Jelly shoes are not my idea of chich but Brazilian footwear label Melissa, whose best-selling Ultragirl peep-toe flats adorned with Disney's Oswald, The Lucky Rabbit design will debut at Colette, Paris' famed fashion store. They are available in white, grey, red, green or brown - and a steal at 55 Euros - we're told these are the comfiest flats around due to their specially developed MELFLEX material."I believe plastic is only limited by a designer's creativity," explains Edson Matsuo, creative director of the brand, which previously has collaborated with the likes of Judy Blame, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Karim Rashid, J Maskrey and the Campana Brothers. Expect the humble jelly to get even more glamorous with Vivienne Westwood as its latest collaborator - think velvet flock and jewel colours. A selection of Melissa footwear will also be available from, Browns Focus and Harvey Nichols in London from May 2008. Visit http://www.melissa.com.br/ for further information.
Source: vogue.co.uk
You will know how to spot a celebrity at the Cannes Film Festival next month - look out for the glitterati wearing this strictly A-list only shoe, created exclusively for the event by master footwear label Sergio Rossi, on the red carpet. "This shoe celebrates the festive mood of a festival that takes place in one of the most beautiful and glamorous coasts of the world," says Edmundo Castillo, Sergio Rossi's creative director. "An event where cinema and fashion meet to fill your eyes with inspiration."The gold and silver satin sandal has a distinctly starry two centimetre platform and 11 centimetre heel, and is inscribed with "limited edition red carpet 2008" on the sole. The best part? Mere mortals will get the chance to buy into a little of the glamour, as a limited edition run of 150 pairs will be going on-sale in Sergio Rossi boutiques from May 14.
Source: vogue.co.uk
Fancy stepping out in a touch of Tom Ford or a bit of Burberry? Well now you can, thanks to Sunglass Hut, whose new Put Them On campaign is all about transforming appearances and influencing personality. Launching on May 6 in the UK, the global campaign will position the Luxottica-owned group as the destination for luxury sun eyewear. While the label already boasts Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Bulgari and Prada in its repertoire, we're most excited about its latest addition: Tiffany & Co. All you have to do now is work out who you want to be - Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O…?
Source: vogue.co.uk
Denim devotees rejoice: Alber Elbaz has revealed that Lanvin is working with cult label Acne on its first line of jeans. "I want to bring Lanvin into their know-how," the designer tells The Daily. "What if you don't want to wear a skinny jean? It's time to go back to a product that has a dream to it. I asked myself, 'What kind of jeans can I bring that will be a Lanvin jean and Acne spirit infused in one?'" 
If you go down to Canary Wharf today you're sure to be in for a fashionable surprise: Rous Iland, the new members personal shopping service and online boutique, is setting up its first ever pop-up shop. For four days only, London's docklands will be treated to the wisdom of Clare Rous and Kara Iland, founders of the must-know shopping service which aims to solve all of your wardrobe dilemmas taking note of your measurements, previous buys and wish list items.
I have read reports that Francis Bean who is the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, is in talks to be the face of Chanel for 2008. She is only 15 years old. Of cource Francis is said to be "overwhelmed" but I don´t think it´s a good idea at all. I believe that the only reason why Karl Lagerfeld wants her is because she is the daughter of a rock legend. Do you really think that she had a chance if she wasn´t the daugher of Kurt and Courtney? And the second question I want to ask is: What are you smoking Karl? Stop it now and come to your senses!
Fashion's spotlight falls on Australia this week, where the likes of Sass & Bide, Ginger & Smart, Kirrily Johnston, Zimmerman, Thurley and Alex Perry will be showing what they've got up their stylish sleeves for spring/summer 2008 at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Johnston kicked off the action yesterday (time difference permitting), with her Modern Nomad collection of layered draped jersey and stirruped leggings accented with decadent flashes of gold.One person notably absent from the schedule this season is eminent designer Kit Willow Podgornik, who showed her latest Willow collection in New York, but who is supporting Australia as keenly as ever by opening her first standalone store - based in a two-story Victorian terrace that used to house an art gallery - in her native Sydney this month. "The Willow boutique is the perfect seamless blank canvas to express each season's collection in its entirety," says Podgornik. "It's very liberating to be able to finally represent the product mix I visualise in a retail environment designed and created by the essence of the brand."
Source: vogue.co.uk
Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Face Scrub, £13.50, is adored by Helena Christensen, the supermodel and photographer, as much for its gorgeous smell as for its face-freshening effect. 'It smells like marzipan,' says Christensen. 'And gives my skin a clean, velvety feeling.' From hqhair.com 
Bizarre but true, blinc's waterproof mascara creates tiny tubes around every lash to increase staying power. It has a cult following that includes the actresses Jennifer Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Sienna Miller. It's also a firm favourite with the model Daisy Lowe: 'Blinc Mascara [£18] is my newest beauty discovery. You can literally sleep in it and it won't smudge.' From http://www.harveynichols.co.uk/ 
Owner of the world's most enviable tresses, Elle Macpherson credits Frédéric Fekkai Overnight Hair Repair as being responsible for keeping her hair in tip-top condition. 'I apply it to my hair before bed when it's overworked. When I wash it out in the morning it feels renewed.' At £135, it's for red-carpet occasions only. From Space NK (020 8740 2085)
The facialist Ole Henriksen is known for his fabulous facials and skincare line. One of his bestsellers, Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, £40, flies off the shelves. 'When I moved to LA the best thing was meeting Ole Henriksen, my facialist, and David Bowie, my husband,' says the model Iman. 'I put Truth Serum on at night if my skin is extra-dry. It's so luxurious and smells like oranges.' From Boots (0845 070 8090)
21. The De-Puffing Eye Cream
Whether or not your face is being blown-up to screen size, puffy eyes are a well-known beauty blight. But according to the Oscar-winning make-up artist Trefor Proud, Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream, £65, is a boon for those with sleepy eyes and dark circles. It's certainly scored highly with the actress Laura Linney. 'Laura is sometimes on set for hours on end. I found that using the eye cream reduced puffiness and gave her eyes a fresh, wide-awake look.' omorovicza.com
22. The Nail Nourisher
There's little point in lavishing attention on skincare if your hands and nails look ten years older. The actress Minnie Driver wouldn't leave home without her favourite beauty staple: 'I don't travel without Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream [£16],' says Driver. 'It's always in my hand luggage.' 0800 036 3558
I love Jo Malone products! If you are feeling the need to pamper yourself, think about having the perfect bath tonight. Jo Malone has a new Tea Collection that now extends to deluxe candles and the Sweet Almond Macaroon scent will help take you away to the balmy heat of Morocco while you relax in bubbles. £80 at www.jomalone.co.uk. You have to try it if you have not done it yet. You´ll be addicted directly!
World-renowned make-up artist Gucci Westman - who has worked behind the scenes for many of the top designers and film-makers of the day - has been named as Revlon's global artistic director. The role will see her getting involved with new product and shade development, as well as working on-set with Revlon's brand ambassadors and taking an active part in Revlon's philanthropic interests, the beauty giant revealed.
Is the economic downturn finally starting to permeate the luxury market? PPR yesterday announced that sales of Gucci's handbags and watches - it's Double G brand - had dropped by 3.3 per cent in the first three months of this year. On a like-for-like basis Gucci's sales did rise, but the 2.4 per cent increase was lower than predicted - and in a different league from last year's growth of 10.6 per cent. "In the first quarter, our markets have been less favourable, particularly in mature markets," said PPR's finance director Jean Francois Palus, as the figures were revealed.
While the high street has been fighting the credit crunch for months, luxury brands have, until now, remained relatively untouched; PPR's fellow power players, LVMH and Richemont, both recently said their sales were healthy. PPR's sales overall rose by 4.1 per cent. The downturn in mature markets is indicative of bonus cuts and redundancies in the City, The Evening Standard comments.
Source: vogue.co.uk
Make this the year you follow in the footsteps of fashion heroes Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Giles Deacon, Christopher Kane and Marios Schwab and get in your entries for next season's New Gen sponsorship now - the May 5 deadline is fast approaching. The British Fashion Council initiative, which is sponsored by TopShop, is one of the most prestigious international fashion awards for fledgling design talents, offering financial support to either field a stand at the London Fashion Week exhibition or stage a full-blown catwalk show. Support is usually available for up to three seasons and applicants must have been in business for three years or less. Sound good? Find out more at http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/.
Having cut his teeth designing interiors for Parisian boutique hotels, high-speed trains and even cinemas, Christian Lacroix is taking things up a notch with his next makeover project: a residential tower in a Dubai's Jumeirah suburb. The designer is partnering with Middle Eastern property developer Abyaar for the venture, which will see him create the façade, lobby and luxury interiors of the 38-unit beachside property.
Naomi Campbell is set to make the third season of Ugly Betty go with a bang - with a starring role in the finale. Actress Becki Newton - who plays Amanda Sommers in the hit US show - yesterday revealed that Campbell would appear, telling reporters: "She's going to be in our last episode, which is exciting." A spokesperson for television network ABC confirmed the news. "I've personally requested that I don't stand next to her because Amanda would not like to be seen with such a tall, pretty person," Newton added.It was thought that Campbell would star in the last season of Ugly Betty, but production was cut short due to the high-profile writers' strike. While further details about her on-screen character are yet to emerge, she'll no doubt be hoping to capture the viewing public's imagination like Victoria Beckham did with her guest part - as the petulant bridesmaid of Vanessa Williams' character, Wilhelmina Slater, in season two.
Source: vogue.co.uk
I love free gifts and if you do it also, read on! Elemis's has released a new travel collection. The Jet Set, exclusive to John Lewis stores between May 6-24, is a mixture of holiday essentials, including a Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser, Maximum Moisture Day Cream, the famed Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream and a travel bag complete with an eye mask, mirror and toothbrush. The best bit? As I said, you get it free when you buy two or more Elemis products in store.
Luxe leather brand Bally has been sold by owner TPG Capital to the Vienna and Milan-based holding company LABELUX Group. While the details of the sale have not been disclosed, it was announced yesterday that there would be no restructuring of management - and that the priority of Bally's new owner would be to focus on long-term expansion plans.
"Over the last few years Bally achieved a spectacular turnaround and has enjoyed a marked improvement in performance and an expansion of its consumer base," commented Mario Franchini, Bally's ceo. "TPG has always been on our side and supported Bally on its growth path. The management team will remain with the company and continue to focus on further strategic consolidation and growth."
Source: vogue.co.uk
