LIFETSYLE

Hottest Couple Ever Liveth! Victoria & David Beckham Smolder For Vogue Paris

There isn’t a couple hotter than David and Victoria Beckham.

After 14 years of marriage, the couple is still smoldering as they talk of their ups, downs and triumphs with the magazine. Not only did the pair appear on the cover, but Victoria was also tapped to be the guest editor of the issue. Of her work, Vogue Paris Editor in Chief Emmanuelle Alt said:

“We handed over the running of this issue to a woman who, throughout our working together, has proved to be the exact opposite of her public image. She is spontaneous with a great sense of humour, humble yet at the same time driven by a healthy ambition. She is a perfectionist, like everyone who is passionate about their work.”

On their relationship:
“David and I have been through so much together. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re so proud of each other. We’ve always been – and I include the children in this – amazingly happy about the success David has achieved. All those matches where we stood cheering on the terraces.”

Speaking about guest editing the magazine, Victoria said:
“Being asked to be the guest editor of the Christmas issue of Vogue Paris this year was an incredible honour. Working with Emmanuelle Alt and her team was both exciting and inspiring and I am so proud of what we have created.”

KONKO FASHION

Bottega Veneta Resort 2014

The entire Bottega Veneta collection are cotton poplin dresses which are embroidered with raw swatches of St. Gallen lace and then block-printed, while A-line frocks are embroidered with fringe, then veiled in a sheer black material, which is further embellished with macramé and swags of silver chain. The real marvel, though, is that the results look so effortless, so exactly like what you want to wear when the weather turns hot. A pair of solid stretch-cotton dresses with only big floppy bows for adornment looked simpler in their execution, but still special. 

LIFESTYLE

HOW TO SQUINCH, TEEG AND SMIZE: THE ART OF SELFIE POSING 

There's no escaping the Instagram selfie trend, so isn't it about time you perfected your photo face? Since model Tyra Banks first coined the term 'smizing' a bevvy of popular poses have been infiltrating our social networking sites, including 'pruning', 'teeging' and most recently the 'squinch' by photographer Peter Hurley.

But how do you decide which one to choose? Fear not, one intrepid beauty writer is here to help.

Angelica Hermon from style site neverunderdressed.com has road-tested the (supposedly) most flattering poses to see which ones really work....

1. Squinching

What's involved? Lifting and tightening the lower eyelid and only allowing the top eyelid to come down slightly. 

Verdict? 'Perhaps I didn't get it quite right because I think I look like I’ve had seven and a half Aperol Spritzs too many. 'I teamed it with a grin here, which probably doesn't help the drunken look, but without a smile it would no doubt look more serious and therefore more cool. I need to practice.'

2. Smizing

What's involved? Smiling with your eyes in the style of Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model.

Verdict? 'It’s actually pretty hard to smile with your eyes. Whilst also trying not to smile with your mouth. I felt like I was trying to freeze myself with a peculiar look on my face. I've realized that Tyra’s heavy layer of smoky eye make-up gets her half way to the smize.'

3. Pruning

What's involved? Copying the Olsen sisters to project a sultry almost serious look with your mouth.

Verdict?: 'This felt like the most posey of the lot and least like what I’d naturally do with my expression if a camera was thrust in my face. To me, it looks like I’I've had a dodgy filler/collagen job done around my mouth. Or have really bad mouth ulcers. 

'But on those Olsen twins, it looks utterly fabulous. As poses go, it’s far better than the 90s pout (see Posh Spice) and thoroughly easy to do on demand.'

4. Teeging

What's involved? Bear your front teeth and press your tongue closely behind them with it slightly on show 

(this is Lily Allen's favourite pose).

Verdict? 'Though Lily nails this look every time, I don’t think my version looks anywhere near as good. It reminds me of my 3 year old niece who has a distinct lisp and whose tongue seems to permanently hang out of her mouth like a Labrador puppy. I think I’ll leave this one to Lily.'

5. LOLing

What's involved? Let loose, giggle, chuckle, ROFL and then freeze.

Verdict: 'This felt natural and easy and although it was completely phoney, I think I fooled the camera well. It felt the most normal of them all. I thought back to Saturday night when my best friend slipped across the dance floor (ending up in a near-splits stance), let out a loud belly laugh and hey presto, there it is.'

neverunderdressed.com

dailymail

KONKO FASHION

Ghanaian Fashion Label Love April introduces its “Oversized Tribalism” Collection Lookbook

The emerging Ghanaian design label, created by designer – Nina Barkers-Woode, presents to you its 2013 collection titled “Oversized Tribalism“. This collection was inspired by the beauty of African women. According to the label, “Our motive was to not only harness the Barkers-Woode woman’s natural female form through dramatic tribal prints but to also uniquely contemporize the look and feel of each piece. Inspired by the world history generations of women and androgyny artworks, the Oversized Tribalism collection plays on the mixture of minimalism and femininity.

Our exaggerated seam-lines emphasis our cling to modern culture. Our true, bare, chic necklines keep us in the realm of ancients. Our abstracted textured prints will ultimately immortalize the classic style and feel of a woman.“

See collection below and let me know what you think.

KONKO FASHION

Shapes & Silhouettes! Nigerian Fashion Brand JOON Clothing Presents Its “Empress-ion” Lookbook For 2014

Nigerian fashion designer, June Ebube brings you her "Empress-ion" lookbook for 2014. With key shapes and silhouettes that fits the modern woman; this "ready-to-wear" lookbook allows simplicity and color to speak. The JOON woman of 2014 displays her confidence in her simplicity and easy going nature, which is seen in the pieces and silhouettes we have for our 2014 woman.

E-mail: Joonclothing@gmail.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/joonclothing
Twitter: @JOONCLOTHING
IG: Joonteenth

KONKO FASHION

Botswanan Designer, Ashanti Chique Unveils A Mix Of Western And African Culture In New Collection

Ashanti Chique is a fashion forward, fierce “afropolitan” clothing accessories label by qualified style and makeup consultant Jennifer Osei-Mensah of the Evolushon Images, Image Consultancy Brand. Ashanti Chique accessories are designed for the Urban Diva who is stylish yet proud of her African roots. The Ashanti Chique lady reflects this pride through her use of afro chic, “afropolitan” accessories in her everyday style choices.

Ashanti Chique currently specializes in clutch bags and peplum belts made from modern and traditional African print fabric. The designs are made in such a way to capture the uniqueness of the combination of the various prints, colours and textures of the fabric whilst reflecting the beauty of our African heritage. They make use of German Print “Letasie” native to the Tswana tradition and “Ankara/Ntuma” native to Ghanaian/ Nigerian tradition.

The peplum belts are detachable and can be used on skirts, tops, dresses or shorts. The simple addition of a peplum belt can take any outfit from drab to fab instantly. The clutch bags were designed with the aim of producing an appealing yet durable piece that could match any outfit, be it cocktail, office or formal inspired.

Credits
Styling| The Khoi-Fro
Photography| Kagography Seatile Kagography
Make-Up| Jennifer Osei-Mensah
Accessory Designer| Evolushon Imagesjennifer Osei-Mensah
Models| Naledi And Star

LIFESTYLE

FLOTUS Decks The Halls With Flyness On The Holiday Cover Of Ladies Home Journal

We get a special look inside Christmas at the White House thanks to Ladies Home Journal. The magazine tapped FLOTUS Michelle Obama for a very special cover issue. In the article, Michelle talks about everything from the White House traditions (hot chocolate and a fire in the Yellow Oval room are savored traditions) to her own childhood traditions, as Michelle revealed who the baker in the family is.

Read excerpts from the cover story below.

On who makes all the holiday treats:
‘Sasha is our big cookie maker,’ Mrs. Obama said. ‘It’s one of the major activities the girls do when they have friends over.’

On her Christmas traditions growing up: 
‘Christmas has always been a special time in my household,’ she said. ‘Growing up, we lived in a little-bitty apartment, but my mom put her heart and soul into decorating that house.’

Another special tradition from the First Lady’s childhood is collecting small presents upon the completion of a festive performance: 
‘I’ve hula-hooped, done a dog trick with Bo and read poems,’ she confessed. ‘The kids will sing or put on plays. The President and some of the other dads will get together and do a song.’

As for what’s on Malia and Sasha’s Christmas wish lists, Mrs. Obama said ‘they usually don’t have much on their lists, because they understand that anything they need they already have:’ 
‘The kids are not in the habit of viewing Christmas as a time for getting gifts. It’s about spending time with family and gathering with friends.’