Closing Paris Fashion Week, and indeed the Fashion Week circus is Mr Jacobs’ collection for Louis Vuitton.
I’m excited. I’m always excited.
Next week is gonna be a full review of Fashion Month. Prepare yourselves!
LV Love
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RiRi Does R.I.
The wait is ova
The wait is ova
Rihanna fans rejoice. The shy and retiring starlet has at last launched her clothing collaboration with high street giant, River Island.
RiRi jetted into London to launch the collection on Oxford Street last night. She looked nice….
Now I know her hair is shorter than mine. I’ve seen her on the cover(s) of Elle…
So that giant weave must just be stapled or blu-tacked on, right? I love it. Do you think I could get away with it as a look? My sides are already shaved. Shall I mock up some photoshopped images and do a hair post later in the week?
Meanwhile back at the collection….
I’ve actually recently reignited my love affair with River Island. There was a time when it floated about not being as cool as Topman and Topshop, as chic as Zara, as classic as H&M or as disposable as Primarni.
But you know what, I went in about a month ago where the staff were really friendly (Westfield branch- NOT Oxford St where they are ALL horrible) and really knowledgeable. They found me a pair of skinny jeans. Told me to buy a size down-not to make me feel (even) skinnier but just because they knew what they were on about. Nearly tricked me into buying a gorgeous trench. Actually tricked me into buying some new glasses…. Anyway it was a really nice “retail experience” as they say.
Oh yeah, what about Rihanna?
Well I don’t think Mrs Beckham will be quaking in her Loubouts.
It’s very Rihanna; cropped tees, double denim, oversized Varsity jackets, cropped tees, biker boots, did I say cropped tees?
You can buy it all here and I say all but some of the pieces are “Limited Edition” and ain’t on the site, including some amazing thigh boots I saw Queen Delevigne wearing. (*looks for picture online…)
What would I buy? Well speaking of Cara D, I also saw her wearing this in Paris..
Which is nice. Leather sleeves. £140. A bit pricey but I will reserve judgement until I’ve copped a feel.
Could I wear this over a white shirt. I love a dungaree. It reminds me of my boyband/lesbian/Poptastic youth. And this one is so much easier to go the bathroom in.
What about a leather baseball cap? Obviously the most wearable item in the collection, even with that weave. How many queens on Old Compton Street will be wearing it this weekend? So many!
There js a lovely online magazine with videos and behind the scenes bla bla bla.
Doll’s Diary
Look sharp. It’s the Doll’s Diary.
A brief hiatus but back with a bang.
What’s happening this week?
Well I’m glad you asked…..
1. The godfather of modern fashion photography, as he used to call himself when answering the phone, Norman Parkinson, would have been 100 this year. He might not be around but loads of his gorgeous photographs are, so the lovely folk over at The National Theatre are holding a retrospective exhibition. It’s free! Do go along.
2. Peckish? You could be in for a wait if you were hoping to get a table at the new London branch of Balthazar. The biggest restaurant launch, seemingly of the decade, at last Londoners can sample New York’s finest. Handily located in Covent Garden, perfect for all the theatre stuff I send you to, their reservation line opens Wednesday. Get your Sex and the City on!
3. Following a “fashion moment” a couple of weeks ago, I was walking along Regent Street with my friend Andrew when we turned off towards Savile Row. I thought we were going to look at topless boys in Abercrombie & Fitch but the smell of fat girls having their photos taken the A&F perfume on Vigo Street was so overpowering I was momentarily blinded and bundled into the Hauser & Wirth Gallery. What a treat it turned out to be! A Bruce Nauman show titled Mindf*ck. How rude! But how delicious. You know I love a neon sign…
… so I was in oddly lit heaven. Annoyingly no price tags (or snacks) so I couldn’t purchase the neon I really wanted. It is so rude I can’t even put it here so why don’t you stroll down to Savile Row and find out for yourself. You only have until roadway! It’s free by the way!
4. The Book of Mormon opened in London last week. In case you live in a cave or Franceyou may have spotted a fair bit of advertising out and about. Every single bus that passes the window of BOTD Towers London branch has a poster on it. It has had a bit of press too. It’s probably controversial or something but I love those South Park boys and can’t see how they could possibly offend a theatre going audience with a musical having a laugh at those crazy Mormon folk.
I have the soundtrack already. It’s so naughty!
5. My mother has been getting way too much exposure on this site. If it’s not posts about hoarding, she’s getting to share a birthday post with Liz Taylor. Well she may be getting another one on Sunday. Yes. This Sunday. In the UK at least. I’m giving you a heads up.
But what to buy for the woman who hoards everything? (I don’t even let her have packaging these days. The photo above is her selling from her extensive collection.) A composter, perhaps, or one of those shredding machines. Maybe a new bin… Or a skip?
What happens next? Well I guess you will have to keep tuning in…
The Airport…
…. is still my runway.,,
An Audience With The Queen
I can’t believe I still haven’t written about The Audience yet. I was there on opening night, right in the middle of LFW so it has gotten a bit lost.
You know the story, right?
Once a week Queen Elizabeth II meets up with the current prime minister to discuss what’s going on. This has been going on forever. The play explores these moments throughout the last 60 years. She’s had 11 PMs while she’s been on the throne, from Churchill right through to Mr Cameron. I won’t tell you which ones are in it or which ones she likes or not.
It was, I have to say (new catchphrase alert) #AmazePearls
We came out thinking smash!
Actually we went in thinking smash. Sometimes you can just tell. You can smell a hit.
Press night isn’t for another week. Churchill has walked/is sick/has been switched so it could be a totally different show. But I bet Helen Mirren is still frighteningly good.
If you thought she was good in Mr Morgan’s movie you should see her in his play. Add a sprinkle of Stephen Daldry and you have a magical night of theatre.
I can’t decide whether being “married” to a political junky made me enjoy the play even more or not. The characters were all so familiar to me and, no doubt, to you, my brainy doll lovers.
No matter what you think or have thought of prime ministers, past and present, the play explores this weird dynamic between ruler and leader.
The Queen’s journey. This life. This role. This job that has been going on so long and that is interrupted each week by someone, running (or trying to run) the country. It’s fascinating. And makes for brilliant theatre.
Go see it.
Wear a crown. I dare you.
Go With The FRow
So with everything else going on I haven’t had chance to yack on about discuss Fashion Weeks in Milan and Paris… And New York actually. But I have seen so much I have loved and hated and made more notes than miniature replicas so there will be some exciting posts on the way.
As soon as Paris is over you will be seeing a BIG review here on BOTD with the best of the best and the worst of the worst. Rx
Where…?
Is my Doll’s Diary? I hear you cry. I need my fix!
I know. I know. And I’m sorry. It has been a hectic week at BOTD but normal service will (probably) resume next week. Plus lots of lovely fashion shoots and some new shoes and everything.
I’ve really enjoyed doing the Diary posts and I know they may seem a bit London-centric but get over it that’s just the way it is right now. Plus London is the centre of the world. I checked.
A Birthday Double
It’s my mum’s birthday today!
That’s not her.
That’s Elizabeth Taylor.
In doll form.
It would have been her birthday too.
I would like to take them both to lunch but as it is it’s just gonna be me and Mum.
I imagine this is what she will look like…
In human form.
Erm…
You want an Oscars dress don’t you?
I started doing some copies and then got distracted.
Then I had a meeting..
Then an interview…
Then a lunch.
This is all really good for me.
Maybe not for you.
Maybe not for the dolls but for me…..
The Oscars
What an exciting night….
Not that exciting Annie! Les Nipplerables!
Did you stay up?
It was late, wasn’t it? Way past my bedtime. I made it through most of the red carpet but then passed out at the sewing machine drifted off.
Is it time for some alternative awards from the BOTD Academy?
Okay.
Best Reunion surely goes to the cast of Chicago. An infinitely shorter better film than Les Mis.
Aww don’t they all look cute. And happy. And like they’re still friends? And like they’re all asking what happened to their careers post that movie?
Moving on… Oh hang on not really moving on as CZJ and Renee are up for the next award.
Best Oscar Statuette Impersonation…
Heidi, the clear winner. I loved this dress. Julian McDonald. So sexy and heavy looking and amazebling.
Best in red Valentino?
Sally Field Vs Jen Aniston. A toughy. I would actually have liked to see them swap dresses. Jen could have handled the froth and Sally would have looked better in something more simple.
Best in Black and White…
How beautiful is Zoe Saldana in this Alexis Mabille number? Girl! This is couture! I hated the belt and bows. I think he has a slight bow addiction. That’s okay though. He can get help for it. I love that she wore the complete runway look though.
I kinda loved Kelly Poundland’s Donna Karan dress. For her. It’s a bit X Factor for me but she looks pretty and she does get to walk away with the Best in Destiny’s Child award. Neither Michelle Williams were there. How weird? #PoorMichelle
And HBC in Dame Viv. Yeah. I’ve seen it before. She was one of the best things in Les Miserables but one of the worst things on the red carpet. It’s the Oscars, love. Do your hair! I mean could anyone look more hedge+backwards+dragged=rough?
Erm. Meanwhile. Best in Weave has to go to J.Hud!
Loved this Roberto Cavalli frock. Great shade and shimmer!
Best All White on the Night…
I love that Charlize and Miley are wearing versions of my hair. I really want Miley’s hair. I think I had it and lost it and leant it to her and she won’t give it back. Give it back, Miley. GIVE IT BAAAAAACK!!
And Kelly looked nice.
Best Clutch?
Obviously!
Best in High Street?
Helen Hunt in H&M. Really? Yes really! Really? Nobody would lend you a dress? Nice bling, Helen, where’s it from? Claire’s Accessories?
Oh, hi, I’m Helen. Oh, you’re from Milwaukee? Oh, I’m sorry. Oh, have you met my friend Lillian, oh I know we’ve only known eachother for five minutes, oh….
Best Pretending To Be on the Phone to Avoid Wolverine?
Best in Turning Back Time?
Alas it’s not Cher. Jane Fonda aka J.Fonz (or at least I’m gonna try that out as her new name) was cryogenically frozen in the seventies and is defrosted now and again to appear on red carpets around the globe. She looked absolutely incredible in canary yellow Versace. It is possibly my favourite look of the night, along with Zoe Saldana and someone called Olivia Munn in Marchesa.
But back to J.Fonz I love her balls to wear a) something so Versace and b) something so… Yellow.
J.Fonz also beat Solange Knowles to Best in Yellow.
Best “You Think You’re So Cool With Your Oscar But Before You Know It You Will Be Doing A Batman Movie, Oh Wait You Done That Already? #Awkward” Award…
Best Barbra Str-Aniston…
Best in Barbie…
Woah! Shamazedolls.
Best in Terrible Brand Management by A Designer I Continue To Have No Respect For That Couldn’t Choose A Brand Ambassador For Toffee…
It’s j.Law.
Charming!
It’s not about you, Jennifer. It’s really about Raf and its probably not even about him- it is about him. I’m sure you’re a great actress. I will try and see your films. You’ve got an Oscar. Well done. But you cannot walk in a dress. How f**g hard is it to walk in a dress?
Really?
Everyone manages. Every time. Except for you….
And breathe.
It was lovely to see them all looking so gorgeous. Thanks to Style.com for most of the images. I didn’t even crop out your captions.
Doll dresses to follow but in the meantime we have one last award…
Best in Noticeable Absences aka the Where the F**k is Beyoncé award.
And the nominees are…
Rihanna (soooo glad she didn’t show up. Trashy ho!)
j.Lo
Kristen Wiig
Cate Blanchett
Kate Winslet
Cotillard! She must have been there. In disguise? Allo? Marion? T’es ou?
Winona
Whoopi
K.Hud
Uma
Jodie Foster
Pfeiffer
Anjelica Huston
Julia Roberts
Tilda!!!!
Either of the Michelle Williams
Angelina
Penelope Cruz
Judi Dench
Mirren- who we will let off as she’s busy being the Queen again, more on that later in the week
Julianne Moore
Demi Moore
Roger Moore
Less is Moore?
S Spacek
S Sarandon
S Stone
Cher!
Diane Keaton
Lucy Liu
With my girl Drew
Cameron D
And Destiny.
Obviously Beyoncé wins, hands down, hair up.
Red Carpet Calling
Who wouldn’t want to wake up with an Oscar tomorrow?
*For legal reasons, my lawyers have removed my South African joke at this point in the post*
So it is with great excitement that we look towards tonight’s red carpet.
Who will be wearing what?
Who will be wearing who?
Will there be any major disasters?
Will there be any major malfunctions?
Will there be any major surprises? Probably not.
Safe bets: Cotillard and Lawrence in Dior, Hathaway in Chanel (though I’m actually hedging my bets and putting money on Valentino, Julianne Moore in Tom Ford-a Ka-Pow dress please, K.Hud in Stella, J.Hud in (I don’t know I just wanted to put those two together), j.Lo in something sheer, Gwyneth in something amazing….
It’s the biggest night in Hollywood (and Dollywood). See you tomorrow for the red carpet review.
Lee Lovin’
So it’s taken all week but I thought I better fill you all in on what me and Beyoncé were up to at the Savoy last weekend.
It was of course Fashion Week related rather than ‘she asked me to direct her new music video.’
We were invited along to the lovely Lee Paton’s Autumn Winter presentation.
Here’s a delicious picture of Lee in the Independent last week…
He loves pheasants.
Who doesn’t?
I met Lee at the Elle Style Awards last year.
At the Savoy. Fancy.
He is so handsome.
This year he invited me to his show.
At the Savoy. Fancy!
There were macaroons. Fashion macaroons. They looked like they might have been soap in super chic boxes. I debated with my friend Andrew and my new FBFF (that’s Fashion Best Friend Forever or at least FBFFW-Fashion Best Friend for Fashion Week) Katia whether or not we were allowed to eat/bathe with them.
This is us debating. Look at Katia’s white shirt. Crisp.
And then the show began!
The first look was an amazing embellished number. It looks like I’m ignoring the model but I was tweeting the shoes. Look how engrossed Andrew is!
He was clearly bedazzled. It was a great opening look. And perfect in the setting of the hotel. Crisp.
We look confused at this one.
But then this appeared!
I believe I made a little Tippi Hedren shriek at this point.
It was so elegant. So glamorous and old school yet totally modern. I was in love. I was trying to decide at this point if there were any pheasants in Hitchcock’s The Birds but then another dress came out….
How crisp!?!
I would wear this to your wedding. With a pheasant on my head.
So cute but wait….
My slutty alter-ego just entered the room! And she looks #shamazeballs
I would totes wear this to your wedding. Or with black pants to your funeral.
Shame there’s nothing to wear to the Academy Awards though….
Oh Mr Paton! Now you’re really spoiling me.
Clearly our minds were in the same place when I put Beyoncé’s feathered jacket on and Barbie’s dress at this year’s Elle Style Awards was not a million miles off.
What an amazing show! What an amazing morning!
I love feathers!
Thanks for having me.
All photos by Krisztián Pintér. Except the one of Beyoncé up top. That was taken by me. With a fashion macaroon in one hand. It was cardamom flavour by the way.