Harrods opens its doors to the designer house of Dior...

Iconic luxury landmark, Harrods, throws open its doors and welcomes Dior. The decadent designer brand has opened a temporary wonderland in and outside the store with a café, exhibition, multiple window displays and pop-up boutique. Taking over 18 months to create, the project was inspired by the fashion house’s long-term relationship with the store.

“This isn’t a marketing tool,” Christian Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, told Vogue at the launch party. “It’s a transmission of couture. Customers look for more today, they want to hear about the brand history – they need to understand more. Harrods and Dior share the same goals, the same concept of luxury and the same level of service. We need to explain why and how we do what we do. I want people to understand the passion, the innovation and our commitment to excellence. When I come into this room, it works so well. Mr. Dior is doing something – he is here!"

The historic 4^th floor Georgian restaurant at Harrods has been transformed into a Dior exhibition, showcasing the brands history, craftsmanship and luxury product. The exhibition features memorable dresses worn by the labels most famous of fans, from Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor. Alongside which stands close to 40 of Dior Haute Couture’s most emblematic silhouettes, reproduced in miniature.

Iconic dresses from some of Dior’s best love advertising campaigns, featuring Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron, also make a special appearance.

Stepping outside of the store, the Brompton Road window displays feature London landmarks with a Dior stamp! Telephone boxes, Tower Bridge and the London Eye.

Afternoon tea for two - once bedazzled by the exhibition, why not take a seat in the sleekest, most stylish café in Knightsbridge?

There are plenty of places throughout the store to get your Dior fix. From the Dior backstage studio, nail bar, beauty, accessories and jewellery on the ground floor to shoes and fashion on the first floor and baby Dior or the fourth.

This is one exhibition any fashion lover would be balmy to miss. Dior at Harrods is open to the public until April 14. 

The 2013 EE BAFTAs

Yesterday evening London’s Royal Opera House once again played host to the star-studded 2013 BAFTA award ceremony. In true British style, the heavens opened and the rain poured as Stephen Fry took to the stage. Yet despite the rain, once again an eclectic mix of fabulous fashion paraded the red carpet, a time when classic pieces make an appearance, and the daring make striking statements. Here's Peppermint Glitter's pick of the pack...

Zero Dark Thirty star, Jessica Chastain looked simply stunning in a bodice corset royal blue gown by British Designer, Roland Mouret.  The colour and shape perfectly complimented her red hair, pale complexion and slender figure.

As expected Dame Helen Mirren did not disappoint, debuting pink hair and a fairy tale lace dress.

Teamed with aqua toned accessories, Emilia Fox’s black, satin, A-line gown was traditional, timeless and classic. 

A firm favourite among eccentric fashion circles, Paloma Faith's sleek, sophisticated, silver, sequined gown and staple red lipstick combination were without doubt a hit with us. With the subtle yet sultry slit down the chest and back accentuating the wearer is daring to go braless.

  

Despite the minor wardrobe mishap, Marion Cotillard stands as our personal favourite look for the evening. Teaming the striking yellow Christian Dior gown with makeup bag must-have, red lipstick and understated jewels, her look was a sure win showstopper. 

Another firm favourite is the gorgeous, Gemma Arterton. Her asymmetric nude and black striped gown was the perfect mix of statement and style.   

As for the boys, Nicholas Hoult’s brief appearance while presenting an award, successfully reassured us that like fine wine and cheese, he has only got better with age. From his youthful appearances in About A Boy and Channel 4’s Skins, Holts shaved hair and stubble added to the ‘rough around the edges’ image.

Joining the rest of the nation, we too were swooning the delectable, George Clooney. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “Clooney’s like a Chanel suit. He’ll always be in style.”

Top winners for the evening included:     

• Argo collected awards for Best Film, Best Director and Editing
• Les Miserables collected four awards (Sound, Production Design, Makeup & Hair and Best Supporting Actress – Anne Hathaway
• Skyfall was awarded Outstanding British Film and Original Music
• Best Cinematography and Special Visual Effects went to book adaptation, Life of Pi
• Juno Temple collected The EE Rising Star Award

Hollywood Costumes at The V&A

Throughout the festive season, London’s V&A museum plays host to Hollywood’s finest costumes.  As sponsored by red carpet jewelers, Harry Winston, The Hollywood Costume exhibition landed at the V&A back in October and brings the best of iconic on screen costumes to the capital.

Taking 5 years to collate and organise, the exhibition features costumes from all corners of the globe and all genres of cinematic history. The exhibition comprises a bounty of our much loved screen characters; from highflying heroes and dancing queens, to vindictive villains and comedy classics.

For arguably the first and last time Margret Thatcher sits alongside Darth Vader, Marilyn Monroe alongside John Travolta, Indiana Jones and Holly Golightly, Sweeny Todd and Jack Sparrow, Rose Dewitt Bukater and Cruella Deville, Spiderman and The Queen.

Clips from which the costumes made their name and facial projections of the character accompany each costume. Alongside detailed insights from the designers of the elaborate and often defining costumes which also stand beside each mannequin.

From the classic to the contemporary, the oldest costume on display is that of Charlie Chaplin from the 1933 film, The Tramp; for the first time is seen in colour. Many of the great classics are on display for the first time; Marilyn Monroe's iconic billowing white subway gown, Audrey Hepburn's black satin gown made famous from the scene in which she enjoys breakfast at Tiffany's, the characteristically scarlet gown worn by Vivienne Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, to name but a few of the great classics. 

As for contemporaries, John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever Suit and Natalie Portman's Black Swan, Uma Thurman's Kill Bill, The Adam's Family, the Brokeback Mountain Cowboys and Dreamgirls alike add to the gliteratti of character costumes on display.  

  

Forming the crescendo of the exhibition is Dorothy’s classic costume from The Wizard of Oz. Reunited for the first time since the filming The Wizard of Oz in 1939, the unforgettable gingham dress and glittering ruby red slippers sit side by side once again. Brought together, the dress salvaged from a Fleet Street private collection and slippers from the Washington Smithsonian Institution. 

An opportunity not to be missed for any film or fashion fanatic!

Tickets are priced at £14 (Concession discounts do apply)

The exhibition closes on 27^th January 2013

For more information visit The V&A website.