Candice Swanepoel On Those Wild Victoria's Secret Costumes: 'It's Our Job To Make It Work'

This Wednesday, an army of lithe, long-limbed models will strap on layers of sequins, feathers and jewels along with dozens of bras and panties and march down a runway in front of hundreds of people, an extravaganza that will later be broadcast on TV for millions more viewers.

So what exactly is going through the models' heads when they hit the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, wearing nothing but bra and undies? "Just before, I'm kind of praying that everything goes well and I don't fall," said model Candice Swanepoel, talking to us at her final fitting for her biggest look of the night, the Victoria's Secret Royal Fantasy Bra.

"But once I'm on the runway, I get into this zone. I have this feeling of pride," Candice told us. "It's kind of reflecting over everything I've been through to get there, so it's a very profound feeling. I usually get goosebumps all over my body... and then I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, you can see my goosebumps!'"

No matter how many times she does it, Candice said, she gets nervous -- and not just on the runway. She's still adjusting to the fame that comes from being a Victoria's Secret Angel. "I'm kind of introverted, so sometimes it's hard for me for people to recognize me, [especially] if I'm trying to be kind of undercover," she admitted.

But the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is certainly not one of those times. This time around, Candice will be front and center with the Fantasy Bra, an annual tradition of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. This year's "Royal" version is covered in diamonds, rubies and yellow sapphires with a 52-carat ruby in the center; it's valued at a whopping $10 million.

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The matching undies, made of red frilly lace, are also covered with gems. But Candice didn't look at all uncomfortable in them, doing a final walk in front of a room full of staffers at her fitting. There were some adjustments to be made, including a request for additional coverage on the seat of the undies.

But overall, the Fantasy Bra outfit didn't strike Candice as one of her more difficult looks -- and there have been plenty. "I mean, some of the wings are not comfortable at all," Candice said of her past Victoria's Secret Fashion Show costumes. "One year, I was almost going to wear two harps as wings," but they were so heavy she requested they get axed. "If I'd fallen, someone would have had to run on the stage and pick me up because I couldn't get up on my own!" Candice recalled.

"But that's part of being a model -- we wear stuff we don't like, stuff that's uncomfortable. But it's our job to make it work," she added. And she makes it work well.

Check out our sneak peek at Candice's fitting, and stay tuned for photos from the show this Wednesday!

Cool fashion for Christmastime

One of Manila’s fashion destinations is The Ramp Crossings which offers a wide range of merchandise that keeps stylists, fashion mavens and shoppers coming back for more. While the tropical weather may keep most of us from wearing trench coats and knee-high boots, we found sophisticated pieces that would look great for the holidays.

Plaid

Prints have taken the fashion world by storm, and it doesn’t look like the trend would fade anytime soon. Some prints, like plaid which was reminiscent of the ’90s, resurfaced in some of the F/W 2013 collections from YSL, Versace and Isabel Marant.

The Ramp’s plaid pants make a fashion statement with graphic orange checks against bright white. This crisp and tailored look is great for the office; pair with a silky top to look effortlessly chic for almost any occasion.

The chevron print

The Ramp transitions to the cold months with a fresh pattern (think Missoni) to add to your holiday wardrobe: the chevron print. You can take this style from morning meetings to evening dates with a swift adjustment of your accessories. Enhance this bold trend with neutrals and minimal accessories for business meetings, and pair with high heels for a night out. The chevron print will serve as a great addition to your wardrobe, with its dramatic and stylish appeal.

The skort

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A favored 2013 trend for many of us is the skort—a pair of shorts with a fabric panel covering the front to resemble a skirt. This is appropriate for the warm tropical climate, and its versatility makes it wearable for various occasions.

Mixed prints

Take the cue from Mary Kantrantzou with bold and mixed prints. It’s a refreshing take on the print trend, and is a fashion statement for 2013. It may seem frightening or risky to mix prints at the beginning, so tread lightly by blending small designs with larger ones. Wear minimal accessories so as not to look overstated.

Kimono jacket

The kimono jacket looks cool and boho. This instantly styles up any laid-back look—think denim shorts and a tank top. The special Izakaya print on The Ramp’s kimono jacket is so distinct, it’s sure to stand out in any occasion.

Have dandruff and hair loss problems? Try reetha or soap nuts!

Most people suffer from hair related problems given what we are exposed to this day and age. If you do too, it’s time you try hair packs with reetha or use it like a shampoo. Read on to find out why your grandmum’s advice makes sense.

The reason reetha is so good for your hair is because it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which keep infections at bay.

Here’s how you can use reetha for your hair problems:

To eliminate dandruff

If white flakes of dandruff have bothered and embarrassed you for long, here’s a solution to say goodbye to it. Take about 10-15 soap nuts and grind them. Boil them in water for 15 minutes and then let them soak in water overnight. In the morning, strain the nuts and add some amla powder or juice to it. Now apply it on your scalp and let it stay for half an hour. Wash it with a mild shampoo in lukewarm water.

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Cleansing shampoo

Regularly washing your locks keeps various hair problems away but if you use too strong shampoos, they can sap the natural oils out of your scalp and leave it feeling dry and brittle. In order to stop this from happening, switch to a reetha shampoo. Take shikakai and reetha powder in equal quantities and add warm water to bind the two. Now wash your hair with this instead of your regular shampoo. Remember, it does not produce much lather but it still cleanses your hair. If you feel it is too drying for your locks, increase the quantity of shikakai in the shampoo. Team it with a coconut oil champi an hour before you wash your hair for better results.

For shiny, silky locks

Pollution, extensive use of hair styling products and tools can often leave hair dry and damaged. In order to get back its lost sheen, make a pack using reetha, amla and curd (dahi). This will not only condition your hair but also leave it soft.

Janetta Mackay: White shoe shuffle

A month ago, I bought a pair of white punched leather flats, which I fancied were fun. As write this, I haven't worn them, but by the time you read this I may well have succumbed. I'm experimenting by taking these sort-of-sandshoes safely out of the country, to the islands where white is always fashionable.

If I slip my feet into white shoes I will be breaking one of my own little style rules.

Where my self-imposed shackles of supposed good taste come from, I'm not entirely sure. There may have been some childhood conditioning - after I grew out of white toddler sandals - but I think my aversion springs from tribal adolescence. I wore black Dr. Martens and if you were a skanky ho - or worse still, simply had no idea - then you wore fringed white ankle boots. Of course, no one knew what a ho was back then and I hope that nowadays I'm less given to scathing and sweeping wardrobe judgments, but a boot is a no-go zone.

Fashion-forward types will doubtless consider me terribly behind-the-times avoiding white, but before I give up on being judgmental let's just say I don't get how it got "ironic" for stylists to recycle that particular look. Referential maybe, try-hard tired more like.

I do see the appeal of white summer flats on brown skin. But I don't tan.

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The lightest shoe I'll wear is nude and, even then, I'd rather not. White heels I struggle with. On me: no thanks; on others: strappy maybe, courts maybe not.

Yes, yes, I know Bianca Jagger looked fabulous in her white wedding trouser suit and matching shoes, but that's her. Hitch down your hemline. I avoided the issue altogether by not marrying in white.

Women who wear white well do impress, although surely they must carry a spare set of everything in their limos. But white - and that includes fashion's so-called essential white shirt - has never washed with me. Partly because white looks unwashed so damn fast. I know this because, truth to tell, I have previously broken my own anti-white rules. There has been numerous unsuccessful attempts to find the perfect white top and a few pairs of pale shoes to ponder upon. First, there was a pair of pointy-toed white leather flats that I admit to being quite fond of until no amount of shoe cream could save them. Then there was the op-shop find of a pair of white 60s stilettos in mint condition, but they soon scuffed their way out of my wardrobe.

I try to avoid trainers, for all sorts of reasons, but at least they can come coloured. The "white" ones are like blobs of blancmange. In defence of my wardrobe foibles, they do help reduce the clutter of choice.

But change is in the air. Those white lace-ups sit upon my shoe rack, waiting. Down the hall, rules are being broken. Last school holidays, on the drive from Melbourne airport to the city, my daughter spotted a giant billboard of a model wearing what looked like a white roman sandal with a platform sole. Turns out these flat-forms are the shoe of the season for young things, and soon we were spotting versions in every chain store all ver

town. Pester power secured her a pair.

But please, not an ankle boot!

Halloween special: 5 bizarre beauty treatments that spooked us out

October 31 is celebrated as Halloween the world over.

The eve of trick-or-treat, horror stories, costume parties and scary make-up is upon us. While Halloween is all about these things, we list a few scary and bizarre beauty treatments that we found downright spooky. Are you a braveheart to try them out? Read on to find out!

Vampire facial

This beauty treatment certainly goes well with the Halloween spirit. It involves drawing out blood from one’s body and then injecting it back in the person’s face. It is believed that since one’s own blood is used, it creates platelet-rich plasma which smoothes out fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian had given it a try once. The results are said to be instant you so can go for this treatment just before your Halloween party.

Cryotherapy treatment

How would you like to freeze your body for some time? If that is your idea of fun, then try cryotherapy which essentially involves exposing yourself to extremely low temperatures (as low as -140 degrees) for a short duration of time. Apparently, this eliminates toxins from the body, helps regenerate tissues and stimulates collagen production. A celebrity who’s tried it is Demi Moore.

Leech therapy

In this, slimy leeches are placed on your face and neck to let them detoxify your blood, leaving you with a fresher and younger looking feeling. Medically, a few variety of leeches have been used to cure a few diseases and now they are being used for cosmetic purposes as well. Demi Moore once admitted she let leeches such on her blood to look younger.

Joker smile surgery

Want to emulate the joker with a permanently fixed smile on your face, even when you are sad? This is what the joker smile surgery will do for you. The procedure will curl up the corners of your lips by altering your facial muscles and their setting especially the jaw muscles which are responsible for giving you a droopy smile as they pull the lips downwards.

Fire facial

If extreme cold is not your cup of tea, try extreme heat. In fire facials, a towel soaked in alcohol and a secret elixir is put on the face and then the towel is lit-up for some time before it is extinguished. It is believed that fire creates extreme heat which can treat the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, etc by altering one’s body’s chemistry due to the adrenalin response.

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Charles James Is the Met's 2014 Costume Institute Exhibition

Calling all fashion historians: Ever heard of Charles James? You’ll know more than you ever dreamed in a few months time after the Metropolitan Museum of Art features the Anglo-American couturier next year in its annual Costume Institute exhibit.

In an email announcement on Monday to its members, the Met revealed “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” will be the Costume Institute’s 2014 exhibition. It will run from May 8 until August 10, 2014.

The London-born designer moved to the U.S. in 1940. He had no formal training, but, according to the Met:

complex cut and seaming led to the creation of key design elements that he updated throughout his career: wrap-over trousers, figure-eight skirts, body-hugging sheaths, ribbon capes and dresses, spiral-cut garments, and poufs.

The Condé Nast image accompanying the announcement shows debutante-aged women in a grand parlor, swathed in feet of icy blue and creme silk, elbow length gloves in site. It is decidedly elegant, expensive, and dated. Approachable? No. But then again neither are the Picassos and Goyas lining the halls of the venerable institute. Sometimes art needs to be an escape. The Charles James exhibit appears to fit nicely into this category.

You might remember that the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit in 2011 smashed attendance records for the Met’s Costume Institute, drawing 661,509 visitors.

I don’t expect this exhibit to garner the same widespread attention; I have never heard of Charles James before and I am fairly confident that a large portion of others haven’t, either. The exhibit will have to stand on its own merit, and Charles James on his vintage couture designs (unlike the Prada/Schiaparelli exhibit in 2012 that touted the Italian designers’ names, but fell flat in designs).

Though we don’t want to fuel the fires of speculation, perhaps someone deep in the fashion PR trenches is staging a comeback for the Charles James line. Far fetched considering the designer died in 1978, but you might remember that a retrospective of the Madame Vionnet designs in 2009 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs was an unexpected prelude to the relaunch of the brand (which now has a star following and billionaire Russian designer backing it up).

Last year’s punk exhibit (photo above) made goth very glamorous and incited a conversation not only on the origins of punk, but also of counterculture movements en masse.

I, along with many other art fashion fans, will wait with baited breath, hot with chiffon hopes and couture anticipations — and I can’t wait to see those gowns at the Gala.

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Great Witch Hazel Beauty Uses

This great natural ingredient is eco-friendly and very cheap and you can find it in almost every drugstore. The final distilled product that's sold to us comes form the steam of witch hazel's leaves and bark. Plus, it comes in various forms, as an astringent, wipes or cream, so all you have to do is choose the best suited for your skin condition.

5 Uses For Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel Uses: Acne

One of the most important uses of witch hazel is in treating acne. You probably didn't know, but using it regularly will help you fight acne and blemishes. You should also know that this is a natural astringent that will help you control the oil level and reduce inflammations. We recommend using witch hazel as a toner. Apply it on your face after removing your makeup and shortly you'll see a great improvement of your acne.

Witch Hazel Uses for Skin: Helps Healing Bruises

Another great property of witch hazel is that it helps speeding up the healing process of your bruises. Add some witch hazel on a cotton pad and then apply it on your open bruise. You should repeat this procedure three time a day. Moreover, the tannins contained by witch hazel's leaves, bark and twigs will help you reduce the swelling and regenerate your skin. Soon enough, your bruises will be healed!

What Is Witch Hazel Used for: Refreshing Your Skin

We simply love this natural ingredient because it's the perfect skin refresher during hot summer days. Sun exposure during summer leaves your skin oily so you need a good cleanser. That's why we recommend witch hazel as a natural cleanser because it will remove all impurities and excess oil very fast and will let your skin rejuvenated and glowing. Plus, it smells divinely.

Witch Hazel Use: Eases Psoriasis and Eczema

If you've been dealing with one of these conditions, then we're happy to recommend witch hazel. It has some great anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce the pain, the redness and itching, those common symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. Moreover, we'd also recommend paying your dermatologist a visit if you have very sensitive skin.

Great Witch Hazel Use for Your Skin: Keeps Your Skin Moisturized

Witch hazel oil eliminates water loss and keeps your face skin hydrated. We recommend using it right after you took a shower because you'll not only moisturize your skin, but you'll also prevent it from becoming dry.

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