Preview of James Blake album out February 2011

Biutiful

Biutiful (2010), dir. Alejandro González
in cinemas now

Javier Bardem and Maricel Alvarez in Biutiful

Biutiful is the captivating tale of Uxbal (Javier Bardem) who is suspended in a cyclical non-life between reality and fatality. Fighting the bitter struggle to make ends meet and confronted with nightmarish challenges on a daily basis, Biutiful is not unlike The Pursuit of Happyness in subject matter. The entire film resembles a dreamlike struggle to reach an end, being held back by a never-ending and excruciating escalator. That doesn’t mean it’s not gripping viewing, however. The two and a half hours pass by like a surreal dream as the audience are engulfed in Uxbal’s Barcelona underworld, seeing the seedy affairs from the eyes of a desperate man, burdened with the need to provide for his family and erratic and dysfunctional wife.

Alejandro González, the film’s Mexican director, juxtaposes raw horror with enigmatic beauty to impressive effect. Dead bodies verge on the sublime and death is threaded through the film like subtle embroidery. It’s a film about desperation, suffering and ‘life observed from the endpoint’ (González). Bardem is entrancing as the compromised, yet intrinsically moral Uxbal, while Maricel Alvarez is truly magnificent as his wild, bipolar wife.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, Biutiful is an extraordinary tale of love, loss, desperation and ‘getting by’. A perfectly-selected sequence of impossibly beautiful images provides a rich backdrop for the sordid goings-on under the radar in Spain’s cultural capital. This is one not to miss.

Topshop SS11 film by Tyrone le Bon

Source: youtube.com

Seriously cool and effortlessly slick, this Topshop SS11 film sums up the playfulness and quirkiness of Topshop's Spring Summer collection. Shot on a mixture of film and cinefilm, the short video has a very edgy quality and represents a new direction for mainstream Topshop. I would expect to see this kind of film moreso on a site like Urban Outfitters or American Apparel.

Paris in Gold

Source: fashiongonerogue

Gorgeous gilded brocade, black silhouettes and creamy Parisian stone in Numéro, August 2006, shot on Pont Neuf, Paris. 
A stunning editorial of Iselin Steiro photographed by Camilla Akrans and styled by Franck Benhamou

Diane Kruger and Poppy Delevigne: stars of Paris Couture

 Diane Kruger and Poppy Delevigne in Gucci

 Source: Vogue, Elle, Pure People

Diane Kruger and Poppy Delevigne were the stars of Paris Couture, 2011. In textured leather by Gucci, stunning jewels, all black, chiffon and biker jacket. Sleek and chic, perfect for Paris.

Comes around, goes around: tomato red and Twiggy.

Source: Eight

There's a distinct what-comes-around-goes-around feel about this image I found on Eight blog. The vibrant red is strong this season, found at Lanvin, Topshop Unique, Sonia Rykiel and Calvin Klein. Meanwhile, tassels were key trends at Gucci, Diesel, Dior, Ralph Lauren and Roberto Cavalli. 

Wearability factor is debatable, but there's no doubt that tassels and eye-popping red are head-turners, bound to wow.

Source: google images

Headscarves are also on trend this season, being seen at the likes of Rochas, D&G, Missoni, Vivienne Westwood, Roksanda Illinic and Giorgio Armani.

Source: google images

It's all white.

Source: google images, Chloé, D&G, Givenchy, Cocorosa, Le Fashion, River Island, Erdem

This season covets white lace, crochet and chiffon, layered up and paired with natural colours.

Source: Style by Kling


Elin Kling in simple white pieces.

Look 1

Damson silk and black lace, my first ever outfit post...!

Isabel Marant Forbes boots.

Source: google images

Over time, I have developed a minor obsession with these boots. Seen on the likes of Kate Bosworth, Kate Hudson and Jeanne Damas of Jeanne Damas blog, I'm desperate for a similar pair.

And I have found a great copy at Topshop for £70, a snip of the Marant price.

They're now £40 in the sale at Topshop! Get them while you can!

Nude, black and a red lip.

Sienna on the move.

Source: justjared

Love cropped jeans for SS11, Isabel Marant style with a kitten heel, loafer or ballet flat.