Alice Temperley and Disney create a real-life Alice In Wonderland for London Fashion Week

February 24th, 2010

I love a party. But after nine consecutive nights out on the trot for London Fashion Week I was barely able to keep my eyes open as I arrived at fashion designer Alice Temperley’s amazing bash. Fortunately it was pretty much the one and only party during the week that’s been truly fun! It was a full on bash with no expense spared and a celebrity guestlist that made a lot of the post-fashion show bashes look hugely inferior. It also made me immediately wake up with the incredible decor!

Trinny Woodall and Slash

A neon sign pointed to the entrance of the party – a cloth lined ‘rabbit hole’ that you had to literally climb through. Inside waiters dressed in the style of the Mad Hatter served fruit punch and champers while magicians kept you entertained. Emilia Fox was first to arrive, Trinny Woodall turned out accompanied by Guns n’ Roses guitarist Slash (above), Alice Dellal span the tunes and Jade Jagger continued to party hard at Fashion Week. The real highlight was Courtney Love – pictured below with Miss Temperley – who got up and sang two songs as a surprise for the crazily dressed crowd.

Courtney Love & Alice Temperley

Disney and Selfridges have now created five windows in the store on Oxford Street recreating the magic of the new Tim Burton film. Featuring loads of Temperley and Stella McCartney goodies. Go check it out now! It’s quite something.

Kate Moss combats her wrinkles on a fashionable night out at the Brompton Club

February 23rd, 2010

Kate Moss is one supermodel who will do literally anything to avoid those dreaded wrinkles.
And Mossy took her beauty regime to extraordinary – and icy – new levels on a night out, when she decided she need a facial pick-me-up.
Kate, who revealed recently that her top tip to keep her skin clear is to freeze her face in an ice bucket, shocked star-studded onlookers with her devotion to the cause when she pitched up at Naomi Campbell’s brilliant Fashion For Relief in aid of Haiti benefit catwalk show this week.
The swish after-show bash, held at ­exclusive private members venue The Brompton Club in Fulham, saw Kate order a huge ice bucket to be sat in front of her before she hilariously started plunging her face in to the chilly water.
My mole tells me: “Kate was drunk and knocking back glass after glass of Laurent Perrier Rose champagne.
“She was dancing with her friends, ­including Naomi, to hits like Madonna’s Borderline and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys Empire State Of Mind.
“She was on brilliant form, but everyone’s jaw dropped when she started dunking her head in the ice bucket. At first everybody gasped a bit but then they just started laughing. It was totally bizarre. There were even rumours that she snogged a girlfriend of hers.”
Kate revealed in a recent interview that her top natural skin care tip to rid herself of lines and imperfections is to literally freeze her face.
She said: “Get some ice, put it in the sink, put some cucumber in there too and stick your head in it. Apparently, it’s an old-school thing that Joan Crawford used to do. It really wakes you up.”
Earlier in the evening it was obvious Naomi was making sure Kate, who ­arrived in a somewhat tipsy state ­before the fashion show, was kept in good spirits.
Pals tell me she’s struggling to cope with the loss of her friend Alexander McQueen. “She’s on a bit of a downward spiral right now and the night was very emotional for her,” says my source.”Naomi was making sure she was OK throughout the night – almost baby-sitting her, and Sir Philip Green even took her and Dame Shirley Bassey out for dinner in China Tang before the Brompton Club party. Kate’s got a huge capacity for partying so her pals make sure she’s not too out of control.”
And Kate can’t have overdone things too much – she was up at dawn for the Hakaan show at London Fashion Week. Where does she get this energy from!

A bit more Brits gossip…..

February 23rd, 2010

Lily Allen seemed slightly down after winning her gong at the Brits for Best British Female. Lil told me at the EMI records bash Notting Hill’s Supperclub: “I’m fine – just tired. I was so nervous opening the show. Totally petrified but it all went well on the night. It’s an absolute honour to have picked up an award.”
Elsewhere at the bash Robbie Williams pitched up for just 20 minutes and was spotted enjoying a snog with wife-to-be Ayda Field. Fearne Cotton slipped off home early and sounded totally pooped when we caught up. I’m not surprised with all her Sport Relief training – she’s been cycling up to 2 hours a day in preparation for her 1,000 mile cycling challenge with Davina McCall and David Walliams.
Meanwhile the real party animal of the night was tea total Spice Girl Geri Halliwell who visited all three of the big record company bashes – EMI, Sony BMG and Universal. The funniest scene of the night for me was seeing her natter to JLS. She may be nearly old enough to be their mother but she can keep up with those young-uns!

Alesha Dixon talks about her new album….and Take That's new album!

February 23rd, 2010

Alesha Dixon told me after the Brit Awards that she’s preparing to start work on a brand new album with Take That star Gary Barlow. I wonder if all this music work will eventually lead to her ditching her role on Strictly. She revealed: I’ve been speaking to Gary Barlow a lot, he’s become a good friend. We’re going to be working again together on my next album, which I’m already busy working on.”
Leesh also explained why the Take That boys failed to show for the Brits to support former band mate Robbie Williams. “They really wanted to be at the Brits this year, especially as Robbie won outstanding achievement,” she revealed. “But they couldn’t make it as they are in Los Angeles recording a new album, which should be out later this year. I spoke to Gary and he was gutted he couldn’t be at the awards.”

Carey Mulligan, Colin Firth and Quentin Tarantino talk awards season ahead of the Oscars

February 23rd, 2010

*Carey Mulligan is one of the hot favourites to win at this year’s Oscars ceremony but it seems she’s had a spot of bizarre fashion advice from the Queen of Fashion, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour. The An Education star told me: “Anna was really, really lovely and it was great to meet her. I wasn’t scared of her in the slightest. She recommended that I wear a short dress at the Oscars but I’m not sure; that’s so not what I had in my head when I was six years old. I’d love to be on the cover of Vogue. That would be unbelievable. But sadly she didn’t ask.” It won’t be long, Carey.
The star also gave an insight into being an Oscar nominee and attending the LA Oscar nominees lunch. She giggled: “I was so excited. It felt like it was happening to someone else. It’s like being at a graduation. You get a jumper with ‘Oscar nominee’ on the sleeve and it’s all very equal. Like you’d ever wear it though!”

*Colin Firth needs to start enjoying life a little bit more I fear. The actor was duller than a dull to reporters on the red carpet at the 30th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. When asked whether fashion designer Tom Ford – the director of A Single Man, for which Colin’s gained an Oscar nomination – would have him model his clothes he replied: “Tom Ford would never ask me to do any modeling for him – why would he? I don’t think I would have the desire to even if I was asked. Although I’m looking forward to reaching my landmark 50th birthday soon.”

*Quentin Tarantino is officially ready for the Oscars race. But before then his film Inglorious Basterds could emerge triumphant this weekend at the Orange Bafta Film Awards. He told me this week of who he hopes things get a little more unpredictable in the rest of award’s season: “It would be nice to cause an upset to Avatar. I’m reasonably excited. Carey Mulligan is a fantastic actress. I’m on the voting panel and I just can’t decide between her and Gaby Sidible for Precious I still haven’t made my decision yet. I don’t think I will know until the last second.”

Courtney Love and Hole return to folm with London gig

February 23rd, 2010

You may stupidly still think that Courtney Love is off her head and drug ravaged. But you’d be wrong. I caught up with a clean and sober Courtney after she performed a blistering set at Shepherds Bush Empire with her reformed band Hole. On stage she was electric, captivating and her voice was back to it’s best. The singer told me she has a bright new future to look forward to with the band but admitted she didn’t understand what the hell she was doing at this week’s Brit Awards. “I remember being in rehab and seeing Gwen Stefani on the Brits so I was excited to go.” she told me. “But when you’re there it’s just pop music and not very me.”
Talking about Hole’s future she revealed: “We’ve been working hard on the new material – people are saying it’s the best we’ve ever done and a lot more radio friendly.” I couldn’t agree more – the band played a blinder and I loved every minute.
Courtney was immediately congratulated backstage by former lover Noel Fielding (who popped along with Pixie Geldof) and nearby songwriting legend Linda Perry hung with James Blunt – who arrived on his trusty scooter!

Exclusive: Leona Lewis talks about posing nude, her world tour and meeting Lady Gaga in a toilet!

February 20th, 2010

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Well let’s start with animal rights – a subject close to your heart. Would you pose nude for PETA?
I would love to do a campaign for them in the future. Not right now, but I’d definitely look to do something if it was done tastefully and for the plight of animals everywhere around the world.
I’m currently working with the World Society for the Protection of Animals trying to get a universal declaration signed like the human right’s act but for animals. It’s something I truly believe in and I’m not afraid to stand up and be noticed when it comes to this topic.

It’s London Fashion Week – are you going to any shows?

Yes, I’m going to Jasper Conran. I can’t wait. I really have to figure out which designers won’t wear fur on the catwalk or in their collections. Leather pieces are OK everyone uses them and it’s impossible to get away from it but I have to really figure out where I can go. I believe in animal rights more than anything animals have rights just like we do as humans.

Are you off to the Oscars through your work with Avatar?

I’m not sure if I’m going to the Oscars yet. It would be amazing too though.

Who would you most like to collaborate with in the future?

Alicia Keys. I met her backstage at the Brits. Oh, and I met Lady Gaga in the loo too. That was so bizarre. I’ve met her before and she’s really lovely and very normal in real life. She’s into her art and expressing herself. I personally wouldn’t be able to go near one of her outfits on my tour though! She sees everything as art and she’s a really nice person.
I’ve loved Alicia Keys since forever and her performance with Jay-Z was awesome at the Brits. I’d like to collaborate with a few people for the next album for sure.

How’s life in LA?

Well I don’t want people to think LA’s my home full time. I live in London and that’s what I want people to know. I definitely live here ahead of anywhere else. I work in LA and I’m lucky to have a house. I’ve not lost my roots. It’s a bit like I love Japan – I’d love to live there – but I’m in London for the forseeable.

Are you engaged to your boyfriend Lou yet?

There’s nothing to announce yet! Ha. People are always wondering if I’m engaged all the time – I’m still too young for marriage.

And if the rumours are to be believed then your music boss Simon Cowell is now engaged!

Simon’s supposedly got engaged. But to be honest I think he would have told me if it was true. And he hasn’t. Unless I’ve heard that from the horses mouth then I can’t believe it – and I haven’t yet.
Who knows – he might shock everyone and elope to Vegas. I have met his girlfriend though and she’s fabulous and he’s totally besotted. She’s beautiful and perfect for him.

Would you ever try your hand at acting?

Acting’s something that I want to think about in the future. I want to be able to perform with anger and resentment – people think I’m timid and shy but I’m not. I trained at performing arts school after all so it would only be using what I’ve been trained for. I see acting as a natural progression for me. Maybe James Cameron could sign me up to be a blue person for Avatar 2! Ha ha.

Were you sad or miffed to miss out on a Brit Award this year?

It was sad not to win. But I’m not miffed. I’m glad Lily Allen won – she’s had a great year. She’s been snubbed too – and other acts like Radiohead have not won Brits before and been snubbed. I’m still early on in my career and I want to be an artist that has longevity. I want to have time to pace myself. I’ll win a Brit Award one day.

What did you think about Cheryl Cole’s bad miming?

I love Cheryl and she’s an awesome performer. She’s dancing and it was great – I was backstage so didn’t see it all.

How’s the voice holding up for the tour?

The voice is holding up for the tour. It’s in good shape and I’ve been building it for the dates. I’m doing one on, one off dates like Mariah does. It’s what all the true vocalists like Christina Aguilera do. The last thing I want to be doing is be going out and miming half of the set. I want people to get a quality show and live.

What other artists have you taken inspiration from with regards to your own tour?

I’ve been going to the shows and I really wanted to make something unique. I went to see other people’s shows to see what not to do – rather than what I wanted to do. I look up to Beyonce as a live performer. But that’s Beyonce, and nobody can do that but her. I want this to be a show that nobody can do apart from me. We’ll start in the UK and there’s possible Japan and European dates. Then America. We’ll see how it goes. Demand in the UK has been great so I’m thrilled with it.

Your outfits have got a little sexier lately – have you done this on purpose?

I’m trying to get minxier with the outfits that I’m wearing lately. Me and Alexandra Burke are swapping places lately. I’m short and she’s floor length. I’ve been searching for a designer to dress me. I’ve worn a lot of Vivienne Westwood and I found it much easier to stick to one brand. Her dresses were great and I loved her style. To be honest I didn’t want to try on a million dresses so that was the reason for the Westwood dresses. But I’ve now started working with William Tempest. He’s an amazing young designer and he did my Brits dress.
With the Vivienne Westwood stuff it’s dramatic but I want to start trying out some shape and stuff more modern. The Stella McCartney dress I wore last week in Madrid has an amazing shape.

And what about the outfits for the tour – what are the plans…..
I’m trying to make it my own world on stage – it’s going to be a great show. I’m involved in everything from lighting to the stage and the building design. I’m meeting with Antonio Beradi this week. It will be a vast array of short, long and mad outfits. There will be movement on the tour too – not just me static singing. Outta My Head will be a great one to perform. This is a song I want as a single – it’s different and it’s fast. It’s got a powerful song but it’s different for me.

Leona’s new single I Got You is out in the shops from tomorrow.

London Fashion Week kicks off and I've joined forces with Glaceau's vitaminwater to bring you an exclusive blog!

February 20th, 2010

As if having the Brit Awards to deal with wasn’t already enough for me to contend with…..

I’ve joined forces with Glaceau’s vitaminwater to bring you a blog live from London Fashion Week daily!  So far you can check out my goss from Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief Haiti benefit and what went on when I went to interview Leona Lewis.

Tomorrow you’ll be getting all the juice from the Topshop show – where celeb guests in the front row included Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud , Alexa Chung and Peaches Geldof.

Read my blog by clicking here – or logging onto www.vitaminwater.co.uk/blog.