Beyoncé: Sartorial Duty

Vogue's Fashion Night Out

So I wasn't at Vogue's Fashion Night Out this year because I am no longer living in London but here's me "papped" by a fashion blogger outside Selfridges from last year's Night Out.

(Hareem pants (Next) and aviator jackets (A|wear) were all the rage. Also wearing Chanel necklace and bag, and Clarks Originals desert wedges.)

Hope all my London friends had a great time this year!

Picture Perfect

David Bailey criticises peers.

The famous photographer David Bailey - who has established an astonishing career since the Swinging Sixties - has recently made some interesting and bold statements about the fashion industry:

"Any model over the age of 23 has to be touched up these days. 23? It's f***ing ridiculous but that's what you have to do for American Vogue and it's getting the same in Britain.

"They want shoots that look like a shop window in Knightsbridge. They always have the same kind of dead-looking girls. It isn't interesting. Because they aren't girls. They're androids. Airbrushed and cleaned up and not real."

"You can't tell any more who took the photographs. You used to be able to tell - there was character to the pictures.

"You could tell this was a Newton or that was a Beaton or a Horst or whatever. A Bailey woman has a distinct look. A Bailey woman is a real woman of flesh and blood and sex."

Wintour to visit LFW

It has been confirmed American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour will be front row for London Fashion Week in September - her first visit since 2007. No doubt the city owes the visit to the likes of Christopher Bailey's decision to return Burberry to London for Spring/Summer '10. 

(On a side note, I had a dream recently that I was Anna Wintour's personal assistant. Unlike The Devil Wears Prada however, her demands were less extravagant asking for chocolates of all things!)

Iconic Items

Eniko Mihalik in ‘Iconic Items’ photographed by Mario Sorrenti for Vogue Italia.

Fashion's Night Out

"As part of a bold global initiative, the international editions of VOGUE are partnering with designers, department stores, high-street chains and boutiques to create Fashion’s Night Out, an evening extravaganza to be held in 12 cities around the world on Thursday, September 10, 2009.

"Here, in London’s West End, we aim to lift shopping spirits and to emphasise the pleasure and joy of fashion. London is home to some of the world’s most celebrated designers and is a number one shopping destination internationally – Fashion’s Night Out will reinforce this."

"The VOGUE team will be working with retailers to create a night of original in-store activities, including personal appearances, makeovers and workshops, during extended shopping hours."

More Pictures...

Think Pink

And we thought the Devil Wears Prada was original...

Mother Nature.

This editorial from Vogue China (found on blog Hand It Over) made me realise how much I love fashion photography when it is done on a natural setting. The Marilyn shoot; Chanel's campaign; my blog banner... The countryside and sunlight add a delicacy to each shot.

'The September Issue'

Words cannot express how excited I am to see this:

The Wintour Effect.

I discovered this recent collection of videos documenting and interviewing the infamous Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of U.S. Vogue. I am completely fascinated. This first video gives an unbelievable insight into life at Vogue, the offices and corridors almost exactly the same as how they were depicted in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. 

Here designers Donatella Versace, Ralph Lauren, Miuccia Prada, and Domenaco Dolce & Stefano Gabbana, praise Anna to high heavens. Unsurprising really since Anna can make or break designers and their collections each season.

"The Vogue closet. This is where the magic happens." Every season, the closet is cleared of stock and replaced with the new season's trends. 

Watch more videos to hear Wintour's unapologetic opinion on fur, obesity, Oprah, and supporting new talent. 

Andy Hillman - 3-D designer.

I have recently become quite fascinated by the work of  3-Dimensional designer Andy Hillman. I first discovered his work through his collaborations with Tim Walker where he creates elaborate sets worthy of Walker's fantasy land approach to photography. 

I often saw his work in British Vogue as well as the beautiful Lula magazine.

Hillman has also done advertising for the likes of Givenchy, Paul Smith, Selfridges and Liberty's, creating stunning props, costumes and sets. 

Model's Muse.

This Vogue video is basically an unbelievable who's who of the fashion world - Intimate interviews with all the A-list guests who attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art's gala celebrating 'The Model as Muse' exhibition. 

Photographer Eugenio Recuenco

I recently came across the work of the Spanish fashion photographer Eugenio Recuenco and I loved it immediately. Some of his work bares a striking similarity in style to that of Tim Walker (see the post I did before on Tim Walker photography) in that he uses lavish sets to create a fairytale image. 

I also discovered that he was the creative mind behind the beautiful Nina Ricci perfume adverts (starring the now, sadly deceased model Ruslana Korshunova). You can also watch the making of this film on his official website.

However there seems to be a darker, more mysterious side to a lot of Recuenco's work which is not present in Walker's work. This eerie element gives his work an edge making it perfect for the world of fashion photography and his work is often featured in editorials for Vogue amongst others. 

Singing in the rain.

My friend sent me these old pictures of me in our old design studio. I think I must have been doing some kind of performance with my Moschino umbrella I bought in Milan. Anyway, I like the pictures and my outfit from that day and I remember seeing my umbrella in vogue not long after.

Cheryl on Vogue.

Yesterday I received my very first subscribed issue of Vogue through the door complete with 'The Ultimate Catwalk Report' sponsored by Topshop (I love this time of year, it's so exciting to find out what to keep an eye out for - more blogging needed on this as there is loads) and Cheryl Cole on the cover. 

Who would have imagined a year ago that a member of Girls Aloud might one day grace the cover of Vogue? I wouldn't be surprised if one day she is on American Vogue's cover as apparently she's made a bit of an impression over there too. Whoever her stylist is, keep doing what you're doing because Cheryl says "clothes don't really interest her that much"! 

Watch her photoshoot here. Some girls have all the luck... 

Merry Christmas one and all!

Well I was hoping for snow but apart from that today has been pretty lovely. I am officially spoilt rotten. 

Here are some of my favourite gifts:

My sister subscribed me to Vogue!!

I received this silver jumper which I have been wearing out as a dress. 

Got this lovely little black lace top.

I also got some gorgeous lingerie I had picked out myself a while back but forgot all about. It caught my eye because of the pleating and delicacy of it and I thought it made a change from black underwear. I love the little silk padded hangers that came with it. 

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I'm looking forward to the New Year and wish everybody the best of joy.

Shock horror! It's Agy!

Oh my goodness! I saw this on another blog. 

Check out Agyness Deyn done up like Marilyn Monroe on the cover of Korean Vogue! I didn't know who it was at first.

Tim Walker 'Pictures'

This quote from The Design Museum's website describes Tim Walkers work so much more eloquently than I ever could. I was given his book 'Pictures' recently as a gift. The images are breathtaking and I have admired his work in British Vogue for the last few years but it wasn't until I flicked through my cousin's (a fabulously talented designer for John Lewis) book that I fell in love with them. Here are a few of his well-loved photographs.