Take a trip back to ’91. Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaToya Luckett and Latavia Robertson aka. Destiny’s Child released their second album ‘The writings on the Wall’, fifteen years to the day. By the time the group released the track three from the album ‘Say My Name’, the bands line up had gone through several do overs. ‘The writings on the Wall’ became their breakout album launching the eventual threesome on the way to global success. Despite the ever evolving line up, thanks to one Mrs Tina Knowles, Destiny’s Child remained consistent with their style, albeit bold. Here we take a look at seven of their most defining fashion moments:

CRIMP THAT HAIR

The girls always had intricate hairstyles, no doubt in thanks to  hairstylist Tina, but the crimped hair style that Beyoncé rocked in the ‘Bills Bills Bills’ video, and then a more extreme version in the ‘Jumpin Jumpin’ video were ones that we could try and home in an attempt to emulate the girls. The result? Questionable.

BRA TOPS

During their early career Destiny’s child really championed the bikini top as a wardrobe staple. In nearly every public appearance at least one of the girls would be rocking those triangles, but we can’t help but wonder of Tina ran out of fabric…

COLOUR IT BOLD

The video for ‘Say My Name’ not only introduced two new members, but also became an iconic moment in colour match history. The outfits (each and every item) and the hair. Never ones to shy away, it was during this time that the boldness of colour really played a part in the girls fashion identity.

A FETISH FOR COWBOY HATS

For reasons that cannot be explained, the girls, and Beyoncé in particular fronted a fetish for cowboy hats. Always wearing them in promo photos, live performances, and most notably in the ‘Bug a Boo’ video (think a red studded number matching her jeans and top). Joined by her bandmates in this video, they sported gold editions for the dance sequence. Thank god she grew out of this phase pretty quickly.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE CO-ORD

Like an R’n’B version of the Von Trapp family, Destiny’s Child really took the co-ordinated look to the extreme, all designed by Tina Knowles, of course. Although not necessarily the most fashion forward outfits, they helped create an image for the band, of a united group (despitethe line-up changes).

LEATHER LUNGES

During the dance sequence of the ‘Say My Name’ video, the girls all wore leather trousers equipped with matching leather orange bra top. It was only fitting of course, that when they collected the VMA in 2000 for best R’n’B video, they all wore black studded leather outfits.

‘BILLS BILLS BILLS’ 

This video for the debut song of the album had it all (save for the cowboy hats). Directed by Darren Grant, who later went on to shoot the ‘Survivor’ music video, and set in a hair salon as a tribute to Tina. Pink leather, royal blue satin sets, bra tops and Beys crimped hair meant that it wasn’t just the song that grabbed people’s attention. Let’s not forget the extras (which included future member Michelle) throwing shade wearing fluffy kitten heels.

Words: Siobhan Frew

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It has been 15 years since this low budget black teen comedy was released, albeit to a limited audience and scathing reviews, but in the years since it has become an iconic and cult film; a mockumentary about the all American competitiveness of teen beauty pageants.

Here are 7 of the film’s stars and why this film should have been a much bigger success than it was, and why it is so deserving of its cult movie status.

KIRSTEN DUNST

Stalwart of teen movies in the late 90’s, early 00’s Dunst plays amber Atkinson, the tap dancing mortician who has big dreams of being the next Diane Saywer (famous American news reporter). Despite her humble background, aka the trailer park she lives in with her mum, she has big dreams and despite wanting to drop out of the competition after a few near misses, her mum and Loretta convince her otherwise, and in the end (thanks in no small part to Gladys Leeman) she come out on top.

AMY ADAMS

This was future five times Oscar nominee and all American girl Amy Adams feature film debut, in which she plays the ditzy, overly sexed cheerleader Leslie Miller. Despite the film essentially bombing, Adams decided to stick it out in Hollywood after her time on set, and for that we will be forever grateful for ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’.

DENISE RICHARDS

Despite being best known today as Charlie Sheens’ ex-wife, and one time Bond girl Denise Richards is perfect in the role of Becky Leeman, the gun toting Christian, whose mother Gladys runs the pageants. Her most memorable on screen moments are all too frequent, whilst at the gun range ‘Jesus loves winners’, her ‘talent’ dancing with a crucifix and a Jesus dummy, and of course when she gets her comeuppance aboard a giant swan float.

ELLEN BARKIN

Ellen plays Ambers mum Annette, the mobile hairdresser who gets a bit more than she bargained for one evening when she lights her cigarette. Ending up witha mechanical claw for a hand after a beer can gets impaled to her hand, she is determined to be there for her daughter, and couldn’t be prouder when Amber ends up winning state. The pairing of Annette and Loretta creates the best on screen relationship, and the most laughs.

KIRSTIE ALLEY

Despite reports of being a complete diva on set, not unlike the character she plays Gladys Leeman, Kirstie alley really nailed the ultimate stage mother persona, and was as judgmental of others as she was of pushing her daughter into the spotlight. After ending up in prison after admitting to killing Tammy, her finest moment came when the cigarette she lit ending up killing her beloved daughter and we were giving this iconic quuote: ‘THE SWAN ATE MY BABY’

BRITTANY MURPHY

Back before she lost her puppy fat, dated Ashton Kutcher and dyed her hair blond, Brittany Murphy appeared in iconic 90s movies such as ‘Clueless’ and ‘Girlinterrupted’, as well as ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ as giggly teen Lisa, who forfeits her place in the competition for her friend Amber. Forever living in the shadow of her older brother, a New York drag queen, her finest moment comes after the pageant when she outs her brother to her dad, much to his confusion. That and of course her laugh; her laugh is phenomenal.

ALISON JANNEY

Alison Janney is one of the best things about this film. She plays Loretta, best friend to Ambers mum Annette, and is often on hand to give Amber a pep talk and act the surrogate mum when Annette is indisposed at the hospital following the trailer park fire. She’s the straight talking, beer guzzling chain smoking star of this film. Janney has since claimed that more people approach her about her role in this cult classic, than any other work she’s done in the 15 years since.

Words: Siobhan Frew

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After a month of evenings in front of the TV, the German team won their fourth World Cup on Sunday evening hailing them the first European team to win the World Cup in South America. So whilst we’ll miss watching baby faced Manuel Neuer and impeccably Aryan-eyed Andre Schurrle, today we’ve cast our eyes on Germany for a different reason – fashion. Here we take a look at some of Germany’s most influential fashion figures from Karl Lagerfeld to Heidi Klum.

TONI GARRN

Since being scouted at Germany’s 2006 Fifa World Cup, Hamburg born Victoria’s Secret model Toni Garrn hasn’t looked back. After signing with Calvin Klein at fifteen alongside best friend Karlie Kloss, her career has gone from strength to strength, becoming an official Angel for Victoria’s secret in 2012. She also happens to be Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend. Some girls have all the glück!

ELLEN VON UNWERTH

Hailing from Frankfurt Ellen von Unwerth got her first taste of fashion as a model, before moving behind the camera lens. Her first high profile works were the infamous Guess campaigns of the ‘90s, which stared fellow German Claudia Schiffer amongst others. She still remains at the pinnacle of pushing the boundaries of female sexuality through her strong and glamorous imagery.

JIL SANDER

Despite the fact that the eponymous founder is no longer with her namesake label, Jil Sander remains a stalwart at fashion week. Founded in the late ‘60s in Hamburg, Jil suffered a shaky start, but her minimalist designs in modern tailoring saw the label flourish in the ‘80s and ‘90s, leading to her coronation as the Queen of Less. Awarded the Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland for her fashion achievements, the notoriously private Fräulein last left the company in October 2013, and is no doubt spending her time listening to her favourite German composer Bach.

CLAUDIA SCHIFFER

Spotted at a local discothèque in Düsseldorf at the age of seventeen, Claudia Schiffer’s Bridgette Bardot beauty soon catapulted her to supermodel status cementing her as one of the original ‘90s supers. Globally recognised through her campaigns with Guess, she soon became the face of Chanel. Now married to English film director Matthew Vaughn, she is raising her three children in the English countryside, a world away from her early aspirations of becoming a lawyer.

MARLENE DIETRICH

Born in Schoneberg in 1901, Marlene Dietrich is now deemed part of the German capital Berlin. Becoming an iconic actress in Hollywood in the 1940s, having received American citizenship in 1939, despite her distance from her German roots, and the tension that endured between her and her home country after her move to the US, the mix of androgyny in her style, which was quite unheard of at the time, and her air of glamorous mystery which she evoked are thought to be a result of her strict Bavarian childhood.

HEIDI KLUM

Hailing from a small town just outside Cologne, Heidi Klum won a modelling contract before she had even left school, and before long her face and body became synonymous with the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and Victoria’s Secret runway show. Having made the successful transition into television presenting and producing, including receiving an Emmy nomination in 2008 for her work on ‘project Runway’, she was given American citizenship the same year, although she holds it dually and proudly with her German passport.

KARL LAGERFELD

The ultimate Kaiser of fashion is Hamburg born Karl Lagerfeld. There isn’t enough time in the day to reel off his achievements or his influence, but his contribution to fashion is like no other. Beginning his career at Balmain in the 1950’s; and now heading up Chanel, Fendi and his namesake label, his instantly recognisable image and artistic talent is constantly pushing the preconceived ideals of fashion. From sending leggings and flat sandals down the couture runway, to having a pregnant pride close the most recent Chanel show, this German gentleman is definitely doing his homeland proud.

Words: Siobhan Frew

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It might be a drizzly June morning In New York city when we catch up with Fatima, but the summer vibe that is so infectious in her music is clearly part of her character too. Her debut album ‘Yellow Memories’ was released at the beginning of May and is already garnering global attention. Put together over “two years-ish” and recorded in both LA and London it is an album of sun kissed soul. “So far I’ve had a lot of people hit me up and tell me they like it,” says Fatima. “I’ve received a lot of really good reception; you never know what people are going to feel when they listen to your music.” But despite her growing fame, Fatima is humbled by the reception she has garnered so far. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of love for it, which makes me really happy because that’s all I can ask for” she expalins.

On first hearing her music we were completely unaware of her Swedish roots and were intrigued about what took her from picturesque Stockholm, to London but she soon explained. “Stockholm? It was totally different. I don’t know exactly where to start,” she says. “Compared to London it’s pretty small. It’s a pretty city, surrounded by water and it’s clean, London is really dirty,” she laughs. But despite it being dirty, she appreciates London’s dynamic. “It’s one of the go to cities of the world,” she says. “It’s got a different tempo, it’s a bit crazier in a way.”

Having come to London for a weekend with a friend back in 2006, Fatima has never looked back. “I really liked it,” she says. “I was really intrigued and I wanted to find out more about the city.” So, immersing herself in the capitals thriving club scene, she soon met Alexander Nut of Eglo records, who then persuaded her to put an Eglo house band together. “I had been doing loads of gigs with him along with various other club Djs for a some time,” she explains. “He said: “Look you should switch it up and do your own live thing now”, then he spread the word, contacted a few people and a bunch of musicians came down and just played with us.” Overwhelmed by the variety of people who were keen to be involved in this venture, Fatima soon expanded her horizons. “We had to just choose people who were on the same vibe,” she continues. “It was Alex’s idea from the beginning, it wasn’t that I didn’t want it, I was just in my comfort zone”.

So stepping outside the walls of said zone, Fatima’s dynamic progressed and despite not appearing on her album, performing with the band gives her shows a different energy. “It’s so much fun to perform with them because the music comes to life in a different way,” she says. Speaking of her most recent London gig as part of Mr Scruff’s all dayer at the infamous Camden round-house, Fatima tells us that she enjoyed the fun all day vibe you find at many of London’s hot spots. “People were there from pretty early and they were just dancing around, drinking,” she enthuses. “I’d been there before but never to perform. It kind of looks like a spaceship! I hadn’t looked up, but when I did I thought we were going to take off.”

Giddy on life, Fatima’s summer has only just begun and judging by her festival line-up so far, both her and her audience are in for a treat. Heading out to Croatia to perform at both of the Adriatic’s most loved summer festival main-stays – Outlook and Dimensions – in amongst mainland performances and a string of boat parties with the Eglo crew, she’s also set to open the latter festival with Lauryn Hill. “I’m a big fan of hers so hopefully that will be fun!” she says with unfaltering enthusiasm. Careful not to give too much away about the rest of her year, it’s apparent that the seductive Swedish songstress’ soul-jam is slowly bubbling it’s way further and further afield; and with Stockholm, London and Croatia already ticked off the list, we can only wonder which country Fatima is going set her sights on next.

Words: Siobhan Frew

Photography: Sebastian Hallqvist

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Despite graduating from the prestigious Instituto Marangoni a few

scant years ago, the duo’s glamorously feminine designs have already impressed buyers at Harvey Nichols, which exclusively stocks the line. We find out about their new collection, their Milanese roots and their mutual distaste for lace.

What was your main source of inspiration for your winter collection?

We broadened our research regarding designers’ raw materials, namely fabrics! We mixed innovative textures and revised our geometrics, making them softer, suitable for a new CO|TE woman.

Who is the CO|TE woman?

In our minds, she is a woman who loves to live in the present and capable of using her clothes to express herself, discovering her hidden playful side.

Does it have a theme, like your SS12 collection which was CYBER PUNK?And if so how did you come to it?

This collection represents the introspective journey that we have both taken. Afterwards, we confronted each other to bring out the best of what we have to give. This is why we feel this collection is the one that best represents us so far. It’s designed for a more adult woman who doesn’t entirely forget her inner child who sometimes comes forward though peculiar prints and precious fabrics.

What is your favourite piece in the A/W13 collection? And which piece are you most proud of?

Tomaso : I love the new knitwear and I’m proud of the woollen coat with knitted sleeves.

Francesco: I adore the new “Pineapple” print and I’m proud of embroidery, a complete novelty in our collection.

Which celebrity would you love to see in your designs?

T : Dakota Fanning.

F : Amanda Seyfried.

What has been your favourite trend of the season so far? And is there any trend which you wish would be over?

Obviously trends based on geometrics and colour block. We don’t really like the overuse of lace.

You met at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, has the city had a big influence on your style?

Milano raised us, we were born here and we love this city and its Made in Italy style which greatly influenced our creative path.

What was it that brought you together? When did you decide to work together?

It was our friendship that brought us together: one day we simply decided to try to create our own collection. We stopped working out the fashion house where we first met, and established our own line. The rest is history.

Interview: Siobhan Frew

The post CO: TE: Hot design talent… from Milan? appeared first on Wonderland.

Since you have become famous, have people’s reactions to you on the street changed?

Well, first some things stayed the same. My life style was already nomadic, living out of my backpack; working odd jobs, meeting cool people, as well as often  being stopped and photographed. This hasn’t changed. What changed was the masses’ reaction to me. Prior, I had my place amongst those who understood me and had the luxury of privacy. Now I often feel that every walk of life either has a question or an opinion about the way I breathe air – although I do seize this opportunity to raise awareness for tolerance, acceptance and embracing our differences.

What’s the philosophy behind your tattoos?

The zombie concept is also often used as a metaphor for runaway consumerism. Rebelling from this notion is the very meaning of punk. The origins of the zombie creature came about from stories of people being buried alive in times of plagues and such crises; that would come out the other side ‘transformed’. Zombies, to many, represent a pervasive xenophobia. As in my life, I was often out-casted, hated or misunderstood.

You’ve just become the face of Rocawear. Can you tell us more about that?

Growing up in the city as a teenager, I have always embraced urban culture and style. It is a great honor to represent what I live, breathe, and bleed for as long as I have. I’m excited to be involved with Rocawear’s re-launch across Europe for Spring Summer ’13.

You and your art have become synonymous with Lady Gaga. How do you feel about that?

I would defiantly have to say that we both share love for art, the love for revolution, and fearlessness of self-expression.

You’ve recently filmed a part in 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves, is acting something you have always wanted to do?

Since my childhood, I had a profound interest in pirates. I recall in particular the movie Hook, starring Robin Williams, as well as pirate LEGO. As life went on, I had spent the greater part of my time living in likeness to the lost boys and pirates.

What would be your ideal film role?

I’ve had a chance to play as a punk rocker, a carnie and a pirate. My ideal film role yet would be as a deranged psycho in a horror picture.

Are you planning on any more tattoos?

I’m still working on my tattoo project. As well as finishing my bodysuit, I soon wish to sharpen my teeth, with likeness to those of a reptile.

What do you have planned for 2013?

In 2013, I will be starting to work on a music project, but more details would ruin the surprise!

Words: Siobhan Frew

www.rocawearbrand.co.uk

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You play Biddy in the new Great Expectations, can you tell us about your character?

She’s formative of Pip; she grows up with him and teaches him, but he goes off to find his great expectations, and leave his humble beginnings for bigger and better things seemingly, but eventually he comes back. She’s very loyal and very nice and gentle and quite simple, really, in comparison to what London offered.

On paper it seems like Great Expectations was a sort of Harry Potter reunion, what with Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane and Helena Bonham carter starring alongside you. Did you get a chance to catch up?

On big films, it looks like that but you never really see anyone! sometimes you cross paths so that’s nice, to know that you were all a part of the same thing, which I get a kick out of, but on paper its staggering how many crossovers there are.

Your younger sister Bebe, plays the young Biddy in the film, where you around to watch any of her scenes?

No I wasn’t! She did so well; she’s actually in it more than me, it’s been such a lovely journey for both of us.

What was it like to work with Mike Newell?

He’s such a big personality, he’s lovely! To be around him is really exciting. I kind of do this really awful thing where I fall in love with every single director I work with; I was kind of infatuated with him for a little.

You seem to have an affinity with playing literary characters, what with Harry Potter and now Great Expectations. If there was one character from a book that you could play, which would it be and why?

I think I’d like to play Miss Trunchball from Matilda; it’s the only book I’ve ever read more than once. I thought the film was brilliant, in that she is just amazing, I think they should make a Miss Trunchball spinoff film.

You’ve also started doing stand-up, is it daunting putting yourself up there like that, I can imagine stand up as being quite an intimidating medium.

Book Club was really me doing stand-up in this guise so I was safe, but with stand-up you’re really vulnerable and exposed. I’m doing it for different reasons, which is incredibly indulgent but that’s the nature of stand-up in itself. I feel I’m a writer more than an actress, so it’s a way of testing out my writing, doing jokes I couldn’t get into my videos. it’s funny because nearly every show I’ve done I’ve been one of the few women, and it’s just nice to just be trying because so much stuff is just so bad, I’m not saying that I’m good at all, I’m probably horrendous, but I’m just trying everything I can, just trying to use my skills, whatever they are.

You took your one-woman show to Edinburgh earlier in the year, which again was focused around books and literature. Where did that idea come from?

Every Harry Potter fan I have met has been bizarre, but in the most wonderful way, book fans in general. It’s just a perfect breeding ground for comedy. I’m a very keen person by nature anything I love, I tend to get obsessed with. It’s not me making fun of fans of Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, not at all; It’s being one of them. It’s the launch of a book club but there’s a massive underlying storyline of rejection and heartbreak, so it was a good therapy for me and it was incredibly fun because I got to use all my art.

Pin Dippy videos; is it handy having a sister who can act?

I use her in everything! She’s in Bookworm, so we’ve had a really lovely year on stage together. With Edinburgh I went up with my entire family, like my mum did props, my brother did sound, Bebe was in the show, it was a bit like the Brady Bunch; The Brady Bunch go to Edinburgh! So she’s very useful, and she’s annoyingly good!

Great Expectations is out now in cinemas.

Words: Siobhan Frew
Images: Idil Sukan/ Draw HQ

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The new fashion film from Milanese label CO|TE is Italian to the core – even with its cyberpunk roots. Directed by Senio Zapruder (of Dsquared2 Ultimate Scream infamy) and staring Italo-girl of the moment Eleonora Carisi, the film goes on to intertwine classic English literature and Japanese cyberstyle to create an engaging and memorable fashion film.

Opening with the closing paragraph of Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse, CYPER PUNK jumps from the language of a young woman from the Twenties novel to the hyper-modern Japanese influence of manga by means of some pretty nifty Sega graphics. Eleonora takes on the role of Woolf’s Lily Briscoe, but Zapruder transforms her into a cyber punk heroine in Francesco Ferrari and Tomaso Anfossi’s sleek and bright Spring/Summer pieces.

Words: Siobhan Frew

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