The hairstyle at Valentino couture.

Part way between a double roll and a crown braid was Valentino’s haute couture hairstyle for fall 2013. Posing for photographers post-show, these two red haired beauties looked twin-like from behind.

Amy Macdonald, tonight @ Locarno

So, we've got our Friday night sorted. Tonight, Amy Macdonald's come to Switzerland. We've got our tickets booked. Car ready to leave the office at 5, and will be heading straight to Locarno, to the bar and then to dance with one of our favorite artist's.

Excited isn't even the word right now.

Orla Kiely Resort ’14 look book

This week's Wednesday crush is...

Cute, tattooed, half naked and loves cat's too!!!

The return of punk

 
The true beauty of a fashion trend often lies in its unpredictable evolution and we love to capture that same evolving spirit just as it is about to reach for another destination. We have already witnessed neo-grunge grow up as a fashion trend in 2013 but there’s clearly more of channeling our rebellious side in the second half of the year, as a glam punk-rock revival hit the fashion scene in a confident step.

The punk trend last emerged in 2010, but fast-forward nearly three years and what you get is the best of a shocking subculture turned utterly glamorous. In 2013, the punk elements are no longer used in sealing authentic punk looks, but instead, they are chosen to infuse a series of high fashion looks with a little extra attitude. And if this year’s Met Gala taught us anything, is that punk never looked as mainstream as when it served to accent the point where femininity meets edginess meets glamor.

Punk fashion: the glamorous come-back

Punk over the years has incorporated many subcultures and substyles. Regardless of these, the core was always a sense of rebellion and controversy; something meant to shock. In today’s fast world, shock is something that is much harder to do.

So this steering away from the dramatic and the pursue of a glamorous direction instead, might be the way punk succeeds in inflicting shock these days. Perceived rather as a fashion statement and less as a subculture, punk in 2013 is merely about the right attitude, about enhancing your style with some tough accessories, without allowing them to completely take over. So it is about discipline and balance as well.

As a fashion trend, punk grew up to become part of a larger concept, joining forces with other recurring trends, setting off balance where it’s needed, energizing the sense of luxury, emphasizing the more refined attires with its edginess. Hence for 2013, no matter what you read, the punk fashion trend should be less about an overall theme and more about mixing punk elements with other seasonal trends. For example, something feminine with a punk-rock edge.

 

Punk details: what to wear
Tempting and easy as it might sound, covering yourself in the trend’s tell-tale design features like studs, spikes and safety pins it is clearly the wrong way to approach the high fashion return of punk for 2013. Instead, limit yourself to one or two eye-catching details that will instantly toughen up your look, while retaining the essence of your signature style. Think elegance and glamour as well.
Studs

Wear as a dominant, though not over the top detail.

There is, of course, a danger with studs that involves more than accidentally inflicting their piercing potential upon others – it’s very easy for them to be worn in an over-the-top way. But thrown them in the mix alongside an array of perfectly tailored pieces, a leather biker jacket, a pair of sexy pointy heels, top them off with a messy bun and a toned-down make-up and you get a timeless look with a subtle punk appeal.

Invest in studded leather jackets, leather gilts, studded accessories and plenty of black colored staples.

Heavy boots
Combat boots, Doc Martens or biker boots can instantly punk up an outfit – particularly when paired with skinny jeans or skinny leather pants. But they can work just as perfectly when combined with quilted leather skirts, plaid shift dresses or super feminine frocks for an updated and far more glamorous take on the rebellious punk attitude.

You will also stumble upon plenty of black leather ankle boots elevated with spikes and studs that you will be able to use in unexpected pairings this season.

Spikes
More than just a handy way of making you stand out in a crowd, spikes are iconic to punk alongside safety pins. That doesn’t mean you need to wear one as a nose piercing; but do look at spikes as an accessory that can work in dozens of different ways. Think necklaces, earrings and other punk accessories, alongside bold detailings perfecting evening gowns, sleek blazers, corsets and even shoes.

Plaids
Plaids couldn’t have missed on the return of punk for 2013, as the signature pattern has been a long time elite member of the rebellious subculture. This time around, plaids were reenvisioned as subtle elements pointing towards punk, but suggesting a revised attitude born out of the spirit of evolution. A plaid shirt can easily toughen up an outfit made out of skinny leather pants, heavy boots and sleek blazer.

Chromatics / Kill For Love

 

Our summer festivals are now in full swing at Emi HQ. What we love the most is discovering new music. From this year's Sonar festival, one of the new bands we went to check out was Chromatics.

Think 80's synth, pop-esq with a heavy base line and quick step beat on the boards, layer over the drums and one helluva voice and that pretty much sums up the Chromatics.

Check them out on Soundcloud HERE.

We've been rocking to them since we came back!!

Enjoy!

Love, Your Emi. x x x

Esther Williams dies at the age of 91

Esther Williams would have been the first to laugh at the famous quote, attributed to many, that described her Hollywood success: "Wet, she is a star."

The swimming champion-turned-actress, who died in her sleep at her Los Angeles home on Thursday at age 91, was one of the shimmering lights of the Technicolor water musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.

"She was a major, major star, a tremendous box office attraction," says film historian Leonard Maltin.

"Esther Williams had one contribution to make to movies — her magnificent athletic body," wrote New York Times film critic Pauline Kael. "And for over 10 years MGM made the most of it, keeping her in clinging, wet bathing suits and hoping the audience would shiver."

After her dream of swimming in the 1940 Helsinki Olympics was squashed when the event was canceled due to World War II ("It was her one big regret not swimming in those Games," says Maltin), she made an unlikely detour to Hollywood.

Williams became one of the great moneymakers of that era by appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.