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Azzedine Alaia, Tina Turner and Mrs V.

Azzedine Alaia, body con, sexy dresses, womenswear designer, couturier, moroccan designer, Paris

We have lost a torch bearing designer who’s designs celebrated our shapes in all their forms.  Alaia put the Body into Bodycon     

My hommage to this gorgeous human being comes in a music video. Bizarre choice? Not really. Look at the clothes. Look at me. Look at at Naomi Campbell Azzedine gave us a shape, before nature had settled on one.  The song is sung by Tina turner, a disciple of Azzedine Alaia and someone who spotted a winner when others of her age wouldn’t have. I’m sensing some sceptics out there who may assume that such body skimming clothes are not for them. Non(style)sense! I shout. One thing is to not feel happy with that much disclosure, another thing entirely is to disbelieve that these creations are for you. Actually being a slender model with barely a curve, north or south, Mrs V wasn’t the straight up, sure fire candidate to rock these divinities either. Wrong! Lordy and lands sake, put on a skirt and have your bottom told where to be and the rest was obvious for any passerby. That man totally understood what needed to go where and how to get it there. Not a vertebra or a sinew left to its own devices but with better effect than a Deep Vein Thrombosis stocking, these babies should have been handed out as a safety requirement on long haul flights.

A gracious and beautiful human has left his atelier.

Skincare, Go There.

 

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Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum £198

Those of you with Ermine lined purses, read on. Forever converted and doomed to live in a dustbin, I glow with the epidermis of a post acne apocalypse,  teenager. I care nothing that to sustain my newly emerging Skincare habit, my children will never eat again, I am seduced and convinced by Chantecaille that their bijou, artisanally created skincare line helps me achieve my best dermal self. Again, for your lives only, I rummage metaphorically through make up and beauty bags of the gurus whose stock in trade these potions are. In this case I have been pointed towards two products from the Chantecaille skincare range. A philanthropic French brand known for using uniquely high concentrations of natural botanicals, Chantecaille’s skincare, makeup and fragrances are the epitome of luxury. Their purity of ingredients ensure utter luxury across their products. There are many options for similar products to these, a sort of wannabe mates scenario at a lower entry level, but if you have the means, treat yourself or allow someone else to. I can’t imagine for a second that you’ll be disappointed . I have used a week’s supply of this double act of creams, and am impressed by every aspect really. The serum is potent, kindly lifting and  smoothing wrinkles and and if that wasn’t enough, taking matters into it’s own hand, broadening it’s remit, this Biodynamic Lifting Serum also builds and protects collagen. Awesome, thank you. DNA is repaired with the newest combination of natural stem cells, which is a technicality, but translated, it’s shoring up the skin’s youthful longevity and all hail that!

Chantecaill Bio Lifting Mask, beauty, moisturiser, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Mrs V

Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask £140 

This next product trialled by a frizzy, freckly redhead covered in opinionated skin, came portentously packaged in a platinum coloured pot, and was described to me in a conversation with top beauty blogger  Anna Shearer @lefashionfetish  as ‘a facelift in a jar’ Cue me curtsying.  Chantecaille’s soothing Bio Lifting Mask mask virtually irons out the face. Love us some of that. Our, Non? It’s so fabulous to have access to people like Anna as ordinarily I wouldn’t just take a punt on such an expensive product. Truly industry experts and access thereto, are just divining opportunities. Instagram Idols that I have come across are holding their ground because of their insights and integrity. When you find one that you trust follow them just close enough to avoid a restraining order. Their words are gold dust. Mrs V sobs for the preclusive price point, but simultaneously  and honestly, believes that Chantecaille is a beautiful skincare company using insanely well sourced base ingredients that deliver addictively fine results.

With reference to the ‘facelift in a jar’ recommendation, rather you go over your skincare budget than under the knife.

Lip Glossy

MAC cosmetics, Lipgloss, MAC Lipglass, lips, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, make up artist, cosmetics, photographic studio, fashion shoot, style shoot, magazine shoot, Material Girl Magazine

When Mrs V  is accosted by a beauty product that just won’t stop, it’s time to get the gossip going. I spy a very fabulous product from MAC that for me, spearheads a new breed of lip glosses and replaces a pretty hardworking forerunner of this genre, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream . I remember every single Make Up Artist and Model had a tube of this gloss. I also remember that it has a sort of Fairy Liquid scent to it. Won’t miss that, but thanks for the memories. I’m all about the questions and on your behalf I hardly ever shut up when I’m in the hands of industry experts. Make Up artist Molly Portsmouth could barely get me to shut my gob as she tried to access my lips, and the superhuman effort it took for me to suspend my disbelief that I needed a top layer of gloss was epic. That was then, this is now. MAC Lipglass Never has a product been awarded a moniker that better describes its life’s mission. Not only are my lips glossy enough for you to check your make up in them, the underlying lip colour remains where it’s put and doesn’t look like you’re post  party hysteria and into the crying, face wiping, self recriminatory period. You may well be there, but appearances will bely that status.MAC, Mac Cosmetics, Lipgloss, MAC Lipglass,

MAC Lipglass £15

Here are the best of the rest, all tried and tested by me. You may have your brand favourites and that’s to be respected, but Mrs V is there, hopefully to enlighten and encourage you to sometimes think outside of your own particular make up box. (I suggest Muji’s Acrylic stacking drawers, don’t let me have to tell you again – currently on sale, click the link). In this case, even in a blind testing, I’d have selected the MAC Lipglass option, and for once, it’s the cheapest of the lot of them. Also, The fact that it’s in a tube elates me, as there is the ‘no residue colour on a wand’ to contaminate the rest of the product, so you can squeeze a little out onto your finger or a lip brush, and you’re out of the water concerning that gross little eventuality. I buy clear Lipgloss. I want it to remain clear Lipgloss. Stat.

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YSL, YSL Cosmetics, YSL Gloss Volupte, lipgloss
Chanel, CHANEL cosmetics, lipgloss, Chanel Gloss Volume
Dior, Dior Cosmetics, Lipgloss, Dior Addict Ultra gloss, beauty products, Dior beauty products

Bobbi Brown Crystal Lip Gloss £16.50  Chanel Volume Plumping Lipgloss £27   YSL Gloss Volupte £22.50  Dior Addict Ultra Gloss £24

All of these topcoat Glosses are our unctuous, gloopy, viscous lip PR products. They promote beauty, confidence and sensuality, no denying.  The concept of lip locking could become a reality, choose wisely and if you run through a cloud of midges whilst wearing it, think Fuzzy Felts Flocked Backing Board effect.

Your lips will speak volumes without you saying a word.

 

Fashion, Hair and Life Styling

As your style consultant, personal shopper, sifter of trends and alerter to unmissable style happenings I give you my four next-to-be attended exhibitions in 2017.

Molly Goddard, Molly Goddard exhibition, Molly Goddard What I like exhibition at the Now Gallery, embroidery, interactive art

Molly Goddard’s ‘What I like’

Now Gallery

Molly Goddard is a cherished creative, top of the milk, makes you proud to be British, gorgeously talented young designer. Mrs V has been up close and personal with her clothes and can confirm that they are beautiful in execution, design and their intent to make a woman lovely. Molly’s ‘What I like’ is an interactive exhibition at the Now Gallery and if you have even a passing interest in fashion or have a daughter, goddaughter, godson or friend of any persuasion, do as I tell you and grab them and your Oyster card and get yourselves over to this original exhibition.You will collect a magnificently large needle and thread from the central podium, you then chose a blank space and then just stitch away directly onto the sea of foamy tulle  suspended from above. There is no suspicion that you’ll endanger any top designer’s livelihood  you should simply let any creative juices pour out. Just experiment and let your imaginations get the better of you. Stop reigning them in.

 

 

The Vulgar exhibition, The Barbican, fashion, style, clothes, Exhibition The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined at The Barbican 2016/2017

The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined

The Barbican

‘Vulgarity exposes the scandal of good taste’

 Provocatively the constantly evolving notion of vulgarity in fashion always makes me re-examine what it is exactly that makes something vulgar and why it is such a sensitive, personal and sometimes contested term. I was told by a designer that I admire and respect that there always needs to be a smattering of bit of bad taste in any truly beautiful piece of clothing. Whether it be the horn buttons on an Hermes suit, Burberry in-your-face logo check or the completely over the top kitch-ness of the queens coronation gown. On close scrutiny isn’t that true? Its what stops clothing being ‘nice’  The Model Edit is team Vulgar and I bet that’s news to you, but it might just be the reason you follow me (thank you, thank you, thank you from every particle of my body and soul).

 

Fashion On The Ration, The Imperial War Museum, fashion during the Second World War, fashion on a budget, fashion exhibition
Silk Scarf, Jacqmar of London, Fashion On The Ration exhibition at the Imperial War Museum

Fashion On The Ration

The Imperial War Museum North 

This exhibition aptly hosted by The Imperial War Museum North ( Manchester) takes us through the rigeurs of trying have a bit of style autonomy and individuality in any small way whilst juggling trying to stay alive on an eating, dodging air raids and financial kind of a level. I love that it mattered for the simple reason that a personal style and sartorial shop front satisfyingly set out, can make for a happy and confident individual, and the domino effect that this mindset can engender. Loving the Beetroot lipstick stain idea. Makes me think of a tonne of vegetable names for various make up hues. Gotta get me some Butternut Squash tinted lippy for the summer.

Onwards and sometimes upwards, and  having been interactive with Molly Goddard, conflicted at the Barbican and resourceful by digging in our garden for make-up victory, we now book an appointment with Sam McKnight at his retrospective hosted at Somerset House.

Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Sam McKnight Exhibition at Somerset House 2017, hairstyles, celebrity hairstylist, Sam McKnight
Kate Moss by Nick Knight -Vogue UK-September 2000, supermodel, hairstylist, Sam McKnight

Hair by Sam McKnight

   Somerset House

Hair by Sam McKnight is the first exhibition to contextualise the wider cultural significance of hair and the role of the session stylist within fashion. It’s also a good chance to have a look at some of the most iconic fashion, beauty and style images from the last 30 years. There is always something to be derived from this genre of exhibition. The images can often inspire and unblock ideas your for your own style. Many of these photographs have become timeless due to the revolving route that fashion takes, and there are always nuggets that can be dusted off and buffed up to suit you.

Brings new meaning to the words ‘Making an exhibition of yourself’ don’t it?

The Goddess of Make Up

NYX cosmetics, NYX Make Up, beauty, eye make up

NYX; A  figure of such exceptional power and beauty that she is feared by Zeus himself.

I’ll have me some of that.

Beauty savvy, surprisingly money conscious teenage daughters are my spy satellites. We have a symbiotic relationship. The Esmeralda Violet child seeks and finds make up newbies whilst Zenobia Crimson non too altruistically devotes herself to pursuing edgy new designers also stalking trendy vintage and charity clothing caverns. I pull my weight (and lots of times my rank) by housing, feeding and sustaining an entirely not very shabby wardrobe lending library for their chaotic pleasure. Lately I have been prancing about for your benefit in  NYX a range of cosmetics previously released just for the perusal of make up professionals… and Esmeralda Violet.  NYX Cosmetics started small in 1999 by founder Toni Ko. The brand was initially only available to professionals through trade shows. “We really grew by word of mouth,” said Joyce Kim, NYX’s global director of product development. This word of mouth strategy was also the mega successful ethos of body con pioneer Azzedine Alaia who gifted, loaned and discounted his clothes to the modelling sorority. We knew a good thing when it squished us, and were not afraid to talk about it, which is totally what bloggers do, via the internet. The rest of this good marketing procedure is history. It’s clear to Mrs V that sliding in the shocker of a fairly ‘off piste’ bright, yet sort of gentle purple violet eyeliner and matching mascara should not represent the sum total of my make up spend for the following 6 months. Price is not an issue here as quite cleverly NYX has positioned themselves smack bang on the middle shelf, totally within our reach. Quality is also not an issue.  I give you non slippy, non smudgey eyeliner and mascara that clings to my lashes not my wrinkles. How nice is that? The shades shown above are those which excite me. There are many more in this eyeliner mascara dynamic that are less shouty. But, if shouty and pouty is what you’d like, they’ve got you covered here too. Velvety matte or glossy glistening. Brilliantly they have a lipstick colour spectrum of nudes and naturals labelled Lip Lingerie. Sort yourselves out girls.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, lipstick, NYX Cosmetics, NYX Beauty, beauty, make up.
NYX cosmetics, NYX lipsticks, lipsticks, cosmetics, beauty
NYX Vivid Brights eyeliner, NYX Cosmetics, NYX Make Up, eyeliner, cosmetics, beauty products, beauty

 All you need is the spirit of adventure. I’ve been going places ever since daughter #1 pointed out this liberating little brand.

Balmy About This

High grove Baby, Highgrove, Prince Charles,Organic Balm, Organic, balm, skincare, beauty

Balm;

  • : an oily substance that has a pleasant smell and that is used for healing, smoothing, or protecting the skin

  • : something that gives comfort or support (that could include big girl knickers, Spanx and your best girlfriends though)

My ‘press send’ this week is, that second pot of this most delicious ( yet to find Muesli with ingredients that makes me salivate as much as those listed on this tub of delight ), skincare Balm. Highgrove Baby Organic Balm is part of an  unique range created by Daniel Galvin Jr, in collaboration with Alexandra Soveral. Daniel Galvin Jr has pioneered and developed organic products for hair and beauty over the last decade and Alexandra Soveral renowned and highly respected aromatherapist and facialist, was Daniel’s first choice in helping develop this special range. The relationship Daniel has with Highgrove came through the development of the Duchy personal care range, for over a decade and the various visits to Highgrove as an Ambassador to The Prince’s Trust, and so it has continued. Alexandra Soveral is a facialist with more than average scientific, physiological and homeopathic understanding – she also spent two years studying anatomy, physiology remedial massage and the chemistry of essential oils.

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Beauty and My Beasts.

Lipstick, Illamasqua, MAC, Topshop, beauty, blusher, Mrs V, www.themodeledit.com, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, Muji, make up bag, cosmetics

Left to right; Illamasqua Growl, Illamasqua Sangers, Topshop Infrared, Illamasqua Liv, Illamasqua Posture, Mac Stone, Mac Brave, Mac Pink Plaid

Lipsticks, hands, fingers, Mac, Illamasqua, Topshop, cosmetics, beauty, Make-up

Fingertips are a more similar skin tone to your lips than any other exposed dermal surface, better the the back of your hand. Which is why I’ve daubed my digits with the appropriate (left to right ) lipsticks in order to give you a realistic idea of their actual hue. Genius idea and I’m so happy with my blog helpfulness and all would be well in my blogosphere if I hadn’t pitched in and helped clean out the Chickens first. It occurs to moi that my hands look like badly made-up Chipolatas. These featured lipsticks are mine and in daily use. They are on little outings all the time e.g. the gym makes me stretch into my make up bag for Mac’s Pink Plaid or Brave. God knows how others cope with the multifaceted mirror environment at the gym. I do a risky lipstick reboot and Mac lipsticks can slide on all sneaky and silky, but stay put through a sweaty work out. London means Illamasqua Growl or Posture (huge favourite) depending on who, where, and what. Got to tell you how much I love the matte but not dry formula, that this brand has perfected.  Topshop’s Infrared is so much fun to wear it counteracts any matchy  matchy thoughts that you may have had. this Rio carnival of a lip colour doesn’t want to match anything which is so powerful. It’s a signal that you’re self confident enough to just put it out there. It should have been called Defiance. I don’t expect you all to wear it but some of you may have an occasion. Mrs V has a beauty secret.

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My Edited Highlights

 

Close up red hair - 1
Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, red hair, redhead, venetian blond, pre raphaelite,
Red hair, frizzy hair, afro hair

My red hair is very unruly, very curly, very long and not in very good condition. What a spiffy challenge it is for a hairdresser. The Model Edit likes nothing better than a hairdresser who can stand their ground and intelligently explain why this, that or the short straight bob with a full frontal fringe won’t work on my head however much I really, really would like it to. Why can’t I have my hair like Christina Hendricks? My hairdresser has to have answers to all these questions and informed opinions that will deflect me from inappropriate hairstyle choices. I don’t go down easily.

Christina Hendricks, redhead, the bob hairstyle,
Luckily for me Daniel Galvin Jr is that person. I am now a very happy customer at the Daniel Galvin Jr, 4 West Halkin Street, London SW1. It has been a smooth and enlightening transition both mentally and physically. First consultation I chatted with Daniel and Olyvia, Daniel’s executive colourist. After an exchange of wants and needs (me ) and what could actually be achieved (them) the process of making my barnet look blissed out began. You’ve all been to the hairdressers so I’ll spare you the process of what ensued. Know that Mrs V, emerged all gorgeous glossy and glowy back into the polite society of London’s Knightsbridge for an hour or so then the not so polite surroundings of Dorset, mud, hay, sand and salt water, looking exactly how we discussed. I didn’t look coiffed but I did look chuffed.

Mrs V, Highgrove, The Ritz, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, www.themodeledit.com

I was totally happy with Daniel’s ‘less is more for the time being’ approach. Loved that he pointed out the often overlooked fact on a first visit to a hairdresser, that it’s a new relationship which must be learnt from either side. Daniel believes  women need to see hair as an extension of their make up. “Haircolour should be used as a cosmetic, if you have the correct make up in your hair then you should not be dashing for the make up draw in the morning to make you look healthier.  Haircolour should make your skin armed and eyes stronger”
My highlights are going to subtly change according to the season. Now that makes really sense. Why on earth would my hair colour literally stay the same colour come rain or shine? I’d like my hair to evolve and stay as naturally pretty as possible.I think I’ve found the man for the job. Even better, he encouraged me to see how I felt with the result and to return for any fine tuning necessary. Oh, I will…

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0 to 40 (Winks)

Seep Plus Pillow Spray, This Works, herbal remedy sleep aid, pillow spray, homeopathic
Mio Liquid Yoga Stress Free Space Spray, herbal sleep aid, herbal remedy, sleep aid, pillow spray

The Model Edit has patchy sleeping habits. There, it’s out there. Whilst you think that I’m upstairs in your guest bedroom sleeping like a babe, I’m in fact not. After going all out, all night long, supper, dancing, cinema, girls night, balls, birthdays, book club etc, upon re-entry to the bedroom, I have to shake down the night’s residue adrenalin before sleep throws the duvet over me. Fairly excruciating when all around are soporific at the sight of a well puffed pillow. That’s all changing readers! I have done my very non-altruistic research and have pleased myself with these two solutions and with huge largesse I share;

A. This Works sleep plus pillow spray. Splurge this onto any bedlinen that swaddles, supports or  skims you and dream on. Natural night time movement releases the fragrance while you sleep. Alongside other sleep inducing, relaxation promoting ingredients it has a predominantly Lavender scent. Lavender is a plant associated with nights of bliss and joy sleeping-wise. Anyway, naturally encapsulated it gradually releases aromatherapeutic benefits as you prettily slumber. Mrs V really likes the smell of this potion and would say that overall it does hit the target ( my head), most of the time. Although occasionally I find myself sort of waiting and thinking ‘is it now, am I drifting off yet?’ You’ve heard the expression ‘a watched pot…?’

B. Mio Skincare Liquid Yoga Space Spray.The premise from the gurus at Mio is that this elixir is perfect for pulse points, pillow, yoga mat, car or office ( wait a mo, do I want to  be that relaxed at the wheel?) and can help promote natural deep sleep and ease tension that causes headaches. How nice is that? It has a zingy perfume, more citrus and zesty  than the This Works offering. The manifesto for this product is that it can be a rapid mood changer that helps calm, quieten, de-stress and rebalance. This resonates with me because sometimes it is just ones mood that has to change. You are no longer at a rave, business meeting or spiky discussion with a daughter ( just me?). You want to relax, shake off the day and sometimes that doesn’t happen to order. In the loosest sense of the phrase, this is a mind altering alternative to just laying there fretting about how soon the alarm is going off. I found that this did work very well for me, and possibly slightly better than the Sleep Plus Pillow Spray. Not sure why, it may just be a matter that the cocktail of  ingredients resonates slightly better with my psyche. I wouldn’t diss the alternative, as it may be a fit with yours.

Try them out and report back. I’d love to know your experience.

What’s the worst that can happen ? You have gloriously scented bedlinen and you’re awake enough to luxuriate in that knowledge.

 

Pixi’s at Work.

Pixi Glow peel Pads, Pixi Skintreats, Hyaluronic Acid, skincare, Mrs V, Vanessa Voegele-Downing, themodeledit.com

 The May beauty crush. Pixi Glow Peel Pads

 Petra Strand  is the beauty and the brains behind the skincare brand Pixi the culmination of acquired knowledge from her 20+ years experience as a makeup artist & product developer. Pixi products are formulations infused with botanicals and beneficial ingredients. Their ethos is to create products that are multitasking, flaw-fixing and youth-enhancing for women like us with no time to spare. Goes without saying that they are the offerings of  a busy mother of four who has previous in the beauty industry and therefore knows how to cut to the chase. I like their strap line ‘ Flawless in fuss free minutes”

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