Fur Fury

Since the beginning of fashion times, stylish women the world over have debated stances on a deep philosophical issue.

To fur or not to fur, that is the question.

Lohan furs.

And during the week, a French woman with a pound of flour attempted to teach Miss Lindsay a lesson.



Strong anti-fur campaigners, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) applauded Lohan's fur foe.

Robbie LeBlanc from PETA's Europe branch said "There is nothing remotely 'fashionable' about the torture and death of animals killed for fur. Lindsay Lohan might be able to ignore images of bloody animals skinned alive for their pelts, but we hope a dash of flour will help her rise to the occasion and forsake fur once and for all."

PETA suggest that "fur is a bigger fashion faux pas than fanny packs" and that Kylie Minogue is a cold-blooded snake murderer for opting to carry a gold python skin handbag.

Although the Australian climate rarely requires the warmth of a fur coat, our country has not been immune to PETA criticism.

Last year PETA urged consumers to avoid the local wool industry due to the treatment of sheep on Australian farms.

An Australian spokeswoman for Animal Liberation (AL), agreed that Australia was not as big a fur offender as Europe.

"Both male and female apparel - it's everywhere," she said.

She argues that "to wear fur is morally bankrupt, and anyone who wears fur is demeaned by it. What's fashionable about anally electrocuted animals?"

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld is a pro-fur designer and is often hunted down by anti-fur activists.

A few years ago at the American Fashion Awards in New York, protesters missed their mark, splattering Calvin Klein with tofu pie instead of their intended target, Lagerfeld.

Apparently, "tofu pies are the missile du jour of anti-fur activists".

At least Lindsay was able to shake the flour out of her hair.

I can't imagine tofu pie being a neat accessory for a party outfit.

Sssh. It's a Secret.

The always anticipated Victoria's Secret runway show did not disappoint when it hit the runway in a Miami Beach hotel last night.

Mother of three Heidi Klum closed the show dressed to resemble a glittering Christmas bow with a red bra and giant pink wings.

Blowing kisses to the crowd, Klum flaunted a six-pack even her musician husband Seal would envy.

According to Victoria's Secret CEO Sharen Turney, the company is all about the "new sexy" and the theme of the show reflected this with "a return to glamour".

R&B singer Usher performed as part of the show's opening amidst 35 supermodels showing 68 outfits.

Costume designer Todd Thomas said the show was "a new take on holiday celebrations" and
"a celebration of sophistication and elegance".

Along with Klum, other notable women on the runway included Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Doutzen Kroes.


Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr also strutted her stuff down the runway, which was decorated with palm trees.

Kerr is the first ever Australian model to be recruited as a Victoria's Angel.

Kerr wore a pair of multicoloured butterfly wings with an ice blue bra and panties set.

The wings worn by models throughout the show were created by Martin Izquierdo.

He was reportedly influenced by Greek mythology, butterflies and other aspects of nature.

Kerr loved Izquierdo's work suggesting that it added "a whole theatrical aspect" to the show.

Ed Razek, the show's executive producer and chief marketing officer said there is constant pressure for the show to constantly improve.

"It's the most watched fashion show in the world," Razek said. "You've got an obligation to do a better show every year."

Victoria's Secret was founded in San Francisco, California in 1977.

The company was intially designed to appeal to males wanting to buy their wives new lingerie.

When the show airs in the United States in early December, it is likely the interests of many men will be piqued.

Bond-age

The stars were out in force last night for the Sydney premiere of the latest James Bond film "The Quantum of Solace".

Current Bond Daniel Craig was joined by the film's "Bond girl" and former model Olga Kurylenko to flaunt the signature suave and sexy style of 007 on the red carpet.

Ukraine-born Olga Kurylenko, who plays "Camille" in the 22nd Bond film, wore this armadillo-inspired Colette Dinnigan number at the screening.

And in hardly ground-breaking fashion, 007 Craig wore a suit.

For almost 50 years, the traditional black dinner suit has been the uniform of the Bond.

From Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, every Bond has donned a jacket and tie to fight the world's worst, and win the world's women.













Keeping Bond un-stirred, the classic dinner suit has become as much a part of the Bond film franchise as his Martini order, the guns, the gadgets and the scantily-clad ladies.

Men across the world are beginning to re-discover the power of the suit for everyday life.

Fashion website, The Sartorialist, often publishes photographs of international gents modernising the suit.

The necklaces may be more than Australian men, or James Bond for that matter, are prepared to use as accessories, but the idea of wearing suits for everday is one that men should pursue.

And in this era of global economic uncertainty, suit sales are predicted to rise.

During the financial turmoil of 2001, unlike the sales of luxury cars, quality suits were flying out the doors of American department stores.

An investment banker interviewed at the time suggested that "If you wear a suit, it looks as though you're visiting a client, and if you are not seen to be visiting enough clients, you get the sack."

So to keep your fashion funds flowing, follow Bond's lead and step into a suit.

Necklaces optional.

Fashions from the Land of the Panda

This year, Beijing Fashion Week brought in its 11th birthday with a focus on up-and-coming student designers.

Usually drawing significantly less press than western world Fashion Weeks, Beijing has had the opportunity to show off this year after its successful hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.

More than 40 labels were expected to debut their new collections for the S/S 08-09 season.

Big ticket collections to launch during the 5th to the 12th of Novemeber included Cabbeen, NE·TIGER, 1436, ERDOS, GIOIAPAN, MarymaSeries, LeaSeong, Omnialuo, TANGYcollection, BeautyBerry and BRJ.

Asian fashion is often considered eclectic mostly due to the influence of the Fruits publications that feature the creative colourful ensembles of Japanese youth.

Having lived in the Chinese capital, I found that Beijing fashion was much more subdued.

There is a strong focus on layers and over-sized garments, with colours taking a back seat.

Although this student designed outfit would probably not be seen walking down the street on a local, it does encapsulate Beijing style.

As the country accumulates more wealth and opens up to foreign interests, the fashion industry in Beijing will see positive improvements.

In the style stakes, Beijing has long played little sister to fashion-savvy Shanghai.

Shanghai, described as "China's fashion center", had a Fashion Week that attracted Chinese and international designers.

Two young British designers, Louise Amstrup and Aminaka Wilmont have been selected to show at what the Week's Director John Walford describes as "a major international event (that) provides designers with a unique opportunity to break into this hugely important market".

They follow in the footsteps of Preen, a British design duo who made it big on the world scene after they broke the Asian market.

In one of the world's most populous nations, it is no wonder the fashion world is realising the importance of capturing the minds and wallets of a country ready to dip its toe into the sea of capitalist commercialism.

Palin's Pretty Priority

Once upon a time, politics was drab, boring and unattractive.

Then came Sarah Palin.

Reports surfaced this week claiming Palin's make up artist as the highest paid staff member on the McCain/Palin campaign.

For a two week period in October, Emmy nominated make-up artist Amy Strozzi painted Mrs Palin's face for $22800.

Astoundingly, this is more than Randy Scheunemann earned in the same period.

He is John McCain's chief foreign policy adviser.

It all seems to be a matter of priorities: policies or pretty faces?

Originally billed as McCain's "hockey mom" off-sider, 44 year old Palin is losing favour with her early supporters.

In addition to the make up artist, Mrs Palin was given $150,000 to spend on upgrading her wardrobe.

Considering this is an average mortgage, the average "hockey mom" would hardly have such a fashion allowance.

When asked about these expenditures, a spokeswoman for the campaign referred to Palin's mostly Saks Fifth Avenue purchases as "strategic decisions".

Commenting further, another spokeswoman said "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses".

Savvy fashionistas, particularly those Mrs Palin is attempting to appeal to, know that $150,000 can buy a lot more than a couple of "pantsuits and blouses".

A quick look at the Saks website proves just that.

A Jean Paul Gaultier Mixed Wool Jacket holds a US$2150 price tag, with the matching wide leg trousers cashing in at US$860.

With an Armani Collezioni Assymetrical Ruffle Blouse thrown in for $545, Mrs Palin would be up for $3555: a mere 2.37% of her $150,000 budget.

Based on these high-end designer prices, she could buy 42 pantsuit and blouse combinations.

Mrs Palin needs to read Vivienne Westwood's advice.

Thankfully those in the know claim the "clothing will go to a charitable purpose after the campaign".

Anyone for a spot of Alaskan op-shopping?

"Towel Shawl Anyone?" The Grande Dame's advice.

Touted as the "Grande Dame of British fashion", designer Vivienne Westwood will hardly need to tighten her patent leather waist belt in these tough dollar days.

Casting her eye across the credit card toting great unwashed, Ms Westwood has offered advice to penny-pinched ladies seeking to maintain their sense of style, while still affording the rent.

At Westwood's Gold Label show in Paris, GraziaUK reported the flame-haired designer suggests women take a do-it-yourself approach to fashion.

"In these hard times, there is status in wearing your clothes over and over until they grow old or fall apart," Westwood said.

She recommends creating "necklaces out of safety pins" and using curtains, tablecloths and towels for shawls.

Known for always pushing the traditional boundaries of style, particularly for a lady pushing sixty years young, Westwood seems more likely than many to wear a towel shawl with her evening gown.

As a more realistically stylish alternative, the Grande Dame also offers forward a mix-and-match idea that cash savvy fashionistas have been flauting for decades.

Westwood suggests women style beautiful pieces from their own wardrobes with pieces found in the closests of their nearest and dearest.

Unlike Westwood's artist/bus driver take on mix-and-match dressing in this photo, this fashion option now creates an effortless look that can be tailored to suit any wardrobe.

Summer's shirtdress can be done DIY-style by belting the middle of your favourite man's shirt.

And if one would prefer to drive a car instead of spending up on Gucci's US$3295 Hysteria tote, an ethnic-inspired bag borrowed from Mum, or anyone else that was styling in the '70s, would certainly cover all bases.

Modern style is becoming more and more accepting of an individual flavour to dressing.

Visiting op-shops, fossicking through Grandma's wardrobe or picking up one-offs at garage sales are becoming popular ways of piecing an on-trend look together for less.

Just ask the Grande Dame!