Nine

Released on Boxing Day, Nine is a film about the live and loves of  film director Guido Contini. The Italian struggles to reconcile his professional talent with his playboy side and the seven women in his life. These women are played by Sophia Loren, Fergie, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Judi Dench, Marion Cottilard and  Peneople Cruz.

But who cares about the plot? It’s all about the fashion.   Kate Hudson is championing the slutty look in thigh high boots, Kidman is classy in corsets and Judi Dench is all about the uber female in suits. Penelope Cruz is smouldering as ever in lace.  Black is the colour du jour for  the film- what else?

Check out the trailer:

Running in Heels

I hate the assumption that women who like fashion must be dumb.

Just because you like dresses does not equal a brain deficit. Think of Michelle O (yes,I am obsessed); Carla Bruni; Queen Noor of Jordan. These women are all extraordinarily smart, powerful and can rock a shift dress with class.

Brainless shop loving WAGs can give the average fashion loving girl a bad name.

If you are of the same view as me, check out Running in Heels – it’s a magazine that mixes dresses with social commentary. Or in the words of its Ed:

” We don’t just stick to the traditional fashion, beauty, gossip and boyfriends-type content – there are lots of interesting articles about society, politics, culture, the internet, literature etc etc…”

I am starting to write for the site in the next few weeks so watch out for my work.

http://runninginheels.co.uk/

Ten Timeless fashion icons

It’s hard to pick just ten fashion icons but I’ll have a go. Not all of the icons I have chosen are people – some are fashion items. Personally I think that an item of clothing or accessory can easily become as iconic as a face. Sometimes one bag can symbolise a thousand things…

1. Kate Moss

Legend, Icon, Scandal ridden woman. She is an icon not just because of what she wears but how she wears it.Spotted by Storm at 15, she has been an icon now for over half her life.  Some might say that she is the definition of infamy but fashion loves her. She wears it well.

Images above show some of her many Vougue covers and a sample from her clothing line.

2. The Birkin

Rockin’ in at £5,000, this baby is one few of us will be lucky enough to own. The beautiful leather bag is made by Hermès.  It is named after British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin.

Miss Victoria Beckham  is surely the planet’s biggest owner of these babies- apparently owning over 100. If you want to rival her collection, I suggest you apply now – the waiting list can be up to two years.

http://www.stylelist.com/2009/05/19/victoria-beckham-birkin-bag-lady/

3. Audrey Hepburn

How could one not include her in any fashion icon list? With a face that translates the world over she has a timeless beauty. Her Breakfast at Tiffanys look is much emulated at fancy dress parties year after year, and more subtly in Chanel collections. What do I love about her? The fact that she looks classy, flawless and acts like a total crank in the film. Good on you, girl.

4. Twiggy

Twiggy is not dismmailar to Ms Hepburn in that they have a common elfin grace. The 60s lass was hailed as the world’s first true supermodel. She is still in fashion (albeit for M& S). To make it even better she is a Scot, a fellow Weegie.

5. Kurt Cobain

Let’s face it, I have never been a Nirvana girl but his style did something for every girl.  Spearheading the huge 90’s grunge fashion trend, he brought Converse and Docs to the mainstream. He’s about the ony guy I have ever seen who looks good with long bleach blond locks. He even made it ok for young men to do cardis. A poet and a style icon: it’s just a shame that Courtney was his worst accessory.

6. The 2.55

Anyone who does not know what a 2.55  is does not deserve to be associated with fashion in any form.  The eternally iconic Chanel number discreetly adorns everyone from celebs to the well-dressed girl about town. The much copied quilted bag has many colour incarnations and tacky wannabees can be found in primark bargain bins.

7. Michael Jackson

Much as I don’t like him, his influence on fashion can’t be disputed. Think military jackets with braiding, thos funny gloves, leather trousers. He made them all cool and his legacy goes beyond the grave.

8. Madonna

9. Princess Diana

The girl who spawned a thousand girls’ fairy tale dreams with that dress. The dress, although a bit of a meringue, was designed by David Emmanuel and is classically beautiful. Diana’s style evolved into something more sleek and sloaney as time went on and she picked up on designers such as Versace. But whatever she wore, she wore with class and that’s the true mark of an icon.

10. Michelle Obama

Some might say she’s a contraversial choice for number 10, but she is the first black first lady and that’s a worthy style statement in itself. Championing new designers like Jason Wu, she is making modern yet classic fashion choices. Mark me, she will leave a legacy bigger than Jackie O.

10 Ways to overhaul your wardrobe on the cheap

This post is for my friend who has recently returned from travelling foreign climes with a wardrobe  of little more than a rucksack’s worth. Now she has to settle back into Scottish weather and adopt a professional wardrobe in the search for a job.  And she is pushed for cash.

1.  Begin by looking  at your current wardrobe.

Sort it into piles of: what you wear all the time; what you wear sometimes and what you have not worn for over a year.  These three piles will prove very important.

2.What you wear the most

The ‘most ‘worn’ pile. There will be good reasons you wear these items again and again. It is probably a combination of  comfort; that they flatter you and that they are practical.  For example, your blue sweater dress, J, really works for you in terms of colour (strong colour is good against your olive skin) and the shape is flattering. Buy more pieces like this – eg a similar  sweater dress in black would be v useful.

3. How to make your wardrobe work harder

Items you sometimes wear – could you wear them more often if you invested in accessories/ basics to go with them?  For example, do you have a summery print dress that you could wear in Winter if you had pure wool tights (about £5 from Pretty Polly) and a black cardi to layer over? Buy basics to go with these items.

4. Organise a swapshop with friends

Items you never wear – organise a swapshop with friends. Xmas is the perfect time to do this as people have more time off and less cash as they have spent it all on presents. Get your mates round, a couple bottles of cava and organise your clothes into piles. Swap each other mercilessly – one woman’s crap is another’s gold.

5. Getting those basics

Neutrals -black, navy, cream – are the best investment.  Get yourself down somewhere purse friendly – Primark, New Look, Matalan, Peacocks – and buy your basics. As a rough guide for a professional wardrobe I suggest:

a black shift dress (not too short you are a working gal now)

a suit jacket  – again black or navy is a safe bet and will work from interviews or with jeans at the weekend

a couple colourful cardis to jazz up your look

plain black court shoes with a low heel – again good for the office or for a dinner date with a dress.

smart trousers with a subtle pattern – a gentle tweed or muted grey marl would work

6. Playing it safe

Until you start you job, you won’t have the full measure of the dress etiquette so aim high – be smart until you know dress down Fridays exist.

7. Accessorise, Accessorise, Accessorise

A print scarf at the neck or a cute belt will help you transform a plain look. I have found my best ones in charity shops as then they feel more unique.

8. Weekend versus work

Keep certain items purely for the weekend – e.g hippy bracelets. Whilst you love their authenticity an employer may not. Bring them out at the weekends only to remind you how special you are.

9. Get a good haircut

Alot of salons will be cheaper during the week when they need more business so if you  have free time now use it. Last time I went by this Hair by Hanlon, Glasgow they were doing a credit crunch special for £25:

Hair By Hanlon, 713 Great Western Road

10. Wear it well

Whatever you wear, however cheap or expensive, believe in it. Wear your clothes with confidence and never buy something you don’t feel comfortable in. Love your own style and others will too…

See stylist Tim Gunn for more:

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