The return of the 'comeback'. Do supermodels ever really retire?

It seems like every time I turn around lately another supermodel is making a 'comeback'. Linda Evangelista was one of the first, appearing in L'Oreal ads and also a campaign for Prada in 2008. Christy Turlington also showed her face for Maybelline. And now it seems Cindy Crawford's mole graces this month's cover of Harper's Bazaar and Claudia Schiffer is the face of Chanel once more. It seems like the 'Big Six' are coming back (although Kate and Naomi never really left).

At the height of their reign in the 90s

Cindy Crawford on the cover of this month(March 2010)'s Harper's Bazaar

Claudia Schiffer as the face of Chanel's Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign

However it is most definitely Natalia Vodianova that takes the cake when it comes to short-lived 'retirement'. Having left super-modelling at the tender age of 24 in order to better focus her efforts on her charity work with her Naked Heart Foundation, happily married and having 3 young children to care for; it seemed like it was all over for the young Russian. But after what seems like less than a year she's back and working more than ever. One can hardly flip through a fashion magazine without coming across her striking features in an advertisement, in catwalk photos, or even on the society pages.

She's the face of not one but four high end campaigns this season - Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and the new Calvin Klein fragrance, Euphoria. It's only just February and she's already graced the cover of several major fashion magazines including LOVE and British Vogue in 2010. Having worn the finale dress in Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2010 show also guaranteed her photo from the catwalk being printed in every fashion magazine worth it's salt. So what exactly does it mean to be a retired supermodel these days.

On the February 2010 cover of British Vogue

On the Spring/Summer 2010 cover of LOVE magazine

On the catwalk for Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2010 show

Of all the contemporary supermodels, she is by far my favourite. I'm glad she's back. Because I'm feeling quite self-indulgent; here are a few of my favourite pictures of her from over the past few years.

As the face of Calvin Klein underwear, 2007

May 2008 British Vogue cover and spread

In editorial shoots with her daughter, Neva

British Vogue spread, May 2009

On the cover of British Vogue, June 2009

With Lily Cole and Agyness Deyn both proclaiming they've left modelling behind for acting, and Gemma Ward seemingly in hiding; I'll bet it's only a matter of time before we see them grace catwalks across the globe once more.

More soon.

All catwalk photos from Style.com

I can't argue with Chanel. (In the mood for change part two - beauty.)

When it comes to fashion, I am firmly on the side of minimalism and simplicity; something classic with an edge, maybe a statement piece here and there but nothing too flashy. So when it came down to deciding on which beauty trends I would pick up on for Spring/Summer, I stuck to my guns.

I love couture makeup as much as the next girl, but let's face it; in the real world who can pull it off without looking a) crazy and b) like a drag queen? Noone. So for 2010 I've decided to go for a much simpler, fresher look, but definitely still a very put-together one - I still like it to look like I've made a bit of an effort obviously.

I don't like to wear any foundation as I have sensitive and fairly blemish-free skin so I find it more of a hassle than a help. Instead I prefer just a light touch of either a cheek tint for a rosy flushed look (I prefer Benefit's Benetint, £22), or for something more flirty a hint of pink blush (Barry M, £4.50). I find that this brings a bit of colour to the cheeks whilst still keeping that overall natural look.

For the eyes I also want to retain a more natural, minimal look, so I will just use the lightest touch of eyeliner and mascara for a bit of a boost.

So far it might sound a bit dull so that's where the statement comes in to save the look from being too boring. From the catwalks this season I seem to have picked up on two seperate trends; either super-thick or bleached invisi-brows. Personally I'm loving playing around with big defined eyebrows by filling my pathetic, barely-there blondies in with a dark brown pencil fairly generously, thus allowing a much much fuller and more defined brow. Honestly even my mother said I look like a completely different person, it's crazy how much of an impact such a small easy thing to do can have on your look. I'm obsessed with my eyebrow pencil now (Rimmel, £3.99). And because it is just making your pre-existing eyebrows more defined, it's still kind of in keeping with a natural look - you don't look too made up.

Backstage at Chloe's Spring/Summer 2010 Ready-to-Wear show

Backstage at Alexander Wang's Spring/Summer 2010 Ready-to-Wear show

Not looking too made up is fine and all, better than the other way around obviously, but it can seem a little unmemorable. To really add a statement I've been trying to wear lipstick more often - wear hot pink lipstick in the daytime and people really take notice. It really brightens up a whole look and it's so simple but it really makes you look like you've made so much more of an effort, even if you're just wearing leggings and a teeshirt. Chanel has declared 2010 to be the year of lipstick, so who am I to argue? Personally I prefer matte lipsticks as I think they just look more classic and they're much more practical to wear in the daytime. To really stand out I've been trying Barry M's 'Lip Paints' (£4.25) which offer a more unusual colour palette - I'm quite attached to my luminous pink one, and having been inspired by the orange lacquered lips of Prada's Spring/Summer show, I also picked up a nice orange for a bit of a twist.

Shocking Pink, Barry M.

Orange, Barry M.

Backstage at Prada's Spring/Summer 2010 Ready-to-Wear show

Obviously there's always the classic red. I'm in love with the romance and styling of the 1940's, when women always wore that orange-red lipstick all day long (or so I like to think). After much searching, I found that Rimmel do a lovely shade, aptly named 'Retro', for just £4.50.

Retro, Rimmel.

However, sometimes I do find myself in a less daring mood and the thought of overstated lips for daytime seems a bit daunting. To still maintain a well-rounded look but really stick to the natural vibe, I'll opt for a nude or really pale pink lipstick (again I find Rimmel to have some decent ones, 'Pink Blush' and ' Pink Nude'), or I might even use my 'Benetint' to just give my lips a slight hint of colour.

Pink Blush, Rimmel.

I must confess, if it doesn't already seem abundantly obvious; I am not really one for makeup. If you read my earlier blog 'In the mood for change' you'll know I'm relatively new to this, but I feel like for Spring/Summer 2010 a more put-together look is in order and so I'm trying to make a bit more of an effort without overdoing it, hopefully it works.

More soon.

Backstage photos from Style.com

Alexa Chung in Vogue.

Alexa Chung has been one of my absolute favourite style icons for a while now. I love her understated style with a bit of an edge, she really embodies the best in tomboy chic - and I love a girl who always gets her legs out. She always mixes high end with high street, making hers a much more accessible look.


The model-turned-tv presenter-turned-rockstar's girlfriend-turned-America's sweetheart just landed her first British Vogue cover for the March issue, and in keeping with this Vogue is getting her to send them a photo of her outfit for every day of the month, along with an explanation of her choice. I don't know about you but I'm excited to see what she comes up with. Someone with enough style to have this season's Mulberry it-bag named after them must be worth a second look.

Seen here holding her Mulberry bag; 'the Alexa' in brown.

Take a look here to see her daily updates: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100205-today-im-wearing--alexa-chung-.aspx

More soon.

LONDON FASHION WEEK LIVE STREAMING!

For those of us who weren't invited to sit front row at fashion week this year, now it is possible to see all of your favourite designers' Autumn/Winter 2010 offerings directly from the catwalk - in the comfort of your own home! In an effort to make fashion more accessible, London Fashion Week has announced that many of the shows will be streamed live, as well as making exclusive fashion films from some designers available online. I don't know about you but I'm really excited by this. Only one question remains unanswered: is it still the done thing for one to wear something by the designer to watch their show, or can I wear my pyjamas?

British Fashion Council's 'Designer of the Year 2009', Christopher Bailey

London Fashion Week will run from 19th - 24th February 2010. For all the little details head to: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/news_details.aspx?ID=175

A full schedule of the which shows will be streamed live will be released on Friday 19th February at: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/digitalschedule

More soon.
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A Single Man.

Fashion designer Tom Ford's first foray into the world of cinema is garnering much critical acclaim - he not only directed but also financed the movie himself. Starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, the film centres around a gay English professor (Firth) in LA on one day of his life as he struggles to cope with the death of his long-time partner Jim eight months prior and subsequently prepares for his planned suicide later that evening, meeting his friend (Moore) for dinner on the way. Colin Firth picked up his first Oscar nomination, and both him and Ms. Moore were nominated for Golden Globes for their roles.

I'm really excited to see this film, not least because I love the styling from this era (the production was done by the same people who did the sets of Mad Men, need I say more?) but also because it looks like an incredible and well-acted story -anyone who has seen Mr. Firth on the publicity tour for this film will have been charmed and intrigued much like myself I am sure. And besides, what fashionista wouldn't want to see a film directed by a top designer? It promises to be impeccably put-together.

A Single Man hits UK cinemas from February 12th. I can't wait.

More soon.

Princess Grace at the V&A - an exhibition of a style icon.

Who didn't love Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, climbing the fire escape in a ball gown? That was the first time that she came onto my radar at the age of 11 and I thought she was magical.

Her story is the stuff of fairytales and her wardrobe was one to match. Marrying Prince Rainier III at the tender age of 26 and leaving a successful Hollywood career behind (she had won an Oscar just the year before for her role in The Country Girl) to become, Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco; what girl hasn't looked up to Princess Grace as a style icon?

Renowned for her incredible beauty and inimitable style - an exhibition of her most beautiful couture gowns and gorgeous jewellery from the most pivotal moments in her life, including her first meeting with future husband Prince Rainier, is being sponsored by her favourite jeweller; Van Cleef & Arples. You will be able to see the gown she wore when she accepted her Oscar as well as costumes from some of her most famous roles including 'High Society' and 'Rear Window'. There will be a whole host of coveted designers' creations on show including Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as her favourite Hermes bag that was subsequently named after her, the famous 'Kelly'.

If you want to see this once-in-a-lifetime Princess Grace exhibition get down to the Victoria & Albert Museum between April 17th and September 26th, I know I'll be there.

For more details you can go to http://www.vam.ac.uk/

More soon.

All you need is LOVE & naked supermodels..

Katie Grand's third installment of her bi-annual magazine LOVE is causing much of a stir, and I can see why. Readers can choose from 8 different covers, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, which all feature a different naked supermodel in the exact same pose. Obviously there's Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, (my favourite) Natalia Vodianova, (fashion's new favourite) Lara Stone, and also Daria Werbowy, Amber Valletta, Kristen McMenamy and Jeneil Williams.

The concept behind this daring feat is that beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes - all of these 8 women are widely considered to be some of the most beautiful in the world yet they are all different; each model's measurements are printed along with their photo to illustrate this lovely point. As LOVE's Editor-in-Chief, Katie Grand put it; "The point is that 'perfection' is not fixed, timeless or transcendent. It varies, as the measurements of our cover girls show." (Although saying that obviously they are all supermodels..)

I don't know about you but I want all 8! I'm definitely hunting for a Natalia Vodianova cover, and maybe Kate Moss too.

More soon.

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