Anna Dello Russo's 'Fashion Shower'

Self-proclaimed 'guardian of fashion'  Anna Dello Russo, the Japanese Vogue fashion director renown for her creative style, has released a bonkers music video to promote her upcoming accessories range for H&M (that I wrote about here.)  In this music video, whilst adorned in her H&M accessories and a skin-tight PVC mini dress, Anna Dello Russo advises her more than captive audience to take a ‘Fashion Shower,’ whilst chanting her golden rules of style.  Juuuust incase you get mildly distracted by the video itself, Anna's fashion rules (which must obviously be read in an elaborate Italian accent) are as follows;

1: Fashion is a declaration of your own freedom.
2: Between style and fashion? Absolutely fashion.
3: Fashion is always uncomfortable; if you feel comfortable you never get the look.
4: Fabulous at every age.
5: Wearing night clothes in the daytime is unexpected.
6: Somebody wearing your same outfit? Wonderful, you did the right choice.
7: You must wear outfit once.
8: Wear coat as a dress.
9: It doesn't matter the size of your body, fashion flatter everything.
10: Fashion jewels personalise your style.

"Accessories are like vitamins to fashion — as such, you should use them liberally."

The Anna Dello Russo for H&M accessories collection arrives in-store on October 4 2012. 

British Style Award Nominees 2012 - Vote Now!

Who do you think most embodies the spirit of London? 

You can once again vote to decide the winner of the British Style Award brought to you by Vodafone for this year’s British Fashion Awards, on November 27th 2012.  

The nominees for this award, which was (unsurprisingly) won by Alexa Chung in both 2010 and 2011, was complied by a panel of key industry opinion formers and includes Cara Delevingne, Florence Welch, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Victoria Beckham...  And of course, Alexa Chung.  A few boys also made the list; David Beckham, David Gandy and Tinie Tempah.

Interestingly, after the Jubilympic summer we have just had, there are also several members of the Royal Family included on this year’s nominations, including The Queen herself… HOW I would LOVE for her to win/reign over all our favourite fashionistas!

Voting is open until the 31st October 2012 and you can vote here. You will be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to attend the British Fashion Awards ceremony.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for Autograph, M&S Lingerie

This morning Rosie Huntington-Whiteley officially launched her much anticipated ‘Rosie for Autograph’ lingerie range at the M&S flagship store in Marble Arch.  The 33-piece range of underwear features luxe lingerie sets, a teddy and a beautiful silk kimono, and with their rose-prints and art deco inspired detailing, the collection has a very 1930s boudoir look to them – the Devon-born supermodel’s favourite era of fashion.  Rosie said: 'M&S is an iconic British brand, adored by many so I'm very excited to be launching my debut lingerie line with them.'  The stunning collection is available in store today and online here.

Debit Buy: Topshop Beaded Beyonce Bag

If ever life just becomes too tough, I find myself asking, 'What Would Beyonce Do?!'  Yes. In a matter of seconds I am remembering my 'Halo,' 'Who Runs Tha World' and just how 'Irreplaceable' and Booootilicccciooous I truly am ;)
Today however, whilst contemplating 'WWBD' I was pointed in the direction of Topshop, where Mrs Z herself recently picked up this surprisingly affordable and colourful Aztec beaded bag.

Topshop Beaded Body Bag, RRP. £30.00 

The 48th Notting Hill Carnival

My favourite day to attend The Notting Hill Carnival each year is on the Sunday, traditionally known as Children’s Day.  I find the atmosphere on this day always more relaxed… That is, if you could ever find thousands of feathered, sparkly, face-painted children, a multitude of banging steal drums, and around one million revelers attending Europe’s biggest annual street party, at all relaxing... 
Whilst weaving my way through the streets (crocodile style!) with my friends, I saw this boy (below & top) balanced perfectly on a Pay and Display metre, dancing to the resounding sound of reggae music being blasted out from a nearby soundsystem. Super impressive!

Musical Moment: Sam and the Womp ('Bom Bom')

Fronted by Bloem de Ligny, Sam and the Womp are an 8-piece British group who formed in 2009 who fuse Balkan Music, Jamaican Ska and disco (intrigued?!)  ‘Bom Bom’ was released earlier this month and is the perfect, euphoric, happy song to get you in the mood for the The Notting Hill Carnival this Bank Holiday weekend.  Enjoy! 

"But I'm so cool, and I'm so groovy,
when I go Bom Bom Bom!"

David Beckham's H&M Statues

This morning commuters posed for photographs outside the H&M Regent Street store next to two glistening,10-foot high statues of David Beckham in his underwear. The marvelous, metallic effigies of Golden Silver Balls himself are in celebration of the footballer’s second bodywear collection with the Swedish high street brand. A further seven statues will be unveiled at mystery locations across the U.K soon.  I would like one of these locations to be my balcony please.

Below:  The new range has also been captured by photographer Alasdair McLellan in a series of black and white photographs… Which I also thought I'd share.  I'm really thoughtful like that. Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

David Beckham Bodywear for H&M available here. 

Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural: My Facial With Abigail James At Lomax Chelsea

I went to Lomax Chelsea last week for the most extraordinary facial.  I was lucky enough to secure an appointment with one of London’s top facialists; holistic therapist Abigail James.  When the UK’s most well regarded beauty editors are vying for time with Abigail’s healing and expert hands, you know you’re in for a real treat!  Steering clear of all synthetic products and cosmetics, Abigail’s mantra is ‘Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural,’ and the organic approach to health and wellbeing she extols reveal fantastic benefits – namely, glowing and clear skin.

The whole experience was truly bespoke.  I filled out a detailed questionnaire, covering all my skin routines, product preferences, medical conditions and dietary choices, which Abigail then read through and discussed at length with me before the facial, enabling her to design a treatment based on my specific requirements and needs.  When I was completely comfortable in one of the 5 Lomax treatment rooms, Abigail went on to give me a really relaxing, super beneficial facial, which included some manual lymphatic drainage and facial reflexology to encourage my skin’s natural healing and vitality.  The products she used were all ethical and organic, little known, niche brands (OSKIA, Dr Alkaitis and Live Native) but I certainly intend to track them down.  I would have happily fallen asleep as she fluttered these lotions and potions over my face like a butterfly but I did not want to miss a moment.

After the facial Abigail gave me fantastic advice on what products to use and where to find them, and how I can better my overall health, which in turn, would also improve my skin.  I left feeling completely relaxed, rosy-cheeked and with a long shopping list. 

Thank you again Abigail xx

The Chanel 'Little Black Jacket' Exhibition Comes to London

Chanel’s latest photographic exhibition, ‘The Little Black Jacket,’ inspired by a coffee table book created by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld, will soon be hitting our very own shores after huge successes in Tokyo, New York, Taipei and Hong Kong.

The iconic ‘Little Black Jacket’ was first designed in the 1950s by Coco Chanel and has undergone several transformations and reinventions since.  Karl Lagerfeld believes firmly that style is not a result of the garment you wear, but how you wear the garment, and this exhibition shows the versatility and timelessness of this iconic jacket.  With 113 ‘friends of the House,’ including models, stylists, actors, designers and musicians, all photographed adapting the classic jacket in unique and modern ways their very own individuality and inimitable styles are highlighted.  

Photographs include Lily Allen wearing the covetable tweed jacket as a cape, Claudia Schiffer wearing hers with a white apron, Alexa Chung teaming hers with cut off Daisy Duke shorts and SJP creatively wearing her jacket as a crown!
Eek!  I'm SO excited!

Running simultaneously with the exhibition, window displays in Chanel's boutiques across London will present a selection of jackets from the latest collections.

The highly anticipated book, ‘The Little Black Jacket: Chanel's Classic Revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld,’ will also be available worldwide in bookstores this autumn.

October 12 - October 28, 2012 
The Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4RY.


Admission will be free.

 
www.thelittleblackjacket.chanel.com

Beyonce Performs 'I Was Here' For United Nations World Humanitarian Day

Earlier this month Beyonce donned a sparkly Marc Bouwer gown and recorded the video for her latest song, ‘I Was Here,’ in front of a live audience at the United Nations in New York.  The video was released on Monday, August 19th, World Humanitarian Day with the goal “to inspire people all over the world to do something good, no matter how big or small, for someone else.”  The video features footage from recent disasters and images of humanitarian workers who have made a real difference.

Beyonce recently revealed, “I feel like we all want to know that our life meant something and that we did something for someone else… That we spread positivity no matter how big or how small.” Prepare to well up a little...