Dow Jones tumbles 512 Points
In their single worst day since the 2008 financial crisis, stocks plunged with the Dow Jones tumbling 512 points at close of business on Thursday 4th August 2011, as fear over the economy spooked global investors. While many people may be facing cuts to their monthly budget, I decided to take a look at some of [...]
Beckham Babymoon
Victoria Beckham is enjoying a second honeymoon with her baby girl after husband David signed a two month lease on a beachfront mansion in Malibu. David is renting the $25 million mansion from film director Steven Spielberg for $150,000 a month. At 7,237 square feet, the home comes complete with 7 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a [...]
A Suite Flight to Singapore
On 1st July 2011, I felt like the most fortunate girl in the world, when I was informed that I would be flying on board the first ever Airbus 380 flight to leave America on Singapore Airlines. The flight left from Los Angeles to Singapore via Tokyo, Narita and the icing on the cake was [...]
Beckham Baby Four
Congratulations to David & Victoria Beckham, who have announced the birth of their first daughter named Harper Seven. The healthy baby, who weighed 7Ib 10oz, was born at 7.55am on Sunday 10th July at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, despite rumours that Victoria would give birth in London. David and Victoria have three [...]
Princess Beatrice Royal Wedding Hat
Princess Beatrice’s royal wedding hat has now been sold on auction site eBay for £81,100.01 with the proceeds going to charities Unicef and Children in Crisis. The identity of the winning bidder has not yet been revealed. The 22 year old princess wore the dramatic creation by Philip Treacy to the Royal Wedding last month. [...]
Capture the Scent of Bieber Fever
Justin Bieber has announced the launch of a new fragrance called Someday, created by him especially for girls. Packaged in a bottle with layered hearts on top, and removable charms around the neck, it is thought to appeal to his younger fan base. The fragrance will be sold in American stores in June, while an [...]
Luxury Travel Essentials
A gentleman friend once confided in me, revealing that, in search of the perfect travel companion, he would ask a potential candidate to accompany him for a weekend abroad. If the woman turned up on the day of departure with anything larger than a compact case, his red flags would rise to full mast. See, [...]
British Airways First Class cabin gets an upgrade
In 2010, British Airways refitted some of their planes, which meant a new look for their First Class cabin. Sadly, there were only a select few routes that benefited from the newly fitted planes and they were not routes that I ever took. This week, for the first time, flying from London Heathrow to Hong [...]
Katie Holmes as Fashion Icon Jackie Kennedy
Katie Holmes gives a good performance as the fashionable First Lady, in the television series The Kennedys. The television show gives viewers an insight into how Jack Kennedy became the President of the United States and how he and his family coped under the pressure of their respective roles, once he was in the [...]
Victoria Beckham Looking Blue
Many viewers were disappointed by Victoria Beckham’s Royal Wedding look. Reports were circulating that Victoria, who is pregnant with her fourth child, was extremely vexed over what to wear for the formal occasion and had already turned down more than ten looks that her design team had presented to her. While she has access to [...]
Perfect Showcase for Pippa Middleton
Without upstaging the bride, Catherine Middleton’s Sister played her part perfectly as maid of honor at the Royal Wedding. She was said to be more nervous than Kate in the days running up to the service, concerned that that she may let her sister down. She had nothing to fear as she looked effortlessly beautiful. [...]
Catherine Middleton wears Alexander McQueen
Catherine Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey, finally revealing that her dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Many have remarked upon the similarities between her dress and the wedding dress of fashion icon Grace Kelly, which happens to to be to be one of my all time favorite wedding designs. Many have commented on [...]
Royal Engagement
When I arrived in London a week before the Royal Wedding, a dear friend told me that she would have never accepted the beautiful Sapphire engagement ring that William proposed to Kate with (in the romantic setting of Kenya). I was shocked and asked her why. She said, “Because it is cursed. Diana had a [...]
Steve Olson Interview Coming Soon
Kirsten Lea interviews Skateboard legend and artist Steve Olson on his upcoming art exhibitions in New York City and Venice, Italy
Skateboard Icon Alex Olson Interview
Whenever I take up a new sport or activity, I like to immerse myself in the culture of the people and their lifestyle. Skateboarding has an incredibly different sub-culture to anything I have encountered before, in fact it seemed as though my life was turned upside when I began meeting and interacting with other skaters. [...]
I met a Sk8er Boy
Upon my recent return from snowboarding, and at the on-set of spring, I found myself at a loss for an opportunity to hone my boarding craft in the off-season. Unwilling to take an eight-month sabbatical from the sport, I entertained momentary flirtations with a snowboard simulator but wondered about its ability to give me anything [...]
A Definition for Haute Couture
Four years ago, I made a short, personal film that documented my journey as an Armani Privé client. At the time, a British newspaper commented, “Haute Couture is such an elitist thing and no one really understands the process you have to go through to get a dress. There are a lot of fittings [...]
John Galliano, the Departure from Dior
The fashion Industry was in uproar last week after John Galliano was dismissed as Creative Director from Christian Dior following numerous anti-Semitic allegations made against the designer. Galliano has denied all allegations made against him and claimed that he is of partial Jewish ancestry, although this has not been verified. The dismissal on 1st [...]
The Academy Awards™
While Natalie Portman was the star of the night in terms of her big win, it was fellow nominee Jennifer Lawrence who held the limelight on the red carpet of the Academy Awards. The rising star of Winters Bone was the first nominee to arrive. She looked flawless in a simple, but stunning red [...]
Red Carpet Ready
During the build up to the Academy Awards™, several hundred women in Hollywood are on a focused mission to get red carpet ready. There are a few tinsel town elite who, with their trusted team of stylists, hair & make-up artists, dressmakers, aestheticians and trainers, glide through February as if it were any other [...]
Reflecting on New York Fashion Week
As I flew home from New York, I reflected upon the runway shows I had seen last week. Donna Karan’s Valentines Day show was the perfect winter/fall collection. Old Hollywood Glamour meets La Dolce Vita. Stunning use of texture, including fur. Hourglass silhouettes, accessorized with pearls. Her pieces were elegant, sensual and sophisticated. This [...]
Who Will Be My Valentino?
It is a frosty Sunday morning in New York City. Fashion Week has already begun with a spectacular birthday party for Sex & The City stylist Patricia Field at the old bank vault, The Bowery. Today’s shows include the Calvin Klein’s Men’s collections and one of my favorite American designers, Diane Von Furstenberg. Tomorrow’s schedule [...]
Meeting Colin Firth at Chateau Marmont
On the evening of Monday 7th February, I attended the Chateau Marmont in celebration of the Academy nomination for The King’s Speech. While it was clear that the Weinstein Company were the backbone of this event, the invitation told me a team of respected actors, directors and musicians were the real hosts. Their names [...]
New York Fashion Week
Over the next few days, the majority of the American fashion industry will be getting ready for New York Fashion Week. A publicist originally hosted the now-infamous fashion extravaganza in 1943 at the Plaza hotel. She named it named Press Week and back then, it was only open to fashion editors and journalists. At that [...]
Snowing at CHANEL™
It was February 2006 when Victoria Beckham took to the slopes of the Baqueria ski resort™ in Spain, sporting head to toe Chanel™ skiwear. Haters criticized the fashion queen for looking so shamelessly branded, while others clamored to get their own Chanel ski wardrobe, complete with a pair of Chanel ski poles and matching skis. [...]
Fashion at the Sundance Film Festival™
Every year, towards the end of January, independent Hollywood filmmakers take over the small town of Park City, Utah, for the Sundance film festival™. And while most are not there to ski, I find it is the perfect time to take to the beautiful slopes of the Canyon resort, as they are so quiet [...]
Reflections on the Golden Globe™ Gowns
It has been a week since the Golden Globes™ and I can’t help but wonder whether there are any wardrobe regrets amongst Sunday’s winners. In my experience, every awards show serves as a lesson in fashion. I often find the most challenging stage of choosing a special outfit, is deciding upon a purse. I love [...]
Golden Globe™ Gowns
The 68th Annual Golden Globes™ was one of the most enjoyable awards ceremonies that I have ever had the pleasure of attending. For the most part, I accredit that to host Ricky Gervais. His introductions did not let me down and neither did the fashion. With a sweetheart neckline and a personality to match, [...]
Awards Season Menswear
I once attended an Awards ceremony and was photographed far more than my male companion. He later mused that he believed it was because “women get to wear stunning gowns, while men are restricted by the standard tuxedo, so women are bound to be photographed more.” After soothing his bruised ego, I began to consider [...]
Awards Season Fashion
While some are recovering from the New Year festivities, the beautiful belles of Hollywood are in fashion overdrive as the start of the year marks the most important period on any fashionista calendar, Awards Season. From the People’s Choice Awards™, Critic’s Choice Awards™, SAG Awards™, Golden Globes and ultimately, the Academy Awards™; these ceremonies pepper [...]
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As a trained Lexicographer, Journalist and Photographer, Kirsten Lea had her own fashion column for several years and contributed to well known publications including Women's Health and Total Style. After reading History of Art at University, Kirsten moved to California, where she made her debut as an actress in The Soloist alongside Robert Downey Jnr. With her own production company, she is the Executive producer of several feature films as well as the entertainment news television show HollyScoop which airs on KTLA and CW stations across America. As Editor of Lea Privé, Kirsten covers a diverse range of topics from Art, Photography, Film, Fashion, Red Carpet Style, Haute Couture, Snowboarding and Skateboarding.