Fashions Hotels

Okay so you're a fashion label with a successful brand, women's wear, mens wear, something for children, eye wear, a 'time' collection, fragrances, make up, a home collection... what do you do next? Set up a hotel to showcase how fabulous you are! Because you haven't proved that already, and gosh are they different from Gleneagles or the Dorchester!

hotelmissoni.com

Hotel Missoni
The first one opened in Edinburgh (of all places!) in 2009 and earlier this year (from memory) a second in Kuwait. But could it get any more Missoni, playful bright colours, bright lacquered surfaces, floral patterns inside wardrobes. Amazing. You will either love it or think it is totally over the top (you wait until the Palazzo Versace!)

I love Missoni interiors anyway, there is a french furniture shop called Roche Bobois that I pass when I am shopping a lot and I often ogle at. One piece in particular by Hans Hofer a modular sofa that uses Missoni Home prints. Have a look around the website anyway... there is something for everyone (but not in everyones price ranges, hence I am still Roche Boboisless in my room at University!).

paris-hotel-petitmoulin.com

Hotel de Petit Moulin
Lacroix, who else would have put together such a theatrical ensemble!  Bold colours and fabrics and yet trying to stay true to the hotels heritage, it doesn't look like it would contain such splendors from the outside with it still retaining its facade from the  1900s when it was a boulangerie.


Every room is different. 


" As for fashion design, where harmony is a jigsaw of inspiration in which today's influences are fed by pieces from the past, where modernity lives on in the traditions of the present." 
Christian Lacroix


Could not have put it better myself... but it looks so visually exciting, sort of tempted to take a little trip to Paris now!

maisonmochino.com

Maison Moschino
Wow is my first impression when I saw the creative genius in this hotel, open in 2010, it models some of the Moschino Home Collection. Each room has something different to offer, delivering something simple to a white canvas. The room pictured is called 'life is a bed of roses'. I like this one because it is quite sensuous. But you should definitely look at the other rooms, so effective what you can do with one focal item in the room. My other favorites are 'Zzzzzzzzz' and 'Forest'.


I have been sucked into looking at them for ages now. The hotel is in Milan. Built in an old railway station, the exterior looks like something that you may find The Duchess staying in for her weekend break. 


Again I have found the hotel I am staying in whenever I visit Milan (Darling, I go there a lot yes... okay, you got me I am lying!)

pallazoversace.com

Palazzo Versace
So one in Dubai and one in Australia and OH MY GOD they are amazing, you already know I am a sucker for a bit of Versace (really who isn't).As it says on the website:

'defined by the brand, fashion, glamour, sexiness all delivered with the destinctive look, the flavour, the scent, the sound, the touch embodied by the vision and spirit of the House of Versace style'


(see my earlier post on the brand). Columns, chandeliers, hot door men (well there was on the website). Its almost all too Vegas for Australia! but maybe thats what makes it special.

roundhill.com

Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Designed by Ralph Lauren, another one of my favourites, I know that since Bicester Village have opened a Ralph Lauren Home outlet store my bank account is getting a bit nervous! 


But the Round Hill is an old hotel in Jamacia that has seen the likes of Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis through its doors. But Ralph put together an interior that is classic of the Polo brand, rich mahogany, nautical, simple oh and that blue pin stripe that my life would not be complete without!   




Righty thats all for today I have been drawn in for these amazing hotels for an hour now, whoops! But do have a look at all there websites to get the full feel for them 

Illustration

As I have said before... I think... I used to take Fine Art and Fashion (hence I talk about it all the time even though I am studying Geography) So I thought I would share with you what happens when I have free (productive) time.

Like most people who are interested in fashion there is a lot of time spent flicking with anticipation through the many new seasons shows. And golly how many are there, every designer has a gazillion collections a season now how do they fit it all in!! So these are the collection of some of the pieces that have stood out in the last year or so and have liked enough to put pen to paper!

Dress me head to toe in Chloe the rest of my life and I will be truly happy!

Nothing more to add other than Hannah MacGibbon is a god!!

I think it was the leather and hair that drew me to this collection, still wondering if I can pull off  thigh high boots in everyday life... too much perhaps

Again the hair, I had best start back-combing now!

Soooo different from the fall collection above, floral and nautical.

I fell in love with the earrings in this collection and the laces (this does not by any means do the collection justice [especially the gammy foot!!])

I was obsessed with Aviator jackets at the start of the season until Primark ruined them for me! But I still love the native shoes on this one.

Oh and just to show off not that anyone will be interested but I managed to get tickets to see George Michael in October.. Excited does not cover it!

Anyway thats it really. You stay classy San Diego. 

Male Models

David Gandy

Yes I could ramble on for a long time for the perfection that is David Gandy, I am sure you will all recognize him from the Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue advert. The fact that he is English makes it even better... Marry me? Just putting it out there. Haha.

But just like Female models there are certain characteristics that different designers look for, Gandy for example is the kind of thing that Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Calvin Klein Underwear look for, tall, dark, muscular. Whereas brands like Dior,Topshop tend to focus on a strong face, cheek bones that were carved by God himself. Well I say Dior but not really any more, maybe in the days of Hedi Slimane but Largerfeld has recently signed Baptiste Giabiconi. “a boy version of Gisele: skinny, skinny but with an athletic body — good for clothes and great with no clothes.” 

Baptiste Giabiconi

As with female models it is about what is in fashion. At the moment the prominence of what I will call for lack of a better term, the 'Abercrombie' body on the catwalk and yet 6, 7 years ago muscle was a no no for most designers, wanting a more feminine, pubescent look. But no more. The pages of GQ are now filled with older men muscular, masculine. Probably, ultimately, reflecting its reader more. If I opened up Vogue or Elle and saw a load of Hannah Montana-esque models I would not be inclined to invest in the product they are modelling, equally I would not expect to see a woman in her 20's modelling in Easy Living. Its all about appealing to your audience, how many men want to invest in a brand that are promoting the image of a stick like man, in comparison to the models that would not look out of place on the cover of Mens Health. This of course is just my opinion on the matter.


But anyway a few of my favorites.. Apart from Gandy of course....

Andreas Velencoso Segura


From Tossa del Mar in Spain (stayed there on a school trip once... Not that you care)


Big campaigns include 

• Chanel Allure Homme Sport, of which he still retains the contract
• H&M Winter 2009
• Zenga Underwear 2009
• Yves Saint Laurent 2009
• As well as gracing the cover of Vanity Fair Espana and Vogue Espana to name a few

Brad Kroenig


Who you must recognize from the 2008 Largerfeld campaign if nothing else. He was Lagerfelds muse for about 5 years as well (no wonder he is a beaut!)


Other campaigns include

• Chanel 2008/2010
• DKNY 2010
• Fendi Palazzo
• H&M 2008
• As well in editorials for Harpers Bazaar and Vogue China Men

Gabriel Aubrey

Canadian... discovered in the 90s and shortly started working for Versace.. Valentino, just small names...

Campaigns include

• Uniqlo 2009
• Calvin Klein 2009
• Louis Vuitton 2010
• Gap 2010
• Hugo Boss 2011

Been around for quite a while now but still going strong!

Ben Hill

I believe he started out as an Abercrombie model, surprised, me neither. Then going onto the runway for Dolce and Gabbana.

Campaigns

• Louis Vuitton Watches 2009
• Zenga Elements 2009
• CK Eternity 2011
• Gap 2010
• Armani 2011
• Covers include Elle Men Mexico, GQ Style UK and appeared in Vogue China

That is enough perving for one day I think, early start tomorrow... who invented exams... 

Let me know your favorites! And check out Gandy's blog that he does for Vogue.

  

Tord Boontje

tordboontje.com

Okay if there was one thing I would love to have in life (frivolous of course), it would be to have my houses interior designed by Mr Tord Boontje. Originally from Holland he came across to the UK to do his Masters at the Royal College of Art, where he is now Head of Design Products.

He was the inspiration of much of my work though out my Fine Art A-Level, there was something about the romance and elegance of his work that drew me in. I was first made aware of his work when Habitat launched his Garland shade in 2002. Yes, I do own one.

But he is brilliant the delicacy and intricacy of his work is the main thing that I love about it. Winter Wonderland has to be my favorite of his installations. It is beautiful, yet slightly haunting at the same time, it reminds me a bit of Narnia... Magical basically.

The Happy Ever After  installation was more organic  the swing chair you can imagine out in a big garden on a summers day.

Innovative as well; the collection of Glassware made from recycled bottles is another example of how versatile he is. I personally love the beer bottles that have been turned into drinking glasses.

The more I look at his work the more excited I get about it. I love how different it all is to each other. The Shadowy Chair and Sunny Lounger. Just brilliant, I love how organic the shapes are.

Anyway check out the rest of his projects.


All images from tordboontje.com

Versace

Honestly the 90s and you will come to realize holds a close place in my heart, I love how flamboyant it was, almost grotesque, the age of the Spice Girls, Supermodels, the 'Rachel' haircut, the Wonderbra what more could a girl want! But most of all the height of fashion designer Gianni Versace. Extravagance but also accessible with R-T-W prices in autumn 1999 prices ranging from £80 for a pair of jeans, £1,300 for a suit and a whopping £12,500 for a hand appliquéd two piece. it is therefore not difficult to believe Gianni when he proclaimed in 1992 that 'I love money.'

Hurley in 'That Dress'

‘I like to dress big egos, if you haven’t got a big ego you can forget it.’

And that is what he did. His sexy, extrovert designs were worn by the famously rich of both sexes, from rock starts to royalty; Elton John to Diana Princess of Wales. A Versace dress could make a woman’s career (as Elizabeth Hurley found out when she wore his safety pinned column later to be coined as ‘that dress’ at the UK premier of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 with then partner Hugh Grant).

Hurley described her first encounter with Versace, "within minutes my jean and t-shit were whipped off and I was shoehorned into a gold snakeskin number and six inch 'slavegirl' sandals. A bevy of exquisitely uniformed seamstresses descended on me and embarked on an orgy of pinning and tucking... I was ushered, gibbering, into hair and make up. An hour later, mousey english girl was transformed into Versace siren."

Versace is also credited with fuelling the supermodel phenomenon with his flamboyant baroque style by agreeing to pay high sums to Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington. He often seemed out of pace with modern sobriety, but Versace celebrated the breadth of fashion. the first non-British designer that Princess Diana wore was Versace, and what a choice, her 1997 Vanity Fair cover she was sporting a one shouldered white number... Sensational.



One day I will own some vintage Versace... Hot right

The best quote I have about Gianni is from a book that I bought at the 2002 Versace exhibition

"Gianni Versace was not a 'God of fashion,' nor a 'genius,' as some would have us believe. He was neither reactionary nor revolutionary. He was a talented designer and a remarkably astute business man, with a gift for capturing the mood, injecting it with a shot of sex and glamour and promoting it and selling it, not only to the stars he was photographed with but more significantly, to the millions of ordinary people who enjoyed the Versace fantasy."

 Which I do believe is the key to his success. Versace was sadly shot by a serial killer in 1997. Since then the brand has been headed up by head designer, sister Donatella and older brother Santo is the CEO of the company.The brand is still fabulous now, Donatella understands the brand values enough to carry it on with the same drive and appeal of the 90s. Long live the brand (so that when I marry my rich husband I can afford the couture!!).

Royal Weddings

I know, I know, who cares right? But I have never seen a full British Royal Wedding, seen the Funerals and Jubilees ... But a little nosey around what celebrities tastes are, always amusing, and what will the mother of the bride be wearing... Why else would you buy OK! or Hello...

The Royal Wedding, the whole shebang, commemorative Spode service and all (they had better put one out when I get married big seller i'll tell you that now). My street is even being closed off to have a party, how quaint! Probably be a disaster I can sense everyone bringing Victoria Sponges... what shall we do!

The Mountbatten-Winsors
Queenie probably has the best Royal marriage going for her, being the only monarch to reach her Diamond wedding anniversary (Henry VIII couldn't keep one alive that long!!). May be related (well they are related) claiming that Queen Vic is their great-great-grandmother, they were engaged in 1946 and married November 20th, 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Four children - Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward.

Wasn't she lovely.....

Princes Charles Weddings

Charles has wayyy more hair than Wills does now

To Diana Spencer - 29th July, 1981, at St. Paul's Cathedral. The nation loved her (the express still pour over her every day) but the marriage was turbulent, full or scandalous affairs, Charles with Parker-Bowles...

Formal separation in 1992 and divorce 1996... and then she was tragically killed in an 'accident' the following year (speculate yourselves on that one chaps).

To Camilla Parker-Bowles 10th February, 2005, the first Royal to have a civil partnership, ooh Charles how contemporary.

But it is the marketing to go with these things now, my Grandmother still has so many Charles and Di commemorative bits and bobs lying around the house, the full tea set and tray, tea spoon, thimble, flag, I think there may even be a bell lying around somewhere. So when ever you are there you eat something just to uncover Di's face on it, its sort of like when people see Jesus in pots of Marmite and but with this you realize it is actually just the plate.... Disappointing. But you know what Granny will say, they will be worth something one day, the coin is selling on eBay for a grand total of 99p. Well I say selling, current bid count... 0. Check out some of the bits on sale for the latest royal shindig.... hilarious, personal favorite the replica engagement ring, a snip at £37.95...!!


King George VI and Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon

Really sweet, she initially refused and Prince Albert (later to be King George VI), hopeless romantic said he would marry no other. Married in 1923 and had two children, Elizabeth and Margret. King George died at a young 56. Really 20s in the fashions and Liz the first of the running tradition of laying her bouquet on an unmarked grave... trend-setter... 

Victoria and Albert
My favourite queen of them all, I mean Empress of India and all that history in the Victorian age she reigned for 63 years and 7 months, a longggggg time. She Married Albert on the 10th February 1940, they had nine children, longest reigning British monarch and nine kids jeeez the woman had aspirations!






And my winner for the best Royal bride goes toooooooooo........... (Drum rolll)

Grace Kelly Princess of Monaco, who else, no British Royal could beat that....

no not even Camilla haha, don't be too downhearted Cami!

I will probably do a post on our street party (let you know if anyone has bought any commemorative plates!) 

The Supermodel

Ahhh the late 80s and 90s the markets on the rise, the age of money money money, extravagance, the World Wide Web, the perm (uh oh), the boombox and oh also the age of the supermodel. Multi-million campaigns, household names, tears, tantrums.

From Left: Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz,
Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford  

Lindberghs January 1990 cover for Vogue is notorious as the supermodel photo the same 5 appearing in George Michael's Freedon '90! video the same year.

My personal favorites:

Guess? Campagin 1989 by Ellen von Unwerth

Claudia Schiffer

She secured the Guess? campaign in 1989 and since then was one of the most sought after super models appearing on more than 500 magazine covers.

Height - 5'11"

Bust - 34"

Waist - 24"

Hips - 36"

But an absolute stunner, no wonder she was so sought after and secured so many covers, even the face of Chanel after Lagerfeld himself picked her.

She was also the first model to make it onto the cover of Vanity Fair that usually refuses to place a model on its cover.

Check out her 15 favourites shoots on Vogue.com

Still from 1996 Pepsi ad-campaign

Cindy Crawford

Crawford is a step away from the classical blue eyed blonde of Schiffer but perhaps had more sex appeal being voted number 3 on 'VH1's Hottest Hotties of the 90s.' And you can see why, if I had turned out like that I would be mighty happy!


Height - 5'9"
Bust - 34"
Waist - 24"
Hips - 35"


But a fabulous career with representation from Elite Model Management and over 400 magazine covers (ooh lagging behind Schiffer somewhat!)


Famously down to earth, she once said: "Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford." - PAH!!

Cannot find a year or photographer....

Linda Evangelista 
The model I definitely remember as a child, she was beautiful in a different way, and was in two George Michael videos, Too Funky and Freedom 90! (I was a big George fan...). The key to her success was her ever changing style, a haircut made her and a haircut kept her!


Height - 5'9.5"
Bust - 34.5"
Waist 24"
Hips - 35"


600 covers......

By Mario Testino

Kate Moss
Young, fresh, natural the Kate Moss of the 90's. Yes, yes there has been some questionable history with her (ahem Pete Doherty) but then look at Naomi and she is a saint.


Height - a rather short 5'7"
Bust- 34"
Waist- 23"
Hips- 35"


Graced the cover of British Vogue alone 27 times..... and linked to huge photographers like Testino.




Anyway love them all, classic image of beauty but all in their own 90s kind of way, I will leave you with the best of Lindbergh and the supers.......

The Wild Ones - 1991 

Icons

Icons are an important part of everyday culture from the everyday classics like

Marilyn Monroe... What a babe

To perhaps the less conventional 

Jean Shrimpton

But all of them so important to creating the culture that surrounds us to day, Jean with that 4 year affair with David Bailey and Marilyn with the Kennedy's (I mean 'Happy Birthday Mr President' the woman had some balls for that one!).





This week tragedy struck us once again with the death of the fabulous Liz Taylor, who could forget that stunning performance in Cleopatra  flawless in my opinion.

What a woman in control and a woman that was wanted by most men married eight times to seven different men... jeez most of us will be lucky if we find one chump that will think marrying us is a good idea let alone seven but hell if I looked like that dressed up as an Egyptian queen....

A huge loss for the world of beauty.. Liz you will be missed








But Hitchcock produced some of the most Iconic moments in film, I don't know if anyone caught the Vanity Fair reconstructions of some of those moments but you should. I mean I cinematographic genius that man... absolute classics, my personal favorite 'the kiss' between Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window.

Rear Window, 1954

Beautiful moment right there, and Strangers on a Train with Farley Granger (what a dream boat) and Robert Walker. The moment where Bruno Anthony (Walker) is telling Guy Haines (Granger) about his plan for the perfect murder... chilling but amazing

Strangers on a Train, 1951

Simply sensational Hitch.

An Inarticulate Introduction

The arts are my main passion in life, I spend most of my time is spent singing, watching films and critiquing the latest shows. I do however read BA Geography.. mistake, possibly.

Today was overall uninspiring after wasting 3 hours downloading ArcView (a Geographical Information System package all very exciting...) only to then not be able to do any work because I couldn't then retrieve the files I needed from the University system as there were no bally computers available. So the rest of the day I spent trailing through various YouTube clips of live performances for a friend who is doing her first major set on the 9th April. 

As always listening to something live sets apart those who are good and those who are bloody fantastic. Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight were some of those that I was ogling over today and boy oh boy can they sing. The arrangements in their songs as well are amazing and there is nothing like a live performance with a stunning band backing the performer up.

Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke, Live 2009

Absolutely immense.

I was also listening to Bond themes. It still causes me great trouble to pick my favorite.  I am not a fan of Nancy Sinatra and possibly she is the reason that 'You Only Live Twice' does not hands down sit at number 1 but the Intro to the song epitomizes everything Bond. If you close your eyes you could be there in the Aston having just defeated the Germanic villain riding off into the sunset... Using this intro is why 'Millennium' is the best Robbie Williams song. But other Bond themes hold the drama and the sex appeal of the films, the Shirley Bassey trio 'Goldfinger,' 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'Moonraker' are Bond classics Bassey's voice is perfect for the part and her delivery, especially on Diamonds are Forever is impressive with the connotations that she elegantly conveys. 

Tom Jones with 'Thunderball' is a fantastic pastiche of the earlier classics and a highly commendable take on a Bond theme, which in my opinion should have horns and theatrics. The later themes have been weak and lack the fundamentals that make the early themes far superior. But this is nothing that hasn't been said before. 'The Man with the Golden Gun' is another classic that is a cut above the later themes. All of the themes of note have been composed by (along with others) John Barry, a musical god in my eyes for many years now (although I do have to say there have been a couple of what I consider to be flops in there such as Duran Duran's 'A View to a Kill' which is a good song in itself but not a Bond theme and possibly made worse by the 'Bon, Simon Le Bon' at the end of the music video... tragic) 

Enough rambling for one day I shall get my beauty sleep. Ciao.