Current Obsession: Ana Beatriz Barros

Ana Beatriz Barros

29

 Brazil
elite
 

Victoria's Secret Angel

 Walked for: Christian Dior, Valentino, Giles...

Graced the covers of: ELLE Russia, Glamour Italy, VOGUE Portugal

Faced: Diesel, Chanel cosmetics, L'Oreal, Armani jeans, Fornarina  

Appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue a massive 7 times

FHM #84 "100 Sexiest Women in the World"

2010 Pirelli calendar

Lingerie model for the famous Marks & Spencer ads


 It was seeing her captivating beauty and absolutely gorgeous features- bright, wide eyes, impressive cheekbones and full yet subtle lips- that caused me to be instantly attracted to her and fall in love with her. It took me about five minutes. Therefore, I just had to share with you, some of her amazing work. And my God has she been busy over the last 10 years. 
I know her as the face of M&S but she is rather famous for her swimwear/lingerie modelling and I think she can be easily transformed to the catwalk and high editorial work, as well as more commercial features and advertisements. 
Model chameleon if you will.


My favourite image has to be the one with the 
sheer mustard blouse and volumized hair.
Very 70s. 
 But which is yours?


What do you make of her? 

Do you enjoy her work?

Let's just see how long it will take you to fall in love with her...

WONDER FULL

Pic of the week

 Anabela Belikova | by Nagi Sakai

As part of a beautifully simple and elegant fashion editorial from the April 2011 issue of Spanish Harper's Bazaar, entitled 24 Hours, this image was the one I found most striking. 

Subtle, summery and simply stunning.

Also:

The perfect interview outfit.

A suitably retro look. 

Great ensemble for a wedding.

WONDER FULL

Elie Tahari Resort 2012 Collection

Whilst in New York last month, I visited Bergdorf Goodman, the uber sophisticated and elegant department store on 5th Avenue that, shows in the most impeccable of both standards and ways, how retail should be done. Refined and beautiful, it really is worth the trip for and was one of my favourite places in New York that we had the opportunity to visit. It was there that I found the most amazing pair of Elie Tahari sandals. I haven't managed to find the exact pair I fell in love with in store, which were in gold and much better than in ivory but I didn't purchase them simply because they were too expensive. But very beautiful nonetheless. Since then, I have began to develop a love (almost obsession) with Elie Tahari and I usually take no notice of the resort collections (I tend to wait for the mainline collections held twice a year in London), however, I instantly took a liking to summery tones, blends of colours and the 1970s vibe so elegantly conceptualized in 37 outfits.

The looks made up of crisp whiteness, flowing layers of fabric and intricate gold formations are easily the best aspects of the collection- they look the most expensive and graceful, whilst remaining glamorous. I instantly envisage a wealthy older woman at an expensive location or someone incredibly chic sashaying across a beach party sipping cocktails at nightfall. I really do have holidays on my mind. Obsession number 2! 

Spurts of salmon pink brighten up the collection, as do the mustard hues on feet and in the form of several accessories- snakeskin holdalls and metallic belts. The 1970s flared jeans add a certain nostalgic element combined with the maxi dresses, billowing gold sleeves and of course, the turbans. For those of you who are fans, Carrie dons these at least twice in the Sex and the City 2 film and Bergdorf Goodman features at the beginning.

The rest of the collection has a more urban feel to it with the neutral colour palette- beige, black and dark grey. Black ends the collection but although head to toe black, the sheerness of the fabric and peep toe shoe, keeps it feminine and pretty, thus completing the overall collection perfectly. The plain blue blazer works well with the patterned body-con pencil skirt and the sheen of the belt. Bronze tones and pale blue make for a great combination. It is the looseness, almost effortlessness created at the end and the serene ladylike glamour we see at the beginning that gives the overall aesthetic versatility and variation- perfect for a resort collection. Elegant, breezy, retro, smart... all words that apply. My favourite pieces, though, are the belted blue blazer, beige and black blocked summer dress and the beautiful white loose-fitting maxi. This would look great with gold shoes, that combined with those incredible gold cuffs, is an ideal evening outfit- even better in an exotic location.

What are your favourite looks? Did any other collection stand out for you?

All images from STYLE.com

WONDER FULL

Pic of the week

1970s

Californian glow

Ironed tresses

Oversized Sunglasses

Daring deep-V neckline

Floral scene

& the biggest hat you can find

She had it.

She's still got it.

Ever iconic. 

WONDER FULL

It's the year 1960...

Just got a little excited when I went online for my daily news fix and saw these amazing pictures of Fearne Cotton modelling her latest collection for Very. OK, they are not high-fashion, nor is she a model but I am absolutely obsessed (as I always say) with the 60s. And it wasn't about high-fashion then either. It was about revolution, music, youth culture, emancipation of women... and besides, Fearne has become a bit of a style icon over the past few years and she has her own great sense of style which should be celebrated. She is another successful woman in the media, whom I admire for this reason. I always ask my Mum what was it like to live then, forgetting that she was only a baby and an impressionable teenage throughout the 1970s (still, what a great time to have grown-up- I am adamant that I was born in the wrong era. Fake tan and ridiculous reality TV is not for me). 

I love the era shown in these photographs and I just wanted to share them with you. Whilst on the subject, I strongly suggest you buy April's issue of UK ELLE if you haven't already (before all copies are whisked from the shelves- I cannot seem to track down US Vogue in-store) if only to stare at one of my favourite editorials of the week, Silk Cuts (great name) which also channels retro glamour. I feel it is unlike the usual glossy style of ELLE- this appears to be more demure and soft looking, sexy and very, very feminine. 

It doesn't mean I will be rushing to buy anything, I just enjoy the era Fearne is so beautifully epitomising here with the bouncy hair, thick eye make-up and of course, the colourful Peter-Pan collared shift dress.

If only I could go back in time...

What is your favourite piece from the collection? What is your opinion of the editorial?

WONDER FULL

Gwen, you beauty.

When I peeled away the plastic from my ELLE today I literally shouted with joy. Wow, the cover is an amazing one. Even though a certain free newspaper ruined the surprise on my way up to London this morning, the collectibles cover is so much better. It is bold, blocked, bright just like the Spring/Summer catwalks and channels 1970s glamour with the clashing of the deep red shoes against the jade blue background. It's much better to see someone on the cover who is linked to the fashion industry (even remotely), rather than someone like Cheryl Cole. ELLE has always been my favourite and it is their covers that is just one of the reasons why I love it so much after all these years... 

WONDER FULL

Put Your Foot In It

I am completely obsessed with high heels, like any other fashion junkie. I have been for years since I bought my first pair, which then felt sky high but have nothing on the massive platforms I slip my feet into now. I love the huge black thick strapped styles and the floral wedged 1970 platforms (beginning the excitement for spring/summer dressing) alike. Heels can entirely transform an outfit, dress up simple combos or give a look an edgy twist and this is just an homage, really, to the high heel.

WONDER FULL