CK Obsession: Then and Now

Calvin Klein ads have always been highly controversial. It was CK ads afterall that made Kate Moss famous in the first place, and become the supermodel whom she is today. One of Kate Moss's most famous and controversial ads is the campaign for the CK fragrance, Obsession. This is one of her less, err, revealing images:

Honestly, I don't particularly understand why CK feels that a male fragrance should be modelled by a female, but I digress. If you were alive and have flicked through magazines, or even walk by huge billboards in the city in the early to mid-ninties, there is no way that you could have not seen the Kate Moss campaign for Obsession. (You might just not have realised it was her.)

So here we are, now in the mid-2000s, and CK decides to launch a new campaign for Obsession. Only this time, it is suprisingly not modelled by Natalia Vodianova (CK's exclusive model,) and is modelled by the usually innocent face, Gemma Ward.

This ad will be seen in all magazines starting this month, and there will probably more to come. This image so far, seems innocent enough, but I do wonder whether the other CK photographs of Gemma Ward is going to be as controversial as the ones Kate Moss did a decade ago. This is Calvin Klein we're talking about here afterall.

Happy Mother's Day!

While both Barneys Girl and I are guilty for not sending our mums any gifts for Mother's Day, (we are studying overseas afterall,) it doesn't mean that we don't know what our mums dream to receive. Frankly, our mums probably don't care if these lovely gifts were from us, or dropped down from the sky. But anyways, we thought we would point you in the right direction.

First and most importantly, a Hermes Birkins bag. Both our mums are dying to get a hand on the tan-colored Birkins. Although I'm still too young to appreciate this bag, it seems women around my mum's age adore this bag, as it represents a social status.

Another must-wants from mothers out there, the famous La Mer Creme de la Mer. Users and reviews rave this product. The producers describe the results as: "In a short time skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless."

Most mums shouldn't really be wearing super bright pink link glosses anymore, so this lovely Laura Mercier Pocket Paints is perfect for mums. The lip colors are all elegant and mature. There are even a few eye colours in this fabulous compact.

Prada Vela Small Cosmetics Bag is fantastic, as it is classical, elegant and useful! If your mum's makeup is thrown randomly into her handbag, then you must get her this!

All mums love Kate Spade. And if you are going to give her flowers, why not together with this Castle Creek 9 Inch Bud Vase? It' s design makes it flexible to match all types of home decour.

Last but definately not least, this BEAUTIFUL necklace will make your mum treat you nicely for at least a month! This Adriana Orisini Floral Filigree Necklace can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, (unfortunately expensive.)

And if your mum doesn't want any of the above, meaning that your mum is obviously highly unmaterialistic, then you should, err, proceed to make thoughtful gifts and such. Umm, maybe sweet gestures like breakfast in bed and homemade goodies. Anyhow, we girls here would like to thank all mums out there! We love you mums!

Armani Exchange Tops

This weekend on yet another shopping trip downtown (I really must stop and find some other things to do in weekends) I found the perfect top. And it was on sale too!

Is this A/X rhinestoned flutter sleeved tee not just perfect? Mine is in white (but pink looks better on screen). The thing I LOVE most about this purchase is that it is plain but still has an unique feminine touch-making it the perfect top to matched with that super colorful skirt you have no idea what to wear with that won't take away from the skirt. The fluttering rhinestone adds a more formal and dressed up quality to your look too. AND it can be worn by itself with jeans. I can go on all day about this top. But the point is, this is the perfect top.

Another thing that caught my eye from A/X is this again very unique and very well cut v neck top. This also has the potential to become the perfect top, capable of being dressed up and down.

The only downside to this is the huge Armani Exchange Logo emblazoned boldly on the back. Talk about ruining a good shirt. I mean, I love A/X (their clothes are so well cut and unique), but I don't need their logo to be emblazoned behind my back (or anywhere) so boldly like that for the world to know. Oh and it has also been pointed out to me that this shirt will only look good on people with super skinny waist like this model here.

Not that I'm against flashing the brand once in a while. When done tastefully- like the A/X top above with this logo done in a very cool and subtle cursive form- it can look very chic.

For good measures, I'll even throw in this yellow chiffon wrap short sleeved shirt that I like. Are these Armani Exchange tops not the most versatile and unique tops around? AND they're well cut and reasonably priced too!

The Costume Institute show: Coco Chanel

We have already raved and gushed about the stars and their amazingly beautiful outfits, attending the opening of Costume Institute's latest exhibit: Chanel . But I am sure many of you wondered, what exactly, is this exhibit that all these stars are getting so dressed up for. Unfortunately I do not live in NY and don't have the luxury of attending to find out myself and report back first hand. But I have done some research, and here is what I've gleamed:

This exhibit is devoted to the 20th century's most iconic fashion designer: Gabrielle Chanel, or as most of us know her by,Coco Chanel. Not only did she make "black" the black it is today, but she also created the wardrobe staple that none of us can live without- the little black dress!


The exhibit also displayed many other of Coco Chanel's signature originals such as these Chanel tweed suits and various gowns and jewelry.


Apart from originals from Coco Chanel, the exhibit also featured some of Karl Lagerfeld's work for Chanel, which I think serves to show just how timeless and classical the original Chanel is, and for those observant enough to differentiate between Coco's Chanel and Karl's Chanel. Like this display above, shows lacy black dresses made by both Coco and Karl.

I read that there were also backlit quotes of wisdom from Karl and Coco, such as "Always remove, never add" by Chanel. But alas I couldn't find pictures to see what thats like, although it sounds very cool. Overall, because Madamoiselle Chanel was such a modern and fashion-forward lady, the exhibit may be a little disappointing for museum go-ers expecting to see some historical fashion pieces, as all the fashion on display are still so completely wearable now as it was back in the 1920's. Anyways, the point is, the exhibit runs from May 5th to August 7th at the Met, so if you happen to be in New York at that time GO and SEE!! And please, bring us back some pictures and brochures!

Costume Institute Gala Fashion 2005

The Costume Institute Gala is THE party of the year in the fashion world. It took place this monday evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art . The theme this year is none other than the House of Chanel. Co-hosted by Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld and Nicole Kidman, the event was attending by the cream of the fashion, designer and hollywood world. Naturally the fashion was completely amazing.

A party is nothing if it has not been given the stamp of approval by Anna Wintour's fleeting 10 minute appearance at the peak of it. This time, not only did Anna Wintour appear and co hosted it, but she actually turned up 10 minutes early! And looked absolutely stunning too in this white Chanel couture gown.

The other co host, Nicole Kidman, very glamly represented the Hollywood crowd in this very sleek and elegant blue dress also by Chanel of course. Some of my other favourite dresses include. . .
This artistically tailored black dress on Plum Sykes, one of Harrods girl and mine's favourite author of Bergdorf Blondes (simply a MUST read) and fashion journalist.

I also LOVE this very stylishly white dress on Naomi Watts, by Calvin Klein. She simply looks amazing and elegant in it!

Calvin Klein must be on the roll, because this green gown also by Calvin Klein also looks very stunning and flirtatious on Ella Macpherson. I think its especially smart and cute that she has paired it with those oh-so-casual and comfortable flip flops.

And we must not forget Harrods Girl's favourite, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's outfit! Personally I like Ashley's gold lace dress by Oscar de la Renta more. It just looks very elegant and more suited for the event. Although, Mary Kate's vintage dress from What comes around goes around, defintely reflects her signature boho luxe look. Other notables include. . .

Marcia Cross (or Brie as I like to think of her) in this very elegant and well, very Brie, dress from Louis Vuitton.

Melania Trump, in a fishtail dress by Alexander Macqueen. Apparently she also risked complete exposure while getting out the car in this dress-luckily for her, her husband acted as a human screen while she pulled the dress back up. YIKES!

Jessica Simpson, in a red and black gown by Michael Kors (also her date for the event).

Gemma Ward (Harrod girl's favourite model) and Victoria Traina, both looking like Greece goddess' in Proenza Schouler.

And the list of notables just goes on and on and on from Selma Blair's Chanel couture to Karolina Kurkova white Viktor Rolfe dress and on and on. . . . . there is just not enough time and space here to give each gorgeous outfit the attention and credit it deserves! So go check them out yourself here and report back! I am sure to have missed some amazing gowns!

Dior Summer Princess Cosmetic

Dior really has the eye in the market for girls. I'm talking about the girly girls, and the rich party-type girls. Following last winter's success with the cosmetic compact keychain, this season Dior launches the "Dior Summer Princess" collection. The main features are the cosmetic rings -one ring with eye shadow, and another ring with lip colors.

This ring is filled with two shades of eye shadow. So if it's a long night out and we all know that girly clutches are riduculously impractical, your can still have access to touch up your eye makeup with this chic-looking ring.

This is the ring filled with two shades of lip colors. OK, so maybe the rings are cute, and maybe the mirrors on both rings are perfect for the vain people who can't resist checking out themselves out every oppurtunity that they've got. But like, eww, doesn't makeup like lip glosses melt? Wouldn't the heat from your fingers melt the makeup inside the ring? I guess that's why it comes with a little chain for you to hook it onto your bag. But then again, what would the point of it being a ring?

Whistles Spring 2005

We all know and love the fashion by Anthropologie. Their style is always trendy, yet still manages to retain elegance. Unfortunately, Anthropologie is only available in the US. So I present you the UK answer's to Anthropologie: Whistles! Whistles' clothes are just as elegant and stylish as Anthropologie's clothes. Even Whistles' prices are similar!

Whistles' Spring 2005 collection features two themes: the Roman Holiday and the LA Style. The key to the Roman Holiday look is sophistication, whereas the LA Style offers a more laid-back and casual look.

Here are some of my favourite items:

My absolute favourite item by Whistles this season. So pretty and flowy. Unfortunately for me, it costs 95 pounds.

Purple cardigan that can be worn for a polite, sophisticated look, and for the boho look.

A pair of fun boho looking wedges. This style is very commonly seen in UK shops this season.

Can be worn with long pants for a more mature look, or worn with shorts for a more casual take. Are Whistles' clothes versatile or what?

Whistles denim that is obviously taken out from the LA Style collection.

One thing that is very unfortunate about UK brands is that their sites are usually not as complete as US brands' sites. But it's always worth going to the Whistles site to have a look because it is well designed and oh so pretty!