Born This Way Video - Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga's video for her new single Born This Way, was premièred today at 4pm. 

The beginning is slightly disturbing, and makes me wonder whether she's taken any inspiration from hit channel 4 show One Born Every Minute, I can recall some similar shots in both films. However, aside from the allusions, the illusions are produced very skilfully. And having been inspired by Salvador Dalí, the colours and shapes are very dream-like, and like something from the space age. Moving past the images of constellations of ovaries, and plastic/wax heads coming out of a va-JJ, it's a much darker video than I imagined. Although Nick Knight also helped with the directing, so I guess it was expecting to be slightly creepy, memorable, and definitely striking. He has previously photographed Gaga for Vanity Fair magazine back in 2010. I love the performance of the section where Gaga is dressed as a skeleton... convincing, is the word I would use, minus the pink pony-tail extensions. 

I love one of the final scenes, quite pop-y. Her black silhouette and animated white gloves, in front of a misty blue, pink, and yellow backdrop. She is an artist, and a very popular one at that. 

An image by Nick Knight for Alexander McQueen, 'Devon', 1997

Lady Gaga for Vanity Fair, by Nick Knight

Marni

Just browsing for photographers, came across Marni, completely by accident. ...

Whoever once mentioned to me, or the world, that brown and black clashed.. this show proves them wrong. There might be a theme running through the pictures I've chosen for this post, I love the gloves. 

There's a lot of leather and fur combinations, very sleek. On the other hand there are a lot of examples of print. Stripes, giant checks, and a collaboration of both in dresses. 

Roberto Cavalli In Milan 2011

The style is effortless, even the models had wet hair, as though they were so cool they could step out of the shower and out the front door. Make up was heavy black around the eyes, these women have attitude, and presence. The clothes seemed to move as one with the models, despite the 'armour' qualities which some of the clothes possessed. Intricate hand-beading, furs, feathers, this woman knows that she looks amazing, and will show you no matter what. Kelly Roland said she thought some of the pieces floated down the runway, as though the models were not even there. That is Art. The clothes seduce you in a way that makes you want to be the woman behind their personality. The colours are a statement to their strength, gold, silver, royal colours, and soft shades which allure to angels. Wealth, not in a sense of money, but in a sense of pride and confidence. No-one will answer back to this woman, but she does not need to ask that many questions. 

James Franco @the Oscars

Co-hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway for The Oscars, she's such a lucky lady. 

yum.

Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter show 2011- Milan

Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce stepped out onto the runway after their collection of stars and stripes (be them tiger stripes). The suits were very masculine. All of them. Although I'm sure a testament to Italian tailoring. My favourite piece of the show. a yellow chiffon dress, translucent fabric, covered in print of black stars in varying sizes. I also love the contrast of the pink shoes against the grey suit (second image down), and the dress just below. Hugging the figure, flattering a very feminine image, however contrasted with the patent masculine brogues, and black cotton socks pulled up. A mixture of statements, but a great show. 

Peter Dundas for Emilio Pucci- Milan 2011

Peter Dundas's creations for Emilio Pucci are elegant, sleek, and very Italian. All of his pieces look as though they were made to worship the female form, and no doubt this was a concept in mind. The beautiful silhouettes created, or simply enhanced by his clothes would make any woman fall at his designs. There are definitely some red carpet contenders within this collection, with decadent decoration, embroidery and embellishment. In general colours were quite murky, moss greens, dark blues browns and blacks, although the odd stunning sky blue, or rich maroon ensemble was not to go amiss. Skirts are either knee length, or floor length; sleeves, all or nothing; and necklines were high and concealing, or low and square. Because of cause, you either show leg, or more décolletage, so when the hemlines come down, something has to give. 

Alberta Ferretti - Autumn/Winter 2011 show, Milan

I love the continuation of the 'block colour' trend from S/S into next winter. This example from Alberta Ferretti mixes a combination of furs and velvet, and is beautiful when it catches the light. Thigh high boots and sleek sensuous material will carry us through to next September. 

Thomas Maier for Bottega Veneta in Milan

Seemingly 40s inspired, Thomas Maier's collection for Bottega Veneta, is sensible, and glamorous. Knee-length cocktail dresses in a variety of colours and textures. Some ensembles are prim, and pretty; short knitted cardigans, and  floral print knee length skirts. It's all elegant. Some of my favourite piece: 

The Times LUXX Magazine

Some campaigns I really liked from The Times LUXX magazine, Saturday 26th Feb.

Dior, Prada, Fendi

Renault Va Va Voom TV Commercial

The new Renault TV commervial: starring Audrey Hepburn in a clip from Breakfast at Tiffany's, in her LBD, drinking coffee and wearing her statement glasses. Also Dita Von Teese in a pink cushioned booth, removing her bra and lounging onto a chase long, whilst Thierry Henri peers excitedly through one of the viewing holes. It then cuts to a clip of the late Marlon Brando in a clip from On The Waterfront (which coincidently played yesterday on ITV4), then David Bowie's 'Ground control to major Tom' line from the song Space Oddity, and finally a slowed clip from Rihanna's controversial song video S&M. 
Is the commercial trying to establish what is Va Va Voom? Showing different icons which have been known for their sex appeal, and talent. How could you express this 'va va voom' in a car? The new Renault Clio. 

Makin' a List

Money is depressing. Wishlists are so much more optimistic :)

TOPSHOP

Okay, so it's all Topshop. Don't blame us, their website is so enticing! 

Penny Loafers

Penny Loafers, or so The Times calls them... I ordered these shoes from ASOS, although unfortunately for me they are too small. Fortunately for my bank account, that fact will be saving me 35.00. I just love the colour- sky blue suede, edged in black leather, and a (fake) caramel wooden sole. 

Maybe I'll have to order myself the next size up... They're so cute!

New purchases

With the incentive of Free Next Day Delivery on ASOS, naturally I decided to take advantage of not spending unnecessary money, and order myself some goodies ready for Spring, and eventually, we hope, Summer. I don't know about you but recently I don't usually have a specific item in mind when I go shopping/browsing hundreds of internet pages... (Unless of course it is for a most delightful bathing suit, complete with a print of A HORSE RUNNING IN THE SEA(!) courtesy or Harvey Nicolls.) And so the little bracketed number next to the 'Your Bag' symbol increased (as did the 'Total', looking forward to the Checkout at this point).

Nude polka dot playsuit, which I think is slightly reminiscent of the 50s. From now on my mission is to get some bright shoes which will compliment this one piece, and keep it 'springy' and 'summery'. Also coloured sunglasses, something like what's shaking in the Dior campaign at the moment. Very Betty Draper-esque.

Logically all of us would love Stella McCartney in our wardrobes, especially after the impressive pull-out inside the cover of March's Vanity Fair. However, as much as I would love to spend around £3000 on a gorgeous shift dress, covered in fruit print, and such a statement of style, sometimes when life gives you lemons, they don't always last more than one season. 

CULOTTES. These remind me so much of Brownies, back in the day when I was 10, and you had a club leader named after a bird of prey. Classic. Anyway... when on these do look more or less like a skirt, however they will be perfect for when you need to jump on a trampoline, or run really fast... on the high street... and the wind will never expose you indecently. Alternatively they just look pretty cool, like short 70s trousers. Saying that Topshop do have some really nice, actual 70s style, coloured culottes which could also be just as practical, but in purples and blues... Did I click 'Go To Checkout' too quickly?!

Playing with old Photos

Moschino in Milan

This collection was pretty much set around the Forces and Fifties. Every other design comes with a hat suitable for a soldier in the emergency services. I didn't think Naval would be a huge theme this year, and to be honest I don't think it will be at all, but I also don't think it's possible to go a single summer without seeing Navy blue cotton, white piping and gold brass button salute itself down the runway. And so here is that recruit for this year. 

The fifties I love, the re-birth of Hollywood circa 1950 is gorgeous. Flowing silk, like waves, alive to their own beat, black stain up-to-your-elbow-chic gloves. Military chic, not so much. However towards the end of the collection, the war-like vibe takes a turn for the desirable. Crimson red poppies. Come Remembrance, the perfect Sunday attire has been catered for. Suddenly there is a whole different atmosphere around these images.