Ciaté Paint Pots Come to Sephora

With brands like Boots No. 7 and Simple Skincare arriving in the United States over the past few years, it seems only natural that English imports continue to fill the shelves of beauty departments nationwide. The latest products to make the trip to the states are Ciaté paint pots.

The name "paint pots" does not refer to the highly pigmented eye shadows from MAC Cosmetics. In this case, the paint pots are actually nail polishes. The Ciaté brand was born in London and created by nail expert Charlotte Knight. The nail colors are beautifully packaged in unique, rectangular bottles tied with bows.

Cute packaging aside, these polishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, and other harmful ingredients which are commonly found in popular high-end brands like OPI and China Glaze. The gorgeous color range includes shades like Mistress, a vivid, creamy red, and Confetti, a clear polish filled with a fun mix of rainbow glitter.

Until now, these polishes were only available online for those in the U.S., but exchange rates and shipping made them even more pricey. Ciaté has recently partnered with Sephora, which will begin selling the polishes this month. The nail colors retail for $15 each, and they will also be sold on Sephora's website.

Text Esther Reisberg
Source and Image Style.com

Banding Together for Fall

Blair Waldorf can breathe a sigh of relief, because headbands are officially back in fashion. Straight from the  runways at New York and London fashion weeks, these longtime preppy staples will stick around for awhile. This time, they're getting a cool new makeover.

Last week, at the Doo Ri show, famed hairstylist Orlando Pita predicted that the headband would be huge for fall. He gave the trend a head start by adorning models on the New York runways with the accessory. For a cool, edgy feel at Carolina Herrera, he backcombed the models' hair, wrapping it with black skinny elastic bands. A more girlish, doll-like look was achieved by placing bedazzled satin ribbons on voluminous faux bobs at Oscar de la Renta.

Pita's prediction took flight and landed on the runways of London, thanks to fellow hairstylist Sam McKnight. Turning the classic headband into a boho-chic statement, he used black twisted bands on messy chignons at Clements Ribeiro. The style was easily transferred to Moschino Cheap and Chic, where McKnight used bands in shades of pastel over sixties-era beehives.

Fashion icon and "it girl" Alexa Chung rocked a headband for Emma Hill's Mulberry party, almost guaranteeing its style status. It's still undecided about whether Milan and Paris will jump on the headband bandwagon. Regardless, even if you're not an internationally renowned icon, it couldn't hurt to start hunting for them.


Text Esther Reisberg
Source and Image Style.com

Antoni and Alison's 'Models Walking'

Fashion duo Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts kicked off London Fashion Week with their latest collection, "Models Walking Up and Down in Dresses."  The name may sound a bit simple, but the collection certainly did not disappoint.

Whimsical, lightweight dresses with fun patterns and playful collages provided this collection with a wide range of wearability.

"We wanted to keep it really simple and show people what we do - no magic, get away from the 'quirk,'" Burakowski said in an interview with Vogue.

Clearly, simple works for the fashion tandem, who are in their 25th year together, and after a seven-year hiatus from London Fashion Week, they returned with a big splash.

"It felt right to do this," Burakowski said. "We became interested in the catwalk again and the idea of girls walking up and down."

A video from Antoni and Alison’s runway show is right behind the jump...

David Beckham Launches H&M Underwear Collection

LA Galaxy star David Beckham kicked off the launch of his new collection for H&M in London on February 2. The soccer star, and former face and body model for Armani Underwear, has developed his own line of underwear for H&M with his manager and business partner, Simon Fuller.

“I’d like to be as big as Calvin Klein is in underwear," Beckham told WWD. "I’m only starting out but it’s good to aim high.”

Aiming high is exactly what Beckham is doing, as the line has launched in 1,800 H&M stores. In creating such a wide-range line, Beckham sought to design pieces for all ages, and he even consulted his wife, Victoria, and their three sons.

On the day of the launch, Beckham hosted a meet-and-greet session in London and a party later that evening.


Text Quamé A. Hamlin 
Image H&M
Source WWD

STOLEN Part Deux: Louis Vuitton

Earlier this month, we reported the theft of Marc Jacobs’ spring 2012 collection, which took place during the transfer from Paris to London and caused the cancellation of the show. Now, we brief you on a second sketchy scenario, this time revolving around French fashion house Louis Vuitton. Unlike the robbery that plagued Marc Jacobs, this time the situation was more valuable — and more violent.

Last weekend, approximately $400,000 worth of Louis Vuitton goods were stolen from the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. At the scene, masked thieves held employees hostage as they loaded nearly half a million dollars worth of goods into their truck. This is nearly six times more expensive than the Marc Jacobs merchandise, which was valued at about $60,000. Police officials are working hard to track down the criminals who fled with the Louis loot. In the meantime, LVMH had no comment on whether or not this caper is connected to the recent robbery of the Marc Jacobs collection.

In light of current events, it's hard to ignore the law enforcement look from the fall 2011 runway at Louis Vuitton. The police-inspired hats are indeed ironic considering the ongoing police investigations surrounding the high fashion heist.

Text Jennifer Bernard 
Image and Source Elle

McQ, McCartney Set For London Fashion Week

While Stella McCartney will continue to display her collection in Paris for fall 2012, she is also planning to unveil a one-off collection at London Fashion Week in February. As the creative director for Adidas Team GB, McCartney has designed the collection as a courtesy to the 2012 London Olympic games (having created Britain's Olympic athletes' uniforms).

Alongside of her will be Alexander McQueen's McQ label, also set to present its fall 2012 collection at London Fashion Week. This will serve as a preview to McQ's first store, which will open in London's Mayfair next spring.

That being said, lots of new, exciting projects are to be revealed at London Fashion Week! Only a few months until the seemingly bright promises of the new year. Looking forward?

Text Brittney Schering
Image Fashionologie

Saskia de Brauw Creates Perfection in Vogue Italia

Saskia de Brauw teamed up with Paolo Roversi to perfect the incredibly cinematic editorial in Vogue Italia's October 2011 issue. She previously worked with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel's 2012 Cruise collection, as well as with Lagerfeld and Stella Tennant for the September 2011 cover of Numero.

Ranked as number thirteen in the Top 50 of Models.com, it's evident that glamorous Dutch artist and model Saskia de Brauw has what it takes to create elegant perfection. De Brauw recently worked with agencies in New York, London, and Paris — including projects alongside Lanvin and Givenchy. She also graced the October 2011 cover of Dazed & Confused.

It's no wonder that the beauty has been nothing short of crazy busy, and we have a feeling that this will not come to a close anytime soon. We expect to see much more of this model in the near future.

Text Brittney Schering
Image courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue

(Shoe) Label Watch: Finsk Wedges Bring You Four Inches Closer to Heaven

London-based Finsk launched in 2004 and has been making girls and certain kinds of boys happy ever since. Julia Lundsten, the Finnish-born designer behind Finsk, takes inspiration for her modern designs from architectural structures. The label was the recipient of the ELLE Accessories Design of the Year in 2010, and each pair of shoes is handcrafted in Brazil.

Yaddah, yaddah, yaddah, all I know is that these shoes have been haunting me since I first laid eyes on them. Every time I look at a pair they scream, "why do you not own me?" Why, why do I not own them? And then I'm reminded that there aren't enough digits in my bank account. This is a cruel, cruel world we live in.

Text Kristina Bravo

Francesca Woodman

As the work of Francesca Woodman graces the walls of the Victoria Miro, it is only fitting that this retrospect hangs in all its glory as a full on museum exhibition having previously toured various European institutions. As a photographer Woodman's extraordinary growth as a commercial and critical thinker and artist means that she has gained a reputation as a great American Photographer in the last quarter of a century.

It's often impossible to comprehend or at least acknowledge that Woodman passed away at 22 years of age and was a relatively unknown artist. What is sad is that she died not knowing at the time the acknowledgment and respect that would come for her work. What is amazing is the tenderness and intelligence of theme and image that she could capture at such a raw vulnerable age. Her representation of the body and her small, square format, typically in moody monochrome are instantly recognizable as Woodmans work. A beautiful retrospect of a wonderful picture maker and thinker, until January 2011

Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson has it all the clothes, the perfume, the bags, the bedding, the bridal, even the wallpaper and now, finally, not a moment too soon, the book. Not only this, but to coincide with the books release a exhibition has recently opened at London Somerset House which will display various aspects of this book through photography, quotes and video. The courtyard rooms of Somerset house will be brightened up this winter, with Williamson's vivid colors, embellishments and designs. Since graduating in 1994 from central St Martins his career has been watched and applauded by many of the industries key players, such as Anna Wintour. For an insight into the astonishing success of the Matthew Williamson brand or just the opportunity to view the archive up close and personal, running until January 2010 there is no excuses accepted.

Text Katriona Flynn

Frieze

It is London's biggest contemporary art event and it all kicked off in the capital of creativity this week. Offering London, events, talks, workshops and art obviously. Additional music nights and 150 international galleries involved in the Frieze festival were not to be missed. Full of creative kinds, inspirational awe and supplying all the F's such as fun, fair, film etc, etc, the Frieze Fair may not have been free, or cheap, but it was without a doubt a value for money and a fine contradiction to the good old, 'best things in life are free' thought. What is so important about this event is the platform it supplies practicing homegrown and international contemporary artists. With the likes of the Frame section showcasing a number of galleries that are less than six years old and their solo artist presentations, the Frieze Fair is an exciting insight into contemporary art as it is right now.

Text Katriona Flynn

'I Will Survive'

Joana Vasconcelos confronts the world of embroidery and crochet, sex and simulacra at the Burlington Gardens as Autumn officially takes a stand on London. Finding inspiration for her first London exhibition through the daily themes of life. Entitled after the musical genius of Gloria Gaynor's 'I will Survive' this showcase captures a very disciplined, often stereotypical skill and transforms it into something almost unimaginable. The idea of crochet, embroidery and beading dwarfing the entrance hall of the Haunch of Venison is impressive. Vasconcelos's ability to explore similar themes of femininity and womanhood in a range of forms and materials ensures the exhibition that flows over a massive nine rooms will capture and hold the audiences throughout, the 'Garden of Eden' is breathtaking.

Text Katriona Flynn

Motel

Motel is a label that started out as a boutique in London but grew fast thanks to word of mouth, and it's easy to see why. It recently expanded to the US and if you haven't discovered it yet, you should see for yourself what all the hype is about. Spotted on celebrities including Lily Allen, Peaches Geldof, Marina Diamandis and Little Boots, it bridges the gap between high street and high fashion and has a great range of unique dresses and knitwear, including this cute slashed neck dress. The perfect accessory? Attitude! Expect to see exciting things from Motel in the near future.

-Kay Weston