STYLE BIOGRAPHY KYLIE
Love at first sight
Get this for a pop urban myth: Kylie’s book deal was signed over a pair of Manolo Blahniks. Rumour has it, when courted by publishers eager for the biography of the diminutive pop princess, Kylie was swayed by Hodder and Stoughton who sent the fabled deal-clinching heels. Another version of events suggests it was an empty Blahniks box — their shoes too hefty for her dainty feet — that contained the contract. Either way, tickled pink by the gesture, our Kyles signed on the line.
It makes for a great story, but writer of Kylie La La La, William Blake, won’t be drawn on the truth. Blake has been Kylie’s creative director for the last ten years. He pestered her into letting him work with her after being motivated, as ‘a 15-year-old poof’, by the camp imagery in her ‘What Do I Have to Do?’ video. ‘She looked amazing; it was like dressing-up box central,’ coos Blake. ‘There’s this bit in it where she's ironing in a Thierry Mugler gingham maid outfit. The waist is cinched and there’s the Bardot wig and huge eyebrows. It was so exaggerated.’
The book is a visual biography and contains over 300 photos. ‘Her image relates to certain incidents in her life, the most obvious being Michael Hutchence who totally revolutionised the way she projected herself,’ says Blake. ‘In a way it’s a response to the Warhol famous for 15 minutes-Popstars-Big Brother-millennium approach to celebrity and fame. Holly Valance can take all her clothes off, but let’s see where she is in 15 years.’ (Maureen Ellis)
I Kylie La La La is published by Hodder and Stoughton, £20.
La La La charts Kylie’s transformation m next door to 5 fig,
‘Dressing up box central’
JEWELLERY TIARAS BY KATIE
Designs to turn heads
When Katie Green sold her first tiara two months ago, she had no idea how well her work would be received. Since then. wedding magazines For the Bride and B/iss.’ Weddings have featured her exquisite pieces of head and neck jewellery on everything from front covers to fashion shoots.
Made from Swarovski crystals. tiny seed pearls and glass beads. Katie's creations are not just for blushing brides. but are also the in-thing to accessorise evening wear. 'lt started after shopping with a friend who was getting rnarried.' she says. 'We saw this very expensive tiara and because I used to make evening bags. she asked me to try and make something like it. It turned out really well.‘
Bloomsbury boutique Bourhan Basma sells the range. should you find yourself in London. but othervwse. the website does nicely. A dozen clear photographs illustrate tiaras in different styles and colours. as well as a wonderful glass-bead choker. (Louise Prendergast)
I Prices start from £85 for the tiaras and £200 for Chokers. www.tiarasbykatie.co.ui<
Shoptalk
Spend, spend, spend. ..
I YOU COULD SAY Urban Outfitters has transformed Glasgow’s shopping landscape. Can you imagine life without its quirky home accessories or its funky designer clothes? The company is affirming its position at the cutting edge of style in the city by hosting its first ever fashion show. Produced in association with SleazeNation and taking place in its Buchanan Street store on Thursday 14 November, the catwalk display will feature new collections from emerging and established designers including Frost French, Sonia Rykiel and Marc Jacobs. Styling is by Namallee Balls and tunes come from in-store DJs Carbon (see preview in Clubs section). Tickets are strictly limited to competition winners only, but we’ll fill you in on all the goss from the catwalk and the aftershow party next issue.
I BOILERHOUSE theatre company has produced a very desirable diary (pictured) to coincide with its ‘lnitiate‘ theatre-in- education programme. The programme is mainly targeted at young
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women aged 14—1 8 and is touring throughout schools and youth groups this autumn. However, the diaries proved so popular last year — and mysteriously kept disappearing from the Boilerhouse offices — that they're on sale in a selection of bookshops and art galleries around the central belt. Check out the website (www.boilerhouse.org.uk) for details.
I CYCLISTS: KEEP your lugs nice and
Shopping
toasty with the latest design from Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative. The new Polar Buff featuring the ‘Chinese’ logo has been designed for wearing underneath your helmet and is on sale priced £14.95 from its Bruntsfield Links store, or via the website www.edinburgh- bicycle.co.uk
I ANOTHER EXCITING development in Glasgow is Gorgeous. The beauty care store launches in DeCourcy's Arcade in the West End on Saturday 9 November. It sells a range of innovative and exclusive beauty products including brands such as Gatineau, Phytomer and Mary Cohr that are not available in any other British boutique.
I ANOTHER STATE- of-the-art gym is poised to open in Edinburgh. Holmes Place will open its doors in January next year in the Greenside Place site of the new Omni Complex. As well as boasting a huge gym featuring 120 pieces of cardio equipment, it has three studios, a spinning room and 25m pool. Go to www.holmesplace.c om for more information, or call 0131 550 1650.
I JO MALONE IS to open a store in Glasgow at the beginning of December. The exclusive skincare and fragrance outlet will open in Princes Square just in time for the Christmas frenzy.
I OUR CHRISTMAS shopping special next issue features a selection of the best stocking fillers known to man, woman and beast.
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