Lauren Conrad - designer turned environmentalist?

It seems Lauren Conrad has done it again. As if we weren’t all jealous enough of her, she has now used her sharp eye for design to create a range of eco-friendly accessories – an incredible designer, every fashion inspired girls icon and now an environmentalist, could she be more perfect?

After her success with Paper Crown and various other clothing lines, it is no doubt that XO(eco) is going to be a hit. Our beloved LC has teamed up with Blue Avocado to launch the collection that features an array of different bags, from handbags to bags for your hair straighteners, all of which are made from repreve, a fabric that is created from recycled bottles.

The line is available from Amazon now and is definitely not one you will want to miss.

Rihanna's best collaboration yet?

Rihanna is known for her wacky way of dressing, from spike/studs to the tiniest bandeaus, so when news broke of her collaboration with high street giant River Island, I couldn’t help but feel an array of mixed emotions.

While mostly excited at the idea of being able to dress like Rihanna and even just to wear something that she has been a part of making, if the collection is anything like her own style, it could lead to a few cases of inappropriate dress – let’s just hope the older generations stay away from any studded leather shorts and boob tubes!

Rihanna said: “I’ve been wanting to design my own collection for some time. River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family-run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I’m looking forward to working with them and creating something really special.”

It seems River Island are moving up in the competition against rivals Topshop and H&M with a huge celebrity fan-base, including Lana Del Rey, Whitney Port and Beyonce, a flashback to their beginning with the Chelsea Girl range, River Islands former name in the seventies, and now this huge collaboration under their belt.

For some time now, it has been obvious that the pop princess has a huge love for British fashion, as showcased in her music videos and everyday life. In the video for ‘We Found Love’ she was sporting creepers, acid wash denim and bomber jackets; really working the edgy fashion vibe that British designers love. We can only hope that this may be a preview of what to expect. 

Launching in Spring 2013, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with as it is set to be her best collaboration yet.

Facebook inspired Make-up?

Make-up inspired by Facebook? It certainly is a first and Yves Saint Laurent has definitely pulled it out of the bag. ‘Devoted to Fans #1’ is a limited edition palette that features four of the trademark colours, that when put together are associated with Facebook - blue, black, grey and white. And just like the social networking site, it seems to be a big hit.

The palette, although only available to people who were subscribed to the Yves Saint Laurent Fragrances and Beauty page on Facebook, managed to sell out in a matter of hours. Priced at £39 each, all 1650 of them flew off the shelves on the day of release. Could this be the start of social networking’s influence on our beauty products? 

Originally made as a reward for fan’s loyalty, the ‘#1’ gives opportunity for a ‘#2’, ‘#3’ and so on, so if you haven’t already, subscribe to the fan page and make sure you don’t miss out on any other exclusive chances. 

The Stella McCartney scholarship programme

The exciting news of the Condé Nast college has been unveiled in recent weeks and it seems Stella McCartney has decided to go one better. Although it may seem like the perfect opportunity, how many students can afford the £19,560 fees for a year at the Condé Nast college when many are struggling to keep up with standard university fees as it is? Stella has the perfect solution.

She has recently unveiled her new scholarship programme which will fund fashion students at Central Saint Martins along with a year-long placement at Stella McCartney when they finish – something I’m sure students will be jumping at. The only catch is that students who win the scholarship will commit not to use fur, leather or any other animal harming products as part of their work – which I’m pretty sure most students wouldn’t mind giving up for a few years.

Stella, who attended the university herself, understands the pressure on students in the current financial climate. She said: "To get to a college like this is so hard for so many talented young people," McCartney said. "For that reason, I am setting up this scholarship and I encourage other fortunate fashion houses to do the same."

The scholarships will be awarded in October 2012.

Afro Hair and Beauty Live 2012

This June, The Business Design Centre in Islington played host to Afro Hair and Beauty Live who were celebrating their 30^th year.

On the 3-4 June, over 100 exhibitors and even more guests came together to experience two exciting days of stage shows, hair demonstrations and pampering experiences. Top stylists and beauticians including Retailers included Black Beauty & Hair, Hair by Sleek, Miss Jessie’s and Mixed Chicks were there to offer tips and advice on the best beauty products and regimes.

The event is all about hair, beauty and lifestyle and the freebies on arrival supported this, inviting people to visit as many stands as possible.

Research has shown that black women spend more on hair and beauty products than white women and Afro Hair and Beauty Live definitely inspires this, with an array of products on sale, many at discounted prices and the chance for them to be treated to makeovers and have their hair done.

Inside the event was a salon where visitors could receive treatments, a ‘Natural Zone’ were renowned artists were on hand to advise people who would rather not use chemicals and heavy products and the beauty and accessories zone where henna and nail artists were ready and waiting to give henna tattoos and nail art.

To top it all off, there was The Afro Chic Fashion Show which incorporated the style of the event with many African prints and designs, all inspired by the clothes worn in African and Caribbean countries.

Having once been just a small trade show, Afro Hair and Beauty Live has grown into a lifestyle event for young black women everywhere. 

It's finally here

Finally, a sneak peak at Rihanna, Henry Holland and Nicola Roberts new show 'Styled to Rock'

Designer DIY

Home improvement stores have admitted that they believe a rise in sales in red paint recently are due to women taking on a DIY approach to the famous Christian Louboutin heels. 

"There was no way I could afford to buy a pair of Louboutin heels, but I had my heart set on them and felt the pressure to be fashionable at the occasion," shopper Claire Stevenson told theTelegraph. "I bought a £20 pair of plain black shoes and a tester pot and recreated the designer look at home. I carefully painted the soles, let them dry overnight, and by the next day they were ready to wear. I received so many compliments at the wedding about my gorgeous shoes but I didn't have the heart to confess they were DIY fakes. It was such a success I plan on doing the same for another pair of heels."

Duracoat’s Flame and Show Stopper paints, which are near-identical to the hue used by Louboutin, have increased in sales by 40 per cent compared to this time last year and Homebase believe it is down to women faking the red soled shoes.

"Many people tend to look at magazines to get the right paint colour for walls and furniture, but we've noticed significant numbers of girl’s colour-matching tester pots to pictures of designer shoes in fashion magazines," said Homebase Acton manager Peter Rooney. "They have also asked staff for tips on how to paint on leather or rubber."

Earlier this year, Zara came under fire by Louboutin for copying his signature red soles, but what could he possibly do to stop a whole city doing the same thing?

A dream is a wish your heart makes

What better way to honour the re-release of Disney’s Cinderella on DVD and Blu-ray than to recreate the famous glass slipper?

News of a collaboration between Disney and Christian Louboutin first came about in April – a dream come true for many wannabe princesses, and after three months we finally get to preview the ‘glass slipper’.

"Cinderella is not only an iconic character when it comes to beauty, grace and fairytale love, but also shoes," said Louboutin for Vogue. "Her character and her story dictated the design to me, it was all there in the pages and the words of this tale."

The design see’s heels covered in crystals, butterfly embellishments and the signature Louboutin red soles – the perfect way to modernise such an iconic shoe and there is no doubt that they are fit for a princess!

Cinderella is due for release this autumn so until then, here are the sought after images of the shoes every girl has been waiting for.

Capes on the red carpet?

There’s no doubt that this summer is set to explode with blockbuster films featuring everyone’s favourite superheroes but it seems that our designers are also jumping on the superhero bandwagon. Celebrities have been appearing on the red carpets wearing none other than a cape, who would have thought? 

Noticeable at the MET ball two months ago on celebs such as Lana Del Rey and Bianca Brandolini D’Adda, and gracing the runways at the couture shows this week, it seems to cape is catching on, with one style really shining through – the tan-trench cape as seen on Victoria Beckham and our lovely Queen.

Other celebs spotted sporting the cape include Andre Leon Tally who added a cape to his tux, Sarah Jessica Parker who matched a floor-length cape to her scarlet red Giambattista Valli gown and Nicki Minaj who attempted the ‘Pope’ look with a wacky cape.

Stephane Rolland and Alexis Mabille have added a new spin on the cape/dress combo but morphing them into one for the couture runways (see below).

Is this a fashion that will catch on or is it more of a ‘catwalk only’ craze? Watch this space. 

The new Material Girl

Madonna and Lourdes’ fashion line Material Girl has secured itself yet another muse to add to the oh-so-famous collection as it enters into another season.

Georgia May Jagger joins Taylor Momsen and Kelly Osborne in the list of famous faces as she poses in different scenes, promoting not only the fashion line but also Madonna’s MDNA tour. The backgrounds for the campaign include backstage and on stage at one of Madonna’s gig venues. ‘I spent a lot of my childhood backstage hanging out around amps,’ said Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. ‘That was where we chilled when we were younger. So this photo shoot brought back a lot of memories.’

The collection is made up of florals, checks and leather and is aimed at teens that sport a punk-pop sensibility. Due for release before the school term starts again; it gives teens just enough time to stock up before heading back to school after a long summer.  

For Georgia, this adds to a very impressive resume that includes Rimmel, H&M and Versace, not bad for someone who is only 20 years old.

The only question now, could this fashion collaboration spark a musical one?