I was flipping through the latest American Vogue when I came across a fashion spread which stopped me dead in my wrist flicking. Was that actually an older model with long grey hair? Or was I just suffering from Jet Lag and Post Traumatic Paris syndrome? I peered in and examined it a little closer. Yes, it was clear this was 46 year old Kristen McMenamy (happily married mother of four) showing off pages and pages of fabulous fall fashion. A real woman wearing clothes for real women.
As I mentioned months ago there was a moment last March, at the international collections, that signified it was the end of the era of short skimpy dresses and disco dressing. Now the clothes have grown up and so have the models. Now the hottest models are the hottest models from the last 20 years. There is the divine Christy Turlington in the new Louis Vuitton ads, Linda Evangelista looking fabulous for Revlon and Claudia Schiffer in everything from Chanel to D&G. We have 36-year-old Amber Valletta in the new Jimmy Choo campaign, 30 something Angela Lindvall fronting the Prada campaign and Elle Macpherson, who walked in the latest Vuitton show, on the cover of Tatler. Ageless aristocratic English beauty Stella Tennant looks amazing in the latest Balenciaga and Ferragamo campaigns. Most importantly, Aussie super waif Emma Balfour, now 40, is the star of the hottest label in town, Celine. Oh and how can we ignore Madonna playing cougar in the latest Dolce Gabbana ads?
And it looks like this trend is continuing. Next month the all-important September issues of the big glossy magazines (in the US) will be out and rumours are circulating that Julia Roberts is on the cover of Elle, Halle Berry on Vogue, and Jennifer Aniston on Harpers Bazaar. All over forty and all fabulous. So I hear you mumbling that, of course, all of these women are gorgeous, slim, genetically blessed and have probably had “work” (if only a little botox) but the point is they have lived a life, they have a history and you can see it in their faces. They are women not girls. So you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up? Start wearing these clothes and you will soon find out.

Yours fashionably,

FiFi
www.FiFi.com.au

Dear Review friends,

Thought I’d scribble you a little postcard from the most beautiful city in the world: Paris!

How fabulous it is to be here again soaking up the sparkling hot summer days, long balmy nights, divine food and the most spectacular stores. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven surrounded by all this fantastic fashion…
We have walked and walked, shopped and shopped and stuffed ourselves with croissants, wine and stinky cheese. We’ve loved the new Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney stores in the divine Palais Royale, the incredible new Ralph Lauren store in St Germain (All 6 stories and a restaurant) and, of course, the coolest store in town Colette. We’ve marveled at the ceiling of Galleries Lafayettte and shopped for hours in the amazing department store Bon Marche drooling over Balenciaga, Prada, Marni and Lanvin. We have tried on every style of T-shirt in Petit Bateau.
We loved the YSL exhibition at the Petit Palais and wandering down the chic Rue Faubourg St Honore. We’ve munched on baguettes and delicious macaroons in Laduree. We’ve adored sipping an aperitif and people watching at Café Marly perched over looking the Pyramid at the Louvre.
The standout fashion trend on the streets? There isn’t one. And that’s the point. Parisian chic is simply an understated and low key way of throwing things together: Flat shoes, a crisp white shirt with long cuffs, tailored jackets, floppy man-style pants or a pretty (Review!) skirt. Perhaps a serious designer watch and handbag. Add a slick dash of lipgloss and simple, clean hair. And Voila! Oh how do they do it? (Probably by not eating all those croissants)

But must go! so many shops and so little time….

Wish you were here!

Yours fashionably fatigue,
FiFi
www.FiFi.com.au

The good news is that I am away in France. On holidays.  Relaxing. Eating. Shopping.
The bad news? You’re not. Sorry.
You see I adore France.  I am almost Francaise. Mais Oui. My nom de plume is FiFi. I am an Agent Provocateur, a critique of film noir, and au fait with the Avant -Garde. Fashion is my raison d’etre. Shopping for the dernier cri gives me such joie de vivre! Some say I am an enfant terrible. A bon vivant with such savoir-faire. So of course I have decided to hold a Rendez-vous for Bastille Day at my Pied a Terre in Paris. I am inviting the crème de la crème of the Demi-Monde who always love a little witty repartee. The cuisine will be formidable. I have nonchalantly tossed together Hors d’oevres, Vol au vent, Petit Fours, and beaucoup de flutes de champagne.
Hic!
The piece de resistance?  My décolletage magnifique (so risque) in my new Review 50’s style, flirty dress. Adorable. Oh la la! Une Femme Fatale. But un moment:  Suddenly there is a petit probleme: The zip is stuck.  Mon dieu! Quelle catastrophe.  Perhaps this is just déjà vu? While en France I have been laissez faire with my figure (my Bete Noir is chocolat, frommage and more than a soupcon of gateaux) so it’s not a surprise. Am I feeling a little sangfroid? Mais non! C’est la Vie. With the aide of Monsieur George Clooney I breathe in and Voila! The faux pas is over. I am now chic and as elegante as Catherine Deneuve in St Tropez.
Vive la France!

Yours in Egalite, Fraternite, and Shoppingte.

FiFi.

P.S The gorgeous sketches and everything you need to know about Paris is here at the fabulous site Do it in Paris.

There is a hit show on TV called Mad Men. I am sure you have seen it. It’s the show everyone loves to talk about. What’s not to love? It’s set way back in the 1950’s and the characters have names like Don Draper, Joan and Betty. There are gorgeous, sexy men in dapper suits who chat politely to fabulous women in glamorous dresses. The fabulous women in glamorous dresses actually look like women. They dress like women. They are not ashamed to show off their curves. They like to look pretty and feminine. They want to be lady like. They love a cleavage, a cinched in waist and you can almost hear the quiet swoosh of their big, full skirts.
We’re so mad about Mad Men here at Review that the collection for next season has been inspired by that very grown up 50’s silhouette. How do I know that? Because I had a sneak peek at the Review summer shoot. Because I was invited to a behind the scenes shoot snoop. As soon as I got word I raced down to the location like a Maniac in her Manolos to get the scoop. And dear Review readers you won’t be disappointed. I saw gorgeous models with lovely up-do’s and pony tails, a bit of blush and eyebrows that January Jones would die for. I saw soft, low décolletages that Christina Hendricks might pop out of.  I saw the prettiest pastel dresses with divine full skirts. I saw spots and dots and checks. There was navy and pink and pastel blue. I saw tweeds and bows and the most darling little fitted jackets. I think I saw stripes and florals. Together. Oh, it looked all so delicious and pretty I came home and whipped out the red lipstick, cinched in a skirt and ate a cream cake. Just like that.
So when can you see all these new clothes? Ah, you will just have to wait a little longer. How maddening! Stay tuned for next episode.

Yours in fashionable anticipation,
FiFi
www.FiFi.com.au

I think it’s time to talk about girl power.

Girl power means speaking out for what you believe in …whether it’s Prada, Review or Dior.
Girl power means being taken seriously for who you are. Whatever you’re wearing. Whether it’s Prada, Review or Dior.
Girl power means we’ve now come a long way from Wonder Woman (and that outfit).
Girl power means we still want to look like Charlie’s Angels. But not the Spice girls.
Girl power means we love Donna Karan’s 1980’s version of the American President. It’s about the Pearls darling.
Girl power means our Prime Minister can wear a pretty Prada 50’s style dress to any meeting, anywhere.
Girl power means feeling strong and treating everyone equally (even dags).
Girl power means wearing the highest YSL heels to the office (and ignoring the pain).
Girl power means never having to say you’re sorry about your Chanel suit (or handbag).
Girl power means you can wear shoulder pads when they are in fashion. And take them out when they are not. (Tip: they are in this season).
Girl power means feeling comfortable in your own skin and wearing a sexy Review power pencil skirt.
Girl power means loving your wrinkles. I think.
Girl power means equal pay (Well, you do NEED those new Louboutin heels).
Girl power means celebrating shopping.
Girl power means celebrating women of substance, intellect, integrity and style. (And ignoring talent-less celebrities with a brain the size of the buckle of their Balenciaga bag.)
Girl power means celebrating our new female Prime Minister.
I am woman hear me roar!

Yours fashionably,
FiFi
www.FiFi.com.au