Tell them you'll be late

Amazing stop motion video. Have a watch.

What to expect from Raf @ Dior?

Responding to media comments that his own vision might be too androgynous, minimalist, and counter to the Dior aesthetic, former Jil Sanders creative director Raf Simons assures that he's still the best man for the job.

He said, "When I'm married to a house, I will fully embrace its original intention, its original heritage and meaning. I wouldn't go to that place [Dior] if I only had minimalism in mind. I'm very aware of what the environment is about." Simons went on to mention his love of flora and the outdoors (as evident in his blossom-packed fall '11 show) as well as femininity, because it's "beautiful, endless, and permanent" (to wit, his fall '12 show was a romantic, if not a simple affair).

Raf Simons has begun work on Dior's spring '13 line. ZOMG

Silenced by the night

Keane takes viewers on a classic American road trip in the freshly-unveiled video for their new single "Silenced By The Night" that premiered online last week. Set in the dusty landscape of the West Texas desert, the video beautifully visualizes the song's hopeful spirit while reminding us that the ultimate road trip is not about the destination but the journey and the friendships forged along the way. The music video was shot early March by director Chris Sims.

"Silenced By The Night" is the first track from Keane's forthcoming new album "Strangeland" that will be released on May 7. The LP follows 2008's "Perfect Symmetry" and promises to 'take the group back to the classic songwriting of their early days'. In a recent interview with NME showed to me by my friend, Keane's Tom Chaplin and Tim Rice-Oxley talk about the creative process and considerations that led to this new album. "I think we started working on this record in 2010," Chaplin says. "It is the longest we've ever spent making a record." Tim made a rare contribution to the interview, adding, "I guess we wanted it to be a less production-led record and focus really on the songwriting. That took a little while. We had to write a lot of shit songs to get to the really good ones."

Tom explained that in some ways "Strangeland" is a reaction to the big production of their previous full-length effort. "Perfect Symmetry was in some ways a very self-indulgent record with long, sprawling songs," he says, "This record is more about knowing ourselves really well, having done all that and then taking that experience to know what we do really best. It's always a progression. It has to be. In everything that you do." Roll on May 7th.

Vicky B-azaar

 
It’s fair to say that this is not your average Victoria Beckham magazine cover. The mother of four becomes a redhead for the May 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar China. It’s definitely a world away from her much more feminine look on the May cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Chen Man shoots her sporting that fiery red hair along with striking eye make-up and a metal headpiece, looking like a threatening video game character. I barely recognized Posh Spice at first... and I'm not entirely sure I like it that way. Victoria's April cover for Harper's UK, which showed the designer glamorously sprawled out on a floral background, was light and springy. This one? Not so much.

Heavy heart

It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to dedicate a teary eyed post to the last collection from fashion heavyweights, Dolce & Gabbana.

D&G’s iconic final collection brought some swirling scarf prints for spring/summer 2012, before announcing they would be shutting the door on the diffusion line for good, so that they could solely concentrate on the mainline. But fear, the Italian fashion house may have slain my diffusion line dreams; it won’t take away my beloved scarf prints so easily! D&G have teamed up with online retail giant, my-wardrobe to offer a few exclusive items from the final collection.

Cruz'ing the cover of Bazaar

After taking some time off following the birth of her son Leonardo, Penélope Cruz is back in action with a new Woody Allen film and bossing the cover of the May issue of Harper's Bazaar. Photographed by Terry Richardson, the proud mum leaves little to the imagination in a cleavage-baring Armani Privé jacket studded with Swarovski crystals and paired with a diamond and sapphire necklace.

But when it comes to her own personal style, the Spanish beauty favours "Alaïa, Armani, Dolce, Karl Lagerfeld, and John Galliano. Speaking of dream jobs, Cruz will next hit screens in To Rome With Love, which marks her first film since having a baby and her reunion with Allen, who directed her to Oscar glory in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. "I love being around Woody," she says, citing the vintage Balmain dress she wore for her Best Supporting Actress win as her favourite red carpet gown.  "Watching him direct, and sometimes he falls asleep while they are lighting the next shot. I take pictures of him because he picks the strangest positions. I always think he is going to fall off his chair. That whole shoot I laughed so hard." Indeed, the self-professed "stubborn" star says her 30s have been happier than her 20s, no doubt due to her marriage to Javier Bardem and their son. "I talk about him all day long, even to strangers in the street," she says of her baby. "It is my favourite subject!"

Penelope reveals that she'll be limiting herself to just one or two film roles a year in order to focus on her family, but if her smoking-hot fashion spread with Richardson is any indication, she's not quite ready to succumb to the minivan and yoga pants scene just yet. Rocking smokey eyes and bouncy, face-framing waves, Cruz oozes sex appeal as she poses in a navy sequin-embroidered Chanel dress, black Giambattista Valli gown and floral headpieces, ridiculously glam gold leather Versace bustier dress, and a floor-length crocodile-embroidered number from Givenchy. 

Let's just hope her friends PETA don't find out about that last one. For more of the Penélope Cruz editorial, visit Harpers website and pick up the May issue, on sale April 29.

Glitter and Gold

After Rebecca Ferguson first impressed TV viewers when she auditioned for the British version of X Factor in 2010, the 21 year-old has continued to move audiences with her incredibly soulful voice and heartfelt performance that belies her years. Her very personal songwriting is equally profound, and gives listeners a glimpse into the hardships of her bleak upbringing and her life as a teenage mom of two.

Ferguson shares her stories on her debut LP, entitled "Heaven," that has struck a chord with listeners who are not only mesmerized by her raw vocal delivery but also inspired by her uplifting message of persevering against the odds. "People used to say to me ‘Being rich doesn’t make you happy, Rebecca’" she says in a press release. "And I’d think I’ve got no electricity, nothing - tell that to my empty fridge. But now I’m doing okay, I realise,they were right. It doesn’t matter what you’ve got, as long as you’ve got love. I know that sounds cheesy, but that's everything."

The singer continues that theme on her new single "Glitter & Gold" that is about knowing what really matters in life. "All that glitter and all that gold won't buy you happy," she sings. "When you've been bored and sore, glitter and gold won't keep you warm. All those lonely nights and all those friends that were such a chore. You're gonna need 'em more than ever before."

The touching tune has been remixed by DJ Feverpitch who masterfully turns Ferguson from an earnest soul crooner into a blazing dancefloor diva on this fantastic revamp that gives a whole new meaning to her truthful lyrics, "take care of your soul."

Love.

Burberry putting music in the frame

Burberry follows-up from last year’s release of its first music video with The Feeling by launching a series of music videos presenting new British bands to celebrate the Burberry Eyewear Collection Spring/Summer 2012. Burberry's chief creative officer Christopher Bailey has enlisted the help of four British musical acts who will serve as the 'faces' of Burberry Eyewear this season.

The participating bands are One Night Only, a five-piece outfit Yorkshire, the Brighton based singer-songwriter Marika Hackman, the Leicestershire duo the Daydream Club and Life in Film from London. Each has previously participated in the successful Burberry Acoustic project that launched two years ago and which showcases young British bands.

The collection itself is based on the classic aviator style shape which has been 'Burberried' with the addition of the brand's logo and iconic check on the inside of the temple. The campaign highlights a new collection of timeless Burberry aviator eyewear styles inspired by the spirit, attitude and energy of Burberry, music and the British summer. I'm in favour of Burberry's choice to do this.

Nike x Liberty

Nike becomes the latest superbrand to team-up with Liberty by transforming three classic styles of trainers using the iconic Liberty print.

Marking one of the brand’s most coveted collections, Nike transforms the retro Free 5.0 (£90), revolutionary Air Max 1 (£100) and the iconic Cortez (£70) using the Lagos Laurel paisley print in sport red, university gold and imperial purple.

The range of trainers is complemented by sportswear including vests, joggings shorts, track tops and hoodies.

Swatch gets Wang Kawashima'ed

Swatch presents its latest art & fashion collaborations with Chinese fashion designer Uma Wang and Japanese artist Hideaki Kawashima.

Uma Wang mixes embroidery with the traditional plastic of Swatch watches using a colourful textured print originating from Yunnan Province in Southwest China. The second bold style sports the artist’s name ‘UMA WANG’ embroidered on the strap. Both styles feature safety pin hands.

The second collaboration sees Hideaki Kawashima create two styles featuring otherworldly female faces with large eyes and feminine lips, in-line with the artist’s fascination of the female form. I'm over the moon to see what this season of Swatch's collaborations brings… I loved last seasons.

Fred Perry x Cycling Blank Canvas

Fred Perry launches its second ‘Fred Perry x Cycling Blank Canvas‘ collection for Spring 2012.

Celebrating the brand’s close relationship with sport, Fred Perry recreates the classic cycling shirt, once popular with Mods in the 1960′s, into a modern-day fashion garment.

The range of 100% cotton funnel neck shirts features five styles including polka dot, stripe and block colour. The collection also includes a nylon cycling jacket, messenger bag and perforated cycling trainers.

DEAD 4 RHW

Having featured on Animale’s autumn 2012 runway, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley covers the April 2012 edition of Vogue Brazil wearing a look from the collection that captures its take on the season’s sheer and ethnic trends.

The steamy shoot showcases Rosie’s gorgeous looks as she poses on a couch and bed in to-die-for fashion ensembles. Our favorites include a white one-shoulder dress and a sequined black top paired with a black maxi skirt number.

I can't get enough of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and these photos are making me smile ear to ear. Beautiful.

Out of this world

Karlie Kloss heads to a Texan Cadillac Ranch for a main fashion editorial in the March ’12 issue of American Vogue, shot by Mario Sorrenti, styled by Grace Coddington. Out of this world.

MIND BLOWN

Keira Knightley covering the April 2012 issue of Interview magazine, looking strikingly beautiful in a tailored jacket is blowing my mind. It's been a full year that I've been deprived of a new Keira Knightley cover, so it's nice to see her featured in a magazine that I love as much as Interview. There's no word yet on who shot the cover, but once I find out I'll let you know. Dying to see the accompanying editorial.

Burberry presents:

Burberry just announced the launch of their new eyewear campaign for spring '12. What's in it for us besides a new pair of sunnies for the blinding light? Well, you can count on Burberry to keep us completely in the dark. Take a look at this 20-second teaser and somebody, please, help me make sense of it. I keep asking myself, where are the sunglasses? And, who's behind the guitars and violin? Guess I'll be left scratching my head until some more details are announced. 

Excited.

Megan Fox by Alexei Hay

I'm actually quite tempted to go and buy the April 2012 issue of Jalouse. Megan Fox was photographed for the cover by Alexei Hay, modelling a look from the Emporio Armani Spring/Summer collection. The cover is over-the-top and there's a lot going on - from the Philip Treacy hat, to the side braid, to the rubber gloves - but somehow I think it works. Really well. Megan looks stunning.

OH GURL

Rising hip-hop power bitch Azealia Banks is known almost as much for her amazing sense of style (thanks to a certain Mr Formichetti) as she is for her facility with beats, hooks and rhymes, but you wouldn’t know that to look at her latest editorial. In the April issue of GQ, Banks was stripped her of her usual cool outfits and left her in lingerie and not much else. I get it that it’s a “men’s magazine” and ladies have to be sexy in it, but, um…have you seen this girl? Azealia Banks is sexy in her little shorts, bright kicks, and Mickey Mouse sweatshirts, and a large part of what makes her sexy is her unique personality. Do feel GQ could have at least have put her in some wacky underwear.

She also apparently and seemingly couldn't give a shit about her newfound fame: "I definitely have more money and shit, but that's all virtual stuff. I've been making music for a while. And I could read about myself on the Internet for a while."

Azealia, be my friend?

SNAPBACK

With the summer looming, HUF have dropped these super cool Hawaiian Print Snapbacks just in time. Consisting of  two different styles, the capital H logo and the classic script, both designs come in three colour schemes, meaning you’ll have plenty to mix and match with this summer! For as little as $34 USD, you can pick any or all of these six beauties up at HUF online.

I love.

FRANCO 4 BRITISH GQ

Beautiful spread of Dave Franco for British GQ and photographed by Uncle Terry (Richardson).

H&M GETS HIGH-END

Fast fashion retailer H&M announced today they will be launching a new chain of stores in 2013 “to broaden its offering."

Following their most recent famous designer team-ups with Marni and Versace, the budget brand will launch its Exclusive Glamour Conscious Collection on April 12. The collection has already been worn on the red carpet by both Amanda Seyfried and Michelle Williams and is made using sustainable materials including organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester.

Now I'm just going to wait patiently for H&M to dish more details on what luxe storm they're cooking up.