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....

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.  

Power Tools



The old saying that bad workmanship can be blamed on bad tools, is so very true when it comes to make-up artistry. With so much emphasis and pressure at the beauty counter to get the right product it is sometimes a loss-leader if the tools if they are applied with aren't up to the job (especially the tiny applicators and tough brushes that even the expensive, premium brands supply with eyeshadows and blushers for example) . And on the other end of the scale it can be daunting when searching for the perfect brush at a pro make-up shop, too much choice possibly for a day-to-day make-up wearing citizen?

Anastasia Mini Duo Angled/Spooley 7

So for your reading pleasure, here is The Style Eye - Eye Make-Up Tool edit, outlining those hard-working power tools that every girl should need to perfect a pair of stylish eyes...

Japonesque Pro Eye Shadow Crease Brush

Japonesque Pro Eye Detailer Brush

First up is the handy 2-in-1, Anastasia Mini Duo Angled/Spooley 7, rather a long name for such a little brush, but nonetheless the perfect combination for brow grooming. Use the Spooley to shape the brows into place, and the angled brush edge for a light coating of medium brown eyeshadow to refine, shape and fill the gaps. The Spooley is also an essential tool once make-up is completed. With a quick flick and twist of the wrist, The Spooley can remove stray hairs left behind from other make-up brushes without interfering with your finished master-face. The angled end can also be used to apply gel and powder eyeliners (always clean before and after if using this type of eye-liner, The Style Eye suggests a spritz and wipe off with Japonesque Professional Brush Cleaner)

Apply coloured eye-shadows with Japonesque's Pro Eye Detailer Brush on the lower lids for coverage and  use the flat tip to achieve a perfect cat's eye flick under the eye and on top of the lash line. To stop any dark shadows beneath the eye which come from powers loosening and eyeliners moving southwards, add a a little of your usual face colour powder onto Japonesque's Pro Eye Shadow Crease Brush and lightly brush in a smooth line under the eye. This Crease brush or 'dobber' as I informally call it, is also perfect for blending lower lid eye colours to meet below the eyebrow area.

Get The Newton Look

Newton for French Vogue 1978. From left to right, swimsuits by Arrabel, Ariella and Azzaro.





Last week The Style Eye hopped over to Paris to catch the Helmut Newton exhibition at Le Grand Palais before it's close on the 17th June 2012. It was the first major showing of his work in Paris, since his death in 2004, therefore a rare opportunity to see his fantastic fashion photographs up-close and in the raw.



Sheer and soft. Lingerie by Eres S/S12



Swimsuit. Eres S/S12



The work on display was a truncated selection of his images that spanned from the sixties to the nineties. Although, somehow, his photographs are effortlessly timeless and still look as modern and fresh today.

From a purely personal perspective, the fascination to be one of those women he photographed is such an appeal. Newton depicted women of a bourgeois background who were glamourous, beautiful and sexually confident. Who wouldnt want to feel like that every now and again? If your fashion fantasy is to feel a little bit 'Newton' this season then get excited by a selection of this season's collections that emulate the spirit of his iconic style.

Fancy hitting the beach or the bedroom in seventies inspired swimwear or sheer gossamer lingerie? then head to Eres for some sympathetic designs (in both cases just add heels, same goes for accessorising when chanelling his 'Big Nudes') Trend directions for bodywear this season suggest a return to a more natural hanging figure. Super sheer and free of boning and padding is how the women in Newton's world wore their lingerie back then, and it's looking to be the next big direction for today's underwear silhouettes.    



Givenchy S/S 12



If you are inspired by Helmut's images with a fetish lean then it's Givenchy you'll want. Their mottled brown and patent stiletto sandals with cuffed ankles are the perfect accesory to bring his pictures into a day-to-day world. To a place where life imitates art.    

Iconic Newton  from 1979

Style from Start to finish

 Start Boutique displays it's selection Best Of Britsh style.

London is the place to be right now - Official. Ok, so ignore the dull and dreary weather that we are witnessing in the middle of June, but quite honestly who cares? Just grab yourself a rain mac and get out!. There is so much in our city to be excited about at the moment. The country is still feeling jubilant after last weekend's long celebrations to mark the Queen's 60 year reign. Upcoming are the 2012 Olympics, and London is indeed very buzzy and busy with residents, visitors and tourists alike.

So this week Style Eye fans, I have a identified my top shop spot ,whether you live in London or are just in town for a short stay, Start Boutique is a must-look on your city visit list.



Erdem for Cutler and Gross Black Lace sunglasses

 The trio of Start shops are situated in the heart of Shoreditch, where London's coolest clans work, hang-out and socialise. A perfect zone to get the real feel of a city. Across the three boutiques, all of which are spread neatly across Rivington Street, one can find the cream of British and international designers for both men and women. It's stocks a clever and stylish edit of fashion trends, investment pieces, accessories and fragrances. Even if you only have 24 hours in London, then at least spend a couple of them browsing and buying some of this season's rare and hard-to-find fashion & must have items.

Flying the Union Jack Flag for Great British design is a selection of Vivienne Westwood, Cutler & Gross, Preen and Pantherella collections. You can even pick up a parka rain coat in stunning shade of yellow by Emma Cook, should the rain persist!

For more details go to http://www.start-london.com/

Loverly Jubilee

The excitement in London has been setting in for weeks, and finally its here - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee! wee hee!

A party 60 Years in the making apparently - so you'd better be looking good, people.

Now may I be so bold to suggest that perhaps donning any old thing of a generic red, white and blue may be a tad obvious. Lets take a different tack....

Her majesty is oft described as being a British style icon, so lets get inspired by her classic regal looks, turn them up a notch with a subversive slant and see how we go -

We've had a lovely run of weather lately, inspiring confidence to purchase a flimsy frock and summer footwear to wear to our cordial invites for tea on the lawn and street parties, then just as the weekend approaches so does a forecast of downpours and ferocious winds - great!



Miu Miu's modern take on the Queen's favourite - A duster coat.

 Make like Her Maj and top off your outtfit with a duster coat - you'll need it if Michael Fish is correct, (although he has been known to make a mistake or two). There are A-line coats ahoy this season that could easily warrant a royal approval.  Check out the desirable offerings from Miu Miu and Dolce Gabbana, and while you are there also take note of the Miu Miu chandelier earrings that could pass muster for a royal occasion. Personally, I think you could do no wrong with in anything by the Queen of British Fashion. Dame Vivienne Westwood's collections always fly the flag for these very english affairs and are so timeless that you'll be wearing them long after bank holiday on June 5th. And for the post-punk generation with a sense of wit, why not try tee that is a pastiche on the Jamie Reid /Sex Pistols album cover artwork?
Have a Happy Jubilee... And don't forget the brolly!


Tee with the Queen?



'Trashion - we are the Goon squad and we're coming to town'



As seen in last Sunday's Style Magazine.

 Ha, yes! I said to myself when I saw listed in The Sunday Times, Style Magazine 'Going Up - Going Down' column - 'Trashion - it ain't cheap, but it's a cheap look' Especially since it was illustrated so perfectly with a pair of horrid hooker platform pumps. I was thinking the very same thing whilst walking past The Bank of England the other evening . I spied a city chick wearing a similar pair of atrociously ugly footwear and thought - 'why here in the financial centre of London, a place where billions of pounds sterling are traded daily, should somebody right in the middle of all this money, look so cheap? It's not a new thing though. Who could forget the British ex-soap star dressed head to toe in Burberry check with matching child and pushchair? Her look must have totalled to a tidy sum - but, god damn, she looked a cheap mess! So why do people with plenty of disposable income repeat these fashion crimes? I think, put plainly, it's an addiction. Addicted to wanting and needing more until its exhausted, ruined and looks quite frankly comical.  Paying through the nose (see ex-soap star here) only to end up looking cheap and trashy is not clever or cool. It shows up a million insecurities of the wearer, and not that you might have a million in the bank.


Trashion Icon 


So in this era of double dip recession and austerity measures, let us remember, people to look more stylish, modern and expensive.... LESS IS most definitely MORE 2012.