FM DECEMBER ISSUE 158

FEMME MAGAZINE | DEC ISSUE 158 | FMLIFESTYLE.COM

Loud fashion for a silent night

+ IS SUNNY FONG CANADA’S NEXT FASHION PHENOMENON?

+ THE RISE OF THE

FASHION BLOGGERS

MONSOON ACCESSORIZE 16 PAGE CATALOGUE PULLOUT INSIDE

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MAKE YOUR WISH AT WWW.ESPRIT.COM

WELCOME We haven’t even lost our summer tan yet and already, Christmas is here, in all its glory. And by glory, I mean waist-expanding dinners, faulty fairy lights, jumping queues and elbowing fellow shoppers in our late rush to buy Christmas presents, and trying to lasso little children who, fuelled by a sugar-rush, destroy everything in their path.

But there’s also the glory of Christmas fashion. No, not those horrible knitted jumpers and novelty ties which, being presents from ancient relatives, we are guilt-bashed into wearing. Rather, it’s the Christmas Eve party wear and elegant New Year’s Eve fashion that makes us rock around the Christmas tree.

True, Canada is not up there with Milan, Paris or New York. But then, Toronto has also produced the global fashion phenomenon that is DSquared, so it might only be a matter of time before it’s a Sunny day in the world of fashion.

Seeing that we’re all eager to tear open our Christmas presents, we asked a number of fashionistas what they would like to find in their Christmas stockings.

The wish list, of course, makes for a stylish stocking.

In this issue, we also get invites to the hottest events, interview up and coming models, and tell you what to wear so you can greet 2012 in style.

Read on and all the best for the festive season.

COVER CREDITS Photographer Tonio Lombardi W: www.toniolombardi.com Stylist Carina Camilleri assisted

by Gayle Zerafa Cutajar Hair Dorianne at Pierre Camille Hairdressing

In this issue of FM, we interview Sunny Fong, the rising star of Canada’s catwalk.

Make-up Diandra Mattei using Givenchy

CONTENTS

Model: Dila at Models.com.mt wearing Bortex dress - €199, Accessorize gloves - €14.90, boas - €23.50

11

Vawk and roll

Sean Patrick Sullivan on the importance of being Sunny Fong.

17

All I want for Christmas is…

21

Consulting Editor Stanley Borg Email: stanley@fmlifestyle.com

Presents perfect

FM fills up a stylish Christmas stocking.

53

What I know about style

Design & Art Direction Porridge | www.weareporridge.com Email: hello@weareporridge.com

55

What I bought this month

56

Office politics

Blog by blog guide to fashion

Put these in your in-tray and wow your colleagues at the office party.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed in FM are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor and publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or illustrations. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome but cannot be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The editor is not responsible for material submitted for consideration.

A Christmas statement

Lara Boffa fills up her Christmas stocking with belts, pearls and fur.

Style stalker

Kira Drury all excited, that’s what you get.

34

50

The mother principle

Fashion blogs are sitting in the fashion world’s front row, says Ron Van Maarschalkerweerd.

31

Editor Anthony P. Bernard Email: anthony@fmlifestyle.com

Printing Progress Press

Anne Marie Spiteri meets a mother and her three daughters to discuss boundaries and whether a mother can ever be a friend, or a foe.

29

It’s certainly not a silent night thanks to FM’s festive wardrobe.

Valentina Rossi tries on her mother’s modelling shoes and finds that they fit.

Daniela Brockdorff uncovers the stocking secrets of the fashionistas.

25

37 Twinkle, twinkle, you’re a star

Dear Santa…

We’re hoping one of these little numbers will be under our Christmas tree.

Model Stephanie Portelli gets all cosy for winter.

61 It’s almost the final countdown

FM warms up for the festive season.

Words: Kira Drury. Photos: Nicky Scicluna

64

Great Scots

66

A nose for beauty

FM celebrates the New Year with a Scot on the rocks.

An exhibition of perfume bottles puts sensibility into scents, say exhibition curator Joseph Galea Naudi and exhibition coordinator Lisa Attard.

For any information regarding editorial, promotion or advertising contact Tel: 00 356 2131 8522 00 44 20 3286 6373 Email: fm@madmediainternational.com FM is published by MADMEDIA International, Mezzanine West, Hadfield House, Library Street, Gibraltar and is distributed free with THE SUNDAY TIMES

INTERVIEW

VAWK & ROLL Sean Patrick Sullivan on the importance of being Sunny Fong.

A

s every correspondent in this business already knows, most fashion capitals, whether established or emerging, have their particular charms.

Manhattan, for example, offers a brutally Darwinian ecosystem of ruthless glamour, compulsive sexuality, and shameless commercialism that leaves one simultaneously aroused, intoxicated, and offended.

Milan is, in its own way, even more extreme, with its seasonal pageants of exquisite, sometimes vaguely grotesque, textures and palettes that make no sense at all until they’re re-interpreted two seasons later at H&M – which, by the way, they always are.

And, of course, we’ll always have Paris, with its stunning, fundamentally un-transferable ownership-slash-stewardship of all that is magical, mythical, and maddening about fashion.

Then there’s Toronto – defiantly practical, luxuriously modest, ultra-livable Toronto – which has none of that. What it has, instead, is a secret. As a tourist, you’d probably never find it. It’s tucked into a discrete vignette at The Room, a ready-to-wear retail experiment at The Bay, Canada’s oldest retailer and (believe it or not) one of the world’s first corporations. But if you were lucky enough to find someone willing to reveal this most thrilling secret to you, this most distinctive of collections, your expectations of the fashion industry, as well as your own wardrobe, would most certainly shift.

Welcome to the world of Vawk. As a brand name, it means absolutely nothing and was selected rather exclusively for its surplus of angles and vectors, resulting in a compelling geometric-textile-inspired logo. But now who selected it?

Who is the driving force behind this label? And why don’t you know about him yet?

His name is Sunny Fong. Now may I be candid? I wouldn’t have known about him either, had it not been for the editors of this very magazine, who recently tasked me to discover a North American designer relatively unknown to the global market. Terrified of being scooped by a rival reporter, I avoided New York and focused upon Toronto. What would I find? After all, Toronto hadn’t produced a global fashion phenomenon since DSquared, whose founders, the notorious Caten twins, tellingly had to move to Europe to sustain their vision.

Ultimately, Ben Barry – a local model agent, social entrepreneur, and driving force behind Dove’s award-winning “campaign for real beauty” – suggested Sunny. It was the following text that confirmed my interest: “Whatever Sunny touches turns to gold. He’s a brilliant designer whose aesthetic is edgy, sexy, feminine, and luxurious. There’s no one else like him.”

Thoroughly convinced I’d found my subject, I visit Sunny’s chic, minimal, live-work space, located in a Modernist downtown high-rise. He greets me warmly at the door and ushers me into his living cum dining area, which had been converted into a design studio and work room.

Unlike most designers, who thrive on controlled chaos and channelled insanity, and who require large, cavernous spaces to contain their understandably large egos, his space is tidy, friendly, and (most of all) tiny. Tiny in the most impressively thoughtful way possible. This makes me curious to know about his approach to dressing women. But first I have to manage a surprising and uncomfortable feeling that we’d already met.

FM / December 2011 - 11

INTERVIEW

What a Sunny day Sean Patrick Sullivan: Do I know you?

Like from somewhere else?

Sunny Fong: I don’t think so. Do you watch Project Runway Canada?

SPS: Yes, of course I do! Oh... wait... didn’t you win Season Two? SF: That was me.

SPS: Is that how you got your start?

SF: It’s how I got re-started. I actually launched the brand a few years earlier, but then, for various reasons, put the whole thing on hold. When Project Runway Canada came onto my radar, it was like a test for me: I’ll win, which means I have what it takes, and I’ll get the cash prize, which I can use to keep the business going. Or I won’t, which means I’m out of here.

SPS: That’s kind of extreme.

SF: I’m very competitive. In my opinion, if you put yourself out there as a designer, expecting women to pay anywhere from $400 for one of your tops to $4000 for one of your dresses, you’d better bring it. You’d better have it all: colour, construction, craftsmanship, newness, everything.

SPS: If you didn’t win, and you said goodbye to fashion, what else would you do? And how do you manage to stay so cool, calm, and collected anyway?

SF: You have to understand something.

For most people, the fashion business is really stressful. Being on a reality show is really stressful. But for me, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly easy for me growing up. So my frame of reference is different. My mother was from Hong Kong and my father was from China.

Their work ethic was intense. And they encouraged me to be the same way – but not in a way that makes you all stressed and miserable. What I learned though them, and in my own journey, is that it’s about remaining calm no matter what. Learning patience and acceptance that, beyond a certain point, it’s really not about you anymore.

SPS: Do you ever lose your patience?

SF: Yes! I totally lost patience with my first career, which never really happened. Well, I guess I did. I made one film as a student at Ryerson University. But it took so long to get anything done. And there were so many people and personalities to manage.

But I really did love creating visual compositions. So I asked myself: How else can I absorb, distil, and interpret 12 - FM / December 2011

INTERVIEW

everything I see? Although I resisted it for a while, because my older sister was already in the business, it really did come down to fashion for me. Now I only have to manage two people. I do everything else myself. At least for now.

That will change, eventually.

SPS: How so?

SF: It’s a high for me to create things that mean something to me, and then to have people wear those things and feel what I felt making them. When a woman says my garments make her feel sexy, or like a million bucks – that’s like medicine to me. So, right now, it’s about expanding and investing. I would like to go into accessories and fragrance – that’s so exciting, to create

something that can change someone’s mood so quickly. And, of course, a diffusion line. But, most of all, it’s about going international. Our plan, over the next five years, is to get into the other Commonwealth nations: Malta, England, Australia. There are definitely some advantages to being a Canadian brand.

Let’s use them.

SPS: When you say “international”, that’s interesting, because, quite frankly, I can’t place your work. It doesn’t look Asian, American, or European. It doesn’t look like it’s for a particular age group either. And you’re certainly not following any of trends that seem to dominate collections around the same price point as you. I can imagine these

pieces being worn by your current customers’ granddaughters 50 years from now. The craftsmanship is insane.

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything at this price point so well constructed.

SF: You know, that’s the point. As a designer, I have to ask myself, if someone lets me dress them – and, really, that’s what’s going on here – how can I keep it new every single season while at the same time creating pieces that can be worn over and over again, mixed in with other designers, and always look great? It’s not about me. It’s about the customer. And when you design for your customer, not just for your own selfish reasons, it’s pretty clear which direction to take.

What an experience Artigli Sliema, managed by the Artigli Gozo team, has changed the fashion shopping experience in Malta with a personalised shopping experience, merchandise assortment, and unique Italian fashion style. Christmas will be all about surprises at Artigli Sliema, with freebies, exceptional collections at unbelievable prices, late night shopping, live mannequins and in-store makeovers. Artigli Sliema is open from Monday to Sunday till 8:00pm and has no connection with any other store in Malta. Photos by Tonio Schembri.

Models’ make up by Inglot Malta.

14 - FM / December 2011

JAZZMASTER SQUARE LADY AUTOMATIC SWISS MADE WWW.HAMILTONWATCH.COM Jos Debono Jewellers - 151 St.Lucia Street, Valletta Tel: 2124 4839 Pavillion Jewellers - 43 Republic Street, Valletta Tel: 2124 9222 Pavillion Jewellers - Independence Square, Victoria, Gozo Tel 2156 3219

CHRISTMAS

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS… Daniela Brockdorff uncovers the stocking secrets of the fashionistas.

I

find that one of the tiny little joys in life is buying Christmas presents for those you love and care for. For some, Christmas shopping starts way back in November at the first spot of wintry rain, while for others, shopping is transformed into a Christmas Eve marathon, dashing through the crowds from one shop to another, trying to get the best gifts, preferably nicely packaged too.

Admittedly, however, this tiny little joy may at times turn into a bit of a headache, especially when you have no inkling whatsoever as to what you should buy. Somehow, wish lists tend to prudently remain secret to those who would have benefited most from them. Luckily, and a gentle nudge to those who need to buy them something still, some generous individuals from the fashion industry were willing to share their wish list with us.

Kris Micallef, photographer

Joanna Butterworth, Model

Buying Christmas presents for me is very easy as I have various interests, from photography and fashion to architecture and design – those who know me a little bit would probably already know what to get me for Christmas.

I love books, and the current number one item on my wish list is an amazing book titled 90 Days One Dream by Kristian Schuller. I’m also travelling to Sweden in January to shoot a campaign and I would love it if I got something to keep me warm in those freezing temperatures.

I am going to spend my Christmas with family and friends – there are lots of events coming up and, of course, lots of presents. I would like to get a pair of long, black boots which I would wear on some glittery, designer lace leggings. To match, a long fringed jacket would be good. I love wearing woollen jumpers and sweaters in winter, so I am also hoping for some of these, in colours such as oranges, browns and black. I must admit that I also love bags, so throw one in as well this Christmas.

Tonio Lombardi, photographer Everyone loves Christmas and, of course, everyone loves presents.

This Christmas, I would love to get a Tommy or A&F bomber vest, a pair of Tommy chinos, a pair of Ralph Lauren Belgrade boots, a ring flash to get some cool, a Hasselblad camera system (this will probably be on my list for quite a few years), and various bits and pieces for my new home. I know it’s a long list, but feel free to choose.

Emma Hickey, model Since I’m still a student, Christmas spells out a nice break.

However, it’s also a time for family bonding and enjoying cosy activities that we don’t usually do during the rest of the year, like baking cookies.

Of course, I also enjoy getting Christmas presents. This Christmas I would like to get a trench coat, a baggy boyfriend blazer together with brown leather boots and a high-waisted pleated skirt – you can never have too many. And get me anything with a Fair Isle pattern – during this season I feel it’s only appropriate.

FM / December 2011 - 17

CHRISTMAS

Michelle Galea, hairdresser

Nikki Powell, make-up artist

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I love giving presents and I start preparing a couple of months in advance.

Obviously, I like to receive gifts too. As for my wish list, you can’t go wrong with jewellery. A big leather tote is also on my list – I’m expecting a baby and this would be handy to have and certainly stylish. Also, I’m always happy with vouchers, as I get to choose whatever I want. In all honesty though, Christmas is not all about presents for me, and there is no greater present then being able to spend time with my family and loved ones for Christmas.

December is a very special month for me, celebrating and organising my husband’s, my son’s and my brother’s birthdays together with Christmas, which is of course the cherry on the cake. I simply love the joy it brings. I tend to be spoiled in return, especially by my husband who always gets me the greatest of gifts. Being a bit particular in what I like, I can be quite difficult to choose a present for, particularly because I believe love is the greatest of presents and that you can’t buy.

On the other hand, I am a very girly girl so one can never go wrong with clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery.

Charles and Ron, designers

Eve Warrington, model

For both of us Christmas is not about presents, so our biggest wish is to relax and be in good health and have a great time with our family and friends. But if someone would really insist to surprise us, we would be very happy with a carpet designed

by Alexander McQueen – his carpet design would look fantastic in the living room of our new home. We also wouldn’t say no to a trip to Brescia to visit the Roberto Capucci exhibition - we haven’t had the chance to see an exhibition of his extraordinary work, so hopefully this will happen next year. The new iPad would also be very welcome and it would look even better in an Yves Saint Laurent iPad case.

This Christmas, I would love to get a pair of chunky platform wedges – I’ve always preferred chunky shoes over slim elegant heels, and recently I’ve been aching after the perfect pair. Also, a bold all-purpose bag would come in handy for school together with dresses, dresses, and more dresses.

Motel Rocks is currently my go-to brand for dresses, as their styles are flattering and suit mine perfectly. A colour-block blazer, preferably cobalt blue, would be nice, together with a good pair of headphones – like Beats by Dr Dre – as I can’t seem to find a pair that lasts more than a month.

Lace effect Lace becomes the main protagonist in the new Dolce & Gabbana eyewear collection for 2011, combining a style of sensual elegance with special reference to the delicate craftsmanship at the brands core. The sunglasses collection reinterprets the tradition of tailoring, presenting handmade lace within the glasses framework, in a variety of luxe tones: black, white, scarlet and blue. Available from Optika Sliema and St Julians. For more information contact Optika on 2133 5463 or visit www.optika-opticians.com

18 - FM / December 2011

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PARENTS

THE MOTHER PRINCIPLE Anne Marie Spiteri meets a mother and her three daughters to discuss boundaries and whether a mother can ever be a friend, or a foe. Photos by Nick Scicluna.

M

y dubious powers of observation processes have of late convinced me that the dynamics of mother-son relationships can often be explained by the Oedipal complex and the ensuing lifelong maternal infatuation with male offspring.

Mother-daughter relationships, on the other hand, seem to me to be infinitely more complicated. There are mother and daughter pairs who happily chat for long stretches of time every single day and share their most intimate secrets, and others who limit their interaction to a one-minute screaming match as seldom as possible. Then there are all the other incredibly varied types of rapports that fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

Mother and daughter relationships normally undergo great transformations over time. While little girls often view their mother as a deity of infinite wisdom and beauty, adolescents give their mother the status of embarrassing relic. The resulting tension and conflict, though inevitable, can be controlled and minimised by both mother and daughter respecting each other even when they don’t see eye to eye.

Being the adult of the situation, the mother gets lumped with the crucial role of safeguarding the relationship by being infinitely patient and understanding, setting much needed boundaries but also allowing her daughter an appropriate degree of autonomy.

Adulthood comes with its own set of challenges. While daughters are trying to deal with establishing themselves as independent individuals, they may feel that their mothers are still treating them like little children while being overly critical and demanding. Mothers, on the other hand, invariably believe that they are acting in their daughter’s best interest and may be upset by their daughter’s poor uptake of their advice and by the wrong choices they feel that she is making. This is a completely natural scenario, but the impact that it has on the relationship may be long-lasting.

Shouting and mutual accusations of ruining each other’s lives, liberating as they may be, do not pave the way towards a healthy relationship. Alternatively, communicating calmly and clearly helps to resolve conflicts as they arise. Frank interaction must be supported by a genuine effort to understand each other’s point of view and should preferably be accompanied by a mutual agreement to disagree about certain things.

It is important to realise that sharing the same genes doesn’t necessarily mean that the same values and opinions will also be shared. While G.K. Chesterton believed that tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions, it is probably also the secret ingredient for a good motherdaughter relationship.

Go natural The launch of Guido Bonett’s publication The Natural History of the Maltese Islands was held last Friday at Avantech’s premises in San Gwann under the auspices of Dr Mario de Marco. The book is a photographic study of the unbelievable beauty of Maltese flora and fauna – it’s a publication of as high a standard as any comparable publication worldwide. This is why, Nick Camilleri Avantech’s Managing director stated, Canon’s worldwide commitment towards nature conservation is echoed here in Malta and is the reason why Avantech and Canon are proud to be associated with a project of this quality and magnitude.

FM / December 2011 - 21

PARENTS

THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES Giselle and her daughters Tamsin, 30, Melissa, 28 and Tiffany, 17, share their very own recipe for a healthy mother-daughter relationship.

FM: Giselle, what kind of mother do you think you are?

Giselle: I have always been open-minded and easy-going, but I suppose it got easier as I had more children. I married young and had Tamsin when I was 21, so you can say I grew up with my children. With Tamsin, my eldest, I was a little more strict but I never really believed in punishments or grounding. What was important to me was that they could always come and talk to me if they had a problem.

FM: Tamsin and Melissa are both married and parents in their own right. How has this changed your relationship?

Giselle: I think our relationship has become even better. I actually see more of them now than when they were at home, as there’s always an excuse to meet up to go shopping or for a coffee. It’s become more of a relationship between friends – then when they need some kind of advice I revert back to being a mummy.

Tamsin: Since I had my children, I feel that we’ve become closer as I now appreciate what being a mother really means.

I still ask for mummy’s advice, especially about parenting and I find that whenever I decide to ignore it and do it my way, I always regret it after a while. I think that I am a very similar mother to her.

FM: Tiffany is going through the notoriously rebellious teenage years. What kind of conflicts do you have and how do you deal with them?

Giselle: Tiffany has never been rebellious. When she was younger, I actually had to push her to go out, although now

it’s not a problem anymore. I never gave her a curfew and so far it has worked – the only thing I expect from her is that she messages or calls if she’s going to be late.

Tiffany: We don’t argue very often but when we do it’s mostly about cleaning my room. I think our lack of conflict is due to the fact that my mother understands me and gives me a certain amount of liberty – in return I make sure that I don’t abuse of it. We make it a point not to go to sleep in the middle of an argument and try to deal with our problems before they grow bigger.

FM: Do you think it’s possible for a mother to be both a parent and a friend?

Melissa: Mummy has always been a friend to us but has set boundaries to keep some authority so I can say that she has been a parent first. Now that I’m older I think our relationship has become more of a friendship.

FM: What do you think are the fundamentals for a healthy mother-daughter relationship?

Giselle: Mutual respect is essential. I know that they don’t take me for granted – Mel and Tam always make sure it’s ok with me to babysit before accepting any invitations. Not a day goes by without either they calling me or me them if we don’t meet.

Melissa: Trust is the most important aspect in any kind of relationship. Respecting boundaries and privacy is also crucial as no matter how close we are, there always has to be that fine line that separates a daughter from a mother.

A night to remember Join us at Gauda of Sliema on December 7 for Sliema’s fashion night, during which the outlet is open till 10 pm. Come view and shop from our new winter collection in style, sipping on Bellini cocktails and enjoying the Christmas shopping fever. Lots of great prices and models to choose from, including shoes, boots and bags for any occasion this season. Find us on Facebook - Gauda Sliema.

22 - FM / December 2011

15 portomaso PTM 01 2138 7687

FASHION

Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist

Blog by blog guide to fashion Fashion blogs are sitting in the fashion world’s front row, says Ron Van Maarschalkerweerd.

T

here is no denying that blogging has become an important part of the online and also the offline world. Popular bloggers are impacting the world of politics, business, society and also fashion. So what is the importance of a blog and how have these bloggers become influential figures in the fashion world?

The earliest blogs started in the late 1990s as online diaries – in recent years, blogs have gained more popularity as they became more interactive, giving readers the opportunity to leave comments and interact.

There are hundreds of fashion blogs and the number grows every day.

The first time these blogs got media attention was in 2002 and a year later the first bloggers were invited to New York Fashion Week. Several fashion designers invited the bloggers to their shows – back then, there were no front row seats for the new bloggers, but this would soon change.

As time went on, the fashion industry starting acknowledging the power of these blogs. Unlike fashion-focused magazines and television shows, fashion blogs are updated more frequently,

keeping the readers abreast with the new and up-and-coming fashion trends.

Blogs are also more personal, and therefore are seen as more trustworthy – this makes the reader indentify with the blogger.

Blogs are also a great source of free advertising for fashion retail stores and designers. For up-and-coming designers, they are a perfect way to reach new audiences. Although the majority of bloggers do not get paid, there are top bloggers who receive free designer garments so they can feature them in their blog. Some blogs are even turning into highly profitable new media businesses – as they have become so popular, companies and brands are now willing to pay for advertising on certain blogs.

Fashion blogs have become a major competition to printed fashion magazines – blogs are more successful in influencing the online readers and are far less costly than running a magazine.

Many magazines have changed their strategies and have created their own interactive sites and blogs. Elle even hired the editor of an influential blog to breathe new life into theirs.

Blogs have also made the fashion world a little more democratic, as anyone can start a blog – writing about fashion is no longer reserved just for the elite insiders. Aspiring fashionistas from anywhere now have their say and they have become the new fashion elite.

Tavi Gevinson is the perfect example of how the most unlikely candidate can become a major influence in the world of fashion. Tavi started her blog www. thestylerookie.com when she was only 11 years old, and by the time she was 13 she had taken the fashion world by storm and was seen sitting front row at many of the major shows. Important editors and buyers were sitting second row wondering what was going on.

She also appeared on the cover of Pop magazine and Officiel and is a muse to many designers the world over. Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy were instant fans of her blog, and took inspiration from her style for their collaboration with retailer Target.

Another extremely popular blog is that of New Yorker Scott Schuman. In 2005, Schuman started taking pictures on the streets of New York of people who caught his eye and posted these on his blog. By posting these pictures FM / December 2011 - 25

FM Advertr PDF.pdf

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Super blogger Tavi Gevinson

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he gives a very accurate picture of style as it’s worn today on the streets- designers and trend seeking companies quickly tuned in to get their inspiration and to find out what people are really wearing. Sometimes he comments on what he sees and sometimes not. Scott has travelled and published pictures of fashionable people all over the world and has also published a book with his street style photographs. His blog, www.sartorialist.com, remains one of the most popular blogs in the fashion world.

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Blogs are here to stay and they will keep on evolving and influencing what we read, do, eat, buy and wear.

Ron’s blog roll www.kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk www.stylebubble.typepad.com www.hypebeast.com www.refinery29.com www.thebudgetfashionista.com www.the-coveted.com/blog www.style.com www.bontonfashionista.blogspot.com www.boffism.blogspot.com www.pavlistyle.com 26 - FM / December 2011

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BUDGET QUEEN

A CHRISTMAS STATEMENT

Lara Boffa is allergic to oranges.

She’s also an interpreter, has always wanted a pet dog, can play the piano and is lost in six languages. She runs her own fashion blog at http://boffism.blogspot.com/

Lara Boffa fills up her Christmas stocking with belts, pearls and fur.

E

very year, as the festive season draws closer, most women start huffing and puffing, trying to decide where to see the new year in.

More importantly, they tear their hair out until they finally decide what they are wearing for the last night of the year.

At least 90 per cent of these women buy a fancy dress for the occasion, probably overpriced, and then lock it up in their closet, never to see the light of day again. What a sheer waste of precious money.

Until a couple of years ago, I was one of these 90 per cent. My wardrobe still houses some former New Year’s Eve dresses that are either too formal to wear on a regular night out or too washed in memories to wear them again.

Now, however, I have joined that remaining 10 per cent who would rather spend their money elsewhere. On my part, I prefer saving money to spend on the single most important event of the season, namely January sales, and I think you should do so too.

Obviously, you want to look good and dress up for New Year’s Eve – but who said you must buy a new dress to bid farewell to the old year in style? Why not wear a dress you have worn before, preferably a plain, basic dress that you can easily camouflage and reinvent?

The key to doing so successfully is to make sure that you shift all of the attention from the dress itself to something else. As easy as that.

Consider, for instance, wearing something on your head or adding something different to your hair. There are so many different options, from dainty Alice bands to eye-catching fascinators, from chic pill-box hats to colourful turbans.

You could simply add a flower to your hair and everyone’s attention will immediately be diverted to that.

Nothing grabs attention like statement accessories. Whenever I wear one of my bold shoes or daring clutch bags, everyone asks me where I bought them from and they hardly notice

anything else from my outfit. Naturally, that is what statement accessories are for – they are there to make you look at them. Why don’t you try wearing some chunky heel shoes, maybe in a statement colour like red, to spice up a dress you have worn to someone’s birthday bash two years ago?

Belts are ideal accessories to change the look of pretty much anything in your wardrobe. Not only can you use them to add a pop of colour, but they can also be used to modify a dress’s proportions and fit. You would be surprised how much difference a little belt can make. I intend to add a little belt to one of my black dresses, which I have worn endless times, inspired by what Karl Lagerfeld has done in his S/S12 collection. At the moment, everyone in the fashion blogosphere is discussing the way Lagerfeld used a simple string of pearls as a belt on most of his pieces. He truly is a genius. Don’t you think a string of pearls adds so much class to a simple dress? Then why not get inspired by Lagerfeld and use his idea for your New Year’s Eve outfit?

The ace up my sleeve, I have to confess, is faux-fur. Statement accessories and pearls grab everyone’s attention, but faux-fur will have people talking about your outfit for at least one week after the glamorous night.

This is the year of faux-fur – stores are brimming with faux-fur stoles, jackets and boleros amongst many, many others. Faux-fur will keep you warm, will instantly lift your outfit from elegant to sensational, and will shadow that dress you are wearing.

Let’s face it, even if you are willing to spend some extra cash this month because it’s the festive season, doesn’t it make you feel guilty to spend heaps of money on one single dress when you could buy at least a dozen items during the sales?

Oh, and don’t worry too much about your dress anyway – we all know that on New Year’s Eve, probably everyone you meet will be too inebriated to remember your outfit anyway.

FM / December 2011 - 29

in harmony with your body Brooke Burke

Available at: SKECHERS BRAND STORE: THE POINT, TIGNE/ BAYSTREET/THE DUKE, GOZO EUROSPORT: BIRKIRKARA/IKILIN/PAOLA ONEFIVETWO: MELITA STREET, VALLETTA FOR ENQUIRES CALL: 2385 9248 / 23859388

operated by:

STYLE

STYLE STALKER

If you have any style dilemmas, contact Kira on our Femme magazine page.

Kira Drury prepares for the party season.

Beauty buzz

What’s this smell?

Hair can make or break a look. If you’re bored of your boring blow dry, then take inspiration and stay one step ahead this party season with my picks of the hottest holiday hairstyles from the runways.

Marc Jacobs is in hot water over the latest ad for his perfume Oh Lola!

It shows 17-year-old actress Dakota Fanning wearing a cream dress with a bottle of Oh Lola! resting between her legs. The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority said that, “Along with her appearance, we considered the ad could be seen to sexualize a child.”

And has ruled it too suggestive and ordered it to be pulled forthwith.

According to the regulatory body, “The length of her dress, her leg and position of the perfume bottle drew attention to her sexuality” and that the ad must not appear again.

Big shot She is one of the most photographed women in the world and now a photograph of supermodel Kate Moss had sold for a whopping £16,000 at auction.

The photograph taken by Albert Watson for German Vogue was taken back in January 1993. With no makeup and clothes, Kate looks so pure and innocent.

Photography specialist Jocelyn Phillips said its value lay in a combination of factors, including the kudos of owning a famous photographer’s original print. We wonder who the mystery buyer was. Pete Doherty?

Message in a bottle The original Hugo Boss fragrance for men is fresh, sharp and unmistakably masculine.

The Boss man radiates self-confidence and is not afraid to show his sensuous, emotional side. Eau De Toilette is available in edt 100ml, 50ml, 30ml. With every purchase of Boss Bottled edt 100ml, you will receive a Boss luxury sports bag or a set of Hugo Boss candles. Ask in store for other Boss offers. For trade enquires contact VJ Salomone (Marketing) on 8007 2387.

Marc Jacobs released a statement, calling the banning unfortunate.

He wrote: “It was our pleasure to work with Dakota Fanning for the Oh, Lola! campaign. She is a smart, pretty, interesting, talented young woman and we would never have suggested an advertising concept that we thought was inappropriate. I believe she is also very thoughtful about the projects she takes on and would not have done something that she felt was in questionable taste. It’s really unfortunate that people have taken anything negative from what we believe is a really good campaign and one that so perfectly embodies the fragrance.”

FM / December 2011 - 31

STYLE

What a sizzler

Vintage charms I’ve got a super obsession with vintage charms – my jewellery box is jam-packed full of the little beauts. They also make super cute, affordable gifts for friends. Check out www.junkjewels.co.uk for an amazing selection. You can even design your own necklaces and bracelets online – what more could a girl ask for.

Choreographed by Janet Vella at Level 22 on October 26, 27, Bordello was a sensual recipe of cabaret, burlesque and theatre. This sizzling production also featured sax player Diego Grassedonio brought over exclusively from Italy. Special thanks to the hairdressing team by Pat Bugeja of Goldwell hairdressing, Chantalle Busuttil for make-up and Yamamay for the lingerie and free gifts.

Next performance will be held on December 12. For more information visit the Bordello Facebook page or call on 7984 3981, 7731 5231, 9982 9460.

Who wore what at the American Movie Awards Nicki Minaj rocked Oscar De La Renta – a dress few could pull off.

Jennifer Lopez looked stunning in Zuhair Murad Couture.

The ever-quirky Katy Perry flew the flag for Britain in Vivienne Westwood.

Taylor Swift sparkles in Reem Acra – love her emerald earring. We think she takes the prize for best dressed of the evening.

Katherine Heigl went for a classic floor sweeping Roberto Cavalli gown.

32 - FM / December 2011

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FASHION

DEAR SANTA

03 02

We’re hoping one of these little numbers will be under our Christmas tree.

04

07

05

06

08

01

01. Tally Weijl top, €12.95 02. Women’secret pyjama set, €24.95 03. Tally Weijl hat, €7.95 04. Artigli, Sliema umbrella, €10.00 05. Artigli, Sliema boots, €49.90 06. Esprit scarf, €25.95 07. Accessorize mouse, €23.50 08. French Connection laptop case, €66.00 09. Tally Weijl straighteners, €19.95 10. Promod bag, €29.95 11. Promod gloves, €17.95

09 11

10

Brilliant ideas Gift Ideas Christmas 2011 is the answer to every Christmas shopping dilemma. It’s an ideal gift guide to boost up your choice of gifts with detailed information on prices and where to get them from. Forget spending your shopping time scratching your head for a brainwave and a bargain this Christmas and make sure you get your free copy of Gifts Ideas publication from any outlet of Eurosport, Adidas, Reebok, Skechers, Bata, Fergi, Mamas & Papas and Europharma. Gift Ideas gives you the chance to win weekly prizes of €75 gift vouchers and a Reebok cross-trainer worth €799. Get it or regret it.

34 - FM / December 2011

CH R C AT I S T M A A S PUL LOGU E LO UT

SLIEMA

•

VALLETTA

•

PAOLA

•

THE DUKE, GOZO

T. 2134 6080

•

THE AXIS, PACEVILLE

FEATHER TRIM FEDORA

991334

•

€40.00

LADYLIKE TURNLOCK TOTE

989588

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LEATHER BUCKLE GLOVE

€49.90

992064

FEATHER OWL LONG PENDANT

982526

•

€34.00

•

GOLD NECKLACE

€15.90

982005

•

€19.90

LAYERED FAN CHANDELIER

981545

CONRAST SQUARE BAG

189163

•

€39.90

•

€19.90

LEOPARD FLORAL CHAIN SILK SCARF

987328

•

€24.90

IKAT TASSEL SNOOD

987391

•

€37.00

SUPERSOFT SLIPPER BOOTS

995198

•

€27.90

OVERSIZED BASKETWEAVE BEANIE

991376

•

€27.90

BLOCK STRIPE AZTEC PONCHO

987365

•

€54.00

SNOWFLAKE FAIRISLE SCARF

987396

•

€34.00

SUPERSOFT SLIPPER BOOTS

9951982

•

€27.90

PHOENIX IKAT WEEKENDER

989615

•

€59.00

SNOWFLAKE CUT OFF GLOVE

992085

•

€23.50

BLOOMSBURY SCARF

987351

•

MARGARET FLORAL TWEED BAG

€29.90

989557

•

€49.90

EMBELLISHED CUFF

984449

•

€19.90

NECKLACE

982605

•

TEPEE TASSLE PENDANT

€15.90

982581

DIGITAL PRINT BUTTERFLY

987353

•

•

€22.90

KNOTTED BOW CLOCHE

€34.00

991330

BANGLE

184072

•

€12.90

•

€43.00

AMELIA VINTAGE COCKTAIL RING

985183

•

MEGA MULTI LAYERED CHAIN NECKLACE

€13.90

982668

•

€29.90

LA LUXE CLUTCH BAG

TARQUIN NECKLACE

989829

982657

•

€39.90

VICTORIANA LACE COLLAR NECKLACE

982640

•

€24.90

DINKY FAUX FUR TIPPET

€26.90

987430

WOVEN HARDCASE CLUTCH

989733

•

•

€39.90

•

€29.90

RING

985295

•

€12.90

EARRINGS

981713

•

€19.90

LEXIE SMALL SATCHEL

989810

•

€39.90

LONG SATIN GLOVE

992000

•

€14.90

SNAKE CLUTCH

989841

•

€39.90

PEARL GEM SCARF

987150

•

€24.90

CHEVRON LADY BAG

WOVEN BARREL BAG

989792

989813

•

€49.90

•

€59.00

ANGELS - CHILDREN’S GIFTS

SPOTTY DENIM RUCKSACK

199013

•

FLOWER GEM SALON CLIPS

€14.90

199066

ANGELS OWL UMBRELLA

999544

•

999649

•

NECKLACE/BRACELET SET

€5.50

199095

LOVE HEART CAPPED MITTENS

€12.50

ANGELS LAMINATE RUCKSACK

999615

•

999543

SHEERLING CROSS BODY BAG

€21.50

999583

•

GLITTER BANDS

€5.90

199134

ANGELS OWL WELLINGTON BOOT

€13.90

•

•

•

999580

•

MOPSY BUNNY EARMUFF

€2.90

999605

PINK BALLERINA SHOES

€27.90

999449

FLORAL SATCHEL BAG

€24.90

•

•

999545

•

999000

SLIPPERS

€26.50

999695

ANIMAL GLOVES

€26.50

NAIL KIT

€14.90

•

•

SLIPPERS

€14.90

999695

PANDA BOOT CUFF

€14.90

999628

•

€18.90

•

€18.90

•

BEAD NECKLACE

€14.90

999509

•

€7.90

GIFT IDEAS

BUTTERFLY PENCIL CASE

988254

•

€8.90

BATH ROSES

988036

DIAMANTE EARRINGS

988038

•

988587

•

€8.90

DIAMANTE USB

€8.90

988573

•

UNION JACK PET JUMPER

€14.90

HEART EARPHONE SPLITTER

•

988682

UNION JACK JEWELLERY BOX

989539

•

€34.90

•

COOKIE CUTTERS

€29.90

988588

•

FAIRISLE PET JUMPER

€14.90

988679

UNION JACK TARTAN IPAD CASE

989539

•

€39.00

•

UNION JACK MULTI SHOT CAMERA

€7.90

988049

•

€23.50

LONDON NOVELTY DEC

€14.90

988656

PATCHWORK PRINTED PEN

988280

•

€1.50

•

€5.50

FEATHER MASK

988636

•

€8.90

CH R CAT ISTM A A PU LOGU S LL OU E T

BISAZZA STREET • SLIEMA T. 2134 6080

AVA I L A B L E S I Z E S 8 to 22

CLEOPATR A SUNR AY DRESS 933045 • €99.00

COWL J UMPER 933 151 • €95 .00

WR AP CARDIGAN 933099 • €95 .00

HYDE BAG 943037 • € 115 .00

TORINO STACKING BANGLES 943 116 • €21 . 50

NECKL ACE 94304 8 • €30.00

AMERILLO SHOE BOOT 943013 • €99.00

K AT Y CAPE 993464 • € 185 .00

PINE BOOT 943265 • € 135 .00

FALCON SKIRT 913030 • €85 .00

ANIK A CROSS BODY BAG 943235 • €85 .00

GREENWICH HAT 943249 • €49.00

KITE TOP 923 17 1 • €95 .00

PALOMA LEATHER JACKET 993457 • €280.00

AMOS DRESS 953092 • € 185 .00

ILLINOIS BAG 943297 • € 185 .00

ODESSA CHUNK Y BANGLES 943 117 • €25 .00

AZUMI BLOUSE 923 142 • € 125 .00

BEA BABYCORD SHORTS 9 63050 • €54.00

LENNON DRESS 953013 • €235 .00

LILLE CASE CLUTCH 943304 • €54.00

NAL A DRESS 953076 • €235 .00

THIR AZ TUNIC 953 120 • €210.00

JACKSON SANDAL 943019 • € 110.00

REGENTS STACKER BANGLES 943 117 • €25 .00

CHARU SMOCK 923 113 • € 185 .00

MAYA CARDIGAN 923 116 • € 130.00

ZIG ZAG TUNIC 933076 • €95 .00

AL ANA BOUCLE DRESS 933 139 • €85 .00

PHOENIX BAG 94329 6 • €99.00

TUSCON SHOE BOOT 943035 • € 115 .00

WACO STUDS 943 11 8 • € 12. 50

HARPER DRESS 953 127 • € 150.00

MARLIN DRESS 9530 82 • €235 .00

EMER ALD MA XI DRESS 953 161 • €280.00

MONA J UMPSUIT 953 1 81 • €210.00

LOUISIANA CLUTCH 94329 8 • €70.00

VIOLET SANDAL 943256 • €95 .00

AVAILABLE SIZES B aby g ir l - 0 to 3 years B ig G ir l - 3 ye ar s to 13 years Boy - 3 mon ths to 8 years

BLOOM DRESS 15 80 04 • €62.00 VELVET BOW BAG 19 8018 • € 12. 50

BOYS 4 PIECE SET 978 877 • €85 .00

BABY FAUX FUR 978 8 68 • €37.00 BRIDGET DRESS 158014 • €5 4.00

BOYS 3 PIECE SUIT 978 875 • €62.00

ANAIS JERSE Y DRESS 95 8332 • €62.00

BABY CARMEL COAT 978 8 41 • €55 .00

MILITARY DENIM JACKET 978 873 • €46 .00 TORI DRESS 95 8360 • €40.00

BELL A VELOUR COAT 978 819 • €95 .00

HAT 99 8769

•

€ 18 . 50

K AYL A PRINT DRESS 958339 • €30.00

SCARF 99 89 03

SCARF 99 8770

•

€ 18 . 50

FUR GILET 978 8 80 • €55 .00

•

€ 18 . 50

WOOL JACKET 978 8 69 • €65 .00 DRESS 958300

•

€37.00

T WEED JACKET 978 8 42 • €55 .00 JEGGING 9 682 2 2 • €26 .00 SCARF 99 8 69 6

•

€ 18 . 50

TRENDS

TWINKLE, TWINKLE, YOU’RE A STAR

Valentino

It’s certainly not a silent night thanks to FM’s festive wardrobe.

I

t’s the night that launches a thousand makeover plans, stacks of fashion glossies ripped apart for inspiration, and web crawling in the middle of the night to see what the fashion bloggers are saying on the trends for the season. Not to mention the urgent phone calls from your bank manager to tell you that no, the bank doesn’t do Christmas presents, and so your overdraft, which you spent on a new festive wardrobe, will have to be paid back.

To put TS Eliot in a fashionable context (it’s what we do, really), you can either end the year with a whimper or with a bang: the whimper of not having, once again, impressed anyone at the Christmas Eve bash, or the bang or having turned heads, even during the screaming countdown.

If you want to opt for the latter choice (which we suspect you do), then read on.

Accessorize - €14.90 Artigli Sliema & Gozo - €23.50

Layers The festive season is not so straightforward this year, as the catwalks have all fallen in love with layers. Cocktail dresses, especially, come in stacked layers in one or two colours – this adds such a fun and flirty element to your outfit that it will surely be a night to remember. Layers are also perfect for accessories, but don’t overdo it.

Artigli Sliema & Gozo - €46.90

Carolina Herrera

Elegance Emporio shoes, Sliema - €79.90

Emporio shoes, Sliema - €54.90

This season, elegance is a hot trend, with cuts that flatter your curves, textures that are luxury in motion, and colours which bring out the fine woman in you. The inspiration is 1940s elegance as you time travel back to the age when black and white was so colourful.

FM / December 2011 - 37

TRENDS

Accessorize - €25.00

Artigli Sliema & Gozo - €23.50

Esprit - €49.95

Emporio shoes, Sliema - €62.90

Dolce & Gabbana Brioni

Sparkle Sequins, glitter, sparkles – it is the season. There are two ways to go about it. You can either dress from head to toe in sequins and end up being mistaken for the Christmas tree. Or else, go all elegant with a subtle yet eye-catching detail such as glittery embroidery, a sequined detail or a naughty sparkle in your make-up that completes, rather than overkills, your outfit.

Fur

Monsoon - €250.00

Fur doesn’t just keep you warm – which it does better than any other material. It also gives you plenty of brownie points for elegance and glamour. If you have the budget for it, then it’s an instant luxury makeover.

This season, fur doesn’t stick to natural colours but also comes in bold, unexpected hues, including purple, blue and red. Fur is also in the details, such as collar and cuff trims, as well as sleeves and hems of skirts and jackets.

Esprit - €89.95

Monsoon - €150.00

38 - FM / December 2011

Receive your FREE

Soft Toy when purchasing any Christina Aguilera 75ml or 100ml eau de parfum or a Christmas Stocking when purchasing any Christina Aguilera 50ml eau de parfum Trade Enquiries VJ Salomone (Marketing) tel: 8007 2387

TRENDS

The Barometer The Barometer The Barometer The The Barometer Barometer Wear

Emporio shoes, Sliema - €79.90

Black Swarovski embellished peep-toe shoes

by Aruna Seth.

Love them.

Colour

The Alexander McQueen catwalk returns to London Fashion Week this February.

Beyonce in maternity wear – stunning.

Manolo Blahnik spills the beans in a new biography.

Tear

Prints Tamara Mellon quits Jimmy Choo.

Now what?

January sales – we want real discounts.

anyone?

Christian Dior

This winter is one of the more colourful of these past seasons – instead of opting for the safe, and sometimes dull colours of winter, designers have extended the bloom of spring and the colours of summer to the cold season.

Reserved and neutral colours clash, in a good way, with bright orange, purple, blue and crimson. Light up your Christmas with daring combinations.

Katy Perry saying her new perfume was inspired by her world tour – sweat and late dinners

Blake Lively on how ‘embarrassing’ it is to own so many Louboutin shoes. Embarrassing?

From pretty polka dots and girly paisley to bold flowers and exotic birds, the variety of prints this season is never ending. Your choice depends on your personality and the effect you want to create – flowers will add elegance to your outfit, baroque prints will give you plenty of drama, while animal prints will be a roar on New Year’s Eve.

Monsoon - €250.00

Blog watch The who, what, why, wear of the net

Accessorize - €49.90

http://thelocals.dk Fashion around the world. http://shalasrabbithole.com/blog Alice in fashion wonderland. http://www.flyandmighty.com Flying fashionably high.

40 - FM / December 2011

Jonathan Saunders

WE’VE WRAPPED SOMETHING SPECIAL

FOR YOU THIS CHRISTMAS! GET A €5 GIFT VOUCHER WITH EVERY €50 PURCHASE OPEN ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS EUROSPORT: BIRKIRKARA/IKILIN/PAOLA/ST. JULIANS/BAYSREET/THE DUKE GOZO ADIDAS BRAND: BIRKIRKARA / BAYSTREET / VALLETTA / THE POINT / THE DUKE, VICTORIA GOZO SKECHERS BRAND STORE: THE POINT, TIGNE/THE DUKE, GOZO/BAYSTREET REEBOK BIRKIRKARA/THE POINT, TIGNE ONEFIVETWO: MELITA STREET, VALLETTA

FOR ENQUIRES CALL 2385 9248 / 2385 9388

on slected items

SCREEN GODDESS Photography: Tonio Lombardi Styling: Carina Camilleri assisted by Gayle Zerafa Cutajar Hair: Dorianne at Pierre Camille hairdressing salon Make up: Diandra Mattei using Givenchy Model - Dila at Models.com.mt Shot at the Orpheum Cinema, Gzira

Monsoon dress - €220.00 Gauda, Sliema shoes - €89.00 Accessorize bracelet - €22.90 Accessorize belt - €34.00 Accessorize necklace - €22.90

Peacocks leotard - €10.50 Peacocks necklaces - €13.50 and €12.00 Artigli faux fur jacket - €81.90 French Connection shoes - €134.00 Accessorize ring - €21.00

Tally Weijl leotard - €12.95 Tally Weijl bag - €19.95 Bata shoes - €69.00 Accessorize mask - €8.90

Bortex dress - €199.00 Accessorize fan - €7.90 Accessorize gloves - €14.90 Accessorize boas - €23.50 Esprit shoes - €79.95

Peacocks by design skirt - €30.00 Women’secret bra - €22.95 Monsoon faux fur jacket - €150.00 Accessorize ‘star’ necklaces - €9.90 each Esprit watch @ Sunlab - €89.90 Peacocks bangles - €7.00 each Gauda, Sliema shoes - €39.00 Carpisa clutch - €19.90

Springfield dress - €29.95 Oasis faux fur jacket - €141.00 Accessorize necklace - €26.90 Accessorize bracelet - €22.90 Accessorize hair fascinator - €27.90 Accessorize clutch - €19.90 Gabor shoes @ Scholl - €95.00

AAAND ACTION… The reel history of FM’s fashion shoot.

The Orpheum in Gzira is Malta’s only Grade 1 scheduled cinema, a magnificent example of the 1930s golden age of movie theatres.

Designed by architect Harold Borg in a striking mix of Art Nouveau and Spanish Colonial elements, its auditorium is decorated with numerous busts and a painted ceiling. The Orpheum operated both as a popular cinema and as a renowned theatre for classical operas, hosting many celebrated voices of the time. Following the cinema’s closure in the 1980s it served various functions, such as staging a 1995 concert of Heavy Metal band Black Sabbath.

Most recently the building – currently owned by the Malta Labour Party – has been serving as a community centre and bingo hall. Sadly, a lack of regular upkeep has led to a state of disrepair.

In urgent need of conservation, this landmark is awaiting funding to save it from further decay and to enable sensitive and faithful restoration to its former splendour.

The Cinema Heritage Group (CHG), a voluntary organisation established in 2006, records, preserves and safeguards architectural and socio-cultural cinema heritage in Malta and abroad. It forms a wide network of industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts in 19 countries to-date. The organisation advocates for the protection and conservation of significant venues, such as the Orpheum. Recently the CHG secured the Grade 2 scheduling of another striking example, the Art Moderne-style Rialto cinema in Cospicua, the refurbishment of which was initiated earlier this year.

The CHG organises special screenings, talks and visits of historic cinemas and publishes The Cinematograph, a free monthly magazine for members, presenting heritage news, special event invites and many more exclusive features.

To join the organisation for free or to share cinemagoing memories contact info@cinemaheritagegroup. org You can also visit www.CinemaHeritageGroup. org and www.facebook.com/CinemaHeritage.

THE LIST

PRESENTS PERFECT FM fills up a stylish Christmas stocking.

Enter here, exit spectacular Elizabeth Arden Red Door is the fabled entrance to the Fifth Avenue flagship store, a symbol of American style, New York City sophistication, and a fragrance of classic elegance and femininity. The Red Door fragrance bottle was redesigned to replicate the legendary Red Door on Fifth Avenue as a passageway to beauty. Moreover, with an entrance-making campaign, Elizabeth Arden is, more than ever before, the doorway to beauty for women everywhere.

Style season

Your smile makes me smile

Celio* has always been known as a likable, friendly and local brand which does not take itself seriously.

The brand offers a wide range of trendy products at very reasonable prices. This season, Celio* has opted for a return to emblematic garments, faithful to its urban sportswear values. A team of in-house designers and product managers develop the collections each season, ensuring the brand has a fashionable and trendy feel to each new collection.

Get 50% off Oral B Professional Care 500 power toothbrush this Christmas.

The toothbrush is gentle on the teeth and gums and whitens the teeth by removing surface stains. The timer helps to further enhance the brushing experience of the recommended two-minute brush and the unique pressure sensor alerts you when brushing gets too hard. Oral-B Power toothbrushes help patients reach longterm oral health goals and offers an improved brushing experience.

Oral-B Power toothbrushes give a fantastic smooth clean feeling every time you brush. For trade enquires contact VJ Salomone (Marketing) on 8007 2387

Cool as ice

Work it, shake it, flaunt it, rock it

The one and only The one for men reflects the Dolce & Gabbana man: charismatic, elegant and sophisticated.

This spicy, oriental fragrance is a concentrate of elegance and sensuality with bright, fresh top notes, a spicy and warm heart and refined base notes. Available in 100ml, 50ml and 30ml. the one gentleman is the ultimate connoisseur’s scent – its sublime oriental fougere speaks of understated allure and innate confidence. Available in 100ml, 50ml and 30ml. Get a free Dolce & Gabbana Shower Gel and After Shave Balm 50 ml when purchasing one of these 100ml fragrances. For trade enquires contact VJ Salomone (Marketing) on 8007 2387.

50 - FM / December 2011

Diamonds International, Classic Jewellers and Hebe have inaugurated a monobrand Ice-Watch® store in Bisazza Street, Sliema. The new store has a colourful, modern décor reflecting the brand’s young image and style. The opening of the store coincided with the launch of the Ice-Watch® winter collection, which comprises of 16 different colours and styles, including a big-big size, to suit everyone’s taste.

All watches have a different coloured silicone strap and, in true Ice-Watch® fashion, come in a variety of a coloured faces that enable you to mix and match your favourite Ice-Watch® to your every item of clothing.

The new Remington Stylist Multi Style is the ultimate tool to transform your hair into various styles. This incredibly versatile, all-in-one curling and straightening styling hero allows you to create multiple looks with just one styling tool – it’s like having your very own personal hair stylist in your hands, no appointments necessary. Get a free John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-day straight (worth €12.99) with every Remington Stylist Multi Style purchased. Visit Facebook: Remington-Malta or mt.remingtoneurope.com. For trade enquiries contact Miller Distributors Ltd on 2166 4488.

ZACHARY STREET, VALLETTA - TOWER ROAD, SLIEMA

Zachary Street, Valletta - Arkadia, Gozo - Tower Road, Sliema

STYLE WISE

What I know about style

Valentina Rossi tries on her mother’s modelling shoes and finds that they fit. Photos by Bernard Polidano.

I have always been involved in the fashion industry as my mother was a model and eventually went on to open her own modelling agency. I grew up watching her and other models do fashion shows and shoots, so I guess it came natural for me to take the plunge.

The television show Venere pushed me to start doing more modelling work. I also did a variety of shoots for magazines, calendars, campaigns and fashion shows.

To be a model, you have to be very confident and also have a good personality, as that is the most important thing. Being beautiful is not enough.

looks and asked me to be her model.

I was thrilled. The make-up was very stylish and modern and I remember we had so much fun. The photos also turned out well and we got some really good comments.

On a shoot, it’s very important that there is good chemistry between everyone involved – this will have a positive effect on everyone’s performance. Everyone in the team should also be confident to share ideas with each other. Some shoots take hours to complete, so imagine not communicating with the others – that would just be boring.

My dream is to pursue a modelling career abroad and meet new people from the industry.

I watch a lot of fashion shows on TV and read a lot of fashion glossies – it’s how I keep myself updated on the latest trends.

My first shoot was with Bernard and Natasha Polidano. I remember Natasha wanted to try out some new make-up

I have a passion for shoes and never get tired of rummaging around for new styles and colours.

Valentina’s rules of style Accessories will always complement your outfit and make it look more fabulous.

You don’t have to have a wardrobe full of designer clothes to look stylish – you can find clothes that are not that expensive and still look fashionable.

Style is all about finding a contemporary look that suits you, your personality and your lifestyle.

Always wear clothes that flatter your figure.

Choose the colours that suit you best.

FM / December 2011 - 53

SHOPPING

What I bought this month Model Stephanie Portelli gets all cosy for winter. Photos by Elisa Von Brockdorff, Ian Scicluna and Martin Agius.

Stephanie’s December wardrobe This season, I’ll be wearing a lot of knitwear – I love getting cosy in winter. I also just bought a pair of boots and a lovely jacket from boohoo.com, which are on their way to joining my favourite items club.

Stephanie Portelli, 23, has just graduated with a BA in archaeology and classics.

And classic she is because, with an elegant poise, classical features and the longest of legs, Stephanie is one fine model.

“I’ve always wanted to model. When I was still in primary school, I used to get on stage and twirl around, showing off my pretty dresses.”

In her teens, Stephanie started modelling, and shopping, seriously.

“I’ve always liked clothes and shopping and, in my teens, I would spend most of my free time with my friends window shopping and

trying out the latest fashion trends. Needless to say, my allowance never lasted very long.

“However, at the time, my wardrobe was quite tacky – as much as I loved clothes, I wasn’t particularly good at choosing them.”

Nowadays, however, Stephanie’s wardrobe includes wiser choices.

“It has improved quite a lot,” Stephanie says. “I have a tendency to go for black items, but I also try to inject a bit of colour as well as some variety. There’s a little bit of everything in my wardrobe, from comfy jeans to tight skirts and of course the little black dress.

Currently, my favourite wardrobe items are a pair of wedges by Peacocks, a pair of ripped jeans by Jennyfer, and a grey cardigan by Terranova.”

Stephanie is a careful shopper.

“I plan my shopping – for instance, when sales are on, I always plan a major shopping spree.

And I always try and keep to my budget – still, I do overspend sometimes, especially when I’m abroad.

When I went to Barcelona with my friends, we hit the shops on our very first day.

By the end of the holiday, my luggage was seriously overweight. Still, that was one great shopping trip.”

FM / December 2011 - 55

FASHION

Office politics

Tally Weijl - €19.95

Put these in your in-tray and wow your colleagues at the office party.

Esprit - €129.95

French Connection - €122.00

Esprit - €129.95

Artigli, Sliema - €12.90

French Connection - €109.00 Topshop- €72.00

Mango- €109.00

Mango- €89.95

French Connection - €26.00 Topshop - €78.00

Promod - €11.95

Tally Weijl - €19.95

56 - FM / December 2011

Timeless BED LINEN

CURTAIN & UPHOLSTERY FABRICS

HOME ORNAMENTS

GLASSWARE & TABLEWARE

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

As you go out in search of the perfect Christmas gift, keep your loved one’s interests and needs in mind. There are few Christmas experiences more wonderful than seeing joy in someone’s eyes as they exclaim “I never would have thought of that!” By choosing from One Two One’s distinct range of Christmas gifts for the home, you can’t go wrong. They won’t go out of style, and will simply remain... truly timeless!

IN-HOUSE SEWING SERVICE

DINNER SETS & WEDDING LISTS

21st September Avenue, Naxxar Tel: 2142 2948/9 • www.onetwoone.eu • Qui-Si-Sana Seafront, Sliema Tel: 2132 3155/65 Extended December opening times: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. • Saturdays and public holidays 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

• Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Monday 19 December to Saturday 24 December 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Christmas unwrapped Shop, dine or travel and pay with any BOV Card this Christmas and you can win €1,000 in cash.

Your success is our goal.

BOV CARDS

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This Christmas look out for our Cash for Christmas oer.

Get cash vouchers when purchasing products with the Cash for Christmas label.

Redeemable from 1st January to 31st January 2012.

Get an extra Eur5.00 voucher with every Eur100 spent.

Free 3pkts of Kristal water or 5 (1.5l) soft drinks or 700 extra points with every Eur100 spent.

December Opening Hours Sun 4th Thu 8th Sun 11th Tue 13th Sun 18th Sat 24th Sat 31st

9.00 - 14.00 9.00 - 18.00 9.00 - 16.00 9.00 - 18.00 9.00 - 17.00 7.30 - 18.30 7.30 - 18.00

St. Julians - The Mall, Park Towers - call 2137 8520 or stj@myparktowers.com Santa Venera - Psaila Street - call 2148 0807 or stv@myparktowers.com

NO MORE BURNING PAIN You wear them just under the ball of your foot, they prevent that burning pain you get from wearing high heels for prolonged periods. They’re non-slip, ultra slim & reusable. They’re called party feet & they’re available from all pharmacies and scholl centres.

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c ia ’s N o . 1 F o o t c a re S pe

HAPPENINGS

It’s almost the final countdown

ONE-38 LOUNGE OPENING

FM warms up for the festive season. Words: Kira Drury.

Photos: Nicky Scicluna

PERPENDICULAR AT STARDUST

These ladies are pulling out all the stops in seriously chic frocks.

Dress up a vintage tee with a blazer.

Looking preppy cool in a grey cardigan.

Man in black knows layering is key – loving the scarf-waistcoat combo.

Hats off to these lovely ladies.

Effortlessly cool in stripes. Loving her curly do.

Dressing up a classic LBD with pretty beading ensures Des stands out from the crowd and looks fab.

FM / December 2011 - 61

HAPPENINGS

MONO-CULTURE PRESENT MIKE DEHNERT

BULLY BEATS OPENING AT PLACES

Looking lady-like in a shift dress – that skinny belt shows off a slim waistline.

Looking fabulous and working the colour blocking trend with a bright top.

We spot a trend – more skulls.

A bolero jacket is a great way to keep you warm and stylish at the same time.

62 - FM / December 2011

Girls’ night out – loving that bold skull necklace.

Shampoo gently with Pantene Aqualight Lightweight Nourishing Shampoo

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RESTORING Pantene Nourishing Treatment provides intensive care to help to repair hair damage without weighting it down

100% more STRENGTH ZERO WEIGHT* Now you no longer have to choose between strong and weightless hair, because new Pantene Aqua Light gives you both.

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CONDITIONING Nourish your hair with Pantene Aqualight Lightweight nourishing and Strengthening Conditioner after every wash, and the Lightweight Nourishing Dual Phase Spray in between washes to make it strong without weighting it down

3 simple steps, 3 minutes, 3 times a week, and the result? Strong hair that is not weighted down. Journey to your dream hair starts with 3 steps.

* Pantene Aqua Light shampoo and conditioner vs. Pantene non conditioning: against combing and styling damage.

Trade Enquiries: VJ Salomone (marketing) Tel: 8007 2387

1

CLEANING

ONE NIGHT IN

Great Scots FM celebrates the New Year with a Scot on the rocks.

It may be the chilling backdrop to Ian Rankin’s slashers, yet Edinburgh is also stunningly beautiful. The medieval and Georgian buildings set against a harsh, rugged landscape, the museums and galleries of the Royal Mile, and the natural beauty outside the city – all make Edinburgh one of Europe’s most picturesque cities.

But the Scottish capital is not just picturesque – it’s also where one of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Europe takes place.

SEE With both the old and new towns designated as Unesco world heritage sites, Edinburgh has plenty of sights for sore eyes. Charlotte Square is a wonder of classical revival while the Scottish parliament building is an architect’s dream. The best way to see Edinburgh is by visiting the Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile – here, live moving images of the city are projected onto a table by a giant periscope.

George Street and St Andrew’s Square, home to the Edinburgh branch of Harvey Nichols, are great for some retail therapy, as is Victoria Street.

For a natural take of the city, visit Holyrood Park and take a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden.

NYE Edinburgh hosts one of the largest street parties in the world – Hogmanay.

This year’s three days of fun will feature Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, Kassidy and X-Factor’s Jade Richards.

For a quieter festive period, explore the German Christmas Market, exercise your legs at the Winter Wonderland ice-rink and hear the voices of the St Giles’ Cathedral Choir soar at their annual Christmas concert in Parliament Square.

EAT & DRINK STAY The Hotel Missoni and the Hotel du Vin are not only two of the city’s best hotels, but they are also a wonder of design. For a more boutique experience, stay at the Tigerlily.

64 - FM / December 2011

Edinburgh’s menu is an exercise in good taste. The Ship on the Shore in Leith is your best bet for fish and seafood, while Castle Terrace – sister restaurant to the Michelin-starred The Kitchin – offers fine food in relaxed surroundings. For a meatier experience, try The Grain Store in Victoria Street.

LAST WORD

A NOSE FOR BEAUTY

An exhibition of perfume bottles puts sensibility into scents, say exhibition curator Joseph Galea Naudi and exhibition coordinator Lisa Attard.

Photo by Nick Scicluna

P

erfume has always played a significant role in life, from rite, religion and myth to medicine, splendour and seduction.

The first perfumes were used across the ancient world largely for prayer, burial and other ceremonies. The word perfume is derived from the Latin ‘per fumum’, which literally means ‘through smoke’. Aromatic substances were burnt as incense, carrying people’s prayers and requests to gods and ancestors.

Oils and ointments were buried in tombs with the dead, and were used for embalming and libations. In ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, perfume was also used for bodily adornment and to protect the skin from the hot climate.

In Ancient Rome, fountains spouted perfumed water. In the 16th through to the 18th centuries, perfume was considered useful to ward off disease and evil spirits, and to cover unsanitary odours. From the 19th century onwards, perfume became used almost exclusively for bodily adornment, hygiene, affluence, and seduction.

Scent bottles have been created using various materials. As skills in pottery advanced, ceramic containers

66 - FM / December 2011

started being used for bottles, while the discovery of glass and glass blowing provided yet another medium. Silver and later porcelain were also popular.

The 19th century saw the rise in less expensive materials, especially glass.

Cut glass scent bottles with silver lids became increasingly popular, as did bohemian coloured glass bottles.

Perfume was long associated with polite society. People even commissioned their personal scent bottle from a silversmith or goldsmith – some were encrusted with precious stones. It was only in the 19th century that scent was no longer associated exclusively with the wealthy. At the turn of the 20th century the perfume industry flourished, and perfume began to be sold complete with its specially designed bottles.

Known references to the production and use of scent in Malta are limited.

Gentry carried balsamini containing pieces of cotton wool or sponge, soaked in aromatic vinegar. The locals also splashed themselves with perfumes, which also served as an attestation of one’s social status.

Palazzo Falson has two examples of 19th century scent bottles which still

contain their original perfume. One would have to break the seal in order to smell it – of course, that would be a pity, so we do not know what that perfume smells like. A good number of 20th century bottles in the Scent Bottles: from Ceremony to Seduction exhibition still retain their original perfume – in fact, when research was being conducted on them prior to the exhibition, the whole museum smelled like an old perfumery.

What is perhaps the most exciting part of the exhibition is the treasure hunt – finding these objects and uncovering the stories that they have to tell.

Seeing all these scent bottles together reflects a history of art, fashion and style, and allow us to imagine the scents they once contained and the long-deceased characters who wore them.

Scent Bottles: from Ceremony to Seduction shows at Palazzo Falson Historic Museum, Mdina until December 31. Admission is free of charge.

For more information visit www. palazzofalson.com

MAKE YOUR WISH AT WWW.ESPRIT.COM

partnership stores tower road · sliema · merchants street · valletta · the point shopping mall · tigne tel: 2060 1075 · email: info@espritmalta.com