In a recession, we can all forget about chichi makeup and uber-trendy bars- it's time to rediscover simple pleasures- like primary colors, and beer halls...the cheap chic girl knows how to have tongue-in-cheek fun

Chateau Roux, the hip, up-and-coming label known for its sophisticated tees and funky accessories, really has its eye on the ball when it comes to finding great new advertising concepts. Their amazing new pool balls are clear with bright vermillion and royal blue logo centers, and are coming soon to a trendy bar near you. We played with our balls, so to speak, at our local watering hole, The Fest (Fulham Road, London SW6), known for its Sunday Ladies’ jelly wrestling and huge selection of Eastern European beers, and got a whole lot of attention. www.chateauroux.co.uk

Workout trends come and go, and it's easy to see why. Treadmills are tedious, as is Spinning- seriously, how is that for never getting anywhere with your workout? PowerPlates are a pain and expensive besides. Strip aerobics is downright embarrassing, even for non-uptight types. And even Bikram Yoga and Masala Bhangra are not so hot anymore. Enter the latest workout to hit your gym: Zumba.



It's not only the actual moves, which seem more like a fun Latin dance party than an actual workout- let's admit it, it's pretty much all about the clothes. The official Zumba website, http://www.zumba.com, has some pretty cute outfits on it, including these cargos, which are loose in a flattering way and have that cute touch of orange. They are super similar to a pair of Nike Dance capris I spotted the other day, which come in Black and turquoise, as well as olive with purple. The Nike ones also have a coordinating little jacket that is absolutely adorable, and perfect for that gym-to-lunch thing.

My theory is that Zumba clothes should be comfortable, but also colorful to match the Latin grooves. There are a few Brazilian companies that have super sexy workout wear that is absolutely perfect in that respect. Case in point, these adorable Mikka pants by Bia Brazil. Sure, they're bright, but the fabric is super-stretchy and flattering so don't worry about getting noticed. For more modest types who adhere to the "loose pants make me look skinnier" theory, there are these capris by Puma that fit the bill. Just make sure to wear a tight, colorful top with them or you will not be following the tenets of Zumba! May I suggest this Title Nine Tank, super bright and sunny yellow, with a cute detail in back?
But of course, I would pair the tank with these surprisingly funky workout trousers by Victoria's Secret.








For teenybopper types or for those who merely have teenybopper figures, these only-flattering-on-skinny-girls but oh-so-cute Onitsuga Tiger pants are great. For those who think that just because they are somewhat loose, you don't have to be stick thin, may I refer you to those infamous photos of (thin but not skinny enough) Mischa Barton in pink workout pants?


Maybe after a few months of Zumba!

Forget trendy colors: the cheap chic girl knows that Black never goes out of style!
When Bulgari released its unisex scent, Black, created by perfumer Annick Menardo, in 1998, it was a huge departure from the Italian jewelry house then known more for its conservative-if geometric- elegance than for its edginess. The ultra-urban scent, with its traces of black tea, tobacco, and burnt rubber, was housed in a ground-breaking puck-shaped bottle sheathed in black rubber. A decade later, Bulgari has cornered the market on modern baubles, and is this August will be releasing Bulgari Jasmin Noir, its latest fragrance, created by Carlos Benaïm and Sophie Labbé pivoting on black licorice and a new varietal of Black Jasmine for a darker twist on the traditional floral. The restrained luxury of the broad-shouldered black bottle with gold hardware, a welcome respite from the gimmicky Omnia perfume interlocking-circle design, signals a return to the classic shape of Bulgari’s other women’s fragrances. It also announces a renewed sophistication for Bulgari, its unexpected mystery conveyed by the opaqueness of ebony satin glass.


Indeed, Bulgari is positioned at the forefront of the black perfume/packaging trend that has swept 2008. The prestigious FiFi UK packaging award for 2008 was won, for the men’s perfume category, by Canali Black Diamond, a multi-faceted fragrance containing the rare ingredient Black Leather Accord. As in the case of Bulgari’s Jasmin Noir packaging, it’s the color that makes the statement, as the bottle shape is the same as that of all of Canali’s colognes. Rendered in opaque, almost tangibly thick black, uninterrupted by a logo or label, which is discreetly stamped on the rim of the silver cap, the bottle references an inkwell.

Ink is definitely a trend, as evidenced by Lalique Encre Noire (Black Ink), created by nose Nathalie Lorson. With its simple square black crystal bottle and squared-off wooden stopper, the packaging at first glance is far more simplistic than Canali’s curved and faceted creation, but here the play is on the materials: the dark glass is discreetly opalescent, evocative of Lalique’s elaborate crystal creations despite the restrained geometry of the form, an appropriate vessel for the darkness of the notes of licorice intriguingly paired with the obscure addition of the rare essence of the grapefruit scented roots of an Iranian grass. The material richness of the unexpected veined wood stopper echoes the sensuous warmth of the exotic-masculine spice of Bourbon and spicy Haitian vetiver and cypress notes of the jus. This is an intellectual fragrance, and the bottle reflects that.

This is not Lalique’s first black perfume bottle creation. In 2006, Tom Ford collaborated with the crystal company to create the piece maîtresse of his Black Orchid collection, a fluted pure black Art-Deco phial with a 23-carat gold name plaque. Each piece was signed and numbered. Within his decision to collaborate with Lalique, trendsetter Ford heralded the end of minimalism in perfumes and their packaging. Ford announced, “The Lalique heritage, tradition, craftsmanship and legacy of iconic fragrance bottles made the decision an easy one (…) In the 1990s, it would have been a transparent bottle with minimalist packaging, transparent juice and a minimalist scent. But we have become so dermatological in our approach to beauty that I wanted to put some glamour back into beauty.”

If Ford, as well as Lalique’s creative team, are well aware of the fragrance/packaging symbiosis, Armani Atttitude, by noses Annick Menardo, who incidentally worked on Bulgari Black, Alberto Morillas, and Olivier Cresp, presents a disconnect between bottle and olfactory experience. Though Attitude’s distinctive bottle, designed by Fabien Baron, won the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi Awards for Men’s Prestige Best Packaging, 2008, its black and silver “Zippo lighter” design confuses. Attitude presents a Calabria lemon-coffee-amber aroma with not a trace of smokiness, so it would seem that this bottle, despite reflecting designer Giorgio Armani’s love of a modernized art Deco aesthetic, with its complex motif of symmetrical, infinitely repeating reflective geometric planes, has no connection to what’s inside it. New York-based packaging expert Marc Rosen explains that Attitude’s container addresses men’s need to “identify with the packaging of their products as they would with a wristwatch or a car. It is a defining item.”

If smoking paraphernalia-inspired packaging is popular with men, it will come as no surprise that another big winner of the design awards comes via the world of luxury libations. L’oeuvre Noire by Kilian, a set of six fragrances from Kilian Hennessy, of Cognac fame, is the Cosmetic & Personal Care Packaging Editor’s Choice 2008 winner for perfume packaging. Each refillable black bottle is a technological masterpiece. Four-part molds were used to prevent visible joint marks, which are brilliantly hidden at the edges of the bottle’s walls. As refillable bottles should last a lifetime, the engraved metal plate adorning the front was affixed using special ultraviolet glue for durability. The bottle comes nestled in a black lacquer box complete with lock and key, reminiscent of something the Marquis de Sade or the fictional Marquise de Merteuil would have used to store letter-writing materials. Fittingly, two of the unisex scents are named Cruel Intentions and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Created by perfumers Sidonie Lancesseur and Calice Becker, these rich, complex, and heady scents are as intoxicating as Hennessy’s namesake cognac. With such qualities, a bottle will surely not be enough, hence the extremely luxurious refilling fountain: a black-varnish lacquered barrel with a spigot bearing the same key motif as the box.

Pushing design ever further is the limited edition bottle for YSL l’Homme, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the 2008 laureate of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. The upturned test-tube shaped bottle is perched on a hexagonal block of dense black foam, and the topsy-turvy theme is perpetuated as the base doubles as the atomiser. The YSL “Cassandre” logo floats within the bottle, giving it a uniquely dynamic and playful dimension that is at odds with the dark stability of the base and the scientific overtones of the test-tube. According to the company, the perfume expresses “a unique combination of luxury and industry.” Indeed the black base is shaped like an industrial bolt and grounds the design.


But black may soon be on its way out, in favor of colorful and “narcotic” perfumes, taking heady scents to a new level. The forerunner in this will be Boudicca Wode, the highly anticipated perfume-fashion event by avant-garde designing team Boudicca. Geza Schoen, the infamous “nose” behind underground line Escentric Molecules, based Wode on the smell of raw opium and included poisonous hemlock extract, to evoke the hemlock-quaffing death of Boudicca’s namesake queen. Wode is a violently cobalt ink that will alarmingly stain clothing and skin, but gradually disappear after application. Insiders claim that the bottle will be a plain silver spray can, but its exact look is being jealously guarded before its imminent Fashion Week preview, in anticipation of a September launch. Boudicca co-designer Brian Kirkby, a graduate of London's Royal College of Art, says, "It will not follow the conventional route of a fragrance. And anyway it would be a huge cliché for us to do a fragrance as we all know it's a well-trodden path. We see it more as art."

Perusing self-described “Pleasureman” Gunther’s tackylicious website, www.gunthernet.com, one inevitably comes to one of two possible conclusions: one, this mullet-sporting, pencil-mustached, pouting, aviator sunglass-wearing Swede is the cheesiest guy in the history of pop music, and that’s saying a lot, or this dude, who has conquered college music charts, climbed to number one in Japan, and sold out concert venues in a matter of minutes in California, is one of the most brilliant performance artists to come out of Europe in a long time. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, his legions of obsessed fans, who mob the stage when he performs and send hundreds of images of themselves decked out “Guntherstyle” to be posted on his website, might be onto something. Also, try as I might, I can’t get his ridiculous lyrics, such as “ooh you touch my tralala, mmm, my ding ding dong,” from his surprise hit single “Ding Dong Song”, out of my head.

Musically, Gunther’s offerings are not exactly sophisticated, but the point is that his songs are riotously, often hilariously sexy, as are his videos. His musical apotheosis is a duet with 80s pop sensation Samantha Fox, and the lip synching and choreography in his videos both look like they were done by a drunk “Gimme More” Britney Spears, speeded up. But it works. What’s more, the Fall 2007 Gucci collection looks like it was designed with Gunther in mind. Male models strutted down the runway sporting tight denim, fur, mustaches, and aviator shades exactly like Gunther’s. What is the secret to the Gunther mystique?

On the eve of his SF show, I scored an exclusive interview with Gunther, who was staying at the luxurious Westin St Francis on Union Square. When the Pleasureman himself sauntered into the hotel lobby, his 6’4” body completely and un-self-consciously encased in tight white denim, flanked by his two glamazon backup singers, known as the Sunshine Girls, every head in the place swiveled to follow his progress across the polished marble floor. It is impossible to deny that this man possesses an incredible charisma.

My first question was one intended to destabilize Gunther, and Olaf, his Cerberus-like PR guy, glared, since that one hadn’t been on the pre-approved list we’d sent him. “There is a rumor going around that you are a woman…do you care to comment?” All of a sudden the pout broke for a millisecond and the self-described “perfect hedonist” struggled not to laugh. “It’s my lips, right?” True, he’s very pretty- but he’s undeniably masculine- granted, in a lip-glossed, white denim kind of way. Sexy, even. I dare to admit that he looks good. The smile broadens. “Yeah, now you get it! It’s something I think I’ve invented: Tackysexy.”

So really, who is Gunther? We know his real name is Mats Soderlund, and he was once a model and is a night-club owner, though his musical career now keeps him fully occupied, as does the considerable enterprise of doing his own makeup and hair. But at the end of the day, he says, the issue is not whether his persona is authentic. It’s more about the point the Gunther character is trying to make using humor, style, and music, melded into something the artist calls “a Gunther Trend.” Gunther’s goal, claims his website, is to sexualize society, and to focus more on love. But is there a serious side of Gunther? “Quite seriously, I think this is a time when we really need love and respect. If we had that, the world would be a better place. “ All cheese factor aside, Gunther is involved in causes such as (what else) safe sex and AIDS, and a portion of the proceeds from several of his ventures has gone to benefit research and education. Asked if he has any last words, he smiles and says, as if on cue, “Always remember: Champagne, Glamour, Sex and Respect.”

Gunther’s new album, tentatively titled “Obsession of Lust,” is out soon.

The financial crisis is no fun, obviously, but below are a bunch of frugal fab ideas.

FASHION:

Clean out your grandma’s closet for vintage gems , and then clean out your own closet to make room for them. Also make piles of stuff that would be great if only it was a different color, was slightly shorter, or had different buttons. Remember that RIT Dye is the best way to transform your dingy grayish tees into something chic in the color-of-the-moment. Add some beads, ribbon, or appliqué for even more chic-ness. Have a party with your friends to transform a bunch of your old stuff- the hostess provides the dye and the washer-dryer, and each person brings a dish and stuff to decorate with: needle and thread, sewing machine, cool fabric, beads, bedazzler, badges, silkscreening machine, etc. Change the button on last year’s cardis and coats… make sure to keep the old ones for when fashion changes again!

Re: Accessories: Handbags from Target or from another cheapo store- honestly, many of them are so cute, I get more compliments on these than on my designer buys- which go out of style so fast… which leads me to the next tip: No logos, ever. Unless it’s tiny little interlocking C’s or G’s on your sunglasses. The more logo-ey, the faster it goes out of style. Also check out flea markets for faux jewelry and cute belts that will transform your look in a second.

ROOM:

Frequent a home consignment store for fabu-less furniture you can transform with a can of paint. Hire a friend (paid with food, favors, or pedis!) to be your interior decorator and have a painting party to get the work done. Rip pages from magazines or print from the ‘puter and create amazing collages and wall art that you can frame in a cheap frame from IKEA or said consignment store.

BEAUTY:

Drugstore beauty products- seriously, y’all, many of them are just as good as the expensive stuff.

DIY Pedis… with a group of your girls, just as fun as going to the salon, especially if you bribe your friends into a foot massage. You can make a cheap foot scrub too out of salt, sugar, and olive oil.

Your makeup can multi-task- you don’t need to buy every new thing that comes out. Mix colors and textures, and you can probably recreate a multitude of hair and makeup products out of stuff you already have.

Buying a powerful hairdryer with built-in brush will save you a fortune on blowouts.

FUN:

Gourmet teas brewed at home instead of Starbucks- it’s so English- cool, and who needs that much caffeine anyway? After two cups, you’ll have saved enough money to buy luxury jam and scones, too.

Check out online editions of the mags you love to read- and check out blogs and other fun sites too.

Take a class at your local recreation center. They’re usually cheap and lots of fun.

Join the local library… free books, music, and quirky people-watching to boot- what’s not to like?

If you want to start a new hobby, like painting, guitar, surfing, or photography, why not try it out using a friend’s equipment? That way, if you decide it’s not for you, you won’t regret it financially.

Instead of heading to the theater, why not host a movie night: for the cost of 5 movie tix, plus concessions, you could have drinks that aren’t watered down, comfy seats in a room where the floor isn’t sticky, and truffle salt popcorn. You can even make a gourmet pizza and still come out ahead.

Go for a hike instead of hanging out at the mall- zero temptation to spend, and exercise as a bonus!

Instead of hanging out and gossiping with your friends, why not do something constructive with them? Start your own company, collaborate on a blog, or volunteer together. You may even make money, or earn valuable karma points.