Lana del Rey and Jaime King's Instagram Shoot

Here are two ladies that we are watching closely at the moment: Lana del Rey, the chanteuse of the moment, with the eclectic style and the love of Converse and Versace; and Jaime King, who plays the tortured and charming southern belle from trendy TV series Hart of Dixie. Both have something compelling and a bit broken about them. Both are beautiful. And both are photographed here with Instagram, securing their hipster credentials in one iphone click.

It was Jaime's birthday, so I have to assume that they are friends. And the photos were snapped by her husband, Kyle Newman. And it is Lana's car - an open top 1981 Mercedes. Kyle posted the pics with the heading, "Just some girls, and a car..."

Linda Evangelista for Chanel Glasses by Karl Lagerfeld

So I remember the 80s. And the amazing women who dominated fashion, striding the runways and onto the magazine covers of the decade. They were tall, broad, strong, powerful, beautiful in a confident manner that bore no argument. They were known by one name - Cindy, Naomi, Christy and Claudia. And the queen of them all was Linda. The transformer. The revolutionary. The one who said she didn't get out of bed for less than some astronomical sum of cash dollar. And now, nearly 30 years later, she is still all those things. And probably more. And is the new face of Chanel Eyewear.

Shot by Karl Lagerfeld. Art directed to within an inch of its life. This monochrome campaign reminds us of the 80s. Speaks volumes about Karl and Linda Evangelista. And reminds us how a strong beautiful woman only gets better with age.

As a speccy myself, I do love that eyewear has started to get the same investment, backing and campaign emphasis as the other accessory lines. It's only fair as nearly 40% of the developed world needs help in the  eye department. And who are we to pass up an opportunity for another designer accessory, hmm? I scoff in the face of laser eye surgery and embrace the glasses. Possibly these exact ones. You like?

Jennifer Lawrence in Victoria Beckham. Again.

Yay. Jennifer Lawrence, star of The Hunger Games, is a Victoria Beckham fan, just like us. She was on some international TV show yesterday and wore this cool dress from the main VB line, pairing it with YSL shoes and a fun attitude.

She showed off her amazing body, and the great back zip detail when she demonstrated her archery skills during the taping of the show. Apparently she is good enough to make the Olympic team after her training for the film. Love that. She's got skills!

And while we are on the subject, this morning, also in Victoria Backham on Wednesday night, was Alison Brie, from that extremely awesome TV series Community, and now in the Five Year Engagement movie with Emily Blunt. She wore the white and looked very lovely, it needs to be said. Actually, has anyone ever not looked good in a VB dress? Not so far, I don't think. Amazing.

Julia Roberts in Victoria, Victoria Beckham

It was the premier of the movie Jesus Henry Christ in LA on Wednesday evening. I was too busy to go as I was at &Union and Clarks in Bree St in Cape Town. Busy being an elderly hipster. You know how it is. But Julia Roberts and her niece Emma Roberts were there. And Julia was wearing one of my fantasy dresses by my fantasy friend, Victoria Beckham. It is from the Victoria, Victoria Beckham line and is a wonderful combination of classic and cool. Borderline elderly hipster really, with that collar and cuff detail. Perfect.

Emma also wore monochrome, sticking with the new trend for androgynous tuxedos. I like it. It's not YSL classic. But it is a nice accesible alternative. Well played ladies. And Julia, you can come down to Bree Street any time in that get up. Just ask for me.

Look of the Day Part 2: Leelee Sobieski in Jil Sander

This is pretty much my dream dress. Right there in front of you on that dark horse Leelee Sobieski. It is white and by Jil Sander (Raf Simons second last collection) and its starkness is its' perfection. I almost wanted to put a slim gold belt on it. But then I re-thought that idea. No. The beauty is in the simplicity.

This is the second time this week that Leelee has crept onto the blog. Last time it was for wearing a Maki Oh dress. And, while I applauded her, I also hated the styling. It was those white shoes. This time I hate the hair style. I know it is copied from the runway show, but I simply don't like it. Soz. But for the rest. Yes, yes, yes! Love this dress. Do you?

Look of the Day Part 1: Emily Blunt in Victoria Beckham and Jason Wu

The delightful Emily Blunt is out at the moment promoting her two new films Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Five Year Engagement - the latter at the Tribeca Film Festival last night in New York. Where she wore this amazing Jason Wu black and green prom dress. 

I particularly like the belt. And the jade earrings. And the way she did her hair. Yes. I am enamoured of this look. I assume you are too. It's that good.

Earlier she had appeared on the Ellen Show wearing Victoria Beckham. Played a bit of golf, as you do, and generally looked incredible. It's that blue collar, right? Off-sets the drabness of the midi dress and rockets it into high-fashion. Love it. Amazing.

Katryn Kruger for Vogue Germany May 2012

Seriously, every day this kid seems to be getting bigger and bigger jobs. A year ago she was attending school in the sheltered and conservative northern suburbs of Cape Town. Now Katryn Kruger is being touted as a 'fresh face' in German Vogue, alongside other new models, Karlina Caune and Franziska Muller. And it is pretty clear that she is the dazzling star amongst them.

Shot by photographer Greg Kadel and styled by Nicola Knels, this desaturated series of photographs are beautiful and simple and beautiful.

The girls wear Dior, Valentino, Givenchy and Versace. This is not the first time that I have seen Katryn's hair styled this way. Interestingly it was done long before she made it big. I am going to try and get hold of those photos for you and post them to show you. Watch this space.

Kelly Brook Shoots New Look Bikinis in Cape Town, Posts on Tumblr

There seems to be a bit of a trend at the moment where celebrities (or even 'celebrities') post pictures of themselves on sunny beaches in their bikinis, trying to show off their wonderful lives or wonderful bodies or both. Yes, I am looking at you Rhianna. Again. But here is another culprit - Kelly Brook - forgiven only because said sunny beach is right here in the fairest Cape Town, on Camps Bay beach.

Look, they are very, very pretty pictures, it needs to be said. And fair play to Kelly and New Look who made and sell these goodies she is wearing, the beach apparel seems to be very nice. And, while Kelly seems like a lovely girl, I was there in the UK to witness her extremely short-lived and disastrous stint on The Big Breakfast some years ago and will never really get over that. So, now thinking about it, maybe it is better that she sticks to making and modeling bikinis here on our beautiful shores.
Good. I'm glad we had that chat. As you were.

Cameron Diaz Covers US InStyle in Valentino

Sigh. How I love Valentino. I especially love when people get all 'how frumpy' when the sex is in the desire for what you can't have. In the absence of skin. And the hip is in the shyness of it all. Don't they see that?

And it is definitely an interesting pairing, athletic, Californian sexy Cameron Diaz and the much more trend-averse Valentino dresses. I wasn't sure. And I definitely didn't expect US InStyle (pretty conservative as a publication) to show the fashion way. But they did in this winter white dress. I think it is phenomenal.

I don't even mind Cameron's weird hair cut in this story. I am not sure why she decided to go for what I call 'Constantia housewife' situation on her head. But it works much better when edged-up for the inside spread. Especially in black and white and Armani Prive-d all over.

Not as sure about this Atelier Versace option but over all it is a good job by photographer Liz Collins and stylist Samira Nasr.

Katryn Kruger on Victoria Beckham's Facebook Cover

So obviously, like a good fantasy book club friend, I went and joined Victoria Beckham's new Facebook page when it was launched yesterday. And look what was there, bold as day, only the hottest model of the moment, Cape Town schoolgirl, Katryn Kruger. Right up front. In her look from the last New York Fashion Week show from VB.

It was Victoria's birthday yesterday. She turned 38 and looks amazing. There aren't many clear photos, but she wore a leather halter top to her birthday celebrations so that is some indication how things are going for her. The fruit plate instead of cake is just the ticket apparently. (Sadly, not one I am going to emulate, however. I like a bit of cake.)

And then I also spotted more images from the Harpers Bazaar China shoot. I honestly think this is some of her best stuff. In her late 30s. A late bloomer, one could say. And I am delighted to be a part of it. Happy birthday for yesterday Posh.

Michelle Williams (and Matilda) Style

I scour all the good fashion feeds every day. Sometimes several times a day. I don't always agree with what they say. I often don't even like them. As is the case with the dastardly Daily Mail. But boy do they have some good stuff. Like these recent images of the lovely Michelle Williams, gadding about Brooklyn with her daughter, Matilda.

Michelle has such a cool, accessible style. Cute floral dresses paired with lightweight blazers and trenches, with a bit of a hip shoe (Swedish Hasbeens or those brogues) and a pair of classic Raybans. This works across the seasons and for almost every occasion (other than red carpet). I am a big fan. And that wee one? Adorable, right? Cute as a button and with her own very distinct style choices. Love it.

Jessica Chastain for T Magazine

First, I think that Jessica Chastain is delightfully attractive, not least of all because of her bright red hair and porcelain skin. She is obviously a mighty fine actress too, although I haven't seen her in anything. I much prefer her fashion editorials. They are always colourful and high-contrast and she can work a runway look without ever looking like a model. I adore it.

This shoot for T Magazine, New York Time's style supplement, however is a bit different. It has a bit of forced fun about it. It is supposed to be 'candid' but doesn't really come off like that, so I haven't posted all the images. I don't want to spoil things.

Also it should be noted that those kitten heel mules are incredibly 90s. And not in a good way. Right? I mean, first of all, there should be more than one pair of shoes on a shoot of this calibre. And second, they don't fit. Use photoshop. And third, they are horrid little buggers really.

But, as ever with Jessica, I adore the colours and the prettiness of it all. And by tossing in some Michael Kors and Burberry Porsum, I am always going to be a bit happy.

Cass Bird was the photographer and Sara Moonves styled the story. Sara, a word on the shoes, get some others please. Thanks.

Tribal Chic in Elle Canada

Just as much as I like African design making an impact, I have ambivalent feelings about the international designers appropriating African aesthetics and making a living from them. On the one hand it makes African cool. On the other, it is inauthentic and it just reminds us that we have missed a trick. Oh the tortuous musings of the fashion intelligentia... ;)

Anyway, if we were in any doubt that African prints were 'in' then the 'Tribal Queen' story in Canadian Elle can put that to rest.

Pulling together the best of the international designers who are working in traditional African prints, the story includes garments from Marni, Burberry, BCBG Max Azria, Alberta Ferretti, Michael Kors, Donna Karan and Herve Leger.

The photographer is Jean-Claude Lussier and the model is Chantal Stafford-Abbott. The story was styled by the fashion editor who goes by the name of Azamit. Just the one name. Like Madonna.

African Designer Maki Oh Making Waves

How I love it when African designers make an impression on the great and good of the Hollywood red carpet. And the latest one to crack it is the delightful Nigerian designer Maki Oh. I could literally skip with joy. And it is none other than the divine Solange Knowles who stepped out in it first. Well, just the blouse, you understand, the rest is Salvatore Ferregamo. But good company to keep.

And then the very next evening Leelee Sobieski wore an entire look from the latest collection shown at Arise Fashion Week. Look. It didn't exactly get universal praise. It was a bit of either you loved it or hated it. And there were those white stilettos. You know. But I liked it. And when I saw the runway shot of my friend Naomi/Lex K in the outfit, I have got to say I liked it even more. Rock on Maki Oh.

Sir Paul McCartney's Guests All in Stella McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney had a party the other day to celebrate the release of his new music video (or two). He invited a lot of unrelated Hollywood folk, who largely turned up wearing clothing from his daughter Stella McCartney's label. How very convenient. A double promotion. Keeping it in the family and all that. And some of them looked especially amazing. I loved what Kirsten Stewart did with her look. So perfectly appropriate for her style sensibility, and yet cool for the occasion. This may one of the only times I have unreservedly liked what she has done. Let it not be the last. I also liked Gwyneth Paltrow's simple chic vibes. And Gwen Stefani sure knows how to rock a trend. Peplum sheer jumpsuit. Triple pow.

But those weren't my favourite. Oh no. My totally 100% love affair with Stella McCartney has just begun with this dress on Ginnifer Goodwin. I freaking adore it. LOVE. And that chap from Once Upon a Time is a bit of alright too.

All of which can't compete with Dave Grohl. Soz 'n chips. Nothing much can to be fair.

And then there were some nice people in lovely black dresses from Stella. Stella herself was in an outfit as simple and plain as she could muster. Jayma Mays tried to beef hers up with a punch of colour. Miranda Kerr can't look bad if she tries. And Reese Witherspoon is delightful in a slightly baggy shift to cover the bump. Nice, but no Grohl. New standard. What do you think?