Emma Watson: Fashion Entrepreneur

Emma Watson is no stranger to fashion. Indeed, one look at her and you’d know that she has her own fashion sense, which actually appeals to a lot of people. This young actress is not sitting idle, though. Instead of being a mere consumer, she has crossed to the other side and has launched a clothing line. Yeah, she also models for Burberry and Chanel by the way.

That isn’t her biggest achievement in the fashion world, though. Going back to the clothing line I just mentioned, Emma has partnered up with People Tree, a clothing brand that prides itself in being ethical. People Tree has a very good reputation in terms of excellent fashion sense and dealing only with fair trade products.

Emma has lent her artistic talents to People Tree, coming up with her own artwork. The people from the company praise her dedication to the clothing line and say that she is really serious about the project. It looks like the young star is paying more than lip service to the line. More than being involved in the design process, she has also enlisted the help of friends and family members to pose as models for the clothes.

From her end, Emma says that she has no aspirations to become a fashion designer. Her only motive in getting involved, she says, is her passion for the cause. She says that she really cares for trendy fashion as well as fair trade. Big words from a young girl, but hey, it looks like she means it!

Kanye West’s Girlfriend Needs The Fashion Police

She may not want it, but Amber Rose definitely needs to get some good fashion advice! Kanye West and his current girl friend were seen (A LOT) at the Chanel Spring-Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris this week. The couple is already striking without having to wear outlandish outfits but I guess their personalities required them to put on “unique” clothing.

Take a look at this picture.

That’s the couple when they arrived at the show. I must say Kanye looks pretty good and Amber…well, it doesn’t look half bad but I think it’s more interesting than fashionable. What’s up with the hood???

Now how about this picture?

Again, Kanye looks pretty decent. As for his companion, what the heck was she thinking? I simply do not get the dress. The undergarment looks off as well. I think the coat may have some redeeming value, don’t you think?

Here’s one last picture.

Obviously, the couple’s attires lent them vulnerable to criticism from animal rights activists. PETA has already issued a statement about it. This is what Dan Matthews, PETA Vice President, had to say: “Kanye can’t help making himself look like an idiot, whether at an awards show or a fashion show. He and his girlfriend look like pathetic creatures from a shabby roadside zoo.”

Um, honestly, I don’t have the hots for Kanye but moral issues aside, I think his coat actually looks good. As for Amber, again it’s a major fail. Ooops, do I hear sirens?

Eva By Eva Longoria Out In Spring

Does the scent of certain perfumes or colognes make you sick? If you’re Eva Longoria Parker, then MOST perfumes will do that to you. And if you have the money and clout that this lady has, then maybe you’ll have your own perfume made – perfume that will not make you feel sick at all.

That’s exactly what this Desperate Housewife did. Because of her allergic reaction to most perfumes (no, it’s not made up), she decided to go ahead and create a perfume that will be easy on her nose and body. Dubbed “Eva by Eva Longoria,” the perfume is supposed to be appealing to every woman. The star has been quoted as saying that what she wants is a perfume that “every woman could wear.” I get the gist of the intent, but I find it hard to imagine that there will be one perfume that every single woman would agree on liking. That’s impossible, isn’t it?

Anyhow, the scent will be out in the United States in the early part of spring. If things go according to plan, about a thousand stores all throughout the country will carry the perfume. It will sell for anywhere from $48 to $58. If it really does smell good and is hypoallergenic, I think that that’s a good price.

If this thing goes well, the rumor is that she might have more scents coming out in the future. Just one question from me – why do so many stars want perfumes created for them and named after them?

David Beckham: Fashion Consultant

I, for one, am NOT surprised at all. Anyone who takes just one look at David Beckham will know that this guy has more fashion sense than a lot of average people (men or women) put together. Heck, I probably do not even have ¼ of his fashion sense!

According to wifey Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice to fans), her husband is a great fan of dresses and that she consults him all the time. But wait – I am not even talking about what Victoria is supposed to wear for dinner. She consults Beckham about her dress designs for her own fashion range, which has met huge success. Celebrities like Danii Minogue, Elle Macpherson, and even Heidi Klum are said to be big fans of Victoria’s designs!

So is being a fan of sexy dresses enough to make David Beckham his wife’s (informal) fashion consultant? Maybe. After all, women want to wear these dresses to look good and make heads – men’s heads – turn; and if someone like David Beckham appreciates those designs, then I am sure other men will as well!

On another note, have you seen Victoria’s Fall Collection? There are 23 pieces – the dresses are there of course. The clothes have been described as stylish and sexy but demure at the same time. Colors range from cobalt blue to magenta. For more of her designs, visit her web site here. I might not be able to afford them, but looking and wishing will not hurt one bit!

Nigella Starts Fashion Trend

Do you watch a lot of TV? I really don’t watch much, but when I do, I often come across cooking shows with some of the most popular celebrity chefs out there. That’s how I came to know about Nigella Lawson.

More than being a genius in the kitchen – as critics and fans say – Nigella has also gained fame and renown for being one of the most attractive celebrity chefs. Me thinks that if she were to go for another career, Ms. Lawson might very well go into fashion.

I don’t know if you have heard about it – or seen it – but Nigella has been sporting a very fashionable look lately. Dubbed the “hourglass look,” the chef’s chosen style is H-O-T. It is not really new. The hourglass look has been sported by many before her, but somehow, she has made this look her own.

Nigella has Vivienne Westwood to thank for this new look, in part at least. She started her transformation from the kitchen’s Wonder Woman to a flaming bombshell with some really well chosen pieces from Westwood’s Anglomania collection. She did not stop there, though. Soon, she picked up a piece from Katya Wildman, and this is what did the trick, I think.

This dress has, in fact, become a best seller for The Dispensary, a Notting Hill boutique. I am pretty sure that you want this dress for yourself as well. If you want to take a look, visit the web site of The Dispensary. Just be ready to shell out ₤160 to ₤180.

Posh Sizzles in New Armani Undies Ad

“It’s an honor to have been selected by Mr Armani to represent the Emporio Armani Underwear brand and to execute his vision with the incredibly talented team of Mert & Marcus”

Posh Spice is now officially an icon, as Victoria Beckham has landed a 3-year deal with Emporio Armani lingerie, for a cool $20M.

Hubby David, who’s been doing the men’s underwear line for a while, was apparently thrilled with wifey’s pics and no doubt, the tidy $40M they’ll both be making.

Luckily she hasn’t been looking as emaciated as usual, and Victoria says that she’s been “working hard” i.e. the airbrush hasn’t been hard at work.

“You know, I’ve been doing a lot of running. Because obviously, you think I look okay, but if I’m going to be taking my clothes off I will need to tone up a little bit, so I worked hard to have the confidence to do it,” she said.

Whats More Ear-isistable Than Giant Earrings?

One of the things I noticed immediately during the Oscars were Angelina Jolie’s supersize-me emerald earrings. Even the hubby, who rarely notices these things, was like “Whoh! Those can’t be real!”

Apparently, Angelina took a lot of time hunting for the perfect pair to wear for Oscar night, wanting it to be a real show stopper. Well, she obviously did the job (with $2.5 mil beauties by jeweler-to-the-stars Lorraine Schwartz) and along with Kate Winslet, who also donned large chandelier earrings, now started a fashion trend because statement earrings are now officially HOT for 2009.

Why? Well, the economic downturn is to blame (again), because look-at-me earrings can revamp a look instantly, so you can recycle an outfit and freshen it up with bold accessories – the eighties also have a big influence here. Think bright, glam and bold…okay, not flawless gargantuan emeralds, but you get the idea.

Other statement earrings seen on the catwalk were Chanel’s Mademoiselle offerings and Louis Vuitton’s colorful beads.

The Oscars 2009 Reviews: The World Dissects The Outfits

By now, nearly every publication in the world would have discussed the red carpet’s offerings on Sunday night, and perhaps as a nod to the state of the world economy, the consensus was that this was definitely a somber night for Hollywood fashion.

Blacks, white and neutrals were the prevailing tones of the evening, with very few eye-catching colours stealing the scene. Heidi Klum’s Roland Mouret gown in a startling red had the colour, but was a dissapointing choice as it just looked like it was chopped off rather akwardly in all the wrong places. Her hair also looked like it was having a bad day, limp and greasy. Slumdog Millionaire’s Frieda Pinto was another one of the few who dared more colour in a blue John Galliano dazzler paired with Jimmy Choos.  I’m not a huge of of one-armed designs, but I have to say the Freida looked very stylish.

Here’s the London Times 20 Best and Worst:

The Best

1. Marisa Tomei – She looked toned, tousled and terrific in her white Versace gown with more folds than an accordion. Its one-shoulder design showed off her perfectly refined deltoids, it clung sexily and its intricate pleats were interesting not fussy.

2. Viola Davis – While she didn’t win best supporting actress, the veteran actress channeled old Hollywood style and made sophistication look easy in a dusky gold Reem Acra.

3. Heidi Klum – The supermodel displayed her credentials with an architectural asymmetrical red gown, split to the thigh (she revealed on one pre-Oscar show that she’d had to ride over balanced on one bum cheek to accommodate her dress)

4. Taraji P Henson – Her strapless Roberto Cavalli off-white gown had irregular layers that gave it texture, set off brilliantly with a statement Fred Leighton necklace and a sleek hairdo.

5. Sarah Jessica Parker – We would expect no less from the era’s most high profile fashion plate: a Dior Haute Couture gown in “barely mint”. Plus, we had no idea her breasts were so big, or high.

6. Evan Rachel Wood – Her Art Deco-style gown in pale satin and chiffon was lovely and romantic, if a bit white-on-white against her pale skin and blonde hair.

7. Meryl Streep – With her bespoke Alberta Ferretti dress, the actress proves that you don’t need a hardbody and a skintight corset to look sexy. Just do way off the shoulder, upswept hair and a smile.

8. The Slumdog Millionaire children – The boys in dinner jackets, the girls in party dresses, all strike just the right note. Not too fancy, not too uncomfortable. And – it turns out – perfect for an appearance onstage.

The Worst

11. Beyonce Knowles – She was smokin’ once she changed into her red fringed and sequined leotard for her singing performance where she put Hugh Jackman to shame. But on the red carpet, her black gown with swathes of brassy gold flowers was off key.

12. Natalie Portman - Purple-pink Rodarte, with criss-crossing straps on the bodice interspersed with what looks like hundreds and thousands. Colourful yet somehow boring.

13. Melissa Leo – The actress, nominated for her role in Frozen River, wore a Badgley Mischka gown in a glum shade of brown and in a style that announced “my dad took me to prom”.

14. Marion Cotillard – Last year she won the Oscar for her role in La Vie en Rose and won accolades for her Jean Paul Gaultier “mermaid” dress. This year she looked ill at ease in her Dior dark blue and black gown – a mashup of sequins, tiered net and regret.

15. Angelica Huston – Angelica, why oh why? You have the cheekbones to pull off almost anything. Almost. But a grape gown with shoulder pads and something growing up from the hem? You deserve so much more.

16. Queen Latifah – A voice like honey, a dress like a Quality Street chocolate – shiny, unflattering and wrapped round with some kind of dark ribbon.

The Oscars 2009 Reviews: The Scary and The Saintly

Oscar-winner, fashion-loser Kate

With the red carpet still warm after the biggest night in Hollywood (and gowns, after inaguration night) , the first reports by the fashion police have come in and the verdict has not been a good one for Hollywood glamour.

We can agree that it was Kate Winslet’s big night, after the English rose won her first Oscar for Best Actress.  Her YSL off-the-shoulder gown and uptight hairstyle, however, failed to win awards, and she was dubbed the “dominatrix” of the night.

Angelina de Vil

They were also spot-on, in my opinion, with describing Angelina as downright scary in her Cruella-esque Eli Saab.  What is it with Angelina these days? In spite of having the hottest boyfriend around, an assortment of lovely, healthy kids and a kicking career, the Changeling star is rarely ever seen smiling, and is definitely going south in terms of weight. Sorry to be cliched, but I have to compare to Jen Anniston, who, was overheard backstage whispering adoring words of love to her man, John Meyer, “I really love you, every part of you”

On the lighter side, other stars donned white, cream and other saintly shaded gowns, some hitting and others missing in terms of fashion wins.  Penelope Cruz was definitely a winner in my book in her gorgeously embellished Vintage Balmain, as was Anne Hathaway in her elegant shimmering dress by Armani Prive.

2008: The Year Of Stars and Stripes, Saint Laurent and Sales

In 2008, the words that spoke out in the world of fashion were Stars and Stripes, Saint Laurent and Sales. Stars because the fashion trends of the year almost always kick off on the 16th of January, also known as Kate Moss‘ birthday, where the erstwhile 30something waif partied like there was no tomorrow (and indeed there wasn’t as the party lasted 3 days) in her star-studded Chanel jumpsuit, with matching makeup no less. Needless to say stars, Chanel and jumpsuits were deemed stellar sellers for the year.

June saw the low point in fashion, with the passing away of Yves Saint Laurent, age 71, style icon extraordinaire, who pioneered much of what we see in fashion today.

The Stars made their appearance again, with Stripes this time, in the form American politics, what with a new fashion star on the rise, the then democratic candidate’s wife, now First lady-elect, Michelle Obama, whose statuesque figure and flair for style were a breath of fresh air in Washington after the boring Bush wives. Through the primaries (that seemed to last forever) and the interview where she charmingly said she fancied online shopping at J Crew to election night when she wore THAT red Narciso Rodriguez dress, the words Jackie O were on everyone’s lips, which in my book is the ultimate compliment.

And finally, one can’t deny the new depression-era feeling that is hitting the world, given the current financial crisis everywhere. If the past decade saw the words “excess”, “IT” and “luxe”, it looks like 2009 will be quite the opposite. Recyle, be thrifty and make the most out of the sales!