End and the Beginning of a Decade

So it's the end of 2010, and the beginning of 2011. I didn't even really realize that it was the end of a decade (and no I don't live under a rock). Every time around this time I get all contemplative, thinking about what I've done in the past year and then thinking about what I want to do in the future. This year was pretty big for me. I worked two jobs in the first half of the year trying to save enough money for my travels. And then the other half I found myself in Europe traveling around 10 countries, studying in Ireland, making great memories and friends.

I loved 2010, the concept of growth and new experiences is something important to me. And for 2011 and the next decade I hope for more great and fond experiences, moments and friendships. I have a few goals I want to achieve, but thats just for me to know... and when they do happen I'll sure share it on the blog. 

With new years of course comes my resolutions, though I normally make a huge list of them each year, this year I've only got three...

• Save up to travel in 2011... Take a spontaneous trip somewhere
• Attend or work in fashion week
• Focus only on the things that make me happy

And of course I'll be taking MARTAN into 2011. So stay tuned my readers whom I love love love

Happy New Years to all, where ever you are and whoever you are with I wish you all the love and happiness possible.

MARTANx

Putting the Pants on in 2010

L-R: Kate Walsh, Thandie Newton, Kelly Osbourne, Kate Lanphear & Lady Gaga

A popular 2010 trend especially in the later of the year was female suits. I'm a fan of androgyny, when it comes to style I find that anyone can wear anything as long as you feel good. Women can wear pants and still look feminine and chic, its actually a look I prefer to than the standard mini dress these days. So in light of the end of the year I give you some of my favourite suit looks over the year. Note I love love love Halle Berry's bespoke suit over the jump.

See the rest of the looks over the jump...

MARTANx

Midweek Fashion Gossip

Credit: Vogue Espana

- Kate Moss is rumoured to be recording a solo album. (I really hope its a rumour). cont.

- Rihanna is becoming an icon in the UK and furthering that she is being rumoured to be the next designer for Topshop. cont.

- The City's Olivia Palermo is delving into fashion once again this time as a fashion designer. cont.

- Animal Fur has been banned from Oslo Fashion Week. cont.

- Take a look at the new designs from Nicole Ritchie's House of Harlow 1960. cont.

MARTANx

Catherine McNeil - Vogue Australia February 2011

Credit: Vogue Australia

Aussie model Catherine McNeil bags another Australian Vogue cover for February 2011. This brings her total to five covers for the aussie fashion magazine. The cover itself screams British vogue to me, clean bold fonts and a more edgier approach to the styling of the cover. All in all I don't think it's NcNeil's best cover, I think her January 2010 cover was way better. But I can see that Vogue Aust. is trying a new look so I'll just have to see what's next. 

MARTANx

Cover Me Happy 2010

Row 1: Harper's Bazaar UK - Jennifer Aniston, Harper's Bazaar Australia - Lily Allen

Row 2: Elle USA - Drew Barrymore, Elle UK Natalie Portman & Lily Allen

With the countdown to the end of the decade/2010, I thought I'd feature my favourite covers of the year. The majority of them either come from the UK or Australia, I guess I prefer more artistic and artsy covers than just text and a colour block in the back? Anywho here are my favourites, and I hope that 2011 brings more intense and love love lovely covers.

Row 3 : Elle UK Chloe Sevigny & Anne Hathaway

Row 4: Vogue UK Lara Stone & Kate Moss, Vogue Australia Codie Young

MARTANx

Style Diary - Winter Warmth

I got a care package from one of my best friends Krystal. Enclosed she gave me tons of nice snacks, photos, letters things that just make me miss home and everyone there. She also packed this Cardigan from Monki which I've fallen in love love love with. It's black and it have elbow and shoulder details on it which I love.

Follow the jump for my look....

MARTANx

Happy Holidays

So it's the Holiday Season. Presents, food, family and the like. This is my first White Christmas, normally at home I'd be sweating in the heat. Not that I'm complaining I could actually use the heat right now, I came to Europe from an Australian Winter to a European winter. 

I just want to wish all you readers around the world many well returns, whether you celebrate Christmas or not I thank you all for you readership and Happy Holidays. Love Love Love

MARTANx

Dear Santa

With Christmas coming up, its always nice to make a wishlist (though I do always tend to have one) just for fun. So without further or do here is mine. Santa or anyone feeling generous...

See my wishlist over the jump...

MARTANx

Midweek Fashion Gossip

Credit: Low Luv

- Rumer Willis joins the elite class of young celebrities in fashion landing a Badgley Mischka campaign cont.

- Amanda Seyfried has landed herself her first beauty campaign with Cle de Peau Beaute cont.

- Model and designer Erin Wasson has created another collection for her Low Luv line. cont.

- Diane Von Furstenburg, leader in fashion in America and Europe now is planning her expansion into the Asian market. cont.

- Marina Diamandis, better known as Marina and the Diamonds has announced via twitter that she is a new face for make up brand MaxFactor. cont.

MARTANx

Marie Claire January 2011 - Gretchen Jones Winner Spread

Credit: Marie Claire

As apart of her winner's package Project Runway Season 8 Gretchen Jones' winner's spread featured in the January issue of Marie Claire USA. I must say I was really eager to see her spread, being one of the most controversial winners from the show I was excited how she would pull off her winning collection. Big H of However I'm kind of disappointed with it. Interesting that Jones is modelling her own collection, but she looks like a bored deer in headlights. Normally when the winner wins, her model lands the spread feature though I find that Jones has really stolen the spread from her model. Having genuinely liked the collection, it just didn't look as expensive or as fresh as it was on the runway, it just got lost. I loved the jewellery on a positive note!

See the rest of her spread over the jump...

MARTANx

Ann Ward - Vogue Italia

Credit: Vogue.it

I've stumbled across photos from America's Next Top Model Cycle 15 winner Ann Ward's Cover photoshoot for Beauty in Vogue May edition 2011. Footage from this was featured on the finale of top model, but now Vogue.it has featured these test shots. Ward looks intense, I'm eager to see the actual cover, while her Vogue Italia spread will hopefully be in the February copy. For test shots these photos shot by Vincent Peters are really good, I'm such a sucker from black and white.


**UPDATE Click here for Ann's Vogue Italia Winner's Spread!

See the rest of the test shots after the jump...

MARTANx 

Another One of Three.

Credit: In Magazine

If only every girl got married in Marchesa, the world of would be a prettier place. A photo of Nicole Richie's second Wedding Dress over the jump.

MARTANx

Au Revour Carine

It has been announced that Editor in Chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld is stepping down her position at the end of January. A sad time, though I do see Roitfeld a woman of class, creativity and style will still have a bright and promising future in 2011. I'd be eager to see who takes over her big (and stylish) shoes, and the new direction Vogue Paris will take. Much love love love.

MARTANx

Tom Ford + Lara Stone - W Magazine Spread

Tom Ford debut his womenswear collection away from the Media and Press, featuring elite fashion models and icons in New York City, it was a private and intimate gathering. Now with however photos from that same night were released recently for Harper's Bazaar featuring in their January Issue. Now for W Magazine's January copy Tom Ford has employed top model Lara Stone to model some of this looks in a vintage inspired spread. I really love love love the bat winged catsuit below.

Follow the jump for more images...

MARTANx

Black Anticipation

I cannot wait to see Black Swan starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Having been critically acclaimed, breaking Fox Searchlight records and featuring fashion from fashion sisters Rodarte this film is pegged to be a big winner this award season. I'll be keen to see the dresses which Portman and Kunis choose from for these ceremonies. But back to the movie. In anticipation, and sheer excitement I've come across various featurettes for the movie, this particular one touches on the fashion/costume aspect. Love love love.

MARTANx

Style Diary - Crazy Love

So I have a thing for 5Preview clothing, since I've been in Europe I've been purchasing numerous items from their lines (and plan to in the near future). I've also got an official 5Preview widget link on my blog to their site (right big photo with balloons). Never the less my recent purchase from the site prompted me to once again start photo blogging, which led my photo to be placed on their facebook! Love love love

Look over the jump...

MARTANx

One of Three.

Credit: Marchesa 

You wouldn't of guessed this beautiful girl's troubled past with this photo. Love Love Love

MARTANx

Pre-fall 2011 Picks - Part 4

Burberry Prorsum Pre-Fall 2011

More picks over the jump...

MARTANx

Midweek Fashion Gossip

January Jones Versace SS 2011 (Credit: Versace)

- Jimmy Choo is to begin designing men's footwear again. His last men's collection was when they collaborated with H&M cont.

- Black Swan Actress Natalie Portman has become the latest face of Dior's perfume Miss Dior Cherie cont.

- Mad Men's January Jones is the new face for Versace's Spring/Summer Campaign shot by Mario Testino. cont.

- With Leighton Meester's co-star Blake Lively landing a Chanel campaign it seems that Meester herself is getting fashion attention with her Vera Wang Fragrance campaign and a rumoured campaign with Italian brand Missoni. cont.

- The TV hit Project Runway is getting a spin off, Project Runway: Accessories. I wonder is Heidi Klum will host the show? cont.

MARTANx

Pre-fall 2011 Picks - Part 3

Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall 2011

Picks are over the jump...


MARTANx

Emma Stone & Garrett Hedlund - W Magazine January 2011

Easy A's Emma Stone and Tron's Garrett Hedlund land covers for W Magazine's January Issue. Watch these two as they become more prominent in Hollywood with Stone's debut as Gwen Stacy in the reboot for Spiderman and Garrett's role opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong. I love multiple covers especially when done well. I love love love the Hedlund's Givenchy leopard pants!

MARTANx

Pre-fall 2011 Picks - Part 2

Rachel Roy Pre-Fall 2011

My picks are over the jump...

MARTANx

Pre-fall 2011 Picks - Part 1

 

BCBG Max Azria Pre Fall 2011

See the the rest of my picks over the jump....

MARTANx

Natalie Portman - Vogue January USA 2011

Credit: Vogue 

Natalie Portman the Black Swan actress is on the cover of Vogue USA for January 2011. The cover looks somewhat vintage, and funnily enough it looks quiet familiar to her May 2002 cover of Vogue. All in all though I can't fault Portman's cover shot her expression and positioning works really well. I'm hoping for a really intense spread, and to see Black Swan!

MARTANx

The X Factor Winner

Matt Cardle - When We Collide, The Winner's Single

After 10 weeks the journey is over. Matt Cardle came on top to win the series beating out the runner up (and my personal favourite) Rebecca Ferguson and the third runner ups One Direction. It was amazing to hear that Cardle was voted first eight times out of nine live shows leading up to the final, showing that he was truly loved by the public. I am happy for Matt, I have a few noted performances of his on my iPod including his renditions of Just The Way You Are and Baby One More Time. I can see (and have heard) that all three finalists will have bright futures without a doubt!

Fashion wise, as said over and over again this X Factor year but Dannii Minogue stole it from Cheryl once again. This is truly her year being the style queen and the winning mentor. Minogue opted for a less loud but stunning Jenny Packham silver gown. It had beaded shoulders and bodice, it was amazing. Cheryl did step it up from previous weeks wearing a red halter J. Mendel gown which she pulled off greatly.

MARTANx

Looks of the Week - 6th December 2011

Carey Mulligan: Walking the red carpet at the British Independent Film Awards in London, Mulligan wore a red Prabal Gurung dress. Love love love the ruffled and somewhat floral detail. 

Carrie Underwood: At the American Country Awards, Underwood wore a red Georges Chakra gown. The gown featured a revealing thigh high split and the beaded detailing on the tulle of the top of the gown.

Isabel Lucas: Attending the 'Somewhere' Premiere in Los Angeles, Lucas wore a lace top coupled with a violet skirt both from Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 collection. I like this look just because it's different to conventional red carpet, something Lucas does well. 

Liv Tyler: Wearing a Dior asymmetrical dress, coupled with black tights and long sleeve underneath. Tyler wore this look to the Re-opening of the Dior 57th Street Store. I like this look, even though the general consensus from others is that its a flop. I think that the way Liv wears the black underneath allows her to wear the dress really well, especially as the dress is sheer and very short.   

Rachel Bilson: One of my favourites when it comes to personal style, Bilson wore a pastel blue Dior Dress to the Spike Video Game Awards 2010 in LA. What can I say Bilson knows how to wear a dress, making it looks chic and expensive!

Saoirse Ronan: The 16 year old Irish actress was on the red carpet for her latest movie 'The Way Back'. Ronan wore a Miu Miu lace dress. 

MARTANx

Gwyneth Paltrow - InStyle USA January 2011 Spread

Credit: InStyle

Gwyneth Paltrow was chosen  by InStyle USA to be their cover girl for their 200 anniversary issue. In line with her latest feature film Country Strong, Paltrow's spread in the issue is country/rock and roll inspired. Paltrow looks like one hot mama, not bad for being 38 she's still got it going on. I love love love the Roberto Cavalli python pants in on the 'finding her voice' page.

Follow the jump for the Gwyneth's entire spread...

MARTANx

Gwyneth Paltrow - InStyle USA January 2011

Credit: InStyle

Celebrating the 200th Issue of the Magazine, Gwyneth Paltrow covers the January issue of InStyle USA. The actress as recent starred in the musical drama Country Strong, about a country star fresh out of rehab trying to reclaim her fame and glory. The movie releases on the 7th of January 2011. The cover seems a bit country in it's look, denim, wool and booties. It's a cute cover, not one of InStyle's bests, but normally the spreads are pretty damn great and Gwyneth's style is to die for! I'll post the spread later on. Love love love.

MARTANx

X Factor Final Pick

The finale of the X Factor has begun, and it's time for me to choose my one pick to win the title.

Tonight's finale saw Cher Lloyd leave the competition. With great celebrity duets and solos the competition is intense. Fashion wise it seems it's Dannii Minogue's year with a deep red look which I love love love.

Follow the jump for my winner pick....

MARTANx

The Making of GaGa

With the 8 amazing Lady GaGa wax figures now on display around the world, videos have surfaced featuring the production process from the beginning to end. Wax work is such an art, from the original casting to the make up, hair, clothing, love love love!

MARTANx

GaGa Wax

Credit: Madame Tussauds

Mentioned previously in GaGa History, the day has come!

Mother Monster Lady GaGa broke Madame Tussard's history by having 8 wax figures created, costing approximately 2.4 million dollars. GaGa suits this honour greatly with her unique and spontaneous fashion style. The figures feature in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Love love love! 

See all eight wax figures after the jump!

MARTANx

Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 - Paris Byzance

Sourced: Style.com

Chanel's Pre-Fall 2011 Show was inspired by the ancient Greek city Byzantium and the Empress Theodora. I've got 10 of my favourite looks up, out of a collection of 67 including menswear worn by Karl Lagerfeld's muse Baptiste Giabiconi. The collection features flat sandals and boots, heavy jewelled lines having a main colour palette for gold, black, white and navy with pops of colour here and there. The collection I love love love, I particularly love the square panelled pants (bottom center) and the high waisted pants (bottom right). The Jewelled accents remind me of those outrageous buttons found on 70/80's vintage clothing, but all in all a rich and cultured collection. 

Sourced: Style.com

MARTANx

Viva Glam GaGa

Credit: MAC Cosmetics

In 2010 Lady GaGa and singing icon Cyndi Lauper joined forces for MAC Cosmetic's Viva Glam Campaign, a lipstick and gloss line by MAC Cosmetics with all proceeds from the the collection going towards the MAC AIDS Fund fighting HIV/AIDS.

For 2011 GaGa has been reinstated as the Viva Glam Spokeswomen for 2011, following the footsteps of famous celebrities like Fergie, Dita Von Teese, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson and Eve. 

The above intense shot was styled by British Fashion Award winner and one of GaGa's closest friends Nicola Formichetti. Love Love Love!

MARTANx

Jessica Alba - Harper's Bazaar AUS January/February 2011

Jessica Alba covers the January/February Super Style Issue for Harper's Bazaar Australia. The cover screams summer and Alba looks intense against a nice pool/sea black drop. The cover makes me miss home, which is going into summer right now, ah the heat and summer clothes! Ah well not long to go. I'm very happy that Harper's haven't just reused another international Harper's cover image. Originality is the key peoples! 

MARTANx

Lily Donaldson - January Harper's Bazaar 2011 Subscriber's Cover

Model Lily Donaldson features on the January subscribers cover of Harper's Bazaar USA (Julianna Margulies New Stand Cover). Shot by Terry Richardson, Donaldson wears an intense Dolce and Gabbana Dress. Also look at the adorable tiger she's holding love love love! Just putting it out there, I love this cover it's got more of a British feel but I'd buy this cover on a news stand any day. 

MARTANx

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

Credit: Covergirl

Cosmetics brand CoverGirl is releasing a new range to the CoverGirl family; the Natureluxe Collection. The higher end collection features foundation and gloss made with natural ingredients offering a new alternative to the current market. With a new line comes a new spokesperson, CoverGirl is famous for their celebrity spokeswomen including Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres and winner for ANTM. So it comes with no surprise that Taylor Swift was chosen as the face of the line, with her girlish innocence and clean and natural look she is perfect for the brand.

Follow the jump for more photos and a behind the scenes video.  

MARTANx