It’s great to know that some make-up companies realize that the nude, natural look is timeless for the summer. Jane Iredale’s Perfectly Nude mineral make-up collection combines the effortless natural look with modern demands. The fact the collection is made without fillers, fragrance, chemical dyes or synthetic preservatives is a bonus.
   Lip Fixation is a dual-ended lip stain and lip gloss (£19·95), available in Desire, Fascination and Craving. This product features ginger root extract and avocado oil, aiding hydration.
   The Perfectly Nude eye-shadow kit (£38) has five shades, and includes a handy application brush and integral mirror.
   So-Bronze 3 (£33) is a mineral bronzer. Mix the two colours together or use separately to shimmer to face, lips, and eyes.

Thierry Mugler today announces a new website, Womanity.com, which aims to connect women in an interactive platform.
   The idea behind Womanity.com is to spark creative exchange between women, says the company, ‘where members can share knowledge, trade experiences, express their creativity, and—above all—have fun.’ Members are invited to share video, photography, and writings with one another.
   The site will also include special guest contributors from the literary, artistic, journalistic, cinematic and fashion industries. It is online today, with full functionality expected by June.
   The site appears to have been developed with the cooperation of Microsoft, whose copyright notice features at the foot of the web page. At first glance, it has a fairly complex appearance.
   In 2007, Thierry Mugler introduced the Blogalaxy, where fans could set up their own blogs to share experiences about the brand. It also created the Island of Dr Muglerstein on Second Life. It has been using ecommerce since September 2007.

The venue is filled with only standing room. The lights are dim and a mystical tune fills the air. While the crowd glares at the stage, a slender silhouette appears in the background. As the light shines more brightly, the crowd is progressively enchanted by a sleek, dark-haired model with an unusual grin. Her movements are dramatic and flamboyant. Walking slowly toward the throng, she is vintage glam personified. Who is she? Her name is Monica Palatnikov.
   At first glance, Palatnikov is strikingly more reserved than most models with her résumé. She has loads of print ad, runway, film, and even theatre credits under her belt. This 23-year-old Russian beauty is more than just a pretty face. Born and currently living in San Francisco, she’s recently been showing up on advertisements and runways in the Bay Area.
   Wearing a simple graphic T and dark denim jeans, Palatnikov has the casual style that makes you think she’s too down-to-earth to be a model. But, as a new and fresh-faced local choice of many designers, she has a distinct and refreshing look about her. At a very young age, she knew modelling was her destiny when she played dress up, just as any little girl in her mother’s clothing. There was something about the way a garment made her feel when she slipped into it, allowing her to transform any mood into exuberant.
   Palatnikov shows a wide range of versatility in her modelling—from Lever 2000 soap and tequila commercials to Davidoff cigarette ads. So, she may very well be a household face already to some people.
   She’s received adoration for her almost theatrical expressions while on the runway, which has paid off from formal training at acting school. Although she enjoys having fun on stage and is passionate about modelling, Palatnikov’s equable temperament is fine-tuned by the people she surrounds herself with daily. ‘My family is very supportive as long as my career doesn’t consume me,’ she says.
   The clothing isn’t the only part that’s remembered in a fashion show, it’s also the model’s presence and energy exuded while on the runway. ‘I love how all eyes are on me while the audiences watch the clothing look even more stunning than just lying on a shelf in retail stores. It’s that personality of the model that really makes it,’ says Palatnikov.
   One thing is certain, this young lady has absolute staying power. Why do we love her? Maybe it’s because she mesmerizes you with her hazel eyes and innocent glow. It might also be the fact that she’s a professional ballroom-dancing, Japanese-speaking, health science major. Palatnikov is clearly well-rounded and has the essence of a seasoned supermodel. So, be sure to look out for her, whether it’s in a TV commercial, at the theatre or, better yet, on the runway.

We enjoyed talking to Napoleon Perdis—he’s one of the most ambitious businessmen in the industry, and he has a real passion for make-up. The next stage in Perdis’s continued rise is his book, Forever Flawless, which, says its publisher, ‘gives you step-by-step instructions and advice on how to transform runway and red carpet trends to reality, no matter what your age or skin tone.’ Revealing some of the pros’ tips, it hits the market on April 1, retailing at NZ$49·99.

Top Ken Robinson gets to showcase his designs in Beverly Hills. Above Robinson with Jason Ritter and his girlfriend.

Ken Robinson of Robinson Designer Goldsmith, New Zealand’s most innovative fine jeweller and a long-time friend of Lucire, has been on a quest to get his gravity-defying designs in diamonds and precious gems into the hands and ensembles of top Hollywood talent. This journey led him to join forces with savvy event planner Anita Talbert (another friend of the Lucire family) for their dazzling precursor to Lozzi’s landmark Night of 100 Stars Oscar night viewing party at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
   In some ways, our beloved Ken followed in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson, as he headlined this show and was a real-life Lord of the Rings, as well as earrings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, and other stellar offerings—forged into rainbow hued skulls, whimsical animals, flora, fauna and a few sparkling butterflies that looked as if they came right out of the mind of Mariah Carey (in fact, Ken had her in mind when designing those exquisite sparklers). He scored points with such luminaries as Natalie Cole, Jason Ritter, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlene Tilton and others.
   While Ken’s star shined bright in the land where Harry Winston once roamed the earth, other, others were on the rise, from LA-based Aussie couturière Kelly A. Swartz to the classic earthy gold and silver creations from Taber Studios, to art glass and silver treasures by Florida-based Accessoreez and casually dressy bling from i-Catcher by Vanessa Swarovski (granddaughter of Daniel Swarovski), to the supple Gucci-inspired bags from Cape Cod Leather (back from their triumphant appearance at the Distinctive Assets Grammy party), and swanky selection from our friend Charlie Lapson and vegan carry-alls from Montréal-based CherryBerry.
   Anita also beckoned some other fabulous cast members, including stunning architectural eyewear from Italy’s Oberti (whose offices are Miami-based), sexy sportswear from Green Apple, Beach Bunny and Bejeweled, ShoeDazzle (Kim Kardashian’s new shoe-of-the-month club), Kathy Wilson Atelier’s modern formal wear and top European skin care lines Pevonia and Yonka. The cherry on top for this sweet affair was a cinematic Karaoke machine from Youstar, a fantastic personal green screen system sure to keep movie buffs entertained until the 2011 Academy Awards and their home version of Night of 100 Stars.—Elyse Glickman

Above Kelly Ann Swartz, the Los Angeles-based, Australian-born couturière.


Top left Charlene Tilton models Accessoreez jewellery. Top right Lou Diamond Phillips. Above left Bejeweled shirt line rep. Above right Main sponsor Pevonia Botanica.

Lucire fashion editor Samantha Hannah has the three finalists in Blue Cactus’s promotion, one of whom will take away an $8,000 prize package that we previewed last month.

Martin Scorsese must be in the fashion Zeitgeist. After appearing in news about Giorgio Armani and its support for his film Shutter Island, we have received word that the Academy Award-winning director will direct the broadcast advertising campaign for Chanel’s new men’s fragrance. The campaign will star French actor Gaspard Ulliel.
   The campaign breaks worldwide in August 2010.
   Ulliel is probably best known to international audiences for his title role in Hannibal Rising. He has appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris (in January 2007) with Doutzen Kroes. He is also a face for Longchamp and has appeared with Kate Moss in that company’s campaigns.

Make-up artist and blogger German Moyano has more tips from Lancôme, this time on defining your eyebrows (in French with English subtitles):