True Whit by Whitney Port

Designing a life of Style, Beauty and Fun with Sheryl Berk

Welcome to the world of Whitney Port. She was part of two of MTV’s most successful reality TV shows, The Hills and The City, and has since become a style icon through launching her very own fashion line Whitney Eve. In her first book, Whitney aims to use her life experience to enlighten young ladies who are starting to find their feet in the real world. “What I wanted to create was a guidebook, so to speak, to starting out in your twenties. It’s your time to shine, to dig deep and discover who you are.”

So a la mode? 

Whitney goes down to every little detail when offering advice on how to get your life in order. Using specific family recipes and detailing things such as what her personal fitness regime consists of make it lots easier for us to dabble in her routine and see how it works. She also gives tips on how we can channel her eclectic style, from encouraging shopping in charity shops to identifying specific hair types and using that information to explain how each hair type can be styled to emulate her own locks. Every base is covered, from how to deal with a difficult co-worker to how to impress on a first date.

Uh-oh a la mode?

One thing that did disappoint me as an avid fan of The Hills and The City was that lots of her personal experiences draw from things we’ve already seen on the show. I was hoping that in purchasing the book I’d hear a different side of the story than what I’d already watched, but advice seemed based on things we already knew – e.g. relationship advice based on her relationship with Jay or work advice based on her time with Olivia. Maybe next time if Whitney could give us a little spoiler of all the things we had missed then the read would be a little juicier!

All in all a brilliant guide for a young girl – I’d especially recommend it to anyone who has just moved away from home, for example a University student or a new graduate.

A la Mode Appraisal: 8/10 – more secrets next time please, Whitney!

True Whit is published by Aurum Press and will help every young lady in her search for herself at a very reasonable £14.99.

If you liked this book, you may also like Style by Lauren Conrad. 

“Coco Chanel had a preference for black, white and gold in an age in which bright colours were all the rage” – Vincent Bouvet

 Book Review
Paris Between the Wars: Art, Glamour and Style in the Crazy Years
Vincent Bouvet and Gérard Durozoi

Filled with stories of artists, musicians, fashion designers and the city life, Paris Between the Wars uses 489 photographs and illustrations to bring to life a period that the French called “les années folles” – the crazy years. Depicting Parisian life between 1919 and 1939, this book paints a clear picture of scenes and movements that flourished in Paris at a time when the world was in a grim position.

“Packed with evocative illustrations, this book is a vibrant kaleidoscope of the incomparable City of Light at its dazzling peak.”

Mesmerising is a section entitled ‘The World of Fashion’. This time period is referred to as ‘the golden age of haute couture’ by Vincent Bouvet and speaks of the incredible significance of the fashion industry during this time – it is stated that Parisian haute couture represented as much as 15% of France’s export trade during the 1930s. Providing snippets of information about the foundations of designers such as Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin, the roles of women in this society are also celebrated in an exciting and feminist twist.

Not only was the fashion itself spoken of in meticulous detail, from colours that designers preferred to types of models that different houses would employ, the influence of fashion on other Parisian elements is explored beautifully.  A memoir relived is the grand tradition of the ball, allowing for photographs of the likes of Picasso and his wife Olga in their finest attires. References such as this are frequent throughout the book; creative worlds such as art, fashion and music are all entwined and feed into one another as different aspects of Paris are explored. This style of writing accurately mirrors Parisian life of this time; the overlapping of these worlds was an enormous source of inspiration for lots of people in war time Paris.

An informative book, what I loved about it the most was its clear and concise photographs. Illustrations throughout the book were explained and contextualised in great detail; this enables the words to jump to life and allows the reader to truly feel as though they are in a Parisian past world. If you are intrigued by old glamour, fashion designers, artists, musicians, the world wars or indeed the city of Paris itself, I guarantee you will adore this book. An absolute must have.

Rosaleen’s rating: 10/10

Paris Between the Wars is published by Thames and Hudson and is cheaper than a trip to Paris, costing £28.00.

“There are few objects in our lives on which we lavish more attention than the wedding dress” – Aaron Betsky

 Book Review
Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns
Cynthia Amnéus

Since time began, little girls have fantasised about the perfect white wedding. An affair filled with joy and romance, there would be a few requirements in order for the fantasy to become a reality: a handsome groom, a delectable cake, and, by far the most important of them all, an immaculate gown.

Now, with the rise of popularity in reality shows such as Don’t Tell the Bride or Four Weddings, weddings are a hotter topic than ever and girls become fascinated by all of the finer details of their special occasion. Be it Vera Wang, Chanel or custom made, the wedding dress is usually the first detail that friends of the bride are gasping to hear about. For this reason, I was intrigued by Cynthia Amnéus’ book Wedded Perfection. In this critical textbook, Cynthia looks back at wedding gowns over time and explores their relationship to the women and societies that they came from, expressing further ideas about how the entire constitution of marriage has evolved.

Featuring photographs of over fifty gowns from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection of gowns and contextualised by essays from Katherine Jellison and Sarah Long Butler, Wedded Perfection tells the tale of gowns from Christian Dior to Yohji Yamamoto. Discussing concepts such as ‘the Evolution and Aesthetic of the Wedding Gown in Western Culture’, it outlines exactly what the rituals were in previous wedding ceremonies and how and why they influenced the physicality of gowns. I found these explanations particularly useful as an English Literature student for they related not only to the act of a wedding in particular but also spoke volumes about the role of women in society. Those interested in feminism or in comparing roles of both genders throughout time would be fascinated by this book.

 My favourite section detailed the importance of the appearance of marriage and traditional family values throughout the war. “Given concern that wartime conditions imperilled American domesticity, the white wedding gown seemed to preserve the traditions of marriage and family life so that they could survive during the war and flourish after the war” – page 83. This section, like the rest of the book, contemplates taking things at face value in two manners. Firstly, photographs and clear visuals are used to give the reader an aesthetic to focus on. Secondly, the notion of appearance is perceived in symbolic manner and the notion of reputation is considered in relation to marriage. For this reason, the book is fantastic. You have the best of both worlds when reading – the engaging, deeply philosophical pieces, and the divine optical bliss of the photographed gowns themselves.

A thoroughly enjoyable book, I would highly recommend it to all students of creative subjects. It raises timeless issues of gender equality, society and the ever changing roles of women, and does so in a way that still enables all girls to picture themselves lavishly clad in an elaborate vintage frock. Perfection!

Rosaleen’s rating: 9/10

Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns is published by Giles and available for £30.00.

“A knowledge of architecture requires an equally strong knowledge of art techniques to bring your imagination to life” – Rob Alexander

 Book Review
How to Draw and Paint Fantasy Architecture
Rob Alexander

Architecture; everyone is fascinated by it. Would the towering walls of Hogwarts in Harry Potter be quite so enchanting if they weren’t so full of crevices, concealing mysteries and magic? Would Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette be anywhere near as beautiful had it not been filmed in the intricately embellished Palace of Versailles? Can architecture explain copious amounts about a story or situation without even an ounce of additional context?

I would argue so. When reading, watching or exploring, it is inevitable that to truly engage in a story you need to be lost in its world. For this reason, architecture is fundamental in creating an atmosphere and contributes heavily to our perceptions of a new place. Rob Alexander is a fellow that would undoubtedly agree with my opinion, and has dedicated a book to the art of creating fantasy architecture as a stand-alone feature that can enrich a tale.

In How to Draw and Paint Fantasy Architecture, Rob Alexander attempts both to enlighten his readers about some of his favourite styles of architecture, such as Gothic, Romanesque and Modern and Futurist architecture, and proceeds to tell them how to achieve these visuals within their art. Not only does he outline what the features of great architecture are but he also ponders why they exist and therefore invites artists to consider the reason behind their drawings. In explaining conventions of other architectural styles he also gives additional insight to those who are familiar of other components of the periods; for example, his Gothic explanation helped me to further understand the Victorian Gothic novels that I study in my English Literature degree.

Rob Alexander is an illustrator and conceptual artist and has received awards such as the Chelsey Award from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. At the beginning of the book, he says that it is one for the fantasy and science fiction artist in particular. As someone that isn’t a science fiction artist, I enjoyed it because it didn’t assume that I had levels of knowledge in any area of its expertise; everything suggested is explained in a way that encompasses all questions without sounding patronising. A particular notion that I took with me was one that he made about colour and time. Colour, he says, sets the tone of a piece, but not because the colour is significant, because the time of day that it signifies is significant. It’s true – a haunted house is going to seem spookier at night, isn’t it? Things so simple as these are spelled out in order to ensure that attention to detail is fine, and after telling you what is best to do he even gives his own opinions on which products on the market – from paint brushes to computers – will serve you best in achieving your goals.

If you are an artist, an architect, or merely someone who likes to observe either of the aforementioned, this book is definitely for you.

Rosaleen’s rating: 8/10

How to Draw and Paint Fantasy Architecture is published by Search Press and available for £12.99. They’ve also got lots of similar titles for those who are creative or artistic – click here to view their latest catalogue. Their other authors include the likes of Cath Kidston.

“I have no problem. That’s the miracle of my life. There are no problems, only solutions” – Karl Lagerfeld

Book Review
The World According to Vice
Vice Magazine

Vice magazine, one of the most outlandish and outspoken magazines around, have decided that their cheeky approach to life is something that is worth capitalising on. They’ve compiled a remarkable scrapbook that has been critically acclaimed by the likes of Dame Vivienne Westwood and are set to enlighten people all over about the Vice way of life. In a collection that is as scandalous as it is irresistible, Vice explore some of their most remarkable features to date and does so in a way that transpires to create a kooky guide to all of life’s little hiccups.

To give you a little insight as to the kind of things they’re addressing, here are some of my favourite pieces:

The Vice Guide to University by Andy Capper, March 2010

 Anyone can enjoy something thoroughly without necessarily being in stitches, but this had me laughing out loud. As controversial as it is accurate, this is a guide to exactly what happens at University and will be appreciated by any past, present or future students. It pokes fun of the filthy states that students let their bedrooms get into, the pompous know-it-alls that stroll around campus with a broadsheet newspaper and patronise you for indulging in a little Paris Hilton perfume, the politics behind people stealing food in halls and the product placement that consumes Freshers Week.

New Frontiers of Sobriety by Hamilton Morris, August 2009

This detailed one man’s findings as he challenged Newton’s third law of motion that every action has an equal and opposite reaction in relation to drugs. A usual drug user, he found equal and opposite drugs that he called the anti-weed, anti-LSD and anti-heroin and took them to see how it felt to experience the exact opposite sensations. His account is comical but nevertheless harrowing, and is told with brutal honesty.

Interrogations: a Woman Who Made a Documentary About Vaginoplasty, October 2008

Vice’s Andy Capper interviewed Heather Leach, a filmmaker who created a documentary about women who have had a vaginoplasty (surgery on their privates). She gives readers an insight into wh girls as young as 16 are feeling pressured to undergo this procedure and how frighteningly popular it is becoming.

Not for the feint hearted or for those who view the world through rose coloured glasses, this book is the perfect thing to make you spit out your tea or choke on your French Fancy. For the truth about every possible scandal I would highly recommend tucking into this book. Told with flair and comedy even when approaching sensitive content, it is the perfect way to enlighten  yourself on everything naughty that you could possibly imagine. It will make you blush… and you’ll love it. Get this for a prudish socialite or a scraggy lad about town and either way you’ll receive rave reviews.

Rosaleen’s rating: 8/10

The World According to Vice is published by Canongate and is all yours for just £20.00.

P.S Did you know that Vice magazine are always looking for people to join their team? They seek to recruit interns, photographers, student ambassadors… the list goes on! Click here to have a look at their job page.

Fashion Drawing in Vogue

 Book Review
Fashion Drawing in VOGUE
William Packer

Unveiling the intricate art work behind the gowns and garments that have tantalised readers of Vogue magazine worldwide for years, Fashion Drawing in Vogue gives fashion enthusiasts a rare glimpse into the artistic craftsmanship behind some of the most elegant designs of the century. Focusing predominantly on Vogue from 1909, the year in which it was taken over by Condé Nast, William Packer explores the sketches behind the clothing and how other art movements managed to influence fashion respectively. Packer presents highlights of sketches from seven decades (1920s-80s) of Vogue.

My favourite chapter was one entitled ‘1935 – 1946: Romantic Expressionism and applied Surrealism, Vogue’s eye on society in peace and war’. It begins by giving context to what was happening in the world at this time, speaking of the Great Depression in America and mass unemployment in England for instance. It is stated that “there is a war on, but London life somehow continues, perhaps even more sociable and high-spirited than ever”. Endless sketches of beautiful women give a visual to the usual standards of classic beauty; high cheek bones, small pouted lips and fluttering eye lashes are in abundance. Links between the war and fashion are also established; for example, were you aware that Michael de Brunhoff, editor of French Vogue during the second world war, closed down the publication in the summer of 1940 and did not resume it until the Liberation? I often feel that the fashion industry is overlooked as something superficial and intimidating. Books like this prove fabulously that fashion is merely an extension of society and situations and in appreciating it you can perhaps gain a further understanding of the world around you. (Failing that, you can feel fabulous and brighten it up a little bit!)

The presentation of this book is as sophisticated and chic as Vogue itself. Broken into sections of pink, white and glossy pages, it is easy to decipher different sections and quickly skim to the silky photographs that accompany them. Although we are often told not to judge a book by its cover, it seems unfair not to note that the appearance of this one is delicate and pretty, much like the sketches inside it.

Perfect for art history students, this collection of coveted names (the likes of Edouard Benito, Paul Iribe and Douglas Pollard among them) and ravishing designers amounts to a collection that is as exquisite as it is informative. A classy and indulgent book perfect for all fashion and art lovers.

Rosaleen’s rating: 9/10

Fashion Drawing in Vogue is published by Thames & Hudson and will enlighten you about the process from pencil to Prada for £19.95.

“Sugar and spice and everything nice is what little girls are made of” – Anonymous

 Book Review
Lauren Conrad
Sugar and Spice

Following the success of L.A. Candy and Sweet Little Lies, Lauren Conrad has returned with the final instalment of Hollywood juice in Sugar and Spice. The star of The Hills has created a stir with these novels; they seem painfully reminiscent of the tales that unfolded in her reality TV series but add extra dimensions and scandal to the stories we thought we knew so well.

Sugar and Spice continues to tell the tale of a group of girls that have found fame on a new reality TV show in L.A. The leading lady, Jane Roberts, appears to have been based on Lauren Conrad. Other characters, Scarlett, Gaby and Madison, could have been based upon lots of other starlets from the MTV reality show and so part of the fun of this novel is in attempting to work out which fictional storyline relates to which real life lady. The story resumes from the point at which Jane has discovered that the backstabbing Madison set up a tabloid scandal that almost ruined her career and explores the hardship that surrounds these bickering girls being contracted to work together still. With gossip, drama and an inability to decipher the true friends from the tinsel town snakes, Sugar and Spice is the perfect girlie indulgence and is easy to dip in and out of.

At a time when people are obsessed with celebrity culture and fascinated by the private lives of the rich and famous, Lauren’s novel is perfect. Not only is she able to hint at secrets from behind the scenes of her immensely popular reality show but she is also able to deny all knowledge of revealing such mysteries for she has concealed them in the words of a fictional book. This is an incredibly clever move for a girl who is notoriously diplomatic and careful of her words on The Hills. If you like the style of this almost confessional anecdote then I’m sure you’d like Nicole Richie’s almost autobiography The Truth about Diamonds.

Kindly observe the following checklist. Are you:

• Female
• Prone to gossiping
• Addicted to The Hills
• Intrigued by our dog-eat-dog world
• Partial to fashion and beauty
• Generally one for reading something light for a few minutes before bed?

If any of these apply to you then Sugar and Spice is for you.

Rosaleen’s rating: 10/10

Conrad’s final L.A.Candy novel is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books and is yours with love from Lauren for £12.99.  You might also like Lauren Conrad’s Style – follow the link to see my review.

“What fabulous life would be complete without shopping?” – Bethanie Lunn

Cupboards are stacked with Red Bull and coffee. Eyes glare, as dark as the bags below them. Hair is as wild as Heathcliff’s character in Wuthering Heights (I threw in this simile in an attempt to engage both literature enthusiasts and Friends lovers – flashback to the episode when Rachel and Pheobe attend the English class). It’s the period that effects every student at some point and for me it was last week; you’ve guessed it, it was the dreaded coursework chaos week.

After days of wracking my brain for innovative, inspired (but nevertheless plausible) interpretations of literary works, I bid farewell to an essay and a presentation and felt a lovely wave of relaxation. Excited to soak up the festivity in Liverpool before I returned to Birmingham for Christmas, I was delighted to be joined by Bethanie Lunn today for lunch. You might remember my review of Bethanie’s latest book, The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness, and how much I enjoyed  it, so I was very eager to meet the girl behind the glamour.

Bethanie tucking into one of Leaf's divine brownies.

Considering that Bethanie and I had snow and trains to compete with we had to be sensible and, on this occasion, make only the essential retail stops. With this in mind, Peaches and Cream was therefore top of the to-do list. Popping in to their new Dale Street shop, we browsed their incredible eyelashes, gushed over their quirky selection of Tarina Tarantino jewellery (yes, she’s Quentin’s daughter) and got a first peek of some of their divine new nail art collections. If you have any special events coming up for Christmas I would definitely recommend popping in and snatching up beauty bargains to give your outfit the wow factor.

Following this we pottered along to Bold Street and paid a visit to Little Red Vintage. Full of it’s usual chic and inviting vintage garments, I was keen to rummage through knitted winter pieces but also found my magpie self being drawn to the sequins and glitter of some of the glitzy pieces. The perfect place to snatch up a quirky necklace or headpiece, you should certainly head to see owner Kate if you’re in need of some stocking filler suggestions.

Me proud as punch with my ever so chocolatey cappuccino.

To escape the wind and sit down for a gossip we headed to Leaf on Bold Street. Otherwise located in Parliament Street, this new Leaf is arguably a lot more convenient and appropriately placed amongst the independent and eccentric habitants of Bold Street. Settling down for coffee and cakes, it was a lovely place to sit and feel cosy whilst still being able to observe the inviting buzz of the shoppers along the street. I went for a slice of the chocolate and almond sponge and would strongly recommend that you run along to try some too. (Speaking of which… My favourite fashionistas at Pillbox Vintage have moved their vintage fairs to Leaf on Bold Street and will be there over the Christmas period! Make sure you visit their website for information on upcoming events.)

Sadly after this it was time to say goodbye, but I have made plans to visit Bethanie in Leeds in the new year so I will be excited to share my experiences of another of the north’s most popular cities.

In other news, I arrived back to Birmingham this evening to find a number of wonderful things in my sky high pile of mail. My business cards from moo.com have arrived and are exquisite! I decided upon three very pretty designs - a cat, some teacups and pink flamingoes – and now have an assorted box ready to dish out my details in style. With so many styles to choose from and a flexible system in which you can design your own things, moo is a great place to purchase personalised essentials. Also to be opened were lots of lovely books of all number of topics, from Paris during the war to the fashion illustrators of Vogue, so be sure to keep checking my book reviews if you’re looking for a trendy page turner to indulge in during the holidays. Number one on the list should, of course, be Bethanie’s.

“If you want to see the girl next door, go next door” – Joan Crawford

Book Review
Vintage Jewellery
Caroline Cox

Following the success of books such as Vintage Shoes, Lingerie: a Lexicon of Style and Stiletto, Caroline Cox has returned with Vintage Jewellery, a book that explores jewellery from times gone by and how it has related to beauty and culture accordingly.

Caroline is a visiting professor at the London College of Fashion and also works as a cultural trends advisor at Vidal Sassoon. She uses her fashion expertise in Vintage Jewellery to give context and life to the wonderful photographs and illustrations in the book.

Discussing over 100 years of history, this book divides periods of time into decades and explores each 10 year period in terms of how jewellery looked and was celebrated. Here are a few of the highlights:

1940s: F for Fake
Featuring ‘Cocktail Hour’, a piece that divulges all about the all American fashions that prevailed in jewellery, saying of pieces that the general rule was “the more exuberant, the better”.

1950s: Mid-Century Sparkle
Featuring ‘French Figurative Jewellery’, spilling all of the secrets about how coveted French accessories were and those that looked even remotely French; Eiffel Tower pieces abounded by all accounts.

1960s: POP Goes the Future
Featuring ‘Hippie-Chic’, a section that talks about the significance of the Vietnam War and how jewellery was often used as a statement to represent free love.

More than just a photo album or collection of eye candy, this is a book that reminds you not to judge things at face value. Although celebrating the aesthetic qualities of jewellery (and including photographs of the likes of Twiggy and Cher to flaunt them with flair) it gives historical context as to how and why design has evolved in such ways. As well as providing elaborate and varied information about each period, chapters also conclude with a ‘Key looks of the decade’ page to summarise in a few simple words what each jewellery revolution entailed.

All in all, this book would be wonderful for ladies of all ages. From jewellery lovers to design admirers; older ladies wanting to reminisce about the 20s or young souls hoping to explore times gone by; this exquisite accessory timeline would be a luxurious and enjoyable addition to any girl’s bookshelf.

Rosaleen’s rating: 9/10

Vintage Jewellery is published by Carlton Books and can provide you with endless accessory inspiration for £25.00.

“Style is the best way of expressing things about you that are really hard to verbalise” – Luella Bartley

Book Review
Luella’s Guide to English Style
Luella Bartley

Step into the life of a former Vogue fashion editor, ex-Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design student and bonafide fashion designer Luella Bartley MBE. Her journey has been one of absolute awe, from sharing a room with M.I.A to dressing Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

In her first ever book, Luella explores both her own innovative take on English style and also dissects classic English fashion stereotypes that have come to reign over the past few years. Categories of discussion include The Pony Club, Mods and Ska to name but a few.

What makes this book unique is its strong inclusion of reference to the influence of music on fashion. As Luella investigates the ‘Tribes of Britannia’ such as the New Romantics, she speaks of David Bowie’s impact on their style and even includes a quote of his on the back “they’ll never clone ya”. When capturing the essence of Goths she comments on the significance of “introspective lyrics and synthesisers” of Siouxsie Sioux.

Another enjoyable section is the ‘Birds of Britain’ chapter that tells you all that there is to know about some of Britain’s finest ladies.  Here are a few of her suggestions:

Lily Allen: “emerged like an exotic bird with jet black hair”.
Helena Bonham Carter: “she wears fairy tale dresses with utter defiance”.
Dame Vivienne Westwood: “There are two queens of England… there’s Queen Viv, our other beloved sovereign, who takes care of the country’s left side of the brain, its image as creative and vibrant force in the world”.

Visuals are especially inviting in this book. Bright and sketchy drawings are included of lots of the people that Luella speaks about (including one of herself) and she also uses photographs to demonstrate more aesthetically the points that she strives to make.

All in all, this book is a fantastic celebration of English style and will undoubtedly be warmly received by fashion or music lovers from many a generation. Whether you’re a twenty something male setting out to cherish your favourite rock stars or a seventy something spinster wanting to reflect upon garments from times gone by, this quirkily written creation is for you.

(I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but for the cherry on the cake… the cover has a little golden cat on it!)

Rosaleen’s rating: 10/10

Luella’s Guide to English Style is published by Press Books, a division of HarperCollins, and will happily take pride of place on your bookshelf for £20.