Queen of Beautiful Morals

An 18-year-old Saudi girl has bee crowned “Queen of Beautiful Morals” Aya Ali Al Mulla beat 274 contestants to win a crown, SR5,000 ($1,333), a pearl necklace, a diamond watch and necklace and a free trip to Malaysia.

Nobody saw her face. She was judged by her morals, her commitment to her family and her religious values.

“The real winner in this competition is the society. The winners represent the culture of the society and its high Islamic morals,” said Khadra Al Mubarak, Miss Moral Beauty pageant organizer.

Merce Cunningham the legendary and truly superb dancer and choreographer has died in new York. He was 90.

Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Merce Cunningham has died in new York, aged 90. True genius!

Art? Offensive? It's Barneys!

It's hard to imagine the New Yorkers are so sensitive that they couldn't abide seeing a Helmut Lang window display in Barneys.

One minute it was up. Next minute it was down.

Barney's creative director - who is very forward thinking and rather an artistic soul, said that he was away when the display went up but that he ordered it removed because the display crossed the line between creativity and ...... well, he didn't say actually. He just said it "clearly crossed the line."

I don't know, doesn't bother me. And even if it did, it sure wouldn't stop me shopping at Barneys.

Oooh that's too short a story, Tyra!

Miss Tyra Banks, what you doing to us? I have watched all cycles of America's next Top Model, reeled at some of the eliminations (sooooo many of my favorites went home), wondered why some were named ANTM, and then waited eagerly for the next cycle.

Now we have Cycle 13 premiering in September with --- wait, hold on ----- only girl 5 foot 7 and under?

Hello? I love looking at those willowy girls. That's part of the fantasy. I don't want to see stumpy girls thumping down a catwalk. Give me the lofty ones. That's why I watch.

Who will these short girls model for anyway? Like, um, no one. Janice Dickinson and Miss J may be the biggest bitches in the business but they are right when they say those girls have to be tall and lean. It's what modelling is about.

Go tall Tyra, stop this equal opportunity nonsense!

Is Ryan grieving? Who can tell?

Did you see that interview with Ryan O'Neal about Farah? I hardly heard a word he said because I was mesmerized by the face job.

Does no one want to be natural any more?

America is becoming a nation of freaks. It is true. We are becoming well know for our over commitment to the knife. How embarrassing is that?

Kate Moss catwalk video

I have just finished reading a book all about Kate Moss' style and was fiercely reminded yet again why she became so iconic. So I looked on youtube and found this great wee compilation. Isn't she DIVINE? And reminds you why this short unlikely model took over the scene.

The BEST cheek color I have ever ever ever used.

I have long long long tried to use rouge/blush on my cheeks. I LOVE the look of a colored cheek - all rosy and fresh and sunny and feminine.

And I could never do it. My drawer started stacking up with colors and palettes that I used and discarded. I would try anything...... and always be sorely disappointed.

I found this product in a little convenience store in my neighborhood. It's from the the Philippines (yep, go figure) and it's a brand called Ever Bilena and the product is called "Kiss Me Lip and Cheek Gel".

Well I'm telling you, as a lip gel it don't add up to much, but it is the best cheek color I have ever used, or am ever likely to find. You need the tiniest amount (less than the size of a match head for two cheeks) and it goes on quite brightly. Work it into your cheeks and voila! -- the best cheek color I have ever used.

I searched the internet so I could tell you where to get it, but there's no information. I do see, however, that you can buy it on eBay.

By the way - the best bit? It cost $2.75.

WANTED - FOR CRIMES AGAINST PARENTING.

This man has no style.

This man has no class.

This man deserves no sympathy.

Those Williams Sisters!

I once saw Venus Williams in a bookstore. I was on my way out - she was walking in. She filled up the entire doorway with her magnificent physique and looked like a goddess. Truly. I was just completely over whelmed by how extraordinary her body was - the perfect machine.

Venus and Serena are not style icons. Nor are they regarded as being particularly stylish. But they are young women who love fashion and excel at their sport. Their bodies are truly really just beautiful and brilliant.

Viva la Williams fille!

Susan Boyle's makeover

I have to admit that I must have been the only person on earth who was screaming at Susan Boyle on the TV - "Get yourself a make up job, have your hair done, get yourself some flattering clothes!"

I was bemused by all those people who thrive on make over shows who suddenly started saying that Susan Boyle looked lovely just as she was and that she shouldn't change a thing.

Trouble was, she WAS a prime candidate for a makeover and just looking at her made my eyes hurt. Why shouldn't she have a makeover? She deserved one!

And now she has. And doesn't she look great? Good on you Susan! Make yourself beautiful and womanly and age appropriate - that will make you happy.

Mischa Barton, style icon. Excuse Me?

Now I don't want to kick someone while they are down and it seems Mischa Barton has her fair share of problems these days. And I won't joke about mental illness because jokes like that are just not funny. Ever.

But ..... I can joke about fashion. And I ask you - how in the hell did Mischa Barton ever become christened as a style icon? I actually have never ever seen her look good. She doesn't have it and if she is using a stylist, my god she should sack them and ask for her money back.

Oh dear Mischa, not very lovely at all.

Oh Madonna!

Remember the Louise Vuitton ad that I posted? Madonna looked kinda weird. And you can see why. This is what she REALLY looks like. Oh Madonna! Stop with the surgery now, please.

Happy 91 Nelson Mandela

Very few people can make me burst into tears merely be looking at them.

When I see Nelson Mandela walking hand-in-hand with the love his life, his wife Graca Machel, my heart sings.

On a personal note, I am so glad that after years of jail and a vicious and celebrity chasing former wife, this extraordinary man found happiness with this feisty, intelligent, loving woman.

Happy 91 years Nelson. The world loves you.

How to make a turban in 90 seconds

True style comes in many forms.

Fonda Iconography

Many many MANY people have never forgiven Jane Fonda for her 1970s activism. If you read her memoirs, you will see it from a different perspective.

This complex, intelligent stylish woman has never lived life half heartedly, and boy should we all embrace that idea!

I love her for her honesty, for her continuing search for meaning, for being the first to make me understand that - in her words - "you don't want to get to the end of your life and suddenly realise that it wasn't a dress rehearsal".

And look at what she has on here! That's toooooo cute and ironic.

In memory of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

She has been dead ten years now. But her style and elegance live on. She was never able to blossom into the woman she should have - and would have - become, but she will also be remembered for her beauty and her style. That's all we knew about her really. Killed before her time.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

January 7, 1966 – July 16, 1999

Christy is SO fabulous!

From the new Vogue. J'adore Christy!

Shoe fetishist caught red footed!

In Germany, police have arrested a man who held up women and forced them to remove their shoes to satisfy his shoe fetish.

The 27-year-old man is accused of stealing the shoes of nine women while they were still wearing them.

His modus operandi was simple and sometimes somewhat painful for his victims - he would spy on women and then find one high heels, sneak up behind her, shove her to the ground, then snatch the shoes off her feet before running off with them. His victims, suffering from shock and grazed hands and knees as well as having been left bare-footed, were in no position to give chase.

The man has apparently admitted to a shoe fetish. Now I say, buster do what other shoe fetishists (like myself) do. Save up your money and buy them when you can afford them.

Christian Lacroix: Spring 2009

A reminder of the art and beauty of Christian Lacroix.

Au revoir Christian!

I always felt that Christian Lacroix was far too ostentatious and bling for me - and really, for just about anyone I know, to be honest. And it seems that screeching over the top style has not survived the recession and Lacroix has run his final show - for now.

The Paris' winter 2010 haute couture sessions closed yesterday, one day after Christian's emotional last show. And of course the great irony is that the final collection got rave reviews. Put together by end of bolts of fabric left in the show room, and relying in donated time and love from those who adore Christian, the show - predictably ended in tears.

Christian is hoping that his show will make people see he should not disappear over the horizon - and that some generous soul will come to his rescue. Who knows? His over the top bling will be missed.

Project Runway is running back....and I am SO HAPPY.

I am not a gay man, but I LOVE Project Runway and I have missed it SO MUCH. (Especially Tim Gunn, who I adore for his gentlemanly kindness).

So ...... after all the legal battles, the handbags at 20 paces and the claws out in courts of law, we now know that Tim, Heidi and the wonderful Michael Kors will be back on August 20th.

Christina Aguilera and Lindsay Lohan will make appearances in the show - which this season will apparently be filmed partly in Los Angeles.

The show has already been filmed and completed - the final three showed at Bryant Park in February, and the winner was decided then. To preserve the mystique, the designers did not appear at their shows, so no word of who are the finalists would be leaked.

A new reality show Models of the Runway, which looks at the reality competition from the models' perspective is apparently going debut following the new Runway premiere. It will show the competition from the models perspective. (This could be interesting - there's some good stories to be told with those models - do you remember the flaky Morgan from Series 1?)

I love the madness and frippery of runway shows. People can say what they like but I love the fantasy. Here is Eric Tibusch's latest head wear. Bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "If the shoe fits wear it."

Michelle - you are wonderful but enough already....

I love Michelle, truly I do, but could we dial down the adoration just a little?

If she walks out in a pair of pants and sneakers people go ape. "Look Michelle wearing PANTS! And SNEAKERS! How stylish is that?"

I have seen her wearing ill fitting unflattering dresses and people have gushed. "Look at her! Isn’t she just the most stylish woman you have ever seen?"

Like calling Michael Jackson "the greatest performer in the history of the world" we seem to have all gotten a little carried away with Michelle. Yes, she's lovely, and yes, it's nice to see joi de vivre back in the White House and in American life, but we need to back off from Michelle and over stating her style.

Michelle Obama is a an attractive, nearing middle aged mom, with a utility body (and c'mon it's not that great – she’s pear shaped!), who loves showing off her best assets - her lovely arms - and sometimes turns out looking quite nice in clothes that are given to her. If we can just acknowledge that without trying to gild the lily, it would be so much better. She would probably feel a whole lot less pressure too.

Jackie Loves Bobby!!!!!!

Well well well. Last week we heard that Jackie Kennedy was hoofing around the town with Marlon Brando. Today we hear was MADLY DEEPLY in love with Bobby Kennedy.

Now now now. I think everyone is in a twitter because Jackie was considered the Ice Queen, the Princess of Camelot who was forever in mourning. Never mind that she married Aristotle Onassis. The American public always thought that she belonged to them and they could dictate an image that suited them.

But many books in the past have pointed out that Jackie was indeed very lonely after Jack's death and several years after his passing, she enjoyed several lovely little affairs, purely for pleasure.

Given what she put up with Jack and his insensitivity, who can blame her.
In a new book on Jackie, Franklin Roosevelt Jr is quoted as saying of the alleged Bobby and Jackie affair -

"Everybody knew about the affair. The two of them carried on like a pair of lovesick teenagers. I suspect Bobby would've liked to dump Ethel and marry Jackie, but, of course, that wasn't possible."

Speculation about Jackie and her love life is not going to go away any time soon.

Madonna the Mad Hatter

Doesn't Johnny Depp* look just like Madonna?

*as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

Brand Moss

Kate Moss and Simon Cowell? Nope they are not a couple, just partners in plotting a reality TV show.

Sir Philip Green - the billionaire owner of Top Shop, who Kate calls Uncle Philip - wants to expand his TV empire worldwide. And why wouldn't he want Kate included in his expansion plans?

Kate is 35 now so her catwalk days are allegedly numbered, though I think she could go on and on and on. But Cowell is allegedly talking billion dollar deals with her so she may be tempted.

I'm a sucker for all those model shows, so maybe Kate could do a model reality show a la America's Next Top Model? Mind you, I have heard her in interviews over the years, and she is no nuclear physicist. Still, she will have people watching, so it's a another wise move from Simon Cowell.

Why was Kate Moss censored?

A rather elegant Kate Moss photograph on the cover of a magazine called Monster Children is causing problems. Not just problems, but CENSORSHIP.

News stands and news agents are refusing to stock the magazine because of Kate's (gasp!) nipple! (I think smoking is more damaging than seeing a nipple, but then I don't think the cover is offensive at all).

Eventually, the distributor of the magazine joined the fray and refused to distribute the magazine.

This is not Hustler magazine, this is not offensive.

Why are people so upset about this lovely photo of Kate Moss?