Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo Play Ball

I showed you an image of the two African Angels on the beach in St Barts yesterday. And here they are again, Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel playing beach bats and eating hotdogs yesterday as their shoot for Victoria Secret came to an end.

I think that it is adorable how great these girls get on - and even more adorable is that cool fedora that Candice is wearing. Yes please. I'll have one of those. The great natural beauty reall shines through in these images taken without the aid of hair and makeup and lighting. Sigh.

And for all you peeps out there that think that being a stylist is a glamorous job, I thought that it was importnat to show you this image from the VS shoot. Stylists get to be the people who have to rub cream on models arses. Yes, that is how glamorous the job is. When you are not lugging twelve tons of photographic equipment and props across the sand in 40 degree heat. Just saying. Time to adjust any misconceptions that you may have... Good. And breathe out....

Candice Swanepoel for Prabul Gurung Spring 2012

We are having a bit of a Candice Swanepoel moment right now in the fashion world. She really is dominating. Yesterday saw the release of the campaign images for Prabul Gurung Spring 2012 - featuring a very brunette, twisted and tortured Candice, in shades of lilac print.

The photographer for this campaign was Daniel Jackson, and Tiina Laakkonen styled the shoot. I like the high contrast shades and the unexpectedness of the hair. The body shapes remind me of Sophie Dahl's Opium campaign, but we are told that it was inspired by artist Nobuyashi Araki’s photographic series, “Sensual Flowers”.

Hair by Didier Malige, Makeup by Hannah Murray

Candice Swanepoel in St Barts for Victoria Secret - with Behati Prinsloo

The lovely South African model, Candice Swanepoel, is in St Barts at the moment, cavorting on the beach whilst she shoots some swimwear for Victoria Secret. Also there is her friend from home, African Angel Behati Prinsloo. These girls are great pals and support each other through all the fun and drama of being away from home and always tweet when they meet up or work together.

It definitely looks like fun.

Jason Wu for Target Launch

Hosted by the lovely Blake Lively, wearing main line Jason Wu, the diffusion, well-priced on-trend fashion line by designer Jason Wu launched last week at the supermarket chain in America, Target. I can't believe how lovely Blake is looking. Must be that Ryan Reynolds twinkle in her eyes... But I do think that she probably should have worn something from the Target line as it appears to be a real delight of fashionable items.

Both Jamie King and young Chloe Moretz wore items from the diffusion range and looked all kinds of cute and adorable. Now how do we get some of that stuff all the way over here in Africa, mmm?

Taylor Swift Style January 2012

I always say to you guys that I think that Taylor Swift has great personal style. I like seeing her un-styled (if you know what I mean), off-duty and in a little something she threw together herself. It gives us insight into her ability to be as creative with an outfit as she is with her music (well, I think so, I don't really know what her music sounds like). Yesterday she was foraging in a vintage market in LA, wearing old-school crochet, which she teamed with that cool leather belt and shoes. And looked somehow perfect. And very true to herself.

Taylor has just returned from London where she wore this delightful ASOS dress and leather jacket to visit Princess Diana's memorial. She also hung out in her skinny jeans and duffle coats (back next winter), brogues and some very interesting boots. So I genuinely want to know, who is with me on this? T-Swizzle for the style win?

Elizabeth Olsen Covers ASOS Magazine February 2012

Elizabeth Olsen covers the March issue of ASOS Magazine in an Elizabeth and James silk blouse (did she borrow it from her sisters?) The story was shot by photographer Todd Cole and it was all done in the hipter Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in NYC.

Inside one of my favourite young starlets of the year (you know how I love the smiley Olsen sister) wears other ironic pieces that you can purchase off the site for spring 2012. (Readers in SA, please be aware, you will pay 40% landing costs to customs on purchases from ASOS, so factor that in to your budget).

2012 SAG Awards Red Carpet: Worst Dressed

Sometimes the worst dressed is more interesting than the best dressed, and so it was with the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet. I am not putting these out there to be mean, simply to highlight some mistakes that others can possibly avoid going forward, if you know what I mean. And a little bit of entertainment, of course, for you my loyal readers. Starting with that black Jenny Packham dress that Angelina Jolie wore and everyone wet themselves in excitement on the Twitter. What? Really? I mean this is black and draped and not a huge leap from a black bin liner. It is about the cheapest fabric one can choose. So why would one? Take the beauty and glow of Angie out of this equation and the dress is a sack. There I said it. And the glorious Meryl Streep. Oh dear. No. That belt. It's Vivienne Westwood. But no. Soz. Diane Lane deserves better. The fabric is as tacky as that bubble gum under the table at the Wimpy. And the lopsided boob-a-thon? Asymmetric to be avoided if you are over a C-cup and there is no built in bra. There's a top tip for you.

And whilst the delightful Kristen Wiig is just a peach and I love her, I can't get over the choker necklace. Which is also skew. Lovely, lovely Balenciaga dress, shame about the neckpiece, no? And Lea Michele. Sigh. This girl has the worst habit of taking a seemingly nice dress and making it look, well, just a bit off. I mean that split just looks weird on her. And with all the over-the-top posing and gurning and general strange red carpet behaviour, this splendid little silver slip of a dress, just goes wrong. No thanks. Which one was worst for you? Do you agree with these picks or do you now hate me for saying this? Do you have your own worst picks? Do let me know :)

2012 SAG Awards Red Carpet: Best Dressed

It was hard to pick my best of the best on the red carpet at the 2012 SAG Awards. Not one single dress made me gasp out loud. I do hope it is because they are all saving their best for the BAFTAs and the Oscars. But there were three that I found interesting and beautiful enough to make my picks. First there was Michelle Williams in classic red Valentino. with a twist. Asymmetric. Lace. Bold and daring. What a refreshing dose of fashion change that is. Lovely. And then there was Zoe Saldana in Givenchy haute couture. Oh. My. Goodness. I freaking love Givenchy on her. It works. And then there was Emma Stone, who could have got onto the top picks by virtue of her amazing accessories alone - loving the knuckle-duster bag and the charming shoes. But her Alexander McQueen gown aint half bad either. She is just awesomeness. J'dore.
If I am pressed, I will choose Zoe in Givenchy as my favourite favourite. What about you?

2012 SAG Awards Red Carpet Best Dressed in Light and Dark

Let's face it. There were A LOT of dresses on the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet that were either a shade of white or a permutation of black. Some worked and a whole lot didn't. Let's start with a classic drape that definitely worked, Tilda Swinton in Lanvin. Stunningly simple and beautifully fitted. Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji showed once again that the lady knows how to dress, how to look beautiful and elegant, whilst having a ball. Now this one is controversial. Rose Byrne in a Elie Saab jumpsuit. Every time I look at it I love it more. It's an attitude combined with exquisite workmanship. I know you won't all agree, but I have to share with you my joy. Love it. And then there was the stunning Julianna Margulies in embellished Calvin Klein. Looking utterly sublime, if awfully skinny and wan. It doesn't look healthy but it sure looks pretty.

Now let's go over to the dark side. I am perplexed by Natalie Portman's Giambattista Valli deep burgundy dress. Pretty in theory though. I adore Jane Krakowski's dress. Possibly a tad too much of the boobage, but the dress holds its own against the others on the red carpet and still comes off looking like one of the best. And her cast-mate Tina Fey continues to look elegant and my crush on her continues unabated, before we finally settle on Amber Heard in a classic Roland Mouret black cut out dress. Lovely. Not entirely smashing it all, but lovely. Well played ladies.
What do you guys think? Which one works for you?

2012 SAG Awards Red Carpet: Best Dressed in Colour

Yay. Another awards show red carpet. Love these. I haven't seen many of the frocks from the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet yet in motion - I do prefer to make my selections based on photos and 'in real life' - but let's have a go and maybe chat tomorrow if there are any major problems. Starting with the riot of colour on the carpet this year. It makes for a much more exciting display and allows us to pick out colour trends, rather than the interminable black dress after white dress after black dress. You know. So the first thing to note is the new trend alert for colour: fuschia. Stunning on Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang, Dianna Agron and that stunning Temperley London dress on Julie Bowen. I am sold on the colour and want a silk dress for myself. Please. Thanks.

Then we need to talk about these stunning colour creations, starting with the emerald Oscar de la Renta dress on Emily Blunt. Then the classicly simple blue Calvin Klein on Jessica Chastain. And finally the sexy Emilio Pucci on Kyra Sedgewick. If we can just overlook the old lady showing her new tattoo, which I find impossibly vulgar. But she looks stunning.
I do hope the Oscar ladies are taking notes. This is how to stand out on a bust red carpet. Done.

Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2012 is Ice Cream Prettiness

Set in an ice-cream parlour in an undefined time, Marc Jacobs, scalloped femininity and peter pan collars charm us with their sweetness. I mean, I super-love a peter pan collar. Anyone who knows me, knows this. And I am as smitten by sweet as I am by twisted. So this works for me on a level that probably surprises you. I love the lightness, the sugary disposableness of it all. And it says vintage, whilst being totally modern. Brilliant. If you can see it.

The models are Daria Strokous and Kati Nescher and it was shot by Mert + Marcus, of course. And it is a triumph of a campaign. Just the ticket to lift you as you turn a page of a fashion magazine.

Click on the images to make them bigger, if you like.

Lara Stone for Calvin Klein Jeans 2012

Over the past couple of weeks, all the spring/summer 2012 campaigns have been launched. And there are a lot of very beautiful ones. But my favourites have been rare gems hidden amongst the rest. Like this one for Calvin Klein Jeans, starring of course Lara Stone. How I love Lara.
I will tell you what I also love. I love the jeans themselves. Not the fit, you understand, because I am quite sure I wouldn't fit my left toe in a pair, but the colour. How I have come to love colour.

Enjoy.

Candice Swanepoel for Vogue China in Urban Sports

We always like to keep up with our local girl made good, Candice Swanepoel, as she shoots some of the most exciting fashion around the world. Well, she is one of the top ten models in the world for the past two years. And just when you think that you have seen every side to her, every awesome angle and interpretation, we get something fresh. I couldn't believe it when I saw this spread for Vogue China. I mean how it it even possibly to be so simultaneously FILTHY and GLAMOROUS??

I know a lot of you like to see these stories because Candice is still just a chick from the midlands. One of us. Although an unbelievably pretty one. But for the fashion purists that read the blog, let me tell you that the sports luxe garments shown here are from Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Narciso Rodriguez amongst others. As you would largely expect.

Daniel Jackson did the trigger pressing, Alastair McKimm did the clothes styling, hair was by Yadim and this incredible make up situation was by Yannick D'is. Amazing, right?

36Magazine Vamps It Up

I know, I know. It is all a bit weird me posting on my own work. But I so seldom love it a couple of months after I shot it, that this is a rare occasion. I love this work. I am actually quite proud of it. And I hope you love it too. Yesterday we went live with the February issue of our digital magazine - for 36Boutiques, the online fashion retailer. And it was all about twisted love just in time for Valentine's Day. You know, the whole vampire thing. And our obsession with dresses. And shoes.

We shot some of these dresses that are currently on sale on the site. I mean we all know what it is like at this stage of the year. We stand in front of our wardrobes and stare at the contents and think we have nothing to wear because we are just so damn bored of it all. But we still have another three months of summer to go. So pick up a stunning local designer dress for like R600 and reenergise your choices. (Anthony Friend shot this story at Crystal Towers, and the model is Lotte from Max)

But I am a darker and more sinister kind of person (it's the old goth in me) and I like a bit of a high contrast between love and hate, light and dark, and I am obsessed with the soundtrack to True Blood (who hasn't been there, "I wanna do bad things to you"). So we took ourselves off to the bowels of artist Conrad Hicks' studio at the Bijou Theatre and got down and grubby in red. (Gavin Kleinschmidt shot this for us and Ansellia from Outlaws did the dirty)
So what do you think? You want more you say? Oh well, in that case pop on over to www.36boutiques.com and you can. You can also purchase those awesome Hunters boots (and all the other cool stuff) straight off the page. Boom.

Elizabeth Banks in Emilio Pucci

I just blogged last week about how I have recently developed a bit of a soft spot for actress Elizabeth Banks due to her amazing turn in 30Rock. And then she popped out on the red carpet all over the place promoting her film Man on a Ledge, and wearing Versace and others. Brilliant. But it is this dress, by Emilio Pucci that has catapulted her into style-watch status. Perfectly accessorised with the clutch and shoes. Perfectly worn with a softness and a smile. Love it.

Alexa Chung Named Creative Director of Superga

I have blogged a few times before about my love of Alexa Chung and my love of Superga sneakers. And how they came together last year in this shoot, when Alexa was named the face of the brand. Ah, the bliss, the bliss. And then this week Alexa was named as the creative director of the brand, and continuing her duties as the face of it too. Well done lady!
Alexa was seen earlier this week attending her friend Henry Holland's launch for Superga, looking her usual hipster cool. And before that she was over in the US, attending the Chanel party in Vegas. Dressed, quite obviously in Chanel.

Have a watch of this behind the scenes video from her first shoot with Superga last year. It's fun. And you can see how much her hair has grown since then!

SA Model Katryn Kruger Opens and Closes Valentino Haute Couture SS12

Most of you will know what a big deal it is for a model to be chosen as the 'face' of a haute couture collection. You are chosen to set the tone for the collection and to leave the lasting impression. You come out first to show what the industry can expect, and you close the show in the final garment to remind the carefully watching industry of exactly how the designer conceptualised the collection. It is a very, very big deal. And yesterday Cape Town school girl (and face of Prada's SS12 collection) Katryn Kruger did exactly that for haute couture house Valentino.

The fact that I didn't love the Laura-Ashley-esque collection from Valentino is neither here nor there. Our girl was amazing. And that wasn't all. As far as I can tell so far, Katryn also walked for Giambattista Vallie in that haute couture show, managing to navigate the ramp in that ginormous floral arrangement!

And Katryn walked for favourite favourite Elie Saab yesterday in these beautiful creations that I love and adore. What a triumph for a young woman who hasn't even been working for a year yet. We can all be incredibly proud of her achievements and celebrate yet another amazing talent from right here in Cape Town. Yay Katryn.
PS You can click on the images to make them bigger

David Beckham Covers UK Men's Health March 2012

A day started with a dose of David Beckham is never going to be all bad, right? So here you go with the latest from Victoria's husband as he covers the new UK edition of Men's Health for March 2012.

There is no doubt in my mind that there is not a man on earth (no, not even The Clooney) who can make a t-shirt and jeans look so stylish.

And the hair? Well, together with Vicky who tweeted about it over the weekend, I am loving the quiff. Almost as much as the slowly developing twinkle in his eye as he ages.

Well played David. And thank you.