Catwalk queens prepare for a less glamorous future.

Italian model Diana Gelsi strode straight onto the fashion catwalks of Milan from high school and now at the grand old age of 24 is already considering how she’ll spend her retirement.

The slender, leggy model with a face framed by hair dyed an ironic silvery gray for a show at Milan Fashion Week is preparing for a second career around the same time that many middle class Westerners her age are taking their first steps from university into professional life.

“I am a granny model,” Gelsi told Reuters on the sidelines of the runway shows. “I would like to become a video producer.”

Video producer, lawyer, actor, writer — most of the models strutting their stuff at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris are already preparing themselves for life on the realistic assumption that they will not be spinning out a career showing off designer gear for decades like supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

That’s why the 20-somethings dashing around the backstage areas in preparation for Cavalli, Armani, Versace and Prada are thrilled to be on the circuit, but cautious about the future. Some still stereotypically puff on cigarettes and sip Champagne, but the smart operators have a book off their reading list close by and they are actually devouring it voraciously.

British model Lily Cole grabbed headlines last year when she graduated in Art History from Cambridge University at the age of 23. Canadian model Lisa Cant entered Columbia University at 23.

“I love modeling but I love school more. Before I went to university, I saw modeling as my career, but now I see modeling as a means to pay for my future,” Cant wrote on the website of The Model Alliance, a non-profit organization which aims to improve working conditions for fashion models.

David Brown, who represents catwalk stars such as Moss, Claudia Schiffer and Campbell, said the chances of a long-term career for most of the girls at the shows these days are much lower than they were during the heady 1990s, when supermodels ruled the fashion roost.

“There is a continuing demand for something new that is almost maniacal,” he told Reuters.

The majority of models start working before age 16 and their career is over by their mid-20s.

Brown, who owns the Milan-based D’Management agency for professional models, said around 70 percent of girls selected for runways are new faces. He said supermodels are now mostly hired for campaigns or as special guests of events.

The 41-year-old Campbell led the catwalk in a shimmering evening dress for Roberto Cavalli on Monday in Milan, the last big show of that fashion capital’s autumn/winter 2012 season.

The need for new faces is increasing competition among models who know it’s tough to become the next Gisele Bundchen.

The Brazilian topped Forbes’s list of the world’s highest paid models with an estimated $25 million last year.

“Let me start off by saying that I’m still quite a nobody in the fashion world. Yes, I work as a model, but I don’t identify as just that,” said Dana Drori, who holds a university degree in English literature, wrote on online magazine BlackBook.

“I decided to take a year (or two) off to model full-time, to travel and make money for grad school and other life investments,” she said.

Top models can earn up to $5,000 for a show, beginners sometimes work free or are paid in clothes, Model Alliance said.

“This is a temporary job,” Gelsi said, wearing a black cocktail dress backstage at Blugirl’s show.

Watch Jessica Simpson & Nicole Richie In Fashion Star.

In fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re out! Project Runway, you’ve been warned.

The next big thing in fashion reality TV is here and the name says it all. NBC’s new competition series Fashion Star debuts next month and, like Project Runway, it aims to find the next big designer. But, there’s a major twist: the clothes you see walking the runway will be available in stores so you, the viewer, can buy them the very next day!

Starring host and executive producer Elle Macpherson along with celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos, the series will pluck 14 unknown designers from obscurity and give them chance to win a multi-million dollar prize to launch their collections in Macy’s, H&M, and/or Saks Fifth Avenue.

“We shot the show back in July and August, and the reason why it’s so exciting to watch is because as America is watching the clothes go down the runway, they can order it online that night or go into the store the next day,” Richie told EURweb recently. “It’s so fast, it’s so immediate, and it’s going to be very exciting for America to watch.”

The powers that be behind Fashion Star are sure that each week they will make television history. “I don’t want to find the next great designer,” Macpherson says in the sneak peek below. “I want to find the next great fashion icon.”

Oscar Fashion: Angelina Jolie Wins.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards were, from a fashion perspective, the Academic Awards. Just as academic writing calculates, then wards off, every potential challenge or criticism from a peer-review committee—that is how the clothes looked. The nominees and presenters were all in their Sunday best, safely soignée, appropriate, stately, well-behaved—and styled by the book to avoid making someone’s worst-dressed list. There were very few flickers of style, caprice, wit, irony, kookiness, or rebellion. Where is Cher when you need her? Or Nicole Kidman in chartreuse Galliano?

It also seemed as if there were only one bottle of hair color in the entire city of Los Angeles: last night was a red carpet in more than one sense. A striking number of actresses had red, russet, henna, Titian, tawny, or burnt-orange hair, or at least red highlights—even handsome Viola Davis (although her carotene-colored modified Afro did look fetching with her hunter-green Vera Wang gown).

The most fun to watch was the manicurists. Watching Lisa Logan crawl under the table to get the job done is one of my favorite priceless moments. Her skill as a manicurist is only the tip of the iceberg. When you see how hands-on she is with her team, when she interacts with the press, and models, it is refreshing.

I was able to come to the assistance of Tracey Lee, another amazing celebrity manicurist. Her positive outlook of the industry is amazing. After 25 years, she too knows the good, the bad, and the ugly. But ask her how she feels about her experiences, “I love what I do,” she says.

Kelly Baber is another celebrity manicurist, team player, and connector of people also brings great opportunities to artists who may not otherwise have had them.

Business expert Cinnamon Bowser, owner of Nail Taxi also brought together her team of international artists, both locally and from London to hit the tents.

I continue to hold my position with the help of my team. They stand with me and my brand, working to keep our profession respected and relevant. Fellow artist Maisie Dunbar–founder of BluffaJo, Natasha Ray, Tadihiro Max Iswaka, Chanelle Morris, Shamina J. Di Mauro and my faithful right hand woman Janine Linton were on hand to keep this game beautiful. Vera Wang, Son Jung Wan, Daphney Guinness, Tommy Hilfiger, The Vessel by Lois, and Angel Sanchez–the newcomer blessed by the m2m damoreJon team.

Fashion Week generates millions of dollars from travelers, observers, and locals. The media exposure only covers the half of what really goes on during that one week. Then they go packing for five more Fashion Weeks in five different locations, London, Milan, Paris, Berlin, and Japan.

So, wherever you are, look for the tents. That’s where the action will be.

Matthew Curtis, British born, lead session stylist for UK TreSemme is taking New York by storm. The first time as an observer, and the second visit he was assisting. During this current visit, he leads the hair teams for several of the industry’s brilliant designers, Ralph Lauren, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Marc Jacobs, Billy Reid, Jad Ghandour, Negarin, Rafael Cennamo to name a few; flying thousands of miles to foreign grounds to make his mark in the New York fashion scene. He does not do this alone. His entourage travels from Spain (Anthony Llobet), Sweden (Marwana Hitti), London (Harry Goodfellow), and Sweden (Ulrica Nilsson). Along with his American-based team lead by NY Fashion veteran Michelle Swiney and Moet Stewart. Newcomers flock to the opportunity to be on the fashion scene to be baptized in the holy grounds of the tents.

For some, this is their one shot at fame, for others this may be a sample of something they may never want to taste again. It brings out either the best or worst in people. The egos, the divas and divos, the self-entitled, bitter, want-to-be’s, the leaders, the followers, the innovators, the creators, whatever you are or want to be will be exposed.

This season I wore two hats. One was that of a producer, for Matthew Curtis amazing international hair team, sponsored by TreSemme Uk, T3/Fashion 360 and Shuly’s Wigs. With this hat I had the opportunity to see the whole picture. The ability to lead some 15 to 16 artists takes more skills than doing hair. For this job, you have to be a people person, teacher, and most importantly a motivator. Uplift your team and praise them for what they bring to the table.

Fashion Week — First Week.

“First Look!” That phrase alone is enough to make those in Fashion, who know its meaning lose it… Ahhhhhh!!! (Macaulay Caulken’s Home Alone scream face).

In the fashion world, the media generally sees the models on the catwalk — perfectly put together, hair, makeup, and sometimes nails, if they remember or think to hire a nail team.

For an entire 11 to 20 minute show, the real production starts a year in advance. It takes months of planning color, fabrics, and forecasting. The last segment is pulling in the beauty team: the lead and head stylists are the most key, as they are the visionaries. They must look at the collection, be inspired by it, get creative, and still work within the boundaries of the designer. And that is no easy task, because the artists must decide for themselves what moves them, inspires them and then create a masterpiece. With each season that passes, the pressure increases. You must be better than the last time, more creative, innovative, and somehow make this insanity look sane.

I have been in this game of fashion for 21 years, and the drive is still there. The passion is still burning. I have managed to stretch out my fifteen minutes of fame to the lifespan of an average career in fashion, 20 years. When most people consider it time to retire, in fashion you look to reinvent yourself. And reinvent myself is what I have chosen to do. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to meet some of the industry’s up and coming icons.

Milan Fashion Week takes opulence to new level

Fur, lavish velvet, crocodile skin and golden embroidery took center stage at Italy’s premier fashion showcase.

Even as the fashion world showed signs of upheaval, designers in Milan presented some of the most composed winter collections in many a season.

The looks in six days of Milan Fashion Week, which ended yesterday, were opulent — lavish velvet and brocade fabrics made even richer by beading, sequins, brooches and golden embroidery.

Many of the fall-winter previews had the over-the-top feel of costumes, conveyed in detailing like feathers, fur trimming and silver mesh.

Military looks were the most prevalent, with nearly every designer featuring garments with golden buttons, epaulets and double-breasted styles. That was finished off with military caps and equestrian boots.

There was lots of bare skin, but plenty of ways to cover it in layers. That included big fur collars, gauntlet gloves, thigh-high boots and shawl wraps of every style imaginable.

The basics for the season are cropped pants, shorts, the pant suit and dresses topped with jackets. Hats made a comeback with plenty of styles: Gaucho hats, mod leather caps, fedoras, flapper cloches and furry Cossack headgear.

Many designers showed their wears in spectacular baroque settings, either in actual historic palaces or settings recreated on the runway, which only enhanced the richness of the clothing.

Brooches and other ornaments were stitched onto garments, evoking a theatrical feel.

The palette was mainly black, offset by deep reds, blues, and the return of purple. A few designers preferred a contrast with soft pastels, white and beige.

Next winter’s bag is average size, and usually carried by the handle. For night, the looks favored tiny clutches.

Booties — military or Victorian — were a favorite. Heels were high, but not incredibly so, with the Mary Jane the prevalent style. Flourishes were added to shoes: sparkles, bows, buttons and golden accents.

Several top fashion jobs were in flux. Raf Simons presented his final collection for the Jil Sander label, making way for the namesake designer to return to the fashion house she founded in the 1960s. Simons’ triumphant farewell collection contrasted with the opulence of many of the runways: it was soft, feminine and minimalist.

Yves Saint Laurent announced that designer Stefano Pilati would be leaving after his final show next week in Paris, while Dior is still looking for a new designer after last year’s disgraceful exit of John Galliano.

So the fashion world moves on to Paris amid speculation of where all the talent will land.

Woah mama! Beyonce post baby appearance.

Beyonce Knowles looked healthy and happy at her first public appearance since having a baby.

The 30-year-old singer – who gave birth to daughter Blue Ivy on January 7 – was out in New York City to watch her husband Jay-Z perform at Carnegie Hall on Monday night.

She wore a tight-fitting red Alice by Temperley dress teamed with oversized gold hoop earrings and Christian Louboutin platform heels.

Jay-Z looked visibly choked up when he performed Glory – the song he wrote for his new baby girl.

“You could tell Jay is over the moon,” a source told Us Weekly. “He asked the crowd if there are any proud parents out there. Then after he said, ‘I didn’t think I was gonna make it through that one – that was tough’.”

During the benefit concert, Jay-Z was joined on stage by Alicia Keys and the pair performed their hit duet Empire State of Mind.

Nas also performed with Jay-Z.

After the show, a host of stars attended the official after-party at Jay-Z’s 40/40 club, where Beyonce chatted with the guests.

“She made a much bigger effort to say hello to nearly everyone, making rounds around the whole club before joining Jay-Z and guests in the VIP room,” an onlooker revealed.

Jay-Z performed for the first time at Carnegie Hall to raise money for his Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and The United Way of New York City, which gives talented students financial assistance to attend college.

Wake-up call for female entrepreneurs.

Kim Kiyosaki is an entrepreneur, author and, yes, wife of Robert Kiyosaki, the man behind the worldwide Rich Dad, Poor Dad phenomenon. Like her husband, she is passionate about financial education, particularly among women, and has just released the book It’s Rising Time! What it really takes for the reward of financial freedom.

The focus of the book is about building wealth. Specifically about making the right investment decisions so that you are putting your money into assets that will generate positive cash flow for years to come. The concept isn’t a new one. In fact, it’s the cornerstone of the philosophy she and her husband have been preaching to the world for over a decade when Rich Dad, Poor Dad first burst on the scene.

Despite this, Kiyosaki felt it was important to write the book as a wake-up call to women. While the book is part “how to”, it’s also a motivational kick up the bum for women who have either neglected their financial planning or have handed over the reins to their partner.

“I think there just comes a time where there’s a mindshift that goes ‘Sometimes, you’re going to have to put yourself first’,” she says.

“I think women sometimes think that they’re being selfish if they do something for themselves. I think we just have to change that. Your financial life is everything and if you can’t take care of yourself financially, how are you going to prepare for your kids and take care of them as well?”

Handing over the reins

There’s clearly an audience that needs to hear Kiyosaki’s message. I’m still amazed at the number of women I meet who have handed over all their financial affairs to their partner. Or who abdicate all responsibility to a financial planner without bothering to understand where their money is going. Quite frankly, it’s scary.

Even if you have the utmost faith in your partner/planner, life doesn’t always play out the way you hope. Like Laurel (not her real name), a savvy business owner who spent her entire life building a business with her husband, running the entire company on her own when he was ill for many years. She assumed he had looked after their financial affairs but when he died without updating his will, she was left with nothing. Years of anguish-filled litigation ensued.

When I speak to women about why they find it so hard take control of their finances within a marriage, it often boils down to ego. That is, not wanting to hurt their partner’s seemingly fragile one. My friend Sally says that she didn’t ask her husband to sign a pre-nuptial agreement – or binding financial arrangement – even though she was the one with all the assets when they got married. “I just couldn’t have brought it up,” she says. “He would have been appalled.”

Kiyosaki agrees. “It’s the ego. It’s like walking on eggshells. It’s a really tough conversation but I think the woman can communicate something like: ‘I’m worried that I might end up like one of these women, I want to work with you on this’. It’s a conversation that’s very delicate and some work and some don’t. The important thing is that if, as a woman, you really want to move forward on this, don’t let that stop you.”

Your purpose

Although the book is aimed at fashion women from all walks of life (including non-business owners), Kiyosaki is especially passionate about the financial decisions of female entrepreneurs. “I think a lot of women create a business because they want the extra spending money, like an extra $1000, $2000 or $3000 a month,” she says. “That’s why they start it.”

However, Kiyosaki says that one of the biggest mistakes female business owners make is when they are not clear on the purpose of their business. “What is it that you really want to accomplish and what’s the bigger plan for your business? Ideally, how do you want to build it to the point where you don’t have to be in it anymore?”

I can already hear some of you say that you’re not in business so that you can get out of it. You actually enjoy your work and want to be involved with your business. That’s not Kiyosaki’s point. “When I talk about financial freedom I hear a lot of fashion women say: ‘I’ll never sell my baby. I’ll never give it up.’

“I also hear fashion women say: ‘I love it. I’m going to work forever.’ Well, that’s fine if you want to do that but don’t you want to have the choice to maybe not have to work forever? Or to have your money working for you so you can choose? Again, it comes down to freedom so that you can choose to live the life that you want to live.”

Hobby vs business

Kiyosaki is passionate about encouraging women to play a bigger game when it comes to business. “I think sometimes women just think a little too small when it comes to their business,” she says. “They need to think bigger. It comes down to an entrepreneurial mindset. From the start, I would just think big. See what happens!”

Both Kim and Robert Kiyosaki are strong advocates for investing in property. They believe that, when you make the right investment decisions, this is an ideal asset to invest in – and hold on to – in order to generate positive cash flow.

When it comes to choosing between investing in property and starting a business to build wealth, Kiyosaki says: “If business is something you love, I would probably say start with that. That’s what I did. I started with a business and our philosophy was always that we would build the business. If you currently have a job, start a part-time business, do something on weekends, start an online business. Start the business and then the cash flow from your business buys your investments and your assets.”

Working with your spouse

It’s an approach that Kiyosaki and her husband have adopted throughout their domestic and business partnership. “I knew from very early on that I wanted my life partner to be my business partner,” she says, acknowledging that while working with your spouse – particularly a high-profile one – can be powerful, it can also be fraught with challenges.

“It’s not for everybody, but I wouldn’t do it any other way,” she says. “Sometimes, we have to agree to disagree. And it takes a while because we’re both very hard-headed. We’re both independent and we both want to be right.

“I’d say that to have an ongoing healthy marriage is probably the toughest thing. And to have an ongoing healthy business would be the second toughest thing!”

Kiyosaki has obviously overcome these challenges thanks to sharing the same values in business and life.

“My first gift from Robert wasn’t jewellery. It wasn’t a nice dinner out. It wasn’t a trip somewhere,” she says. “It was an accounting class. That was my very first gift – an accounting class. He wanted to teach me about assets and liabilities. I thought it was kind of romantic.”

It’s a partnership that works. The pair has not only celebrated 25 years of marriage, they have also built an empire, one that is going to expand into a worldwide radio show and an online game focused on financial education.

While your partner may not be inclined to give you an accounting class for your next anniversary, Kiyosaki is adamant that financial education should be a priority for any female business owner – or certainly, for women in general. “It’s about building up confidence,” she says. “That’s why I wrote It’s Rising Time! With every step, you learn something new. Even though it’s going to be uncomfortable at times, the more you learn, the more your confidence builds. I think women sometimes sell themselves short. They just need to think bigger and go forward.”

John Galliano makes a rare public

appearance at London’s HIX bar.

It is almost a year to the day since news broke of designer John Galliano being arrested for making anti-Semitic remarks to a couple in a bar in the French capital. Since then, he’s been stripped of his duties at Dior and his eponymous label, been to rehab, found guilty in court and received a suspended fine. Oh, and designed Kate Moss’s Great Gatsby-esque wedding dress last summer.

With no day job on the cards, Galliano is firmly turning to his friends for support. Which perhaps explains why he was spotted at London bar for DJ Jeremy Healy’s 50th birthday bash. Healy, of Haysi Fantayzee fame – and latterly Patsy Kensit’s fourth husband (the couple have since split) was celebrating at restaurateur Mark Hix’s eatery on Soho’s Brewer Street.

Read more about the John Galliano scandal

“John was quiet and reserved, he was sober and very demure, but there to support his friend,” a source told Page Six .

The source added that his appearance at the soiree “caused quite a flutter in the room.”

Galliano, 51, is still thought to be in recovery. Since his dismissal from Christian Dior and his own-name label, his former aide Bill Gaytten has assumed the responsibilities of creative director at both fashion houses.

David Beckham ‘didn’t know where to look’ when his H&M ad

aired during the Super Bowl.

Poor old Becks. Life as a top hunk (in trunks) has its drawbacks. Talking to American cheeseball Ryan Seacrest on his radio show, David Beckham revealed that despite his apparent penchant for posing in nothing but a pair of crisp white pants and a smile, he is in fact a bashful boy at heart.

“I’m very shy. When we were watching the Super Bowl yesterday in a room of about 20 people and it came on and I actually didn’t know where to look. It was kind of embarrassing.”

Bless his cotton, er, pants.

However, after telling The Telegraph last week how his children has cried “Oh no dad, not again!” when they saw the billboard posters for his H&M underwear range for the first time, it seems they have had a mild change of heart.

“The kids loved it but they were also embarrassed as well because there was like, other people in the room.”

Meanwhile it’s been kit bags at dawn after Queens Park Rangers footballer Joey Barton launched a scathing attack on David’s smalls on Twitter. The outspoken midfielder – who is clearly sour that he’s not being asked to strip off and sell pants – has rather riskily accused H&M of making the range in sweat shops.

“Cost about 1p to make in a sweat shop in the 3rd world….Is there no limit to what ‘Brand Beckham’ will endorse for a pound note? Surely they both have enough cash now.”

A spokesman for UNICEF ambassador Beckham told the Daily Star that the range was being made “under the strictest ethical guidelines and added that anyone who accused Beckham of using child labour was a ‘madman’”.

Although Swedish high street retailer H&M has refused to say which factory in China was producing Beckham’s range but, they have stated that workers were given “at least the statutory minimum wage.”

Barton went on: “Not arsed if they’re Beckham’s or not. £9.99 pounds for a pair of gruds for H+M (sic) is an outrage, do one Becks…..”

Don’t worry Joey your time will come. All you need is first rate football skills, an England captaincy, a celebrity wife, an adorable personality, the world’s cutest children, an OBE, matinee idol looks and a body to die for and the jobs a good’un.

Jodie Kidd: I’m not in shape

Jodie Kidd has “struggled” to get her pre-pregnancy body back following the birth of her baby.

The stunning star and partner Andrea Vianini welcomed son Indio into the world in September of last year.

Jodie Kidd is famed for her gorgeous Amazonian figure, and admits it was difficult to bounce back into shape following the birth of her first child.

“It’s been a struggle; I’ve still got my little pot there. But I’ve got no qualms about it, I’m not going to sit there and diet. It’s the last thing I want to think of,” she revealed in an interview with British magazine new!

“I just want to enjoy every second with my baby. If I want to sit down with a great plate of pasta, I’m going to do it. My whole mind has shifted now, so it’s all about my son. If I’m swimming, I can slowly get fit and strong.”

Jodie Kidd is involved in Swimathon Weekend ¬- a charity swimming event. The 33-year-old beauty is happy to keep herself fit doing the exercise, while having fun at the same time.

Jodie Kidd insists her priorities have changed since becoming a mother.

“Fine. I do feel fine. After you’ve had a baby, you have got boobs lactating, you are breastfeeding and you are a bit like, ‘Oh, I’ll just put on a baggy jumper today,’” she explained.

“So I think with swimming, I’ll start feeling stronger and more positive about it. But I’m still a bit saggy.”

Vogue ‘delighted’ that she and Brian McFadden are engaged

It’s been widely rumoured for months, but last night Vogue Williams confirmed on Twitter that Brian McFadden has popped the question.

The former Fade Street star tweeted: “I’m delighted! I’m engaged!”

The Independent had revealed that Brian McFadden has proposed to his girlfriend of seven months over Christmas and that she had accepted, but the couple didn’t make any announcement or confirm the rumours until last night.

The news is a fitting finale to what has been a whirlwind romance by any standards.

It was only in May last year that the singer (31) was introduced to the 25-year-old former Fade Street girl at a party in Dublin.

This was just a month after ending his four-year engagement to Australian singer Delta Goodrem.

Within weeks Vogue was jetting out to join Brian Down Under, where she fell madly in love and stayed for most of this year.

The feeling was mutual, and the signs that wedding bells were going to chime came earlier this month in a series of tweets between the pair.

“Officially obsessed with you” tweeted @BrianMcFadden, making his intentions clear by adding the hashtag: “#marriage material.”

@Voguewilliams seemed equally ready to take their relationship to another level, replying: “All you gotta do is ask!!!”

“Maybe I will!!!” was Brian’s immediate reply.

The couple got tongues wagging at an MTV Party in Sydney in November when they were photographed with Brian wearing a wedding band, and Vogue concealing her ring finger behind her back in photographs.

Slane Castle was the setting for the former Westlife star’s last wedding to Kerry Katona on June 5, 2002, with S Club 7 and Ronan Keating among the guests.

The couple, who had two daughters, Molly (10) and Sue (8), separated in 2004.

But be warned — Brian and Vogue’s announcement, rather like their relationship, could be even more advanced.

“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the word comes they’ve already married,” one close pal told the Independent.

Being Mrs McFadden certainly won’t do Vogue any damage. She has certainly benefited from the ‘Brian factor’ Down Under.

She has appeared in one of Brian’s pop videos, and received best wishes on her birthday from Dannii Minogue, a panellist with Brian on Australia’s Got Talent.

“Vogue thought Fade Street would make her famous but now she’s found love, and fame on a scale beyond her wildest dreams,” said an insider. We wish them well.

Shailene Woodley’s Globes look explained

Shailene Woodley’s Golden Globes look was “naturally enchanting” says her hairstylist.

The 20-year-old actress made sure her red carpet style impressed on Sunday, and she certainly didn’t disappoint. The star looked gorgeous in a floor-sweeping Marchesa gown.

Shailene Woodley’s – who was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her turn in The Descendants – completed her glamorous look with a stunning chic up do.

Hair stylist Campbell McAuley has revealed how he created the “naturally enchanting” look, explaining volume is key to the style.

He advised using Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier for a boost before curling the hair with a “1 3/4 iron to create natural waves”.

He told website Beauty High that he took “a section from the crown to ears to divide hair into front and back split sections.”

At the back section, McAuley said to pull the hair into a loose ponytail so that there is still a “natural hair movement”. Then, he added, pull the tresses into a side-parted wavy style with the “hands moving it into a twisted bun.”

For a movie star finish, he advised finishing the creation with a spritz of Wella Professionals Stay Essential Hairspray.

Kim Kardashian inspired by Hayworth’s style

Kim Kardashian “channelled” Rita Hayworth when she stepped out a charity event at the weekend.

The TV beauty wowed at the Cinema for Peace event benefiting the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation on Saturday night.

Kim Kardashian has explained the inspiration behind her glamorous look.

“It was such a beautiful event for a worthy cause!” she exclaimed on her personal blog.

“I went for an old Hollywood glam look, channelling Rita Hayworth. I think I’ll forever be inspired by the classic Hollywood beauties. I just love the way they styled their hair… always elegant and gorgeous!”

Kim Kardashian also gave her view on the array of Golden Globe outfits seen at Sunday’s ceremony. A host of Hollywood beauties donned their finest gowns for the event and Kim Kardashian was impressed with many.

“My absolute favourite part of awards season is seeing the stunning dresses on the red carpets!!” she gushed. “There were so many gorgeous dresses on the Golden Globes red carpet last night! From Angelina Jolie’s champagne satin one-shoulder Atelier Versace gown with crimson accents and her matching lip colour, to Sofia Vergara’s gorgeous blue Vera Wang dress… the ladies looked so stunning (sic)!!”

Gillam’s gift to Brisbane fashion

Daughter of an impoverished widow, primary school drop-out, and queen of Brisbane fashion during the glittery ’60s, style icon Gwen Gillam was a woman to be reckoned with.

Sought after by society ladies, debutantes, and the daughters of rich pastoralists for her chic imported fabrics and chic, exacting eye, from 1937 to 1983, Gillam cut the cloth everyone wanted to wear.

But at around £40 a frock, more than $1000 by today’s standards, her creations were in purview of a privileged few.

That all changes this year, with the Queensland Museum set to mount an exhibition celebrating the life and work of a women known for her colourful personality as much as her custom-fit gowns.

Curator Michael Marendy described Gillam as a glamorous eccentric who rose from humble beginnings.

Following the death of her father, the West End Primary student left school to help support her mother and four siblings, working in a local department store and later for a dressmaker.

It was there she learnt the craft that would see her transcend her impoverished background, opening her first shop, a small room on Queen Street, by the time she was 20 in 1937.

Gillam’s keen eye and gregarious personality saw her

“She was as much a fixture on Brisbane’s social scene as her gowns were – the couple were familiar faces at Lennon’s for dinner, which was the place to be in that era.”

And, despite vast changes to the people and landscape, Gillam’s legacy remains, embodied in her grand-niece, emerging designer Amy Wardrop.

Having loaned a number of items including photos and garments to the museum in preparation for the exhibition, Wardrop remembered growing up with stories of her famous great aunt.

As such, Gillam’s designs and techniques greatly influence her own work, as have the lessons Wardrop followed from her mother and aunt who worked from a young age in the Gillam design studio.

“My mother and aunt started their careers in Gwen’s studio when they left school too and taught me to design and sew from as long as I can remember.”

“What I find most inspiring about her was her self-motivation, starting an apprenticeship at 13, she built a well known and respected label through dedication and hard work.”

business grow despite the onset of war, which Marendy said saw her relocate to Brisbane Arcade.

“She specialised in hand-made garments in fine Hong Kong silks and European wools and linens,” he said.

“Her clients spanned Brisbane’s best dressed ladies and women from large rural properties – they’d come to town for the Ekka and pick up a Gwen Gillam gown.

“Just a visit to the designer was an experience – something out of a Hollywood movie, with the eccentric Gillam seeing clients in her elegant retail space fitted with stunning white couch and fresh gladiolas delivered daily.”

Gillam dressed herself with similar panache; Marendy recounts tales of her signature beehive bouffant and elaborate racing costumes.

“People that knew Gillam say would borrow

“She was as much a fixture on Brisbane’s social scene as her gowns were – the couple were familiar faces at Lennon’s for dinner, which was the place to be in that era.”

And, despite vast changes to the people and landscape, Gillam’s legacy remains, embodied in her grand-niece, emerging fashion designer Amy Wardrop.

Having loaned a number of items including photos and garments to the museum in preparation for the exhibition, Wardrop remembered growing up with stories of her famous great aunt.

As such, Gillam’s fashion designs and techniques greatly influence her own work, as have the lessons Wardrop followed from her mother and aunt who worked from a young age in the Gillam design studio.

“My mother and aunt started their careers in Gwen’s studio when they left school too and taught me to design and sew from as long as I can remember.”

“What I find most inspiring about her was her self-motivation, starting an apprenticeship at 13, she built a well known and respected label through dedication and hard work.”

“She was as much a fixture on Brisbane’s social scene as her gowns were – the couple were familiar faces at Lennon’s for dinner, which was the place to be in that era.”

And, despite vast changes to the people and landscape, Gillam’s legacy remains, embodied in her grand-niece, emerging designer Amy Wardrop.

Having loaned a number of items including photos and garments to the museum in preparation for the exhibition, Wardrop remembered growing up with stories of her famous great aunt.

As such, Gillam’s designs and techniques greatly influence her own work, as have the lessons Wardrop followed from her mother and aunt who worked from a young age in the Gillam design studio.

“My mother and aunt started their careers in Gwen’s studio when they left school too and taught me to design and sew from as long as I can remember.”

“What I find most inspiring about her was her self-motivation, starting an apprenticeship at 13, she built a well known and respected label through dedication and hard work.”

Kelly Osbourne Keeps the Gray Hair Trend Alive

Usually gray hair is considered something that comes with old age, but not anymore! Coloring your hair into various shades of gray has been trending for a while now and Kelly Osbourne has kept the style going in her hair. The Fashion Police host was at the People’s Choice Awards and rocked the red carpet with her gray hued tresses with confidence.

Grey hair is not just for old ladies, young women are now embracing this hair color as an edgy and trendy style. Kelly Osbourne let her hair do all the talking at the People’s Choice Awards red carpet, Daily Mail reports. The young TV host and daughter of Ozzy Osbourne was at hand to enjoy the festivities with her red-headed mother Sharon.Kelly Osbourne doesn’t seem to worry that her hair color of choice will age her beyond her years, but posing with her mother, the contrast was quite noticeable. Kelly Osbourne shoulder-length locks are actually a bit more grey-purple than straight on gray, with slight golden undertones, which gives the color some dimension and youth. Paired with her red lips, earthy eye shadow and pink-orange colored dress, Kelly Osbourne award style was refreshingly different. The gray hair trend is not for the weak-hearted, but Kelly’s sparkling personality and edgy style allows her to pull off the look.

Gray might seem like an odd choice for a hair color, but the trend is more dimensional than just the ash gray tones some people dare to try. Like Kelly Osbourne, you can go with a more purple or violet hued option, or try ash blonde shades, even borderline silver ones. Modern hair colors can come in any shade these days, and even gray is now an acceptable and super trendy hue to rock on your head.

Miuccia Prada: Exhibition isn’t right

Miuccia Prada thinks an upcoming exhibition in her honour is “too formal”.

The designer and Elsa Schiaparelli are the subjects of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art upcoming Costume Institute display. Much has been made of the apparently “playful” plans, which include an installation that shows the two fashion powerhouses apparently in conversation with each other.

However, Miuccia Prada isn’t convinced the tone of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada on Fashion is quite right.

“It’s too formal; they are focused on similarities, comparing feather with feather, ethnic with ethnic, but they are not taking into consideration that we are talking about two different eras, and that [Schiaparelli and I] are total opposite,” she told WWD.

Late designer Elsa was the first to use bright zips and flamboyant buttons in her creations. It was also Elsa who first staged a catwalk show using women to premiere her designs by walking down a runway.

Miuccia Prada is renowned for her understated style, creating pieces which are chic and minimalist.

The designer claims to have voiced her concerns publicly to those arranging the exhibit, but to no avail.

“I told them, but they don’t care,” she said.

The display runs from May 10 to August 19. Curator Harold Koda discussed it last year, revealing he thinks the public will be blown away when they see what is on show.

“They are both very provocative for their time. We thought it would be very interesting to pit these two women together in an anachronistic conversation,” he said of the installation.

“We thought, ‘If we can play with that idea of what Schiaparelli would say, with her real words, and what Miuccia Prada would say, in her real words, on a variety of issues, we could end up with something that was a mind-teaser for the audience, and would allow people to see Schiaparelli with increased relevance and Miuccia with a different kind of understanding than they perhaps already have.”

Madonna

Khan is one of Michelle Obama’s go-to designers for formal occasions, and with open back and long sleeves from the designer’s spring collection at the Golden Globe Awards. One of her other favorites, Jason Wu, made the leap to the West Coast, dressing Michelle Williams in a blue velvet gown.

Williams’ biggest style statement, however, was her diamond garland headband by Fred Leighton for Forevermark.

The blue gown that surely turned some heads was the Vera Wang worn by Sofia Vergara. It was the mermaid silhouette that’s becoming her signature, but the knife-pleated bodice and swirling sheared bias flange skirt were a little more fashion forward than the styles she’s worn before.

Vergara said she so often wears Wang because of her gowns’ fit: “She’s like a genius now with my body.”

There were some new names making bold fashion statements at the Globes, reassuring the next generation of style watchers. Jessica Chastain was at the ceremony for the first time wearing a high-neck, pearl-covered Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci. The details, down to her thin gold belt and pearl-and-diamond earrings, were just right.

Mila Kunis wore a one-shouldered black Dior. Her makeup artist Tracey Levy said she looked a bit like Elizabeth Taylor, but even more like “a brunette Grace Kelly.”

“She looked classic Hollywood, but youthful … with an innocence but also a grown woman who is confident,” said Levy, who stuck to peach and coral Dior shades.

Zooey Deschanel wore a unique Prada dark-green halter gown with black and emerald glass pearls on the bodice and ivory pearls at the neck, and Rooney Mara, in a deep V-neck black gown with a bare, harness-style bodice. “It’s a Nina Ricci and it was the first one I tried on,” Mara said. “It was very comfortable.”

Madonna, whose style has been all over the map in her long career, went back to her rock ‘n’ roll roots for this event wearing a dark green embroidered gown with cap sleeves by Reem Acra and a diamond-and-pearl cross by Neil Lane.

“I love it because I feel like I’m wearing chain mail and I’m ready to go to battle,” said Madonna.

Claire Danes took a very modern turn in a graphic black-and-white J. Mendel gown with an open back, and Kate Winslet did the opposites-attract thing in a Jenny Packham gown with a black hammered silk satin bodice and ivory silk crepe skirt.

“There was not a real miss, definitely nothing cataclysmic,” said Rubenstein. “Those days of big goofs are few and far between now. People are too smart, their stylists are too smart — and they all have good relationships with designers.”

Angelina Jolie, Danes grace Globes in glamorous style

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt fully dressed their part as a glamorous Hollywood power couple at Sunday night’s Golden Globe Awards: She in a body-hugging white strapless gown with a flash of red at the bustline by Atelier Versace that matched perfectly her lips and handbag, and he in a classic, bow-tie tuxedo by Salvatore Ferragamo.

Individually, they oozed old-school, movie-star looks, but together, they were the buzz of the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., setting a high bar for style.

“There is mystery there. We know so much about everybody else that this couple is so exciting, and you love to see them,” said stylist Mary Alice Stephenson. “They are so elegant … and she’s immaculate head to toe. She’s so beautiful and icy, you love to watch her and you can’t take your eyes off her.”

Angelina Jolie led the march of stylish, seasoned veterans, who are mothers, moguls and — on nights like these — the best models around.

Stephenson called out Elle Macpherson in a strapless, tiered Zac Posen gown in ivory, Kate Beckinsale in a blush-colored beaded Roberto Cavalli, Reese Witherspoon in a red, corsetlike Posen, Nicole Kidman in a studded Versace and Salma Hayek in a bold, metallic Gucci.

Charlize Theron wore a dusty-rose colored gown by Christian Dior Couture with a plunging neckline, high slit and big bow on the waist, and Heidi Klum was in a plunging-back, blush-tone gown by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein. She accented her look with a huge turquoise necklace.

“It’s good for real women to see women who have a little age and maybe motherhood who can get their glam on in a very sexy way,” Stephenson said.

Hal Rubenstein, fashion director for InStyle, noted the prevailing sophistication and elegance. “It’s a very pretty night,” he said. “Everybody wanted to look pretty and grown up. There wasn’t a slashed skirt. There was an understanding that fashion isn’t about being outrageous.”

Among his favorites were Julianna Margulies in a purple caviar-beaded gown by Naeem Khan that showed off an open back.

Make a style statement with turtlenecks

The turtleneck gets a bad fashion rap for being the antithesis of stylish, making women look frumpy and men look outdated. But as winter settles in, the turtleneck is appearing in stores as a piece that works on its own or in layers.

“Turtlenecks have taken on a new, modern edge,” said Lynne Vreeland, public relations manager for Neiman Marcus in Paramus. “They’re more fitted to the body than the bulkier versions we all remember. Turtlenecks make a great base for layering contemporary fashion or a perfect backdrop for a bold piece of jewelry.”

When the turtleneck first appeared in the 19th century, it was seen as a practical piece of clothing, often worn by the British working class. By the mid-20th century it had become the symbol of “intellectualism,” especially in the United States, with artists and philosophers donning black versions.

Sen. Ted Kennedy swapped out the traditional politician’s tie for a turtleneck. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced technology staples like the iPod and iPhone while wearing a black turtleneck.

Still, the frumpy reputation persisted. But knowing what styles to look for can turn the turtleneck — which now comes in sweater, women dress and shirt form — from a wardrobe enemy into a staple.

“The turtleneck is a great basic piece for a woman’s wardrobe because it’s so versatile,” said Sue McCue, a fashion stylist and owner of Dressed 2 Perfection in Oakland. “You can wear them to the office under a suit and on the weekend with jeans.”

Turtleneck sweaters come in a bevy of materials from cashmere to wool to cotton. The key to making them work for you is to check for certain things.

“It should be slender in the sleeves so as to not distort your arms and shoulders,” said Sharon Haver, a stylist based in New York City and founder . “And a stand-up collar is always preferable to give some structure.”

McCue added that women with narrow shoulders should wear a looser cowl neck to balance out their shoulders and hips, while women with a larger bust should stay away from the cowl as it will draw attention to the chest.

Also important is making sure the fit is good in the torso. Anything with spandex may be too tight and less than flattering, particularly in the stomach. On the other hand, anything too loose will make you look shapeless. Finding a turtleneck that is slim-fitting but also a little forgiving will ensure it hides what you want it to without being overly baggy.