiered floor-length black and white gown. It was simple and elegant.

Marcia Cross of Desperate Housewives was dressed by Georges Chakra in a diamante pleated gown and it's hard to believe that she gave birth to her twins just 6 months ago.

Portia De Rossi, was dressed by Azzaro in a royal blue gown with a snake neckline filled with diamonds.

America Ferrara, winner of the 'Best Actress in a Comedy Series' category for Ugly Betty, was dressed by Monique Lhuillier in a long electric blue dress that complemented her figure.

Katherine Heigl who won 'Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series' for Grey's Anatomy went classic. She was dressed by Zac Posen in a white, off-the-shoulder gown. She wore light make-up and a hot red lipstick. The dress looked like a wedding dress but she wore it well and the whole look worked.

Christina Aguilera who is pregnant with her first child, was dressed by Valentino in a stunning satin gown.

Hedi Klum seems to know her body well. She was dressed in a burgundy Christian Dior dress that requires no comment. As for her hair, she tried to tuck the length underneath but within minutes of arriving, her hair was out of place and needed attention. She definitely needs a new hairdresser.

Minnie Driver was nominated for 'Best Actress in a Drama Series' for Riches. She was dressed by Donna Karan in a draped chartreuse gown.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler of The Sopranos wore a pale pink chiffon gown and presented a look that is in total contrast to her on screen character.

Sara Ramirez of Grey's Anatomy made a great choice with this dress. It really suited her figure and she looked better than ever.

12 YEAR OLD, FACE OF GOLD COAST FASHION WEEK

The organisers of Gold Coast Fashion Week (Queensland, Australia) have been criticised for promoting a 12 year old girl as the face of the event. They have defended their decision by stating that they are not exploiting the young schoolgirl but even the Prime Minister has condemned the move. The fashion industry has tried for a long time to ban girls under the age of 16 from modelling on adult catwalks and fortunately many european countries have succeeded in doing so. In these turbulant times where great role models for younsters are scarce, are we stripping kids of their innocence? Let's hope the young model's next appearance will be age appropriate.

LOUBOUTIN COPYCATS

Shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, is fighting back. When he started out, he tried to distinguish himself by painting his designer shoes' soles with red nail polish. The red soles on his shoes that became his signature look are now being copied constantly and he is fed up. He has applied for trademarks in the US and UK to put an end to companies copying his look. Meanwhile, he is tied up in a legal battle over this issue with the shoe label Oh…DEER! He has stated that people identify his designer shoes by their red soles and he is absolutely right. How about some new ideas people?

THE BODY SHOP FOUNDER DIES

Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop has died of a brain hemorrhage at age 64. She announced earlier this year that she had cirrhosis of the liver as a result of hepatitis C that she contracted from a blood transfusion while pregnant to her youngest daughter 36 years ago. Britain's leading female entrepreneur was made a Dame for her work in business and charities and was an inspiration to many budding businesswomen around the world. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants and started her business with a single shop in Brighton, England in 1976. She developed a franchise and grew to 2100 stores in 53 countries within three decades. Last year, she sold the business to L'Oréal to focus on other areas of her life. She is survived by her husband Gordon and daughters, Justine and Samantha. From Thursday 13th September, there will be a condolence book in all The Body Shop stores across Australia for thoughts and wishes. These books will be passed on to the Roddick family.

VALENTINO RETIRES

Valentino celebrated 45 years in the fashion industry in July and after a huge celebration, he decided that he wanted to exit the business on a high note. He has announced that he will retire in January 2008 and he certainly deserves to put his feet up at the age of 75. The couturier has influenced the world with his style and has dressed the most glamourous people of this planet. He designed Jackie Kennedy's unforgettable wedding dress when she married Aristotle Onassis and pushed the envelope when he dressed the sexy Sakis Rouvas (Greece's Most Popular Male Artist) for his national 1998 tour in a black skirt that caused chaos and controversy in Greece. His signature look remains the scarlet dress and his style is compared to none. Look out for his final collections coming up in October (Ready to Wear) and January (Haute Couture).

WE KNOW SHE'S COOL

New York Fashion Week commenced and Gwen Stefani with her L.A.M.B. (Love. Angel. Music. Baby.) collection for Spring 2008 made a grand entrance with great reviews. By offering looks that are in line with her trendy image, she managed to keep it young and fresh. She launched the label 2 years ago and the high-end retailers embraced it. So, did I. I got my hands on a gold pair of L.A.M.B. sneakers that never went to the production line and they are "to die for".