2010 will be the year of the beauty gadget (or ‘integrated appliance tool’ if you want to use more sophisticated terminology). And to kick things off L’Oreal Paris are launching Go 360˚ Clean, a rather groovy new facial cleanser collection with an innovative “Scublet” cleansing tool. Go 360˚ Clean’s detachable cleansing disc automatically applies the collection’s cleanser (there are four to choose from) to cleanse and deeply exfoliate pore by pore. For easy storage the scrublet pops in and out of the custom-made cleanser bottle and even comes with a handy suction cup which means it can stick to bathroom mirrors and tiles. Watch out for a big old product launch campaign headed up by Slumdog Millionaire’s Frieda Pinto.
MDL’s handmade bespoke lampshades, £25 each, provide a bit of comic relief in even the most grown up of interiors. The young-designer maker will also take commissions, so now might be the time to finally do something with that newspaper from the day you were born.
Launching on 6th January is Ann Sofie-Back’s gothic-inspired Topshop collection. The seven-piece strong collaboration focuses on slashed jersey t-shirt dresses and tops.
Then it’s hurry hurry 3rd February: not least because London Fashion week will be at fever pitch, but also because we’ll be able to get our mitts on designer Ashish’s punktastic capsule collection. Ashish commented on the collaboration, “Studs and spikes were a big part of my mainline collection this season, and it felt right to carry that through in some way for my range for Topshop. I love the contrast between soft sweatshirt fabric and metal spikes – it’s classic sportswear meets punk.”
Both Ann Sofie-Back’s and Ashish’s collections will be available in Topshop stores in Oxford Circus, Liverpool and Manchester Arndale, as well as Selfridges in London, and online.
MSI have just announced the launch of the new U135 netbook. We could bore you with the geek facts, but here’s what you need to know: it weighs only 1.2kg, has a 10 inch screen, and comes with Windows 7. Oh, and it also comes in silver, black, blue or red, and costs £229. All it needs is a designer collaboration and you can guarantee it’s what Carrie Bradshaw, if she were real, would be toting around town. http://uk.msi.com/
So it’s nearly time to say tatty bye to the noughties and get excited about what the teenies have in store. Looking ahead to high street giant Topshop and colour and print master Jonathan Saunders’ 2010 offerings gives a suitably exciting futurist fashion fix. Saunders’ five-piece denim and devoré collection hits Topshop stores: Oxford Circus, Liverpool and Manchester Arndale, as well as Selfridges in London, and online on 20th January. Happy days.
Denim pencil skirt, £50, and matching cropped strapless basque, £40, (in panelled denim dyed in three different jean colours)
Having a sit-down breakfast is such an indulgence that you might as well embrace the luxury of it all. This boiled egg cloche, £32.95 from Highgrove, is totally unnecessary, but its royal stockist just adds to how fabulous it is.
Always one for a fun game of matchy matchy with David Beckham, here’s a recent piccy of Mrs B heading out for dinner dressed in a smart black trouser suit accessorized by bright blue nail varnish that perfectly tied in with David’s bright blue spotted tie. We’re liking her style and have tracked down a Barry M version at Superdrug for just £2.95… so now all you need is the power suit, bony breastplate and handsome hubbie.
Barry M Colbalt Blue nail varnish, £2.95, at Superdrug.
What a shame Karl Lagerfeld persists with directing – someone advise him to stick to what he does best please. This short film/undercover ad – featuring a Bonnie and Clyde-style pairing of model-of-the-moment Lara Stone and Chanel’s male muse Baptiste Giabiconi – shows so much promise but fails to deliver on every level. The idea is there (well, sort of), but the execution is terrible: bad music choice, bad acting, bad cameraman… we could go on. And all we really wanted was to get a good butchers at the scrummy spring/summer 2010 collections. Still, at least it shows how easy it is to steal from Chanel??!
Here’s one for the 2010 diary… (well you’re dying to use the one aunty bought you for chrimbo aren’t you?). The Victoria & Albert museum is soon to be showcasing a selection of haute couture designs worn by fashion icon Grace Kelly. Organised into three sections, the exhibition will trace her years as a Hollywood star revealing her wardrobe for films like Rear Window, High Society. It’ll also take a peek at outfits she wore during her romance with Prince Rainer as well as those worn for her official royal engagements as Princess Grace.
Grace Kelly: Style Icon is sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels and will run from 17th April to 26th September at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Just how delectable is this brand new richly-coloured eye shadow quartet by Chantecaille? Apply with a wet brush for a richer deeper colour or dry for a lovely iridescent sparkle. Sylvie Quattro Palette, £73.40, at Space NK.
Pottery hasn’t been the same since Patrick Swayze seduced Demi Moore, but ceramicist Hannah Turner’s designs are more about a cute sense of humour than the sex appeal of Ghost. She has just opened an online shop, and, from January, this charming birdie egg cup, £24, will also be stocked in Liberty.
OK, so Christmas is done and dusted (well almost). So time to get thinking about bargains…
Here’s our pick of some of the best post-Christmas sales: Net-a-Porter: from today. Watch out for up to 50 per cent off autumn/winter 09/10 collections. (Could designer-bargain-grabbing be any more appealing?) Mulberry: from today. 50 per cent off ready-to-wear. Prada: from today. 40 per cent off handbags and 50 per cent off shoes and ready-to-wear. Liberty: from today. Up to 60 per cent off. (Which is lush; let’s face it.) Selfridges: from 31st December. A record 75 per cent off certain stock, including luxe leather accessories and bargain beauty goodies. Harrods: from 31st December. 50 per cent off. (Which is fabby do pretty much everywhere in store, including in the beauty hall… Think Molton Brown, Estee Lauder, Nails Inc… Result.)
Elbows at the ready, sales season is about to start. And our pick is The Conran Shop – it starts on Boxing Day with some modern classics at not very modern prices. The Cube 4 arm candelabra is knocked down by 50% to £39.50, and the Maxima chair is reduced by 75% at £157.50 instead of £630. Be careful if you brave the store, push will definitely be coming to shove.
Crackers are absolute must-haves for every festive table so whatever you do don’t forget them. Here’s our pick of the best from high street stores (so you can grab a box while making that frenzied last-minute dash for pressies):
£40 for six, at Fortnum and Mason. (Gifts inside include a yoyo.)
£599 for six, at Harrods. (Gifts inside include an MP3 player – well would you expect anything else?)
£29.95 for six, at Liberty.
£40 for six, Selfridges. (Gifts inside include a wooden nail brush.)
£145 each, at Asprey. (Gifts include luxury silver accessories.)
Scottish mail order firm Pedlars has long been a favourite website for those who love its quirky, homely aesthetic, and its new concession in Selfridges is reaching out to a wider audience. New season favourites include this multi colour Armlite floor lamp, £645. Go for a gift for someone else, leave with several for yourself.
The problem with going to the furniture shows is that what you see are merely prototypes, and often aren’t ready for sale for up to two years. Now, after what has felt like an eternity, two of the most fun products from last January’s Maison et Objet show in Paris are finally available to buy. First up is ibride’s Martin the Mule storage unit, £3750, from Lifestyle Bazaar – it may be life size, but it’s far less mess than a real horse. Then there’s this cheeky take on the classic Panton chair, called the Him, £360, which is as comfy as it is risqué.
Fashion designer Tom Ford appears to be pretty enamoured with his new career as film director. His first foray into the movie-making business has proved a huge success as A Single Man last week received Golden Globe nominations for both its score and the performances of Julianne Moore and Colin Firth. Ford describes filmmaking as “the closest thing to God we get to be.” “I created that universe: it’s forever sealed in that little bubble. A hundred years from now, all the actors will be dead, I’ll be dead — but you’ll still be able to pop it in and laugh, cry, smile. It will be alive. It’s just amazing.” And by the looks of this trailer it’s going to be a compelling watch – not least for the beautiful and oh-so-high-cheekboned men and impeccably dressed cast. A Single Man opens on 12 February.
Scottish mail order firm Pedlars has long been a favourite website for those who love its quirky, homely aesthetic, and its new concession in Selfridges is reaching out to a wider audience. New season favourites include 
