Karl Lagerfeld Teams Up With Snoop Dogg (Seriously!)

We always knew Kaiser Karl loved a bit of celebrity collaboration, but we have to admit, we totally didn't see this one coming! Always one for the shock factor is our Chanel man!  

Karl Lagerfeld has indeed teamed up with Snoop Doggy Dog for Jean-Roch's music video - Snoop features prominently but Karl makes a cameo appearance, dressed all in white.  What an image! Cannot wait to see this badboy premiere! 

100 Years of London Style Courtesy of Westfield Stratford

See, this is why it's all about London! This video recognises 100 years of London fashion and was made by the geniuses at Westfield to mark the opening of their brand new Stratford store. Its grand opening it September 13th - put it in your diaries.

Ps: why has the fashion world gone dance crazy this month? Anna Dello Russo, Raquel Zimmerman and Karen Elson for Lanvin and now this...can't say we are complaining though. Makes the days go just that little bit quicker!

Goodbye to McQueen and Hello to Prada and Schiaparelli

We got very excited about Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty exhibit leaving the Costume Institute at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, mainly because we hoped it would be headed to London. But we didn't think about what it would be replaced with…until now. 

Well, we don't even have to think and let our imaginations run wild with a world of possibility, because the rumour mill has been turning and has done all the guesswork for us. Apparently the next big names to be honoured at the Met will be Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada - not a bad followup. 

We're very interested to see how this develops. Schiaparelli's exhibit at the Philiadelphia Museum of Art attracted over 80,000 visitors in 2003, so imagine what injecting a little bit of Prada into the mix will do for audience figures? Watch this space! 

Get Ashley Tisdale's Black Floral Tibi Look

It's safe to say that Ashley Tisdale has come a long way since her High School Musical days, most of all in the fashion stakes. We've seen her blossom into quite the fashionista and on this occasion, blossom is very much the operative word. We loved her floral Tibi dress which has once again inspired us to inject some floral into our wardrobes. 

Just because the summer is pretty much gone, doesn't mean our wardrobes need to be all doom and gloom. Ashley's dress may be floral but there isn't an ounce of granny chic about it. Why? a) because of the way she styles it - pretty pink lips, killer cage heels and a contemporary, age appropriate hairstyle. And b) because the dark tones of the dress make it more 'eveningwear' as opposed to tea party with Nana. Here's a few of our favourite dark floral numbers: 

1. D&G; £415.....2. Tibi (the same print as Ashley's, just a sexier, boobier style); £95.....3. Phase Eight;  £71.25.....4. Maxime Simoens; £376 

Apparently Every Mum Wants to Channel Elle Macpherson

And why wouldn't they? She picks up her kids in full hair and make-up, toting the latest designer bag and teetering in the highest and trendiest heels. Sainsbury's have decided to do a back to school survey for all the mums out there and the results are interesting to say the least. They surveyed 2,000 mums but not about bargain stationery or the art of the cross-stitch, oh no - it was about their appearance. More importantly, how long they spent getting ready for that first day back to school drop off and how it compared to the time it took them to get their children ready. 

Here are the stats: apparently the average mum will spend 25 minutes getting herself ready hair, make-up and outfit-wise - seven minutes longer than it takes them to help the children. And in this financial crisis, they will still spend an average of £60 on brand new clothes and accessories for aforementioned drop off (and we assume pick-up). One in five apparently get a savvy new haircut/hairstyle which will set them back an average of £50 just for the occasion. 

I don't have kids. It's been a while since I've been near a school gate. However, I totally understand these statistics. In fact, I'm surprised the getting ready time and amount they spend isn't higher - maybe some of the mothers were telling porkies…

At the end of the day, life is a runway for the modern woman and in my opinion, more and more people are realising this. The only disheartening thing is it seems like mums are doing all this to get one over on their competitors at the school gate. This is all very well and good because let's face it, it's what women do, but it would be so much better if they were doing it for themselves rather than for each other. After all, it takes a lot to be a mother a raise a child and although it isn't always possible to look runway-ready (unless you're Elle Macpherson, which is basically who I think these mums aspire to), when you do make the effort, it should be for yourself. *Dismounts soap box* 

A Teaser of Kim Kardashian's Jam (Turn It Up) Music Video

Remember at the beginning of the year we spotted Kim Kardashian sporting some corn rows? Well now we know what it was for…the music video to her song Jam (Turn it Up). A bit of an anti climax - and that's us putting it nicely because we are huge KK fans. Not fond of this song though. Or the video. Sorry Kimmie. No wonder it was never released! 

This is only a 55 second teaser, but we think we have seen enough. Isn't a teaser supposed to feature the best bit in order to whet the viewer's appetite, leaving them hungry for more? This 'teaser' definitely didn't deliver. She still obviously looks hot. Or, at least, we know there is a hot girl in there somewhere - the proof is in the pudding. Just not this pudding. We have no idea why Kim's derriere is the main feature of the video - if she has been trying to live down her sex-tape image ever since it surfaced, this doesn't help matters. And what on EARTH will brand new hubby Kris Humphries say?! Let's just casually brush this under the carpet and hope no one ever brings it up again...

Agyness Deyn Covers Elle UK October

Oh, hi Agy…where have you been hiding then? If this cover is anything to go by, it doesn't look like Agyness Deyn left the fashion scene for more than a second. This cover screams "I'm back baby - and here to stay." 

I have to admit, I'm personally not a fan of Agy's out and about attire, i.e. looking like the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz while making Boris Johnson a happy chappy and cycling around London. But when it comes down to it, Agyness Deyn always pulls it out the bag, which is the essence of a true model. This is why I get a bit peeved with Julien Macdonald when he has a go at the prospective models in Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model for not looking like an airbrushed vision of perfection on a daily basis. Sure, if you turn up to an event representing a client looking like you've been dragged through a bush, that's a definite no-no, but everyone's entitled to an off-day.

I digress…Elle's October cover is stunning; it was guest edited by Gucci's Frida Giannini, so that was to be expected. Some little birdies tell us that Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Joan Smalls are apparently also cover stars for this month's issue…interesting. If this is true, we genuinely can't wait to clap eyes on them. But this one will do nicely for the time being. 

Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Alicia Keys Cover Glamour October for Breast Cancer Awareness

Who saw this coming? Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Alicia Keys are arguably three of the hottest names in celebville/the world but we never thought we'd see these three on one magazine cover together.  Even having one of these beauties behind a project and in front of a camera lens is exciting news, let alone three. 

Glamour have not only decided to show the other magazines a thing or two about creating a gorgeous cover, but they are doing it for a good cause too! The trio teamed up and each directed a short film about women dealing with breast cancer to raise awareness for the disease. The mini series is entitled 'Five' and will air on Lifetime next month. 

The films look like pretty deep stuff - in the mag, the girls tell readers a little bit more about their films and the characters and what the project means to them. Jennifer Aniston speaks of 'Mia' the title of her film, whereby the message she tries to convey is that "it is possible to conquer breast cancer". 

Demi Moore's 'Charlotte' deals with a little girl who watches her mother die of the disease, but then helps others with it. The final short film, directed by Alicia Keys is called 'Lili' and focuses on a woman whose illness forces her to work on her relationship with her mother. 

This sounds like it could help a lot of people and we love how some of the biggest names around have got involved. 

Daily Style Crush: Vanessa Hudgens

Not a name I thought would appear here ever since she hacked off her gorgeous locks. However, I've been meaning to gush about Vanessa's appearance at the 'In Touch Weekly 4th Annual Icons and Idols Celebration' for a few days now, so this is the perfect opportunity. Not only was her 1920s inspired hair impeccable, but the rest of the outfit completed her vintage look. If I had it my way, I would have toned down the smokey eyes, as there's far too much going on up there - the jet black hair, the staple necklace and the red lips. Still, a definite crush contender - well done for working with what you have V-Hudge, sorry for ever doubting you. 

Marks and Spencer Sign Up Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Ryan Reynolds

Dannii who? Marks and Spencer signing up Rosie Huntington Whiteley for their new Autograph A/W campaigns makes it hard for us to remember that not very long ago, M&S had very different faces. 

No disrespect to Dannii Minogue, Mylene Klass and V.V. Brown, but bringing a Victoria's secret supermodel turned Hollywood actress into the mix was one of the best decisions M&S have made in years. Rosie is current, she's relevant and she has a body to die for! Ok, so she isn't the "everywoman" and is on the goddess side of the women scale, but maybe they will come later. Maybe. We don't think anyone really cares at the minute though. 

Joining Rosie as a new M&S recruit is the dangerously handsome Ryan Reynolds. We know him for his turbulent love-life more than anything else, but we think that will all change once these ads circulate. Ryan and Rosie - it has such a musical ring to it, we don't know why Marks and Sparks didn't snap them up sooner. 

And, to prove how effective Rosie's appointment is, we are totally lusting after the pink Autograph wrap dress. More, please! 

Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty is Coming Home!

Almost as unsurprising as TOWIE's Mark and Lauren heading to splitsville is the news that Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty is coming home! Except this is news that we genuinely care about and are doing a little excited dance as we speak. (Obviously we don't have a patch on Anna Dello Russo's fine footwork…) Nothing has been confirmed by McQueen officials, but Grazia editor Melanie Rickey reckons it's a dead cert and that is good enough for us! 

What is a little bit surprising though, is when it's apparently getting here. We thought that, what with the V&A being under renovation and re-opening its doors pretty soon, it would have been the perfect venue for it; and Savage Beauty would have been the perfect exhibit to christen it. 

Apparently the exhibition is scheduled for 2013, which annoyingly does make sense because it's the 20th anniversary of the house of McQueen. 2013 seems like a long time to wait, so we are hoping that something got lost in translation and we will in fact be getting our Savage Beauty display this year. Somerset House, The Truman Brewery and Battersea Powerstation are among the potential venues, but we will continue to scream "V&A" until someone listens - come on people, it's the easiest option and means we can feast our eyes on the gorgeous exhibit sooner! 

Anna Dello Russo - a Gaga Dance Display

Clearly not one to sit at home and veg out on the sofa during a Bank Holiday, Anna Dello Russo decided to create her own entertainment. We're not going to lie - we have no idea what this is… all we know is that some Lady Gaga music is playing (Edge of Glory) and there are some awkward (we want to say dance?!) movements going on courtesy of ADR. 

We have to admit we are quite "jel" that her "at home" attire includes Fausto Puglisi, Versace and Moschino, but then again that's pretty much to be expected considering she got a wind machine and a professional photographer in the form of Pierpaolo Ferrari involved in what is essentially a home video. 

We were mostly focusing on the Puglisi dress - so gorgeous- but occasionally when we did catch wind of the dancing, we…well we were speechless. Still are. Anyone care to shed some light? Anyone?!

Sofia Coppola Weds in Lavender Azzedine Alaïa

We don't know why, but as far as the words 'wedding' and 'lavender' are concerned (when used in the same sentence of course), I get visions of horrific nineties meringue dresses that I'd rather forget. This makes me sound older than my years; I wasn't waling down the aisle marrying my third husband in the nineties hence the terrible memories, but those pesky films and nineties television shows have filled my brain with nineties nightmares. 

However, Sofia Coppola is always one to break convention and her wedding dress was no exception. On paper, her dress didn't sound great, but as soon as we saw it, we were shovelling humble pie into our mouths like nobody's business. As a Louis Vuitton girl, we should have known better. 

And then of course we have the designer factor - her dress was in fact custom made Azzedine Alaïa - who as Cher Horowitz can confirm, is a "totally important designer"…one day we will be able to say his name without reciting the Clueless script…one day. So, Sofia was indeed the second loveliest vision in lavender we have seen this year - sorry SC, first prize definitely still goes to Mila Kunis in her Elie Saab dress at this year's Oscars. 

Angelina Jolie for Vanity Fair October

You know the excitement of the September issues is over when the October mags start to surface. Still, this year was a blinder in terms of magazine's outdoing themselves - and each other. It's interesting that Vanity Fair didn't play their Angelina card in September, after all the woman is a proven winning formula for magazine sales. But then again, having a newly separated Jennifer Lopez on their cover with the promise of an exclusive tell-all interview was pure gold - brilliantly timed and we imagine the sales went through the roof. 

Having the Jolie on the front cover without so much as a glimpse of a designer item on a fashion magazine proves the aforementioned Jolie Sales Theory perfectly - her face alone will attract all the non-subscribers to pick up a copy; her eyes are mesmerising! Well played VF! 

Christy Turlington For Louis Vuitton High Jewellery

We think it's safe to say Louis Vuitton have their favourites - once you get your foot in the LV modelling door, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll set you up with campaigns for life. At least that's what we think happened with Christy Turlington; she's the face of their High Jewerllery campaign for the third year running. Well, if it ain't broke…

She's looking almost as stunning as the pieces themselves, which probably explains why they haven't messed with their advertising formula in three years. What a gorgeous team they make!

See Kim Kardashian's Official Wedding Pictures

Hell yeah! We've been waiting over a week to see Kim's wedding dress in all its Vera Wang glory. People Magazine paid through the nose to have first dibs on the wedding pictures, but they're finally here! We'd just like to point out that Kim had not one, not even two, but three custom made Vera Wang dresses for her nuptials, so we haven't really been fussy with which one we clapped eyes on first. Equally, we'd be happy with just one Vera Wang wedding dress... 

I personally was a bit miffed when it was announced that Kim's dress code was black and white. Because you can really only go one of two ways with that colour scheme - emulating and possibly upstaging the bride, or looking like you're heading to a funeral. Not sure which is more appropriate/the lesser of two evils, but then again the Kardashians always like to defy the norm. 

As the picture above proves, my theory of bride upstaging is ringing truer than ever. Although no one is close to stealing Kim's thunder (because everyone knows she is the prettiest Kardash and when you're wearing a Vera Wang original, no one can come close to upstaging you) but I cant help but think a different colour for the bridesmaids would have made Kim and her gorgeous gown stand out from her bridesmaids even more. Especially since they too were kitted out in good old Vera Wang - ivory silk Organza gowns, if you please. 

Colour scheme aside, these pictures only confirm what we already know: the Kardashian's have one of the most flawless gene pools in existence, Kris (mother - not hubby; so easy to get confused) really is one hell of a great event planner and it really did look like a modern day fairytale. Rumour had it that Kim wanted her wedding to be the US version of our Royal Wedding…and you know what? She just might have got her wish!

Congrats once again to the bride and groom - wishing you a lifetime of happiness together! Don't forget,  you can watch the wedding in a fabulous two-part special on E! Entertainment next month!

The Rest of the Best of the VMAS

Lady Gaga as alter ego Jo Calderone and Britney Spears at the MTV VMAs 2011

When Queen Bea makes an announcement, it's easy to forget that the VMAs were about more than just one bootylicious lady and her newly expanding family. Not only were some of the greatest artists in the music industry recognised, they also proved why they deserved to be there in the first place with an array of memorable performances (Adele and Beyonce blew us away!)  But here at good old Fashion Compendium HQ, the peak of our night was witnessing what all the stars arrived in...

Yes, there were a few celebs who should have, as the old cliche goes, sacked the stylist, but actually there was a pretty good mishmash of great looks around. It's pretty much anything goes at music award ceremonies, which is why although it isn't the start of the year, aka awards season, we can always look forward to the fashion on display. 

Who do we have here then?

Beyonce (obv) and Kelly Rowland, in a gorgeous Falguni & Shane Peacock dress. I was lucky enough to see the A/W 2011 collection at London Fashion Week and knew that it would take a true goddess to pull off some of the feathered numbers…Kelly Rowland was a vision of perfection and this was exactly what I had in mind when I saw it on the catwalk. 

Young Hollywood - Selena Gomez in Julien Macdonald, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus in Roberto Cavalli - so grown up and sophisticated. They've all been there, done that when it comes to showing the press that they've left their Disney days behind with their various antics, *ahem* bong, Miley Cyrus *ahem* but this time, they've chosen to do it the demure and elegant way, showing real maturity!

Katy Perry's Atelier Versace number was definitely the way we would go if we knew the dress code was bright, colourful and (the right side of) crazy. Nicki Minaj, bless her…well we personally wouldn't go for quite the same attire as she would, but she is a performer at the end of the day - out there to get noticed and make a statement and what have you. We admire her bravery and in a Nicki Minaj kind of way, she pulled it off. Disclaimer: This look is only really advised for Nicki Minaj - it may even make Miss Lady of Gaga squirm a little. Yikes. 

Love how Adele did it for the Brits and sported a Burberry dress - respect! Britney also scrubbed up well in a Moschino dress, making us old-school nineties kids proud that she was our idol back in the day!

Lanvin's Girls Dance to Pitbull

We don't think we've ever been more excited about an ad campaign ever. Ever! We clapped eyes on the stills of these Autumn/Winter 2011 ads a few weeks ago and in our heads (where we thought the image would stay) we imagined them getting jiggy with it doing some had-too-many-sangrias-dancing. Never in our wildest dreams did we think it would actually happen; and to Pitbull! Brilliant!

So Excited for a mini Beyonce

Well, this Bank Holiday weekend's been an interesting and action-packed one to say the least. SW4, Notting Hill and of course all the events overseas that we weren't lucky enough to attend - we're mainly referring to the MTV Video Music Awards. 

Not only were we treated to the goddess-like vision of Beyonce in an orange Lanvin number that made fashionistas everywhere foam at the mouth, but we all learnt that the gorgeous lady in question will be a yummy mummy as of next year!  And what a way she chose to tell the world - revealing the baby bump at the end of her breath-taking performance!

We bet she will do a Victoria Beckham and continue to wear six inch heels and look the picture of perfection throughout her pregnancy. 2011 has been quite the year for the celeb babies courtesy of the Beckhams, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson and more but the Beyonce-birth in 2012 will be sure to blow the others out the metaphorical park. 

Cannot wait to see what maternity fashion Queen Bea will sport - somehow we don't think frumpy maternity jeans will be on the menu!

Daily Style Crush: Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker channelled Little Red Riding Hood at a Russian screening of her brand new film I Don't Know How She Does It. Clearly it isn't just Carrie Bradshaw that can rock up to a Red Carpet event in a statement dress. And like a pro, there's not even an ounce of blending into the carpet. We personally love it - the bold colour, the length and of course the way she styled it with her minimal accessories and half up-do. Giambattista Valli should be proud to have such a prominent presence in fashion showcasing his haute couture. 

There's No Place Like Home

So, I've been away for a few months - three to be exact. Be it travelling the world, finding myself, exploring the seven seas or all the cliches under the sun, the important thing is I'm back and hungrier for fashion than ever. I've seen a lot over the past few months; what is it they say? You don't know what you've got until it's gone? I prefer Dorothy's philosophy on life - there's no place like home. 

In my absence I've discovered that Paris, Milan and New York all great but it's London that has a firm grip on my heart. Why else would it have been named the fashion capital of the world? This is the spiritual home of the Duchess of Cambridge and Alexander McQueen - two fashion icons of legendary status.

Yes we had those pesky riots but if we brush them under the carpet, London's pretty alright. And I couldn't be happier to be back :)