Lena Dunham on the Cover of Vogue

Nothing is more cute than Hamish Bowles training Lena for her Vogue cover shoot. Check out the short film “Cover Girl” here:

Now looking past all the Jezebel controvery, how stunning does Lena Dunham look in this issue?

Make sure you pick upi your Febrary issue of Vogue!

Throwback Thursday: Diana Vreeland

Diana Vreeland has been one of the most influential people in my style and approach to fashion. Her column in the 30s for Harper’s Bazaar entitled “Why Don’t You…” is the very essence of who Diana was. Why not do the extravagant? The extroidinary? The eccentric? After watching the documentary detailing her fabulous life last year, my fascination of Vreeland grew. She have inspired me to feel unsatisfied with the ordinary, the mundane, and most of all that which is safe.

I hope her words and her work inspire and influence you the same.

Some of the most fantastic from here “Why don’t you…”  column:

… tie an enormous bunch of silver balloons on the foot of your child’s bed on Christmas Eve?

…paint a map of the world on all four walls of your boys’ nursery so they won’t grow up with a provincial point of view?

… use a gigantic shell instead of a bucket to ice your champagne?

… cover a big cork bulletin board in bright pink felt, banded with bamboo, and pin with colored thumb-tacks all your various enthusiasms as your life varies from week to week?

… tie black tulle bows on your wrists?

… own, as does one extremely smart woman, twelve diamond roses of all sizes?

… bring back from Central Europe a huge white baroque porcelain stove to stand in your front hall?

… wear violet velvet mittens with everything?

… have an elk-hide trunk for the back of your car? Hermès of Paris will make this.

…wear, like the Duchess of Kent, three enormous diamond stars arranged in your hair in front?

… have a room done up in every color green? This will take months, years, to collect, but it will be delightful—a melange of plants, green glass, green porcelains, and furniture covered in sad greens, gay greens, clear, faded, and poison greens?

… wash your blond child’s hair in dead champagne as they do in France?

… have a yellow satin bed entirely quilted in butterflies?

… turn your child into an Infanta for a fancy-dress party?

… turn your old ermine coat into a bathrobe?

… hide your hips in an accordion-plated jacket?

… give someone an enormous white handkerchief linen tablecloth, and in different handwriting and colors (black, acid green, pink, scarlet and pale blue) have embroidered all the bon mots you can possibly think of ?

… stick Japanese hairpins in your hair?

… twist [you child’s] pigtails round her ears like macaroons?

“I was always fascinated by the absurdities and the luxuries and the snobbism of the world that fashion magazines showed. Of course, it’s not for everyone. Very few people had ever breathed the pantry air of a woman who wore the kind of dress Vogue used to show when I was young. But I lived for that world, not only during my years in the magazine business but for years before, because I was always of that world — at least in my imagination.” —   Excerpt, DV by Diana Vreeland

“Red is the great clarifier – bright and revealing. I can’t imagine becoming bored with red – it would be like becoming bored with the person you love.”

“All my life I’ve pursued the perfect red. I can never get painters to mix it for me. It’s exactly as if I’d said, ‘I want rococo with a spot of Gothic in it and a bit of Buddhist temple’—they have no idea what I’m talking about. About the best red is to copy the color of a child’s cap in any Renaissance portrait.”

“There’s only one very good life and that’s the life you know you want and you make it yourself”

“You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody. I’m not talking about lots of clothes.”

“In a Balenciaga you were the only woman in the room – no other woman existed.”

“The bikini is the most important thing since the atom bomb.”

“Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes.”

“Fashion must be the most intoxicating release from the banality of the world.”

SHOP THIS LOOK
____________________________________________________________________
{Memos: The Vogue Years | Diana Vreeland} {Balenciaga Floral Jacquard Full-skirted Dress}
{Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Reversible Necklace}
{Alexander McQueen Stained Glass Knuckle Duster Clutch} {Boohoo Amy Turban Hat}
{Chanel Two-tone T-strap Shoes} {Andrea Incontri Coat} {Purple Velvet Gloves}

 

George Clooney | W Magazine

This month’s W Magazine  Art issue features the one and only George Clooney. The suit Clooney is wearing an Armani custom suit by Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama. These images are absolutely stunning, and a perfect fit for the art centric issue.

In the interview, Clooney discusses his upcoming film The Monuments Men in the issue, playing the “the leader of a special platoon of museum directors, curators, and art historians who join forces to rescue the art that Adolf Hitler stole during World War II.” Based on actual events, the story is based on Robert M. Edsel’s 2009 book of the same name.

You can read the entire interview here.

Photographed by Emma Summerton.

Stylist Michael Kucmeroski.

Photography assistants: Dean Dodos, Charles Grauke, Alexandre Jaras.

Fashion assistant Anastasya Kolomytseva.

90s Teen Movies I Can’t Get Enough Of!

So last night I hung out with my friends Stef and her soon to be hubby, Alex. We had hair trials for the upcoming nuptials— only 2 weeks away!!!! As we did wedding crafts, we thought we would have a blast to the bast and watch one of our fave 90s teen flix…. She’s All That! So it inspired me to make a list of my all-time favourite 90s teen movies I never get sick of!

1. Clueless

As if! This was film brought me through my formative years for fashion. My best friend at the time, Ashley King and I were obsessed. We wanted to dress like Cher and Dion, do our makeup like them, act and especially talk the talk of Clueless.

Synopsis:
2 Rich girls who like to shop, find Brittany Murphy in need of a Makeover. They do a makeover. A lot of matchmaking: the little guy from The Princess Bride and another teacher, Brittany Murphy and Elton, etc… A James Dean look-alike named Christian comes to town. Cher falls in love. He’s gay. Then Brittany Murphy declares she has a crush on Paul Rudd, who is Cher’s ex-step brother. Cher is sad. She shops. Celine Dion song plays. (***Spoiler Alert***) “Oh my god! I love Josh (who is actually Paul Rudd)!!”. Wedding. The End.

Best Fashion Moment:
Everything! But there were a few noteworthy shout outs:

Mel: What the hell is that?
Cher: A dress.
Mel: Says who?
Cher: Calvin Klein.

Cher: “You don’t understand, this is an Alaia.”
Mugger: “An a-what-a?”
Cher: “It’s like a totally important designer”

My fashion inspirations in grade 5: mini backbacks, knee socks, collared shirts under sweaters, plaid and berets!!!

…and I cannot forget the computerized outfit selector! This is my dream ever since Clueless came out!!!! I would even take this outdated software!

Best Lines:

“Do you prefer “fashion victim” or “ensembly challenged”?” – Cher

“He does dress better than I do, what would I bring to the relationship?”- Cher

“Yeah, I hope not sporadically.” – Tai

2. Empire Records

As a kid I wanted to work in a record store because of this movie. A fantastic cast with a young Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler and Renée Zellweger; and an ever better soundtrack. (I got the VHS and cassette soundtrack that year for Christmas)

Synopsis:
Lucas left in charge of the store goes to Atlantic City and looses all the stores money in a round at the craps table. He comes back. Joe is pissed. Oh Joe is the boss… Lucas gets punished by having to sit on a couch. MusicTown is going to buy Empire Records—this is bad… Meanwhile it’s Rex Manning Day! Liv Tyler is obsessed. And AJ is obsessed with her. Deb is depressed and shaves her head. Warren Beatty tries and shoplifts Whitney Houston. He also is punished by sitting on the couch. Renée Zellweger does something a little slutty and has sex with Rex even though her best friend is in love with him. Liv Tyler is a pill head. Mark starts a band, called “Marc”. Veto. Veto. Veto. They give Deb a funeral to convince her not to kill herself. Party to save Empire Records! (***Spoiler Alert***) Dance on the roof!

Most Awkward Fashion Moment:
Liv Tyler’s underwear bra combo… It always makes me cringe:

Best Fashion moments:
Plaid Skirts, cropped tops, Doc Martins, and faded denim.

A Fun Little Extra:
Erin Wasson styled a fantastic editorial for Elle called “Smells Like Teen Spirit” inspired by the film.

Best Lines:
“What’s with today today?” – Lucas

“Well “Sinead O’Rebellion.” Shock me shock me shock me with that deviant behavior.” – Gina

“Jane, did you compare the percentage of teenage male Rex Manning fans to the incidence of homosexuality amongst teenage males?” – Lucas

3. She’s All That

What more could you want out of a movie? FPJ + RLC (for those of you who missed the 90s that’s Freddie Prince Jr. & Rachael Leigh Cook—I don’t think this was even a thing) Buffy cameo. Paul Walker as a bad ass. Choreographed group dance to Fatboy Slim. Lil’ Kim shockingly fully clothed. Macaulay Culkin’s kid bro. Fulton from The Mighty Ducks…And the incredible cherry on the top of this delicious sundae… USHER RAYMOND!

Synopsis:
Popular guy (Zac) gets dumped by equally popular girlfriend.  He then gets dared to date nerdy art girl (Laney). Makeover. Awesome dance by Matthew Lillard. Laney falls for Zac. Zac falls for Laney.  “Am I a bet? Am I a FUCKING BET?”. Prom. Zac goes with Ex. Laney goes with the Ass (Paul Walker).  (***Spoiler Alert***) Kiss by Pool. Zac is naked at graduation.

Best Fashion Moment(s):
Laney’s transformation–I am a sucker for a makeover! Red dress with matching shoes and her new do!

On today’s viewing I found a great outfit Laney wore, it was when she was Art Geek-Chic, I loved the colors!

Best Line:
“My soul is an island. My car is a Ford” – weird art performance guy

4. 10 Things I Hate About You

3 words: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (or maybe that’s 2 because the last 2 are hyphenated) Regardless, I am a HUGE fan of JGL and this movie is perfection! Plus… Heath Ledger! Another fun soundtrack! and Awesome Paintball montage!

Synopsis:
2 sisters. Kat is older. Bianca is younger. Bianca wants to date Andrew Keegan, but their dad makes a rule that she can’t date until Cat does. Joseph Gordon-Levitt falls for Bianca (sidenote: Who he dated in 3rd rock from the Sun). Then Bianca, Andrew Keegan, Cameron— who is really Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his friend Michael, all work to get and pay Heath Ledger to woo Julia Stiles… I mean Kat! It’s kinda hard. There’s singing in bleachers, table dancing, and angry chick rock. Then Bam! She’s wooed!  Prom Time! Bianca goes with Cameron, Kat goes with Heath Ledger. Kat finds out that Heath was paid to date her. She’s pissed. Andrew Keegan gets punched. Kat writes a sad poem and cries in class called “10 Things I Hate About You”. (***Spoiler Alert***)Heath Ledger tells her he loves her. Happy Ending.

Best Fashion Moment:
Bianca: There’s a difference between like and love. Because, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.
Chastity: But I love my Skechers.
Bianca: That’s because you don’t have a Prada backpack.

Best Lines:

“What’s normal? Those damn… Dawson’s river kids sleeping in each other’s beds and what not?” – The Dad

” Remove head from sphincter, then drive!” – Kat

5. Can’t Hardly Wait

Ethan Embry makes my list once again! And Seth Green is a Wigger. Dharma (from Dharma and Greg) is a stripper angel in love with Scott Baio. And Jason Segel!!! (I just ruined the surprise for later)

Synopsis:
Graduation. Preston tells his best friend Denise, that Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) who he’s been obsessed with for 4 years is now single. He convinces Denise to go the the graduation party. At the party: Special K (Kenny) (aka Seth Green) — he’s a bit of a wigger, Amanda’s ex-BF, Mike Dexter, the geeky kid (I forget his name)… SO Kenny’s plan: loose his virginity. Geeky Kid’s plan: get revenge on Mike Dexter. Preston’s Plan: Get Amanda to fall in love with him. oh, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s plan: Get every signature in her yearbook. Everyone tries to work at their plan’s during the movie… Kenny hooks up with Denise. Geeky Kid (oh, I just remembered his name is William!!!) sings Guns N’ Roses and becomes popular. Police show up. Everyone runs. (***Spoiler Alert***) Next morning Preston goes to the train station to stop Amanda. And then it’s a happy ending… something to do with writing letters everyday! The End.

Best Fashion Moments:

Well for starters everything Seth Green is wearing! from the chain to the goggles!


Also Jennifer Love Hewitt’s classic 90s look, light blue spaghetti strap and darker blue skirt. 
And I love Denise’s beautiful black crochet sweater over a dark plum tank:

And William the Geek’s nerd getup is a pretty great look actually:
* sidenote: what it the guy wearing in the back? Leather pants, a red tank, and a sheer tee! WOW!

Best Lines:
William: I can’t feel my legs, I HAVE NO LEGS!

Stoner Guy: Preston? I dunno, his hair’s kinda, I dunno, brown? 
Matt, Watermelon Guy: No, it’s not really brown. Oh, he’s tall. 
Stoner Guy: Yeah, he’s kinda kinda tall. Sorta tall. And he’s like always wearing like t-shirts. 
Amanda Becket: So, he’s sort of tall? 
Stoner Guy: Kind of. 
Amanda Becket: With… hair? 
Stoner Guy: Yeah. 
Amanda Becket: And he wears t-shirts sometimes? 
Stoner Guy: Yeah.

Extra tidbits: 2 special appearances by people I love

Jason Segel as Watermelon Guy

Amber Benson as Stoner Girl, fellow Buffy alum with Seth Green

6. Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions will always hold a close place in my heart, it’s the first rated R movie I snuck into! That, and you see Ryan Philippe’s butt! That was a big deal back then, because we all thought he was soooo dreamy!

Synopsis:
New York City. Sebastian and Kathryn are step brother and sister. Kathryn wants revenge on her ex-BF’s new GF(Selma Blair). She asks Sebastian for help to seduce her. Also there is this weird attraction thing between Kathryn and Sebastian. Meanwhile there is a new girl (Reese Witherspoon) in town. She’s a virgin, so of course Sebastian has to seduce her! Also he made a bet with Kathryn about it. Well then the obvious happens. He falls for her, and vice versa. Kathryn is jealous. Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Gellar kiss. There is something to do with a bleach blonde gay Joshua Jackson. Also, there is a lot of seduction and manipulation that its hard to keep track of… Reese finds out about the bet. She’s mad. In the end, (***Spoiler Alert***) Sebastian gets hit by a car, Reese and him profess their love. And he dies. Reese Witherspoon gets his hot car and revenge on Kathryn! The End.

Best Fashion Moments:

I love this top that Sarah Michelle Gellar is wearing in this scene. Gathered gold chiffon top and a navy corset.

Here SMG is wearing a classic black suit with fantastic accessories. I love the hat and dark sunglasses look.

And finally this look, with the sheer top and the ornate bra underneath is gorgeous.

Best Line:

Bunny Caldwell: Keep your legs together. This isn’t Jamaica.