Chanel Haute Couture '17

Karl Lagerfeld along with his team at Chanel unleashed their Chanel Haute Couture Collection for 2017. 

I can't remember a time where I haven't loved Chanel's settings for their shows, absolute favourites of mines being the Fall/Winter 2008 and Chanel Airlines Spring Ready to Wear 2016. 

There was no immersive set, no overt theme and an absence of jokey accessories or visual puns. The make up and hairstyling were very minimal and elegant. The mirrored circular runway reflected the famed Art Deco mirrors of Coco Chanel's stairs at her atelier on the Rue Cambon. 

Texture is an obvious standard for this collection - I feel that each garment was made and thought of beautifully. 

Is there anything that Chanel can't do? 

I can't wait for more pictures to be released!

Brandi Kristine 

Photo Credit: Vogue, Chanel Official Instagram 

Online Haul: Beauty/Skincare

Welcome back!

All of my course friends are back from New York City and I must admit.. I'm so jealous of their shopping sprees and every bargain they managed to get!

After much persuading my mum gave me a budget and her card and off I went shopped till I dropped - with the comfort of my bed and a cup of tea by my side of course!

The websites I shopped online:
http://www.beautybay.com/
http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/
http://narscosmetics.co.uk/en_GB/brushes-tools
http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/products/13802/Products/Brushes-Tools/Brushes/All-Brushes
http://tartecosmetics.com/en_US/makeup/eyes/mascara/
https://www.katvondbeauty.com/eye/eyeliner
http://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/view-all-skincare

One of my first purchases was this Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette. I've had my eye on it for a while ever since purchasing it for a friend as a gift. A previous project I completed at University had me focusing on different make up products so I've definitely fallen in love a long time.

This shot doesn't show the shimmer quite justice!

It also came with its own eyeshadow brush which is cute -
I probably won't be using this as I have plenty of trusty brushes 
that will do the job perfectly.

I also ordered these three make up brushes: MAC 137, A23 Illuminator Brush and NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush. They can all be used at highlighter brushes as well as applying face blush. 

I'm so excited about this - I'm not a fake lashes girl so mascara is a vital product in my make up bag I've heard wonders about both brands so I can't wait to try them out. I already have the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes but this product is said to have a more dramatic look. 

I couldn't shop online with all these brands and not purchase ABH Contour Palette - for £39 it was ab absolute bargain! I went for the powder version as my skin is combination but more on the oily side, in the shade 'Medium to Tan'.  

I also purchased Matte Liquid Lipsticks in So Hollywood, Potion and Spicy.

 

I'm not the biggest eyeliner gal but I do love a bold eye when I go out with friends. This Kat Von D Beauty eyeliner is perfect! It feels like a felt tip pen and the tip is super sharp which makes it easy to apply. I got the colour 'Trooper' which is a basic black.

If you're anything like me and take care of your skin at any giving moment, then you have to go out and buy this product. I've always been self conscious of my skin ever since I was a young teen although I have acne prone skin it has been on its best behaviour. Usually, I always look for a face moisturiser which is oil free as I have a very oily T-zone and this does the trick! In the middle, I'm trying out a new face serum which helps prevent acne and so far so good! And finally, the infamous avocado, creamy eye treatment which keeps those wrinkles away - I love you Kiehl's! 

I'll be sure to post more mini haul's and products which I love or hate. Tell me what products your into and why in the comments box.  

I hope you've enjoyed! 

Brandi Kristine 

Photo Credit: Myself

Michael Andrews

"To be released and unselfconscious - how wonderful that would be" - Michael Andrews.

I've been so excited to share this blog post with you guys today! My friend and I visited the Gagosian Gallery in London, they announced an exhibition of works by the late Michael Andrews. I studied Art & Design for a year in college so I was over the moon when I discovered this exhibition.

In this exhibition, selected works from his five related series were presented under three elemental themes: earth, air and water. Andrew's work is radically different. With a few exceptions, his paintings after 1970 are devoid of people, though not without an implied human presence or drama.

The exhibition began with a small section devoted to the Colony Room, the private members' drinking club in Soho frequented by Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Michael Andrews, Frank Auerbach and other bohemians.

At the core of the exhibition, paintings from the seven-part cycle of the 1970s that Michael Andrews called Lights. A painting which imagines a gas balloon floating over a succession of landscapes, from field to sea, from Waterloo Bridge to Brighton Pier - in search of an ideal resting place.

Above are some images that I captured myself and others which I took from the website.

I hope you've enjoyed this blog post and I strongly recommend this exhibition to any art lover out there, I believe the show ends March 25th 2017.

I'll link the Gagosian Gallery website for anybody interested: https://www.gagosian.com/

Brandi Kristine

Photo Credit: Myself, Gagosian Website 

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear

Since I've started Uni my lectures always hammer in our heads to visit galleries and exhibitions at every possible moment. So today me and a few of my friends went to the Victoria & Albert Museum to see the Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear.

The exhibition opened in April 2016 and finishes March of this year. The exhibition explored the intimate relationship between underwear and fashion and its role in moulding the body to a fashionable ideal, with cut, fit, fabric and decoration revealing issues of gender, sex and morality.

Underwear is everything to me so this exhibition was a complete and utter dream, discovering fascinating and sometimes controversial stories of underwear design from the 18th century to this present day as well as everything else in between.

I'm going to share with you some of the photographs I managed to capture as well as images from the Victoria & Albert website:

Underwear has also influenced outerwear. Nightwear has morphed into loungewear and garments such as corsets, crinolines and slips have been recast by fashion designers to challenge convention and explore the dynamic relationship between body and clothing.

Garments were displayed alongside advertising materials, fashion plates, photographs and film to bring new insights into the most personal garments in our wardrobe.

The 'babydoll' slip designed by Carine Gilson displayed in the exhibition was my favourite garment, the lingerie is made in her atelier in Brussels from silk sourced in Lyons and Chantilly lace made in Calais. It was such a beautiful piece! 

Brandi Kristine 

Photo Credit: Myself, V&A 

Artist Love | Edgar

I am a massive lover of beautiful, creative artwork; so when I came across Armenian fashion illustrator Edgar the excitement was real! 

Not only does he draw beautifully, but he also uses different materials to create the clothing being worn. This sort of juxtaposition in my eyes works amazingly well; here are some of my favourite... 

Brandi Kristine 

Photo Credit: EdgaR_ArtiS Instagram

Golden Globes 2017

Hi! If anybody knows me, they know I love an award show! I'll stream online, buy new sky channels just to see what celebrities are wearing. Sad really but I'm obsessed. 

Unfortunately, I missed the 74th Annual Golden Globes 2017 but I did scroll through my Instagram and I don't think I missed a lot, I have a few favourites but many dislikes. The Golden Globes reminds me of classy, elegancy and just pure beauty. It's one of my favourite red carpets with some of my favourite celebrities. 

La La Land was the big winner claiming seven honours and breaking the record for most wins for a single film at the event. I was super happy finding out that Damien Chazelle director of Nocturnal Animals, Manchester by Sea and Moonlight won Best Director Award. 

I want to share my favourite looks of the night.

Amy Adams wore a black sequinned stunner designed
by her 'Nocturnal Animals' director Tom Ford. 

Drew Barrymore maintained her boho-chic in this
Monique Lhuillier art deco sunburst embroidered cape sleeve dress.

Natalie Portman channeled Jackie Kennedy in this
simple chartreuse Prada gown.  

Evan Rachel Wood's Altuzarra suit was a yes from me!
The design was reportedly a tribute to David Bowie,
who died this time last year.

Viola Davis beams like a ray of sunshine in this
Michael Kors collection dress.

Gina Rodriguez sparkled in a shimmering Naeem Khan halter gown. 

Blake Lively looked amazing in this Versace dress and the
pockets add a whimsical touch. 

Not quite sure why Kristin Cavallari doing there,
but she definitely looked like she belonged in the
beautiful beaded dress category.  

Lily Collins looked like she stepped out of a fairytale
in this floral Zahair Murad dress. 
This is how you make a statement as a first time nominee.  

Angela Bassett raspberry gown had an elegant layered neckline.

Judith Light put actresses half her ago to shame in
this sexy zebra print dress. Talk about body confidence!

I want you guys to tell me your thoughts, who did you love and hate? Why? And how would you style them if you could? 

Brandi Kristine 

Photo Credit: Google Images