Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Award Ceremonies - Fashion Heaven or Fashion Hell?

Yes, it's that time of year again. A few weeks ago we had The Golden Globes and on Sunday evening it was a double whammy of The GRAMMYS and The BAFTAS, leaving room for only one more, The Godfather of Award Ceremonies…The Oscars. Naturally I was glued to the TV on Sunday night and not because I was desperate to see who won Best Supporting Actor or Best Country Music Album, but because I was desperate to see who was wearing what. The Awards Season is a fashion playground for celebs and is the perfect excuse to dress up and look fabulous. They have their pick of every glorious and glamorous gown out there, as well as every designer worth wearing wanting to dress them. And if that isn’t enough, they also have a dedicated team of people whose only aim in life is to make them look 100% perfect. I think it’s pretty safe to say that what I am describing is every girl’s dream. Unless you don’t like wearing beautiful dresses, or looking pretty, or walking down the red carpet next to Brad Pitt.

So surely after weeks, months and maybe even a year of prepping and polishing a look for every ceremony, wouldn’t you expect these gorgeous ladies to look nothing less than amazing? Well I’m sorry to say that if you did expect this, you would be very wrong. I was weeping on Sunday night and could barely look at the television without yelling ‘Sack the stylist!’ Take Kate Hudson for example who I think we can all agree is a looker. However from her choice of gowns she seems to have forgotten that she is in fact, pregnant. Compare and contrast with the beautiful Selma Blair who manages to look elegant and sophisticated whilst being heavily pregnant.  I know which stylist I’d sack. 


And pray tell, what dead feathered creature is that around pop star’s Kimberley Walsh’s neck? Sadly it seems to be hiding what could be a stunning dress. Jordin Sparks is a gorgeous woman with curves in all the right places, but who chose this colour? Her dress makes her look like an extension of the red carpet. And will someone please explain to me why on earth RnB sensation Ciara looks like she’s just stepped out of Disney’s Aladdin


My theory is that these beautiful ladies have stopped listening to their fashion gut. We all have instincts and those who listen to them are generally the ones who get it spot on. It’s that niggling feeling you get if you know an outfit doesn’t feel right or that wonderful confidence you feel when you know it’s perfect. It’s that last look in the mirror just before going out when you think to yourself, yes this works, or more importantly no this doesn’t. And when it doesn’t it work, believe me you make it work.  So after 25 outfit changes and your bedroom resembling a scene from World War 2, if it still isn’t right? You don’t go out. However the difference between celebs and us, is that they have an entourage of God knows how many people telling them what to wear, how to wear it and constantly telling them how ‘fabulous’ they look. It’s bound to get confusing and no wonder celebs have stopped listening to their own fashion gut. 


All I can say is thank goodness for the celebs who did get it right and managed to save the day for everyone. Nicole Kidman dazzled in Jean Paul Gaultier and Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright managed to look like she had been walking down the red carpet for years looking effortlessly stunning in a timeless Prada gown.

Good luck at the Oscars ladies, because we’ll be watching and we don’t miss a trick.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

(Not So) Safari Chic

Well let me begin by wishing you all a very Happy 2011! Hope you had a fun & drama free New Year!


We've just got back from a rather interesting Safari adventure...I honestly don't know how anyone can possibly carry off 'Safari Chic' in 40 degree weather. The heat was absolutely unbearable - and it was that  attractive sticky heat where you are permanently sweating. And don't get me started on all the bugs. I think when God created the world he basically put all the bugs in Africa. More specifically in the area that we were staying. My mosquito repellent became my third arm - I even slept with it under my pillow. It really puts that 'Oh my god get that daddylonglegs out of my London home' scenario in perspective. Anyway, back to the heat. So all my beautiful clothes stayed firmly at the bottom of my suitcase and I basically lived in my bikini and sarong (still unbearably hot - but at least the sarong allowed me a bit of a breeze!)


We saw some wonderful things - think Lion King meets Dumbo. Driving through the bush with a breeding herd of elephants on my right and a graceful, willowy giraffe on my left, with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun on my face, I just kept thinking how amazingly beautiful our natural world is. The sunrises & sunsets, the colours, the animals, the atmosphere has been incredibly inspiring and you will see a lot of these influences in our new Spring / Summer 2011 Collection. It was a fab way to see in the new year and we're now ready to face whatever 2011 throws our way!


(Featured photos: Now this woman can do Safari Chic. Erin Wasson for the March 2005 edition of US Bazaar.)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Phew! What a busy few months!! We've been run off our feet with Christmas orders which has been fantastic! But it has meant that I've had to neglect the blog for a wee while...

We're currently in Cape Town, enjoying some time out and also busy working on some new lines of Jewellery. We've got some very exciting ideas for lovemedesigns in 2011, so watch this space!

I'll be back soon blogging all about what we've been up to in Cape Town, but for now we'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you've all had a wonderful year and are ready for 2011! May you have a peaceful and happy time over Christmas.


Thank you for reading our blog and supporting lovemedesigns during our launch this year.

lovemedesigns xxx

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Best Dressed At Vogue Fashion Awards



Carey Mulligan in Chanel At The CFDA / Vogue Fund Fashion Awards

Leighton Meester in Prabal Gurung
Alexa Chung wearing a statement Necklace by Pamela Love


A Royal Wedding

So the big news today is of course Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement. I must say I didn't fall off my chair with shock when it was announced - but who did? It's exciting news nonetheless and I love a wedding, especially a royal wedding. What will her dress be like?!


Prince William gave Kate his late mother Diana's sapphire and diamond engagement ring - stunning.


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Favourite celeb fashion pics of the week...

Doesn't Emma Watson look lovely at Friday's premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows? I must admit, I wasn't too keen on the hair at first - but she's finally laid to rest Hermione and the hair is simply screaming 'I'm freeeeeeeeeee!'


Both Danni and Cheryl looked amazing on last night's XFactor. Dannii wore a striking white toga-style asymmetrical Carla Zampatti gown and nude Sergio Rossi heels...


Whilst Cheryl looked amazing in this strapless Cavalli gown.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sparkle This Winter!

I've finally* accepted that Winter has arrived *sob. But, do you want to know what is keeping me going through these dark winter months?? Fabulous jewellery of course!! I know that a beautiful, sparkly necklace can't keep you warm...BUT...it can make you feel amazingly glamorous and is the perfect accessory for this season's glitzy pre-Christmas parties. 

I must say that even though I moan about being cold ALL the time, there is something magical about this time of year...The Christmas lights have been switched on all over London, I'm already over excited about the must-do yearly tradition of ice-skating at Somerset House, (no I can't ice-skate but it's just so romantic and the Christmas Tree is always so pretty!) I've naturally started on the mulled wine (or hot cider as I discovered last night - amazing) and of course there's all the fabulous parties to look forward to!


So, apart from a heavily insulated and highly fashionable coat, a sparkly necklace is a must buy this month and at lovemedesigns we have the perfect piece just for you...