A Blush of Rose January 2011

January 2011

Tried and Tested Skincare essentials from Dr Payot of Paris and Elizabeth Arden Prevage.

Some goodies came my way from a wonderful Skin Care Company called Payot. Payot is appearing in all leading department stores and I have to say that I'm in love with this range already. It's texture is soft and light and it blends easily into the dermal pores.

I have been using three of the lines products (see below).

The soothing Eye Cream, the Mattifying skin cream and the activating recovering night cream.

The eye cream is wonderful, it's gently cooling on the delicate skin around the eyes and I found that it did work. I woke up the next morning with softer, more dewy, skin around my eyes and that's wheat you need ahead of a busy day. The day cream is a general purpose, work hard-play hard cream, with a delightful light fragrance that was non greasy. The night cream which I used over the rest of my face at night also gave a satisfying softening in the morning.

I think if I had to describe why I love this brand it would be that there seems to be a light natural simplicity in the products that helps it slip into your daily routing. It's the formula, it's the image and the packaging. It's all very tidy and and that's what you need for the essence of Beauty, Grace and Style.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage.

There is a silver wand hitting department store counters everywhere offering a touch of magic to it's users.

Elizabeth Arden's Dermal technology division have brought out a new cream to be used in the teeniest amounts to smooth out those lines and plumpen up skin against wrinkles. I'm a fan. I don't use it every day admittedly but it's a new weapon in my arsenal against the aging process. A little touch of magic goes a long way!

Black Swan - The stage is set for a ballet battle Royal and some wonderful fashion moments.

Natalia Portman’s new Picture Black Swan is one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the New Year.

It’s a fashion feast and Amy Westcott along with the Mulleavey sisters of Rodarte are the lead designers behind many of the jewel-like costumes worn by Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

The spectacular costumes worn by both Natalie Portman and her co-star and real life friend Mila Kunas are believed to be as strong as the plot line itself. I can't wait to see this picture come out. Natalie and Mila look like the fairy tale Ballerinas that many little girls dream of being, however her character in the picture shows the hard work and determination that is required to pursue a career in this discipline that is not much less than required by an athlete.

Shots I've seen of Mila also show her looking amazing in the Westcott and Rodarte creations that show her Athletic figure to perfection.

Ballet chic is all the rage at the moment and many girls like myself, wear the flat ballet-style pumps to work, as they are so practical.

As Black Swan continues to do great numbers at the box office stateside Swarovski Crystal have decided to release a limited edition couture necklace to compliment the current trend for anything associated with the picture. Jenny Manic Mercier ha created a wonderful piece, although I don't have images you will be able to find some through the Internet I'm sure or please contact Swarovski direct.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout award Georgia Hardinge

Georgia Hardinge has won the Merit Award from Vauxhall Fashion Scout ahead of Autumn - Winter 2011-2012 London Fashion Week. I was very excited as Georgia and I have exchanged emails before the Christmas break and she has many exciting development in the pipeline for 2011. One of these will be the opening of her on line store! This follows Georgia’s first catwalk show in September ’10 in London and her collaboration with Victoria's secret which crowned a great year seeing Georgia's profile rising.

Georgia is one of my favourite YBDs and I hope to wear on her creations to a special occasion in the future. I can't wait to see her collection at London Fashion Week in February.

Jimmy Choo Couture

Long term fashion followers will be happy to know that Mr Choo himself is now making shoes once again. He has returned to doing what he loves best, hand crafting exquisite shoes, for devoted clients. These shoes will be couture, made to measure and made to order. As a dedicated artisan Mr Choo, it seems, is not comfortable with the thought of permanent retirement. I think when you know you’re good at something you really should just keep going. Long live Choo shoe Couture!

Alexander Wang

There’s a huge buzz about Alexander Wang. He will be one of the designers that many people will be looking at with an eye to the future at New York Fashion Week. He’s young, American-Chinese and hails from San Francisco. He’s got bags of talent and was spotted a long while ago by prominent American designer Diane Von Furstenberg. Staying true to his own vision and instincts (he left Parsons school of design before graduating because he had so much work to do) he has remained independent setting up his own label.

He has been showing since 2007 and in 2008 he won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award and $20,000 to contribute towards the establishment of business. I love it that these awards exist for designers.

his look is very accessible and key for the young, and young at heart, urban crowds in the capitals and beyond. It's about Models off duty in Paris or Mid Town Manhattan. There is French Chic and a casual urban confidence in his clothing.

British Fashion Council pick 3 to be Fashion Forward

The Winners of this years BFC Fashion Forward are Meadham Kirchhof, Todd Lynn and Peter Pilotto. The celebrated at the BFC ceremony. Past winners have included Erdem and Giles Deacon so there is a good chance that we will be hearing these names again in the future. Many congratulations to them!

Haute Couture et Haute Joaillerie bloomed in a very cold Paris and I have special separate reports on the dedicated pages. Please click Haute Couture Spring - Summer 2011 and Haute Joaillerie Spring - Summer 2011.