Paris Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Maison Martin Margiela

Martin Margiela's show yesterday evening followed on from his last collection with draping jersey and built-up shoulders but the Americana t-shirts and distressed denim were gone a replaced by cobwebby knits, leopard print and brocade and fur. He seemed to be taking clichés of sexy dressing and turning them on their head in his own inimitable way.

I have to admit the one-legged brocade trousers mystified me but there are some great pieces lurking in there. I love the zipped mini, especially with the thigh high rubber boots and even though they're pretty extreme I'm sure we'll be seeing watered down version's of Margiela's raised shoulders soon.

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Paris Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Christian Dior

There's nothing guaranteed to life my spirits than a picture of the wide-eyed Masha, except maybe a picture of the wide-eyed Masha with eye make-up that makes her peepers even bigger!I thought the 'dead socialite' look had died a death when Rachel Zoe fell out of favour with her LA starlets but at Christian Dior the look was well and truly alive Galliano hemmed in his usual kookyness to produce a retro slice of psychedelia.

Reminding me of Jackie O through a kaleidoscope the dresses, suits and coats heavily referenced the '60s and came in a glittering array of colours. Take away the outlandish make-up and hair though and you can see the collection is another example of the recession-led conservatism that has been seeping onto the catwalks during the last few weeks. It probably wont be setting fashion editorials on fire but fortunately the bright colours lift the collection out of the ordinary.

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Top five best of the rest Oscar dresses

The Academy Awards is always a frockfest but celebs so fear the wrath of fashion pundits that their Oscar choices are often quite bland. I've picked some of my favourite unusual dresses from the event and while they might not be to everyone's liking they show that you can look hot without resorting to the strapless fishtail uniform. See after the jump for my rundown, I'm saluting them for going out on a limb!

Ann-Marie Duff: Ok so the dress isn't that adventurous but I love the colour and her carefree pose. She also gets bonus points for being part of the cutest couple ever.

Tilda Swinton: I love this woman, she never goes down the stereotypical cleavage and smoky eyes route but has instead opted for a look which is entirely her own. It's a shame you can see the enormous batwing sleeve in this picture because it's hot!

Vanessa Paradis: The French star was there with hubby Johnny Depp and looked luscious in a vintage-style frock. It's a really flattering gown which emphasises her shape and I love the sleeves.

Diablo Cody: I don't think I've ever seen anyone in leopard print at the Oscars but she pulls it off marvellously without diluting her personal style. The floaty longline dress looks great with her chunky bangles and I do believe she is wearing flats which has to be another first. Congrats on the Oscar Diablo!

Cate Blanchett: Despite being a big name you will never see her in a boring dress come the Oscars, she always looks great and this time round she's also pregnant so more bonus points for the Antipodean actress. The deep blue colour is gorgeous, the neckpiece is a great feature and the painted detail at the bottom draws attention to her height (rather than her burgeoning width!).

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Oscars 2008: Renee Zellweger, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Keri Russell, Amy Adams

The Oscars in 2008 were quite a glittering affair, with simple dresses no where to be seen on the red carpet... here's our round up of trends and fabulous dresses on the red carpet...


Strapless and fabulous. I'm a big fan of strapless gowns (probably because I read somewhere that the last place you gain weight it around your shoulders and décolletage), so of course I love these dresses on the Oscar's red carpet. Renee Zellweger wore a silver Carolina Herrera gown, embellished with sparkles it really shone on the red carpet, requiring minimal jewellery.

Mum-to-be- Jessica Alba, who's reportedly in her third trimester wore a gorgeous plum coloured Marchesa dress, which matched her skin tone and hid her burgeoning belly beautifully.

Cameron Diaz made her first red carpet appearance in a while in in a pale pink Christian Dior dress - the folded fabric detail looked like intricate Japanese origami and it just shows off her slim figure so well! Keri Russell kept her dress simple in a chic little number by Nina Ricci, and another ShinyStyle favourite - Amy Adams in a emerald green Proenza Schouler gown. The green looked great against her red hair.

Oscars 2008: Hilary Swank, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Garner

The Oscars in 2008 were quite a glittering affair, with simple dresses no where to be seen on the red carpet... here's our round up of trends and fabulous dresses on the red carpet...


While red may have been a hot red carpet colour, black was also out in force thanks to red carpet regulars, though there was enough embellishment and detail to decorate an entire wedding party. Hilary Swank’s one shoulder Versace dress was very pretty, giving the Oscar winning actress a soft feminine appeal.
Mum-to-be Nicole Kidman chose a chic simple black dress, but blinged it up with a gorgeous diamond necklace designed by her stylist, L’Wren Scott.
Penelope Cruz’s dress ruffled and draped at every curve, emphasizing her slim body before flaring out into a fish tail train. My first thought was 'oh my, could there be too much detail on her small frame?' Meanwhile, Andrea at Shiny Style loved Jennifer Garner’s Oscar de la Renta gown. With it’s seemingly simple bodice, if you look closely it’s all ruched before opening out into a Spanish style ruffled skirt.

None of these dresses blew me away, but they are pretty dresses for pretty women.

Oscars 2008: Helen Mirren, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathway, Heidi Klum and Katherine Heigl

The Oscars in 2008 were quite a glittering affair, with simple dresses no where to be seen on the red carpet... here's our round up of trends and fabulous dresses on the red carpet...


Here are the ladies in red (click image to enlarge). As ShinyStyle pointed out, red was the trend for 2008, with Dame Helen Mirren wearing a beautiful Georges Chakra gown offset by the lace sleeves, Miley Cyrus looked way beyond her teenage years in a body hugging Valentino dress. It was such a gorgeous dress, so one can't blame the girl for wanting to wear it! Anne Hathaway wore the red carpet critics favourite, a Marchesa gown with beautiful floral embellishment around the shoulder and bust, with folds of fabrics draped towards the bottom for a stunning grecian look. Heidi Klum wore a very bold red Dior Haute Couture dress, which I'm glad she wore in red. If it were in a darker colour she could look like the wicked witch in Snow White. (Sorry Heidi, I love you in Project Runway, but that's just what comes to mind).Finally Katherine Heigl sported Marilyn Monroe curly blonde locks, wearing a chic one shouldered Escada dress.

Who's look did you love?

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Oscars 2008: Fashion preview

The Academy Awards held a fashion show a few days go, predicting what trends they think we will see on the red carpet in just a few hours. They look at the stunning gowns worn by Audrey Hepburn, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank and Renee Zellweger at previous Oscar's and preview creations made by the likes of Valentino, Armani and Dior on the runway. Besides just red carpet looks, we get to check out the expensive jewels that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars - stunning.

Watch the video and see if you can spot any of the dresses previewed on the red carpet.

Abigail Clancy at Brit Awards 2008

I'm still not 100 per cent sure who Abigail Clancy is. From what I can gather, she was once a runner-up on Britain's Next Top Model and is now a WAG (girlfriend of English footballer Peter Crouch). I think that pretty much explains why I'm now seeing her in this... erm... sheath?! Grab some stretchy material, cut two holes out for your arms and a bigger one for your head and ladies, you've got yourself a hoisery style dress! Even on the off-chance that Abi wasn't aware her sheath was see-through, surely her underwear alone deserves a gentle rap across the knuckles. Honestly... it's the Brit Awards; there are children watching!

Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue pays tribute to Hitchcock

It's nearly Oscar time and yet one film maker who never won a a little gold man was Alfred Hitchcock, appalling isn't it? To pay tribute the granddaddy of thriller, Vanity Fair have recreated scenes from some of his most famous films for the latest Hollywood issue. The gorgeous photo spread features the crème de la crème of today's silver screen stars including Renee Zellweger, Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron, Keira Knightley and my new boyfriend (only he doesn't know it yet) James McAvoy.

Charlize Theron in Dial M For Murder.

Naomi Watts in Marnie.

Keira Knightley and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Rebecca.

Emile Hirsch and James McAvoy in Strangers on a Train.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. in To Catch a Thief.

Renée Zellweger in Vertigo.

Which image is your favourite? Tell us by leaving your comments below.

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Justin Timberlake for Givenchy

Justin Timberlake has been confirmed as the face of an a new men's fragrance for Givenchy. The campaign will be unveiled to press in June ahead of a worldwide roll-out in autumn 2009.

The rumour mill is working overtime at the moment with the buzz that Justin Timberlake could be the next new face of Givenchy's men fragrances. If true, the singer will join Liv Tyler in the Givenchy ranks as the label's male spokesperson.

Justin is fast becoming a style icon with his own menswear clothing line William Rast which he launched in 2005. The pop star recently announced he would be adding a womenswear range to the label which is expected to be introduced for autumn/winter '08-'09.

Could 2008 be the year that JT brings stinky back?

For more menswear and grooming news make sure to visit Brandish.

[Image: Getty]

Katie Holmes in Alexander McQueen at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon

Katie Holmes attended the First Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills yesterday with husband Tom Cruise, wearing none other than the Alexander McQueen dress I simply can’t help talking about every few weeks. Remember, it’s the draped silk dress as seen on Sienna Miller last year, then Lucy Liu last month, and can be sold to you right now at BergdorfGoodman.com for the tidy price of $2,280. How do you think Katie looks without the McQueen black belt? I wish she wore it, it could have helped illustrate the draped detail and helped show of off her tiny waist. I wonder who will be spotted in this dress next…?

Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon and Amanda Bynes at the Penelope premiere

After much hype about Christina Ricci’s new movie (where she plays a girl with a pig nose), Penelope has held it’s premiere at the Director's Guild of America last night in L.A. Wearing a slip dress with gold and ivory coloured stripes down the middle, it helped elongate Christian’s body while giving her a nice modern look. I am curious to find out what that tattoo is of on her right cleavage, it’s just peeking out. Co-star Reese Witherspoon didn’t dress up in a (Nina Ricci) pretty dress; instead looked chic in her slim cut black pants, purple top and a cute black jacket.

Meanwhile Amanda Bynes wore a strapless woven steel grey dress, which looks like it wasn’t made to not crease. But it’s a cute look as always.

Who do you think was the best dressed?

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Victoria Beckham for Marc Jacobs spring 2008

Some more, previously unseen, images from Victoria Beckham's spring '08 campaign for Marc Jacobs have been revealed. I must say I'm rather relieved to see the Spice Girl showing off more than just a pair of legs sticking out of a carrier bag.

In these images, Beckham has crawled out of the Marc Jacobs bag and is dressed as a MJ keyring doll or angel, depending on how you view the ads. Once again it's poking fun at the notion of celebrity and which better celebrity to use than Posh Spice?

What do you think of these latest ad pics?

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Brit Awards 2008 red carpet: Kelly Rowland, Natasha Bedingfield & Rihanna

While Kylie and the Girls Aloud ladies chose to show off some leg, Kelly Rowland, Natasha Bedingfield and Rihanna showed them how it's really done in their silver mini dresses at the 2008 Brit Awards last night.

It seemed like Kelly's silver feather mini dress was made just for her and kudos for her for going down the feathered path. Natasha chose to go with a silver shift dress featuring loads of embellishment making her really shine. I'd rather hoped she'd gone with a pair of brightly coloured shoes, instead of black which just seems to weigh her look down a little. But gorgeous dress nonetheless. Meanwhile Rihanna's silver strapless mini dress by Giambattista Valli shimmered against her gorgeous skin, and accessorised to perfection with perfectly coiffed hair.

Check out the full list of 2008 Brit Award winners here.

[Source and Images from Getty]

Brit Awards 2008 red carpet: Kylie Minogue and Girls Aloud

The 2008 Brit Awards was held last night at Earls Court in London and for once a red carpet event was not full of dull coloured long gowns! For the Brit Award crowd it was all about showing off the legs in thigh high or mini length dresses. Well if you've got it, flaunt it.

Kylie Minogue wore a sparkly black strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline by Vicky Tiel which she contrasted with very cool heels and bright tangerine nails. Meanwhile, Girls Aloud provided support for bandmate, Cheryl Cole (nee Tweedy) as all four girls wore dresses that were cinched at the waist and showed off their pins. I wonder if it was a conscious thing to have the girls in black and white not standing next to each other? I love Nicola Roberts' red leopard print dress, but I don't understand why a bright pink clutch is the accessory de jour for the girls. Perhaps it's just a match-y match-y thing?

Check out the winner's list below.

So who won what? Here's the winner's list from the 2008 Brit Awards:

Outstanding Contribution To Music: Paul McCartney

British Album: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

British Single: Take That - Shine

British Group: Arctic Monkeys

International Album: Foo Fighters

British Female Solo Artist: Kate Nash

International Group: Foo Fighters

International Female Solo Artist: Kylie Minogue

British Male Solo Artist: Mark Ronson

International Male Solo Artist: Kayne West

British Breakthrough Act: MikaCritics Choice: ADELE

British Live Act: Take That

Want to know exactly what happened at last night's Brits? Check out the liveblog from My Chemical Toilet.

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Frances Bean Cobain grows up and gets snapped for Harper's Bazaar

Last month we blogged about the rumours that Frances Bean Cobain could be the next face of Chanel. We received around 25 reader comments, some positive but most were negative and concerning her age - she's 15-years-old. It seems many of you don't care for seeing the daughter of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain modelling. And yet the likes of Emma Watson (barely 18) and Dakota Fanning, who turns 14 this week, is perfectly okay... (?!)

Here Frances has been photographed by Jeff Riedel for US Harper's Bazaar (click image left to enlarge). The fashion spread depicts her as the star of leading musicals including Evita, Grease and Beauty and the Beast.

"These people are fascinated by me, but I haven't done anything," she told the magazine. "If you're a big Nirvana fan, a big Hole fan, then I understand why you would want to get to know me, but I'm not my parents." Wise words...

I happen to think she looks wonderful, the pictures are fun and colourful. And from the snippets of her interview (you can read more here) she also seems to have her head screwed on the right way.

Oh and in case you were wondering, the yellow dress she is wearing (pictured above, middle) is by Zac Posen.

[Source and Images: Harpersbazaar.com]

New York rainbow: colourful is cool

Even though it's supposed to be the fashion industry's preferred colour I find black really boring. I went to the same university as accessories designer Fred Butler and used to love seeing her turn up in a different colour outfit for everyday of the week and I'll never forget the all-pink be-overalled woman I used to see when I was going through my pink phase (I was only five mind you!). A recent article by Joanna Goddard shows the lives of New Yorkers who stick to only one colour all day, every day.

I love looking at the images of these kaleidoscopic residents of the Big Apple, but I'm far too greedy to stick to one colour only. I could be persuaded to try a Fred Butler style daily colour change and these pictures have wanting to go through my wardrobe and colour-code it like a branch of Oxfam!

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Hans Silvester's images from 'Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa'

For once it's not straight from the catwalks but looking at images of East Africa's Surma and Mursi tribes from Hans Silvester's book 'Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa' I want to go to the nearest meadow and cover myself in grass, flowers and twigs. As someone who once tried to make a sun visor out of grass (I had forgotten my sunnies and was bored) I'm itching to get crafty but even if you're not a maker, these images are really inspiring.

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Milan Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Burberry Prorsum

Every time I think of Christopher Bailey's name, all I can think of is the slogan t-shirt House of Holland dedicated to him - 'Do me daily Christopher Bailey'. I suppose it doesn't help that CQ's editor-in-chief Gemma (a big Bailey fan) also happens to own this particular t-shirt. Anyway, I'm sure if I was at the Burberry Prorsum show in Milan overnight, I might have been tempted to scream this out from the bleachers. But thankfully I wasn't and so on with the show...

It was hats away at the Burberry Prorsum show with wool beanies traipsing down the catwalk. As well as oversized men's jackets, cocoon coats and short dresses with voluminous sleeves.

Detailing using feathers and fringed leather leaves were also featured in a collection inspired by L.S. Lowry, famous for his paintings of industrial northern England and the matchstick people. I loved the bags especially - in toffee, caramel and cappuccino - it's enough to make you wish for another autumn season... well almost!

[via CatwalkQueen]

Matthew McConaughey modelling for Dolce & Gabbana

Here’s a bit of Tuesday eye candy for you – Matthew McConaughey in Dolce & Gabbana’s The One for men fragrance. They wanted the sexiest man in the world in their campaign, and I think they made the right choice. For a man who’s normally seen working out (hence often seen topless) he scrubs up quite nicely head-to-toe in D&G, as he tries to escape from the paparazzi on the streets of Paris.

Do I love the commercial? It’s not my favourite, but it does provide that 'phwoar' factor to my day and a welcomed escape from my computer issues. As for the his and hers pairing of Gisele Bundchen and McConaughey goes, I think the D&G boys have picked well.

Victoria Beckham lands guest judge role on Project Runway

From Graduate Fashion Week to Project Runway, it seems that Victoria Beckham's fashion judging credentials are expanding. Last week, the Spice girl was snapped alongside Michael Kors and Heidi Klum as a guest judge on the US reality show Project Runway (similar to our own Project Catwalk). Fashion journalist Nina Garcia completed the judging panel on the show's final catwalk episode. Discussing the contestants, Posh said: "There is one designer which every single piece I saw come out on this runway is something I would wear myself." For more on Project Runway visit our US site Shiny Style who will be liveblogging the show's finale.

Project Runway US starts on Sky One April 30 at 9pm.

[Image: Getty]

Milan Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Missoni, Just Cavalli and Emporio Armani

This weekend belonged to Milan Fashion Week where some of world's leading designers took to the catwalk to present their autumn/winter 2008-9 collections. Missoni layered things up with flower prints, ponchos, petal-like collars and of course knitwear. While the Just Cavalli show livened up Milan with a time warp back to the '70s, featuring short boho dresses, wide-brimmed floppy hats, ruffled shirts and peach-coloured suits. There was also a dash of check, flamingo print and of course Cavalli's always-present animal print. At Emporio Armani, wide legged trousers stormed up the runway below nipped-in jackets trimmed with fur. Flashes of fuchsia, purple and blue added interest as well as his use of velvet.

[Source, Images: Catwalking.com via Getty]

US magazine round-up: W and Vogue, March '08 issues

It's that time of the month when we check out what's going on state side in the glossy world of magazines. After yesterday's surprising Lindsay Lohan/Marilyn Monroe cover for New York magazine, I was a little scared to see who'd made the covers for US Vogue and W magazines.

However... breathe a sigh of relief folks, for it's a few of our favourite leading ladies, for a change.

Currently doing the publicity rounds for their new film The Other Boleyn Girl, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman hit the cover for March's issue of W. Shot by Steven Klein, both ladies are wearing Miu Miu, but I'm confused as to why a miniature dog is featured? Did Paris Hilton crash the set or something?

Moving onto March's issue of US Vogue, which stars the delightful Drew Barrymore. Always a welcomed choice, I did have to look closely at the picture, which gives a whole new meaning to the term 'fresh faced' - click image to enlarge.

I don't know about you, but I sense a little (or a lot) of touching up has gone on here... she doesn't quite look herself. Nevertheless, I can't wait for her new film Grey Gardens to hit screens later this year.

Tell us what you think. Do you like/dislike these March covers?

London Fashion Week: MAN

After a hectic week of back to back womenswear shows (with me running out of ways to describe "ruffles") it came as a welcome change to see some chaps on the runway at MAN, the hugely successful partnership between Fashion East founder Lulu Kennedy and Topman. Read on to find out what the boys will be wearing this winter!

First up, Kesh. At only 21 this industrious creative also DJs as one half of the Coconut Twins, works as a stylist, and has edited the fashion pages of cult mag Super Super. I'm calling her debut catwalk collection "Street Geek"- a fusion of tracksuits for dangerous rudeboys, smart shirts and cardies for edgy nerds, skinny trousers and check trews for the indie kids, and 80s throwback bombers and cropped boardshorts for the skaters- something for eveyone, basically . The string tying it all together were quirky slot machine apple, grape and pound sign appliques. Kesh already has big name fans on the urban music scene such as Lupe Fiasco, Big Daddy Kane (no, not my dad!) and Kanye West- and with backing like that you can be sure she'll be around for some time yet.

If you needed any more proof that menswear is producing some of the freshest concepts then look no further than Royal College of Art Menswear/Accessories MA graduate James Long. Working in sheepskin and leather, he twisted his trademark straps fetishistically and sent out oversize chunky knits in a dark palette of midnight blue and black, punctuated with cream. The overall effect was "Mongolian warrior meets bondage baron", but in a good way!

Next up, another RCA MA grad, Hans Christian Madsen. To quote the press release the collection was "a modern approach to the classic military sportswear and pure schoolboy look" with chisel cheekboned lads on the runway looking like fresh faced KGB recruits in pared down layered, fine jersey V-neck knits, loose fitting trousers and weatherproof outerwear.

Closing the show, Topman Design- this season making the move away from the ubiquitous nu rave (now kinda old rave) towards a harder aesthetic with all-black tailoring, cyber inspired shiny tech-fabric trousers and, for the more casual days, woolen joggers. On the footwear front, take note dandies: winklepickers are out, Doc Martens are in.

Hannah Kane

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London Fashion Week: Krystof Strozyna and Meadham Kirchhoff

Shaking up the schedule (and shaming the older guard) was a two-for-one treat in the form of back to back shows Krystof Strozyna and MeadhamKirchhoff, both making their LFW debut. Bargain!

Some people are great at rolling around in a great pile of clothes and accessories, seeing what sticks, and pulling it off with panache. Me, not so good. That's why I'm loving Polish born Krystof Strozyna's beautifully crisp collection of scuptural, figure hugging minidresses, skinny trousers, well cut jackets and structured skirts adorned with ceramic and mirror embellishment. Letting the shapes do the talking, the designer cleverly opted to keep the collection to a simple palette of suit-everyone black, white and vibrant hot pink. I'd like to think that sometime in the future we'll all be living in space, stalking the bowels of the mothership in one of Strozyna's frocks.

In contrast, dynamic duo Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff presented a collection that explored texture and length. The vibe was that of "wearable attitude" with the designers putting out clothes that look like they'll actually keep you warm. To my mind the most successful outfits were the fine, layered jersey knits and those that played with with proportion by by teaming huge, shaggy jackets over long, skinny skirts- simultaneous practical and glamorous. I was less keen on the short, thick pile skirt that looked suspiciously like an IKEA bathmat, and the misguided attempt to bring back fleece as a designer fabric.

Hannah Kane

Lindsay Lohan channels Marilyn Monroe in "The Last Sitting" for New York magazine

Hmm... I don't know quite what I feel about this - Lindsay Lohan imitating Marilyn Monroe in her final photo session with famed photographer Bert Stern, known as "The Last Sitting". Six weeks after the shoot, Monroe was found dead of an apparent barbiturate overdose. Forty-six years later, Lohan is posing bombshell-style for the latest issue of New York magazine, also shot by Stern. “I didn’t have to put much thought into it. I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It’s really an honour,” she said.

While it might seem an odd choice, I mean what has Lohan done so far that is even remotely in the same region as what Monroe achieved (besides struggle with addiction?) But there is obvious similarities... both were/are fodder for the tabloids, whose lives dramatically changed from their constant media exposure. Having said that, when seeing the original prints at an exhibition in Paris last year, I never ever could have pictured anyone else in the photos and, I must admit, I still can't.

The new issue of New York magazine is out now.

Twenty8Twelve spring 2008 hits ShopBop

Now that the fuss over Sienna Miller's fashion line with her sister Savannah has died down, it's interesting to check out the Twenty8Twelve spring 2008 collection at ShopBop. Essentially black and white it contains the requisite cropped tuxedo jacket ($455), high waited pants ($349) and loose fitting tshirts ($110). The ruffled trimmed tops and dresses weren’t exactly channeling Sienna, but they were light and airy spring pieces. The pieces weren’t ground breaking and I wished they contained some coloured pieces, but I’d buy it… when it goes on sale ;)

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Kylie's concert costumes to be designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier

Kylie Minogue is planning for a more sophisticated look for her KylieX2008 concert tour as she looks to cover up a little more. And accordingly, her designer pals Dolce & Gabanna will not be designing her costumes but instead Jean-Paul Gaultier is the man in charge of Kylie’s look.

Kylie's stylist and showbiz "hubby" William Baker told The Mirror that for the next tour "we will see Kylie ageing gracefully. She's celebrating her 40th birthday this year, so what we have planned is just to move in the right direction. We're working with Jean Paul Gaultier on the costumes - he designed Madonna's Blond Ambition tour."

"The outfits he designs are incredibly sophisticated - we're moving on to the next level, which is what she did with the last album," Barker continued. "He creates iconic pop fashion. What he did for Madonna's concert was like a religious experience for me. "

[source - Image from Getty]

London Fashion Week A/W 2008-9 Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham was another designer returning to the London fold this Fashion Week after showing in Milan for the last few seasons. Honoured as Hollywood Style Designer of the Year 2006 and British Bridal Dress Designer of the Year 2007, Packham designs fabulous feminine frocks for glossy celebs like Eva Longoria, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, SJP and Kiera Knightley.

Gracing the front row were pop belters Jamelia and Anastasia, whose wedding dress Packham previously designed. So how would London, more attune to fashion's creative dark side a la Pugh receive old fashioned glamour? Keep reading to find out!

Packham designs fabulous feminine frocks for glossy celebs like Eva Longoria, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, SJP and Kiera Knightley. Gracing the front row were pop belters Jamelia and Anastasia, whose wedding dress Packham previously designed. Packham cited as her inspiration "discovering a vintage trapeze artist's costume, studded with crystals and a feather boa hem in the midst of the St Ouen flea market in Paris", and consequently her A/W 08 collection perfectly encapsulated a lost era of faded, jaded decadence - evoking femme fatales dressed in their evening toilette, sipping Absinth from chipped crystal with Toulouse-Lautrec in late 1800s/early 1900s Paris.

With lashings of oyster chiffon, tulle, satin, silk and lace, a sprinkle of crystals, a touch of flamenco inspired black ruffles, tactile 'stroke me' feathers, and a show stopper in the form of a sweeping strapless, ruby silk confection, this show marks a welcome return to London. Stay

tuned for news of Packham's flagship boutique, opening in London's Mayfair later this year!

[Images: Catwalking.com via Getty]