Johnston muses on Leona Lewis (Britain's answer to Beyonce), sister secrets and the perils of the privileged in her round-up of UK GLAMOUR. ‘Tis the season to party and the December issue of UK GLAMOUR is all about getting your kit on – within budget. So über chic ads follow high street trends, while designer fashion shoots appear on blank studio backdrops. It’s all about balance, and yet I think this issue has missed the mark slightly. One moment Victoria Beckham is telling me all I need for true style is a decent pair of jeans, “to wear time and again”, and the next I’m staring at a fashion shoot of a model dressed to the nines in the middle of a football field… I’m confused.
The cover… It’s hard not to admire Leona Lewis. At 23 she has conquered reality television, celebrated chart-topping hits in 35 countries (I heart "Bleeding Love"), sung at the Beijing Olympics closing ceremony and dined with Nelson Mandela. And she’s still dating her electrician boyfriend of six years, Lou Al-Chamaa. Yep, this girl is grounded.
And she’s stunning. Her perfect skin, luscious hair and curvy figure make for a December cover you just want
to cuddle up with. Grey tones highlight a covet-worthy Alexander McQueen knit; understated elegance exudes girl next door charm. We either want to be Leona or be her best friend. The cover feature is short and sweet (if not a tad light on content), not delving too much into sa vie personnelle, but we do get insight into the important role her family and Lou play in keeping her head out of the clouds. On Lou, “I’ve grown up with him so we’re like two peas in a pod… there’s never been a danger of that bond breaking.”The ed. praises… “The return of the Blazer – seriously, what can’t a gorgeously stylish one do?”
The story line up:
• ‘‘Pencil’ or ‘mushroom’? And 21 other sex dilemmas’ attempts to tackle “horror” bedroom what-ifs, though I fear the GLAMOUR girls need to reassess their priorities. Choosing sex with Simon Cowell over Piers Morgan is not the tear-your-hair-out quandary they purport it to be. Erasing world debt or ending war in the Middle East? Now that’s a dilemma I might lose sleep over.
• Mag worthy shock value is continued in ‘Britain’s sinister (and totally legal) plot against your health,’ where G Investigation alleges a UK publican plot forcing patrons to binge drink. The findings are scary; with many large pub chains serving double shots (50ml) and 175ml glasses of wine as standard (2.1 units), it’s easy to see how people can unknowingly drink to excess.
• Twenty-one-year old glamazon Ubah Hassan speaks openly about her turbulent past in ‘From Somalian refugee to supermodel’. Hassan attributes her strength of character (refusing to
identify with the word ‘victim’) to overcoming her ordeals in early childhood – being separated from her mother and sisters at the age of seven and escaping the Somalian militia with her father and brother only three years later. Now gracing the pages of Italian Vogue and closing Ralph Lauren’s show at New York’s 2008 Fashion Week, Hassan’s story inspires.• Wave goodbye to your weekly blow-dry and box up your Manolo’s, ‘The credit crunch: how the other half lost’ highlights the woes of the previously pompous. It’s hard to feel sorry for them when you read things like ‘£500,000 a year salary’ – did they not think to save for a rainy day? – and that their drastic changes include letting go their nanny and cutting back sessions with their personal trainer (the horror!); but according to these once high-flyers, “Yes… we have more money… but we also have higher overheads and a lot more to lose.”
• Being the youngest of three girls, I loved, loved, loved ‘The secret lives of sisters’ and was reminded of my own ‘sister stories’. A stand out being at age five when I was told that hiding under a desk for hours at a time, so my eldest sister could go play with her friends, was a version of hide-and-go-seek. Luckily with age (and wisdom) I can now see the funny side, and stifle a giggle rather than throw a tantrum.
The superficial:
• The credit crunch creeps into this month’s ‘Dos & Don’ts’ picking out rare pap shots of celebs donning high street get-ups: Alexa Chung wearing H&M to an awards night, oh my!
• Just in case you need a refresher course in manners this festive season, turn to page 55 to reassure yourself that it’s ‘normal’ to use a fork in your right hand, but think again before talking with your mouth full – ah, thanks G, that’s good to know.
• For those planning on indulging in eggnog and stuffing or liquid lunches this December, a must-read is ‘The GLAMOUR Christmas Pre-tox’. Apparently the trick is getting yourself into tip-top shape in the weeks preceding your toxification: stocking up on B vitamins (think leafy greens, oats and eggs) and magnesium (wholegrain cereals and nuts) for a ‘knock-your-socks-off energy lift, improving your posture with a stretch-yourself-thin programme – The Body Lean And Lifted (Methodputkisto.com) – and finally by enrolling in stiletto school with Chyna Whyne, author of How To Master The Art Of Looking Hot In Your Heels. Being Glamorous is no mean feat.
• Fashion shoots include ‘Play by the GLAMOUR rules’ (check out the behind the scenes diary for this New York State fashion shoot, where grid iron meets the ball gown), ‘Your party. Your Way!’ (including bold accessories, floor-length tartan and a new look tux), ‘Cosy? Check. Cool? Check.’ (yet more tartan, and some rather odd floral ensembles better left to the super skinny), and “I love that dress!” with new Bond girl, Olga Kurylenko (from 50’s prom to cocktail chic this chick knows her minis).
• Problem ‘party eyes’ (read: dark circles and fine lines) are given the boot with a range of new and improved miracle cures. As a long time sufferer of black, puffy eyes, I can’t help but be dubious about any product that claims to ‘replenish’ and ‘revitalize’… but maybe that’s just me?
• ‘The party palette that flatters everyone’ this season is apparently brown. Finding your shade is all about embracing your features… I’m all for the dusty bronzes until ‘sugar sparkle’ makes its debut on page 364. Glitter should be left in the school room – always.
The glossary: Victoria Beckham, Agyness Deyn, Leona Lewis, ‘smokin’ looks’, sex dilemmas, ‘credit crunch’…
The score:
Overall excitement factor 6/10
Feel-good factor 5/10
Eye-candy rating 2/6
Total 13/26
The stats:
Issue: December 2008
Book size: 416 pages
Cover price: £2.00
FOB ads: Lancome Oscillation Mascara, Chanel No5, D&G, Prada, Emporio Armani, Armani Code, Prada LG, Calvin Klein, CK Euphoria, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation, Just Cavalli, D&G L’eau the one, Narciso Rodriguez, Valentino, Gucci, Givenchy, L’Oreal Paris…
Back cover: Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming
Editor: Jo Elvin
Publisher: Conde Nast
Website: www.glamour.com
Yours truly,
Girl With a Satchel
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