Six Rose Gold Watches for Men

May 22, 2015, 4:32 am

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Rose gold has slowly crept into men's fashion over the last few years and now has become a fully fledged part of a Dapper Chapper's look.

Although the likes of Patek Phillipe, Nixon and Michael Kors have been presenting rose gold pieces for years, popularity has increased with the dapper gent after the likes of Bartmans Siegel, Burberry, Gieves and Hawkes and Hackett included these statement pieces in their SS14 shows.

Since then popularity in rose gold accessories and timepieces has continued to grow reflecting the constant need for diversity and evolution in men's fashion.

I've taken a look at six timepieces which uses rose gold in the bracelet, dial or bezel & I'd be keen to know which one you would go by picking your favourite leaving a comment at the end:

1. RAYMOND WEIL MEN'S FREELANCER AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH WATCH



Full of inspiration, RAYMOND WEIL reinterprets its classics and unveils a completely new variation of its best-selling chronograph, the freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class. Classical and elegant, its 42mm steel case, mounted on brown leather, stands out through the rose gold notes punctuating its dial.

Price: £2,225.00

2. GUCCI UNISEX I-ALARM CHRONOGRAPH WATCH



Gucci is defiantly a brand that appreciates the combination of black and rose colours and recognises the appeal of rose gold.

Price: £820

3. DREYFUSS & CO MEN'S 1890 SKELETON AUTOMATIC WATCH



This striking men's Dreyfuss & Co. 1890 Skeleton Automatic is made with a PVD rose gold plated case featuring a full skeleton dial and rose gold chapter ring. It has a Swiss automatic movement, sapphire crystal and fully waterproof to the Seafarer standard.

Price: £695

4. TISSOT MEN'S LE LOCLE AUTOMATIC WATCH



Le Locle as well as being the name of Tissot's home and heritage, nestled in the Swiss Jura Mountains, it is the name of a hugely popular automatic watch family. The models display exquisite elegance with details such as Roman numerals and a traditional Le Locle signature which complete the picture of classical chic.

Price: £595

5. HUGO BOSS MEN'S CHRONOGRAPH WATCH



For a true look of sophistication, this men's Hugo Boss Chronograph watch is made from polished stainless steel with PVD rose gold plating. The dark brown dial is the highlight with PVD rose gold plated hour markers and hands. It is fitted with an analogue chronograph quartz movement against the croc effect leather strap, this is a stunning gents timepiece that's water resistant to 50 metres. While you wouldn't want to go diving and ruin the leather strap, it will definitely hold up to British summer storms.

Price: £329

6. KENNETT MEN'S SAVRO CHRONOGRAPH WATCH




Simplistic elegance with a classical design for when you need a smart clean look. The watch case is constructed of 316 stainless steel with a rose gold ion plating. The dial is round with a fixed chapter ring. The numerals are Roman with a black gloss finish as are the Alpha styled hour and minute hands which are complimented by the blue steel Chronograph seconds baton styled hand.

Price: £260

All models are available at the Watch Shop

So Dapper Chappers, I'd like to know do you agree rose gold works for gents or do you think it's better left with the girls?

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Cannes 2015 Fashion: The Hottest Red Carpet Trends

May 22, 2015, 5:31 am

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This year's Cannes Film Festival has almost come to a close, but the attendees have given us enough style inspo to last all summer.

The A-list hit the red carpet in some of the most beautiful designs we've seen so far this year and we couldn't help but notice a few trends forming.

Continuing the penchant for nearly naked dresses, which we saw at this year's Met Gala, more celebs than ever opted for skin-baring gowns with mesh panelling, deep-v necklines and lashings of leg (some even managed to combine all three!)

Take a look at our roundup of the hottest trends below:

Bare midriffs


Joan Smalls and Kendall Jenner

Shimmering metallics


Lara Stone and Natasha Poly

Thigh-high spilts


Doutzen Kroes and Karlie Kloss

Fairytale dresses


Diane Kruger and Fan Bingbing

Plunging necklines


Miranda Kerr and Lupita Nyong'o

Sheer mesh detail


Izabel Goulart and Poppy Delevingne

SEE ALSO:

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The Problem With 'Nude' Fashion

May 22, 2015, 6:23 am

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The colour nude is having a style resurgence, but what does "nude" really mean?

Until recently the shade was synonymous with "white skin", but some companies are taking a stand and creating new nude ranges to match a wider diversity of skin tones (like Nubian Skin's amazing lingerie).

Clearly not every brand is as fashion forward, as Buzzfeed discovered when they asked four black women to try on nude-coloured items of clothing and makeup in this powerful video.

"Nude is not an option for black women," says one of the video's stars. But it should be, and we're hoping this is the start of more change in the industry.

SEE ALSO:

'Models Of Colour Might Be Underrepresented, But They Still Exist'

Black Models Open Up On The Race Issues They Face In Fashion

Vogue UK And Harper's Bazaar Didn't Use A Single Model Of Colour In 2014

Summer Ready: Tips on Looking Bikini Fabulous After 50

May 22, 2015, 6:40 am

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I was 49 when we moved to LA. Long gone were the years when I might have had the confidence to carve down the boardwalk on roller blades in a bikini. Nevertheless, I had to reach some kind of peace with my body because I certainly wasn't going to avoid the ocean or the pool.

As a result I have mastered the art of the strategic cover-up and perfected the most flattering angle to lie on a sun bed. I'm expert at hanging onto a towel before plunging into the water and grabbing it fast getting out. I excel at camouflage, am a mistress of the art of illusion and how to make myself feel confident and beach ready.

Gravity gets us all eventually but when you live in a warm climate you relax a little more because you're seeing real people rather than photo shopped magazine images. Even in California not everyone looks like Miranda Kerr, which is hugely consoling.

1. Think Layers. After a certain age, buying a bikini is about as much fun as the bikini wax you'll need before you can wear it. You're in the shop, you know the colours you like and you grab a few options. You struggle into something that eventually feels like it fits and then in the harsh glare of the fitting room lights you see a woman who cannot possibly be you. Help is at hand - this is the very reason cover-ups were invented. Have shirt- dress styles on hand for full coverage and sarongs for wrapping around your waist. Get oversized T- shirts and linen drawstring pants. You need layers that you peel off and put back on depending on how you're feeling.

2. Swimsuit or two-piece? Surely it's not so much about what you wear as how you wear it - even though my middle is no longer quite in the middle, I still look better with the lines broken up in a bikini. Avoid colours and patterns you wouldn't ordinarily wear. Now is not the moment to channel your inner vixen with leopard print and avoid polka dots unless they're subtle or you're Lulu Guinness. Itsy -witsy -teeny- weeny is a no- no unless you're going to Brazil...

3. Clothes you already have in your wardrobe are surprisingly versatile. Many years ago I bought a skirt from Anthropologie that used to be dressy and now looks great with a t -shirt on the beach. White linen is timeless and versatile so recycle your tops and pants and give them one last outing.

4. The one thing that age does not wither is your ability to look groomed. Pedicures and manicures are your secret weapon - don't neglect them. Equally do not underestimate the power of accessories as this is all about feeling good and complimenting your swimwear. Have a lovely tote bag for your equally lovely sunglasses, a flattering sun hat and pretty sandals. It also goes without saying that you need a good sun cream - burnt is not the new brown.

5. The principles for dressing for the pool or the beach are the same as for anywhere. Stick to what works for you. Remember that you will only be wearing swimwear because the sun is shining and you are on vacation. You are there to enjoy yourself. If all else fails order a Mojito or a Margarita - you will feel so much better about everything.

Read more about Thérèse's adventures at www.thereseblogs.com and pick up her latest novel 'Letter from Paris', published by The Story Plant and available from Amazon $11.71, as well as Kindle.

Stella & Dot Co-Founder Blythe Harris On Empowering Mothers To Be Successful In Business

May 22, 2015, 7:32 am

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Stella & Dot may be a jewellery company, but its co-founder and chief creative officer Blythe Harris firmly believes a successful career and a happy family are the best accessories a woman can ever have.

And she's determined to make sure ladies from all walks of life sparkle.

"When you empower a woman in her career, the benefit doesn’t just go to her bank account. It helps her family and her community," Harris tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

Stella & Dot's aim is to be the "ultimate home-based business for today's modern woman".

Harris and her team design boutique-style jewellery that women can then sell to their friends, family and neighbours at times to suit them.

The company currently employs 18,000 women as "hosts and stylists" across the UK, Ireland, America, Germany and France.


Blythe Harris

Harris founded the company with her friend and business partner Jessica Herrin.

Herrin thought of the "social selling" concept after she founded Luxe Jewels in 2003. She was in a lift full of saleswomen from cosmetics brand Mary Kay (the US equivalent to Avon) at a conference and was struck by their excitement towards the brand they were representing.

It was then she had an "aha" moment. She wanted to make her customers - women who were passionate about jewellery - part of her team.

She told Harris about her vision at a Stanford University alumni event and in 2007, the pair re-branded Luxe Jewels as Stella & Dot, named after their grandmothers.

Aside from her passion for jewellery, Harris felt very passionately about empowering women to take control of their lives financially.

"Whether that means paying for their kid’s education, a down payment on their new house, or just that cute pair of shoes she had her eye on," she adds.

As a mother of two, Harris knows how important it is for women to have the option of a flexible career.

Like many working mums, she starts her day by getting ready quickly, then getting her kids ready and walking them to school.

SEE ALSO:

Women In Business: Celebrity Nutritionist Madeleine Shaw On Why It's Now 'Cool To Look Strong'

Women In Business: Why Jennifer Young Created A Skincare Range And Blog For Women With Cancer

She then heads off to the design studio where she oversees the creative vision for Stella & Dot and now their new brand KEEP Collective.

The week we spoke to Harris, she was also filming product videos for Stella & Dot's Summer 2015 line and reviewing specs with their New York jewellery team before the Fall 2015 deadline.

"I believe it’s possible to have a rewarding career and be a great mum if we stop holding ourselves to unrealistic expectations," Harris says.

"I find it is about being very strategic with my time and knowing what will matter most to my kids - for instance I will go on field trips and do one major event at their schools that are very high impact."

But balancing work and motherhood hasn't always been easy.

Harris, who had a high-flying career at Banana Republic before Stella & Dot, says the hardest thing she's ever experienced as a woman in business was hearing criticism from others when she had her first child.

"People have strong opinions about working mothers," she says. "The expectations on the husband are definitely not the same, so when you both have demanding careers it can be tricky to navigate."

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According to Harris, communication with her husband has been key to her success.

"My husband and I actually plan out our travel and work schedules six months in advance to make sure one of us is always home with the kids," she explains.

"We know our commitments well in advance and can prioritise without sacrificing family time either."

Although Harris may sound like she's got life sussed now, re-branding Luxe Jewels as Stella & Dot was far from easy.

She says the hardest, but also most thrilling part, was going from a from a huge company like Banana Republic, with a lot of infrastructure and support teams, to being alone in an office with very limited resources.

"In lieu of a materials budget, I dismantled every piece of jewellery I had ever owned including my grandmother Dot’s old brooches," she says.

Without the technical equipment she needed, Harris submitted hand sketches of designs to past contacts.

"They knew me and trusted me and were willing to take on very small units that were way below their minimums to start with. And it paid off for them," she says.

When things got tough, Harris went for a run or a hike to let off steam - something she still does today.

"I try to establish a regular routine of healthy meals and do one really hard exercise class per week that makes me feel like I am working out for several days - at least this is what I tell myself!" she jokes.

She also makes sure that the minute she gets home, she is completely focused on her children until they go to bed - that means no phones or email.

So, what advise does this mother have for other women who want to be successful in business?

"Be realistic about how much time you can give and how that maps back to the lifestyle you want to create. There are many different levels of entrepreneurship that can range from working 24-7 to starting something within a larger infrastructure," she says.

"Set up a support system at home and let yourself off the hook in terms of guilt if you're a mum.

"You are following your dream and that will make you an amazing role model for your child."

Pharrell Williams Designing Clothes For Beyoncé (And You!): See His Adidas And Timberland Ranges

May 22, 2015, 7:41 am

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Pharrell Williams has launched two new clothing lines this week and, naturally, Beyoncé is already a fan.

Bey made a bee line straight for his Billionaire Boys Club x Timberland limited edition womenswear boots, teaming them with an Adidas Originals X Rita Ora skeleton print swimsuit for the Feeling Myself music video with Nicki Minaj.



His Spring Summer 2015 collection was inspired by images from National Geographic magazines, fusing the spirit of the outdoors with Timberland's classic urban attitude.

Pharrell's two designs, Honeycomb and Grass, were imprinted onto the brand's classic 6 inch canvas boot, and have so far been spotted on Beyoncé, Rihanna and Pharrell himself.



The concept of nature also had an impact on the way the footwear was made - the boots are both sturdy and environmentally sustainable thanks to their special bionic canvas (containing 50% organic cotton and 38% recycled PET).

There are only 80 pairs of the limited edition boots available, on sale from today in selected European stores (Timberland's Regent Street store in London, Amsterdam’s Hartenstraat store, the Corso Matteoti store in Milan, and Berlin’s Schönhauserstr).



But it doesn't stop there, Pharrell has also continued his collaboration with Adidas for the new Adidas Originals = Phrarrell Williams Jacquard Pack.

Putting his spin on the iconic Adidas Superstar track jacket, Pharrell sourced jacquard fabric from the legendary Parisian textile shop Le Marché Saint Pierre.

His new creation, the Superstar Lil' jacket, features a cropped length, non-raglan sleeves, and a slightly wider cut across the chest, but still retains the brand's traditional iconic three-stripe motif along their sleeves and colour-coordinated trim.



Pharrell has once again turned his hand to footwear for the collection, reinterpreting the classic Adidas Stan Smith style in the same swirling, botanical embroidery as his jackets.

Transforming the iconic tennis shoe into a luxurious graphic statement, the shoes boast a de-bossed Pharrell Williams logo on their heeltabs along with the signature perforated Adidas three stripes.



The Adidas Originals = Pharrell Williams Jacquard Pack is limited to 200 per style and available globally from 30 May in Adidas Originals flagship stores, select Adidas boutiques such as No74 in Berlin and No42 in Paris, and on adidas.com.

SEE ALSO:

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Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Tutorials: Sienna Miller And Miranda Kerr's Cannes Beauty Looks

May 22, 2015, 8:54 am

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Beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury was the makeup artist of choice for some of the most stunning celebrities at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Glowing skin, sculpted cheekbones and perfectly-defined pouts were the order of the day, with the makeup maestro working her magic on the likes of Sienna Miller and Miranda Kerr.

Want to recreate these looks at home? You're in luck! We got the lowdown from Charlotte Tilbury herself for a step-by-step guide on how to get red carpet ready:

A photo posted by Charlotte Tilbury (@ctilburymakeup) on May 13, 2015 at 5:30am PDT

Miller’s beauty look for the Cannes jury photocall was modern and sophisticated with a matte, berry-rose hue on the lip and a soft, romantic eye to compliment her demure Balenciaga dress.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask was used on Miller's skin. Tilbury then applied Charlotte’s Magic Cream to the entire face followed by WonderGlow to create a flawless soft focus and an instant “spotlight” effect, a skin ritual that Tilbury calls “The Gift of Goddess Skin.”

2. Miller's complexion was perfected with a mixture of Light Wonder Foundation in 6 Medium, The Retoucher Concealer in 2 Fair and 3 Medium and Air Brush Flawless Finish Powder in 2 Medium to correct any discoloration and imperfections.

3. Next, her brows were lightly filled in with the Brow Lift Tool in Cara D.

4. Miller’s eyes were given a soft and feminine look, created by blending The Sophisticate Palette prime and enhance shades on her top lid.

5. The Classic Eyeliner Pencil in Audrey was applied along Miller's lash line and water line to define her eyes.

6. Full Fat Lashes Mascara was applied to her top and bottom lashes for a gorgeous flutter.

7. Filmstar Bronze & Glow was used with the large Bronzer Brush across Miller's cheekbones and temples to create a natural, glowing look, and her cheeks were accentuated with Beachsticks in Moonbeach and Formentera on the apples to enhance her glowing complexion.

8.Miller’s lips were lined with Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk, followed with Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl and Walk of Shame.

All products available from charlottetilbury.com

A photo posted by Charlotte Tilbury (@ctilburymakeup) on May 14, 2015 at 7:49am PDT

Kerr’s soft-yet-sexy beauty look at the Magnum L’Ondine Event showed off her flawless skin, finished with a mesmerising wash of colour on the eyes and a matte vintage tea rose hue on the lips.

1. Kora Rosehip Oil was used to prep her skin before applying Kora Luxury Eye Gel Cream to give her eyes a lift. Tilbury then applied Charlotte’s Magic Cream to Kerr's entire face followed by WonderGlow to create a flawless soft focus and an instant “spotlight” effect.

2. Kerr’s complexion was perfected with a mixture of Light Wonder Foundation in 7 Medium, The Retoucher Concealer in 2 Fair and 3 Medium and Air Brush Flawless Powder in 2 Medium to correct any discoloration and imperfections.

3. Next, her brows were lightly filled in with the Brow Lift Tool in Cara D.

4. Kerr’s sparkling, sultry eyes were created by blending Eyes to Mesmerize in Marie Antoinette all over the lid up to the brow bone.

5. Then, her eyes were defined and lengthened using The Classic Eyeliner Pencil in Sophia.

6. Full Fat Lashes Mascara was applied to the top and bottom lashes for a gorgeous flutter.

7. Cheeks were accentuated with Charlotte Tilbury x Norman Parkinson Dreamy Glow Highlighter on the apples to enhance her glowing complexion.

8. Kerr’s lips were lined with Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk and filled in with Matte Revolution Lipstick in Amazing Grace

9. Finally, Kerr’s legs, arms and décolletage were highlighted using Supermodel Body, to create a gorgeous, golden glow

Products available from koraorganics.com and charlottetilbury.com

SEE ALSO:

Models And Celebs Get Ready For Star-Studded AmfAR Gala At Cannes

All The Hottest Fashion Trends From This Year's Cannes Film Festival

Naomi Campbell Is 45 Today: See Her Style Evolution In Photos

May 22, 2015, 9:43 am

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Happy birthday Naomi Campbell!

The south London-born style icon turns 45 today and still looks as fabulous as her first strut on the runway back in 1986.

Whether simmering as a Victoria’s Secret angel or showcasing the latest haute couture, Naomi is one catwalk star who has truly earned her supermodel title.

To celebrate her special day, we've rounded up her style evolution - from her 90s heyday, to her stunning Met Gala 2015 gown.

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Blog #2

May 25, 2015, 2:53 pm

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Hello again!

As I mentioned in my last message, I rushed off to London from California on April 28, in order to arrive in time at the "lotsofcharity Remarkable Dinner" on Wednesday April 29.

This charity was founded by Alistair Morrison.. .and this was quite an interesting party.

Among the many guests were Twiggy, Jeremy Irons, and Dame Kelly Holmes (gold medal Olympian), to name a few.

The concept was created by the iconic photographer Alistair Morrison, to raise funds for important causes by recreating his "Great Briton Portraits".

Photographs taken that evening will be sold to generate support for charities; for example. I serve as the Breast Cancer Campaign's London Ambassador.

The conversation and food were delicious, and there were interesting reunions: Pierce Brosnan meeting up with Diamonds Are Forever songstress Dame Shirley Bassey, was rather entertaining.

Here are some photos I hope you shall find fun, including selfies of Rankin (another extraordinary photographer) and me.

Other pictures include me with 007 aka Pierce Brosnan, Dame Shirley Bassey trying on my bracelet, and Dame Kelly Holmes.

At the moment I am back in California, designing my newest collection, Skype-ing with my London based team daily, and planning a celebration of my being "Damed" with my American friends; the party will also be celebrating the 94th birthday of my beloved Salah Hassanein.

So its bye for now xxxxx

The Five Basic Rules of Being a Woman

May 26, 2015, 2:00 am

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Girls these days would be forgiven for being confused on what to do to qualify their existence. Luckily the 21st Century manual on "How to Become a Woman" is regularly updated by the honorary guardians of us womenfolk; so these five simple rules will help you up-and-comers breeze through life without a hitch.

1. Wear heels. ALWAYS wear heels no matter how uncomfortable. Beauty knows no pain. It has been scientifically proven that the arch of the female foot when dressed in a pump or stiletto is directly proportional to her womanhood. Flats are an obscene abomination to femininity. Did you know that Christian Louboutin and Nicholas Kirkwood have a secret ballot where they vote on who will be barred from the female union? This is known as the "Cannes Law", circ May 2015.

2. Allow society to dictate your insecurities, especially when it comes to your body. If you come to accept any of your "imperfections" as a unique aspect of your character make-up, this is wrong. Just, so wrong. Hang your head in shame and stare at those Birkenstocks you're probably wearing. Everyone knows you need permission to be happy with who you are and the level of confidence you exude. This is known as the "Contour with Kylie Law", circ March 2015.

3. Always ask for permission for the choices you make for your own body. It's particularly important that approval is sought from members of the opposite sex. It's an honor to relinquish all control of your physicality. And who doesn't want a man governing her gonad? This is known as the "Not too Bright Law", circ May 2015.

4. Categorize. Categorize. Categorize. We label our clothes, our hairstyles, even our body shape so marginalization is just a natural progression of this. Put down the books and form your identity through the perspective of others. Michelle Obama did not follow this rule when she campaigned alongside her husband in the Presidency race and look at the scrutiny she received going against the rules of the manual. This is madness! This is Sparta! Introducing the "Stepford Wives Law", circ April 2008

5. Limit yourself to the ceiling; don't aim for the sky particularly when it comes to your career. You are irrelevant in many industries. There are so few women represented in advertising, film, technology and this is a great thing. This gives you more time to expand your list of insecurities, buy more patent heels and spend quality time liaising with your male consult on what to do with your vagina. P.S Life ends at 35 years old and your beauty (as well as your intellect) immediately expires; this is known as the "Rebel without a Valid Cause Law", circ May 2015.

So remember ladies, follow these simple rules or society will revoke your female license, you won't be able to practice it and you'll be stuck in gender limbo for the rest of your life. Gotta love being a woman of the 21st Century.

Kendall Jenner's Heart Shaped Hair Is The Cutest Thing Ever

May 26, 2015, 2:51 am

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It seems Kendall Jenner has a talent for selfies to rival her sister Kim's.

The 19-year-old model shared this latest snap with her 26.9 million Instagram followers last night, and gave us some serious hair envy in the process.

The photo shows Kendall lying down on the floor with her eyes closed and her long, brunette hair shaped into a crown of hearts (so adorable).

❥

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on May 25, 2015 at 3:51pm PDT

Having secured her status as the fashion world's new "It" girl in her stunning Calvin Klein gowns at the Cannes Film Festival, Kendall is currently relaxing at the Grand Prix in Monaco with fellow model pals Gigi Hadid, Hailey Baldwin and Bella Hadid.

Kendall also sparked rumours she is dating F1 driver Lewis Hamilton when she was spotted hanging out with him backstage and wearing his gold chain.

We can't comment on the gossip, but it does look like she's got love on the brain (and could totally release a book of selfies to give 'Selfish' a run for its money).

We love you @lewishamilton. Everyone knows you da champ. #TEAMLH

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on May 24, 2015 at 8:28am PDT

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A Few Words About Luxury

May 26, 2015, 4:21 am

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I was recently asked to work on brand positioning for a fashion label. As often happens, a highly skilled product manufacturer has decided to capitalise on three generations worth of experience and establish a consumer-facing brand of their own within the highly popular segment of "affordable luxury". The discussion that ensued prompted me to write this note, partly - to summarise my thoughts on why the term "affordable luxury" is an oxymoron crafted by people with a profound lack of understanding as to what "luxury" really means.

I will try to stick to bullet-points, as this format is not suited to a novel. Products (and services) come in four categories: basic, mass, premium and luxury. One can go into finer divisions by adding "plus" or "minus" at the end of those, but I wouldn't want to get lost in price-point arguments.

Basic
Distinctive traits

• As the name suggests, satisfy the most basic needs at best value and often (not always) the lowest price point.


• Not just functional, but utilitarian - as practical as possible.

Selling points

• Stressing value, as nothing else matters much - "It is as good as the more expensive stuff, but cheaper".

Examples: Tesco basic beans, unbranded denim

Mass
Distinctive traits

• "High street" brands that occupy the key retail spaces of large cities.


• Applied to fashion, do more than just cover our bodies - they reflect our preferences as most markets offer plenty of substitutes in any category.


• As this segment covers the largest chunk of any market, it stretches from products an average consumer can afford to purchase impulsively (e.g. Uniqlo denim) to ones that require consideration and, possibly, some saving (e.g. Levi's denim).

Selling points

• As these brands have to be preferred in what usually is a highly competitive market, they need to offer better product, service or level of cool.


• In addition to that, these brands need to offer something unique, e.g. a philosophy that resonates with the target audience (e.g. Zara's "catwalk fashion for everyone").

Examples: H&M, Levi's

Premium
Distinctive traits

• Birthplace of most original designs that later turn into fashion trends for the masses.


• Offer superior quality or elevate the consumer's social status.


• An average consumer needs to save for a while to be able to afford anything from this category; some products can be out of reach for life.

Selling points

• These brands offer more than just products, but a distinctive lifestyle.


• Successful premium brands have a unique character - a strongly held opinion or a powerful story to tell.

Examples: Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana

Luxury
Distinctive traits

• Luxury products offer unique quality that makes the product last for generations.


• Luxury products aren't fashionable, because they are not bought for a season.


• Luxury products exist in limited supply and therefore are never discounted.


• Luxury products are not just unaffordable to an average consumer, but in many cases - unattainable.


• Luxury products are heritage pieces, reflecting more than affluence, but tradition.

Selling points

• One doesn't really promote luxury, but skilfully lets the world know it exists and waits for likeminded individuals to come to you.


• As true luxury is timeless, its vision looks either back or forth - talking either of brand's heritage (e.g. Hermes) or its unique vision for the future (e.g. Tesla).

Examples: Loro Piana, Hermes Crocodile Birkin in black

What does everything above boil down to?

• Luxury is timeless and therefore not fashionable.


• Luxury is never for the masses and not just because it is unaffordable.


• Not everything that is very expensive is also a luxury product - price will only get you as far as premium (an expensive watch may cost over100,000, but still be characterised as "premium plus" or "supremium").


• Luxury is a state of mind fundamentally contrary to that of value-for-money.

In short, if one speaks of value and appeals to practicality - one travels to a dimension where luxury doesn't and couldn't possibly exist.

Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Anniversary Photos: All The Wedding Outfits

May 26, 2015, 6:20 am

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Sunday marked the one year anniversary of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding.

The happy couple said "I do" in a lavish ceremony on 24 May 2014 at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy, following a three-day long extravaganza of similarly stylish events.

To commemorate the occasion, Kardasian posted 30 photos from her wedding festivities on Instagram, while West took to Twitter to post the heartfelt message:

"Kim, I'm so happy to be married to the girl of my dreams. I love you and Nori so much!!! I would find you in any lifetime."

So let's take a walk down memory lane and look back every amazing outfit Kardashian wore during the celebrations:

1. The bachelorette party minidress

This is one of my favorite dresses ever!!!! This @BalmainParis dress I have in my closet & it makes me happy every time I see it! Loved these @GiuseppeZanottiWorld heels

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 22, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT

For her hen-do, Kardashian partied in Paris with her BFFs wearing this beaded Balmain creation complete with rose motif. Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing was a guest at the wedding, naturally.

2. The garden party gown

@RealMrVelentino @privategg

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 22, 2015 at 9:02pm PDT

The day before the wedding Kardashian attended a luncheon at Valentino Garavani's Paris mansion, the Château de Wideville in Crespières, France, wearing this butterfly emblazoned dress (designed by the host, of course).

3. The rehearsal dinner number

Bae in Paris

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 23, 2015 at 5:59pm PDT

Where else would the Kardashian-Wests hold their rehearsal dinner but the Palace of Versailles. Kardashian embraced her signature flesh-baring style in this plunging silk Margeila gown with thigh-high split - a world away from her modest wedding dress.

4. The wedding dress

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 27, 2014 at 7:58am PDT

Kardashian's custom Givenchy Haute Couture creation by designer pal Riccardo Tisci was the star of the show (he also designed a matching dress for daughter North, too cute)!

5. The afterparty minidress

I love this man so much! Happy Anniversary baby!

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 24, 2015 at 12:21pm PDT

Another Balmain mini, but this time to hit the dance floor at the wedding afterparty.

Similarly embellished and bedazzled, but this time with a plunging neckline - all captured in Kardashian and West's own private photo booth (we wouldn't expect anything less from the woman publishing a book full of selfies).

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Daughters Try Out The Hairstyles Their Mums Had In The 80s

May 26, 2015, 8:43 am

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The 80s aren't exactly known for being at the height of fashion, which is what makes this beauty video so hilarious.

See what happens when one hairstylist transforms three daughters by giving them their mum's favourite hairstyle from her youth.

We think some things are better left in the past...



“Have you seen Mob Wives? That's what you look like right now,” says one mum cracking up at her daughter in the Buzzfeed video

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We Love Lena Dunham's Lingerie - And Her Body Confidence

May 26, 2015, 9:36 am

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Lena Dunham is one celebrity who's not afraid to take it all off, and we love her for it.

Proving to women everywhere you don't need to be a certain size to love your body, Lena's latest Instagram post shows the Girls star clad in nothing but a set of lacy lingerie.

She captioned the snap: "Love my @lonelylingerie and I think I will wear it to dinner with some boots & a smile because we are all very lucky to be free."

Love my @lonelylingerie and I think I will wear it to dinner with some boots & a smile because we are all very lucky to be free

A photo posted by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on May 25, 2015 at 5:21pm PDT

Lena's fans flocked to like and comment on the picture, with one user posting "That's exactly what I need to hear today. Thankyou!"

Another user said, "Everytime I see you or heard from you or see something you did I feel more confident about myself. Thank you for existing, Lena! "

The 29-year-old actress was clad in a sheer, pistachio green Lonely Lingerie set - donning the Bonnie softcup bra and matching Bonnie brief.



Lonely Lingerie's founder Helene Morris wanted to create a brand wholly dedicated to celebrating and loving bodies and the women who inhabit them.

Their online community, The Lonely Girls Project, was launched as an online space for women to share images of themselves in Lonely designs.

New Zealand-based Morris told i-D Magazine, the company wanted to branch away from lingerie advertising that was primarily aimed at attracting men.

"We wanted to represent women in a positive and powerful way," she said.

"We want women to look at our imagery and realise that they don't have to be a certain way to feel beautiful. We simply wanted to offer the idea that it's okay to be yourself."

Scroll down to see some of the gorgeous images from the Lonely Girls Project:









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Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015 Is Returning To New York City

May 27, 2015, 1:48 am

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After jetting its angels off to London last year, Victoria’s Secret is bringing its annual fashion show back to it's original home in New York City.

Yesterday the lingerie brand took to Instagram to announce its return to the Big Apple for the show's special 20th anniversary (and its 15th time in the city).

"We're in a New York state of mind," the caption read, alongside a photo of the finale from last year's catwalk extravaganza.

We're in a New York state of mind…and will return to the Big for our 20th #VSFashionShow!

A photo posted by Victoria's Secret (@victoriassecret) on May 26, 2015 at 8:02am PDT

Sharen Jester Turney, Victoria’s Secret Chief Executive Officer, confirmed: "The 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will be held in New York City."

"New York City was the site of the first ever Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1995, and holds a special place in our history and our hearts."

"For this year's show, our twentieth, we're returning to where it all began."

This year’s show will include 10 new angels, including Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, and Sara Sampaio. While they all have walked previous shows, this will be the first time they’ll get to show off their wings.

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Beauty Recommended YouTube Tutorial Banned For Being Misleading

May 27, 2015, 2:42 am

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A YouTube beauty tutorial has been banned after a watchdog ruled consumers were unlikely to realise it was an advert from consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said viewers would not be aware that the video of vlogger Ruth Crilly discussing Max Factor products, and other brands, was an ad rather than an impartial review.

The P&G-owned Max Factor products appeared in the context of a lip makeup tutorial on the Beauty Recommended YouTube channel, with a line of text at the start stating it was "brought to you by Procter & Gamble" and a link beneath the video allowing viewers to buy the items via the online shop SuperSavvyMe.



The video of Ruth, who has almost 300,000 subscribers on her own YouTube channel A Model Recommends, was found by another beauty and style vlogger who complained that the video was not obviously identifiable as an advert.

P&G confirmed that it owned the Beauty Recommended channel and had editorial control over the content of all the videos uploaded to it, but said the approach ensured viewers were aware the vlog was sponsored before they began watching.

The ASA said consumers needed to know that they were selecting an ad to view before they opened and watched it.

But it said consumers would not necessarily be aware that the Beauty Recommended brand was owned and controlled by P&G, and the channel page gave no indication that the content was created by the company.

It found the "sponsored by" and "brought to you by" messages did not clearly indicate that the videos were marketing communications over which P&G retained editorial control.

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It said: "For those reasons, we considered that consumers would not be aware that the videos were ads promoting Procter & Gamble, and instead were likely to believe the videos were impartial editorial content."

"We concluded, therefore, that the videos within the Beauty Recommended channel, including the Easy Lip tutorial, were not obviously identifiable as marketing communications."

It ruled that the advert must not appear again in its current form, adding: "We told Procter & Gamble to ensure that future ads in this medium made their commercial intent clear prior to consumer engagement."

A P&G spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed following this ruling by the ASA as we believed the vlogs on our Beauty Recommended channel were clearly identifiable as marketing communications and in any event clearer than many of our competitors' channels."

"We have however as a result of the ruling made further changes to ensure we are even more transparent going forward and welcome any further guidance from the ASA to ensure there are clear industry standards in place for all in this area."

Rihanna Dior 2015: Full Length Campaign Video Finally Released

May 27, 2015, 3:19 am

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After plenty of teasers, Dior have finally dropped the full length video of Rihanna's 2015 campaign.

Shot in the Palace of Versailles, Rihanna lights up the screen in her stunning short film - which has racked up over 265,000 views since its release on Monday.

Filmed by acclaimed fashion photographer Steven Klein, the fourth installment of Dior’s Secret Garden series sees the Bajan beauty strut her stuff in the Château's famous Salons of the Gods, Hall of Mirrors and Royal Garden.

Timelapse of the full-length movie from the #SecretGarden4 campaign, shot by @StevenKleinStudio. Head to DIORMAG.com to discover the full journey of Rihanna's Versailles takeover.

A video posted by Dior Official (@dior) on May 26, 2015 at 1:48am PDT

The dark and enchanting four-minute clip is set to the soundtrack of Rihanna's intro to her eighth studio album, Only If For A Night.

In March this year, the 27-year-old singer became Dior’s first-ever black spokeswoman. “It feels fantastic” she told MTV News. “It is such a big deal for me, for my culture, for a lot of young girls of any color. I think to be acknowledged by Dior means a lot, as a woman, to feel beautiful—to feel elegant and timeless.”

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When Is a Model Not a Model?

May 27, 2015, 3:37 am

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As the owner of a womenswear brand, I get to decide who wears our clothes in our advertising campaigns.

It's a fortunate yet responsible position to be in. Fortunate, because I get to determine exactly how the brand is presented. Responsible, because I feel the weight of honesty to every customer who looks at the images we publish.

Body image has become an issue of growing concern. Around 10million women in the UK say they 'feel depressed' about the way they look. This is reportedly fuelled by unrepresentative and ubiquitous images of perfectly airbrushed women with bodies that are unattainable for most.

In recent weeks the press has been awash with articles about skinny models. In early April MPs in France's Lower House approved a law to ban the use of models deemed to be excessively thin. As part of this, model agencies that break this law could face fines of up to €75,000 and a six-month jail term. Approval by the Senate is now needed to bring it into force.

The MP who proposed the bill had previously stated that the thinness threshold be set at a BMI of 18. A healthy BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9.

This law follows similar such actions in Spain which has regulations barring fashion show models with a BMI below 18.5. Italy insists on medical certificates and also imposes an age requirement of at least 16. Israel similarly imposes a BMI limit along with a requirement to label media photos that have been re-touched. There is no such BMI limit in the UK or the US.

The concern is that ultra-thin models engender and compound body image concerns and this in turn is leading to eating disorders. In the UK around 725,000 people are affected by eating disorders of which almost 90% are girls and women. Related hospital admissions are rising at around 7% per year.

These are worrying statistics and only serve to reinforce the obligation I feel to choose models that won't make my customers feel bad about themselves.

How customers feel about themselves after looking at advertisements has been a topic of fierce debate following the bikini-wearing model in the 'Are you beach body ready?' campaign. Thousands have signed an online petition, posters have been defaced and a protest was organised for 2 May in Hyde Park.

There are a lot of women are clearly unhappy with how some images may make them feel. They are asking for proper representation.

Deciding on the choice of models for my brand is not a decision I have ever wanted to take lightly. But where to start?

What I knew was that I didn't want young girls Photoshopped to within an inch of their lives with expressions that made them look dead behind the eyes.

But first I had to understand the world of modelling. Fortunately my e-commerce manager had previously worked as a model agent at Storm. He inducted into a new world, one in which the level of scrutiny and appraisal seems relentless. It made me wonder now why anyone would even want to be a model.

He taught me all about portfolios (or books) and castings. When we eventually did call in some models I half expected to see a line of goddesses queued up outside the door. Instead what I saw pretty, but not gorgeous girls (and I stress that they were girls and not women - they were teenagers) who were tall but not nearly as striking as their photographs had suggested.

When we measured them it also became apparent that their height made their dimensions appear narrower. Clearly Photoshop plus height equals lots of potential and not a little hoodwinking. There are very few women blessed with the genes of Christy Turlington.

But the dawning of realisations wasn't going to solve my problem. I still needed a model and one that would properly marry aspiration with honesty.

My first choice was to have the clothes take centre stage. More bluntly we wouldn't show faces. The reason for this was not only because I didn't think these teenagers actually represented our customer but also because what they presented at a shoot was not a person but rather a persona. They 'switched off'. It was as though the individual disappeared and a 'model' emerged. Poses were performed as though by automatons, expressions were blank. It was even more dispiriting to see them deny food bar a few salad leaves. One even became delirious towards the end of the day.

But really the answer was obvious. We would choose real women. And not only would they be non-models but, if we were to show their faces, then we would tell their stories and celebrate their achievements. No more anonymous mannequins.

Our 'faces' come from a range of backgrounds - one is a freelance PR, one is a clown, one is a speech therapist and actress, two are dancers (one ballet, one krump).

They range in size from 8 to 12 but we don't scrunitinise their bodies because we know they look good. And that is why we don't transform them with endless hours of re-touching.

But it is the diversity of their backgrounds that gives them such distinct appeal. It is also heartwarming to see genuine friendships developing among these wonderful women.

When I look at their photos or videos I have no doubt that what I have found is a faithful and sincere representation of the aesthetic and spirit of our brand.

Remarkably though this seems to have thrown people. Often I am asked 'Are they actually models?' - a question mostly posed by women and which always seems to carry a certain amount of disapproval.

It is ironic that some think they have been duped by not being shown 'real' models. But it doesn't worry me. Most people don't like change and acceptance will take time.

What does worry me though is the amount of food (or rather chocolates, crisps, nuts and sandwiches) I have to buy for shoots. Kate Moss famously said that "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." I would urge her to watch this and then come back to me with her opinion.

Beyonce's Queen Bee Jumper Has Sold Out Already (But Here's How To Buy It)

May 27, 2015, 4:16 am

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Beyoncé confirmed her place as one of the world's biggest style icons this week when she caused an online shopping frenzy.

The singer posted a series of flawless snaps on her Instagram and Tumblr rocking BAW London's Queen Bee Dictionary sweatshirt and the brand couldn't help but notice.

Within a few hours the £60 jumper had completely sold out, but BAW London (which stands for black & white) have now enabled a pre-order option for the in demand piece.

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on May 22, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

Anoopreet Rehncy, co-founder & creative director of BAW London, told HuffPost UK Style: "I designed the Dictionary Collection with real-life influencers in mind as I wanted people to relate to the personality slogans and the quirky meanings that we have created.

"Beyoncé is 'Queen Bee’ because she exudes confidence and isn’t afraid of expressing who she is and what she stands for - the essence of being black and white.”

Bipan Ahuja, co-founder & CEO of BAW London added: "She has an incredibly talented styling team including Raquel Smith and Ty Hunter (who also wore our Sir Dictionary design). Team Beyoncé were immediately drawn to our black and white concept.

"Beyoncé didn’t just wear the Queen Bee design, she expressed the concept of simplicity in a fully styled photo shoot and spurred our brand to go viral worldwide”.

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If you can't wait for the Queen Bee sweatshirt to come back in stock, the print is also available in a summer-ready t-shirt style.

Or there plenty of other amazing slogans to pick from on the website (we're particularly loving the Ma'am and Diva designs).

We wonder who will wear Diva...

(H/T: LOOK)