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celebrity

Beauty

Met Gala beauty inspiration

4th May, 2017

The Met Gala is often referred to as the fashion Oscars with its incredible red carpet line up and next level outfits. And it’s not surprising. Under Vogue Editor Anna Wintour’s no doubt watchful eye you’d definitely want to be bringing your fashion A-game. This year’s Costume Institute Exhbition and Met Gala theme was Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garçons: The Art Inbetween which called for avante garde outfits in a nod to the influential designer. Whilst there were some daring and experimental looks (hello, Rihanna!) that definitely made their mark, the beauty was also on point. Just take these ladies for example…

A post shared by Kate Bosworth (@katebosworth) on

Kate Bosworth does a severe scraped back bun and bold lip to perfection. It’s just further proof of the power of a really striking pout.

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

Selena Gomez did simple and sleek for her ‘do but it shows that the lob may well be making a comeback. Poker straight and parted down the middle, this sophisticated hairstyle definitely commands attention.

If you’re in the market for an up-do why not try Reese Witherspoon’s pinned back pony. The clips and looped through features just elevates it from an ol’ ordinary red carpet hairstyle.

A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on

You can always count on Jennifer Lopez to bring ample levels of glamour wherever she goes. This look has a decidedly vintage vibe with the bold Bambi lashes and the 60s style tresses and looks classic with just the right dosage of drama.

A post shared by Alexa (@alexachung) on

On the opposite end of the spectrum Alexa Chung opted for her signature tousled hairstyle and minimal barely there makeup. Perfect for the woman who wants to look polished without looking like she spent an inordinate amount of time getting dolled up.

A post shared by Gisele Bündchen (@gisele) on

Never underestimate the appeal of a high pony with loose, relaxed waves. It looks red carpet ready but easily transitions to after party mode seamlessly. A bold smoky eye and nude lip come together for a look that’s pretty and understated.

Date with Kate

My favourite Date with Kates in 2016

27th December, 2016

I’m lucky enough to spend time with a lot of really interesting people throughout the year due to my Date with Kate column and 2016 has been no exception. I’ve had plenty of great “dates” this year but these in particular have been my favourites…

Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson has always been such an icon of Australian fashion and beauty and I’ve been lucky enough to meet her a few times and interviewed her once before so it was great to be able to catch up with her again. We caught up soon after I had Grace and she’s such an interesting woman that she was definitely one that I wanted to make the effort to see and interview.

Hailey Baldwin

Hailey Baldwin is definitely one of the it girls of the moment and one that I follow on social media so I was curious to see what she was like in person. We actually caught up at her 20th birthday party at Mrs Sippy in Sydney’s Double Bay whilst she was in Australia launching her collaboration with Modelco and had a great time chatting about all things beauty.

Emma Watkins and Lachlan Gillespie

My daughter, Sophia is a huge fan of The Wiggles and watches their show all the time so it was great to be able to hang out with Emma and Lachie. I’ve actually been to so many Wiggles concerts that I’ve now become good friends with the pair. Just to speak with them and how successful they’ve become was quite fascinating.

Zoë Foster Blake

I think Zoë’s fantastic. She’s so talented and incredibly funny and I think an inspiration to women with how much she has achieved in her career from launching her own beauty line to writing several books (with one, The Wrong Girl, being turned into a TV show this year). We had a really lovely time catching up and it was intriguing to hear about all the different projects she is up to.

Bec Judd

I had a great time co-hosting the Australian Marks & Spencer launch with Bec this year and it was nice to be able to do a Date with Kate together just as she had announced she was expecting twin boys. We have a lot in common as we both have young kids and it’s always really interesting hearing about how another mum manages to juggle everything in her work and personal life.

Kristin Davis

I have of course watched Sex and the City numerous times so it was great to be able to meet Kristin Davis during her visit to Australia as part of her work with the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees. We caught up at Flying Fish restaurant in Sydney’s Pyrmont and spoke about everything from playing Charlotte York to why she’s so passionate about campaigning for human rights.

Miranda Kerr

High tea with Miranda Kerr has got to be one of the highlights of the year as far as doing Date with Kates go. She’s always so lovely to speak to and we had a really lovely time discussing being a working mum, her relationship with Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel and how she likes to entertain family and friends.

Sigrid Thornton

Sigrid Thornton has long been one of Australia’s most celebrated actresses and we caught up to chat about her role in the production of Fiddler in the Roof. It was fascinating hearing about her 40-year career in film, television and the theatre.

Miranda Tapsell

Miranda Tapsell is one of the most warm and engaging people you’ll ever meet. We had a great time chatting about what it’s like being an indigenous actress and her career highlights to date.

The Veronicas

I enjoyed a really tasty vegan feast with The Veronicas’ Lisa and Jess Origliasso as we spoke about launching their new single and what it’s like dealing with “body shamers” who claim their weight is unhealthy. Having watched their career since 2005 it was great to be able to chat to the twins about how far their career has come.

Lifestyle

Profile: Douglas Kirkland, photographer

2nd November, 2016

kirkland

Photographer Douglas Kirkland is proof that one image can change everything. In 1961, at the age of 27 he was hired as a photographer for LOOK magazine and would go on to shoot the image that would establish his career. The photograph in question was Marilyn Monroe wrapped up in bedsheets and wearing nothing else [below]. The image has become iconic and started Kirkland on the path to shooting some of Hollywood’s biggest and most renowned stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. An exhibition of Kirkland’s work is currently taking place at There Is, a gallery in Perth’s Northbridge so I decided to speak to the man himself. Here we speak about the most memorable shoot he’s been on, the key to a good photograph and whose portrait he’d most like to take…

Your shoot with Marilyn Monroe… did you ever expect how big an impact it would have on your career?

Of course I didn’t. It was just another, albeit great, assignment in between others. The impact of the Marilyn Monroe session came much later. At the time no one paid that much attention to it. It was not used that well in the magazine. After she died, the interest got bigger and has not stopped growing since. 

Marilyn Monroe – the image that started it all

You’ve shot so many famous faces. Who has been the most interesting to shoot and why?

This is a difficult question to answer. There have been so many wonderful and interesting people and the next shoot is always the most important in my mind. But I would say Audrey Hepburn. It was in the Fall of 1965 in Paris …Audrey was lovely of course but the bonus was that this was when I met my wife Francoise. We fell in love, got married and here we are 50 years later as if it was the first night.

What has been the most challenging shoot you’ve ever been on?

Every assignment is a challenge, If you don’t feel challenged you are asleep and you will not get satisfying results.

What’s your artistic process like for shooting portraits?

It is instinctive. It is a process, you assess the situation, you care about your subject, It is a dance, you cajole, you whisper, you shout, you make love to your subject with your camera.

Portraits are so personal. How do you develop that rapport with the person you’re shooting so you can take the best and most engaging photo of them possible?

In the 60s and 70s you had days and sometimes weeks to develop a rapport with your subject, now if you are lucky you have a day or at least a few hours, but sometimes only a very very short time. And you just need to get a feeling, connect with the person and tread carefully to keep your subject happy, engaged and comfortable.

The beautiful Brigitte Bardot

Whose portrait would you absolutely love to shoot?

Absolutely Michelle and Barack Obama.

These days it seems anyone with a smartphone and access to a filter thinks they can take a good photo. Do you think this has helped to evolve the craft or has it taken away from the skill required to be a photographer?

I don’t think it really has done either, tools do not take the pictures, they are just an accessory and whatever tool you choose you the photographer still has to do an exceptional job that will stand out.

What can people expect from your exhibit?

They will get a glimpses into people’s lives they don’t know, and hopefully they will go home feeling good, moved and enriched by the images.

Elizabeth Taylor

You’ve worked as a photographer on some iconic films. What did you find the most enjoyable about doing motion picture photography?

Being on a film set is like an addiction. It is both thrilling and unnerving.

There is a lot of waiting around and yet a great sense of urgency. In the best of circumstances as it always is on a Baz Luhrmann set, you feel you are part of a wonderful creative process, you are part of a collective effort to accomplish something special and you feel privileged to be part of the caravan.

What’s the key to a beautiful photograph?

This is completely subjective. What I find beautiful is not necessarily what others do. So a successful image depends a lot on the beholder.

Audrey Hepburn in Paris in 1965

For amateur photographers out there, what are your top tips for taking photos?.

Know your equipment and don’t spend time fumbling with it. The most important thing is to connect with your subjects.

Who or what inspires you?

The fantasy of photography and what you can find and explore with it and how you can speak with it. And of course my wife and muse Francoise.

Douglas Kirkland’s Icons and Idols exhibition is on until 13 November at There Is, 49 Stuart Street, Northbridg, WA.

All of the limited edition signed prints are available for purchase. Enquiries: [email protected]

Date with Kate, Fashion, Social

Date with Kate: Kendall and Kylie Jenner

22nd November, 2015
Lunch with Kendall and Kylie. Photo: Lucas Dawson.

Lunch with Kendall and Kylie. Photo: Lucas Dawson.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are sisters of the famous Kardashian Empire. The girls constantly appear in the media spotlight as models, designers and television personalities. They’re known as “selfie queens”, and Time magazine named them in the list of Most Influential Teens for the past two years. Kylie and Kendall have also walked down the runway for fashion designers during fashion weeks in New York, Milan and Paris. The pair are visiting Australia for their collaboration with Forever New, where they have created a 19-piece collection of “directional” party looks. I was lucky enough to host the launch and chat to them about their visit, their famous elder sisters and the biggest misconception about them.

Welcome to Sydney. Is this your first time to Australia?

Kendall: Thanks. Yes, I have been here once before with my mum.

Kylie: But this is my first time.

What are you doing while in Australia?

Kylie: Lots of sightseeing. Maybe visit a beach. We enjoy spending time visiting and taking in all of the gorgeous landscapes.

Tell me a bit about the collection. Were you hands on in the design process?

Kendall: This collection is our baby. Next year, fashion will be a major focus for us designing our line. Every step we’re involved, and while we love it – it hasn’t always come easy. We’re both still learning a lot, and we have the best creative team to help guide us and allow us to evolve our skills. Lots of late nights in the design studio, photo shoots, fittings, and lots of trial and error. There are things we’ll see in the sketch phase and love, but once the garment is made, it doesn’t come out how we imagined, so we have to restart. I think simplifying and editing is super important, especially when it comes down to choosing final pieces. It’s hard not to put too many ideas into one look, so to be able to collaborate and get feedback has been the most rewarding part.

How would you describe your style?

Kylie: My own. It’s always changing.

Kendall: Simple and classy.

Did you both always know that you wanted to go into fashion?

Kendall: Growing up with older sisters, we were always encouraged to experiment with fashion. As we started to grow up, it’s been nice being more comfortable with our personal style and being able to express ourselves with what we like. I’ve always dreamt of being a model at a young age, and being able to live out that dream has helped me to really appreciate all of the different roles within the fashion world.

Have your older sisters been an inspiration to you? If so, in what way?

Kylie: Yes, of course. Family is the most important thing to us, and our sisters are our biggest inspirations. Khloe is, of course, the nurturer. She is so loving and patient and that’s such a good example of how we want to live each day. Kim is a hard worker and businesswoman. We’re building our own brands right now and working on so many different projects. Kim is always so good with giving us business advice on what we should be working on and doing next. Kourtney has always taught us a lot about confidence … to be who we are and that being ourselves is what life is about.

You both have millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter. What is off limits when it comes to social media?

Kylie: I think because of social media people feel like they really know every moment of our lives, but really what they see on social are just a few moments in a much bigger picture. We’ve grown up in front of the cameras, but we still try to keep as much privacy as possible. We’ll spend days together as a family, or plan special dinners with each other when the cameras aren’t rolling and none of us are posting on Instagram or Snapchat. It’s important and healthy to keep some moments to yourself.

What is the biggest misconception about you?

Kendall: Probably that we’re not hard workers. Kylie and I work almost every day and are always on really demanding schedules. There’s a lot that goes into building your dream, and thankfully we are surrounded by so much love and support that helps keep us going, on even the hard days. I think when you have a big dream, you always have to put in the work.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Kylie: Continuing to push our dreams, whatever they may become, and spreading happiness and positivity to our fans. We always want to keep challenging ourselves and discovering new adventures.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Regatta restaurant and bar, Rose Bay

WE ATE Grilled sirloin, roasted kipfler potatoes, bone-marrow sauce; roasted fillet of snapper, vine-ripened roma tomatoes, basil and goat’s feta; rosemary and lemon marinated spatchcock, gem lettuce, baby corn on the grill

WE DRANK Champagne and sparkling mineral water

KYLIE AND KENDALL WORE Items from their Forever New collection

Kendall and Kylie. Photo: Lucas Dawson.

Kendall and Kylie. Photo: Lucas Dawson.

 

Beauty

The haircut that is majorly trending

4th March, 2015

january-jones-bob-resized

The bob is having a major moment. The look is fresh, modern and so versatile and I’m loving the fact celebrities are all jumping on board the trend and giving it their own take. I know I found styling my long bob really easy and it was about as low maintenance as you can get.

If you’re thinking of getting a bob make sure to take into account your face shape. A haircut that suits square shaped faces may not suit round or heart shaped faces and vice versa – you want to get the most flattering style and length for you. If in doubt, always talk to your hairdresser before you start and get them to recommend a particular bob style that they think would suit you. Get them to talk you through the cut and be sure to tell them what you do and don’t want from a haircut. If you only have limited time to style your hair and the cut you want requires some extensive styling, then you might need to modify the cut slightly to suit your needs. Also, if you’re afraid to go short, there’s no harm in doing it gradually. After all it’s easier to cut more off than have to wait to grow it out! If you’re after a change I would definitely suggest taking the plunge – it’s a haircut that definitely works on so many different people. I’ve even prepared some celeb inspiration for you!

sienna-miller-beauty-bob-2-resized

keira-knightley-bob-resized

kate_bosworth-bob-resized

Emma-Stone-resized

 

Photography: Harpers Bazaar, Vogue, Daily Mail

Date with Kate

Date With Kate: Georgia May Jagger

8th September, 2013
Chatting with Georgia May Jagger.

Chatting with Georgia May Jagger.

Georgia May Jagger has grown up in the spotlight. As the youngest daughter of Rock legend Sir Mick Jagger and model Jerry Hall, the gapped toothed beauty has carved her own career as a successful international model. The 21-year-old was in Australia with her mother Jerry and I caught up with her to talk about her career highlight, travelling with her mum, and the best advise her parents have given her.

Is having a famous last name was a help or a hindrance in carving your own career?

I think its both, it’s a help because for obvious reasons, you are more well known but it’s also a hindrance because people think you haven’t created any of your own career, that sort of thing.

What is an average day for you?

Usually changes quite a lot, depending on what I am doing, I’m either travelling and working really early, like today I woke up at 4am and I had a photo shoot and events but sometimes I’m just at home in my pajamas and just relaxing, so it’s whether I’m working or not pretty much.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job I think is getting to travel and meet incredible people, I love that.

What is the worst part of your job?

The worst is not having very much sleep and having to stand for very long periods of time in very awkward positions [laughs].

Does you mother get to accompany you on many media commitments or is this a one-off?

No, we don’t get to travel much together for fun, sometimes we do things together for work but this is a one-off. It’s nice to do things with her.

What has been your career highlight so far?

One would be my cover of British Vogue when I first started modeling and my incredible Rimmle Contract, I been with them for four years now and the London Olympics as well.

Tell me about what did you do with the London Olympics.

I walked in the closing ceremony as part of Britain’s Fashion Hall of Fame [along with fellow models including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Lily Donaldson].

Who is your style icon?

My mum obviously, she is the ultimate glamour icon!

What is the best beauty tip you have received from your mother?

She always says it’s about confidence and to have fun and smile. She is not really the “less is more”[type] so she always says “more and more”!

What is your beauty routine for a night out?

It changes, depending on how I feel; I think you always have to have fun with fashion and with your makeup. For me, it’s either lipstick – red or pink is my favourite – or mascara.

What are you doing while you are in Australia?

I have been to Australia many times and absolutely love it but I’m only here for two days this time so I didn’t really get a chance to do much. I’m just here in Sydney as the ambassador for 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty as my main kind of thing. But I did get to catch up and have dinner last night with [designer] Camilla Franks who I did her show [during Australian Fashion Week] that was really fun.

What are your favourite things to do for fun in Australia?

Last time I went to Hamilton Island and that was pretty amazing, and I did a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef, that was pretty cool.

What are your favourite restaurants in Australia?

I love Ms G’s; Mr Wong is fab and I also really like Porteno.

What are your favourite Australian fashion labels?

My favourite labels include Willow, Rachel Gilbert, Sass & Bide, By Johnny, Zimmermann and Camilla.

What is next in the pipeline?

After Australia, I’m going to New York for a [photo] shoot and then back to London for work and then straight back to New York for Fashion Week.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

That’s a hard question, I really don’t know, I hopefully will still be modelling, and I would like to be doing photography or something like that.

What is the best advice your parents have given you?

I think to do what makes you feel happy because that is when you feel your best and you are the most confident.

 

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty Launch Party, Lower Town Hall, Sydney CBD.

WE ATE A selection of canapés including Lobster risoni and a garden mix of peas, broad bean, dill and Rosewater Eaton Mess.

WE DRANK Grant Burge 2012 Moscato Rosa and Pink Steinbok Mararitas.

I WORE A Miu Miu dress and Hardy Brothers jewellery.

GEORGIA-MAY WORE A By Johnny dress.

 

Date with Kate

Date with Kate: Kate Ritchie

25th August, 2013
Made for the screen: Kate Ritchie says Home and Away ''made me who I am".

Made for the screen: Kate Ritchie says Home and Away ”made me who I am”.

Kate Ritchie grew up on our screens on Home and Away. The dual Gold Logie Award-winner left the soap in 2008 after 20 years playing Sally Fletcher. She then spent two years as a breakfast-radio host on Nova 96.9. She earned an AFI nomination for playing Judi Kane in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. Kate Waterhouse caught up with the 35-year-old to chat about returning to Home and Away, the most challenging role of her career and her hopes of starting a family with her husband, former rugby league player Stuart Webb.

Is being back on Home and Away a one-off or will you continue to revisit the show?

Oh, goodness, I don’t know … I think that regardless of whether this is a one-off visit or the beginning of something else, it will always be part of my life because it has made me who I am in lots of ways – professionally and personally as well.

In what way?

Professionally, it was where I learnt my craft. I’ve never had any formal training, so I grew up with the likes of actors Ray Meagher and Judy Nunn teaching me things. That’s where I learnt my skills. It also made me who I am personally because it’s almost, in many ways, one and the same, you know? A lot of my experience, especially growing up, mirrored what happened to my character. We grew up together, really, and I know it sounds corny, and if we had hours and a bottle of rose´, I guess I’d sound like a mental case talking about it, but there is so much of me in that character.

Do you ever look back at your early days of Home and Away and cringe?

Oh, absolutely. There are about 15 years of cringeworthy moments and, unfortunately, they are all documented, but I think I’m now at a point where I’m 35 and, you know, that stuff is OK. I have been put through excruciating embarrassment and having to watch and rewatch footage, and I’ve worked with the likes of Merrick and Rosso just giving it to me about everything … It’s like when you’ve cried every tear you could possibly cry, I have exerted every ounce of embarrassment, so I can’t do it any more.

Did you care when you were younger?

Oh yeah, you do care when you are younger. Sally wasn’t the cool character … I didn’t have cool storylines, and I didn’t have the cool boyfriends, and I wasn’t the beach babe of the show. At the time, that probably bothered me because I thought, ”What’s wrong with me?” … but looking back, that’s what has probably made Sally the character that she is and the character that so many people identify with, because so many women feel like they grew up with me and that they were more like me than Angel [Parrish, played by Melissa George]. There are more Sallys in the world than there are Angels. When I look back, I think it’s made me far more well-rounded because of that.

Speaking of Angel, were you surprised when Melissa George reportedly threatened to walk off the set of The Morning Show if they referenced her Home and Away character?

No, because I think, ”Well, not everybody’s experience on Home and Away or their memory of it is what mine is,” so I can’t judge that.

Kate Ritchie.

Of all the things you do – TV, radio, presenting – where do your priorities lie?

Acting is certainly where I feel most at home, and that’s probably because it’s what I have done the most of. I love doing the radio, but I hate getting up for breakfast radio. I think in the short term, I’d like to be back working in Australian drama.

What’s been the most challenging role of your career?

They’re all different. I guess the biggest challenge for me probably was when I did Underbelly because it was the first acting gig that I had done since leaving Home and Away.

If you’d never gone down the road of Sally, what would you have done?

I don’t know … My ideal would have been to finish school and go to university and study architecture – that would have been my dream job. But I already had a job [laughs] – and the one that I couldn’t bear to give up.

What do you do for fun?

I like to do simple things. Stuart and I are working on our house at the moment. I love cooking. We cook a lot now that Stuart is learning to be a chef.

Do you hope to one day start a family?

Yeah, it hasn’t happened … but that is definitely something we look forward to.

Do you have a secret talent?

I can tap dance!

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Pink Salt, Double Bay.

WE ATE Confit ocean trout tian with avocado and cucumber; goat’s-curd salad with baby beets; Belvedere vodka-cured kingfish with ruby red grapefruit, watermelon and colona citrus oil.

WE DRANK Veuve Clicquot.

I WORE Isabel Marant knit dress.

RITCHIE WORE Rebecca Vallance.

Pink Salt Pink Salt Pink Salt

smh.com.au

Photography: Danielle Smith.