Bloggers in Vogue - The New Fashion Celebrities

(Scott & Garance)


Rumors have been circulating for days that US Vogue has shot a piece on fashion bloggers for the March 2010 issue, and now it sounds like the real deal (according to insiders of course).


WWD today reports that the roster includes Bryanboy, Garance Dore, Scott Schuman, Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil, and Face Hunter. WWD also suggests it's likely that Vogue asked all of the bloggers involved to sign confidentiality agreements.

(Tommy & Garance)

It's noteworthy that the magazine has clearly focused heavily on the street style aspect of fashion blogging, as opposed to highlighting bloggers with an editorial point of view (with the possible exception of Bryanboy). Ms Anna Wintour may be coming around to the idea of blogs and bloggers in general, but it's clear she's not exactly willing to endorse any blogs' critical opinions on fashion at large.

(Bryanboy and his bag)

This is just another feather in the cap (or whipped cream on top of their cake) for these uber-talented bloggers.
Garance has recently designed a series of t-shirts to celebrate GAP's 40th anniversary, Scott has launched his book and is rumoured to be heading for television (and a possible clothing line) and Marc Jacobs has named a bag after Bryanboy (on the arm of the 'Boy' himself pictured above).

A spokesman for Vogue declined to comment about the shoot, however, on his blog, Bryanboy said he was off to New York: “Ughhhh never in my life I’ve been so nervous and since I’m counting the days…like what I said a few weeks ago, gurl, we’re going full throttle. YOU BETTA WERQ.” Face Hunter wrote on his blog: “It has been difficult to make the choice, but I had to cancel my trip to Cape Town in order to get to New York, where an ‘exciting opportunity’ — that I’m not allowed to reveal at the moment — is offered to me. You will see the result early next year.” And Doré teased in her blog: “#3: How I lost some weight thanks to Anna Wintour. (This one I TOTALLY have to tell you about.)”

Can hardly wait to see the shots.

A Very Different Daphne

Another fabulous 'Makeover' / 'Make under' I spotted today was on socialite, heiress, fashion icon and (rumoured) neighbour Daphne Guinness.

There is no doubting Daphne has her own style but the Cruella De Ville skunk stripe just doesn't really do it for me and (I believe) makes her look older.

Then, this week, Swiss fashion label Akris unveiled its first handbag collection choosing the über muse as the face of the range.

Shot by photographer Stephen Klein (who has shot each Akris campaign since his first with British model Stella Tennant in 1990) the photographs show a very different Daphne - and I like it! What do you think?

Pictures from Vogue.co.uk

Congratulations Mick

Lord's legendary groundsman, Mick Hunt (yes that's his real name), was yesterday awarded runner-up for 2009 in the England & Wales Cricket Board's Groundsman of the Year Awards.

Congratulations Mick - you do a fantastic job!

Portrait by Jocelyn Galsworthy

Sealife

The one thing that I really miss about living in London is the ocean. Always being by the sea (whether in Sydney or Hobart) was a huge part of my life. Luckily we have Little Venice and Regent's Canal just down the road so when I'm feeling particularly home (sea) sick I will walk along the canal and fantasise about residing in one of the quaint houseboats.

I have seen none, however, as swish as these two and really can't make up my mind which I would rather live in (given half the chance). Which one would you choose?

Houseboat No.1

Houseboat No. 2:

Both 'houseboats' are used as locations for photo shoots and all pictures can be seen here.

The Many Ways To Wear Hermes

Love this! The many ways to wear an Hermes scarf!

Found pics here

Lady Gaga Meets The Queen

Last night was the annual Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool. Here HRH (rocking a rather gothic black number) met a Satanic looking Lady GaGa who wore red leather, a shocking case of pink eye and curtsied - (I wonder what each was thinking at the time?)

Photos via The Huffington Post.

Prioritising

Tonight we were invited to attend Jeffrey Archer's (in)famous 'Shepherd's Pie & Champagne' Christmas Party at the Penthouse. It would have been wonderful to attend as we haven't seen Jeffrey since The Ashes and just to 'people watch' at the party would have been so interesting.

We, however, had made previous plans with ex-MCC president and English cricket legend Doug Insole and his elegant partner Norma Palmer, to attend a casual night of Jazz in their company and the company of our other good friends Jane and Charlie Fry.

Now we have had to cancel that as well as our poor little guy has just been diagnosed with Bronchiolitis and Asthma.

At the end of the day the most important thing is not living a glamorous life but being good parents and loyal friends.

(The gorgeous flickr photo above is called "interrogation as babysitter arrives: "When will you and Daddy be back?"Love those anxious little fingers! (Photo by Janusfinder found via A Cup of Jo)

Prada Pit-Stop

UK-born Rob Hann (now based in New York) is a landscape and portrait photographer whose highly regarded celebrity portraits have earned a permanent place in London's National Portrait Gallery.

His new series, "Deserted States of America" is now causing excitement in the art world.

Rob said, "I started taking road trips out in the American west while I was still living in London doing portraits back in 2001. I fell in love with being out in the desert, taking pictures of whatever caught my eye," he says of the series. "I like how desert spaces are such a contrast to growing up in the damp green of England, and I had fallen in love with the romance of the road trip; I was really into Jack Kerouac growing up. Now I rent a car and drive thousand of miles."

This amazing shot (above) was taken in Valentine, Texas. It is actually a piece of art by Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, built with co-operation from Prada. It's not a real store but it has real shoes in it.

That's what I call a pit-stop!

Picture and quotes from The Guardian

'Thanks Susie!' (and thank you Issy & Tim)

Keith and I were so fortunate last night to be invited by our good friends Sir Tim Rice and his gorgeous partner Issy (a very famous and accomplished English women's cricketer - that's a shot of her above) to the Annual black-tie dinner for the crowning of the new King SOD at Shakespeares Globe Theatre.

'SODS' is the acronym for the Society of Distinguished Songwriters and boy do they deserve their illustrious name.

The evening was started by our fellow countryman, Rolf Harris and his wobble-board singing 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport'. Rolf is like an Aussie Dorian Gray - a little wider in berth but not a wrinkle on his 79 year old face (and believe me I looked - closely). Rolf graciously came and sat and had a chat with me beforehand about Cricket and a mutual beloved lady, Author Kathy Lette, who he has recorded a spoof single with (which, hopefully, will be released next year).

Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet also performed (a little less hair but very slim and debonair after taking on an obviously successful new healthy lifestyle). Other performers were Don Black (who wrote 'Born Free' and 'Ben' for Michael Jackson among many, many others), Richard Kerr (co-writer of Barry Manilow's hit 'Mandy'), David Arnold (the Bond film's resident Composer) and a hilarious number by Mike Batt and the rest of The Wombles.

I think the highlight for me, however, was when a very distinguished 85-year old Herbert Kretzmer (who wrote the lyrics for Les Miserables) walked to the stage and with a 'Thanks Susie' recited, in his deliciously regal voice, 'I Dreamed a Dream'. Magic!

Guy Chambers (who wrote a majority of Robbie Williams' songs including Angel), was crowned the new King of SODS after a 'medley' (performed by many ex-Kings such as Tim) dedicated to the memory of many illustrious songwriters.

It was an amazing surreal evening and one that I don't think I will EVER forget.

P.S: I just had to put this photo of Issy up because I know she reads this. This was the cover of Wisden many years ago, which, ironically, was taken as a final nudge to the MCC to accept female members. Sorry Issy but I think it's a great shot!

Italian Vogue's Twitter Cover

I don't really 'get' Twitter but no-one can deny it's power in the social media landscape.
Now the serious 'fashion bible', Vogue Italia, has dedicated it's December 2009 issue to the 'beautiful people' who 'tweet'.



Shot by Steven Meisel and Karl Templer the mag's Chrissie issue cover features modeling royalty such as (a pregnant) Gisele, Natalia Vodianova, Lara Stone, Kasia Struss, and Christy Turlington.


The only picture I could find was the one at the left, and who knows which additional faces will be featuring in the inner pages, but it seems that the Italians have taken to an obsession with twitpic, with the feature fashion editorial (shot by Meisel) showing the beauties photographing .....themselves. Fabulously of course.

UPDATE: See Meisel's 'Twitter' Pics here!

Jedward De-Quiffed

Love them or hate them (I think you either do or you don't and there doesn't seem to be much in between) you have to admit that the terrible twins fashion shoot in this weeks issue of Grazia UK is pretty fab!

What A Good Stylist Can Do For You

One of the best Australian stylists, Romy Frydman, has just launched her own blog - and I'm excited!

Romy has worked with heaps of celebs such as Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts and Rose Byrne and currently styles the beautiful Sarah Murdoch and Miranda Otto. She has also worked for Vogue, Nylon US, Marie Claire, The New York Times and Elle and through 'StyleMeRomy' will impart some of her amazing wisdom.

Let me give you an example of her work and you can make up your own mind about how much of a genius this woman is:

Actress, singer and men's magazine favourite, Sophie Monk, is usually photographed in a variety of pouty or 'toothy' poses (encased in little more than a bikini).

Below is the finished product after Romy got her hands on Miss Monk.

Pretty amazing huh!

Photo: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy
Hair: Renya Xydis and Makeup: Linda Jefferyes
Shot at Studiotwenty4

Dress by Ellery

Elle Magazine Talent Competition

A couple of months ago myself, and 1,000 other hopefuls, entered a writing competition in Elle Magazine calling for new talent. The brief was relatively simple, 900 words on 'What Style Means To Me!'

This morning I rushed out to buy the January issue just in case I had indeed won and Elle just forgot to mention it to me. They didn't and I didn't.

The competition winner is a 22-year old 'writer' and English teacher called Rebecca Lawn. Rebecca is not only talented but she has a fabulous life. She grew up in lovely York and then moved to Paris when she was 18 to study French. She has just started working for The French Paper and she teaches English to Parisians. (*Soupir*).

You can read Rebecca's entry in the January issue of Elle and you can read my submission below.

What Style Means To Me - The Three H's

In my early twenties I had a brief hedonistic relationship with a blonde long-haired ski-instructor named David.

David was five years older than me, funny, clever and, frequently, drunk. Apart from that, or maybe because of that, we had more fun together than most newlyweds have on honeymoon and for six months I worshiped him like my own personal Jesus. Then, over dinner one evening, which proved to be our last supper, I cruelly listed all the things that I found ‘wrong’ with him, flinging out one venomous criticism after another like a tabby cat using a scratching post. His only response was to sigh, battle-wearied, and say:

“All I can offer you are the three H’s – Hair, Humour and Honesty.”

It wasn’t enough. So I left. Sure he was fun but he was also fat. And I was shallow.

Remarkably, the three H’s and I stayed together in a lengthy civil style-partnership. A philosophy borrowed and adored like his XXL grey cashmere v-neck that ‘absent-mindedly’ was kept after the break-up.

This triple H style philosophy can be applied to every area of life. But rather than follow them to, the proverbial, letter they should be used as a ‘capsule wardrobe’ of must-have basics that transcend time and trends and have the flexibility to be ‘accessorized’ with other pearls of wisdom.

Let’s start at the top. Most of us, from a very early age, have been follicle fixated. We have, over the years, dyed, fried, contrived and survived each coiffure-craze that came our way. Like many things in our youth (clothes, decorating, men) our hair is a great source of experimentation over inspiration. For short periods of time, with, varying levels of tress-success, I have been ‘Farrah’, ‘Madonna’, ‘Demi’ ‘Rachel’ and ‘Posh’ (this last one was not entirely my doing and will forever be a lesson to me on how to effectively communicate with ‘celebrity-obsessed’ gay men wielding scissors and a copy of ‘Closer’, though in hindsight, I’m glad he heard ‘Posh’ and not ‘Britney’).
Then, somewhere during my early thirties, I decided that the person I really wanted to be was ...well ... me!

In our thirties we generally work out what suits us and what doesn’t. We have, if not a whole wardrobe, a few style security-blankets that can be thrown on in the midst of any crisis confident in the knowledge that although your backside may currently be getting an almighty kicking it only looks half as big in those beloved bootcuts.

A great haircut is even better than a great pair of jeans.

A haircut’s greatness is measured not by the unveiling at the salon (even if it looks so good you immediately burst into applause) but how it makes you feel. Like a killer CV it advertises the person you want to present to the world. It accentuates your strengths and disguises your weaknesses. And there is no age discrimination - hair can be sexy and chic, mysterious and intelligent, no matter how old the woman who wears it is. The key is knowing what suits you and sticking with it. Investing in a classic cut.

Nevertheless, as every woman living in Britain will attest to, there is no escaping hair’s one natural predator – the English weather. No amount of Elnet will ever get us through our temperamental climate ‘mane-maintained’. When ‘windswept and interesting’ becomes ‘typhooned and terrifying’ a sense of humour is the best element of style we can own.

Humour is the only truthful ‘one-size fits all’ item around. Neither high-street nor designer. An authentic vintage one-off that is, like the best things in life, a bargain.

By sense of humour, I’m not talking about wearing “I’m with stupid” slogan t-shirts but the ability to laugh at oneself. Basically accepting the unchangeable. When time and gravity take a hold and stretch all the bits we have spent years exfoliating, dermabrasing and pilate-ing survival is not who’s the ‘fittest’ but the ‘wittiest’.

It seems everyone loves a bit of self-deprecating humour, hell some of us have even made a career out of it (take a bow Hugh Grant).

Recently the Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld was involved in a court case with the unisex brand Naco Paris over the latter’s use of the fabled double C logo. Naco Paris won. What did Karl do next? Rather than use his undisputed influence to crush the lesser known label into fashion oblivion the high-collared holiness was photographed toting around a Naco bag emblazoned with the words ‘Karl Who?’ And we loved him for it! He seemed more ... human!

The ability to laugh at our idiosyncrasies and shortcomings shouldn’t be seen as advertising our weaknesses but more an acceptance of our uniqueness. And, like most things in life, moderation is key. A ‘little bit of mystery’ is an admirable, attractive quality. Don’t let it all hang out. To quote the comedian Zach Galitianakis, “The only time it is truly acceptable to shout ‘I have diarrhoea’, is while playing scrabble.”

Nevertheless, ‘honesty’ is really the LBD of style and one, sadly, which has nothing to do with fashion. Being a fashion follower is fraught with a specialised form of anguish, the anguish of knowing one will never quite look the same as those ethereal creatures stomping the catwalks

Sure we can lipo the bits that stick out, and plump up the ones that don’t stick out enough but, to me, plastic surgery seems to be more about self-denial than self-esteem.

Like our hair and our humour, what we wear should enhance not define our personality. True style is finding what fits your life and not someone else’s.

Nevertheless, truth hurts and if you are finding that honesty is as hard to come by as this season’s Jimmy Choos buy a full-length mirror. It will be there, staring back and saying:
Don’t be afraid to be classy.
Don’t ever ignore your birthday or apologise for maturity.
Grow old gracefully and do it fabulously.
And, if all that fails – Get a gay best friend!

Cricket Family's Pink Christmas

Each year we try to do a theme when decorating the house, tree and table for Christmas lunch - this year it will be Pink!

Here are some pics that inspired me and I will post photos when it's done.

Photos from here, here, here and here

A Picture for my Father

Apart from my beautiful Mother, there are perhaps two things my Father loves more than anything - the first is Paris and the second are hot air balloons.

Here is a picture of what, I believe, would be his ideal moment.

Photo via You Are My Fave

Audrey Hepburn Auction

For all those in love with Audrey Hepburn's amazing style (and wardrobe) start salivating in anticipation of one of the most exciting auctions of this decade.

A collection of Audrey's dresses and accessories (30 garments in total) will come under the hammer at Kerry Taylor Auctions on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 2pm.

Venue: La Galleria, 30 Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 4UY.
London Exhibition, La Galleria: Sunday 6th December 12 noon - 5pm
Monday 7th December 9.30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8th December 9am – 11am

*Entrance to the London exhibition and the auction is by catalogue only and you can get yours here!

Images from Kerry Taylor Auctions

Gilchrist joins our family ... and maybe Sachin Tendulkar will too ....

I have been dying to announce this on Cricketfamily and now I can:

Adam Gilchrist will play Twenty20 cricket for Lord's home team, Middlesex, next year.

We are all delighted here at Lord's to welcome the Australian batsman and wicketkeeper who is amongst the best specialists in Twenty20 cricket and one of the most exciting cricketers in the world - as well as being one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet (though the photo above looks bizarrely like I'm telling him and his friend off - with Stephen Fry in the green jacket busy 'tweeting').

In other exciting news Gilchrist could be joined for Middlesex's Twenty20 campaign by another friend of Lord's and all round lovely bloke Sachin Tendulkar. So watch this space!

Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra Wedding Invitation

Keith and I are honoured to have received an invitation to Shilpa and Raj's Wedding Reception on November 24th in Mumbai and, if the invitation is anything to go by, the wedding will be beautiful and opulent.

They are a fantastic couple and we wish them all the very best for their wedding and marriage.

Renaming Lord's

In regards to the 'Exclusive' in today's Times please see Keith's Interview with the BBC here for a less sensationalist account or refer to the Lord's site for updates.

Oliver Wendell Holmes quoted:

“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”

Obviously there are good and bad examples of progress and a bad example is what is happening in our home town of Hobart, Tasmania.

Friend and former neighbour Wendy Wilkinson has run a delightful little business called The Lace Place in Salamanca Place, an iconic and historic area of Hobart, for the past 21 years.

Wendy stocks mostly Tasmanian gifts and garments and employs around 20 local artisans. Wendy also stocks the award-winning Casaveen garments.
The Crown Princess of Holland and Princess Mary of Denmark have both been customers.

The alcove where Wendy has her shop is in the domain of the Salamanca Arts Centre. The centre provides discounted rents for its tenants, which in turn are required to promote the arts and artist. Until this year, Mrs Wilkinson says she had had no trouble renewing her lease however this has changed after a five-minute interview with a subcommittee.

Wendy then received a letter saying she did not fit the criteria. Ok, things change but what reasons did they give? None! Wendy has written to them on several occasions and hasn't received a reason nor able to secure a meeting to discuss.

The Salamanca Arts Centre is owned by the State Government and leased to the arts organisation for a peppercorn rental. Wendy has appealed to the Government to intervene. However, the relevant Minister, David Llewellyn, says he has no jurisdiction to review the centre's decision.

The Lace Place is an example of a business that has managed to be loyal in it's commitment to 'Handmade' and stay relevant for nearly a quarter of a century - surely just that in itself is something that deserves to be saved!

Please sign an online petition here to support Wendy's appeal to keep her little business open.

Christmas in Carnaby Street

Love the fab blow-up decorations that are now hanging over Carnaby Street in London.

And the signature print at Liberty.

Face at the Window

This is what greets me (through the french doors) each time I come in from the back garden - so nice to be needed!

Sushi Baby

First time Jack has EVER used chopsticks - he's a natural!