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Style PS email 1 Feb 2008

David Beckham in Brazil

A whole new world of rubbish.

Ahhh, J Lo, J Lo, J Lo.  We tried out hardest to buy the, "no, i'm not preganant, I'm just bloated," rumours. We tried to ignore the, "white linens, yellow m and ms, fuschia candles and ugly people," backstage requests. We even - well, some of us - tried to share your joy in the beautiful moment of your shopping splurge, cashmere covered, one big photo-op pregnancy.

But you and your wierd looking husband have gone one step too far this time. You as Princess Jasmine, him as Aladdin, complete with wafting carpet set against starlit sky?  Surely too much even by your winsome looking, stomach patting, singing whilst holding hands, jazz handed standards - no matter how much disney paid you. Ask Jordan and Peter, even they couldn't pull it off.

You can take the girl off the block...

Bless sunshields: when needs must

Oldest trick in the book # 2,743: Treat them mean keep them keen.

I want these Bless sunshields.

I really, really want them.

Roisin Murphy has a pair (personally, I wouldn't put two visors into the ring together as she has...). But she also has a stylist and a rockstar label. It's unlikely that anyone treats her that mean.

I don't have either of those credentials, but I do have a telephone number for Bless's press office in Paris. "Oh you can get them in b Store in Savile Row". I email b Store. "Unfortunately we are not stocking them". I sigh. I call Bless's press office in Paris. "Well, the Bless concept is that they are hard to find," says the PR, with some glee. "They enjoy the fact that they are hard to get. It's not a bad thing to them that they are hard to get." Do they sell online? I ask. "No." Obviously. "You can order them from the Paris shop though". For a price, course - 192Euros, plus 15Euros for shipping to Londonn (bless.shop.paris@gmail.com). Sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh: #2,743 gets me every time.

There's only one dress to wear on Oscar night - and this year it should be Valentino. The question is, which one???

Mr Valentino has been King of the red carpet for so long now, it's a wonder those A listers managed to ever navigate it without him. Yesterday, he showed his last ever collection at the Couture Shows in Paris. It was pure, unadulterated, full on, full length, fashion fabulous as only the tanned one knows how. And if I was up for an Oscar, which, presumably, I would be if I'd decided to turn my hand to treading the boards, I'd be heading to him for a red carpet showstopper.  Here are Style's picks, as we match these Valentino frocks with their ideal Oscar nominated models.

Cate Blanchett is so totally talented that this year, she isn't just up for one award, but two. We reckon she should go for another asymmetric number - the lemon yellow Valentino she wore to collect her prize in 2005 was one shouldered, and if it ain't broke, quite frankly, don't fix it.  This one's perfect - and nice and billowy for that 7 month old bump she'll be bringing along with her.

Julie Christie - She's 67, homegrown, and practically perfect in every way. The outfit needs to be covered up and classy, just like her.

Ellen Page isn't the youngest nominated actress, but she is just about the tiniest at 5ft 1. So we'd recommend this - sexy and a bit see through, but not too many frills and ruffles to swamp her.

Laura Linney isn't one for a frill - she should keep it sleek, with something a little like this...

Tilda Swinton isn't known for her conventional sartorial choices, and generally  likes stands out from the crowd. This ought to do it.

And finally, for Keira Knightly, to whom we send our most, erm, sincere condolences for not being nominated, you can wear this. Quite frankly you look good enough as it is.

images from www.style.com

Dita Von Teese teases them all in Paris...

Some say that fashion shows are all about the front-row and yesterday was no exception. Clothes? What clothes? At Roland Mouret's Couture show in Paris, we were only looking at the audience, where Dita Von Teese and Victoria Beckham were competing for the cameras alongside the usual suspects like Marc Almond and Claudia Schiffer.

Needless to say, the mercurial Ms. Teese upstaged wannabe Posh. The burlesque star radiated chic in Mouret's 'Moon' dress, a new and improved version of his 'Galaxy' dress that wowed the red carpet in 2005. Get 'Moon' while you still can at www.net-a-porter.com for £990.

Teese' choice of colur, midnight blue, reclaimed the dress' cachet. (Mrs. Beckham first gave 'Moon' a high profile after wearing a pink one when David was unveiled to the press after signing for LA Galaxy in July last year).

Yesterday, Posh tried too hard once again. She insisted on wearing an item from the latest Roland Mouret collection and disappointed. Her shift dress may have been new but her choice of grey, one of this season's signature colours, was hardly inspiring.

Ms. Teese and Mrs. B may have posed together afterwards but you know who's perfect pout - read rictus grin - didn't fool us. More, I actually want to kill her, me thinks.

With Posh bizarrely set to be on the cover of UK Vogue, it is great to see her relegated to second fiddle in Paris. I guess you can always trust the Parisians to recognise true style...

[image from www.splashnewsonline.com]

Style PS email 24 Jan 2008

Heath Ledger

KIRSTEN DUNST DOES MIU MIU - HOT!

Boys and girls, we bring you ... Kirsten Dunst, shot by hot photographers Mert and Marcus, for the new Miu Miu ads, just this second released. Miu Miu say: "An utterly absurd combination of elements interlace with one another, blurring the line between on-stage and backstage, public and private, fantasy and reality, performance and intimacy. These dichotomies highlight the multiplicity at the core of Miu Miu..." We say: doesn't she brush up well? And (please!) when will we be able to buy those bewitching red shoes in the third image?

Jay-Z and Beyonce in a frozen pickle

A rather breathless fashion correspondent just tripped into the Style office with gossip just spilling forth... Follow closely!

"So Jay-Z and Beyonce are at the Versace menswear show in Milan, right... because Jay-Z wants to tie a deal with Versace and his label Rocawear. Armani find out and naturally they're furious because of course Beyonce is the face of the fragrance Emporio Armani Diamonds. So they had to extend their trip to hang around and pacify Armani. Only problem was that by the time the bling twins were ready to leave, Milan just happens to be chucking out the worst weather in the world ever. So their flight back to the States has to be diverted to Iceland. Cue two panicstricken popstars on the phone to Armani's top dog, screaming,"We're stuck in the Ice Lands. Do something!" We thought they digged a bit of ice.

picture source

Kate Moss's Birthday Suit.

So you've seen the pictures - if not where the hell have you been? and head to sky showbiz now to take a look - and ogled the 6am drunken stares. Kate Moss's 34th birthday bash (started yesterday lunchtime, still going - good on 'er) is turning out to be as big a do as all the ones before.  And you've got to hand it to her, the starry starry outfit is good.  The all in one and cover up are from Chanel. The hair is courtesy of her bf and hairdresser James Brown. And the shoes, they're thanks to Terry de Havilland.

£380 available at www.asos.com and www.terrydahavilland.com.

So now all you need is a champagne delivery to your home, 2 suites at the Dorchester, more famous friends than you can throw a freebie at and the, erm, stamina to carry on going for 34 hours and counting.  And you too can party for your birthday like Moss.

Style PS email

Actresses at last year's BAFTA's

Sienna Miller

Kate Winslet

Thandie Newton

Joely Richardson

Helen Mirren

Johnny Depp in pirate regalia

Blonde Amy Winehouse

Vice TV - it's the road to sanity

Don't - DON'T- say you haven't already checked out VBS.tv.  The telly arm of Vice, the New York-based media empire, is so deliciously say-it-like-it-is that it makes Russell Brand look like a polite version of Parkie. Searingly frank interviews with brilliant young contemporary artists! Videos diaries, with cursing and confessions, from all the important cultural icons of the day! Travel docus about raves in Uzbekistan, Columbian men who shag donkeys and Tokyo sex doll delivery services! Vice does not mince its words or tip toe around the subject, no Sirree. Which is obviously why we like it.

ASOS - the online market

Imagine the scene:

Girl A: "Love your coat! Where d'you geddit?" [To self: Bitch. I want it. I want it so much, I'd happily do a Single White Female on you.]

Girl B: "Thanks! I got it from the Laden Showroom on Brick Lane."  [To self: Ha ha, tough titties - you can't have it. You live miles away from this shop.]

Girl B shouldn't laugh so fast - this treasure trove of quirky fashion from up-and-coming designers (think next step up from the market stall) is now all available on ASOS. Yes, that very same erstwhile tat-bin of rip-off red carpet dresses. Thankfully, ASOS had an overhaul last year and as well as delights from the Laden Showroom, now stocks original - yes, all original - designs from PPQ, Prada, Eley Kishimoto, Balenciaga and Sienna Miller's Twenty8Twelve.

But for real originality, our mouse is hovering over the "Independent Designers" button - that takes you straight into the online branch of the Laden Showroom: affordable, limited-edition clothes from the likes of Orion, Chandelier, Chan Chan and Miss Milne. Don't worry - you won't have heard of them. That''s good for preserving the mystique when Girl A is pestering. And there's a moral incentive too: think of this as a digitally assisted version of shopping locally. Click, click, click!

FASHION'S ANSWER TO FACEBOOK!

nFashion Space is a brand new website launched by London College of Fashion, Holly Bellm graduate who wanted to create a good space for talented fashion individuals to launch their fashion careers.  It's an international 'social trading' site for anyone who works or plays in the fashion or arts industries.  You can sell items in a personalised shop, expose your brand, purchase items from up-and-coming designers or even swap your own items. Its also has events, news, blogs and articles to keep you updated.  So don't delay, register and log-in to this fab site.  www.fashionspace.com

By Sara Hassan and Fashion Theory Year 2

Return of the Dunk

New to NikeTown, Dover Street Market and Foot Patrol this week is the Dunk trainer.  Originally a basketball shoe but was so successful on the courts it spread on to the streets.  That was 1985. Now in 2008, the 12 original colour ways are back, alongside literally hundreds of other colourways. Fans are Justin Timberlake (who has nearly every colour), Pharrell Williams, Reggie Yates and Fergie from the Black eyed Peas and Maria Sharapova.

Get yourself down there fast. Im told that when 'What the Dunk?' came out (a trainer that celebrated the launch of Nike's first skateboarding movie) people queued for days. Some queued from the friday and waited till the tuesday to get the trainer.  Nike very kindly provided private cars to these dunk crazed customers so they're precious Dunks would not be stolen on the way home.

These are £60

The Best online sale we've found so far - and it's only on for 48 hours

Catwalk to Closet is our favourite secret find - an online sample sale, that's open all year round, and you don't have to queue round the block to get in to. Starting today though, and just for 48 hours, they've got a special 80% sale on their designer dresses. With complete favourite, this McQueen number, being reduced from £2,400 to £500.

Put down yer coffee, and get clicking. Seriously, you don't want to miss it.

www.catwalktocloset.com

Style PS email 11 January 2008

Fabio Capello in Armani

La Senza gets the thumbs up!

You have to check out La Senza as they have some seriously fab underwear at the moment and some of their pieces are so fashion forward it was like stepping into an Agent Provocateur store..... I was so so impressed when I last visited the Oxford Street branch.  Choose from sequin embellished black knickers, gorgeous satin nighties, neon (Nu Rave inspired) bras and knickers. And guess what, they even have the gorgeous Petra Nemcova modelling their new 'Precision Fit' range (the first bra on the high street with padding tailored specifically for your size!)....go to La Senza now to get your new season knick knocks! www.lasenza.co.uk

Sara Hassan

Harrods sale plays Fairy-Godmother

I promised myself that I would treat myself to one special thing from the sales this year.  I originally had my heart set on a pair of Christian Louboutin booties but even with 40% off they were still out of my price range.  So a little heartbroken and demoralised, I went to Gap instead and had a bit of a splurge - £25 worth. (told you I was demoralised I couldnt even shop properly).

I had to meet a friend in Harrods so thought I would have a nose in the shoe sales. And, as if the Gods or the universe had felt my pain from my broken heart, staring at me was a pair of Marc Jacobs booties.  They fitted perfectly and were in my price range. I have them on now and can't stop staring at my feet and smiling.

So get rid of the January blues and head to Harrods or check them out online  http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/ and pick up something wonderful and feel that happiness glow too.

My boots of happiness. Love Cinderella x

Benazir Bhutto: her email to Style magazine

As editor of Style's "I am what I am column", I operate by the truism: if you don't ask, you don't get.

Early in December, I approached Benazir Bhutto's people for a telephone interview for said column. A couple of days later (10th December) I received what appeared to be a predictable response to such fanciful ambitions: "Ms Bhutto is on the election campaign trail and it would be most difficult for her to do a phono [sic] interview. However...." A 'however'? What could this sop be to send me away, I wondered. Only a ready-written column - an event which usually only occurs when people are begging to be featured in "I am what I am". What a scoop! But why didn't we run it in the magazine? Because "I am what I am" aims to focus on more personal insights - these really only surface in interviews, not least when dealing with politicians. Still, while carefully spun and polished, the column serves as a tragically poignant testament to Bhutto's unfailing courage and commitment to her cause and country.  And so, in unedited form, here follows Benazir Bhutto (21.6.1953 - 27.12.2008): I am what I am.

"I am a daughter of the East who has lived and been educated in the West.

I am a Muslim who believes that Islam is a religion of tolerance and pluralism, is rooted in democracy, and demands equality between the sexes.

I believe that the values of Islam and the West are congruent, and that the two civilizations can successfully live and work together.

I fully understand that extremists and dictators have tried to hijack the message of my religion, and I am devoting myself to insuring the [sic] moderation and democracy prevail.

I am the first woman ever elected Prime Minister of a Muslim country and I am extremely sensitive to the responsibility that places on my shoulder for all the woman [sic] who have come before me and all the girls yet unborn.

I am a wife, a mother and a daughter and try desperately to balance the family and professional demands on my life - not always successfully, I'm afraid.

I am an author and a lecturer, and try to use my writings and speeches to promote the values I care most about, not least of which is the political and economic empowerment of women.

I am the leader of Pakistan's largest national political party and spend enormous effort building electoral and governing coalitions with other democratic parties and devising strategies to challenge dictatorship and martial law.

I am a private person, and despite my public personae, I cherish quiet moments with my family, reading novels and history, and walking through gardens, when I can forget, even for just a few moments, the enormous political responsibility that falls upon me.

I am at [once] both blessed and not so blessed to have led a life that saw such huge triumphs and yet exacted such a terrible personal toll. This life has given me an extraordinary opportunity to change the lives of my people and serve as a bridge between East and West."