Register
username :
password :
Login
Connect via Facebook want to use
facebook to login?
you are here :     Diva Darling
site search :      

Luscious photo galleries

Loving all our luscious photo galleries on Facebook? Keen to find something specific?

Then you can either scroll through our categories such as Fashion, Shoes and accessories, Interiors and architecture, Beautiful people or Beautiful places in our main LUSCIOUS PHOTO GALLERIES page.

Or you can press CTRL+F to use the FIND option in our BASIC GALLERIES INDEX, listed in approx order of when the gallery was posted. Just type in the word or phrase you are looking for, eg. LOUIS VUITTON.

 

Follow us

 

 

 

 

Diva demands

 

 

 

Diva Darling

Looking for luscious solutions to every day life? Why not visit our other Diva Darling sections:

Picture: Erin O'Connor by David Downton

Share

Brief Encounters: Dita Von Teese for Target

Dita Von Teese

For those of you who haven’t heard of this famous name before - I would like to introduce you to the Luscious Dita Von Teese.

Internationally renowned as the Queen of Burlesque and has established herself as a respective fashion icon for her distinctive style and immaculate presentation once inspired by the 1940s and 1950s styles she adored growing up.

This iconic lady has appeared in numerous high fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle and spotted at the most significant fashion shows across the world.

The big announcement

Moving on to the absolutely thrilling news for us here at Luscious - it has just been announced the burlesque beauty will provide the new lingerie collection for the famous label, Target Australia. 

In conjunction with Australian brand development company Lime Door Brands and lingerie company Diamondcut International, it has been confirmed that Target Australia is the exclusive retailer of the upcoming lingerie collection designed by the international style icon, Dita Von Teese. The fabulous collection will be titled ‘Von Follies by Dita Von Teese’.                     

The stylish range due to hit Target all over Australia in February 2012 is vowed to be excellent value for money. Bras and briefs will range from $17.00 with exquisite bustiers and fitted corsolettes ranging from $79.00.

With selected bra styles available up to an E-cup and briefs up to size 20, Von Follies by Dita Von Teese will bring a touch of sophistication and glamour to Australian women of all shapes and sizes. Dita Von Teese explains, “It was very important to me to offer lingerie in a large range of sizes.

Dita's essence

The new collection combines sophistication and sensuality with velvet ribbons, delicate eyelash lace, and control mesh to give the essence of the sultry 1950s glamour girl. True to Dita Von Teese's signature style, the collection encapsulates an iconic vintage feel including one of her personal favourites, the overwire bra, high waisted briefs, garter belts and lovely corsolettes. Each item enhances the feminine silhouette that Dita Von Teese is world renowned for creating.

The 39 year old said “size range was one of the first things I asked when I was approached to create this collection. It was important to me to accomplish the task of making these beautiful things in sizes that can make any woman feel sexy and glamorous, and I'm very proud that we have been able to do that, while keeping prices affordable,” she concluded.

Not just underwear

Between performing at exclusive events and parties for luscious brands such as Victoria Secret, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and many others, to recently starring in the investigative crime and well known TV series CSI Dita sure is talented.This isn’t the first entrance into the underwear line from Dita Von Teese, In 2008 she teamed up with Wonderbra to design a capsule collection. With a Twitter following of over 900,000, Dita Von Teese is one of the world’s most popular style icons.

Stay tuned

She recently tweeted that the new collection of Von Follies is also expected to debut in the UK as well as other parts of the world sometime next year too.

So a shout out to all you lovely Luscious ones, do keep your eyes peeled for all the beautifulness reaching the doors of Target Australia and hopefully Von Follies shall soon be in your part of the world too.

 

Check out our beautiful Dita Von Teese photo galleries too!

Read more about Dita in our STYLE ICONS section on the Luscious website.

 

Getting down to McBusiness

 

 
As consumers we get excited about experiences that are unusual, thought provoking, emotionally engaging and ultimately memorable. Customised experiences that change our thinking in some way and present us with a ‘surprise’ element, achieve this transformational experience – ultimately increasing the chances of a company’s profitability. 
 
Amazing (and highly distracting) website The Cool Hunter  have just developed their very own transformational creative ideas agency, Access Agency.
 
Access specializes in helping brands and businesses see the world differently so that people want to talk about their experiences.  And that, in turn, translates into added brand awareness and ultimately sales.
 
Access is hard at work creating ideas and concepts for some high profile brands. Their first concept: McFancy. This is what The Cool Hunter have foreseen for future fashionistas:
 
“For McDonald’s, we envision a cool, surprising and fun mix of concepts. McFancy is an upmarket temporary McDonald’s store that launches at Fashion Weeks around the globe — London, New York, Paris, Milan, Sydney, Hong Kong.
 
"McFancy is part art installation, gathering spot and, of course, a restaurant that offers a traditional McDonald’s menu but packaged in a way that makes a playful yet stylish nod to the lifestyle of the highly desirable, influential consumers that attend Fashion Weeks.

"Waiters in tuxedos, silver service, private dining areas, and packaging co-created with the fashion brands that present at Fashion Week — Burberry burgers, Chanel fries on black packaging, Paul Smith Sundaes…A bite of comfort food among all the elaborate cocktail fare, private dining rooms, a raised catwalk that winds around the perimeter of the space, and with a central bar area providing a dramatic focal point.” 
 
As a fashion stylist and writer who has not a memory of eating during a fashion week yet, Access Agency are definitely thinking outside the square.  
 

This is just one of many concepts that Access Agency will be launching in 2010 and we at Luscious are extremely excited to see what this inspiring team are going to come up with.  Imagination is a namazing tool. 
 
Brands wanting to create something innovative and extraordinary should contact bill@thecoolhunter.net.
 

Perfume perfection

We all have our favourite, the scent which gives us an air of beauty whenever sprayed, the scent our loved ones know us by and which we grow to love on those we adore. 
 
Perfumes have long been a vital finishing touch to our beauty regime, but there is not only an art in making each fragrance unique, but in choosing which suit your individual style and flair.

A little bit of history
We all know perfumes have been around for years, yet the history and extent of their uses are quite amazing. Back in ancient times, Egyptians utilised perfumed balms for religious ceremonies and before lovemaking.
 
While myrrh and frankincense were used to scent the air around them, rose and peppermint were mixed with oils and applied to the skin. This shows us that we have not distanced greatly from our ancestors, simply added more variations to our scents and aromatherapy oils.

The power of smell has been used for thousands of years to enhance our surroundings and general mood. Popularity of perfumes has varied throughout the ages, lessening in popularity around the formation of Christianity and regaining composure during the medieval period.
 
Due to such a desire for new scents, spice trade routes were formed across seas and new concoctions created. Objects then began to be applied with fragrance and, like a natural progression; the first non-greasy eau de cologne was created in the Gregorian era (and used as both bath and mouthwash!).
 

The nose
Enter any perfume factory in the world and there is a uniquely gifted individual who reins supreme over the hundreds of bottles of scents that line the lab. They are known simply as ‘the nose’ and in short, the nose knows all.
 
While the exact formulas for each perfumes created are highly confidential, it is the nose that creates the final product and can depict all its ingredients from simply inhaling.
 
Choosing your signature scent
While most women have a handful of perfumes to suit their personalities and moods, choosing a signature scent can be a difficult task. First you must understand the strength of perfumes and what scents best suit your skin (as the same fragrance can smell completely different on you and your best friend.
 
While eau de toilettes are cheaper, they are also a great deal weaker and will not last as long as eau de parfum or cologne-so stick with the real deal and it will linger on your limbs.

When smelling a new fragrance, apply it to a small sample card then wait at least 10mins before deciding if you like it or not. Perfumes take time to mature in the air and can change dramatically once they are settled.

 When applying your scent, spray it onto pulse points (ie. on the inside of your wrists, under your ears and behind your knees) as well as a little in the air to walk through. Remember that you should never rub these areas together to help the spray dry as it smothers the smell.
 
Most importantly, remember that your scent should complement you, not drown-you so don’t get too trigger-happy.
 
Famous fragrances
Much like any facet of the beauty industry, scents have been increasingly associated with celebrities in recent years, with stars not only endorsing top brands, but given the license to create their own signature collection. While they may not be expert noses, celebrities have a strong pull when selling cosmetics and perfume is no exception.
 
Forbes magazine even presented the top celebrity scents of 2009 on their website showing that individual tastes can be influenced by their favourite film and music stars.

My favourite fragrances
A favourite scent and endorsement of my own is that of the iconic Chanel No. 5 commercial with the ever beautiful, French actress, Audrey Tautou. It catches my breath every time I see it and takes me on a journey into the power perfume can have on our lives and our hearts.
 
 
I first discovered this at the age of 16 in a perfume factory in the south of France and I instantly fell in love. You only need one spray and you are surrounded in this intoxicatingly sweet scent, which I was told was made form sugar and sweets…delicious.
 
 
If I have to choose my favourite men’s scent I could not go past Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male. I don’t know what it is that draws me to this scent, but it makes me weak at the knees when I smell someone wearing it nearby. Classic and sexy (and that’s not just the bottle). 
 
See our perfume print ad and luscious perfume bottles photo galleries.
 

David and Victoria Beckham for Armani

When we heard that David Beckham is considering his own underwear line, we thought this was a perfect opportunity to re-visit some of his campaign photos for Armani (including some featuring his wife, Victoria Beckham). Here are a couple of photos, with more in our Luscious gallery.

 More photos here.

Share 

Diamond dazzlers

When it comes to understanding the very best in diamonds, there are a great deal of elements you have to take into account – cut, clarity, colour and carat. While these four categories define the brilliance of a diamond, they can also determine its worth.
 
People often talk about the shape of a diamond, for example, square, princess, pear and marquise, it is the way in which the actual stone is cut which produces its unique worth.
 
Each stone is cut in a particular way to reflect a certain amount of colour and light. The most popular of these is the ‘round brilliant cut’. It means that the diamond has had corners and layers cut into it which will reveal its depth and allow light to reflect within itself. Hence the more strategic cuts, the more shine or layers of reflection. 

 
The Asscher cut (which Natasha so luckily received) is a brilliant cut developed in 1902 and is considered to be one of the most beautiful cuts ever created. While it is often called the “square emerald cut”, it is created by cutting steps into the sides of the diamond, giving the jewel levels of depth within it’s shape. It is both complex and beautiful to look at.
 
While most diamonds have hints of yellow and brown tones to them, the whiter the diamond is (meaning the closer it is to completely clear) the more valuable and rare it is.
 
Having said that, coloured diamonds such as red, blue, green and bright yellow are far more rare and valuable than pure ‘white’ diamonds. These diamonds are called ‘fancy diamonds’, and we can obviously see why!
 
A little bit of knowledge we luscious ladies should all know is how diamonds are actually formed. Their unique strength and individuality is due to the way they are made, deep within the earth. Due to extreme pressure and heat, these pure carbon deposits are so strong that they can only be cut by other diamonds.
 
See our diamonds photo gallery here, or check out what Natasha got for her birthday! And don't miss our other article, "Have some bling with your celluloid: Diamond films" on our Luscious homepage. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief", anyone?
 
And don't miss our LUSCIOUS POLL: Which ring would you choose? (there are 50 to choose from). Press "Like" or write a comment under your fave!
 

Bra bombshells

Following on from Anna's luscious lingerie piece (see below), she now takes a look at the bras that made us perk up and pay attention:



The divine Lana Turner who became known as ‘Sweater Girl’ for her cone shaped brassiere she wore under her sweaters.
 

Marilyn Monroe, whose hourglass figure was beautifully enhanced by the cone-ish shaped bra.

 

 

 

Jane Russell had a bra designed by aeronautical engineer Howard Hughes to enhance her shape.

 

It was Madonna who donned the most memorable of the cone-bra of them all:  the Jean Paul Gaultier in her Blonde Ambition Tour.
 

 

Jamie-Lee Curtis starred in one of the greatest lingerie scenes in history. Famed for her body, Curtis performed a strip tease for her husband, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

We all learnt a valuable lingerie-lesson in Bridget Jones’ Diary where Bridget, played by Renee Zellweger, wore her grannie-panties on a date.

 

Carrie Bradshaw was definitely worth her bombshell weight in gold when she took her day-glo (glow in the dark underwear) on an outing to a gay club, way back in season 4.

And no one could forget the spangled, barely-there Dolce and Gabanna panties she modeled on the runway.

 

Dita Von Teese brought the burlesque back into town with her glamorous style and extravagant shows.

 

 

 

Share  

Every diva needs...Luscious lingerie


"The main function of the underwear we choose every morning is to turn us into a good mood. It is linked to our personal imagination and can be either excessive or sweet. It can express a natural frivolity that deals with insolence and lightness." - Fifi Chachnil, lingerie designer

Similarly, a friend of mine likened leaving the house without pretty matching underwear to going out without perfume on. 

While underwear was originally designed for comfort and support, women have liberated the humble brassiere and panty to be a statement of style and in our opinion, lusciousness.

Lingerie is ultimately what transforms a woman into a sexy upscale fashion figure who appreciates the finer things in life.


Victoria’s Secret, for example, now have one of the most anticipated runway shows in the world.

Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr and their fellow angels have become synonymous with underwear that is luxe and sexy.

The greatest thing about Victoria’s Secret is that their underwear is not just pretty. Victoria's Secret are relentless when it comes to searching for premium fabrics and lace stating that, “we only let the best fabrics touch your skin”.

Every detail is considered when designing and constructing their lingerie stating that “only a wedding dress would have more parts than one of our bras.”

Visit the Victoria's Secret website.

Miranda Kerr wears the Angels by Victoria’s Secret bra $48, below

              


Faire Frou Frou, a french term meaning “to show off”, have quickly established themselves as the ultimate celebration of all that is feminine and flirty.

Customers can select from must-have sexy, flirtatious dainties from top designers such as Fifi Chachnil, Vannina Vesperini, Myla, Strumpet & Pink, Guia la Bruna, Fleur T, Damaris, Carine Gilson and Nina Ricci.

Furthermore, because so many of the designs are simply too luscious to cover up, many of the 'under' wear at Faire Frou Frou has the double benefit of being worn as 'outer' wear.

Visit the Faire Frou Frou website.


"Adorable" Corset by Mimi Holliday $124 from Faire Frou Frou, below


Chantal Thomass is one of the world’s leading proponents for glamorous lingerie.

In the 1970s when it was thought that women’s under garments should be made of the most basic materials, Chantal created a revolution by including lingerie in her fashion shows.

As a result, sensual and pretty ‘underthings’ became an object of women’s desire and as the designer states, her lingerie “convinced women that they could be enticing and seductive, and above all, they could be beautiful for their own sake by treating themselves to life’s little luxuries.”

Visit the Chantal Thomass website.

 



Agent Provocateur is another name synonymous with beautiful lingerie. Their beautiful collections incorporate the finest broderie anglaise, tulle and lace, created in the most delicious of shades.

The business was founded by Joseph Corré (son of Vivienne Westwood) and his former wife, Serena Rees, in 1994 in Soho, London.

The fabulous Maggie Gyllenhaal, left, is one of Agent Provocateur's spokespeople and pin-up girl, joining the likes of Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss.

Visit the Agent Provocateur website.

Eleanor Slip from Agent Provocateur £125, below

 

See also Anna's piece, Bra bombshells, above. And check out our Luscious Lingerie photo album on our Luscious on Facebook page.

Share 

Key Charming

If ever there was a luscious item that was true indulgence, a designer key ring is one! Yes they may cost as much as your rent, but won’t they make your home-coming just that little bit happier? Plus if you can’t afford designer pants, atleast you can carry a little designer luxury in your pocket.

 

 

Sophisticated: Traditional styles that you’ll love forever.
Signature Tiffany shopping bag in sterling silver.

 

 

 

 

Pretty: Luxe and feminine styles that you will hold dear.
Louis Vuitton brass Globe charm collection is hung with Louis Vuitton Trunks & Bags medals in brightly coloured enamel.

 

 

Cute: Fun but still so fine.
Gucci 'Oliver' Guccioli key ring with trademark bow and Gucci charm.

 

Style tip: Think they’re too divine to rattle around the bottom of your handbag? Create a little bag-bling and clip it to the outside of your handbag to personalise your tote.

 

Share 

Lusciousness on a chessboard: Say chess!

Apparently, according to Ernst Strouhal “… if suddenly (and mysteriously) all the art works of the twentieth Century were to disappear and only a collection of chess pieces survived…  art historians would be able to reconstruct all the various trends, styles and movements of the past century quite simply from a study of this collection…” 
 
 
And further to that, us Luscious types are all for a board game where a queen holds all the power! 
 
On occasion of Milan Design Week 2010 and the 49th International Furniture Fair of Milan in April this year several of the world’s leading contemporary artists were invited to produce a chess set that puts their own unique spin on the ancient game.


Our favorite? Rachel Whiteread’s domesticated take on the chess set, using miniature furnishings from her own dolls’ house.

Oh to be luscious! And oh how I wish I knew where my doll’s furniture was (although shame on mother dear who substituted hankies for blankies!) 
 
 
  

Looking for more lusciousness?

 

Reached the bottom of the page but desperate for more? Then check out all our sections:

Luscious photo galleries

Avoiding work and looking for ways to divert yourself? Then have a flick through our luscious photo galleries on our Luscious on Facebook page. Here's a taster...

Luscious style icons1
 David Downton Guest rooms

 Whilst you're at it, why not become a fan of our FB page and get daily Luscious updates!

Luscious living


 

Check out our main Luscious sections:

What's new and luscious this month


Photo from our collection called "A Luscious Life" - see all our Luscious photo galleries for more beautiful locations.

Stories:

 
We have thousands of luscious photo galleries. See the listing of all photo albums here.

All hail the humble bobby pin

It is easy to take for granted the simple piece of hair hardware that is a bobby-pin.

Keeping our styles splendid since the “bob-cut” took hold in the 1920s, these flexible little prongs are still holding our hair in place without much recognition.

Hairstylists Orlando Pita and Eugene Souleiman however, have proven that these modest little accessories can make quite the elaborate statement at New York Fashion Week by competing in something of a hairpin-off backstage.

At Carolina Herrera’s show, Pita incorporated plain bobby pins and others with floral clusters to create a chignon of copper armour that was still pretty and feminine.

Meanwhile, at Donna Karan, Souleiman created a more masculine look with a deep side part and off centre bun, which he then painstakingly placed over 100 hairpins into.

Also seen during Fashion Week were the surreal and oversized bobby-pin headpieces worn at Basso and Brooke.

Share 

Find us on Facebook

Support Luscious

Chanel No. 5

We are firm believers in taking five minutes of your day to escape this world for a moment.

That’s why we were thrilled when director Jean-Pierre Jeunet together with actress Audrey Tautou and model Travis Davenport created the latest ad campaign for the iconic scent Chanel No. 5.

A story of missed encounters between strangers set in beautiful locations such as Paris, Nice and Istanbul; its charm will linger for the rest of your day.

Watch it at www.chanel.com or through this YouTube link.

Share 

Yves Saint Laurent

Have a peek into the world of Yves Saint Laurent: news from the auction from Yves Saint Laurent's estate

Article and photos of the country home of Yves Saint Laurent and partner Pierre Berger - Chateau Gabriel on the Normandy coast - from The Age website.

Article about the YSL auction raises almost three times estimate - from the Reuters website 

Buy the book, The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge by Robert Murphy. Other Yves Saint Laurent items here.

Or check out the 2002 documentary by David Teboul, featuring YSL, Pierre Berger, Catherine Denveuve, Carla Bruni, Alex Wek, Laetitia Casta, Loulou de la Falaise Klossowski and Anne Marie Munoz: Yves Saint Laurent - His Life and Times/5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris.

More photos from the home of YSL and Berge here.

This 2-DVD collection comprises two documentaries, Yves Saint Laurent: His Life and Times and Yves Saint Laurent: 5 Avenue Marceau.

The first film looks at his early years whilst the second focuses on the creation of his final Spring-Summer couture collection.

More books for your Luscious Library:

Yves Saint Laurent: Style by by Foundation Pierre Berge

Yves Saint Laurent by Florence Muller :

 

 The Yves Saint Laurent-Pierre Berge Collection: The Sale of the Century by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery (Editor) and Pierre Berge (Preface):

 

Yves Saint Laurent (Memoirs) by Pierre Berge:

Paris 1962: Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, Christian Dior, The Early Collections by Jerry Schatzberg and Julia Morton:

Love by Yves Saint Laurent:

Yves Saint Laurent: 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris, France by David Teboul:


Yves Saint Laurent by Alice Rawsthorn:

 

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: The Complete Works, 1962-2002 by Pierre Berge:

 

Debut: Yves Saint Laurent 1962 by Laurence Benaim:

Yves Saint Laurent: 40 Years of Creation by Yves Saint Laurent, Hady Sy, Beatrice Dupire and Marie-Joe Lepicard:

See more photos from Saint Laurent and Berge's home in our luscious photo gallery.

Share