Iconic Nico

As a makeup artist you spend an enormous amount of time researching everything under the sun.

You have to know where it's been to know where it's going.
You have to have a vast knowledge encompassing every iconic moment.

It's fabulous.

Iconic Nico

Tonight I have been compiling iconic images of German singer, songwriter, model, actress, heroin addict, Nico.

Born  Christi Paffgen in Cologne in 1938, Nico is perhaps mostly remembered for being a Warhol girl and singing with The Velvet Underground. 
Her story (like all the iconics) is fascinating. 
She was discovered selling lingerie at Berlin's KaDeWe at 16, her 5'10" frame and chiseled features paved her way into modeling for prominent magazines including Vogue, Elle, and Tempo.  

TV commercials morphed into movies, including small roles in 1958's La Tempesta and For The First Time (starringMario Lanza )

In 1959 Fellini cast her as herself in La Dolce Vita.

Nico playing herself in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vta

Living in NYC Nico began her music career in 1963, became friends with the Rolling Stones, who introduced her to Andy Warhol. Warhol used her in his movies and made the Velvet Underground use her as a "chanteuse". She became an iconic figure in music throughout the remainder of her life, moving from New York to France to England, finally dying of a heart attack in Ibiza in 1988.
Nico was only 50 when she died.

Nico with The Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol

Nico

Iconic Nico

Nico with Velvet Underground

Nico Album Cover, Chelsea Girl

Taylor Swift For Wonderland

Check out Taylor Swift on the cover of the November 13 issue of Wonderland magazine!

At first glance Swifty is unrecognizeable. 

At second glance, there she is, but not sporting her usual red lip, and with a few changes.

I love the heavier brow, the warmer, bronzey complexion, and the very undone look.

I'm not actually a follower of Taylor's music, although you cannot turn on mainstream radio at the moment and not hear her upbeat, catchy single, Shake It Off, from her new album, 1989.

So I decided to have a look at what she's up to.

Scroll down for 3 fab new videos.

I love seeing how Swift has developed her look over the years.

If you caught her on performing on Kimmel, you would have seen a very fashion fierce, modern Taylor. 

I can totally see her affinity with galpal super model Karlie Kloss.

And now I just watched her new video, Blank Space.

I actually think she is pretty amazing.

Check it out below, and the link to her new album below that.

#GoSwifty

The Amika Switch Kit

Oh I am obsessed!!

My favorite new thing is my Amika Switch Kit curling system.

This may just be the very best way to buy curling irons.

This is super cool, because it has one base - the switch base, which comes with a 1 inch barrel . From there you can click off the 1 inch barrel and switch it out with a variety of different barrels. There's a 1.25 inch barrel, a 1.5 inch and a 0.7 inch. So essentially you have 4 curling irons in one.

I love that on a whim I can change up my hair and give it Hollywood waves or beachy waves, curls or just a little soft movement. I can go glam or I can make it casual.

The barrels are tourmaline infused ceramic and use far-infared technology to heat the hair from the inside out, protecting the natural moisture, while negative ions close the hair's cuticle giving you shiny, frizz-free, silky curls.

You can adjust the temperature up to 430 degrees (I keep mine at 360), the system is dual voltage, so you can use it overseas as well as in America, and it has a 9 foot cord that has a swivel base, so it doesn't get caught up in anything.

I've actually had mine for several months now, and my daily changing out of the barrels (sometimes multiple times per day changing barrels) hasn't damaged the switch base or the clips at all. 

Amika has a youtube channel with video tutorials on different looks you can create with each barrel.

The Amika Switch Kit makes a fabulous Christmas gift too!

Anna Emilia Seewald Wears Red For Grazia Germany

Don't you just love a vibrant pop of red for fall?

Photographer Tina Luther captures the lovely Anna Emilia Seewald in Portugal wearing exciting reds for Grazia Germany.
Makeup artist Spiri Fountoglou gives us an amazing lesson in how to do the perfect makeup to compliment fall reds.

5 Things I Adore About Rome

Rome, the eternal city, is one of my absolute favorite cities in the world.

I love it to my core. 
I often think "back when I lived in Rome..." and then I realize I never actually have lived in Rome.
Maybe just in my dreams, and in my heart.

There are so many wonderful things things to see and do and experience in this heartbeat city that was once the center of the world.

5 Things I Adore About Rome

1. Its a walking city

The streets are perfect for walking in Rome

My favorite cities in the world are walking cities.
Rather than watched through the windows of a tour bus, Rome is best experienced at street level, strolling. 

Things you see on the streets of Rome

There are so many great things to see in Rome that you will only find on foot

Walking along the banks of the Tiber is glorious, day or night. 

Lungotevere, Roma

Booksellers, Lungotevere, Rome

Stepping through the cobbled streets you feel the pulse of this glorious and triumphant city.

Walking back into the Trastevere, Roma

My apartment is on this street in the Trastevere, Rome

Queen Of The Jungle.
I followed this glamazon in her 5 inch heels as she sauntered along the Via Del Corso in Rome.
She never missed a beat, even on the cobble stones.
I want to be her!

Find today's hotel deals in Rome on TripAdvisor!

2. The monuments at night.

Walking to the Colosseum at night

Rome's monuments are majestic and beautiful by day, but when the sun is up they are also packed with a deluge of tourists streaming from tour buses, lead by flag waving guides. 
When night falls the crowds thin out, you can breathe freely and the much less impeded views are just spectacular.

The Forum and Palatine Hill at night

3. Caffe at Tazza D'Oro

My morning macchiato at Tazza D'Oro in Rome

Said to be the best coffee in the world, Tazza D'Oro is one of my absolute favorite places to grab a macchiato, a cappucino or a simple caffe (espresso). They are also known for their granita.
Located across from the Pantheon, Tazza D'Oro breaks rank with the overpriced tourist bars, instead catering to locals and selling coffees at super reasonable prices. A cappucino around the corner will run you 6 euro, but at Tazza D'Oro it's 1.50
The coffee is fantastic, and I always buy several pounds of it to bring home.

Check Rome hotel rates! Read reviews & find the lowest prices at TripAdvisor!

4. Campo Di Fiori market.

My mornings in Rome start with a walk to Tazza D'Oro for a coffee. 

Mornings at Campo Di Fiori in Rome

From there I love to stroll over to Campo di Fiori and buy fresh percorino and prosciutto, fruits and vegetables that instead of ripening in a truck driven across country to a supermarket, were picked last night to be eaten today.

Campo Di Fiori Market, Rome

Market sellers will tell me how their family has prepared a given vegetable for generations, and I will go home and make it their way. The next day they have something else for me to try. 
It's wonderful.

Campo Di Fiori Market, Rome

I also like to buy fresh flowers for my apartment. I don't do hotels in Rome - I far prefer to rent an apartment in the beautiful Trastevere, which is within walking distance to everywhere.

Flowers at the Campo di Fiori market in Roma

5. Subterranean Rome.

The Rome that sits above ground is captivating and magnificent, but below ground there is another world, equally spectacular. 

We found mosaics and paintings that are 1700 years old.
Apparently no one else was interested. Or they were relying on a tour bus to take them places.
You find the best things when you explore walking cities on foot.

Houses and spas, mosaics, aqueducts and auditoriums, entire cities all below ground, dating back to the 2nd century B.C 
Underground Rome is astounding. 
And astoundingly tourist free.

A staircase leading 17 centuries back, down below Rome, and finding paintings on broken walls

25 meters below the city of Rome, heading into a 4th century church with my iphone camera

Over the centuries Rome built upwards, the layers of dirt and dust raising the city 25 meters. Rather than tearing down buildings, rome built over them. Pagan images and reliefs share space and time with Christian sarcophagi and crosses, enabling you to witness the passage from one religion to the next.

Denise below Rome taking iphone pics in a subterranean church from the 4th century.
There was literally no one else below deck - just the Corinna B's World Glam Italia Tour!

And most of the time there is no one else there. The Nikon wielding masses seem to stay above ground, which suits me just fine. My iphone and I can enjoy the view, breathe freely, and take our own sweet time.

Things you find below the city of Rome

All these images were taken by me, with my iphone, walking around Rome. Please don't use them without my written permission.
Thanks!

The Glamorous Life Of Jackie O

I've always found Jackie Onassis fascinating.

I don't think she was staggeringly beautiful. 
But I do think she was staggeringly fabulous.
And she had such a great sense of style, was so effortlessly chic, that she always seemed to be one of the most beautiful and intriguing of them all.

A couple of months ago I was in Capri, and my friend Aldo was showing me photos of himself with the former Mrs Kennedy when she would visit the island. Aldo made sandals for her, so I always get him to make me sandals too. I love thinking that she and I share a shoemaker. 

I actually wrote about Aldo Lella and his shoe store, Schettino Di Capri two summers ago - you can read it here. Buying Sandals In Capri. 

Anyway, I love looking at pictures of Jackie Onassis on the island of Capri. I always wonder if the sandals she has on were made for her by Aldo.
I love her white pants and black T shirt. I love her huge glasses.
I love her style.
I love the lifestyle she represents.
So much more interesting than Camelot, don't you think? 

Jackie Onassis arriving on Capri

Jackie Onassis in Capri with Valentino

Jackie Onassis on the island of Capri with Gianni Agnelli

Jackie Onassis sandal shopping in Capri

Jackie Onassis in Capri with sister Lee Radziwell