Wednesday 8 August 2012

Farewell To A Fashion Icon - Anna Piaggi

Next season's front row international catwalk shows will be sadly missing the colourful character and avant garde fashion force that was, Anna Piaggi.  Piaggi, who died in Milan today aged 81, was instantly recognisable by her exciting and exuberant outfits, which were usually topped off with a Stephen Jones hat.
Piaggi worked for many years at the international style bible, Italian Vogue, as the editor of d.p. (doppie pagine). It was these double page spreads that gave Piaggi free reign to create and edit alternative fashion layouts, almost a reflection of her own personal style. Such was her influence and knowledge of the fashion world, Manolo Blahnik described her as 'The world's last great authority on frocks' Piaggi was fashion's high priestess without the snobbery - she would think nothing of wearing a couture gown paired with a popular fast-food chain livery waistcoat.
Anna's personal collection of shoes and clothing was celebrated in 2006 with an exhibition at The V & A,  London. 
Italian Vogue d.p by Anna Piaggi, from top to bottom, left to right - March 2007, May 1992, September 2008, April 1992, December 2003 & July 2005.  
RIP Anna Piaggi....

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Holiday Heroes

Planning summer holiday packing to perfection can often cause headaches and many minutes, or hours even of re-packing and weighing to meet your carrier's baggage limitation. Who honestly needs all that stress the night before your long-awaited and hard-earned dream holiday?
Here at The Style Eye, we have spent many an evening before an early morning flight to jet off to some hot desitination, deciding - what-goes-with-what? and what goes with that? and yes, of course I really will wear that.  And we can't blame you from wanting to take 88 pairs of shoes and 45 must-have dresses - and why should we? You're going on holiday for goodness sakes, it's the whole point you've been collating a fantastic spring/summer wardrobe this year. There's not been much chance of it getting an airing in the UK, what with all the rain and wind. Get out there in the heat and glam it up to the max, you never know who you might meet? Although, a grumpy-from-an-early-start check-in person could have you shifting neatly folded Pucci and Missoni from suitcase to hand baggage in a minute. And just then, like out of a throwaway paperback novel, enters the Holiday Hero. This is no holiday romance, ladies, oh no, this is The One you'll love forever...
The LAT56 Red Eye
Let me introduce you to LAT56. The brand that brings you a lightweight, compact, carry-on approved garment carrier, full equipped with a lifetime guarantee, once you try I'm sure that you'll see....
Because LAT56's Red Eye is something us girls have all been waiting for in a hand luggage bag. Including a tough torso shaped hanger, strong enough to handle the heaviest of fully sequinned, fancily encrusted and precious garments. And you wouldn't want to risk your rare & vintage Chanel two-piece, summer weight, boucle costume going missing in the hold would you? With a unique feature called the 'Suit Packing System' or SPS for short, The Red Eye will ensure that any garments will unpack crease free. And get this too, there is even a large zipped section for shoes, shoes and more shoes (ok about 2 or 3 of your absolute favourites would fit in with their luxe dust-bags) Which still leaves enough room for a Pierre Hardy cubist print clutch, to fill with travel essentials such as passport, currency and a contemporary trashy novel.  Ahem, no more check-in nightmares.  
Japonesque Brush Set Touch Up Tube

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Treatment

Another hardworking summer beach Holiday Hero that we are also championing here at The Style Eye is Japonesque's Brush Set Touch Up Tube. This sleek tube designed for portability and brush protection, contains five essential make-up tools including -  foundation brush, lip brush, blusher brush and two eye detailers. Other beauty must-haves include Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Treatment. Used once a week this intensive hair treatment will bring the most heat & sun damaged hair back to it's former glossy self. Try it too during the day, poolside, as a treatment & protection barrier from the sun, sea and wind.