Divas and Darlings - Screen Actors Guild Awards

Red Carpet Fashion
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2011


Stars stepped out in style at the 17th Annual SAG Awards last night. Here are my favourite and least favourite looks of the evening.


Grecian Gowns

Eva Longoria wears a white pleated toga-dress with plunging neckline by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. Kim Kardashian is known for Grecian and asymmetrical gowns. Here she wears both trends in a plum chiffon number by Marchesa with embroidered detailing on the bodice. Hilary Swank looks statuesque in this blush tone dress by Versace, complemented by crystal beading and gold clutch bag. Lea Michele shimmers in this gorgeous beaded gown with metallic belt by Oscar de la Renta.

Colourful Creations 

Jennifer Lawrence wears an Oscar de la Renta dress in my two favourite colours, hot pink and black, but the strappy style and ballerina bun doesn't work too well. Mila Kunis is stunning in an abstract-print strapless gown from Alexander McQueen's Resort 2010 Collection. Sofia Vergara is regal in this royal blue wrap-waisted Roberto Cavalli gown. Tina Fey does vivid red by Oscar de la Renta, who seemed to be the designer of choice for the event. I like this whimsical Louis Vuitton silk dress worn by Claire Danes. The muted blue floral print is well contrasted with a black velvet belt.

The Dazed and Confused

Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks needs to return this L'Wren Scott dressing gown to Hugh Hefner's closet. Winona Ryder in Alberta Ferretti - Is it a wedding gown, prom dress or pieces of a white sheet glued together? Kate Mara wears a pasty and awkward Hervé Léger dress with too many tiered ruffles and constrictive ribbed bodice. TV actress Paz de la Huerta dons liquid brown long-sleeved goth gown with black lipstick. Did she know this is not a Vampire Convention? Angie Harmon's pink swan-inspired dress by Monique Lhuillier looks like a giant feather-duster.

Spring Couture By Elie Saab

Couture Spring Collection 2011
by Elie Saab

When it comes to Haute Couture, there are few who can parallel the exceptional creativity of Lebanese designer Elie Saab. He showed off these breathtaking gowns at Paris Couture Fashion Week.

Models swept the runway in romantic floor-length tea-rose toned evening gowns, made from vintage inspired fabrics, accented by soft ruffles and 3-D floral appliqués.

Shades of Spring were shown in an unusual aniseed green, layered lavender and watercolour print dresses. The floaty and feminine floral dresses were striking with large fabric flowers on the shoulder. Clinched waistlines were a big trend.

Classic black beaded gowns were reinvented with layers of sheer tulle, cap sleeves, embroidered black onyx and interesting necklines.

Ravishing red gowns with chiffon draped skirts made a splash of unexpected colour on the runway. Ethereal stone-gray gowns were embellished in exquisite hand-woven Chantilly lace and intricate beading.

Friday Frills

Dear Prank Caller

I'm sure most of you have been prank called before. 90% of the time, you will never find out who is bored and creepy enough to call you up with no number at odd hours of the night. Occasionally, these practical jokers choose my friends and I as victims of their utter stupidity. You would think that these stalkers would have something better to do then spend their free valuable time and airtime making calls to innocent listeners. They call, we answer, they don't say a word, we get agitated and slam the phone down. After 5 minutes, the same thing happens again. This time there are curse-words involved. This doesnt seem to bother our dear prank caller at all. They have the safety and security of never being caught out, as they have activated the 'hidden identity' option on their phone. So sadly, you may never find out who woke you up from your sleep at 3 in the morning, ringing you up 55 times in a row, with nothing to say.


Being a 'good' stalker means that your identity should never be revealed. That's why people hide their phone numbers when making prank calls. However, there are some strange people out there that are really dim or just haven't moved with the technologically advancing times. They have somehow missed the memo from Phone Stalkers Inc, that every cellphone they call will display their Caller ID unless they hide it, and most landlines these days provide the same service. 

Last week, a number I didn't recognise called me. I answered, thinking it was the bank or the usual annoying phone salesperson. But even they're smart enough to call from a private number. "Hello" No answer. "Hello....Hello?" Still no reply, but I could hear shuffling in the background. Again I asked, "Hello? Is there anybody there?" Clearly there was, as I could hear muffled whispering. Tired of playing this prankster's game, I put the phone down. A few minutes later, as predicted, the same number called again. This time, I was prepared. I answered, "Hello" No reply. "Hello? Hey, is there anybody there?" Silence still. So I smugly said, "By the way, I can see your phone number. You've forgotten to hide it." A voice from the other side of the line..."Uh OH!" and Slam...engaged tone. I would have called the number back, but that would render me as bored and bizarre as they are. I have not had a prank call since :) 

Tuesday Thrills - Italian Handbags

My very good friend Maya has a part-time job that many of us can only dream of. She travels to Italy to do personal shopping for individual fashion buyers in South Africa. All you have to do is give her an order of a specific bag, accessory, shoe or dress that you would like, and include details like size, colour, style and any other preferences that you may have. Advise her on the total budget you would like to spend and she will source it especially for you. Exploring Italy and shopping? Sounds heavenly.

These are two of the handbags Maya has brought from Italy on her most recent trip this month. All the handbags she imports are made from genuine Italian leather and are surprisingly affordable.

On the left, is an Etro bag made of brown textured leather with floral and paisley prints in black, white and purple. This tote bag is worn on the arm or in-hand and is beautifully embellished with leather pop-up flowers in pink, green and yellow. It playfully features a pink and orange butterfly, green and yellow lizard and brown/beige turtle.

This summer-inspired bag, which is made in Milan, will brighten any girl’s mood simply by looking at it. Since it has a splash of almost every colour, it blends well with anything you put on and is big enough to carry all your essentials and more. This is the ideal daily-use bag for girls who don’t have time to swap handbags to match both colour and style. It can be worn with jeans and summer dresses. It is also an attention-grabbing accessory that will lift and complete the simplest of outfits.

The exotic Animal Print bag (pictured right) is made of cow hide. This patch bag has small squares of furry cow hide dyed into leopard and zebra prints which are then sewn into a stylish rectangular shape. The colour palette consists of brown, black, grey and beige hues.

Animal prints are the in thing this winter in Europe and this trend will certainly hit our shores in a few months when stilettos to match will be a must-have item. This tote bag can be worn on the arm and also comes with a shoulder strap. It is beautifully accessorised with a matching bag charm: A gold, diamante and leopard-print boot dangling on a gold chain. This bag will be the focal point of any simple black, brown or beige ensemble.

Buy your ideal Italian handbag on loveitalianfashion.co.za 

Essentiel Summer Fashion

Essentiel

Spring/Summer Collection 2011

I have just discovered the brilliant Belgian design house, Essentiel. I am in awe of their Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Their wide range of clothes include bold shades of blue, red and yellow, pretty prints and fluid fabrics. The collection features basic buys like cheery short skirts, skinny pants and cute cardi's, as well as trendy tunics and floral dresses. Essentiel also offers accessories like bows, belts, flowers, wedge heels and unique handbags. 

What's great about this collection is that items can be worn separately or you can combine prints and colours for a more bohemian look. Essentiel also has a range of trendy kids clothes and menswear. This fashion brand is a beautiful blend of relaxed sophistication, femininity and playfulness, which would stylishly suit any South African woman. For more information on this label, head to www.essentiel.be

Cover Girl - Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart

US Vogue Magazine

February 2011

I am not a huge Kristen Stewart fan, but I must admit that she looks lovely on the February 2011 cover of Vogue. The lighter hair and refined style suit her well and is a welcomed departure from the tragically pale and sombre Bella we are used to seeing. Kristen wears outfits by New York label, Proenza Schouler throughout the photo shoot. Their Spring 2011 Collection displays a sophisticated surfer girl look with guipure lace in neon colours, sequined hologram dresses, tweed and ruffle detailing.

The Savvy Girl's Guide To Cutting A Fringe

Late one evening this week, I realized that my fringe had grown too long and was annoyingly getting in my eyes all the time. I needed a trim. Any sane person would have waited for the next morning to call their hairstylist and make an appointment for this. Not me. I couldn't wait that long. The 'bee in a bonnet' in me wanted it cut right then. So, I wet my hair, and stared apprehensively into a badly lit mirror with a pair of scissors; which I am sure was not appropriate for cutting hair. I hesitated for a few minutes, thinking, "Should I, shouldn't I?" My impulsive nature got the better of me and...Snip! Uh oh - I really shouldn't have.

After the first cut, I found out that the scissors was so blunt, it couldn't even cut paper. But by then I had already chopped off the right half my once-wonderful hair. I had no choice but to finish off the dreadful mess I so stupidly started. When I was done trimming my entire fringe, I didn't have to dry it to see that it was far too short. Like sticking-out-in-the-middle-of-my-forehead-like-a-cockatoo short. And crooked. As I said before 'Any sane person would've went to a hairdresser....'

So for next time, if there is a next time, I asked an expert about the 'proper' method of cutting your own fringe. Ideally, it should be done by a professional, but if you are courageous (or crazy) enough to undertake such a mission, here are a few simple steps to guide you.

How to cut your own fringe

You will need:

A sharp scissors made especially for cutting hair

A styling comb

A brightly lit mirror

A steady hand

Some nerve

Step One: Always start with dry, straightened hair. It's easy to overestimate the length of wet hair as it stretches when it's weighed down.

Step Two: Use the comb to separate the rest of your hair from the section you want to trim. Pick a point on top of your head where you would like your fringe to start. The further back you go, the heavier the fringe. Section off a wedge shape of hair, using the ends of your eyebrows as a guide. 

Step Three: It is still not too late to back out.

Step Four: Pull your hair down and hold it taut with your middle and index fingers. Hold your scissors with the ends pointing up, perpendicular to the line of your fringe.

Step Five: Cut! Slowly and only a small bit at a time, from one side to the other. You can always go back and trim more off later if necessary.

Step Six: Flaunt your new fringe!

With this guide, you will now be able to cut your own fringe. Either successfully or not. If not, just remember that your hair will grow back. Until then, arm yourself with lots of hair clips, alice bands and industrial strength hair gel to keep the short spikes at bay. Unfortunately, you cant stick your hair back, as you might end up looking like that scary girl from The Grudge.

Note to Self: I will not cut my own fringe again. Or at least until this disaster grows out.