When I think of English beauty, I often have the likes of Rachel Weiss, Keira Knightley and Kate Winslet pop in my head. But things may change with iconic British brand Burberry entering the beauty fold this season with their new 96-piece makeup line. Like their fashion ad campaigns for Burberry Prorsum/London/Brit/Sport they have gathered a line up of some classic British models in Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lily Donaldson and Nina Porter to be shot by Mario Testino.

All three bring something different to the Burberry table, with their sultry eyes, pouty lips and Porter’s androgynous look, could these three represent a new-look English Rose?

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Cuban-American fashion designer Robert Rodriguez has been the latest fashion designer to work with Nordstrom in a nod to his ethic heritage. Following on from Phillip Lim earlier this year, Rodriguez and Nordstom have created an exclusive limited edition shirt to be sold sold exclusively at Nordstrom from September 15 through October 15, 2010 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month with proceeds set to benefit MANA’s HERMANITAS program. We don’t have any images at the moment, but the Robert Rodiguez Collection shirt for Nordstrom will feature a draped silhouette, black lace overlay with feather embellishment and will sell for $225. We suspect that the designer who was influenced heavily by the work (and fashion house) of Christian Dior will have a flair of the dramatic with this design.

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Ah the life and times of a fashion designer… we love this glimpse into Diane von Furstenberg‘s world as she and 24 of the Rockettes flew to Vienna to perform at the annual Life Ball. But before that there were rehearsals, matching DvF luggage and clothes as well as general DvF fun along the way. Check out The Cut’s fun video of what went on behind the scenes to get the show on the road. Warning: by the end of the video you may want a Mini Cooper all branded up with the DvF logo.

What is it with Terry Richardson and his sexually suggestive photographs? Take the Sisley Fall/Winter 2010-11 ad campaign for example; one of the images sees Ashley Smith lying on the floor of a supermarket holding a cucumber to her mouth in very suggestive measure.

Our first thought was ‘typical’ but then you should keep in mind that Sisley are known for their risqué ads (including a ‘sniffing vest’ ad which turned out to be a fake) so it comes as no surprise that Richardson, who’s no stranger to controversy was contracted to photograph the campaign.

Style by Anastasia Barbieri the campaign also features Ryan Kennedy and Tyler Riggs as in an array of shots that are set in a supermarket and laundromat. I can’t help but think this is a magazine editorial gone wrong. What do you think?

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How much do you spend on sports bras? I’m guessing around $50 per bra – and depending on how big your boobs are, the more you would spend. Well Kelly Dooley, creator of BodyRock Sport is pushing the boundaries of fashionable sportwear by creating Trenta, a custom-made sportsbra in collaboration with jewelry designer Joseph Knight of Knight & Hammer. Made from spandex and gunmetal burnout fabric the 2-in-1 sports bra also features some serious bling – a detachable sterling silver charm bracelet and necklace fastened to the front of the bra and a black diamond Swarovski Crystal neckline.

This seriously expensive bra is part of BodyRock Sport’s Show ‘Em Off collection and claims to be the ultimate fashion statement.

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Today a delegation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) is meeting Peter Luff, a British minister for defence equipment, support and technology. What for? To propose their animal-friendly alternative to the Queen’s Guards traditional bearskin hats. It is a tradition that has been around since the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, but if PETA and Stella McCartney have anything to say about it, they may soon be wearing synthetic versions made out of a plastic-fibre version called Bear28.

McCartney told the Telegraph that: “Historically, England has a very high regard for animals, so it makes perfect sense that the Ministry of Defense should continue shedding ceremonial furs from uniforms. Initially the big bear fur hats were intended to make soldiers look taller as they marched over hills in battle, but they haven’t been worn in action for over a hundred years.

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Balenciaga is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their iconic Balenciaga Motorcycle bag (it’s hard to believe it first hit the runway a decade ago) but we have the first look at their fall winter 2010-11 advertising campaign shot by Steven Meisel. And since we weren’t fans of their runway collection… needless to say their advertising campaign doesn’t exactly float our boat. But it is certainly interesting, if not intriguing.

Nicholas Ghesquiere said the Balenciaga fall/winter 2010 collection was ‘…inspired by domestic things, things very usual like plastic things where you put food, foam packaging, stuff that are simple and we can find every day.”

So the campaign took that inspiration that made the models (we’re guessing its Eliza Cummings, Stella Tennant, Julija Stepanoviciute and Meghan Collison if the word on the web is anything to go by) into these alien beings rising from the waste land. Quite literally.

Intriguing no?

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Jason Wu is the latest fashion designer to get into the doll game with his collection of six dolls for Madame Alexander. Split into two separate collections the Cissy collection consists of three Lilliputian femms styles in kitschy 1950s-inspired garb and retails at $349.95 each. If that price range is too much for you, then try the NEOCissy collection which is priced at $159.95 each and features “futuristic fashion concepts” like a glove perched upon the dolls head. The entire doll collection seems rather John Galliano for Dior inspired, but if you’re interested in purchasing they are available in September at madamealexander.com. [AllTheRage]

Oroton is one hot Australian brand on the international fashion blogging circuit right now. Why? Well besides making beautiful leather accessories, they have also signed supermodel Daria Werbowy as the face of their spring summer 2010 advertising campaign. This follows the beautiful campaign starring Canadian model Noot Seear in fall winter 2010.

We were invited along to Oroton‘s spring/summer 2010 showings a few months ago and was taken back by their themed showrooms – yes, rooms – but was a little disappointed that we weren’t allow to take photos because we were drooling over everything. We had our eye on a clutch which would make a great sleeve for our netbook laptop, a luxe handbag and a business card holder. Anyway, we digress – we’ll just show you what we’re talking about when it hits their online shop.

“Daria was our first choice as the face for our Spring Summer campaign,” says Ana Maria Escobar, Creative Director, Oroton. “She has an understated approach to fashion. Her attitude, her look – she has such an international appeal. The moment Daria wore our pieces the season just came to life, she was a dream to work with.”

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Australia is often tied to the surf and outdoors, so it comes as no surprise that most top Australian models have snagged modeling gigs with swimwear brands – most recently Jessica Hart, Catherine McNeil & Miranda Kerr for Seafolly and Alexandra Agoston O’Connor for Roxy. Now 23 year-old Elyse Taylor can be added to that list as her ad campaign for O’Neill Girls surfwear was unveiled suring Miami Swim Fashion Week, along with news that she will also unveil an exclusive swimwear collection called Elyse Taylor for O’Neill in 2011.

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