Look of the Week: Jessica Alba

You can always rely on good old Jessica Alba to be the most stylish person of the week.  Stepping out in New York for Ralph Lauren's SS14 show, dressed head to toe in the label, the Mum of two looks better than ever,  Her pink ballerina skirt, which could look dangerously childish, is balanced out perfectly with a ribbed chunky knit jumper, chic up do and diamond earrings.  Could we covet her looks anymore?

And the Prince is called....

'HRH the Duchess of Cambridge safely delivered a son at 4.24pm today.  Both HRH and her child are both doing well' read the announcement placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace.  In the 24 hours since the Prince's birth there has been much speculation as to what he will be called.  We all know it will be something traditional and English, a friend of mine is predicting Arthur, I personally favour Edgar (come on, admit it King Edgar sounds cool!).  Whilst we await the announcement of our future monarchs name however, I thought it appropriate to look back over some of the, ahem, less traditional baby names of celebrities in recent history.

Suri Cruise - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes meaning Princess in Hebrew.  Probably one of the most famous children in the world.  I don't love the name and I don't hate it, to be honest I think it's kind of a 'meh' name.

Ethel Mary - First daughter of Lily Allen and Sam Cooper.  Ok, so it isn't a name I would give my child but I think this one is quite cute.  They're two traditional English names and fit perfectly with Lily's more recent love of all things vintage.

Apple and Moses - 'You know, Apples are sweet and their wholesome and biblical'  Gwyneth Paltrow told Oprah. Was she drunk when she said this? 

Morrocan and Monroe - Yes that's right, 'Roc and Roe' for short.  Children of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.  She might have the voice of an angel but let's face it, she's not one to shy from a publicity stunt is she.



Seraphina Rose - Youngest daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.  I have to admit I love this name.  Big sis is called Violet Anne which is just as sweet.  With parents as cute as 'Bennifer', I's expect nothing less.


Hopper Jack - Son of Sean Penn and Robin Wright, named after Dad's two best friends, the late Dennis Hopper and the iconic Jack Nicholson.  Cute, but I can't help thinking Dennis Jack would have sufficed.  Then I suppose that's too normal for a celebrity isn't it.

Kal-El - Because naming his child 'Clark' didn't signify Nicholas Cage's love of Superman enough.

Honor and Haven - Whilst not the most usual of names in the UK, across the pond they're not that out of the ordinary.  Either way I think Jessica Alba's baby names are adorable.

Jermajesty - Jermaine Jacksons daughter.  Because, well let's face it he is a Jackson and they can't do anything normal.

Aurelius Cy- Elle MacPherson's son.  Another one that I quite like, a name that dates back to ancient Rome it's one with meaning, sounds good and is unique.

Pilot Inspektor - Jason Lee.  Apparently named after the baby's parents listened to the song 'He's simple, he's dumb, he's a pilot'.  I have no words.  I think even 'Hashtag' was a better name.

North West - Kim K and Kanye West Kim's Momager Kris told the press 'the way Kim explained it to me was that North is the highest power and she says that North is their highest point together.  Erm ok, if you say so.  Nothing to do with the vanity of North's father then.

Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper - No baby name list would be complete without a mention of the Beckhams.  Brooklyn on any normal child would, lets face it, be chavvy, considering the parentage of the mentioned it just works. Victoria has stated that Brooklyn was named both because she liked the name Brooke for a daughter and she was in New York when she discovered her pregnancy.  Harper Seven was after Beckham's football shirt number and Victoria's favourite author (Harper Lee), Cruz because they were living in Spain at the time, although Romeo supposedly has no significance..

Look of the Week: Jennifer Anniston

 So it's been a while since my last post, my apologies. As it turns out the final term of Uni is in fact a lot more time consuming than Facebook leads one to believe. Anyway, Uni is now over (forever, pass the champagne) and blogging can resume as normal. For my first post as an, erm non student? I've chosen my best look of the past week.

Jennifer Anniston is a champion for the girl next door and whilst she has always been one of my style icons, her demure and simple outfits can sometimes be forgotten about amidst the glamour that stars such as Jessica Alba and Natalie Portman. Opting for her failsafe LBD at a book launch for her yoga guru, the former friends star exudes confidence and understated elegance in the simple Stella McCartney number. Props to Ms Anniston for showing us just exactly why, less is more.

The Golden Globes 2012: Red Carpet

'The Golden Globes are to The Oscar's what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton' those were funny man Ricky Gervais' opening words at last nights 69th Golden Globes.  Whilst neither of the Kate's were at the ceremony last night (why would they be) but there were still plenty of fashion royalty on the red carpet, from Elle Macphereson (why though?) to Angelina Jolie.  We saw plenty of the top SS 2012 trends, undoubtedly the fish tail dress was the biggest trend of the night, as well as a bizarrely natural colour palette, black, white and nude swarmed the red carpet with the occasional splash of colour from the more confident starlet such as Paula Patton and host Ricky Gervais himself.

I'm spending my Monday morning exhausted from staying up so late to tweet all the best outfits.  Despite the exhaustion I still have to work and only have time for a quick post, so here's my red carpet winners:

Looking flawless as always was Jessica Alba in this stunning embellished Gucci Gown.  Her simply side swept hair, bare shoulders and minimal accessories only emphasized how perfect she truly is.  Hard to believe that this time last year she was the pregnant one at the CFDA's but it's true, now time to hit the gym....

Another who dared to bare was supermodel Elle 'The Body' Macphereson.  What she was doing there we cant quite figure out either, but never the less, she looked fabulous in the Zac Posen gown.  Although this is the nearly 50 year old mother who still rocks leather trousers.  The Body indeed.

Girl of the moment Rooney Mara stuck to her newely gothic roots with her black Nina Ricci gown.  The former girl next door has undergone a dramatic transformation since she cut off all of her hair to star in David Finchers adaptation of Swedish phenomenon The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo it suits her like none other.

I cant help but compare Rooney to Twilight's Kristen Stewart, they both have that rigid awkwardness on the red carpet, but unlike K Stew, Rooney works it.  Going .To.Be.BIG in 2012.

Undoubtedly one of the most tweeted about dresses of the night was Clare Danes monochrome wonder by J. Mendel.  From the front the dress was pretty enough, but then she turned around and that back....I've never been a person to be a excited about a back.  But before now we all know Hilary Swank was the queen of a backless dress. Well move Hilary because Juliets back in town.

There were of course plenty of Faux Pas last night from the headbands to the velvet, and the men, well George Clooney, Adam Levine and a somewhat questionable waistcoat worn by Johnny Depp.  More to follow....

Look of the Week: Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba - Queen of off duty outfits is known for her edgy take on girly dresses but this look demonstrates more masculine look as she stepped out in Beverly Hills for a spot of lunch and shopping with her family.

She teamed a high necked white dress with black opaques, patent brogues and a black blazer.  Simple yet effective.

2011 CFDA Awards, New York

The Council of Fashion Designers of America awards are a prestigious event held annually too award Americas leading fashion and accessory designers and exists to promote the fashion industry as more of a form of art and culture.  In addition to this the CFDA helps nurture and further the career of future designers, this is doe via the Vogue Fashion Fund and the Business Service Network. The award itself is known as a Trova.

This year (2011) marks the 10th year that Swarovski has underwritten the event, something for which Nadja Swarovski was presented her very own Trova by CFDA president Diane Von Furstenburg.

With the CFDA Awards being the ‘oscars of fashion’ celebrities really have to up their game when choosing their outfit to wear to the ceremony, and this years guests did not disappoint.

Any blog post about the CFDA awards would not be complete unless it began with Lady Gaga.   The 25 year old, who picked up the Trova for the Fashion Icon Award, wowed critics and fans alike in her Thierry Mugler gown which consisted of a spike corset and sheer covered decolletage was finished off by 12 inch plat formed heels and a turquoise wig.

Following suit and looking dapper in black were the like of Lucy Liu and Miranda Kerr.  Lucy Liu wore a stunning floor length black dress by Moniique Lhuillier with a corset bodice and a full feathered skirt.  Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr showed off her post baby body with a Michael Kors skirt and top ensemble, the top with cut out panelling on the torso.  She accessorized with a gold belt and gold gladiator bangles.

On the other end of the colour spectrum, wearing white, was Whitney Port, Sophia Copolla and Kerry Washington.  Whitney Port wore an asymmetric Pamella Roland gown with a subtle tan and tousled, sun kissed locks.  Director Sophia Copolla presented Marc Jacobs with his lifetime acheivement award wearing a simple knee length bandeau dress with a white belt made by the designer she described on twitter as her ’brother from another mother’ and snakeskin heels.  Kerry Washington opted for the simple shift dress with a strong a-lined skirt with a little extra added detail by Calvin Klein.

Mixing it up with the traditional monochrome look were Anna Wintour and Chloe Sevigny.  Anna Wintour wore a black and white Marc Jacobs ensemble, a black knee length skirt with a white shirt.  Chloe Sevigny wore one of her own designs for opening ceremony.

Shenae Grimes went for the feminine yet male inspired trouser suit by Rebecca Taylor, minus the jacket, with a black and white corset top and chunky black heels, whilst Kristen Dunst has made fashion headlines by appearing in a Patrick Ervell shirt and Tuxedo with Prada pumps and a sleek up do.

Gold was another popular colour at the awards, with Naomi Watts going for a pale gold Calvin Klein number and Estelle wearing a longer, darker shade.

Injecting a bit of colour into the evening with their various shades of green were Judith Light, who wore a beautiful dress by Pamella Roland, Chanel Iman who wore a stunning shade of turquoise with a high thigh slit, and Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova wore a green sequined Diane Von Furstenburg dress, accessorised with Swarovski jewelley.

Dazzling in Red were (yet another) Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes wearing J Mendel and Karlie Kloss in Jason Wu, who also accompanied her up the red carpet.

Liv Tyler looked beautiful in her multi coloured Proenza Schoeler dress with simple black accessories.

Ashley Green made a statement in a neon pink number by last years winner of the lifetime achievement award, Michael Kors.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen looked every bit as stunning as usual, both dressed by their own label The Row, Ashley in a simple Blue dress and Mary Kate in a brassy gold blazer and simple black skirt, both with matching bags.

Finally my favourite - Jessica Alba.  Whilst she might be pregnant, and typically trying to hide her bump, she looked stunning in her orange and purple Diane Von Furstenburg dress.  The same colours and by the same designers that caused Cheryl Cole to come under intense scrutiny by the American public, Jessica Alba looks nothing short of glowing.

Finally, The Winners

Womenswear Designer of the Year - Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schoeler

Menswear Designer of the Year - Michael Bastian

Accessory Designer of the Year - Alexander Wang

International Award - Phoebe Philo for Celine

Swarovski Award for menswear - Prabal Gurung

Swarovski Award for women swear - Robert Gellar

Swarovski Award for accessories - Eddie Borgo

A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY DRESSES

Whilst they may have been the Highstreets leading retailer for many years now, having one of the quickest turnarounds in fast fashion (getting the catwalk looks to you) there is one area Topshop have continuously lacked in – Party wear.  Having worked in the store for two years I won’t lie, there has been more than one occasion when a customer has asked me to recommend a dress for a specific occasion and I’ve been at a loss for what to recommend, due to the fact that whilst our clothes are on trend, they aren’t exactly what could be deemed appropriate for occasion wear.

Well, get your credit cards ready, coz that’s all changed, with Topshop having this week launched the ‘Dress Up’ collection (the name for the range shortened from the phrase ‘why dress down, when you can dress up’, why indeed?).  A range of party dresses and occasion wear which can be worn all year through and that ‘brings out individuality and attitude’ (Jacquie Markham, Topshop Design).  The dresses are all about having fun and making them your own......  

Nude Bandage Dress - £55 (also available in black)

With Bodycon and Lace being two of the most feminine materials of the moment this dress is definitely a must have, with studs which make the dress slightly edgier, it can be worn during the day or night, or even as I’d prefer, during festival season, just add fringing and suede boots.

 

Black Bandeau Flower Dress - £85

Topshops twist on the simple prom style dress, with added embellishment.  Team with a tailored blazer and block heeled shoes for a more structured look, or leave the shoulders bare and add coloured opaque tights for a more summer inspired look.

Pink Heart Frill Bodice Dress - £55 (also available in yellow)

Another dainty, feminine dress with cut out back detail that should definitely be work with high wedges – perfect for elongating your pins!!

Black Leather Stud Bussle Back Dress - £150

 Team with block heels, a messy up do and bright red lipstick for the perfect rock princess look

Nude Beaded Ruched Front Panel Dress - £80

With Nude seemingly being one of the most on trend colours over the past three years, this is a dress that won’t have to be hidden in your wardrobe at the end of the season waiting to be reworked at a later date.  Team with a biker jacket and shoe boots for the Jessica Alba look.

Sequin Flame Dress - £150

A black jersey dress with a mesh panel along the top, finished with flame shaped embellishment.  This dress is not for shrinking violets.  Wear with block coloured wedges for maximum impact.

Fairground Beaded Dress - £175

An art deco inspired dress, which, as the name suggests, wouldn’t look out of place on a show girl at a fairground.  A dress that speaks for itself and one which doesn’t need accessorising, team with basic platform heels for a show stopping look.

Multi Sequin Dress - £125

 No doubt inspired by the Burberry dress Emma Watson wowed us with at the Burberry Prorsum S/S 10 show.  Teamed with Opaque tights during the winter or bare legs as the sun comes out this look will carry you through the year.

Dark Red Feather Hem Dress - £70

Not unlike the bandeau dress Topshop in sold last summer in pink, white, green and erm black, the black on red with a feather hem definitely vamps this dress up.  Can be worn with block heels for a more glam look, or as I prefer with black converse and plenty of eyeliner a la Kristen Stewart at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

Cream Embellished Pleat Dress - £70

A dainty little number that can be worn pretty much anywhere, dresses up with killer heels and a sharp, tailored blazer of an evening, or even worn with flat boots and a messy fishtail plait during festivals.  Definitely my must have dress.

Available in store and online today.