Celebrity Slickers

Reflecting on my previous post reminds me... What on EARTH was the slicked back hair trend all about? Completely, utterly, greasily gross. No, no, no! That is one trend in 2010 that I will not miss!


N.B. I will forgive Marion because she still looks beautiful. But of course, she'd look beautiful in a bin bag.

Sevigny and Sevigny

I like to think of myself as a positive writer. I like to inform. I like to share. Most of all, I like to celebrate style.


But I've gotta do it. I can't hold out any longer. I'm going to err on the side of bitchy.
I've never really liked Chloë Sevigny. Although we shouldn't ever fully believe what we read, I've read a few too many less than favourable accounts/interviews where Sevigny comes across as self righteous, rude and arrogant. And of course, there was the interview where she tore Big Love to shreds, selling both the show's creators and her colleagues, down the river. For those of you who aren't aware, Big Love was a hugely successful, critically acclaimed show on HBO that essentially reignited Chloe's somewhat flagging acting career. (It's actually very good, plus it stars Ginnifer Goodwin, who I adore.)


Now, I do think Chloe is a great actress. Kids was an incredible piece of cinema, Boys Don't Cry earned her an Oscar nomination and I have heard much praise about her performances in other such art house type films (Dogville and Melinda and Melinda, to name a couple). 
I have also read that she's some type of musician. 


And then there's the fashion thing. I find it hard to visit Vogue.com WITHOUT coming across some piece about what she's been wearing (although notably she hasn't made the 2010 best dressed list.) She is a bit of a darling in the world of fashion, especially in New York - but i've got to say, I almost always dislike what she's wearing. 


Regardless of my feelings towards Sevigny's style, it is essentially fashion that puts her on the map and keeps propagates interest in her. But here's how she feels about it:


“For some reason the public has embraced me as a fashion icon, and I feel like it has diminished me as an actress. Or I don't get as much recognition as an actress -- and that upsets me.”


Really? Because most people would kill to be in the position you are in. I hardly think recognition in the world of fashion has diminished Chloe as an actress. Let's reflect on her recent role of Judy in Mr Nice. Be gracious for goodness sake.


Sevigny recently spoke to Playboy for its twenty questions feature. "I guess I am stylish, but I would rather have people come up and say 'I really liked your performance in this or that' than 'I really like the way you dress'. That irks me." 
So why make such an effort to be so incredibly cutting edge high fashion?
Here's a little extract from Vogue.com:


CHLOË SEVIGNY may be more famous for her quirky red carpet style than for her film roles, but don't call her a fashion icon, especially if you're a blogger. 
"I'm glad I grew up during the last vestige of cool, in the Nineties, when everything wasn't blogged and on the Interwebs, when things were more on the downlow and underground,"
The last vestige of cool? Oh PLEASE. But at least she's not going to have any worries about this blogger - I certainly won't be calling you a fashion icon anytime soon.

All about Freja

In 2010, it was Abbey Lee Kershaw. In 2011, all eyes are will be on Freja Beha Erichsen. And if they're not, they really should be.

Discovered in her native Denmark, Freja made her debut in 2005 modelling for the Prada, Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton fall shows and has since walked (Haute Couture and Ready to wear) for Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Burberry, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Zak Posen.......to name but a few.

I've heard Freja praised many times for her infamous 'androgenous' look. But, although she can add this to her impressive list of talents, I prefer to see her depicted as a true fashion chameleon. It's easy to say, but her look is reminiscent of Helena Christensen. Striking and stunningly beautiful, she evokes a hint of demure, sweet even. She's also smoking hot and covered in intricate little tattoos (my kind of lady.)

Largerfeld LOVES her and unless you've been living under a rock, you would have noticed Freja featuring on many of Chanel's 2010 ad campaigns. Aside from her strong ties to Chanel, she has also appeared in advertising campaigns for brands such as H&M, GAP, Hugo Boss, Hermès, Calvin Klein and Emporio Armani.

To top all of these impressive credentials off, Erichsen has also had a number of fashion items names after her. 

I could go on, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.

500 Days of Winter

It's cold. So very cold.

And with this in mind, our flat (comprising of 3 girls), has embraced a multitude of winter based excitement. Ranging from Christmas decoration frenzies, Christmas dvd nights, chunky vegetable soup making and naturally, mulled wine quaffing, we are truly embracing the holiday season.

But as the temperatures plummet and the snow thickens, we're getting a little sad and wishing we could go outside without wearing more layers than an onion. You get my drift. We've done a bit of a 180 and have started watching films to make us feel warm on the inside AND on the outside (of course, the mind is a powerful tool.)

500 Days of Summer. Fresh, quirky, feminine with oodles of retro chic, Zooey Deschanel, this spring, I want to look like you. 

Staying Classy at the Christmas Party

I’m not sure why, but I’m really loving conservative dresses at the moment. I don’t know if it’s a symptom of the biting winter winds or perhaps just a sign of age... but whatever the reason, I have a feeling that less is more this season.

I’m thinking, rather than getting overexcited at the Christmas party and getting it all out – why not just tone it down by revealing just a little bit of leg, or perhaps a modest flash of cleavage. That way, even if you do end up a little worse for wear, at least you won’t be one of those* girls and embarrass yourself in front of your boss, superiors, discerning colleagues etc etc.

Here is my selection of classy Christmas party attire.

Navy Kimono Sleeve Wrap Dress, £48 Topshop

Aditya Dress, £75 All Saints

 Smudge Flower Print Prom Dress, £65 ASOS

Chiffon Top White Bow Tie Dress, £45 Motel

Epaulette Skater Dress £42 ASOS

*stumbling into the road, make up smudged down face, shouting abuse at taxis and flashing pants and/or bra

For those who take fashion blogging VERY seriously.

Refinery 29's guide on 'how to become a star style blogger'.

as a 20-something with a shopping habit, i must learn to keep everything lower case.

genuinely very hilarious!

http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-become-a-star-style-blogger.php

Beaus and Arrows

I feel I must bring to your attention a band called I am Arrows.

For those of you who aren't familiar, I am Arrows were formed in 2009 by Andy Burrows, former Razorlight drummer and one time member of We are Scientists. For those of you who are familiar, I am Arrows are made up of Winchester's finest exports, including one of my oldest friends, Ben Burrows (yup, Andy's younger brother.) The brotherly theme continues with Ben and Adam Chetwood on lead guitar and drums, and another Winchester local Nick Hill (on guitar) completes the quintet.

2010 has seen I am Arrows supporting Muse on their sellout tour and their debut album, Sun Comes up Again has met critical acclaim and secured a place in the top 40 UK Album Chart. Their first single Green Grass was hugely successful, earning Radio 2's Record Of The Week.

I guess you could describe them as 'indie rock', but I'd rather not use that phrase. I am Arrows have a feel good, light sound which to me is reminiscent of 70's rock. These boys are all multi talented melodic masterminds - Ben is the only person I know who could make banging a ruler on a desk sound tuneful (brightening up dull maths classes!)

Naturally, my gorgeous friend Sarah and I spent our school days as groupies for the school band (of which Ben was the lead singer.) And last month, we decided to revisit these days with a trip to the Watershed in Wimbledon to show I am Arrows some good old fashioned home county support.

The gig was a lot of fun and the band spent a lot of time hanging out and chatting to their fans. I thoroughly recommend going to see them before they get any bigger. I love the early days of intimate gigs and after parties...

Of course, this wouldn't be a fashion blog if I didn't include photos of what we  actually wore to the gig, so, enjoy!

Hurricane, which becomes the bands next single, is released on November 22nd. In the meantime, visit their website for a little listen:

http://www.iamarrows.com/home