Posts from April 2008.

As promised StyleJunkee is reporting back from the first leg of its search for the season’s hottest heels and these babies have been voted the slingbacks of the summer in this month’s Glamour magazine. What’s more, we reckon they’re right up Gwyneth Paltrow’s street. £95 from Kurt Geiger. See here for our Gwynnie’s recent heel style.

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StyleShake.com surely has to be every girl’s dream website… (or at least every girl who’s ever fancied herself as a fashion designer). This fabulous virtual couture site offers a totally unique and totally addictive way of designing your own dress. All you have to do is follow simple step-by-step instructions – which include picking the fabric you want and choosing the colour – and, hey presto, your very own bespoke design develops before your eyes on a mannequin. You’ll then be able to order your creation and have it sent to your workplace or home – StyleShake guarantees its arrival within 10 days. If you find yourself lacking inspiration, there are galleries of successful designs to browse as well as an online community, so you can swap design tips with other budding designers. How cool is that?

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Style icon Kate Hudson is doing her bit to save the planet (well kind of). Linking up with Los Angeles celebrity hair stylist David Babaii, goldie locks Kate has created David Babaii For WildAid – a range of environmentally-friendly hair products and styling tools. Featuring shampoos and conditioners that are both free of petrochemicals and sulphates and tested on Kate (so we’re told), not on animals, a percentage of the revenue will go to global wildlife conservation organisation WildAid. So it’s all very nice really, isn’t it? We’re just happy she’s managed to join the bandwagon of celebs putting their name to just about anything they can if it’ll make them, and others, a bit of dough!

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13th May sees the opening of The Story of the Supremes exhibition at London’s V&A museum. Showcasing performance dresses worn by The Supremes – one of the most successful girl groups of the sixties – the exhibition will also take a look at their continued stylistic influence. StyleJunkees simply cannot wait: we’ll be able to see exactly where Beyoncé gets it from! (Take it from us, the Spice Girls had nothing on these sassy chicks.)

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InStyle magazine is coveting this cream to powder multi-purpose highlighter stick by Nars. According the lifestyle glossy it “gives your cheeks a sexy, just out of bed flush when your lover isn’t in town”. Hmmm, now there’s a thought! Although, let’s face it, there probably isn’t any substitute for the real thing, is there now?… Nars Multiple is available in 11 shades and costs £27 at Space NK.

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Apparently the credit crunch is driving would-be property and stockmarket investors down a more artsy fartsy route, fueling a huge interest in buying art and antiques as investments. Of course, buying art by already established names is all well and good for glitterati fat cats with oodles of wonga to spare, but, for the rest of us mere mortals looking to buy art, aiming to invest in a piece or two by an up-and-coming artist is perhaps a more realistic goal. 55max.com offers artworks by leading names like Banksy and Steve Kaufmann along with lesser-known stars with potential for the future. The website even stocks a range of funky bespoke digitally-printed wallpapers and roller blinds – so you can create your own from any photo. Prices are very affordable and fashion-savvy home consumers will no doubt be tempted by this original Biba poster (available at just £150).

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We women know exactly how laborious and time-consuming blow-drying one’s hair can be and the frustration of never quite being able to get it looking as good as when the hairdresser does it is an unspoken disappointment many of us grin and bear throughout life. The answer could finally have arrived in the form of the latest craze to hit the hair world (fresh from Brazil) – The Permanent Blowdry. It no doubt has to be experienced to be believed but this hair relaxing treatment for curly or damaged hair conditions while adding definition if you have a natural wave or curl. It’s said to be ideal for hair that’s prone to go frizzy in the rain and is apparently supermodel Gisele’s secret weapon. Lasting from three to four months, prices at London salon Daniel Hersheson start at £200.

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What a leggy lovey actress Gwyneth Paltrow is showing herself to be at the moment. The gorgeous star – who is currently on a promo tour for her latest film Iron Man – is sticking to a signature style of barely there dresses and skirts and the highest heels you’ve ever seen. On plenty this look would smack of trailor trash but, oh no, not on our Gwyneth. Watch this space: StyleJunkee is off on a mission to seek out stylish (not trampy) Gwyneth-esque totteringly high stilettos… back soon!

The fashion pack are loving printed bangles at the moment and this funky woven patterned number is selling like hot cakes at Top Shop.

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Much loved denim brand Levi’s is celebrating its heritage with the launch of Levi’s Product With Roots range. Taking inspiration from Levi’s lines of old, the new collection revives the zip-fly 505, which was a must-have for sixties rock’n'rollers, the Snuff Out wash, which boasts a snuff box pocket, and the original 1947 501 Shrink-To-Fit jean for Jim Morrison-style tightness. Or, for the cowboy in you, there’s always the fleece-lined Sherpa denim jacket or Western-style check shirts. (Pictured is the Cheesecloth 2-pocket, £47.50)

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StyleJunkee is a huge fan of luxury fashion and home furnishings brand Laura Ashley and an even bigger fan of the store when it has a sale on (which is now!). Take it from us, it’s the perfect time to grab a bargain whether you’re looking for china, curtains, bedlinen, furniture, wallpaper, paints, or even just something to enliven your wardrobe. This refectory breakfast bar with two stools is £340 reduced from £850.

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Expect the unexpected at the Alternative Fashion Week in London’s East End this week. With collections from over 60 budding young designers, admission is free and shows take place daily at 1.15pm in the Spitalfields Traders Market, Crispin Place, Brushfield Street, London E1. Original and recycled textiles are a major feature and it’s a great chance to be inspired by some really unique creative collections (last year the talk of the shows was a collection made entirely from trousers). Visit www.alternativearts.co.uk or call 020 7375 0441.

Spritz and slip these summery scents into your handbag this season: Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette, £50 from Boots and Burberry Summer for Women Eau de Toilette, £28 also from Boots.

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These bright red Diesel Matic skinny jeans are just the ticket for rock-chicks wanting to embrace this season’s rainbow bright trend. Pair with a funky t-shirt in a contrasting colour and add some flat sandal thongs and a chunky statement necklace and you’re all set. Also in bright blue. £80, from House of Fraser.

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On a man there’s nothing nicer than gorgeously clean smelling hair and this Art of Shaving shampoo works a treat, leaving locks smelling fresh with a hint of apple and looking luscious, full of life and shiny to boot. What’s more, because it restores hair to its natural pH balance it doesn’t strip moisture or elasticity. £16, at Space NK.

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This weekend’s must-visit is Colin Firth’s wife’s eco emporium Eco – a swanky lifestyle boutique that’s just opened up in leafy Chiswick. Yes, you’ve guessed it, everything on sale is ethically sourced and environmentally friendly, from the chairs, lampshades and homes accessories right down to handbags and cosmetics. But of course one of the main reasons eco shoppers will be heading there is the possibility of catching a glimpse of the very yummy Mr Darcy himself (who apparently serves behind the counter sometimes). What more reason do you need to go green? All products will be available to buy online very soon so out of townies can join in the eco-buying-fest too. 213 Chiswick High Road Chiswick London W4 2DW

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When is a pair of jeans not a pair of jeans? When it’s disguised as a pair of Max Mara weekend trousers, of course. £62.50 reduced from £125, from

House of Fraser.

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So you’ve forgotten your Auntie Nellie’s birthday and you just know you’re in deep doggie doo… Forget flowers and oh-so-obvious choccys from Thorntons and get yourself down to Konditor and Cook instead. This uber-yummy cake shop will whisk you up some of their little fondant iced sponge cakes, decorated with your own message of apology and, hey presto, you’re all set with a pressie that’ll escort you back into Auntie’s good books before you can say ‘Nellie the elephant’.

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Japanese brand Uniqlo is making its mark around the world on t-shirts. Its exciting UT Project sees cutting-edge designers and creatives turning their hands to t-shirt design and the result is a 700-strong collection. Grab yourself a piece of history with a tee designed by cult 1980s creatives Keith Haring or Jean-Michel Basquiat, or opt for one by super stylist Nicola Formichetti. Pictured is the Navy Art magazine t-shirt, £12.99.

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If you hurry you’ll still be able to catch the last flurries of snow on the slopes and Mr & Mrs Smith have the chalet of all chalets to put you and 15 others up in stately splendour for the ultimate ski trip. This palatial property overlooks one of Switzerland’s most stylish resorts and its facilities and services are, without doubt, fit for royalty. At £18,085 for a week you may just need to be to go there! Chalet Eugenia, Klosters, Switzerland.

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