NOIR: The AMERICAN Issue by Noir Magazine

MAY - JUNE 2011 ISSUE 6

THE GHOST OF A SABER TOOTH TIGER

THE AM E R I CAN ISSU E

Ed i tor ’s LET TER cause I love America be ican er m A e it truly is th nia, or lif Ca Y, Dream; N – there s xa Te s, an rle New O yone! er is something for ev ’s, ey sh Mix this with Her shakes, Oreo Cookie Milk dy’s, en W s, Johnny Rocket d, oo Bl SATC, True eet Dawson’s Creek, Sw urse – co of d an h ig Valley H Brad Pitt Johnny Depp and hy! and you can see w erican My favourite Am e Tom ar designers/shops arc M , rd “The God” Fo rever Fo a, es Jacobs, March ’s! Y N A 21 and TIFF

g to do in My favourite thin NYC in America is to land e. Also av le to SE FU and RE back on the roadtrip I went ht of lig in ‘09 was the high y list is my life. Next on m Route 66 in a Cadillac. American style is re different everywhe m fro you go, Southern Belle and e cowboy boots in th g rin da South, Edgy and d an le in the Big App al -C So the laid-back I dip look in La la land. s. le sty l al my toes in The most annoying is ica thing about Amer their visa system!

America is like Marmite, people either love it or hate it. I actually happen to love it. Okay so it may irritate me that bar my lovely family that live there, all other Americans I have met think Scotland is in England and do we know their friend Joe that lives in Scotland? Really? But let’s not forget that America has brought us many things in life; Hershey’s, Facebook, Hollywood, car crash telly a la The Hills and Jersey Shore (even Sunset Beach – still annoyed at the ending!), Wendy’s and of course Johnny Depp. It is also one of the few countries in the world that you don’t need to leave to go on holiday as beaches, skiing, cities, canyons and Disneyland are all there. So this issue of NOIR we have gone stateside to bring you a taste of Americana. Gilda Orru discusses the pros and cons of America in ‘Why we Love America’, whilst I bring you the best places to visit in the US of A – open-top convertibles at the ready folks. We interview many talented – and hot – American celebrities for the issue with our cover stars Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl telling us what they think about their country, our American Stars to Watch section rounds up talent from film, TV, music and basketball, and Janie Bryant (Mad Men’s Costume Designer) chats to Laura Smith about the highly influential costumes for the show. Also look out for Louise Costello’s interview with Mike “The Situation” – Jersey Shore fans will love it. For this issue’s Beauty Section, our readers helped us test the beauty products for the Tried & Tested section and a fine job they did, Heather B also spent some time with one of the best Make-up Artists in the business, Bobbi Brown, to get her take on beauty, and also got some top beauty tips from actress Sanaa Lathan. Enjoy, Leanne Milligan Editor in Chief

Follow me on Twitter @astylishliving or my blog at http://AStylishLiving.wordpress.com

NOIR con ten t s

ISSUE 6 - MAY/JUNE 2011

COVER STORIES

COVER INTERVIEW:

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger’s Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl chat to Leanne Milligan about music, fashion, love and happiness.

NOIR VIEW

7 WHY WE HEART THE USA - Gilda Orru discusses why we love the USA, or do we…?

NOIR GUIDES

58 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RUTINA WESLEY The True Blood star shows her funny side and her love for all things purple. 60 FASHION’S FINEST LINES - Laura Smith

rounds up some of the best American fashion illustrators in the business and gets the lowdown on what it takes to be an illustrator in the digital age.

AN INTERVIEW WITH ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ - The Biutiful

director chats about his career and the themes behind his 18 NOIR’S GUIDE TO THE inspiring films. USA - Leanne Milligan 72 GAGA: FASHION gives us thee guide of all FREAK OR guides to help you make the CONTROVERSIAL best of your trip State side. ICON? - Laura Smith decides whether Gaga is FEATURES/INTERVIEWS freak or chic.

BRITTANY SNOW INTERVIEW - Brittany

Snow chats to Leanne Milligan about movies, TV shows, her body and fashion.

TOMMY HILFIGER

Charlotte Thwaites charts the life of America’s most iconic fashion designer: Tommy Hilfiger.

40 JANIE BRYANT

INTERVIEW - NOIR

chats to Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant about designing, the show, costumes and vintage lingerie.

WHITE TRASH BEAUTIFUL - Gilda Orru

chats to WTB designer Nikki Lund about her label, designing and her collaborator, Richie Sambora.

‘BEING HUMAN’ MARK PELLENGRO

The Being Human star discusses what it is like playing the Devil, a messiah figure and a vampire.

HOPE DWORACYK: MORE THAN JUST A PLAYMATE 2010’S Playmate of the Year tells Leanne Milligan that there is more to her than just her looks.

AMERICAN STARS TO WATCH SECTION NOIR brings you the American stars who you need to know.

130

NOIR MEETS MIKE “THE SITUATION”

60 FASHION’S

Louise Costello meets Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation”.

Illustration by LEIGH VINER

FINEST LINES

NOIR cont en ts FASHION

STYLE EDITS - This issue we head to LA, the Deep South and New York New York to see how us mere mortals can achieve their coveted styles.

AMERICA & ITS INFLUENCE ON FASHION - Alix Carey

charts the influence the great US of A has had on the fashion industry.

46 50

ACCESSORIES EDIT

SIMPLY AMERICANA PHOTOSHOOT What you’ll be wearing next season.

60 FASHION’S

FINEST LINES Illustration by SARA SINGH

THE CAT’S PYJAMA’S: 1920s AMERICAN FASHION - Laura Grant-

Evans talks us through her favourite American fashion era: the 1920s, with beautiful illustrations from Juliet Jackman.

87 AMERICAN

DREAMING STYLE EDITS

STYLE

EAUTY B 107 BEAUTY SECTION 108 NOIR MEETS BOBBI

BROWN - Heather B talks beauty tips with Bobbi Brown.

112

BEAUTY HIT LIST: Tried & Tested Readers Special

115

VICTORIA’S SECRET GUIDE TO BOMBSHELL BEAUTY A step by step Makeup, Hair & Body guide to becoming Victoria’s Secret beautiful.

120

CELEBRITY BEAUTY SPECIAL: SANAA LATHAN - Heather B talks health & Beauty with Sanaa Lathan.

124

AMERICAN POP ART BEAUTY SHOOT Heather B is inspired by American pop art!

our American Style Icons? Leanne Milligan finds out and shows you how you can achieve their style also.

REGULARS

STEAL HER STYLE This issue we go across the

health, beauty and being Vera Stark!

Broadway star Lilli Cooper about her style.

129

LATHAN on

MY STYLE WITH… Laura Grant-Evans chats to

AMERICAN STYLE ICONS - Who today are

120 SANAA

RED LIPSTICKS EDIT

2 EDITOR’S LETTER 5 CONTRIBUTORS 38 I’M LOVING…

pond to steal The City star Olivia Palermo’s style.

Laura Smith tells us what

132

STYLE Q&A WITH TINSLEY MORTIMER Our Girl About Town

Daniela chats to New York IT girl Tinsley about her style.

she is loving this issue.

A DAY IN THE LIFE... Of an American blogger.

135

GIRL ABOUT TOWN COLUMN

NOIR c on tribu to rs

ALIX CAREY

I love America because of

Hollywood glamour and because it’s acceptable to eat doughnuts and eggs together for breakfast!

HEATHER B

I love America because of

it’s over the My favourite American designers/ top gusto for life! The shops are Marc Jacobs, Tiffany amazing big and Calvin Klein. budget My favourite thing to do in blockbuster America is shop and explore in films and of New York - I’m yet to experience course the The Big Apple but I already know music artists it’s my favourite. that inspired me growing up, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, True American style is casual, Missy Elliot, Mary J Blige, Jewel comfort-focused and laid back, and Madonna to name but a few. with an ability to wear simple Plus it’s intangible pieces with impeccable style. Hollywood glamour.

The most annoying thing about America is how they don’t understand British humour.... we’re hilarious!

DANIELA MOROSINI

I love America because it’s

wonderfully patriotic, larger than life, and full of capitalism.

The best American designers are Rodarte

and Proenza Schoueler.

American style is different from

state to state.

What annoys me about America is American

cultural imperialisation!

My favourite thing to do in America is explore and eat! American style is clean cut. The most annoying thing about America is that it takes so long

LAURA GRANT-EVANS

I love America because of

the variety of people, fashions, cultures and things to do across the vast country.

My favourite American designer is Anna Sui for the prints. My favourite thing to do in America is trawl the vintage shops of San Francisco.

American style is sleek.

to get there!

The most annoying thing about America is the insular attitude.

makeupbyheatherb.com

www.lauragrant-evans.com

I love America because I have never been, so for me it’s like a dream.

My favourite American designer is Tom Ford all the way!

My favourite thing to do in America would be trying to speak with an American accent for fun.

American style is practical

but sleek.

The most annoying thing about America is that many other countries depend a lot on their political decisions.

NOIR c o ntr ib u tors LAURA SMITH

JULIET JACKMAN

I love America because everything is BIG and there is so much to see.

Vera Wang & Donna Karan.

My favourite thing to do in America is to

walk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach grab a chilli dog, and watch the funky rollerskaters doing their routines - then watch the sun setting. Absolute bliss.

www.julietjackman.com

Editor-in-chief I love America because it’s given us

Brad Pitt, True Blood, Mad Men, Oreo cookies, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Bradley Cooper, Family Guy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s … I could go on and on!

My favourite thing to do in America … only ever been to

Disneyland but I’d definitely head to NYC or New Orleans given the chance!

American style is completely

Charlotte Thwaites

http://writerbelle.wordpress.com

CHARLOTTE THWAITES

I love America because of all

the large designer shops, shops of which we don’t have in the UK.

My favourite American designer is Tommy Hilfiger I have never been to America, but if I did I’d have to do a lot of shopping and sight seeing.

My favourite thing to do in America is shop and sight-see!

American style is unique.

American style is individual to

The most annoying thing about

each person, I don’t think you’ll be America is that Americans find it able to spot two people wearing almost impossible to understand the same thing. an English accent. You have to repeat things at least three times The most annoying thing about and even then you’re not entirely America is that it’s so far away sure that you’ve been understood. from me. 6

Writers & Contributors

The most annoying thing about America is it’s so expensive to

I love America because it’s such

Michael Kors.

Heather B

Alix Carey

CHERRY PULLINGER

My favourite American designers are Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam and

Art Director/ Assistant Editor

eclectic mix but exudes confidence and personality.

get there!

an inspirational and breathtaking country. There’s always something to see and do and no matter how many times you go back, there’s always something new to be discovered.

Leanne Milligan

Daniela Morosini Gilda Orru Jenny Brough Juliet Jackman Laura Grant-Evans Laura Smith Louise Costello Danny Gaska

NOIR magazine can be bought in print form at www.magcloud.com Join NOIR magazine on Facebook To contact NOIR magazine use our contact form on our website at www.wix.com/noirmagazine/noir1

Due to the way this magazine is published, no guarantees can be made regarding the colour and quality of printed material. All content was correct at time of going to press.

My favourite American designers are

NOIR c r edi t s

NOIR v i ew

WHY WE L VE AMERICA... but do we? Words by GILDA ORRU

hen I think of America there are two moments in my life that come to mind. One is when I was in high school in Sardinia, and after my mate had spent a whole year of cultural exchange in the US, she used to tell us about her school and her life in America. But one thing that I really remember is that one day she said to me “The President of the United States is for Americans like a father. They blindly trust him, and they believe he would not, ever betray them.” I was still very young and maybe only studying modern history at school, but I could tell already that as a nation, Italy could not share that feeling. I felt

envious of this faith. I wanted to think I was looked after and I was not going to worry about my future. This experience showed me for the first time the beauty of patriotism: a feeling that makes you love your home country, which unfortunately is felt in some nations only for the football World Cup. The other moment, much more recent, was when a very dear cousin came back from a trip to New York and said to me that “New York is a perfect city for women. You should see the look in women’s eyes when they are showing off their best dress, during an evening out with their friends.” He was not talking about clothes or make up or

“The President of the United States is for Americans like a father. They blindly trust him, and they believe he would not, ever betray them.”

Photography by LUCIANNE SOLEY Styling by REBECCA BOWLER - www.thefashionindex.net

distinctive cocktail bars. He was talking about a feeling, the feeling of freedom. So it is not a Sex & the City invention: the city really does make you feel like you’re in a paradise for women. Cheap designer clothes, mundane activity, busy lives and gorgeous wardrobes. Who would not be part of it? Post-feminism women are all about amazing careers and taking a huge bite out of that Big Apple. And talking about women and their standards, American fashion can enlighten us even more. There are names that keep up with the European talents: Oscar de la Renta and his fairy tale-like evening dresses, Vera Wang and her luxurious wedding dresses, Marc Jacobs and his sleek simplicity. But it is freedom and a sense of comfort that we perceive in most collections of designers such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. They are clothes that represent a sporty, well off lifestyle. They represent a dynamic woman, who looks good even when she’s in her comfortable clothes; they dress women who mean business. And that’s why we love them! American fashion is especially in the spotlight since American Vogue became the most influential fashion magazine in the world, and its editor in chief Anna

Wintour - who is said to control many of the fashion moves all over the world became a legend. But America has also brought us several essentials we cannot do without. First and foremost comes Hollywood, the Oscars, and the whole horde of gossip and envy that comes from that. Even if you have a membership in your local independent cinema and you love Almodovar, you know how good it feels when you watch an American movie stuffing your face with American size popcorn. There were times when Europe produced incredible cinema stars, but America gave us Marilyn, Grace Kelly and Rita Hayworth. The gloss and the glamour generated by Hollywood fascinate everyone undeniably. I remember my grandma talking about the legendary chewing gum that American soldiers brought to Italy during the Second World War; my friend Rebecca, who absolutely loves all things Americana, also helps me to recall the great variety of sweets that they brought to us: “Laffy Taffy, Hershey’s Kisses, Wonka Nerds, Mr Goodbar, Charleston Chews, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the millions of flavours of M&Ms and Skittles, Tootsie Rolls, Jolly Ranchers, Mike & Ikes and so many others.” Sweets are not their only specialty, in America there are some of the greatest chefs in the world:

Wolfgang Puck for instance inspired the celebrity chef movement all over the world; Thomas Keller has been winning awards for over ten years and is believed to be one of the top chefs in the world; and Antoine Bourdaine’s TV series No Reservation is the American version of the Ramsey and Oliver TV programmes, highly followed by the British public. However, as we all know, our far away American friends are not very

There were times when Europe produced incredible cinema stars, but America gave us Marilyn, Grace Kelly and Rita Hayworth. famous for following a healthy diet. Food is possibly one of the most controversial subjects for America, causing record numbers of obesity. They brought us fast-food culture and the idea that the package can be more attractive than the food itself. However, they have also brought us the size zero, an excessive consciousness of the feminine body form, and icons to look at as role models. The same excessiveness and overindulgence that we love about America also makes us victim of a way of thinking that before was not so common in Europe, when older generations could still remember times of struggle, and dieting was only for the poor. Nevertheless, there are many other controversial subjects that make America not so loved, and often they come from the same conceptions we love it for. The size brings together different races and cultures, as well as all manner of sceneries and natural

environments. This astonishes visitors that can see it all in one place. But it also reveals those cases when differences are not accepted. In many states, homosexuality is not accepted in society, religions other than Christianity are not tolerated, abortion is still fought against and the death penalty is still in use. Size can also make Americans oblivious to the rest of the world. Many travellers come back with stories about Americans’ ignorance about general culture. Claudia, for example, tells me of her trip to Indianapolis: “The friend I visited was an au pair in 1997, and back then everyone in the household had a mobile! I was amazed. But one day when a teenage girl asked me whether we had microwaves in Germany, I could not believe it! She also hadn’t heard of the Berlin wall, not that it had come down, or that it used to exist at all!” Their abundance and indulgence sometimes exposes their greed. And the same kitsch culture that amuses us in movies and TV series becomes less entertaining in real life. Claudia says: “I found people quite superficial and fake, and this attitude clashed with my German/ European straightforwardness. You meet someone and they are all over you, very friendly and sweet, and the European thinks ‘Oh great, I just made a new friend!’ only to never hear from them again.” Eventually, that enviable patriotism becomes often lust for war and arrogance towards others. The US has great influence on the political decisions made by the great states of the world. And Britain in particular is often viewed as Big Brother’s little brother, following decisions that do not always depend on the willingness of the people. This creates a huge dislike from the British public towards America. Sometimes we feel the paradox between the ideals of freedom and the action of conquering, the generosity of the image and the greed of the substance, and the lives of women who cannot marry men from different religions confronted constantly by the image of four glamorously dressed women who walk together, independently, on a New York pavements

Compiled by LEANNE MILLIGAN

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NOIR st y l e Get yourself the must-haves: a stetson and cowboy boots and pair these with denim, ripped tees, rock band tees and just about anything that shouts Thelma and Louise.

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“Hairspray was such a crazy part to get” I

have a confession to make. How would you describe your I love Brittany Snow. She is early experiences of acting one of those girls who lights and Hollywood? up the room just by walking My early acting experiences into it, she’s bubbly, she’s fun were great. I started really young. and just your normal girl’s girl. My mom got me into acting Bursting onto our screens with when I was only 3 years old. roles in The Pacifier, Prom I always knew I wanted to be an Night and Hairspray, Brittany actor and I loved playing make believe. I have never wanted to can now be found starring be anything else. I moved to LA as Kathy Bates’ assistant on when I was 15 for a show called hit NBC show Harry’s Law. American Dreams on NBC. When not filming she is an avid I was previously on a show called campaigner for anti-bulling Guiding Light which was a soap and is hoping to turn her “Love opera on CBS. That was a great experience and where I really is Louder” movement into learned that I wanted to act for a charity. the rest of my life if I was lucky So how does such a normal enough to do so. Moving to LA down-to-earth girl deal with all when I was 15 was a little jarring the pressures of Hollywood? but I had a great time. I was on Something tells me she copes American Dreams for 3 years and then did movies after. just fine.

We loved you in Hairspray! Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN How did you get this role? Were you nervous about singing on camera?

Hairspray was such a crazy part to get. The casting process was a bit out of the norm. I knew the Director Adam Shankman from my first movie The Pacifier when I was 17. He directed that movie and we became really good friends. One would think it would be easier to get the part

in Hairspray because of our friendship, but it actually made it harder. I was auditioning for a friend and trying to prove to all the other producers that I was good enough for the role. It was a very hard process of dancing and singing. I did really badly on the first audition but knew I was supposed to play that part. I called the producers again and again until I convinced them to see me again. I did really well on the final audition and got the part. I was extremely nervous but worked really hard and it was an amazing experience.

You are currently starring in NBC’s Harry’s Law. Can you tell us a bit more about the show and the character you play? Harry’s Law is a law show about the different people who work in a law office to help people from all different walks of life. The show is about helping the underdog and because it is a David E. Kelley show there is a quirky element to it which adds to the comedy and heart of the show. Kathy Bates plays Harry and I play Jenna, her optimistic and shoe obsessed assistant. My character is the voice of reason for Harry and someone that constantly tries to see the bright side of things.

NOIR ex p er i en c e What has been your favourite movie to work on so far? What roles would you love to sink your teeth into in the future? My favourite role was in a movie called The Vicious Kind, an independent movie that went to Sundance a few years ago. I played a girl named Emma who was torn between her own insecurities and doing what she knows is the right thing to do. It’s a black comedy that I am really proud of and the film is just amazing. I would love to play an actual person. A classic movie star. Someone I could really study. Their actions and their life and bring life to someone that people may think they know but show who they really were.

What is the best piece of advice you have received? The best advice I ever got was from a director of Finding Amanda. I am really hard on myself and one day he pulled me aside, looked me in the eye and simply said. “Enjoy it. Just enjoy it.”

When and where are you happiest? I am happiest when I am around my friends and we are all laughing. Like, really laughing. The type that is that really great genuine belly laugh. That’s one of my favourite sounds; hearing the people I love really genuinely laugh. Also, when I am on set and working and really excited to do a scene for the day. It’s the best feeling.

What scares you? I have a big fear of heights and although I grew up in Florida, I have a big fear of what is really going on underneath that water in the ocean. Haha.

Do you love getting ready for the red carpet? How would you describe your red carpet ideal look compared to your every day look? Which do you prefer? I am really not a big fan of red carpets. I feel like it’s such a crazy thing. I know it’s part of my job and it’s amazing but I find it so weird to get pictures taken like that. It is fun to play dress up and get to wear amazing clothes but I always get nervous. It’s just a lot. Not a normal thing. My everyday look is pretty casual. I love a good pair of jeans and mixing up tom boy stuff with boho styles. I feel more myself of course when I run around with no makeup on and just a great pair of boots and a t-shirt.

What are your favourite shops? Any favourite designers? My favourite designers are Erin Featherston, Jenny Packham, Chloe, Elizabeth and James so many more!

You have such natural beauty! What do you do to keep your body and skin in great shape? I workout pretty regularly. I do the elliptical and workout with my trainer 3 times a week. I also love

kickboxing and walking my dog. I go to an amazing dermatologist and drink a lot of water.

You took part in an anti-bullying campaign “Love is Louder”. Was this something you could relate too? Do you like being able to use your celebrity status to act as a role model to young girls? Love is Louder is a movement I started with my friend Courtney Knowles from The Jed Foundation to bring awareness to anti-bullying and loving others and yourself. It is a movement that says Love is Louder than any voice that may bring you down...including your own. We started it in October and now we are hoping to turn it into a charity. It has really taken off into something that I hope is really helping people. I hope people will go to www.loveislouder.com to check it out.

When not working, what do you love to do? When I’m not working I like to shoot photography, write, movies, see concerts and shows, hang with my amazing friends. I am developing a love is louder book right now and I spend a lot of my time trying to find new ways to get the message out there.

SPOTLIGHT ON BRITTANY SNOW: Favourite film: Almost Famous, Punch Drunk Love My record collection features… The Beatles (obviously) The Radio Dept. Ellie Goulding, Bon Iver Favourite food: Greek food, Frozen Yogurt and Sushi I would love to work with… Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, Colin Firth My teen crush was… Leo Di Caprio. I was obsessed!! Make sure you check our Love is Louder at www.loveislouder.com and show your support.

NOIR’S GUIDE TO THE USA WHERE to be in 2011 The thinking fashionista’s guide to the the U S of A

here are many reasons why one should visit America; the shops, the labels, the weather, the attractions, the culture, the food, the people… It can be hard to cram in so much in such a short space of time so I have done the hard – but fun – job for you and brought you the best that the two main locations – NY and LA – have to offer. Plus I give you a sneak peek at other areas in the US of A that might suit your tastes instead. By LEANNE MILLIGAN

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WHERE TO SHOP - VINTAGE WHERE TO STAY - LUXURY 1. THE PLAZA HOTEL – FIFTH AVENUE AT CENTRAL PARK SOUTH, NYC

3. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND – 351 WEST BROADWAY, SOHO, NYC

Anyone who has ever watched Home Alone 2: Lost in NY – one of my favourite films by the way – will recognize this landmark hotel from the movie. Situated directly opposite the infamous Central Park, guests can take a leisurely morning stroll through one of the most famous parks in the world. Now, most people don’t come to NY to sleep, or even spend much time in their hotel for that matter but with its famous Oak Bar, as well as an interior Tranquility Garden with reflecting pools there will always be something to keep you amused. Mixing the old traditional with new technology (i-Pads in your room anyone?) this hotel will continue to be at the top of my NY hotel list.

2. THE POD HOTEL – 230 EAST 51ST STREET, NYC There is a pod room to suit everyone at this hotel; single, bunk, double, queen… all climate controlled and fitted with mp3 player docking stations and dimmer control lighting system (swazzy), plug into the Internet with free Wi-Fi access, and catch your favorite shows on LCD TVs. If that isn’t enough for you then the hotels ideal location - steps away from classic sights as Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, Rockefeller Center (which you can gaze at from the hotels roof top garden bar) – will have you in NY heaven.

Everyone who is anyone is NY will be caught at this hip and much-loved vintage haven. Chloe Sevigny practically lives here! WGACA’s vintage collection for women includes a diverse array of clothing and accessories covering more than a century of modern fashion history. As well as carefully sourced vintage garments, co-founders Gerard Maione and Seth Weisser have set up The Collection which sees them creating garments from vintage inspired pieces. The WGACA’s Collection counts Robert Pattinson, Nicole Richie and Katy Perry among its biggest fans. For those not able to go to the store in NY, The Collection is sold in some major department stores worldwide, including Harvey Nichols.

www.theplaza.com

www.podhotel.com

www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com

WHERE TO STAY - BUDGET

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WHERE TO SHOP - DESIGNER 4. FIFTH AVENUE Tiffany’s, Saks, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Bergdorf-Goodman Apple, Barnes & Noble, Chanel….need I say more? As well as having these DIVINE stores to do major damage on your credit card with, make sure you take a pit-stop at sights such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim Museum, Rockerfeller Centre (check out the huuuge tree and ice-rink during the festive period), The New York Public Library and of course – The Empire State Building – go right up to the top people.

WHERE TO SHOP – FOR AMERICAN BRANDS 5. MACY’S - 151 WEST 34TH STREET, NYC I have always loved this store and make it one of my pit-stops whenever I am in the US (as well as Forever 21) when I need a USA fashion fix. With brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, DKNY Jeans, GUESS?, 7 for all Mankind; it really does have something for everyone across its 8 floors. www.macys.com

WHERE TO SHOP – FOR KIDS 6. FAO SCHWARZ - 767 5TH AVENUE @ 58TH ST, NYC Adults and kids alike will LOVE this toy store on 5th Avenue – a legend in the toy store industry – trust me, you won’t be able to leave without buying something! The store features a breathtaking Grand Hall adorned with more than 20,000 computer-controlled colored lights, a giant dance-on piano keyboard – you will remember this from the movie Big and “FAO Schweetz,” a classic New York candy shop that offers hundreds of scrumptious confections = heaven. www.fao.com

NOIR g u i d e WHERE TO CATCH A THEATRE SHOW 9. BROADWAY I saw Hairspray here and it was amazing!! The usual popular theatre shows such as Wicked, Jersey Boys, Chicago, and Avenue Q can all be found here with many famous actors taking to the Broadway stage such as Hugh Jackman, Tate Donovan, Glee’s Matthew Morrison, Rupert Everett, Scarlett Johansson, Katie Holmes…

WHERE TO WATCH A SPORTS GAME 10. NEW YORK KNICKS - MADISON SQUARE GARDENS, NYC

WHERE TO DO BRUNCH – Sex & the City style

Ok so I am never going to entirely understand or appreciate the rules of basketball, but I can appreciate the atmosphere in Madison Square Gardens, the obligatory popcorn, hotdogs, huge drinks, big fake hands, the Kiss Cam and of course, the abs’s!

Oh dear…this bakery is dangerous for someone with a major sweet-tooth like myself! Grab the girls and head to the 401 Bleecker Street outlet and act like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda for a few hours. It really is cake heaven and has the best cupcakes in town with icing big enough to satisfy even the harshest critics. www.magnoliabakery.com WHERE TO GRAB A NY PIZZA SLICE

Image by BECKY SNYDER

7. MAGNOLIA BAKERY - 401 BLEECKER STREET, NYC

8. ONE LOMBARDI’S – 32 SPRING STREET, NYC Who would ever think of coming to NYC and NOT having a NY-style pizza slice? Quelle horreur!? Lombardi’s is America’s first ever pizzeria and has been running since 1905. Make sure you pop in and get a takeaway NY sized slice of my favourite Margarita. Hmmmm….

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT… 11. SUNBATHING - OR ICESKATING – IN CENTRAL PARK.

www.firstpizza.com

Both of these can make your trip to NY a dream holiday. I love nothing more than sitting with my friends in the middle of Central Park with a picnic and picking up an ice-cream and soaking up the atmosphere and looking up at the skyscraper landscape surrounding the park – words cannot describe how truly awe-inspiring it is. It also has a zoo that you should check out.

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S E L E G N LOS A WHERE TO SHOP - VINTAGE 3. ROSEBOWL FLEA MARKET – 1001 ROSEBOWL DRIVE, PASADENA, LA Every second Sunday of the month, LA descends on the Rosebowl Flea Market to pick up some flea market bargains. Flea Markets are the equivalent of a masssssive car boot sale with wares such as clothes, jewellery, antiques, home furnishings: and with over 2,500 vendors – you could spend a whole day here. www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com

WHERE TO STAY - LUXURY 1. THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL – HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, LA I stayed here the first time I visited LA and my my, what a wonder this hotel is. Being the site of the first ever Oscar’s ceremony back in the day I knew it would be everything you would look for in a hotel and indeed it was. The monochrome décor rooms made me want to redecorate as soon as I got home, the location is ideal – across the road from the Kodak Theatre, a shopping mall and The Chinese Grauman’s Theatre, and the hotel has the infamous Teddy’s Club (hotel guests can get into the club and party with its celeb clientele), and the Tropicana Bar sits alongside the sun-loungers and pool – an ideal way to lie-back and drink a cocktail, or 2 and bask in the California sunshine. www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/la/ hollywood-roosevelt

WHERE TO STAY - BUDGET 2. BANANA BUNGALOWS – 5920 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, LA LA isn’t as expensive as NY to stay in and you can find many budget hotels that will cater for all your LA needs. The Banana Bungalows is a hip & funky hostel based in the furor of Hollywood Boulevard and features dormitorystyle rooms as well as single rooms. Facilities include free continental breakfast, a bistro, small store, communal kitchen, internet access, gym, laundry, swimming pool, library and car rental agency. Movies are shown nightly on a large screen TV, parties thrown throughout the week and free shuttles provided to area attractions. www.bananabungalow.com

WHERE TO SHOP - DESIGNER 4. RODEO DRIVE – BEVERLY HILLS, LA Yes, yes, indeed this is the street from the infamous Pretty Woman scenes. Surrounded by palm trees, open-top cars and wads of money, Rodeo Drive is a haven for all fashion-loving, designerlabel loving hipsters. Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Armani, Gucci, Harry Winston, Prada, Tiffany’s and Versace all have branches on this infamous, worldrenowned drive with every A-Lister worth her Jimmy Choo’s shopping here as well. An LA must-see!

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Guests of the legendary Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour explore the world’s busiest motion picture and television studio, often standing within inches of the action for a bird’s eye view as cameras prepare to roll. On occasion Tour guests have even been cast as extras in film and TV productions.

WHERE TO GO FOR TV FANS 6. WARNER BROTHERS LOT – 100 UNIVERAL CITY PLAZA, LA

WHERE TO SHOP – FOR SHOPAHOLICS 5. THE BEVERLY CENTER - 8500 BEVERLY BOULEVARD, LA With over 160 specialty boutique stores such as Diesel, Louis Vuitton, Thomas Sabo, Tous, Banana Republic, Burberry, H&M, GUESS?, Prada, Victoria’s Secret and department stores Macy’s and Bloomingdales: designer and high-street fanatics will LOVE this mall.

I checked out the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Carson Daly Show last time I was there where you get to sit in the audience of world-famous chat shows. The lovely Ellen De Generes has her show on this lot too which was also the set for shows such as E.R. Warner Brothers do electric cart tours of the lot where you can check all these studios out and see the sets for current TV shows such as Two and a Half Men, The Mentalist, and Chuck. www. vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com

WHERE TO GO FOR PEOPLE WATCHING 7. VENICE BEACH So-Cal at its best! There is no better place for people-watching – or rollerblading for that matter – than sunny Venice Beach. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is infamous so make sure you check out all the little shops, cafes and perfomers along it before checking out the Pacific Ocean waves (and the lifeguards) on one of the dreamiest beaches in the world.

www.beverlycenter.com

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WHERE TO FIND MICKEY MOUSE

WHERE TO GO TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

9. DISNEYLAND – DISNEYLAND DRIVE, ANAHEIM, CA

8. THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET - 6333 WEST THIRD STREET, LA Not only can you sample delicious food delights at this market but it also has some fashion stores to whet your appetite too. Delicious, fresh produce – you can even ask advice from the sellers on the local produce.

Come on, do you really need an incentive to visit Disneyland? With rides such as The Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Carribean; adreneline junkies, kids and Disney fanatics will love this place!

www.farmersmarketla.com

www. disneyland.disney.go.com

WHERE EAT WITH THE HILLS CAST 10. DON ANTONIO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - 11755 WEST PICO BOULEVARD

The Hills devotes will recognize this quant little Mexican restaurant as one of Speidi’s regular haunts. Authentic Mexican food and drink at its best!

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T S E B E H T D AN . . . T S E R E H T OF

BEST FOR… VINTAGE LOVERS: 1. AUSTEN, TEXAS

BEST FOR… SUN WORSHIPPERS: 2. MIAMI, FLORIDA WHERE TO EAT – AND DO SOME CELEB SPOTTING 11. CHATEAU MARMONT - 8221 SUNSET BLVD The biggest celeb haunt in town – if not the world! Where Britney was banned, where Li-Lo stayed, where Scarlett Johansson got to know Benecio del Toro in the lift... everything happens at this hotel. Many celebs stay in one of the on-site bungalows or rooms, or eat/ drink at the bar. Get in... in if you can...

BEST FOR… THEME PARK JUNKIES: 3. ORLANDO, FLORIDA

BEST FOR… MUSIC LOVERS: 4. MEMPHIS, TENNESSE

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT…

TAKING PART IN ONE OF THE MANY MOVIE STAR AND FILMS LOCATIONS TOURS THAT TOUR OPERATOR’S ALL OVER LA OFFER.

BEST FOR… HISTORY BUFFS: 5. BOSTON, MASSACHACHUSETTS

By ALIX

CAREY

ON FASHION

ITS INFLUENCE

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Claire McCardell It took the likes of an Industrial Revolution, a world war, the development of television and years of musical influence for America to create its own truly “unique” style. Up until then America looked to England and France for fashion leadership, but as the First World War commenced, this imitation of British and French trends was brought to an end. American designers heavily relied on the French to describe what was happening in fashion, but when this was no longer an option, they had to put their own initiative to the test. As the war continued and the fashion industry grew, so did the acceptance of women in the workplace and with this came the need for less restricted, more comfortable, affordable dress styles. During the 1930’s American designer Claire McCardell acknowledged that this “new woman” needed functional, affordable and practical clothes necessary for their active lifestyle. It was here that American Fashion found her feet and the making of the truly unique “American look” was born. Throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s Claire McCardell became one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century, claiming fame to the notable “Pop over dress” – a versatile wrap design, the “Monastic Dress” – an untailored, loose sleeve shift like dress, and “The Ballet pump” –famously known as the ‘heel hater’ McCardell designed these as an alternative to high heels. She had one inspiration which was to design clothes that she wanted to wear. Quoted as saying; “I’ve always designed things I needed myself. It just turns out that other people need them, too,” it became clear that she in fact was her own muse. “Clothes should be useful. I like comfort. I do not like glitter”, and useful they were. True American fashion today stresses comfort whether casual or dressy and is dominated by a clean cut, urban style which reflects the athletic, health-conscious lifestyle we all know Americans have, and its one style we can only and always will associate with America.

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The Preppy look When McCardell died at the end of the 1950’s many American designers became influenced by her innovative way of thinking. Ralph Lauren in particular recognised her creativity in producing items well suited to the American lifestyle, and to this day is well known for his fashionable athletic designs which are popular worldwide. Polo shirts, tennis dresses, argyle sweats, chinos and boat shoes are all creations associated with this preppy look and it’s the male population we see it benefiting the most. Men today are noticing fashion more and understanding that the once acceptable jeans, t-shirt and a glob of hair gel is no longer good enough. Also described as the Rich Kid or College look, this trend has become a huge influence from its worldwide exposure in TV and film. Mixing casual and formal together, American Pie, The O.C and 90210 are full to the brim of this said “American look” and it’s our

environment, the need for them to create a female identity arose. Women began to feel that they could at last choose from one of the many contrasting looks available, and the most powerful appearance was that of the wide shoulder. At this stage many items donning the shoulder pad did so with a Velcro band inside which allowed women to vary the size of the pad they used. Like the female equivalent of men stuffing socks down their trousers to increase manhood, women could boost their womanhood by choosing just how “powerful” they wanted to be that day. Over 250 million watched Dynasty and Dallas and with nearly all of these tuning in for a look at the 80’s style, their media influence really brought fashion into real everyday eighties life worldwide.

Celebrity style icons The power of the media and its influence on fashion developed rapidly from the 80’s leaving the 90’s a decade famous for celebrities and upcoming trends. The fashion world leaked into

With the world now more celebrityobsessed than ever before designers were suddenly able to gain the exposure they craved by simply placing a celebrity in one of their designs. The ever so popular “who are you wearing?” was now being used at every red carpet event, finally giving designers their spotlight. One iconic American figure famous for this said involvement with designers is Sarah Jessica Parker. Otherwise known as fashionista Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, her style, independence and major obsession

“WHO ARE YOU WEARING?” was now being used at every red carpet event, finally giving designers their spotlight. boys who are taking notice. During the spring/summer season this trend is set to soar and it’s H&M who are shouting off the roof tops. It’s been described by them as the “college movie hero who makes girls swoon”, I’m not even sure if girls even “swoon” anymore but neverthe-less it’s a trend which is all about a confident male who wants to be noticed.

1980’s Power Dressing However, the All American look wasn’t the first trend to gain exposure through our beloved box. Back in the 1980’s famous programmes Dynasty and Dallas introduced what was labelled as “power dressing”. With women now

the celebrity world making musicians, movie stars and models significant influencers of style on a global scale. The pop band epidemic throughout the 90’s is a great example of how celebrity culture manipulated the style of young teens. During her peak, thousands of Britney Spears wannabe’s would parade around imitating her latest look, wearing bursts of denim, crop tops, knee high socks and rushing to the salons for blonde highlights. Her former pop prince Justin Timberlake became as big an influence on young men too, initially with his classic boy band style, but as he grew this switched to designer stubble, pork pie hats, waistcoats and old school trainers.

with shoes defined her as a fashion chameleon. There wasn’t a trend she couldn’t make work as she went from Bohemian one day to elegant princess the next. Of course no outfit is complete without a pair of the finest shoes and it was her high heel passion that took designer Manolo Blahnik to new career heights as he became a household name worldwide due to the show and SJP. Her expressive style taught women of every age to take fashion risks and, of course to follow their hearts and in 2004 she was finally recognised by the exclusive council of Fashion Designers in America with the “Style Icon” award

Blake Lively is a garl who is always hitting the top of best dressed lists all over the world.

HOW TO RECREATE THE BLAKE LOOK:

A fab coat (a woollen camel is her current favourite)

Show off your best asset (Blake always has a bit of leg on show)

Embellished top & waistcoats with shorts/skirts

Here’s our top picks Waistcoat by Monsoon

Her own wardrobe takes references from her Gossip Girl character Serena Van Der Woodsen and I absolutely have a style crush on Ms Lively!! Whether it’s asymmetric colour block dresses, Herve Leger style body-con dresses, or preppy chic pieces, this girl knows how to dress! Having lived in LA and moved to NYC, Blake is able to effortlessly mix the laid-back cool LA look with the more edgy NY favoured look without looking too try-hard. It was her starring role in Gossip Girl which really put her on the style map – Anna Wintour one of her biggest fans – with her mix of glamorous and seductive on the red carpet and chic/polished or laid-back cool off-screen. She is also now a bona-fide fashion muse having secured a lucrative contract to be the face of the Chanel Mademoiselle bag collection. One to watch…

Chanel-style bag Long tank top paired with black skinnies and riding boots

Layering

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Body-con dress

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A bit of glitter on your jacket or cardi

Bag

Shoes by Urban Outfitters

A M E RI CA N S T YL E ICO NS

Compiled by LEANNE MILLIGAN 28

Blake Lively

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Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen No-one would ever think of compiling a best dressed list without adding in the Olsen’s – these ladies were, quite simply, born with style.

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Here’s our top picks

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Whilst Ashley is the more uptown, prim, laid back, minimalistic twin, Mary Kate is the Williamsburg equivalent with her rocky, grunge-inspired edgy bohemian style. So whether you are after rock bohemian or laid back chic, look to the twins for inspiration. They can go low-key in layered tops and skinny jeans for day and at night glam it up in a vintage gown or dress. Accessories are a vital part of their outfit; scarves, jewellery, hats & bags all add to their innate sense of style. Whilst preferring neutral tones; browns, nudes, blacks, golds and creams, the twins are known for jazzing up the neutral palette of their outfits with plenty of bling and costume jewels. Their fashion lines Elizabeth and James, and The Row only further cement their style icon status and luckily neither Olsen is afraid to push boundaries and experiment with their style. And salute them we must!

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HOW TO RECREATE THE OLSEN LOOK: Oversized sunglasses Loose layers Denim Shorts by River Island

Flowing skirts Boyfriend blazer Scarves: on your head, round your neck, waist or bag… Oversized tops Leather leggings Vintage/costume jewellery Boots and shoe-boots Mix high end with high street Layer tops and basic tees

Wedges by Office

Leather Shorts by Jane Norman

HOW TO RECREATE THE LEIGHTON LOOK:

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Here’s our top picks

Pairing laid back boho cool with a hippie/rock edge, I have to say, I want her style! Look for fringing, studs, chiffon, plaid, denim and hats for inspiration. The best place to shop would be www.freepeople.com. Not only does Vanessa shop here (it’s where that awesome floppy hat she is always seen wearing is from) but it has aaamazing boho inspired pieces. Another star with boho-led style, Vanessa’s look consists of hippie style patterns and accessories. She has fun with fashion and never seems to take her look too seriously which is what makes her a style icon: plus she has the best hair in the business!

HOW TO RECREATE THE VANESSA LOOK:

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Gone are the Upper East Side pretty girly pieces and headbands a la Blair Waldorf, to be replaced with fun, quirky and directional pieces. This girl loves her Alexander Wang’s, Marc Jacobs’ and Philip Lim’s. Her look is all about sexy sophistication; figure-flattering dresses being her main go-to look. She LOVES a great dress; silk/satin dresses and gowns for dressy events whilst preferring city shorts, tank and a blazer for her day look. She isn’t afraid of colour, instead embracing bright hues and prints and pairing with a fierce pair of heels. Like her fellow Gossip Girl BFF Blake, she is the face of a fashion brand, currently starring as the face of Missioni.

Vanessa Hudgens Star of the High School Musical films and on-off beau of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, is a style queen in the making.

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Another trendsetter fresh from the set of Gossip Girl, Leighton - out of all the cast on the show is probably the furtherest away, fashion wise, from her screen alter ego.

Photograph by DAVID SHANKBONE

Leighton Meester

A big floppy hat Embroidery detail on bags, shoes & jewellery

A fierce pair of heels Printed dress paired with black tights

A pretty sun-dress Waistcoat

One-shoulder dress Bright colours Blazer jacket

Bright hues Shirt dresses paired with tan belts

City shorts

Shoes by Office

Shorts by Primark

Add a little glitter to your outfit at night

Photograph by LGEPR

Here’s our top picks

Kate Bosworth Kate does natural California-girl relaxed glam better than anyone. Pairing feminine pieces with edgier and quirky accessories, Kate has the relaxed style encapsulated by other style icons such as Brigitte Bardot. She can go from glamorous red carpet gowns and dresses to cool understated surfer girl with effortless ease. She is not afraid of being more daring with her red carpet choices; revealing backless dresses in bolder hues. Whilst maintaining a more minimalistic approach to her effortless chic day look; natural hues – she loves tan – in basic pieces such as jeans, shorts, tops and adding quirky accessories to finish her look.

Here’s our top picks

HOW TO RECREATE THE KATE LOOK: Top by River Island

Ray-ban Sunglasses Quirky accessories Gladiator sandals Knitted jumpers Boyfriend blazer Feminine tops Casual dresses Ballet pumps

Dress by Primark

Mix high end with high street

Dress by River Island

Jeans Shorts

Dress by New Look

Skirt by H

Bag by Urban Outfitters

Vest tops Scarves

Olivia Wilde

Gwen Stefani

BANG! And down the Golden Globes red carpet floats Olivia Wilde which was to be her moment in fashion history.

HOW TO RECREATE THE OLIVIA LOOK: A glamorous sexy dress Add some glitter to your accessories

For her laid back cool LA look go for denim cut-off shorts and tanks

Tomboy for day and classic and on-trend dresses at night

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Here’s our top picks Maxi Dress by ASOS

The dress? A stunning princess-like glittery-gold Marchesa gown. Mouths dropped, gasps were made and so a new style icon was born. After smaller roles in shows such as The O.C, Olivia Wilde came to mainstream success with her roles in US show House and films such as Tron: Legacy and she had success after success also on the red carpet. A newcomer in the fashion charts but one who will slowly and quietly, begin to make her mark both in Hollywood and in the style stakes.

Gwen Stefani was the first person to ever be a style icon to me. I remember watching her music videos in the 90s and wanting her look! And that’s just it, it’s her look, there is no single way to describe Gwen’s style other than ‘Gwen Stefani’. There is an urban vibe to her punk style, mixing punk inspired pieces with hoodies and ¾ length cargo pants for example. In more recent years however, she has moved to a softer, feminine look. Her look is full of punk and retro but still retains an air of glamour. It is not just about the clothes, but the entire look; makeup (minimal with a red lip), hair (retro waves or slick up-do), punk accessories and shoes. She loves detailing; studs, stripes, plaid, tartan, embroidery and is not afraid to try anything – remember the hot pink hair?? Gwen Stefani has always experimented with her style, sewing her own clothes when she was younger and consistently changing the founding’s of her style; punk to urban to harajuku to more grown up punk glam. The most exciting questions is: where is her style heading to next?

HOW TO RECREATE THE GWEN LOOK: Sharp structured detailing Khaki pants/cargo pants Wide-legged jumpsuits Studded belts Tartan skirt/jacket Vintage dresses Crop tops Hoodies Stripes & Patterns Harem pants All paired with retro inspired waves and of course – a red lip

When the hit US show The O.C first launched, it was Mischa Barton who was on every fashion insider’s lips. Fast-forward a few years and Bilson has managed to climb to the top of nearly every best-dressed list. s by

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Ripped Skinny Jeans by Republic

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Here’s our top picks

Her look can be described as chic-bohemian with her love for wearing wide leg or skinny jeans with a floaty blouse, over-the-shoulder bags and cardi’s. Her preppy day look consists of neutral tones with a splash of colour (in a cardi for instance) which gives her that girl-next-door vibe but she loves to glam up at night and be more edgy in her choices such as; a feminine blouse paired with leather shorts. She has an annoyingly great ability to put together an outfit that looks effortlessly glamour-laid-back-cool: much like our own Alexa Chung. I asked Rachel how she would describe her style: “My style is very impulsive; I tend to dress according to my mood”, she tells me, “I can’t plan ahead too much - I have to get dressed in the moment. I do love vintage that is definitely my first love, but I love to mix it with some contemporary designers, like Phillip Lim”.

Photograph by ASHLEY COOPER

Rachel Bilson

Here’s our top picks Dress by River Island

Shoes by Primark

HOW TO RECREATE THE BILSON LOOK:

Dress

Skinny jeans Floaty tops

Tan shoes Black boots

Neutral hues with a mix of bolder shades Breton striped tees Tea dresses

Dress by Primark

M by H&

Over-the-body bag Bright coloured cardi’s

Dress by Asos

Necklace by Asos

Olivia Palermo rose into the fashion elite with her role in hit MTV show The City where her knack for mixing designer with high street pieces from Topshop made her a style knockout. There is a reason this lady is always sat front row at Fashion Week!

Bag by A-Wear

Image - Rebecca Rawlinson

Boyfriend Blazer by Mini Velvet

Compiled by LEANNE MILLIGAN

Maxi Skirt by Red Herring @ Debenhams

Shorts by A-Wear

Dress - Butterfly by Matthew

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Q&A

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WITH…

TINSLEY MORTIMER

insley Mortimer is probably the most photographed face of the New York fashion scene. A regular at industry events and parties for several years, Tinsley smashed the socialite stereotype when her clothing and accessories line for Samantha Thavasa took off, proving she’s one strong blonde. Born and bred in Virginia, but with a New York soul, Tinsley talked to Daniela Morosini about label lusting, becoming a designer, and what’s great about the US of A.

Interview by DANIELA MOROSINI

How do you feel growing up in Virginia affected your style? Southern girls love to wear color and love to wear makeup. We are taught to pay attention to every detail. Everything from our hair, to our shoes we try to make perfect.

How did your style change if it is considered “of the moment” when you moved to New York? or trendy. I know what works and When I moved to New York I had to add a little black to my wardrobe and jeans but I still very much stay true to my southern upbringing and wear lots of color and fix up more than most for parties and events.

What are the best cities in the US for shopping?

what doesn’t on me so I never pay attention to trends.

What were your favourite shows at New York Fashion Week? Marchesa, Carolina Herrera, Alice and Olivia and Jill Stuart.

Describe American style to us.

New York of course and LA. Miami and Palm Beach I like too.

American style is classic, tailored, beautiful, and elegant.

What do you think American designers bring to the table that’s just so unique?

What shops would your dream mall have?

Most American designers live in New York or at least big cities in the US and are influenced by city life and so many different types of people and cultures that live in the city. There is so much freedom with American designers to design what truly inspires them from one season to the next.

Where do you get your style inspiration? I am inspired by everything. By color, by my surroundings, by the city, my travel, and art. It comes from so many different places. I love to wear very feminine colourful clothing that is very girly. It is what makes me feel like myself and makes me the most comfortable and confident.

What’s one trend this season you just hate? I always wear what I like and what makes me feel like me regardless

Dior, Valentino, Jay Ahr, Marchesa, Alice and Olivia, Oscar de la Renta, Monique L’huillier, Brian Atwood, Louboutin.

How much of an influence does American style have on your designs? I design handbags for a Japanese company called Samantha Thavasa and clothing only sold in Japan for a company called Riccime. I design bags and clothes that I want to wear, that I want in my closet. Everything is very girly, colourful, with a slight edge.

“I knew exactly what I wanted to do: I wanted to build a brand of clothing around my own attitude and my own lifestyle.”

Image - GALACTINET PRENSA

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Ally Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo at the opening of the Tommy Hilfiger flagship store on 5th Avenue, New York.

AMER I CA N F a sh i o n D E SI GNER

TOMMY HILF I GER Words by CHARLOTTE THWAITES

merican designer Tommy Hilfiger has had a big impact on men, women and the youth market around the world under his labels including: Hilfiger Denim, Red Label and Tommy Sport to name a few. Hilfiger was born on March 24th 1951. At the age of 18 he decided to go straight into retail, instead of moving up into higher education. He would buy jeans and bell-bottom pants in New York which he then customised and re-sold to Browns department store. A few months later he opened his own store, The People’s Place. The store wasn’t a success and instead of shoppers he had teenagers hanging around the store and using it as a meeting point. Seven years later, when Hilfiger was 25, the People’s Place went bankrupt. He moved back to New York and was offered many design assistant positions

with designers such as Calvin Klein, however he turned them down as he had bigger ideas in mind. He founded the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1984. His first collection of menswear was shown in 1992. By 2004 Hilfiger had more than 5,000 employees and had won many coveted awards such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Menswear Designer of the Year. During his time, Hilfiger has worked with many celebrities including singer Aaliyah; who he gave an endorsement deal to in 1998. Due to a decline in sales in 2006, Hilfiger sold his whole company to Apax Partners for an estimated $1.6 billion. In March 2010, owner of Calvin Klein - Phillips-Van Heusen, bought the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation for $3 billion

the

I’m loving... While this season’s

catwalks were drenched with 70’s influences, that doesn’t mean we should forget the ‘Mad Men’ style which for the past few years has seduced both us and the entire fashion industry, nor the phenomenal show that inspired it. By LAURA SMITH

Influence! Y

es, I know the return to the 60’s was so last year and it’s true that the trends displayed on SS11 catwalks of Marc Jacobs, Rodarte & co. certainly swung towards 70’s retro glamour. Yet, while I love this funky and relaxed look, I still can’t get enough of the 60’s inspired trend that exudes femininity and sex appeal, celebrates the girl with curves and puts the pow in power-dressing for the office. Since it debuted in 2007, the American TV series set in the advertising world of 60’s New York struck a chord with millions of viewers who fell in love with its riveting characters, smart dialogue and, of course, its fashion! With a fifth season in the works, a recent DVD release in the UK of season 4 and the launch of Janie Bryant’s vintage-themed fashion line for QVC, the Mad Men effect is showing little sign of waning; we noticed its lingering influence in many collections which features lady like hems and full skirts. Not since Patricia Field’s styling for Sex and the City has a TV series exacted so much influence on designers and trends. Over four seasons, Mad Men’s award-winning costume designer Janie Bryant has inspired countless designers, with labels like Prada and Louis Vuitton attributing her as a key

influence on their collections. Thanks to Bryant’s vintage outfits, the show’s leading ladies have become serious style icons, signalling the welcome return of a more womanly silhouette with Christina Hendricks as a poster girl for curvy figures. Despite the blatant sexism suffered by the show’s female characters, these ladies are top dogs when it comes to fashion. Take office seductress Joan Holloway, who emphasises her sexy hourglass figure in skin-tight blouses, slinky dresses and pencil skirts. Then there’s career-driven Peggy Olson whose experimental, preppy work wardrobe includes polka dots, over the knee skirts, peter-pan collars and satchels, or Don Draper’s ex Betty; the suburban ice queen sitting pretty in full skirts, floral prints and chic pearls. Whichever character you choose to channel, achieving the look can be simple. While time-consuming, checking out vintage stores can get you the genuine pieces, but the high street offers an affordable and modern take on the 60’s look. Embrace your curves by keeping silhouettes fitted on top and flowing on the bottom in A-line skirts that flatter any figure. Pencil skirts are great for the office and showing off an hourglass figure. Emphasise your waist by cinching it in with a narrow belt, pile on the jewels and top off with a classy clutch and a dash of red lipstick to raise the temperature in any office

Bag by A Wear £20

Dress by Debenhams £35

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J A N I E B R YA N T “While Betty’s ladylike glamour and poise is a Grace Kelly inspired look, I often view Joan’s character as cut from the same cloth as that of Sophia Loren; a pure woman, a celebration of curves and sensuality.”

Words By LAURA SMITH

anie Bryant is the exceptional Emmy-winning costume designer behind Mad Men; the acclaimed American drama set in the advertising world of 60’s New York, and arguably the sexiest and most stylish television series in recent years. The show’s cultural and sartorial impact has been immense and Bryant’s influence on the fashion industry is equally undeniable – her recreation of the period’s fashion has inspired the collections of top designers including Prada, Louis Vuitton and Thom Browne, and has also had a profound effect on our wardrobes!

In an exclusive interview, Bryant tells us about creating the Mad Men aesthetic, the importance of costume design and bringing vintage sixties fashion back into vogue. “It’s such an honour every time I hear that the show has inspired people,” says Bryant when she reflects on the effect her Mad Men costume designs have had throughout the fashion world. “I started my career as a fashion designer so it’s very gratifying to know that the fashion community has been interested in the show. I feel like my path has come full circle.”

In the last few years, Bryant’s lovingly crafted wardrobe for Mad Men has sparked a renewed obsession with late 50’s to early 60’s fashion and inspired a modern take on the style which has filtered down from Hollywood to the catwalk, and is now readily available on the high street. For Bryant, her contribution to the show was like a dream come true, as she’s an avid fan of the period’s elegant style; “We use fashion to be beautiful and the Mad Men era so ladylike, elegant and sharp,” she says. “From the colours to the fabrics, everything about the period

the

the genius behind

is beautiful and the silhouettes are so flattering; they take inspiration from art, sculpture and architecture.” Bryant tells us that a lot of research goes into visualising the signature style of each character; “I look at old catalogues, vintage Vogues, Ladies Home Journals and Good Housekeeping magazines, fabric swatches, advertising and stock photographs from the 50’s and 60’s to fuel my inspiration for Mad Men’s costumes.” Taking us through her creative process, Bryant explains that she uses visual boards as a starting point for the look of each main character in the series, which bring colours and textures together to inform each character’s palette. She cites her grandmother, who

she says was an immaculate hostess and true style icon, as an important source of inspiration and also takes her style cues from icons of the silver screen, saying that “while Betty’s ladylike glamour and poise is a Grace Kelly inspired look, I often view Joan’s character as cut from the same cloth as that of Sophia Loren; a pure woman, a celebration of curves and sensuality.” Bryant’s interest in the “transformative power of costume” was fostered from an early age when, as a child obsessed with watching old movies, she would experiment with fashion by dressing up and creating miniature outfits for her Barbie. Having studied fashion design at college she spent time in Paris and New York, where at a party one evening she fell into conversation with a costume

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wardrobe

Bryant is to be thanked for bringing the wonders of the bullet bra and girdle and their ability to shape, smooth and emphasise the figure to the attention of modern women.

“A costume is about creating a character, so I am always thinking how am I going to tell the story for this scene?”

designer and discovered a career which could combine her passion for film and love for fashion. “It’s the perfect fit for me,” Bryant observes. “I particularly enjoy getting into the psychology and motivation of a character and looking at all the choices a person makes in his or her life, with the clothes and accessories they wear.” The cult series is famous for its stylish characters, whose immaculate exteriors often both mask and convey personal turmoil. Mad Men’s creator Matt Weiner has observed that Bryant is as much of a storyteller as a costume designer, and she agrees that costume can often inform character and convey as much about their personality or mood as the show’s minimalist script. “We all tell stories about ourselves through what we wear,” she says. “A costume is about creating a character, so I am always thinking how am I going to tell the story for this scene?” “Take colour, for example,” she explains, “for Joan Holloway, I always design costumes in jewel tones – forest green, teal blue and red – because they reflect her strength in the office. For Peggy, particularly in the early seasons of the show, she wears a lot of mustard and green, lacklustre tones which were very popular in that era but also convey her character’s modesty.” She describes how costume can also act as a visual aid to support character development, with evolving characters like Peggy Olsen (played by Elizabeth Moss) and Betty Draper (January Jones) as prime examples. “In terms of Peggy’s overall character arc she has changed so much,” Bryant observes. “In season one when Peggy was pregnant and struggling with both her private life and issues in the workplace, her costumes became increasingly uglier. In season four she is really coming into her own in the workplace and her clothes reflect bolder choices and a greater level of sophistication. Now her costumes are graphic, multilayered and strong; the same as her character!” When it came to the central, dysfunctional relationship between Don and Betty Draper, Bryant says she loved to visually contrast Betty’s prim femininity with Don’s rugged machismo, juxtaposing Don’s cool sharkskin suits with Betty’s floral

dresses and pearl necklaces to demonstrate the chasm in their relationship. “Many of Betty’s transformations also occur through colour,” she notes. “Take season two when Betty wears what I called her ‘sad clown dress’ while hosting dinner where she is ‘performing’ to her house guests. It was important to me to have a shift in her colour palette at this point as she has this huge transformation in her storyline, when she’s finally realising who her husband Don Draper is, so this is the first time we see her in really strong colours of bright yellow, green and turquoise.” As for her favourite costume, Bryant looks to the show’s most popular and iconic female figure, the sassy Joan Holloway (played by the enviably curvy Christina Hendricks). “I loved Joan’s red Christmas dress from season four; wool crepe and silk satin around the neckline with cuffs and bows, and the way she moved in it during the scene with the conga line at the office Christmas party. Joan truly is the sexy bombshell of the office!” For Christina Hendricks, the actress

who plays Joan, Mad Men has been the making of her, turning her into an instantly recognisable icon now as famous for her voluptuous hour glass figure as her role in the series. Joan exudes sexuality and confidence, which Bryant translates succinctly through her costumes; “I love working with Christina,” says Bryant. “She has an appreciation for her costume and how it informs her characterisation of Joan, who is one sassy lady! She tells it as she sees it, which inspired me to use a lot of strong colours in her palette. “The jewel tones Christina wears are a fabulous contrast with her alabaster skin and red hair and all work towards portraying her character’s strength in the office. Joan is a very sexy character and her costumes, from the tight sweaters and pencil skirts to the ruby sheath dresses, reflect this along with her poise and self-possession. Joan wears clothes that show us she understands the power of her femininity and emphasise that amazing hourglass figure.” Possessing a particular penchant for vintage lingerie, Bryant is to be thanked

for bringing the wonders of the bullet bra and girdle and their ability to shape, smooth and emphasise the figure to the attention of modern women. For Bryant, quality shape wear is essential in recreating the look: “The hourglass figure and the sheath dress were also important facets of 50’s style, so I would advise wearing shape wear underneath clothes to achieve a ladylike physique like Betty’s ultra-nipped waist or Joan’s seamless silhouette.” However desirable Joan’s figure may be, Bryant points out that the enviable silhouettes on the show are thanks to the often punishing vintage underwear worn under the actress’s costumes, which in turn help boost, smooth and sculpt: “On Mad Men the actors know all about the importance of great undergarments. The foundations of a costume help to create a beautiful line and it’s amazing how long-line bras and girdles can help achieve this.” While actresses have mentioned the discomfort of wearing such items, with Hendricks claiming she’s sustained ‘war wounds’from the original undergarments,

“I particularly enjoy getting into the psychology and motivation of a character and looking at all the choices a person makes in his or her life, with the clothes and accessories they wear.”

Bryant believes their use is vital as “the actors use these foundations to help them to fully inhabit their characters. Wearing the proper underwear from the period is part of the creative process and the transformation that happens through costume.” “There can be discomfort,” she admits, “but I’ll help with a little pad of moleskin or other ways to make it more comfortable for them. Christina now comes into my fitting room and announces I love my bra, I love my girdle!”

While Joan, Betty and Peggy may be grabbing the majority of headlines and attention, when it comes to style, the men who ultimately rule the office can’t be forgotten; as Mad Men’s anti-hero and sophisticated ladies-man, Don Draper (played by the smouldering Jon Lamm) has also become something of a style icon himself when it comes to menswear. “What man doesn’t want to look like Don Draper? And what woman doesn’t wants to dress her man like Don Draper?” exclaims Janie who, through Mad Men, has achieved the difficult task of influencing menswear, an industry which is traditionally more resistant to change. Over four seasons, the impeccably attired male cast have encouraged the return of

tailored, streamlined and minimalist suits to the workplace. “Cary Grant often provides the inspiration for Don Draper’s simple colour palette and impeccably tailored style. I adore the details of men’s tailoring – you’ll see Don wearing French cuffed shirts with cufflinks that are rectangular rather than rounded because I want to show his austerity and edge,” says Bryant. “The male characters spend a lot of time together in suits in the office, so it’s very important to keep them visually different. Just like the female cast members each male character has his own colour palette. Don Draper rarely strays from greys while Pete Campbell is seen in teal and French blue, to demonstrate his heady aspirations.” To achieve the vital sense of authenticity required for the show, Bryant’s wardrobe department rents items from costume rental houses

“What man doesn’t want to look like Don Draper? And what woman doesn’t wants to dress her man like Don Draper?”

dress

Janie Bryant MOD Lace Trench

MOD Ca p Sleev e Lace

collection was all about glamour – faux fur coats and hats, necklaces, brooches and pendants,” she says. “In my spring collection you see lace, floral prints and pastels that have the feel of the romance and femininity of a star like Grace Kelly in a way that is accessible for all women.” Her collections coincide with her fashion guide, Fashion File: Advice, Tips, and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men, in which she teaches women how to dress up and become their own leading-lady, allowing fans the opportunity to embrace the looks of their favourite characters and adapts the period’s elegant fashion to complement their own bodies. It’s quite rare for a costume designer to wield so much influence in fashion, but Bryant certainly deserves it for her iconic work on Mad Men and with the show projected to run to a seventh season, it seems that the Mad Men effect on fashion shows little sign of waning and that we’ll continue to be seduced by Bryant’s iconic costume design for some time to come. Yet it remains to be seen whether Bryant will get to experiment with another era and have Joan and Peggy swap their pencil skirts and kitten heels for mini skirts and knee high boots as Mad Men shifts into the early 70’s. If she does then one thing’s for certain; we’ll soon be doing the same!

Janie Bryant

in Los Angeles, invests in original vintage pieces, which are often redesigned, and also designs and builds costumes from scratch. For the suits worn by Don Draper, Pete Campbell, Roger Sterling, Bertram Cooper and Lane Price, Bryant enlisted the help of the established menswear manufacturer Brooks Brothers, which designed suits for the real life ‘mad men’ of the time. The company produced a number of the suits used in the series according to Bryant’s design specifications, and the collaboration also brought about a limited edition Mad Men suit designed by Bryant which sold out within two weeks, indicating the intense popularityof both the series and its costume design. At the end of last year, Bryant stepped out from behind the scenes to produce her own fashion line, Janie Bryant MOD for QVC which takes its cue from the same 50’s/60’s style that Mad Men expounds. Her capsule collections of 20 statement pieces encapsulate the shows and Bryant’s own chic retro style and are also inspired by her grandmother’s closet and jewellery box. “My fall

Janie Bryant’s Collection Picks...

Janie Bryant MOD Ostrich Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag

Find Janie Bryant MOD Collection at: www.qvc.com

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Necklace by Me & Zena £14

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My ST Y L E WITH .. .

LILL I C OOP E R Interview By LAURA GRANT-EVANS

o say Lilli Cooper is talented is an understatement. She became a major Broadway star and a household name in The U.S at the tender age of 16, when she starred in the Tony award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Lilli comes from a theatrical background as her Dad, Chuck Cooper, won a Tony Award for The Life and she attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, known to us as the school in Fame. Having just turned 21, Lilli is currently living in Prague and attending Prague Film School. I caught up with her to unlock the secrets to the style of a young New Yorker…

Describe your personal style My style almost always includes a pair of tights and boots. I love jackets for any type of weather, and I always wear scarves, so basically any and all accessories.

Who are your favourite designers? Max Azria, Kenneth Cole, Diane Von Furstenburg, Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors, Betsy Johnson, Stacey Bendet Eisner.

Where do you usually shop? Most of my clothes now are from a little dress shop around the corner from my house called Coup De Coeur, it’s a fantastic hole in the wall for the best dresses and tops. I also love Topshop and H&M. Forever 21 is perfect for some great cheap finds. When I’m in the mood to search, Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange are a great place to get some good thrift and vintage stuff. American Apparel is also a guilty

pleasure, mostly for anything cute and simple.

What item in your wardrobe could you not live without? My black pencil skirt is one of the best purchases I’ve made in years.

How many pairs of shoes do you own? I don’t think I can count, I got a shoe shelf that covers one of the walls in my closet installed for one of my birthdays so I’d say at least 40.

Have you had a fashion disaster? At the Tony awards in New York City in 2006, the sister of one of my cast-mates was wearing the same dress. That was brutal.

Who is your fashion icon? I love Kate Moss, especially her line at Topshop.

Quick Fire Questions: New York, London or Paris? - New York! Shoes or handbags? - Shoes High street or designer? - High Street Classic or cutting edge? - Classic, but with an edge Heels or flats? - Heels! Even though I’m almost 6 feet, got to embrace your height!

he collections by the 25 year old Nikki Lund have already been worn by celebrities. After she started her collaboration with Bon Jovi’s guitarist Richie Sambora (the WTB: White Trash Beautiful label), her work took off to Los Angeles Fashion Week. One year on, their new A/W collection is shown at NY Fashion Week, and their collaboration starts developing into their common passion for music. Nikki opens up about her collaboration with Sambora, her designs and future plans.

How did the collaboration with Bon Jovi’s guitarist Richie Sambora start? I began playing concerts with my band Secret Mind and was designing and fabricating all of my own costumes. I quickly had a following of musicians and celebrities who had asked me to create pieces for them, one of them being Bon Jovi’s guitarist, Richie Sambora. Richie wore my custom designs and asked me to create an entire wardrobe for his upcoming tour. With our shared passion for fashion and music we then decided to create our line, WTB, which launched in March 2010.

What role does he play in the designing part of the collection? Richie is very hands on when it comes to designing. It’s great to be partners with him because it allows our collection to have a male point of view of what he finds flattering and fashion forward. He is involved in fabrics, styling, designing…everything. He definitely knows fashion. He also writes the music with me and produces.

I’ve heard that you have started another creative collaboration with him, this time in the music industry. What is the project about?

That is correct. We are in the studio working on our first album. It has a guerilla funk sound that you just want to dance to. You’ll be able to find our record on our WTB website, www.wtbclothing.com, and until the official release you can enjoy our WTB theme song.

It’s White Trash Beautiful

Interview By GILDA ORRU

Is your heart with music or with fashion? My heart is with both. I have been doing fashion and music for many years now. It’s a dream come true that I can do both and that I can incorporate them together.

Where did you find the inspirations for the collection? I was inspired by strong, independent women that are confident and love to look chic and glamorous.

The new collection shows a lot of prints and colours that belong to nature; I’ve noticed amazing turquoises, earthy browns and reds. Who are the designers that inspire your work? Vionnet, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and John Bates are all inspiration to me.

What kind of woman represents WTB? The WTB woman is a bit of a femme fatale. She’s very confident, knows her worth, sexy and definitely loves to look great. WTB is designed to bring the diva out of a woman.

Your collection has already been worn by celebrities, such as Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus. Is there anyone you would like to see wearing your designs?

Where do you see yourself in ten years time? In ten years I see a WTB empire. We’re opening a store on Melrose in Los Angeles and we’re not stopping there. There’s also a men’s line in the works, a fragrance, WTB accessories, and a denim line. This is just the beginning for WTB. I would also like to be a mother

Images - FASHIONDE MARK

I absolutely love Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, and Salma Hayek to name a few. Those women are absolutely stunning.

Clean lines, crisp cottons, soft silks and pure whites: Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the young American dream is made of.

Photographer: JENNY BROUGH - www.jennybrough.co.uk Stylist: LAURA GRANT-EVANS - www.lauragrant-evans.com Make Up/Hair Stylist: MELISSA OLDRIDGE Models: SAM @ Nevs HANNAH @ Oxygen & BRADLEY @ Oxygen Retoucher: JENNY BROUGH

Ves Tra t: Am ine e rs: rican Co nve Appa rse rel

Sam wears: Vest and Shorts: American Apparel Glasses: Stylists own Hannah wears: Jumper: American Apparel Skirt: Topshop

Jumper: American Apparel Skirt: Topshop

Jumper: American Apparel

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Hannah wears: Vest and Silk Blazer: American Apparel Bradley wears: Vintage Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Windbreaker

Sam and Bradley both wear: Wrangler

Bradley wears: Polo Shirt: Jill Sander for Uniqlo Sam wears: Shirt: Jill Sander for Uniqlo Glasses: Stylists own Hannah wears: Sheer Blouse and Silk Blazer: American Apparel

TEN Things you didn’t know about

RUTINA WESLE Y Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN. Photographer JAIMIE TRUEBLOOD/HBO

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nterviewing ‘Tara’ from True Blood made me stop for a second and wonder if Rutina was anything like her character in the show; funny, kick-ass, loyal; you wouldn’t want to mess with her really. So what about Rutina herself? Rutina Wesley really surprised me with her honesty, her amazingly funny attitude and sense of humour and also her obsession with all things purple! Her role as Tara in True Blood clearly draws some of the patience, determinedness and tenacity from Rutina herself. Rutina is the BFF every girl should have…

I love to sing!!

Okay so yeah, I dig baseball.

One of my favourite pastimes is Karaoke. I can do a mean Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morrisette and some Otis Redding. When I was in High School I worked at this restaurant called Roxy’s Diner and my nickname was Roxie. It was a 50’s diner where we would sing and swing dance while people munched away on sliders. My signature song was a rendition of “I’m Walking” but we changed the lyrics to “I’m Bussin’”. It went something like:

Probably because of my husband, but he has introduced me to the batting cages. Man what a way to let off some steam. Surprisingly I can hit at 65mph; only sucky part is that I’m INCREDIBLY sore the next day and if I don’t hit the ball in the “sweet spot” of the bat, IT HURTS. Like a lot … That tends to happen more often than not.

intelligent that everytime I read or see that play, I am left with this intense feeling of the inspiration of love and the struggles one will go through to have that love. It reminds me of my own marriage, in the sense that once you find true love, your soulmate, you will do whatever it takes to keep that love alive and healthy. I often find myself reciting her speeches when I need to be reminded of my own fire and fragility.

Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given about this industry is,

When it comes to phobias, I am incredibly afraid of heights.

“I’m bussin’, yes indeed I’m bussin’, hey can’t cha see And I’m a hopin’, that you’ll come bus with me I got tables dirty as can be And my servers, they ain’t tippin’ me But I’m a busser, yes that’s my job you see”. I’m also REALLY into musicals and some of my favourites are, Fame, A Chorus Line, Once on this Island, and Wicked. The last two feature my favourite anthems, that I find myself singing when times are tough or when I need to be reminded that life is full of curiosity and joy. Those songs are, “Waiting for Life” and “Defying Gravity”, song by two women who inspire me to sing and sing out loud.

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be in the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Both of my parents were dancers and dance is definitely my first love. I used to dream about dancing principal solos or pas de deuxs with some strong male dancer lifting me up and twirling me around. Secretly I was daydreaming about point shoes and being a prima ballerina dancing the Nutcracker or Romeo and Juliet. Whenever I go to an Ailey concert now, my stomach is in knots and my cheeks are covered in tears as I watch in utter amazement. I’m also reminded of that little girl in me who longed to dance, longed for the stage.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint”. Because of it, I have been able to have patience and endurance when it comes to my career. I have learned that things will come and go, and there will be many peaks and valleys. It’s kept me sane and grounded, knowing that I want a long, fruitful career, not just an over night success.

I have to admit that I am obsessed with the colour purple. To the point that I will buy something just because it’s purple. Even purple makeup. Crazy I know, but I can’t help it. I’m just drawn to it in a way that makes me feel beautiful and regal. Purple Crush is one of my favourite drinks; I will search high and wide for it. And yes, I even own a pair of purple Jordan’s.

Speaking of Jordan’s, I’m a sneaker freak. Love, love, love, sneakers. My hubby tries to find me a pair of sneaks, usually Dunks or Blazers and, ahem …. purple of course, for Valentines Day each year. It’s always my favourite time of year because I know something fabulously purple is coming. Now if I can just find a pair of purple heels . . . Any suggestions? Haha.

One of my dream roles is to play Juliet. I have always related to that character and her soft yet fierce fiery quality that she has. Her speeches are so beautiful and

I mean, I will get on the roller coaster, but the whole entire world is going to hear how I feel about it. The worst for me is those glass elevators in tall buildings where you can actually see how high you are. I always hide in the corner of the elevator and try and look like I’m not scared for my life. Would probably be pretty funny if I ever saw myself on camera and watched how I’m so obvious in my fear. I actually think that I stop breathing until I reach my destination.

I adore Dame Judi Dench. She is one of the most brilliant actresses I know. I would be honoured to share the stage with her someday or screen for that matter. Everytime I watch her work, I am completely captivated and mesmerized by her talent. Doing a Shakespeare play with her would be the ultimate experience. That is if I could get my jaw up off the floor and actually realize that it was happening. Man! That would be cool!!!

Growing up in Vegas I was never really an out doorsy person, but I’ve always wanted to go camping. Even though I’m secretly scared of what lurks in the woods, I’ve always wanted to be able to build a fire, put up a tent, cook a meal, and cuddle with my honey under the stars. That’s one thing I want to do before I die. Lie in nature and recite Shakespeare while roasting marshmallows

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Fa s hi o n â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Fi n e st Lines:

Laur a S m i th di scover s the Ar t o f Fa s h i o n I l l us tr a tion

Before fashion photography truly came to dominance in the sixties, illustration played an integral role in the industry with the stylised and elegant sketches of iconic illustrators such as Erte and Rene Gruau filling the pages and covers of magazines such as Vogue and Harperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bazaar. While the art formâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence faded with the rise of its more precise, economical and quicker substitute, fashion illustration has retained its allure as a timelessly elegant alternative to photography.

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his fascinating genre which marries art with fashion has enjoyed a steady growth in popularity over the past decade, and is returning as a regular feature in magazines and advertising campaigns. To further explore this varied and beautiful art form we spoke to four talented American illustrators, whose diverse styles speak volumes of the evolving nature of fashion illustration and its universal appeal. “I think the challenge in fashion illustration is to be flexible enough to remain current while still staying true to a personal aesthetic,” says the gifted Sara Singh, a New York based illustrator who boasts an impressive client roster including Givenchy, Jil Sander, Tiffany, Bloomingdales, MAC cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Lancôme and Vogue in America, Italy and Japan (for which she produced a stunning front cover featuring a women in black dress with green fan - see right). “When I began my career in the mid 90’s I was told that this wasn’t really a profession anymore,” she says. “I found that not to be entirely true - fashion illustration now fills a very different function than it did in the past.” While photography may have replaced illustration as fashion’s dominant recorder, the latter tells an alternative story of fashion and offers a welcome reprieve from a world saturated with photographic imagery. As burgeoning Phoenix-based illustrator Andrea Peterson puts it, “Within the nuances of fashion illustration, the viewer finds expression and art beyond simply an instantaneous snapshot.”

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“Within the nuances of fashion illustration, the viewer finds expression and art beyond simply an instantaneous snapshot.”

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While there’s no denying that fashion photography can often be beautiful, illustration differs as it isn’t purely creating a carbon copy of the subject and is often subjective; taken from the artist’s point of view it draws on traditional values of art and design, colour, balance, form, light and draughtsmanship. “The body is endlessly intriguing and drawing is a kind of stenography describing it,” says Sarah, whose fluid illustrations are primarily executed in a blend of undefined watercolour, sharp lines of ink and vivid brushstrokes of colour, creating an impressionist take on runway fashions; “It’s faster than painting, but still tells the story.” For Leigh Viner, an illustrator hailing from Denver, the expressiveness conveyed through illustration plays a key role in its appeal. Filtered through the artist’s own creative vision, the subject matter becomes immediately more subjective: “It’s a wonderful form of expression that opens up a deeper level of relativeness that draws you in on another level,” she says. “It can convey a real sense of emotion in that there are so many artists with their own interpretations of fashion and I think it’s appealing to see how that is represented.” Leigh’s enthralling acrylic, oil and watercolour illustrations combine the worlds of high art and high fashion, with her subject matter varying from Lanvin’s spring collection to backstage beauty. In her illustrations, she evokes “a free flowing feminine expression” in rich, ethereal compositions that are by equal parts soft and strong, yielding both a powerful impact and eye-catching elegance. She cites the top British illustrator David Downton as a key influence on her style – her work suggests faint echoes of his sinuous lines punctuated by fervent dashes of bold, flowing colour with delicate brushstrokes indicating a rounded cheekbone, flared nostril, tousled hair or the shape of an outfit.

Illustration - LEIGH VINER

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“It’s a wonderful form of expression that opens up a deeper level of relativeness that draws you in on another level”

Illustration - LEIGH VINER

Illustrations - FERNANDA COHEN

One of the key reasons illustration is used more sparingly in editorial work is that the process require a deft hand, accuracy and astute confidence, making it often a time consuming process for the even most experienced illustrators. “I seek to express a kind of mood in my drawings,” says Sara, “but I then struggle to pin that down with an economy of lines and to reach that seemingly effortless final product I create drawing after drawing and waste heaps of paper!” Yet Leigh finds “beauty in imperfection” and often leaves errant sweeping lines in her final pieces for a strong unfinished look, which adds a raw edge to their whimsical beauty. She describes her creative process: “I start with a simple pencil sketch and draw lightly until I feel it is going in a good direction, then I start to detail darker strokes and detail the eyes and face. Once comfortable I’ll finalize with pen and prepare it for the watercolours, which most of the time is completely on a whim, I don’t plan, so much and just let myself go with what I am feeling in the moment. Then to finalize for prints I take a photo of it and add a few digital touches or colour if needed.” While the work of Sara Singh and Leigh Viner are both soft and elegant, the beauty of illustration is that it can encompass a huge variety of forms and styles depending on the approach,

techniques and inspiration of each individual artist. Illustrators like Fernanda Cohen take a slightly different and conceptual approach to the genre. Her illustrations are bursting with energy and movement created by swirling and looping lines emboldened with a strong use of colour in both gouache and ink. Originally from Buenos Aries, the Brooklyn-based illustrator first turned her attention to fashion when she was commissioned to illustrate an advertising campaign for Ikram, a high-end boutique in Chicago owned by Michelle Obama’s stylist. She has also created window displays for boutiques on Fifth Avenue and her vibrant iconography has been featured in T-shirts for GAP and commissioned by Tiffany & Co. Most notably, Fernanda has become a fashion illustrator known for drawing realistic female bodies and celebrating the female form: “I love drawing women. I feel I truly understand women’s curves and body language, which allows me to have a lot of fun with them,” she says. “I also love the detailed intricacies of fashion, its constant need for cyclical change and the extensive variety of combinations of shapes and colours it offers.” Her designs harness a vitality which makes them excellently matched for the constantly evolving world of fashion. While many in the industry are aware

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“I love drawing women. I feel I truly understand women’s curves and body language, which allows me to have a lot of fun with them”

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Illustration - ARTIST ANDREA

of the magical effect illustration can have in fashion advertising – consider the memorable Manolo Blahnik sketches or Vivienne Westwood perfume ads whose use of the medium is at once elegantly beautiful, yet powerfully suggestive – Fernanda feels more consideration should be given to the merits and advantages of the art form. “Commissioning illustration is also cheaper than using photography, which almost always requires more people to be executed. I believe ad agencies, and their clients, should be educated on how much illustration can really do to make their campaigns stand out,” she says. Rather than being placed in competition with photography, the two mediums often complement each other beautifully when placed side by side in fashion reports. “I think fashion illustration and photography work well together, to present both the literal and overall emotion,” says Andrea, “but I think illustration conveys more emotion and a presence of being there than the quick snapshot of a runway model.”

CHARLIE LE MINDU

Andrea works closely with the cult British publication Amelia’s Magazine under the name Artist Andrea to create visual reports for its London Fashion Week coverage. Based in Phoenix, she often works from photographs to create her own fluid, elegant and intricate take on catwalk couture, using watercolours in a style she describes as ‘idiosyncratic surrealism’. She notes that in fashion, it is often the most ostentatious pieces which prove the most interesting subject matter, citing Charlie Le Mindu as a recent favourite. With the varied options to be elegant, adaptable, ethereal, detailed or abstract, the art form is especially suited to recording haute couture and surreal pieces which are often considered akin to works of art themselves.

As our pick of talented American illustrators have shown, their sumptuous designs featuring brilliant observation of detail, style and demeanour, crafted in exceptional drawing and painting ensures this alternative look at fashion will continue to enjoy global popularity and appreciation. There’s little doubt fashion illustration will lose its appeal, and hopefully it will become more innovative and alluring. As the godfather of fashion illustration Rene Gruau once said, “The glamorous worlds of fashion and art hold a mutual fascination,” and fashion illustration remains its beguiling love child

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n o i sh a F : n S a s c i 0 r A 2 e 9 M 1 m A A J THE CAT’S PY

fter the lows of wartime America and indeed the rest of the world, America experienced a boom during the 1920s and this was reflected instantly through the clothing of the young crowd. Strongly connected to a dislike of prohibition, Chanel’s loose-fitting, garçonne look became a symbol of progressive young women, challenging the morals and ideals of past generations.

fter the end of the war, men were returning home to an America in which industry had had a strong female dominance whilst they had been away serving their country. These men were affected and broke, thus had no hope of offering marriage to their sweethearts. There was much less security for women and having tasted freedom during the war, they were reluctant to return to the domestic role that had preceded the war. Fashion in the 1920s reflected this greatly and women used clothes to show off femininity rather than wear practical clothes representing their domestication. The look that dominated the early 1920s was the garçonne style, which subsequently became known as the flapper look in prohibition America. It was the antithesis of the romantic look that had prevailed and it was largely owed to Coco Chanel. 1921 saw the launch of French Vogue which meant overseas sales of Parisian styles rocketed and America couldn’t wait to get their hands on this new aspirational style. The term garçonne is thought to originate from the 1922 novel La Garçonne by Victor Margueritte

about an ambitious young woman who leaves her family to pursue independence, an ideal model for post-war women who were struggling to fit back into their roles of domestic goddess. The clothes themselves directly reflected this aspirational, independent attitude with a boyish shape, moving away from the corseted hourglass figure that had been so popular pre-war. The notion that women discarded their corsets altogether is generally thought of as a myth, in fact, cylindrical elastic corsets were used to suppress the female curves and flatten chests. The drop-waisted dress became iconic in the 1920s, emphasising a boyish figure and lending themselves wonderfully to the ‘outrageous’ dances of the decade, such as the Charleston. The straight cut chemise dresses moved provocatively when the young ladies danced and exposed more leg than had ever been acceptable. Hemlines on skirts crept further up the leg as the decade drew on, sometimes exposing knees, meaning silk stockings, held up by garters were highly popular. This style became synonymous with the images of groups of young women out together.

T JACKMAN

Illustrations by JULIE NT-EVANS

RA Words by LAURA G

NOIR era In post-Sex and the City America, it is almost impossible to imagine that a group of young female friends out on the town, drinking, smoking and having casual sex was ever frowned upon. However, for young ladies to be seen out in the 1920s without a chaperone or a gentleman on one’s arm was challenging deep rooted divides between the sexes in society. By donning the flapper fashion, you were flaunting economic independence and modernity. Accessories were a key part of the flapper uniform and the cloche hat has become a symbol of this era. It was

bell-shaped, made of felt and pulled deep over the brow. The shawl was also a must-have sign of wealth as they were often fringed with silk, but also provided some much needed warmth over flimsy 1920s gowns. Shoes had relatively high heels with cross straps or T-bars, perfect for dancing the night away underground in illegal bars. They were further embellished with embroidery or brocade to exude luxury. The final accessory which probably caused the greatest stir amongst traditionalists was the Eton crop, a daring schoolboy haircut, originating from Paris. Bobbed and shingled haircuts, made sleek and shiny by Brillantine, followed closely as a symbol of questioning authority. The girls pursuing this look advocated female voting and women’s rights and their freedom of expression came mainly through their fashion. Blessed with the British high street in modern society, we expect saturated

high end styles at our finger tips only weeks after they have been sent down the NY, London, Milan and Paris catwalks. At the beginning of the 1920s this was unheard of and style and glamour was something very much reserved for the upper classes. As the decade progressed, girls of all ages and social backgrounds were able to hone in on the accessible garçonne fashion as it was easy to make at home and mass produce. The material was very lightweight and the cut of the clothes was much more symbolic than the actual fabric, meaning one did not have to spend a fortune. The McCall Pattern Company started publishing patterns by Chanel, Vionnet, Patoo and Lanvin, to name but a few, hence the look infiltrating all walks of life. Girls were able to emulate the Hollywood screen stars even if their dress was rayon instead of Joan Crawford’s silk, couture gown. This, however, did not seem to matter to the young American girls; they were making a statement by their ever shorter hems, cutting their hair and drinking copious amounts of alcohol. The garçonne and flapper fashions were relatively shortlived, reaching a peak in 1926 and crashing out of society alongside Wall Street and the depression. By 1929, skirts had become longer, materials more practical and the hedonism of the 1920s dispersed with. For a moment in 1920s America, girls had used high heels and the tilt of a hat to give the illusion of wealth, of abundance and of being like a Hollywood starlet

ou could be forgiven for thinking that Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu would be a downbeat kind of guy. Four times nominated for an Academy Award, four times unlucky, Gonzalez is best known for his “trilogy of death”, comprising of Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel. The three films have a sprawling, interwoven narrative that encapsulates themes of violence, death, God, and well, misery. There is something of a shadow over his work; low-light, downplayed and subtly piercing, each film is heartbreaking in its unflinching exposure of the human soul. However, the creator of the bittersweet Biutiful is surprisingly cheerful, warm and open. His work may be characterised by a bleak outlook on life, but Gonzalez himself insists he is not nihilistic, and watching his newest film, it’s clear to see that he really, truly, believes in redemption. Returning to Spanish language cinematography after two Hollywood blockbusters, the director spoke to Daniela Morosini about life, love, and what’s on his iPod.

“We all have blood on our hands. It’s this cancer of unfairness and injustice around the world that we are all trapped in” Congratulations on your two Oscar nominations! How do you respond to the awards? Thank you! Well, I’m used to losing! I try to enjoy them, an excuse to get a drink with the people who helped make the film.

How much do you try and blend in with Hollywood, or do you try to keep a distance? Well, I think something like a nomination is a result of hard work, and if you receive that kind of distinction, then what I try to do it give thanks about it, but move onto the next project and not be swallowed by all these things and try to keep perspective.

Biutiful is not a huge ensemble piece like your previous films did you feel this placed more pressure on Bardem as an actor? The film is written as one-character piece really, but to be fair to rest of the cast, he had an amazing

NOIR i n ter view supporting cast of people who were affecting (Uxbal)’s life. All the other actors helped to give a lot of truth to the film.

Did you feel you had more freedom as a director now you were doing a piece driven by this one character? I think at the end you are just dealing with the material, that as a director you play with, and that doesn’t change the film. One guy has to be in the centre more than others.

You’ve said that you felt the piece was more character driven than plot driven. Bearing in mind the interconnecting plots of films like Babel and 21 Grams, how was that for you as a director? Well, I think it’s very interesting because it’s more about the silences and the observations of the people in very minimal events in a man’s life that can seem so possessive. We were able to describe so many things, you know, minimal events and make them into these bigger things.

With Biutiful you’ve got this sort of circular narrative - would you consider doing a film with a linear narrative? Yeah, I think every film and every story has to be found in the right way to be told, so personally I think it depends on the story you want to tell. I don’t reject any way in particular, any structure I think is valid when it’s the way to tell the story better.

How soon into the production of Biutiful did you know you wanted Bardem? Ever since the beginning, I have to say, ever since I started writing, I knew that it would be Javier who I wanted to play the part. Right from the beginning I knew, so that was easy.

When you look at Biutful, is it just 70

a tragedy, or is there a hope for redemption? I think the film has to do with both things. It’s tragic in the way redemption as portrayed as part of the process, you know, and the variety of the characters goes beyond that. I think as a film it has both.

And his fate in the end, is it his own doing, penance, or is it the cruelty of the world? I don’t think it’s mere penance... in the complexity of our lives, and the system, we are all spoiled, we all are, in that we are all infected by the same system that is corrupting all of us. We all have blood on our hands. It’s this cancer of unfairness and injustice around the world that we are all trapped in. I think the more he tries to work against it, the more he’s getting deeper into the muddy water.

And, because he’s unwell, he’s infected in every way. Yeah, I think it’s a metaphor for corruption, bodily and politically... but it’s a metaphor for all of us. Regardless of any country or religion, we are all participating.

You filmed some of the underbelly in Barcelona, how important was this location for you? For me, you know, it didn’t have to be Barcelona. It was more to give an example of one city that we can just blindly navigate without seeing other realities that are happening there. I think many other cities, like London, have the same kind of nature to them. London has one million Chinese people there and no one knows that...there’s nothing more depressing than that! There’s all these unemployed people living and surviving in very tough conditions and we are all part of that.

Bardem’s character is all contradictions - he’s a tough

man in tough city but he’s got this real love for his family. Yeah, I think it’s important to recognise that he’s trying to discover the meaning of his own life with all this suffering around that’s why I called it Biutiful.

You grew up in Mexico which is a very spiritual country, would you say this has influenced your work? Mexico is where I was born, and where I grew and where I developed myself and I think things like where you were born really have an impact on you. It gives you a point of view - had this film been made by a German it would have been a very different one. So, yes, my background, individually and personally will affect how I do things.

Talk to me a bit about how you try and tackle big issues like life, death and God in your films. Well, I think these are things that really concern me and make me think. It’s like when people have the same jokes, and they are always laughing at them, they’ll always come back to them. But this is what I’m concerned about. I’ll laugh too, but I can’t help but come back to these things.

Why do you think you are always drawn back to these themes? You like the music that you like, I mean, my iPod is full of melancholy, nostalgic music and I respond to that. If it was all “boom, boom, boom” it would be different. It’s about what you like and what you respond to, and you’re stimulated by. Those things are that for me.

Do you see a hope for redemption for your characters, or is it more nihilistic? I like redemption. I think they have the opportunity to redeem themselves, and I think I like that, I don’t have a nihilistic view of

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“London has one million Chinese people there and no one knows that...there’s nothing more depressing than that!” life generally speaking, I try to navigate through reality and how toxic it is, but at the same time knowing we can be the owners of how we confront reality and that’s something I truly believe.

How much would you say that your films have grown with you? I started doing Amores Perros 10 years ago, so obviously you cannot do the same thing again, you are changing, I cannot be doing what people expect of me or what is the fashion now. You have to be honest with you.

Biutiful is your first Spanishlanguage film since Amores Perros. Was it important to you to return to Spanish? Yes, I mean in terms of moneymaking, were I a mercenary producer, I would not do it. But I don’t care, I wanted to return and do a Spanish film.

Biutiful is available on DVD & Blu-ray, May 16 from Optimum Releasing

LADY GAGA Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Controversial Fashion Icon

La u r a S mi th pon d er s t he mer it s of t he fa sh i o n tou r de force known a s Ga ga.

It’s hard to believe

that a mere three years ago the majority of us had never heard of Lady Gaga. That was before “Just Dance” conquered the airwaves and paved the way for the eccentric singer’s complete domination of the music world; armed with her catchy, electrifying brand of pop and uncompromising outfits, the industry didn’t stand a chance against the pop and fashion behemoth known as Gaga!

Image - PETER CRUISE

Image - LORI TINGEY

“I want the imagery to be so strong that fans will want to eat and taste and lick every part of us.”

ow, just turned 25 and boasting an estimated sale of 15 million albums and 51 million singles worldwide and over nine million followers on twitter, the extent of Lady Gaga’s influence on contemporary pop music is undeniable. Last year, Forbes magazine named her the 7th most influential women in the world; after all, she did manage to raise £250,000 for the victims of the Japanese earthquake within 48 hours via the social networking site. But with Gaga, it’s never just been about the music. For the “Born Again” singer, fashion is as important as her music and when it comes to her overall creative aesthetic, the two are inseparable. On the strong influence fashion has on her work she’s said, “When I’m writing music, I’m thinking about the clothes I want to wear

on stage. It’s about everything altogether – performance art, pop performance art, fashion. For me, it’s everything coming together and being a real story that will bring back the superfan. I want the imagery to be so strong that fans will want to eat and taste and lick every part of us.” In our current digital age of media intensity and public scrutiny, image is everything, and for Gaga fashion plays a key role. Since her 2008 debut, public opinion of her music, persona and fashion sense has been divided with some praising the style maverick as a role model, trail blazer and fashion icon. Many see her ‘don’t-give-a-damn’ approach to fashion as inspiring; her avant-garde wardrobe of latex, lace, studded bras, lobster hats, bubble dresses and butcher block couture (that meat

dress designed by Franc Fernandez which was named Time magazine’s Fashion Statement of 2010) push the boundaries of fashion and suggest empowerment, freedom and selfexpression to her gargantuan fanbase of “little monsters”. Yet to others Gaga’s flamboyant attire is ridiculous, attention seeking and utterly pretentious. The last is a fair point: its quite difficult to arrive at the 2011 Grammys encased in a giant egg designed by Hussein Chalayan and carried like a roman emperor without appearing a tad ostentatious…well, she had to top the meat dress somehow! While it peeved off quite a few of the other celebs in attendance including Beyonce who chose to tred the red carpet like us common plebs, Gaga’s mad entrance was thee talking point of

NOIR ex p er i en c e the awards show and grabbed global headlines. While I’m not always completely enamoured with some of her more outrageous fashion choices (i.e. the meat dress) she does keep things very interesting both on and off the red carpet. That’s the thing about Gaga; while she may have borrowed a lot from previous notorious fashion divas like Madonna, Grace Jones, Isabella Blow or Roisin Murphy, her eccentric fashion statements are something new. The designer Hussein Chalayan has said, “I think what she’s doing is a regurgitation of the past, but it’s fresh packaging.” And he’s right – Gaga has blown new life into the fashion industry and when it comes to her contemporaries, she remains the most extreme. While most female performers would keep the statement outfits for concerts or music videos (a concept Gaga has revolutionized with other female singers like Rihanna, Katy Perry and Beyonce quickly following suit) Gaga has taken these extreme fashions out of the arena - and off the runway - and transferred them not only to the red carpet, but to the street as well. As fans, the press, and the paparazzi are completely obsessed with her, every time she steps outside is a photo

opportunity, be it shopping, checking into a hotel or getting off a flight, all of which she uses to her greatest advantage. So, when it comes to fashion, the international pop sensation holds an incredible amount of influence within the industry. And on June 6 the fashion elite will make it official: Gaga is a fashion icon. Love her or loathe her, the Council of Fashion Designers of America announced last month that she was being given the prestigious Fashion Icon award, with the council’s president Diane von Furstenberg lauding the eccentric singer’s avant-garde fashion sense. The decision came just weeks after she lit up Paris Fashion Week on the Thierry Mulger catwalk for the label’s creative director and Gaga’s very own fashion director, Nicola Formichetti. The award is another marker of the power Gaga wields in the fashion industry, with the world’s top designers falling over themselves to submit their own fantastic creations for her to wear. She persuaded Giorgio Armani to abandon his traditional style to create the sparkling orbit dress which she wore to the 2010 Grammys. Other contributors to her no-holds-barred wardrobe include Valentino, Giorgio Armani Prive, Jean Paul Gaultier, Francesco Scognamiglio, Miuccia Prada, Phillip Treacy, Thierry Mulger and Gareth Pugh. Some have

been wonderful; her pretty Thierry Mulger origami dresses and her McQueen dress and armadillo shoes, and some suitably outlandish; her Phillip Treacy lobster hat … and her McQueen armadillo shoes! But sometimes it doesn’t quite work. While Gaga is famous for her stylised image, at some point it seems too calculated, too contrived and over conceptualised. It must be fun to delve into a designer dressing up box of weird and wonderful creations; to wear what you want, however outrageous and get away with it, but while being fun and flamboyant, it’s not an easy style to emulate. For Gaga, that’s probably the point. She wants to be remembered as much more than a talented singer/songwriter; she wants to be seen as an artist and the more surreal the clothing, the stronger that image becomes. She seems to have created a fashion style all to herself; it’s Gaga and it’s completely unique to her. She may not always look that classy or stylish but she always advocates doing your own thing and not caring about what anyone else thinks, especially if the look you’re going for is surreal and sculptural! How will she keep pushing the envelope in more daring outfits? Maybe the most shocking thing for us to see her in would be jeans, a baggy T-shirt and trainers! She might be trying too hard to be original these days but let’s face it; the world would be a much duller place without her. Love her or hate her, in her own way Gaga has established herself as a monster fashion icon, and who knows, one day she might even become a trendsetter. We could be taking our lobster hats off to her before we know it!

Image - PETER CRUISE

NOIR i n ter view

THE GH OST OF A S ABER TOOTH T IGER Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Sean Lennon

ormed in 2008, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (GOASTT – name which is actually derived from a short play written by Muhl), features Charlotte Kemp Muhl: a beautiful Atlanta, Georgia raised singer, writer and model and Sean Lennon: son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono and musical genius in his own right. Any relation of a Beatle would find it hard to deal with the hype and pressure of following in their parents

footsteps and facing the usual media need for comparing them. Luckily none of this fazes Sean or Charlotte, with the obvious John and Yoko duet comparisons apparent; this is clearly where the comparisons end. Having met backstage at the Coachella Music Festival seven years ago and beginning a romantic relationship before starting the band, the two have become inseparable; living together, touring together, singing together, running a label

Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN 76

together… All of which have enabled them to create music which is both intimate and whimsical but also inspiring. Whilst Charlotte has a more delicate tone to Sean’s deeper voice, both have such a succinct identifiable sound which suits the folk pop vibe of their album. Whilst Sean’s musical lineage is well-documented, Charlotte’s isn’t so I chatted to them both about their musical influences, their sound and get their take on everything from music and fashion.

NOIR i n t er v i ew

NOIR i n ter view

NOIR i n t er v i ew What are you both currently up to?

How does your musical partnership work?

We’re currently in the studio trying to make an old belt sound like a bullwhip for an Ennio Morricone spaghetti western style flourish.

Early on we decided that we’d try and have a true 50/50 partnership. We make all the decisions together. Luckily we agree some of the time.

What made you decide to work together and start The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger band?

So many artists cite The Beatles as influencing them in their music and pursuing When we started dating we found a musical career. Would you it very difficult with our respective say they have influenced you schedules to find enough time both at all? to be together. So we figured if we started a band and a record label, we’d be in the same room more often.

How would you describe your music? Who would you say are your greatest influences? The GOASTT is a sort of postmodern psychedelic folk band, initially inspired by Syd Barrett’s solo records, the Incredible String Band, and White Noise.

When it comes to the music, what’s important to you? What do you hope your fans take away from your music? We’re just trying to make music that we like personally, and then after that we just hope there are some like-minded people out there who might share our taste.

Your new album “Acoustic Sessions” features a lot of instruments and is all live which gives the music an intimate touch. What was the decision behind this? We were in the middle of making an electric album when some of our friends sat us down, sort of like a musical intervention, and demanded that we first release an acoustic album, to capture the early style of the band, before it got too eccentric.

I [Sean] am of course very influenced by everything my father, and mother, have done, but Charlotte actually never even heard “Strawberry Fields” until she met me.

Sean, it must be a lot of pressure to carry on your father’s legacy but at the same time, making your own individual mark on the music industry? I think there are pros and cons. I have a lot of opportunities that most artists don’t have, but ultimately, there lies before me the insurmountable mountain of my father’s achievements; but I think that is actually the case for anyone trying to write songs, we are all living in a postBeatle universe.

How has your lovely mother Yoko Ono influenced you in your life? Do you get upset when she is criticised? If I got upset when my mother or I were criticized, I’d always be upset. By now I’m used to it, but there are a few cases where I get really miffed. But in many ways she has been a greater influence on me even than my dad. She raised me, and it was through observing her that I learned about studios and song writing.

Charlotte, you began modelling at 13 and star in campaigns such as the current Maybelline one. How would you describe your experiences modelling? I have a love/hate relationship with modelling because the industry can be so twodimensional and cookie cutter, pre-occupied with body image and clothing as a form of identity rather than intellect or personality, yet at the same time it has allowed me to travel and meet extraordinary people, so I am very grateful for that. It also pays more than mowing lawns, which I used to do for a summer job! And Maybelline is one of the most fun clients to work for, so I’m lucky.

Can you tell us a bit more about your musical background Charlotte? What drew you to music? I’ve been writing folk songs on an old Martin guitar since I was 13, around the time I started travelling for modelling and needed an outlet to express my thoughts on the absurdity of ‘it all’. Never imagined I’d actually have a career in music though, so it’s an amusing twist of fate those same songs are finally being recorded and released on our label Chimera Music.

What’s the best and worst gig you’ve ever played? Do you have any pregig rituals?

One time we were flown to Cannes Film Festival to play at an after party. We had one acoustic guitar, and wound up having to play to a room full of eurotrash who had been dancing to bad techno all night. All you could hear was the clanking of champagne glasses and clicking of high heels. I think they hated us. We got heckled a lot. We haven’t really played enough gigs to have any pre-gig ritual, other than maybe having a beer or two.

Is it difficult running your own record label Chimera Music alongside working on the band? You must enjoy having

creative control over your own band? It’s more work than we could have imagined, but it beats having someone listen to your album and tell you, ‘You need a radio hit.’

Who would be the one person or group you would like to work with or collaborate with? Popul Vuh, or Ennio Morricone, or Dr. Octagon, or Merrill from Tune-yards.

The best piece of advice I could give to someone wanting to work in the music industry would be… If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?

T H E GH O S T O F A S AB E R TOOTH TI GE R ON.. . My favourite bands/artists are:

MUSIC

Just to name a few: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Tom Waits, Beethoven, the Beatles and The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, White Noise, Os Mutantes, joujoux d’antan, Nino Rota, Alain Goraguer, and Gyorgy Ligeti

The first CD I ever bought was: Sean: Mine was an LP and it was Human League.

clothes at an antique shop in upstate for pennies on the dollar. The problem is we have no room for the stuff, so our house is a bit cluttered at the moment.

My favourite item in my closet is: Sean: A fuchsia Masonic Cape from the 1890s, covered in Egyptian symbols and eyeballs. Charlotte: A real human skull I bought illegally from an antique dealer...

Love is…

LOVE

Charlotte: Cat Stevens.

hard to come by.

As it is our American Issue. What defines America for you? What do you love about it?

My favourite song is:

The day we first met…

Sean: I don’t really have a favourite, but maybe “Day in a Life”.

We could tell we were in trouble.

Phew, well, there is a lot about America that is hard to swallow at the moment. But the other day we played a gig at the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary, and afterwards we stumbled into a Midnight Ramble at Levon Helm’s house. We were both blown away by the grace and beauty of the music and the people. The experience reaffirmed our love for America, and renewed our faith that there are certain cultural elements here that will never die.

Charlotte: “Night on Bald Mountain”

What projects do you have coming up this year?

I love to shop at:

We are in the middle of recording Kemp and Eden, Charlotte’s band from childhood. I [Sean] am also mixing my record with Greg from Deerhoof, and noise band called Consortium Musicum. I’m scoring two films, this summer....finishing up the GOASTT album, and also going on tour with the Flaming Lips.

Sean is… an alien

Charlotte is…

The one CD in my collection which I wouldn’t admit to owning until now is:

a Unicorn

Sean: George Michael’s “Faith” perhaps? Nothing to be ashamed of, he’s a genius.

A man in Papua New Guinea told us that human meat tastes like cow. It was not only hilarious, it was terrifying as well.

Charlotte: Peter Paul and Mary? Guess that’s embarrassing. But I like their harmonies.

The funniest moment we have shared together is…

HAPPI

Happiness is:

FASHIO

NESS

Sean: A box of new pens. Really good delay pedals.

Exquisite Costumes in NY. They sell super antique clothing, some from the 1800s.

Charlotte: Playing a nylon string guitar in bed and eating cold watermelon in the summer.

My style icons are:

What makes me happy is:

Sean: Marc Bolan, Aleister Crowley. Charlotte: Mata Hari, Amelia Earhart

That this is the second to last question, (no offense).

The best bargain I have ever bought was:

Charlotte: my getting along...

We bought a truck load of old

“Acoustic Sessions” is out now.

What makes me unhappy is: friends

not

You first came to mainstream attention in the UK with your roles as Lucifer in Supernatural and Jacob in Lost. Was it strange playing the devil and a mysterious is-he-isn’t-he a messiah almost at the same time? Not strange, but occasionally physically taxing. Lost filmed in Hawaii and Supernatural filmed in Vancouver and there were times when there was very little time separating respective episodes. One particular time was a case in point: I was shooting Lost and got a terrible tooth ache (pain meds got me through that week :-). I flew back to Los Angeles on a Monday. Had a root canal on Tuesday morning and flew to Vancouver later that day to start filming Super. The root canal was only partially finished by the way... had to go back two weeks later to complete it... then fly off to Hawaii.

Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN Photographer ERIC WILLIAMS Groomer TASHA REIKO BROWN

Were you happy with the ending of Lost. Do you think it answered all the questions you had about the show and also your character? I WAS very happy with the ending. It was very moving and that’s coming from someone who wasn’t an avid follower of the show. (I don’t watch much TV). As for whether or not it answered ALL the questions one would have (Notice I’ve taken it off ME now) I would say for some YES. For others NO. But the show wasn’t one that

should be tied up in a neat little ball and put away. The fact that there are some strings dangling keeps avid fans puzzling over the mythology and THAT is one of the keys to the show’s uniqueness. Now...bringing this back to me for a moment, I would say that JACOB’S storyline was one of those long standing Lost mysteries that was solved entirely by the end. You are currently starring in SyFy’s Being Human. Do you enjoy working on the show? Can you tell us a bit more about the show?

I love working on the show. You know, every once in a while a crew and a cast come together and really click. That was definitely the case here. We’ve all become really good friends and I hope it stays that way (as of this writing SyFy has announced it’ll be picking up another season, so it looks like it will). The show’s logline sounds like the set up to a joke: ‘A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost live together see....’ but it’s really a

serious drama with some strong comedic elements. On the surface the main characters are trying to hide their inner (literal) monsters from the rest of the world and fit in. Their struggle is to belong. But I always looked at it as MORE than a small group of misfits trying to conform to a standard of normalcy. I always thought the struggle they had was more universal and more noble. After all, the struggle to control the beast within (whatever evil or anti-life impulses

one may have)...IS (or was, at least) the essence of what it is to BE HUMAN. In a day and age where kids are taught that their emotions and impulses are the most important gages of ‘truth’ and ‘right’...that reason and self control are impotent...that who you ARE is more important than who you can BECOME by an effort of will. Well, in the face of that cultural flak I think a show that says through the action ‘hey... check your nature. Think before you act...’ is rather refreshing. How would you describe Bishop? Do you enjoy playing him? I would describe Bishop as a man on a mission. And his mission is two-fold and interconnecting. His micro mission is to bring Aiden back into the family fold. His macro mission is to help his people ‘come out’. One could get the impression that the first only serves the second. After all, Aiden is a great warrior and could serve his cause. But Bishop is not the kind of fanatic to use his own kind like pawns. I don’t think of him as a powerluster, but as a man with a keen sense of justice. Let’s think about this a second... Aiden has fallen - much like the prodigal son - and his father (Bishop) waits for him with open arms (and a little persuasion) NOT because it serves his bigger mission, but because it is RIGHT to love and support one’s SON.

regard to submission to one’s nature) there are so many amazingly noble things about him that it makes him a joy to play... particularly as the story ripens towards the finale. Why the sudden love for vampires right now? What is it about vampires that appeals? Two reasons: First, I think it started because of a shift in our culture. Almost nothing is taboo in the western world anymore and almost no worldly barriers exist to the consummation of love. So we’ve looked to the SUPER natural realm to provide the unbridgeable gap that lovers must cross to be together. Feuding families...racial and religious differences...just don’t do it anymore. But the rift between life and death? Ah... that’s something. The utter incompatibility between the predator and his prey...try and cross that bridge. The other reason I think speaks to the horror genre in general. Horror is cathartic. It indirectly helps us deal with our fears. Let’s face it. We are living in scary times right now. Our economic and political institutions are crumbling. We are being attacked by antagonistic value systems that emulate death over life. There is great uncertainty and it makes people uneasy. It’s been going on for quite some time,

stake and go for that. The Devil wanted revenge. And if he were to present his case before a jury of thinking men and women, God would be in trouble. Jacob needed to make up for a terrible sin. Bishop wants family. This is not to say that these parts don’t require some research and imagination to bring a certain flavor to them, but if they lack the human connection no one will relate or sympathize with them and they will fall into that boring category of an archetype.

As for ‘coming out’... anyone who has been a part of an oppressed group can understand the shame of living in the shadows. The indignity of not being able to participate in the world of ‘rights’. To break those chains and be FREE is noble. The man who advocates and fights for those ends is the noblest of men. So even though Bishop is the antagonist of the story. Even though he is considered a BAD GUY (And I, personally don’t agree with his arguments with

but the chickens from decades past, are coming home to roost now. We deal with those dangers vicariously through the escape and confrontation that the genre provides. The Devil, Jacob, a vampire…how do you prepare yourself for roles such as these? By not looking at them as the Devil, Jacob (a messianic figure) and a vampire, but as men in pursuit of something for which they are willing to lose it all to get. I try to find the human thing at

living on the edge.

What type of roles are you drawn to? What future roles/characters would you love to do? I like men who are teetering on the edge of the precipice and doing everything in their power to keep from falling. I would love to play Cameron in The Fountainhead. He is the man who teaches the main character (Howard Rourke), but who lacks the spiritual stature to survive the world as it is. He is a man of giant talents and a normal soul...and he gets crushed. It’s so tragic and so full of dignity and human truth that I think I could die after doing that part. In keeping with my statement about precipices I would love to be in a Zombie apocalypse movie or series... talk about

What have been your favourite casts to work with so far? Being Human. Love those guys. When not working, what do you love to do? I read philosophy. History. And classic literature - the Kindle is a godsend - but also addicted to The Walking Dead graphic novels. I box. And when my back is healthy I do a little (and I mean a very little ) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

NOIR ex p erienc e

Hope Dworaczyk is one

of those women we stop and gape at, not just because of her sheer beauty, but because she is one of those women who is talented at well, everything! Model, playmate, presenter, writer, producerâ&#x20AC;Ś The list goes on. I caught up with Hope to find out what it is like being on the cover of Playboy magazine, being a runway model, her life ambitions and to get her top secret tips for fashion and beauty.

HOP E DWO R AC Z YK â&#x20AC;Ś Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN

Photographer JOSH RYAN www.joshryanphoto.com

NOIR i n t er v i ew You have posed a few times now for Playboy magazine. Can you describe your experiences while working with the magazine? I was never really nervous about posing. Once we had set a date to do the shoot, I never thought about it again until the night before. Playboy was a great opportunity and I was lucky enough to join the ranks of some pretty incredible women who had posed before me… Marilyn Monroe, Cindy Crawford and Goldie Hawn, just to name a few.

What is the Playboy Mansion really like? Do you get along well with Hugh Hefner? Hef is a living icon and the mansion will always be a historical landmark. To know Hef and to have experienced the mansion is a complete honour. Sex in America has changed dramatically throughout the years and most young people don’t have any hunch as to how much. When Hef started Playboy, couples didn’t live together until they were married,

to get into something much more unique, and that’s personality. When a woman is both sexual and vulnerable, the combination has tremendous appeal.

You have also modelled on runways across the world from Versace to Balenciaga. Can you tell us more about your experiences? What were your highlights? Any low-points? Everything has its price. For me to be a model, I had to leave my family and move far away. It was a huge sacrifice for me and I hated it. But at the same time, I’ve gotten to travel, see the world and live the life that before leaving my small town, I had only read about in magazines.

What trends are you most looking forward to wearing this Spring/Summer? Any you won’t be attempting? This spring and summer, it’s all about neons. You can either wear all one colour or colour block by creating unexpected colour combinations that pop when worn together. For example,

can’t fix the inside by fixing the outside.

Do you feel people have pre-conceived notions of you before you meet them because you are a model? I’m sure they do. Modelling is a profession where your worth is directly tied to your looks. I’m very talented. I write, produce and create. I created the first show I ever hosted called Inside Fashion. I created it because I found a niche in television and a format nobody else was doing, but I felt most would watch. It was very successful. I just think it’s a lot more interesting for media to say that I was Playmate of the Year than a host or producer. People don’t expect me to develop so many great things from the ground up simply because it takes a lot of work… which I’m willing to do.

You are an advocate for the ‘Best Buddies’ organization. How did you get involved with this? I was invited to take part in a 100

mo re t h an just a Play ma t e having a baby out of wedlock was a scandal that drove some people to suicide and oral sex was illegal. Hugh Hefner played a major part in changing all of that.

You were Playmate of the Year 2010 and appeared in a 3D centrefold. How did that feel being given such an honour? Hef wanted to make the very first issue of Playboy with Marilyn Monroe in 3-D, but couldn’t afford the glasses. 55 years later, I was given the opportunity to fulfil that dream of his. Hef told me the number one thing he looks for is looks. But then, he says, you have

I loved Katy Perry’s recent Elle cover. Yellow with pink or red with purple… Even orange blocked with hot pink! I think that the key is to create something no one would expect. It’s all about being fearless and following your instincts. If I was colour blocking, I’d somehow incorporate leopard by wearing a belt or carrying a small clutch…but that’s just me.

What is the secret to feeling confident with your body? I feel confident when I’m at peace with myself. I believe my confidence comes from whether or not I feel I’ve done my best to be a genuinely good person. You

mile bike ride with Tom Brady from Boston to Hyannis Port. During this weekend of events, I developed a friendship with two Best Buddies who were participating. After working with Elizabeth and Michael (two of the children who are part of BB), I wanted to know how I could be involved and get my own Best Buddy. Now, I have a Best Buddy in Los Angeles named Caroline and we shop, get our nails done, go bowling and lots more. It’s all about creating one on one relationships as well as helping with job placements for children and adults with learning disabilities. I’ll be friends with my Best Buddy Caroline for life.

You also appeared on Celebrity Apprentice to raise awareness for the cause. Have you enjoyed being on the program? Celebrity Apprentice was a great opportunity to raise money and awareness for Best Buddies. It feels really good to give back and make a difference in someone’s life.

When not working what do you love to do? I work a lot. When I’m not working, I just really love to be home. I like to cook and have friends or family over. I also love living in Los Angeles because the beach is so close. Hiking is something I learned to love after moving here. It’s always amazing to hike to the top of Temescal Canyon and see the beautiful water and beaches of Malibu…. Sounds like a tough life, doesn’t’ it?

What career and life ambitions would you still like to achieve? For me, just being on the cover of a magazine isn’t enough. What value is there in doing something in which you have no creative input? I want to write, produce and create. I have ideas and I’m working on something I’m incredibly passionate about.

How do you keep yourself in such great shape? What advice would you give our readers? It is as simple as being active and eating what you know you should eat. My personal workout is Pilates. Every morning I pull out my Tees by Tina tank top and Pure Toes Pilates socks and get to the studio for an hour long work out, 4 times a week. I work out on a SPX reformer and it’s the only workout that has given me a long lean body. I’ve never wanted to add bulk and Pilates has helped me get the body I wanted.

HOPE ON... How to get runway ready on a budget: If you have an event to get ready for, there are plenty of stores for girls that are inexpensive and still leave you trendy and stylish. I love Forever 21. They have great bangles and lots of fun jewellery. You can mix lows from Forever 21 with some of the nicer higher-end pieces you already own. Also, by doing your own hair and make-up and maybe spending more time on it, you can save tons of money.

How to bounce back from wardrobe malfunctions: Laugh at yourself and what has happened, because if you laugh first, everyone is laughing with you instead of at you. No matter what the malfunction is, if you don’t pay it any attention, nobody else will.

Summer Must-Have Beauty products: Blotting papers: There is nothing more gross than applying powder to an oily face, especially in summer. Body Scrub: In the summer, you show a lot more skin than you do the rest of the year. Make sure it is smooth and exfoliated of dead skin. Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair leave in conditioner: It nourishes, detangles and protects your hair with UV protection. Bronzer: For a safe, sun-free glow. Lip stain: It won’t rub off and stays all day. I hate the idea of wearing make-up to the beach or pool, but with lip stain, it adds colour without the commitment of make-up.

Photography: JOSH MADSON - www.joshmadson.com • Styling: PHU STYLES Makeup: MICHAL COHEN using Chanel • Hair: LARRY MCDANIEL for ENJOY hair care

NOIR i n ter view

Compiled by LEANNE MILLIGAN

New York Fashion Week is now shaping up to be one of the best fashion weeks around:

with iconic labels like Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein showing alongside newer designers such as Alexander Wang and Derek Lam, the US of A is becoming the go-to for the best designer labels. We bring you some of the brands to look out for and some of the pieces we are loving from their S/S11 collection.

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Tank Top $1125 - Skirt $1250

Dress $4725

Dress $3350

PRABAL GURUNG

“Love the bold colour palette and the sports-wear vibe to the collection.” LEANNE MILLIGAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF, NOIR

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S/S 2011

JASON WU

“If it is good enough for Michelle Obama, it is good enough for me!” LEANNE MILLIGAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF, NOIR

3 Dress £45

3 Coat £47

Skirt £275

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MILLY NY

Cardigan £267

MICHELLE SMITH, MILLY NY DESIGNER

s £3

Dres

Capri Pant £229

Dress £348

“Accomplished, well-travelled and stylishly eccentric, Peggy Guggenheim has inspired me this season with alluring and unexpected combinations of pattern, texture and color.”

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Jack et $ 565 Top $295

Jacket $795

ELIZABETH AND JAMES “Who doesn’t want to look like MK and Ashley Olsen? Their Elizabeth & James label is infused with laid back Hollywood Glamour pieces. One of the best up-and-coming labels.” LEANNE MILLIGAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF, NOIR

Top $295

Skirt $465

Jacket $465

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S/S 2011

ANNA SUI

“This spring I was inspired by Joni Mitchell, Thomas Eakins, Little House on the Prairie, Neil Young, Andrew Wyeth, Holly Hobbie, Ladies of the Canyon, Winslow Homer… the poetry and romanticism of the American prairie.” ANNA SUI, DESIGNER

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Trousers £156 - Scarf £83

Shirt £156 - Shirt £312

Dress £208 - Scarf £83

Dress £312 - Scarf £83

DKNY

“Classic lines with a splash of colour blocking and feminine frills make for a stylish, super wearable collection” HEATHER B, ART DIRECTOR, NOIR

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Dress $2800

Jumpsuit $1995

Peasant Dress $1850

Dress $1900

MARC JACOBS

“Channelling Grace Coddington and 70’s Vogue. Complimentary brights, fluid fabrics and fab accessories... What’s not to love! HEATHER B, ART DIRECTOR, NOIR

“We focused on what makes women look and feel beautiful, on easy dressing and the idea of elegant sportif. Silhouettes are clean and simple, with a nod to the 70s.”

S/S 2011

TORY BURCH

TORY BURCH TEAM

S/S 2011

DEREK LAM

“The minimal, relaxed silhouettes feel to this collection make it one of my favourite S/S11 collections .” LEANNE MILLIGAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF, NOIR

It was only fitting to

interview Kris Humphries for the American Issue of NOIR. As one of the top basketball players in the NBA, we quiz him on... basketball, his great shape and his new love in life: Kim Kardashian.

When did you first realize you wanted to work in sports? When I was a kid my Dad surprised me and took me to a Chicago Bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game, which was a dream for me because I was such a huge Michael Jordan fan. I just completely looked up to him as an athlete. I remember having such great seats and just being in awe of him. It had such an effect on me. From that point on, I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. How did you get into professional basketball? I feel God blessed me with this gift of talent, but I had to do my part to nurture it, which meant working hard and persevering through the tough times. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always easy but I have a great family foundation that supports me and helps keep me driven and focused on the game. They keep me on the straight and narrow! How do you get yourself ready for a game?

My typical routine usually involves going to the chapel before the game so that I can have some peace and just really reflect on what I have been given and why I need to appreciate it. One of my favourite traditions is that before every single game my dad emails me a note with words of inspiration. These notes mean so much to me, not only because

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Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN Photographer: SEBASTIAN SMITH of Sebastian Smith Photography

KRIS HU M P HRIES they are coming from someone who supports me unconditionally but because they always make me think and get me pumped. Then I just listen to music and concentrate on playing my best. I take it very seriously. I play the game through my mind the way I want it to be played. How do you get on with your fellow New Jersey Nets teammates? I get along really well with my teammates. We win together, we lose together and most importantly, we support each other. We’re a pretty close-knit group and spend a lot of time together both on and off of the court. When we’re on the road we’re always together having fun and working hard. We had a really good time hanging out in London together. Great city!

How well are the New Jersey Nets doing this season? We are having a tough season but have been playing really well lately. We have made trades and have the right pieces in place to have a lot of success next year. I’m really looking forward to what’s in store for us. What have been your career highlights so far? Playing in the playoffs in 2006 was definitely a dream come true. I was so proud of my team; we worked hard and it showed.

is something that I am very passionate about which is why I developed 5 GUYS BURGERS. I wanted to create a place where people could indulge in a comfort food craving but not have to worry about all of the unhealthy aspects of it. You are currently dating the gorgeous Kim Kardashian. How do you find enough time to be together with your busy careers? We enjoy the time we have together and take it one day at a time.

“I feel God blessed me with this gift of talent, but I had to do my part to nurture it, which meant working hard and persevering through the tough times.”

How would they describe you as a player? My teammates call me the “Lumberjack” because I work hard every single day. They would also say I am a fierce competitor and a loyal teammate. I try to be someone that they can consistently rely on. I’m not always just about work though...I love to have fun off of the court with my teammates. I love to make them laugh.

What else do you still want to achieve? I hope to one day follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest NBA players of all time and become an All-Star. Obviously, winning a championship with my team is a dream of mine, as well. How do you keep yourself in such great shape? I focus on eating healthy, exercising and cross training in the off-season. Healthy eating

Can you tell us a bit more about the Kris Humphries Foundation. How did this get started?

Over 30 years ago, my Grandpa had a hand in the implementation of the Boys and Girls Club in St. Cloud, MN. His involvement really inspired me to do something for others. My parents also were always making sure our family was giving back to our community in whatever way we could. After I joined the NBA, I decided to start the Kris Humphries Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to support kids in the areas of health, education and community service.

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Interview by LAURA SMITH Photographer: FRANKIE BATISTA Wardrobe: MONICA SCHWEIGER Groomer: TASHA REIKO BROWN

We’ll soon see you playing Darwin in X-Men First Class. As a fan, how did you feel about joining the franchise? I was excited. A little nervous cause I kept thinking I was dreaming and I would wake up to find myself unemployed, but come on…X-Men?! Love it.

E D I G AT H EG I For us non-comic book fans, how would you describe your character and the role he plays in the film?

“What actor doesn’t want to play a vampire at some point?”

After appearing in House

and CSI: Miami, Edi Gathegi played the cool and edgy villain Laurent in Twilight and New Moon and is returning to the fantasy genre as the adaptive mutant Darwin in X-Men: First Class alongside James McAvoy and Kevin Bacon. He’s also starred in My Bloody Valentine 3D and the upcoming film Atlas Shrugged. Here Edi talks about acting, storytelling and becoming superhuman on the big screen.

Darwin’s ability is reactive adaptation. It means he will instinctively adapt to harsh environments in limitless ways to maintain his own life. For instance, if he fell off a building his bones would turn to rubber. Or if catapulted into space his body would no longer require oxygen. Essentially, he is in a constant state of evolution.

How did you initially become interested in acting?

This is your second fantasy/ sci-fi role, what draws you to the genre?

I was always the family raconteur and interested in stories, but I never quite understood what it meant to be an actor. It wasn’t until college where I took an acting class that I was officially bit by the bug.

The genre draws itself to me I guess; it’s escapism film and total fun fantasy. I guess it’s a large part of why we do what we do as actors, we give the audience an ‘other world experience,’ a fantasy to escape to.

What do you look for in a role?

What interests do you have outside of acting?

I look for a type of character I’ve never played before. It needs to be challenging; a role that will stretch me as an actor and allow me to sink my teeth into the material! You played Laurent in the Twilight films; did you enjoy playing a vampire? It was a blast playing Laurent. He was edgy in New Moon and I love edgy. And what actor doesn’t want to play a vampire at some point? If they say no, they are straight up lying. As cheesy as vampires are to me it was still mad fun playing one.

I believe I was born a storyteller, so I am really interested in stories, whatever form that takes. What would be your dream role and who in the industry would you most like to work with? I am most interested in real life stories, so a really good Biopic would be a dream. I’d love to act alongside Daniel Day-Lewis or opposite Denzel Washington ... that boy good! What would be your ultimate super power? I think I have it in X-men. Boom!

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Regina King began her career

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in 1985 with a five year stint on the sitcom 227 when she was just 14. During the nineties, she established herself as a skilled actress with roles in hit films including Boyz N the Hood, Jerry Maguire, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Poetic Justice and Enemy of the State. She has acted alongside Will Smith, Cuba Gooding Jr. Eddie Murphy and also Jamie Foxx

in Ray. King is currently starring in the hit series Southland as a tough LAPD detective and talks to NOIR about her career, Southland and style …

REGI N A K IN G What first interested you in Southland? I was looking to do a TV show that shot in LA. Of all the things I read, Southland was the most realistic. The creators and people behind the show (John Wells, Chris Chulack, Ann Biderman) are well respected in this business. Every actor interested in doing television would jump at the opportunity to be working with all of them. Tell us about your character Lydia Adams, how do you relate to her? I think she represents a huge number of women in the 35-45 age range; women who have put fostering a relationship on the back-burner, to focus on their careers. They are the best at what they do career wise but something is missing. We’re into the third season of Southland, how has the show and your character progressed? I think the show is as close to real life as you can get in the world of law enforcement. With that being said, it’s the characters that move the show. So the audience is constantly witnessing the characters progressions and setbacks.

Interview by LAURA SMITH Photographer: KIRSTIN KNUFMANN

Which project have you been most proud of? I feel that I have been very blessed and couldn’t narrow it down to one. There have been roles that have definitely served as turning points in my career. Those would be 227, Boyz N the Hood, Jerry Maguire, Ray and Southland. What would you attribute to the longevity of your screen career? Luck – where preparation meets opportunity. What would be your dream role and why? I’m still trying to figure that out! The first thought that came to mind was an action hero, like a female Bourne Identity. Why? Because I’m athletic, working on Southland has taught me how to handle a weapon, and I can imagine myself doing it.

How would you describe your style and do you have any favourite designers? I’m not a trendy person, but I wouldn’t consider myself earthy or conservative either. I would say I like more of the classic styles. I like pieces that never go out of style or at least not for long. So I guess I would say my style is...chic. I wear a lot of Theory suits on the show because they fit me perfectly.

KELSEY CH OW Interview by LAURA SMITH • ‘Photographer: PETER HURLEY

The gorgeous Kelsey Chow is best known in the US for her

current role in Disney’s Pair of Kings and her stint on popular teen drama One Tree Hill. Having caught the acting bug early through Community Theatre, the 19-year-old actress has quickly become Disney’s new ‘It’ girl and, thanks to her impeccable fashion sense and casual elegant style, she’s also proving a definite hit on the red carpet.

You first burst onto our screens as Gigi in One Tree Hill. What was it like starting out on such a well known show? Surreal! One Tree Hill has the most devoted and enthusiastic fans and working with the cast, the crew, producers, and the creator, Mark Schwahn was such an unbelievable experience. I loved being able to take chances and expand on her character when Gigi returned to the series. Tell us a bit about your character Mikayla in Pair of Kings. Mikayla is the daughter of the Royal Secretary of a remote island paradise called Kinkow. She assists the Kings and is a Royal Guard, who takes her responsibilities very seriously. It’s a fun role because she’s well-trained in the martial arts, so let’s just say she can take care of things if she needs to! Did you enjoy guest starring in Little Britain USA? Working with Matt and David was an opportunity to watch them do what they do best – develop these very real characters and show us this over the top absurdity which is in all of us at times. It was a day full of laughs, that’s for sure! What future projects have you got in the pipeline?

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I’m very excited about getting started on Season 2 of Pair of Kings, so that will keep me busy. I want to continue acting as long as I can and hope to expand into film and theatre but also plan to complete my education at Columbia. How have you found juggling college and acting? My education is very important to me, but I love acting more than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve been lucky because I was able to attend high school full-time and still work on One Tree Hill for three seasons. It can be difficult at times but I love being able to do both; it keeps me grounded and focused. What inspired you to study Global Health as well as Community Theatre at Columbia? My grandparents were both physicians with the World Health Organization in

North Africa. My father, also a physician, is quite involved with not only the practice of medicine, but with humanitarian efforts and health funding for those in need. During high school, I attended a medical forum in Boston and came away with a newfound awareness and strong conviction that everyone deserves basic health care, no matter where they are. Kelsey is actively involved with Club Red (a new division of the Red Cross) and has participated in and supports the “It’s On My Mind” campaign for the Jed Foundation.

Jesse Williams has

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commanded our attention as the latest dishy doctor in hit US show Grey’s Anatomy who is giving McSteamy and McDreamy a run for their money! We chat to Jesse about his role in Grey’s and what else we should know about him.

Interview by LEANNE MILLIGAN How would you describe your childhood growing up in the USA? What were you like as a child? I was a class clown, an athlete, a good student who didn’t always have the best attitude. We moved around a lot and that caused some frustration as an adolescent. I was, and still am, always cracking jokes and very competitive. An aggressive athlete and big brother. Is it true you were an elementary school teacher? Did you enjoy being a teacher? I taught elementary, junior high and high school. Teaching is the best, most rewarding job that I’ve ever had. If you have a passion for the work, you can really make a difference. I was lucky enough to have a few wonderful teachers in my life that had a remarkable effect on the course of my life. I cared a great deal for my students and was able to understand some of the hardships they faced. What first got you into acting and how did you start out in the business? I was a Film Major at University and the process of writing and directing short films is what led me to acting. It was another piece of the creative storytelling process that I had never considered. You are currently starring in hit US show Grey’s Anatomy as Dr Jackson Avery. How did you get the part? I auditioned for Shonda Rhimes

JESSE WILLIAMS and Betsey Beers for the mysterious role of “Medical Professional #1”. They gave me zero information, I wasn’t that familiar with the show and it was advertised as 3 episodes. It’s such a great place to work that I just refuse to leave! How would you describe character in three words?

your

I’d describe Jackson as guarded, funny and kind. Do you enjoy working on the show with the cast? What have been your most memorable moments so far on-screen and off-screen? My most memorable moments on GREY’S include the Season 6 Finale, attacking Karev, our documentary episode and the college shooting episode.

How has Jackson developed as a character? What do you see for Jackson in the future or what do you hope for him? Jackson has become more guarded in Season 7. At first he was playful and energized but after the shooting and losing his friends, he seems to have tightened up a bit. I found that process interesting and look forward to that lightening back up. When not acting, what do you love to do? I’m an athlete and I love playing football. I was lucky enough to go to the World Cup in South Africa last summer and had a tremendous time. I also play a lot of basketball, read, write and volunteer with nonprofits.

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DAWN RICHARDS Interview by LAURA SMITH

Dawn Richards is a singer/songwriter based in New York who is part of the group Diddy- Dirty Money, alongside Sean Combs and Kalena Harper, and is set to launch her solo career later this year. Born in New Orleans, Dawn began performing at an early age but got her big break on the MTV show Making the Band 3 in 2005 which led her to join the band Danity Kane on Comb’s label. She talks to us about music and fashion …

What inspires your song writing? I’m inspired by my life experiences. Talking with strangers and finding out their story; we all have similar experiences. I write from my soul and hope that honesty hits home. I feel like a storyteller ... an author reading a story to the world. Throughout your career you’ve collaborated with many artists, who’s been your favourite to work with? My best collaboration was working with Grace Jones; it humbled me to be able to vocal produce and work with someone as iconic as her! After years of collaborating with other artists, you’re launching your solo career as a singer/songwriter. How is this progressing? I’m looking to release this fall and I’m super excited! I’ve been working so hard. I’ve had to double up – working on tour with Dirty Money and then when we go home I go to another studio but it’s worth it. My project is a journey to save the heart. I wanted to be hands on from production to writing to the visual. How would you describe your individual sound? Dance will heavily influence the sound. I want the world to get to know me. It’s soul, it’s raw, it’s honest: it’s me.

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Who are your favourite designers? Karl Lagerfeld and Alexander McQueen What item in your wardrobe could you not live without? My vintage Mulberry bag! Mulberry has such amazing bags. Who’s your biggest style crush? James Dean ... it was effortless for him. What, for you, makes New York the ultimate style capital? The fact that there aren’t any rules for fashion and there’s character on every avenue. There, fashion is a lifestyle. I live for that!

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In 2009, Jonathan Keltz

became a household name in the US when he landed a recurring role in the popular HBO series Entourage. Since then the 23-year-old actor has appeared in two series of the show and has also worked on a number of films, including Disney’s Prom which is out in cinemas now. He tells us about landing his dream role and his subsequent foray into the film industry.

You’re well known for your role as Ari’s assistant Jake in the hit show Entourage, how did you get the part? Originally, it started off as just a one scene guest star where I get fired for cracking a joke, but they decided to keep me around and kept writing for me. All of last season I was just trying to go with the flow and keep up, and I ended up sticking around for the whole season! Was it intimidating joining a show with such a successful track record? Absolutely! It was crazy and intimidating to suddenly find myself in the middle of such a successful show but everyone was so welcoming and I had a blast. My character was in exactly the same position as I was. All of a sudden he’s in a job he doesn’t know if he’s ready for and he’s running around trying to get everything right and not get fired. How did you get on with Jeremy Priven, who plays your tyrannical boss Ari? As his assistant, I still get a fair bit of abuse from Ari! Working with Jeremy was a wonderful experience. Going toe to toe with him in a scene is quite thrilling because you never know what’s about to happen. His completely

JONATHAN KELTZ Interview by LAURA SMITH Photographer: MANFRED BAUMANN grounded presence in every moment is inspirational to watch. Since Entourage, you’ve worked on a few upcoming films. What can you tell us about Transgression and your character? Transgression is a psychological thriller looking at trust and betrayal and how we move through transgressions to survive. I play Michael Ironside’s son who, through divorce, has been transplanted to Barcelona. I don’t trust my father’s new wife and have been rebelling against the two of them since their engagement. We then become the victims of home invasion and through the struggle, all the dark secrets and corners of our lives come to light.

You’ll also star in the horror Playback. What can we expect from this film? Playback is a terrifying look at what can happen to a small town and group of friends when evil has been released and slowly corrupts us and takes us over through the media we use to connect ourselves. It was a joy to work on; a great young cast and a brutally entertaining vision combine for a fun ride! Who are your acting role models? Newman and Redford; they’ve been idols of mine since the beginning. I would love to work with Daniel Day Lewis because it would be such an educating and challenging situation; the guy is a master!

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You may know her as the childish, controlling ex-wife of the

musical Mr Schuester on Glee. You may know her as the pyromaniac, supernaturally gifted mother of Hayden Panettiere’s character, Clare, on Heroes. Or perhaps, you know her best as Gina in Nip/Tuck. So with a CV that ranges from the delicate to the deranged, it’s safe to say that Jessalyn Gilsig is one of Canada’s most versatile exports.

Do you want audiences to empathise with Terri? I do. I mean I know she’s crazy, but she’s not a villain, she’s just a teenager living in the body of a grown woman. I’ve been known to do crazy things in the name of love. Who hasn’t?! You’ve been acting since you were very young - how much do you think growing up on stage has shaped you?

JESSALYN GILSIG What’s the atmosphere like on the Glee set? I know this is not the answer people want, but everyone is working so hard on that show there isn’t time to be a diva. The kids come from pretty involved musical backgrounds so they’re used to hard work. Of course everyone gets tired and cranky sometimes, but that’s natural when you’re spending sixteen hours a day together. You’re known for gritty roles- how do you make the transition to something so light-hearted? I was so thrilled to get the chance. Finding the tone for Glee was a challenge. A lot of it I think is thinking and moving faster. In comedy you have to let the past go and play each moment with hope. Which of your characters have you most wanted to share the wardrobe of? When I was on Nip/Tuck a lot of the time the wardrobe was described in the script. I’d get really excited when it would say, “Gina enters in a Gucci dress”. Or “Gina appears in a white Ralph Lauren suit”. I’d love to have any one of those. Being Canadian, do you try to support Canadian fashion and designers? I wish I had a great answer for this.

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I have been away from Canada for so many years and don’t feel connected to the fashion scene there. It’s something I’d love to explore though. How does a regular day start for you? No two days are the same. If I have a call time after 9, I can get up with my daughter and have a morning of coffee, picking her clothes and dancing around as we do it. If my call is early, I get up in the dark, tip toe out of the house and hope to see her before bedtime. When getting dressed and choosing outfits, what’s your usual starting point? I like neutrals a lot and I love shoes and boots. I like soft, drapy tops from Michael Starr or Joie and then a pair of J Brand jeans and Frye boots. For an event, I like to step it up a little. I know I like to be entertained when I look at people on the red carpet. Jennifer Aniston once said she “always starts with the shoes” when it comes to stepping into a new character. How do you get yourself acquainted with a new role? I like that. Clothes really matter. And hair for me. I’m very low maintenance in my daily life, so I have a lot of opportunity to step out of myself just with hair and make up.

I think it has shaped me a lot, and it continues to do so. I’m actually someone who craves security and a sense of knowing the future, and it has taken me years to accept that I am never going to have that. I now embrace that reality, and try to appreciate that I get to live such a varied life. A lot of your TV roles are part of a big ensemble cast, like Heroes. How important is it that all the cast quickly get to be friends. I usually like the people I work with, but we all have our own lives and friends. It’s better to maintain some distance. Julian McMahon (Christian on Nip/Tuck) and I barely spoke when we were on set. I think that was great for us to maintain a sense of mystery for one another. We weren’t really faking it, as we sussed each other out because we really never knew one another. What projects are you working on this year? I’m so excited to be producing an independent film called, Somewhere Slow by Jeremy Okeefe with Robert Forrester. I’m also compiling a book based on my drawings and paintings, which I have done throughout my career. I’m thinking of calling it, “Hurry Up and Wait”, because that’s really how I spend my days.

Photographer: UDO SPREITZENBACH

Interview by DANIELA MOROSINI

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ou have seen that smile in True Blood and his blue eyes in Prison Break. However, Marshall Allman has been picking much less mainstream roles for the big screen, taking part in very peculiar roles, such as a visionary janitor in The Immaculate conception of Little Dizzle and a boy that falls in love with his brother in the tragic short film Starcrossed. NOIR believes this rising star will soon be turned from teenage idol to first class star.

Interview by GILDA ORRU Photographer: PHILIP BUISER, Two Penguins Productions www.twopenguins.com

What is it like to take part in an award-winning series like True Blood? Shape Shifting into whatever animal I want, causing mayhem, millions of adoring fans following your every word on screen, academy award winning co-workers... its kinda like that. How do you feel about the whole Vampire culture? Why do you think people find Vampire culture so fascinating? Frankly, I think it’s weird. Maybe it’s because everyone secretly wants to drink each other’s blood and live in complete darkness for eternity? Personally, I don’t understand the appeal. But I can’t stop watching. I’ve seen some clips of the film Blue Like Jazz. It looks like great fun to make! What is it like working with Donald Miller, Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson? There’s nothing like a hundred robots and a single astronaut in a mass exodus to a graveyard get your adrenaline pumping. It was the best film experience I’ve ever had and truly hope the

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final product reflects the joy the team felt while making it. Often people cheered on set, we had the time of our lives making Blue Like Jazz. And those three men you mentioned above are some of my favourite people on the planet. I’ve heard that the screenplay was a team effort, and you collaborated a lot. Tell us more about the story and how you contributed. Blue Like Jazz is about a nineteen-year-old at a Texas junior college, who tries to escape his Bible Belt upbringing by moving to Portland and attending “the most godless campus in America”. It took four years to green light the film so I had time to read Donald Miller’s A Million Mile in a Thousand Years. Also, we all took the same course that Don mentions in the book. This helped us discussing all mechanism of the screenplay. Steve and I talked in depth about the character, the story and every now and again I would throw my own ideas on improving the

script. At one point in order to convey a specific idea, I rewrote the entire first act. We didn’t end up using it but the whole process spawned a significant change in me as an artist. I am grateful that Steve fostered my ideas in spite of the strong script he already created with Don and Ben. He is a talented writer, a great director and an even better man. What’s next? We heard of a film called Sugar with 90210 star Shenae Grimes. Tell us more. In Sugar we are homeless in Venice. I love chocolate, sex and heroin. I hate authority and love to show it. Living on the street is tough but it can also be beautiful, especially when you have friends who are like family. After Sugar, I don’t know what amazing project I’ll be working on in the Summer, but in the meantime I am definitely taking some serious steps towards writing and directing more of my own films. Who is your role model? My wife. She is incredible

Over 20 pages of PRODUCTS, hints, TIPS & TRENDS

Celebrated make-up

artist, business woman, New York Times bestseller, teacher, role model, wife, mother and philanthropist...

“Makeup should be simple, real, and approachable”

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You really are an ambassador for empowering women to realize their full potential through confidence. Why is this so important to you personally? Beauty is about character, confidence, and style. It doesn’t matter how skinny women are, how tall or small, it’s about being comfortable in their own shoes. I find that a lot of women try too hard – they don’t look confident, they just look stressed out. Women who are strong epitomise beauty to me.

How much influence would you say a woman’s appearance has on her ability to achieve in life?

properly it can really enhance a woman’s natural beauty and the qualities that maker her unique.

My philosophy is that make-up is a way for women to look and

Back in the early 80’s Make-up artists were not as revered as they are today. How did you set out in your career and what was your ultimate motivation?

“Women who are strong epitomise beauty to me”

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feel like herself, only prettier and more confident. Makeup should be simple, real, and approachable - when used

In the eighties, the make-up was very strong. The red lips and the contoured cheeks and the eyebrows. As a working make-up artist in New York, I found that I couldn’t find the right shades of

“My philosophy is that makeup is a way for women to look and feel like herself, only prettier and more confident”

foundation, or the perfect lip colour to use on models. I always had to “fix” shades and formulas before I applied them to models’ skin. All the foundations were too pinky and the lip colours were never quite what I wanted. So, I started by mixing my own lip color -- the first shade was Brown #4. The models loved it, and before I knew it, I’d developed a range of 10 lipstick shades. In the early days of your career, did you just enjoy being a Make-up artist or were you always intrinsically driven to achieve more? I don’t really know what really drove me. I think that passion drove me. And now I look back, and I think about who my role models were. I watched my grandfather, who came over from Russia without anything, and worked his way up. I used to watch him, how he treated people. I think that he really showed me work ethic. He would be really proud. He would be amazed. He would be amazed if he saw my success. And my grandmother, who was my biggest life role model, would be really proud when she would see that I am still the same Bobbi that I was when I was a kid. A chance meeting with a chemist in 1990 led to you developing your first lipstick. How did this feel… did you know you were on the verge of something big? I never thought that my company would be this big, and if I even thought there was a chance, I never would have done it. It’s not the way I wanted to live my life. I’m a very simple person, so even that the company is big, I try to do everything that, feels really comfortable and normal, and that’s what makes me happy.

You have also been quoted as saying ‘Beauty is a lifelong evolution’ – how has beauty changed for you personally over the years?

what works with her style. And I think that’s really important, that women are individuals. It’s not cookie cutter beauty where this is the colour of the season, and this is how you wear it.

“Women are individuals. It’s not cookie cutter beauty where this is the color of the season, and this is how you wear it” My philosophy and my vision of beauty is always about a woman to find out who she is, to make herself look better, and that’s

You look amazing – do you feel any pressure to continually look fantastic being the face of Bobbi Brown?

Of course, it’s natural for all women, no matter how beautiful to focus on their ‘flaws’. As I get older, I have learned to be more comfortable in my own skin and to appreciate my ‘flaws’ as being

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The proudest moment in my career was launching my line of 10 lipsticks at Bergdorf Goodman in 1991. My goal was to sell one hundred lipsticks at Bergdorf’s in one month. Instead, the first one hundred were gone in a day, and Bobbi Brown was in business. What advice would you give to someone embarking as a freelance make-up artist?

What’s the best piece of beauty advice you have ever been given? Early on in my career, the actress Lauren Hutton gave me two really good tips: that your fingers are great tools - for applying concealer and foundation or mixing shades of lipstick together - and that the trick to picking natural-looking make-up is finding shades that look like the colour of your skin.

Who inspires you? I am inspired by the women I meet on a daily basis, by fashion shows, and even by everyday things like the colour your cheeks turn when you’re outside in the cold. How do you feel women, can instantly make the best of themselves? Looking your best is simple and achievable – it takes a few easy steps and the right products. Beauty is more than looks. It’s a

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Bobbi’s book evolution...

Do you think someone can buy beauty?

Bobbi has taken all of her beauty knowledge, experience and philosophy and incorporated it into a beauty guide for women of all ages. The Ultimate Beauty Resource.

Ultimately beauty is a state of mind. True beauty isn’t about looking like a supermodel or a 20-something Barbie doll. It’s

“My definition of beauty is that it be unique and completely individual. Make the most of your features and remember that confidence is beautiful” I’m often asked what advice I would give to someone looking to start their own business. I was a sponge, learning and experimenting. I read and studied every fashion spread. You need a unique idea, you need to be passionate, and you have to be willing to work hard. And most important, you need to trust your gut.

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about accepting and feeling good about who you are.

Bobbi Teenage Beauty

There are so many highlights from your career. For you personally, what has been your favorite moment?

state of mind, a positive outlook and a way of living. It’s about being who you are.

What do we have to look forward to from Bobbi Brown in 2011/12? This summer I am launching a new Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser which provides the best light weight coverage that lets skin shine through. I am also writing a new book and focusing on the makeup school. My goal when I first started this company was to make women feel better about themselves – and I plan on doing that for as long as I’m able to. Bobbi believes that a womans appearance can be tied to her feeling of self worth. Since 2001, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics have worked with Dress for Success to help women -in-need get their independence and self-esteem back. For more info go to - dressforsuccess.org

This beauty guide aims to help boost your self-esteem and confidence.

Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution

my own beauty identity. My definition of beauty is that it be unique and completely individual. Make the most of your features and remember that confidence is beautiful.

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NOIR bea u ty

A guide to a lifetime of beauty. Bobbi provides expert advice for women of all ages on the right make-up to wear and how to apply it.

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T R IED & TE S TE D THE B E A U TY HIT LI ST - READER’S REVIEW SPECIAL

JEMMA KIDD Lip ID Colour Adapt Gloss Joanne says: I love this product. With only a slight hint of colour to the gloss, it looked very natural on and unlike other glosses, it wasn’t too sticky. Once applied, the gloss stayed on for hours. Rating: 5/5

PAUL & JOE Face Colour Karen says: Comes in a lovely little decorative case, with a handy mirror inside. Has two shades that you can use either individually or together. Was long lasting and had a nice creamy texture. Rating: 4/5

TOM FORD Black Orchid Eau de Parfum Leanne says: The attention to detail that Ford pays to every aspect of his products is second to none. Coming in a signature bottle, this sensuous perfume would suit those who love a woody, spicy, darker scent. It doesn’t last all day though which knocks a point off. One squirt of this fragrance = sex appeal! Rating: 4/5 JEMMA KIDD Light As Air Liquid Foundation Louise says: Light as air perfectly describes this velvety foundation, it really did feel as if I wasn’t wearing anything on my skin. The only down side with this being so light is that I felt as though it didn’t give me the coverage I was looking for. Rating: 2/5

NARS Eyeshadow: New York Joanne says: I was a bit disappointed in this product. The eyeshadow has a matte finish which doesn’t look great on. The best thing about the product was the packaging as the eyeshadow case comes with a little mirror. Rating: 2/5 LOREAL PARIS Glam Bronze Joanne says: I liked how this product had both blusher and bronzer in it. The blusher helps calm down the darkness of bronzer and leaves a nice glowing colour. I would definitely buy this. Rating: 4/5

LUSH It Started With A Kiss Lip Tint Louise says: Perfect for ladies on the go, colour and moisture combined in a cute little tin. This lip tint is great for touch ups on an evening out as it’s the perfect size to pop in your clutch and smells wonderful. My lips felt a tad dry after using all day. Rating: 3/5

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SMASHBOX Eye Shadow Karen says: This eye shadow perfectly enhances eyes and blends really well. Overall is a great eyeshadow but the colour was just a little too dark for my complexion, better suited to those with a slightly darker skin tone. Rating 3/5

NYC NEW YORK COLOR High Definition Separating Mascara Joanne says: A great mascara for separating the eyelashes as it says. Easy application and only one coat required to fully cover the lashes. The packaging is a bit boring though compared to other mascaras. Rating: 3/5 L’OREAL PARIS Anti Shine Mattifying Primer Karen says: This primer lays a nice base for foundation to be applied on top. Instantly made my skin much smoother and my make up stayed on and looked fresh for much longer when using it. Rating 4/5 SMASHBOX High Definition Healthy FX Foundation Joanne says: Once this foundation had been applied, it provided a good cover and gave my skin a healthy glow. Also, I only had to use a small amount. The only thing that disappointed me was the length of time it took to fully dry in. Rating: 3/5

Karen Mcglynn

Louise Costello

Joanne Valentine

(NOIR Editor in chief)

REVIEWERS:

Leanne Milligan

COVER FX Cream Foundation SPF 30 Karen says: Long lasting cream foundation that has the added bonus of SPF protection. Found it very difficult to blend on my face, and although lasted all day it felt sticky and quite heavy. Perhaps better suited to those who like using cream foundations. Rating 2/5

PER-FEKT Eye Perfection Gel- Awake Leanne says: I have become slightly obsessed with this brand since discovering it last year so I really hoped I would love this gel and thank the lord I did! As soon as I applied it I felt a tingling sensation as the gel went to work. The effects? It brightened up my baggy eyes and gave a smoother, more natural appearance – didn’t get rid of all my lines though. Rating: 4/5

BENEFIT Magic Ink Jet Black Liquid Eyeliner Karen says: Comes in a quirky little box and is a great eyeliner, giving very precise lines. Wouldn’t recommend to first time eyeliner users as could be a bit awkward to use, but excellent if a regular user. Rating 5/5

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SHIFFA DUBAI Energising Body Oil Louise says: 100% natural this oil is blended with ginger, peppermint oil, lemon and lime, spicy black pepper and healing aloe. It’s like sunshine in a bottle, I felt totally relaxed after each application. Always best to use after a bath or a shower. Rating: 5/5

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Revitalizing Face Oil Leanne says: A few drops of this oil on my face and I am left with radiant, smooth, glowing skin. I love the smell of oils and the rose, frankincense and borage oils used in this face oil smell amazing and luxurious. This is staying in my beauty bag Rating: 5/5

SOAP&GLORY Hocus Pocus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Lotion Louise says: This ingenious lotion is used to diffuse the appearance of large pores, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Also the lightscramble lumispheres leave your skin with a fantastic shimmer. This can be worn alone or mixed in with your foundation for that extra glow. My skin looked brighter instantly! Rating: 4/5

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KORRES Japanese Rose Shower Gel Leanne says: Some people hear ‘rose’ and think ‘granny’ but I happen to love the smell of rose; rose otto, rosehip oil. This product has a great creamy foam which lathers up really well and gave me sweet-smelling, soft skin post-shower. Due to special collagen ingredients it helps reduce the signs of ageing. Not for those who hate floral scents. Rating: 3/5

NUXE PARIS Reve de Miel Body Cream Joanne says: Great product. Leaves the skin silky smooth and also dries in seconds. Rating: 5/5 LUSH Skin’s Shangri LA Moisturiser Leanne says: Suitable for all skin types, this face cream promises to refresh and protect the skin. Wheatgrass, jojoba oil and aloe vera ensured my skin was soft, smooth and with a youthful glow. The smell reminded me of playdo – which I loved. My only pitfall was that it didn’t help the redness in my skin tone – it made it a little more noticeable when first applied. You only need to apply a small amount of this product otherwise it will look too greasy. Rating: 3/5 MOROCCANOIL Moisture Repair Conditioner Leanne says: I love Moroccanoil styling products which give us mere mortals A-list worthy shiny hair. My only disappointment in the shampoo was that it didn’t lather up well but the conditioner gave me hair with amazing shine and healthy looking hair. Watch the amount you put on your hair as it can make it look greasy. Rating: 3/5

KORRES Shampoo Karen says: This shampoo contains sunflower oil and vitamin E, in fact over 94% of the ingredients are natural. Smells great but didn’t leave that silky smooth hair that I was expecting. Maybe better for those with fine hair. Rating 2/5

Edited by LEANNE MILLIGAN VICTORIA’S SECRET Sweet Craving Body Lotion Leanne says: Mmmmmmmmmm… this product smells delish! The nutty smell is due to the vanilla and praline ingredients. My skin smelt amazing and even had a little glow to it. Wish it lasted all day though. A must-buy! Rating: 4/5

VICTORIAS SECRET Love Bitten Fragrance Mist Karen says: This bottle makes a great addition to any bag or dressing table. Lovely smell that lasted for much longer than expected. Rating 4/5

V IC TO R IA’S SECRET G UIDE TO BO MBS H E LL BE AUTY >

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NOIR bea u ty

Edited by LEANNE MILLIGAN

Makeup Lauren Cosenza, Celebrity Makeup Artist FACE

1. Massage VS PRO Airbrush FX Primer with SPF 20 onto face and neck to smooth and hydrate the skin for a flawless makeup application.

2. Apply VS Soft Focus

Foundation with SPF 20 for an even, radiant canvas. (14 shades to choose from to find your perfect match!)

3. Add VS Oil-Free Concealer

under the eye and to any other areas needing coverage.

4. Dust VS Bronzer/Highlighter

Trio all over face – adding contour under the cheekbones for definition. Select Glowing for fair skin tones, Goddess for

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medium skin tones and Gilded for deeper skin tones.

5. Take a medium size brush

and mix the two darkest shades of the VS Eye Shadow Quad in Eye Contact. Use the custom colour as a blush/bronzer on the top of the cheek up to the side of the nose. The look is very California girl who got a little too much sun with her shades on – but softly blended so the effect is seamless.

6. Layer VS Blush Trio in Pleasure to the tops of the cheeks towards the bridge of the nose (same placement as the Eye Contact mixed shades).

EYE

7. Curl lashes and apply the first of three coats of VS PRO Voluptuous FX Mascara to top and bottom lashes. Do not be shy with the mascara – coat it on.

8. Again mix the two darkest

shades of the VS Eye Shadow Quad in Eye Contact and, using a tapered brush, add to the crease of the eye.

9. Line the lower, inner lashline

with VS Eye Liner in Bright – a shimmery white that opens and brightens the eye.

10.

Mix VS Brilliant Shimmer Shadow in Golddust (loose pigments) with the third darkest color in the VS Eye Shadow Quad in Sultry (a olive green gold) and apply under the lower lashline to pop the eye.

11. Run VS Lip Gloss in Glow

through the eyebrows (yes, the brows!) then glide over the browbone as a glossy, reflective highlight. Add a touch to the tops of the cheekbones as well for a lush dewy effect.

12. Pop on some false lashes to the outer corner of the eyes for some serious drama.

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13. Add VS Lip Crayon in Foxy

Brown (chocolate brown) to the centre of the lips only.

14. Add VS Lipstick in Icon

(rich, velvety matte red) to the centre of the lips only.

15. Blend colours softly outward building dimension in the lip and coat with VS Minerals Lip Gloss in Naughty for moisture and shine, creating an overall rosy pout.

Hair Sean Medola, Celebrity Hair Stylist

1. VS Models signature style is a sexy, loose wave. Below find details to achieve this look:

a) If your hair needs help to take a wave, apply So Sexy Wave-enhancing Spray (concentrating more on middle and ends of hair). Give hair a middle part and rough-dry hair with a blow dryer.

b) Once dry, wrap 2 in. sections around a 1 1/4 in (large) curling iron going away from face, with the exception of the 2 in. section in front of each ear -both of those sections should be wrapped going towards the face. This makes hair hug your face better and also keeps you from getting wings (70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s esque).

After wrapping each section around the iron, transfer to a roller and to allow cooling.

d) Once cooled, remove rollers, use a wide tooth comb and a Mason Pearson brush to smooth and stretch out curls.

e) Just when you thought you

were done, use a 1 in. curling iron and go over sections that are around your face to give hair a little more texture and so your wave is not uniform. Run fingers through front.

VIC TO R IAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S SECRET G U I DE TO B O MBS H E LL BE AU TY

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3. Our top So Sexy Hair styling

products are Wave-enhancing Spray, Style & Hold Finish Hairspray, Style Brilliant Sexy & Shine Mist and Smoothing Shine Serum.

So Sexy Style & Hold Finish Hairspray is used on the hair before using the curling iron on each section. The spray helps hair to take wave and so it’s still brushable later on. If your hair needs a little more help, you can use mousse or volumizer before you dry your hair.

5. This look is great because it creates full, sexy hair that has movement and bounce.

6. The tools needed to create this

look are a tail comb (to help section), clips and rollers, wide tooth comb, Mason Pearson Brush, 1 1/4 inch and 1 inch curling irons.

7. This look is great to wear

anywhere; a night out on the town or even behind closed doors with that special someone.

8. If you want to pull this look off

you MUST wear it with CONFIDENCE! Beautiful full hair oozes sexiness and will definitely bring you attention.

Body Colleen Runne, Celebrity Bronzing and Makeup Artist

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Ever wonder how the Victoria’s Secret Supermodels achieve their healthy, flawless sunless tan? How do they get their skin to glow, glisten and look so bronzed and beautiful? Victoria’s Secret Beauty is revealing the secrets to getting Angels skin: with tips, expert advice from the team who works backstage at the VS Fashion show, and they’re also giving you a list of insider products that are responsible for making the world’s sexiest women achieve and maintain a radiant glow:

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Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Collection: • Build your perfect golden tan within hours with the Flawless Airbrush Instant Body Spray. Guaranteed to give you a streakless, enhanced effect for the ultimate air-brushed finish and instant glow! • Enhance the sun-kissed colour on your legs, arms, chest and stomach with our Keep Glowing Tan Extend Body Moisturizer. This moisturizer extends the life of your tan with skin-restorative ingredients like Aloe Vera and Tea Tree Oil. • Adjustable Self-tan Lotion with Shimmer the perfect sunless tan anytime, everytime. The adjustable formula lets you customize your colour - from subtly sunkissed to deep bronze - with the twist of a dial. • Boost the look of your tan for a radiant and sheer look with Tan Enhance Shimmer Lotion with Tint. It contains the benefits of a lotion with skin-perfecting shimmer. • Accent the high points of the face (cheek bones, top of forehead, tip of nose and chin), cleavage and legs with the Sun Dust Shimmer Body Powder. Apply daily to add an all-over sexy, luminous glow in one quick sweep. Find all the products listed at: www.victoriassecret.com

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“People who are positive and happy radiate from within” Sanaa Lathan is one

actress who is far from being typecast. From playing all action heroine in Aliens vs Predator, Mother of vampire slayer Blade and loveable tomboy in Love & Basketball, to starring in rom coms Something New and Brown Sugar... Sanaa’s talent shows no bounds! Currently treading the boards in Broadway’s By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, Sanaa speaks to Heather B about Health, Beauty and ageing 40 years each night on stage!

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Sanaa La

than as V era Stark

photo by

You were voted one of Ebony Magazine’s 55 most beautiful people and your name ‘Sanaa’ means – ‘Brilliance’, ‘Work of Art’... it’s as if your parents knew! I know, right! Maybe they thought highly of themselves, they were so sure they would make a work of art, ha ha! It was actually handed down to me from my Mom. In the 60-70s, a lot of African Americans were re-claiming their heritage and Sanaa is an African name. Your mum is the (also) incredibly beautiful Eleanor McCoy – What guidance did she give you growing up, when it came to Heath & Beauty from her time on stage? You know, when I was about 5 years old, my Mom got really, really sick and no one knew what was wrong with her. Not even the Doctors. In her search for finding an answer, my Mom found

MARK GL

ENN

a Japanese dietitian who, essentially saved her life! So from then on I was educated on what certain foods do to your body and eating clean. I suppose I’ve kept this philosophy throughout my life. I know this might sound all ‘new-age’ and I am in no way saying that I’m a saint but it’s true what they say… You really are what you eat. What were the most important things she taught you, that you feel have been a great influence on how you look and feel today? To be positive! My Mom has always kept a young outlook and an innocent spirit so I really believe a person’s outlook on life, effects how they look. Life is a struggle and of course everyone has ups and downs, but it’s how you choose to deal with them that’s really important.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do really believe beauty comes from within. If you feel beautiful, you will be beautiful.â&#x20AC;?

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What is your view of beauty and does it come from nature or from within? The ultimate beauty comes from within – definitely. Again, it’s about turning negatives into positives. A lot of us spend too much time focusing on what we don’t have! We should all focus on the things we DO have and appreciate them. I keep a gratitude journal and I write down 5 things that I am thankful for everyday – it really works for me to stay positive. People who are positive and happy radiate from within. How do you keep in such great shape now? Walking! I walk everywhere! I’m currently rehearsing right now on Broadway for By The Way, Meet Vera Stark so I have no time to get to the gym. Being in New York is great though, I can just pull on my trainers and walk everywhere.

get into shape but it’s so easy to gain weight! I know! It is much more difficult to get into shape but as I said, when I’m focused I know what works for me to get back into shape and keep it that way. I can’t lie, I love food and wine but it’s all about moderation. What’s the best piece of beauty advice you have ever been given? To drink lot’s of water, a simple one really. What are your personal top beauty tips? Oh erm… Well, when wearing a dark smokey eye, keep a light mouth. I’m really into red lips right now which is a classic staple.

I’d never say never though as I don’t know how I will feel in the future. I would never judge anyone for having surgery, I think if it makes someone feel better about themselves then it’s the right thing for them to do. The problem with it, is when it becomes an addiction and of course any addiction can be bad for you. Do you think someone can buy beauty? I think beauty can certainly be helped! In this business, actresses like myself get a helping hand from Make-up, Hair and Wardrobe to look the best that we can be. You spent much of your life between New York and Los Angeles. Where do you call home? At the moment, as I’m on Broadway, it’s New York, but I guess my home is in LA. To be honest, actors are pretty nomadic as we have to travel and live in different places. So I tend to make home wherever I am.

“Everyone should work out what makes them feel beautiful and focus on that”

As an actress you are often expected to change your physique for a role. Do you find this easy? Well I guess I have an athletic shape, so I know that when I’m on point I can get into shape quickly. I know what works for me. In Love and Basketball I obviously had to look like a basketball player, which meant lots of training. I did a LOT of weights which was tough. Well it certainly paid off as you looked amazing! Ha ha, thanks! On the other hand Disappearing Acts, the film based on the New Times best selling novel by McMillan, I had to gain 20 pounds!

for HBO York Terry like

Did you find this difficult to do? Er… no. I just stopped doing exercise and ate whatever I wanted, simple really. Why is that?! It’s such hard work to

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And... sorry to go on about it but I do really believe beauty comes from within. If you feel beautiful, you will be beautiful. Beauty is also in the eye of the beholder, we seem to forget that. We’ve all met or know someone that may not be the most classically beautiful or handsome, but when they walk into a room, people take notice and they are instantly drawn to them – that’s what I’m talking about. If a person is constantly negative and down on themselves, it shows on their face. Everyone should work out what makes them FEEL beautiful and focus on that – your whole world can change! You starred in the TV series NIP/ TUCK – Being a very natural beauty yourself, what’s your view of surgery? I really don’t have a problem with it. I haven’t had any myself and at this moment in time, I can’t see myself having any either.

You’ve also performed on stage here in London, in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre. How did you find your British Westend stage experience? Wow, it was such a unique experience. The theatre was so incredibly beautiful, I totally fell in love with it! When inside it was like you were looking at a piece of history. I really enjoyed it! I found the audiences so incredibly attentive, you really felt them with you, you know. It was a great play. The play your currently rehearsing for, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark... Can you tell us a bit about it? Oh it’s fantastic! I’m having such a great time. It’s a new comedy from the playwright of Ruined, Lynn Nottage. It takes a seventy year journey through the life of Vera Stark, so I actually age 40 years over the course of the play which is lots

of fun. You meet Vera Stark, in 1930’s Los Angeles where she works as a maid for a major Hollywood starlet while trying to break into acting herself. It takes place during the depression and takes a funny and irreverent look at the racial stereotypes that existed in Hollywood at that time. It’s such a wonderful role!

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What else should we look out for in 2011? Well, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, is on Broadway from April 5th to Mid June. I’m also in The Cleveland Show on FOX. I’m the voice of Donna, Cleveland’s husband, which is great fun. Plus I’ve also finished filming a movie called Contagion which is directed by Stephen Soderberg. It also stars Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Laurence Fishburne to name but a few. I’m really excited for it’s release which is in October this year.

Donna from THE CLEVELAND SHOW

Catch the lovely Sanaa on Broadway now in the hugely successful, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark at the Second Stage Theatre till mid June... but hurry, as tickets are selling out fast!

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Creative Direction, Styling & Graphics by HEATHER B

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Photography & Retouching: DANNY GASKA - www.dannygaska.com Make Up & Hair: HEATHER B - makeupbyheatherb.com Models: NICOLE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;NEILL & AMELIA THOMAS @ Bookings Models - www.bookingsmodels.co.uk

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Skirt worn as top, models own.

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Jacket, models own.

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BOBBI BROWN, Rich Lip Color in OLD HOLLYWOOD - A Bright Cherry Red - £16.00

MAC, Lipstick in MAC RED A Vivid Bright ‘Bluish Red’. SATIN finish - £13.50

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SUITS SKIN TONES

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E HEATHER B’s FAV

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HEATHER B’S RED LIP TIPS There really is a red lipstick shade to suit everyone. The question is... How do you choose one that suits you!? Here’s a quick guide: Pale and Asian skin tones, tend to suit ‘blue based cool reds’. Pink skin tones suit ‘cherry reds’. Olive to medium dark skins suit ‘orange based warm reds’ and ‘fire engine reds’. Dark skin suits darker, richer shades of red. Also think about texture. Is it strong matte lips you desire, satin lips, or glossy? Tips: Flawless skin is a must, as red lipstick can accentuate redness in the skin, so perfect that base before applying. Wear a ‘blue based cool red’ if you want to give the appearance of whiter teeth and eyes. Using a lip liner, define the lips edges (will also prevent lipstick bleed) and fill in the lips too. The liner will act as a base. Using a brush, apply lipstick, blot lips gently on a tissue, dust lips very finely with translucent powder (old Hollywood trick!) and then re-apply for long lasting lips. Your one step Hollywood Starlet Makeover! Find BOBBI BROWN Lipstick at www.bobbibrown.co.uk and MAC Lipsticks at www.maccosmetics.co.uk, or call 0870 034 2676 for MAC stockists.

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N O IR M E ET S .. .

NOIR ex p erienc e

MIKE “THE SITUATION” Interview By LOUISE COSTELLO

n December 9th 2009 MTV premiered a reality TV show in the US which was set to change viewers lives forever. The series follows eight Italian-American housemates for a summer at the Jersey Shore. We were introduced for the first time to characters such as Snooki, Jwoww, Pauly D, Ronnie, Sammi “sweetheart”, Angelina and Vinny, however nobody could compare to Mike “The Situation”. As soon as those infamous abs’s hit our screens, success followed for Mike with appearances on Dancing with the Stars and VH1’s Salute the Troops Divas Concert. Mike also has his own jewellery line (Luxury Laces) and clothing line for those of you who wish to get your own “situation”. With all of this plus an autobiography, a workout DVD and an endorsement with Reebok under his belt, it makes me wonder….is there anything this guido can’t do?

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Well hello Mike you are a very busy man indeed, tell us about some of the amazing opportunities that you have been involved in over the last few months. I’m very blessed to be busy right now in a business which is very competitive. I love what I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way, the last couple of months have been like a dream for me. Some of the most amazing experiences I have been involved with thus far are the VH1 Salute the Troops Divas Concert, Dancing with the Stars (I was able to face my fear of dancing in front of millions of people) and of course I was included in the GQ Men of the Year 2010 issue where I was named The Sensation of 2010.

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Now, you rose to fame as one of the cast members of the hit reality show Jersey Shore on MTV. How did the show come about, when did you first hear about it? I was 24 years old and had lost my job as a mortgage broker when the market crashed. I eventually lost my house, my girlfriend at the time left me, I pretty much had nothing with nowhere to go but up. I always had dreams of being in the entertainment industry or being a model, everybody told me that I had a great body. I sent pictures to various NYC agencies which eventually landed me a one year contract for fitness and underwear modelling. After attending various go-sees I was finally recommended to a casting in Atlantic City on July 4th for a future VH1 show that was to rival The Hills on the east coast. Oddly enough I landed the part for the pilot for what was to be the Jersey Shore show. After shooting the pilot, the executive producer kept in touch for a number of months until it was picked up and green lit eight months later with new casting (the eventual cast).

It’s time to let the readers know about your fitness regime, how does one achieve rock hard abs like yours? Keeping a clean diet of many small meals a day and consistently working out hard. It’s all about consistency.

As well as the Jersey Shore you appeared on Dancing with the Stars where you made it to the 4th week with partner Karina Smirnoff. This was something completely different for you, how did you find the experience? This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, it allowed me to face my fear of formal dancing and I was able to meet a lot of amazing and talented people who I have created relationships with for life.

We know you have endorsements with Devotion Vodka and Reebok Zigtech Shoes, anything else in the pipeline? Devotion Vodka (which is the worlds’ only protein infused vodka) is not an endorsement, I happen to be an owner of that company. I also have my own

jewellery line called Luxury Laces, which is a craze right now. All the fans that are into the GTL lifestyle want to get their own “sitch” gear so they can have their own “situation”.

As well as the endorsements you have an autobiography, a workout DVD, a vitamin line for GNC, a clothing line, a jewellery line….the list is endless! Have you always been very business minded? I have always been business minded, always shot for the stars. My mind set is you can always do better and improve every day, that’s what I strive for.

So, you have given the NOIR readers an insight into the crazy life of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and some of your achievements over the last few months, what does the future hold for you? Right now I’m getting ready for the 4th season of the Jersey Shore in Italy. I’m so proud to be involved in a TV series with this much popularity and if I’m lucky enough I will break into the big screen as well.

How does it feel to be named one of the most famous reality TV stars? It feels great to be recognized as one of the top reality TV stars and it gives me encouragement to work even harder to break into different markets, such as the big screen.

What has been your favourite season of the Jersey Shore and why? I would have to say the 1st season as it gave me a chance to establish myself and without the 1st season there wouldn’t be another.

Is it true you and the other cast members will be filming in Italy for the upcoming 4th season on MTV? Looks that way!

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A DAY The life of... ERIKA MARIE F R O M FA S H I O N C HA L E T.N E T

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Words by CHERRY PULLINGER

nce upon a time, fashion magazine Editors and Journalists were the lucky few that were invited to the biggest fashion shows and press events, and their magazines were the go to place for all your fashion dilemmas. Now though, things are changing as a new group of fashionistas are lying in wait, hungry for their jobs. Editors and Journalists are having their work rivalled by a bunch of fashion bloggers who are super stylish and in the know about everything fashion! They are taking their much deserved seats at some of the biggest fashion shows in the world, they’re attending important press events and receiving lots of freebies in return for advertisement on their blogs as many of their blogs have visitor totals to rival some of the biggest fashion magazines around. So how do these little fashion phenomenon’s spend an average day? At glamorous fashion events? On the front row of the biggest shows imaginable? That’s only part of their blogging lifestyle, most of the time you’ll catch them sat in-front of their computers for hours on end writing blog posts. I recently spoke to Erika Marie of FashionChalet.net and found out what she gets up to on an average day. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. FashionChalet.net is just one in a long list of the Internet’s top fashion blogs. Erika has racked up over 1700 followers on Google Friend Connect and over 18500 on Bloglovin.com. She has also made it to Rank #20 on the Bloglovin Top Blogs list as well as #12 in the General Fashion category. She says she started blogging after an initial passion for sharing her everyday tales with the rest of the world and she describes her love for it as an outlet for her to express the reasons why she loves fashion.

So, what’s a day in the life of a fashion blogger really like? Lets find out... >

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“Another day begins. I crack open my eyes as the sunlight begins to stream through my curtains. My alarm goes off. I grab my iPod and duck back under the covers.” That’s pretty typical of the normal human being, but how many of us then instantly check Twitter (http://twitter.com/fashionchalet) , Bloglovin (http://www.bloglovin.com/ blog/38534/--fashion-chalet)

and their emails before we’ve even got out of bed?

meeting. If time permits, I’ll allot some for window shopping and stocking up on the latest fashion magazines.” We’re all usually heaving ourselves to our local Starbucks for a caffeine fix and maybe a soggy sandwich, but full time fashion bloggers like Erika are doing something different everyday. It’s not all fun and fashion though as Erika has meetings and photo-shoots to prepare for. Many of us choose to grab a quick bite and then head into our favourite shops for a bit of lunch-time shopping, but where Erika is concerned, shopping is a big part of what she does for a living! Lucky thing.

“Clothing isn’t something you just wear, it’s a lifestyle and expression of who you are.”

“I always change into an outfit, usually skinny jeans and a blouse of some sort, when I wake up. If I don’t, I’ll get lazy and waste half the day away. I don’t work a normal 9-5 desk job. Instead, I freelance write for local entertainment magazines and newspapers. I also freelance online as well.

In between all of that, I blog. I sometimes Style part-time on the weekends: clients, window displays and web layouts. When it comes to my blog, I would say

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that takes up most of my day. I guess you could say my full-time job is blogging. I tend to drink coffee as I prepare my blog posts for the day. I also enjoy catching up on other fashion blogs and style sites with breakfast.” It’s only breakfast time and already Erika is surrounded by fashion and glamour. Whether she’s writing for local magazines or catching up

on other fashion blogs her day is already extremely different from the rest of us. Many of us wake up and head out the door, still bleary eyed and half asleep, to work; but for the fashion blogger, the furthest they have to travel is too their desks. No waiting for buses or trains and getting caught up in the busy morning rush hour for them. Jealous? “After lunch, I either head out for a photo shoot or another

For many, blogging is a hobby, so what does a full time blogger do in her spare time? “My other passion, aside from all things clothing, is cooking. So after a long work day and a bath, I’ll begin to prepare the evening’s meal. I enjoy creating exotic pasta dishes, succulent seafood sides, sautéing vegetables and baking casseroles. I end every

a b out

NOIR v i ew

GI R L TO W N I day with a fun film and a good book. C’est fini!” Erika’s full time job is blogging. With her blog being so popular, it is important that she updates regularly with new outfit photos and a small titbit about what’s gone on in her day. As mentioned, blogging is usually something that is done in someone’s spare time, but as your blog begins to grow in popularity, it becomes a much more demanding business. It’s a great tool for making money through advertisement and sponsorship and a great way to get your hands on cool freebies and VIP passes to events. Erika recently took a trip to New York where she attended fashion shows and appointments, with a bit of sight-seeing thrown in. It’s perks like this that make the blogging world feel like a pretty glamorous place, but it’s no longer a spare time hobby, but a full time business and Erika is making it work successfully for herself and her lifestyle

This issue DANIELA MOROSINI dabbles in the world of photoshoots…

’m going to blame my perpetual lack of satisfaction in life on the fact that I am a product of the Twitter-era. I’m used to the rapidlymoving, 140 character bite sized, trending topic fast lane of life. Now that people are always going to one up one another, and go bigger, better, bolder, or in this case, slightly more akin to stalking, it’s easy to feel in a rut about what you do. And so as I cast an evermore sceptical eye over the mountains of press releases and magazine cuttings inhabiting my workspace, I knew some had gotta give. I needed a new challenge, just for a while, so I could stretch myself a little. Being completely talentless, and unable to cook, play sport or have any kind of dramatic prowess, an email that may once have gone ignored this week caught my eye. An accessories company I’d collaborated with before for styling purposes had a little favour to ask. Would I be interested in styling for them once again…but styling myself? I nearly choked on my latte. At a not exactly statuesque five foot and five inches, I’d always considered my modelling potential a little low. But the more I thought about it, the more fun it seemed. Overseeing a shoot to the extent that the model would do exactly what she was meant to…as I was her? Cue madly telephoning the designer-cumphotographer best boy friend, and a

whole lot of OMGing down the phone. With Tom on board, it could hardly fail. Before I knew it, a package from the brand with the handbag they wanted featured, plus a set of special effect lenses, make-up and press props was on my door step, and I was calling in favours from PR companies to get myself a designer dress. The days passed in a flurry of activity, and it wasn’t until I was coming home from Hackney, clutching my Obakki dress in a paper bag on the bus that I realised I was missing something big: a location. This was not the kind of thing I could just knock up in my garden, and the weather meant any kind of outdoors location was out of bounds. With a budget of zero, we were fast running out of options. Dejected, I stumbled home with my designer goodies, thinking I’d have to call in the morning and tell them the whole thing was off. A lightbulb went off in my head as I went to walk up my road. Standing unnoticed for eighteen years of my life, invisible to me through total familiarity, was a mansion. Yes, a mansion. I’d seen it so many times it didn’t even figure on my radar. But it was huge, imposing…and perfect. A few phone calls ascertained it was owned by the St John’s Ambulance. A few winning smiles meant we got it for free. And before I knew it, I was frock-clad, clutching my bag while Tom called the shots. Funny how these things work out 135

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