SLIDE

Freja + UK Vogue = needing Nike Slides on my feet ASAP.

 
 
Images UK Vogue via thefashionspot.com

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FASHION'S NIGHT OUT

So on Thursday I headed into the city to see what Vogue Fashion's Night Out Sydney had to offer. I started at the Queen Victoria Building, where I wasn't disappointed to be handed my first glass of champagne!







From there I moved swiftly on to the city Westfield where I spotted Sarah De Bono from The Voice on the Vogue Stage, mid photo shoot.







On my way towards David Jones, I came across a salsa dancing display, so stopped off for a couple of pictures, before being manoevred into the Galliano bar to try cocktails made with Galliano Vanilla.





Finally arrived at David Jones, in time for a mini fashion show and trend talk with the buyers.


Then on to Shopbop, which had to be one of the best events of the night (and not just because they were particularly generous with the champagne top-ups). Fantastic clothes and iPads on hand should you want to buy then and there.













Lastly I swung by the Vogue Precinct at Martin Place to say hi to ASOS.









Now roll on Fashion month!
 
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ANNA & ALEXA

This image has been doing the rounds and I did laugh at some of the captions. Body language appears to say it all...



That was until I saw the shots that didn't make the tabloids..



I haven't watched The September Issue in full, but even so I decline to believe that Anna Wintour is that much of a snob that she would publically snub someone she doesn't even know (not to mention she is the editor of Vogue for gods sake, surely she cannot be that out of touch that she hasn't heard of Bob Geldof and by association his daughter?? Surely!)

Images from daily mail and Getty

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

I was watching reruns of The Hills last week and Kelly Cutrone made a comment along the lines of 'any serious fashion girl would have received that phone call and run straight back to the office, even if she was getting engaged she would have been like "nice ring, I have to go"'. You would be forgiven for thinking that perhaps the phone call in question was the Red Cross calling in from some war torn location for emergency life saving medication, but actually no it was just Lauren calling from a Smashbox shoot looking for a box nude clothing it would appear had accidentally been left behind (of course said box of clothing being the only clothing that could possibly work for the shoot, despite the fact they had several other boxes of clothing to choose from). I started thinking, what makes fashion so important to so many people? Everyone I know in fashion works really hard, often long hours, not very often well paid, all in the hope of one day reaching the great heights of Buying Director/Fashion Editor/Head of PR. Everyone I know who doesn't work in fashion but wants to will do pretty much anything to get that foot in the door.

11th September marks the release of The September Issue which goes behind the scenes at Vogue and exposes the reality of one of fashion's most coveted jobs, Fashion Editor at Vogue. The strapline "Fashion is a religion. Vogue is the bible" would be funny if it wasn't true. I've just spent the best part of an hour reading about it on the TFS and watching clips and I'm as intrigued as the next person as to whether Anna Wintour is the dragon she is perceived to be - To be honest from the numerous clips I've watched so far, she doesn't seem that bad? Critical, tough, opinionated yes, but wouldn't you expect that from someone at the top of their industry? Or maybe I've just been working in Fashion for too long. I'll reserve judgement until I've seen the film in its entirety.

Watch the trailer here:

UNIQUE

A lot of the Topshop Unique collection is now online and I find myself inexplicably drawn to this bodysuit, as featured in March UK Vogue. I don't know how (or where) I'd ever wear it to do it the full justice it deserves. It would seem a shame to tuck it in or layer it with anything.

Speaking of March Vogue, how stunning is the editorial featuring Daria Werbowy and shot by Mario Testino? I was researching embellishment for work last week and this shoot could not be more relevant.



Vogue scans from The Fashion Spot

STRIKE A POSE

Style icons?

I love Cheryl Cole as much as the next person, I love her feisty attitude on a Saturday night when she answers back to Simon Cowell and defends her acts to no end. But when I read that she could be set for a Vogue cover, I had to ask myself is this the best that we can do for a British style icon? Of course sitting next to Danni -I can only move my eyeballs I've had so much botox- Minogue, she would appear to be a natural beauty but having seen her transformation over the years, it is obvious that hers is a beauty elevated by fake hair, eyelash extensions, nail tips and fake tan aided by hairstylists, beauticians and stylists alike. And as for her sartorial choices, she is not exactly pushing the boundaries of creativity. Yes after ditching the tracksuits followed by a few months on the heartbreak diet and having made a few high fashion friends, it's undeniable that she looks great in virtually everything she steps out in, but for me there is nothing aspirational about being a clothes horse.

I hate to come across as one of those people who bangs on about 'real women' because honestly I think there is room for everyone and I am not actually anti-Cheryl at all, I just think this latest move is a (bad) sign of where British fashion is going. There is room for the Cheryls (and the Colleens) somewhere but before all creativity is stamped out in favour of the 'look what my stylist picked out for me' look, I think it's about time we got back to grassroots. Just take a look around the blogosphere, Lookbook.nu or Chictopia for the countless individuals who are putting together creative looks everyday and creating trends rather than following them.

REASONS TO BUY VOGUE

I think I was lucky today my local shop had the December issue of Vogue, on 1st November! Unheard of. I have recently found my attention to British Vogue wavering, but with the Fantastic Fashion Fantasy issue I am a firm fan once again (now say that 3 times quickly!).

Reason to buy the December issue:

1. A truly enchanting shoot by Tim Walker featuring Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter amongst others, which captures the world of storybook imagination amazingly. The shots of Karen Elson are especially beautiful (in bed with a crocodile and on stilts as The BFG) but I think my favourite is of Georgia May Jagger inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.



2. Beautiful beautiful artwork by Su Blackwell, who creates sculptures from the pages of old books (and is exhibiting in London at the end of the month).

3. Jourdan Dunn and Lily Donaldson photographed by Nick Knight in some of fashion's most extravagant and avant-garde creations, including Chalayan's wooden table skirt (which reminds me, I am very much looking forward to the exhibition next year!).



4. "Dream Walls" of likes, loves and doodles created by a selection of designers especially for Vogue. I adore Luella's. "I like Wednesday Adams' plaits". I want to make my own.

5. The pull out cover features Kate Moss looking beautiful in Dior Couture. (I am going to ignore the "Fashion is my passion" quote ie the most overused phrase in the fashion industry and one you are told to avoid like the plague in personal statements, interviews etc. Especially now it has been coined by the Bratz dolls. Vogue you could have done better than that).
The real draw of the cover for me is the beautiful typefaces designed by Jo Ratcliffe which feature throughout the issue.