When Dolce & Gabbana does Easter Cakes…

Try the Easter egg alternative from Italy’s legendary luxury fashion brand. Available from www.souschef.co.uk

The colomba cake (colomba di pasqua) is Easter’s answer to a Christmas panettone! This light, buttery cake is made using natural sourdough fermentation methods, slowly proving over 72 hours to produce a fragrant enriched dough.

Sicilian makers Fiasconaro are renowned for their Christmas panettone collaborations with Dolce & Gabbana, and for the first time last year, the Dolce & Gabbana Easter colomba cake was unveiled on the catwalk of designer confections. Now, this unique and highly sought after version of a classic is back for 2022.

The stunning blue and white tins (oh so giftable!) are designed by Sicilian artists, and inspired by the traditional majolica pottery of the island.

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Mandorle Di Sicilia Colomba 750g, £34.99
Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Mandorle Di Sicilia Colomba

The first colomba is flavoured with candied orange peel, orange purée and an aromatic, aged Marsala wine. The dough is studded with Sicilian almonds and crunchy sugar crystals. Each cake is shaped like a dove, to symbolise peace at Easter time (columba di pasqua translates literally as ‘Easter dove’).

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Strawberry & Chocolate Colomba with Sicilian Chocolate Spread

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Strawberry & Chocolate Colomba with Sicilian Chocolate Spread 1kg, £44.99

This slow-proved sourdough colomba cake is studded with chocolate and swirled with wild strawberry jam. Once you’ve cut a slice of colomba, simply spread with rich, silky Sicilian chocolate spread. A real Easter indulgence.

Vogue Says Women Are Allowed To Have Breasts This Season

Women of the world rejoice! Vogue says we are allowed to have breasts! Yes, you got it, breasts are in this season. What we are supposed to do next season is anyones guess but lets not be ungrateful. A man can have a penis all year but breasts are, y’know, inconvenient. Just ask Fashion Designer Marios Schwab who told Tatler “I’m not a big fan of breasts. They’re a challenging constructional point.” Well, Mario, how about not designing for women then, because you know who don’t have breasts? Men.

Catherine Balavage

Vogue says in this article titled Return of The Bosom: “So if boobs are not yet an out-and-out fashion trend, they are becoming a frequent exception to the rule.” Should someone make fashion know that women’s breasts aren’t detachable? Maybe a post-it note or something? This piece clearly shows that Kate Upton is a feminist icon. Yes, you can model and be a female role model. She was deemed “too obvious” for fashion. Now some fashionistas grind their teeth every time she is featured on the cover of Vogue, as she is this month.

Vogue goes on to say: ‘Men love boobs – that’s a well-documented story we needn’t explore here. But for women, as is true for fashion, the relationship is more complicated. In short, breasts are difficult to dress. During couture week, Jourdan Dunn exclaimed on Twitter, “Ahahahahahahha I just got cancelled from Dior because of my boobs!” But, she reasoned, “I’m normally told I’m cancelled because I’m ‘coloured’ so being cancelled because of my boobs is a minor : )”‘

 

Wow. Breasts may be difficult to dress, but only because designers are so bad at accommodating them. I mean, what’s next? Hips, arms, thighs? If you can’t make women’s clothes with breasts in mind, you are clearly an untalented idiot. Something Sarah Millican wrote an amazing essay on after being trolled after the BAFTA awards.

 

In my other life as an actor, my breasts have lead to the most amusing moments in my career. I didn’t develop breasts until I was in my twenties but when they came they didn’t hold back:  my size now is 32DD. Which makes costume designers hate you. When I was a UK size 4/6 (I am now a size 8), wardrobe loved me, but when I developed breasts I would stand in the middle of the room while various costume people asked each other, ‘What are we supposed to do with those?’ The answer was usually gaffa tape them down. I am so thankful I am a strong person and that was done to me rather than someone else. I can look at it with amusement, other, emotionally fragile or vulnerable, women could possibly have developed an eating disorder. I have spent a lot of time being dressed up like a boy for parts. I have no idea why. Just hire a fricking boy if that’s what you want.

 

In fact I am rather sick of fashion expecting women to make their bodies fit the dress, rather than the other way around. Even the thinnest woman has curves, only boys are drawn in a truly straight line. We are not ornaments or hangers. In what other aspect of our lives do we pay money for something that isn’t made to suit us and our lifestyles? Instead we are expected to diet our entire lives just for the joy of wearing clothes designed by people who obviously hate the female form, and don’t even lie about it. Yet, still we punish ourselves.

 

Of course not all designers are like this. Valentino clearly loves women. As does Roberto Cavalli. Dolce & Gabbana say in the same Vogue article: “We always try to create clothes that enhance a woman’s curves. We like to think that a Dolce & Gabbana girl wants to be very feminine, sensual, strong and fierce of her body.” So let’s take a stance in the only way that really gets things done: with our money. Any designer who hates women’s bodies should not have a penny of a women’s money.

Whilst researching this piece I came across this article Hadley Freeman wrote on this subject. Check it out here and this website, a body gallery of how women really look, was interesting too.

 

What do you think?

 

 

6 Best Celebrity Designers of 2013

Which designers are the celebrities clamoring after for 2013? Now that most designers have revealed their creations for spring, summer, and fall, it’s clear the cream rises to the top. Here are the designers celebrities are wearing and what’s so special about their 2013 collections.

1. Anna Sui

Anna Sui

Anna Sui

 

Image via Flickr by CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK

Anna’s designs are frequently spotted on A-list celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Ashlee Simpson, Fergie, Nicole Richie, and Miley Cyrus. This spring, Sui introduced her self-titled line “Anna’s Garden.” Though the collection is unmistakably Sui, with her favored Art Nouveau prints (all designed in-house), she’s taken this year’s line to a new level of floral prints. She mixes colors and whites superbly, and the looks she creates are never overdone. Sui creates the perfect fit for celebrities wanting to be on the cutting edge of fashion, but not over the top.

2. DSquared2

DSquared2

DSquared2

 

Image via Flickr by br1dotcom

The team of Dean and Dan Caten currently outfit the likes of style setters Jessica Simpson, Selena Gomez, Alicia Keys, and Halle Berry. For 2013, the design team pays homage to the jazz clubs of Paris in the 1940’s. They combine masculine tailored suits with ultra feminine silk dresses, the epitome of luxury. The ensembles feature basic grays and neutrals as a backdrop for bold, fanciful colors, ideal for the sophisticated Halle Berry’s of Hollywood.

3. Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

 

Image via Flickr by Romana Correale

McQueen’s collection for 2013 took ideas from the most feminine designs all the way to erotica, so it’s no surprise to see an interesting mix of celebrities donning the outfits. Of course, McQueen was the honored designer to clothe Kate Middleton for her wedding seen ’round the world, but his designs are also popular with the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, and First Lady Michelle Obama. It’s the perfect balance of modesty to add to your collection of  variety of sexy costumes.

4. Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

 

Image via Flickr by @Saigon

Enjoyed by starlets Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Claudia Schiffer, and Madonna, no list of top designers would be complete without Dolce and Gabbana. This year, the collection pays tribute to the festivals of Sicily, featuring raffia flour sack dresses, hair scarves, dresses and chandelier earrings adorned with street theater puppets, and separates bearing designs of Caltagirone vases and dishes.

5. Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

 

Image via Flickr by OiMax

As McQueen, Prorsum ventured into the deep world of sexy this year, yet came out with a good reputation. This collection, enjoyed by Victoria Beckham, Donna Air, Sarah Jessica, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and others, showcases the joy of erotica. Capes and corsets are the backbone of the collection. Prorsum employs an array of autumn shades with colors hailing from 1930’s era lingerie, such as shell pinks and oyster. These muted colors against bold jewel tones absolutely pop. Satin and cotton sateen fabrics lend a soft touch to the looks.

6. Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

 

Image via Flickr by FuFuWolf

Another staple in top designer lists, Armani dresses celebrities like Lea Michele, Penelope Cruz, Anne Hathaway, and Katie Holmes. This year, the Emporio Armani collection borrowed from all the most relevant fashion eras and brought back the very best, such as drop waist dresses and cloche hats from the Roaring 20’s. The line features faded and pastel shades, which lend femininity to the clean lines and soft shapes of the collection. Even the more tailored pieces are crafted with soft fabrics, creating the illusion of being made of fur.

With these superb collections, it won’t be any problem for celebrities to hit the streets looking runway ready.

This post was written by Shaun Chatman, who is a well published author on many authority sites. He lives in Dunedin, FL, and spends his free time playing with his kids or advising friends on everything from tech and gadgets to finance and travel.

 

Statement Jewellery | Fashion

I love statement jewellery. Why buy a new outfit when you can brighten up an old one with some statement pieces that convey your personality ad style?

This season is all about oversized jewellery, so make sure you stock up on statement pieces for spring/summer.  With designers such as Chanel, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana showcasing shoulder-length earrings and embellished cuffs on the catwalk, bigger is definitely better this season.  Stay on trend with this gorgeous selection of gems, available exclusively at QVC.

I have chosen some of my favourites. Let me know what you think.

image005image004image002image008 statementjewellery

Get smart for hearts with Alfa Romeo charity pocket squares, support Heart Research UK

–          Alfa Romeo and fashion house PPQ create limited edition charity pocket squares for Heart Research UK

–          The Italian-made silk accessories were designed by Alfa ambassadors, including Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones, Chris Tomlinson and fashion label PPQ

–          On sale for £14.99 each from www.alfaromeo.co.uk/pocketsquares and participating Alfa Romeo dealers

–          Tweet this: @AlfaRomeoUK & @PPQClothing with @DragonJones design pocket squares to support @HeartResearchUK bit.ly/P3utV8 #GetSmartforHearts

 

Alfa Romeo has launched a new campaign in aid of Heart Research UK, encouraging fashion conscious members of the public to ‘get smart for hearts’ by wearing one of six specially designed pocket squares to support the charity’s fight against heart disease.

 

The limited edition pocket squares, priced at £14.99 each, are handmade in Italy using 100% Italian silk and designed by some well-known faces from the worlds of sport, business and fashion.

 

Design contributions have come from Dragons Den star and entrepreneur Peter Jones CBE; Team GB long jumper Chris Tomlinson and actor Tom Ellis,  together with fashion label PPQ and 2012 Alfa Romeo Young Designer of the Year Janine Clark.

 

Marking a landmark anniversary for Alfa Romeo, a sixth pocket square design celebrates 50 years of the Giulia. Launched in 1962, the Alfa Giulia was renowned for its style, performance and innovation, selling over a million examples during its 15 year production run.

 

Pocket squares, the fashion accessory à la mode among the sartorially inclined, have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to the likes of the Mad Men wardrobes and dapper Brit style icons such as actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Smith, and musician Tinie Tempah. Major fashion labels including Dolce & Gabbana, Dunhill, Hermes and Louis Vuitton have all produced pocket squares as part of their recent collections.

 

Percy Parker, co-founder and designer at PPQ, says; “Pocket squares add colour and individuality to any formalwear. From business suits to black tie, they’re a must-have accessory for any well-heeled gentleman. With these limited edition Alfa pocket squares, now you can look the part, whilst benefitting a great cause.”

 

Just 6,000 Alfa pocket squares have been produced, going on sale from 3 September and available online from www.alfaromeo.co.uk/pocketsquares in participating Alfa Romeo showrooms. September will also mark a dedicated month of fundraising for the campaign, with nationwide support from Alfa’s dealer network.

 

Peter Jones CBE says; “This is a great project to be part of and I’m delighted with how my design has turned out. These accessories are beautifully made, stylish, sophisticated and they benefit a fantastic charity. So ‘tailor your ticker’ and show some heart for the great causes being helped.”

 

Damien Dally, Head of Brand, Alfa Romeo UK says; “Alfa’s brand strapline is ‘Without heart, we would be mere machines’ and that’s a poignant message for this campaign. We’re delighted to be supporting Heart Research UK’s important cause with a project that raises money and awareness through fashionable style. So get smart for your heart and wear a pocket square with pride this year.”

 

For more information on Alfa Pocket Squares, visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk/pocketsquares

 

To find out more about Heart Research UK, visit, http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/