The Style Awards 2008

I made mention that the prestigious Style Awards were returning to Sandton but sadly I could not attend the much-anticipated event as I was in Cape Town.
The fashionistas, stylish, chic and trendy hit Nelson Mandela Square on Saturday 15 November for this fabulous event that ensures an opportunity to oogle latest trends, nab top-class goodie bags, dine on delicious cuisine and just be all-around glamorous.
Hosted by founder of the Style Awards, Jill Grogor, and MCed by Nikki Greenwall it seemed like a great event to quaff Mumms bubbly and shimmy with South Africa's celebs.

And the winners are.... druuuuummmm roll:

Mandla Sibeko
David Tlale
Noni Gasa
Jennifer Su
LeeAnn Liebenberg
Katja Kelhoffer
Louise Carver
Oscar Pistorius
Christian Gabriel du Toit & Malcolm Klûk

Some opinions:
David Tlale is quite inspiring. He pushes boundaries in both his designs and his general style. I think it’s great news that he was awarded.
Noni Gasa is always dressed to the nines. She looked particularly gorgeous at Fashion Week.
Jennifer Su is always immaculately manicured - she goes to a great deal of effort in her appearance and always looks picture perfect.
I have particular affection for Lousie Carver's style, I think she always looks effortlessly great. Whether she's in leather pants and a sequined camisole (a tough combination to pull off) or in a dressy cocktail frock, she just seems so at ease and comfortable in her skin and clothes.
I have a teeny crush on Oscar, I went to an event last year where he was one of the guests of honour and he is CUUUUTE! He dresses well too!
Christian and Malcolm - is there anything they touch that isn't fabulous. Their cuts and fabrication are outstanding.

Look at the pics and be the judge...

Make-Up Bag Confidential

I decided to do a follow up on the cheapy beauty products today and post about my make-up bag staples. I have downsized considerably in the past couple of months in the interest of saving cash and time. I still have a sizable basket of products at home but I have found myself using these all the time for day and night. So, from the top...

Benefit Benetint: A cult product that lives up to its status. The dark red tint is scary in the bottle but gives the a really natural I've-just-been-to-the gym flush. And it lasts!
Smashbox 'flirt' and Body Shop '32' eyeshadow: These are nice for a natural smoky eye with a bit of shimmer. Not the best quality so I'm thinking of investing in the Bobby Brown 'essential eye palette'. It will be a little Christmas present to myself.
Revlon Beyond Natural lipgloss in 'rosy': I have been looking for an affordable creamy gloss in a natural pink without shimmer for ages. I'm not a Revlon fan usually but I'm sold on this gloss.
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in 'black': I think BB2 mentioned this a while back. It's gives you a very full lash and doesn't clump or flake. Hate mascara flakes.
L'Oreal Contour Khol in 'carbon black': I sang this pencil's praises a few weeks back. I don't think I'll be straying anytime soon. This is a winner.

And finally, my pharmacy issue eyelash curlers. I've only been a eyelash curling convert for a few months and I finally understand what the fuss is about. Eyes really do look fresher and more awake after a few presses.

And in other beauty news, iconic UK fragrance and body care brand - Jo Malone - is launching in SA. Yay! I had the look at the website and the prices are on the steep side. R500 shower gel, anyone? But, I have been invited to the shop opening in Joburg this week so will test and report back.

Kate Winslet in Vanity Fair

Kate Winslet on this month's cover of Vanity Fair is my girl crush of the week. I love love love the Catherine Deneuve styling. Catherine Deneuve is a beauty and fashion icon of note (and still a sexy smoker...). I remember obsessing over the big hair, bedroom eyes and timeless trenches and LBDs she wore in 'Belle de Jour'. Another example that style is always in fashion (like we needed reminding).

Revisiting a favourite

Feeling a bit deflated on Sunday I decided to pep up my spirits for the coming week by watching one of my favourite films, “The Devil Wears Prada”. I won’t delve into how I could relate to Anne Hathaway’s character since I am presently experiencing a similar work experience. However, I will mention how I love the clothing. The movie is over two years old, yet I still desire some of those beautiful wardrobe pieces. I love the way the clothing is put together so effortlessly, I love the individual pieces, gosh I just love everything about the movie.

And why are we not surprised since the wardrobe stylist is the same guru who inspired us each week on the small screen on “Sex and the City”, Miss Patricia Field. Isn’t she amazing? Wouldn’t you just love to pick her brain? She finds inspiration in everything and has undertaken costume design for such diverse projects – from “Mother Goose Rock and Rhyme” to “Miami Rhapsody” and “Ugly Betty”! She’s been in the fashion scene since the 60s!

What is her top tip: never force anything, try to contrast different and unexpected pieces but don’t look forced.

The fact that I still drool over these clothes two years down the line proves that Miss Field is definitely a master!

Pictures: Courtesy of Yahoo Movies

Accessory dilemma

Both BB and I have a very sacred spot for accessories. We adore them. Have long conversations about them. I think we even put together outfits around them. So, as you can imagine, accessories were very, very important for me when I was making the final decisions as to how I would wear my fab new silver-grey dress.

BB and I discussed that yellow satin would be perfect as grey and yellow is one of my most favourite colour combinations. I was desperately searching for shoes like the above pair I spotted on shoewawa. I was even considering that a satin bow headband would really polish things off.

Alas, I had no luck and ended up using faithful black peeptoes and wore my beautiful silver flower-inspired earrings and cuff. I think it worked well, but I shan’t give up on the yellow satin dream.

In other news, BB and I are drooling over the arrival of Sass Diva in Sandton City. My first encounter with this fabulous store was in Canal Walk during a visit to Cape Town in January. I was so excited to find a great accessory store and abused my credit card – even buying a somewhat kitch, but so cute Eiffel Tower pendant for my trip to Paris.

Visit Sass Diva for beautiful, affordable, on-trend accessories.

Fashion Film: Brideshead Revisited

I watched Brideshead Revisited on Saturday and I have to say I was blown away by the fashion. The film is based on the Evelyn Waugh novel set in 1930s UK and Italy. It's a classic epic of unrequited love, class struggles, WWII, undercurrents of homosexuality, arranged marriages - it's all there! I love the drama but I know its not every one's cup of tea so I wont bore you with all the details. The fashion is another story though. Being set in the 1930's, the costume designers obviously took full advantage of the sumptuousness and beauty of the decade. I find something very fragile and sad about 1930s fashion. I think its a lot to do with WWII. All these beautiful girls flitting about in their silks and beads, right before all the lights go off.

The picture at the top shows heroine and heart breaker Julia Flyte relaxing in Venice with her alcoholic brother and scoundrel father. This is the kind of vintage I dream of finding. That silk top has a Japanese style bird of paradise embroidered on the front. I was mesmerised by it in the film but unfortunately I couldn't find a better picture - there are also some gold and turquoise tassels attached to the sleeves that aren't visible in the pic. That top would look beautiful today, 70 years on paired with jeans and a small gold clutch.

And in the bottom pic, our girl Julia makes a grand entrance at her 21st. Note: there's no theme dressing. And those are gold swallows appliqued to the front of the dress...aah. I love any bird motif/theme/whatever. I think its whimsical without being twee.

I'm feeling very short on inspiration when it comes to project: update summer wardrobe. I'm not sure if its all the doom and gloom news reports on the economy or just being snowed under at work. I have been buying little things here and there but its mostly really boring and basic work clothes - having clothing angst every morning for two weeks will make anyone yearn for a black pencil skirt that actually fits. So, in an attempt to get the fashion juices flowing I trawled though the spring summer ready to wear collections. This is how I would like to look this summer.

This is Elie Saab RTW 2009. I love the pastels - they are underrated. I remember going overboard on pastels a few years ago and have shunned them since, fearing the dreaded cutesy factor. But that top in the last picture is to die for. I can imagine myself pairing it with dark skinnies and wearing it for drinks or dinner (and then getting marina sauce all over the ruffles, being the picture of poise and grace that I am... ).