Stella for skin care

There's a new frontier in the wild world of fashion and a few big name designers have already started to stake their claims. Stella McCartney has joined a select but growing group of fashion designers, including Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford, who are getting under the skin of the beauty business.

McCartney, 35, says personal integrity was a key ingredient in her commitment to creating organic skin care products. "I just don't think that there is a great deal of luxury, organic products out there and I've found that quite frustrating," she said in an e-mail interview. "I don't see why the luxury element in a skin care line needs to be compromised in order for the organic element to be fully present."
McCartney worked with YSL Beauté to create her product line, Care. It will go on sale in June at McCartney's own boutiques. The products are already available in Continental Europe.

Yohji with a pearl earring

First he's doing Ballet flats with Repetto, then he's teaming up with Doc Martens and now it's pearls with Mikimoto. Focus Yohji, focus! ....Yamamoto and the Japanese jewelry brand have announced plans for a project set to debut this autumn, when they will align their talents to create an unprecedented series of fine jewelry collections. The designer, now in his 35th year of revolutionizing the way women dress, will apply his creative vision to Mikimoto, a leading purveyor of the world’s most luxurious pearls for 114 years.
The collection of 20 pieces, comprising three groups, will range in price from approximately US$2,500 to US$150,000 and include necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets.
Starting in November 2007, the distribution will be limited to the Yohji Yamamoto and the 19 freestanding Mikimoto stores worldwide, as well as select points of sales in the United States. In 2008, the distribution will be expanded in Europe and Asia.

Yamamoto is coming to Hong Kong on April 18. Maybe we'll get some answers then....

She's back.....again

Dior just can't get enough of her. Sharon Stone has made another comeback!! Can anyone believe it? ...and we all thought that the Dior Make-up ad would be her first and last collaboration with the fashion house....

This time Mario Testino shot the actress for the latest Dior Christal timepiece campaign, where she is wearing the dazzling diamond watch, while looking a lot like er......Lindsay Lohan on a night out, well at least her outfit does.

Like mother, like daughter

The brand new Sweet Alhambra collection is the perfect new accessory for your little one, and guess what?! Hong Kong is the first city to launch the lovely line. It's so new they don't even have advertising pics.

Like mother, like daughter - now you can do the whole look-alike thing with jewellery too. Inspired by the novel Lucky Alhambra launched last year, the Sweet Alhambra line features mini bracelets and necklaces with butterfly, heart and signature clover leaf motifs.

Get ready, it's launching in May!

Like in Heaven

Watch out for the Berlin this summer. The trendy retro chic jean might be heading your way soon. "The 'Berlin' is a high-waisted, two-button, straight leg jean which comes in a clean blue and road-trip wash," says Made in Heaven's sales and marketing manager, Misty Twigg. The Berlin is THE latest cult jean for the summer - Made In Heaven's throwback to Seventies-cool (think Dukes of Hazzard crossed with a cigarette-puffing Charlotte Gainsbourg). The hip brand was originally launched by Tony O'Gorman in 1969 and relaunched two years ago by his goddaughter Chloe Lonsdale, who has continued to find success, selling from Bergdorf Goodman, Japanese cult store Isetan and soon Harvey Nichs in London.

Madonna calling for H&M?

H&M stores may have broken local laws when they telephoned customers using the computerised voice of Madonna, the designer of its new M by Madonna range. Hundreds of H&M customers have answered their telephones to the greeting of 'Hi, it's Madonna', only to find that it wasn't Madonna calling but a computer simulation of the pop star's voice touting her new clothing line for the chain. Many shoppers were unhappy to receive calls to their personal telephones featuring a computerised voice advertisement from the store. Maybe H&M was desperately trying to sell Madonna's collection, as it only received a lukewarm reception when it kicked off. Perhaps H&M consumers feel they've ‘seen it all before', to quote a recent Madonna lyric, or perhaps its due to the never-ending celebrity collaborations with high street conglomerates that one would need to invest in a plethora of wardrobes to keep up with the celebrity craze.
So despite a high-profile television and newspaper advertising campaign featuring the singer modelling items from her M by Madonna range, and celebrity admirers such as Jean Paul Gaultier saying they were keen to get hold of her designs, just 50 or so fans were waiting outside H&M flagship stores as they opened for the official launch of the collection. This unlike the queues and demand shoppers had for Stella McCartney or Karl Lagerfeld, where the collections sold out within minutes.

John Galliano mourns right-hand man

Steven Robinson, head of Christian Dior and John Galliano’s studios, died Sunday from an apparent sudden heart attack. “Steven has been my rock, my dearest friend, and not someone that was meant to ever leave me,” said Galliano, who returned to Paris early from holiday. “He was my family, unswerving in his loyalty and dedication ever since he came to me when he was only seventeen. Working with him has been the greatest adventure and privilege of my career. No one can, or will, ever replace him—and though he shied away from the spotlight and the glory, he was the glue that kept all the magic together as he organized, managed, and inspired the family.”
Robinson served as Galliano’s right hand, confidant, and chief collaborator for nearly 20 years. The two first met in 1988—the same year Galliano won Designer of the Year for his Blanche Dubois collection—when, after graduating from the Epsom School of Art and Design with a degree in fashion, the British native started his career sewing buttons when he came to work for Galliano on a student placement. The House of Dior characterized Robinson as one of the greatest unsung talents of the modern fashion world, whose creativity knew no bounds. “He was full of energy, ideas, his bouncy personality was contagious and he touched many people with his kindness,” the statement read. “He believed nothing was impossible in the quest for beauty and perfection.”

Karl Lagerfeld and his new muse

The Kaiser has found a favourite new muse. The designer played himself in the recent French film Le Valet and was so taken with the production's leading lady, model/actress, Alice Taglioni, that he is considering making her the face of his next campaign.

Jacko's goods are up for grabs

Thousands of items of Jackson family memorabilia are about to go on sale to the highest bidder - and the Gloved One isn't very happy about it.
Handwritten lyrics for the Jackson Five hit "ABC," a white fedora hat with "Michael Jackson" inscribed on the inside and a telegram from Marlon Brando to the King of Pop are among scores of items up for grabs in Las Vegas next month.
"These items can be traced from the earliest Jackson Five days through the great glory days of 'Thriller' and 'The Victory Tour,'" said Arlan Ettinger, founder and president of Guernsey's auction house, which is handling the sale.
A black fitted jacket with gold trim, a "Thriller" gold record and an MTV video music award are also part of the lot, which is expected to fetch millions of dollars when it's auctioned off May 30-31.
Jackson representatives said he's considering legal action against Guernsey's, which gave a sneak preview of the collection yesterday. Ettinger said he has have not been contacted by the pop star.
The items are owned by luggage transportation company Universal Express, which bought the collection last year from a New Jersey construction company owner.
Former owner Henry Vaccaro claimed a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court.

Lang time no see

Helmut Lang having quit his fashion label two years ago, is curating a virtual photo exhibition this summer. The photos, depicting the lives of artists in their working spaces, will be displayed on a giant digital billboard in New York's Times Square.

Dior chef gets busted

One of Christian Dior’s most senior executives in Japan was arrested yesterday over an alleged attempt to smuggle cocaine through the post.
Guillaume Monnier, a 37-year old Frenchman and the vice-president of Dior’s Japanese subsidiary, was arrested along with his wife, Isabelle, who is accused of hiding cannabis in her fridge.
The incident is expected to deal a heavy blow to Christian Dior’s image in Japan, a country where haute couture fashion brands from Europe are worshipped by millions and whose stores occupy the most exclusive addresses in Tokyo.

Police arrived at Mr Monnier’s Tokyo home after a tip-off from customs officers who intercepted a parcel, allegedly sent by Mr Monnier to his own address in Japan while on a business trip in Paris.
The package allegedly contained 8.8 grams of cocaine and prompted police to raid Mr Monnier’s apartment, where they discovered a further 4 grams of cannabis resin hidden in the fridge. Ms Monnier, who was in the house at the time, was also arrested. Her husband was reported as saying that the cannabis had probably been left in the house by friends. Mr Monnier, Tokyo police told Japanese media, had told them that the cocaine was for personal use and admitted that he was a long-term user of the drug.
In a country where drug possession and smuggling are severely punished, the couple could face prison sentences of several years, followed by a life ban from Japan. The possession of a small quantity of cannabis, which is viewed more leniently in some European countries, can mean jail in Japan.

Christian Lacroix's second hotel

After opening l'Hotel du Petit Moulin, Christian Lacroix launches his second Paris hotel later this month. Each room will be themed differently, from Victorian to retro Sixties and even James Bond.

The write stuff

It's gone a bit quiet around Sophie Dahl (the former plus-size model) after the success of her well-received fairytale last year. But she's back with her first novel, Playing with the Grown Ups. "I do love the process of writing," she told the press. "I'd spend my whole time doing it if I could."

Lily Cole graces ARENA cover

To be honest, I never knew what the fuss was about supermodel Lily Cole until I saw this month's ARENA cover. Doll faced Lily Cole is looking hotter than ever! The 18 year old model was born in Torbay and raised in London. She started modeling at 14 years old. Lily was discovered while getting a hamburger in SOHO New York, and the rest is history. Please enjoy the pics.....

Daniel Craig is the most stylish celebrity

The votes are in. James Bond star Daniel Craig has come in number one on GQ's annual Most Stylish Celebrity list. The men's magazine based its decision on the way Craig's tailored suit worked so well in the movie Casino Royale because it seemed “like an upgrade” of what he would usually wear. “No Bond since Sean Connery has worn it better,” the magazine said. The contrast made all the difference, as everyone loves a good makeover. But hey girls let's face it.....does anyone really care about clothes, if he's got a body like that underneath?

Wang Bang

Alexander Wang is the next best thing since sliced bread. Marc Jacobs' former right-hand man is going to make you look gorgeous this spring. It all started when LA celebrity stylist Britt Bardo cherry-picked him as THE upcoming designer, then Proenza-Schouler muse Victoria Traina begged to style his catwalk show. Wang's style is easy to wear. He uses light and delicate fabrics to cut a modern, edgy silhouette in plain white, cream, yellow and black. Key pieces include an empire line dress featuring a Jane Austen-esque linen waistcoat bodice and a button-front pale yellow short sleeve blouse with a geometric frill. Get shopping...

Shoe Fetish

"Shoes should do for the leg what make-up does for the face," said Sergio Rossi's designer, Edmundo Castillo, at the opening of the brand's new store in London. "They should not just be part of the outfit, but part of the body. Buying a shoe is very personal to a woman. Nowadays shoppers have very specific ideas on what they want on their feet, so we started a couture service where customers can choose the cut, shape, colour and fabric of their shoe. It's very popular. Women are very particular and know so much about fashion, but they are not all shoe designers, which is where I come into the process," he laughed.
Highlights from the collection include gold snakeskin platforms, purple embellished sandals and black open-toe heels covered in gold hoops. "I'm a shoe freak," confessed Castillo. "My inspiration constantly changes, but Cameron Diaz is a great muse. She recently wore a black and white Chanel minidress with a pair of my heels and looked incredible. It's those kind of women who inspire me, Kate Moss is another example. They have an innate sense of style and don't need the help of a stylist to dress well."