Girls Aloud

Suffice to say, I went to the O2 on Saturday to see Girls Aloud. Fellow blogger and GA fan LON over at Sparkling Whine has written up our concert experience. I had a great time – Cheryl was so ill she threw up between songs but laboured on. Two straight men behind us seemed startled at the gay/hen party vibe of the venue and left early. The glitter industry rejoiced.

S

White cut-out flowers…

A pouffe

Coincidence or conspiracy? When I clocked this beautiful “pouffe” my first thought was about how lovely it would look in my boudoir. Sadly a quick bit of research revealed that it costs over £300 and is made in America. If I see anything similar I am definitely bagging it for sitting on while I tie my shoes.

But then I realised I had seen the concept somewhere else recently. Cheryl Cole’s very “early-90s Miss Selfridge” look at the Brits has the same sort of style going on. Elsewhere in fashion, there is a lot of white flowery embellishment going on so maybe in 2 months’ time Cheryl’s look will make perfect sense and she will turn out to have been ahead of mere plebians like me in her fashion thinking. Certainly D&G think the look is a winner, although I prefer their gorgeous camelia-embroidered gown.

S

Cheryl Cole's legs.

Cheryl Cole and Coco Chanel

Two women, somewhat different outlooks. A pictorial roundup.

1. Cheryl Cole’s Vogue cover. Fail.

I am a fan of both Cheryl and British Vogue, which as A points out, it is far more enjoyable than the US version, which seems mainly aimed at women who like collecting endless Giorgio Armani cable-knit jumpers, although they do feature a lot of British designers. Teen Vogue is where all the fun is to be had in the US.

Having said that, this British Vogue is kind of bizarre: Cheryl, yes, excellent, but I can live happily outside the “world and life of Samantha Cameron”. Mainly this cover seems like a waste of an opportunity. Vogue rarely features populist clothes horses and I thought they would either make Cheryl look super-pretty or edgy in some way, just to have some fun with her public persona. She looks fine but I had hoped for more from the art direction – a huge couture gown with a stuffed raven headpiece or something. Perhaps the shoot inside will be more exciting. At any rate, I expect this issue of Vogue to be a big seller.

 

2. Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel. I can’t wait for this film. The tailoring; the hat; the severe facial expression (“sew, mes petite filles, sew!”) I predict that after seeing it I will be trying to transform my flat into a rococo Parisian salon and nibbling on macaroons with my cafe au lait.

S

The Rumour Round Up

There were a few rumours doing the rounds late last year and the start of a new year seems the perfect opportunity to think about whether or not they might be true.

i) Christina Aguilera to design for Topshop; I am pro even if it is just

Christina on a rare casual day

 to see what it might look like. As with all popstrels, Xtina’s image is always changing, but unlike other popstrels, I like to think she has at least a little control over The Xtina Look. I hope it is more Fighter than Genie in A Bottle though.

ii) Anne Wintour to leave American Vogue; she is no doubt a fashion legend, but does anyone else think American Vogue is only so-so, especially compared to the British mags? That said, I rewatched The Devil Wears Prada at the weekend and where would that film be without Anna Wintour?!

This dress was the beginning of a very British love affair

 

iii) Cheryl Cole to design for Topshop; First, the Vogue cover and now THIS? She is a national sweetheart but is that enough for the clothes to be any good? I guess, whatever happens, they will sell like hot cakes and we can be thankful that Topshop will stay afloat *phew*

 

A

Cheryl Cole Vogue cover?

Cheryl in PPQ

Apparently Cheryl Cole is lined up for a Vogue UK cover. Heat’s source says it will be the February or March issue. No one from Vogue has confirmed it yet.

Cheryl is the prettiest girl in the whole world (S WILL NOT BROOK ANY ARGUMENT ON THIS TOPIC) so of course it makes sense to stick her on Vogue now that’s she’s apparently the nation’s sweetheart etc. I am intrigued as to what they will put her in: gossamer ballgowns? Challenging new designers? The only good bet is it won’t bear any resemblance to her Girls Aloud styling.

It’s interesting how Cheryl has suddenly become so popular. It’s not just the exposure. She has hit on something that happens to a starlet but once in their careers – she looks perfect for now, in a way Mischa Barton used to. Her gorgeous hair and lovely face fill me with both envy and affection. I think we were ready for some glossiness and for someone to show us how to be sexy and dressed-up after a few years of super-relaxed Kate Moss style.

S