Behind The Seams At The Idol Shoot

The shoot for the next Idol collection took place at a trendy East London studio last week and the team had bundles of fun! We couldn’t resist giving you all a sneak preview of the new collection that’s out in shops on the 6th April.

Harpers cover girl model Elina Alminas was perfectly cast, she has the ultimate balance of tomboyishness and femininity. Photographer Derrick Santini captured the energy of the brand with his sexy voyeuristic style; he takes ‘ultimate pleasure in stolen moments’ (his own words). Derrick’s dog Lily livened up the day with her bark-talk, she likes to pipe-up when her photograph is being taken, which roused lots of laughter!

Hats off to the creative team namely hair artist Gow Tanaka and make-up artist Eli Wakamatsu, the beauty was truly spectacular. Designer Donny and marketing manager Hannah added a spark of magic with their ever-sharp styling skills.

A wrap X

Kelly’s Got Style

Check out this sexy cover shot of Brit pin-up Kelly Brook who looks ravishing with our Idol Union Jack scarf draped around her famous curves. The Sunday Times Style is the ultimate fashion glossy and we were super-thrilled that the stylist chose to use Idol for their hot cover.

We think that Kelly has one of the worlds best bikini bodies and has collaborated with New Look helping fans recreate her iconic beach look with her recent swimwear lines. Our scarf may be a sell-out but admirers of Kelly’s glamorous seaside look can pick up a range of ultra-feminine designs at their nearest New Look store.

Idol Saw The Saturday’s On Thursday!

Idol had a grand old time at the Hammersmith Apollo last Thursday and we can vouch that The Saturdays are the most exciting girl-band out-there at the moment. With their lush long legs and snazzy sparkly outfits, there were many people in the crowd screaming in adulation.

These ladies can dance in super high heels which Idol finds very inspirational, as we are still learning our walk! We were jumping up-and-down to electro thumpers like UP and Issues and we also thought that the Rihanna Medley was cracking, the perfect tribute.

Also a special thanks to Frankie who joined us at the bar for this gorgeous snap. X

Helena Randall Illustrations

We’ve fallen in love with these adorable illustrations by artist and blogger Helena Randall. Helena creates her characters complete with their own background story, making them seem very alive. Our favourite is Rabbit and Goldilocks, who “laughed and bonded over their dire need for breath mints and have been inseparable ever since.”

So cute.

Helena also creates drawings of herself instead of photos to show her individual style. Catch her illustrations in online magazine Neet this month. We think this talented lady is going to be huge!

Lady Gaga Reborn

This year’s Grammy’s put Lady Gaga into incubation and considering the name of her new album is ‘Born this way,’ it is clear why she felt the need to hatch again. Gaga was carried in an egg shaped coffin by glamorous models in gold. We’ve come to expect all kinds of weird and wonderful performances from the Gaga we know and love. But Sunday’s scene-stealing entrance at the Grammy’s – where she arrived cocooned in the Hussein Chalayan-designed egg, and hatched live on stage – floored us all.

Some critics have questioned her performance and called it beige and dull. But the star’s rebirth echoes simplicity and concentration on nature. The most natural part of her Lady’s show is her incredible voice. Her dancer’s neutral coloured costumes were futuristic and we can’t wait to see what object Gaga will squeeze out of next. This is Gaga we are talking about she is the definition of obscure, we love you!

Idol At The Elle Style Awards

Idol had a great time at the Elle Style Awards after-party last night at London’s Connaught Rooms. We certainly raised a toast to all the glamorous celebrities who collected accolades for their respective industry. Emma Watson was named Style Icon and was presented with her award by Dame Vivienne Westwood, the star said: "It feels amazing. Fashion is something that I love. I try not to think about it too much. I try and block all that off and I just do what I love and just have fun with it. I've definitely been feeling the pressure a bit more recently but it's just fun for me."

Our favourite part of the evening was having a boogie to the tunes that Boy George was spinning at the star-studded bash....Amazing! (Thanks for the pic George)!

The full list of winners at the 2011 ELLE Style Awards were:

International Designer: Tom Ford

Next Breakthrough Talent: Noomi Rapace

British designer: Christopher Kane

Best Model: Coco Rocha

Best Actress: Natalie Portman

Best Accessory designer: Emma Hill

Best Music act: Cheryl Cole

Best Jewellery designer: Dominic Jones

Best TV Star: Blake Lively

Best Actor: Stephen Dorff

Next Young designer: Medham Kirchhoff

Outstanding Fashion Contribution: Helena Christensen

Roll on Elle Style Awards 2012 we’re already envisaging our outfit!

Ah The Romance!

Valentines Day is near nigh and we love this photography by Carsten White that celebrates ladies and nature. This editorial is breathtakingly beautiful and poetically juxtaposes the female form and nature in unison. Witte’s work is distinguished with subtlety, with its reduced, simple structure, he says about his work: ‘It’s always faces that fascinate me and the mysterious purity of beautiful people’.

Well ladies, we wish you a wonderful Valentines Day, whether you’re out for a romantic soiree or having an anti-Val day with the girlies! We also hope you get a flower or two!!

X

Ashley Smith

Here at Idol we’ve found our new best friend; model and girl of the moment, Ashley Smith. The 19 year old has risen to fame after being compared to supermodel Lara Stone, who sports the same gapped-toothed grin which is bang on trend right now. Speaking about her famous gap, the model says she didn’t have the money growing up to get it fixed, but now she’s very glad she kept it. So are we Ashley!

After being scouted at the music festival SXSW in her hometown of Austin, Texas, Ashley has already starred in shoots for Harpers Bazaar, i-D, Russian Vogue and Lula magazine, as well as being the face of Levi’s and more recently Alexander Wang. Despite this Ashley hasn’t lost her fun-loving attitude and doesn’t take herself too seriously, preferring a cosy BBQ to a showbiz party. Cool or what?

Ashley is set to star in both New York and Paris Fashion Week this month, and we predict she is going to be even bigger in 2011.

Idol Sees Pete At The Macbeth Pub

Idol had a right ‘ole knees-up at The Macbeth pub on Wednesday evening. This rather intimate watering hole in Shoreditch was packed and there were plenty of bodies jostling for a better view of the man himself.

Pete was only an hour late and headlined the Cherry Cola clubnight – a night that his Libertines band-mate Carl Barat has played in the past. There were some random happenings that are typically expected at his gigs with fans throwing odd objects on-stage that included a stuffed pigeon and some odd jewels and trinkets that the singer tends to collect on his travels! In typical rock-star fashion Pete threw a mike-stand (twice) out on to the girl-heavy crowd whilst performing Fuck Forever, which just made everyone scream even louder!!

This small gig was his first public, UK solo since the Libertines played the Reading & Leeds Festivals last year. The singer has recently announced details of a new UK and Ireland tour set for May.

Black Swan

Hauntingly beautiful and spine-chilling, Darren Aronofsky’s new film Black Swan is so captivating we guarantee you won’t be able to look away. Natalie Portman plays Nina, a dancer in a New York City ballet company, who is given the lead role in their production of Swan Lake. But first she has to compete with new arrival Lily (Mila Kunis) who threatens to take the role for herself.

The film tells the story of the Black Swan and the White Swan, who represent good and evil. As Nina becomes more and more obsessed with the role, strange and twisted things start to happen and she soon finds herself in the middle of a terrifying nightmare.

Whether you’re an aspiring ballet dancer or have two left feet, psychological thriller Black Swan is worth taking a trip to the flicks for. The film has received five star reviews all over the world and we think Director Aronofsky has created a masterpiece, with Portman as the star of the show. The visual effects are subtle but stunning and the exquisite costumes are a must-see for any fashionista.

Natalie Portman has spoken about the gruelling training regime she went through to become a ballet dancer, practicing for 5 hours every day, while filming other movies. She also dislocated her rib from the intensive training, but still carried on. Miss Portman, we salute you!

We’re already practicing our pirouettes…

All Walks Beyond The Catwalk

This fresh campaign is embracing the diversity and beauty the fashion world oozes. Created by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and model Erin O’Connor the crusade has attracted significant designers and industrial creatives to get onboard. Artistes such as Rankin are sharing their ideas to help celebrate the variety of aspects which thread the fashion industry together.

All walks beyond the catwalk has also sparked a political debate about the importance of beauty and individuality on self-esteem and confidence and received the backing of Govt. Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone. Plus size model Hayley Morley has also played her part in the campaign promoting the elegance of robust; pictured on the catwalk in a Mark Fast masterpiece.

A not to be missed debate will be held at The National Portrait Gallery on February 11th from 6pm to 10pm, where guest speakers, among them Erin O’Connor will be divulging her knowledge about the success of the movement and where portraits by Rankin’s photography team will be exhibited.