Monday, March 7, 2011

Paris Pret-a-Porter Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011: Dior, Galliano


A Fashion Giant Has Fallen...But The Show Must Go On...

Atelier Bow: This is who took the Final Bow at Dior Fall/Winter 2011

As we all know by now, a Fashion Genius has fallen. We are all in shock over the news of John Galliano, his dismissal and more importantly, the inexcusable behavior that prompted it shown in THAT video. Yes, the Video Seen Around The World. So sad, that John Galliano's legacy could be reduced to this. When one Google's "John Galliano" for years to come, "Fashion Design Genius" is hardly the first thing that will come up. Yet, he did it all to himself, as the video suggests. Bridget Foley wrote an AMAZING article titled "A Dark Pall Over Paris" in last Wednesday's WWD which summed it all up beautifully and eloquently.

John Galliano

As Paris Pret-a-Porter Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week is getting under way, all of this DRAMA looms like an Elephant In the Room. And it was no more evident when the House of Dior was to unveil its latest Fall/Winter 2011 offering, all designed by Monsieur Galliano. But, as they say: The Show Must Go On. So here, I post the Dior Fall/Winter 2011 as well as the namesake Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Collections...all sans John Galliano.

Dior Fall/Winter 2011:

Fox Huntin': Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Style.com's Tim Blanks, who was there to review said this: "Overtaken by events, this ready-to-wear show ended up as a swan song, but it was a pale testament to the extraordinary work the ateliers have done for Galliano over the past 14 years. The proper tribute would ideally have been one of the Dior couture shows, where the extravagant drama of the designer's soaring imagination was evenly matched by breathtaking workmanship."

Align CenterKing's Speech Fur: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

There were Equestrian themes, 1920's/1930's silhouettes, all very "Queen Mother in The King's Speech... for 2011", wearable suits, lots of LUXE furs, silk chiffon and lace gowns and pretty cocktail dresses to satisfy all the Dior lovelies. Every time I go into an actual Dior boutique, I am always surprised by how there's NOTHING of that Galliano UBER CRAZY on display--you walk in and what do you see? The purses, sunglasses, shoes, accessories. Well, of course, that's what sells! And then way in the back, the clothes: Elegant well-tailored chic suitings, simple yet sexy cocktail dresses. This, also, was what was on display in this--John Galliano's final collection-- for the House of Dior.

Snake Fur Luncheon: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Sheer Lady Dior: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Baby Doll Dior: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Cocktails at Plaza Athenee: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Dior Fall/Winter 2011 Edited Runway Show Video:


Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Colbert Meet Gable: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

The John Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Collection was shown, and yes, without its Designer. It was a 20-piece showing. It was all very 1930's--a theme Galliano loves. Suits that looked elegant but yet were meticulously--and purposely--tattered. Draped and folded jackets that would be at home in a Claudette Colbert/Clark Gable film and a Kimono gown that just needed a spiral staircase in Bel Air. Most of it looked like it came from a closet of a long-gone Hollywood Screen Siren/Goddess. Gorgeous yet very sad at the same time. Just like John Galliano's career.

Tweed Funeral: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Cocoon Diva: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Hostess Gown: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Angelic: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Final Model Walk Video:

L'Occitane Amande & Natalia Kills

I've always been a massive fan of L'Occitane products, specifically their Almond Shower Oil which is, hands down, the best I have ever used and a life saver for anyone who suffers from very dry skin. Now this range does have an almond fragrance so if that ain't your bag, then it's best to give them a miss. I personally love the scent and can't get enough of it!


Now these products are not cheap and they're really something that I would only get myself as a real treat. However, saying that, I don't mind spending that extra bit of money on a product when you only need a small amount for each application. That is definitely the case with these two products I'm going to talk about today.


First off, lets have a look at what the L'Occitane website says about the Almond Delicious Paste:

"This delicious blend of almond butter and almond oil, infused with crushed almond shells and sugar crystals, offers a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation of the entire body. Skin is left smooth and soft, delicately fragranced with the crunchy note of fresh almond. This product is free from: synthetic colorants, mineral oils, animal ingredients, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phtalates, silicone, triclosan, formol or formaldehyde, EDTA, BHA, BHT".


I like to use this scrub in combination with my usual shower gel and exfoliating gloves. I do this because I find it to be the most effective way of using the product and also, because it means you don't have to use as much for each application. My skin feels amazing after using this scrub which I attribute to the almond oil. It's a great product for people with senstitive skins who can't use harsher exfoliants.  A quick warning though...don't use this product to prepare your skin for fake tan because the almond oil may affect how the tan adheres to the skin.  It's always best to use oil-free products before using fake tan.

The L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate is "rich in almond oil and almond milk, this body cream nourishes and softens the skin. The blend of silicium and almond proteins, which are similar to collagen, effectively fights skin slackening by restoring skin’s support tissue. The light, creamy texture melts into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Skin feels satiny-smooth and is enveloped in a fresh and delicate fragrance. Tip: This product is ideal for nourishing skin after hair removal or shaving, due to a formula rich in soothing almond oil.  This product is free from: synthetic colorants, formol or formaldehyde, animal ingredients, phtalates, triclosan, BHA, BHT".


This is a fantastic moisturiser if you're looking for a light, but very effective cream.  A little goes a very long way, it absorbs quickly and you're never left with an oily or sticky residue on your skin.  I love the almond fragrance of this product and my skin feels silky smooth when I apply it before bedtime.  The only gripe I have with this product is the packaging.  The heavy glass jar is not very practical because you have to dip your fingers into it and it all gets under your nails, which kind of annoys me because it can be messy.  It would be much better in a pump dispenser.

I was listening to the Fearne Cotton show on Radio1 today and I always love the section of the show called the Music Generator.  It's when listeners pick three songs that they love at the moment and the Music Generator picks a brand new artist/song which closely matches the style of the songs.  One girl today picked Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Pink as her three songs and the Music Generator came up with this new British Artist, Natalia Kills...


Now I have never heard of this girl before but after hearing her new song 'Mirrors', I was left wondering why she wasn't more famous!  Her style of music and image is like a mixture between Lady GaGa, Jessie J and Rihanna.

Her real name is Natalia Cappuccini and she is a 24 year old recording artist, songwriter, actress, and short-film director based in London and Los Angeles but started life in Bradford and Leeds born to a Jamaican father and Uruguayan mother.  She was signed to will.i.am's record label in 2008 and has been the support act for Robyn on her UK tour and also Kelis. 


Perez Hilton has been raving about her on his blog since 2008 and I can see why.  She fits perfectly into the group of female artists that are on the scene at the moment and although some people have slated her as "a poor man's Lady GaGa", I really like her music and given the fact she emerged at the same time as Lady GaGa with a similar genre of concept pop, I'm gonna let her off and just enjoy her songs! 


I think the start of this song sounds very similar to Lady GaGa's 'Just Dance' but that's because it's an Akon collaboration (you will hear 'Konvict' spoken in the song and Akon discovered Lady GaGa and produced her first song).


I don't know about you guys but I love this song and I hope I see more of this lady!  There's more than enough room in the music industry for another fierce female performer!

What are your thoughts?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Nick Verreos on Style Network's "Style Star: Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston"!


Girls Next Door: the Hollywood Red Carpet Version:

Nick Verreos Style Network "Style Star", discussing Reese Witherspoon

This Saturday was a brand new episode of Style Network's "Style Star", the weekly show which highlights the Style of celeb ladies. This entire season of "Style Star" features me--as well as other Style Experts-- such as "America's Next Top Model" photographer/judge/hottie Nigel Barker, my fashionista buddy Marcellas Reynolds, as well as Model Warren Alfie Baker and others (there are female commentators as well!!).

For this week's episode, we discussed Hollywood's "Girls Next Door": Actresses Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. Of course, we talked about Reese and that canary yellow Nina Ricci strapless silk jacquard cocktail dress she wore at the 2007 Golden Globes:

As well as...

When she wore the Vintage Christian Dior 1950's organza-and-rose-colored-ribbon sequin gown the year she won her Oscar at the 2006 Academy Awards. Somehow--even in High Fashion, she still remained the "Girl Next Door"...just dressed up in $30,000 clothes!

And yes, we didn't forget Miss Jennifer Aniston...One of my favorite "Style Star" looks from her was this black one-shoulder Valentino gown which she wore last year at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards.

*If you missed Saturday night's Debut showing, then you're in luck, it also airs at these times/dates:

Sunday, March 6, 10:30PM


Monday, March 7, 1:30 AM


*Click
HERE for more times and dates.
Rachel shines once again in a classic black blazer (a must have staple), the chic studded carry-on, stand-out maroon coloured jeans, a new do and Ray-Bans of course!!!!
Our Abbey.
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