Signature9 UK

Victoria Ceridono’s Signature9

Filipa Oliveira — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:10:54 +0000

If beauty is your vice, then Dia de Beauté is your drug. It’s really that simple! The Brazilian blog created by Victoria Ceridono (24 years old, beauty journalist for Vogue Brazil and RG Vogue Brazil’s Fashion and Beauty Editor) is one of the most popular in the Portuguese–speaking web community and was ranked 75th in our Syle99 list. Featuring make-up product reviews, beauty tips and inspirational photos of worldwide celebrities, Dia de Beauté speaks in a language that is fun, passionate and very ‘user friendly’ – even if Portuguese is not your native language is quite easy to get carried away by Victoria’s enthusiasm for all things girlie. But behind every pampering-loving girl there’s a story that describes her style. What’s hers? Take a look.

London Fashion’s Night Out: 9 Reasons Not to Miss Out

Filipa Oliveira — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:09:53 +0000

Fashion’s Night Out is back! Vogue’s annual fashion extravaganza is returning to London for the 2010 edition and this year it’s bigger, better and more exciting than ever. On September 8th, hundreds of designers, models and industry greats will mingle with shoppers at London’s West End to “celebrate fashion (…), boost the economy and put the fun back in shopping”.

We’ve saved you the trouble of browsing the event listings and wrote your “must-see, must do” guide to this year’s FNO. Because… let’s face it, that’s a lot of fashion activity for only one night. Even if you’re a party animal.

1. Meet Giorgio Armani: The Italian fashion designer and Vogue’s editor Alexandra Shulman will be hosting a cocktail party at Emporio Armani New Bond Street store.

51 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1DP

2. Find what’s new at the World of Manolo: Manolo Blahnik’s new Liberty pop-up store will be launching with a wide array of exclusive items, including candles, scarves and chocolates.

Regent Street, London, W1B 5AH

3. Get your nails a Chanel treat: Receive a free express manicure in one of Chanel new nail colors. In three tones of khaki - Khaki Rose, Khaki Vert and Khaki Brun -, Les Khakis de Chanel Collection was created by Peter Phillips, especially for 2010 Fashion’s Night Out.

400 Oxford Street , London, W1A 1AB (Selfridges)

4. Have a photo with your favourite designer: At Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, shoppers can have a picture taken with some of their favourite fashion stylists, including Erdem, Christopher Kane and Martin Grant.

109-125 Knightsbridge, London, W1X 7RJ

5. Feel like an A-lister at Burberry: Christopher Bailey will be in store for an evening of “Champagne and canapés”, and will be offering two tickets for the upcoming Burberry Spring/Summer show.

21-23 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2RE

6. Look for Selfridges’ hot spots: The world’s best department store will host a number of events, including a conversation with the London-based fashion designer Peter Pilotto; Mulberry’s pop-up store will be unveiled by Emma Hill, while “Lily Allen will celebrate the opening of her sister’s vintage store, Lucy in Disguise, with a star-studded party and a pop-up boutique”.

400 Oxford Street , London, W1A 1AB

7. Win an Alexander McQueen Britannia clutch: Head to the Bond Street store and you can enter into a prize draw to win the patriotic Britannia clutch bag. The British label is also unveiling an exclusive bracelet in five different colours.

4-5 Old Bond Street , London, W1S 4PD

8. Get pampered while Smythson works its magic: If Cowshed spa manicures and free cupcakes aren’t enough to tempt you, pop into Smythson ‘s Bond Street store to add a personalised touch to one of your belongings.

40 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2DE

9. Shop for a good cause: In celebration of 2010 London Fashion’s Night Out, Vogue is launching a limited-edition T-shirt designed by illustrator and printmaker Sanna Annukka– all proceeds go to support the work of Kids Company.

Suggested retail price: 18£
Sizes: S, M,L
Contact fashionsnightout2010@condenast.co.uk to buy

Marc Jacobs to Design Fashion for Curvy Girls … and Brits Cheer in Joy

Filipa Oliveira — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:23:04 +0000

In a time where plus size modeling still raises eyebrows within the fashion industry, Marc Jacobs is preparing to offer style and grace to the fuller figure ladies everywhere.

During his A/W 2010 Louis Vuitton show in Paris, it became clear a celebration of curvy, sexy bodies was prevalent on the collection. Presenting a line-up of hourglass-shaped models, Marc Jacobs sent down the runway cleavage boosting vest tops, pinch-waists and 50’s-style full skirts – it was vintage chic coupled with a modern sensuous appeal.

Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection

But the biggest surprise of the season – or not, if you’re familiar with Marc’s statement-making moves – came during a Twitter session, where Marc Jacobs’s business partner, Robert Duffy, hinted about a plus size clothing line for women: “Listen, we’re in the very beginning stages of talking to a partner about plus sizes”. And he went on: “We gotta do larger sizes” …” I’m on it! It will take me about a year, but stay with us!”.

And you bet we will. Especially now that Mintel has provided the latest stats on plus size shopping in the UK. According to a Telegraph online article, there’s a boom in demand for extra large garments with “10.1 million women (equivalent to nearly 40% of the female population) wearing clothes sized 16 and over…”. Whilst the numbers are impressive, a lot of larger women still report difficulties in finding fashionable clothes that fit well and look good. These growing needs have inflated into a million pound market that increases each year and is starting to expand to high couture fashion. Marc Jacobs is, once again, ready to take the lead.

Wealthy Web 2.0: UK Social Media’s Richest Audiences [Infographic]

YM Ousley — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:12:46 +0000

You may have heard that Facebook recently hit 500 million members. According to Google AdPlanner, in June the popular social network received 540 million unique visitors, so there’s some evidence that the site’s open graph initiative is working in expanding the reach of the site even beyond its massive user base.

But what’s really interesting is how Facebook has penetrated the wealthy web. First, a little background on why we focus on internet trends among £50,000+ households. Facebook now reaches slightly more wealthy UK users than the BBC (Google may reach more, though they don’t include themselves in their AdPlanner stats, so it’s difficult to pinpoint exact numbers).

As a whole, households with an income of £50,000/year are in the 95th percentile of the UK population according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. {Wikipedia} Internet users who in households earning over £50,000 per year represent the top 19% of the internet population.

Offline, there’s evidence in the US that top earners, who represent a disproportional amount of income compared to the rest of the country, also spend more – accounting for 40% of consumer spending. While we haven’t found any studies to show that high earners spend more online, it’s not an illogical thought.

For fashion, we know that the wealthy are overwhelmingly shopping at sites like ASOS and Topshop in greater quantities than sites like Harrods or Harvey Nichols. When it comes to social sites, where are the wealthy spending time? On Facebook and YouTube primarily, but also reading blogs, tweeting or on the professional network LinkedIn. Disappointed?

We know, the profile of the wealthy social web sounds strikingly similar to the general social web. But it’s important to highlight this for luxury brands and marketers who are still fearful of the dirty, unwashed masses that they suspect of filling these sites up.

We don’t underestimate the power of small and focused – just look at the success of millions of small blogs who;ve pushed hosts like Blogger and Wordpress into the top of the luxury favorites, but the “right people” that brands always refer to are hanging out in all of the “wrong” large and mass places as well.

So, for the luxury brands who are still afraid of the internet, and still refuse to participate, we only have one question: your customers are here, why aren’t you?

Click here to see the top social sites on the wealthy US, Australian, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swiss web.

All infographics may be republished or reproduced with a live, followed link to this page.

Will PPR Acquire Burberry?

Filipa Oliveira — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:38:23 +0000

In a rumour that can come to fruition in a near future, it’s being reported that the French conglomerate Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR) is planning to acquire the luxury fashion label Burberry.

Burberry’s shares have nearly doubled over the past twelve months and despite an extremely difficult market environment, the company has achieved an excellent sales performance, with a 24% revenue growth in the last three months. Several analysts have suggested that the British fashion house may be a potential target for the Gucci Group owner, because it has “no major blocking shareholders”.

“We think Burberry is an attractive bid target thanks to its strong brand momentum and 100% free float” says Peter Farren, a luxury-goods analyst at the French investment firm Bryan Garnier “PPR has clearly signalled its intention to sell non-core retail assets in order to build a portfolio of luxury/ lifestyle brands, so we think Burberry’s premium is sustainable until PPR has achieved this goal”

Both companies declined to comment on the market rumours.

The Burberry Beauty line launched at Harrods on July 12th.

And because boosting sales is all about knowing what the customer wants, Burberry has recently launched its first ever make-up collection. Taking inspiration in the brand’s iconic trench coat and its natural colour palette, the range includes 96 beauty essentials for face, lips, cheeks, and eyes, ranging from around £15 for a Lip Definer to £37 for a Foundation Compact. With an initial distribution limited to 30 doors worldwide, Burberry Beauty is available exclusively at Harrods beauty counters in London and online at Harrods.com.

Summer Readings: Emilio Pucci, the Prince of Prints

Filipa Oliveira — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:04:35 +0000

Emilio Pucci by Vanessa Friedman is the perfect reading for a sumptuous holiday at the pool. With hundreds of high quality photographs, drawings and interviews with those who knew the fashion designer best, it’s an artwork in book format all wrapped up in one of Pucci’s unmistakable print fabrics. But if you think this is just another pretty book that looks good on the shelf, you couldn’t be more mistaken. A look back to the roots of the Pucci Empire reveals a tale of pioneer spirit. While other designers were toning down their collections, Emilio was stealing the show; innovative prints and clashing brights were brought to life, leading the way for a colour revolution that swept the fashion world in the 50’s and 60’s – A-list clients included everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Marilyn Monroe. The “Prince of Prints” was officially born.

Emilio Pucci by Vanessa Friedman

Published by Taschen, the Pucci epic is a massive work with 416 pages, limited to 10.000 copies and available to purchase at Amazon UK from £87.75.

Pucci, Vintage Art Edition

Now, if you’re really looking for something fancy and want even more Pucci-chic for this Summer, look for the Vintage Art Edition. To be released in August, this collector’s item is part of a limited printing of 500 and each copy is “bound in an original vintage Pucci fabric and is accompanied by four art prints of original drawings from the designer”. It may be a bit more expensive than we would like (around £650), but it’s a great look at one of the most iconic fashion designers the world has known. And that, dear reader, is priceless.

Meet Jennifer Aniston at Harrods

Filipa Oliveira — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:07:54 +0000

After some delays last month, Jennifer Aniston’s first signature fragrance finally has a debut date – Lolavie will launch exclusively at Harrods on July 21st. And the actress will be there in person to spin her charm.

'Lolavie' ad campaign

Photographed by Mario Sorrenti in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the promo campaign for Lolavie is fresh, simple and provocative, reflecting well the perfume’s style and essence. Lolavie captures Aniston’s favourite memories from her Southern California childhood with top notes of citrus grove and rose water, a heart of blooming jasmine, violets and Amazon lily and a base of musk, golden amber and sandalwood. It’s a light summery scent that has been in the works for almost two years with strong inputs from the Hollywood actress: “It wasn’t just about showing up for a shoot and putting my name on the bottle”, Aniston has said. “I felt like a little chemist. It’s turned out to be an extension of myself as opposed to slapping my name on something”.

On Wednesday, Jennifer will talk about her new fragrance and will be signing bottles for customers at the Harrods Georgian Restaurant, from 1pm – 2pm. And naturally, you don’t want to miss this chance to rub shoulders with her – just be sure to get there early as it’s a first come, first served basis.

Lolavie will be released in three sizes – 30 ml, 50ml and 85ml – with prices ranging from around £23 for the smaller bottle to £36 for the big one.

Stella McCartney Creates Olympic Fashion

Filipa Oliveira — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:45:41 +0000

'Adidas by Stella McCartney' Spring/Summer 2010

We may not be able to foresee what 2012 holds for the British Olympic squad, but one thing we know for sure – whatever they do, they will do it in style.

Pregnant of her 4th child with hubby Alasdhair Willis, Stella McCartney has been appointed creative director for Team GB at 2012 London Olympics. In collaboration with the sportswear label Adidas – which is the official partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – the British fashion designer will create the athletes’ performance kits, in addition to an assortment of village wear pieces and a retail range to be available this Autumn.

Stella, who has been designing for Adidas since 2005 (Adidas by Stella McCartney), admits something completely new and different lies ahead: “I’m obviously working with incredibly technical fabrics and dealing with silhouettes that I wouldn’t normally perhaps work with”, she has told Vogue UK. “So there are challenges – I have a million challenges. I have to make it look good on TV, I have to make it feel good for the athletes, I have to make it work – technically it has to do its job. But I think they’re all good challenges – I like a challenge.”

No hints or early previews were released yet, but minimalism and sophistication seem to be keywords at McCartney’s successful sportwear line. And we can’t wait to see what she does this time.

Selfridges Launches ‘The Forever Shop’

Filipa Oliveira — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:52:19 +0000

When all trends fade and you’re stuck with tired colours and some outdated textures you wish you had never added to your must-buy list, only truly design classics will save you from a fashion disaster; classics in a sense that they will last for years to come, which often makes them particularly attractive and very, (very) hard to resist – Burberry trench coats, Hermès silk scarves, Levi’s 501 jeans…and these are just off the top of our heads.

So if style longevity is what you’re looking for these days, you should take some time to visit Selfridges’s new pop-up store at London’s Oxford Street. From July 12th to August 15th, the British retailer will launch the Forever Shop, an uplifting “celebration of the savoir-faire and wisdom that come with age”. Selfridges’s creative director, Alannah Weston, designer Sir Paul Smith and Elle Decoration’s Editor-In Chief Michelle Ogundehin are teaming together to stage a one-stop boutique at the Wonder Room, where everyone’s classic favourites will be available to purchase. And because, style is much more than the items you wear, modern interior design icons as well as carefully selected books “to read and love” – Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Yves Saint Laurent biography, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone … just to name a few – will also be stocked for sale.

It’s back to the classics for Selfridges – make sure you don’t miss this journey.

Elle McPherson Infuriates Animal Activists Over Beauty Regimen

Filipa Oliveira — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:49:49 +0000

At the age of 47, Elle McPherson still holds the type of beauty set to stun. This beauty, however, has some secrets of her own.

In a recent interview via Twitter with the Times Online, the Australian Supermodel has revealed to ingest powdered rhino horn as a beauty therapy: “(It’s) a little bit like crushed bone and fungus in a capsule”, she has said while describing the taste of powder. Seemingly unaware that poaching rhinos for their horns is driving the species to extinction, she went on to validate its effectiveness: “Put it this way, works for me”.

But not for the animal rights crowd. Nicola Beynon, a Humane Society spokeswoman, stated that “the Humane Society International condemns the poaching of rhinos, particularly for their use in beauty products and Ms Macpherson’s actions are reprehensible”. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is also up in arms about the supermodel’s revelation and is said to be producing an information brochure to help reminder her of the critical endangerment of the rhino. Erica Martin, IFAW’s Asia Pacific Region Director adds: “There is no excuse for using any endangered animal products. First and foremost, selling rhino products is illegal and in breach of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and secondly four out of five species of rhino are literally on the brink of extinction. Elle has been a successful businesswoman with a high public profile for decades and people do listen to what she says. Elle needs to take responsibility for her comments and encourage people to look to sustainable alternative medicines.”

Guess she thought she already was!