London 2012 - An Olympic Triumph!

Having spent the last fortnight completely glued to the Olympic Games, cheering on Team GB (who won a staggering 29 Gold Medals), weeping over every heroic triumph, every graceful defeat and every epic BBC montage, I cannot think of a better place to have spent the last 16 days, other than London.  

I believe these games have inspired a generation and there is no doubt that Rio De Janiro has some awfully BIG (fabulous and sparkly) booties to fill.

Well done London!

Here are just a few of my favourite moments and most lasting memories…

Above:  The latest Bond Girl... The Queen!  Having HRH being escorted into Danny Boyle's Opening Ceremony extrvaganza by noneother than Daniel Craig's James Bond was nothing short of genius. What a great sense of humour and great sport!

Above and Below:  I was lucky enough to go to Stratford's Olympic Stadium to watch the athletics.  Amongst other things, I watched Usain 'Lightning' Bolt in his 200m heat... WOW. (And yes... that IS a Team GB headband... and that IS glittery gold nailpolish...!)

Below:  Gold medalists Mo Farah and Usain Bolt swap signature poses on the podium.
Both total LEGENDS.

Below:  After racing against double-amputee Oscar Pistorious in the 400m semi-final, 19 year old Grenadian Kirani James (who went on to win the Olympic Gold) asked to swap name badges with him, "competing against Oscar is a huge honour… He’s an inspiration for all of us. What he does… takes a lot of courage. He’s very special to our sport.”

Below: Team GB poster girl and much loved athelete Jessica Ennis was crowned Olympic heptathlon champion.  Ennis said, "I want to thank everyone who has supported me, they have been amazing… I told myself at the start that I'm only going to have one moment to do this in front of a crowd in London and I just wanted to give them a good show."

Below:  Many religious conservatives fought against her participation in the Olympics but Sarah Attar became the first female track and field Olympian to represent Saudi Arabia.  Despite coming last in the 800m race, Sarah made a great statement with every stride and she completed the race to a standing ovation.  Sarah said, “It is such an honour to be representing my country... Hopefully, this can make a huge difference.”

Below:  Andy Murray’s celebrations as he beat Roger Federer, winning the gold medal after straight-sets was unbelievably emotional.  The jump for joy, the big smooch, the tearful 11 year old child running to hug Andy… It was just all too much for me... Sob!

Below:  Kat Copeland’s shocked and endearing reaction when winning the gold medal in the double sculls alongside her rowing partner Sophie Hosking was golden in itself. Kat said, "I can't believe this is real, that we just won. We just won the Olympics!”

Below:  Celebrity manicurist Sophy Robson and her ‘Nail Porn’ team were 'on hand' with a pop up nail salon in the Olympic Village and swimmer Rebecca Adlington won her bronze medal in the 400m freestyle race whilst proudly sporting patriotic Team GB nail art!

Below:  On the same evening that Victoria Pendleton retired from competitive cycling, a new British cycling star was born; Laura Trott.  Despite being a wee 5ft 4ins (and born with a collapsed lung) Laura won TWO gold medals (and Jason Kenny.)

Below:  Nicola Adams made history by becoming the first ever woman to win an Olympic boxing gold. The ever-beaming, Yorkshire lass said the win had “made my day” and went to celebrate at Nandos, “a chicken in pitta, medium with chips and perinaise.”

Below:  The Real McHoy! Sir Chris Hoy won his 6th Olympic Gold medal making him the most successful British Olympian ever. After winning the keirin event at the velodrome (which like his mother, most of us found almost too unbearable to watch!) the emotional 36 year old said, “‘I’m in shock. You try to compose yourself but it’s surreal.”

Below:  23 year old David Rudisha had been referred to by the press as ‘the greatest runner you’ve never heard of,’ but when the softly spoken Masai tribesman from Kenya went on to SMASH the 800km world record, the whole world knew his name.  It was such a fast race that the man who finished last (Team GB’s Andrew Osagie) ran a time that would have won him a gold in the last three Olympics.  London Games chief Sebastian Coe, himself a former 800m world record holder said, "Instead of just doing enough to win the race, he wanted to do something extraordinary... Rudisha's run will go down in history as one of the greatest Olympic victories."  I was raised in Kenya and feel very proud.

Below:  Adorable! Royal composure out the window, Team GB Ambassadors Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge (Wills’n’Kate) could not resist a celebratory hug after seeing the British men’s pursuit team win gold at the velodrome.  Love them.

Below:  Bo-Jo On A Wire! Oh Boris… When you got stuck on that zip wire and left marooned, dangling in mid-air over Victoria Park holding your two Union Jacks, I could not have loved you more!  Always keen to see the positive, Boris remarked, “after I got stuck on that thing we did have a big increase in the number of visitors.” 
Can someone PLEEEASE make me a little Boris mobile for my car’s rear view mirror?!

Below:  The Spice Girls Spiced Up Our Lives once more at the closing ceremony, entering the stadium on top of black cabs, each lit up to represent their differing Spicy personas. ‘Wannabe’ was belted out, followed by ‘Spice Up Your Life’ which saw Bo-Jo rocking out, thumbs up and hips a'swaying next to a clapping Dave and Sam-Cam.
He can do NO wrong.

Below:  We saw giant billboards parade around the stadium with stunning images (photographed by Nick Knight) of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Georgia-May Jagger, Jourdan Dunn, Lily Cole, Lily Donaldson, Stella Tennant, Karen Elson and David Gandy eventually torn down to reveal the stunning supermodels themselves.  The British beauties all stormed down the fire-lit runway wearing golden creations by some of Britain’s top designers to the sound of David Bowie’s ‘Fashion.’  Incredible.

Phew... What were YOUR favourite moments?! 

Mila Kunis Returns As Miss Dior

Mila Kunis has returned for her second year as Miss Dior for the French fashion house’s Autumn/Winter’12 handbag campaign.  The beautiful black and white photographs, with their 1960’s film noir feel, were taken by Mario Sorrenti and styled by Carine Roitfeld.

Looking seductive and sophisticated in the campaign, whilst being hounded by paparazzi, Mila recently said that Christian Dior designs are "very classic, very consistent, really elegant, and really beautiful," as these photographs certainly go to show – those handbags are all gorgeous! I’m running off to find a bow for my hair, c’est tres chic!

The Mulberry Bryn

'Four colours, three locks, two sizes, one new style...'

When Mulberry adds a gorgeous new member into its much coveted family, you can count on Alexa Chung (right) and Fearne Cotton (below) to be the first Mulbabes strutting it around town and making us all beyond jealous. 

Celebrities, including Keira Knightley, have gone mad for the latest Mulberry ‘it’ handbag, Bryn, and I can toootally understand why.  With its no-nonsense appearance (the bag was inspired by the Mulberry Brynmore satchel deigned for men) the Bryn is available in four colours and in two sizes... I am LOVING the small 'Flame' red Bryn.

On the Wish List.  Available here from £550.00

David Beckham Lights Up The White Cliffs Of Dover

How much better is this than a ‘WELCOME’ sign?!

Last night these three images of David Beckham from his H&M bodywear campaign were emblazoned upon the White Cliffs of Dover, welcoming the hoards of tourists flying into Great Britain to watch the Olympics.  An H&M spokesperson said, "we are always looking for new ways to surprise our customers and saw this as a unique and fun opportunity.”

Alas, the stunt was a one-off treat…. A decision I feel the UK Tourist Board may wish to reconsider.

David Beckham for H&M available here.

Kate Moss: The New Face of Rag & Bone

This autumn sees the American label Rag & Bone returning to its British roots...

After opening it’s first European flagship store on London’s Sloane Street last week the brand has revealed they also plan to show their A/W’12 collection at London Fashion Week and are using British supermodel Kate Moss as the face of its first ever print campaign. The British Rag & Bone designer David Neville, who moved to New York with fellow designer Marcus Wainwright to focus on the label, commented, “Although we are essentially a New York brand, our English roots have always influenced our aesthetic, and casting Kate was another nod to our heritage.” 

Photographer Craig McDean shot the campaign on a derelict North London street using minimal make-up, natural light and a hand-held camera.  The pictures scream COOL.

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.