Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 - 11 February 2010)

 Alexander McQueen was found dead this morning in his London home.

His designs were often shocking and innovative, inspired by the history and film. Every his collection was unforgettable and widely discussed. His shows were dramatic and bizarre. His death is a huge loss for the fashion world.

 

Rest in piece.

Rabbit Ring

The madness called 'Alice in Wonderland' still goes on. That's good as there's even more items referring to the Lewis Carroll's book. I've found these cuties in ModCloth. You can choose between gold and silver one:

picture - modcloth

I then searched the internet to find more of these rings. As you can see, there's quite a few of them available. Below are my fav ones.

picture: Raw Space, Lunarrastar, Fleathers, Heavenly Treasures, Haoshi, Urban Outfitters

Stenders Melon Bath Bubble Ball

Changing my house was a good idea because I have a bathtub now. After over 2 years of taking only shower I can relax in the bath. I've used to the shower so much that it was difficult to lay flat for a long time in a hot water. For the first time I've chosen Stender's melon ball. I've had it for a while to was unsure if it's still ok to use. The smell wasn't too intensive and I wouldn't guess that it's a melon. I was afraid that the salt will dehydrate my skin, but decided not to use any balm after the bath to check if that's the case and if the smell will stay on the skin. I have sensitive back and almost always after the shower have to use an oil or balm, as it's dehydrated. This time it was different. After the bath my skin was moisturised but without oily layer. I like bath balls but not the one with non-dissolving stuff like flower petals. It's a pain to clean the bath later. This ball has nothing like this. It dissolves fast giving greenish-yellow colour. Stenders products are advertised as handmade from natural ingredients. It's a big pleasure to pick up the product inside a shop looking like a herbalist's country house. The light is dimmed, the shelves are full of beautifully looking and smelling items and there are dried flowers hanging from the ceiling. Who had the pleasure of shopping in Stenders knows what I'm talking about. I've seen only L'Occitane en Provence shop designed in a similar style. The trend for everything what's natural and ecological is more and more popular and such products have a lot of fans already. After I've read the book 'Ecological Intelligence' I don't know what's really ecological so in this case I'll believe in the advertisement. Surely this product didn't cause any side effects, allergy or dehydrating and the skin is moisturised so overall I'm satisfied. I've read once that you should be worry if there are more than 20 ingredients listed on the package of the cosmetic. In this case I counted only 12 on Stenders website and there are just 6 listed on the package. I don't want to give too high note at the beginning so I'll rate the ball as 7/10. I give additional point for the care of the ecological brand image by using recyclable paper, linen and wool package. Even if my ball was packed in a plastic bag...

score - 7/10

extra 1 - for ecological image

picture: Stenders

Grammy Awards 2010

Grammy Awards is the most important music event of the year. It always gathers the cream of music society and there's always something interesting to look at. As everyone could expect, Lady Gaga made the bigger impression. Has she decided to leave her usual crazy outfits for more elegant look? Well, with her you can't expect just normal dress. She mixed this beautiful Disney-like Armani Prive dress with an outrageous sparkling body-stocking, a two tone - blond and yellow - hair (wig??) in the old Hollywood style, star sculpture in her hand and bejewelled platform heels. She then jumped into...a star costume. She is the biggest star at the moment so why not?

I liked the most newly engaged Katy Perry in her Zac Posen's backless dress in nude with golden flowers. She accessorised the look with a Judith Leiber clutch bag, an Indian jewellery and Betty Page fringe. Zac Posen isn't my favourite designer but I have to admit that this dress looks just gorgeous. 

 

Perry wasn't the only star who choose nude dress. Beyonce wore floor-length Stephane Rolland piece with a  zip at the front and reportedly so tight that she could barely move. She also wore a huge gold Lorraine Schwartz earrings, a sparkling highlights and Casadei shoes.

Next popular design on the red carpet was a siren dress. It was worn by Rihanna (white Elie Saab Haute Couture high neck dress and 'Lance' sandals by Jimmy Choo), Taylor Swift (Kaufman Franco dress, jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz, Christian Louboutin shoes), Keri Hilson (pink Dolce & Gabbana) and Pink (grey/metallic...) which also had Judith Leiber's bag in her hand. Rihanna's dress clearly looked like bridal and didn't make good impression on me but I liked how Pink showed her soft side.
 

You can't expect everyone to wear an elegant floor length dresses if it's not an Oscar night so a good few mini dresses were also spotted. There was Miley Cyrus (in Herve Leger by Maz Azria, Balenciaga shoes and guess what - a Judith Leiber bag), Fergie (in blue Emilio Pucci and again Judith Leiber bag) and Heidi Klum (in nude Emilio Pucci and Jimmy Choo 'Quinze' shoes).

While the most popular was pale colour, a good few black dresses could be seen. So Jennifer Hudson wore Victoria Beckham dress, Ciara - Givenchi Haute Couture, Ledisi looked amazing in toga-like short dress and classy as always Nicole Kidman beside husband Keith Urban in sleek Prada.  Hmm... I have to say that the chubby ladies looked better than the bony ones.

The worst dress was the Dolce&Gabbana by Britney Spears and Versace by Jennifer Lopez. I also didn't like Shawn Colvin's shoes and Nadeea's whole outfit. Phoebe Price wore something that looked like octopus. I don't add a pictures of these ladies. If you want to see the disaster - check out the web.

pictures - grammy.com, justjared

Anne Heche in Psycho

There are movies which I wouldn't watch if I wasn't interested in the costumes. I don't mean a movies about fashion itself because it would be just too simple. I've watched a movie 'Psycho' from 1998 directed by Gus Van Sant only because there wasn't anything else in tv. I don't owe a tv myself but I spent the weekend with my friends and had the chance to see what I'm missing. When I saw Anne Heche as Marion Crane, I couldn't stop staring till the end. Her character wasn't unfortunately shown in a whole movie but I hoped that it will. There were 2 costumes that seduced me - a pink suit and 60s style dress. It was so difficult to find a good pictures showing whole outfits. So if anybody has some and wants to share them with me - I would be very happy. 

Delicate Heche's beauty was perfectly stressed by soft-pink suit with a large flower buttons, round collar embroidered by white ribbon and mini skirt.

Then this beautiful 60s style dress was shown. It has perfectly fitted top and wide bottom. A very interesting fabric and collar cut at the back were joined with a straw handbag, flower earrings, a large buttons looking like crystals and a brown oval glasses. What a pity that I cannot find any picture showing this dress from the back and the front. I would find similar fabric and take it to the dressmaker. I sew myself from time to time but I wouldn't be able to make such dress without a help and good pattern. 

source: pink, 60s