Stella McCartney's New 'Stella' Lingerie Collection

Next month Stella McCartney launches 'Stella' - a more affordable, everyday lingerie.   Aiming to be both practical and pretty, the underwear is said to offer a ‘nearly nude wearing experience’ available in five key bra shapes: Moulded Underwire, Balconnet, Plunge, Strapless and Supernatural.

The fabrics used in the new mid-range line will consist of recycled materials; french lace, eco-friendly fabrics and printed silks, with the bra straps made from recycled metal.

“Well-made lingerie is key,” says Stella McCartney, “feeling constricted by one’s underwear just isn’t my thing...  It has to fit, function and do its job first and foremost.”

Available in August from Matches, Selfridges and Harrods.

HAWT - Victoria Beckham in Comme des Garcons

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

Victoria Beckham arrived in London last week wearing this ridiculously awesome trench-cape dress by Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garcons.  Victoria completed her outfit perfectly by wearing some black Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Hidden-Platform Booties, a rose-gold Rolex and her own Victoria Beckham black Granny Cat sunglasses. SO chic and SO bizzarely similar to how I look when I disembark from an eleven hour plane journey...

Julian Ovenden: Live at the Hippodrome

Last night I went to London’s Hippodrome to watch chiseled stage and screen actor Julian Ovenden showcase music from his debut album, ‘If You Stay.’   Julian sang an eclectic mix of romantic and intimate classics, with fantastic range and depth, my favourites being ‘The Windmills Of Your Mind’ and 'Up, Up and Away.'   Between songs, Julian entertained his audience with sweet stories about his family… In fact, this hour-long performance could be described an hour-long serenade to his opera singer wife, Kate Royal. Lucky Lady.

Known by many for his acting role in the long-running series Foyle’s War, Julian Ovenden has always sung and played piano (winning musical scholarships to both Eton and Oxford) and it was only a matter of time before his two talents merged together on stage.   This Autumn Julian will star in the much-anticipated musical theatre version of the 2004’s Oscar-nominated film, ‘Finding Neverland.’  Produced by the Oscar-winning Harvey Weinstein and directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, Julian will play the Peter Pan author James M. Barrie.  With a five week Leicester run opening in September, there are high hopes for a West-End transfer early next year.  Fingers all crossed. 

Fact:  Julian Ovenden played the role of the Diet Coke Man and his father is the Queen’s chaplain. Yes. That officially makes Julian a real life sweet talking son of a preacher man (or in this case, a sweet singing son of a Queen’s chaplain) who can also make an entire nation of women collectively swoon during their morning work breaks.  

Julian Ovenden: Live At the Hippodrome tickets available here and to buy 'If You Stay' click here.

Lana Del Rey - New Face of H&M

The rumours were true, Lana Del Rey IS the new face of H&M.

The H&M Autumn/Winter’12 campaign, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, will feature the sultry songstress in her signature retro style, with her trademark black eyeliner and pale pout, wearing key pieces from the collection.

Donald Schneider, H&M's Creative Director revealed, "the mood is very LA noir… It’s inspired by our fall collection."   An advert has also been filmed where Lana Del Rey sings 
‘Blue Velvet,’ a 1950’s Bobby Vinton classic.

Also confirmed this week by H&M is its latest designer collaboration for autumn/winter 2012: French fashion house Maison Martin Margiela.
The statement released promised to “bring together the contrasting universes of the two houses in ways that will surprise all.”

Available from November 15th 2012.

Emma Stone - In Vogue

Forget ripped denim and peplums, Emma Stone is officially the new Black. 

In the space of a mere month, the 23 year old Spider-Man actress has covered THREE editions of Vogue and quite frankly, I could do with a few more.

Emma Stone covered July’s US Vogue, and August’s Teen Vogue and British Vogue (the latter, naturally, being my favourite where Emma wears a veritable feast of Autumn/Winter’12 trends and is interviewed by the gorgeous Alexa Chung.)

Emma Stone has long been my ‘one to watch’ on the red carpet and I loved seeing her stunning, highly anticipated, premiere choices whilst promoting the new Spider-Man film, which she stars in alongside her real-life British-beau, Andrew Garfield.

Above: Wow. Emma Stone wearing Chanel and spikey Louboutin's at the LA premiere. 

Above: Day Time Demure 
​L-R: Dolce & Gabanna in Spain, Andrew Gn in Berlin, Emilio Pucci in Moscow.

Above: Gothic Nights
L-R: An Ellie Saab jumpsuit in London, Gucci in Paris, Bottega Veneta in Rome.

Gorgeous, talented and dating Spider-Man. This girl rocks.

The Amazing Spider-Man is at cinemas now. 

Trend: Olive Green

If there is one person’s wardrobe I covet, it would be Olivia Palermo's. The ex-Hills star and renowned fashionista always looks enviably glossy, elegantly accessorized and perfectly put together.

Recently Olivia has been wearing a lot of olive green – recycling her olive green jeans and olive green parka in numerous ways.  Last week she was seen (left) in New York looking like an olive green dream, from top to bottom.

Olive green combines really well with most colours, but Olivia prefers to wear her jeans/parka with white or black, accessorized with ballet flats or heels (usually leopard print - girl after my own heart!) and whopper sunglasses.

I think olive green is the perfect multi-seasonal neutral and a great way to ease your way into the London 'sunshine' (... a gal can dream!)

Luckily for us, Olivia's Olive Green look is really accessible on our highstreets:

I would recommend Topshop for their Moto Leigh Jeans (RRP. £38.00) and their Army Shirt Jacket (RRP. £48.00) or the skinny jeans by Victoria Beckham for a super flattering fit.

The Opulence of 'Anna Karenina'

And just when I thought 'The Great Gatsby' was the period drama fashion dream of the year (see the trailer and pictures here) I saw this trailer for Joe Wright’s 'Anna Kerenina.'  Wow. 
Keira Knightley plays Anna, a striking aristocrat in late-19th-century high society Russia, wearing the most elegant and opulent of costumes - think rich velvets in jeweled tones, delicate lace, feathered headpieces, beautiful pearls...

Inspired by this upcoming movie’s beautiful costumes, Banana Republic is launching an Anna Karenina style capsule collection with the film’s twice-Academy Award-nominated costume designer, Jacqueline Durran.  Banana Republic’s creative director Simon Kneen promises “hats and coats with faux fur and piles of costume jewellery.”

Anna Karenina is released in the UK in September - Can't wait!

Debit Buy: ASOS Earrings

I do not have pierced ears (which has probably saved me a small fortune over the years given my magpie tendancies!) but if I did I would almost certainly be adorning my earlobes with these sparkly bug pendant earrings (left) and these colourful, Prada inspired floral gemstone beauties (below) from ASOS.  I would dress them down with jeans and a t'shirt. These really are too adorable.

Left: ASOS Premium Darling Bug Drop Earrings

RRP. £20.00

 

Below Left: ASOS Flower & Jewel Drop Earrings

RRP. £15.00

 

Below Right: ASOS Flower & Jewel Drop Earrings

RRP. £15.00

Jack Savoretti, 'Before The Storm' UK Tour

“London-born Jack Savoretti is the type of guy you can imagine flinging his guitar on his shoulder and hitching a ride to explore pastures new: a free spirit, with a sensitive soul worn on his sleeve."  Jameela Oberman.

With the release of his album, ‘Before The Storm,’ husky singer/songwriter Jack Savoretti has been touring the country, showcasing his new material with his band, The Dirty Romantics.  This album’s music is more confident and diverse – darker almost – than his previous releases, although Jack’s romantic, poetic lyrics are still ever present, ever wooing his audience.  

I personally love the Gypsy inspired song ‘Knock Knock’ and the beautiful, emotional duet Jack sings with the actress Sienna Miller, ‘Hate & Love.’

Throughout Jack’s UK tour he has been holding an amazing competition in support of unsigned, upcoming musicians, to find the best cover of his new single ‘Take Me Home.’  Jack chose his favourite YouTube submitted entry and invited the winner to open his show and perform alongside him at his Bush Hall gig in London last week, which I attended.

Right:  Backstage with Jack Savoretti after his gig.

Below:  I filmed the nervous and talented winner, Rebecca Clements, on stage performing 'Take Me Home' with Jack.

Below: Jack Savoretti and The Dirty Romantics perform ‘Black Rain’ at the Bush Hall.

Also, see Jack joined onstage at the Bush Hall here by enthusiastic superfan Adam, after he pleaded from the crowd for Jack to sing his favourite song ‘One Man Band.’


See Jack Savoretti playing live with The Dirty Romanticsat The Hard Rock Calling Festival in London (July 14th) and at The Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire (August 11th)

www.jacksavoretti.com

Nora Ephron RIP

How would you like to be remembered?
  "As the greatest nightclub singer ever..."

This week Nora Ephron, the Hollywood screenwriter and director of some of the most well loved Rom Com's ever made, lost her battle with leukemia at the age of 71.

I've watched ‘When Harry Met Sally’ around 1000 times (it’s my father’s favourite film!) and I can easily find myself, on a rainy afternoon, immersed in the romance and humour of her other films (which include, ‘Sleepless In Seattle,’ ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Bewitched.’)  Among those to pay tribute to the writer, Billy Crystal said, "being her Harry to Meg's Sally will always have a special place in my heart, I was very lucky to get to say her words."

Meryl Streep, who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Julia Child in Ephron's 'Julie & Julia' was also one of the writer’s dearest friends.  Speaking to the New York Times, Streep remembered her friend's effervescent outlook on life, "Nora just looked at every situation and cocked her head and thought, 'Hmmmm, how can I make this more fun?'"

Below:  From 'When Harry Met Sally,' the most perfectly romantic scene of all time? 

In her 2010 book, ‘I Remember Nothing,’ Nora wrote a list of the things she would and wouldn’t miss... Simple and humourous, this now makes an extremely touching read...

What I Won't Miss


Dry skin

Bad dinners like the one we went to last night
E-mail
Technology in general
My closet
Washing my hair
Bras
Funerals
Illness everywhere
Polls that show that 32 percent of the American people believe in creationism
Polls
Fox TV
The collapse of the dollar
Bar mitzvahs
Mammograms
Dead flowers
The sound of the vacuum cleaner
Bills
E-mail. I know I already said it, but I want to emphasize it.
Small print
Panels on Women in Film
Taking off makeup every night


What I Will Miss


My kids

Nick
Spring
Fall
Waffles
The concept of waffles
Bacon
A walk in the park
The idea of a walk in the park
The park
Shakespeare in the Park
The bed
Reading in bed
Fireworks
Laughs
The view out the window
Twinkle lights
Butter
Dinner at home just the two of us
Dinner with friends
Dinner with friends in cities where none of us lives
Paris
Next year in Istanbul
Pride and Prejudice
The Christmas tree
Thanksgiving dinner
One for the table
The dogwood
Taking a bath
Coming over the bridge to Manhattan
Pie

Thank you for your stories Nora.