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. 

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Anne Hathaway's Lip Sync Battle Will Change Your Life

Every so often something comes along that’s so fantastic, so amazing, that it’ll change your life forever. That’s what happened to Luxe Models when we saw Anne Hathaway doing a skit on Spike TV’s Lip Sync Battle.

The woman who has it all

The rise, rise and rise again of Anne Hathaway is all the proof we need to determine once and for all that life isn’t fair. She’s talented, successful, kind and boasts a killer eye for fashion. She even managed to pull off the cropped look after she was forced to have her hair shaved off in Les Miserables; that’s just impressive.

Plus as fashion enthusiasts we have a secret (so not secret) shame. We’re massive fans of the Devil Wears Prada. Hathaway plays the film’s lead role; the style-blind woman who starts working at one of the world’s premier fashion magazines and suddenly develops a fabulous eye for designer clobber. We seriously wanted to find that set and steal every single outfit she wore post-makeover!

Anne Hathaway pulls a Miley Cyrus

Now we have another reason to love her. She can laugh at herself! We made this discovery when we caught a clip of Hathaway pulling a Miley Cyrus on Spike TV’s Lip Sync Battle.

The show is based on a similar sketch on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show. It pits famous names against each other as they pull off their best pop star impressions and mime along to some of the chart’s biggest hits.

She came in like a wrecking ball!

Hathaway went head to head with Devil Wears Prada co-star Emily Blunt. We’ve only seen a trailer at this point but this one-minute clip was enough! Picture this. The beautiful A-lister strides on stage in a white vest and trackies (Vicky Pollard, we think Anne Hathaway stole your outfit!) and starts soulfully miming along to the opening lyrics of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking ball.’

It doesn’t end there. She goes further in her quest to imitate the ultimate post-modern pop culture provocateur. She strips down to a bizarre vest and pants set before climbing up onto what we can only imagine is a fake wrecking ball, which proceeds to swing over the audience. As the balls hits maximum momentum, Hathaway does her best ‘aggressive Miley’ and writhes around on top whilst sticking her middle finger up to Blunt.

We need to see the full thing

Mind, blown. Yours will be too if you take a minute out of your day to watch this amazing clip. We need the full version of this skit to air, like, now. It could change the world for the better! 

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Sophie Hunter (Cumberbatch) Stuns in Valentino Wedding Dress

Hunky heartthrob Benedict Cumberbatch and theatre director Sophie Hunter finally tied the knot on Valentine’s Day. Pictures of Hunter’s wedding dress have been released and Luxe Models has got to say, she looked absolutely fabulous!

Who wouldn’t swoon!

We were not pleased to hear the name Sophie Hunter. Benedict Cumberbatch is the epitome of the British leading man. His smooth upper crust accent, cut-glass cheekbones, buff bod and smouldering orbs are enough to make anyone swoon.

In other words there’s more than one person in the Luxe Models office who has a crush on the Sherlock actor. That’s why we went into mourning last year when Cumberbatch took out an ad in The Times to announce his engagement to a woman by the name of Sophie Hunter.

What a woman

The green eyed monster faded the minute we clapped eyes on an article on Your Tango in the aftermath of the shock announcement. As it turns out, the now-Mrs Cumberbatch is a spectacular woman.

Check this out. She’s an Oxford graduate. She has a degree in modern foreign languages from the exclusive university. Furthermore Hunter is a celebrated director of plays and operas. She won a Samuel Beckett award for The Terrific Electric, which she wrote and directed. She’s also an actress who’s appeared in small screen staples like Midsomer Murders and Torchwood.

Luxe Models falls in love with Sophie Hunter’s wedding dress

We’re starting to think she’s the one who’s too good for him. Now it turns out she’s got a killer fashion sense too. Legendary photographer Annie Leibowitz recently photographed the director in her wedding dress for US Vogue. We never knew we could fall in love with a piece of clothing.

What a vision. Hunter chose a floor-length silver lace Valentino Haute Coutre gown with impeccable embroidery for her big day. A demure yet inspired creation, the long-sleeved dress boasted a subtle empire waistline which set Hunter’s statuesque figure off to perfection whilst discreetly disguising her growing baby bump.

The perfect start to married life

We’d have paid a million pounds to be a fly on the wall at that wedding. At Luxe Models we reckon the Imitation Game star fell in love with his bride all over again the minute she started walking down the aisle. In that dress, who wouldn’t fall in love with her!

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Luxe Models ask: Who is Natalia Kills?

Pop star Natalia Kills hit the headlines last week after being fired from the X Factor in New Zealand for bullying a contestant. This whole debacle has left Luxe Models wondering; who is Natalia Kills?

Natalia Kills, a mini biography

Born Natalia Noemi Cappuccini-Sincliar, Natalia Kills is a singer and actress who’s originally from Bradford. After being signed to a record label by Will.i.am in 2008, Kills went on to release a few albums before securing a role on New Zealand’s version of the X Factor.

You may not have heard a single track this woman has ever released, but you’ll have certainly heard of some of the artists she’s worked with. It reads like a who’s who of the world of cutting-edge pop. Not only has she worked extensively with the Black Eyed Peas frontman, in some form or another, she’s also worked with Katy Perry (supporting her on tour) and even Madonna.

Natalia Kills bullies contestant on live TV

Yet we doubt any of music’s finest will be picking up the phone to work with the Bradford lass after what she got up to on New Zealand’s version of the X Factor recently.

If you haven’t already heard (have you been living under a rock?) the story goes a little something like this. Kills and her husband Willy Moon, a singer-songwriter of New Zealand origin, are both judges on the show. They traversed the bounds of decent behaviour recently when they verbally eviscerated contestant Joe Irvine following his performance of the classic pop staple, ‘Cry Me a River.’ We won’t repeat what they said but it’s pretty brutal.

“Many sides to this story.”

The two were fired within hours and the world blew up. Kills and Moon have been slated across social media, the press and the world of celebrity. UK X Factor judge Louis Walsh even said that she’d never work again.

Yet Kills has finally spoken out on the incident. Billboard quoted the songstress saying that "I feel like everyone needs to put the idea of it being a manufactured conspiracy theory behind them, there's really nothing to it." She went on to comment that "I love my husband with all of my heart, we'll stick together no matter what."

At last! I am relieved that I'm finally able to break the silence... xoxo pic.twitter.com/9ubfgJjjZm

— NATALIA KILLS (@NataliaKills) March 19, 2015

She continued: "There are many sides to this story and I am not about to get an entire industry in trouble that has been going on for years and years entertaining the masses, so thank you absolutely everyone for your support. Thank you to all of my fans. Thank you to my husband...I would like to wish Joe Irvine and my boys’ category all the best on the show."

Her career’s probably over

So who is Natalia Kills? Apparently someone who seems pretty unrepentant about verbally lashing out at another human being on live TV. We don’t really need to care who she is anyway, like Walsh said, her career’s probably well and truly over after an incident like this.

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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. 

Kim Kardashian West Unveils Shocking New ‘Do

Stop the presses. Luxe Models has just learned something that is about to change your lives… alright, change your day at least. Global icon Kim Kardashian West has unveiled her latest hairstyle. It practically broke the internet.

You’ve got to admire Kim Kardashian West

We can’t help but adore the reality TV star here at Luxe Models. OK, she became famous because of a seedy sex tape and a so-obviously-scripted reality TV show but Kim K is so much more than her beginnings.

Love her or hate her, you’ve got to admire her. Kim Kardashian West has capitalised on her five minutes of fame to turn it into the kind of notoriety that could very well last a lifetime. Today she’s a celebrity, business woman and yes, a fashion icon. She’s got a wicked sense of style.

Kardashian West dyes hair dramatic colour

Her flair for fashion was made apparent recently when she unveiled a striking new hairstyle. She died it platinum blonde. Yes, you read right. Platinum blonde.

According to the Guardian the international star unveiled the look as she arrived at the Balmain fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. It looks like she’s intended to keep it under wraps, as he initially arrived at the event complete with big knitted wool hat. However reporters kept spotting little blonde hairs peeking out under the hat so she chose to throw caution to the wind, remove the garment and showcase her new dye-job to the world.

Kim Kardashian West breaks the internet

And promptly the internet broke. Gossip fanatics everywhere immediately took to Twitter to post their opinion of the stars controversial new look. The Daily Mail reported that it spurred a number of Legolas-inspired memes. For the non-geeks out there reading this article, he’s the elf from Lord of the Rings with shocking platinum locks.

Her hair was also compared to that of Draco Malfoy, the teenage nemesis of the title character in the Harry Potter books and movies. The actor who played the pureblood in the film version of the franchise, Tom Felton, even got in on the joke himself. Sharing a picture of Kim's face photoshopped onto the body of his character, the actor tweeted: “So apparently Kanye has a Draco fetish #muse.”

Everyone’s talking about Kim Kardashian West’s new hair

More than anything this just shows how influential Kim Kardashian West has become as an icon of modern fashion and celebrity. Her dramatic new hair style may have been routinely mocked across the internet but everyone was talking about it. That sounds like an icon to us here at Luxe Models!

Did Madonna’s Fall Save the BRITS?

Last week Madonna took a tumble at the BRITS whilst performing her latest single ‘Living for Love.’ At Luxe Models we believe that this actually saved the biggest night in British music; here’s why.

There’s only one reason we care about the BRITS

Back in the 80’s, 90’s and even the 00’s there was only one reason we cleared our schedules so we could watch the BRIT Awards every time it rolled around.

It wasn’t to see who won the awards. We don’t really care about finding out who the music industry thinks deserves pat on the back. It wasn’t for the thank you speeches. We’d rather watch paint dry than waste more valuable time out of our lives listening to some tearful pop starlet thank “mum, god and all my fans for this award.” No, we tuned in like clockwork every year to see what would go wrong.

We can’t wait to see what’ll go wrong

The BRIT awards were once notorious as the one award show where something was bound to go wrong at some point. The BRITS have spawned some of the most iconic moments in music history; and we’re not talking about the performances.

Case in point. Michael Jackson and Jarvis Cocker. The Pulp frontman chose to run across the stage, lift his shirt and point his behind in Jackson’s direction whilst the latter was performing ‘Earth Song’ at the 1996 BRIT Awards. Bloody hilarious! The BRITS used to be chock full of these moments and they’re what made the show great.

Madonna saves the BRIT Awards!

Until recently. The last few years have seen a distinct lack of accidents, random acts of rebellion and occasional drunken incidents. Performers have actually started toeing the line at the ceremony that was once famous for its ability to provide a juicy tabloid headline like clockwork every year.

And we switched off. We didn’t care about the BRIT Awards anymore. Until last week. Last week Madonna fell off some steps as she tripped over her cape (!) whilst performing her latest single ‘Living for Love.’ Suddenly we cared again. So did everyone else. According to Digital Spy it was all over Twitter.

We rest our case

In other words Madonna got people talking about the BRIT Awards again. Her massive screw up reminded us that the BRITS are a treasured institution because something is bound to go wrong, not in spite of it. If this doesn’t prove that her epic tumble saved the biggest night in UK music, nothing does! 

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Five Worst Celebrity Baby Names in the History of Hollywood

It’s time to name and shame the A-list set here on the Luxe Models blog this week. Here are the five worst celebrity baby names in the history of Hollywood.

The one thing Luxe Models really hates about celebrities

Here at Luxe Models we love celebrities. They’re fascinating creatures. The activities, style choices and wardrobe blunders of the A-list set keep us endlessly amused every time we open the latest edition of our favourite glossy.

Yet there’s one unfortunate character trait of the average celebrity that fails to amuse us every time it rears the ugly head. The A-list penchant for giving their progeny ridiculous names. Seriously, how are these kids going to survive in the playground with names like ‘Apple?’

Naming and shaming five A-list parents

In other words this week we’re taking a stand for every child forced to endure a stupendous name by their famous parents. The five worst celebrity baby names in the history of Hollywood are…

1)      North West: Only Kanye West could come up with a name that makes him look more arrogant than he did after THAT TaylorSwift incident at the VMAs. He was blatantly trying to be clever when he decided to name his daughter after a point on the compass but it totally back-fired.

2)      Destiny Cyrus: Stop the presses. Miley’s real name is Destiny! Seriously, dad Billy Ray should be flogged for this. No wonder she made such a show of herself at the 2013 VMAS with a name like Destiny!

3)      Apple Martin: God Gwyneth Paltrow’s annoying. Only the queen of GOOP would think it’s a good idea to name her kid after a fruit. She probably got the idea from whatever crazy fad diet she was following at the time.

4)      Kal-El Cage: Apparently Nicholas Cage is a massive geek. How have we come to this conclusion? He named his son after Superman. It doesn’t get any more Big Bang Theory than that.

5)      Zuma Nesta Rock: There are no words. Apparently Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale named their kid after “Zuma” beach in Malibu, which is kind of cool. Yet maybe they should have picked another beach – they’ve made their child sound like an odd mix between a fitness technique and a coffee brand.

Five of many horrific baby names

Do you agree? These are five pretty bad Hollywood baby names but let’s face it, they’re just five of many. If anything this post has reminded us that apparently the minute you reach the stars you forget how things are for the rest of us back down here on earth. 

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Oh No Rihanna, What Were You Thinking?!

A new snap of one of the world’s famous pop stars that came to our attention recently has caused Luxe Models to ask this week; oh no Rihanna, what were you thinking?!

The Evolution of Rihanna’s Fashion Sense

Luxe Models hasn’t always lauded Rihanna as a fashion icon. Our love of the Bajan beauty has evolved over time as she’s grown into her sense of style.

Back in her ‘Pon de Replay’ days Rihanna looked no different than every other teenage starlet looking to make a name for themselves in the music industry. Yet by the time megahit ‘Umbrella’ first inched onto the air waves it was quite clear that Riri had grown up a little, and with her trend-setting new haircut, sleek threads and effortless makeup it was quite clear that the ‘Take a Bow’ singer was taking her first steps towards establishing herself as a fashion icon.

Luxe Models is So Disappointed in Rihanna!

Which she very much is in 2015. The intervening years following ‘Umbrella’ have seen Rihanna become just as famous for her daring, provocative wardrobe choices as her infectious pop ditties. We still can’t forget that fabulous sheer dress she wore at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards!

That’s why we were so disappointed recently when the Daily Mail brought to our attention one Rihanna wardrobe choice that proved even she doesn’t get it right all the time! She rocked up to a recording studio in West Hollywood last Wednesday sporting an outfit that made us want to gouge our eyes out with a rusty spoon.

The Kids from Saved by the Bell Called…

At this point we hear you asking; what outfit could Rihanna of all people have worn that was bad enough to make LuxeModels want to gouge their own eyes out?’ Just you wait…

Riri chose to arrive at a recording studio rocking a long, loose and layered blue and white checked dress which descended down over her knees, teamed with a cropped yet distinctly unstylish leather jacket. Riri, the kids from Saved by the Bell called, they want their wardrobes back! She may have saved the look if she’d chosen to flash a little leg. Instead she opted by chunky light-blue boyfriend jeans and non-descript lace-up trainers.

You Get What We Mean

As such, we’re fairly sure you understand why the sight of this one picture alone spurred Luxe Models to ask; oh no Rihanna, what were you thinking?! A woman with fashion credentials as pronounced as Rihanna’s really should know better!!

Is Taylor Swift Starting to Take Herself Too Seriously?

Taylor Swift’s recent decision to trademark phrases from new album 1989 has prompted Luxe Models to ask this week; is Taylor Swift starting to take herself too seriously?

The Year of Taylor Swift

2014 was the year of Taylor Swift. The former country music starlet has always had a rabid fan base, but the release of her latest album 1989 has catapulted her to into the realm of pop superstardom.

As such Swift has become a role model for women around the world. We’ve welcomed this here at Luxe Models. The ‘Shake it Off’ singer’s penchant for simple yet elegant fashion is one that translates on a universal scale. Anyone can pull off the Taylor Swift look.

Is Taylor as Down to Earth as she’s Always Seemed?

That relatability is the reason so many people like Taylor Swift. She’s the down to earth nice girl of pop and in an industry often characterised by glamour and seduction, she often proves a refreshing change of pace.

Yet Swift’s down to earth temperament has come under doubt as of late due to her latest decision. One that seems more characteristic of Madonna or Mariah than the former Nashville darling. According to Digital Spy, Swift has decided to trademark certain phrases that feature in songs from 1989.

Protecting the Brand

According to legal database Justia, Swift has applied to the US government to legally trademark a range of phrases. These include 'Party Like its 1989,'  'This Sick Beat,' 'Cause We Never Go Out of Style,' 'Nice to Meet You, Where You Been?' and 'Could Show You Incredible Things.'

Swift has taken this step to protect her brand. Trademarking these phrases will prevent others from using them for marketing purposes. It will, for example, stop them featuring the phrases on products such as Christmas stockings, whalebone and removal tattoos and guitar straps, as well as whips, saddlery, pot holders, typewriters and non-medicated toiletries.

She’s Gone too Far This Time

Swift hasn’t done anything unusual. Pop stars use trademarking every day as a way to protect their brand. However, usually they limit it to album titles, song titles etc.

Trademarking a phrase just seems like a step too far. Is Taylor Swift so desperate to safeguard her brand that she feels the need to ensure people don’t have permission to use certain sentences? If so then yes, maybe the ‘Blank Space’ crooner really is starting to take herself too seriously!