It’s that time of the year again!  The unbelievably stunning Christina Hendrick’s (my #1 girl-crush!)  is making the magazine rounds.

I just came across these scans from the September issue of Glamour.  In “Today I am Not Wearing Black” Christina shows us how to wear colors other than my beloved black.  She looks great… but I quite like my black!

Image via Celebutopia

Image via Celebutopia

Image via Celebutopia

Image via Celebutopia

Which look is your favorite?  I am in love with the way they shot the Olive Green look.  For once the emphasis is away from Christina’s cleavage and on the rest of her gorgeous figure!

All images via Celebutopia.NET

There is a lot to talk about this Whatever Wednesday, so let’s get right to it!

Christina Hendricks – Christinalicious

Everyone knows how much I adore Christina Hendricks (really, can you blame me?).  I came across this mystery photo shoot today, and it just about killed me.  I need to know what this is for/from. Anyone?  Bueller?  Anyone?   She looks spectacular!

All images courtesy of Oh No They Didn’t

Isla Moda: The Fashion Resort of the Future

UPDATE:  Karl Lagerfeld has put an end to his collaboration with Isla Moda.  To read more about this and find out the status of the project, click here.

Does anyone need another reason to visit the beautiful province of Dubai? If you haven’t been there yet but are dying to visit (like me!), you may want to wait until Isla Moda is completed. Isla Moda is a fashion-focused resort complex being built in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, Oppenheim Architecture+Design, and KOR Hotel Group. According to Oppenheim’s website:

“Isla Moda is a resort complex that comprises 3 hotels, and 150 residential units on a manmade island 20km off the coast of Dubai. Inspired by the floating palaces of India, and the modern day equivalent of the cruise ship, Isla Moda… evolves from an intrinsic understanding of the nuances of style and fashion, and their inextricable link to the possibilities of how life can and should be experienced.”

I want to go, please.  What do you think of the designs?

All images courtesy of Oppenheim

I heart Tim Gunn

Do you need more reasons to love Tim Gunn?  Check out the latest episode of The Thread below for his thoughts on Lady Gaga and Kate Gosselin, among others.

“Make It Work!”  Yes, Tim!

Vogue’s Fashion Night In

Have you heard the latest news from Vogue UK?  They are hosting the first ever Fashion’s Night In on Monday, November 1st, from 5pm until midnight.  According to the website, Fashion’s Night In is “a night dedicated to online shopping and events. The digital equivalent of the hugely successful Fashion’s Night Out, FNI promises to be the most stylish stay-at-home shopping experience.”

Participants include ASOS.com, Brownsfashion.com, Matchesfashion.com, My-wardrobe.com, Net-a-porter.com and SpaceNK.com.  I wonder if those of across “across the pond” will be able to participate?

You can follow @Vogue_London on Twitter for up-to-the minute updates.

Ten Times Rosie

You’ve probably all heard about and seen the images from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new book “Ten Times Rosie.” Photographer Rankin captured some amazing images of Rosie for the book. The shoot showcases the designs of Paula Thomas, founder and head designer of the luxury label Thomas Wylde.  In the book, Rosie is captured emulating 10 different personas (1 for each of Thomas Wylde’s 10 years in the industry).   I think it’s phenomenal – the book is truly a must-own for every fashion and photography lover.

For those in London, the new project will also be displayed in a new exhibition running through October 29 at the Annroy Gallery.

Here are a few of my favorite images, as well as the behind the scenes video.  What do you think?

Check out more images at Noir Facade.

Matthew Williamson finds his Muse

Image courtesy of Stylelist

I’ve always been a fan of Matthew Williamson’s designs (and loved his recent collaboration with Gossip Girl!), so I was excited to learn that he will be coming out with a diffusion line tentatively titled “Muse by Matthew Williamson” in 2011.

“[The collection] will be womenswear but all will be revealed in due course – watch this space.” Williamson told Vogue. “It just felt right – we’ve been here for 13 years and it’s time to take the label further. We’re ready for it now.”

The pricepoint for items still is high, with day dresses estimated around $475 and eveningwear around $800, but that is considerably more affordable than Williamson’s regular line. I am excited.

What’s your opinion on diffusion lines, do you love them?

Remember a few weeks ago when, after the Emmy’s, Christina Hendricks was all over the fashion news because of a  quote that was run in the Scottish Daily Record? Media outlets ranging from The Cut to the UK Daily Mail to bloggers worldwide (Wendy Brandes did a great post on the topic here) were talking about what she had reportedly said:

“People have been saying some nice, wonderful things about me. Yet not one designer in town will loan me a dress. They only lend out a size 0 or 2. So I’m still struggling for someone to give me a darn dress.”

In my opinion, the article had made her sound very UN-Christina-like.  She sounded extremely entitled, and a more than a bit like a spoiled, whiny brat.  So I defended her more than a few times.  I have followed her interviews enough that it seemed – to me – that something was “off” about the whole thing.  Yes, she had commented in the past about the difficulties her size caused when it came to dressing in designer gowns, but this latest quote seemed particularly out of character.

Fast forward to this quote from the November 2010 issue of Harper’s Bazaar:

“Years ago in an interview, Christina said it was difficult to find a dress that wasn’t a sample size, and she recently saw that quote recycled in a British tabloid. “I was like, Whoa! First of all, I am so grateful any time I get to wear one of these great dresses, and since the show has gotten more popular, I’ve had the opportunity to wear the most amazing designers. I mean, L’Wren Scott? How did that happen?” She is also a huge admirer of John Galliano. “Oh, Galliano,” she faux swoons. “Forever and ever and ever. I don’t care what he does, whether it’s leather, delicate lace, or anything. I’ll carry a riding crop down the red carpet.”

It looks like my instincts were right, and the topic and quote was used by the Daily Record as a way to drum up publicity.   I won’t judge her on an old quote, but rather the things she says today… and although she still references the difficulties she has fitting into sizes, she also admits that she is fortunate in that she has numerous opportunities to wear designer pieces.  She sounds neither entitled nor whiny – just grateful.

To read the rest of the interview, click here. Check out the photos by Terry Richardson and behind-the-scenes video below.

Photoshoot Details:
Harper’s Bazaar, November 2010
Photographer: Terry Richardson

What do you think of the shoot? Pretty low-key for Terry Richardson, right?

Edit: Thanks to Casee Marie for pointing out these images looked familiar. These same shots by photographer Perry Hagopian were used in this Marie Claire shoot.

First, I want to wish everyone a great weekend! I’m off visiting a friend, so there won’t be any more updates from me until Monday. I’ll announce the winner of the Wendy Brandes necklace at that time (any entries received AFTER September 30th will not be counted – sorry!)

Now, onto today’s news. Christina Hendricks is the cover-girl for the November 2010 issue of Canada’s FLARE Magazine.

God, I love that hair. And that perfect complexion… I know she’s photoshopped, but still.

Here are a couple of sneak peaks:

I need to figure out how to get a copy of this!

Only a few days left! If you haven’t already done so, please click here to enter to win a Wendy Brandes Lotus Necklace!

Donna Karan enters the world of e-commerce

Have you checked out Donna Karan’s new website yet? You can now shop the Fall Collection from the comfort of your own home! In addition to enjoying the convenience of shopping online, you can also enter to win a $10,000 Donna Karan wardrobe here, or check out Donna’s Journal, which is full of tidbits on wonderful women who inspire. Included in the list are Susan Sarandan, Milla Jovovich, Brooke Shields, and a myriad of other remarkable women. My favorite, of course, if the ever-glorious Christina Hendricks. Click the image to be taken directly to her interview.

Source: donnakaran.com

Kristen McMenamy for Gareth Pugh S/S 2011

No words needed for this. Click and enjoy!

Constance Jablonski for Numéro No. 117

You’ve probably heard about the latest fashion editorial controversy:  Constance Jablonski styled in varying degrees of blackface and an afro in the October 2010 issue of Numéro Magazine.

This isn’t the first time this practice has caused controversy in the fashion industry. Last year, French Vogue caused a stir when they featured a blackfaced Lara Stone in an editorial. More recently, Karl Lagerfield shot Claudia Schiffer in blackface (amongst other looks). Without a doubt, the use of blackface always leads to some controversy and increased publicity for a publication. What do you think of this practice? My thoughts are: why couldn’t they use a stunner like Joan Smalls or Liya Kebede in the shoot instead? Is it really necessary to take a woman with fair skin and style her in an afro and blackface, when there are beautiful black models out there? Personally, I like the late 60’s, early 70’s vibe of the editorial itself, I just wish they had gone with a different model.

Just for comparison, here we have Constance Jablonski in the June/July 2010 issue of Vogue Paris:

Photographers: Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer

And here she is in Numéro No. 117:

Photographer: Greg Kadel

So, what do you think?

Illamasqua’s Art of Darkness

If you have ever been on the hunt for bright, dramatic makeup that was also high-quality, you may have stumbled across Illamasqua. I came across the Art of Darkness promotional film for their Fall Collection, and no matter what you think about the video, you can’t argue that it’s a unique and memorable approach! They definitely made great use of the product and created something unique with the film.

Lipstick at all Times

I came across this photo on facebook the other day and had to post it. Bojan Stanic is one of my favorite Serbian photographers, and this image is a teaser from a photoshoot he recently did. No matter what is going on in your life – wear lipstick!

Tamara Simic, photographed by Bojan Stanic

I hope you are having a great Wednesday!

I never get tired of her…

All images courtesy of London Fog

When I was growing up my mother used to horrify me with tales of the evil girdle and longline bras.  Yes, a woman wearing these would have a lovely shape, but she’d also be extremely uncomfortable after a few hours.  Especially the longline bras with their corset-like boning.  

A few times she actually tried to get me to wear something girdle-like, and I protested and ran away.  No way would she ever get me in any type of shapewear!

Fast forward to today when I am the proud owner of more than one pair of SPANX.  I love my SPANX – dresses look so much better on me with my SPANX.  Sexy.  Sleek. Ok, so maybe all shapewear isn’t evil.
 

“It’s like what’s in a corset — it has these long strips of plastic or metal that keep everything [pauses], you know. Oh, yeah — it’s super comfortable. And then the authentic stockings, with the garters, and then a slip and then our dress. From my girdle and my garters last night, I have two bruises on the top of my legs. From being in it for seventeen hours. Women did that.”

No thank you!  I’d rather wear my SPANX – or one of today’s corsets.

Corsets date back to the middle ages (and likely even ancient times) but gained popularity in the 1800s and during the Victorian Age.  During the Victorian Age they were worn because of the belief that females were so fragile and frail they needed some sort of stay to hold them up.  This resulted in women of all ages, even girls as young as 3 or 4, being tightlaced. The corsets were often laced so tightly that they damaged and/or rearranged internal organs, so that by the time these girls reached their teens they couldn’t sit or stand without the aid of a reinforced corset.  

I bet Betty Draper doesn’t know the history behind her fainting couch.

In addition to providing a 20-inch waist, a tightly-laced corset also meant a women was virtuous.  The tighter a corset, the longer it would take to get her out of her clothes.  Moving out of the Victorian Age, the focus moved to shape: the corset was able to provide the highly coveted hourglass figure.  Different incarnations of the corset have remained popular through the years for this reason.

However, some form of the corset has remained popular since then. 

 

Mainbocher Corset. Photograph by Horst P. Horst, 1939.

Black Corset. Photograph by Horst P. Horst, date unknown

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth’s ‘Revenge’ Series

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth’s ‘Revenge’ Series

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth’s ‘Revenge’ Series

Photograph by Jeanloup Sieff

Christina Hendricks for GQ UK

Hendricks for GQ UK

Hendricks for NY Magazine

LEFT: Dress, Oscar de la Renta ($1,690). Saks Fifth Avenue; saks.com. Necklace, Dolce & Gabbana (price on request). Visit dolcegabbana.com. RIGHT: Dress, Dolce & Gabbana (price on request). Visit dolcegabbana.com. Necklace, Eddie Borgo ($225). Dresscode by Gita, 36 Village of Cross Keys, Baltimore, 410-323-9009. Ring, Alexis Bittar ($125). Visit alexisbittar.com. (caption from Capitol File Magazine)

Dress, Alaïa ($2,520). Select Barneys New York  stores; barneys.com. Thin cuff ($228), wide cuff  ($288), Holly Fulton. Visit browns.co.uk. (caption from Capitol File Magazine)

Dress, Ports 1961 ($550). Bloomingdale’s, The Shops at Wisconsin Place, Chevy Chase, 301-841-4000.   Jacket, BCBG (price on request). Visit bcbg.com.   Earrings, Errickson Beamon ($478). Barneys Co-op, 3040 M St. NW, 202-350-5832 (caption from Capitol File Magazine)

All images from Capitol File Magazine, London Fog, or GQ UK