Thursday, 5 July 2007
Angelina Jolie
Love her or hate her, Angelina Jolie is infamous for breaking the rules.Far from fitting into the Hollywood mould, she chooses to play unique strong characters much like herself, in movies like Girl Interrupted and Mr and Mrs Smith. She further separates herself from the Hollywood pack with her distinctive tattoos, risqué love life and work as a Good Will Ambassador for the United Nations. Despite these differences Angelina is still renowned as one of the hottest woman on the planet.
Simply Looking Good
When Angelina walks the red carpet she is a vision of glamour. Taking influence from the 1940s silhouette, Angelina wears long and lean outfits that show off her feminine curves. Tactile fabrics like silk, satin and leather are used to create smouldering sex appeal that puts her on Hollywood’s best dressed lists. The mother of two, however, has a more practical side too. Angelina's off work style is as smouldering and sexy as her on screen personas but is compiled with practicality in mind. A casual base of well cut denim, pants and sexy fitted tops are spiced up with ethnic details such as belts, earrings and necklaces.
Angelina, whose skin is usually a beautiful golden bronze, is often seen in shades of caramel and gold to accent her skin and dark features. We love the pictured tie waist camisole from Ezibuy label Urban . This basic long line camisole would look perfect with your favourite well cut denim, a pair of relaxed sandals and luxe ethnic jewellery for an Angelina inspired look.
In the Details
Any fashion follower will tell you that accessories maketh the look. This is obviously something Angelina ascribes to, whether it be a pair of gorgeous gold earrings, a simple chain necklace against a silk black gown or a killer pair of heels. This idea carries through to her day-to-day life. She is often spotted wearing relaxed resort-wear inspired hats, carrying over-sized safari inspired canvas carry alls, or my favourite, wearing a range of individual belts that spice up even the most plain pair of jeans.
When looking for accessories, look at the details such as buckles, buttons or gold, silver and shell detailing. Angelina maintains a natural look during the day and keeps the simple slinky shiny look for the red carpet. We love the pictured matte gold and brown suede plait belt from Dotti. This would look great with a pair of jeans or over one of this season’s silk summer dresses to add a bit of spice.
Bare Faced Vamp
Gracing the cover of magazines like Vogue and Instyle, Angelina's modelling background has served her well. She is listed among Hollywood’s best for her style, beauty and sexiness, with a look that is easy to achieve at home.
Her glowing, golden skin is achieved by applying a base of light illuminating foundation and then lightly brushing over a golden bronzing powder to set. A subdued apricot toned gel or liquid blush is then applied to the cheeks. Focus on the apple and then blend in to achieve a subtle glow. The eye lids are coated with an illuminating cream based eye shadow in a grey.
Bronzer is then dabbed in the inner eye using a q-tip and the eyes are lined with a black eyeliner pencil working from the outside in. Eyelashes are made vixenish with two coats of mascara. Apply from the very base of the eyelash and move up flicking away from the eye. Perfectly brown pencilled eyebrows frame the eye to create a moody and seductive look.
With lips like Angelina’s you need to do very little. If you are blessed in the same way, neutral tones will serve you best. If you want more luscious lips then brush over a coat of gloss.
Grace Kelly
Elegance is refusal. Refusal to follow others. Aptitude to be yourself. Grace Kelly was high style. Genteel and timeless. Her own.The Grace Kelly Look emphasized simple lines, superb materials, soft, pastel colours. White gloves, silk scarves and low-heeled shoes. Sleek hairstyles, transparent make-up, discreet use of jewelry. Ethereal chic and refinement. Natural and unpretentious sophistication. Delicacy and class.
Grace Kelly worked mostly with two costume designers - Edith Head and Helen Rose. Edith Head designed clothes for several Kelly films but only Hitchcock's Rear Window and To Catch a Thief gave her the real opportunity to put the graceful actress in a luxurious wardrobe.
In Rear Window Grace was cast as a Park Avenue magazine editor dressed perfectly in dazzling combinations of Dior's New Look. Her affluent, slightly aloof appearance was set up against Stewart's insecurity and the clothes were used to establish some of the conflicts in the story.
To Catch a Thief was all in chiffon and gold. Pastel and classy. With two elegantly beautiful stars set in the spectacular riviera scenery. Grace played a glamorous American heiress wearing lavishing outfits that reflected chic and gentility of the southern France.
The stylish cooperation continued off-screen, colouring many events in Grace's life. The sleek ice-blue satin dress worn for her Academy Award acceptance was also an Edith Head creation.
Helen Rose was a MGM designer who dressed Grace Kelly for her home studio films. But, most of all, she was the author of her fabulous wedding gown. The subtle, princely dress was made of yards of silk, silk taffeta, silk tulle and rich, antique Valenciennes lace.
Princess Grace brought a sense of style and class to everything she did, setting the fashion standards for next decades.
In 1956 she arrived in New York carrying a large, almost square handbag she had purchased at Hermes in Paris. Henceforward it became known as the Kelly bag.
In Hollywood, in Monaco, throughout the world, Grace Kelly radiated natural nobility and aristocratic elegance. Beauty, charm, unsurpassed class, she had them all.
Learn how to tie the Grace Kelly pashmina