Brazil's got talent......in San Paulo fashion week

Top Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen opened San Paulo fashion week

San Paulo fashion week though not getting much press coverage over here in the UK this week is revealing itself to be an exciting and happening event in the fashion world's diary. The Brazilian fashion market is worth 34 bn and despite the global economic slow down, the Brazilian luxury sector has expanded 11.5 per cent last year with a forecast of 17 per cent for this year.

There has been a move to make sure that black Brazilians are represented more on the catwalk too so organisers have had to ensure that one in 10 models are of indigenous or African descent to reflect the make up of Brazilian society.

Black Brazilians have seen their income go up by 40 per cent in the last 10 years, double the rate of the white population apparently.

One of the most exciting shows was that of Brazilian designer Lino Villaventura. He used mainly black models and they looked fabulous in the bright striped, vibrant funky collection.

Sao Paulo Fashion Week is widely regarded as the "fifth" fashion week, after New York, Paris, Milan and London, this may well change!

Hold onto your Hat!

Photography fashiontent copyright - 2010

Check out the chic couples I spotted when visiting Hampton court the other weekend. Both win my prize for team styling coordination, the guys are perfectly neutral in their choice of polo shirts and let their partners shine - which is the way it should be! Particularly like the hats the girls are wearing.

Rockocracy 2010

Theodora and Alexandra Richards - Keith's girls! both modelling already with IMG agency in New York

Beatle George Harrison and model Patti Boyd in the 1970s ......

Dhani Harrison and girl friend model Sacha Pivovarova not dissimilar to Patti!! It is uncanny how like his Dad George Dhani is, spooky!

Photography by Steven Meisel.

Dhani's band thenewno2 has been playing at the US Coachella festival recently.

Alexa Chung with Kelly Osbourne and Alex Turner of the Artic Monkeys

Alexa and Alex, London's coolest rock couple....... the new generation of rock royalty

Georgia May Jagger

Elizabeth Jagger

Liv Tyler and dad Steven Tyler of rock band Aerosmith

Daisy Lowe, Gavin Rossdale's daughter with Alexa Chung. Gavin Rossdale dated Pearl Lowe daisy's mum (now with drummer Danny Goffrey from Super Grass!) more rock royalty !!! Gavin Rossdale of band Bush is now Gwen Stefani's husband.

Daisy is only 21!

What she offers the fashion promotion market is rock chick looks - unlike Kate Moss she comes from that pedigree .......

Here she is with current boyfriend - Doctor Who actor Matt Smith.

Pictured here at the Coachella rock festival in the US recently.

Celia Birtwell a hit at the V & A

Celia Birtwell today a successful home furnishings fabric designer

Celia Birtwell's Top Shop collection in 2006 - sold out in a day!

My favourite dress from her recent John Lewis collection.

A very rock n roll image of Ossie Clark and and Celia Birtwell in Notting hill London during their creative 1970s heyday.

The David Hockney portrait of Celia Birtwell and Ossie clark.

I booked to listen to stylist supremo Katie Grand and Beatle's Sergeant Pepper Album cover designer Peter Blake's Friday night lecture at the V&A in May and June this year. Both of them have cancelled their talks. Katie Grand because she got a better offer and Peter Blake due to 'an unavoidable personal commitment' surely he knew about this when he committed to the date ! He postponed 3 days before the date originally booked!! rescheduling on the 2nd of July! which now I can't make and will have had to get a refund. The V & A booking site is not the quickest or easiest to navigate resembling Hampton Court maze in it's lay out!

Bravo to design icon of the 1970s Celia Birtwell who I went to see and listen to last year at the V & A's Friday evening lecture venue - she stuck to her date and was absolutely awesome to listen to.

Celia Birtwell was married to the designer Ossie clark, she designed the prints for his collections whilst he created the beautifully tailored dresses that came to epitomise the 1970s romantic look. Both were friends of painter David Hockney. He painted them both in their home, the painting has become as famous as a Warhol and epitomises that era.

1960's photographer icon Brian Duffy is Dead....

Model Pauline Stone below and Duffy had a special professional chemistry.

Brian Duffy an icon of the 60s died today after a long struggle with lung cancer.......

Brian Duffy who went to St Martins to study fashion design and ended up on Vogues books as a fashion photographer within a year of graduating was part of 1960s swinging London's talented brat pack of creatives, actors, photographers, models and musicians. Terence Donovan ( a friend of his) Terrence stamp, Mick Jagger and the Stones, Andrew Oldman ( The Stones flamboyant manager), Marian

Faithful, Jean Shrimpton, David Bailey, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and The Beatles, model Patti Boyd, David Putman, Pauline Stone, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Brian Epstein, my list could go on, helped shape a remarkable and hugely influential UK led social and cultural revolution that continues today.

The people Duffy knew and mixed with he tended to photograph back then. His bio is not quite as impressive as adorable David Bailey however (I used to baby sit in Blackheath for Bailey's PA) due to his sometimes rather unpredictable character traits, ie he could be stroppy ! however his incredible talent and flair won through and he continued to create ground breaking work well into the 1980s, for example he created three David Bowie album covers using pioneering special photography effects, well before the days of Photoshop and the amazing digital technology we have at our finger tips today.

He was the creative genius behind the Benson and Hedges campaign in the 70s and was also commissioned to do the prestigious Pirelli calendar with British pop artist Allen Jones and air brushing specialist Phillip Castle in 1973.

Fashion was what he made his name in though. Duffy was one of the three in 'The Black Trinity' as Norman Parkinson like to call them with Bailey and Donovan. All East End boys made good they made wonderfully interesting subjects for journalists recording the unfolding of the emerging social revolution. Duffy and his group represented change.

Never boring Duffy decided one afternoon in the back garden of his studio in Swiss Cottage, Primrose Hill to burn all his fashion negatives, absolutely devastating - however enough were saved and remain for his work to be appreciated.

Jumpsuits an alternative to the maxi dress

Look who is wearing them........

A Prada designed jumpsuit in luscious body hugging lace......

Victoria in chic black again.....note those billowing trouser legs

Lindsay Lohan in a blue floral jersey easy to wear and chic jumpsuit in LA this Spring

Halstonesque chic a la studio 54......

Gwyneth in a sexy 'waist coat suit' inspired Stella McCartney jumpsuit

Lead the fashionista pack and wear a jump suit this summer. You need look no further for an easy to wear ulta modern take on a classic 1970s empowering and sexy look. Wear with platforms or wedges to lengthen your legs as the fabric billows around your ankles or hugs your calves. Walk with a swagger and accessorise with beads, a floppy hat, a trilby or an off centre head scarf. Don't forget your bright red lip stick and matching nails girls.....

Asos has a great selection of jumpsuits to choose from.

The wonderful thing about jumpsuits is there is such a variety of styles and ways you can wear them whatever your lifestyle.

Get noticed in this bold geometric jump suit below found on asos. The flattering fluted neck line ties up easily to a halter neck bow and sexy dropped back detail.

£200.00 by beyond the valley on www.asos.com

look below.....

I found this lone slinky draped jumpsuit on the Laura Ashley web site of all places! -I love it!

The neck line with a deep v-neck, is flattering and sexy it has a sweet dropped back fastening on the back and the classic 1970s billowing trousers that brush your ankles as you walk. With a stunning geometric circle print, it is designed with a ruched bust and lined bodice, wide legs, short sleeves and a slim tie belt, It would be just the outfit to wear to Ascot with a signature hat or a wedding with a smart white or black jacket and chic black wedges and matching bag.

£100.00 on www.lauraashley.com

The simple, sexy and cool everyday wear black cheese cloth jumpsuit is another brilliant offering from asos. Look a million dollars and wear it with a pair of chic and comfortable gladiator sandals and a white trilby hat - the one below is from Monsoon. This lightweight, loose jumpsuit also available in white is totally designed with holidays in mind apparently. Hit the beach in this deep v-front and back style instead of the usual kaftan. I love the nipped in waist and cuffed ankle detail. Just grab your bikini and you are ready to go.

£28.00 www.asos.com

Fashion and Food 2

I really love the above still life vegetable shot by Lisa Edsalv, makes the food look so healthy and appealing.

The below shots are great as they combine food , interior design, and fashion creating a total lifestyle collage.

These are meant to make us feel aspirational and inspire us to buy!

The composition is perfect - note how ones eye is led into each shot, certain props acts as arrows guiding ones attention back into the image.

Below is the Designer brand Cup Cake project by Lisa Edsalv, not sure I like the Louis Vuitton one really, don't think the cakes are meant to be eaten do you ? an interesting project ....

Prop stylist Lisa Edsalv worked with photographer Therese Aldgard on the above designer fashion and food project.

http://lisaedsalv.com/FoodTT_4.html