At Hermès, Is Less More
May 18, 2012 G-Star
For his last show as creative director of Hermès—Christophe Lemaire takes the reins next season—Jean Paul Gaultier pulled out all the stops for an equestrienne extravaganza. (The designer recently admitted he can’t even ride a bicycle, much less a horse, but no matter.) And how did he kick up the luxe even further? By shrinking it down. The house’s brass-ring buy, the Birkin, was scaled down to almost gemlike proportions: It dangled off a model’s bracelet and even got toted around in a larger bag, just barely visible through a standard-size, “transparent croc” Kelly. Cute has been a keyword of Spring ‘11 accessories in Europe—like the giraffe heels at Louis Vuitton and the starburst bags at Miu Miu—and here’s the latest precious addition.
Photo: Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com
Ann Widdecombe makes opera debut
Apr 22, 2012 G-Star
He added: "She speaks mainly in grotesquely accented French, but manages a few gags about Cornish pasties, the Olympics and Strictly."
The 64-year-old stars as Duchesse de Crackentorp in Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera.
The Daily Mail said the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant was "endearingly dreadful".
"What lingers is the sight and sound of Ann Widdecombe stamping across the stage and speaking French in the most proudly English accent since Edward Heath."
"As an actress, she inhabits more of a twilight zone, somewhere between a creature of the night (old bat), grumpy Lady Bracknell and diminutive pocket battleaxe," David Gillard wrote.
The Duchess is a comic role which involves brief appearances at the start, and at the end of Act Two.
"In the spirit of casting a personality renowned for their work on the non-operatic stage, Ann Widdecombe proved to be an irresistible option," he said.
The 10-minute cameo - which is a non-singing part - has previously been played on stage by comedian and actress Dawn French.
Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe has made her debut at London's Royal Opera House in La Fille Du Regiment.
The Daily Express said the opera was "perfect casting" for Widdecombe.
It is not the first time Widdecombe has appeared on stage - last year she starred in the pantomime Snow White, opposite Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, in Kent.
Donizetti's opera tells the tale of an orphaned girl who is adopted by a regiment during Napoleonic Wars - although in the Royal Opera's production, it is updated to World War I.
Widdecombe will appear in the role for seven performances until 10 May.
Kasper Holten, the Royal Opera House's director of opera, said the part required "a strong personality".
Yea, Nay, Or Eh Claire Danes, In The Pink
Mar 5, 2012 G-Star
Photo: Foto Jacopo / Splash News
Claire Danes hit Rome this week for the Roma Fiction Film Festival, where she picked up an award for her new film Temple Grandin. We’re not sure she’d win the same award for her Valentino Couture dress. The contrast pink and lavender paneling, especially with the bold shot of green, picks up on the color-block trend we’re seeing, and Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli’s Couture collections for the house have been red-carpet staples, but Danes looks a little lost in her outfit. Or do you like her venture into edgier territory? What do you think—yea, nay, or eh?