Monday, January 12, 2015

Katie Hopkins Enters Celebrity Big Brother House

For those of you who still haven’t heard the news, last week saw Katie Hopkins enter the Celebrity Big Brother House. Here at Luxe Models, we can’t help but think this is a case of genius casting.

“Like a Baby. Just So Much Harder to Love.”

Katie Hopkins may once have been nothing more than a wannabe celeb duking it out for a contract with Lord Sugar on The Apprentice, but times they are a-changing. She’s still wannabe celeb, but these days she’s far less of the former and far more of the latter.

Since her days on The Apprentice Hopkins has made it her business to craft a career as a professional troll, offending everyone from fat people to Gazza to suicidal prisoners to ginger babies. What she said about ginger babies was particularly brutal. Here are her exact words… “Ginger babies. Like a baby. Just so much harder to love."

Katie Hopkins Luxe Models


The Same Bunch of Wannabes, No-Names and Has-Beens

Yeah. Pretty brutal. As such, it was no surprise whatsoever last week when Katie Hopkins turned out to be a housemate on this year’s series of Celebrity Big Brother.

It looks as though the house is populated with the same horde of wannabes, no-names and has-beens it is every year. However there are in a few names in this year’s bunch which have given us something to get excited about. Perez Hilton, Patsy Kensit. Nadia Sawalha, These are actually (fairly) famous people.

Do You Remember?

Yet it’s Hopkins we’re most excited about. We genuinely believe that she is set to become the best housemate the Celebrity Big Brother has ever seen. It’s all about controversy.

Do you remember when George Galloway chose to imitate a cat and lick cream off Rula Lenska’s hands? Do you remember when Jackie Stallone and former daughter-in-law Brigette Nielson found out they’d be forced to live together? Do you remember Vanessa Feltz… lost it, and we mean really lost it?

Celebrity Big Brother’s Most Controversial Housemate Ever?


In other words, Celebrity Big Brother was built on controversy. It wouldn’t be what it is today if celebs hadn’t lost their minds and embarrassed themselves on national TV. Considering the fact that she’s the queen of the controversial statement, Katie Hopkins is set to become the best – and by that we mean controversial – housemate the Celebrity Big Brother House has ever seen!

For more stories like this, from the world of fashion, celebrity news and beyond, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Facebook

Monday, January 05, 2015

What Does it Mean to be a Feminist?

Following comments recently made by The Big Bang Theory starlet Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, this week Luxe Models asks; what does it mean to be a feminist?

Rehabilitating the Image of the Word ‘Feminist.’

Ask anyone in the know – like Luxe Models – and they’ll soon tell you that 2014 could very well be labelled as the year the word ‘feminist’ made a comeback.

Long derided as a term reserved for the man-haters of the world, stars such as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift took on the considerable task of rehabilitating the image of this loaded word in 2014. By year’s end, the efforts of these vaunted A-listers saw the word feminist reimagined as a term referring to the equality of the sexes.


Kaley Cuoco Admits to Not Thinking About Feminism

Yet feminism’s stand-out year did not stop Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, the actress who plays Penny on phenomenally popular comedy The Big Bang Theory, from denying that the term applied to her.
According to Digital Spy, Cuoco-Sweeting was asked whether she considered herself as a feminist in a recent interview with Redbook. Her answer? "Is it bad if I say no? It's not really something I think about."

Cuoco-Sweeting “Never Really Faced Inequality.”

Going on to reveal that she’s “never really faced inequality," the actress who rose to fame in 8 Simple Rules went on to talk about her own experiences as a woman.

"Things are different now, and I know a lot of the work that paved the way for women happened before I was around... I was never that feminist girl demanding equality, but maybe that's because I've never really faced inequality."

You Could Face Discrimination at Any Time


In other words, Cuoco-Sweeting seems to be suggesting that in order to be a feminist, you need to be given a reason to take up the cause of women everywhere. At Luxe Models, we’d suggest that this is perhaps just a little short-sighted. Just because you haven’t faced inequality so far, doesn’t mean you won’t as you continue to craft a standout career in what is still sometimes considered a male-dominated world. 

For more news and updates like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on LinkedIn

Monday, December 22, 2014

Luxe Models: Our Top 5 Christmas Films

So, it’s that time of the year again – it’s wet, it’s cold, it’s dark and everyone’s broke. Guess what, it’s nearly Christmas! And whilst we can’t help being a little cynical this time of year, here at Luxe Models, deep down, we do actually love Christmas. And so should you.

One thing here at Luxe Models that we’re not a big fan of when it comes to the winter holidays, is the build-up. Big corporations and advertisers with their November Xmas tv ad campaigns always put us in a bad mood. Christmas is a time for sharing and caring, not profits and growth – we like getting halfway through December and waking up thinking “wow, it’s Christmas in 7 days”.

Christmas Luxe Models

And when the big day is just around the corner, we like nothing better than sitting back with a cup of mulled wine, a box of chocolates and a hard-drive full of Christmas movies.

So, with it being Christmas and all, we thought we’d do a quick countdown of our all-time favourite Xmas films. A selection of five winter classics that will be sure to get you festive just in time.

It’s A Wonderful Life




An undisputed classic, It’s A Wonderful Life tells the beautiful tale of George Bailey and his search for happiness and peace at Christmas time. Directed by Frank Capra, and released in 1946, this black and white piece of cinema gold is guaranteed to warm even the coldest of hearts.

Elf




A surprise hit, modern comedy Elf tells the story of Buddy the Elf, a man raised in the North Pole who travels to New York to find his real family. Staring the endlessly funny Will Ferrell, Elf is an effortless watch and will make you laugh until you feel sick – especially if you’ve been at the Quality Street.

Love Actually




“Love actually, is all around” – says a clean cut, Hugh Grant at the start of Richard Curtis’ all-star hit Love Actually – and in its 135 minute run-time, we actually believe him. It’s an amazingly well-paced flick with one of the best UK casts ever assembled.  If you haven’t seen it, then you haven’t lived.

A Muppet Christmas Carol


A wildcard, A Muppet Christmas Carol is silly, often cringe worthy and contains a rather dishevelled looking Michael Caine for the most part, but, it’s absolutely amazing. If you can embrace the absurdity of the whole thing, then you’re in for a treat.

Home Alone



And finally, one of our all-time favourites from when we were a lot younger, Home Alone is a 90s classic that deserves watching every single year. And, it marks one of the few times when Macaulay Culkin is actually cute!

So, if you find yourself with a free day or two in the Christmas period this Christmas, then line these five bad boys up and be prepared to get festive. 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Is Angelina Jolie Really a ‘Spoiled Brat?’

We’re having to ask a question we never thought we’d have to ask when it comes to one A-List actress here at Luxe  Models this week; is Angelina Jolie really a spoiled brat?

A Universally Held Truth

We’ve used many words to describe the new Mrs Pitt here on the Luxe Models Blog in the past. Common descriptions of the humanitarian include ‘visionary,’ saint-like’ and ‘Mother Teresa.’

OK, so we’re exaggerating, but you get the point. A universally held truth of the A-List world is that Angelina Jolie has somehow avoided the sense of entitlement that’s stricken down many of her peers at the pinnacle of their tenures in showbiz.

Angelina Jolie Luxe Models

“Minimally Talented Spoiled Brat.”

Yet one person doesn’t seem to agree. According to Digital Spy, a recently leaked email conversation between movie producer Scott Rudin and Sony co-chairperson Amy Pascal, saw the latter label Jolie a “minimally talented spoiled brat.”

The pair were discussing the actress’ alleged wish for acclaimed director David Fincher to spearhead one of her latest projects, Cleopatra. Fincher was attached to the Steve Jobs biopic that until last month, Sony was slated to oversee. Since, the picture has fallen under the creative management of rival film industry monolith, Universal Pictures.

A $180 Million Ego-Bath

Rudin was quite vocal in several emails when it came to both his opinion of Jolie and the concept of a Cleopatra movie. One email scathingly read: "I've told you exactly how I want to do this material. It's the ONLY way I want to do this material. I'm not remotely interested in presiding over a $180m ego bath that we both know will be the career-defining debacle for us both."

Rudin went on to say: "I'm not destroying my career over a minimally talented spoiled brat who thought nothing of shoving this off her plate for eighteen months so she could go direct a movie. I have no desire to be making a movie with her, or anybody, that she runs and that we don't.”

Maybe that’s Why We Find Them so Fascinating


In other words, this is just the opinion of one man. Yet his opinion has left Luxe Models wondering, do we really know the true personalities behind the celebs whose wardrobes we admire so much?  Maybe that’s why we find them so fascinating!

Monday, December 08, 2014

Luxe Models Talk Victoria's Secret London Show

For years now, American lingerie institution Victoria’s Secret has been slowly infiltrating our shores over here in the UK. And although we’re more fans of Anne Summers over here at Luxe Models, with the recent success of their London party, we might be seeing a lot more of Victoria’s Secret.

Victoria’s Secret in London

The largest retailer of lingerie in North America, Victoria’s Secret are now a worldwide brand – and supply specialist underwear for women across America and beyond. But as the company look to increase their reach, the bra-busting company have made the long trip over the pond to show their wears in the UK market.

Hosting a massive event in London, showing off their new 2015 collections, a host of Victoria Angels and pop superstars put on one hell of a show for the UK audience.



Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and more

US big gun superstar Taylor Swift was among those at the show, performing a few of her tracks whilst scantily models trotted by. There were also performances from a wide-eyed Ed Sheeran and a model-dodging Ariana Grande – but the models took centre stage for the event.

Super, Super Models!

Showing off their impeccable bodies, and flawless lingerie, we couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. Sure the bras and knickers were really nice, but there’s something a little unnerving about 50 or so partially-dressed super-models strutting their stuff down a catwalk that doesn’t half make you question your own sanity.

But, all in all it was a good watch. There was music, 2 million dollar bras, neon pants, oh, and yeah, Ariana Grande even walked into a pair of fake wings. What more could you want?


For more stories like this, from the world of fashion and beyond, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on LinkedIn today. 

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Sexism Suit Sells for $6,500

When we learned that the ‘sexism suit’ recently sold for $6,500, Luxe Models was reminded that women are judged far more harshly than their male counterparts when it comes to what they wear.

Society Judges Women More Severely Than Men

When you see a woman in an unflattering shade of puce, or sporting a dress cut in a particular way, what do you think? For the most people, the answer to that question unfortunately is often ‘god she looks awful.’

The society in which we live judges women more severely than men, especially when it comes to their wardrobe. A male Australian TV presenter strove to make that point clear over the last year by wearing the same suit on air for 365 days.

Karl Stefanovic Luxe Models Suit

Nobody Noticed, Nobody Cared

According to the Independent, Australian presenter Karl Stefanovic of the Nine Network’s Today Show, kick-started his experiment by wearing the blue suit on air for a couple of days in a row.
Nobody noticed, nobody cared. He tried doing it for month; nobody noticed, nobody cared. Then he strove to carry on the experiment for a year, revealing it only recently. Nobody noticed, nobody cared. They did care, and frequently comment on, what his female co-anchor was wearing.

No One Gives a Sh*t

Commenting on the reaction to his experiment to Fairfax Media, Stefanovic said that “no one has noticed; no one gives a sh*t.” He expanded the point by talking about the reactions to his female co-anchor’s wardrobe choices, saying:

“Women, they wear the wrong colour and they get pulled up. They say the wrong thing and there’s thousands of tweets written about them. Women are judged much more harshly and more keenly for what they do, what they say and what they wear.”


Someone Paid $6,500 for a Knock Off Stanky Burberry Suit!

Stefanovic’s efforts to raise awareness of the issue have now stepped up a gear. Recently, he auctioned the suit off on EBay, raising $6,500 for White Ribbon – a campaign designed to help end violence towards women.

In advertising what has come to be dubbed the ‘sexism suit,’ Stefanovic described the “knock off” Burberry number as super comfy, super stylist, super cool.” Although he added that it may need a good dry cleaning, as after a year of use it may be “a little bit stanky.” With a blurb like that, whoever paid $6,500 for this suit must really dig Stefanovic’s campaign! 

Shedding Light on a Problem Women Have Faced Over and Over Again


A campaign which seeks to shed light to a problem women have faced over and over again at every point in their lives. When a woman dons her outfit, she knows she’s more likely to receive criticism for what she’s wearing than a man would, and that’s a problem that as a society we need to address. 

Fore more stories and news updates like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Facebook

Friday, November 21, 2014

I’m Gemma Collins… Get Me Out Of Here!

Out of all the reality TV shows, here at Luxe Models we have to admit, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has to be one of our favourites.

Luxe Models Love I’m A Celeb

It doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. I’m A Celebrity knows they don’t get the biggest household names, but that’s the point really – they get D-list celebs to slum it in the jungle for a month and eat grubs. And guess what, we all love it.

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Luxe Models

An Action Packed First Week

So far this year’s I’m a Celeb has been a pretty action-packed affair, with tears, challenges, tragedies and walk-offs - and it hasn’t even been a week yet!

Most noteworthy of this series so far, both TOWIE star Jemma Collins and Red Dwarf actor Craig Charles have already left the jungle, but on very different terms.

All Our Love to Craig Charles and his Family

Actor, comedian and DJ Craig Charles left the I’m A Celeb ‘slammer’ – where some of the troop were locked up on the show – after he received the tragic news that his brother had sadly passed away.

Craig, received the news in Australia, and immediately left camp to head back to the UK to be with his family. We loved watching Craig on I’m A Celeb, but we wish him all the best of luck back home and send our love to him and his family.



The Only Way Is Home

TOWIES’ Gemma Collins also left the camp, but on her own terms, as she described the experience as “really, really traumatic.” Gemma had been struggling with life in the jungle since the get go, having self-diognosed herself with Malaria and suffered the “worst diarrhoea ever.”
She opted to leave the camp after three days, and according to The Mail Online said “It will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

We’ll miss you Gem, get home safe and put your feet up.

For more news, views, stories and articles like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Facebook.


Monday, November 17, 2014

Kim Kardashian Succeeds in Her Quest to Break the Internet

Last week, Luxe Models are pretty sure Kim Kardashian succeeded in her quest to break the internet, after she postedsnaps from a photo shoot which emphasised her famous derrière.

The Rise of the Big Booty


Whether you love her or hate her, you cannot deny that Kim Kardashian is a force to be reckoned with. She’s no longer the girl who starred in a sex tape… well no longer just the girl who starred in a sex tape. She’s a veritable A-Lister, with hordes of fans around the world.

KIM KARDASHIAN Luxe Models
Kardashian’s booty meanwhile, has a cult following all of its own. A booty in the true sense of the word, many have said that it’s contributed to the big bum trend that’s reshaping the world of fashion right now. We’re no longer in the late 90’s; skinny butts are out and big, curvaceous booties are well and truly in.

Kardashian Posts Two Internet Changing Snaps


The trend is unlikely to die down any time soon, as Kardashian recently went to extra pains to show off her bum to the world. As part of her goal to ‘break the internet’ (no idea what that even means), Mrs Kanye West took the time last week to post snaps from her photo shoot for the cover of Paper Magazine.

Among the host of pretty graphic pictures, there are two that immediately stick with you. For the first, Kardashian lowers her gown to sit underneath her bum, and show off her back and derrière. In the second, she shows off her best party trick, by balancing a champagne glass on her behind, whilst a stream of the luxurious tipple flows into said glass over her head.

Kim Kardashian Instagram

The Internet Went Absolutely Stark Raving Crazy


Astounding. Absolutely, positively astounding. The pictures, whatever you think of the reality TV icon, are a sight to behold. She looks fantastic, glamourous and ready to take on the world. And yes, she certainly succeeded in her mission to break the internet.

Social Media sites practically went into overdrive once the pictures were released. She posted the stills on her Twitter and Instagram accounts, captioning them "and they say I didn't have a talent...try balancing a champagne glass on your ass LOL." Both sites, as well as Facebook, Pinterest etc. preceded to go absolutely stark raving crazy.

You’ve got to Hand it to Kim Kardashian


You’ve got to hand it to Kim Kardashian. She said she’d break the internet and she pretty much did it with nothing but the power of her own behind. That’s impressive for a woman many say doesn’t have an ounce of talent in her entire body!

For more stories and articles like this be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on LinkedIn.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Taylor Swift Bans Music From Spotify

Swifties including Luxe Models were left severely disappointed last week, when the woman herself decided to ban her music from Spotify.

Swiftie: Fan of Taylor Swift

Yes, Luxe Models are self-proclaimed Swifties and proud of it. For those of you not familiar with the term, it’s a word used to describe fans of pop star Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift Luxe Models Spotify Blog

Originally known for her passionate country music efforts, Swift has steadily been gaining a reputation recently for her ability to craft a killer pop tune. She’s also got a fabulous sense of style, and we worship at her altar. She manages to combine glamour with demureness; something quite rare for the modern pop star, and which we respect.

A Pop Music Heavyweight

Swift’s mission to rebrand herself as a pop music heavyweight stepped up several gears recently with the release of new album 1989, and lead single, ‘Shake It Off.’ As you can imagine, they’ve both sold phenomenally well, and topped various charts across the world.

Which is why it seems odd that Taylor would take any step which could alienate her fans. Nevertheless, it appears that she has taken one, as she has decided to withdraw her tracks frommusic-streaming service Spotify.

Not Willing to contribute Life’s Work to an Experiment

Speaking on the decision to Yahoo News, Swift said that: "All I can say is that music is changing so quickly, and the landscape of the music industry itself is changing so quickly, that everything new, like Spotify, all feels to me a bit like a grand experiment.



And I'm not willing to contribute my life's work to an experiment that I don't feel fairly compensates the writers, producers, artists, and creators of this music. And I just don't agree with perpetuating the perception that music has no value and should be free.

How Will She Shake That Off?

She kind of makes a valid point. Working in the fashion industry, Luxe Models can’t imagine what would happen if a designer, for example, went unpaid for their art. Nevertheless, as Taylor points out, the music industry is changing, and it just may leave her in the dust. How will she shake that off?

Monday, November 03, 2014

Why You Should Embrace the Constellation Piercing

With everyone and their grandmothers raving about the trend, this week Luxe Models explains why you should embrace the constellation piercing.

One of Fashion’s Hardest Trends

Piercings have always been kind of a hard trend to pull off for your average fashionista. They have floated in and out of style over the last several decades. Never off-trend for long, it’s connotation of teenage rebellion, makes the piercing a perennially popular fashion trend.

And yet, the piercing is perhaps the hardest trend to nail effectively. Get too many, and it can make you look brash, obnoxious and just a little bit weird. It seems like the fashion world has finally taken this on board, as piercing trends are really going subtle at the moment.

The Rise of the Statement Piercing

In the second half of 2014, we’ve moved swiftly away from the statement tattoo, to the statement piercing. This trend was kick-started, of course, by Rihanna, after she unveiled her septum-ring piercing earlier this year. Subsequently, A-Listers and commoners alike have flocked to try it out for themselves.

The trajectory of the trend took a swing towards subtlety at the industry’s latest fashionmonth. Models on catwalks across every fashion capital sported what’s known as the constellation piercing, ensuring that it’s catapulted into the realm of top fashion trend.

What Is the Constellation Piercing and Why Should You Embrace It?

Specifically, the idea involves wearing smaller, often gold or silver earrings in a group of clusters along the bottom of your ear. Celebrities such as Emma Watson, Cara Delevingne, Julianne Moore and Zoe Kravitz have already taken to the look.

That’s all well and good for them, but why should you embrace it? Well, as the Guardian explains in a recent piece on the phenomenon, it’s ‘individuality on an entry-level scale.’ Basically, a constellation piercing allows you to get in touch with your wild-side, without causing a ruckus at work.

For the Professional Woman Who Wants to Look Fabulous at Work


To conclude then, the constellation piercing is more than just the latest trend. It is the perfect style of piercing for the modern professional woman; who wants to look fabulous at work while getting just a little bit rebellious. That is why you should embrace the constellation piercing!

For more updates and stories like this, be sure to stay in touch with Luxe Models on Facebook today.