MUSIC: M.I.A Brings the Noize - gold edition

Um so M.I.A. has dropped two brilliant videos for Bring The Noize and DSD's are buzzing.

First up is the straight video, all blue lights, pink hair and gold nails.

Then came the Matangi Gold Edition - a blinged out, 24k video which reminds us why she does promos so well.




Were still not quite sure when the fourth album (Matangi) will come out, but we're waiting with baited breath. Up until then this'll keep us nicely pumped. 'Paul Simon' on acid indeed.

ART: Break Glass For a New Beginning - Magnus Gjoen

This is the last week you can catch Magnus Gjoen's striking show 'Break Glass for a New Beginning' at artrepublic Soho. Hailed as 'Exodus for Generation-X' the exhibition debuts original works produced and exhibited by Gjoen, from prints to sculptures and ceramics.

My interest was initially sparked in Gjoen due to his history working as a designer at Vivienne Westwood. It's nothing new to see the arts and fashion worlds collide, but there was something particularly delicious in noticing an ostensible touch of the Vivienne Westwood punk-sensibility in Gjoen's weirdly beautiful pieces. 

'Break Glass for New Beginning's twisted sense of humour makes the show a bit of a must see for art fanatics and cynics alike, so make sure you pop down to the New Compton gallery before this saturday and check it out; never has Genesis looked so f***ing trendy.


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MUSIC: Preview: Getting some Faith in VV Brown

I was lucky enough to catch a showcase of VV Brown's new album in Shoreditch a couple of months ago and I've been hooked to her new sound ever since. Though you can't deny the radio-appeal of her first album 'Travelling Like the Light' - which dropped singles 'Crying Blood' and the very successful 'Shark in the Water'- ultimately it just wasn't for me.

Following a few years hiatus (she's been starting her own clothes label and judging awards for the Observer, amongst other things...) Vanessa is back with a much darker, moodier and dirtier sound which showcases her kick-ass vocals perfectly. Brown has suggested her love for opera influenced this change in direction and the production, alongside her killer voice, certainly gives the album a theatrical feel - despite its generally stripped back sound. My absolute favourite so far is Faith - which has already been getting a lot of love on Twitter. Check it out below:



It's great to have such a talented british female singer back on the scene, alongside the recently reformed MKS (aka the original Sugababes), giving the US superstars some proper competition. Check her out now, before everyone gets involved...


Let me know what you think about VV's comeback in the comments section - and make your vote for the next single at Paco Rabanne here.

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BEAUTY: Preview: RiRi Hearts Summer preview

The MAC/Rihanna Summer Collection is set to be released online on June 20th! I'd like to say I can see past celebrity collaborations, to the money spinners they really are, but both the Rihanna River Island line and the Ri Ri Hearts MAC ranges aren't to be sniffed at.

From the RI range I've managed to get two of my favourite wardrobe pieces this year: a black floor-length dress with a sexy thigh-high slit (modelled by the Diamonds singer herself below!) and a see-through floral shirt.

RiverIsland.com

instagram @badgalrihrih

RiRi Woo lipsticks was pretty similar to MAC's original Ruby Woo shade but I still wouldn't mind getting my hands on it when it's 'rih'-released (it sold out within hours on its debut). RiRi Boy and Heaux now join the lipstick line-up, a matte purple and a deep berry matte, respectively (I'm leaning towards Boy).

Also on the Good Gal Gone Bad's summer menu is a blush duo called 'Hibiscus Kiss' and lustre drops named 'Barbados Girl'- naturally. 

Sharpen those claws for June 20 guys - the heat is on! Meanwhile, I'm off to see the gal herself this Saturday! - #phuckme #rihrihNavy #watyagon'do etc etc...

REVIEW: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Tower of London

Being complete Londonphiles, me and my latest squeeze (what does that even mean?) love nothing more than booking a weekend together in the big Smoke. Of course, this isn't always cheap or easy, and we've stayed in some "interesting" places. Recently, however, we found the DoubleTree Hilton by the Tower of London and booked it last minute - and I really couldn't recommend it enough (in fact I'm back this weekend for my birthday!). After realising we'd booked an 'accessible room' which was sadly bathtub free - I have to bath at a hotel - they helped me upgrade to a 'city suite'.

The suite is really worth the upgrade fee if you fancy a bit of understated luxury. Floor length windows provided a unexpectedly fantastic view across the Thames and Tower Bridge from the lounge area - which meant that, instead of going out for an afternoon drink after check-in, we opened up our welcome bottle of Red and enjoyed the space for a bit.

After dinner at Bodega Negra (which is fabulous too) we came back to try out the DoubleTree's top floor bar. With an amazing roof terrace for the warmer months the bar must take some beating for views. Going recession chic we tried their bottle of Prosecco which finished off the night perfectly.

The room was more than comfortable and breakfast in bed the next day, whilst looking out over the Thames, was a great indulgence! With Apple TV/computers in all the rooms we lounged around, watched the Labyrinth on DVD (cant get enough of Bowie and his codpiece) and surfed the net till late check out. It was all so relaxed and easy, it truly felt like a little mini-break.

What really makes DoubleTree Tower of London stand apart though is the excellent service. In the short time we stayed everyone made sure we made the best of our stay and couldn't do enough to help - and in the end that's what matters. A big thank you especially goes to Amy who did all she could to accommodate us!

A big thumbs up for the quietly stylish and swanky DoubleTree London - I look forward to relaxing there again soon!

MUSIC: Beyonce Announces World Tour

BadGalBeyBey rocked the Super Bowl last night. We weren't too sure about the way they flung Michelle and Kelly from trap doors onto the stage half-way through (I thought Michelle was going to stack it) but it was also AMAZING to see Destiny's Child back together again. Then, if that wasn't enough, Beyonce announced her Mrs. Carter world tour with a sweet promo vid. Directed by Grammy award winning director Jonas Akurland, who's worked on everything from Madonna's 'Ray of Light' video to Gaga and Beyonce's Tarantino inspired 'Telephone', the short clip shows B rocking full on Royal garb complete with a Jigga-man broach. Check it here:

                                                                            

FASHION: Haute Couture S/S 2013

So Haute Couture week S/S has come round again and I'm spending any free moment in my day desperately waiting for snippets of a dress, or an eyelash or even perhaps Lagerfield's Choupette in a perspex and lace 'cone of shame' to escape from the secrecy of the front row. My dedication was thankfully rewarded as slideshow after slideshow of fantastic dresses have appeared since Monday, with definite highlights from Valentino, Chanel, Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier (for me).

I can sit around discussing each look and its merits, but quite frankly only pictures do them justice - so here's a highlight of the catwalks so far...

Dior - EPA

Dior - AFP

Dior almost feels like a lifetime ago. Since disappearing down the rabbit hole with Raf Simon's Alice in Wonderland inspired show, we've trekked through enchancted forests (Chanel) and visited the eastern realms of Turkey (Giorgio Armani Prive) and Morroco (JPG). But Dior's show was one to be remembered. Only the second time Simon's has created a couture collection for the brand (and yes I do still miss Galliano, though not his anti-semitism), Raf has shown real awareness for Dior's legacy. Classic Dior shapes kept the collection cohesive with the brand, whilst see-through dresses and bright colours ensured it remained fresh.

Versace Prive's show also featured bright colours in the form of neons offsetting its statement metallics. It wasn't my favourite Versace couture collection, but it was fun and sexy, as Versace should be.

Versace - Vladimir Potop

Giambattista Valli's third Couture outing cemented his place as a welcome addition to the shows. Beautiful shapes, fabrics and patterns added to a rather dreamy collection.

Giambattista Couture - Vogue.co.uk

Giambattista Valli - Vladimir Potop

Next up was Lagerfield's Midsummer Nights Dream inspired show for Chanel. Combining gothic makeup with white lace, feathers, ethereal pastels, bold patterns and thigh high leather boots, the show was full of contrasts and yet was still Chanel cohesive. Lagerfield's closing statement of two brides holding hands with his little nephew clearly referenced his pro same-sex marriage stance, and whether you think the catwalk is a place for politics or not, you gotta appreciate some lesbian Couture.

Chanel - Reuters

Chanel - Vadimir Potop

Jean Paul Gaultier and Armani Prive injected some rich Eastern influences into both their collections. Where Armani utilised more simplistic styling (to full effect) JPG's line was a mixture between bright almost 70s style maxi skirts alongside more simple and sophisticated dresses adorned with bright veils.

Jean Paul Gaultier - Vogue

Armani Prive - Vladimir Potop

Elie Saab's show was undoubtedly beautiful but lacked the drama of the others. Of course I'm sure it will transate to red carpets everywhere as Saab's creations always do. But the real jewel of the week was Valentino's stunning show. Utilising Valentino red against crisp white's and dramatic blacks the show demonstrated the enduring expertise of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. I can't do it justice so have a look at the highlights below.

Valentino - Vladimir Potop

I do not own the rights to these photos - they are from Telegraph.co.uk and Vogue.co.uk

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