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For the second season running, Burberry showed its Prorsum collection at the end of London fashion week. It’s quite fun, all things considered — all the big editors come out, Rachel Zoe turns up, and a bit of quality and excitement gets injected into proceedings. And people harass Christopher Bailey, too. Seriously, the whole of London has a whale of a time with it. It’s probably not so much fun for him, but he’d never let on.

You must be exhausted. You’ve had a hundred people asking all the same questions over and over again!

A little, yes! I’m fine, though.

So. Your show … sexy girls in big men’s jackets. You’re not tired of romance yet?
I wanted it to feel sexy, and I always like the idea of romance. I also wanted the girls to feel strong as well. I like the idea of making a girl feel protected in a big outerwear piece. Protected and sexy at the same time. I like the feeling that things are not too precious. I think things should feel thrown on and casual. Nothing is worse than fashion when it looks like it’s trying to hard.

And you’re selling all of this collection online now, which is great. Do you think you’re going to start showing different things at different times, though? So you’re not trying to sell people big coats at the start of spring?
I think the whole industry is changing, and we all need to start challenging ourselves. It’s very difficult to turn things around that quickly because you’ve got raw materials, you’ve got yarns, you’ve got everything you’ve got to do up front in order to change your supply chain cycle. But I do think that digitalization of the world is forcing all of us to think about the way that we sell and the way that people buy, and the way that people experience a brand.

I think it’s changing more quickly than people think. I think in a few years time we’ll be looking at a system completely unrecognizable from what it is today. I hope so, anyway.
I absolutely agree. I think the customer is moving quicker than all of us. The market is there and the brands need to catch up. It’s exciting! I love digital technology, and I think it’s so exciting what you can do with it. Read more…

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POP diva Mariah Carey ditched the make-up to star as a social worker in the Bafta and Oscar-nominated film Precious.
But in real life she prefers a more glamorous look. Here the 39-year-old shares her top beauty tips and Sue gives advice on how you can make them work for you.

Q WHICH product have you been using for years that you wouldn’t be without?

A Neutrogena mild cleanser.

Q ARE there any natural treatments you use?

A Yes, I actually use olive oil in my hair.

Sue says: “What olive oil does for your body on the inside as a nutritional product, it does on the outside as a beauty aid.

“It’s the reason why so many Italian women have long, lustrous locks.

“Massage it into your scalp for a skin treatment or leave on the hair for a deep conditioning treat.”

Q WHAT is the best beauty tip a friend has ever given you?

A Milk and ice for redness on the face and puffiness under the eyes – it works wonders!

Sue says: “Milk is well known as a natural wonder moisturiser and ice makes the capillaries contract, taking reddening blood flow away. But choose full-fat milk for maximum benefits.

“Just whizz up cold milk and ice in the blender and mix into a face pack with two teaspoons of oatmeal and two teaspoons of china or white clay powder, available from health shops and aromantic.co.uk from £3.40.

“Leave on for 20 minutes twice a week to help calm red skin. Or if you need a quick fix, dab milk under the eyes or on a breakout, then press an ice cube on the spot for a minute to lessen red skin.

“Remember – you should test the mask on a small patch of skin before you use it for the first time.”

New fragrence … Forever by Mariah Carey

Q TELL me about your new fragrance, Forever, and the inspiration behind it?

A Forever is a beautiful floral fragrance that captures this wonderful time in my life where I am surrounded by all the things I love.

Creating fragrances, especially Forever, has allowed me to express different parts of myself through scent and not just music.

Q WHAT tricks have you learned from make-up artists over the years?

A Too many to mention – I’ve worked with the best and the worst, but most people tell me they prefer how I do my own make-up.

Sue says: “If you need advice on what make-up will suit you, go for a professional consultation at a cosmetics counter.”

Q WHAT four make-up products would readers need to recreate your look?

A Tinted SPF 30 moisturiser, matte brown shadow, sheer lip gloss and baby pink blush.

Sue says: “Try Stila Oil free sheer tinted moisturiser SPF 30, at £11.70, and apply sparingly, blending well at the neckline like a normal foundation. Read more…

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The big question is whether Fashion Design School is for you – and if so, how to choose the best from all the rest.

Is sewing one of your skills?

Do you find creating designs enjoyable?

Do you love to change patterns to create different garments from the original?

If your passion is fashion, a fashion design school just might be the right place for you.

Below are some of the reasons that should influence you to attend a fashion design school:

. Up-to-date styles that people buy is one of the things you will learn about.

. Earning your degree will greatly increased your level of confidence about making a living in the fashion industry.

. The rewarding experience of studying and working in a field you love.

. The various principles of the patterns you have worked on and will work on is an area you will learn much about

. Magnifying the shape and cut of your designs with the mixing and matching of color will be something you will become knowledgeable about.

. You will learn how to mix, match and accessorize to stunning effect. This will show you that there are endless possibilities.

. In fashion design school, the people you work with, share ideas with and form relationships with will be of many different kinds but with the shared passion for fashion.

. These relationships will set the foundation you need to start your career in the fashion world in meeting key people such as business partners, employees or employers, begins with the relationships you form in fashion design school.

There are quite a number of fashion design schools around the world. Located in London, the central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is one of the most famous. Other famous schools in London are The Royal College of Arts and the London College of Fashion. In other locations are such famous schools as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Parsons The New School for Design in New York City and AIU in Los Angeles.

In the schools listed above, most of the course studies last for about three years.

Now, how are you going to choose the school that is best for you?

The ten tips below may be of help to you in making your decision:

Tip#1 Decide what area of fashion you would most like to go into. Then compare the schools to see which has the program that fills your needs

Tip#2 Make a list of things you will need to look into, such as tuition, location, programs offered, degree levels offered, placement record and many more that you might think of. Use this list in your search to find the right school.

Tip#3 Compile a list of fashion design schools that you wish to consider.

Tip#4 Find out everything you can about each school at their websites and list the pros and cons of each one.

Tip#5 Apply your list to the schools you are considering to narrow the field. Read more…

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LONDON: It’s back to tradition in merry olde England as Fashion Week colours the London scene.

Flat caps, floral prints and riding jackets figured largely in Paul Smith’s latest collection inspired by a single tweed jacket from the 1950s.

Rummaging through the Portobello Road second-hand clothes market in west London, Smith found the jacket which had a label inside showing it had been tailor-made for an upper-class woman in 1951.

“I based the entire collection on my imagination of that jacket,” Smith told AFP before the show, set amid the old-school glamour of Claridges hotel.

Known for twisting classic styles, Smith’s autumn/winter 2010 range at London Fashion Week runs from aristocratic and quite upper-class and very much about the countryside, to the naughty debutante.

“She often borrows her mum’s or her granny’s rather elegant clothes but mixes them in a way that’s very young” is how Smith describes his collection and muse.

The result – pretty rose-print lilac dresses punked up with thick leather belts, a peach blouse tucked into turquoise see-through trousers, and a Barbour waterproof jacket over purple tights and orange boots.

Those in to the outdoors, relish a red riding coat with equestrian scenes on the inside lining, a bright yellow jacket with matching corset worn with tight black trousers, and traditional farmers’ tweed flat caps to top off the look.

From the highlands up north, a fresh take on the kilt dominated Pringle of Scotland’s catwalk show. Read more…

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Los Angeles Ballet entered a new phase this weekend, its dancers showing increasing mastery with a repertory that, while familiar, is unforgiving.

The company opened its fourth season at Freud Playhouse by adding pieces of 20th century master George Balanchine — LAB’s choreographic foundation – by debuting his “Kammermusik No. 2” and “Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2.”

A new season meant greeting new faces (Carrie Lee Riggins, formerly with New York City Ballet) and missing those who have left (notably soloist Corina Gill). There’s no mistaking that this young ensemble is growing progressively more cohesive. “Serenade” (1935), which L.A. Ballet performed in its inaugural season, sparkled particularly with elegance and poignancy.

“Kammermusik No. 2” (1978) is Balanchine of another dimension. Its two lead couples and eight male corps members need the rhythmic instincts of jazz musicians to amply express Paul Hindemith’s jagged score for piano and orchestra. It has syncopated timing and a whirligig vocabulary of jogging, helicopter arms, and flexed feet. “Inhuman, desperate, slightly repellent,” Lincoln Kirstein, New York City Ballet co-founder, called it – perhaps anticipating how dancers might feel tackling it.

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Preparation of the various beauty products needs special training and procedure. Special training is needed for the experts for the preparation of these products. There are several institutes spread all over the world that gives training on the preparation of the shampoo, perfumes, nail polish and hand creams.

Preparation for hair condition:
The raw materials that are used for the preparation of these beauty products are carefully chosen. These ingredients are tested properly so as to avoid any allergenic problems. The preparation is also done keeping in mind the different types of skin and hair conditions. The various utensils are used for the mixing of the ingredients. These should be mixed in perfect quantity so that the products are prepared properly with proper balance.

Preparation for dry skin:
There are several companies that market the beauty products. There are experts and professionals who prepare the products so as to deliver the best. The market competition is very strong and special skills and ingredients are used so that one product stands out from another. Each beauty products are prepared keeping in mind the various problems for which it can be used. The preparation procedure is different for dry skin, oily skin and medium skin. Same applies for the hair quality.

Preparation for Egg Shampoo:

Preparation of Egg Shampoo needs skill and training. In order to bring life to your much loved manes, egg shampoo is the best prescription. Egg shampoos are known to bring shine and bounce to the lifeless tresses. It makes your hair soft and silky. In order to prepare the egg shampoo mix an egg, 1 table spoon lemon juice, castile soap of 1 table spoon and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then add it with half cup water or herbal tea. You can add a few drops of essential oils to it. Mix all of them together to get your egg shampoo. If you wish to use the egg shampoo for some days, keep it in the refrigerator, which will keep it in good state.

Preparation for homemade perfumes:
Preparation of perfumes is done with great care and skill. The basic components that are used for the perfume are aroma compounds that are available from food, wine, fragrant essential oils and spices. It will take just about few minutes to prepare homemade perfume. You will need only alcohol, water and essential oils for the preparing homemade perfumes. Use plastic bowl or measuring cups to mix the ingredients and add fragrances of your wish to it. Bottle it and enjoy the sweet fragrances whenever you wish. For the preparation of the basic homemade perfume, mix a cup of chopped fresh fragrant flower and a cup of mineral water. Pour the flowers and cover it with water in a bowl overnight. In the morning squeeze the soaked flowers and preserve the fragrant water in the refrigerator in a bottle. Read more…

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The 16 Personal Safety Guidelines

1) Pick pockets prefer to choose easy victims – if you look like you’re paying attention and don’t have any valuables on show it’s less likely that you will be pick pocketed.

2) Pick pockets and scam merchants often work in groups. This can confuse people – one person (or a group of people) would cause a distraction while another takes your valuables. If you are confronted with a group of people attempting to gain your attention promptly turn your back and walk away.

3 ) Only carry around as much money as you need for that day no more. Leave valuables that you aren’t going to use on the day in the hotel safe.

4) Do not carry around a haversack on your back – be especially aware of this on the metro. Pickpockets have been known to steal from haversacks on people’s backs when on the metro. If you have a haversack wear it the other way around with the bag in front of you.

5) Do not have a camera slung around your neck (or any other expensive items like video cams) I was once witness to someone snatching a camera from around someone’s neck and running off with it.

Keep any valuables out of sight. If you have a camera put it in your inside jacket pocket. If it’s too big for this then put it in a small bag and have the bag strap go diagonally over your neck and shoulder so that it goes under your arm -this makes it much more difficult for someone to snatch your bag. Keep the bag in front of you – not at your side. The bag should not be a camera bag – choose a small ordinary day bag with a zip fastener top.

Do not put your wallet in the bag – keep that separate.

6) If you need to look up anything on a map go into a cafe and sit down rather than look up your destination in the streets. This is like advertising that you are new to the area and a tourist and that is exactly what pickpockets are looking for.

7) In Cafes and restaurants pay attention to your bags/purses and wallets. This may seem obvious but when you’re on holiday it’s easy to “switch off” and not pay attention to where your belongings are. Typical places where bags are stolen are in cafe’s when tourists put them down at their feet, or if they leave their wallets in their jacket pockets and put their jackets on the back of a chair. When you put your bag down keep it in sight. If you can’t keep it in sight all the time wrap the bag strap around something so that it can’t just be easily picked up.

Watch out for distraction / theft scams – these start with a distraction e.g. someone asks for directions, drop money in front of you, asks you to make a donation -and variations on these distractions. Then once your attention is taken either the person involved or someone else will steal from you. Watch out for the famous bird poo distraction/theft scam. Someone will come up to you claiming that you have had bird poo on your back. They will attempt to “help” you wipe it off, whilst pick pocketing you of course! This is now an infamous and all too common scam. (see site visitor feedback below) or click here to read one site visitor’s experience of this scam

9) Pay particular attention at stations.

Stations are hotspots for pickpockets and thieves. There are many reasons for this:
a) You have identified yourself as a likely tourist by being there.
b) You are also likely to be a little disorientated in a new place.
c) There are legitimate reasons for someone to press up against you or to be in close vicinity to you, e.g. getting on or off a train or metro.
d) You have to either pay for tickets or take your tickets out from a purse or wallet. The pickpockets will be watching for this because then they will know exactly where you keep you money. They will watch where you put your purse or wallet after you have paid for your tickets.
e) You are most likely loaded up with all your belongings at this point. Unlike when you have made it to your hotel you can take out just what you need.

So what can you do? The tip here is to keep your purse / wallet out of sight. Keep your tickets separate from your purse or wallet. If you can obtain your tickets in advance of your arrival in Barcelona (see the tip below) that way you do not need to take out your purse or wallet to pay for tickets.

Buy a transport pass that covers all your transportation needs before you arrive in Barcelona e.g the Barcelona Card. This way you do not need to handle money to pay for tickets when you are travelling on the public transport in Barcelona and it will also mean you are much less of a target. Read more…

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NEW YORK — So long, miniskirts. The up-to-there trend gave way to longer hemlines at New York Fashion Week.

There were more pants, too, than in recent seasons when the dress ruled the runways. Even designers who showed shorter dresses paired them with leg-warmers for a less leggy look.

On Wednesday, Oscar de la Renta showed long slim skirts for daytime, while Michael Kors had the slim shape just below the knee as well as more free-flowing knits that grazed the floor.

The old saying that hemlines go up in a good economy and down in a bad one is not always the case, but many did see the longer hemline as a reflection of the Great Recession.

“There’s a general growing up of fashion after a very difficult year,” said Joanna Coles, editor in chief of Marie Claire magazine. “Women don’t want dressing up to be so complicated. The hemline dropping is part of that.”

MICHAEL KORS

Here’s the recipe for glamour: a hearty serving of luxe cashmere, slim bodysuits, long skirts and crisp coats, with a few furs tossed in and a dash of sparkle. Add a little Michael Kors sizzle.

Kors is a favorite among the stylists, editors and retailers at the Bryant Park tents because he makes aspirational clothes — they look so rich and luxurious but they’re also relatable.

There was nothing cryptic in his sporty-chic message for his fall collection, presented Wednesday with fans Molly Sims and Laura Linney in the front row. Sims took nine photos of outfits she wants, including the slouchy cashmere sweatpants with belts and the slinky gold beaded gown with a mermaid hem.

“It was so yummy,” said celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. “Michael really makes women look beautiful. Everyone wants to jump in the clothes from that show.”

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oscar de la Renta has always catered to that well-heeled globe trotter, but did we know she was an international woman of mystery — maybe even a spy?

The fall collection had the underlying vibe of a Cold War espionage novel. His favored print, in fact, was called Astrakhan, the name of a Russian province. It’s a velvetlike fur unique to the lambs of that region. The designer also made good use of his signature embroideries on a gray organza gown with a chiffon ruffled collar, and rich colors.

He did, however, tone down the volume that often comes with his clothes. Instead the skirts were long and lean, the gowns slinky with an old Hollywood glamour to them.

It would serve a Rita Hayworth-type starlet to wear the finale gown that had a platinum satin wrap-style top with a plunging neckline and a crinkled lame skirt.

MARCHESA

With any luck, the Hollywood stylists attending New York Fashion Week in search of red-carpet styles made a pitstop at the Marchesa presentation.

They could have just stopped at the silver bugle-bead column gown with a sheer bodice decorated with a delicate leaf pattern and be done with their work. (The oversized bow on one shoulder looked as if it were floating because of the illusion of the body-colored tulle.)

Other award-show contenders were a sculpted dress with alternating tiers of black tulle and white crepe that looked like unfurling petals with a beaded waistline holding the imagined bouquet together, and a red strapless number with tight fabric flowers on the bodice that turned into fanlike tiers on the A-line skirt.

Asked which one she’d like to see on a star, designer and co-founder Georgina Chapman — wearing a white cocktail dress she just whipped up with some extra embroidery — said she’s like to see them all on the red carpet. Read more…

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