Fashpolitico usually goes out of her way to be nice about people on this blog. Partly because hate and anger on the internet is a bit of a bore, partly because Fashpolitico knows she needs to work with the political world in her day job – it’s never wise to be rude.
But this post, I’m afraid, has to be an exception. Imagine the scene – it’s the film premier of the political bio-pic of the year, the Iron Lady. Fashpolitico has already read endless column inches on Margaret Thatcher’s style, the film, Meryl Streep, in short, she is hooked.
So looking at the photos of the glamorous premier seemed like a good idea. And what could be more exciting, for a Conservative Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport than attending this premier? (OK, I know the Olympics may feature a little higher on the excitement level in 2012, but this is still big.)
Well clearly it was not that exciting after all, judging by this outfit. Fashpolitico only hopes that the Olympics proves to be an occasion for dressing up.
Fashpolitico always enjoys reading Anne McElvoy’s latest missives in the Evening Standard. She’s the kind of woman every ginger politico can look up to. After an early career in East Berlin (and I cannot recommend the Saddled Cow enough – a remarkable account of the life, politics and culture of East Germany published in 1993) and travelling to all manner of interesting places as a journalist, she gave incisive accounts of the 2010 general election in the Standard and on the BBC News Channel’s Election Show.
So Fashpolitico wasn’t surprised when she hit the nail on the head on the subject of MPs who play the glamour game. A sterling run down of the latest fashion incidents from MPs Louise Mensch, Ed Miliband and Theresa May. Balancing a political career with a good look sometimes seems more complicated than it is. Fashpolitico suggests lost politicos follow Anne McElvoy’s advice.
Denmark has a new PM, Helle Thorning Schmidt, or Gucci Helle as she’s know locally.
Fashpolitico first spotted HTS whilst working in the European Parliament in 200o. She was young, glamorous, beautiful and elected. Who would not want to be her?! But then she was drawn into years of negotiations about exposure to noise, vibrations, electo-magnetic fields and optical radiation in the workplace, and the glamour somewhat wore off.
One area where she has always been consistent is her style.
Colour and pearls – smart and sassy. A good look.
It’s early, it’s election day, you’re knackered, a bright spotty on trend scarf lifts the early morning look and sets the tone for the day: if you want to look fabulous vote for me!
And here she is with Stephen Kinnock last year. Navy and black is the look of this season so she was ahead of the curve there. Frankly Fashpolitico is mainly jealous of the fact she has an event which requires a dress like this.
As the new Head of Government for Denmark I’m sure there will be many more black tie occasions. But for the moment, I suspect she is focussing on constructing the first centre-left Government in Denmark for 10 years. Best of luck to her.
Even before recent events Fashpolitico has been concerned that politicians are not doing very well at politics. So it would seem more than ridiculous to concern oneself with how politicians are dressed when their leadership skills are not up to scratch. As a result this post considers politics and then fashion, entirely separately. It will not surprise you to see that I conclude that the world of fashion is doing a much better job of living up their remit.
In the world of politics, the failure of Europe’s leaders to put forward a credible plan to save their currency and create a stable environment for growth; the inability of politics and politicians to stop famine in Somalia or killings in Syria, were getting Fashpolitico down. All she could think, was world, we must do better.
And then, whilst on holiday in France, all hell broke loose in my home town. The destruction of high streets in parts of London I know well, love and live in has been hard to comprehend. It was all the more poignient that I was in Paris when cars were being burnt in London.
Even before David Starkey’s daft remarks about rap I thought the most sensible contribution I could make would be to share this viewpoint from the world of French Rap. Post Starkey’s remarks it is all the more important to celebrate the way in which hip pop and rap can express the frustrations of a generation. It speaks about the desire not to burn cars but to have the opportunity to build and sell them: j’veux pas bruler des voitures, j’veux en construire et puis en vendre.
And now to fashion.
Fashpolitico’s spirits were lifted by this stunning display of ‘wedding’ photos from Kate Moss for American Vogue. Rather than sell cheap copy to OK! Kate Moss showed the true class that a girl from Croydon has, in producing some iconic images which are simply art. Beautifully composed and lit, with the participants dressed in exquisite clothes, the images are a joy to look at. Fashpolitico strongly suspects they were all shot before the wedding, leaving the bride free to enjoy her day.
American Vogue, Kate, Mario Testino and the designers featured more than lived up to expectations – they showed that the world that fashion is at the top of its game.
Politicians take note, Fashpolitico has expectations, you need to start living up to your profession, and then dressing better. Start producing policies as beautiful and successful as the images below.
The Guardian have, in an unlikely move, ridden to the Prime Minister’s rescue. They are giving him top notch advice on how to improve his holiday look.
Fashpolitco particularly enjoys the fact that the advice is given under the sub-headings of ‘Conservative Option’ and ‘Blue Sky Thinking’.
At a time when even Kate Middleton can be a bit more fashion forward, with her choice of the House of McQueen to design her dress, it really is time that the PM moved with the times and started dressing like a modern British man.
Fashpolitico’s highlights of the visit of the Obamas:
Structural salads are off set by the a beautiful shade of green in SamCam’s Jonathan Saunders dress.
Whilst Fashpolitico adores McQueen she wasn’t sure about this number which the First Lady wore to Oxford University. A little too much buckle for a formal occasion.
However these pastel colours are simply perfect. And Fashpolitico adored this black tie look:
As for the men, there were simply too many shots of the Prime Minister and the President looking ‘relaxed’ with their jackets off for Fashpolitico’s liking.
All this talk of royalty has quite distracted Fashpolitico. However the wedding of the Leader of the Opposition drew her eye back to the political world.
And the verdict is: delightful. Justine’s Temperley dress is classic and suits her down to the ground. Ed picked his look well, his grey Aquascutum suit and light blue tie are perfect for the season and suit his colouring.
Many congratulations to the happy couple: a triumph of love and style!
Fashpolitico’s sister kindly forwarded her a piece from last week’s Sunday Times. @LouiseBagshawe had written a piece about the changing fashions of the House of Commons. Bagshawe notes that in the House “it’s a brave woman who bucks the trend” of sensible Next skirt suits. Baghsawe’s top fashpoliticos are:
Theresa May who “didn’t tailor her image to meet public expectations and stayed true to her fashion-forward, Vivienne Westwood-wearing self”. Fashpolitico has long been a defender of the Home Secreatary’s style and couldn’t agree more.
Helen Grant for her minimal chic.
Gloria de Piero for her colourful wrap dresses bight blouses and shiny hair.
Nicola Blackwood who mixes Missoni with Gap.
Apparently more can be read thesundaytimes.co.uk/style but Fashpolitico can’t get behind the pay wall to see.
The Queen’s recent visit to Ireland was a political and fashion triumph. Fashpolitico thought the whole trip was brilliantly timed and did much to normalise relations between the UK and Ireland. Whilst the visit did result in a suspect package related bomb scare at work, reminding her of the bad old days of London in the 80s and early 90s, she knew the trip was more than worthwhile. It was conducted with dignity, respect and style and was a master class for all Heads of State to follow.
Arriving in green was the obvious move – and this jade number was just the job.
Fashpolitico’s favourite outfit is this white and khaki green number. The beautiful and detailed embroidery along with the sweeping cut of the jacket really stood out:
Another outfit of note is this straw yellow coat with a floral dress. The hat had beautifully coloured feathers:
Without a doubt, after the Queen, the stars of the show were the hats, Fashpolitico just wishes that she had the occasions to wear this many stunning numbers in her day job. The Queen’s hats are beautifully designed, flawlessly colour coordinated, traditional, but with enough flare to show that they are very much a British hat (this can be contrasted with the less than impressive efforts at the Royal Wedding from the European Royals, a subject for another post).
Your Majesty, Fashpolitico salutes your political poise and fashion flair.
And next week sees yet more excitement with the arrival of Barack and Michelle Obama to the UK. Fashpolitico cannot wait to see Michelle’s outfits for this trip and is dismayed that it appears that she comes under attack in the US for her style. For more see http://obamalondon.blogspot.com/2011/05/michelle-obamas-shoes.html
Fashpolitico has a feeling that both Michelle and the Queen will shine next week.
Fashpolitico was delighted to learn that Kate Middleton had chosen Sarah Burton at McQueen to design her wedding dress. For too long Kate has gone down a safe, pretty, Sloany look. All fine but never interesting.
Switching to McQueen for her wedding gives Fashpolitico hope that Kate may show a new generation of women in the public eye how to dress in a flattering but more fashion forward way. The choice of McQueen was also a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s greatest fashion designers, and will certainly ensure that the House of McQueen continues. Bravo!
Fashpolitco adored the Grace Kelly referencing and the classy 50s style – a million miles from that Diana 80s confection. The lace was beautiful and fashpolitico particularly adored the detailing on the cuffs.
Fashpolitico had always intended to be married in McQueen – it looks like the Duchess of Cambridge has got there first. But at least it will result in a trend of very well dressed brides.
