Penelope and Monica Cruz collaboration with Agent Provocateur

Penelope Cruz and her sister Monica Cruz have designed a lingerie collection in collaboration with Agent Provocateur. The L'Agent diffusion line will feature 15 styles, including a selection of bras, briefs and corsets. 

"It is so exciting for me and Monica to embark in this new adventure" - Penelope. " We have always been huge fans of Agent Provocateur and both of us are very much looking forward to this long term collaboration. We feel extremely happy to become part of this great team." 

Monica Cruz became the face of the underwear brand's autumn/winter 2012-13 ad campaign.

"Monica Cruz was sensational [in our campaign], and Penelope Cruz has always been a muse for Agent Provocateur." said Agent Provocateur's creative director, Sarah Shotton. 
"Penelope and Monica are both long-time lingerie fans and have brought a new design sensibility to the brand. Working with the Cruz sisters was a great opportunity to bring the diffusion line to life and to further strengthen the brand's relationship with them." 
 The sisters have been involved with all aspects of the collaboration - from design of the labels and hangers to sourcing vintage pieces and fabric swatches for inspiration. The partnership is expected to last a minimum of five years. 

1st August 2013 we will have to wait for the collection's worldwide release. L'Agent will be slightly more accessible than the Agent Provocateur mainline, designed for a younger audience with lower price tags. Sounds good to me!! 

Dior's Natalie Portman Mascara Ad Banned

'A Dior mascara advert, featuring actress Natalie Portman, has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after rival L'Oreal UK challenged whether the image misleadingly exaggerated the effects of the product. According to the ASA, Parfums Christian Dior said that they had received no consumer complaints for the Dior Show New Look advert and that Natalie Portman's natural lashes were retouched digitally in post-production to "separate/increase the length and curve of  a number of her lashes and to replace/fill a number of missing or damaged lashes, for a more stylised, uniform and tidy effect." 
Dior also revealed that the image was originally produced to advertise a lipstick and the decision to use it for the mascara advert came after the photograph had already been taken.
It stated that Natalie Portman was wearing mascara and eye liner but no false lashes and "did not consider that the post-prodctuion techniques went beyond the likely consumer expectations of what was achievable using the product."

However the ASA explained that; "although we noted Dior's view that the ad's text did not contain any claims regarding the lengthening of lashes, we considered that the ad's claims "Lash-multiplying effect volume and care mascara" "...an unrivalled lash creator effect" and delivers spectacular volume-multiplying effect, lash by lash", particularly in conjunction with the image of Natalie Portman's eye lashes, would be understood to mean that the mascara could lengthen the lashes, as well as separate them, increase their thickness and volume, and generally enhance lash appearance. The ASA has ruled that the advert must not appear again in its current form.' - Vogue.com

Disney Princess designer gowns for Harrods' Christmas window

Harrods' Christmas windows will be taken over by a designer Disney Princess display this year. Here is a preview of the beautiful gowns. Some of the biggest names in fashion have created their imaginings of the iconic fairy tale dresses which will grace Harrods,Knightsbridge next month. 

The display coincides with a 7,000 square-foot Disney Princess pop-up boutique on the fourth floor of the store open now. 

Ariel from Little Mermaid by Marchesa

Belle from Beauty and the Beast by Valentino 

Jasmin from Aladdin by Escada

Mulan by Missoni 

Pocahontas by Roberto Cavalli

Rapunzel by Jenny Packman

Cinderella by Versace

Aurora from Sleeping Beauty by Elie Saab

Snow White by Oscar de la Renta

Tiana from The Princess and the Frog by Ralph & Russo

Vogue Pudsey Bear

British Vogue launch Pudsey Bear to raise money for Children in Need. 

What do you think? 

Stand up to Cancer

"A twenty-one metre catwalk is erected in London's Leicester Square to raise awareness for Stand up to Cancer. The Stand of Fame features shoes donated by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Helen Mirren and Ralph Fiennes which the public are free to try on. " - Vogue.com 

Victoria's Secret Angels Reveal Seduction secrets

Tim Walker Exhibition at Somerset House

One of my favourite inspirational photographers Tim Walker will showcase over  175 of his most inspirational pictures in a new exhibition held at Somerset House this month (already in the diary!) Entitled "Story Teller", the display supported by Mulberry will give fans (like me) a chance to see his ambitious and original imagery up close.

"It has been nearly five years since my last show and I felt I had enough work to put together a new publication and exhibition. It is a great way to reflect on the images and see how things have evolved." - Walker. 

Has has worked with the industry's biggest names, including Alexander McQueen and Alber Elbaz, capturing their personalities in unexpected and novel ways. 

"It is very difficult to make the ideas in my head come to life, but what is harder is making them look effortless."

"A genuine sense of love for the subject matter permeates through every picture in the exhibition and accompanying book. Looking back at my earlier pictures, I think that the work is very much coming from the same place. I have gone through a period of challenging myself with a complicated idea to currently challenging myself with the idea of simplicity."

His advice for aspiring photographers?

One of my favourite quotes I've read many times before.... 

"Only photograph what you love" he said. 

Exhibition is from 18th October until 27th January 2013. 

Chanel hula hoop bag

Karl Lagerfeld has explained the inspiration behind this Chanel hula hoop bag which was seen in the spring/summer 2013 show. The circular design was the talk of Lagerfeld's latest collection for the French fashion house - almost threatening to upstage those enormous wind turbines flanking the catwalk. 

"It's for the beach, you need space for the beach towel. And then you can put it into the sand and hang things on it." 

Now why didn't we think of that? Amazing, I want one haha!

Zara & Mango sizes are wrong.

A few weeks ago I went to Zara and Mango to find some smart work trousers, never thought it was going to be like this.....

I went into Zara in London first...tried on navy blue trousers size 8 (which is my normal size) they fitted but were tight. Then I tried on a black pair, same style, size 8 they felt even tighter - but they were the same style and same size?
So, I tried on another black pair of the same style and the same size as the ones before, these did not do up! What is going on? I wasn't getting peckish in between!

Gave up, the other styles didn't suit me.

Next shop..Mango, maybe I'll be more successful there?
I tried on different pairs of trousers until I found a pair that I liked the style and feel of. They were navy blue and I picked up a size 8 (my normal size) and a size 10 just in case. 
Put the size 8 on...did not do up at all! 
Ok...what about the 10 then..nope no luck, they were the same..did not do up! Are you kidding? Usually if a size 8 doesn't fit a 10 will as it's only the next size up from my usual size. 
Erm....mum, would you mind finding a size 12...
That's what I ended up with in the end..a size 12 navy blue trousers, that fit me perfectly, very comfy.

Luckily I have confidence in myself and know I am usually a size 8. At the end of the day, it's what fits not what your size is and in Zara and Mango that really is the case here! 

However, there are women especially young girls who suffer from low self-esteem or if your having a bad day this would really effect you. It may end in tears. 
What if you are a size 12 usually. What size would actually fit you in these shops? There are women out there who wouldn't like the result.

What do you think? 

Jessie J shot by Rankin for Elle UK magazine

Jessie J photographed by Rankin