A girl, a style : Tank Girl

 These days, I'm a bit tired of the girls I see in the magazines and in the streets. They are all replicas of each others, with stripes, colours and vintage clothes. Conversely, some prefers a rock attitude, implying the addiction to some very trendy brands which have little to do with rock but with a clever marketing, such as The Kooples or Zadig&Voltaire. I didn't want to focus on one of those grunge trainee, and suddenly, I've thought about the comic's heroine, Tank Girl. This odd creature was created by Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin at the end of the 80's. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the comic focus on a nonconformist (it's the very least you can say...) tank pilot (hence her name, Tank Girl) whose adventures are mostly absurd, but hilarious. Now, Hewlett takes care of music band Gorillaz, and his punk heroine has quite fallen to oblivion. But her unique style still influence many indie girls, and could seriously kick the ass of all the punk-wanabees out there, starting with Taylor Momsen : Girl, dressing with black underwear is not original and cool as you suppose, so at least, put a mischievous smile on your drunkard head ...

Boots Nicolas Andreas Taralis £705 - Jean Eleven Paris 89euros - Sweater AllSaints £63

As a resident of an Australian desert, Tank Girl is not really keen on covering clothes, but she sometimes slips on tees and sweaters. If she would make some shopping, I'm sure she would fall for British designer Eudon Choi, whose designs seem to fit a post-apocalyptic world a la Luis Royo, another artist who could have a fresh influences on all those neo-punks. I also imagine that Tank Girl would not resist to the clothes of brands Obesity&Speed (they have an hilarious t-shirt with 70s former punk goddess Poly Styrene, and many other destroy garments), DimePiece (I'm in love with their collars, slightly less with their shipping costs) or French brand Eleven Paris, whose ambassadors are Lizzy Jagger, daughter of Mike, and Zoe Krawitz, daughter of Lenny, two potential Tank girls.

Charm Helen Ficalora $35 - Bra Urban Outfitter 24euros - Belt Boy London $8 on Ebay - Short Bitching&Junkfood 72euros - Boots AllSaints £185 - Watch La Mer Collections $198

But, most of the times, Tank Girl is hanging out with crosses taped on her boobs, or if she wants to be a bit classier, in some dark bras. She howled with laughter when she saw Katy Perry's video California Gurls, because, obviously, rockets bras are outweighing chantilly cream bottles ones ... For the bottom, she would certainly fancy a legging by Aguri Sagimori, but her preference would mostly head for a destroyed jean short, such as those of Evil Twin. Also, she is a bit fetishistic when it comes to crosses, and jewels in general. She has got a lot of them, badges, bangles, rosaries, and she would certainly love the cuffes and belts of Givenchy by Riccardo Tischi and the bullets pendants of Akillis. And if she wanted to be a bit sexy for her boyfriend Booga, she could puts fake suspenders panty hoses by Henry Holland.

Ellery Fall 2011

A tank is definitely classier than a motorbike, but if you would like to channel your inner Rebecca Buck (her real name) in a colder country, you would adopt the brand Ellery, which made a very appealing campaign for its Fall collection. A bit too aristocratic for Tank Girl though, but she would steal the  belts for sure. She would also kidnap Britney Spears and forces her to give her the Burberry Prorsum jacket she's wearing in her latest video, Liv Tyler, for her Givenchy dog sweater and obviously Kate Lanphear, for her integral wardrobe. I guess she would also appreciate the editor's do. Singer Cassie and Brit It girl Alice Dellal have also tried the Tank Girl's hairdo, in a more feminine version. Alice, incidentally, would be a recommended cast for the role of Tank Girl in a movie (one which doesn't suck, as the previous attempts did), much more than Ellen Page, as some geeks have suggested.

Alice Dellal

Courtney Love and Kate Moss have their adepts, so why not Tank Girl ? At least, her attitude is much more real and funky than all those IT girls who think that wearing a dark tee at the last MTV Push Party with CK One would make you a rock star. Neither does a Schott jacket, even a great red one. First, it is in the head. In the freedom of your thought. That's why a look at the Tank Girl's comic could not kill you (remastered edition from £6,48 at Amazon.co.uk). Alcohol and drugs could, however, so remember that you're not a comic heroine.

http://www.obesityandspeed.com
http://www.elevenparis.com
http://dimepiecedesigns.com
http://www.allsaints.com
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com
http://www.elleryland.com
http://www.layerslondon.com
http://www.shopbop.com

A girl, a style : Emma Who ?

"Gimme that trophy, you old cow!" Emma W. (copyright unknown)

 Someone had got a great moment of solitude last week. No, it wasn't Lady Gaga doing her Tweety Bird at the Grammys, but someone called Emma Watson during the Elle Style Awards. Vivienne Westwood, the famous veteran designer, who was supposed to give her the Best Dressed Award, declared in front of the whole audience that she didn't have a clue of who this kid was ... Quite ironic, isn't it ? How could you deserve that kind of award if one of the most powerful designers of the world doesn't even know you ? I see you coming, don't blame it on Alzheimer. Because, really : who the hell is Emma Watson ?

(copyright unknown)

 I know, I know ...  I should empathize with her, because that kid really seems to have an issue with fame. For example, she seems to have a secret talent for public humiliation, with a collection of wardrobe malfunction close to great art. But, I can't help it, for me she has the profile of the perfect punch-bag.

First, I can't consider her as an actress because for me, what she did in Harry Potter was certainly not acting : at best, these movies are school shows with special effects. Secondly, I don't understand why everyone is rhapsodizing about her pseudo sense of style. I beg you pardon ? Emma Watson, stylish ??? Let's be a bit serious for once. Most of the time, she looks like a little girl who has borrowed her mummy's clothes and make-up. When she slips on a Burberry jacket, it is a gulag version of Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver !

Marie Claire December 2010

And her pixie crop ( see my article "Pixie crop someone ?" ) is a total disaster. She wanted to be the new Jean Seberg or the new Edie Sedgwick but she looks more like a post-cancer Izzie Stevens or Martine, an heroine of French vintage illustrated books for children. If you cut your hair to look more mature, avoid to put a childish flower on it ... I swear you, I'm trying really hard to like Emma Watson, but I just can't. She reminds me those pictures of kittens : cute, of course, but totally hokey.

Martine

Emma Watson is a young girl who had the luck to become famous really soon, and as she is an idol for the young public, many brands are using her image for their marketing campaigns. But that doesn't mean that she has got a natural sense of fashion. She's wearing what she's told to, and most of the times, it is more than silly. Stop trying to put edgy dresses on her, she's subscribed to Peter Pan collars and polished shoes. Miss Watson must grow up a little more if she wants to become a real fashionista.
But as for now, Emma darling, go back playing with your Little Pony and leave Grandma Westwood in peace !


copyright Simon Procter for Harper's Bazaar



A girl, a style : Jessica Stam

 Topaz eyes, porcelain skin ... Jessica Stam could live naked, if she would play by the rules of an Arthur Rimbaud's poem. But the 24 years old doll is not only a model, but also an experienced fashionista. The Canadian model, who is the face of Nina Ricci's perfume Ricci Ricci is as feline as her advertisement's alter ego. Marc Jacobs created a bag with her name, Bulgari choosed her as the luxury brand's name : in brief, she's an icon of fashion. But you can be a good model and be a bad fashionista : it is not the case of "Stam".

 Seen at many parties, Jessica Stam always shines as a precious stone or metal. At the MET, she wears a somptuous blue Dior dress, showing that she knows the meaning of Art and Elegance.
She is also aware of how to emphasize her pure beauty and often chooses gold and silver dresses, skillfully structured and decorated.

 But Stam is also a very natural young lady and she doesn't hesitate to wear grunge-chic outfits, such as this Metallica t-shirt over a pair of jeans, with a cute hairdo. With that face, you can dare everything, and being a model doesn't mean that you have to be a well-behaved doll. A bit of madness is good for your style, and Jessica likes to play with it.

 Nothing to add : Stam, don't change, you're perfect. And to all the fashionistas out there, you can definitely pick her as a role-model, because I have never seen her make a fashion mistake. Her taste is sure, and her mix of boldness and simplicity is something to steal.

A girl, a style : Liu Wen

 Back in April, I was thrilled when Estée Lauder announced the names of the lucky models who would be the brand's next faces. Joining Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow were Frenchy Constance Jablonsky and Chinese beauty Liu Wen. I was especially rejoicing for Liu, who is an adorable girl and a stunning model, who deserves more visibility, as Asian beauties are deserving it too. So, when I saw the photo of the campaign, I was more then satisfied. See it below !

 This shot reveals all the natural elegance and delicacy of Liu Wen. That's the hell of a good job ! Kudos to the photographer and to Tom Pecheux, the creative director.
If you don't know Liu Wen yet, let me tell you that she was the first Asian girl to walk for Victoria's Secret. She has been also the most booked model of the recent fashion week after her Lauder's rival, Jablonsky.

 This 22 years old sylph has kept her cheerful nature, and even if she wears the fiercest outfits for work, in ordinary life, she dresses with discretion,even a touching simplicity. And yet, the slightest thing makes her elegant. Is it due to her incredible silhouette ? Or to this amazing mouth which attract all the make-up brands ? Or perhaps this tourism student is born to be a model.

 Her entrance to the Western world of fashion is clearly a benefit for Asian models, who were running out of stream in front of our iconic blonds. But it is also a great piece of news for us. We can dream of a world where the models would be distinguished and graceful Asian women, with faces with character, rather than Eastern Europe chit of a girl with hollow cheeks and dead eyes ...

I have nothing against women of Eastern Europe, don't misunderstood what I want to say, but I'm tired to see brats dragging their feet on the catwalks as if they were forced to do that job. It is time to give back fashion to its real owner : Feminity. And I think that Liu Wen is a good representative of this notion ...

Don't you think ?

 More on Liu : http://models.com/models/liu-wen

Images Estée Lauder, Lula Magazine, The Last Magazine and Vogue China.

A girl, a style : Micky Green

 The cold is here, and we are all freezing right now, except for some lucky Southerners. So, I've decided to talk about a girl who knows how to warm a concert hall, and us, through her sunshined tunes. Let me introduce you to Micky Green. Micky rhymes with Funky, Cheeky, Girly and many more Sexy adjectives.
A great Fashion's admirer, Micky likes to hang around on the designers' shows with the bobos of Paris.

 There, she spots the best outfits, a bit retro, a bit Lolita, but always adorable. She is able to wear little dresses in Glasgow in December. Little dresses are all her life, she who started her musical career with the album White T-shirt ... White, sure, but colourful too. This 26 fair-head from Australia landed in France 3 years ago, and doesn't want to leave. I guess that French people don't mind, because she's so full of charm.

 Is Micky as sweet as her songs ? We don't know, because sweetness is not the best thing to built a career ... But at least, she seems to be as fruity, acting like a 60s pin-up in a commercial for something sunny. Ah, sun ... I don't know if it is her bleached hair, but Micky reminds me of beach, coconut's milk, ice-creams, and all these things related to the season we are cruelly missing now.

 So, let's put a CD of Micky and a little cute dress and dance, dance, in order to scare the greyness away and to raise the temperature.
"Come for some fun. Come for some sun ..."
Of course, it is working. I swear you.

A girl, a style : Leigh Lezark

 If by chance, you didn't know Leigh Lezark ... Wait, you freakin' don't know Leigh Lezark ??? No, I'm just kidding. Leigh Lezark ( not Leigh Lizard, even if there is something reptilian about her ) is a model and DJ, famous for her apparitions at the greatest fashion shows. But, for me, Leigh is a doll. Look at her face, her skin, her hair ... I swear it, if I have had Leigh as a doll in my childhood, I wouldn't have shave her head and make her cheat on Ken as I did with my Barbies ...

 But the thing I like the most about Leigh is her philosophy of fashion. She's not afraid to go to a Chanel show dressed with a bodysuit which seems to come from the studio of painter Mirò or to model for the very crazy designers Viktor&Rolf. She's often in the 'Worst dressed celebs' pages of mag and blogs, but I give her kuddos for her boldness. Leigh is over all that. Leigh seldom smile. Call her Her Majesty Leigh. The 'Devil wears Prada', it's her, except that she wears Christian Siriano.

 From stylish to rockish, Leigh is always looking mysterious and a tad poisonous. Most of the time, she is this pale figure clad in black, little girl lost in an adult party with her bizarre costume. But it is exactly the poetry I like. Leigh Lezark is not a stereotyped IT girl, she doesn't care about the trends, she's doing them; and this is refreshing.

 Gareth Pugh, Henry Holland, Jeremy Scott, Leigh is always of the best parties, and the Misshapes, her band of DJs, is the original soundtrack of the fierce fashion fauna. Great sound by the way. A sort of 2010's Nico, gravitating in a world full of new Andy Warhol, with a better wardrobe. A wardrobe I would steal for sure, wouldn't you ?

http://www.myspace.com/themisshapes

A girl, a style : Ginnifer Goodwin

These days, I think the actresses more and more awfully adviced in their fashion choices. They think that a dress is made to impress, not to emphasize their beauty, and they all chanel their inner Gaga. It's not the case of Ginnifer Goodwin. Long-past, Ginnifer had been one of my favourite stylish actresses. She understood that Less was More, and that girly and sophisticated outfits fitted her angelic face marvellously.

The 32 years old American actress, most famous for her roles in HBO's Big Love and the chick flick He's not that into you, has got a taste for designers, but she never chooses the snazziest
dresses. Marc Jacobs, Prada, 1 OAK, Escada, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Brian Reyes, Moschino, Bottega Veneta ... She knows who the best are, and is always one trend in advance.

One proof is her Pixie Crop, done before everyone, and which really suit her appearance and style. She plays with fashion, sometimes wearing cute little dresses, sometimes effortlessly elegant in boyish jumpsuits. I especially applaud her choices of jewellery, not always her choices of make-up, which should be a bit more visible. Aside that, she scores a deserved A.

I hope that more actresses would follow Ginnifer's steps and think about their wardrobe a bit more, because clothes are very important for their image. Keeping dressing in black little dresses makes you look dull, and it's certainly not good for your career and social life. Like Ginnifer, dare the colors, prints and various shapes Fashion has to offer. And more importantly : choose what fit you best, don't just stupidly follow the trends, you have to be more picky.

Two girls, two styles : Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry

The title could have been 'a girl, two styles' as they so look the same ! Both brunette with blue eyes, pale skin and similar faces, both singer : could Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry have been separated at birth ?
Zooey was born in Los Angeles 30 years ago. She is -I catch my breathe- actress, model, singer, songwriter and musician. A very complete artist.
Katy, her, was born in Santa Barbara -just 2 hour away from LA- 25 years ago, and she is a singer, songwriter and musician. Not yet an actress and a model ? I'm sure she has considered the opportunity.

But do the similarities stop here ? Do they have the same style ?
At the beggining of Katy's career they did. Both were wearing pastel and retro clothes, girly dresses and loose hair. But then, Katy noticed the existence of the discreet Zooey and had evolved toward a sexier, catchier and more contemporary style, changing her hair colour and chanelling her inner sci-fi heroine and pin-up.

So, she left the romantic, wise and classic outfits to Zooey. But maybe they could sometimes pick in each other closet.

For the moment, the girls are succeeding in different careers, but perhaps their universes would collide in a common project, singing or acting. Who knows ?

Wouldn't it be great ? What do you think ? Do you prefer Zooey or Katy ?

Aria A girl, a style

Click to enlarge.

A girl, a style : Daphne Guinness

I inaugurate this new section with one of my fellow countrywoman, the brewing heiress Daphne Guinness. For those who never have heard of Daphne, let's present her : this 43 years old noble lady of Irish descent is a journalist, a Haute Couture collector, socialite and fashion icon. She has 3 children and lives in London. In the fashion shows, Daphne is always present and very recognizable : you will always spot her signature two-tones hair and her flamboyant style.
History enthusiast, the eccentric Brit's style evolves with her last historical period's crush. She is a genuine fan of armor, feathers, military clothes, and everything baroque.
But above all that, Daphne is an heroin of avant-garde fashion. Close friend and muse, she has inspired and fiercely worn outfits by Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh ( in picture ). She has got an eye for talent for sure. But while always being the first aware of the new trends, she never follows them, and cultivates a very personal style.
Daphne likes to show off, but with taste. She delights photographers with her fantastic outfits and look, and you can admire each of her professional pictures.

A girl, a style : We want more Kristen Bell !

I must admit that I was sceptical after reading the plot of serie Veronica Mars, but it only took me few seconds to change my opinion as Kristen Bell appeared on the screen. She was amazing, completely inside the skin of this cunning high-school detective who tried to solve the murder of her best friend. The show was great, but Kristen brought the witty element for sure.
The 30 years old actress is a 5'1'' extract of pure energy, with sparkling eyes, a mischievous smile and beautiful face and hair. Looks like she has got everything for her.

Before her break out role in Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell made several appearances on TV, in series like Deadwood, American Dreams and The Shield, and had consequent parts in movies like thriller Spartan with Val Kilmer. But after 3 great years in the shoes of Veronica, the young lady seems to have difficulties to detach herself of her famous role.

Hitherto, she had played a CSI-type actress in crude comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Then, she won the guest role of Elle Bishop, the high-voltage love interest of Zachary Quinto, in popular serie Heroes, but failed to secure a regular part. She is also the narrator's voice of preppy serie Gossip Girl, a character of video game and the wife of Jason Bateman in comedy Couples Retreat.

But, hopefully, her next important roles would be in the romantic comedy When in Rome, also starring Josh Duhamel, and the musical Burlesque, where she will perform along famous singers Christina Aguilera and Cher. For yes, she can sing, she even has got a great voice, and she is used to perform in front of audiences as she started her career in Broadway. She even played with superstars Laura Linney and Liam Neeson in the 2002 play The Crucible. Kristen likes the scene. She even dreamed to become a stand-up comic. She certainly would be successful, as she has got a real sense of humor and comedy.

She is also appreciated by photographers as a model : she even had been shot for famous magazine Vanity Fair in a retro pin-up theme.

In pictures or in public events, Kristen Bell shows her grace and style, always dressed with tasty yet sober outfits. As far as I know, she seems to be a very natural woman, sane and intelligent, not just a pretty face. When she is not all doll up, she is also a proud vegetarian, doesn't hesitate to volunteer for humanitary actions in South America or saves and protects animals. For sure, she is a very positive and energetic person, who could be a role model for young girls and women.

Recently engaged to boyfriend actor Dax Shepard, I wish her the best in her life and in her career, and hope that she will stay the smiling heroin we all like !