Penn Badgley and Shiloh Fernandez for H&M AIDS Campaign

Greetings. You all know how we like a campaign here at StyleGuideCT. And the big, cheap and super-cool store H&M have launched a new 'Fashion Against AIDS' collection, the latest campaign for which Gossip Girl's Lonely Boy, Penn Badgley is the exciting face. He is joined by other influential young people including Ginnifer Goodwin, Selma Blair and the edgy Shiloh Fernandez - who this old lady thinks is the Johnny Depp for the new generation. Well, he is the 'bad boy' I would have fancied were I 15 years old right now.

This campaign is the Swedish brand's four-year-old initiative that aims to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS among younger people. The collection is totally unisex, which is a concept I love, and twenty percent of all sales will be donated to HIV/AIDS charities around the globe, including Africa. Which is something I love even more. Gossip Girl and doing good - now that is a total package.
Check these behind the scenes images as well, just for fun. Always good to see the process unfold.

Princess Kate Middleton | Biography

Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the fiancée of Prince William of Wales. Since their relationship began, Middleton has received widespread media attention and there was much speculation that they would eventually marry. On 16 November 2010, the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement. On 23 November, it was announced the wedding will take place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, with the day declared a bank holiday in the UK.
Middleton grew up in Berkshire and, after attending Marlborough College, went to the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They started a relationship, followed by media attention, triggering complaints by Middleton that the media were harassing her. In April 2007, the press reported that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 they reunited. Since then, Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists.

My BEST Shopping ever: Bicester Village, UK

I am going to let you in on my BEST shopping secret. Fair enough, it is not on the shores of Africa, this secret destination, but it is GOOD. It is a wonderful place called Bicester Village Outlet Mall and it is located in the leafy fields of the Oxfordshire countryside, not ten minutes from my best friend's house. Every year when I visit the old country (well, the UK is very, very old), my first stop is to this mall. I shop up a storm at my favourite places and then head to my friend's house to pick over the spoils and count up all the money I have saved.
I have acquired some amazing bargains here. Many, many pairs of half- or even quarter-price Jimmy Choos. Two half-price Mulberry Bayswater bags, Gerard Darel silk blouses, Smythson stationery and Hobbs cardigans. I have also spent many a lovely day browsing Valentino, Marni, McQueen, Temperley and DvF - just to keep up with things you understand. I have always believed you can't really understand fashion unless you expose yourself to the best the world has to offer, and so I go into those stores and fondle the fabrics, check the linings and generally imagine myself in the frocks. One day...

I only mention this because I read a piece in the paper yesterday that the British Fashion Council are doing a second young designer pop-up store there at the moment - as launched by Thandie Newton yesterday. So now you know.
BTW: that's me up the top there, shopping up a storm at Bicester in February.

Best Dressed at Runway to Green: Diane Kruger and Olivia Palermo

I do like an eco-fashion event. And this weekend I followed the Runway to Green fashion show on Twitter. I heard as each celebrity arrived on the green carpet, how the show progressed, finishing with model du jour Lindsey Wixson in the bridal gown. And then the surprise performer of the evening - Nicki Minaj with her green hair pouf. I have to say it sounded fabulous, so I was delighted to find some images online of all the elements of the show. I have picked out a few of the best for you.

Best dressed of the night definitely went to Diane Kruger in Jason Wu and Olivia Palermo in a Rachel Roy. Despite 29 different designers showing at the presentation, I have to say I liked the Rachel Roy collection best - it's the first time her work has really appealed to me. Of course, I was also quite fond of the Stella McCartney looks as well. Pieces from the show are available for purchase on Net-A-Porter and all proceeds from the evening go to  Alliance for Climate Protection, the Natural Resource Defense Council and the United Nations Environmental Program’s Billion Tree Campaign. Good works all round.

New Pictures: Alexa Chung for Superga

Today, I walked into work (going to pick up my new car this morning - in case you didn't already know..). So obviously I had to make the decision on which of my Superga sneakers to wear with my outfit today. What goes better with new car - white or gold?

I was thinking about this post that I did about book club-mate Alexa Chung being named as the new face of the Superga brand and then I came into work and saw these new pictures, released yesterday.
There is even a little video about the shoot that I found charming and in which Alexa just looks impossibly lovely. Click below to watch the video.

Rarely Worn Sale Starts Today - See You There

I am heading down to Woodstock at the end of the working day today, to do a bit of shopping. OK, so the fact that I am picking up my new car this morning somewhat indicates that I should probably be saving a few of my pennies for car repayments rather than dropping them on shoes or beaded tops, but let's just play that one by ear, shall we? You guys coming? See you there. Map below.

Auto Tattooing Machine

Auto Tattooing Machine - Chris Eckert introduced an invention for 2011 called Automatic Tattooing Machine. Now you can easily make a tattoo in your home as well. Have a look around some of the pictures of that machine

Goes Viral, SmartWater

Jennifer Aniston

She Goes Viral, for SmartWater

Jennifer Aniston Goes Viral", for SmartWater

Since 2007, Jennifer Aniston has worked in a publicity campaign for the drink SmartWater;

On March 7, 2011, she released a YouTube video, titled "Jennifer Aniston Goes Viral", for SmartWater, tripling online interest in the product within 24 hours of the release.

Recently, Jennifer Aniston to direct short movie about breast cancer. Jennifer Aniston is set to direct a short film about breast cancer as part of the Lifetime Project Five anthology series.

Jennifer Aniston will join Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Monster and Entourage director Patty Jenkins. A fifth director will join the team for the five-part series but the name has yet to be announced.

Royal Wedding Style: Local Celebratory T-Shirt from Habits

How much fun is this t-shirt? I am definitely going to get myself along to local store Habits in a couple of weeks time and snap up one of these to wear on 29th April as we all cluster around the televisual box to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
Look, you may well think that it is all a pile of nonsense, this excitement around The Wedding. But I distinctly remember the wedding of Lady Di to Prince Charles. And for a few months there, I was transported to a magical place of romance and princesses. It didn't need to be a happy ever after, it was a distraction from the turgidness of everyday life for a while. A reason to have fun and celebrate. A reason to get giddy about fashion and flounce and frills and the fabulousness of what could possibly (maybe) be. Who knows how this one will turn out. But as a glass-half-full kinda gal, I am going to get involved. Get my t-shirt on and have a blast with it all. Who is with me?
PS: click on the image to see the details and go to www.habits.co.za for more

Is Sara Ramirez Sturdy?

So there was such a hullabaloo yesterday on the interwebs about The Sartorialist who posted an image of a lovely, lithe Milanese blogger and referred to her as 'bigger', 'curvier' and her legs as 'sturdy'. Yikes. First of all, shame. He really just doesn't get it. He is so entrenched in the 'fashion' side of the business that he has really lost touch with how women wear fashion, enjoy fashion, explore what it can do for them in ways that are so far beyond the precise aesthetic rules he lives by. He really is no Bill Cunningham in this regard who was, nay is, AWLAYS about the clothes, the trend, the expression, and would never be so gauche as to take the liberty of commenting on the frame work - the body on which it resided.
Second of all, sturdy? Really? Is that the word we are using for legs that aren't sticks? Aren't disproportionate to the shoes? Well, I just think that the word is rude frankly. But I am going to go with it and I am going to call your attention to this recent image of Greys Anatomy favourite, Sara Ramirez. Surely one of the sexiest, most beautiful 'sturdy' girls in all of televisual history? Along with Sofia Vegara of course. I love this look and think she is stunning and rather under-exposed in the fashion world. We want more of Sara!
PS: just one last point on The Sartorialist thing. Look, he clearly has control issues and it makes me very uncomfortable. There is a plethora of first person commentary around about how he tells his lovely girlfriend Garance Dore what to eat, what to wear, how to do her hair etc. But that's their thing. If you don't like his approach to who he shoots (too sturdy? too thin?) just don't go to his site. That is the joy of the internet, there is always something else to see. Go and breathe in the goodness of others. Lovely deep breaths now. Enjoy.

Louis Vuitton Windows: As Sweet As Honey

My mate Janet and I were wondering around the V&A Waterfront this past Saturday morning looking for gifts for a mate's birthday. As we rounded the corner at the Louis Vuitton store, we both involuntarily stopped and stared for a while. The window displays actually took our breath away.
I have made a habit in the last year of always checking out the LV windows when they change. There is always something special about them. Always a story, a surprise, a celebration of old school luxury. I love being transported into that world, if only as a visitor.
And this window really has surpassed the rest in meeting all my needs. And then I got sent the press release about them yesterday and I am told it is themed around "As Sweet As Honey". The story goes that Louis Vuitton decided in April 2009 to install three beehives on the roof of its headquarters, in the centre of Paris. The preservation of bio-diversity is one of the great challenges of sustainable development as 35% of food resources in the world are insured by nectar and pollen gathering insects. Throughout 2010 more than 200 000 bees gathered 75kg of nectar, from which a golden honey was produced. This honey, destined for friends and family, is Louis Vuitton’s inspiration for its spring 2011 store windows. As a celebration of the first harvest. How cool is that guys?
If you can, go and check out the windows for yourself. I promise you won't be disappointed. Beautiful.

Joya Collection Teams Up With SA Models Dominique Piek and Candice Boucher

Here at O magazine, we always like to support local fashion designers in our stories. As long as they are high quality and some kind of glamorous, they are in. And one of the jewellery lines we have been featuring is Joya. Cool, stone and leather and bold statement stuff, all made in Africa.
As a coincidental aside, I follow both local models and besties, Dominique Piek and Candice Boucher, on Twitter. They, like us at O, are proudly South African.
And now the two worlds collide. Spotted on Twitter last night were tweets from both women about teaming up with Joya for something special. Dominique posted this image of my favourite bracelets from the Joya collection. I am looking forward to seeing what they all come up with. I imagine it is going to be exciting and I think that it is always good news when models get involved in creative fashion projects - especially those that are proudly local. Best of luck ladies.

Insured Celebrity Body Parts

1. $1 Billion Legs

Mariah carey

13. $3.2 Million Legs

Tina Turner

21. $357,000 Waistline ($28K in 1930s)

Bette Davis

3. $70 Million Legs

David beckhum

12. $3.8 Million Breasts ($600K in 1970s)

Dolly parton

16. $2.2 Million Legs

Heidi klum

14. $2.8 Million Legs

Jamie Lee

22. $350,000 Breasts

 ornella muti

4. $40 Million Feet

23. $317,000 Mustache

18. $1 Million Legs

Rihana

2. $300 Million Buttocks

Jennifer lopez

Samsung Galaxy Tab Verizon Wireless Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab Verizon Wireless Tablet is a powerful entertainment device ideal for home or on the go. Weighing just 1 pound, it features a vibrant 7inch touchscreen display with 3D like graphics, speedy 1 GHz processor, and the Android 2.2 operating system. All in a sleek and compact form factor.

This Samsung Galaxy Tab Verizon Wireless Tablet offers the fast speeds and reliability of theVerizon Wireless 3G network, you'll be able to connect to a wide range of streaming media choices and enjoy fast downloads of music, movies, and documents while on the go. Additionally, you can share your 3G mobile broadband connectivity with up to five other devices another phone, MP3 player, and many more, using Wi-Fi.

Man Day: The Lesson in Short Shorts

I know, guy readers, that you almost certainly have not been watching The Bachelorette on Series unless forced to by your lady-partners. But, in the series that has just finished, the winning guy, Ed Swiderski has shown some dubious taste. I mean the guy was chosen by the otherwise-normal-seeming girl, Jillian Harris, despite wearing the worst green short shorts in the history of shorts. They are so bad, that a Facebook page "Ed's Green Shorts from the Bachelorette" has been formed. No lies.
Shorts are tricky. Dear Mr Tom Ford says ixnay on the shorts unless tennis or beach is involved. I say that's probs not practical here in Cape Town. But I do think that both Ronaldo and Jamie Hince (Mr Kate Moss) teach us a few things about what not to do on the shorts front. (aiming to cover sports guys and indie guys with these examples. Good hey?)
And please, sweet peeps, can we step away from those ubiquitous cargos that flatter NO ONE. In the dying days of this summer, do yourselves a favour and go with something tailored, something simple. And read this story about why next summer you may decide to nix the shorts altogether. Click here.

Man Day: History of the Trucker Jacket

I know I am not a bloke, but the quest for the perfect denim jacket (aka the Trucker Jacket) this winter is a top my mind as I am sure it is for you guys everywhere. I mean a classic wardrobe is not complete without one. And this year, when wearing denim on denim is not only acceptable, but encouraged, it is so much more essential. So I asked my mates at Levi's about denim jackets and found out that the classic jacket has actually had several iterations over the years.
Can you believe that the first denim Trucker Jacket was made in 1905? That's over a century ago, chaps. And yet it still looks so fresh and modern. What I found equally interesting was that the last revision on the classic shape (after Iconic Type I in 1936, Type II in 1953 and Type III in 1967) was the addition of the side pockets in 1984. It was this version that I bought myself on my first visit to London and wore throughout the Bros years and well into the early Maroon Five decade. How I wish that I had hung onto that jacket now as this season really begs to have it back.
And I don't think that there is a leading man in Hollywood or Nashville or London who doesn't own one. Just starting with the delicious Jake Gyllenhaal and hipster actor Ryan Gosling. Obviously I have not missed an opportunity to celebrate Kelly Slater again in his. Or popped a cheeky pic of Becks in here too. Fun. Click on the pic to make it bigger for a closer look.

Man Day: Kelly Slater, King of Surfing, Turns His Hand to Fashion

I went through a 'surfer' phase once. I am not going to dwell on it too long. But let's just say I dated a string of surf boys at one point in my life. For about a year. And then, just as soon as it began, it ended and I left the sands and returned to my more familiar stomping ground of the mosh pit where I took up once more with drummers and lead singers. But somewhere along the line, I accepted the beauty and prowess of one Kelly Slater. And once you have witnessed this, you never, ever forget it.
Just last November in Puerto Rico he won his 10th world title, something unsurpassed in surfing. And at the age of 38, he became the oldest ever surfing world champion, 18 years after he became the youngest, in 1992. GQ listed him as one of the 25 coolest athletes of all time, joining Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Björn Borg and Arnold Palmer. Kudos indeed. And, let's be honest, he is so pretty.

Kelly Slater's main patron, surf apparel brand Quiksilver, has sponsored him for more than 20 years. In fact he now owns three per cent of the company and recently signed on for another five-year deal. In addition, Quiksilver has now asked him to design his own range for the company, which is still in development. I was relieved to hear that the dude is going to take a different sort of approach to the whole thing as he describes his personal style as 'trying not to smell and wearing things that match'. He says, "my input with the clothes is more about a lifestyle and a philosophy rather than me actually trying to style or design them. We're looking at organic and eco fabrics - mainly for travelling clothes, which is something I know a little about." I'll bet you do Kelly. Rock on.