Jess' world
That's the way it is

The Queen's Umbrella is a Fulton Birdcage

I saw a video of the UK Queen visiting Canada on the BBC News website. It was pouring with rain and very windy, but she looks so cosy inside her umbrella! A quick search tells me that the Queen’s umbrella is made by Fulton Umbrellas and the model the Queen is holding is a ‘birdcage‘. You can buy one online from their website.

The London Fashion Week officially opened by London Mayor Boris Johnson in conjunction with its 25th anniversary. There are some highlights in the fashion show here. First of all,  a fashion designer called Mark Fast using normal  size (12 to 14) models wearing his creations in the showcase instead of zero size model.  Mark Fast wants women to know that not only zero size women can wear his collection, curvier women can look good in them too.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell was modeling in the show here. She has chosen three different outfits,  she only wears what she likes. The audience screamed and clapped hands when  she was on the stage. Wow, still a supermodel even though her age is nearly 40. Daniella Helayel the fashion designer said: “Naomi is the pure hurricane, she’s the best walker on the catwalk, she’s the sunshine after the storm.

London Fashion Show focussed on bras. Louise Goldin the young designer was inspired by the Madonna rocket cone and she created ‘ twin peaks’ in pastel gold and silver lamé, bristling with Swarovski crystals. Look at these pictures, are they very familiar? I did mention in one of my articles here about the Madonna legendary ‘ rocket cone bra’ designed by Jean Paul Gaultier.

These are my favourite fashion designs in this London Fashion show. The Telegraph.co called this architectural designed which I think very unique among all the collection. What do you think after watching some highlights of the show?

What attracts me about Christian Lacroix (see how to pronounce Christian Lacroix) collections is the colourful fashion design. I love a life full of colours. I found this picture of Tilda Swinton wearing a Christian Lacroix dress during the Cesar Ceremony Awards 2009. This is called “rainbow dress” apparently, slightly striking and eye catching. Don’t you think so?

Unfortunately, Christian Lacroix filed for bankruptcy because of the economic downturn recently. This is his last fashion show haute couture 2009-2010. During the last show, there was a banner written “Christian Lacroix forever” and the audience stood up to honour him at the end of the show. The financial was so tight for Christian Lacroix to make this fashion show happen, however most of it was sponsored or given free. The catwalk stage was given free of charge, the makeup artists and hairdressers had to cut their fees, even the backstage buffet cafe was sponsored for the foods and drinks. Apparently, only the 12 models were paid.

Look at Christian Lacroix profile here of how he became so successful in his career for his dramatic and glamorous fashion design. His collections loved by many celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ivana Trump, Uma Thurman, Julianne Moore. I fancy one of his collection which is wore by Katie Holmes in the picture with Tom Cruise. I also adore this picture of a pair of  shoes he designed.

I wonder if the legendary Christian Lacroix is going to come back to the fashion arena again or is he gone forever? Let’s wait and see O.K!

Sometimes I was wondering how to pronounce Christian Lacroix so I did some survey. In my next article there will be his news and more fashion shows. Here I’ve two people how to pronounce it. The first is an interview with an American TV presenter – see how they pronounce in this video. I don’t think that sounds quite right.

See what I mean? Does she say LER KRAW? Second video is about Christian Lacroix perfume advertisement in France. Very sentimental and elegant video in which you can hear it very clearly – more like LA KRRRRWA! I like his perfume designed, will go to have a look for my next shopping trip!

Here’s a sound file taken from the video, save it on your phone and listen, just in case you have to say it sometime!