GOLDEN GLOBES INNIT

So, today was spent writing showbiz-themed copy for my very first radio newsday and I just had to cover last night's glittering Golden Globes. As well as talking about the winners and losers (one win for The King's Speech out of seven nominations spells disappointing, no?) I was desperate to get in a few choice words about the dresses. It's ALL about the dresses, dahling.

This year I was pleasantly surprised and loved the mixed bag on show - Greens, reds/fuscias, and nudes seemed to be the hues of choice for the stars and starlets out in force in Hollywood.

Here's my personal favs/worsts...

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive - WIN!

Loved this look, though perhaps slightly too low in the back - tut tut, we don't want no bum-cleavage Annie. Still, this gown's a corker, especially styled with loose 40s waves and a Cheshire-cat grin. Rachel Zoe, you are a heinous harpy from hell, but good God you can pick a hot dress.

Brangelina - WIN! (straight outta Madame Tussauds aye?)

Ahhh, Jolie rarely puts a foot wrong and this gorgeous Versace number is no exception. Just edging on the right side of conservative (no plunging back for her - wise move) the wow-factor is cranked up by the truly dazzling shade of green sequins. Loose hair is always a winner for Ange and the only accessory she needs with this is a smokin' hot Brad Pitt absolutely owning the slicked-back hair and shades combo. This is the hottest I've seen Brad look in a while, no?

January Jones - WIN!

Continuing her love affair with Versace (remember the stunning blue gown from last year?), January's look is possibly my favourite of the whole night. She's been slated on other blogs for looking too sexy and inappropriate, but SOMEONE'S got to break the rules a little and I happen to think this is an absolute winner. She's groomed to stunning perection and yet again the loose 40s style hairdo is old-school Hollywood glamour personified. My only issue would maybe be with the shoes - can't quite make it out, but are those black courts? Hmm... Still, who's even looking at her feet. SWOON!

Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum - WIN!

Another choice I love that everyone else seems to hate! Love the classy look (sometimes Leigh leans slightly towards trashy) on Leighton, but the split in the front keeps it from looking too frumpy. Perfect accessories too - Louis Vuitton bag, yes please! However in this case I think I would have gone for a different look with the hair - maybe pulled more of it away from her face, and I don't know how much I love hoop earrings... That's a lie, I do know. And the answer is not much. But, all in all, the amazing dress saves this look - classy and stunning.

Mila Kunis in Vera Wang - WIN!

What can I say? Love everything about this! The colour is perfect for Mila, and green is a tricky one to get right. Wang never does a bad dress, so it's unsurprising this fits Mila like a glove and drapes perfectly into a bias-cut train at the back. Much like fringing and tassles, I also love a good train on a gown. Something about the rusching detail reminds me of the Rodarte costumes in Black Swan, and I'm sure that's no coincidence. Just beautiful.

Halle Berry in Nina Ricci - FAIL!

Just all wrong. Bless her for taking a chance, but take note, January haters, THIS is what inappropriate looks like in all its boke-inducing glory. I hate to be ageist, but I just feel this looks wrong on 44-year-old Halle. I know she has an amazing figure, but it could have been highlighted in a less obvious (slutty) way, surely? Just not a fan.

Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs - FAIL!

Oh hi, Heidi. Just popping down the beach, yeah? Don't forget your beach bag... WAIT... The Golden Globes, really? I WANT to love it cos I usually love Heidi's red carpet choices (sometimes a bit out-there,  I'll admit) but I'm afraid I can't. I wasn't a fan of this SS11 collection by Marc Jacobs, and my initial dislike is only reinforced when I see it in all its hideous glory on the red carpet... In JANUARY, Y'ALL! Looks like a bunch of scarves thrown together last minute, tied at the waist with a bunch of rags. Don't like the strappy sandals, beach-chic hair or makeup either. The contrasting coral lips add a certain amount of interest, but the smoky eye is altogether too heavy. Sorry Heidi, must do better.

SOOOO what do you reckon? Any others I've left out?

(Couldn't muster the strength to tackle Michelle Williams or Helena Bonham Carter's monstrosity... Two odd shoes? Gimme strength!)

OH KATE

Favourite photo of Moss just now. Can't stop looking at it.

RICK OWENS

Well, there goes my brief flirtation with Spring.

All this week I've been doing work experience at a magazine, assisting on shoots, pulling looks, collecting samples, dressing models, getting coffee... you name it!

Pretty much been LOVING it and even found myself warming towards the spring/summer feel of the shoots (bold colour blocking, spots and stripes, relaxed summer tailoring and lingerie). So much so that whilst rifling through endless tshirts and sleeveless dresses I began to make a mental wishlist for summer items, daydreaming about cycling round Rouken Glen park in the sun, She and Him playing on repeat in my headphones... ahhh...

NAW. Wasn't to last. Check the weather folks - it's blowing a gale up here, with a lovely blast of torrential rain from time to time for added dreichness. (Feel like I'm KIND OF obsessed with the weather recently, no?)

So sack that idea. Forget about spring/summer, I plan to live in jumpers and coats for at least another two months! Along with this new found enthusiasm for all things winter, returns my penchant for dark colours and, basically, goths. (been listening to The Pretty Reckless non stop, don't judge me).

Makes sense, then, that I've been reliving Rick Owens fall 2010 show and visibly swooning over, what is essentially, a jacket collection with added extras (padding, fur, structure, metallics...)

Swoooooon. Futuristic yet somehow classic, yes? Gothic but also romantic, yes?

Also, considering getting these Rick Owens badboys from Net-a-Porter as part of my prize. Only issue is they have sold out in a UK5 so I'll have to get them a size bigger. Not sure how that'll work, possibly just have to wear massive socks with them, or maybe buy special insoles? Hmm...

Rick Owens leather wedge ankle boot

ALEXANDER WANG PRE-FALL 11

Pic via KC

..yet more evidence to back up my love for all things Alexander Wang.

I especially enjoy how the proportions of the dress and shorts are bugging my brain out. But it all rocks. Then again I would have expected nothing less.

Oh, and since we're on the subject of WANG, here's my insanely hot Rocco bag in sage which arrived last week from Net-a-Porter:

Looks a bit more green in this pic, it's more like this in real life:

I promise, once I have spent the full £5000 (still got £1800 to go!) then I will do a proper post showing off every piece taken with a proper camera.

INBETWEENERS AT URBAN

So, with the nights GRADUALLY getting lighter (it is happening, folks) and the last dregs of the sales beginning to wane in the shops, I hate to admit it might be nearing the time to think about dressing for that tricky inbetween period of... DUN DUN DUN, Spring!

While magazines might be selling me the idea of strappy dresses and sandals in April, in Glasgow those things are reserved ONLY for the few good weeks we in the middle of July where it's actually warm enough to leave the house with no jacket. (beginning to think I literally have cold blood. Vampire alert?)

Frankly, Spring in Glasgow is often dreich, chilly and miserable... But still slightly too mild to wear my beloved woolly winter warmers :(

Thankfully Urban Outfitters' new stock includes some perfect inbetweeners to bridge that looooooong gap.

Reformed Veda Mainlow Button Through Blouse - Love the little stars and keyhole neck on this wee blouse.

Something Else Printed Cut-Out Yoke Dress - must have a thing for cut-out detailing at the moment, really like this pretty dress, can imagine it with a dark-grey chunky cardi and black brogues.

NEAL By Neal Sperling Cable Cardigan - OK, so I admit this isn't technically new, and I am most certainly NOT usually one for a dusky pink, but something about this just appeals. Big time.

Boy London Eagle Maxi Dress - Still loving my Boy London t-shirt AND maxi dresses, and this combines the two in one perfectly grungy, laid-back cool package. Ideal with boots on a rainy day or Ray Bans if the sun breaks through.

Sparkle & Fade Silk Dress - perfect layered under cardi or denim jacket with Mulberry Alexa and specs, no? Adore how they've styled it with thigh-high socks for this.

Renewal Leather Two-Pocket Denim Shirt - A normal denim shirt is OK but one with leather pockets it's transformed to HOT. These are facts, people.

American College Leather Sleeve Teddy Jacket - Everything looks better when sexed up with leather, including varsity bomber jackets (which will be everywhere come Spring). Just another rule I live by.

Oh Urban, I've been neglecting you recently but no more, I have learned my lesson.

LUST.

Anyone else agree that early Spring is a tricky time to get dressed?

THE BELL JAR

Maybe I'm just hugely behind the times here bloggies, but did everyone know about The Bell Jar film due to be released next year? Apparently it's been in production since 2008 (what's the hold up?) and Julia Stiles from Save The Last Dance (CRINGE) and 10 Things I hate About You (AMAZING) fame is to produce the film and play Esther Greenwood...

I've got to be honest and say this news makes me SUPER anxious y'all. I'd hate for a film to be made which didn't reflect the tone of the book, adequately explore the inner turmoil of Esther's thoughts, or sentimentalise the issues it deals with. I'd full on die a little inside if it was done badly, or half-assed.

I feel MUCH more nervous about this than Gatsby because of the negative stereotype that deems Plath and her work as depressing. It kind of is, but it's so SO much more. It would be so unfair to Plath and her massive body of work for a cheesy film to perpetuate that myth.

Also, Julia Stiles? REALLY? I'd have liked to see an unknown actress play the part of Esther, and Julia will always be angsty bad-gal Kat Stratford from 10 Things to me.

BUT, maybe I'm being too harsh. In a letter addressed to Carol Christ, the president of Smith College where Plath attended, she appears to understand the issues facing a film adaptation of such a treasured and complex novel:

"I can assure you that everyone involved in this endeavor understands the huge responsibility of adapting such an important novel. If anything, what we as filmmakers intend is to celebrate the power of Plath's writing, and awaken a larger audience to her talent. Over five years ago, when I decided to try getting the rights to the book, I envisioned a film that could realize the vivid imagery Plath describes, as Esther Greenwood experiences her summer stuck inside The Bell Jar. My intention was never to make a traditional biopic, but instead a film as subjective and at times surreal as the novel itself. Plath is adept at writing visually, so that the reader's perspective is as distorted as Esther's. The difficulty in adapting a novel like this is that so much is established by Esther's interior narrative. On the other hand, Esther's visual metaphors and hallucinatory imagination are perfectly cinematic.


Another challenge in making this adaptation is that for many people, Plath's biography overshadows her work. Those unfamiliar with her writing tend to stereotype her as dark and angry, overlooking that she had many other sides to her, all of which are evident in her prose. Moreover, Plath has been posthumously elevated to a kind of cult status, so that some of her fans can be proprietary of that darkness and anger. The narrator of The Bell Jar is undeniably sarcastic and has a scathing wit, even if she is in the midst of a desperate nightmare. Richard Larschan described it best at the Symposium, by calling it Plath's "self-irony." He aptly pointed out that while Esther Greenwood is nineteen in the novel, Plath wrote The Bell Jar years after the incident, at the age of thirty. Naturally, her narrative is more seasoned, mature, and self-aware. For example, in a moment of frustration alone at her mother's house, Esther says to herself, "I'm going to write a novel, that'll fix them!" It is hard to believe Plath meant this earnestly. Later, when Esther nicknames the doctors at McLeans, "Dr. Spleen" and "Dr. Syphilis," we get a glimpse of this overlooked side of Plath.


There is no denying that The Bell Jar is a story of depression, attempted suicide, and isolation. It is also, however, an example of the multifaceted life force that was Sylvia Plath. I gather from her many biographies that she was a dedicated and focused woman, whose sensitivity made her a great writer, but also caused her immense pain. Indeed, Plath's life ended very tragically, but the protagonist in The Bell Jar does manage to return to her last semester at Smith. Her return is triumphant, albeit precarious.


To ignore Plath's sarcasm, however, as well as her vibrant imagery, would certainly be an injustice to such an enduring novel. We hope to capture the complexity of Esther Greenwood?s story, from the depths of her suffering to the intensity of her perception."

Via

I think she's right, there are lots of passages in the book which do lend themselves perfectly to the medium of film - maybe even animation a la Big Fish style (the fig tree passage anyone?).

But am I desperate to see it? Is it a NECESSARY film? I'm really not sure... And I say that as Sylvia's bitch.

Thoughts?

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

Hello, CANNOT WAIT for this. Trailers just made me giddy with excitement...

Don't know about when it'll be shown here, but soon? Please?

TORRES

One to watch for 2011 - Rebecca Torres is the womenswear designer behind cult Glasgow label TORRES, and I predict she's going to blow up everywhere this year! Kingdom of Style have featured her before and I'm starting to see her in a few magazines...

The newest SS11 collection by TORRES, titled ‘League of Electric’ celebrates Rebecca’s secret fascination for classic sci-fi.  Not so much for the plots, but instead an obsession with the bright costumes and powerful female characters.  Their colourful costumes which embraced feminine curves were their shield and armour.  This latest offering from TORRES very clearly celebrates such heroines and their ability to face any challenge with poise and elegance.


Here are some of my favourites...

I love this collection because it's daring. The pieces are cut to compliment and accentuate curves, not disguise or hide them, which women are so often told to do. We need encouragement to love and embrace our figures, and in one of these bright pieces you'd be forced to show it off in a bold way. But there's an elegance to the collection too. It's not sexed up, it's clean-cut and futuristic. Basically League of Electric ticks every single box for me!

Spring Summer is going to be all about 70s loose-fitting, flowing chiffon and prints. Sigh. NOT a trend I can really get on board with. But thankfully I predict a counter-trend for bold colour blocking, clean lines and body-con. Praise the Lord, it's like a breath of fresh air! Reminds me of the way I feel about Katerina Lambrou's SS collection...

On sad final note, I first noticed TORRES a few years back when they worked with Glasgow desgin showroom/workshop and fashion institution Che Camille on a guerrila-style fashion show taking over the city's subway. I say sadly because Che Camille annouced this week they are closing up shop after years of helping to launch Scottish desginers and backing local talent. It's a shame they've had to end it, but I've got a sneaky feeling it's not the last I'll hear of Camille Lorigo, the owner and brains behind the outfit.

Let Glasgow (fashion) flourish. x

POISON IVY

Wish I was as cool as Ivy...

Wish I wasn't 5 in 1992 so I could have appreciated this when it first came out. I love you, Drew!!!

TOM FORD SHOW!

Continuing today's theme, I was alerted not five minutes ago by the ever fashionably-efficient DisneyRollerGirl, that the Tom Ford SS11 show video is finally online!





I know I've blogged about it before, and fawned over the clothes, but I can't help but say it again... I love this! Yes, it's not particularly groundbreaking, and some have said that the secretive nature of the show created hype around a not-so-hype-worthy collection... But you know me, and if there's tassels, sequins and BEYONCE, then I'm sold!

Can't help but be distracted by the sleazy/fabulous Terry Richardson snapping away though - could have done without that.

Thoughts?