Oprah Hosts An Evening With Ralph Lauren

Earlier this week my ex-uber boss, Oprah Winfrey, hosted an evening at the Lincoln Centre in New York City. It was in honour of designer, Ralph Lauren. And the queen wore a very well fitted, and flattering, red Ralph Lauren creation in her usual style of off-the-shoulder and fitted in at the waist. Well, the lady knows what works and when she sticks to the formula, it always works. A life lesson, I think she would say.

Also in attendance were two Lauren daughters, and a whole host of Hollywood actresses, all dressed in Ralph Lauren. The most successful of these were Camilla Belle (look at that hem detail!) and Jessica Alba (don't you think that beading detail is quite African?)

And then there was Kerry Washington. Such a wee lass, and yet this dress knocked the socks off all the other comers. Awesome dramatic neckline, and perfect simplicity for the rest. Impeccable. I have to say, these beautiful young starlets were doing wonders for The RL brand at this function! So who do you think was best dressed? Pick one and vote. I am going with Kerry. How about you?

Striped T-Shirt Dress - Get Yours Now!

So earlier in the week I showed you a pic of the awesome Zoe Saldana in her cool striped t-shirt dress, which she had belted and styled beautifully. Her was from Express for under $50. Then it became apparent that Zoe wasn't the only celebrity to have snapped up this stylish bargain, with a number of online sources lining up the stars in stripes. They include a preggie January Jones, Amanda Seyfried, Emmy Rosum and Olivia Munn. But so much for their clever shopping ways.

Not only did we here at O magazine shoot a very similar dress for our stripes editorial (October issue) but you can actually buy it for yourself online. Country Road 3/4 sleeve tunic costs R399 and you can snap it up by just clicking on the Woolworths site link. Do it now!

Dakota Fanning for Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola! Fragrance - Behind the Scenes

So here is the pretty campaign for the new Marc Jacobs fragrace, Oh, Lola! starring the lovely and talented young actress Dakota Fanning. That's Dakota, the elder sister of Elle. Wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress with a divine scalloped hem and all sorts of polka dot prettiness. Just so lovely.

And while I get that the name is Lola, which is a sort of play on Lolita, I still have two questions to put out there. Of all the beautiful images that they shot, why did they go for the option that it the most phallic? On a 17 year old girl. And why use a 17 year old girl, and cute, pretty pink styling and then headline the campaign, "The New Fragrance for Women"? I don't really understand that. Anyone?

Anyhoodle, as I said, it is delightfully pretty and Dakota had a blast wearing the dress she loved from the runway show and having her hair and make up done. Who wouldn't. It is always a treat to be fussed over and put in gorgeous clothes. We do it here at O Magazine for our real ladies fashion stories every month. And every so often I get to have a go myself. So my message to you all is, if you ever get an opportunity to  appear in a magazine story, snatch it with both hands as it really will be a lovely experience. Just like Dakota. Just make sure you know how it is going to be presented!

Michelle Obama in Cape Town. Styling.

Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), was in my town yesterday. It was her third full day in South Africa and her only one in the most beautiful place on earth. I have such undisguised pride at that fact. I am also, I admit amazed and pleased that the whole party (Michelle, her daughters and mother) were so respectful, accessible and fun. They really did take in a great deal of what Cape Town has to offer - and met some of my heros.
Through the whole day, Mrs O only wore one outfit - navy pants, her turquoise Jimmy Choo flats, a gorgeous bright knit top and a Reed Krakoff jacket. And it was perfect. Because Cape Town is not a dress-up-formal kind of place. Especially not in winter.

Michelle and her party started out at the District Six museum. It is an amazing museum that tells a story of the real people, the soul, behind the appalling group areas act of the previous apartheid regime. They all stopped off at a cool (and by that I mean hipster cool, where designers and artists and stylists hang) tiny little eating spot in Woodstock for lunch. I don't know how they found out abut The Kitchen (run by Karen Dudley), but they stopped there for some lovely fresh salads and drinks before heading to my alma mater, University of Cape Town. My boss, the editor of O Magazine, Samantha Page, was lucky enough to attend that function. And like everyone who has met Mrs O on her trip to South Africa, was amazed at her oratory skills and her warmth. The Q and A was moderated by one of my all-time female power heros Mamphela Ramphele - there to Michelle's right in the group shot.

Finally, the Obama party hooked up with nobel prize-winning Desmond Tutu for some work on getting kids to exercise at the wonderful Cape Town Stadium. Not only did Michelle get down on her hands to show Tutu how to do a press up (!), but also stood eye-to-eye with football hero Matthew Booth. Now let me tell you, I have had the pleasure of meeting both Matthew and Desmond Tutu, and now I know for sure how incredibly tall Michelle Obama is! Yikes! She really is statuesque.

I really hope they had a blast in Cape Town. I hope my town showed them what we do best. And I hope they come back soon. And this time, stay a bit longer so we can see a few more outfits!

Michelle Obama in South Africa. But What Was She Wearing? And the Gossip?

American First Lady Michelle Obama, her two daughters and her mum, had an action packed first full day in South Africa yesterday. They spent time at the Emthonjeni Community Center in Zandspruit Township in Johannesburg (to which she wore an ASOS Africa top and the girls wore fun coloured jeans), had a tour of the Apartheid Museum (she covered up with a gorgeous yellow Rachel Roy trench), visited with Graca Machel and then with her husband and our President, Nelson Mandela, and kicked the whole shebang off with a cute as anything meeting with South Africa's most stylish first lady, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma (at which she wore a silk Narciso Rodriguez suit).

I wasn't surprised to see the two ladies walk out hand in hand. NNZ is so lovely and warm and fun, and I believe, a wonderful ambassador for the women-folk of our country. Love her.

I don't often want to be someone else as my life is pretty good. But yesterday and today, I would have been quite happy to exchange places with my friend Anele Mdoda, who has got to spend time with& Michelle Obama as part of the Young Africa programme. Not only would I have been able to meet Mrs O, but I also would also then own that awesome skirt by Loin Cloth & Ashes, that she wore to their meeting.
I have also been bleating a bit about how I wish Michelle Obama would wear SA designers while she is here. But my friends Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit (@KLuKCGDT) explained to me that the protocol dictates that she cannot accept any gifts, so they have not been able to send her anything (although they did point out that the lovely US ambassador's wife did in fact wear KLuKCGDT for the meeting with Mrs O. Yay.)
Oh, and one final snippet of goss. Apparently uber-boss Oprah was seen having dinner with the Obamas in a Johannesburg hotel last night. Hmmmm. Can anyone confirm? And what were the ladies wearing?
OK, so a full helping indeed of news on the Obama visit. No doubt there will be more to follow. Keep coming back for the real inside story. Dum. Dum. Duuuuuum!

Things You Can Do With Crocodile Clamps on a Fashion Shoot

I know that this is a terribly self-involved post. But it was so much fun, so I thought that I would share it with you. Last week we shot with photographer Andrew Brauteseth (@guy_with_camera) for a fashion story we needed for the September issue of O Magazine. And he asked us to come up with some ideas for things you can do with crocodile clamps.

He bought them, you see, in the way that we may buy some stationery. Or shoes. And now they are in his photography kit and he has yet to have a real use for them. So, in the interests of not wasting money, we came up with a few fashion-related suggestions.

Like, clipping your hair back. Working on your pecs. Or holding the clothes in place. So many ideas. So many laughs. Have you guys got any ideas? I will pass them on of course.
BTW, that's Sylvie with the hair clip, Luisa with me in the work-out and Andrew himself in the other one.

Celebrities in Their Prada Baroque Sunnies

My lovely friend Christopher went to Madrid a few months ago on his hols. He came back and gave me a delicious chocolate, for which I was very grateful. Until he admitted that he had seen the most perfect sunglasses for me, had considered getting them and then decided that they were too expensive. And while I totally understood, I was also most grumpy when he drew them for me and I saw how awesome they really were. They were the first sighting of the Prada Baroque sunglasses, for which everyone is going a teeny bit giddy now. In fact, I think we are giving some away in Oprah's Favourite Things in the O Magazine in August - make sure you get your copy!
Anyhoodle, loads of people have them now and it is not even summer here. But it is in LA where the super-stylish Selma Blair has been rocking hers in all her maternity glory. Also trend-setter Gwen Stefani and lovely Eva Mendes have been spotted with theirs on too recently. They really do look great. But now I think I don't want a pair anymore, since everyone else has already got them. What do you guys think? Do you still want a pair?

O Magazine Fashion - The Morning After

Back in February I was lucky enough to travel to England to attend London Fashion Week and shoot some wonderful wintery fashion stories. If you go and buy the latest issue of O Magazine, you will be able to read all about our trip and see this wonderful fashion story called The Morning After.
It is a story all about that weekend in the country when you find yourself at a raucous house party, flirting like a champion. The next day things are a little hushed and you reconnect with your amour in the secret passages of the small country village you find yourself in. Such fun.

The model is a wonderful South African girl called Claire Monique who now lives in England, studying fashion design at the London College of Fashion (my old school). She was such a trooper on this freezing cold day. You think you are a bit chilly today? Pah! Nothing on the chill of this day in February in the English countryside. Enjoy the tale and go and get the mag for the the full story.
Photographer: Anthony Friend
Make-up & Hair: Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Paris)
Stylists assistant: Alex Bryant

Exclusive Tom Ford Documentary on OWN

"You know I have never let anyone film me like this before," says Tom Ford. Of course uber boss, Oprah Winfrey can film whom ever she wants for her programming. On the new OWN network, she convinced the enigmatic, on-his-own-terms Mr Tom Ford to submit to a camera crew and a lot of very deep probing, revealing his true feelings on everything from open-neck shirts to his mid-life crisis.
Captured in a hour-long documentary called, Visionaries: Tom Ford, we see how the ebbs and flows in his fashion career impact on both his mental health and professional standing. It's quite a coup for OWN, and we can expect to see some of this content flow through to us at the magazine, and eventually - hopefully - onto our screens here in South Africa.
The most unexpected and profound of the trails I have come across so far have Tom confessing, "I have, sometimes, mixed feelings about what we do because we convince people that they're not perfect enough. We promote materialism, which is ultimately not the thing that brings you happiness in the world."
Never was a more true word uttered, and yet...

Oprah Has Set the News and Entertainment Agenda for Years

Yesterday I came across a collection of all the non-O magazine covers that Oprah has appeared on in the past quarter century. It amazed and inspired me to see how she has not just been a part of creating media content, but has also endlessly been the subject of media content. Making the covers of Time, Fortune and Newsweek, just for example, really cements her position as the most powerful woman in the world. But she has been just as at home on the cover of more fashion-y, populist titles like Good Housekeeping, Vanity Fair and even Vogue back in the mid-nineties.
Our readers tell us that Oprah is, for them, one of the biggest and most glamorous celebrities in the world. Looking up to her and being inspired by her style, her philosophy and her success is something that women in South Africa, and the world over, routinely share with us. It is her unique combination of heart, flash and depth that appeals to us, gives us all permission to be a complete human being. To strive for success, however, we define it. To enjoy the latest sexy shoes just as much as reading a good novel or investing in a relationship. As long as we do it all with love.
Even though her message will soon no longer be on our screens every day, it will always be front and centre in her magazine. So keep reading, and keep sharing your stories with us. And keep wearing those great shoes! Please.

Oprah's Final Show - Dressed in Pink L'Wren Scott

Here is just a little extra post today to pay homage to the uber-boss Oprah's last show. She closed out her 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show dressed in a gorgeous fitted pink L'Wren Scott dress that suited her perfectly and looks modern and elegant. Colour is so great on Oprah, perfectly on trend and this particular hue has become synonymous with the brand. It is only appropriate then that she should say her last 'see you  later' dressed in pink. I feel quite sentimental about it all. But excited about all the new programmes she has on OWN. I will continue to keep you apprised of her outfits!

Oprah's Last Show, Looking Back On What it Means for Me

Today they screen uber-boss Oprah's last episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show in the US. It is a momentous day for all of us involved with the O brand, no matter how distant. So, as a special extra post, I thought I may just give you my two cents worth - specifically what it means for me and my job as fashion editor for the O magazine.
First of all let me tell you about he episode in 1998, when Oprah and I changed our lives in the exact same way, without even knowing it. We were both influenced by one of my top 10 ever novels, I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. It became a mantra for my life, a title for my own journey, while at the same time it became "what I know for sure" in Oprah speak. If you have never read this beautiful novel, please do. Oprah and I agree on this for sure!
Of course the fact that the most powerful woman in the world took a special interest in South Africa, meeting Nelson Mandela, opening a school and the only international edition of her magazine, where I now work, has profoundly affected my life. She is committed to us, to our happiness and success, to helping us live our best lives, And this has never been more true as it is now.
As we move forward, evolving from a TV show to a TV network (OWN), much of the content of the magazine will be enriched and extended to encompass all that she now offers us. These are exciting times and we will always continue the quest to show our readers how to live their most glamorous, full, stylish lives - and I continue to be committed from a fashion perspective to showing you the most beautiful pages filled with real, accessible, trend-driven high fashion. So that we can all live the lives we have always dreamed of. Oprah has shown us that we can. Farewell to OWS. And all hail OWN and the O magazine.

Oprah's Big Job Send-Off Raises Big Fashion Question

So you have resigned from your job where you have worked for 25 years. Fittingly, they decide to throw you a big send-off and invite some special guests. They book your home town's biggest venue (like the Sandton Convention Centre or the Good Hope Centre, for example) and they keep most of it a surprise.
You arrive and the place is full of people who have loved you for all these years, people who continue to admire you, respect you and aspire to be you. And then your farewell speeches start and people come onto the stage to sing to you and there are tears. This is what it must have been like for uber-boss Oprah. And these were the special guest speech and performance people:

Gayle King (of course), Maria Shriver (yikes - but looking amazing), Aretha Franklin (seriously), Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Josh Groban. Patti LaBelle, Usher, Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder (seriously,  again), Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Michael Jordan (I've met him!), Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes (looking cute, if crumpled, in silk shorts), Halle Berry (in Victoria Beckham), Queen Latiefa (stunning), Beyonce (fishnets for performance, elegance for stage), Madonna (in what looks like Prada or Miu Miu) and Dakota Fanning (probs Valentino). Not. Joking.
Could there have been a more stellar line-up?
But the big question is, who designed that gorgeous purple, silk crepe embellished frock that Oprah wore? It really suits her and flatters her figure like few dresses I have seen on her before. My money is on either Rachel Roy or Temperley London. Now over to you. I will put a request in for the real answer - you guys let me know who you think the designer is. Good game! Now, go.
UPDATE: My boss, Samantha Page, editor of O magazine, got hold of Adam Glassman, the fashion editor on O magazine in the US and he tells us that Oprah's divine dress is by L'Wren Scott. Thanks Sam. Mystery solved.

Alternative Denim Inspiration

Like many new converts, I have come to denim late and now quite passionately. These days I am obsessed with denim in my wardrobe, but I still want to make personal style statements and avoid looking like everyone else. This is tricky. But this week I came across two great ideas for incorporating denim into my daily diet, without becoming a clone.

First of all Christene Barberich, editor-in-chief of shopping network, Refinery29, was photographed and interviewed about her look and included this vintage Levi’s waistcoat in her favourite things. It got me thinking. With a brands like Levi’s built on the strength of their heritage, surely there are plenty of items, both new in-store and old in the second hand stores that would look fantastic in my wardrobe in a vintage kind of way. Denim is one of the best items to buy second hand as it looks even better as it ages. Brilliant.

Secondly, I came across a quote from one of my all-time favourite fashionistas, Iris Apfel. She said, “…honestly, jeans are jeans. I live in them most of the time, but I had a helluva time getting a pair of jeans around 1940, when I was at the University of Wisconsin. I thought I’d wear jeans, a turban, and some old earrings. So I went to an Army-Navy store, but … the salesman told me, ‘Young ladies don’t wear jeans.’ He wouldn’t sell me any or have them cut down. So I kept going back to the store, and they kept throwing me out, so to get rid of me, they finally ordered me some boys’ jeans. I love men’s jeans; they fit me better.” What? Now that’s an idea. Double the selection when I make my next visit to my favourite Levi’s store down at the Waterfront!

PS: this image of Iris Apfel is from O magazine in the US. I love it!

Double Denim: How to Get it Right This Season

Probably the most common question I get asked is how to wear denim on denim aka the Texas Tuxedo. Everyone knows it is in fashion this season, but it has been such a fashion taboo for so long, everyone is just a little afraid that they may get it wrong.

Here at the O magazine offices, double denim has become one of the most frequently worn outfits. I took this photo just this morning and it is not the first time there have been two or three staffers in matching denim looks. They feel quite confident as they know the only rule you need to follow - wear different shades of denim. For women, this is generally correctly done by wearing lighter denim on top and darker on the bottom as this is more flattering to the female form.
If you need some validation, take a gander at onse Charlize. And Reece Witherspoon and Ashley Greene get it right too.
Habitual double (or even triple) denim wearers Alexa Chung and Kanye West are coincidentally also two of my favourite style rule-breakers, so if you are feeling a bit edgy, take some notes from their book.

 But never has the double denim basic rule been more validated than when our friends over at Levi's whipped up a winter jumpsuit in this exact configuration. So for the very brave, try the Levi's onsie in double denim. You'll never be afraid again. Boom.

The LV Speedy Gets an Update

Last week we shot our main fashion story for O Magazine's July issue. It was all old money classic styling and we had a great time getting the look just right. When it came to handbags, it was obvious which one to use - it had to be the favourite of it girls from Audrey Hepburn to Aggy Deyn - the Louis Vuitton Speedy. This canvas monogramed tote is the go-to, every day bag for girls with a bit of money, and has been for years, with only minor changes here and there.

Now LV has launched the latest iteration, set to go into stores this week, called the Bandoulière, and the campaign is fronted by Austrian stylist Caroline Sieber. With a slightly younger edge and a cross-the-body option, the new Speedy is sure to do just as well as it ever has. Classic handbags, ladies. You just can't go wrong.

PS: You will have to wait until the middle of June to see the story we shot for O Mag, but here is a sneaky peek at the bag we shot...it is signature StyleGuideCT, for those in the know.

Behind the Scenes Video: Who's That Girl?

The very talented film maker Daniel J Harris had nothing to do one day and so decided to follow my fashion team around as we shot the May fashion editorial for O magazine - called Who's That Girl? It was a long, hard day of shooting but made a whole lot of fun as we worked with a model called Monique (Max Models) who was a total pleasure and is currently one of the models on our season of Project Runway on Vuzu channel. 

Anyhoodle, the shoot was based on my "Charlie Girl" memories of the 70s, so you will see lots of wide-legged, positive strides on the streets of Cape Town. The styling brings together the two trends that are dominant for the season, namely camel and the 70s influence. All the garments are credited so you can see where to get them (if you pause the movie!)

To get the whole story, you will need to buy the O magazine that hits shelves on Monday - don't worry I will remind you. Click on the image at the top or here to watch the video.
Camera: Daniel J Harris
Editing: Cacod Studios, www.youtube.com/cacodstudios
Photographer: Anthony Friend
Hair & Make-up: Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Paris)

Q&A With Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje

I posted a while ago here about an O Magazine shoot featuring exquisite stainless steel jewellery. It has garnered such a lovely positive response and I am so pleased. The team worked really hard on it and took some risks - so it is always fun when the risks pay off.
Some of the jewellery we featured was crafted by two of South Africa's most exciting jewellery talents - Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje. They have a store in Cape Town called Olive Green Cat, and the O magazine web team took some time to ask them a few questions about their brand, their work and how they got to where they are now.
I think it is a lovely read, and worth the few reading minutes. Talent is such a rare commodity that it is always worth digging a bit deeper and drawing those talents around you. Well, that's what I think.
read the Jewellery Q&A with Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje here.
Photographer: Gavin Kleinschmidt
Model: Lindsay from Y Models
Make-up: Sylvie Hurford (L'Oreal Paris)

Christie Brinkley Heads for Broadway

One of the original super models, Christie Brinkley - another woman of 57 who looks more than a decade younger - has landed a Broadway musical role, that of Roxy Hart in Chicago. First of all, I had really only been half-interested in Christie of late as, really, her life seemed to have come down to multiple failed marriages and drama. And then Oprah interviewed her on the show, and I was taken in all over again. I busted out my 80s ramp walk (based on Christie Brinkley - no, in fact a homage to her) in the office again yesterday. Everyone loves that turn. And then today I caught sight of these images of her on US television, demonstrating some of her moves.
Seriously. Good for her. I hope that the run on Broadway is a massive success. She is really an amazingly beautiful woman. How is it even possible?
Dress is Hervé Léger, of course. I couldn't even get my right thigh into it. Sigh. But of course I don't envy the pantihose. The rest, but not the pantihose. 

Joya Collection Teams Up With SA Models Dominique Piek and Candice Boucher

Here at O magazine, we always like to support local fashion designers in our stories. As long as they are high quality and some kind of glamorous, they are in. And one of the jewellery lines we have been featuring is Joya. Cool, stone and leather and bold statement stuff, all made in Africa.
As a coincidental aside, I follow both local models and besties, Dominique Piek and Candice Boucher, on Twitter. They, like us at O, are proudly South African.
And now the two worlds collide. Spotted on Twitter last night were tweets from both women about teaming up with Joya for something special. Dominique posted this image of my favourite bracelets from the Joya collection. I am looking forward to seeing what they all come up with. I imagine it is going to be exciting and I think that it is always good news when models get involved in creative fashion projects - especially those that are proudly local. Best of luck ladies.