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

The Beat Goes Ong

The Beat Goes Ong…

The cobbler Beatrix Ong first caught my attention when I spied her whimsical women’s shoes in the side windows of the Jaeger flagship store on London’s Regent Street. There’s something about the way she effortlessly fuses classic English style with a quirky edge that is so typical of London style. I became acquainted with her men’s line when I was shopping at Jaeger (her designs are merchandised alongside the Jaeger brands). A Beatrix Ong representative informed me that Jaeger’s chairman Harold Tillman had invested in the brand, hence its appearance at Jaeger HQ. Tillman is of course chairman of the British Fashion Council (and counts the quintessentially British brand Aquascutum as another standout brand in his portfolio). It was with incredible kindness that Beatrix Ong’s people granted me permission to wear the rather gorgeous Chaplin shoes when I was filming the pilot for the SMP show. I wore the Chaplin shoes with a navy “Micro Diamond” wool/silk mix suit from the Jaeger London SS10 collection – literally a sartorial style match made in heaven! I’ve swiftly acquired a mental shopping list of future purchases. My list has grown to three styles. I’m currently lusting after Chaplin in brown, Minghella in brown and Lean in Black from the Beatrix Ong SS10 collection. You know you’re in trouble when your virtual purchases have already been allocated wardrobe matches and outfits. Tragic. As if I needed further incentives to buy, I hear that GQ editor Dylan Jones is a fan. It's obvious that my fashion fate is sealed. I'd best make room in the wardrobe.

Minghella in brown - £280

Chaplin in brown - £250

Lean in black - £300

www.beatrixong.co.uk

London Calling

London Calling…

This is the Jaeger London suit I bought the hubby today. Cut from navy "Micro Diamond" wool/silk mix cloth, it's so gorgeous it would give Tom Ford tailoring envy. The subtle padding on the shoulder and nipped-in waist create an enviable "V" shape on the torso - a slick and masculine silhouette. I tried this on when I was filming the pilot for The SMP Show and fell in love. Naturally, when I went to the Jaeger flagship store on Regent Street last week, I found out that the company has sold out of the jacket in my size. If the blessed suit and I were not meant to be, then surely destiny intended it for my beloved? I had a 4pm meeting in town today, so I took the hubby to the store to try it on. The second the 38 Regular jacket slipped on my hubby's rather muscular shoulders, it was clear that the suit had literally been made for him. Hugging every contour of his body like silken armour, he morphed from "Matt my boyfriend" into James Bond - and I have to admit I was loving it. He asked if I'd look at him in the street if I saw him dressed like that. I told him I'd stalk him if I saw him dressed like that. Put simply, the suit is like fashion cat nip. Judging on the number of well-dressed men who made a bee-line for it when we were in-store, I'm guessing it won't be in stock for much longer. The cornflower blue Turn Back Edge Shirt was the perfect compliment to the suit, so of course it also found its way into our shopping bags. The black leather Paul Smith dress shoes the hubby was wearing really enhanced the black satin trim on the peak lapel - perfection!

www.jaeger.co.uk