Black, White and Karl all over: Karl Lagerfeld for NET-A-PORTER Launch

As I write this, the man brandishing a ponytail even more iconic than Peter Stringfellow's is gracing the streets of Paris for a live appearance at the now twitter-infamous cube for the launch of 'Karl', the 'affordable' collection by Karl Lagerfeld. I, on the other hand, am firmly based in my bedroom in the countryside and have opted (/had no other choice but) to take a more digital approach to the array of covetable classics with a directional twist.

Now, I won't lie - I'm a fan of the garish. But saying that, Karl's expected monochrome ensembles are classically cool. From LBDs to biker vests and embellished collars that would not look out of place on the icon himself. In a word the collection is, quite simply, Karl. Sleek, simple yet effortless strong; it is a collection that embodies that man who created it, even quite literally as his silouette adorns totes, canvas shoppers and even a PVC sleeved sweater.

As my staple 'bin bag' leggings suggest, I'm a big fan of the black and shiny so PVC sleeves and hooded tops combined with faux leather trousers are a big win with me. However, with some items heavily featuring silver and black sequins, has Net-A-Porter missed a trick by releasing the debut as the party season comes to a close?

As a whole, the collection is brilliantly self involved and that's probably why most people will scramble over themselves to get a piece. There are very few people who can get away with purposefully selling racer vests and tshirts with their own image on it without simply screaming egomaniac. Yet here he is, Karl Lagerfeld, posing and dancing across the torsos of  the masses clearly not giving a shit about any of that. He's an icon -the public know it and, most of all, so does he.

Thoughts?
Until the next.
C. x

"Vanity is the healthiest thing in life" - K. Lagerfeld : The Relaunch of MeMeMe

As my social media outlets revealed every 10 minutes, I spent this July gracing London’s Shaftesbury Avenue with my graduate presence as part of the More! Magazine beauty team. A first-rung-on-the-ladder Intern I may have been but that didn’t stop me from adapting to office life and making sure I was in the thick of goings on: days holed away in the beauty cupboard? I think not. With the daily routine of calling in samples and requests, you soon get to know the often excitable voices on the other end of the phone (working in PR seems to require a personality dipped in sunshine, not that I’m complaining.) One young lady in particular was known by the department’s resident Beauty Intern, the darling Heidi at MeMeMe cosmetics, and as it turns out she’s a girl after my own heart.

A typical Tuesday for me involved an afternoon invitation to the MeMeMe prelaunch at London’s Hemel Hotel. Although being readily available for some time now, the past 12 months has been a sufficient period for cosmetic mastermind and owner Sandra Sheals to revamp the brand, taking a few leaves out of Benefit and Bobbi Brown’s ever-so-chic branding books:

“We acquired the MeMeMe brand last year with the idea of bridging the gap between high street and premium cosmetics. Every girl deserves to have access to premium make up with an affordable price tag.”

“Hear Hear!” come the cries of females long overdue for a makeup palette that boasts quality without the fashionista price tag stamped all over its fair and resourcefully made matte packaging. And a squeal of sheer delight can be heard from my direction as I sip on my exquisitely made Pimms (Don’t mind if I do.) and browse Heidi and fellow PR pariah Becky’s wares. From the trios of eye shadows and illuminators to gift sets I’ll be sure to be hankering after in a few months, it seems that Sheals has been doing her research. In a fashion similar to Benefit, the range includes some familiar decorative blush boxes and a tastefully minimal array of low sheen blacks and greys. Top marks for presentation. Described as a boutique brand that mixes the classic with fresh trends, it seems to me like the selection is living up to the criteria. Every detail has been thoughtfully conceived from scent to texture to the very name that graces the exterior. As I previously featured, the MeMeMe lipsticks each hold the name of a female Greek Deity. A little cheesy perhaps but you can’t fault the thought behind it. As dear Heidi told sagas to me of the long last foundation she was sporting to the canary yellow nails on her fingertips, I too am going to provide a few of my favourites for your consideration.

Seventh Heaven Moisturising Face Base

Enriched with Shea Butter, Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene to rejuvenate, nourish and hydrate the skin, this citrus scented moisturiser really does at least smell quite heavenly. Not one to really go without my trusted foundation (Clinique Super Balanced in 04 Crème Chamois since you ask), I’ve been using as a lightweight base for makeup. Advised as a makeup primer, it’s not too shabby a purchase, or in this case freebie. It holds up well and hydrates sufficiently but by god, the divine smell is enough to make me throw my pennies at it. Heaven is an accurately placed moniker.

RRP: £15.00

Long Stay Lips – Up to 12 Hour Wear



A limited availability colour wise in just reds and a nude beige, I opted for the latter as an addition to my continuous search for the holy grail of neutral lips. After so many dud pearly pinks masquerading as nude making their way into my humble makeup bag, had I finally found the answer? Well, almost. When the colour is initially applied, a slight dryness occurs whether that be the consistency of the liquid or a haggard natural state of an English girls weather beaten lips I’m not sure. However, swooping to its compatriot’s aid is the secret weapon for long lasting lip wear: the gloss. Swirling the beige around like a water colour soon disguises any dryness but the sheen is a tad tiresome for me personally. Nothing that a pat dry with a tissue cannot fix though.

RRP: £6.99

Classic Nail Collection Long Lasting Gloss

Here are my personal picks for the coming months. Continuing its reign as my colour of the summer is this garish orange (64 Spirited). After adorning my nails at my recent graduation in marvellous union with my now favourite chucky orange Topshop heels, I’m looking to keep this shade around to brighten up the soon-to-be overcast days. Another colour I’m tipping for autumn is the classic forest green, seen in this rather Biba-esque 87 Defiant shade. Whether in large or small doses I’m pitching this to join the ranks of cobalt blue and plum to be one of the season’s most coveted hues. And finally, my version of the minx nail in 57 Elegant. You will soon learn from this blog that I have a penchant for the garish and aesthetically obscene, and since my bank balance is still recovering from the student dream, this is the closest I’m getting to minx nails any time soon. However, as the sun sets for time being, it’s well worth perusing the muted violets, greys and pearls. I’m getting a little bogged down in colour so I’ll also inform you that the brush is perfect for the clumsy amongst you, fanning out rather precisely to the shape of your nail. You may notice these are all names we’d probably all like to associate with our fair selves – well played, MeMeMe, well played.

RRP: £4.50

Special mention: Blush me! Blush boxes (RRP: £8.50)

Available at Superdrug stores nationwide and www.mememecosmetics.co.uk

The Passing Of The Dark Bardot.

Photography: Max Vadukul

To begin this blog with talk of endings is a tad morose, one cannot deny. However, with the passing of this grey July weekend came the passing of an icon – a certain Miss Amy Winehouse. An undeniable pariah in the music industry since bursting onto the scene in 2003 with her debut album Frank, the jazz mogul seemingly became better known for trawling the streets of Camden with her crippling addictions and stained ballet pumps in tow. As Russell Brand recalls in his tribute a “twit in a pink satin jacket shuffling round bars with mutual friends”, it seems hard to remember a time of aesthetic coherence with regards her appearance or demeanor. A nation’s sweetheart? Perhaps not, but surprisingly for many the fashion world and some of its leading figureheads will be shedding a silent tear for the troubled muse.

Described by Karl Lagerfeld as the ‘Dark Bardot’, the unique style of Winehouse – from the flashes of 1950s rockabilly to the 60’s grandeur of her bouffant hair – made waves in the industry and lead her to become one of the inspirations behind Chanel’s one off 2007 Paris-Londres Maison d'Art show in London. So perhaps in the midst of her turmoil she may have had more than one nipslip and the occassional hand drawn freckle disaster. So What? Despite her public struggles, her vintage swagger and intense eyeliner flicks made their way from the streets to the catwalks making her an international icon both musically and culturally. And of course, such things do not go unnoticed as Amy joined forces with the home of authentic British street fashion, Fred Perry to produce two collections of Winehouse inspired chic.

So let us take a moment to remember not a fallen woman, a fatality now lying in the arms of addiction, but a true icon as vulnerable as she was unique.

See Also:


Vogue TV -The Chanel Collection inspired by Amy Winehouse.