David Beckham for Elle UK

Never has there been a more hotly anticipated edition of Elle Magazine in the history of… well, Elle Magazine.  To celebrate the start of the Olympic Games at the end of July, David Beckham graces the cover of Elle UK - the magazine’s first ever solo male coverstar.

Elle editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy said, "This is a first for us on the newsstand and I believe he is loved by men and women alike… It will be a collector's issue."  Enjoy. Sigh.

The July 2012 edition of Elle UK is available from today and the behind scenes footage from the shoot can be seen here.

My London Style - Presenter Izzy Lawrence

Presenter, DJ and one of Britain’s most prestigious bloggers, Izzy Lawrence is set to sky rocket this year. If you haven’t already heard of this Bath born, Oxford educated, London based STUNNER yet, you soon will. Believe me. 

When Izzy Lawrence's personal blog came to the attention of the Grammy’s social media team in 2011, she was asked to be the official Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger for their awards. 30 million page views and several red carpet frocks later, Izzy was soon regularly blogging for LA radio station KCRW, presenting for Spotify and working as the official BRIT Awards blogger.  Her engaging presenting style and husky voice led Jonathan Ross to approach her to co-host his French Film Channel, Cinemoi, at the Cannes and BFI Film Festivals, whilst her video blogs were picked up by Hello, Grazia Daily and Nylon Magazine, leading to her becoming an Official Youtube partner.   And no, we’re so not done yet...

Izzy also runs her own monthly charity music night at Camden’s Hawley Arms  Apocalystick Acoustic (which Laura Marling, Squeeze, Jack Savoretti and the late, great Amy Winehouse have all played at).  She combines this with regular DJ residencies at several London hotspots whilst playing sets at London Fashion Week, in Val d’Isere during the winters and in Ibiza and popular festivals throughout the summers.  All of this in heels.

Amazingly, Izzy found the time to share with The London Chatter some of her stylish tips and advice... This girl doesn’t sleep.

My Style In 3 Little Words – Rock'n'Roll.

This Season Every Gal Needs – Apple green nail varnish - or maybe that is just me?! I saw a video with Santi White from Santigold wearing it and have been rocking it ever since.

My British Fashion Icon – Isabella Blow. Certain people have the charisma to pull off those sorts of accessories and she had bags of it. Also, Isabella had the ability to spot and nurture talented young designers including Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy.

My Favourite Highstreet Store – All Saints - I love their maxi dresses and leather jackets.

My Favourite Boutique – Cochinechine, or Wolf and Badger on Dover Street which showcases young designers. The concept of young designers renting space and customers buying from new talent is a clever entrepreneurial model. There is a pop up Wolf and Badger in Selfridges now as well.

My Favourite British Designer – Alice Temperley is definitely up there. I wore Temperley London for the Cannes red carpet last year and I'm pretty sure that Brad Pitt winked at me (or maybe that was in my mind...)

At Gunpoint; Bags OR Shoes – Shoes please!

My First Fashionista Memory – Trying on my grandmother's dresses and dancing around in her shoes - excellent training for the future!

My Saturday Night Outfit – If I am DJing then definitely a dress (my favourites are from Paul & Joe and Liz Black) worn with a leather jacket to dress it down.

My Sunday Brunch Outfit – My bright yellow Converse trainers with jeans and a T-shirt. I need to be comfy for brunch.

OMG I Can’t Believe I Wore – Dungarees.  They should be banned.  Banned.

Forget My Last Meal, My Last Outfit Would Be – An amazing Alexander McQueen dress. Or, the gorgeous Tom Ford dress and necklace that I tried on during a recent trip to LA.  It is rare that I dance in a changing room out of excitement.

My Style Tip – I love the quote from Coco Chanel, "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."  I take from this that you should follow your instincts - they are unique and the trends don't matter.

The next Apocalypstick will on June 8th at The Hawley Arms pub in Camden with music from Nimmo & The Gauntlettes, Tallulah Rendal and from Sissi.

www.izzyfied.com
www.izzylawrence.com

Honestly Healthy Book Launch

Yesterday evening I sipped coconut water mojitos in the sunshine at the launch of Honestly Healthy duo Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson's new cook book 'Honestly Healthy: Eat with your body in mind, the alkaline way.'   The book gives you all the information you could need on how to live a healthy, balanced, vegetarian and alkaline life with over one hundred recipes to try out. It can be purchased on Amazon. 

Clockwise L-R:  Savannah Miller, baby Bali and author Natasha Corrett, The Honestly Healthy cook book, music, Sienna Miller and Natasha Corrett, Kelly Eastwood with presenters Izzy Lawrence and Zoe Hardman, Zafar Rushdie and Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes.

HAWT: Cheryl Cole in Victoria Beckham

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.

Last night Cheryl Cole attended the film premiere of ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting,’ at the London BFI IMAX cinema, wearing a floor length Victoria Beckham SS’12 dress. 

With rose gold jewellery by Garrard and an elegant satin Sergio Rossi clutch, Cheryl effortlessly channelled two of this season’s "major" (to quote VB!) trends – sports-luxe and pretty, feminine pleats. 

The singer looked stunning in the two-tone, drop waisted dress – the perfect red carpet outfit to celebrate her first movie cameo and this year’s first day of sunshine in the capital.

Below: Cheryl Cole with the film's star, Cameron Diaz.

The trailer for 'What To Expect When You're Expecting' can be seen Here. 

Trend: Studs

"Tell me about it, Stud..."  (Sandy, Grease.)

The Highstreet is currently filled with studs… albeit of the appliqué variety.  Inspired by the Versace SS’12 runway collection (above) where every model was adorned with more than just a sprinkling of golden studs lining their slinky silhouettes, the trend for an edgier, more rebellious, look is now easily available without the hefty Donatella price tag. 

I would recommend heading straight to Zara to release your inner fierce… With subtle studded embellishment on many (if not most) of their latest items, this is easily made an accessible and current look for everyone to ROCK.  Here are my Zara favourties:


Left: Shirt with Studded Collar
RRP. £39.99

I would wear this shirt with all the buttons done up, with jeans and a navy jumper - Slightly preppy but with an edge. 


Left: Studded Silk Shirt
£59.99

This pretty, floral silk shirt has studded shoulders - I love this contrast and it would look great tucked into denim shorts this Summer. On the wish list.


Left: Studded Denim Pop Fabric Studio Shorts
RRP. £39.99

Perfect for the Summer and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. 



Left: Studded Ankle Strap Sandles
RRP. £29.99

For those a little more cautious of this trend - literally, dip your toe in and ease your way up!


​
Left: Blouse with Gold Stud Buttons
RRP. £22.99

Also available in pink, green and orange - I think this is perfect to throw over your bikini on holiday - Buy oversized and tuck the front into shorts.

Marie Curie Cancer Care Fundraiser

On Tuesday night I attended Heather Kerzner's star-studded fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Marie Curie Cancer Care is best known for its network of 2,700 nurses, who provide vital and free end of life care to patients with terminal illness in their own homes, or in one of its nine hospices.

The beautiful ballroom at Claridges, filled with celebrity florist Rob van Helden’s heavenly pink peonies and red roses, looked almost as stunning as the glamorous guests, including Kate Moss and Jamie Hince, Ronnie Wood, Yasmin Le Bon, Holly Valance and Nick Candy, Tamara Beckwith, Geri Halliwell, Sarah the Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice.

Above:  Wearing a Nanette Lepore velvet dress and turquoise Chanel shoes.  Below: (clockwise) David Bailey and Sarah the Duchess of York, a rocking Ronnie Wood, Holly Valance, Richard Dennen and Kelly Eastwood, a papping Kate Moss, Matthew Freud with Heather Kerzner, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince. Photographs by Christopher Jackson.

During the lavish dinner, Heather Kerzner and model Saffron Aldridge movingly expressed their own personal gratitude to the Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses. Matthew Freud followed, cheekily referring to his infamous scuffle with Hugh Grant (“it’s nice to attend one of Heather’s parties and not get punched… although the night is still relatively young!”) went on to introduce ‘When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone’, an intimate short film (below) he co-produced about his friend Philip Gould’s final days.

An auction followed, led by the charismatic Lord Harry Dalmeny, that raised over £620,000 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care. The amazing lots included an opportunity to have your portrait taken by David Bailey, a private party at Annabels, and an absolutely stunning George Pragnell Diamond Daffodil ring.  The ring, shown below, in the shape of a daffodil (the Marie Curie’s emblem) was designed by the jeweller’s grandson, Charlie Pragnell, in recognition of Marie Curie’s outstanding work.  I was allowed to wear the stunning ring, with its rare and glittering orange-yellow diamond centre for around five minutes before I was reminded I had to give it back... They were a happy five minutes. ‘My’ beautiful daffodil ring was later auctioned off for £50,000. Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Kate Moss took to the stage to model a last minute donation from Ronnie Wood; a painting of Rod Stewart by the Rolling Stone himself. The piece was auctioned off for £12,000 after Lord Harry Dalmeny managed to push the bidding past £10,000 by saying that Kate Moss wouldn’t even get out of bed for so little… Reaslising he’d got his supermodel’s mixed up (“Oh, no, that’s not you – that’s the other one!”) Kate went on to confirm that she would indeed rise from bed for less than £10,000. Damn recession.

We were later entertained by the legendary Grammy award winning R&B artist Sam Moore, who was joined on stage by Ronnie Wood in a surprise set that included 'Stay With Me' and 'Mustang Sally' (which was directed at Wood’s new girlfriend… Sally!) 

My place at the front of the stage allowed me the perfect view of Ronnie Wood’s studded Louboutin loafers, and in what must be the most glamorous mosh pit ever, I spent a good part of the evening dancing next to Kate Moss.  Just your average Tuesday night…

After a hugely fun and successful night, Heather Kerzner commented, "I am so impressed by the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care it was natural for me to lend my support. People don't like to talk about death, but we all have to face it and I wanted to help bring money and attention to this incredible charity whose nurses, like angels, bring peace to terminally ill patients and their families during this devastating time."

Below: In the Marie Curie Photo Booth with Katy Wickremesinghe and with Charlie Pragnell (wearing the stunning George Pragnell Daffodil Diamond ring he designed.)

Official UK Olympics Song Released Today: Anywhere In The World (Mark Ronson ft. Katy B)

The official UK Olympics song, Mark Ronson and Katy B, 'Anywhere In the World,' was released yesterday here on iTunes.  Expect to be hearing this A LOT soon!

Mark Ronson travelled around the world, recording young athletes, and the individual sounds of their sport, to mix into the track, including a table tennis paddle, an arrow hitting its target, and the sound of an Olympic runner's heartbeat at 120 BPM.

Lucien Freud Exhibition

With tickets being likened to gold dust, I was lucky enough to recently visit The National Portrait Gallery‘s Lucien Freud exhibition.  Showcasing more than 100 of Freud’s portraits, the vast range of paintings are divided into different time periods, allowing visitors to follow the progression of his style through the revered artist’s legendary 70 year career.

Having not been too familiar with Lucien Freud’s work before this exhibition, which was curated with the help of the artist himself before his death last year, I feel I have now had the best of introductions. 

I was really amazed at Freud’s ability to produce almost tangible portrayals of his sitters by using an enormous amount of paint to create a magnificent 3D, structured effect.  The artist’s merciless love of human flesh is also clear to see and there is, what seems to be, room after room of creamy, contorted, lifeless, and thickly applicated painted bodies. I did eventually find the enormous and iconic portraits of Leigh Bowery and Big Sue’s swirly, fleshy and mountainous naked bodies a little, for want of a better word, over-baring.

Left: Reflection (self portrait) 1985.

Below:  Lucien Freud was the father of some fourteen children and my favourite portraits displayed in the exhibition were those of his pregnant girlfriend Bernadine, Pregnant Girl, 1960-61, and of his new born baby daughter Bella Freud, Baby on a Green Sofa, 1961.

With art lovers flocking to see this show, more than aware that they are unlikely to ever see another exhibition of Lucien Freud’s portraits as good as this, a new record has been set for visitor numbers at the National Portrait Gallery.  The exhibition closes on May 27th and the gallery has just announced that the show will remain open until midnight from May 24th-27th to help cope with the demand. Tickets are on sale today only - here.

Above:  An unlikely friendship blossomed between Lucien Frued and Kate Moss after he painted a life-sized nude of the supermodel whilst pregnant with her daughter, Lila Grace, in 2003. Kate Moss later described the artist as ‘the most interesting person’ she had ever met, while Freud moaned about how the model had aaalways been late for her sittings. This photograph was taken of the two friends in 2010 by photographer David Dawson.