Zayn Malik To Become Fashion Designer

Former One Direction member Zayn Malik is taking over the world of fashion right now. Along with modelling, new reports suggest that Zayn is now planning on becoming a fashion designer...

Influential figure

Do you want to become a male model? Look at Zayn Malik for inspiration. With his gorgeous looks and on-point sense of style, it was only ever a matter of time before the 'Pillow Talk' singer took the world of fashion by storm. Zayn's fashion work first came to LUXE Models' attention when in September, he joined stars like Twilight actress Kristen Stewart in fronting Elle magazine, making waves all around the world.

Zayn's meteoric rise was confirmed by Business of Fashion, a sector publication, when they recently named him one of fashion's most influential people. Zayn is now considered as influential as major models, designers and trendsetters ranging from Gigi Hadid, his supermodel girlfriend, to iconic Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, who has re-defined fashion during her tenure in this post. Where next for Zayn? 

You can read this article in full with LUXE Models.

How to Wear a Swimsuit Away From the Pool

With summer in full-swing, it’s time to break out your swimsuits. It’s increasingly acceptable to wear swimsuits beyond the water, with celebrities from Selena Gomez to Elle Fanning fast-embracing this cool new trend. LUXE Models tells you how to wear a swimsuit away from the pool.

Dress for the streets

With a good-one piece, you can throw together a look that’s great for the streets. For pointers on how to pull this off, look to Selena Gomez. In Style points out that recently, the American popstar teamed a one-piece with cut-offs and a gold-velvet blaze, creating a really casual, yet cool outfit!

Glam it up

Swimsuits can work just as well in the evening. To cultivate the perfect look, glam up a one-piece with statement jewellery, breath-taking stiletto heels and a bold-printed skirt and you’ll soon be ready to hit the pubs and clubs. Team with tights and a tailored-blazer if you want to get really sophisticated!

Go beach-ready

When you’re heading to the beach, you might want to put your swimsuit on beforehand, so you can get in the water as soon as possible. Just add a sarong, some leather sandals and a killer pair of sunglasses to develop a great look that you can shed easily the minute you hit the sand!

Find great swimwear

You’re never going to rock this trend right, without first making sure that you have some awesome swimwear in your wardrobe. When shopping for a bikini or a one-piece, choose the right size and cut for your body, so you can layer it up easily away from the pool! Experiment in the changing room with other clothes, so you can see how your chosen piece will look as part of an outfit!

Really experiment

Swimsuits are really versatile, so you can really play around when you wear them beyond the pool. Experiment with different skirts, jeans, tops, accessories, jewellery and shoes to find a style that really works for you. By doing this, you can gain the confidence you need to own this fabulous trend! 

How to Pull Off ‘Galactic Blue’ Lips

Did you see Lupita Nyong’o at last month’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens London premier? Her lips looked stunning! If you want to emulate her fabulous look stick around, as LUXE Models explains how to pull off ‘galactic blue’ lips!

Makeup trend

Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of celebrated actor Johnny Depp and French singer Vanessa Paradis, recently posed for the cover of Love Magazine, a fashion, style and culture publication. Lily-Rose’s breath-taking turn on the cover of Love confirmed that blue is the must-have make-up trend of 2016!

According to Cosmopolitan Magazine, every shade of blue, from brilliant cobalt to jean navy to metallic azure, is totally in right now. Lily-Rose’s take on the trend was rather extreme; she rocked vivid-blue 80s-style eye shadow, teaming it with yellows and oranges and topping the look off with gorgeous pink cheeks and lips. But you don’t have to go that extreme to get this trend right.

Galactic blue lips

Want someone to show you how to nail the blue make-up trend? Look no further than OSCAR winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. The 12 Years a Slave star recently featured in the blockbuster smash Star Wars: The Force Awakens and opted for blue make-up when she attended the film’s London premier in December 2015.

She didn’t go as far as Lily Rose-Depp. In honour of Star Wars, Lupita wore what can only be described as ‘Galactic blue lips.’ This oddly elegant shade of sapphire was mind-blowing, and her decision to pair it with statement gold-scarlet earrings and a black, long-sleeved dress was inspired. So how can you copy Lupita’s lips? Luckily for you the man behind the look, make-up artist Nick Barose, recently explained how he did it to Glamour Magazine.

Barose’s method

Commenting on his process, Barose said: “To create the perfect lip art with a galactic blue shade, you have to get creative. Sometimes you can actually mix in eye products too—whatever it takes to get the right colour. ” He started by prepping Lupita’s lips with balm and then, according to Barose, he “used [Lancôme] ‘Drama Liqui-pencil in Minuit’ to trace and fill in [her] lips to create a base colour.”

Continuing, Barose explained: “Next, with a lip brush I dabbed a bit of the balm on top of the colour. Last, I applied ‘Colour Design Eyeshade in Sapphire Lace,’ a metallic blue, in the centre of the lips to brighten and enhance the metallic effect." So basically to create Lupita’s ‘galactic blue’ lips, you need to prep your lips with balm, fill them with a deep blue eyeliner and then colour over the centre of your mouth with a metallic lapis eyeshadow, then top off with another layer of balm to finish!

Follow Lupita’s example

Here at LUXE Models, we’d suggest that if you’re wanting to wear ‘galactic blue’ lips at some point in 2016, you follow Lupita’s example on how to pull them off. Team this statement look with subtle clothes and accessories so your vibrant lips can shine! 

Five Exciting Trends to Watch Out for in Spring/Summer 2016

With New Year just around the corner, Luxe Models reveals five exciting trends you need to watch out for as we move into spring/summer 2016.

70s suede

If you thought fashion’s love affair with the 70s was over, think again. Fashion month’s spring/summer 2016 show proved that 70s-style suede – the must have material of the decade that featured at shows from Jonathan Saunders and Rebecca Minkoff, is set to become huge at the beginning of next year.

Victorian style

If you watched the Emilia Wickstead, Erdem and J.W. Anderson shows closely this time around, you’ll have noticed that modesty’s set to make a comeback. Classic Victorian styles such as high-collar necklines, puffy sleeves, bold lace and ruffles will be everywhere come spring.

Flat shoes

We thanked our lucky stars when flat shoes came roaring back into fashion, and it looks as though the trend is here to stay… at least until spring/summer 2016 anyway. If you want to nail this one right we suggest you check out brands such as Edun, Victoria Beckham and Trademark that have jazzed the footwear staple up for the modern market.

Low-rise trousers

The revival of the 70s has re-popularised high-rise trousers. Designers such as Derek Lam and Rosie Assoulin showed that they’re tired of the trend by switching to classic 90s low-rise trousers for their spring/summer 2016 collections.

Cut out tops

It’s never been more fashionable to embrace the subtle sex appeal of bared shoulders, and this is set to continue for quite a while yet. We noticed that several designers at Fashion month spring/summer 2016, including Wes Gordon and Rachel Zoe, championed the look with cool cut out tops and dresses that are bound to be all over the high street next year.

Get ready

If our instincts turn out to be correct, these style are destined to be huge in spring/summer 2016. We suggest you burn a little of that Christmas cash in the sales and start stocking up now, so you can get yourself ready to craft a few killer outfits next year! 

Five Tips for Layering Clothes This Winter

With temperatures set to drop in the next few weeks, you should start thinking about how you can ward off the chill. But how do you stay warm without committing a crime against fashion? You could always layer up your outfit! Here are five tips you can use to make sure you master the art of layering the winter.

Mix smart and casual

If you add a designer piece to a high street wardrobe you can craft a killer outfit. The same principle applies here. If you’re looking to make a high-end dress or shirt work for daytime, pair it with more casual items like a light cardigan, a hipster-style leather handbag or a good old fashioned button-up.

Be careful with colours and patterns

By all means layer different colours and patterns to inject a little excitement into your look – but be careful how you do it. If you’re thinking about pairing stripes, for example, don’t team them with more stripes – go for subtle leopard print or polka dots instead. Meanwhile before you wear two items of different colours consult the Pantone colour chart to make sure they don’t clash!

Work with different sizes

How do you layer on a really cold day? You could always team a beautiful cable knit jumper (so in right now!) with a more form fitting shirt or blouse. The loose/form fitting contrast will provide you with an outfit that oozes cool, laid-back sophistication. Add some statement stilettos, subtle jewellery or a pair of ripped jeans to complete the look!

Think carefully about jewellery

Here we need to think about a cardinal rule of fashion – less is more. You really need to think carefully about jewellery before you add any to a layered up outfit. Don’t overcrowd your body; either go for subtle items or opt for one statement piece. Make sure you know how to wear bold pieces – Luxe Models has explained how to pull off statement necklaces, before you even think of trying this out!

Try out a belt

When in doubt, try out a belt. The danger with layering is that it involves so many clothes you can really detract from your beautiful shape if you’re not careful. If you want to avoid this just wrap a belt around your waist or under your bust to add some definition to your shape. Be careful which type of belt you pick though – you don’t want to wear a thin belt with an outfit that’d really work better with a thicker one!

Hunt down some ideas

Now you’ve got the basics down, why don’t you try layering up for yourself! The Luxe Models team has recently written an article which’ll provide you with some fantastic ideas on how you can layer up your wardrobe to create a fabulous outfit this winter! 

How to Wear a Faux Fur Stole

Faux fur stoles are so in right now. They ward off the chill, whilst adding a touch of old school Hollywood glamour to your look – so they’re great for winter. If you’re thinking about buying one in the next few months, keep reading, as Luxe Models reveals five ways to wear a faux fur stole….

Draped over your shoulders

The easiest way to wear a faux fur stole is to drape it elegantly across your shoulders – a look that’ll lend a cool, but sophisticated vibe to your outfit. Drape the stole around the neck and shoulders of a collared jacket or coat, to strike the contrast you need to really make this style work.

With a plain dress

Faux fur stoles make a big statement – so they work really well with simpler pieces. If you team a gorgeous black faux fur stole with a chic plain white dress, for example, you can really jazz up your look. If you go with this, don’t be afraid to team it with big stiletto heels and over-sized shades, for that true A-list look.

Cinched with a belt

If it’s really windy outside, you might want to think about holding the stole down with a classy, understated belt. Be sure to opt for a thin belt – we’ve found that if you team this statement neckwear with a chunkier belt, it’ll detract from the sheer beauty of the stole.

Pinned down

The best way to channel the 40s movie star vibe that’s practically synonymous with faux fur is to pin your stole down with a vintage broach. Here’s how you do it - when you drape the stole around your neck make sure one side’s longer than the other, then bring the sides together until they touch at chest height, and pin!

Over one shoulder

If you don’t care about practicality, you can always drape a faux fur stole over just one shoulder. OK – you may have to stop it falling off every five minutes – but this look is so deliciously avante garde you won’t care!

Think about balance

Whichever look you choose, you need to think about balance. Faux fur stoles tend to make a bit of a splash, so you don’t want to overcrowd it with statement jewellery, big patterns or clashing colours. Keep it simple and you’ll be able to rock winter stoles all season long! 

How to Wear Statement Necklaces

Here at Luxe Models we love statement jewellery – throw on a bedazzled bracelet, a bold necklace or a gem-studded ring and you can glam up even the drabbest of wardrobe choices. But statement necklaces are particularly hard to pull off. If you get them right you’ll look amazing, but if you get them wrong you could throw off your entire outfit.

Five tips for wearing statement necklaces

So many people are afraid of wearing statement necklaces, but with Luxe Models on your side you don’t have to be. Here are five tips you can use to rock a statement necklace.

1) Abandon patterns: Whatever you do, don’t wear a statement necklace with a patterned top – they’ll clash horribly. You might want to think about using the bold piece to jazz up plainer shirts instead!

2) One at a time: Have you ever seen anyone wear a statement necklace with an eye-catching bangle? We doubt you have because this is a big faux pas in the world of fashion – stick to one statement piece at a time.

3) Think of your neckline: The key to pulling off a statement necklace is to make sure it goes with your neckline. You might want to think about pairing this larger than life jewellery with turtle-necked jumpers, off-the-shoulder numbers, or V-neck dresses – these necklines are perfect!

4) Adhere to a colour scheme: This is a cardinal rule of fashion that you should definitely apply to statement necklaces. If you’ve opted for a colour scheme for the rest of your outfit, extend it to your choice of statement necklace, so it blends seamlessly into the rest of your look.

5) Have some fun: At the end of day statement necklaces are big, bold and beautiful. The next time you wear one do a little experimenting and have some fun – you might just find a new way to work this fabulous piece into your wardrobe.

Wear with pride

If we leave you with anything, let it be that you need to wear a statement necklace with pride. If you use these tips, you’ll have everything you need to exude extreme confidence the next time you choose team this fabulous piece of jewellery with your outfit! 

For more like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Pinterest. 

How to Wear a Puffer Jacket

If you want to keep yourself warm without sacrificing your sense of style this winter, stick around. Luxe Models reveals how to wear a puffer jacket.

Ward off the chill

Now November has started, people across the UK are starting to feel the cold. It’s only set to get worse as we barrel into December and the New Year, so you’re going to need to start thinking about how you can wrap yourself up to ward off the chill.

Any fashionista worth their salt will tell you that it’s hard to guard yourself against the dipping temperatures of a UK winter, whilst retaining your sense of style. You might want to think about investing in a few puffer jackets, which according to Huffington Post Canada, are set to be all the rage this winter.

Five styling tips

These coats will keep you incredibly warm but if you’re not careful they’ll ruin your look. Here are five tips you can use to ensure that you have the ability to rock a puffer jacket this winter:

1) Think about length: It’s so hard to find the right length of puffer jacket; too long and it’ll swallow you whole, too short and it can exaggerate the “puffiness” of the piece. We’d suggest you go for a jacket that hits mid-thigh to strike a good balance.

2) Consider colour: It goes without saying that you should avoid jackets in bright shades such as neon pink and luminescent green. Yet we’d also advise you to ensure that you choose a shade of puffer which co-ordinates with the rest of your outfit, so the coat will add that finishing touch you need to craft a killer winter style.

3) Create a flattering silhouette: As we suggested earlier you need to balance out the puffiness of this jacket if you’re going to pull it off. That’s why you should think about teaming a puffer with skinny jeans, belts and statement heels to create a flattering silhouette!

4) Keep accessories minimal: If you’re thinking about pairing a puffer jacket with a big necklace, a bold scarf, or chunky bangles stop and think again! It makes enough of a statement on its own, so teaming it with a tonne of gaudy accessories won’t do you any favours.

5) Think outside the box: The puffer jacket market is really varied; you can get jackets without sleeves, puffers that resemble biker jackets, coats that feature fur-trimmed hoods etc. Shop around and find the puffer jacket that best suits your sense of style; that way you can fit it seamlessly into your existing wardrobe!

Pull it off

Wearing a puffer jacket might make you feel like you’re walking on the edge of a cliff – one wrong move and you’ll have a full blown disaster on your hands. However if you use these tips from Luxe Models, you’ll be able to rock the puffer jacket and wrap up warm this winter! 

How to Pull Off Leopard Print

If you want to find out how to rock one of this season’s hottest trends, stick around, as Luxe Models reveals how to pull off leopard print.

Exciting print

If you’re a fan of fashion, you’ll already know that leopard print is set to be huge this season. The striking pattern was everywhere on the autumn/winter 2015 catwalks, especially on the coats and jackets you need to stay warm as the cold weather descends.

The thing about leopard print is that it’s bold; it’s so bold that it can actually be pretty gaudy if you don’t wear it right. Make the wrong fashion choices and leopard print can make you look like you’ve just walked onto the set of EastEnders; Kat Slater is hardly the ideal style role model.

Five tips

So how can you pull off this incredibly bold, statement print? Here are five tips you can use to rock the leopard print look:

1) Abandon big accessories: Now is not the time for Pat Butcher style earrings. Your best bet with leopard print is to team the pattern with subtle accessories; the style is bold enough on its own without statement jewellery.

2) Pair with neutrals: Don’t pair a leopard print jacket with a bright-pink top or a neon-green t-shirt. The colours will clash horribly, so you should think about wearing pieces in neutral tones such as black and white when you don leopard print.

3) Restrain yourself: One leopard print item is enough – if you’re wearing a leopard print t-shirt, don’t team it with a jacket decorated with the same pattern. We should note though that you can wear it with other patterns such as stripes and polka dots; a look that’ll provide your wardrobe with a cool rock star-edge!

4) Be bold: Leopard print is incredibly bold, so you need the attitude to match. If you don a leopard print coat without ensuring you’re fully confident with your choice of outfit, the item will look distinctly out-of-sync with the rest of your look.

5) Keep makeup light: If you want to avoid clichéd leopard print, you should keep your makeup light. A little bit of gloss and soft eye makeup can set the statement print off just right, but any more than that and it just won’t work.

Look fabulous

Many women choose to avoid leopard print like the plague. However you don’t have to; if you use these tips from Luxe Models, you can rock one of Autumn/Winter 2015’s hottest trends and craft a truly fabulous outfit! 

How to Wear Slip Dresses

Today the Luxe Models team tells you how to wear slip dresses, so you have all the advice you need to rock this fantastic spring/summer 2016 trend.

New trend

New York, London, Milan and Paris recently hosted their spring/summer 2016 Fashion Weeks. These events revealed that the modernised slip dress is set to be really big next year. The slinky, sexy, sophisticated style of gown appeared at some of the biggest shows of the season, including Celine, Calvin Klein and Givenchy, according to Vogue Magazine.

Luxe Models’ tips

But how can you pull off this extremely risqué trend? Here are five tips you can use to wear slip dresses with style and panache!

1) Pay attention to colour: Have you ever seen someone wearing a neon-pink slip dress? No you haven’t – ridiculously bold colours don’t work with this look. We’d suggest you opt for monochromatic tones, or darker shades such as scarlet and jade-green.

2) Find the right fit: These gowns are designed to hug all the right places and float down to the ground at the waist. This means it’s essential you find the right fit when you buy a slip dress, otherwise the garment could prove distinctly unflattering.

3) Avoid glaring accessories: This type of gown gleams in the sun and often boasts intricate lace patterns. Here we apply the less is more rule. Keep accessories minimal and modest to make sure you rock this look the way it’s meant to be rocked!

4) Keep legs bare: Can you imagine wearing a slip dress with black opaque tights? We’re shuddering just thinking about it, because this look just strikes too much of a constant. You should keep your legs bare when you don a slip dress, but if you absolutely have to wear tights, opt for sheer!

5) Be confident: Luxe Models’ golden rule of fashion makes yet another appearance. Slip dresses are the essence of sexy, so you need to team them with a good dollop of confidence to ensure you exude the appeal it takes to rock this look!

Try experimenting

Now you’ve got the fundamentals down, why don’t you indulge in a little experimentation? You can team a slip dress with glossy, statement heels and an ‘up do’ if you’re heading out for a night on the town. Alternatively you can pair it with a jacket and flats if you want a more toned down vibe – the slip dress is really versatile! 

How to Pull Off a Jumpsuit

If you want to rock the latest trends, you need to embrace the 70s. With this in mind, Luxe Models reveals how to pull off a jumpsuit; one of the hottest style trends doing the rounds right now.

Back in style

Those of you who regularly read the Luxe Models blog will know that nothing stays out of style forever. What was once new and cool does fall out of favour. However eventually some designer gets nostalgic and they update the style to turn it into the season’s newest must-have item.

If you’ve been following the big spring/summer fashion weeks that recently took place in fashion capitals around the world, you’ll have noticed that the 70s are cool again. Everywhere you look designers are using 70s designs, colours and cuts to impart a touch of disco to their creations, which is why the jumpsuit has come roaring back into style.

Tips for jumpsuits

But jumpsuits are notoriously hard to pull off. How can you wear them without looking like you work at the local garage? Here are five tips you can use to look fabulous in a jumpsuit:

1) Think about size: This is vital when you’re buying any piece of clothing, but it’s especially important when you’re buying a jumpsuit. If you buy the wrong fit or size, it just won’t look right on your body!

2) Avoid patterns: It’s best to wear block-colour jumpsuits. This is because patterned jumpsuits, especially ones boasting loud, large prints, are extremely overpowering and detach from the simple, clean look a jumpsuit is supposed to convey.

3) Lightly accessorise: You shouldn’t opt for patterns but there’s nothing to suggest you can’t jazz up a jumpsuit with some accessories. Just keep it simple. We’d suggest you embrace the 70s and opt for a headscarf to really rock the look.

4) Don’t go clingy: Make sure you avoid materials such as spandex like the plague. If you wear a jumpsuit that’s made of something clingy it’ll show off all your lumps and bumps; a distinctly unflattering look!

5) Air confidence: A jumpsuit makes a really, really bold statement. It’s all or nothing – if you’re anything less than 100% confident when you don this 70s fashion staple, you won’t do the look justice.

Tread with caution

You don’t have to avoid jumpsuits. The revitalised 70s trend can make you look like a million dollars. However you should make sure you tread with caution. If you don’t follow these tips when you wear a jumpsuit, you might run the risk of looking like a reject from an Abba music video! 

For more like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models.

A Tribute to Ralph Lauren

At Luxe Models we want to take some time this week to mourn the (career) passing of one of the greatest names in fashion; Ralph Lauren. 

Building the brand

Ralph Lauren is most famous for building the fashion brand that bears his name, “Ralph Lauren,” from the ground up. The now-76 year old design genius first founded his company in 1968. Back then it was called “Polo Fashions,” and Lauren devoted it to popularising preppy style.

In 1972 he designed the brand’s now signature short-sleeved shirts, which boast a logo of a polo player. In 1989 Lauren released a knit sweater that featured the US flag and this was a game changer. In the years since, according to the BBC, Ralph Lauren became a symbol of old-school preppy American fashion, particularly noted for its colourful collared shirts and knit sweaters.

Stepping down

With a legacy like that, how do you know when it’s time to step down? Apparently Lauren decided that the time to step down has now come, as the Daily Mail has recently reported that he has announced that his retirement as the head of Ralph Lauren.

Yet he isn’t stepping aside completely. Reports have confirmed that Lauren will stick around to oversee the company's creative look and strategy. Considering the fact that this is the man who turned Ralph Lauren into a £5 billion business, they probably begged him to stay on in some form or another!

Lauren’s replacement

So now the obvious question is, who has Lauren hired to replace him? The designer revealed that Stefan Larsson, currently the global president of Gap’s Old Navy division, has been asked to step into his shoes. Under Larsson’s leadership, Old Navy’s sales increased 8% throughout 2014, turning the division into Gap’s largest business.

Lauren welcomed Larsson to the role, saying: “My job is to think always about the future of our company and how to move it forward. Stefan Larsson is exceptionally talented, and he will bring our company a fresh and exciting global perspective.”

Acknowledging greatness

With the passing of one fashion genius, comes the arrival of another. Luxe Models is sure that Larsson will do a fantastic job, but let’s take a moment to think of his predecessor. Ralph Lauren developed a brand which brought preppy American fashion into the global mainstream, and that’s no mean feat! 

For more stories like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Pinterest. 

Taylor Swift, All is Forgiven!

The Luxe Models team has decided to forgive pop star Taylor Swift for trotting out her endless supply of celeb pals every chance she gets. Why? She recruited one of the best Friends ever to jam with the crowd at one of the latest shows on the 1989 World Tour!

Bad Blood with Taylor

She may be adorable, amazing and like, the nicest person on the planet, but Luxe Models has a little bit of ‘Bad Blood’ with Taylor Swift. We’re sick of her parading her truckload of famous friends at every available opportunity.

Apparently we weren’t the only ones who were tired of the side-show. Last week we reported that a writer called Lara Schoenals decided to create the Taylor Swift Parody you need to see. We have to admit that we re-watched it recently for the purposes of this article, and it’s freaking amazing!

Enter Phoebe Buffay

Yet as you might have guessed from the title of this article, Luxe Models has decided to forgive Taylor for bringing out her A-list ‘squad’ every chance she gets. The person who’s responsible for this remarkable turnaround? Lisa Kudrow a.k.a. Phoebe Buffay from Friends.

We have to make it crystal clear, we really love Phoebe. She was the off-beat, quirky one in Friends who was a hipster before the hipster even became a thing. The team at Luxe Models genuinely believe that Miss Buffay’s penchant for zany outfits teamed with wacky accessories kicked off a style movement that has gone on to conquer the world of fashion.

Smelly Cat ft. Taylor Swift

The kookiest of the Friends roster was also the voice behind fictional one hit wonder ‘Smelly Cat.’ This iconic jam took over the world back in the 90s and if we’re being completely honest, we still remember the words; it was that awesome! Do you see where we’re going with this?

Radio Times recently reported that Swift invited Kudrow on the stage at the Staples Centre in L.A. to perform a duet of ‘Smelly Cat.’ Honestly it makes sense; we all know how much T-Swizzle loves her felines! You need to watch this video. It’s so amazing that it’ll have you crying with laughter within seconds, as you suddenly remember just why you fell in love with the ‘Mine’ singer in the first place.

Coolest duet… ever

After this duet, we had no choice but to forgive her. A performance of this magnitude will surely go down in pop culture history as one of the coolest moments of all time. At this point, the ‘Shake It Off’ hit maker can do pretty much whatever she wants, we don’t care anymore! 

For more stories like this, be sure to follow Luxe Models on Ello. 

Celebrating African Fashion

We recently saw African Fashion Week take over London. LuxeModels digests what is undoubtedly one of the world’s best glimpses of African Fashion.

Held at the Olimpia, this year was the fifth edition of the event since its inception in 2011. As well as those, there have also been at least ten events on the back of it held by third-party organisers including The Mayor of London’s Black History Month celebrations and the annual Africa Centre Summer Festival.

African Fashion

Upcoming designers have the opportunity to prove themselves at the event, with talent, creativity, and output all on display through the open-to-the-public event.

“It’s a conscious decision we made,” AFWL’s creative director, Sola Oyebade once told THISDAY. “We don’t go for the big names. We try to give a platform to young designers and help push their products out there. We’ve had top designers approach us, but told them, no, this is not your market.”

And the 2015 event was themed ‘Apprentice and Skill Development’ – it saw a plethora of young, aspiring designers join some more well-known stylists including Taiwanese Aimme Ku, who is flying the flag for Africa-inspired fashion in her native Taipei City. Nigerian designer, Needlepoint, was a favourite from last year’s event and was also in attendance with her new range this year. And the winner of the Mercedes-Benz Best Designer in Africa, Mary Martin, made her bow on the AFWL catwalk this year.

Big Fashion Designers

Victoria Michaels is one of the most sought-after designers in Africa. Her repertoire includes advertisements for Hertz Rent-a-car, Vodafone, MTN, Nexcafe, Da-Vica and Bela-Aqua mineral water.

Noella Musunka is also an international model and the founder of Malaika, a non-profit organisation which is aimed lives in her native Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the build-up to the event, she told the press: “It feels really great to be chosen as the Brand Ambassador for a globally acclaimed proudly African event like the African Fashion Week London… I’m particularly excited to be part of this grand platform that showcases the original African creativity, style and talent.”

“This industry has the ability to put Africa on the world stage and can provide for countless job opportunities on the ground and abroad, from local factories to international shops. It is time for the world to see the amazing talent that lies within Africa.”

It is expected that the African Fashion Week will be even bigger next year, with designers from all over the world taking inspiration from African cultures into their collections.

For more stories like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models. 

Should I Get a Tattoo to model?

A few comments made recently by Jennifer Lawrence have inspired many of us here at LUXE Models to consider a problem that has plagued fashionistas for decades. Should you get a tattoo?

Ill-advised tattoos

Believe it or not, tattoos have been around practically since the dawn of time. They transitioned into the fashion mainstream in the 70’s with the rise of glam rock and punk, as people of both sexes flocked to ink their skin to resemble the rebellious fashion icons of the decade. They’ve remained a staple of pop culture style ever since.

However, many fashionistas have come to regret their snap-decisions to ink their skin. This is because what was cool one moment flies out of style the next. This means that unless you want to shell out for expensive and painful laser treatment to have it removed, you’re forced to live with your ill-advised tattoo for the rest of your days.

Jennifer Lawrence’s big mistake

This point was recently brought home to LUXE Models by actress Jennifer Lawrence. Ever since her meteoric rise to stardom in The Hunger Games, she’s been hailed as a style icon around the world.

Yet even Lawrence doesn’t get it right all the time; a point that she herself made when she spoke to a reporter from HitFix at Comic-Con. She revealed that she has a tattoo that reads “H²O” that she now deeply regrets.

“Tattooed on my body forever.”

Digital Spy reported that she commented, "I was with Liam (Hemsworth)'s family and everyone was getting tattoos and I was like, 'Well, I'm always going to need to be hydrated so I guess I should just get H₂O on my hand.”

The Hunger Games actress went on to explain: "It's the colour of a scar, so it's all natural, so it's literally the most unrebellious tattoo anyone could ever get. By the way, I know that the 2 is high and in H₂O the 2 is supposed to be low. I should have Googled it before I got it tattooed on my body forever."

Think before you ink

This is why you should think long and hard before you get a tattoo. Ask yourself, “will I still like this in a year’s time?” “Will it still look cool?” If the answer to both these questions is “yes,” by all means get the tattoo. If the answer to even one of these questions is “no,” run away from that tattoo parlour as fast as you can!

For more stories like this be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models. 

Five Celebrity Businesswomen Luxe Models Admires

This week we decided to name the five celebrity businesswomen Luxe Models most admires, to salute the famous female faces who’ve used their talents to build huge financial empires.

It’s a woman’s world

The girls have come a long way. When the modern concept of “celebrity” first arose in the 40’s and 50’s, a woman could be famous but she couldn’t control her own financial future. It was the men who had their hands on the purse strings.

Oh how times have changed. Fast forward a few decades and you’ll soon see that it’s the girls who run the show these days. Female stars are using their fame as a platform to develop entire business empires, and show that the girls are every bit as good as the boys when it comes to making money.

These five women know how to make money!

There are a few women who stand head and shoulders above the rest; women so talented, intelligent and ambitious that they have accumulated serious piles of cash throughout their careers. Here are five that Luxe Models particularly admires.

1)      Oprah: Since she first started The Oprah Winfrey Show back in the 80’s, this fabulous female entrepreneur has gone on to become the world’s only African-American billionaire. Dubbed the “Queen of all media” by the international press, there isn’t a media-flavoured pie Ms Winfrey has failed to grab a slice of. She even has her own TV network.

2)      Madonna: The mother of reinvention has always had a talent for making money. Ever since her meteoric rise to stardom in the 80’s, Madonna has never missed an opportunity to market herself, turning her image into a speeding juggernaut of a global brand. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and has developed numerous products including her own clothing line and a chain of gyms!

3)      Beyoncé: The woman that CNN has described as a “global brand,” Queen Bey has straddled the line between marketing herself as an astute businesswoman whilst maintaining her relatable girl-next-door appeal. Not only has she sold millions of albums worldwide, but she has released so many products that we don’t have the space to list them all in this article!

4)      J.K. Rowling: We love J.K. Rowling because she lived the classic rags to riches story. She lifted herself out of a life on benefits when she dreamt up a story about a boy wizard at magic school that transformed the lives of millions of children all over the world. Rowling’s story shows that one idea can change your life.

5)      Taylor Swift: By far the youngest name on this list, T-Swizzle has such a talent for making money that it’s astounding. Named a “savvy business leader” by Entrepreneur.com, her estimated net worth is $220 million even though she’s only 25 years old. It’s really amazing how much dosh you can make off the back of a few (dozen) failed relationships!

Luxe Models salutes you!

The reason we admire these women and others like them should be obvious. They have used their talent, intelligence and raw ambition to overcome the misogyny that’s still rampant in the business community to turn their names into global brands. For that, we salute you celebrity businesswomen of the world! 

For more stories and blogs like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Ello today!

Which Celebrities Have The Best Smile?

A new poll has revealed to Luxe Models which celebrities the British public think have the best smile. So who won the coveted title?

The celebrity currency

Many celebrities live on their looks. They use their hair, bodies, nails and even their skin to secure lucrative advertisement deals that boost their public profiles and line their pockets.

There’s arguably no element of a celebrity’s look that matters more than their smile. As Rochelle and Marvin Humes, ambassadors for National Smile Month said recently "there's nothing better than a genuine smile." A good smile is infectious; this is why it’s the ultimate celebrity currency.

British public votes on best smile

The ambassadors also said that "the best smile ever comes down to confidence – true confidence shines through, and this is what makes smiling infectious." The British public took this to heart recently when they voted in a poll sponsored by Wrigley’s to determine which celebrity has the best smile.

The competition was fierce. Hello Magazine reported that The Duchess of Cambridge was crowned the winner when it came to the girls. She was closely followed by Holly Willoughby, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (who we’re still surprised didn’t win – she always wins these things.) and Julia Roberts.

Meanwhile David Beckham was the male celebrity who the British public thought had the best smile. He was followed by the hunkiest man on the planet, George Clooney, in second place and the man-who-just won’t-go-away (Olly Murs) in third. Honestly, we’re not sure if the British public got it right as far as Murs is concerned but oh well.

All you need is a smile

This proves our point about how far a celebrity can go if they have a good smile. With the exception of the Duchess of Cambridge, who can’t do commercial things because she’s a royal, every name on these lists is a staple of billboards, TV ads and pop up ads around the world. 

For more stories like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on www.Luxe-Models.co.uk. 

Are the Worlds of Fashion and the Music about to Collide?

A somewhat far-fetched story recently reported in the Daily Star has made Luxe Models wonder whether the worlds of fashion and music are about to collide in a way we never could have imagined. 

The X Factor effect

As much as it sometimes pains us to admit it, The X Factor has changed the face of modern music. The Simon Cowell creation has further commercialised an industry that we didn’t think could possibly be commercialised any further than it already had been after its bubble-gum pop days in the late 1990’s.

One of the reasons The X Factor has been such a hit is that it turns the relationship between its judges into a circus. We all remember the Sharon vs. Danni, the Cheryl vs. Danni, the Cheryl vs. Mel B, the Sharon vs. Louis and the Simon vs. everyone sagas. Shows like The X Factor are more likely to make stars out of their judges than the people who actually use them as a launch pad into the world of showbiz.

Kate Moss could be a judge on The X Factor

But it’s a symbiotic relationship. The show relies on the star power of its judges just as much as those who man its panel rely on its power to turn them into stars. That’s why every time The X Factor hits its latest ratings slump, the show’s execs decide that it’s time to shake up the judging panel.

The X Factor was pounded in the ratings last year. So now every tabloid across the UK is speculating who’ll be added to the show’s judging panel for its next run. A lot of names have been thrown into the ring so far (as usual), including Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora. The most surprising name is Kate Moss, who has been touted as an assistant judge that could help Grimshaw at the judge’s houses stage of the competition.

This is a really bad idea

Let Luxe Models tell you why this is a really bad idea. We adore Kate Moss. She is arguably the most famous super model the world has ever known, and she’s sparked more fashion trends than Madonna, Anna Wintour and Jackie Kennedy combined.

Yet she isn’t a music industry professional. She has no experience in this field and would be a disaster of a judge. If you don’t believe us, why don’t you look at a similar shock Simon Cowell hire; Ellen DeGeneres as a judge for American Idol. It generated a tonne of press but once she started the job it quickly became obvious that she had no idea what she was doing. Needless to say, she didn’t return the next season.

This is one way fashion and music shouldn’t collide

OK this isn’t quite the same thing but the point stands. There are many amazing ways that fashion and music have collided to create something incredibly beautiful. We don’t believe that hiring Kate Moss to judge the public’s singing ability would be one of them. Like DeGeneres time on Idol, it’d be nothing more than a publicity stunt. 

For more stories like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Ello. 

Luxe Models: Met Ball 2015

Do you love fashion and celebrities as much as us here at Luxe Models? Then there’s nothing more interesting than celebrities being fashionable at the Met Ball!

Dozens of celebrities descended to New York on Monday for the 2015 Met Ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What to wear

The fundraising event marks the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit, which will be open until August 16^th. ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’ was this year’s exhibit – representing the impact of Chinese art on fashion imagination around the globe. Hosting the event was Hong Kong’s fashion tycoon Silas Chou, with tickets valued at $25,000 each.

Among those in attendance to the 44^th year of the event was Rihanna, who swooped in wearing a fur-trimmed yellow train with floral swirls of gold. Sounds great, but it actually took three people to carry it along the red carpet!  

Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian were there, as well as some of our favourite celebrities; Anne Hathaway, Katy Perry, Bradley Cooper Ryan Reynolds (to name just a few!) The event usually sparks a bit if a trend through the summer, with people wanting similar outfits to those worn at the Met Ball. So Luxe Models are anticipating a bit of a Chinese theme to people’s summer wardrobes.

What to hair

The main thing to notice was not the attire, however it was people’s hair. Sarah Jessica Parker was pulling out all the stops for hair and beauty, and she wasn’t the only one making a statement with head pieces, smoky eye make-up and statement lipsticks

Her show-stopping Philip Treacy Custom headdress, looked like it was on fire from a distance, with red and pale blue ribbons forming flame-like shapes. The former Sex and the City star’ dramatically blue eyeshadow compelled her look and defined ‘fearlessness’.

Floral headpieces can be translated as ‘Chinese headgear’ after this event, with Rihanna’s bold yellow headdress matching the haute couture embroidered cape. Kate Hudson went for a glitzy statement piece that perfectly matched her golden Michael Kors tulle gown. And fellow actress Diane Kruger opted for an oversized white flower to complement her chic dishevelled ‘do.

George Clooney’s new wife, Amal, looked like she had stepped out of old Hollywood in her first appearance at the Gala – her glossy black tresses were worn down to the side and styled in tousled waves. The slick red lipstick was the cherry on the Chinese cake-away. 

For more stories like this, make sure you follow Luxe Models on Pinterest. 

Is… that Pamela Anderson?

For what seems like decades, 90s pin up and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has been teasing men with her honed blonde bombshell look. 

Baywatch beauty

Fierce make up, huge blonde locks, generous cleavage and a figure to die for; Pamela had her look down to a T. She rocked her glamour look to the point that every time we saw her in the mags or papers we expected to see her running slow-mo in a red swim suit across a sandy beach.

But, things are changing. People are changing. Fashion is changing! And guess what, Pamela Anderson is changing.

Her new look

Ditching her signature feel, Pamela has been seen rocking a brand new and completely different look. Appearing at the premiere of the new film ‘The Gunman’ – starring Sean Penn - Pam turned up dressed to kill, almost unrecognisable with a brand new short haircut and loose, revealing gold wrap down.

It’s a mile away from her old look, but there’s still a bit of old Pam left, as she posed to cameras at the premiere. Standing with her 18 year old son, a braless Pamela gritted her teeth to the cameras and was keen to look as nonchalant as possible – whilst looking stunning.

We love it

Here at Luxe Models, we blummin’ love Pam’s new look. And quite frankly, we thought it was about time she moved on to something else. 2015 is coming up Pam.

For more stories and news like this, from the world of fashion and beyond, be sure to stay up to date with Luxe Models on Ello, Facebook and Twitter.