Why Kate, Duchess of Cambridge has got the fashion blues

I wasn't surprised when Kate, Duchess of Cambridge turned up to two major royal events this month wearing blue. The duchess has chosen the colour more than any other for her appearances this year.
It's a fair bet now that if the royal superstar has a public engagement, her outfit will be blue or at least feature a few splashes of the colour here and there. Here are five reasons why 2014, so far, has been a year of the fashion blues for Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
1. Fifty shades of blue
Kate has worn over a dozen blue outfits in public this year and she's used just about every shade going. In the last four weeks alone we've had ice blue, soft baby blue (I loved this new outfit, worn for Trooping the Colour), navy blue and finally mid blue for her appearance in Normandy on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Add in dark blue tweed (a recycled suit seen in New Zealand and one of my least favourite Kate looks), a touch of sky blue and a blue/ white mix and I think it's clear that Kate has settled on her colour of 2014. She has tended to team the outfits with her Alexander McQueen navy shoes which means we've seen a lot less of her famous nude coloured Kate shoes this year which I think can only be a good thing.
2. Florals and prints
Not content with wearing solid blocks of the colour, Kate has also favoured blue for her patterns as well. She wore a bold, blue floral print for her engagements in Brisbane on her Australia tour and an even bolder blue print for a visit to the appropriately named Blue Mountains.
Personally, I'd like to see the duchess try out some more daring designs and I think these two dresses are a great way to start.
3. Calm in casuals
Colour psychologists claim that blue denotes calmness so I'd say that the number of times Kate has worn the colour while on public engagements this year shows she's feeling pretty relaxed in her royal role. But even when she's off duty or dressing down for more low key royal events, the duchess can't stay away from blue.
Yachting around Auckland Harbour? It has to be a navy blue striped top. Wine tasting in New Zealand? How about a blue check shirt with navy blazer. Watching polo with uber cute Prince George? Blue jeans and yet another blue stripey top. I think I've made my point.
4. Dazzling with diamonds
I'm a bit disappointed that Kate has only worn one full length evening dress this year but what a frock it was. And, of course, it was blue.
The midnight blue, Jenny Packham designed dress was stunning and made even more memorable because Kate added some of the most famous diamonds in the royal collection to the look. I've always thought the duchess struggles with evening outfits but this vision in blue was a major success.
5. Royal recycling
I think one reason 2014 has been a year of the blues for Kate so far is because of her passion for royal recycling. For every new outfit that the duchess has debuted in the last six months, she's re-worn at least one other favourite from her wardrobe - and Kate has a lot of blue clothes.

But I think the Duchess of Cambridge took royal recycling to a new level by wearing a blue dress identical to a pale pink outfit first seen a couple of years ago. Royal watchers debated whether the teal Emilia Wickstead outfit worn in Dunedin in April this year was the 2012 dress dyed or a remake in Kate's favourite colour. I think the original is better (sorry, Kate) but the appearance of an old design in a new shade just goes to show that for Kate, in 2014, any colour will do - as long as it's blue.

Velaterapia - the latest Brazilian beauty craze

With all eyes firmly placed on Brazil currently, should we be following their hair and beauty crazes as well? Model Barbara Fialho revealed that she’s an avid fan of a procedure called ‘Velaterapia’ which uses an open flame to burn off split ends.
But would you ever put an open flame to your hair?
Ian Carmichael, personal hairdresser to the Queen and a senior top stylist at Trevor Sorbie, talks about the hair procedure: “The concept was first created in old barber shops, to seal the ends of the hair and is often done to this day but by professionals. But today’s techniques to seal and protect the ends of the hair have moved drastically forward with the help of treatments, serums and products, while modern day cutting techniques such as twisting the ends and removing the split ends with freehand cutting are more reliable.”
Barbara Fialho uses the hair treatment to get rid of split ends Of course this is a beauty procedure that should be left to professionals, and definitely not something to be carried out at home, but could you burn your own hair?
Former London Hairdresser of the Year and Organic Colour Expert, Karine Jackson says: “It’s an incredibly old fashioned technique dating back to the 16th century – they believed that hair was a living thing that bled and needed sealing, which is why they did it! In fact it’s a tradition best left with the leeches… Burning off the split ends could singe the healthy ends of the hair and will dull the colour. Hair should be treated like a fabric. Once it starts to fray you have to cut it to keep it in optimum condition or the damage will spread.”
Apparently fellow Brazilian beauties Alessandra Ambrosio and Isabeli Fontana are also fans of the treatment. But is it really the best way to rid your hair of split ends?
Isabeli Fontana is also said to be a fan of velaterapia Three times winner of Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year and ghd Ambassador Ken Picton agrees, “Whilst there are benefits to trying to seal hair to retain its moisture and condition there are products out there that do these things better and are less risky. As a professional hairdresser I'd say when putting an open flame anywhere near anything flammable there's a high level of risk involved. To be honest, if it worked that well it'd still be used widely but it's not something you see in the industry. It won't take off in the UK where we can make better use of heat and products: I would recommend using Kerastase Fibre Architect as it seals and repairs split ends, especially if you use the heat of straightening irons to lock the product in.”
Trichologist Iain Sallid comments: "In all the 12 years as a Trichologist, I am shocked to read this story about a naked flame being used to cauterise hair. Hair is not only incredibly flammable (thanks to the abundance of sulphur in it) but the theory that it somehow opens channels for nutrients to seep into is incorrect.
“Hair can be severely damaged by heat, never mind a naked flame! So I would recommend to stay away from this procedure at all costs!"
Will you be trying it out?

10 wardrobe musts for the fashionable mom-to-be

What a relief to be pregnant in this era! Gone are the days when maternity fashion meant wearing dresses that resembled our grandmother’s “daster” and made any mom-to-be look more like a house than an ordinary pregnant woman! Nowadays, with the right pieces and accessories, pregnant women are looking just as chic as the rest of the population.
The current fashion trends are also on the side of pregnant women, with loose blouses and tops being paired with stretch jeans or leggings, a very convenient outfit for any woman, pregnant or not. In fact, some pregnant women opt to simply ride out the nine months wearing (mostly) non-maternity but belly-friendly clothes in larger sizes.
While this strategy may prove to be difficult in the last trimester, or even the second, it is usually easy to do during one’s first trimester. At that stage, you may not even know you are already pregnant, so dressing up a barely noticeable bump is usually the same as in everyday attire, except that you may want to loosen your belt a notch or two.
Tricky
It is in the second trimester that things may get tricky. At this point, depending on how quickly you show, your bump may either look like you just came from a very good lunch buffet or obviously a baby belly. Some women prefer to simply emphasize the baby belly so as to avoid having to politely correct comments on having gained weight. Others opt for the other route and discreetly cover their bumps with flowing tops, high-waisted peplum blouses and dresses, or other high-waisted outfits that are loose enough at the bottom.
However, you will definitely have something to show by the time you end your second trimester. Purchasing a whole new wardrobe for just a few months is neither advisable nor practical, especially when you consider the expenses coming in after you give birth.
Rather than buying at random a number of clothes that you can wear only a few times throughout your pregnancy, consider getting pieces that you can mix and match together or with your old clothes.
Choose outfits that can grow with your body so you can wear them throughout your pregnancy and even after you give birth when things aren’t quite back to how they used to be.
Here is a list of clothes you may want to pick up to help you stay on top of your (fashion) game throughout the nine months.
1. An oversized open cardigan/ jacket/coat/cover
Choose one that is loose enough to hang around you and will give an illusion of having an elongated torso. You can wear this with a normal stretch top or dress over your belly so you don’t have to buy so many new shirts. Or, you can also wear it with a loose top if you do not want to overemphasize your belly. The cover also keeps parts that you are not comfortable with.
The right amount of space
2. Tunic tops
I was never really into tunics, except during a quick bohemian phase shortly after college. However, I have come to realize that they make great tops during one’s pregnancy. I like tunics that are fitted on the shoulders and arms; it makes you look like you are dressed smartly, but at the same time, gives just the right amount of space for your belly to grow underneath.
Their length is also a plus factor, as they usually extend until the first hip, which is a flattering length for most pregnant women, and leaves you confident that your bare tummy is not peeking out from under a shirt that is too short.
3. Maxi dresses
A maxi dress is heaven sent when one is pregnant during the summer. In the suffocating heat, with a six- to nine-month tummy (I’m always in my third trimester during summer), I do not enjoy having to squeeze into thick denims or tight leggings. But I appreciate the freshness that comes with a loose maxi dress.
Also, a maxi dress does not cling to every inch of your body, so you can enjoy your pregnancy without having to be conscious of anything.
4. Stretch jersey shirts or dresses
When your body is constantly growing, a dress made of jersey fabric can be your best friend. I have one particular dress that can go all the way to my ninth month, and I love it. You can choose styles that will flaunt your belly in all its pregnant glory and grow with your body, as the fabric stretches very well. Personally, I like choosing tops and dresses that have folds and layers so that they’re not stretched tightly over my tummy.
5. Wraparound dresses
Many, though not all, wraparound dresses can stretch all the way to your second trimester, and can then be worn again after you give birth. Since you can choose how tightly or loosely to wrap it around your belly, it is a comfortable and easy choice for many pregnant women who would like to enjoy their figure as their tummies grow.
6. Maternity jeans
This is probably the only piece of maternity clothing I would advise you to get. While I do try to wear whatever pants and jeans I can still use so as to have more choices, it is really quite convenient to slip into a pair of jeans made especially for your changing body. There are some that come with a big stretch of fabric that “cradles” your tummy, and there are also those that resemble my kids’ pants with adjustable waistbands on the sides.
Of course, if you can still fit into your old jeans by simply pushing it below your belly and leaving it unbuttoned or partially unzipped, then you can also try to just put a big belt on and close it wherever you are comfortable, or buy an extender. That’s a piece of garter that you hook on to the original button of your jeans, then “button” into the original hole using any of the buttons sewed on to the garter. This way, you don’t risk having any wardrobe malfunctions.
7. Leggings
The key word that describes leggings is comfort. You can almost hear your body go “ahhhh” when you bring it out of your closet. You can buy a maternity pair which has a belly band for your tummy, or you can wear an ordinary pair and simply slide the waistline beneath your belly. It can go from day to night depending on how you dress it up. I don’t believe in “branded” leggings because, personally, I feel they are all the same. Aside from being effective, this is also one of the most economical outfits you can buy.
8. Slip-on flats
I love sandals, but when the time comes that you can hardly see past your tummy, the last thing you want to do is to bend down to close or open any clasps. Look for comfortable and sturdy slip-on flats that will take you places. Make sure they have good soles that are not slippery to avoid accidents.
Practical pumps
9. Comfy wedges, steady heels
If you can’t bring yourself to give up your heels, try switching to wedges with thick bases or shoes with steady and thicker heels. The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, was one of the most gorgeous and fashionable pregnant women I ever saw, and judging from her photos in magazines, she couldn’t part with her heels, either! But from the looks of it, she avoided razor-thin and super high heels and opted for practical pumps and wedges.
10. Long necklaces and scarves as accent pieces
I’m not sure why, but I always feel like my normal dainty necklaces have no effect whatsoever on my outfits when I am pregnant. I usually opt for loose tops and dresses, and I noticed that long necklaces and scarves usually complement my clothes more than the small pieces I prefer. Since I am a creature of habit, I didn’t really want to change my style, but I soon realized that there was no harm in trying something new.
Fortunately, there are many shops all over the metro offering beautiful accessories that are easy to find items to pair with your outfit. I’ve also come to realize that big accent pieces can really change the look of an entire outfit, something we need to master when we have a limited number of clothes for nine months!
So, whether you find yourself in the same situation or not, it’s always good to give in and change styles once in a while. Who knows, you may end up liking it and keeping it even after giving birth.

After you get your body back, despite the overwhelming desire to throw out your pregnancy wardrobe, consider keeping them in a box and saving them for your next pregnancy. While the trends will have probably changed by then, I’m sure many of the clothes and accessories will still come in handy, and you can always just build on what you have saved.

Sons see mom's wedding dress made from parachute

Italian-made, hand-stitched, replete with bishop sleeves, collar neck and sheer bodice transitioned by a cummerbund into a drop-waist ballerina hem and made of 100 percent parachute silk; it's obvious why Hilda Franklin "Frankie" Bell said yes to this dress.
"It's the first time I've seen it," said Frankie's son, Dick Bell, 67, as he stood admiring the matrimonial garb his mother wore in a mulberry grove outside of Verona, Italy, about two weeks after the end of World War II. "I've seen pictures of it, but it's the first time I've actually seen it."
Bell and his brother Frazier, 63, met earlier this month at the University of
Virginia's Claude Moore Medical Library Historical Collections and Services to view the dress. They also proffered mementos from their parents' service as part of a mobile army surgical hospital during the Second World War.
"Mom was a great seamstress, but I don't think she would have made this," said W. Frazier Bell, as he and his brother examined the stitching in the flowing silk dress.
Hilda Franklin, a 1938 UVa School of Nursing graduate, worked in the U.S. Army's Eighth Evacuation Hospital unit, organized and staffed by UVa physicians and nurses. She worked beside UVa-trained surgeon Richard P. Bell Jr., who graduated in 1938 from UVa's medical school.
From Monte Cassino and Sicily to Salerno, the pair followed the Fifth Army's march through Italy, treating tens of thousands of sick and wounded troops through the Italian campaign.
War and deprivation, especially among comrades, create strong bonds. On May 26, 1945, about two and half weeks after Victory in Europe Day, Bell and Franklin were married.
After the war, the couple moved to Staunton, where he worked as a general surgeon and she as a nurse. There, they raised four boys. Brothers Jim and David are deceased.
In honor of the Eighth Evacuation Hospital, UVa has collected a variety of personal items from scrapbooks and helmets to Mrs. Bell's wedding dress. There are stories, recollections and letters safely gathered for posterity.
"It's neat to look at this stuff and to think they participated in something this big," Frazier said, thumbing through a scrapbook with wartime photos. "They weren't on the front lines and didn't see a lot of action, although a bomb did go through Mom's tent, but they saw and treated a lot of casualties from the front."
When the Bell boys were growing up, World War II was less history and more recent past. Like most children, they didn't ask their parents probing questions about their youth or what they did during the war.
"We were typical kids and quite frankly most of our friends' parents were veterans of the war. It wasn't something out of the ordinary," Dick Bell recalled. "My father died (in 1969) when I was 22 so I didn't get much of a chance to ask questions. After he died, Mom went back to the operating room at Kings Daughters Hospital." Frankie Bell died in 1994.
"It's funny because things that are important now were just part of life back then. We had Mom's gas mask and we played with that until it pretty much fell apart and was trashed and we threw it away," remembered Frazier. "We heard some stories, but we didn't think to ask questions. We were young and we didn't really know what questions to ask."
"I used to wear Mom's billed cap to school," Dick laughed. "The hat was shaped differently than the officers' caps and the principal once said to me, 'isn't that a woman's hat?' and I said, 'no, it's a pilot's hat.' That's what I pretended it was."
Both Bell brothers brought memorabilia to add to the collection, including letters between their parents and close family friends who served with them at the evacuation hospital. The items will remain with the historical collection along with the dress.

"I don't know if maybe Mother donated it or a brother. I didn't know where the dress was," Dick Bell said. "I'm just glad it's here where it will be taken care of rather than being stuck in a box in the back of a closet."

Kim Kardashian’s Cannes Dress: Rocks Sexy Rope Gown For Yacht Party

If it seems that the reality star is dressed from head to toe in ropes, don’t try to adjust your monitors! Kim sported a very unconventional yet totally appropriate dress for a yacht party in France where she stole the spotlight, the way only a Kardashian can! Is the look totally chic or just too out there? Tell us what you think!
From one white dress to another! Just weeks after Kim Kardashian , 33, and husband Kanye West said “I do” on May 24, Kim was spotted in yet another white gown! But this one wasn’t made out of traditional fabrics — instead, Kim’s dress was created completely of ropes! She donned the Balmain dress to MailOnline’s yacht party in Cannes, France on June 18, and we think it’s one of Kim’s boldest looks yet. What do YOU think of her daring dress?
Kim Kardashian’s Cannes Rope Dress For Yacht Party:
We all love a theme, and clearly, so does Kim! The star was looking extremely nautical in her rope dress that hugged every single one of her famous curves! If you can get past the fact that Kim is wearing hundreds of pieces of rope, you’ll see that the dress is actually really intricate and so gorgeous on Kim’s figure!
The white rope made Kimmy look ultra bronze, (probably thanks to Kanye’sbirthday vacation in Mexico)! Metallic, embellished accents were featured throughout the dress and a gold zipper ran all the way down her back. The high neckline is not something that we are accustomed to seeing on the cleavage queen herself, but we love the attention it drew to Kim’s beautiful facial features. The dress cinched in right at her tiny waist, making her sexy curves easy to spot.
The brave dress was styled with a few gold accessories, including stilettos and a rope-like necklace. The whole ensemble was very cohesive — she really committed to the look!

The Kardashian clan as a whole never shies away from the limelight, but Kim’s rope dress was outstandingly statement-making, even for her. We think only Kim could have pulled off this amazing look! What do you think?

McQueen updates classic tailoring at London show

In the world of women’s fashion, London often plays second fiddle to other style capitals — it lacks the allure of Paris’s haute couture or the polish of Milan’s luxury labels.
Yet when it comes to dressing the gentleman, no city can rival the British capital’s heritage.
Alexander McQueen on Monday led the new season’s menswear catwalk shows in London, a four-day fashion display that mixes trendy labels like Tom Ford, Burberry and Moschino with traditional tailoring houses that have been perfecting their craft for decades.
Organisers want to highlight both new talents and London’s status as the historic home of men’s fashion — a city that has dressed a long list of kings and the world’s wealthiest men and invented classic items like the tuxedo jacket, the bowler hat and the three-piece suit.
McQueen showed stark white lab coat-like jackets accented with sporty prints and squiggle shapes, and punk-influenced outfits in red and shiny black leather — clothes that at first sight appeared anything but traditional. But many of the looks, like the waistcoat worn over an untucked shirt and the fitted double-breasted suit worn with sneakers, were clever takes on the best of classic English tailoring.
It’s no wonder the brand keeps reaching to the past for inspiration. Its late designer trained for two years at Savile Row tailor house Anderson & Sheppard when he was just 16 years old, and many have attributed his success to his ability to fuse subversive designs with excellent tailoring.
Many young design students continue to apprentice at London’s pedigree tailors, learning the foundations of cutting and sewing from the best in the business.
“When we talk about work placements, the first thing a lot of my students mention is Savile Row, because it’s so classic,” said Chris New, who teaches menswear at London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins college.
The central London street, lined with more than a dozen tailors, is a living museum of the English love affair with luxury menswear. It’s a long-standing tradition that’s closely tied to a history of royal dress, military uniforms and gentry sports like horseback riding and hunting.
One example is the tailcoat, whose cutaway front was originally designed for ease of movement when worn as an equestrian coat. And the brogue shoe, which came from rural Scotland, became fashionable as urban wear after Edward VII — a fashion trendsetter in his time — sported them on his golfing trips.
Impressive client list
Henry Poole & Co., the first to open shop on Savile Row in 1846, still proudly displays records of orders dating back to the 1850s. Its impressive client list includes Napoleon III, J.P. Morgan, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle, to name just a few.
“Men in this city have always made a point of dressing well,” said manager Simon Cundey. “We’re very lucky in London — no other city in the world has a suiting street like this.”
London shops had a big role in inventing and popularising many trends. Lock & Co, founded in 1676 and said to be the oldest hat shop in the world, helped create the bowler hat — also called a Derby hat in the US — in the 1840s. And Henry Poole, who worked closely with Edward VII, helped the dandy royal develop the tuxedo jacket to wear during “informal” dinners.
Burberry, which is showcasing its designs on Tuesday, is one of the savviest in capitalising on British tradition. Its signature trench coat, first worn by soldiers during the First World War, is still a best-seller, and the brand continues to launch modern versions of it for both men and women every season.
Like many other brands, Burberry says menswear is a fast-growing money maker for them.
London’s menswear week has expanded impressively since it broke away from the main womenswear fashion showcases in 2012. This year it started on Sunday and ran until Tuesday, followed by other men’s fashion shows in Milan and Paris.
Still, there’s no denying that designer or bespoke menswear is far from accessible to the average man. Asked what sartorial advice he could give to those without deep pockets, Cundey said: “Invest in quality, not quantity.”

“There are three things you need in life. A good day-to-evening suit, a tailored blazer or coat, and a tuxedo,” he said.

The Week In Fashion - HM style round-up 13 June, 2014 Read the whole story on Holy Moly!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that the World Cup is coming. As you’ve probably guessed, we’re not really that bothered about the footie. We are, though, quite excited to see what the footballers’ more stylish wives and girlfriends have in store. After all, the world’s media will be focused on Rio de Janeiro. Our partners F&F have all you need to create your own summer-perfect look, so visit their site to see their sizzling summer collection.
Shakira and Irina Shayk are probably the most high-profile partners expected to touch down in Brazil, and we reckon this means style headlines, as both Irina and Shakira like to dress to impress. On the more demure end of the spectrum, Coleen Rooney and Christine Bleakley will be representing England as they cheer on Wayne and Frank.
Of course, we can’t mention World Cup fashion without mentioning Victoria Beckham, once the star of many World Cup style snaps. She won’t be at the World Cup, but that won’t stop us swooning at some of her recent looks. She gets it right every bloody time, usually in her own designs. She’s something of a style hero of ours.
There’s a good chance at least one of your mates was incommunicado last weekend due to the release of season two of Orange Is The New Black, which was released in full via Netflix after a loooong wait. We’re big fans of the show, so we’re very happy to see the stars out and about promoting the series and attending events and the like.
Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon, who play off-and-on couple Piper and Alex, have both opted for sober monochrome outfits. We love Laura’s cropped trousers, but Taylor’s black frock is a little anonymous considering she’s having a huge week, telly-wise. Laverne Cox and Dascha Polanco, who play fan favourites Sophia and Daya in the series, have gone the other way, with colourful, daring looks. Laverne is continuing her streak of wearing amazing frocks, and Dascha’s blown-up floral motif is a great way to wear print.

You say to-may-to, we say to-mah-to, but we can all agree that this week has seen a mini style bubble that is distinctly orangey-red in hue. Estelle, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Stam and Jessica Alba have all been snapped wearing distinctly tomato-red frocks and we love it. It’s a great summer refresh on the usual straight reds and oranges, and is flattering on basically everyone.

How to have a skin friendly summer

Summer is here and it’s time you start to look after your skin, we all want glowing, luminous skin when the sun is shining.
Amanda Elias, beauty expert and founder of Bravura London wants to offer her top tips for a skin-friendly Summer.
1 - The first thing you want to think about is sun protection; the sun is the main cause of premature ageing which can leave your skin dull, dry, wrinkled and with hyperpigmentation (brown spots). Protect all exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF (protects against both UVA & UVB) of at least 30, preferably a mineral SPF which acts as a sunblock to instantly block the sun’s rays. Look for a product that’s waterproof and don’t forget your lips, ears and the back of your neck. Re-apply frequently.
2 - You may know about cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your face but do you spend as much TLC on your body? Ensure you exfoliate at least twice a week and if possible, slather yourself daily (after your shower) in your favourite body lotion.
3 - Do you find your skin flushes when you get hot? Keep a refreshing water spray or toner spray at hand to spritz your face and neck when you feel yourself overheating.
4 - Avoid wearing perfumes on your skin; when the sun hits the areas of skin that contain perfumes it can cause irritation. Fragrance your hair by spraying your hairbrush then brush through your locks, every time you swish your hair you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful fragrance.
5 - Sun and lip gloss aren’t a good combination, remember the days of people baking in the sun covered in baby oil? Same thing. Get yourself a good lip balm that contains an SPF, you can get plenty that have colour or line your lips with a lip pencil then top with a clear SPF balm.
6 - Parched skin after too much alcohol and sun? Intensely nourish your skin with an oil such as jojoba oil, this non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores) oil is more of a wax and is close to your skin’s natural oil. For sun burnt skin, help the healing process with pure aloe vera gel and apply 3-4 times a day.

7 - Don’t forget to hydrate yourself, to keep your body functioning properly and to aid in the removal of toxins from our body it needs to be well hydrated so be sure to drink 2-3 litres of liquid (sadly this doesn’t include dehydrating substances such as cocktails and coffee) per day.