So who IS fashion's new face? Models Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls both stake claim to title on twin W magazine covers

They are two of the fashion industry's brightest young stars.
But as models Joan Smalls, 23 and Karlie Kloss, 19, grace two versions of W magazine's July cover, which reads 'The New Face Of Fashion', one can't help but wonder which beauty reigns supreme.
According to the magazine, the pair 'together represent the new face of fashion' as a result of their individual meteoric rises to mainstream fame.

Both photographed by famed fashion photographer Steven Meisel, the two images have been approached without fuss in order to showcase the stunning features of each woman's face.
An ultra bronzed Ms Kloss, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, wears a Yves Saint Laurent silk jacket as long brunette locks fall around her shoulders.
Her piercing green eyes are narrowed to appear fierce as she gazes into the lens yet the softness of her skin and paleness of her lips add brilliant contrast.
Ms Smalls, born in Puerto Rico, strikes an equally engaging pose on the other cover.

The model's hair has been given a wild curl as it falls around her shoulders in the same manner as Ms Kloss' does.
Her make-up has been kept simple also allowing the eyes to stand out with narrow lashings of black eyeliner.
She wears a Dolce & Gabbana cotton and silk blend ruffle-detail blouse.
Celebrity make-up artist Pat McGrath worked her magic over both of the girl's face.

Ms Kloss told the magazine that she never saw herself as fashionable growing up as a child in St Louis, Missouri after her family relocated from Chicago.
'My sisters have always been these gorgeous glamazons, and I'm, like, this tall skinny stick in the family,' she said. 'And I still am the tall girl, even on the runways. Every time I see Karl Lagerfeld, he's always, like "Karlie, have you stopped growing yet? Are you taller?"
'It used to be something that I really disliked about myself, being tall and lanky, but it turned out to be the greatest asset I have - how uniquely weird I am.'
She has served as the face of Marc Jacobs' Lola fragrance in the past and also had a handbag named after her, among many other industry achievements.
She became a Victoria's Secret Angel last November.
Ms Smalls said her career was cemented when she walked the runway for designer Riccardo Tisci during his show for Givenchy Couture in 2010.
'He saw my potential,' she said. 'And it changed people's perspective.'
The model is currently featuring in a major Calvin Klein Jeans campaign and also featured in this year's prestigious Pirelli calendar, which also starred Lara Stone and Kate Moss among other supermodels.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Gisele Bundchen for Esprit Spring 2012

Malaika (Munni) & Amrita fire LFW runway for Vikram

Lit glass lanterns lined the ramp along with crystal edged bunches of gold and silver branches from the ceiling of the Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The backdrop was a mirror work arch and the stage was set for a superb fashion presentation.

Creating dazzling glamour on the ramp Bollywood’s famous designer, Vikram Phadnis presented by INK Infrastructure unleashed a fusion line for Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012. There was a profusion of colour, texture, shape, and silhouettes as Vikram brought a vibrant Indo-West line of perfect resort bridal wear. Choosing a mélange of colours, the designer opted for neutral creams, glitzy gold and deep black with just a touch of prints to add drama.

The fabrics moved from sheer net to seductive georgette, luxurious linen, soft voiles and regal pashminas. Keeping true to his concept Vikram had a variety of silhouettes that ranged from cigarette pants, palazzos, skirts to kalidaars worn with interestingly styled bundis or at times structured jackets and capes.

Saris were edged with broad gold borders, while lace was luxuriously used to make it a feminine offering on the hemlines, cuffs, bodices and even the lehengas and kurtas. Swirling full circle kurtas, raja coats with ornate embroidery, sequined cholis, will-power wide legged jumpsuits, corsets teamed with lace embroidered saris, kurtas with long sleeved boleros and multi gathered anarkalis were a vision of beauty.

The first half of the show had Amrita Arora Ladakh swaying down the ramp in an ecru net lehenga, choli with a dupatta. Bringing six men’s wear creations, Vikram showed regal sherwanis teamed with salwars or churidars with lush embroidery and added on gorgeous dupattas.

The printed section was vibrantly colourful as the interesting fabrics appeared for saris, lehengas, angarkhas, cholis and shrugs. Ending the show was the sultry “Munni” Malaika Arora Khan in a dazzling black heavily embroidery lehenga and long sleeved choli with a dupatta.

To complete the look Vikram designed the most unconventional hairdos – with white bangles or stripes of lace to add grandeur to the creations. Known for his elaborate embellishments the garments were beautifully ornate with sensational embroidery and Vikram added stunning gotta work for dupattas, stoles and then finished the edges with tantalizing tassels.

For that show stopping entry anywhere in the world, the Vikram Phadnis collection presented by INK Infrastructure will stop the conversation.

News Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com

Style trend: The best hot halternecks

From left: Zoe Saldana, Dania Ramirez, Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Garcelle Beauvais and Angelina Jolie look striking in halternecks

Necklines and hemlines are always on the move during awards season, but this year's two-month-long red carpet fashion marathon is making us hyper-aware of the fact that if we want to keep up with those Hollywood glamazons, we need to get involved with some serious bench press action in the coming weeks.
Halterneck gowns have been as much of a ceremony staple as a glittering golden statuette with dozens of celebs eschewing cleavage-enhancing gowns for high-necked numbers that show off toned backs and honed shoulders.
Melding this season's sporty edge with 70s glamour, the appeal of the halterneck gown is twofold - skinny girls with smaller busts can use it to focus the eye on their sculpted shoulders and lean arms, while bustier girls can minimise their assets and elongate the body with a draped neckline that draws the eye up and across.

 News Source: http://gulfnews.com/

Unrestrained fun, unlimited colours

A piazza filled with colours so dramatic, it created a visage of a painter's colour palette spilled with all vivid hues. And as the models walked the ramp in designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil's latest spring-summer collection, the audience was left spellbound by the ultimate fusion of high contrasts with sheen and flowing fabrics for the new season.

The designers were present at Hotel Oberoi this past week to launch their latest collection especially for the food and beverage giant Pepsico's new Lay's ‘baked' chips. Their fashion collection for young women is inspired from the Lay's baked philosophy of “unrestrained fun”. Launching their new line, the designers said, “The collection is inspired by unlimited fun, full of colours, exuding the values that Lay's baked range stands for. It caters to young and hip audience, who are confident, stylish and outgoing - and what better colour palette to symbolise this than green, yellow and red!” The entire collection sends a message to young women to express themselves and not be afraid to show their individuality.

While models were seen wearing essentially short, gleaming and bold dresses, the colours went beyond the frontiers – beginning with basic shimmery gray and beige, passing through silver and gold and finishing with all the colours of the rainbow, turning individualism into a cult. Showstopper for the collection – Sarah Jane Dias, walked the ramp dressed in an asymmetrical yellow short dress with all frills and packets of lays baked chips serving as the only adornment.
Global approach

Taking cue from their design philosophy, Shantanu & Nikhil believe that their designs can be worn by a woman who is global in her approach and likes to carry a little bit of ethnicity in her attire. “The new season is all about light and flowing fabrics like chiffons and satins, paired with beautiful laces and minimal embellishment,” says Nikhil, who suggests long flowing gowns in bright fuchsia pink and oranges paired with off-whites for the brides-to be soon.

Dressed in a smart black jacket and matching trousers with only tan-coloured shoes breaking the monotony, the designer duo claims to promote a healthy lifestyle which is why their designs are commonly available in sizes 8 and 10 and are priced in the range of Rs.14000 to 35000.

News Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Eskell Spring/Summer 2012 Lookbook

Forget complex, confusing and ultra flashy outfits for the upcoming spring summer days and focus on simplicity with a fun vibe instead. Check out the Eskell spring/summer 2012 lookbook for fashionable and ultra comfy outfit suggestions.


An easily detectable and ultra fabulous retro vibe can be sensed the minute we take a closer look at the Eskell spring summer 2012 lookbook. A pleasant sense of relaxation and a desire to embrace the effortless chic vibe of the casual outfits presented in the lookbook quickly follow as they quietly enter in the atmosphere depicted. Femininity and casual vibes proved a winning combo once again as the outfits manage to look put together yet so comfy.

If we are to invest in an iconic feminine piece for the hot days to come, the go to choice would definitely be a mid length casual dress. Opting for black and white hues might seem like a counter-intuitive move in the season that is well known for its colorful funky vibe, yet the versatility of such options is enough to conquer practical fashionistas in a heart beat. Similarly apparent basic pieces can go a long way into ensuring you look spectacular without trying too hard.

Bold, edgy prints might have their place in your summer wardrobe, yet if you wish to take a break from busy patterns, the latest Eskell lookbook provides a series of equally interesting alternatives for you to try. Forget complicated, time-consuming layering techniques and choose an attention grabbing dress instead for a quick style update that won't leave you worrying about inflexible style choices. Classiness is always a must have, even if you are going for informal attire and the choices endorsed by the brand sure highlight this important to remember attribute.

Since we are talking about effortlessly chic vibes, contrasts through patterns and colors are the easiest path to accomplishing this goal. Accessories are kept fairly functional in the latest lookbook by the brand but the suede summer boots still rank as an unexpected yet ultra stylish choice to consider. Comfy yet aspiring to the statement piece status, the boots strike as the perfect compromise for an amazing practical look.

 News Source: becomegorgeous.com

Katy Perry wins big at People's Choice Awards

Katy Perry is in the popular clique now. The singer-actress won the most People's Choice Awards at Wednesday's 38th annual fan-favourite extravaganza. Perry, who was absent from the ceremony, was honoured in five categories, including favourite female artist, tour headliner, song of the year for E.T. with Kanye West, music video for Last Friday Night, and TV guest star for How I Met Your Mother.

Perry told fans on Twitter earlier this week that she wouldn't attend the show but that "I want to thank u all for voting for me, fingers crossed!" Actor Russell Brand filed for divorce from Perry last month.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the final installment of the magical film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, followed behind Perry with four wins for favourite movie, action movie, book adaptation and ensemble movie cast, but the film's stars also weren't present at the ceremony, leaving more time on the CBS broadcast for winners in other categories.

Ellen DeGeneres, Nina Dobrev, Chloe Grace Moretz, Adam Levine, Lea Michele and Demi Lovato, who performed Give Your Heart A Break, were among the winners on hand to accept their awards selected by internet votes.

"For all the Rachel Berrys out there, this one's for you guys," said Michele.

Emma Stone and Johnny Depp — another no-show — won two trophies at the ceremony, which was hosted by The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco. Depp and Stone, respectively, won the favourite movie actor and actress awards, while Depp was also honoured as favourite animated movie voice for Rango, and Stone was selected as favourite comedic movie actress.
Among the TV winners were How I Met Your Mother for TV comedy, Two Broke Girls for new TV comedy, Hot in Cleveland for cable TV comedy, Neil Patrick Harris for TV comedy actor, Supernatural for TV drama and fantasy show, Person of Interest for new TV drama, Pretty Little Liars for cable TV drama and Nathan Fillion for TV drama actor.

Winners in the movie categories included Hugh Jackman for action star, Bridesmaids for comedy movie, Water for Elephants for drama movie, Adam Sandler for comedic movie actor and Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern for favourite superhero. Morgan Freeman was bestowed with the first-ever favourite movie icon award.

"When I found out that I'd been nominated for the first-ever People's Choice movie icon award, I decided to look up 'icon,"' Freeman said. "Here's what I found: The first definition said an icon is a tiny picture on a computer screen that represents a file."

News Source: cbc.ca