Fashion and Film: Prada Fall 08

Film has increasingly become the obsession du jour in fashion. Short films are now used to showcase new collections as well as replace the usual advertisements we have become used to. Muccia Prada treated over 1,500 to Prada's latest animation at the Prada Broadway Epicentre in New York. The film is produced by James Lima using the latest cyber scanning technology where the body is scanned, recorded and animated. This animation is in conjunction with the lace themed Prada Fall 08. References are made to the greats of modern art, such as Duchamp, Dali, Buñuel, and Escher, as the woman and her shadow take a journey through different landscapes in what i call 'reality animation'. Lima says, "The shadow is more alive and expressive than the woman."

Prada's Fallen Shadows







The lace in this collection is not quite pretty, yet not quite sexual, but most definitely provocative in its elusiveness. Strutting down the steep spiral runway, the models are clad in opaque suiting, under layered with nude colored dresses/shirt dresses with matching patent cone heels, gradually shifting to full on lace skirts, and dresses further intensifying the struggle between the covered up suiting and the transparency of the lace. Character filled fashion I say.







Photos and video - Style.com

I'm a Modelizer

David Gandy for Dolce and Gabbana Light blue

I cannot figure out what I'm most mesmerized by; David Gandy in that skimpy number or the of the exchange between these two beauties. A total 'modelizer' i am, although this obsession is strictly reserved for high fashion models. As i watch replay after replay after replay, i wish so hard to switch places with either of them. Actually, I'm dying to be in the sun, sporting my sailor-esque two piece with my hands running through my drenched hair...

CUT!!!

modelizer = total model obsessive

Fashion is my future, Not Jay Z

So I've got my doll dress on and making my way to the Victor & Rolf Dolls exhibition. I'm also to attend this talk called, Fashion and Celebrity, the influence of Hollywood on fashion; notoriety. Amongst other fashion literati to attend are, Bronwyn Cosgrave, author of Made for Each Other: Fashion & The Academy Awards, Hadley Freeman, Deputy Fashion Editor, The Guardian and Roger Tredre, founder of the daily fashion journalist newswire, WGSN.

Its 7pm and i'm just about to leave my apartment, definitely no manolos on feet, because i don't run in them you see. In the mean time L is waiting for me with the most delish tickets for the o2 wireless festival, he's already rocking to Mark Ronson and calling me every second to make it before Jay Z comes on, like his life depends on it. But i try convincing him of the reality of my ambitious future which includes fashion and not Jay Z. Choosing between meeting the deputy fashion editor of the Guardian and the top boss at WGSN (the largest and most influential fashion resource) and screaming Hova!!!!!!!!!! Not an option. (To be honest i spent the entire day waiting for my press pass to come through and trying to calculate how i can make it to both events, before i saw the light)

To my delight the talk was very insightful, and sure i had opinions; from Victoria Beckham's campaign for Marc Jacobs, to Donatella Verscace calling Obama her new 'muse' - man of the moment.

I smell an Obama/Versace Menswear campaign, with Obama all bronzed and oiled slouching on a gold medusa engraved chair in a bronze suit, shirt half unbuttoned (as he usually wears his shirt), perhaps throw in Giselle, smudgy eyes and all in a goddess dress crawling at his feet....OK I'm getting carried away here.

The Doll exhibition was divine, i need to blog entirely on it...I need to fetch my Vitor & Rolf Dolls post cards and notes.....Right now Nadal needs me!

Can i get a Press Pass...pleeeeeeeeeeeease

I'm published, finally. I say finally as if i have been struggling as a journo for ages, but this is the best present ever, just fabulous. The cartoon lady on my column has a booty on her, not saying i dont, because of course i do, but all i'm saying is she looks more beyonce-ish than i do, not that i'm complaining as i am of course in love with my body and myself, okay..................

Now I have to practice on getting all those press passes.

The past week has been amazing from disvirgining our zen garden with champagne and caviar, only to wake up the next day with what i call grass attack to jetting to the humingbird bakery in south kensington just for some devine red velvet cupcakes a la 2000 calories for my 22nd birthday party. I even made the mojitos from scratch, as a friend asked..."oh my gosh Lerato...where did you get mint from?"..."eerrr, they have got mint in tesco darling". ROFLMAO

Gosh i feel old....and fat too!!!

p.s: I'm watching Nadal at the Wimbledon semi-finals and blogging at the same time, do not judge me for rambling!

Black is the new Black

PS: People should stop getting their knickers in a twist sending text messages saying BUY VOGUE, FIRST ALL BLACK ISSUE...errrrm its Vogue Italia/Italian Vogue.....in Italian OKAY!!!! So buy Vogue Italia.




Uma Turman is on the cover of Vogue UK July 2008 issue, and Nicole Kidman graces the US July 2008 issue.

Now that i've gotten over my bad morning, here's the main story!

Vogue Italia is set to inspire change in the fashion industry with an all black issue shot by photographer extraudinaire, Steven Meisel.





This July edition features only black models and women in the arts and entertainment industry. It is an open secret that black models get the short end of the stick with jobs on the catwalk, in magazines and on billboards. Industry executives have been quoted as saying, "ethnic models do not inspire women to spend money", of course with the exception of model supremo Naomi Campbell a big hit on the catwalk, and on major magazine commercials like Louis Vuitton.

Controversial editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani says she was inspired by Barrack Obama's success in the US presidential primaries. Meisel photographed Naomi Campbell, Iman, Tyra Banks, Liya Kebede, Jourdan Dunn, Alek Wek and Pat Cleveland, among others.

Model du jour, Jordan Dunn graces the cover.......

Now i say what happened to asian models since we want to to get all concerned???

Une fille au masculin

The new ad for Jean Paul Gaultier's latest perfume Ma Dame is tres sexy. Gaultier describes Ma Dame as the daughter in his collection of perfumes, “She is energetic, modern, and young in attitude, and that concludes the family.” The family includes Classique as the mother, Le Male as the father, the son is Fleur du Male, and Fragile is “sort of like the aunt... Ma Dam is my type of woman—at the same time fragile and strong, like a tomboy that is a little androgynous in attitude so, you know, she can cut her hair if she wants.”

As much as i ache over the sight of aggy at every turn, I do love any and everything in the spirit of androgyny! But hey, I am no TOMBOY ;-)

Aggy can sing

Who - Five o'clock Heroes feat. Aggyness Deyn

Besides making weird body shapes she can sing too! What is the world coming to? Model becomes singer, becomes actress, as she's set to star alongside Dustin Hoffman's son.

From now on, I'm editor in chief/model/photographer extraudinaire/celebrity chef/cocktail impresario...now how's that?

Front Row at Graduate Fashion week

Graduate fashion week is the hottest fashion event before London fashion week. I have since learnt not to wear balenciaga-esque construction style shoes to such events as I'll end up on a flip flop hunt after all that stiletto-aerobics;not sexy i tell you. After a morning of backstage antics and skipping to catch a bacon cheese burger a la m&s, it was showtime, of course i made a beeline for front row reserved seats, non reserved for me but i sat there with a face that screamed, LOOK AT ME AND WONDER BUT DO NOT SPEAK TO ME!.

There was a sitting for a total of 14 collections from the Edinburgh college of arts designers; total gorge binge. From romantic whites, a tux re-invention to a butterfly inspired colorfest. My three favourites were 'I walk you lead' by Salmena Carvalho, whose theme was strong summery butterfly colors such as yellow, pink, purple and red, contrasted by structure layered blouses and panelled long flowing dresses; 'Pretty in Pleats' by Katheryn Morrisey, inspired by victorian and Edwardian eras, with Victorian sleeves on luxurious woollen coats, and organza hooded tops fusing the classic and the modern; and 'Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto' by Richard Welch, fusing science fiction films with 1980's fashions with intricate tailoring and bold mix of geometry, colors and fabric. The Gala awards show was a celeb-fest with the fash pack mingling at the free pre-show bar. Claudia Schiffer, Stefano Pilati and fab two Aggy and Henners were on hand to dish out awards.

I say lets pack up and head to London Fashion Week; front row if i can help it.

xx Lerie






Richard Welch





Kathryn Morrisey





Salmena Carvalho

Prêt-à poser

Tayo, Kiren, Model impostor

So i woke up and decided to walk the thorny path of a budding journalist, fashion literati to be precise. The journey started sooner than i ever anticipated, thank God i decided to be more serious about my blog, Editor in chief of Scotscampus took a peek and offered me a chance of a 'girl about town' column. Just my kinda gig I'd say. One published column and the world is my oyster. I've started my gallivanting already, first at a test shoot for a makeup artist. (note: i certainly am not a model, was just bored...lol, but i could be if offered lots of money - hint hint)

So i end up at this test shoot for a professional makeup artist, Crystal of Rosebudden.An actual modeling assignment, i wonder what i thought test shoot meant.hours and hours on makeup, the pack were as hungry as i was, so we had pizza delivered to the studio. When i was ready for slice two, i couldn't believe it was all gone, i thought models didn't eat, OK i didn't really think that, but i was hoping they would be on some skinny bitch diet then i could basque in pepperoni glory, tough luck.

Got into my outfit, a cute multicolor block skirt and a white tank top now its party time. I can't believe how nervous i was in front of the camera, me queen of vanity, only knows how to pose in front of the TV, and bathroom mirror, bloody hell i expected the photographer to go, give me sexy sexy sexy, hot, yeah, now look at the camera like you want me, yeah..., but no, the hairdresser Audrey was a brilliant director, helping me with the poses, and before we said cheeese!...i was all attitude...Audrey goes"oh!!! here comes beyonce".

This modeling thing is rather hectic, i may be a skinny bitch and all but the acrobatics involved was quite bone breaking! Crystal is actually using the shots for her new website..omg..omg..i'm gonna be famous...okay, not quite. Kiren a proper model was of course working it with those lengthy limbs of hers, crystal glued her up with some white feather eyelashes, glam i say, i so wanted to 'take', as mine were jumbo sized spider like eyelashes, tres glam for the shoot, but i swear it gave me sleepy eyes as heavy as it felt. The best part was the 'jump-pose' a la America's next top model..lol....The shoot was so much fun...oh my goodness, i just realised i lost my Chloe cardigan, this is so not happening to me right now, First its a cardigan, a material thing which i cherish, second, Its Chloe!
:-)
Woke up slightly hungover, again and its not the martinis, its my new found joie de vivre. I will be hanging out at the Graduate fashion week, its going to be fabulous getting all the backstage gossip and sitting for the show later in the evening on the 10th of June. If i pulled off getting invitations to the show and backstage access surely i can pull off gala tickets, ill just have to call the Awards director as early as i did today when i still have my early morning cutesy voice on. The Gala is an industry only-invitation only event for the presentation of awards for the best collections. I'll just make sure everyone gets good coverage in the column, then perhaps they can also send me free clothes off their premier collections.

June has started out with great surprises and as I'm having both mum and dad around for a week, i can only thank God, as he is about to reverse my near state of starvation (because lately i can't be bothered to cook although my fridge is as stocked as Jamie Oliver's)and bankruptcy(because the part of my brain that alerts me to check prices when shopping ...is faulty).

;-)

*L

à Dieu rive gauche

Legendary couturier Yves Saint Laurent has died at the age of 71. Deemed one of the founding fathers of 20th century fashion as groundbreaking and influential as Coco Chanel and Dior. The postwar era saw a bold shift in women's fashion, from conservative and austerity inspired to luxurious fabrics and bold silhouettes, full skirts, fitted jackets, power dressing in trouser suits and tuxedos.

Helmut Newton's iconic 1975 photo of 'Le smoking'

After setting up his couture house in 1962, Yves Saint Laurent began to develop the famous tuxedo suit, Le smoking. "I'm convinced women want to wear trousers, he said." Today we have many translations of this 'androgynous' style, from designers including Stefano Pilati who is currently the creative director of YSL to Karl Lagerfeld following Coco Chanel. Ysl still retains the translation of its founding father's idea of feminine masculinity, updating the tux look in all seasons.

Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008 Ready to Wear

Yves Saint Laurent will always be remembered as one of fashion's greatest artists, one of the members of the French fashion holy trinity.

A Dieu Yves Saint Laurent and long live 'Le Smoking', God knows i do love mine.

I heart babies&hotties&puppies

Bank holiday weekend was rather eventful; from my rugby 'non' date to the rainy barbecue.

Saturday; I got bamboozled into going to watch a rugby match plus a dinner ball afterwards, just as this rugby player/enthusiast/friend of a friend also got bamboozled into taking me to his match. Adrenaline charged, port filled men and boys flying across the field and landing on each other, not exactly my idea of a Saturday bank holiday outing, although i was looking forward to the famed 'grunting', but not much of that occurred. Cheering the boys on i did get a stroke on the cheek prompting an experienced cheerer to say, "at least you get some show of affection, that's more than i ever get". I can guarantee that next time i am cajoled into rugby cheering, I'd definitely be making a picnic out of it with luxury seating arrangements, cupcakes, ice cream, the full works. Ladies! martinis at the ready, Boys! get scrumming!

Sunday's lesson; This summer make sure to eat before attending a barbecue because you risk starvation. My friend Shash invited us to her 'neighbours' barbie. The un-sexyness of the weather sure did nothing to keep us in high spirits. My fish pie held us for approximately five hours till the party food was ready to be eaten. Embezzling treats and drinks was not our finest moment, as you know i pride myself on being a chic young lady but dare i say, hunger and thirst brings out the worst in any man.

Monday; First i fell in love with my girlfriends's baby, then I fell deeply in love with that little gorgeousness in my video, now I'm a total wreck without a her. Reason two to consider rehab this summer.

Thinspiration !?

What was on the lunch menu yesterday? Lemon cake and Hot chocolate with whipped cream (rather essential topping!)

Last week, i said to A, "i think i need to see someone, i may be comfort eating, but i'm not depressed, way passed that, i'm actually in a fabulous place right now, but when i get into my apartment i just cannot stop eating." My fridge and kitchen cupboards are filled to the brim, from Green and blacks ice cream, to peanut butter to crab meat (new obsession by the way!) to flap jacks to crackers (ongoing obsession btw!). I just cannot bear to wake up and not find what i feel like eating at that particular time, so i thought it best to stock up on most of my faourites.

The other night i was watching desperate housewives on my laptop, when suddently i thought, hmmm i'd like to eat something, not hungry at all i tell you. Oven on, chicken gourjons at the ready! Her response was "ha ha ha". She did not take me seriously, i was genuinely worried, but then i guess people have real problems like getting loser boyfreinds/girlfriends, backstabbing friends, not enough shoes e.t.c. Going through a whole pack of crackers, WITH butter is not exactly SAFE. FYI: I'm famous amongst my pals for being the lady of treats, you will most likely find your treat of choice at mine.

Now I have a new problem, I call it the Stilettos-Starvation. The breakfast lover that i am, i wake up, rush rush, trying to get to whatever i have to get to for the day, i grab a flapjack, sometimes a cracker then I'm off by 4pm, a cupcake.....yum....10pm I'm dying for a buffet! (buffet symbolizes the quantity, i actually don't do buffets). I was craving plantains, so i made plantains, and that was it.

OMG! from writing this it just clicked, I'm starving because i don't have time to eat, or maybe I'm worried i might eat too much and become obese but I've never been weight obsessed, and my fridge can testify.

Are any of you as 'troubled' as i am, maybe we can be rehab-buddies???

I think I'll google 'eating disorder, or spiritual healing for food addicts'. Rehab is looking good this summer.

*L
;-)

Toe sucking Eva

Eva Mendes' recent shoot for Vogue Italia. My fav has got to be the 'feet on boobs' picture, tres risqué, loves it! But toe sucking...Sexy??? hmmm

I'm a grubber not a clubber

This week has been .......(when i find words..ill replace this). On monday i was so excited, there was actually sun; too scared to bare my legs- just yet, i was in maxi dresses for the most part. On tuesday i came out for a well deserved dose of vitamin d. Lunch with my gal pal, 'the seductress' was delightful, rice, crab meat, prawns, spring onions (i am the queen of spring onions, when i haven't got a bunch in my fridge my friends worry), savignon blanc to top it off. Girlie dates, we love...we love...

Wednesday morning 'S' is at mine for a girlie day in; i did not wake up in great form, but something scrumptious always does the trick. Hint: come visit with cup cakes or ice cream or both. We cooked up some pomme sautéed and steak....we are steak lovers unlike some girls who pretend like its too much meat for a 'lady to eat', whatever, i say they are losing out big time. 'S' pops downstairs to snag us a bottle of rose or should i say *pink wine like someone i know; one of the perks of neighbouring a restaurant. Note: this meal was for lunch and not breakfast.

It was great to have her round as she stopped me from wearing denim pants and a lousy t-shirt to fash bash later that night. "Leeeeraaatooo, how can you wear jeans to go to a club'- i suddenly regained my senses. "So, i ended up at movida for Henry Holland's, fash bash party wearing a Luella-esque floral dresses that was flying all over the place. I couldn't believe it, i could have actually worn my jeans with slippers in fact, just like the guy who walked right past my friend and i, like wt*, then the model with the uggs. Like somebody i cant remember who said, "its better to be overdressed than under dressed". We had complimentary cocktails, then a £10 martini, which by the way, left me gobsmacked, I wouldn't mind paying £10 for a slice of cake at Sketch but this threw me off...well, that's what you get when u don't pick up the tabs. (I do a lot of the time though, i promise.)

I strained my eyes trying to count how many key pieces my fellow fashionistas were sporting; one miu miu dress, one loubies(louboutin..by the way)...a couple Chanel bags....yeah that's it...oh of course some pieces off Henry Holland's S/S 08 collection. Chit chatted here and there with Yvan - face hunter. Don't know why i just couldn't bring my own damn camera. On my way out, funny looking cross dresser-man/woman-not sure, oh behind him/her/it, was Sam Sparrow, gosh if he didn't wear so many neon looking things, perhaps i could fancy him.

Next month, I'll be back, wearing jeans and slippers, but I'll try to make them fashionable slippers like a Tory Burch or maybe more casual havainas, and ill most certainly be papping it up.
(papping = to take pictures)

For the love of shoes

After what started as an uninspiring shopping errand for 'the cuz', we finally picked up a 'treat' from the men's shoe department at selfridges, then we made the natural progression to women's shoes. What can i say...we love shoes!

Yellow: "...but you can't keep buying everything i want, its unfair"

Bounty: "well...you pay me back with your body...so it's fair!"


This bank holiday weekend; where will you be??? if I'm not out partying-eating-roaming the streets-in bed-oh! catching a flight, ill be somewhere.....shopping for shoes :-)

Chat up line of the day

"Can i take you to dinner tonight and send you flowers tomorrow?"

This is from a stalker who has become a friend(ish). We have been through some tough times, from the day he commented quite randomly on my picture, to summarizing my facebook page, to sending me emails to remind me to reply previous emails and complaining that i take too long to reply and that makes him think, "gosh i hate her so much." Yes there are people out there who get very emotional if you do not reply their messages in under 24hrs. I also have a best(ish) friend who was a pro-stalker, i call him Top wanker because he can be a wanker of the highest order, but he's still fun. Its been a year and we still haven't met, in person. I know i walk in pretty shark(y) waters. Swim actually...


Warning: In the event of being stalked in cyberspace, If none of your friends actually know the stalker in question, under no circumstances should you acknowledge the stalker, as he may be a serial killer.

CoCo Chanel

"As long as you know men are like children, you know everything!"

Lets get Naked

Summer is calling...lets get naked. Its mighty difficult adjusting to the change in weather; the opaque tights have become too thick, the ankle boots have become too grungy looking, the androgynous look i used to define my wintery gloom now seems all too boring, its time to stock up on maxi dresses, florals, white dresses a la Vivienne Westwood, its time to rock my high waisted denim shorts sans tights of course (yikes), okay, with sheer tights for now.

I'm already wearing tan sandals/platforms with sheer tights but i need to make that full transition to no tights and total feet nudity...oh boy...

These Ysl gold platforms are the sexiest this season, my girls and i are just mad about gladiator sandals, my favourite is the Miu Miu Jesus sandals- (yeah that's what I'd like to call it) the tan Alaia sandals are just to die for, a staple on any fashionista's must have list this season, and Christain Louboutin peep toes................................. YES PLEASE.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX PEOPLE!
do men grow cold as girls grow old, are diamonds truly a girl's best friend ??????????????????



The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewels

A kiss on the hand
May be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
A kiss may be grand
But it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you at the automat
Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don't lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Tiffany's, Cartier, Black Star
Ross Gorem
Talk to me, Harry Winston
Tell me all about it!

There may come a time
When a lass needs a lawyer
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
There may come a time
When a hard boiled employer
Thinks you're awful nice
But get that ice or else no dice
He's your guy when stocks are high
But beware when they start to descend
It's then that those louses go back to their spouses
Diamonds are a girl's best friend

I've heard of affairs
That are strictly platonic
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
And I think affairs
That you must keep a sonic
Are better bets
If little pets get big baggettes
Time rolls on and youth is gone
And you can't straighten up when you bend
But stiff back or stiff knees
You stand straight at Tiffany's
Diamonds, diamonds
I don't mean rhinestones
But diamonds, are a girl's best, best friend

Cheap n Chic

We all want a Chanel 2.55, but while some of us can afford it in a blink of an eye, some of us have to save £10 for 150 days to bag one of these babies.



Chanel 2.55 £1300 - £1500


A less expensive option by british luxury leather label, The Angel Jackson 'Segwick', absolute lux. At £162, you can buy all five colours for half the price of the 2.55, i'm gunning for the cafe creme, midnight and tokyo yellow. Total scrumptiousness.



'The Segwick'
Tokyo Yellow £162