Oh, Marc!

Dakota Fanning for Marc Jacobs

There has been a bit of an uproar about the most recent Marc Jacobs campaign, featuring child star-turned teenage muse, Dakota Fanning. The 17-year-old is seen posing with an oversize bottle of the scent between her legs. Jacobs has described Oh, Lola! as "sensual", and is "more of a Lolita than a Lola."

Oh, Marc! The Advertising Standards Authority have pulled the advert after receiving several complaints that the campaign portrays a sexualised child, due to Fanning appearing underage and the actress straddling a questionably shaped bottle. Coty, the makers of Oh, Lola! have said that they believe the image is "provoking, but not indecent".

This does sound a bit like a fuss about nothing. The fact of the matter is Dakota Fanning isn't a child anymore. We've watched her grow up since she was in I Am Sam, and it's hard to shake off the memory of an angelic child who was all blue eyes and blonde locks. But angelic child she ain't. Take a look at this promotional picture for her 2010 film, The Runaways:

Cherrybombshell - Dakota Fanning in The Runaways

You can't really blame Marc Jacobs for thinking Fanning was ready to tackle a provocative perfume advert. In this day and age where designers pick girls instead of women to promote their collections, I can't help but think we brought this on ourselves. Models much younger than Dakota have starred in campaigns which have been plastered on billboards around cities without a hitch, so maybe we should calm down a bit and accept a young woman modelling a perfume isn't such a terrible idea after all.

Victor/Victoria Fashion

Lady Gaga would love to think of herself as the pioneer of the latest androgyny trend from when she bandaged up her chest and donned a suit to look like this:

but alas, no. The boy-girl thing has long been working its way up the fashion scale. Over the last couple of years there have been an increasing number of sightings of women in tuxes, along with the rising star of the likes of transsexual model Lea T and “beautiful” male mode Andrej Pejic have been helping to blur the line between masculinity and feminine beauty.

Designers, such as Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Boy. by Band of Outsiders all have featured models in tuxedos and trouser suits, while Dolce & Gabbana leads the pack by their braces, bow ties and slicked back hair. The androgyny trend is a great antidote to the ultra-feminine looks which have been heavily featured this year; a welcome alternative to cocktail dresses (they are more attention-grabbing and awe-striking than a mini-dress could ever be).

Pull your socks up: Dolce & Gabbana

One fashion starlet who champions the lux tux is singer Janelle Monae. Her monochromatic uniform consisting of tuxedos and dinner jackets, saddle shoes and an incredible gravity-defying ‘do have earned her major style points- she retorts to those who don’t like her style that “they ain’t seem to mind the last three times I posed in Vogue”. While dancing like a female James Brown and belting out her fast-paced upbeat tunes, one can’t help but notice how unbelievably composed and dapper she remains throughout.

If you like the idea of stylishly upping the gender-equality stakes but still want to remain feminine, then wear 70s style wide-legged trousers with a fitted tuxedo jacket or blazer a la Gucci. Add curves with a waist-cinching cummerbund or belt, a slick of red lipstick and sky-high platform heels. Voila! The world is your oyster.

Bow Ties and Boyish Looks: Janelle Monae

Fight For This Love: A PR Battle

In the last couple of weeks it has been reported that Cheryl Cole has been getting close to 'Dynamite' star, Taio Cruz.

Blondes have more fun: Cheryl Cole loving the single life

The Girls Aloud singer has finally turned her back on serial philanderer Ashley Cole, and is rumoured to be spending a lot of time with Cruz, telling her friends "Taio is beautiful, caring and amazing".
The two singers are apparently back in the studio, after previously recording a track together for Cole's album back in 2009.

Taio, who split with girlfriend Roxy Horner earlier in the year, has been hinting at his 'lust' for Cheryl, by posting a picture to his Facebook of the singer wearing one of his designs for Rockstarr watches. Well if that constitutes two people are in a relationship, then I've gone out with everyone I've ever posted a picture of.

Tiao Cruz - all news is good news

According to Cheryl, there's "a lot of sexual tension flying around". Not so. I have it on good authority from an impeccable source from Camp Cruz this is all just a big PR stunt. Cheryl isn't giddy as a schoolgirl over Tiao- in fact, they aren't even in the recording studio together. When I asked if we could expect a collaboration single from the two in the near future, my source said "Maybe...but we're not sure yet."
Any male singer with a story about being associated with Britain's Sweetheart Cheryl Cole isn't going to have a sudden dent in their reputation, especially if they are 'allegedly' restoring Ms Cole's wounded self confidence. So good on Camp Cruz! This publicity stunt is only going to win fans.

Peace

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Bag A Binns

Exclusive members-only fashion sales website, Moda Operandi, is currently selling the S/S 2012 collection of jewellery designer, Tom Binns. Originally, Binns' collections weren't to my taste, but after meeting a very enthusiastic fan who raved about his neon Swarovski crystal necklaces a few months ago, I have reconsidered my position. After all, a lady is allowed to change her mind!

A tasty treat: Shark mouth cuff

Tom Binns started his company with business partner, Christina Viera Newton, in 2004 and has since developed a cult following. With support from celebrities such as Michelle Obama and Freida Pinto, it's no wonder you can find his designs on a multitude of shopping sites online, including Net-a-porter and Outnet. Part fluro-chic, part elegance with a smattering of trashion, Binns' collections are designed to catch the eye, automatically earning the wearer extra fashion brownie points. Not for the faint of heart, the pieces look best when worn with a simple background outfit (think Rick Owens black, for example), letting the accessories take centre stage. For those who like to make a louder statement, be like Rihanna and wear a custom-designed bikini set.

Shy and retiring: Rihanna on tour in Tom Binns bikini

Crystal necklaces and bracelets adorned with neon words like 'PUNK' (see below) and 'CHAOS', Tom Binns has the lady who doesn't take life too seriously in mind when he designs. Fit the description?  Then run to ModaOperandi.com for his latest season's trunk show, but hurry as it ends on the 27th October. For a wider selection of previous seasons' gems, go to net-a-porter.com  but they aren't exactly cheap- the most impressive necklaces go for £800 and up. One to write to Santa about, maybe?

"Elegance with anti-conformist sentiment"- Tom Binns on his designs

Splash Out phosphorescent earrings

Peace
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Kate Moss' (unoriginal) Jewellery Range Launches

Do you really need me to tell you who this is?

After a clothing range at Topshop and a newly released Rimmel lipstick line, a Longchamp collection of bags, a July wedding, not to mention the countless photoshoots and British Vougue covers (Alexandra Shulman, can you please come up with fresh new cover stars for the magazine you edit?) under her belt, you'd think that Fashion superstar Kate Moss would have enough on her plate to contend with. But neigh, Moss has come up with something else to put her name to. The newly-wed socialite has launched a jewellery collection with FRED, a luxury designer jewellery store.



The inspiration behind such a venture? Her tattoos. Ah. Not exactly groundbreaking, is it? Kate Moss also used her inks to inspire the labels on her Topshop range; the price tag was attached to chains with swallows, stars or anchors interlinked, that the buyer could wear as a bracelet so may they wish. Just to get one step closer to the famous Miss Moss, whose words of wisdom include "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". Who wouldn't want to be like this well-grounded individual?

Yes, I really do too.

The stackable rings, necklaces and earrings start at £300 and are now on sale at FRED or you could just go out and get Kate's tattoos indelibly inked on your skin. Cheaper, and harder to lose than the gold versions.

                               

Peace

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Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Sneak Peek

Daniel Craig getting to grips with Rooney Mara

After the new trailer for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' US version was leaked online, an official version has now been released. Although we have to wait till December for the film to finally hit cinemas, I bring you some early Christmas cheer in the form of a FOUR MINUTE CLIP:

I know many will have reservations about seeing the US version of the greatly acclaimed Swedish film, but the former is (apparently) bringing out elements in the book which were slightly overlooked in the 2009 film, like Mikael Blomkvist's (Daniel Craig) relationship with his co-worker, and the court case against him and Millennium Magazine. Also, let us keep in mind this is not a remake of the first part of a Swedish film Trilogy, this is a screen adaptation of a best-selling novel. Maybe all the self-imposed critics should give the Americans a bit of a break and wait to see the results before moaning about 'unoriginality' etc. What on earth will they do if it's better?

So, if you still can't be bothered to read the book, then watch both films back-to-back to get to grips with the story. Personally, I can't wait to sit there with my popcorn and slushy and watch what will undoubtedly by the Christmas Box Office smash!

Peace
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Minty-Fresh Designs

I love all things Olsen. Mary-Kate and Ashley have long been icons of mine; their style is fresh and original, coveted by many. When they brought out their fashion lines Elizabeth and James, and the high end range called The Row, I practically leaped for joy (and landed swiftly in a pair of Elizabeth and James platform lambskin leather heels).
However, the clothes are not exactly affordable for the average 21-year-old who currently makes nothing from unpaid internships. That is why I was ecstatic when I hear about Stylemint. This little gem of a website sells T-shirts designed by the billionaire twins at the very reasonable price of $29.99. Unfortunately I don't think the ship worldwide yet, but it never hurts to window shop!

The site's concept is simple. Just answer a few multiple-answer questions on your style, and you are then sent several suggestions of that month's T-shirt designs that fit your answers. Joining is free and so is the shipping cost, plus it promises all purchases are easy to return. Why not, eh?

This month boasts a great offer, too. Buy one of the selected T-shirt and get a piece of jewellery from sister company Jewelmint (designed by actress and style icon Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter) FOR FREE! You don't have any choice in which item you get, but luckily they're all very stylish.

So what are you waiting for? Pop along to www.stylemint.com and grab yourself an Olsen-approved bargain! Also, check out http://bcove.me/bc70zaue for your chance to win a full year of StyleMint Ts.

Peace

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