Monthly Archives: May 2010

News of Alexander McQueen’s death this year left the industry reeling, and ever since whispers have done the rounds about who would take over such an iconic label. It has been announced that it will be taking on this prestigious role, as Alexander’s right- hand- man for the past 16 years, the promotion made a lot of sense for the company. Working closely with McQueen and his technical team, Sarah Burton has been credited for finishing the McQueen Autumn/Winter 10/11 collection in time for fashion week after the designers untimely death.

“The creation of modern, beautifully crafted clothes was at the heart of Lee’s vision. I intend to stay true to his legacy.”

-Sarah Burton

The owners of the label, Gucci Group, have made a statement by not going outside the fashion house for a name designer and instead promoting the best qualified person for the job- they will not compromise Alexander McQueen’s vision and intend to hold onto the strong roots planted by McQueen.

Sarah Jessica Parker is at it again, looking absolutely stunning that is! The Sex And The City 2 star had photographers in a frenzy when she arrived at both the London and New York premieres of the highly anticipated sequel, channeling her inner Carrie. It was only natural to wear an Alexander McQueen creation to the London showing, the late designer was a dear friend to Parker. To accompany the strapless black gown with raised hemline, Parker also wore McQueen’s lace platforms and Philip Treacy “Cloud” hat. Parker paired the same two designers for the original premiere in 2008.

Carrie and Sarah Jessica love their city, and from the turnout at the New York premiere, the feeling is mutual. Massive amounts of fans and photographers lined the streets to get a glimpse of Parker making Valentino proud in one of his Spring 2010 Couture pieces. The gorgeous yellow fluorescent chiffon gown was perfectly fitted with her silver satin Ferragamo platform pumps, a true Bradshaw look!

Hermes, the luxury accessory label famous for its legendary Birkin bag, has recently declared that they are taking on a new creative director… Christophe Lemaire will replace Jean Paul Gaultier who has held his position for seven years at Hermes.

After working with Lacoste for eight years, it is thought by insiders that Lemaire will bring a commercial angle to Hermes who have previously been reported as too ‘avant-guard’. With a history at sport label Lacoste it is thought Lemaire’s first collection, due March 2011, will be a have sporty elements incorporated, hopefully resulting in mass appeal.

As Hermes still owns half of Jean Paul Gaultier’s own label it has been rumoured that Hermes will sell their stock in the company and officially part ways ….watch this space.

Best known for her role as Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter films, Clémence Poésy has crept up on us as a future style icon. Her fashion profile has risen with appearances at fashion weeks, (she wore a dramatic cape at Paris’ RTW A/W ’10 fashion week in March), as well as featuring in various magazines from French Vogue to I-D. She has also been asked to stand next to Chloe Sevigny and Anja Rubik as a face of Chloe fragrance giving her an even higher status in the fashion world. Its Clémences quintessential laid back French style that we love; never looking highly styled she achieves the elusive ‘I just threw this on’ look perfectly.

She takes fashionable risks which pay off and wears every outfit with low-key hair and make-up, allowing her clothes and natural beauty to do the talking. One of the golden rules we’ve taken from Clémence for looking this chic? Never try.

Do you have a flair for fashion? Want to show off your style? Then listen up, House of Fraser and Empora have teamed up to scout out your hottest looks.

Snap your most stylish look and send us your best pics for a chance to win £150 worth of House of Fraser vouchers, plus the chance to get your style featured on blog.empora.com. Runner up also gets £100 of House of Fraser vouchers. Think you’re in with a chance of winning, you have until the 2nd June to submit your picture to: editorial@empora.com

Terms & Conditions:
- Entries must be received by midnight 2nd June. Winners will be selected by Empora the following day.
-Winners will be contacted by email at the email address provided. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact a winner – failure to respond may result in forfeiture of the prize.
- Empora Ltd’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Eligibility: Winners must be aged 18yrs or over, residents of the UK excluding Northern Ireland, and excluding Pixsta employees (and their families). Ineligible entries will be excluded from the draw. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
- The promoter is Empora Ltd., 9 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL. Empora terms and conditions apply.
- Empora reserves the right to amend or alter these terms and reject entrants not entering into the spirit of the competition. The competition may be withdrawn at any time.
- No purchase is necessary to enter this competition.

We’ve got some fabulous info to share with you… Premium department store House of Fraser has become the latest retailer to join empora.com. One of the best known names on the high street has jumped on the band wagon that is our fashion search engine. They offer big designer brands and exclusive collections, which means more shopping for you.

If you thought things couldn’t get any better than you are in for a treat. House of Fraser is running a 2 Day Brand Event giving you up to 25% off fashion and 10% off beauty care. This 2 Day brand event starts Wednesday 26th May at 6pm online and Thursday 27th May in store. Hurry don’t miss out the event ends Friday 28th May.

Picking an outfit for the red carpet must be stressful enough, but having to pick carpet-ready gowns everyday for Cannes film festival must be extra tough. Of course the stars are handling it with grace and ease picking suitable ensembles for every premiere and event. Kate Beckinsale is a great example wearing a number of outstanding dresses, but which look do you think worked best for Kate?

1) Fashion forward in a sharp shouldered Balmain dress
2) Girly and glamourous in a dusty pink Temperley gown
3) Sophisticated and sleek in a maroon Christian Dior number

Mulberry, famous for their beautiful leather handbags, celebrate 40 years of Glastonbury festival by joining forces with photographer Venetia Dearden. Big fans of the festival themselves, the team at Mulberry are supporting the work of festival photographer Venetia Dearden by holding an exhibition in their flagship store on Bond Street and sponsoring a photography book: ‘Glastonbury- Another Stage’. Venetia has been photographing at Glastonbury since 2004 and with her portable studio she captures images of visitors and performers at the festival, epitomising Glastonbury’s unique energy in her photos. ‘Glastonbury – Another Stage’ can be bought at the flagship store itself or online, it will cost you £30 and comes with a limited edition Mulberry hemp bag- perfect for all your festival necessities!

A great collaboration between fashion, art and music to get us in the mood for festival season! Check out the website for more details.

Renowned for her love of yoga and running, Jennifer Aniston has revealed the results of her hard work in new ad campaign for ‘Smart Water’. Wearing skimpy workout gear and shot in beautiful black and white, Jennifer Aniston looks phenomenal while revealing toned abs. Under the adverts sexy image is the tag line…

“Working out feels great…afterwards. That’s why I drink smart. Its hydration I can feel. (And its one part of my routine I never sweat.)”

Jennifer looks amazing in this ad and hopes to quash rumours that she’s following a ‘babyfood ‘diet, proving that the only way to a body like hers is through sheer hard work….

The tragic death of Isabella Blow shook the industry in 2007; a true icon of the fashion industry, Isabella is best remembered for her unconventional style, her love for unusual head wear and a dedication to help emerging designers. On the 15th of September Christies in London will hold an auction of Isabella’s famous wardrobe, allowing fans to pay tribute.

The wardrobe itself is full of works of art with pieces by John Galliano, Manolo Blahnik and Philip Treacy hats, for which Isabella was a muse. A longstanding friendship with designer Alexander McQueen, (Isabella Blow was credited for his discovery after buying his entire graduate collection), means that a vast majority of pieces in the wardrobe are by McQueen. With McQueen’s own tragic death this year the auction is being seen as a fitting tribute to the pair of friends and a way of telling the world why they deserved the status they acquired.