Diamonds are forever.

Marina has been doing the rounds lately touring the length and width of the country to promote her music. She's been playing on my iPod for the last 4 months and I have to say, if you haven't heard her already - she's AMAZING. There seems to be a real surge in 'original female artists' at the moment; Paloma Faith, Florence and the Machine, Pixie Lott etc and Marina has been quietly popping up in magazines and television before her big launch. Just for reference she has stated 'the Diamonds' are us, the people, her fans.

Visit her website here for more information.

Check out her new video for Mowgli's Road:

Gladiators, ready?!

Over the 'summer' that we just had, I searched endlessly for the perfect men's Gladiator sandals, yet ended the season empty handed. I did find an amazing Acne pair, but didn't get them when I had the chance and then it was as if they dissapeared off the face of the earth.


It looks like I'm going to have much more luck next summer though, as almost every design house had them stomping down the catwalks at S/S10 Fashion Weeks.


My favourite pair were these incredible studded beauties at Givenchy!

These metallic sandals are pretty amazing too, at John Galliano.

Lanvin are even getting on the bandwagon with a range of sandals for a more tailored look (above), which was a strong look at Yves Saint Laurent too (below)

I love how YSL and Lanvin break the first rule of fashion (Socks. Sandals. Enough said), but make somehow make them look incredible. Bring on Summer 2010!

Edun & Confused

Arriving on Oxford Street today is fashion's latest collaboration, and is surprisingly nothing to do with H&M! (I know, it shocked me too).

This collaboration is between Edun and Dazed & Confused magazine, who have joined creative forces to release a range of Women's T-shirts and T-shirt dresses with 15% of the profits going to the War Child charity.

The collection launched this morning in Selfridges which is the only place you can get your mitts on the collection, which are printed with a range of hand drawn animals (which would look amazing styled up with a biker jacket and some black leather Christian Louboutin 'Nitoinimoi' boots!).

For more information on the Edun vs Dazed collection, head to the Dazed & Confused website.

Fashion Faux Pas

In the rapidly changing world of fashion and styling, it can be difficult to come up with an original concept for a photo shoot that hasn't been done a thousand times before.

Cue Carine Roitfeld; a tour de force who has worked her way up through the fashion ranks to earn her rightful position as Queen of France. I mean, editor-in-chief of French Vogue. Surely she can come up with something original and get tongues wagging?

Well, she has certainly got people talking!

The editor and stylist 'blacked up' Danish model Lara Stone for a shoot in the latest issue, which has gone down like a lead balloon with the masses. I'm all up for pushing boundaries to create something amazing, but has Carine pushed them a bit too far?

Answers on a postcard.

Selfridges Style Insider

For all you hard up students, London's Selfridges are holding a shopping event this Thursday evening to give you the chance to get those Topshop ankle boots you've been eyeing up, or those latest Diesel jeans without breaking the bank.

During the event, which kicks off at 6.30pm there will be a whole host of brands offering 'amazing discount', including the likes of Topman, Topshop, Diesel, Pepe Jeans, French Connection, Oasis and Farah. Get down there early though as the event is only running 'til 9pm, and is for one night only!

To attend, visit the Selfridges website and answer the simple question. And I mean simple. Paris Hilton may even know the answer.

To enter, and for more details about the events at other Selfridges', click here.

Boots.

Alexander McQueen has accused Steven Madden Ltd. of "trade dress infringement" for producing a shoe which resembles one of his own far too clearly. We're all familiar with 'imitations' of high end label designs on the high street market. McQueen has caught wind of this and is throwing a totally justifiable B.F.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Oct. 1, McQueen’s Autumnpaper Ltd. alleges that Steven Madden’s "Seryna bootie" is a rip off of the "Faithful" design originally produced by the House of McQueen. The McQueen shoe launched in January and is described in the suit as a black leather, open-toe stiletto ankle boot inspired by the motorcycle jacket. The complaint alleges that the Steven Madden model is a “studied imitation” that reproduces all of those attributes. “In fact, the only design element of the 'Faithful Bootie’ that Madden did not deliberately copy is the zipper pull that contains the ‘Alexander McQueen’ trademark,” the designer’s lawyers wrote. The suit says McQueen’s shoe has earned distinction in part through “widespread media attention” and has been photographed on the feet of Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate Olsen and Rihanna.

McQueen’s legal representation wrote that they sent a "cease and desist" letter to the Madden company in September, but that it has refused to comply.

The long road ahead. *UPDATED*

Lady Gaga performs her rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine' at the HRC National Dinner 2009.
Before her performance she said she was upset at how rampant homophobia is. Gaga took part in the National Equality March in Washington DC which was held on October 10-11 2009.

The single demand: Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Their philosophy: As members of every race, class, faith, and community, we see the struggle for LGBT equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice.

Their strategy: Decentralized organizing for this march in every one of the 435 Congressional districts will build a network to continue organize beyond October.

We need some structured event like this in the UK. Gay Pride isn't enough, Parliament allowing the streets to be used as a parade and a quick-shift tent in Traflagar Square isn't acceptance. We've come a long way and have a lot further to go...

Be Italian.

"Nine" is a set to be a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of an immense proportion.

The original 1982 Broadway production of "Nine," has won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, was directed by Tommy Tune, choreographed by Thommie Walsh, starred Raúl Juliá with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Arthur Kopit.

Brought to us by the team that tranformed the stage production of 'Chicago' to the silver screen and with an all star cast including Dame Judy Dench, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day Lewis and Marion Cotillard to name but a few - Nine is sure to dazzle audiences once again.

How killer does Kate Hudson look?

Under the sea...

That's where it's better. And rightly so if Alexander McQueen is spokesperson for the watery world below. This season's collection has pretty much blown everyone out of the water (pun intended!).

I won't go into too much detail about the show as we have all watched it by now!

His collection told the story of women transforming into creatures of the the deep dark seas. The models wore highly sculpted dresses, with computerised, digitally-enhanced prints of snakes, fish and all sorts of beasts of the below. Tottering in the highest and bizarre heels models galloped in front of not only the audience but six video cameras streaming the event live online. This is exactly what makes McQueen such a brilliant designer and showman. His shows tell a story. His models present his vision.

The elaborate digital prints whilst dazzling and beautiful reminded me of his Crystal collection for SS09 (a favourite of mine) and can't wait to see this hit the stores. I loved the intricate leather bustier over a beautiful print dress giving a nod to next seasons big trend: Bondage.

Long live McQueen!

Fetish For Fashion

Ann Demeulemeester S/S10

When I think of Spring/Summer I tend to picture the sun beaming in the sky, with people eating picnics in flowery meadows with their loved ones and laughing the days away. (I have no idea why, considering Britain rarely even sees sunshine)...


I do not, however, picture men draped in black leather. This is why it came as a surprise to me to see leather being used in so many of the S/S10 Menswear shows. I've come to expect it from the likes of Rick Owens and Gareth Pugh, but next season even Bottega Veneta are throwing some leather into the mix. Ann Demeulemeester really went the full mile though for her collection, which features leather jackets, gilets, and even some rather fetching leather trousers (with chains thrown in for good measure). Ooh Annie!

The shoes you choose.

Saturday November 14th sees the launch of H&M's next designer collaboration - JIMMY CHOO.

President Tamara Mellon has designed a broad and unique collection for the high street chain varying from studded rock chick brogues to daring and bold Zebra print heels. Although adored and famed mostly for their shoes the collection will also include (to name a few) handbags, jewellery, belts, and a capsule collection. Prices start from only £30.00 and the most expensive shoe at £170.00 - a bargain as shoes on average sell for £400.00!

Pieces to snap up?

• Leather tassel dress


• Conical Studded belt


• Studded faux Croc skin Brogues (Please be available for men!)


• Thigh high heel boots
  

Worry not boys you too will also be able to benefit from powerhouse Jimmy Choo's designs. There are plans to reach out and create a men's collection of bags, shoes and clothing for H&M!

Judging from past Designer collaborations for H&M the launch is going to be... rowdy to say the least.

Grab your coat and starting queuing tomorrow.

All Good Things Come To An End...

The Moet has run dry, the models are exhausted and nursing blistered feet, and Anna Wintour is back behind her desk. It’s official; the Fashion Weeks of the world are all over.

While you can’t help but ogle the new McQueen dresses, or read about which Celebs made the front row at the Chanel show (Prince and Rihanna, incidentally), it can sometimes be overlooked that Menswear is a feature of Fashion Week too.

There were some amazing menswear collections, a particular favourite of mine being Katie Eary’s Collection for MAN. The London based designer really challenged what is ‘expected’ from Menswear by using prints of the inner body, framed by skeletal golden structures complete with metallic gladiator sandals. It may seem like Halloween has come early, but I’m sure those nautical shorts will be everywhere come summer, and I would happily go Trick or Treating every night if it meant I could wear that studded leather jacket!

Images taken from Catwalking.com