Diane von Furstenberg launches a new initiative recognising female role models

Diane von Furstenberg has long been seen as an empowering fashion force, from the invention of her easy wrap dresses in the Seventies to her support of young designers in her role as CFDA president, but now she is set to take the idea a step further, by launching the DVF Awards. The new awards scheme will recognise women whose leadership skills and vision have had a positive impact on the lives of other women around the world, with prizes presented at an annual ceremony.

"Women never cease to impress and inspire me," the designer said, "and I am very happy to create these Awards to honour and reward their leadership and dedication to the advancement of women." Each honouree will receive $50,000, aimed to help them sustain and expand on their humanitarian efforts.

The first DVF Awards ceremony will take place at the United Nations on March 13 and will honour four women. Two are from the Vital Voices network - Sadiqa Basiri Saleem, who established a learning centre in Afghanistan, and Danielle St. Lot, Haiti's minister of commerce, industry, and tourism - whilst the People's Voice Award will honour an American woman to be voted for by the public at www.facebook.com/dvf. The fourth recipient will be announced on the night.

"These are women who have shown the courage to fight, the power to survive, and the leadership to inspire," von Furstenberg added.

Source: Vogue

Sloshed Chic: Fashion in A Single Man

"There are many things to ogle in Tom Ford’s film A Single Man. Colin Firth’s house. Colin Firth’s car. Colin Firth’s hotness (he looks better than he’s ever done before — that wet-shirt scene included). And a ridiculously honeyed, honed Nicholas Hoult. But one could miss all that and still have plenty to feast on, thanks to the fashion.

Permanently clad in an impeccably cut suit (Ford’s “Falconer”, due to hit shops this summer), with a skinny tie and the coolest retro specs, Firth dresses how we all wished our boyfriends dressed — in the art-directed version of our fantasy lives.

Better still is Julianne Moore as his daytime- drinking, cigarette-smoking fag hag. With a wardrobe that slurs expensively dressed, bored housewife, she’s a study in slightly sloshed chic. Get the look with kaftans, housecoats and the odd marabou slipper. Make-up is all about smoky eyes. Accessorise with a martini for breakfast and some Sobranie Cocktails and you’re done. If a little drunk."

Source: Times Style

Europe's largest costumier puts on a sale

Tens of thousands of items from famous TV series and films are up for grabs in the Angels costume sale tomorrow.

Clothes from Bafta-nominated An Education and the Ian Dury biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll are also on sale. It also features clothes from cult movie Trainspotting and some of the Bond films.

Angels has received an Oscar for dressing Laurence Olivier's Hamlet and has supplied costumes to films including Henry V, Star Wars, Titanic, Gladiator and the sublimely stylish Marie Antoinette.

The Angels Retro Sale takes place on February 6th at Courtenay Road, Wembley, from 8.30am. Entry is £5. Clothes are sold on a 'by-the-bag' basis, with a medium shopper setting you back £20 and a supersize bag £50 which you fill up with your items. The sale follows the success of its Big Vintage Clothing Sale in 2008 and its Uniform Sale last year.

For more details check out the dedicated event page on Facebook.

Source: Metro

Enter Juno Says Hello's first competition!

This month we're giving away style maven Lucia van der Post's fabulous book, Celebrate: The Art of the Special Occasion.

This wonderful pink tome guides the reader through how to throw an unforgettable New Year's Eve party, find the perfect dress for your Valentine dinner, and prepare a delicious Easter picnic.

All you need to do is email us with a description in 100 words or less of the best party you have been to in the last year. The winning entry will be notified by email and posted on the Juno Says Hello blog for all to see.

Good luck ladies!

Material Girl on BBC1

Touted as the British answer to Ugly Betty, BBC1's new £6m series Material Girl has failed to excite viewers. This program is part of the Babylon franchise, based on the writing of Imogen Edwards-Jones.

In fashion writer Laura Craik's review in the Evening Standard, she commented that 'it's clear that the writers know as much about the fashion industry as Giorgio Armani knows about darts. This is a program that makes Skins look like Cranford'. Ouch!

The program is based around fictional designer Ali Redcliffe and her Brick Lane studio. I think the creators were trying to emulate the Shopaholic / Sex and the City vibe but reviews have been very mixed.

What do you think? Watch episodes of Material Girl on the BBC micro-site here.

Grace Kelly exhibition at the V&A

A tribute to Grace Kelly's elegant style will be on display at the V&A from April. Grace Kelly: Style Icon includes various treats - from the black chiffon dress worn in Rear Window, her trademark sunglasses and the original Hermes Kelly bag created in her honour.

To coincide with the exhibition, our online boutique will be promoting a selection of Kelly-inspired frocks. Daywear choices include a stunning stripy frock and eveningwear features elegant cocktail dresses as well as breathtaking formal gowns.

Customers are very welcome to try garments on before purchase - please make an appointment to visit our London studio via the contact page.

Via Stella Magazine

Tom Ford's first feature film

Fashion designer Tom Ford has directed his first feature film, A Single Man, starring Colin Firth (left) and the beautiful and very talented Julianne Moore.

Based on a Christopher Isherwood novel and set in the summer of 1962, it tells the story of a single day in the life of a single man, played by Firth. The film has already been nominated for a Golden Lion at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.

Check out the trailer here.

EDIT: A very kind friend took us along to a private screening followed by a Q&A with Tom Ford last night. The film really is superb... and Tom Ford is the most deliciously stylish Texan we've ever seen.