balmain's new beau

So, I was aware that the wonderful Christophe Decarnin had been replaced at Balmain after he departed after five years with the label allegedly because of toubles with depression. What I was not aware of was the fact that his replacement Olivier Rousteing, who became creative director in April, is absoloutley gorgeous!

I was reading Elle magazine this morning and there was a small feature on designers to watch and I was left breathless by this stunning black man in a black and white portrait penetrating my soul with his beautiful eyes. Check him out girls and boys he is gay obviously, no man that hot is ever straight.

So not only is he really, really, ridiculously good looking (Zoolander flashback) but, as was seen at the SS12 shows in Paris, he is also extremely talented and has succeeded in continuing the asthetic that makes Balmain such a popular brand. He kept the rock and roll edge yet still staying true to the Balmain girl, super rich and super sexy. I think Balmain may just be the sexiest brand out there both on and off the runway! Olivier is the main man.

Balmain SS12

images courtesy of Vogue.

on the red carpet: victoria beckham

It is only fitting that Victoria Beckham wore black at tonights British Fashion Awards 2011. After all, doesn't everyone remember the artist formerly known as Posh Spice strutting around in her little black dress in the film 'Spice World'. The fashion designer was celebrated at this evenings ceremony as she won the award for Best Designer Brand. Wearing a dress from her eponymous label VB looks simply stunning. One of my favourite things about Victoria's designs is that the beauty truly is in the simplicity, she takes classic silhouettes and polishes them off with fabulous attention to detail and wonderful tailoring. This dress is no exception, the high necked cowl is elegant and the fitted waist blossoming into all the pleats is so pretty. It is by no means a show stopper of a dress but sometimes something so simple can have such a beautiful impact. Congrats Mrs Beckham, you clearly deserve your prize.

For a full list of BFA winners see Vogue

backstage beauty

My lovely friend Sophie at Marchesa sent me this photo of backstage at Marchesa's first ever show in New York this past September. I just think it is so beautiful I had to share it.

just call me jack frost

I was cheeky and borrowed some of my housemates new nail polish from Urban Outfitters. It has really got me in the Christmas spirit because, although technically it is multicoloured, it comes out a really frost like silver-blue after three coats.

where my party people at?

So, I realise I have been pretty useless at posting recently. This is partly due to Christmas temp duties in an attempt to replenish my constantly diminishing bank account and partly due to my time being dedicated to watching the likes of Gossip Girl, 90210 and...Living with the Amish (I'm not living with the amish and hating electricity free life, it is a show on Channel 4).

To make up for my poor efforts here is an extra big post on, yep you guessed it, the Christmas Party conundrum.

So the Christmas season has approached and that not only brings the welcome return of the christmas jumper (as discussed in an earlier post) but it also bring numerous events. Work parties...christmas dinner and drinks with friends...hell, any excuse for a party. But of course this brings the issue of party dressing for christmas without busting out a Mrs Claus type ensemble, being festive but not over-doing the 'sexy santa' theme. So, here are some of my picks for christmas beauty, christmas on a 'budget' and christmas off a budget. I tend not to stick to trends too much, after all they are only trends and as with all fashion they do change faster than the wind, so these are just some of my christmas season favourites...

Christmas beauty allows for a lot of leg room, tis the season to go overboard! Glitter becomes acceptable for evenings that don't involve dancing in a strobe lit room and is actually one of my favourite make up tips for the festive period. You can go full on gold leaf as was seen at Fendi or just go for subtle embelishment seen at Chanel and MAC have actually released a limited edition Christmas range called 'Glitter and Ice'. If glitter on the face really isn't your thing then OPI (as well as nearly every other nail brand) have released a fabulous christmas collection inspired by The Muppets, they come in a variety of colours but my favourites are the festive glitter red and glitter green as well as the multi coloured sparkle polish. Hair is another area to embelish if youwant to keep make up simple, jewellery can be worn in the hair, for example a chunky ring in the place of a hairband or a broch pinned on a chingnon. This season try switching a typical christmas red lipstick and go for a variation of the festive shade, I like a hot pink, blue red of orange red to switch it up and NARS as well as MAC have such a variety of colours you will be spoilt for choice. In my opinion hair can't really be dictated by trends as it can be so personal but at the moment I am loving any form of braid as well as really chic and undone ponytails, I will be pairing my pony with a massive silver sequin headband come christmas day.
images courtesy of Vogue, Mac and Nars

These are the party options that high street favourite Topshop have to offer. I especially love the yellow and purple beaded clutch bag to spice up a LBD. The silver shoes are a near exact copy of some Alexander Wang shoes that I had my eye on and the spiked head band is a nice alternative to a golden tinsel headband that I sported two years ago.
From top left: Satin lace tee £36, gold leather purse £16, Premium beaded clutch £35, Limited edition emerald silk strappy maxi £175, Lillie cherry trim sandals £65, Limited edition leather flippy waist dress £175, Planet flared heel platform moccasins £95, smudge animal print dress £60, mesh bib collar necklace £15, Lush metallic faux sankeskin platforms £65, spike cluster headband £25, Premium mteallic pleat skirt £90.

On the higher end of the scale net-a-porter have some spectacular options for any party. I love the golden Gucci skirt with a cosy knit for a casual christmas dinner and the red Valentino clutch with a bow is so Christmassy without being too much of a gimmick and the Mochino tuxedo jumpsuit is an adorable alternative to a dress.
From top left: Rachel Gilbert silk chiffon dress £695, Christopher Kane gel and PVC clutch £385, Valentino satin bag £520, Michael Kors leather and jersey gown £2400, Christian Louboutin metallic and patent leather pumps £425, Emilio Pucci crystal and velvet dress £5125, Miu Miu glitter and suede boots £555, Moschino Cheap and Chic tuxedo jumpsuit £815, Versace enamel bracelet £1515, Charlotte Olympia suede and satin boots £810, Dannijo crystal necklace £590, Gucci metallic leather skirt £1080.


It is less than a month until Christmas Day people! Be prepared to pop out the advent calendar.

v day

Versace is officially in H&M stores! Is anyone buying something from the collection or just window shopping like me?

UPDATE: Donatella had a meet and greet with the first person in the massive queue outside H&M. The lucky boy had been queuing since 4pm yesterday afternoon!!!