Check Out Jessica Lowndes' Latest Style

Have you noticed that the new series of the new 90210 is back on our screens? I, of course, grew up with the old one. The one in which Brenda Walsh and Kelly Taylor were best frenemies for ten long years. And my world was divided into those who loved Dylan and those who loved Brandon. (bad boy Dylan for me, of course) And the Peach Pit was the place to go. It lasted all through the 90s, all the grim fashion and tortuous music. It was brilliant. And so I expected to super-hate the new version. But I found I didn't. Hey, I don't think that there is a CW teen series I have yet to hate. I'm shallow like that.
My favourite characters are Erin Silver (Kelly's half sister), played by Jessica Stroup and Adrianna, played by Jessica Lowndes. The two Jessica's rock my new 90210 world. And their style off-screen is pretty hot too.
Lately Jessica Lowndes has been out and about a bit more than usual. She seems to have found a stunning pair of red peep toe shoes that are rather desirable. And a faux-bob hairstyle that is super 70s-luxe. I like her glossiness and her incredibly worked-out legs in an I-want-those-please kind of way. I don't feel like she is going to be anyone's victim in life and that's the sort of role model I think is awesome for young women today. Just saying.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Wears Amanda Wakely for Hospital Visit

I really like old Kate Middleton you know. I know she is Duchess of Cambridge and has a flat in a palace and will be Queen one day, but I think she is a trooper. She always has a smile on her dial and really seems to be able to get stuck in with whatever her bizarre life throws at her. I like that. Sure she is going to be spoiled for the rest of her life, on tax payers pounds, but she does seem to be pretty determined to get on with things with as little fuss as possible and quite a lot of sensible, down-to-earth-ness.

But I need to say this. The oatmeal Amanda Wakeley dress, costing all of £450, was a bit of a let down. It is as dull and vanilla as we are hoping Kate won't turn out to be. Paired with her favourite LK Bennett nude shoes, I want to shout out loud to her, "where is the colour?" For that price she could have got a jazzy little DvF number. Possibly one of Victoria Beckhams's new line dresses or even a great Project D dress. All more modern and more colourful, as is befitting cheering up a bunch of kids and teenagers in a cancer ward. There was no need to dress a bit like a nurse. You know?

And while I am being a bit critical, that hair... Almost like it is weighing down her slender neck. Come on. Let's take this mane of beauty and make something happen, not just curl the ends and let them hang around her face. OK?
Good, got that out. Anyone want to shoot me? Anyone agree? Let me know.

Taylor Swift Wears Christian Siriano for New Frangrance Wonderstruck

Award winning country songbird, Taylor Swift has just launched a new fragrance called Wonderstruck. How very jolly and positive. And in the advertising campaign for it, much has been made of the fact that Taylor is wearing a princess perfect dress by ex-Project Runway designer Christian Siriano. Hasn't he done well? Which is not to say that I am surprised, I loved his work on the show, and since at New York Fashion Week. But his dress for Heidi Klum for the Emmys, a shorter version of this dress, was a bit much in my opinion.

But this longer length works very well and suits Taylor and her prom-queen style. I am a bit confused by the chandelier forest that she is walking in. I mean, it's not that I don't like a bit of romantic fantasy, but I'm not sure about this. It all appears to be a bit dangerous with several already crashed to the floor. Is this a metaphor for what will happen if you wear the juice?
Oh, I must put aside my cynical, mustn't I. After all she does look awfully pretty, don't you think?

Elizabeth Olsen Covers Nylon Magazine

Oh, look at that. I believe I have developed a bit of a girl crush on Elizabeth Olsen. How very unexpected. And this month Lizzie covers the achingly hip Nylon magazine. I was quite surprised how like her twin sisters, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, she looks on the cover. I am so used to seeing her smiling sweetly (which the twins seldom, if ever, do let's be honest), in most of her publicity photos. But it seems that being happy comes easily to her, accordingly to the article inside the magazine, and that she is remarkably well adjusted for someone who has lived their life in the shadow of her sister' incredible fame.

Of course it doesn't hurt that Elizabeth's first major film (she is 22) has been critically acclaimed. Martha Marcy May Marlene has been shown at all the major film festivals and Elizabeth has happily gone along to help promote it. And shown some great style along the way too. Sure she loyally wears Elizabeth & James (named after her) and The Row, her sisters' two lines. But she also wears all the hippest labels too - in a remarkably low key and non-hipster way. Like Carven. And Rick Owens. And Madewell. And Isabel Marant. You know. All  the labels I would wear if I were rich and skinny. I really like this girl and, I am warning you, I may need to replace Alexa with Elizabeth one day soon... Just saying.

Jessie J on the Cover of Q and Trending the Brothel Creeper

So yesterday I heard that South Africa is launching a version of Rolling Stone magazine. Really? Then I heard that Myles Keylock was going to be the editor. And that made me calm down quite a lot. That's perfect. He has been writing about music for 100 years. Maybe more. And that's an awesome job for him. Bravo. I have no idea who is publishing it or when the first issue lands, but I am excited. Until now, my favourite music mag has always been Q. I even collected it for a while before remembering I don't like clutter. And look at the cover of the latest issue - Jessie J. Jislaaik, I think she is awesome.

Even with a broken foot, she has been a trooper and single handedly re-converted me back to the brilliant brothel creeper shoe. LOOK. AT. THEM. Calling Shopping with Alex... I MUST have some brothel creepers.
(Anyone old enough to remember W. Clift and Sons? If only it was still around. That's where I used to get my brothel creepers in the 80s. Grrr.)

Melencholia Premier in London, Kirsten Dunst in HONOR SS12

So you know that in the past year I have developed a style crush on Kirsten Dunst. From nowhere, it just happened. And if you put her name into my search box there on the right, you will see how often I have quietly posted about her. And here again. In this glorious straight-off-the-SS12-runways prom dress by a label called Honor. I think she looks absolutely divine at the premier of her new movie Melancholia, in London last night.
I also like that she didn't go obvious, or heaven forbid nude, with her shoes. I like that they are navy and a bit unexpected. That is what looks modern now that even HRH The Queen wears a nude shoe.

Ides of March Premier, Evan Rachel Wood in YSL, Marisa Tomei in Marios Schwab

I have already posted plenty about the Ides of March film. It has had many premiers at festivals and now it hits cinemas. And I will definitely see it. First because it is an intelligent political thriller. And then because The Clooney is in it. And directed it. And he rocks. Still. Even if Ryan Gosling looks almost exactly like Alan Cumming from The Good Wife in this picture. In his green Gucci suit.

But aside from him, Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei are in it. ERW started out strong when she was much younger and you could tell she was talented. Then she declared herself bisexual and got all hooked up with Manson and both of them looked worse for it for some reason. And now she is back with her original boyfriend, Jamie Bell and plays with androgyny a great deal in her red carpet looks. And I love it. I think she looks fantastic. This time in a YSL le smoking tuxedo and some hectic beads and bondage accruements.

Marisa Tomei had a similar trajectory. She won a misplaced Oscar for My Cousin Vinnie and kinda hid away after that despite the fact that she was an amazing actress that just won her award for the wrong thing. That has now been rectified and she has moved into her middle age with a seriously good body of work. She has also found her style legs and this time exercises them with an interesting chiffon and leather look from Marios Schwab. I like it. I think that she looks a bit tired and maybe her hair and make-up person could have helped a sister out a bit more, but I liked the dress. Did you?

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Goes to Wedding, Does Some Shopping. Just Like Us.

I'm not sure if we want our fairytale princesses to be just like us. It's all a bit confusing. On the one hand Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is in fact just like us. She was born nice and middle class to hard working people. She had a good schooling and landed up mixing in quite posh circles where she met and fell in love with a prince who married her and made her world famous. We think maybe that could have been me. But she isn't like us anymore. Or is she?
She went to her mate's wedding on the weekend and hung out with her husband, her sister and her sister's boyfriend. Sound familiar? Of course we don't wear Collette Dinnigan red lace dresses to our friend's weddings, but we definitely go and spend a few hours at the hairdresser. Like Kate did.

And then yesterday she popped out to her local TopShop on High Street Ken - literally just down the road from her flat at Kensington Palace. Apparently she bought a polka dot pencil skirt (very nice), a jacket (hmmm, a bit fusty, will be interesting to see what she wears it with) and some £8.00 earrings. Her wallet was full of loyalty cards for Tesco and the like. And she left another pair of earrings at the till when she changed her mind about them. Too familiar?
Do you think Kate is just like us? Do you like her purchases. Comments below. If you care to.

Leelee Sobieski in Mary Katrantzou

So I have a few things to say in this post. First of all I love, love, loved this Mary Katrantzou dress on actress Leelee Sobieski. She wore it to the gala opening of the new season at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. This dress is from the fall 2012 collection and it is just a small indicator of a much bigger and brilliant collection. I am so in awe of this collection.
But, sadly, not of her latest work. Did you see the London Fashion Week summer collections? It all started so well. A beautiful set, filled with flowers and looking amazingly springy. It smelled (apparently) and looked like happiness. And then the collection began. And I just couldn't get to grips with it. I just feel it has jumped the shark. Too much. Too, too much. Maybe I will come to change my mind. It has happened before. But for now, I am bitterly disappointed, So I will enjoy the dresses from the last collection as much as possible and hope that we can just skip spring altogether.

One other thing I wanted to say in this post is that Crystal Renn also attended the gala. She accompanied the designer of this elegant and beautiful gold gown, Zac Posen. Doesn't she look good? And yet. Isn't she supposed to be a plus model? It is somewhat apparent that she has lost a good three dress sizes in the past year or so. I am not saying anything negative, just observing that she has gone from a plus girl to something between a European runway model and a Hollywood celebrity on the scale of skinny. I'm not sure that this sends a great message to the fashion industry about the sustainability of the plus girls in the business, although I will say that Crystal looks beautiful in her glittering gown.
Do you guys have a point of view on either of these two issues? Let me know.

PS: My mate Alexa Chung also wore Mary Katrantzou yesterday. LOVE. Really, these dresses are incredible.

Pippa Middleton Style Watch Episode 5 - including Temperley London

Seriously. These Pippa Middleton style posts are getting more and more frequent, just to keep up with all the cool items she has been wearing as she goes about her business. However, in the past few weeks there have been some significant developments in the P-Middy style oeuvre that bear some noting. You know, just for our reference.
1. P-Middy has discovered French Connection's new collection and has managed to snap up some of the best pieces. Like the leopard print blouse. The quilted-knee jeans. The beige knit dress (how divine?!)
2. Pipps is not afraid of other high street shops either. The black lace dress is her second lace number from H&M. And that envelope bag is tres chic. Lamb 1887, I am told.
3. Pippa has added a new pair of flats to her repertoire. Gold ballet flats, to be precise. Now I must have some too.

4. Another set of pumped up kicks is that pair of booties she wore, first with a cool blue Zara dress and then to the Temperley London show, wearing Temperley, of course. A bolder, more risky fashion statement than she is used to, so I think that this development is super-fun.
5. Another designer she has recently added to her roster is Project D by Dannii Minogue. The latest wedding look - that print dress with the peplum detail is by Dannii and she looks wonderful in it. Perfect for a more modern take on wedding style than that fusty green dress, I think.
What about you? Any favourite looks? Are we happy that the P-Middy staples are intact - the sunnies, the matching handbag and shoes, the glossy locks? Let me know your thoughts and favourites.

Alexa Chung for Madewell Launch

So it was the official launch of the Alexa Chung for Madewell collection last week and the party attracted some of the hottest girls in Hollywood. Most of them wore items from Alexa's collection that she designed for Madewell, but there are items worth pointing out. First of all there was Glee's head cheerleader, Dianna Agron. Look at her shoes. I think they are Miu Miu. I love them. And Kate Bosworth. She is actually dressed in a tunic by Peter Pilotto. Divine. I really liked the way young Elle Fanning wore bright orange shoes wither her lace tunic. And book club member, Alexa, herself? Well, she wore her own palm tree print dress with leopard print booties. And rocked the party. Loved it. Best dressed, I think. What about you? Who really looked the coolest of the cool, ice cool?

Idols Top 3: Goodbye Crushanda, Hellllllloooo Dave

So we are at the tail end of the long televisual and style journey that is South African Idols for 2011. Well, there is a small technicality in that Dave van Vuuren still has to actually be crowned the SA Idol next week. But c'mon. Isn't it obvious. He is just brilliant and even I can't wait to hear his own music. But in terms of the style-watch, well, that is definitely over. The stylish girls started leaving early - most disappointingly Nolly (super cute) and Kelly (feisty). Dirk did his best with Dene and then with Crushanda, when she was all he had left. And I have to say, in the past two weeks, he played a blinder. When I spoke to him last week he said that I would like one of the dresses he had put her in this week. Well, Dirk, my mate, you were wrong. I liked two of them. So let's say goodbye to the big note diva, Crushanda, by looking at these two excellent dresses for a girl with her body shape.
When you have some excess junk in the trunk, the best play is to emphasise all the skinny bits and camouflage the others. Crushanda, like many, has a gorgeous waist, ankles and face, but a disproportionally heavy rump. First of all you put on spanx. Maybe even two pairs. Then you belt your clothes, emphasising that waist for all it's worth. Make sure the heels are high to give more room to breathe and the hem line does its best for your beautifully turned ankle. Use print or dark colours to blend top to bottom and then make sure the dress swooshes (or drapes) from the waist over the hips and bottom. Just avoid high contrast as a horizontal line across your hips and you will be good at all times. Winning style.
And so I will say 'good luck' to Dave. I hope he wins. And in a couple of weeks we can start talking about US X-Factor style, whoo hoo. Can't wait.

SA Fashion Week: 46664

In the name of Nelson Mandela is hardly what you would expect from a fashion brand. But it does make us cynical fashion editors feel slightly circumspect. We expected some poor excuse for costumey tat, which we would be forced to say nice things about. Because it is for Mandela, you know. But what we got was vibrant, exciting, blossoming African fashion. What we got was brilliant and fun and totally wearable and we were all picking out the pieces we wanted for ourselves. The 46664 collection at SA Fashion Week stunned and surprised us in the best possible way and we were all blown away.

With bright, colourful, printed garments for both men and women, there was something for everyone. Whether you wanted classics for work, or showstoppers for a red carpet, there was a look for you - without losing any consistency. This was a master class of a collection. Thorough run of show. Exceptional styling.  Zeitgeist. I loved it to within an inch of its brand new life. For reals.
And the detailing was enough to make us weep. The 94 underneath the turned up collar. The 46664 imprinted onto the undercarriage of the shoe. The contrast lining of the maxi dress. The classic trench beige on the inside of the bright, reworked coat. Humorous, considered, fashionable. I was amazed.

My only tiny concern is that there may not be enough of this fabric to put it all into production. Note to the wonderful designers - don't tease us, please. We loved every bit of this and this is what we expect to see in Stuttafords. Not some watered down apology for what we saw on the ramp. This is what we are going to write about, feature on our pages and posts and get behind. Please don't disappoint us when it really counts. OK? Thanks.

SA Fashion Week: Tiaan Nagel

I am not going to say much other than this. I loved the first half of Tiaan Nagel's show at SA Fashion Week a whole lot. I liked the second half. But I loved the first half. There were some show pieces and the styling that made us feel like we were watching a professional at work. It could have been anywhere in the world. But tucked in there were some great fashion basics. Look at the images. A stunning trouser. A great pair of shorts. A blouse that I could put straight into my wardrobe. A dress fit for fashion week. This was the show that I was thankful for. Sure there were some references to other designers. I don't mind that. You see a few years ago when Tiaan referenced Lanvin's external zip, he took it and has now made it his own. The zip went somewhere, it didn't just stay in Alber-land. So references are fine. And this made me happy. My pick of the week.
Pics from @SDRPhoto as ever. Tiaan has a store at 44 Stanley in Jozi.

SA FAshion Week: Have We Found a South African Fashion Identity?

For the last four years the debate has raged in my mind, what is South African fashion? What should it be? Does there need to be a SA fashion identity? If so, do we need to be able to define it? What and who does this identity serve and can we all unite under one identity? I mean this is big, hairy stuff. Just because we love fashion doesn't mean we are not deep, hey.

In the past I may have sat somewhere to the left of needing a single, unifying fashion identity. And while I can see a distinctive South African style on the streets of our major cities, I would have said it really doesn't need to be defined tightly, as fashion expression should be free, depending on your personal influences. Until now.

At SA Fashion Week I started to see room for possibility. I started to see what it could be. I started to understand how we could all grasp what a South African fashion identity could be. It doesn't mean we all have to dress the same, you understand. But it provides an overarching context and markers of an identity.
The three designer collections that hinted at what may be were 46664, Sies Isabella and Mantsho. This is what they did:
1. They all designed with clear international fashion influence. In a world of mobile web, we are all informed, all the time, as to what is happening and what people are wearing across the world. This is an essential part of how we see ourselves - a clear and distinct part of a broader, global context;
2. They all play with colour. The colour trend plays directly into our African landscape, literally and figuratively. The gift of colour, which resonates so powerfully in our climate and geography (as opposed to the muted environments of London, Paris and New York), is how we express ourselves and now we are free to do so within the international fashion construct;
3. Prints and tribal influences are clear and present. And worked out so that they are accessible to everyone. Draping, colour blocking, insignia are all reflective of our indigenous tribes, and yet expressed in a global voice. This is essentially the secret of our identity.
By combining international trend and fashion influence with tribal influences and geographic forces, we come to a voice that is uniquely ours. I don't believe that this quest is anything close to being fully resolved yet. But the hints are there. The ideas of coming and the context is clear. Is it any coincidence that these were three of my five favourite collections at SA FAshion Week? I don't believe it is.
All pics by @SDRPhoto

SA Fashion Week: Things I Learnt About Things

Today is report back day from SA Fashion Week, just held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg. It was the winter collections for 2012. And I want to kick off the day with some photos of me (yes, I know) and some stuff I learned.
1. That is me with my friend Randall. I am wearing my Christopher Strong maxi skirt and a neckpiece by Craig Jacobs for Fundudzi. The photo is taken by Cheska for elle.co.za. When I am at fashion-related events, I am asked relatively often for my picture. I always say yes. I started out here in SA as a street style blogger, so it would be horrendously hypocritical to refuse. However, on the odd occasion that I have may have said no, it is because the approach was rude or inappropriate. Hanging out with some of my more well known friends this weekend, proved to me that what I experience was nothing compared to what they go through. And handle with complete style and dignity. So the first thing I learned is that it is ALL in the approach. And you should never apologise for thinking someone is awesome and thanking them for it. Although it is kind to apologise for interrupting their conversation, and acknowledge the other person or people at the table, for example. I also leaned that it can provide a HUGE amount of entertainment for us at the table, especially when your approach is somewhat salacious or disingenuous. OMG, I laughed this weekend. Laughed till my belly hurt and my cheeks developed laughing muscles. Thanks friends.
2. That's me there with my friend Bronwyn Day, fashion director at Glamour. We are both wearing Asian-inspired outfits (trend alert) and my kimono is by the fabulous KLuK CGDT boys, whom I love. So this weekend I learned that taking photos or video with your tablet (iPad or whatever) in the front row of fashion week is a total pain in the arse. Us editors, who are attending to enable us to do our jobs, CAN'T. SEE. THROUGH. THEM. Dude. Please. Seriously. Not necessary. Thanks.
3. I also learnt that art inspires fashion (by attending the Joburg Art Fair) but that fashion is not necessarily art. Let's just get perspective here. We are not witnessing haute couture. Oh, and that modern dancing is really not necessary at a runway show. Nor tap dancing. Nor, in fact gum boot dancing. Or any dancing at all. Let's just see the clothes, beautifully presented and styled, and get on with it.
4. I also learned that at fashion related activities, being a non-drinker is a major liability. Free champagne, wine and whiskey, but if you want a soft drink (what?) "that's be R50 please". This is not ok. NOT. And energy drinks and coke don't count. Nor does just tap water. Just provide a selection of healthy soft drinks in direct proportion to the amount of booze, please. Thanks.
5. And finally, I learned that I still love fashion. Love it. It all it's forms. Nothing (aside from laughing with my friends) provides me with quite as much entertainment and discussion and passion. And sometimes disappointment and frustration. But she is my master and that's the way it goes.

Looks I Loved This Weekend: Charlize Theron, Maria Bello and Christina Hendricks

Just a quick one, to catch up on the weekend looks that I loved. Have a gander at onse Charlize Theron in her summer-perfect green draw-string tunic by Chloe. Coupled with gold gladiators - this is an outfit that we can all replicate for the hot months coming soon. Actress Maria Bello wore the newly revived Salvatore Ferregamo this weekend, for both her awesome red shift dress and her houndstooth heels. Nice. And that Christina Hendricks. Well. Isn't this a freaking awesome turn up for the books. Boobs are tucked away beautifully. And yet her shape is evident for all to see. Elegant and tasteful and not remotely fuddy-duddy. I think that this look rocks.

And have a look at the beautiful earrings she is wearing. The rubies go so perfectly with her colouring. Love.

Minka Kelly in Salvatore Ferragamo Promotes Charlie's Angels

After wearing a stunning navy and black lace Dior dress to the Emmy's on Sunday, Minka Kelly embarked on her promotional duties for the new Charlie's Angels in New York City, starting off in a silver Salvatore Ferregamo dress that looked beautiful and really marks a resurgence for the design house. Long been thought of as fusty and middle-aged, Ferragamo has staged a come-back this year by targeting the 'it' girls of Hollywood with their younger line in shoes, particularly. And I like it. It is working. Good for them. Ferragamo is a class brand.
Minka also appeared on Good Morning America in a gorgeous print dress and dressed down to go about her own business in a pair of jeans and THOSE SHOES. Seriously. Can I have them please?
I thought her comments on the guy who was fired from Charlie's Angels for sexual harassment was interesting. Apparently he slapped her bum in full view of a bunch of people. Minka, with admirable class and dignity, turned around and asked him not to disrespect her or any other woman in that way again. And left it there. It was others who reported him and got him fired. And she felt genuinely sorry for him and his family who had moved to work on the show. Sadly, not everyone behaves with class. And that, I'm afraid, is the lesson for this week. Good meeting everyone. Not off you go. Have a great weekend.

Cat Deeley's SYTYCD Season 8 Looks: Week 2

This week was the second week of live performances from Season 8 of the US version of So You Think You Can Dance. And the Emmy-nominated presenter Cat Deeley (and my fantasy book club member, of course) looked like a ray of sunshine for the performance show in her vintage frock. She explains her inspiration, “My vintage primrose dress would be perfect for sitting and drinking rose with a handsome suitor and maybe dancing until dawn...in the South of France specifically." Shoes are Sergio Rossi and jewellery is from Links of London - a brand that Cat is the official 'face' of. And while I think that she looked absolutely gorgeous, I think that this is more of a day dress, for a wedding maybe, in the South of France. But I might just be being picky.
For the eviction show, Cat kept her length longer again, but this time knocked it out the park with her  red asymmetric Lanvin dress and Christian Louboutin shoes. Wow. Glossy. Sophisticated. Fashion-forward. This is possibly one of the best dresses I have ever seen on her. Cat's explanation was, "Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be Diana Ross. My love for Diana has never died, so the inspiration for this look was the cover of her album Baby It's Me, but interpreted in a slightly softer way-for TV." Well she certainly got the glam-factor nailed. I think this is a winner. What do you think of Cat's looks this week?

Dame Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain at Premier of The Debt

The incredible woman that is Dame Helen Mirren was looking utterly sensational at the premier of her new film The Debt this week. And while I am not sure who designed the burgundy wrap top and skirt, I do know that her heels and clutch are by Rene Caovilla. And that she looks incredible. Doesn't she?

She was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Jessica Chastain (yes, yet ANOTHER film premier for her) who looked lovely in gold Vivienne Westwood, but not as awesome as the Dame. Agree?

Emily Blunt for YSL Opium and Dita Von Teese for Femme Totale

Two further fragrance announcements were made in the past couple of days. First, British actress and star of A Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt, was named as the new face of YSL's classic scent, Opium. Unexpected. I mean really unexpected. Emily is generally regarded as a light comedy actress or one that does gentle period drama. She does not immediately spring to mind when thinking of heady seduction, right? I mean this is the brand that had size-16 Sophie Dahl draped naked and clutching her bosom for all the world to see on billboards. Is this what is to become of our sweet Emily? And then we hear that her campaign co-star is a leopard. Yes, you heard right. A wild African animal. Well. I for one am clutching at my pearls and wondering what is to become of her. I can't wait to see this one.

One fine woman who is, conversely, all about the power of seduction and using her sexuality, is the glorious Dita von Teese. Her first fragrance is called Femme Totale and was launched yesterday. As the physical embodiment of all that is glamorous, sensual and feminine power, this makes total sense to me. Although I will never understand why we need to say things in French when it comes to fragrance. Weird.
“I wanted it to be a perfume that smelled exactly how I imagined it. I doubt the perfumers in Paris imagined that I would be in their shop almost every day for an entire year,” says Dita Von Teese, herself, describing the work she put into her first perfume. “There were enough moments when I could have easily said ‘this is how the perfume should smell.’ But I wanted it to be perfect, and threw out many previous compositions and refined them.”
Excellent. I look forward to getting a whiff of that one too. What do you think about these two new fragrance developments, peeps? Anything grab your attention?

Beyonce in Roberto Cavalli and Lanvin for Pulse Fragrance Launch

Well, isn't this a turn up for the books. It appears that my earlier musings that Beyonce's maternity style would be better than her usual style seems to be playing out. I am not sure if it is simply relying on a less tightly-fitted silhouette that is doing it, or if she is working harder at it, or simply that maternity wear suits her more, but the irony is that she has never looked so hot. There I said it.
After showing her and her mum's line, House of Dereon, at London Fashion Week, Beyonce has continued her non-stop schedule to launch her new fragrance, called Pulse. In two appearances in the last 24 hours, she wore, first, a gorgeous blue spangly mini tunic dress and jacket by Roberto Cavalli. Tell me this isn't super-hot? Short, short showing off her legs, but keeping everything else loose and covered up - remember you can wear short, tight and shiny - just NEVER all at the same time. By keeping the garments loose, Beyonce looks better than ever.

And then she strode out in this incredible white, feathered, halter-neck Lanvin dress at the Macy's launch. And those shoes. Seriously. How awesome? And how much better than those vacuum-tight fish-tail dresses she usually wears when going long. Honestly, it's like we can all breathe out now. So much happier. Looking forward to the next few months of this, aren't you?

October Covers: The Best of the Rest incl. Cosmo, V, InStyle and Harpers

So my pick of the best of the rest of the October 2011 covers is largely based on my personal taste totally at war with editorial sensibility. Look that Kate Winslet for V magazine cover it super-lovely. Elegant and ethereal and I know it works for their brand. I am just not that keen on old Kate, you know? The Lady Gaga cover of US Harpers Bazaar is kind of a similar situation. It is a massive high impact proposition what with her being make-up free and all, but I simply don't warm to Gaga any more. I am bored of her shenanigans. Although I would still dance to her pop music vibes at a wedding, for example. Obvs.
Then there is the yellow Minka Kelly cover for US Cosmopolitan. I love Minka. She was great in Parenthood and now is filming the new Charlie's Angels. And she has great personal style and an accessible quality about her. Brilliant. But the cover is a bit blah, right? I have to say that the SA version of Cosmo has local model Candice Boucher on the cover (love her) and the cover looks lively as well, so maybe we have to look local to get the balance right? What do you guys think? Which works, which doesn't in your opinion?

Finally, before we close the subject of October covers, let's take a look at the US InStyle cover featuring a pink-haired Katy Perry. It has divided commentators, this one. But I had already decided back at the VMAs, that I liked Katy with pink hair, somehow it pulled her pin-up look together in a way that fully actualises it in a unique way. And why not? It suits her. It looks glossy and bright and happy. And it is setting trends. I give it the thumbs up. Are you on board?

October Covers: US Elle With Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, Chanel Iman and Doutzen Kroes

I have to say that my first thought when I saw the announcement of these covers was, "sheesh, how much is that costing them?" I know, it's a side effect of being a fashion editor, but terribly gauche. But here are four of the top earning models in the world, all shot on the sandy shores of some exotic location, for covers and inside editorials of the October issue of US Elle 2011. Count 'em - four. Adriana Lima. Miranda Kerr. Chanel Iman. Doutzen Kroes. Amazing.

I am also a bit confused as the US heads into winter, they are doing a glossy beach story. Hmmm. A bit strange, no? But it looks super-rich and amazing, so who am I to nit-pick. Enjoy.

October Covers: Rachel Weisz for AnOther and Reece Witherspoon for Marie Claire

Here are another two favourites from the covers of the international October issues. First of all the beautiful bride of James Bond, Rachel Weisz is shot for AnOther Magazine, cuddling a goat. I like that she is totally out of her usual context. Second, the story inside is awesome (thanks JustJared for the pics). And third, I just like it for some reason. I can't explain more than that, because I wouldn't usually like it, but I do.   So as you were. Carry on.

Much more predictable a cover is the US issue of Marie Claire featuring Reece Witherspoon on the cover. And no matter how expected, doesn't she look pretty in pink? I mean one can try and be churlish and cynical, but this is pretty and no one will tell me otherwise. And the inside is pretty too. And the SA cover is also pretty (this time with SJP in pink.) So all round, props for Marie Claire for bringing the pretty this month. Sometimes that is all you need to get you through the day. Merci boucoup.

October Covers: Gotham Magazine with Rose Byrne and Glenn Close

You will notice that the new O, The Oprah Magazine is out and the new cover is on the right there. It is a huge issue and cover as it contains the review of the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show - and the uber boss' 'thank you' to you, her readers. So go and get yours now. But of all the many, many other covers for October issues, my favourite is pretty obscure. It is Rose Byrne and Glenn Close on the cover of Gotham Magazine, the New York affluent social and cultural bible.

The two women are of course representing their TV show Damages and they speak about it in the inside story as well as their love of New York City and what acting there means to them. But what I like about it is the incredibly beautiful shoot of the two women in couture - Stella McCartney, J. Mendel, Donna Karan, Celine, Bottega Veneta, et al. Stunning.

Also they attended the launch party for the issue last night and I have to say something about Rose. First, I LOVED her in Bridesmaids. Second, I think I may have got her new hair by mistake. Because it looks a bit weird, right? My fringe (which I am trying to grow out) looks like this - swamping my face. With the proportions of the longer hair to the fringe length being all wrong. Sigh. Oh well, I will simply say I am modeling my hair style on Rose's. So what if I have to tuck my fringe into my glasses? Rose is awesome so no one will dare laugh.... Wish me luck.