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LONDON
DESK:
Vivienne Westwood takes a bow
When people think of punk- rock, they think The Sex Pistols,
The Clash and the subculture of
London
in the late 70’s and
early 80’s. However, punk fashion evokes but one name – Vivienne
Westwood.
Since her early days making original pieces for herself and
then-husband Malcolm MacLaren’s shop “Let It Rock”, Westwood has
evolved into the quintessential British designer who has shaped the
international fashion industry. She was knocking down walls with her
radical ideas and perceptions of fashion well before the likes of John
Galliano and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
With the
Victoria
and
Albert
Museum
in
London
now exhibiting 34 years
of her work, this is the perfect opportunity to view her revolutionary
concepts in fashion and art.
The exhibit takes us through Westwood’s world. As you
wander the gallery, notice the progression from the early unstructured,
fetish-like anti-establishment clothing that relied solely on shock value,
to her present status as the Queen of Tailoring, reinventing classic
pieces like the corset and the Victorian Crinoline.
As her collections matured, she began an acceptance of the
“older generation” by embracing traditional tailoring and fabrics like
tartan, as well as looking to history and art for inspiration. The move
was towards aristocracy and couture pieces – sharply-constructed tweed
coats and ball gowns with layers of taffeta worthy of the nobility.
The comical side of Westwood’s creations comes alive in
some of her more outrageous designs. On display is a mildly erotic
tee-shirt with a print of two men wearing only cowboy hats, boots and
vests got Westwood cited for indecent and obscene exposure in her early
years. The now-famous pair of blue crocodile “extreme” platforms that
Naomi Campbell wore when she fell splat on the catwalk in the 1993
Anglomania show is included amongst other eccentric Westwood shoes.
The exhibit ends with a look at her newer collections that
elegantly fuse together past and current influences to achieve stunning
balance…finely-crafted haute couture infused with elements of street
culture.
Whatever will she do next?
-Shayan Rayani
Victoria
and
Albert
Museum
,
London
Tube:
South Kensington
+44 20 7942 2000
Through July 11th;
www.vam.ac.uk
Un-crease
Yourself
Rounding up the best anti-wrinkle products
Whether you’re trying to turn back the clock or hold its
hands, here are some of the most coveted anti-aging concoctions and why
they warrant a swipe of your plastic.
click
to enlarge
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ALGOTHERM Anti-Age
Revitalizing Serum Combining the action of marine elements with
that of fruit acids, this rare and exceptionally easy to apply cream
gel prolongs the elasticity and tone of the epidermis and promises a
‘beauty flash’ (act immediately) so that even the most sensitive
skin gets a restful, radiant appearance.
1.01 oz $50 www.algothermUSA.com |
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N.V.
Perricone, M.D. Face Firming Activator Combining Alpha Lipoic
Acid, NTP Complex (with DMAE) and Glycolic Acid, this is one in an
arsenal of the famed line’s anti-aging products which aims to
provide an immediate, visible lift and contouring, while minimizing
enlarged pores and reducing the appearance of scars and skin
discoloration. As a bonus, pick up a copy of Perricone’s excellent
skincare books to better understand the aging process and how to
combat it. 2 oz $95 www.nvperriconemd.com |
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StriVectin-SD
Originally for stretch mark repair, this anti-aging
breakthrough potion has become all the rage for getting rid of fine
lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Promising ‘significant improvement’ in wrinkle depth,
length, wrinkle volume, and skin roughness, their tag line is- Better
than Botox? 6 oz $135 www.strivectin.com |
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CAUDALIE
Complete Anti-Ageing Nutritional Supplements Anti-aging,
moisturizing and regenerating in a capsule!
Change from the inside out to revive tired or stressed skin,
threatened by pollution, UV exposure and cigarette smoke.
Contains resveratrol, grape seed polyphenols, and evening
primrose oil. 60
capsules $50 www.sephora.com |
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CAUDALIE
Serum Liftant Wrinkles fade, the skin becomes firmer and is
protected from free radicals thanks to the combination of grapevine
resveratrol and 11 active fresh plant extracts including olive,
grape, red vine, soya, rose, ginseng and orange blossom.
The silver-packaged line is targeted at preventing premature
skin ageing and reversing previous damage.
1 oz $75 www.sephora.com |
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La Prairie Cellular
Anti-Wrinkle Serum
The doyenne of skin care products introduces a sleekly packaged
serum that combines Retinol with a firming complex composed of wheat
and soy proteins to unveil smooth, moisture-rich, wrinkle defiant
skin. De-ageing through
maximum wrinkle reduction minus the irritation commonly associated
with just Retinol. 1
oz $150 www.laprairie.com
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La Prairie Soleil
Suisse Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Sun Block SPF 50 Long hailed as a miracle anti-aging crème, sun
blocks are suggested at a minimum of SPF 30.
This fragrant, line-smoothing, ultra-luxurious protector
available in SPF 30 and 50 contains powerful anti-oxidants that
bravely shield you without making your feel clogged.
1.7 oz $100 (SPF 30)
$125 (SPF 50) www.laprairie.com |
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Photos: Henry
Martinez |
dr.
brandt crease release with GABA Complex rapid wrinkle reducer Effective
packaging touting ‘prescription strength’ yet ‘prescription
free’ promises. Dubbed
as the “Baron of Botox,” Dr. Fredric Brandt is the celebrity
dermatologist that says you can ‘get back five years in five
minutes!’ Made with Gamma Amino Butyric Acid complex which lowers
tension in the muscle and causes ‘an immediate and visible
smoothing effect.’ 1 oz $150 www.nordstrom.com |
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