VOGUE'S OLYMPIC SUPERMODELS

PHEW! What an immense two weeks it's been, right? Never before have I been so enthralled by sport. I was always that kid in school trying desperately to fake "period pains, sir" to get out of the dreaded bleep test or feigning a mysterious elbow injury in softball so I could sit out and gossip with my pals on the grass. I wasn't lazy PER SAY (OK, maybe a little lazy), just really, really, REALLY rubbish at competitive sports. I didn't have the drive or motivation to care about winning - I'd rather have been beating myself up about getting 99/100 in a spelling test or something... geek4lyf.

But honestly, I found myself becoming seriously OBSESSED with the Olympics! I reckon a lot of that has to do with it being constantly on at work - my company subtitled all the live footage over all the channels which involved months of prep, hundreds of hours of live respeaking and serious hard work - proud of us!

The highlights for me were the gymnastics - both the team events and individuals. Even though I was rooting for the USA girls, I couldn't help feeling super sorry for Victoria Komova of Russia, or the wee Chinese girl who lost out on beam to her teammate. Both girls were breaking their hearts over ONLY getting silver - that's an impressive competitive mindset! The cycling events were also ace, mainly cos Team GB absolutely smashed it! But swimming was super disappointing, no? GAHD, I could honestly chat about it for ages...

Unfortunately I missed most of the closing ceremony because, stupidly, I'd decided to go to the pub instead of staying at home glued to my telly. I did catch some of it above the din of the Sunday night quiz and OBVIOUSLY the Spice Girls were amazing, as was George Michael... But  my favourite bit was when the massive Nick Knight images of David Gandy, Kate Moss, Jourdan Dunn, Lily Cole etc came on stage only to be ripped apart revealing the supermodels themselves!

I die!

I actually got so excited I knocked my pals full LARGE glass of wine right into her lap. Not impressed. I loved this part of the show because, hello, SUPERMODELS, and also because it mirrored that amazing Olympic-themed shoot in UK Vogue's September issue. Iconic British models wearing golden gowns/garments by British designers. Perfection.

Actually, let's revisit that awesome spread...

My favourites are Naomi in Alexander McQueen, Stella Tennant in Chris Kane and Lily Cole in that stunning yellow-gold Erdem number. I always forget what a unique, striking model she is.

So aye, that was pretty much the best bit ever. And to all the Cynical Cindys on Twitter and Facebook moaning about having to watch eejit models strut about at the Olympic closing ceremony while in the presence of "REAL" greatness, let me just remind you that the British fashion industry is worth BILLIONS to the UK economy, and in the face of constant belittling and cuts to grassroots funding and resources, is an industry which stands alone in its international respectability, creative influence and ultimately in its profit.

Don't knock it or Naomi'll smash your face in with her mobile phone, DAHHLING.

ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

WELL! If you didn't know that today was the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton... THEN WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!

Oh I do love a good wedding, bloggies! And of course, it is all about the dress really, isn't it?

Speculation over the designer and style of the most famous dress in the world (an estimated 2 billion people watched Kate arrive at Westminster Abbey a few hours ago) had been building for months, but reached fever pitch last night.

The reason? Sarah Burton - head designer at Alexander McQueen - was seen arriving at The Goring Hotel in central London where Kate spent her last night as a single woman, and the grainy shot of a hooded figure in ballet flats slipping into the side entrance of the 5* hotel pretty much sealed the deal... KATE WOULD BE WEARING MCQUEEN!

And indeed she was. Those of us waiting on tenterhooks to see the dress were NOT disappointed (I actually shrieked and spilled my tea down my jumper... glamorous):

Stunning, stunning, stunning! Pics via Getty Images and ELLE

According to the Telegraph, "the dress was made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoed an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats and the train measured two metres 70 centimetres. The ivory satin bodice, which was narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, drew on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen's designs. The back was finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops and the underskirt was made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace."

Sarah Burton DONE GOOD I think we'd all agree. I had predicted and hoped for something just like this - demure, gorgeous, slightly 50s in essence with lace sleeves and deep V neck: old fashioned but with a modern twist - and the reality more than met my expectiations. I especially loved all the tiny details like the tiara and veil, no necklace and embroidery on the bottom of the gown. Her hair was half up, half down - a style with which Kate clearly feels comfortable.

Really, it was an absolutely faultless overall look. I have to confess, bloggies, I came over more than a little misty-eyed when I first saw it in all its glory! A poignant moment for the late great Lee McQueen and British Fashion in general... *SNIFF!*

Sarah Burton was quoted on ELLEUK as saying: "It was such an incredible honour to be asked, and I am so proud of what we and the Alexander McQueen team have created.

Burton declared herself "delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship. Alexander McQueen's designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design, we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day."


*SNIFF/SNOTTER!*

However, although I had hoped against hope that Sarah Burton would take inspiration from one of my favourite, if not my absolute favourite wedding dresses of all time - Grace Kelly's - I couldn't have dreamed that the inspiration would be interpreted in such a fittingly literal way. The similarities, both between the dresses of Grace and Kate, and circumstances of their marriages into royalty are notable.

Grace Kelly the American actress (and therefore "commoner") married Crown Prince Rainier of Monaco in April 1956. Kelly's wedding dress, designed by MGM's Academy Award–winning Helen Rose, was worked on for six weeks by three dozen seamstresses:

The resemblance between the two dresses (and women of course!) is undeniable, but the subtle differences in detailing, neckline and hair styling brings Kate's McQueen gown into the 21st century. Truly, a dress that will be remembered forever.

Never has a potential future Queen looked as stunning since gorgeous Grace herself.

Swoooooon!

BFAs

You know those after party photos you always see in magazines of fashion-folk and it girls and models all drinking and schmoozing and dancing and generally looking like they're having a blast?

Yeah, these photos are NOT like that.

If the snaps are anything to go by, last night's British Fashion Awards were a pretty demure affair! By definition I was expecting photos of daring, outlandish, exciting dresses and outfits... But sadly all I got was this bunch.

CHEER UP FASHIONISTAS!!

Alexa looking BO-RING. I hate to say it because I know loads of folk love her, but she totally gives me the yawn factor - here and everywhere else.

Even Henry Holland and Charlotte Dellal look quite safe and pedestrian. A frilly collar and bow tie does not an interesting outfit make. If anyone was going to bring the young, fresh and cool vibe I would have thought it would be these two. Seems I was mistaken.

OK, finally a rare exception. Daisy is working this gothic Elie Saab gown to perfection. You can't see it in this photo but she also wore a cool bracelet-chain-ring thingmy and rocked it. At least this is A SMIDGEN out there.

Another hit. Edie Campbell would look beautiful in a bin liner covered in potato peelings. Doe-eyed bohemian chic at it's best! She even looks gorgeous sporting the I'm-here-with-a-really-ugly-creepy-hasbeen-rocker look...

Oh Erin, I adore your face, but why oh why can't you ever look happy and smiley? Come on, GIVUSASMILE for once??

London fashion scene's resident eccentric goth Gareth Pugh with Daphne Guinness. Love Gareth's look, HATE Daphne's. What's even going on in this photo? It looks like he's just trouser-trumpeted and she's sniffing it... TOO FAR?

Aye, OK Lara. We get it. You're a stone cold fox. I have no idea if this dress is a Calvin Kein but I'm willing to bet a tenner that is. Frankly, the minimal look doesn't do it for me (can you tell?) and since I have more than a bit of a girlcrush on Lara, I'd have liked to have seen more of her bangers. She has a smokin' bod and this dress does nothing for her.

Couple of legends for good measure. At least they're smiling! But Claudia, get yer roots done hen.

Lily Cole, where on earth have you been, I love you! Like the jacket, love the dark hair, hate the dress underneath.

Thank god for Louise Gray, you have just saved the day! Everything about this works - I never want to stop looking at it!

(photos via fashionology)

Here's a quick run down of the winners:

Designer of the Year: Phoebe Philo for Celine

BFC Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design: Lee Alexander McQueen

Designer Brand of the Year: Mulberry

Accessory Designer of the Year: Nicholas Kirkwood

Menswear Designer of the Year: Patrick Grant for E.Tautz

Model of the Year: Lara Stone

Emerging Talent Award — Accessories: Husam El Odeh

Emerging Talent Award — Ready-to-Wear: Meadham Kirchhoff

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator of the Year: Nicola Formichetti

British Style Award: Alexa Chung

Special Recognition Award: Naomi Campbell

Digital Innovation Award: Burberry


Nick Knight also showed this film as a tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen. Watch it if you want to be touched, perplexed, saddened, moved, impressed, stunned and entranced. The haunting score is by Bjork - "but there is hope, there is so much hope out there..."

OK, I just read that back and I sound like a complete jake, but this really honestly is yet another perfect example of fashion as art:




PEE ESSS - 50 followers?? Amazing! Thanks so much everyone. I've never really considered doing a giveaway but I'll have a think about it and let you guys know, since this is a bit of a milestone, no?

What does everyone think about giveaways? I usually enter them but I've never thought about doing my own. What would I give away? hmmm....