Behind The Scenes On Beyoncé’s H&M Shoot

DISCOVER all the hard work and preparation that went into Beyoncé's H&M shoot, with this behind-the-scenes video. The Vogue cover girl stars in the retailer's high-summer campaign, modelling a series of swimwear.
"It's incredibly unique to have Beyoncé for a campaign. It doesn't get bigger than that. Of course we have to do something which excites her as well as us," explained Donald Schneider, H&M creative director. "We have a fantastic creative team who came up with this idea to incorporate the elements; earth, wind, fire and water - to create drama and make something just visually stunning."
The short film shows the sheer size of the team working on the shoot - and gives an insight into the complex set production and last-minute push to get everything ready in time ("I have to learn the choreography in five minutes," says Beyoncé).
"She's excited about it and seems really happy. It's kind of a magic moment for all of us," said Schneider. "I don't think fashion has ever been shown this way."
Watch the video at the following address, then see the final advert in full here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfgiD5XHubQ

Let's move to Llandrindod Wells in Wales

Llandrindod Wells: 'There’s a touch of Miss Havisham’s wedding dress about the place.' Photograph: David Barnes for the Guardian
What's going for it? The masochist in me loves a faded spa town, particularly of the Victorian variety. The looming gothic architecture! The great glum trees! The sad memory of all those visitors in times past, here to cure their lumbago or TB, soaked into the stones. Llandrindod Wells has it all in spades. You know the score: pump rooms, parks, ornamental lakes, boulevards, how-d'you-do hotels with house orchestras and Sunday afternoon tea dances, laid out by proudly bearded Victorians in sepia photographs. It's still all there, even if these days there's a touch of Miss Havisham's wedding dress about the place. Hippies moved into Llandrindod in the 1970s, and you'll still find a whiff of prog-rock artsiness, and the magnificent Vans Good Food Shop. Life's flotsam accumulates in this timewarp, as if it was making for the Welsh coast and gave up halfway.
The case against A little dour and stuffy. Wednesday is half-day closing, though it's a bit like that all week. Far from anywhere except Builth Wells. Heftily hit by the downturn. A small town, where I imagine the postman knows how many sugars you have in your cuppa. Cold, wet – and that's in August.
Well connected? On the delightful, if not speedy, Heart of Wales line from Swansea to Shrewsbury: four trains a day to Shrewsbury (90 minutes), or south to Llandovery (50-60 minutes) and, with a change, to Swansea (2hrs 45 minutes). But you didn't come here for the connections.
Schools Two primaries: Llandrindod Wells CIW is "improving" with many "good" features, says Estyn, with Llandrindod Wells Primary "very good" with some "outstanding" features. Llandrindod High is "good".
Hang out at... The Herb Garden Cafe for quiche and sandwiches; theMetropole for dickie-bowed waiters to impress your great-aunt.
red prom dresses

Worth The Drive: Top Things To Do Around Town

Many women love vintage clothing. I think of Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy and immediately the funky shift dress comes to mind. Start your weekend early at Phog for the Vogue Vintage party tonight. Then, rest up with some cocktails and art therapy. See you there!
Art for Alzheimer’s: The Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor and Essex County combines the history of Olde Walkerville as an artistic community with the Art Therapy program of the Day Away Centre. The show is Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County, 2135 Richmond St. Featuring over 30 exhibitors including a special art display by persons with dementia, available by silent auction. Call 519-974-2220. Visit alzheimerwindsor.com.
Broads or Bust!: Stephanie Allen Santos and Migration Hall present Broads, back for a sixth consecutive year featuring a cast of men and women from Windsor and Essex County accompanied by a five-piece band led by Benjamin Goldstein. Performances are Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m. at Migration Hall, 170 Main St. E. in Kingsville. Cocktail party begins at 7 p.m. With help from MCs Ray Silvius and Glen Bacarro, the audience will journey through Broadway hits new and old. Tickets are $37.50 each, table of four for $140 or a table of eight for $250. Call 519-733-8357. Visit migrationhall.com.
Forgiven/Forgotten: Theatre of the Beat returns with a new dramatic play. Torn between compassion and fear of the unknown, a community is thrown into turmoil upon hearing an offender will serve his parole among them. Performances are Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at The Bank Theatre, 10 Erie St. S. in Leamington. Tickets are $12 general admission and $10 for students. Call 519-326-8805. Visit banktheatre.com.
New Country Rehab: Phog Lounge welcomes the powerhouse roots/country band to Windsor on Saturday, April 27, at Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W. I’ve heard this band is the next big fish in the Canadian musical pond. Special guests include Windsor’s The Eric Welton Band, and Chatham’s The Long Lots. Cover is $10. Doors at 9 p.m. Call 519-253-1605. Visit phoglounge.com.
The Phantom Toll Booth Jr.: The Drama Space, a youth arts and theatre company, presents this production on Thursday, April 25, at 12:30 p.m. and Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at L’Essor Secondary School, 13605 St. Gregory Rd. in St. Clair Beach. The evening features entertainment from soloists Livi and Chris Martel; the musical group, Close Enough, a kid’s silent auction, an adult’s silent auction and more. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $80 for a package of four and $180 for a table of 10. Call 519-979-0228. Visit thedramaspace.com.
Stephen Fearing: Windsor Folk Society presents Stephen Fearing, the multiple Juno Award-winning band member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. The gifted guitar player will perform songs from his first solo album, Between Hurricanes. The concert is Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m. at Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich St. Tickets are $23 for non-members, $19 for members. Call 519-255-7600. Visit windsorfolk.org.
Vogue Vintage: A Soiree chez Phog: Dress up as your favourite TV character from the ’40s and ’50s, mingle, dance and win cool merchandise. The night of nostalgia is Thursday, April 25, at 9 p.m. at Phog Lounge, 157 University Ave. W. Raffle prizes include a Coca-Cola theme painted chair, a zombie pin-up painting, $50 gift certificate from Full Circle Vintage, $10 off the price of a bike from The City Cyclers, two tickets to Stevie Ray’s Southwestern Drive-In Theatre and two $50 gift certificates from Advanced Tattoo. Cover is $5. Proceeds raised will benefit the U of W Philosophy Club.

Reed Krakoff Leaves Coach

REED KRAKOFF will step down from his role asCoach's president and executive creative director in June 2014, having served in the position for 16 years. The US fashion label is currently searching for a new design head.

"[Krakoff's] contribution in evolving Coach from a house of American leather goods to a leading international accessories brand is immeasurable and we have great admiration and respect for Reed's significant accomplishments," said Coach chairman and chief executive officer Lew Frankfort.

The move comes amid news that Coach is exploring "strategic options" for Krakoff's eponymous label, that it launched in 2010. The plans "may involve a sale to a group, in which Krakoff would participate", WWDreports.

"I am grateful to Lew Frankfort and to the members of the board for the support and the amazing opportunities I have been given," Krakoff said. "I have every confidence in the Coach creative team and thank them for their dedication."

In January this year, Coach announced that it was rebranding itself as a lifestyle brand - with a renewed focus on its women's ready-to-wear. Former Paul Smith creative design director Sandra Hill was hired to head up the category.

Matches Changes Brand Name

MATCHES has renamed itself matchesfashion.com. The move comes in a bid to "unify the brand and create a truly omni-channel experience for the customer", as a statement from the company read this morning.
The new name will be applied to all platforms of the business, including its 10 London stores and website. The company was first established by husband and wife Tom and Ruth Chapman, who opened the first Matches shop in Wimbledon in 1990, and now act as joint CEOs.
"We are now a global omni-channel retailer and, in order to deliver the best luxury fashion experience possible, we are aligning all of our platforms under one brand name, matchesfashion.com," they said. "We believe this creates a seamless experience at every touch point for our clients worldwide."

Dress Care Instructions for Prom Dress

After a wonderful prom night, no matter you are willing to or not, you should take off the beautiful dress and clean it for next big event. But how much do you know about dress care? All girls want to take good care of their lovely prom dress while sometimes the dress still got wrinkles or stains unexpectedly. If things happened like that, what should be done the first time? Read this article and you’ll get some basic knowledge for dress care.

Basic Concepts

1. Dry Clean the Dress

Dry cleaning is helpful to:

A. Keep colors stay bright and preserves the beauty;

B. Keep embellishments on the dress such as beadings, rhinestones, lace, embroidery from being damaged;

C. Minimize the need to use dryers, irons and steamers so that there would be less chance for the fabric to be damaged.

2. Treat Stains ASAP When There is One

Generally, the longer you wait the more difficult it takes to remove the stain. When stain soaks deep in the dress and become dry, it’s hard to get it off.

3. Read the Care Instruction Label on the Dress

As there are different ways to preserve prom dresses of different fabrics, read the care instruction label on the dress is needed. Especially when you are trying to remove some stains or wrinkles, don’t forget to take a look at the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tips to Handle Wrinkles

You can have your dress professionally pressed of steamed. You could also use a cool dry iron and press through a piece of white cloth to protect the dress.

• To keep your dress from wrinkling in the car, push most of the fabric to the side so that you're sitting on as little as possible.

• When you bring your dress home, make sure that it has plenty of space to breath. Also be sure that nothing is touching the dress making it wrinkle or turning the color.

Tips to Handle Different Stains

1. Treat stains ASAP;
2. Test the treatment method on a hidden area of the garment before treating the stain;
3. Rub the stain from the back of the fabric, not the front;
4. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions for the garment;
5. Never dry or iron a stained garment until the stain is removed;
6. Don't rub the stain. Blot or scrape the stain to prevent further penetration;
7. Use a clean white towel for blotting stains;
8. All-purpose stain removal: club soda, lemon juice, baking soda, salt.

***MAKE-UP

A.EYE SHADOW / LIPSTICK / MASCARA

Dampen the stain with warm water and rub with a liquid detergent with color safe bleach. Rub the detergent directly into the stain until its outline is gone. Then wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

B.CONCEALER / FOUNDATION / EYE & LIP LINER

Dampen the stain with warm water and pretreat it by gently rubbing with liquid laundry detergent or a soft paste of powder detergent and water. Rinse the treated are and then launder the garment in the warmest water safe for the fabric. Hang dry the garment.

***NAIL POLISH

This may be impossible to remove depending on the fabric and nail polish type. If the alternative is throughout the garment, try nail polish remover. Place garment face down on paper towels. Blot the back of the stain with nail polish remover. Rinse and wash.

***INK

Try a pen eraser, and if that doesn't work soak the stain with rubbing alcohol.

***GRASS

Wipe fabric with alcohol, and then apply mild chlorine bleach to any remaining stain.

***COFFEE / TEA

Immediately run cold water over fresh stain. Pretreat stain with fabric prewash and launder.

***GREASE / OIL

Use a liquid pretreatment spray and wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, place stain face down on clean paper towels and rub with dry cleaning solvent or liquid pretreatment spray. Rinse in warm water, and wash.

***MUD

Allow mud to dry, and scrape off as much as possible. Soak for 15 minutes in detergent and water. Wash in hottest water safe for the fabric.

***PERSPIRATION

Rub a moistened bar of soap directly on stained area. Apply liquid detergent to stain and wash.

***BLOOD

Put a paste of water and cornstarch, cornmeal, or talcum powder on the spot. Let it dry, and brush it off.

Source: http://www.kissyprom.co.uk/dress-care-instructions-for-prom-dress