Friday, June 29, 2012

Matthew McConaughey Takes His Shirt Off: The Supercut


 Magic Mike is now in theaters, which means Gratuitous Male Objectification Week at The Cut must draw to a close. Let's end it with this supercut of scenes from every movie in which perpetually shirtless Magic Mike actor Matthew McConaughey takes his shirt off.

In other news, a woman who saw Magic Mike on opening night just told me, "You almost see up Matthew McConaughey's butt hole." I asked if anyone in the audience screamed. "A hush fell over the crowd," she replied.


Via: Matthew McConaughey Takes His Shirt Off: The Supercut

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Marc Jacobss Huge Hats Feature in His Fall Ads


One image from the Marc Jacobs fall ad campaign was already leaked, but now all ten images have dropped, featuring models Magda Laguinge, Marie Piovesan, Marte Mei Van Haaster, Ros Georgiou, and Tati Cotliar. Photographed by Juergen Teller, the girls wander through a field and lounge on a couch in pale makeup, red lips, and those oversize hats from the designer's runway show. Plus, see Etro's fall ads, shot by Mario Testino, in our updated fall ads slideshow.


Via: Marc Jacobss Huge Hats Feature in His Fall Ads

Blake Lively Earned Her Stripes

WESTWOOD, CA - JUNE 25:  Actress Blake Lively arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere "Savages" at Mann Village Theatre on June 25, 2012 in Westwood, California.  (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)

Blake Lively wore a flesh-colored gown with beaded black stripes from Zuhair Murad's spring 2012 collection to the Savages premiere in Los Angeles last night. She completed the look with fan earrings, bright red lips, and a wavy hairdo.

Do you think she looks like a princess, as Murad once described all of his clients?


Via: Blake Lively Earned Her Stripes

Monday, June 25, 2012

Terry Richardson Uploaded Seventeen Nude Pictures of Paz de la Huerta to His Blog

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 10:  Actress Paz de la Huerta attends the Roy Nachum Art Opening at Joseph Nahmad Contemporary Gallery on May 10, 2012 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Just a normal weekend for both of them. (NSFW, kids!)


Via: Terry Richardson Uploaded Seventeen Nude Pictures of Paz de la Huerta to His Blog

Spring 2013 Menswear Shows: Burberry, Versace, and More


Menswear has begun in Milan! At yesterday's Burberry Prorsum show, models walked in bright metallic trench coats,  geometric-patterned shirts, and tailored suits. Meanwhile, Versace showed floral pants, lace-up undies, and gilded gladiator belts. And at Dolce & Gabbana, the models — mostly Sicilian locals — wore mismatched stripes, cropped pants, and bright prints down the runway. See these collections and more in our fashion galleries.

• Burberry Prorsum
• Bottega Veneta
• Carlo Pignatelli


Via: Spring 2013 Menswear Shows: Burberry, Versace, and More

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Mad Men style inspired new McDonald's uniforms, says Wayne Hemingway


The uniforms will first be seen on staff working in McDonald's four outlets on the Olympic Park and Athletes village in Stratford, but will then be rolled out to all 87,500 workers in the UK this autumn.

The main "crew", who work behind the counters flipping burgers and frying chips, will wear polo shirts, in mustard yellow for the men and "gherkin green" for the women. Customer care assistants have check shirts with green dark green trousers or skits. Managers are in black and white, but with the female managers wearing a mustard yellow neck scarf.

WAYNE HEMINGWAY: 'Nineties fashion is vintage'

Hemingway, who made his name founding the Red or Dead fashion label, said: "We wanted to put some colour into it. We wanted colours that reflected where McDonald's and the restaurants were going. We haven't gone for bright reds and yellows. We've gone for more muted colours.

They replace a range of "mocha brown" and black uniforms that were introduced four years ago.

He said the look, with skinny ties for the male managers, pencil skirts for the female managers, and Fred Perry style polo shirts were inspired by a mixture of the 1960s mod movement and Mad Men, the American television programme set in that decade.

"We wanted classic design. A narrow tie will always be fashionable. There is a very subtle hint to the mod look, which has never gone out of fashion. Fred Perry has never gone out of fashion. That's why we've gone for a polo shirt with a bit of a trim."

He said the managers' outfits, which are more formal, "hark back to a day of really classy air travel". He added: "There's just a little bit of Mad Men."

It was inevitable that the uniforms reference classic designs, he explained. "If you think how do we design something that has never, never been done before, you end up looking like an extra from Star Trek."

Baseball caps have been ditched. "We wanted to break away from baseball caps. These are more bakers caps or something you'd find in an pizzeria in Italy. I have a thing about baseball caps - they are a little bit too American, and they are about sport and petrol pump attendants."

All the uniforms, eventually, will be completely recyclable, with no textiles going to landfill and the torn, or old clothes being used to remake new uniforms in a system known as "closed loop". Currently, the uniforms are used to make rags and furniture stuffings.

Mr Hemingway, famous for his quirky fashion designs and now for designing low-carbon houses, admitted that he was not the obvious person to work with McDonald's: "Yes, when we first started working with McDonald's we got a lot of comments and eyebrows were raised," but he added that he was impressed by the company's environmental credentials, the use of only free range eggs, and its use of chip fat oil to power its lorries.

He said his favourite McDonald's favourite food was porridge and hot chocolate.


Via: Mad Men style inspired new McDonald's uniforms, says Wayne Hemingway

The Chanel shoes which might just destroy your feet


The decadent Cruise 2012 show which Chanel staged in the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles last month looked like the ultimate fashion fairytale. With elegant gazebos for guests and fountains splashing water as the models strutted past on the crunchy gravel in near-like couture creations, what was not to love?

Erm… the shoes, apparently.

IN PICTURES: Chanel Resort 2013 collection at the Chateau de Versailles

Model Meghan Collison, pictured below, has revealed that the £525, plastic-and-leather heels she modelled "destroyed" the back of her feet. "I was bleeding afterward" she told WWD .

The Canadian clotheshorse is no newbie to the catwalk scene, either. She might only be 22, but is described as a 'seasoned vet' and has walked for the likes of Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin since starting out five years ago.

She continued: "Hard plastic with no socks on? Not fun! Especially because we had rehearsal three times. I walked around for the next week with the backs of my moccasins folded down to let them heal!"

VIDEO: Watch the show from behind the scenes

Ouch. We're feeling sympathetic to both the pain and the fact that she had to shuffle around with bruised heels on show.

"At least the shoes looked amazing," she concluded in good nature.

Still tempted? The styles will be available from Chanel stores in November.


Brave face: Meghan Collison in the Chanel show at Versailles in France. Photo: Getty


Via: The Chanel shoes which might just destroy your feet

So Paulo Fashion Week: Luxury Report


I hardly slept a wink in São Paulo, but not, sadly, because the lure of caipirinhas was keeping me out partying. Rather, the ceaseless hum of rotating blades put an end to my slumbers; Brazil's largest city is also the helicopter capital of the world. There are 600 odd in the São Paulo state, which is peopled by a super-rich elite reminiscent of The Jetsons who hail choppers like the rest of us would a cab.

IN PICTURES: Street style from São Paulo's most stylish residents

I was surprised to find that those Jetsons are remarkably well-dressed. Any romantic preconceptions that Brazilians wear little other than neon bikinis were dispelled on day one of São Paolo Fashion Week, held at the Biennial pavilion in the lush surroundings of Ibirapuera park. 70% of the luxury market in Brazil is based in São Paulo, and it shows: as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley opened the proceedings for high end brand Animale, the expectant front row was uniformly shod in Alaïa heels, Hermès Birkin bags on laps.

Brazil's luxury market grew by 20% to a total of nearly $3 billion in 2011, and the number of millionaire households in São Paulo is set to triple by 2020. Prada, Coach and Bottega Veneta have all opened stores here in the past year, with Balmain and Fendi set to follow in 2012. What makes this all the more remarkable is Brazil's self-imposed obstacle to the luxury juggernaut: import tax.

An antiquated system of import tariffs means that Brazilians are paying on average two or three times more for that coveted handbag than their European counterparts. Inside Cidade Jardim, the mall that introduced Hermès to Brazil, the prices are astounding. A pair of Jimmy Choo ponyskin sandals are priced at 3380 reais, which converts to £1059. In the UK they retail for £695.

Why are chopper-primed residents forking out for items they could source in New York at half the price? "It is a status thing, absolutely," says Rosanne Behar, of JHSF, the real estate company which owns Cidade Jardim, "but you also have to remember that for generations we have been deprived of European things. Brazilian women now shop as if their lives depended on it."

Payment plans are the crucial trick luxury brands have up their immaculately tailored sleeves when it comes to watering down the eye-watering price tags. Customers can pay individual stores in instalments - a handbag can be purchased in four tranches, for instance - with no interest accumulated. An estimated 90% of shoppers choose this method, as Helena Bordon, society girl and owner of the fashion brand 284, attests: "If I really want something, I'll pay monthly, so I don't have the guilt of putting down thousands of reais on the table at once."


Via: So Paulo Fashion Week: Luxury Report

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Win Playtex Objective 1 Size Down shapewear


Life, time and gravity change your body. And sometimes no matter how much you exercise or watch what you eat, it's hard to reverse the effects. Playtex have come up with the perfect solution to body blips with their new generation of active shapewear, which immediately shapes the figure and creates a visible reduction around the thighs, hips and waist.

Wear for just eight hours everyday and within 28 days, Objective 1 Size Down could create a slimming and anti-cellulite effect with smoother skin to boot. Clinical tests have shown that invisible ceramic crystals woven into the fabric stimulate a constant massage effect, improving blood microcirculation and helping the body remove fluid and toxins.

Health and beauty journalist Leah Hardy has taken on the Playtex Shapewear 28-Day Challenge and hopes to benefit from not only the immediate firming effect, but from the long-term effects too. Follow Leah's 28-day challenge in Stella over the next few weeks, or better still join her by entering the competition below.

Playtex is giving five lucky readers the chance to win Objective 1 Size Down shapewear, including the 'Waistliner' and 'High Waist Long Leg' in black or nude, in sizes S (UK size 10) to 4XL (UK size 22).

Enter here to win Playtex Objective 1 Size Down shapewear

Objective 1 Size Down is available at selected Debenhams stores. For more information visit www.playtex.co.uk


Via: Win Playtex Objective 1 Size Down shapewear

Christian Louboutin retrospective breaks records


Since opening on May 1, the Christian Louboutin exhibition has pulled in over 38,000 visitors - an average of 910 visitors daily and the highest ever for the Design Museum.

Situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, the retrospective (the designer's first) celebrates 20 years of iconic, red-soled Christian Louboutin shoes and design inspiration, and features a three-dimensional holographic version of Dita Von Teese as the centrepiece.

IN PICTURES: Highlights from the Christian Louboutin exhibition

Having been inundated with demand for tickets, the museum has announced that the exhibition will be open until 9.45pm on the following dates: June 27, June 29, June 30 and until 8pm on Sunday, July 1.

Donna Loveday, the exhibition's curator, said she was "thrilled" by the response. She added: "With their instantly recognisable glossy red soles, Christian Louboutin's shoes have become such an important part of the fashion landscape."

READ: Christian Louboutin's new red sole woe

Mr Louboutin said: "It's been a real pleasure to see a lot of my 'babies' featured all together for the first time. It's not only an entire collection of shoes that I saw there but for me a huge collection of souvenirs, precious moments, and very rarely sorrows."

Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1; 020 7940 8790; designmuseum.org


Via: Christian Louboutin retrospective breaks records

Alexa Chung channels her Sixties side for Maje


Before Alexa Chung was invited to every single cocktail party, store launch and catwalk show on Planet Fashion decked out in the most desirable designs, she was 'just a model' - even playing second fiddle to former songstress Holly Valance in her music video 'Down Boy' (go on, Google it).

IN PICTURES: Alexa Chungs award-winning year in style

Refreshing then, to see Chung harking back to her original line of work every now and then.

However she's not modelling for Crocs but chic Parisian brand Maje, naturally. Captured by Glen Luchford in black and white, the autumn/winter 2012 images were shot in Porte des Lilas metro station in Paris, and set about evoking a Sixties film heroine.

"Elegant yet edgy, her attitude reflects a personality that is both glamorous and rock 'n' roll," the brand stated.

Maje is hosting a party this evening at the Ritz Paris to celebrate the campaign according to WWD - no doubt Chung, decked out in their deigns, will be on her best model behaviour.

The 28 year-old has previously been tapped by Superga, Pepe Jeans and DKNY.

READ: Alexa Chung hits back at criticism about her weight

Photo: Glen Luchford


Via: Alexa Chung channels her Sixties side for Maje

It bags and 3-piece suits: first look at Dolce & Gabbana's debut childrenswear range


Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana may have bid arrivederci to their D&G diffusion line this summer, but the design duo has carved out more work for themselves by creating their first ever range for children.

Designed with a 'profoundly Italian DNA' the autumn/winter 2012 collection will see Baroque-inspired clothes for little girls aged from 3 to 10 years old feature all the elements of the mainline Dolce & Gabbana collection - lace, crochet, tweed, polka dots and the brand's distinctive animalier print.

INTERVIEW: The gilded world of Dolce and Gabbana

But that's not where it ends. Dolce's must-have handbag, the Sicily, toted by grown-ups Madonna, Carey Mulligan and Eva Herzigova has been made in miniature to complete little Miss Dolce's look. Oh, and did we forget to mention that underwear cements the offering?

Describing the design process as a learning curve, Dolce and Gabbana placed the emphasis of the range on practicality. "It's better to have sleeveless onesies and freedom of movement - kids don't want to feel too constricted" they told WWD, adding: "This is an homage to Italy and to our tradition. It's part of our culture and marks one of the most important moments in our lives."

Newborns aren't ruled out of the style equation either - with a range for 0 to 3 year-olds also under way.

Little gentlemen meanwhile, need to not run for the nearest Gap Kids for their post-school garb. Cashmere cardigans and reversible jackets guarantee to keep out the seasonal chill, while three-piece suits, bow ties, velvet jackets and silk scarves mean Master will never be without anything to wear to the ball…

The new collection is set to hit stores at the end of July.


Via: It bags and 3-piece suits: first look at Dolce & Gabbana's debut childrenswear range

Dismissed: Louis Vuitton lawsuit against 'The Hangover Part II'


Luxury fashion giants Hermès and Burberry have recently experienced triumphs in their fight against counterfeit goods - just last week French police bust a workshop containing £14.5 million worth of fake Hermès bags and Burberry was awarded £63 million against Chinese internet counterfeiters - but Louis Vuitton hasn't been so lucky.

The French luggage maker has had its complaint against Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. over the use of counterfeit luggage in The Hangover Part II dismissed by a federal judge in New York.

READ: Louis Vuitton issues The Hangover Part II with a lawsuit

In the hit comedy, Zach Galifianakis's eccentric character Alan totes a Louis Vuitton-esque monogrammed duffle bag patterned with the letters LVM rather than LV, and says to his co-star: "Careful, that is a Louis Vuitton" - while mispronouncing the brand.

Vuitton pleaded with Warner Bros. not to use the fake bags produced by Diophy, a group of U.S. and Chinese companies who specialise in copies.

WWD report that Judge Carter was not convinced that the bags used in the scene caused consumer confusion, writing: "Louis Vuitton is trying to have it both ways: arguing that the Diophy bags are so similar as to create consumer confusion but at the same time so obviously dissimilar that someone watching the film would notice the slightly different symbols used on the Diophy bag."

SEE: Louis Vuitton condoms, the fashionable way to fake it in the bedroom

He added that the bag only appears on screen for a few seconds and isn't the main focus of the scene. Vuitton, who were seeking profits from the film (which grossed around $580 million), triple damages and the destruction of all promotional materials which show the airport scene with the counterfeit bag, were not awarded anything.

"We are deeply disappointed in the court's decision," the French company said. "We remain committed to protecting our brand, and will remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent inappropriate and misleading use of our trademark for the benefit of our customers."


Via: Dismissed: Louis Vuitton lawsuit against 'The Hangover Part II'

Marks & Spencer launch the world's 'most sustainable suit'


It looks like any other Marks & Spencer suit. Marc Bolland, M&S's CEO was so happy with it after he had it tailored to fit last week, he asked for another one straight away. Perks of the job, you might think. But the reason Bolland is so happy is that this suit has been four years in the making - every stitch and detail has been thought and rethought - and it will go on sale at the end of August as the world's most sustainable suit.

Bolland was proudly modelling the suit for its official launch this morning at the M&S Plan A Stakeholder meeting. Made from Australian organic wool, (British sheep just can't compete with the softness and quality of their Australian counterparts), dyed in Italy using GOTS approved technology, and then spun into yarn at an Italian mill, the fabric was then shipped to China along with around twenty other components - each one meticulously sourced to ensure they are the most sustainable possible, from the linings made from recycled PET bottle polyester from a hi-tech processing plant in Japan, the recycled polyester zips, the reclaimed pocket linings (surplus from their own production lines) and reclaimed stray buttons which would otherwise end up in landfill .

READ: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to design lingerie for Marks & Spencer

"It is a very complex supply chain," says Mark Sumner, Marks & Spencer's rather geeky-sounding Sustainable Raw Materials Specialist who has been heading up the project.

"Although it's as radical as we can make it in terms of sustainability it still looks like a beautiful suit and fits well and has the right styling and is good value."

So far, only 500 of the suits will be produced. It is being seen as a laboratory to test out new ways of more sustainable production from every aspect of the supply chain. Even the care label is made from recycled polyester. Each of the 20 major components that go into the suit have been looked at and analysed to see how to make them sustainable.

READ: Joanna Lumley launches Marks & Spencer's Shwopping campaign

"In most cased we have had to push the boundaries of the industry and the technology to make the components more sustainable and keep the quality," said Sumner. "In some cases we've not been able to find a solution, for example on the sewing threads. Although there are some recycled polyester threads available, some of them are not strong enough to be able to hold the garment together and some are strong enough but tend to cause damage to the garment in the long run."

"We are getting a much clearer view of what goes on in the supply chain," he said. "This suit is a key learning tool for M&S to learn how to be more sustainable but also for our suppliers so we can work together to find better ways to minimise our impact for the environment. I talk about this suit being the equivalent of a concept car you would see in the automotive industry. It's about laying down what we consider to be a blueprint for the future of the textile industry. This suit demonstrates what can be done with the technology we have now if you are determined to make it happen."

Expect more sustainable clothes - including womenswear - to be launched by the end of the year.

READ: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Ryan Reynolds reunite for M&S

"What we have done with this suit is extraordinary. We will be taking lessons from what we've learnt on the suits and apply them to other products. It may be we start with something small like the recycled polyester linings on all our suits. We are aiming for M&S to be the most sustainable retailer in the world."

Allanna McAspurn, the CEO of Made-By, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to make sustainable fashion common practice and improve environmental and social conditions in the fashion industry, gave the suit the stamp of approval. "M&S are to be applauded," she said. "If this is used as a vehicle [for discussing issues around sustainability] it's a really positive thing."


Via: Marks & Spencer launch the world's 'most sustainable suit'

Monday, June 18, 2012

Kim Kardashian emulates her mother for first ever Vogue cover


No matter if you're a newly-discovered Bambi-legged model or a global superstar on the scale of Rihanna, bagging a Vogue cover carries the ultimate cachet, and now the world's most famous reality TV star, Kim Kardashian, can add the role to her CV.

The curvaceous 31-year-old was photographed looking uncannily like her mother and manager, Kris Jenner, for the July/August issue of L'Uomo Vogue , the Italian Condé Nast title dedicated to men's style.

Ready For Her Close-Up: Kim Kardashian

"My mother has always been the social glue holding the family together" Kim says, "she's a very dynamic woman who loves organizing parties, playing tennis, cooking with friends and relaxing in the pool."


Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Photo: REX

Revelations in the accompanying interview show Kim to be the owner of 224 pairs of Christian Louboutin heels, and a rather odd superstitious disposition: "I always put clothes and family photos under the mattress, in case the house burns down".

READ: The Telegraph meets Kim Kardashian

Equally unexpected is the fact that she was a self-confessed eBay fanatic, which stemmed from her early 'career' as a fashion and look organiser for celebrities: "I began with a mother's friend who had a huge amount of fabulous clothes; there were so many she was never able to wear them all. Then I did the same with my wardrobe, and anything I didn't want I sold on eBay, and in a short time became a true eBay-addict."

One would assume that with two fashion lines, five perfumes, a DVD and a book, K.K. is far too tied-up to be faffing around with a USB port and uploading pictures of her cast-offs, but that's actually not the case - she has a dedicated store on the site , and part of the proceeds go to the chairty Life Change Community Church.

So congratulations Kim, may the fashion force (stay) with you.

Read the full interview on www.vogue.it


Via: Kim Kardashian emulates her mother for first ever Vogue cover

British Fashion Council confirms NEWGEN sponsorship for spring/summer 2013


Established in 1993, and celebrating their 10th year with sponsor Topshop, NEWGEN is the world's most globally recognised fashion design talent identification scheme. Central to the British Fashion Council's designer development and showcasing programme, the BFC have today announced the thirteen names of the NEWGEN recipients for spring summer 2013.

IN PICTURES: Topshop marks 10 years of sponsorship

The designers will not only feature in the NEWGEN space of the Exhibition at London Fashion Week; the scheme also offers the catwalk designers financial support towards their show costs. Other fashion talents will receive a sponsored presentation or exhibition space to showcase their collections, providing a platform for the all-important introductions with influential press and buyers from around the world. Business and mentoring support, in partnership with Shoosmiths, Baker Tilley and Lloyds TSB, also remains a perk of the prize.

The NEWGEN recipients for spring summer 2013 sponsored by Topshop are:

Catwalk sponsorship: Michael van der Ham; J.W. Anderson; Simone Rocha.

Presentation sponsorship : Christopher Raeburn; J.JS Lee; Lucas Nascimento; Marques Almeida; Nasir Mazhar; Sister by Sibling.

Exhibition sponsorship: Palmer//Harding; Huishan Zhang; Lim Cooper; Sophia Webster.

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the BFC commented: "We are delighted to support this exceptionally talented group of designers and would like to thank Topshop for their support as a sponsor that is now synonymous with NEWGEN."

READ: BFC announce Fashion and Art Collusion

Adding to Rush's commendations on the calibre of UK design talent, Sarah Mower MBE, BFC's Ambassador for Emerging Talent, affirmed, "It never ceases to amaze me how fast NEWGEN winners learn - and how far they can go in such a short time."

Since its inception, NEWGEN's unique collaborative culture between aspiring designers and British industry experts has nurtured the likes of Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Roksanda Ilincic, Erdem, Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou.

With vibrant milliner Nasir Mazhar, statement shirt designers Palmer//Harding and national Eastern heritage-sourcing Huishan Zhang all in NEWGEN's spring summer mix, here's hoping for a zany September London Fashion Week.


Via: British Fashion Council confirms NEWGEN sponsorship for spring/summer 2013

Introducing Florence Huntington-Whiteley, Rosies little sister


Walk past any Jack Wills store at the moment and a distinctly-sounding name might grab your attention from the 'University Outfitter's' shop window.

But the Huntington-Whitley in question is not Rosie, she of Victoria's Secret, Marks & Spencer and Transformers: Dark of the Moon fame, but her younger sibling Florence.

PICTURES: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's rise to fashion fame

The brunette undergraduate is one of 19 Brits, Americans and Chinese bright young things hand-picked by the retailer to take part in its 'Seasonnaire' campaign. Across the UK, USA and France, the genetically-blessed team of DJs, students and aspiring sports stars will host parties from the beaches of Salcombe to the exclusive island of Nantucket, complete with Jack Wills-branded pink and blue Land Rovers.

Posing in blood red cut-offs and a logo'ed T-shirt, Huntington-Whiteley's plump lips confirm the genetic pool shared by Flo and her famous sister, who recently made her Sunday Times Rich List debut with an estimated fortune of £5 million.


Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who is set to design her own range of lingerie for M&S

READ: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley makes Rich List debut with a cool £5 million

'Stationed' in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Flo Huntington-Whitley says: "I'm a first year at Leeds University and this will be my first summer as a Seasonnaire. I cannot wait for it all to get started, so fingers crossed for good weather and I hope to see you around!"

Follow @florenceahw on Twitter for insider info and which events she'll be hosting, and find out more about Jack Wills' team of Seasonnaires .


Via: Introducing Florence Huntington-Whiteley, Rosies little sister

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley lands Mad Max film role


While her little sister Florence dips a toe in the world of modelling , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley certainly has her sights set on diversifying from model to bona fide actress.

READ: Meet Florence Huntington-Whiteley, Rosie's little sister

The 25-year-old Devon beauty has just been cast in the fourth Mad Max film, Mad Max: Fury Road , co-starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron - who recently shaved her head for the role. The George Miller-directed film will see Rosie play one of five wives alongside Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keogh and Adelaide Clemens.

IN PICTURES: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's rise to fashion fame

Los Angeles-based Huntington-Whiteley, who has modelled for Victoria's Secret and Burberry, was pictured travelling to Sydney, Australia for auditions earlier this month. Last year she took over from Megan Fox in Transformers: Dark of the Moon , but her performance received mixed reviews. Perhaps she's since taken some tips for her actor boyfriend, Snatch star Jason Statham.

READ: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley makes Rich List debut with a cool £5 million


Via: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley lands Mad Max film role

Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen honoured with OBE


From the moment the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out of her hotel on her wedding day, Sarah Burton became a household name. And the royal wedding dress designer's contribution to the British fashion industry is recognised as she is set to receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire).

READ: How Sarah Burton kept the royal wedding dress a secret

Burton, creative director of fashion house Alexander McQueen and winner of the Designer of the Year Award at the 2011 British Fashion Awards, described the process of designing the Duchess's gown as the "experience of a lifetime". The striking dress, which featured a lace appliqué bodice and skirt, has become one of the most copied dress designs in the world and was hailed a triumph for Burton, from Macclesfield, Cheshire.

IN PICTURES: Kate Middleton's wedding dress

The creative director of another luxury British label, Mulberry, also features in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Emma Hill joined the brand in 2008 and has since won several awards. The company recently reported a 54 per cent jump in profits to £36 million for the last financial year and its success has triggered plans to open a second UK factory in Somerset. Hill is made a CBE.

READ: Mulberry reveal profits of £36 million

The Royal Victorian Order is given by the Queen to people who have served her or the monarchy in a personal way and is bestowed independently of 10 Downing Street.

One of the Duke and Duchess's closest aides, Helen Asprey, who was one of the main organisers of last year's royal wedding, is also recognised by the Queen. Miss Asprey, private secretary to both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, is made Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order after working for the royals for more than 12 years. She is a member of the jewellery family and coordinates the Cambridges' private diaries, from booking holidays to responding to personal mail.


Mulberry creative director Emma Hill.


Via: Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen honoured with OBE

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Pigalle 120 patent-leather pumps


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Via: Pigalle 120 patent-leather pumps

Floral silk cape


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Via: Floral silk cape

Pink Tribal Print Boob Tube


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Via: Pink Tribal Print Boob Tube

The investment dresser: sunglasses


This week's column deviates from its usual mission of classic hunting because one key definition of good shades is they must be fashionable. It's galling, I know, to feel at the mercy of trends. Especially if you spend your life trawling through thrift shops in defiance of modern life (and why not? Linda Farrow has fabulous vintage sunglasses).

SHOP: Top 10 sunglasses under £100

Even if you last stepped into Topshop in 2004, there's a high chance, unless you've been residing in a cave (very Elle Deco 2012 btw), that your taste has fallen into line with the doctrine of our times. That's what taste does. It's why Ray-Ban Wayfarers - surely a jewel among so much sunglass mediocrity, and moderately priced, too - went through a period, after their 1980s ubiquity, of being infra dig.

Since current doctrine favours oversized specs with broodingly dark, or wackily colourful, does-my-sense-of-humour-look-big-in-these frames (thanks, Miuccia), any styles failing to comply will look strangely wrong. Unless looking strangely wrong is part of your style shtick, why risk it?

Besides, big specs protect the entire eye area from the sun. They should also sculpt your face. This summer's - and quite a few more to come, since evolutions in sunglasses move at the pace of a Bendy Bus - cat's eyes can have a similar impact to a cosmetic lift, though not (I'd hate to be accused of overselling) when you take them off.

There are useful rules. Round faces require squarish lenses. Heavy black, Jarvis Cocker nerd-shades do not suit everyone, despite being the go-to for every accountant or yummy mummy wanting to look a bit Out There. Lighter skins can't go too wrong with a mid-dark tortoiseshell.

Expensive is almost always better than cheap. Dedicated sunglasses companies - Alain Mikli, Cutler & Gross, the peerless Persol - are more satisfying than designer versions, with quieter branding, though Prada, Chanel and Marni are all innovative and Tom Ford's logo is discreet. And while big is good, really big, on small faces, looks ludicrous. As for night shades? Deadly


From left: Acetate and acrylic, £59; Jigsaw jigsaw-online.com , Acetate, £230; Persol, from David Clulow 0844 264 0870 , Gold metal, £16; Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.co.uk


Via: The investment dresser: sunglasses

Little Black Book: Eileen Fisher


Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel, Windermere
In sunshine or showers, the Lake District is a wonderful place to visit. This hotel feels like the essence of an English country house and provides a good base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. holbeckghyll.com

The Mercados , San Miguel de Allende
Strolling in the markets of this little Mexican town is a pleasure. A few years ago I bought the most beautiful necklace and bracelet made from leather and black Tahitian pearls. Every time I wear them I'm reminded of this special place.

The Standard Hotel and Spa, Miami
I've been here four times in the past 18 months - I love this place! I do yoga every day, hang out by the pool and have several spa treatments. I also like to shop in Miami to see what's on-trend in warm weather. standardhotels.com

Egg, London SW1
This store always inspires me - its warm simplicity, colours and an eclectic mix of goods offer a pleasant oasis during a busy day. 020 7235 9315

Saundra Messinger, New york state
Saundra designs jewellery I want to wear and give as gifts. Her style is organic, confident and cool, inspired by nature and everyday objects. saundramessinger.com

The Providores, London W1
We recently opened a store down the street from here. The food is fantastic - it reminds me of one of the best local restaurants in my home town of Irvington. A little bit of New York in London. theprovidores.co.uk

Olympic Sculpture Park , Seattle
Visit this waterfront park after eating at one of the food stalls in Pike Place Market. I love the juxtaposition of art in a natural setting against the urban landscape. seattleartmeauseum.org

eileenfisher.co.uk


Via: Little Black Book: Eileen Fisher

Saturday, June 16, 2012

London Collections: Men live blog


LIVE STREAMING TODAY:

09:00 Sibling
13:00 Mr Start
17:00 Matthew Miller

-----------------------------------------

SATURDAY JUNE 16

19:00 THE FERDINANDS DO FASHION
When Rio and Anton Ferdinand turned up at the Rake show tonight we had to ask: did you watch the match last night?
"Yeah," said Rio: "but I'm not talking football."
Damn right! Who wants to talk football in the middle of London Collections: Men? The Rake show - reviewed elsewhere by my colleague Phong Luu - made a valiant tilt at making formal-wear wearable informally, mixing baggy, streety trousers with razor-sharp double breasted. There was also lots of beautiful detail applied with the sly aplomb of Danny Wellbeck using his instep to deliver a cushioned ball... oh, sorry.
Anyhow, sticking with fashion, Rio said: "I loved it. I like the cut of the blazers and the little details here and there were really nice."
Anton added: "for me the salmon blazer with the shorts and tie, I liked it." But - even for a man who wears shorts to work (sorry) - does he think they are acceptable teamed with a jacket as part of a tailored look? "After seeing that, yeah. I would wear it."
For the record Anton was in a Vivienne Westwood jacket, waistcoat and shirt, with Topman jeans and Louboutin brogues. And Rio sported an Ozwald Boateng knit blazer with red Superdry trousers. "I'm not sure where the shirt is from. You don't want to be too aware of these things." True. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

18:40 A VERY BOOZY BILMESY
Also outside Jonathan Saunders earlier today was hungover Alex Bilmes, the editor of Esquire magazine. His jaded state was the whirlwind reaped from playing host at Friday night's biggest London Collections: Men party (which we skipped due to the football). So how did it go?
"Well we had a great turn-out. Jon Hamm [aka Don Draper] came, Florence Welch came, Alexa Chung DJ'd, David Gandy came, Sherlock Holmes came. It was fun, it was boozy and it went on til God-knows-when." Was there bad behaviour?" No, none. But there was dancing. We had Graham Norton and David Furnish on the dancefloor which was a very Esquire moment, as you can imagine."
Did Bilmes boogie? "No actually I didn't..". Probably because it's always a bit awkward to dance in a tailored jacket - that dad at a wedding feeling? "Yeah! You end up with that white man's overbite or whatever they call it. The soft shoe shuffle. There was a bit of that. But it wasn't very expressive, my dancing. No jazz fusion."
He added: "Another great thing about the party is that it was a meeting of the mens magazines. Dylan [Jones, GQ editor] came and Jo Levin came. And I managed to wrestle Dylan in front of a step and repeat board with our logo on it, which I was pleased about. He tried to block the Esquire logo, but it didn't work." - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

Alex Bilmes is wearing a Piombo jacket and the expression of a man who's digesting a major hangover and a bacon-burger from Byron:

Alex Bilmes PHOTO: Luke Leitch

18:30 THE GAP YAH YOOF GOES UPMARKET AT RAKE
Not often the Gap Yah Yoof plays muse in fashion, but apparently he's everyone's favourite inspirational figure today (see Christopher Shannon, below), including at Rake. Banish thoughts of said yoof bunking in the Chungking Mansions, though: Rake's traveller is decidedly more the private-riad-in-Marrakech sort, and the clothes, modelled by a global cast who looked like they had rocked up from Calcutta to Cancun, mirrored that.


PHOTOS: Philip Hollis

There were sand-dusted safari jackets that looked fit for a jaunt in the Sahara, dhoti-ish chinos and flowing djellaba-like shirts, accessorised with beads (picked up from India?) which dangled nonchalantly from wrists. The loose silhouettes were carried over to evening wear, where baggy trousers where paired with sharp blazers; any man's wardrobe would be all the better for one of its gorgeously crumpled double-breasted pea coats.
These were the easier sells: most, however, would probably need a shot of baiju before attempting the pink shorts suit - or 10… Phong Luu, fashion features coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.

16:30 HEDONISTIC ABANDON AT CHRISTOPHER SHANNON
Citing "hedonistic gap-year backpackers in south-east Asia" as inspiration behind his spring/summer 2013 collection was somewhat of a bold statement to brandish in the faces of editors and the fashion-pack, alike. And so with images of full-moon parties firmly ingrained, Christopher Shannon's show began.
Fringing was the texture du jour. From mop hair dos that put a hippy spin on the traditional curling rags of days gone by, to striped ensembles with threads literally bursting out from garments, thanks to an overzealous seamstress. This tribal tourist look crept onto everything from shirts to shorts paneling, embellishing an otherwise very wearable, sober colour palette.
Shannon's collaboration with The Cambridge Satchel Company also looked promising with the stylised satchels also receiving a tassle or two.
This mop haired, backpack boy chic was only dented slightly by the designer's devotion to the Kickers brand. The dreaded boxy school boy shoes for a trip to Asia: really Christopher Shannon? - Alice Newbold, fashion.telegraph.co.uk.


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

16:00 PLACE YOUR ORDERS FOR JONATHAN SAUNDERS
It wasn't just the one-up, one-down staircase at the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms that contributed to the queues at Jonathan Saunders today - this is one of the most anticipated shows of London Collections: Men so far. And justly so: the womenswear crowd swoon for Saunders' colour, focus and wit and soon the fashiony menswear crowd will too, thanks to this first, full, Saunders men mega-collection.


PHOTOS: Philip Hollis

As so often with Saunders it's the prints that make you squint. Here there were polka dots suffused with graphic, geometric fades of colour on short-sleeve shirts, twinsets, T-shirts and casual jackets. There was also a rather fetching green bomber jacket (in a fabric produced by the company that does Mercedes Benz's upholstery). Plus a hefty dose of intricately wrought knitwear - jumpers are the gateway garment for the colour curious man - and even (something completely new) some Jonathan Saunders suits.
As Saunders said as he took a breather outside: "Yes, there's a lot going on in there. The ingredients are the same as the ones I use in womenswear, really. It's about textiles and colour-balance, and also about a very 'dressed' person: formal in a way. What's important in balancing those things is that there is an element of sophistication: that's what I try and do in women's and it is important in menswear as well."


Saunders takes a 'fashion' breather backstage at his LCM show. PHOTO: Luke Leitch

"I love doing it. It's the whole think of dressing yourself. I don't know if other menswear designers have that but for me it is exciting."
He added: "I've only just started with menswear, but it's so category-driven. And guys, no matter how wealthy they are, they're price sensitive as well. And that's something we've had to look at in great detail. How much is our guy going to wear on a sweater?"
By the sounds of the amount of ordering going on upstairs, the answer is probably quite a bit. Tim Blanks of Style.com's staple garment is the colourful short-sleeve shirt. And going by his assessment - "It's the third summer of love!" - that's one bulk-buying customer confirmed right there. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

15:00 NEOPRENE DREAM
Fashion writer Dal Chodha knows how to rock a smock fashioned from neoprene, and no mistake!


PHOTO: David Nicholls

14:30 THE ONE TO WATCH
Just looking back over the London Collections: Men pictures so far, and just want to share how much I love new boy Shaun Samson. I first came across the Central Saint Martins graduate at ITS (International Talent Support) 2011 in Trieste where he collected the prestigious Collection of the Year Award, and he was just about the nicest chap you could hope to meet. Originally from San Diego, with parents hailing from the Phillipines, Samson is going places fast after being picked up and promoted by that most trendy of spotters, Lulu Kennedy and now showing as part of Topman's MAN collective at LCM. Expect to see him striking out with his very own catwalk show soon, which will no doubt be the hottest ticket in town. Remember the name. - BW


A model on the catwalk at Shaun Samson's presentation as part of MAN, and the designer himself. PHOTO: Chris Pledger.

14:05 LESS IS MORE AT LEE ROACH
The setting for Lee Roach's spring summer show was the palatial Carlton Gardens, a stone's throw from the mall. The venue was ostentatious and provided an interesting contrast to Roach's minimalist lab-coat chic collection. The garb was monochromatic; sleeveless tunics and coats in grainy charcoal were teamed with tapered trousers. The detailing was devastatingly simplistic; singular black rucksack straps were employed to tie together the garments and neatly capped-off Roach's pared back pieces. The forensically reductive aesthetic was cleverly offset by black gladiatorial Nike trainers and flip flops. Whilst the pomp of The Queen's official birthday procession was visible through the windows, Roach's show provided a welcome reminder that sometimes less is more. - George Dennis, The Daily Telegraph.


PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

14:00 FALSE START
Mr Start spoilt Team Telegraph to a third row seat at it's spring/summer 2013 show, and from this vantage point that I can exclusively reveal that the collection included suits in brown and blue and pink. At least, I think it did. There were certainly suit jackets - which is all I could really see over the heads of the students and bloggers in front of me. Genuine hoorahs though for the hair - the only other thing I could see. It was styled by the very excellent Alex Glover, head barber at Murdock London. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, Telegraph Magazine.

13:50 IT'S NEVER DREARY KATY EARY!

PHOTOS: Philip Hollis

Versace-esque turquoise and gold baroque-print skater T-shirts worn with matching long basketball shorts? Welcome to the weird-but-kind-of-wonderful world of Katy Eary. She may have been showing her collection one street back from Savile Row, but her look is as far removed as it's possible to get from what it has traditionally stood for. Suffice to say, she doesn't exactly embrace minimalism, our Katy. As if the shimmering T-shirts and shorts weren't enough of a statement, she sometimes layered them over white PVC drainpipe trousers and accessorised with a Mr T-style heavy gold necklace, high-tops and a kingsize white patent-leather backpack. More for the club kids, I think, rather than the beachfront at Southwold. So hip-hop it hurt. A lot. - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.

13:30 ALEXA PERPLEXER...

Alexa at TPIWIT striking a pose with giddy gal pal Pixi Geldof (top); and striking her SO last season pose (below). PHOTOS: REX

13:00 COCKTAIL CAUTION
More from the Esquire/MrPorter/Jimmy Choo party (hereafter simply referred to as The Party I Wasn't Invited To) where WAG model Abbey Clancy and her giraffe-like husband Peter Crouch were snapped soaking up the complimentary Belvedere Unfiltered Vodka Martini's. Here's a before and after shot of Abbey...

Woo-hoo, bring on the pole! PHOTO: REX

PS Am i the only one who thought Crouch was in Poland??!! #justsaying.

12:50 OH MAN
For the 15th season, Topman and Fashion East showed their support for emerging menswear talent by staging MAN - a three-in-one fashion show featuring the work of up and coming names in the business.
First up was Astrid Anderson, known for playing around with sportswear archetypes. Lace printed chiffon tops were layered over nylon gym kit, oversized basketball jerseys featured panels of faux fur and Kagools were cropped to just above the nipple. Oh, and we'll all be wearing toe rings and faux fur bum bags next spring.


Astrid Anderson. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

Next up was the excellent Agi & Sam, whose collection channeled 1970s kitsch and cool in equal measure. Prints - from the pixelated to the painterly - were reminiscent of retro wallpaper and at other times vintage tapestry. A Cath Kidston-esque bird print shell suit was approximately one million times lovelier than it sounds. Socks with matching patterns were a delightful touch.


Agi & Sam. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

The final designer of the threesome was Shaun Samson who presented an upbeat collection where kitten print T-shirts were adorned with metal spikes and lace softened up the streetwear vibe. A section of layered, oversized, checked pieces styled with woolly hats hinted at a return to grunge - with a modern lurex twist. This is, after all, the season for mixing discordant fabrics. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegraph Magazine.


Shaun Samson. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

12:40 HAMM SANDWICH
This just in from last night's Esquire/MrPorter/Jimmy Choo party to which I WAS NOT INVITED . Anyway here's JON HAMM , yes, that's right, DON DRAPER sandwiched between Esquire editor Alex Bilmes and ex-Esquire editor, now Mr Porter's editor-in-chief, Jeremy Langmead. Jon is clearly thinking about me in this picture. Well, at least someone was eh? Sniff sniff... - BW

12:35 TOVEY TIME
Spotted on way to Katy Eary's show: the actor Russell Tovey...


PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

12:20 ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
"Queen's official birthday procession outside Lee Roach, bet she's gutted about missing #lcm"


PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

12:10 HOWDY PARTNER
Now here's a street style look we can all learn from this season. Fashion isn't just about the way you dress, it's about fancy dress. Love the way this fellow has clashed his prints, textures and references. 10 points!


PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

11:45 TO BIRK OR NOT TO BIRK? THE DEBATE ROLLS ON...
Help me out here. I stand pretty much alone within the Telegraph Fashion team in thinking that there's nothing wrong with a man in Birkenstocks. When i uttered this out loud recently, i was shot down by the group of wide-eyed, open-mouthed fashionistas (male and female) in my vicinity. So, to prove me right, here i present the Birkenstock clad feet of one stylish model at the Agi & Sam presentation at the MAN show today. Yes, he is wearing them with flowery socks, but that's merely a styling flourish. A styling flourish too far, some might say, but not I. I say go forth and celebrate the strappy splendour of these majestic plates! ...Just me then...? - BW


PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

11:30 DAPPER MEN AT MAN:

PHOTO: David Nicholls

11:20 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF E TAUTZ
The heart does sink rather when you pick up the show notes to see the designer banging on about their inspiration. But I should have known better than to doubt Patrick Grant at E Tautz, who showed his spring/summer 2013 collection in a converted wharf in Wapping. In Grant's hands the inspiration - here the explorer and travel writer Sir Wilfred Thesiger - becomes seductively beautiful and Savile Row tradition is suddenly rendered relevant and wearably modern. Modernist even. The show opened with a pair of midnight blue flat-front trousers, a single-breasted three-button jacket, a crisp white cotton shirt and a heavy, flowing fuchsia cape (Grant calls it a duster coat, but I beg to differ). From then on in it just got better and better. Of course, this being E Tautz it was all about exquisite cut, but it was also about fabulous bursts of eye-popping colour - the aforementioned fuchsia, cobalt blue, bright, bright yellow - set against navy. If anyone's going to presuade me to wear a cape or a djellaba-like overshirt next summer it's Patrick Grant. This show was wonderful, all of it. - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.


PHOTOS: Philip Hollis

10:35 Think the fashion posse may have arrived at E Tautz show...

PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram

10:30 INTERGALACTIC FANTASTIC AT SIBLING
The heinous 9 o'clock start didn't prevent the 'urban' crowds from flocking to the Sibling show at the hospital club. For those nursing Mr-Porter-party-induced hangovers the event pulled no punches; the soundtrack being a blaring raucous barrage of 70's punk. The anarchic ethos of Sibling was effectively realised by this collection.


Behind you! BFC Chairman Harold Tillman backstage before the Sibling presentation. PHOTO: Reuters

The show was a faceless one, the models wore a variety of fully formed headpieces and looked as if their heads had been replaced by large white or black glittering snowflakes. The knitwear ensembles were either delicately striped with sparkling foil or sporting gold star based prints. The show's intergalactic theme was confirmed by the final model to walk. It might have been due to the early hour but I was convinced I had just seen C3PO. Under the blitz of flash bulbs the headpieces shone but in doing so unfortunately upstaged some carefully crafted ensembles. - George Dennis, The Daily Telegraph


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

------------------------------------------

Just catching up on last night's action. Here's what you missed...

SAVILE ROW OPEN DOORS
The focus of this weekend's activities may be the shows and parties but Savile Row reminded the fashion industry of its long-established contribution to men's style with yesterday evening's Open Doors event. For two hours tailoring houses along the street led press into cutting rooms and fitting rooms, with staff on hand to explain the intricacies and complexities of creating clothing to the Row's standards.

We enjoyed rifling through original patterns for customers such as Gregory Peck and Sir Laurence Olivier (above) in Huntsman and chatting to a busy-at-work tailor stationed mannequin-like in the window of Maurice Sedwell but where was everyone else? In contrast to the popular shows the event was noticeably undersubscribed - was there any competition between Savile Row tailors and others in the men's fashion industry I asked.
More than once workers there gave me the same slightly barbed reply: Savile Row isn't really about fashion - that comes and goes - it's about style - that endures. The masses may have been missing but money was still in evidence, with Maseratis and Bentleys lining the Row and plenty of immaculately attired men in beautiful bespoke suits walking past - presumably looking the business because they do business rather than because they wanted to be snapped for some youngster's fashion blog. - John O'Ceallaigh, London editor, Telegraph.co.uk.

DIB DIB DIB IT'S XANDER ZHOU
A collection titled "Fleurdelism" generates high, 'herbaceous' expectations. Derived from 'fleur-de-lis', a stylised lily that often appears as a symbol on heraldic coats of arms and also prominently features in the World Scout emblem, Xander Zhou did not pick the collection's name on a whim. Blossoming down the catwalk were natty bomber jackets of quilt and silk, while their longer companions offered a drawstring waist. Silhouettes generally embraced movement, with Zhou clearly channeling his outdoor inspiration into the 'stylised' cuts.

But if the blurb and chirpy woodland notes played upon entrance suggested Cub Scout chic, these cubs were of the most genteel clan on the block. Crisp whites flowed into lilac and earthy colour palettes, while a couple of tattooed dungarees wearers were thrown in the mix for the ultimate scout-gone-bad image. With platform, attitude-ridden shoes juxtaposed with crisply ironed neckerchiefs ripe for the picking, this was every Girl Guide's dream. - Alice Newbold, fashion.telegraph.co.uk

I'M NOT A MODEL, I'M A FREE MAN!

PHOTO: Luke Leitch

SUPERFLY AT SUPERDRY + TIMOTHY EVEREST?
Question: when is it OK to ask a mean-looking model to stand without refreshment for two hours, all in front of a fashion crowd glugging lovely Asahi beer (I didn't check if it was Superdry) - and give him a shotgun? Answer, from, company co-founder James Holder: "When the guns are all decommissioned, and they are, so it's fine."

The shotgun was one of the props at Superdry's launch of its Timothy Everest collaboration last night. This label, as nobody can not have noticed, has been one of British fashion's biggest recent success stories. So naturally, in typical British fashion, it has taken a bit of a too-big-for-its-boots knocking recently and the once ker-ching arc of its share price has dipped considerably.


PHOTOS: Philip Hollis

Personally, I'm superwry about Superdry - who isn't sick of those pseudo-Japanese graphics and the inescapable ubiquity of its shoulder branded jackets? I wasn't really expecting to think much of this collection at all.

But... it's great. Tweedy, country-style jackets with buttoned pockets, satin lapelled black suits and 1970's cop woollen dogtooth's are the order of the day here... with no graphics. Holder, who has something slightly Simon Pegg-ish about him, conceded cheerily enough that all has not been entirely superfly at Superdry of late, then said: "What is incredible, remember, is that less than 10 years ago this company was just me and another bloke sharing a computer. We've learned a lot and made some mistakes, of course, but we've had 20 years growth in ten years. We really haven't scratched womenswear at all, we're just now getting good at denim - that's going to go major league for autumn/winter '12 - so there are all these areas we haven't scratched the surface of yet. We've been fantastic at graphics, brilliant at jackets: now it's time to do all these other areas properly. For spring/summer 13 the collection coming is so mind-blowing its going to change everyone's perception of the brand."- Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

SPENCER HART AND THE CASE OF THE TOP TELLY STAR

PHOTO: Chris Pledger

Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor best known for his BBC portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, was last night reinvented as a cigar-chomping playboy on the catwalk of London fashion week. Cumberbatch and the former England Rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio closed the collection at Spencer Hart wearing black dressing gowns and pyjamas. The show - which refreshingly featured not only male models but women too, plus a troupe of dancers - was one of the highlights of the first of this three days men's fashion jamboree. Backstage Cumberbatch, a first-time model, said: "I've never done anything like that before - it was nerve-wracking. You have to think of a character and I went for Hugh Hefner, with the cigar and whisky." The pinstripe-besuited blonde model on Cumberbatch's arm contributed to that Hefner-esque air too.- Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

----------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY JUNE 15

17:00 The sun comes out at YMC
Watercolour post card images of tropical islands are projected onto screens along the catwalk and there is exotic birdsong from the speakers. Spring / summer 2013 has a distinctly holiday feel at YMC with a continuation of those island prints we've come to love from this excellent British brand. They appear on polo shirts, tailored jackets and jumpers in a subdued colour palette. There were also collegiate elements - wide striped jersey Jackets that hinted towards the Ivy League. While the opening section of the show was dominated by a soft shade of lemon - in light cotton trousers, shorts and raincoats, the finale was a series of more challenging leopard print pieces - from polos and parkas to T-shirts and baseball caps. These aside, this is a hugely wearable collection, one of the strongest of the day, and one that I suspect will appeal most to men who have an interest in clothes but are happy to leave the fashion behind. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegraph Magazine.

PHOTO: @mrporterlive / Twitter

16:50 AN OMG OUTSIDE YMC
Check out the bad-boys on this chap's feet...


PHOTO: David Nicholls

16:35 OLIVER SENCER HAS A RUSSIAN MODERNIST MOMENT
Beards (and mankles) were much in evidence on the catwalk today at Oliver Spencer, a designer who likes his models a bit menacing looking. The clothes were altogether less rugged than we've maybe come to expect of him, however, the silhouette being cleaner than of late. Ditto the palette, which majored on navies and neutrals punctuated by great blocks of vibrant colour such as Majorelle blue, emerald green, berry red and mustard (the whole lot inspired, apparently, by the work of the Russian modernists and the abstract painter Ben Nicholson). Speaking backstage, Spencer said he was particularly proud of his reworked parka, a more fitted affair with a high waisted back and single deep vent. Me, I really, really loved the jodhpur-style trousers in a thick canvassy cream cotton buttoned at the ankles, but then I wouldn't say no to any of it.


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

PS. As for Spencer's "star" model, Gordon Richardson, the design director at Topman (see below): he made a very good job of modelling a natty navy suit, comprising a jacket with a broadish shoulder and side-adjusters. But Gordon, you've really got to work on looking mean and moody if you're going to make it... - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.

16:30 ALEXA GOES POSTAL
Alexa Chung is so everywhere at London Collections: Men. Martine Rose, Oliver Spencer, Topman Design - and even on top of the pillar box on the corner of Savile Row and Burlington Gardens. She was there to add a bit of YSL-shod Chungy-lustre to a shoot of the street's sharpest tailoring talent. Because she's doing some gig with the British Fashion Council she can't talk about the shows, she said - sigh - but did confirm that she's booked in between 10pm and 11pm to DJ at the Mr Porter/Jimmy Choo/Esquire party at the Corinthia Hotel. "I've got to go home and burn some CD's," she said. Now the Savile Row Open House event has just started. Most of the houses on "The Row" have thrown open their doors and workrooms to all-comers. The street is packed. For the first time in years there appears to be more people on Savile Row than there are adolescent tourists queueing outside Abercrombie and Fitch around the corner.


PHOTO: @lizmathewspr/ Twitter

16:15 SKORT SHRIFT
Could this be the first sighting on our streets of a pair of "skorts", aka the shorts-skirt hybrid for men, aka a coming trend (allegedly) in men's fashion? Spotted on Shan Temuri, a stylist, after Oliver Spencer's show. He assures me they're actually shorts "but flared". I'm not so sure. Anyway, the whole get up is by Comme des Garcons, with the exception of his chiffony cape thing at the back, which you can't see. And check out the peroxide eyebrows! - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.

16:00 TOMMY TIME
Check out all the fashionable faces posing and pouting for the cameras at last night's Tommy Hilfiger party to launch London Collections: Men. Say cheese!

15:25 HUNKS IN TRUNKS A-GO-GO AT ORLEBAR BROWN
Providing the dishiest model of the day so far, men's swimwear brand Orlebar Brown hosted a presentation in their swanky new store just of Regent Street. Season after season the label provides chic trucks - as favoured by James Bond - which sit somewhere in between budgie-smugglers and board shorts. The new collection saw wicker prints in various colour ways and geometrics courtesy of the David Hicks archives. Continuing to see a rise in sales of the shorter swimming trunks, the label is hoping to banish badly dressed Brits from beaches worldwide. This season Orlebar Brown is pursuing a natural progression into sportswear, with natty shorts that fold away into the smallest of bags, sweatshirts in every colour under the sun and all-weather kagools. Unfortunately during Team Telegraph's appointment, the eye-catching model had donned pieces from the sportswear collection. Orlebar Brown, next time please may we have more hunks in trunks? - Sophie Warburton, stylist coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.


PHOTO: Phillip Hollis

15:20 WE SPY A LOVELY NECK TIE
By Labour & Wait if you must know. 10 style points.

15:10 IN THE MOOD FOR ABBOUD
Citing London as the best fashion city for men, Bernardo Rojo, the creative director of American brand, Joseph Abboud very much felt like he was coming home. 'I took my first design job in London' explained Rojo but although presenting here he stayed true to the US based brand's roots. Hosting a salon-style show in the Bar Américain, Abboud presented a collection of slick sportswear in a colour palette of red, white and blue (with a little black thrown in for good measure). Post-show, the designer referenced pretty much every man's idol, James Dean, along with a modern twist courtesy of Ryan Gosling's character in 'Drive'. Models strutted in the runway in polonecks, styled under fitted blazers and shorts, while others wore macs with nipped in waists and slim cut chinos. With a nod to both the 1950's and the 80's the collection covered all bases for the modern man - wearable pieces, in innovative fabrics that can be styled up or down accordingly. Sleek and chic, even the snappiest of dressers could learn a thing or two from Abboud. - Sophie Warburton, stylist coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.

14:50 MIX IT LIKE MARTINE ROSE
Mix three parts bleached denim (oversized, Dexy's Midnight Runners proportions) with one part fake snakeskin, and one part scuba-style neoprene. Scatter in some handprint motifs, get your models to hold old band T-shirts (Pil, Screamadelica). Then top the whole thing with white, bankrobber-style facemasks. Finally bottom it with practical Velcro-strapped action-sandals of a type hitherto seen on any catwalk. Martine Rose was loopy and very niche - but fun. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.


PHOTOS: Phillip Hollis

14:40 FIX UP, LOOK SHARP
While you're waiting for the next show to drop, take a look at London editor, John O'Ceallaigh's guide to the emerging stars of Savile Row.

14:15 GOR-BLIMEY!
Backstage at rehearsals for Oliver Spencer show and catch Gordon Richardson, design director at Topman, with his trousers round his ankles, revealing striped jersey trunk knickers. The reason? He begged Oliver for a cameo on the catwalk. This is a picture of him preparing (with trousers on)... - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.

13:40 TOPMAN'S ARTY SPORTY SHOW
When the American graffiti cum neo Expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is mentioned in the pre-show blurb you have a pretty good idea what to expect. And so Topman Design presented a collection which was heavy on painterly prints which ranged from refined brush strokes, to those of the 'dab and splodge' variety.

Fuchsia, orange, red and various fluoro shades were the mainstay of a collection that included such delights as a Prince of Wales check shorts jumpsuit, and a section of Amercian football aertex crop tops. One genuine highlight was a series of lightweight tailored jackets that had been heavily lasercut. When worn with an underlayer of a different colour, it created a striking polka dot effect through the surface of the jacket. This was by no means a collection designed for an Everyman - the shapes (much of them oversized) were just as challenging as the prints and palette, but Topman Design's core clientele of urban street style youff fashionistas will not be disappointed.- David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegrpah Magazine.


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

13:30 TINIE PROBLEM

13:00 ANOTHER GREEN BEAN HITS THE SCENE
Sir Philip Green and his daughter Chloe we hear from quite regularly, but today the lesser spotted Green - Brandon - put in an appearance at the Topman Design show. Our first question - naturally - was what is he wearing: head-to-toe Topman? "All Topman. Except for the jacket, it's Neil Barrett. I was told to wear Topman but I couldn't find it this morning when I was rumagging." Apparently Brandon rolled out of bed "four minutes" before the Green limo was due to depart. So, as he can put together a look like that in four minutes, does Brandon plan to do a Chloe and design his own line?

"Personally I have no intention of designing. I stick with my dad, I started working with him about a year ago [in the business side of Arcadia]. But obviously as dad says product is the key part of any business, and in fashion, no matter how good you are at the business part you have to be involved in the product too. Topman I think is performing as well as any brand in the high street. Globally across the world Topman is the business in the Arcadia group which is performing hands-down, the best..".

And does he ever get his dad to try and different look? "No - I wouldn't even try!" - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

12:45 WAKE UP CALL

12:30 POCKET ROCKETS
It's all about a pocket square at the moment don't you know? Check out these dapper dan's rocking the shows today. I say!

12:00 COOL MAN LUKE
Luke Day the Editor of GQ Style - and a stylist of some renown - has fully mastered the fashion Rock God look. For those who want to "Steal His Style" Luke's wearing a James Long shirt, various chains (Gucci, Jade Jagger, and a "God" medallion he bought in the church of Browns), plus some Topman Design jeans. Shows at the top of Luke's list are James Long and Martine Rose, plus MAN. He said: "we should all appreciate that without Topman there wouldn't be a London mens' fashion week at all." That suntan he added, not fake: he's just back from holiday. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

11:50 HACKETT GET INTO GREAT GATSBY MODE

PHOTOS: Phillip Hollis

Hackett harked back to a lost, glorious, halcyon age this morning - the time when bankers wore bowlers, carried brollies, and could be trusted. An 18-strong phalanx of models carrying the traditional City accessories and wearing dapper double and single breasted suits - some a bit too loud to be convincingly vintager banker - closed the label's show at the Royal Opera House. Elsewhere, there was a noble and determined push for paisley-printed trousers - a big womenswear trend - to translate into menswear. But I'm not sure about it will succeed. Spanish-owned Hackett usually riffs on Englishness but much of today's collection - the seersucker jackets, baker boy caps, cream lined peaked lapel suits and white brogues - had something a little Great Gatsby-ish about them. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.


The finale of city gents at Hackett. PJHOTO: Phillip Hollis

11:40 SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES
You know when a model's really big, because they sit front row instead of pounding the catwalk: David Gandy front row at Hackett.


PHOTO: mrporterlive / Instagram

11:06 SPENCER SOULBOY
Spencer Hart is a show to watch out for this afternoon - Benedict Cumberbatch and womenswear are set for catwalk cameos. Nick Hart said last night his collection this time round is going to be heavily music-influenced, then started reminiscing about competing in Soulboy dance-offs at a nightclub called Crackers. "I was a terrible dancer, though." - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

10:55 LOU DALTON
For spring/summer 2013 Lou Dalton has shifted her focus from the battle fields of WW1 to the playing fields of a very modern age. It was more 'sport luxe' than sportswear however, with a major focus on combining discordant fabrics. Panels of suede were added to cotton shirts. Velvet and jersey are combined on sweat tops. Airtex panels added a pleasing texture to sharply tailored jackets. Tailoring in general was very strong - and heavily structured thanks to a generous use of panelling. Alexa Chung arrived with British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tilman giving us the first front row pap frenzy of London Collections: Men; while swimmer Mark Foster and Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Hollie Johnson were also in attendance. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegrpah Magazine.


PHOTOS: Chris Pledger

10:45 Is Liam Gallagher the new Paul Smith?
The Oasis... sorry, Beady Eye singer's Beatles/Mod influence brand, Pretty Green, is to open a standalone store in Tokyo next month. He's already got 11 shops in Britain. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.

10:30 BREAKFAST WITH STEPHEN WEBSTER
Stephen Webster kicked off the inaugural London Collections: Men shows with a busy-for-9-in-morning breakfast at Hix for his new mens jewellery collection. Called 'Highwayman', it was inspired by his yearly cross-America roadtrips (in his wheels of choice, a rather cool vintage Thunderbird). Hence, necklaces and bracelets centred on roadsigns and rings came as "rotating wheels". A chirpy Webster told Team Telegraph that he was planning on doing another sojourn from Colorado to the Napa Valley this year - "It's the only time I can get away from my family!". His road buddy of choice? "My mechanic!" Sensible man.


Mmmmmmushroom's with creme fraiche at Stephen Webster.

The Red Snapper cocktails (gin and tomato juice and fancy fry-ups served were top notch, but Webster had another trick up his sleeve. Taking to the bar-cum-catwalk, he annouced there was going to be a show. What he didnt tell us was that Martin Kemp, Gary Kemp and Nicky Clarke would be among the models. They goodnaturedly did their best Zoolanders and everyone cheered - although Kemp got rather bashful when we asked for a picture of his best Blue Steel. Clarke and Webster had no such reservations, though - check out their pouts. Early contenders for best BS of the week? - Phong Luu, Fashion Features Co-ordinator, The Daily Telegraph


Stephen Webster and Nicky Clarke pull their best Blue Steels for our camera.


Nicky Clarke, Stephen Webster, Martin Kemp and Gary Kemp strut their stuff. PHOTO: Phillip Hollis


10:00 ALEXA ARRIVES
No London fashion event would be complete without the British Fashion Council's Young Style ambassador, Miss Alexa Chung...

9:50 AND WE"RE OFF!
The first London Collections: Men kicks off proper this morning with... a breakfast. Why is it men can't do anything on an empty stomach? Jeweller Stephen Webster is playing host - more of this later. While we're waiting for the first show to begin (Lou Dalton 10am live streamed above), news has reached our inbox of the first bit of celebrity catwalk action. Sherlock Holmes AKA benedict Cumberbatch, will 'walk' in Spencer Hart's show today at 5pm. Spencer Hart dressed Benedict Cumberbatch for the BAFTA TV awards and the Golden Globes this year. If you're in Benedict's fan club - affectionately known as 'The Cumberbitches', get thee to the Old Selfridges Hotel where you might catch a glimpse of the man himself. Just don't tell him i sent you...

THURSDAY JUNE 14

PRINCE CHARLES: FASHION ICON? ME?
At a reception at St James Palace to officially launch London Collections: Men, Prince Charles batted off suggestions he was a sartorial icon. Luke Leitch went along to meet His Royal Highness and ask the all important question: what are you wearing? Read all about his adventures here...


Prince Charles takes the mic. PHOTO: REX

And here are our favourite pics from the glamorous soiree:


David Walliams meets Charles: "I asked Charles what he wears. He said mostly Primark, but George at Asda too: he likes to mix it up." PHOTO: REX


Tom Ford meets Prince Charles: Who's your tailor? Call me, not that guy next to me... don't call him... don't even look at him... PHOTO: REX


Via: London Collections: Men live blog