Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Harder, Better, FASTer, Stronger..

To quote Daft Punk, nobody does it harder, better, faster or stronger than Canadian born knitwear designer Mark Fast. His Topshop-sponsored SS10 catwalk show caused quite the media uproar when "gasp" he chose to use some models that were larger than the "Size Zero" high fashion industry standard but smaller than the average UK woman who is statistically a Size 16. The media debate over model sizes has ebbed and flowed in the public consciousness, reviling the thin and amply curved with equal venom throughout the years. Twiggy was nicknamed "The Twig" in the 60's due to her gamine frame and elfin beauty and Penelope Tree was as tall and willowy as her name suggested, while Jean Shrimpton was nicknamed "The Shrimp".

Later, Kate Moss sparked an uproar against "Heroin Chic" when she appeared naked and waif-like in the adverts for Calvin Klein's Obsession fragrance. Later, Jodie Kidd became the focus of media hate stories, her super-svelte frame making her the toast of the catwalk but feature-fodder to journalists. There's no doubt the media love to hate thin models - but occasionally the curvy girls become targets too. When Sophie Dahl's rubenesque curves sashayed down the runway in Irish knitwear designer Lainey Keogh's AW97 show, she caused a media storm. The incident probably wouldn't have happened if the late stylist Isabella Blow hadn't put Dahl on the fashion radar.

By the same token, it was Mark Fast himself who caused the commotion at his own SS10 show, with his stylist walking out over his decision to include some curvy models in the line up. The media and online forums were awash with comments - both positive and negative. I have to agree with the late Andy Warhol when it comes to all the media commentating on Fast's involvement in the Size Zero debate, "don't pay attention to what they write about you, just measure it in inches". The truth of the matter is that Fast's signature Body Con aesthetic and prowess at sculpting the silhouette with peek-a-boo panels is what makes his garments desirable to both women and fashion buyers. It's also the reason his clothes are likely to endure far longer than the media circus that surrounded his SS10 show. Fast credited the silent movies of the 1920's as an inspiration for his SS10 show, with "severity in stitches creating a cinematic effect over the body". American hero Erin Brockovich also came into the mix, with Fast channelling a little bit of her "attitude".

Hot on the heels of his diffusion line, Faster by Mark Fast, he has launched Mark Fast for Topshop, a mini-collection of five gorgeous pieces, inspired by sleek exotic birds, the shimmer of their wings and the movement of their feathers as they fly. Prices start at £80 for a hip-hugging dark grey knitted skirt, peaking at £180 for the piece-de-resistance, a black knitted dress featuring intricate panels, heavily embellished with matte rubberised beads. Though it's evident Fast has a knack for turning out strong "Power Dresses", his on-trend pale pink one shoulder dress proves that soft and sensual are also within his repertoire. The collection is available to purchase online, so hurry to the Topshop website to invest in a piece of history. After all, my instinct tells me that Fast is likely to be a highly collectable knitwear designer. I'd go as far as saying that he will be as important to his generation as Herve Leger was to the 80's.

Mark Fast Beaded Dress - £180

Mark Fast Vest Dress - £95

Mark Fast Panel Skirt - £80

Mark Fast Long Sleeve Dress - £150

Mark Fast One Sleeve Dress - £150

www.topshop.com

Hogging The Limelight

HOGGing The Limelight..

Don't you love that feeling you get when you discover a new singer or band? I was browsing music videos on You Tube and came across a storming track called "I Won't Kneel" by Groove Armada. It features the vocal stylings of SaintSaviour (formerly known as Becky Jones), who is officially my new style crush. I haven't seen anyone work a Pam Hogg catsuit like this since Pam herself or Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees. The official music video for the track sees SaintSaviour reborn as Ziggy Stardust's stunning peroxide pixie-cropped twin sister. The futuristic styling, stunning hair and make-up and awesome set (I want the wall with the LED lights) have combined to truly awesome effect. For a woman so svelte her voice certainly packs a punch, as does her dynamite stage presence - definitely one to watch. She's been touring with Groove Armada, tearing up the stage at Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and Big Day Out. I'll definitely be buying tickets to see her perform at the Brixton Academy with Groove Armada in October.

www.myspace.com/oursaintsaviour

For all Pam Hogg enquiries go to:

www.pamhogg.com

Truth Serum..

What do Jessica Alba, Eva Mendez, Eva Longoria, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez all have in common (apart from mega-bucks)? The answer is beautiful, bronzed, glowing skin. The kind of skin that speaks of sumptuous spa rituals and a super-high maintenance lifestyle. The kind of skin that glistens on the decks of fabulous yachts in ST Tropez and gleams in couture on the red carpet at the Oscars. We're all familiar with the fake tan horror stories. From Jodie Marsh to Katie Price, the not-quite-human tangerine glow of the tanorexic is without doubt a major deterrent when it comes to tanning. But what if you could fake it in the knowledge that the results would be Gisele rather than Jordan? New Rapid Tan really is a miracle in a bottle as far as successful home-tanning goes. Granted, I did enlist the services of my partner when it came to doing my back - but otherwise, this really is an easy-to-follow DIY tanning product. I've attempted home-tanning in the past with mixed results. Last summer I had a particularly traumatic experience with the organic Cocoa Glow Natural Sunless Tanner from Chocolate Sun. As the product wasn't tinted, it was impossible to gauge whether there would be any streaks post-application. Imagine my horror when the morning-after-the-tan-before, I awoke a deep shade of bronze with a new set of tiger-like stripes on my fore arms. Trust me when I say it was a look I would never wish to repeat - EVER. However, Rapid Tan is not only tinted to ensure a streak-free finish, it also comes with a handy mitt. Simply pour a little product onto the sponge side of the mitt and massage into the skin in circular motions. Once you've covered the desired areas, you simply buff the skin with the mitt to ensure a flawless, even result. It's worth adding that this product smells surprisingly fresh and botanical, not at all like most fake tanning products. The product is certainly true to it's "rapid" title - my skin bronzed visibly within an hour of application, developing to a rich "I've just spent two weeks in the Maldives" tan by morning. To ensure the best results it's worth prepping properly by exfoliating your face and body thoroughly and applying the product to clean and moisturiser-free skin. Avoid exposure to water for 3-6 hours, I advise applying last thing at night to avoid any wardrobe nightmares (fake tan smears don't look good on anyone).

Rapid Tan - £19.99

Available at:

Sally - 0845 601 4861

AND

www.beautyexpress.co.uk

Closet Case

Closet Case..

So the launch of the my-wardrobe.com Denim Bar service and temporary Pop-Up Shop at 38 Carnaby Street was beyond amazing. It was VIP guests galore with stylists Gemma Cairney (Frock Me) and Rebekah Roy (styles Kate Nash amongst others) both in attendance. The photos above feature myself, Sarah Curran (CEO of My-wardrobe) and Frock Me's Gemma Cairney respectively. The quirky denim interior was designed by Sketch's Mark Lawson-Bell (the denim was provided by Nudie Jeans). Steve Doyle, editor and founder of Buck Magazine and Marcus Jaye, Creative Director of thechicgeek.co.uk were both representative of the male style contingency. Sarah Curran, CEO of My-wardrobe was on hand to discuss the launch of the e-tailer's Denim Bar service, designed to help male and female shoppers find the best style of jeans for them (along with some rather nifty styling tips). Menswear Buyer Lee Douros, waxed lyrical about the vast array of brand options available to male customers this season, with denim galore on offer from brands as diverse as Acne, Nudie, Lee and King Crash to name just a few. Lee was particularly excited about the Vivienne Westwood and Lee Jeans collaboration for AW10, which promises to spawn many a collector's item. Buying Director Luisa de Paula shared her fashion nous, hailing J Brand's Houlihan as THE "must have" item for women this season and next. Drawing upon her razor-sharp style intuition, she cited this combat trouser / jean hybrid as a Utility Chic staple that will be as strong come AW10 as it is this summer. To view all the interviews from the My-wardrobe team and celebrity guests, watch the video below:

Jean Genie

Jean Genie...

Gearing up for the launch party of My-wardrobe.com's new pop-up denim bar at 38 Carnaby Street. With an installation designed by Mark Lawson-Bell, the creative genius behind the interiors at Sketch, this is set to be THE fashion happening of the week. In association with Nudie Jeans, Tanqueray No.10, Mixmag Fashion and Carnaby London. There will be collections from 8 denim brands; JBrand, Current/Elliot, 7 For All Mankind, Nudie, Paige and Nobody. New Designers for AW10 include the new Vivienne Westwood / Lee Jeans collaboration. Sip your Tanqueray No.10 my-martini in style, whilst browsing the SS10 menswear denim collections and benefitting from style tips from my-wardrobe experts and guest stylists including thechicgeek. Did I mention that Ian B from IBSTYLE will be filming the event with Leo Baker from the uber-cool Sync Films? Guests be warned, I will be prowling the bar like a panther, interviewing guests and my-wardrobe teamsters about all things denim. What to wear?????

www.my-wardrobe.com

Hell For Leather

Hell For Leather…

La Rioja is famed for its glorious wine and beautiful, rugged terrain. What you may not know, is that it is also home to Neosens, a cult Spanish footwear label that has earned a special place in my “little black book” of secret style destinations. Spain, along with Italy, has a rich history when it comes to quality leather goods. A couple of years ago, I had the honour of visiting La Rioja as a guest of Neosens. I and the other fashion editors were treated not only to some of the finest food and wine that the La Rioja region had to offer – but also to the pair of shoes or boots of our choice from the Neosens collection. Spanish brands such as Mango, Zara and Custo Barcelona have become synonymous with continental style, with the former collaborating with stellar names such as Penelope and Monica Cruz and Scarlett Johansson. Zara is known as the “go-to” destination for fashion insiders looking to rock the latest catwalk trends at high street prices. Neosens haven’t enlisted A-List actresses or mega-bucks campaigns in the effort to carve their own niche in the fashion world. But then again, they have no need to – the footwear does all the talking. With an aesthetic that is unique and a little bit “off”, they manage to update classic footwear, creating shoes and boots that look rugged and lived in. Every style tells a story – and what a story they tell. When I first spied the Cotton Club S723 biker boots in black, I fell in love. They were sat defiantly on a table, nestled amongst a series of other eye-catching styles. But like a mega-watt star amongst a sea of “wannabe’s”, they outshone their brothers and sisters, ensuring that not only my eyes, but the eyes of every other fashion editor, were firmly on them. For me, my love affair with style is so much about expressing how you feel at any given moment through the clothes and accessories you choose to wear. No-one is a better example of the chameleon effect that clothes have on the way you feel and the way others perceive you, than the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. She’s played the virgin, the material girl, the conical-bra-wearing ambitious blonde, the dominatrix, the mother, the mystical guru, the mogul and most recently, the disco queen. While the black Cotton Club S723 boots made me feel like none of the above – what they did make me feel like was James Dean or Marlon Brando. Some days I dress like a character from Gossip Girl, all Ivy League and preppy, while other days I feel like channelling Tom Ford or Hedi Slimane. But more often than not, I love nothing more than to unleash my inner rebel, teaming my delightfully “beaten-up” Neosens boots with a pair of black skinnies, a fitted black t-shirt and a battered and much-loved leather jacket. In reality, I might still be me – but in my mind I feel like Marlon Brando in The Wild One – all brooding machismo and buckets full of attitude. And that for me, is the joy of Neosens. With so many cool styles to choose from, putting yourself into someone else’s shoes has never been quite so easy. The only tricky bit is deciding who you want to be.

www.neosens.com

Are Friends Electric?

Are Friends Electric…

Cult make-up brand Illamasqua has pushed the cosmetic boundaries yet again with their Body Electrics make-up range – their first collection for the whole body. Inspired by the power of kinetic energy, the art of movement, the fluidity of the body in motion (their words).

The collection has an abundance of sumptuous textures, with the abundance of creams, powders and dry body oils to play with. As we’ve come to expect from Illamasqua, each product is hyper-pigmented and super-blendable with a mega colour pay-off. However, this standout collection features light-reflecting particles that “ignite the skin with intense colours and finishes, each product in the range has been created to accentuate the body’s every twist and turn to exquisite perfection, ensuring you exude a confidence that’s more than skin deep”.

Supported by an “expressive, avant-garde visual campaign shot by leading fashion image-makers Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones”. Alex Box created the make-up looks while styling credits go to Dazed & Confused editor (and Gareth Pugh stylist) Katie Shillingford

My ever-present hawk eyes also noted that the model in the final campaign shot is wearing the Padded Bullet Bra and knickers from cult lingerie brand What Katie Did. Gwyneth Paltrow rocks the very same bra in the May 2010 issue of Vogue UK, shot beautifully by Mario Testino.

But I digress – back to the make-up! I was delighted to receive a bottle of the iridescent Illumine Oil in Pulse (a gorgeous bronze shade). This dry body oil is infused with pearlised particles, passionflower seed oil and vitamin E, giving you the maximum glow-factor teamed with a cocktail of skin-saving treats.

I visited the Illamasqua counter in Selfridges, London recently to play with some of the other products in the collection. I’m currently lusting after the Body Electrics Liquid Metal 4 Colour Palette. The Liquid Metal product has quickly gained cult status in the make-up world since its appearance on the scene in Illamasqua’s SS09 Sirens collection. Featuring Enrapture and Solstice from the SS09 Sirens collection, Phenomena from the AW09 Dystopia collection and Surge from the SS10 Body Electrics collection, this quad is guaranteed to sell out. With a luxuriously creamy texture, this multi-purpose wonder can be used on-the-go with fingers, or more precisely with a brush to create an array of shimmering make-up effects. Definitely a must-have.

To view the full collection, see the backstage shoot video and pics and to shop Illamasqua, go to:

www.illamasqua.com