Style Addict – News & Views from the Capital 2nd July

Everybody’s Talking About…

The Men’s Collections – unlike the biannual womenswear shows the men tend to quietly get on with things with the minimum of fuss. Not so this season, fashion antics in Milan over the last few days include –  Christina Aguilera rounding off the DSquared2 show, Keith Flint getting down and dirty with his performance at Versace and a not-wearing-very-much-at-all Naomi Campbell in amongst the male models and baby tigers at Dolce & Gabbana. It all screams ‘media attention’  and its working. So far strong themes for Spring/Summer 2005 include: East meets West, bold primary colour, stripes and slick playboy appeal. Check back next week for our special menswear report.

Kate Moss & Chanel – Rumours are flying left and right about the end of Kate Moss’ contract as the face of Chanel  Coco Mademoiselle. Is it because she’s 30, does she look a bit tired? Well, the truth from Chanel is the contract was only for three-years, and three-years in the world of fashion is quite a hefty commitment. Nicole Kidman, who is 37, has recently been signed as the face of Chanel No.5, which just goes to show that age is not the issue. Chanel is now looking for new face to represent Mademoiselle and denied that Scarlett Johansson is at the top of the list. 

Boutique of the Week

What with all this football and tennis going on there seems to be a bit of a sporty vibe in the air. Check out www.casall.co.uk for incredibly comfortable and stylish sportswear pieces. Take your pick from sports bras, swimwear, golf kit and leisurewear.

Sales Galore

Fashion East is hosting their summer sale extravaganza this weekend: Fashion Car Booty. Going with the theme of the traditional British ‘car boot’ fair, a huge range of designer pieces will be sold from customized cars old and new courtesy of Vauxhall. There will be one-off items, bric-a-brac, limited edition artwork and of course past collections from a broad range of fantastic designers. The sale is offering up gems from the likes of: ChenPascual | House of Jazz | Hussein Chalayan | Giles Deacon | Peter Jensen | Preen | PPQ | Daisy de Villeneuve | Zakee Shariff | Emma Cook | Eley Kishimoto |Jens Laugesen | Roksanda Illincic | Folk | Future Classics | Jo Gordon | Camilla Staerk | Olivia Morris | Raw Power | Bi la Li | Buddhahood | Customers Own Property | Justin Oh | Richard Nicoll | Luke Hall | Ben Kirchhoff | Tatty Devine | Never trust a Stylist | Diverse.

Fashion Car Booty Opening Times:

Saturday 3rd July – 12pm – 6pm

Sunday 4th July – 10am-8pm

Monday 5th July – 12pm-6pm

146 Brick Lane, Atlantis Ground Floor, E1

Also On This Weekend

The Designer Warehouse presents the midseason Spring/Summer womenswear sale from Ghost.

Friday 2nd July 10am – 8pm

Saturday 3rd July 10am – 6pm

Sunday 4th July 11am – 5pm

45 Balfe Street, London N1 9EF. Nearest tube: Kings Cross Admission £2-

As An Aside

Those fascinated with the highs and lows of being a fashion model will remember Michael Gross book, Model – The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women. Madonna, or should I say Esther, has bought up the film rights to the book and David Brendel has whipped up a screenplay. Casting is now underway and a film based on the book is due to hit our screens sometime in 2005.

Now On Display

Three pieces are currently on display from the finalists of the Royal College of Art and Miss Selfridge graduate fashion competition. Check out the colourful tiered frock from Illyahna Johnson, a shredded flapper dress from Hannah Salfield and quirky shoes from James Nisbet, now on display in the windows of Miss Selfridge, Oxford Street, W1.

JoJo Iles