London’s favourite pop princess is looking super super cool on the cover of next month’s issue of Elle. Photographed by Rankin, Lily showcases a funky new look, complete with Debbie Harry-style wig, and one-off outfits designed by British designers including Luella, Christopher Bailey at Burberry, and Richard Nicoll. Elle mag’s vid of the cover shoot is worth checking out too – especially to see how openly she chats about her weight and style. The issue goes on sale on Wednesday 2 September.
Heather Mills’ fashion taste leaves a lot to be desired – we’ve all known it for some time and it wasn’t as if we needed further proof. But now we have it. The animal rights campaigner has launched her first ever fashion line, made entirely from recycled and re-modelled pieces. The collection – named Be@one – features a series of bizarre (and that’s putting it mildly) outfits for both men and women. On her website Heather referred to the clothes as ‘inspirational,’ explaining: ‘All the fabrics used in the pieces have been carefully sourced and remodeled into something unique and highly wearable.’ Highly wearable? Doesn’t she in fact mean ‘highly entertaining’?
Do Dynasty and Dallas-style fashions and you won’t go far wrong – autumn/winter 09/10 is all about the return of the power-dresser (… and why not? We’re all for a bit of power in uncertain times). Shoulders are totally super-sized, rounded or architectural, hair is big and bouffant, and just about everything else is OTT and inspired by the era of dear old Maggie Thatcher.
Here’s our pick of some of the 80s and power-dressing staples currently on the high street.
Full Circle shoulder detail top, £65, at ASOS.com.
… and for big, big hair – L’Oreal Elnett satin supreme hold hairspray, £5.67, at Boots.
Fast facts
80s and power-dressing influences were seen on the catwalks of: Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, Julien Macdonald, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Balmain, Zac Posen, Nicole Farhi, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Julien Macdonald, Jaeger London, Marchesa, Versace, Chloe. (Basically everywhere… especially the exaggerate shoulders.)
Top tip: If you’re going all out for bold shoulders keep the rest of your look streamlined and simple.
Hurry to Content before 31st August to stock up on Ila Organic Skincare – one of the UK’s leading organic ranges – and you’ll receive a very shiny healthy 40% off (simply enter the code ‘LOVEILA’ at the checkout). And while you’re at it you might as well check out the rest of the ‘content’ at Content. It’s a gem of a site for organic-loving beauty buffs and a one-stop shop for chic little indie brands, and vegan and carbon-neutral healthcare products.
Miniature rose bush, £65 Little box of chillies, £39
Next time you’re stuck for a pressie idea for the person with everything turn your gift giving attention to Philippacraddock.com. This brand new concept website offers beautiful high-end indoor and outdoor plants that are stylishly packaged and hand-delivered by courier to any destination in the UK. Collections are seasonal and include handpicked rare orchids, cottage garden-style lavender, and scented rose bushes (as pictured above). Prices range from £35 to £75.
SPECIAL FREE GIFT FOR STYLEJUNKEE READERS:
Philippa Craddock are offering StyleJunkee readers a fabulous free gift. Simply subscribe to philippacraddock.com’s e-newsletter and they’ll send you a lovely plant pot of wild flower seeds. Made from handmade paper and embedded with seeds, the gift comes complete with instructions on how to grow wild flowers from it. All you need to do is sign up via this link, making sure to include the word ‘StyleJunkee offer’ alongside your name.
Molton Brown’s brand new facial oils are inspired by active ingredients from Tunisia, Somalia and Hungary. Used in the luxury beauty brand’s professional spas, the oils provide an enriching addition to any night-time skincare regime, or for extra pampering during a diy home facial. £39, at Molton Brown counters in department stories nationwide, including John Lewis and House of Fraser, and online at www.moltonbrown.co.uk.
Always a summer favourite, the classic trilby is once again making a comeback with fashion-savvy A-listers, as seen here on Jessica Alba and Madonna.
Here’s our pick of the best on the high street (just don’t forget the oversized shades):
Not content with launching her own A-list sell-out dress collection, it seems Mrs B has set her sights on accessories – well handbags, actually – for her next foray into fashion. The style icon has apparently already met with designers to get the creative juices flowing. As a source revealed to The London Paper, ‘Victoria is looking for designers from the top houses to help her put together a high end collection that will rival her favourite brands, like Louis Vuitton and Dior. She wants the range to be classic but contemporary.’ Bag lady Becks: we shall wait with baited breath.
Singing sensations of the moment, VV Brown and Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes, enjoyed the exclusive sartorial attention of Topshop for this weekend’s V Festival. Both artists had a series of hot and rocking bespoke stage costumes made specially for them for the occasion… Our fave by far was Shingai’s champagne-coloured bra-top and matching high-waist hot pants. The red bolero added extra punch – as if she needs it! – and her hair was as wacky and crazy as usual. We love. VV Brown looked as cute as ever – seen here performing an acoustic version of Game Over. (Note the kooky multi-coloured nail varnish.)
Think Euro-trash, think glammed-up grunge, think Bryan Ferry rock chick look-a-likes. Welcome to glam rock autumn/winter 09/10. With chic little biker jackets, lots of high-shine fabrics, leather and denim leggings and a whole load of attitude, the new season heralds a grand new – distinctly more edgy – 80s inspired trend. Our top tip is anything body-con. Get some.
Here’s our pick of some of the best glam rock staples currently on the high street.
Nails Inc. black taxi patent black nail varnish, £9.50, at House of Fraser.
Givenchy 3.5g Rouge Interdit lipstick, £16.50, at House of Fraser.
Fast facts
Glam rock influences were seen on the catwalks of: Gucci, Balmain, Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier, Pucci, Rodarte, Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald, Twenty8Twelve, Gucci, Alexander Wang.
Sexy rock ‘n’ roll must-haves: black leather biker jacket, lace and/or denim leggings (yup leggings made of stretchy denim), anything body-con.
These candy-coloured retro-look Lozza designer glasses are perfect for making a bold summer statement (and will, of course, go beautifully with Cheryl Cole-style red-dyed hair). Available in red and orange. £49.50 (reduced from £99), at Dolland & Aitchison.
The latest trend for luscious red locks – as spawned by celebs Cheryl Cole and Peaches Geldof – is fast gathering pace as sales of red hair dye in Asda rose by 22% last weekend. Our fave red-head colour for a quick fashion fix is this Colour Performance Burgandy Red, £2.19 at Superdrug.
If you’re thinking of stocking up on Clinique goodies it could well be worth waiting til September when you’ll be able to grab yourself this funky makeup bag by uber-cool design house Milly. Choc-full with mini Clinique beauty essentials it features a purse-sized touch-up mirror and plenty of room to store all your autumn makeup. Best of all, it’s free when you purchase two or more Clinique products (one skincare) at Selfridges or Brown Thomas in September.
Following the lead of bezzy mate Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes has finally (we knew she’d succumb sooner or later) turned her hand to fashion design. The A-lister’s debut collection, Holmes & Yang, has been created in collaboration with her stylist Jeanne Yang, and, according to WWD, it’ll be launching this autumn in LA. The exclusive range of womens and childrenswear is said to be inspired by Holmes’s own dress style along with that of her daughter Suri’s. It’s competition time Posh… No doubt we’ll soon be seeing clothing inspired by Brooklyn and Romeo.
Links of London’s Sweetie bracelets might be all the rage in some circles but we’re much more taken with the luxury jewellers other bracelet ranges, especially their Friendship bracelets and this rather lovely Raindance bracelet. £325, at Linksoflondon.com.
Shimmer your way into autumn/winter 09/10 with disco dresses, sequined tops, glittering stilettos and more bling than you’d ever thought possible. We’re saying goodbye to florals and boho chic and hello to razzle dazzling, by day or by night.
Here’s our pick of some of the best sequins and sparkles staples currently on the high street.
Rene Derhy sequin tiered dress, £130, at John Lewis.
80s ball chain drop earrings, £9, at Dorothy Perkins.
KG Dolly sequined embellished bow front court shoe, £100, at House of Fraser.
Nails Inc. Westminster shimmer pure white nail varnish, £9.50, at House of Fraser.
Fast facts
Sequins and sparkles were seen on the catwalks of: Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Gucci, Balmain, D&G, Giles, Nina Ricci, Antonio Berardi, Calvin Klein, Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler, Marios Schwab, Peter Pilotto, Erdem, Prada, Marni, Lanvin.
Houndstooth is big news for autumn/winter 09/10 and this monochrome houndstooth shift dress is great for chic winter tailoring. Simply add a chunky brightly-coloured belt, cinched in at the waist, for extra definition. £40, at Next.
The latest version of Cath Kidston’s digital radio design for Roberts is a floral delight that’ll add style to any room. Hinting at vintage styling, the radio boasts the most up-to-date digital technology and has 120 hours of battery life allowing you to take it with you wherever you go. £199 at Robertsradio.co.uk and John Lewis.
We love Rimmel’s new Sexy Black Curves Mascara for its groovy curved brush (designed to separate lashes and add definition) and its clump-free overall effect. It won’t break the credit crunch budget either at just £7.82, at Superdrug.
