The One and Only Coco

Now we all know that there are a whole heap of fashion blogs out there which cover anything from fashion shows to the latest trends and what celebrities are wearing. However not all of them possess the passion and knowledge that you will find in Coco's Tea Party. Set up 2006, the blog looks at the parallels between fashion and celebrities and the popular hit and miss feature scrutinises the wardrobes of the rich and famous. I caught up with Coco to find out the real deal about Coco's Tea Party.

What made you start blogging?

I don't really remember why I started and to be honest I never planned to. I was just bored one day, and I get through magazines so quickly I thought it would be something constructive to do while waiting for the new issues to come out. But over time I really got into it and now it is much more than just filling time.

Describe the concept behind Coco's Tea Party.

Well my ideas change all the time. When I first started Coco's Tea Party was probably 80% celebrity fashion and it's probably more 50/50 between celebrity and designer now.

You always have an interesting image on the header, how do you go about choosing it?

Well since I came up with the 'We'd rather go naked' quote I always choose images of naked celebrities. It is slightly odd when googling to look for a new one. The first naked star I had was Chloe Sevigny and I loved that header. I changed it to Lindsay Lohan once and there was outrage, so that one only last about 24 hours - it will never be her again. At the moment it is Madonna and I don't think I'll change it for a while.

How do you think bloggers have made an impact on the media?

I think the speed you can get a story out and the fact it is free to read has probably impacted it the most. I often see stories in weekly magazines (which I won't name) where they claim to have just discovered something and it has normally been on some one's blog weeks before. I think it's nice to have the option to read both blogs and magazines - I wouldn't pick one over the other, they each have their strong points.

What do you do when you are not working on your blog?

If I'm not working on my blog I am probably doing work for my degree in Fashion Journalism. I don't think a day goes by where I don't write about fashion at some point. But outside of writing at the moment I am seriously obsessed with watching Brothers & Sisters, I could do that all day.

Describe a typical day.

The first thing I do when I wake up is go online. I don't think I have a 'typical' day as such but there will normally be blogging involved. Haha.

Name your top fashion icons.

This is hard; I love Diane Kruger, Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate Olsen, Carine Roitfeld and Chloe Sevigny. There are so many women. I love Rachel Zoe's look too, the 1970s is one of my favourite decades for fashion so I love how she references it so strongly in her style. I always go back to Ashley Olsen and Sarah Jessica Parker when I need inspiration though.

Name five blogs that you read religiously.

Fashionista, Fashionologie, Just Jared, Lainey Gossip and Discotheque Confusion as me and Stevie started blogging around the same time and I always love to see what she's doing.

How do you see Coco's Tea Party evolving over the next two years?

I don't really have a plan with Coco's Tea Party, and I never had which odd for me as I'm so OCD. It's the only thing that I've ever just let float along. I would like some magazines to give the blog a mention, which I know isn't really that important but it would be quite flattering, especially as I've been writing for almost three years now.

Mario Testino: Diana's Favourite Photographer

"He sells a dream," says Anna Wintour. "You want to be that woman in that glorious house, on the glorious beach and in that incredible dress"

"Mario gives them a heightened and more beautiful version of reality," says Tom Ford. "Mario's pictures are very mystic and they're about having a great time. They are about not being afraid of being rich or being famous or being a little bit excessive and are really a celebration of that. A celebration of life."

However, actress Gwyneth Paltrow nails it on the head, "He's very good at doing young, sexy and vibrant pictures."

There is no argument that Mario Testino produces images that are vibrant, sexy and utterly glamorous. Therefore it is no surprise that one of his books is called Alive which when you think about it is totally appropriate because when Mario Testino shoots someone he makes them come alive. In 1997 he took a post divorce suffering and depressed Princess Diana and managed to produce images of her that made her look so radiant and delirious that I am sure Prince Charles must have doubted his decision to let her go. As these images made the rounds in newspapers and magazines, Mario found himself zooming up the A list. Mario was born in Lima, Peru and in 1976, after completing his studies he left Peru to pursue a career in photography and spent his initial years living in a squat in South London. Success was not instant for him and he spent a lot of years struggling to get work - the problem was that instead of finding his own style he was trying to emulate his idols, Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon. His break came in the 80s when he met a certain Carine Roitfeld (before her French Vogue days) while working on a fashion shoot. Roitfeld was working as a freelance stylist and the two hit it off and began working as a team.

Over the years he has amassed a remarkable body of work from magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and V to fashion houses such as Burberry, Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Estee Launder, Hugo Boss, Miu Miu, Shiseido and Michael Kors. The cream on the cake was in 2002 when his portraits were showcased in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG). Portraits was a landmark exhibition that became the NPG's most successful exhibit and also drew celebrities from afar as well as huge media attention. That year Mario was also the subject of a documentary made by the BBC. I meant to catch that exhibition back in 2002 but never got round to it but I watch the documentary about Mario and I fell in love with his enthusiasm and zest for the life. The man oozes energy and charisma and his passion for life and people are surely key to his ability to make his subjects warm to him during shoots. Mario's success is that he wants his subject to look their best and will go to great lengths to achieve that. This is the man who made the ever so stiff Prince of Wales look cool and relaxed in those chic images in Vanity Fair circa 2001. He has gone on to take the photos of other royals such as the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Prince Harry, The Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent who normally would have given Lord Snowdon a call. As well as taking images, Mario has published seven books of his work and edited one which is dedicated to contemporary art and artists from his native Lima, Peru.

Here are some more of Mario Testino's images below:






Pictures taken by Mario Testino

The Dress

Carine Roitfeld is not the only fashion icon to be given the documentary treatment courtesy of CNN. Last year Belgium born, Diane Von Furstenberg aka DVF was featured in a short film that gave us an insight into her glittering career which resulted in the iconic wrap dress. The documentary gave us an insight into her life in the 70s when the knitted jersey wrap dress was introduced and also covered her remarkable comeback in 1997 when she launched her high end luxury collection. It would be fitting to say that DVF has come a long way since her early days and is now a heavy weight in the fashion industry what with her position as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) oh and lets not forget her role in The City. Although she has expanded her empire into a fully fledged lifestyle brand aimed at the young and beautiful who live life to the full, it is the wrap dress that everyone associates her with and it is the wrap dress that is now a staple in every fashionista's wardrobe. "Feel like a woman - wear a dress" is DVF's slogan. Women all over the world certainly felt feminine in the belted wrapped item made in pretty printed material that was inspired by a kimono. What I love about dresses is that not only do they look chic and elegant, they are so easy to wear because you do not need to worry about finding a matching top or bottom. Also they are flexible and can be glammed up or down depending on the situation. Over the last few decades some amazing dresses have made their way onto the scene and passed the strength of time.


The Galaxy Dress
This was created by Roland Mouret in 2005 and worn by almost every celeb on the land. Named after a street in London this dress made more appearances on the red carpet than I care to remember. Sienna Miller, Kiera Knightley, Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz were all seen donning the figure hugging creation.


The Mini Dress
This was inspired by Mary Quant who introduced the mini skirt in 1964. The likes of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy were seen parading in A line dresses and sleeveless shifts. Today it is still as popular as ever with shops from Topshop to H&M to Selfridges stocking it.


The Little Black Dress
What on earth would we do without one of these? This was designed by Coco Chanel back in 1926 and is still relevant today. So iconic that there has been an exhibition on the Little Black Dress aka LBD exploring the history of the piece. The LBD has also been embraced by the music industry with R&B group, En Vogue wearing black dresses in their video Hold On. Robert Plant also had a group of models wearing LBDs while acting as backing singers in his video Addicted to Love.

So it looks like the dress is here to stay for many years to come.

Carine Roitfeld Revealed on CNN

Just in case you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms after watching Running in Heels on Sunday and you really cannot wait till The September Issue hits the screen late this year then you will be delirious to know that a new fashion reality show is coming your way. CNN are airing a fly on the wall documentary about the charismatic Carine Roitfeld, the editor-in-chief of French Vogue. The show is part of CNN's Revealed which is a TV and Web program that delves into the world of iconic figures. Revealed offers a glimpse of the private people behind their public profiles in the run up to important moments in their lives. Personalities that have been featured are Venus Williams, Diane von Furstenberg and Roland Emmerich. Coming up later this month is Carine who will be seen attending shows in New York and Paris during fashion week. She has been described as a genius bordering on lunatic but everyone just simply idolizes Carine. The dynamic editor wears many hats; Tom Ford's muse, Mario Testino's favourite stylist as well as mother to Julia Restoin Roitfeld (who is the face of Mango) and Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld (who is a budding photographer. Carine's name is often mentioned in awe by fashionistas around the world who all love her for her edgy fashion spreads and slightly punky covers.

CNN: Revealed on Carine Roitfeld airs during the following dates (GMT):

Wednesday 18th March @ 0930 and 1830
Saturday 21st March @ 0830 and 1900
Sunday 22nd March 22 @ 0530 and 1830
Monday 23rd March @ 0400

In case you miss it, do not worry because the show will be posted on here on CNN:Revealed.

The Voguettes

So the Fashion Week marathon kicks off this Friday which will be a mega fest of fashion shows, launches and parties. Such a hard life eh? Who would want to be a fashion journo? New York, London. Milan and Paris hosts four of the most prestigious fashion weeks where the best designers across the globe take part in. Journalists from all over the world attend the shows to check out the latest trends; from indie websites, local bloggers to upscale glossy magazines. Of course no self respecting fashion show would start without the editors from Vogue(s) present. The magazine's influence on style and fashion is immense and a nod or shake by a certain bobbed editor has been known to break or make a designer's career. Anna Wintour (American Vogue), Alexandra Shulman (British Vogue), Franca Sozzani (Italian Vogue) and Carine Roitfeld (French Vogue) are the ladies who everyone will have their eye on during Fashion Week.

American Vogue - the commercial title that brings in the cash

Editor: Anna Wintour

Age: 60

Editorship: Since 1988

Previous: British Vogue, House and Garden

Trademark: Her razor sharp bobbed hair, sunglasses worn inside and clip British accent

Highs: Turning American Vogue from a flagging and staid publication to a very successful one. Being the subject of documentary, The September Issue.

Lows: Controversy over the April 08 issue with Gisele and LeBron James. Rumours that she is on her way out. 

In a nutshell: Anna is simply the most powerful woman in the fashion business and over the years has become a fashion icon. She is also known for her icy nature which makes her revered by her staff. The character, Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada is rumoured to be based on her. Anna expanded the Vogue brand by introducing  Teen Vogue, Vogue Living and Men's Vogue. 

British Vogue - The girl next door

Editor: Alexandra Shulman

Age: 51

Editorship: Since 1992

Previous: Columnist for Daily Telegraph and Editor of GQ

Trademark: Alexandra Shulman is probably the most ordinary and down to earth out of all the Vogue editors. If she walked into a room you would probably not look twice but she has a dry sense of humour and is not scared to voice her opinion.

Highs: Taking the magazine's readership to a million due to the legendary Gold issue that celebrated the Millennium.

Lows: Criticisms that she is making the magazine very bland by putting B list celebs such as singer and X Factor star, Cheryl Cole have been fired her way. Admitting to buying a dress from Victoria Beckham's collection was not her finest hour either. 

In a nutshell: Alexandra has proved herself to be a very savvy business woman who understands the publishing industry very well. Also she is always up for a fight hence her snarky remarks about Heat magazine in their hey day.

Italian Vogue - the arty one out of the bunch

Editor: Franca Sozzani

Age: Late 50s

Editorship: Since 1988

Previous:  Editor of LEI 

Trademark: Long flowing blonde hair, black coat over a black dark dress.

Highs: The all black issue that sold out immediately that they had to reprint more issues.

Lows: Although her All Black Italian issue was well recieved, The Africa Issue in L'Uomo Vogue was not so popular and Franca was accused by a journalist at The Washington Post for running magazines that are politically incorrect. 

In a nutshell: A woman who is not scared to take risks and put her money where her mouth is. Italian Vogue is testament to that as it is the least commercial out of the Vogues and often contains provocative images. 

French Vogue - the kooky cool one of the group

Editor: Carine Roitfeld

Age: 54

Editorship: Since 2001

Previous: Consultant for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent

Trademark: Just got out of bed hair, Brooke Shields eyebrows dressed in outfits with straps and buckles.

Highs: Persuading Kate Moss, Sofia Coppola and Charlotte Gainsborough to guest edit the magazine. Styling a model in a shoot that paid homage to Anna Wintour here, not sure if it was a compliment or if she was simply taking the piss.

Lows: An interview in the New York magazine where she declared her desire for her staff to be skinny and beautiful. 

In a nutshell: Carine breaks conventions in fashion by putting edgy and dark images in the magazine. Her approach to the magazine is pure abandonment with no concern for conventions. 

For more info on the four Queens of Fashion then check out this funky guide here.