La Rouge

Bursting with scarlet ensembles, I'm love, love loving the attempts made during the week to support (RED) HIV and AIDS awareness. Particularly fashion fabulous is Mary-Kate Olsen in her Lanvin coat and booties, it's a brilliant shade and worn effortlessly, doesn't attract as much attention as one might ordinarily shy away from. Cat Deeley also assisted at the launch of flowe(RED) and the roses exploded in their signature hue to help bring attention to the very serious issue of raising awareness about HIV and AIDS in less fortunate countries. I remember about three years ago when Giorgio Armani, GAP and U2's Bono significantly assisted in helping to positively change peoples attitudes towards these issues, and Scarlett Johansson was involved then, as she is now. She couldn't sport a more appropriate name for the cause, and the article and subsequent images in this month's Australian Harper's Bazaar can only intensify Australia's involvement I hope. Pick your favourite red outfit and wear it to try and unite the cause.
Much ado(RED).

Basil Soda Haute Couture

Two words. Basil Soda. And I'm not talking about the culinary variety. Lusting over haute couture confections on FashionTV once the baby had gone to bed, I was in complete awe of the mille feuille twirled shoulder details and fish tail hems, again, not to be consumed. Dusty colours and gems delicately frosting these one off specialties, I was ecstatic to find another, less well known designer. The pieces reminded me of Elie Saab with Sophia Kokosalaki made only for fashion royalty. Why have I never heard of him before and why are his designs hidden from the red carpet. Perhaps as a strategy to maintain exclusivity, strictly hands off to sticky hands. Either way, I bags licking the bowl.

Conditioned Responses

With an endless wrap of humidity laid over Sydney for the last 10 days, why am I still en amour with the coats catching my attention in the northern hemisphere. I know I'm going there in May and all, but seriously, I'm vying big time for Ashley Olsen's stunning navy number.
So to take my mind of the bizarrely seasonal conflict I've found myself in, I'm turning attentions to the UK VOGUE TALENT CONTEST in which I'm able to submit a contemporary cultural review or a fashion trend short feature article. Please help me by suggesting your favourite post from
P R O F I L E. I'll continue to write before the entry date closes in April so may come up with the appropriate piece to submit in the meantime, but the feed back from you would be incredibly valuable and I'd utterly grateful.
With sincere thanks.

Pre-Collection 2010

Short, sharp and punchy, these miniature collections of their show season selves kept it to the point. Full Stop. Miu Miu, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Dior were labels that all had to look into the stories that they've been developing over the last few seasons.
Keeping true to themselves, Miu Miu's ski bunny narrative started with squished fur-lined hoods to prove it. Over the knee is definitely the way of the season; I notice that even Country Road has taken note this season with their flat, suede boots grazing the lower thigh. I'm dying to get to Melbourne to surround myself in the beauty that is Miu Miu at the first boutique in Chadstone. And this month's Australian VOGUE showcases Samantha Harris in Miu Miu's delightfully thoughtful collard and jewelled blouses and dresses alike.
I'm excited for the direction that coats are taking this winter. Alberta Ferretti threw back her soft, floaty covers and developed a darker, stronger silhouette. Drainpipe trousers are a plenty and with deep red lips, winter's looking sultry.
Finally, John Galliano at Christian Dior produced quite possibly the smallest collection for this major fashion house that I've seen, and it was all very Aviator meets Indiana Jones. Fur-lined collars and stoles leave the last word in luxury.
Take me out of the humidity that's blanketing Sydney this week and into fantasy land, wrapped comfortably in the coats of the season. Summer's definitely a fave, but the rain and grey skies just don't fit. Can we knock on winter's door yet? Snug as a bug in a rug.

n u d e

I can't quite work out what's happening with nudity at the moment. I'm all for classic images that leave a little to the imagination, but here we are, with more nudity on our magazine covers, screaming at us in every direction. It started last year with UK VOGUE featuring Natalia Vodianova on the cover, shot my the magnificent Mario Testino. Then there was a larger than life Beth Ditto, taking her nudity all in her stride on the cover of LOVE. The GLAMOUR cover featuring a plus size model set the fashion world into a spin, and I think we've all heard enough about Jennifer Hawkins' marie claire cover to last a lifetime.
So what's going on? The main aim that editors and publishers say they're trying to promote is healthy body image, I'm not convinced they're really getting the message across. Now it's turning into a fashion statement. It's becoming a trend, and I have to say, getting on the bus tonight with a girl who wore her black bonds boy-leg briefs as pants left so little to be desired, I couldn't believe she was wearing it.
LOVE magazine is doing it again, and this time they've got 8. Favourites such as Daria Werbowy and Natalia Vodianova share other covers with classics in Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. It's a completely bare all pose, and it will be interesting to see what the commentators say about this issue. Miranda Kerr blatantly revels in her nudity in this recent US GQ shoot, men around the world will surely be rejoicing, but it's definitely not a 'fashion shoot'. The skin is the clothing. Go figure.

Numero Magazine

Split lines and chiffon, face masks and lingerie. With all focus on music and the Grammy Awards at the moment, there's a new song that I'm turning up the volume to. Cheryl Cole feat. Will.i.am has a new song called 3 Words and there's something so contagious about it. Maybe it's the beat. Word.
Did she take her inspiration for the film clip from Numero Magazines stunning selection of shots perhaps? These images that I chose were too beautiful not to share with you. With the floating dance sequences on vintage inspired lingerie, the chiffon face masks hauntingly expressed through dance and the split screen sequencing in and out of harmony, all I could think of were these black and white images taken from my favourite French Magazine.
Those 3 Words can mean what ever you want them to, but to me, It's beauty inspired.