Red Carpet Guards

Sascha Baron Cohen has completely verified the idea of the court of celebrity by appearing on the red carpet for the premiere of Bruno dressed as the Queen's Guard. Celebrity is the new royalty. It all makes sense.

KR

Royal Symbols at Graduate Fashion Week

So, it seems that royal symbols are still popular with some of the new trend-makers emerging from the London fashion schools. One of the hot, new tickets out of the London College of Fashion who's done status symbols justice is menswear graduate Asger Juel Larsen. His collection has been mentioned everywhere from WGSN to a blog in Thailand, and he's even been nominated for the finals of the Mittelmoda Fashion Award in Milan. Asger explains his collection on his blog, "The focal point of the collection is themes of medieval warfare and more specifically chain mail. Exploring its use down to the method of its manufacture, I have created a modern adaptation of the armour by producing ‘futuristic’ ideas of chain mail, using alternative materials such as leather, PVC and rubber cords." Knights were medieval "gentlemen soldiers" (think King Arthur, the Crusades, and England's Order of the Garter). In addition to their expensive armour, they also sported the banners and colours of the nobility or monarch they supported. Asger's interest in the attire of these "gentlemen soldiers" seems logical considering his Danish origin and their current knightly order, the Order of the Elephant, founded by King Christian I in 1693. The ruling monarch of Denmark heads the order, and it is worn by members of the royal family and foreign heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales. The insigna worn consists of a gold collar of elephants and towers, a badge of a white-enamelled elephant, a silver star on the left side of the chest, and a light-blue sash when the collar is not worn.
But enough of my fashion history ramblings. Asger's modern armour is pretty exciting.

When I ran into Asger at the LCF library and he showed me his research (to which I told him to check out the armour at the Wallace Collection, one of my favourite London museums, and which I will shamelessly plug now), I knew his work would fit in perfectly with Kensington Palace's Status Symbols theme.

The Central Saint Martins BA show also had a touch of royal symbols. And, although, I don't have decent images, there's still one worth mentioning. Ryan Strong's collection featured royal colours of red and purple in dresses that flowed back to form robes. They were really stunning, and I was definitely reminded of the new Order of the Garter robe the RCA students designed in 1961 for the Queen. Now we just need Beatrice or Kate Middleton out on a night in one of Ryan's dresses and we really would have royal symbols in contemporary fashion.

KR

Chris Martin rocks military

Chris Martin rocked a slightly femininely coloured military jacket on the opening night of Coldplay's US tour in Palm Beach, Florida last night.

Claire

Mischa again . . .

Spotted in London: Mischa Barton sporting a Union Jack top and School boy blazer . . . do you reckon she took a trip to Topshop?

Katie Eary

This is Katie Eary's graduation collection in Menswear MA at the RCA. Finally we have a menswear designer who produces beautiful garments, yet wearable without being to boring as men's clothes tend to be.
For A/W09 Katie have again drawn on her fascination for military attire



T.L.

Jimi Hendrix fashion icon

I accidentally stumbled across this amazing picture of Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones at a festival. We now see where Kayne West got his fashion inspirations from.


T.L.

Young Victoria on BBC

Watch the BBC program Timewatch following young Victoria from her childhood to her throne.

T.L.

Rihanna Loves Balmain Too

Beyonce is not the only celeb who's loving Balmain's take on military this season - Rihanna was spotted sporting the look while shopping on Melrose in Beverly Hills yesterday.

Claire

Here it comes again...!

Labels are loving our Union Jack! Who's next...?

Jamie Reid in Conversation

If you've ever wondered what the inspiration was for the classic Sex Pistols album covers, including God Save the Queen, then you need to get yourself down to the V&A for Jamie Reid in Conversation. The notorious artist and anarchist will be there discussing past and future projects on Friday April 24th from 19.00-20.00, either book online or call 0207 942 2211.

Claire

Dressed to Kill

Last week saw the launch of the much awaited Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill exhibition at the Tower of London . Part propaganda, part fashion, this stunning new exhibition celebrates the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's coronation, with a display of some of the world's rarest arms and armour.

So take a trip to see some of the killer looks of one of Britain's most intriguing Kings.

Caroline.

Henry VII: Dressed to Kill until the 17 January 2010.

When Michelle met the Queen

Two style titans gave each other a pat on the back for their services to fashion.

I found this article on the Queen's style and thought I would share it with you:

Enjoy!

E.D

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's tale of male peacockery

BBC's very own dandy, Laurence Llewelyn Bowen recounts the history of British dandyism and male peacockery in Radio 4's series Men of Fashion.

And with episodes entitled Henry VIII: the King must wear gold, Charles II: Fashion Restored? The Tartan Titan and the Highland Fashion Cult, Men in Uniform and Empire Resplendent, and Sporting Gents: the Prince of Wales plays golf, it is clear that royalty often set the sartorial tone.

Take a look at the full episode list and and listen to them again on iPlayer. 

Caroline.

Beyoncé in Balmain

Spotted in New York yesterday: the queen of bling rocking 'the' Balmain jacket . . . 

Caroline.

Model Citizens

The new series of Britain's Next Top Model hits our screens on Monday 20th April, and has returned with an Anglophile theme - the boot camp inspired advertisement pays homage to Royal Military style with a glamorous twist. With the contestants draped in union jacks and 1950s pin-up military dresses, they are flying the flag for aspiring British models. They'll fight for that top spot until they are red, white and blue in the face.

Will the crowned victor be able to cut it in British fashion with the likes of Agyness Deyn and Kate Moss? We'll have to wait and see!

Stephanie

Gucci does the Union Jack

Gucci jumps on the Union Jack bandwagon by producing this bag for the launch of their new flagship boutique on Sloane Street. Looks like Kate Moss is a fan...New Look has also produced this homage to Britishness, as everywhere goes Union Jack crazy!

Claire

Britannia rule the sea!

Topshop's new Summer Pirate collection coaxes us to 'Sail Away' on a pretty seafaring journey in a palette of navy and red, stripes and vintage florals, teamed with flag and floral printed tshirts. Summer's on it's way!

Caroline.

Topshop bites the big apple!

Check out the Union Jackesque window display for Topshop's first New York store which opened yesterday and saw fans queuing from 6am!

Royal Shoes!

Bruno Frisoni, the creative director at Roger Vivier, has entwined a little British and French history into his new shoe collection for next autumn/winter.

One of the key designs has a royal inspiration. It is a gleaming, black patent, round-toed platform, with a 12cm heel, featuring the famous RV square buckle, embroidered in gilt thread with the words “God Save the Queen”, and the initials R.V.

Brit loves military

Following on from my post earlier this month, Britney continues the military theme during her Circus tour, with this airforce-inspired jacket worn in Pittsburgh last night.

Claire

Bargain Balmain

Can't afford the £6,560 crystal encrusted Balmain jacket? (and even if you could, it's pretty much sold out everywhere) Why not settle for Jigsaw's very own quaint little 'Admiral' jacket. Due in store any day now. Keep your eyes peeled; this one won't stay on the rails very long . . 

Caroline.

Balmainia

Who says Balmain's military jackets are limited to women? The Swedish fashion magazine Dorian show men out there that they too can rock the urban military look!

T.L.

Empire of the Sun

Just found this pic of hot new Aussie band 'Empire of the Sun', of whom NME recently said 'world domination awaits' and Radio 1's Zane Lowe currently has their track 'We Are The People (That Rule The World)' as his 'hottest record in the world right now'. Anyway, on the Status Symbols front, they are wearing some brilliantly military and royal get-up and their logo appears to be a crown. So well done for entering into the spirit lads.

Claire

Mini Royals

You can still get involved with Status Symbols by sending in projects along royal and military styles. We welcome anything - photos, text or videos...so check out our Get Involved section on the website and see the gallery of projects we've already had submitted. If you want to get involved, email us your projects at fht.csm@gmail.com and we will get them up online.



Here is a fantastically creative project that I've just received from my adorable 2 1/2 year old twin god-children, Paige & Ollie, who have been entering into the regal spirit by making these fabulous crowns, with Paige even dressing up in a Disney Princess dress to set off her crown. Thank you to mummy Helen for helping with cutting and sticking!

See, any age can get involved and have fun...so why not give it a go?!

Claire

Bling, the new Crown Jewels?

Bling is all around us as a form of status. It sets the wearer apart, implying a message of wealth, elitism and maybe fame. Is this the new Crown Jewels of celebrity culture.