LOVE OR HATE: Versace Spring 2013

Givenchy Street Style

PIC OF THE DAY: Giuseppe Zanotti for Kanye West, CRUEL SUMMER

@theophiluslondon snapping a pic



Giuseppe Zanotti for Kanye West, CRUEL SUMMER **HOTT**

 

Trending: Expensive Manicures

Kelly O's ridiculously priced Emmy manicure

AZATURE black diamond gel polish will set you back a cool $250 000 (DAMNNN)

Rihanna saying PHUCK YOUR DIAMONDS, with her Ruby filled gel polish

Jennifer Lopez with glitter french mani

Katy Perry rocking her expensive mani and pedi

Orly Nail Lacquer isn't as bad as the outrageously priced AZATURE, it will set you back about $150

Diamond French

 

Trending: Slicked Back Hair

Kim Kardashian 

Kat Graham 

Joan Smalls with Olivier Rousteing at the MET Ball 2012

Heidi Klum 

Penelope Cruz

Camilla Belle 

Cheryl Cole 

Honestly, if you had to ask me a few years ago if I would never wear my hair slicked back (push back), I would have said "hell no" but this look has seriously grown on me. We've seen the slicked back look on many runways including Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham and it seems that celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and Cheryl Cole have caught onto the trend.  This look is chic and fresh just in time for Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere.  It is also super easy to achieve.  Just dry/ style your hair as you usually would ensuring that there is not too much volume and the ends so as not to get the whole "mullet effect".  Then apply gel to the roots of you hair extending to the crown. Then brush the roots back to obtain that sleek, smooth finish.  Once the roots are sleek ensure that the ends are straight or style as desired.  If you would like a more matte finish opt for mousse instead of gel.  Ensure that you do not overdo it with product or else the look will look greasy and dirty.  

SPOTLIGHT: Richard Braqo

DESIGNER NAME: Richard Braqo

BACKGROUND: Born Richard Kwame Brako in Ghana, Braqo moved to New York City at 18. He studied at Parsons School of Design in New York, and has worked with Cesare Paciotti, Helmut Lang and Acne Studios.

SIGNATURES: “A strong use of sophisticated colours and textures like buffed nubuck, smooth velvet and buttery suede, with ornamental detailing. Subtle menswear detailing incorporated in daringly sharp silhouettes. Stilettos, booties, thigh boots and high heels.”

TRADEMARK PIECES: “The Fiona velvet heeled brogue and the Franca pearled spear boot represent trademark pieces that encompass my design aesthetic in its simplest form.”

IDEAL CLIENTS: “Anna Dello Russo, Giovanna Battaglia, Daphne Guiness, Shala Monroque and Miroslava Duma. A lover of fashion and an audacious dresser is always an ideal client.”

THE COLLECTION: “I'm really fascinated by astrology and as a Gemini there's always this duality in my thinking that balances my designs. I love the idea of collating contrasting ideas in unexpected ways: the feminine silhouette of a high-heeled shoe with the detailing of a men's brogue on a refined fabric like velvet. Ornamentation is also key to my designs, but done in the simplest, most flattering way, like a pearled spear to create the illusion of a heel (the pearl is my birthstone).”

LONDON TIPS: “A stroll through the Saatchi gallery is always a treat. Columbia Road is not only a haven for great flowers, but also amazing for street style gazing. Tea time at Mayfair's Quince Salon is a quick way to unwind during the week.”

FUTURE PLANS: “I aim to garner a broad range of international stockists and to build the brand successfully.”