Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Behind the Scenes: Revenge of the Z-listers

Last night I went to a party for which I had high hopes. It was to launch a new website called I Hate My Look. Even though the title is dubious, the concept is great.

Basically two very experienced celebrity stylists - Nick Ede (of Project Catwalk fame) and Brendan Courtney (of Clothes Show fame) - have got together to offer an exclusive personal shopping experience for us civilians.


At just under £1,500 it's not cheap but not only do you get their expertise and discounts, but you also get to take in a show and have a few cocktails with the guys.


Camilla Dallerup - Strictly Come Dancing - It's fashion, dahlingIt all sounded very glam and what with the launch taking place in Kate Moss' fave hotspot, Punk, I was extremely excited about the forthcoming launch. It was with great sadness that upon arrival I realised that not even Vanessa Feltz (who has used Nick and Brendan's services before - ahem!) was there - and that woman has followed me to nearly every showbiz even I've ever been at.

No, the only 'celeb' I spied was Camilla Dallerup - Gethin's dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing. Oh well, the booze was free, the venue was lovely and the goody bag was OK.

Now I just need to find someone to pay the £1500 fee to allow me to have a miraculous makeover!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

News Round-Up: Is Geri dating a Desperate Husband?!

I've decided to move the news round-up to Tuesday as I seem to have more behind the scenes goss on Wednesday, so here are the stories keeping me entertained this week...

Geri Halliwell with new man Ivan - It's fashion, dahling!Geri takes her new man on a double date with George Michael and his partner. Is it just me or does Ivan look a little like Carlos from Desperate Housewives?! Geri is looking darn hot at the moment - am loving her jumpsuit!

Kylie releases a new video in the states. I'm not sure about the bondage gear but elsewhere she looks sensational.

Are these the cutest celebrity babies ever? Heidi Klum took her 3 kids out for some weekend fun and they are just gorgeous. Coming up close to the title though is Matt Damon's little girl - cute hair and dress.

Coleen gets the sack! Yes it's true, ASDA have dropped Coleen McCloughlin from their campaigns. They apparently want someone more like Helen Mirren! Is this the beginning of the end of the WAG?

New beauty products out this week... In the states, NARS has released a new lipgloss and nail varnish in the much lusted-after Orgasm shade. When is it coming out over here? And if you have a dog - as I do - you might like to purchase this doggy hairdryer. It will be sure to make your pooch's hair sleek and stop that annoying shaking they do when they're wet - because they're worth it!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Celebrity Style - Natalie Imbruglia

Natalie Imbruglia in a tartan trench coat - It's fashion, dahling!Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know I am obsessed with the Princess of all Aussie's, Kylie, so it's probably no surprise, that fellow Oz girl Natalie Imbruglia has made it on to the blog this week.

I've always loved the way she dresses. She's fashionably without being trendy. She looks modern but wears clothes her way.
This outfit is a point in case. She's flung on a tartan mac and teamed with skinny jeans - neither of these items are particularly fashion forward, yet she looks amazing.

I think the reason she looks so fabulous is because she is comfortable in her clothes and has found her own style, something at 34, I've yet to do!

Friday, April 18, 2008

If you do one thing this weekend...

Madonna - Vanity Fair exhibition - It's fashion, dahling!... go and wonder at the power of photography at the Vanity Fair exhibition at the National Portrait gallery. It finishes next month and is a definite must-see if you like celebs and fashion as I do!

... buy this uber cute Osamu Tezuka t-shirt from Uniqlo, as seen on Chloë Sevigny in their recent campaigns.

... get ready for the return of Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford returns on 22 May. Weirdly, for someone who has worked in the world of film for the past 8 years, I haven't seen a single Indy film so I've borrowed the Indiana Jones box set and am indulging in some action-packed fun this weekend!

... be eco friendly and fashionable with the help of the new BBC Thread site. It's got eco fashion tips and so much more - visit it now for some inspiration!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Must-buy item: Go peachy with Paul and Joe Sister

Paul and Joe Sister peach shirt - It's fashion, dahling!I don't normally spend a lot on my clothes but every once in a while, I do try and invest in something that's slightly better quality.

So far, I've bought a Antik Batik dress and an Alice McCall skirt - next up is a Luella t-shirt and hopefully this lovely little peachy number.


I love Paul and Joe and their diffusion line, Paul and Joe Sister, is just in that save-up-for-a-couple-of-months-but-still-doable bracket.


This little number will look fab tucked into a pair of high waisted wide-legged jeans. Equally it will look gorgeous teamed with a little denim skirt and some cute pumps. Summer is on it's way - hurrah!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

News Round-Up: Good and bad celebrity hairdos

These stories are on my radar this week:

Lily Allen goes blonde. Why do celebrities with dark skin try and go blonde? It's not a good luck love - get the brunette dye out.

New Bond girl Gemma Arterton has a hair makeover
for Quantum Of Solace. I thought she looked fab with a brunette bob in the St Trinian's flick, but I'm loving the red hair even more.

Help stop global warming with Wayne Hemmingway. Find out more at B&Q and win a sweatshirt designed by the man himself.

Kylie and Will hug in public. Are they friends again? I don't mind that, I just don't want that man, with his Doctor Who loving ways, near her in a fashion sense every again!

Yellow is the big colour for spring/summer. Why not bag yourself this lovely little lemon number from Miss Selfridge? I have!

Surprise, surprise - it's Cilla!

So I went to the Arcadia autumn/winter preview yesterday and it was fab. TopShop have once again come up with the most wonderful clothes, including a mad harlequin dress (very Miu Miu) and some fabulous shoes.

Trend wise, it seems headpieces such as headbands and fascinators will be big, as will brooches - all the ranges featured these.

Cilla Black - It's Fashion Dahling!There were some nice winter colour choices - Miss Selfridge had purple and coral, which look amazing together - and Dorothy Perkins had some lovely coats, including a pink checked fluffy number that wouldn't have looked out of place on a '50s movie star.

After the preview, I was lucky enough to be invited for VIP drinks with Sir Philip Green - head of Arcadia. He seemed pleasant enough but looks a bit like a wheeler dealer, which I suppose he is.

The highlight of the evening though was when Cilla Black appeared. A few years back I had a boogie with her and Duncan James to Kylie at a premiere party and let me tell you, she looks better now than then! She's really glam with very slim legs. Her companion was really dapper. Maybe Cilla's going to bring out her own range of clothes?!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Behind the Scenes will be back tomorrow

I'm off for a sneak preview of the TopShop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins autumn/winter line today so I'll fill you in tomorrow on what's coming up. Plus, later tonight I get to have a drink with Kate Moss' mate Sir Philip Green - if there's any goss, I'll post it here!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Celebrity Style - Keeley Hawes loses the '80s perm!

Keeley Hawes - Ashes To Ashes - It's fashion, dahling!I felt quite sorry for Keeley Hawes when she was appearing in Ashes to Ashes. The '80s was hardly the most flattering of decades, yet she pulled off the skin-tight jeans and faux perm with aplomb.

However, I was delighted to see her new look, which she unveiled at the premiere for Flashbacks Of A Fool.

Gone are the dark curls and in it's place is a lovely blonde modern hair-do. Keeley is one of those lucky girls who can be brunette or blonde and this shade really suits her. To complement her look, she's jumped to another decade - the '60s - with a lovey sequinned shift and plenty of black eye liner. Now she just needs a new TV role that suits her glam new look!

Friday, April 11, 2008

If you do one thing this weekend...

TopShop free style advisor service - It's fashion, dahling!... give yourself a style makeover courtesy of TopShop's Style Advisor service. Book an appointment and you get a personal stylist running round the store for you, while you relax in a lovely dressing room that doesn't smell of feet! This fabulous free service, which I sampled for myself last night with the help of the lovely Naomi, has just got even better! They've just launched a Style Advisor loyalty card so the more time you use it, the more freebies you get. It's a winner all round.

... scare yourself silly at the
London Dungeon and their new exhibition about Jack the Ripper - eek!

... pretend it's summer already and purchase a
pair of sky-high heels from Asos.

... tune into
Pushing Daisies on Saturday night at 9pm on ITV1. It's about time Saturday night viewing got good enough.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Must-buy item: Do an Aggy with bright tights

Agyness Deyn in white dress with bright tights - It's fashion, dahling!The model-of-the-moment Agyness Deyn showed just how to deal with seasonal changes by teaming her spring/summer white dress with some bright coral tights.

Not only does this keep her outfit really fresh looking, but it also keeps her pins nice and warm - something you need with this bizarre ever changing weather we're having at the moment. Snow in April anyone?
Bright coral TopShop tights - It's fashion, dahling!
The other great thing about this quick fashion fix is it's nice and cheap.

Pop down to TopShop to buy these lovely bright tights and give your outfit the Deyn look for the bargain-ous price of 6 quid.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

News Round-Up: Mel B gets catty

What's going on this week...

Mel B has launched her own clothing range called Catty Couture. I'm not sure about it being on any catwalk soon though - it looks like the kind of garb you can buy of Stacey's stall on EastEnders.

I can't quite believe it but Bobby Brown apparently dated Madonna back in the day.

Stella McCartney is one of the few designers really proving their green credentials. She already refuses to use leather or fur in her collections but now Stella is expanding her Eco Collection.

Demi Moore's personal trainer spills the beans on how she got her fabulous figure. It doesn't make for very pleasant reading though. This bloke doesn't sound like a personal trainer but a total misogynist - as if she was ever 'thick'. Sigh.

Is it just me or is Renee Zellweger finally starting to look, well, normal again. She's put some weight on and is really glowing. To be able to divert my attention from my number one crush Mr Clooney while at the Leatherhead premiere just proves that she's looking fab.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Behind the Scenes: Leona Lewis doesn't want to hurt little animals!

I was lucky to catch a sneak preview of the D&G Autumn/Winter line. The clothes are to die for. Gorgeous dresses with unsual fabrics (gauzy tops with cord bottoms), tartans and fabulous shoes.

While I was there, I overhead the stylist who looks after Leona Lewis aying just how well D&G clothes fit Leona. She has, apparently, a body to die for. It's so not fair, eh? She's beautiful, can sing and has a killer bod - sigh!

The stylist also informed the press person that Leona wouldn't wear D&G's leather jackets or shoes as she doesn't wear leather - she really believes in animal rights. So not only is she talented, beautiful and has a killer bod, but she's also caring and just darn nice.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Celebrity Style - The original super, Linda Evangelista

Linda Evangelista in Louis Vuitton - It's Fashion, Dahling!I don't care what rubber-faced Janice Dickinson says, for me the original super-model is the truly gorgeous Linda Evangelista.

She's inspired many a haircut of mine, plus I've learnt how to pose for a good photo by putting my hand on one hip and pushing the other one out.

So it's good to see at 42, she still looks amazing. OK, she may have had some Botox but she's still got great personal style (as seen here in Louis Vuitton at the gala opening of the "Murakami" exhibition in New York).

She dresses elegantly but not too old and she really understands detail - fabulous necklace, great shoes, bright orange nail varnish. I just hope I can be as stylish as she is when I hit my '40s.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Normal service will resume on Monday!

It's not big and it's not clever but I am way too hungover today to even contemplate thinking further than going home and lying on my sofa, while eating my body weight in Thai food.

I went to a big awards ceremony last night and of course drank far too much so am paying the price now. It didn't help that I had to get up at 6.30am to walk the dog.

Btw, if anyone has a celebrity style icon they'd like to nominate for Monday's post, let me know!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Must-buy item: The best summer dress ever?

Warehouse denim dress as seen in LOOK - it's fashion, dahling!OK, this denim dress from Warehouse may not look much but I think it's a real winner for spring/summer.

It's flattery for most figure types, is dead on trend with it's cute 50s style and most importantly, extremely versatile. Dress it up with bright wedges; sling on your flip flops or white pumps for some holiday sightseeing; put a long sleeved stripey t-shirt underneath for colder days.

It's pure fashion genius.

Oh and by the way, my shopping ban officially ends tomorrow - watch out the West End, I'll be hitting those shops with a vengeance on Saturday!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

News Round-Up: Madonna eats chocolate SHOCKER!

Madonna as seen in UK Elle magazine - It's fashion, dahling!The stories grabbing my attention this week are...

Madonna is featured in this month's edition of ELLE where she declares her love for British chocolate, in particular Cadbury's Creme Eggs!

Katie Holmes gets a new haircut - is she trying to ditch the Posh look?

Someone else steals my idea of not buying any clothes for a set period. She's rubbish as she only lasts a month... I've lasted 3 and a half!

Another day and another shot of Mena Suvari's arse. It's very perky but please put it away love.

I'm so glad I went home and ate chocolate instead of going to this launch as I was meant to. Don't know who was the biggest celeb - Nancy Lam, cleaner Aggie or BB loser (and now bezza mate of Amy Winehouse's) Aisleyne.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Behind the Scenes: Why does everyone rate Alexa Chung?

Alexa Chung talks to The Guardian - It's fashion, dahling!The former model turned TV presenter Alexa Chung was all over the web yesterday due to an interview she gave to The Guardian. I'm not sure what the fuss is about this girl. I think her presenting skills are OK but nothing special.

She's obviously pretty and fairly stylish but aside from that, I'm not sure why everyone likes her so much. Especially when she talks about being in the heartbreakers group with Kelly Osbourne (why is it cool to be cruel?!), reading Lolita and drawing pics of the author Vladimir Nabokov. Sigh. Yet another model has to prove she is intelligent.


It reminds me of the time I interviewed Natalie Portman. She is possibly the most beautiful movie star I've ever met. At the time she had shaved her head for V For Vendetta and she still managed to look gorgeous. However, as soon as she opened her mouth, my crush was over. Damn that girl is boooooring. She spent the ENTIRE time talking about Goya (admittedly she was due to be in a film about the artist) and listed every... single... book she's read in the last year.

I don't know why beautiful girls feel the need to prove they are also intelligent. If they just talked naturally, it would be so much better. Possibly the most intelligent actress I've interviewed as Emmy Rossum - she was only 7 when she performed for the Metropolitan Opera in New York, singing 20 different operas in 6 languages! Again, she is very pretty but she didn't feel the need to prove her academic worth.