As usual, Woman This Month is giving you the most up-to-date news from the world of models, runways and showrooms.
Fashionable Islam
Fashion and the Muslim world haven’t always been happy partners. The need for demure dressing has often prevented Islamic women from entering the international fashion arena. However, with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard campaigning, all that could be about to change. Nailah Lymus, a Muslim based in New York, has just launched her own Islam-friendly modelling agency called Underwraps.
According to Nailah: “Muslim models come from a background where they dress Islamically appropriate, but to be in this industry, you kind of have to forfeit that”. Her aim is to sign up strong women; those who can take on the misconceptions that surround the Muslim world.
The Lagerfeld Scandal
Karl Lagerfeld is just one in a string of male designers who have caused controversy in the last few months… ahem John Galliano. Quite apart from anti-Semitism, though, Lagerfeld has chosen to commit the cardinal sin of the present times, criticising a global treasure on the basis of her weight. Singer/Songwriter Adele is a firm favourite in many hearts all over the world. So Karl deciding to tell the world that he thought she was: “A little too fat” was never going to go down too well. Oh dear Karl, better luck next time!
Changing Preconceptions
Hanaa Ben Abdesslem is changing the face of beauty. Well, some people’s preconceptions about beauty anyway. The Tunisian-born stunner has just become the first Muslim face of Lancôme. Hanaa has been climbing her way up the fashion ladder at an impressive pace, having landed editorials in French Vogue and walking the runway for Vivienne Westwood and Givenchy, among others. This latest coup, though, is arguably her greatest achievement. She is no longer a pretty clotheshorse, but an icon of beautiful perfection. Go Hanaa!
Poor Posh
It wasn’t too long ago that Victoria Beckham (a.k.a. Posh Spice) had her fourth child — a mammoth task for any woman. You’d think that the pressure of all these things might force her into hiding, at least for the next year. But no, Victoria doesn’t seem to be felled by the same sort of pressure that would take down many other women. She is said to be working around the clock due to some extra special requests. Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow are all rumoured to have requested bespoke Oscars dresses from the British designer.
Rumour and Conjecture
It is one of the most disappointing and unexpected splits to hit the fashion world in the last decade. Kate Moss and Pete Doherty? We all just wanted that scandal to be over with and out of the news it was so tedious and predictable. But Heidi Klum and Seal? Many of us had been lulled into a sense that this was the real deal — the love that would stand the test of time despite the prying eyes of the public. Alas no, we have another failed fashion marriage to add to our ever increasing tally. The interesting thing about this divorce, however, is the huge degree of speculation surrounding the reason for the split. The latest shocker to hit the headlines is the suggestion that Seal had violence issues! Watch this space…
All-Rounder
It’s not enough that she’s a gorgeous face with an enviable acting and modelling career and sporty to boot (we all saw Blue Crush), but apparently Kate Bosworth feels the need to add another string to her bow. She has recently, with her designer friend Cher Couter, set up an online jewellery shopping site. Jewelmint.com allows you access to many cutting edge styles, but also allows you to share your potential purchases via Facebook and Twitter to get feedback.
