Wednesday, November 30, 2011

World Bank sits on 90% of Unspent Funds for Forest Projects Vivienne Westwood & Frank Field MP Launch Campaign to Expose Failings

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Dame Vivienne Westwood is investing 1 million of her own funds to launch a 7 million pound fundraising campaign supporting the rainforest charity Cool Earth. The action is to highlight World Bank’s expenditure failings as a staggering 90% of funds pledged to halt deforestation remains unspent. (See bottom of press release for details). The designer and environmental campaigner, coupled with Frank Field MP (founder of Cool Earth) aim to demonstrate how rapidly money can be deployed into rainforest programmes.

The campaign called “No Fun Being Extinct”, (nofunbeingextinct.org) supported by fashion’s biggest names, such as Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Sadie Frost will run for 18 months during which time Westwood will aim to help Cool Earth secure three of the world’s most endangered forest.

Former Minister, Frank Field founded the rainforest charity Cool Earth in 2007 as a vehicle to allow ordinary people to leapfrog governments and take immediate action in the fight against climate change by protecting rainforests. The conservation method is a ground up approach, which works with indigenous communities to make rainforest trees of greater economic value left standing than cut down.

Despite a growing number of research papers highlighting community led management as the most effective way to keep rainforest standing over traditional reserves, many communities are not receiving pledged funds.

The Climate Investment Fund dedicated 600 million dollars (£390 million) to the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) to “tackle drivers of deforestation” with UK tax payers providing the most generous contribution – almost four years on, only 15 million dollars (£10 million) has been spent, all of which has gone on administration and advisors.3 Vivienne Westwood will demonstrate how taxpayers money should be spent when it comes to saving rainforest for the benefit of the nations future.

Frank Field founded Cool Earth as a result of his utter despair at governments’ failure to solve the problem of deforestation, "The lack of action in spite of such generous funding is a real disgrace. It shows that political will is just as important as money."

Fashion designer and environmental campaigner, Vivienne Westwood, has been working closely with Cool Earth over the last 3 years, “Cool Earth has a plan to save the rainforest. If we don’t save the rainforest forget it! I am personally supporting Cool Earth and investing in our future. I’m inviting anyone interested in saving our beautiful world to join me.”

Frank and Vivienne are calling on the government to invest in community-led forestry management, which has been proven to be the most effective way to halt deforestation. Vivienne is presenting a report to No. 10 to showing how her funds have been spent to show that an effective mechanism to halt deforestation does exist.

Cool Earth has protected over 2.5 million acres of vulnerable rainforest since its launch in 2007, which has cost just £1.75 million with less than 10% spent on administration. This is because the charity has worked from the ground-up with local communities who have a clear interest in keeping the forest standing. This works out as costing just a half of a percent of the FIP’s budget.

Vivienne will also be calling on the public to help protect trees at Cool Earth’s new website launched on a November 28th called ‘No Fun Being Extinct’.

Individuals can save as little as 3 trees for £3 on the website at www.nofunbeingextinct.org.

Every tree makes a difference!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Roberto Cavalli 'Florence' Bag

Roberto Cavalli 'Florence' Bag - merino calf leather with a resistant grain
Merino calf leather with a resistant grain

‘My beloved Florence, the love for the tradition of fine Florentine leather craftsmanship, and the passion that is breathed in the artisanal workshops of my city have inspired the design of this bag, to which I dedicated the name Florence…women should never forget that personality is the most glamorous accessory of all’ says Roberto Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli 'Florence' Bag - crocodile leather
Crocodile leather

A bag that pays homage to Florentine artisanship, that ‘handmade’ wisdom, symbolic of the culture and the experience of the Maison Cavalli.

The quality of the leather workmanship, that Roberto Cavalli has been cultivating and nurturing for 40 years as an inventor of avant-garde leather processing, encounters the style of the Maison for ‘Florence’, a bag destined to become a new model of luxury and elegance all over the world.

Roberto Cavalli 'Florence' Bag - opaque calf leather with fluorescent edging

Opaque calf leather with fluorescent edging

The ‘Florence’ is an elegant daytime bag, created in very soft leather, with a substantial and resistant structure. A precious golden padlock, embellished with a snake scale engraving, is the new distinguishing trait of luxury and glamour for the new ‘It’ bag of Maison Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli 'Florence' Bag - opaque calf leather with python piping
Opaque calf leather with python piping

Pictures are property of Roberto Cavalli.

Which model is your favourite?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Top 10 Picks: Kenzo Resort

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Pictures are property of Kenzo.

Which look is your favourite?

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Retrospective: Burberry F/W 10/11 by Mario Testino

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© Copyright Burberry / Testino

Military style - trend or classic? Are you wearing military jackets this winter?

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Salvatore Ferragamo`s exhibition on Marilyn Monroe in 2012


Salvatore Ferragamo has annouced an upcoming exhibition on Marilyn Monroe in conjunction with the release of Simon Curtis` film "My Week with Marilyn". The exhibition shines the spotlight on the seductive aura and allure of Marilyn Monroe.

It will be held in Florence from June 2012 to January 2013 at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, which in 1999 purchased 14 pairs of the actress’s shoes originally designed by the brand’s founder.

Through his shoes, Salvatore Ferragamo contributed to the legend Marilyn would become: they accentuated the innate and intense sensuality of the woman whom Salvatore likened to Venus, the Greek goddess of beauty. In addition to the costumes she wore for her most celebrated roles, the exhibition will host works of art depicting Marilyn as a myth of unattainable and tormented beauty, a myth that moves us to empathy and enthrals us still today.

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Picture is property of Salvatore Ferragamo

What do you associate with Marilyn? What made her unforgettable? Is she still a style icon today?

Friday, November 25, 2011

Top 10 Picks: Dsquared² Man F/W 11/12

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Pictures are property of Dsquared²

Rough but refined, sophisticated but raw - Dean & Dan sure know what men want to be like and what women dream of! I`m so in love with this manly collection, it`s historical references and winter-praerie setting. I love the rough materials combined with sophisticated details and fine materials. It`s amazing how the looks perfectly merge old & new and versatile & pure. Mixing classic and wild truely is Dsquared²`s specialty - yay for that!

What is your favourite thing about the collection and which look is your favourite?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Swarovski Charity-Christmastree lit in Munich

Weihnachtsbaum_SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS_Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski

For the second year Swarovski and Hotel 'Vier Jahreszeiten' have decorated a 5-meters-high christmastree in the hotel`s lobby, just like Harrods in London or the Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

To support the Unicef-Gala on november 30th an advent calendar has been installed in the hotel`s lobby which guests can but lottery tickets for and win Swarovski gifts. The proceed will be donated to Unicef.

A good cause that sparkles. Fabulous!

What does your perfect, fashionable christmastree look like?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Top 10 Picks: Salvatore Ferragamo Resort 2012

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Pictures are property of Salvatore Ferragamo.

Which looks are your favourites?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

15 Style Tips for Men

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Salvatore Ferragamo F/W 11/12
1. Shoes make the man.

Make sure your shoes are appropriate for the occasion, which will mean immaculate, closed leather shoes most of the time.

Sneakers are only ok in the gym and flip flops only at the beach.
2. Get a REAL HAIR-CUT.

I cannot stress this enough! Your hair is the frame of your face and shapes it. Most flattering hair-cuts require a certain length so go to a professional salon and don`t require ‘short and practical’. Flip through their books of model-haircuts and pick one that corresponds with your head-shape AND that you`re able to style by yourself every morning (the hairdresser can show you how). You will have to buy and use products for that.
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Ralph Lauren Purple Label F/W 11/12
3. You need at least eight suits.

A well-fitting suit is still the best thing a man can wear.

You need:

- one formal black suit for official occasions
- one formal evening suit (preferably with satin or leather details)
- three modern work suits (they can have trendy cuts)
- one tweed-suit for traveling in style
- one white (or beige) linen summer suit
- one casual, stylish suit for private parties and occasions.

Black, dark blue and all shades of grey are safe choices. If you`re into fashion you can go for red, tartan, dark green and shades of light-brown.

(Caution: hands off pink, light-blue, yellow and all pop colours – they only work in editorials and on skinny japanese hipsters.)
4. Regular grooming is a MUST!
Short hair-cuts need to be re-cut in a salon every four weeks, manicure & pedicure once a week. Eyebrows that grow together need to be plucked.
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5 z7 5. Don`t shave off too much.

The ‘metrosexual’ 90s are over. Beards are having a comeback and many people are really turned on by a hairy, manly chest. So don`t shave before it`s required.
6. Take care of your skin.

You need an eye-cream, a day-cream (with UV-protection of minimum 15) and a night-cream.

Anti-ageing starts at age 25.

If you get skin irritations from shaving first change the method of your shaving, then the products (the dermatologist is the last resort).
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Style icon & living legend David Bowie
7. Wear the established classics of menswear.

Ties and bow ties complete every suit and also look stylish under pullovers on more casual occasions. Don`t forget matching cufflinks.

Please wear hats and leave beanies to children.
8. Accessorize!

A pocket square, coloured socks or a silk scarf add a fashionable touch to every suit.
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9 ferragamo-fw11Salvatore Ferragamo F/W 11/129. You need bags!

Yes, more than one. You should have a clutch for evening occasions, a laptop-bag (no nylon!) for school / work and a leather satchel and/or messenger bag for everyday use. Preferably in multiple colours.

Oh and please burn your old bagpack immediately!

10. Perfume is the essence of seduction.

A modern (!) fashion fragrance increases your attractivity several hundred percent.

(Caution: hands off drugstore scents and ‘classics’ like Old Spice – nobody will want to sleep with you if you smell like their father!)
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11 gaultier-fw11Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 11/12


11. Bad-boy details, please!


The modern, sexy rebel is subtle. Underline your sex-appeal with accessories like leather gloves, biker boots, stylish (high quality!) leather jackets, one (!) leather or chain bracelet. (Caution: hands off everything David Beckham ever wore – that`s category ‘Over’)

12. Stay slim.

It`s the easiest way to look good and all cuts will work on you.
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Burberry Winterstorms Eveningwear F/W 11/12
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Tom Ford
13. Have a style icon.

Choose a man who`s style you admire, carefully study his style (details!) and copy it. Get rid of today`s dogma of “uniqueness” – not all of us are geniouses that re-invent style daily! - and don`t be the millionth person to ‘express their individuality’ with H&M clothing.

Good style derives from experience and quality – not spontanous ideas! The copying of your icon`s style is just the first orientation anyway. You`ll find out what works on you and alter it for yourself in time.
14. Self-confidence & manners

No matter how crisp you look – it`s all useless without confidence and good manners! Being a gentleman, listening attentively and not being completely self-absorbed will bring you far.
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Brioni cufflinks F/W 11/12
15. Invest in status-symbols.

Every man needs a quality watch (rather a descent mid-priced one than a fake Rolex!), designer shades, tasteful business cards, cufflinks and (real-) silk ties.
Picture credits: 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14. All are licensed Creative Commons 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

What are your most important style tips for men?