Her fashion choices aren’t always popular, but Nicole Kidman has had a stellar style week at the Cannes Film Festival.
The 45-year-old actress stunned in six frocks in as many days and has been unanimously declared the best-dressed star at this year’s festival.
After a week of near-flawless looks, Nicole cemented her sartorial statement with a custom-made white silk Giorgio Armani gown embellished with gold Swarovski crystals.
Which of Nicole’s looks is your favourite?
Nicole Kidman’s red carpet style has been flawless.
Nicole in custom-made Giorgio Armani.
Nicole in Chanel.
Nicole in Valentino.
Nicole in custom-made Dior at *The Great Gatsby* premiere.
Nicole in custom-made Dior at The Great Gatsby premiere.
Nicole in L’Wren Scott.
Nicole in Calvin Klein.
Nicole bared her chest in this revealing LBD.
Nicole dazzled in this black sequinned sheath dress the day before the festival opened.
The number of couples divorcing after 20 years of marriage has doubled in the past 10 years as more parents wait until the kids leave home to separate.
In 2011, 28 per cent of divorces occurred after 20 years of marriage, up from 13 per cent in 1990, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
In the same time period, the number of divorces for shorter marriages decreased.
The institute’s director Alan Hayes said the sharp spike in divorces after 20 years was due to many couples delaying a split until their children had finished school and moved out.
“Those who have children 18 years and younger seem to be less likely to divorce but once children are leaving the nest, it then becomes an issue for people and they re-evaluate and re-prioritise,” Mr Hayes said.
It makes sense then that the median age for divorce has increased from 38 years for men and 34 years for women in 1971, to 45 years for men and 42 years for women in 2011.
The report, Working Out Relationships, also found that women were more likely to initiate divorce proceedings as they become more financially independent.
The total number of divorces is decreasing however, down to 48,935 in 2011 from 55,330 in 2001.
After weeks of speculation, The Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges has confirmed she is in a relationship with her co-star Steve “The Commando” Willis.
When asked directly by Kyle and Jackie O if the two were indeed dating, Michelle replied, “I guess you can kinda say that.”
“We’ve always been great mates, he’s a great guy,” she added.
Michelle broke up with her husband of nine years, Bill Moore, within weeks of The Commando separating from his de-facto wife of seven years, Froso.
Ever wondered what it would be like to live a day in the life of the world's most beautiful woman? You might need to build up some stamina before giving it a shot.
Ever wondered what it would be like to live a day in the life of the world’s most beautiful woman? You might need to build up your stamina before giving it a shot.
Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress who was credited with the ‘most beautiful’ title by People magazine earlier this year, has revealed her daily routine.
Like any mum it involves waking to a flurry of activity in getting kids dressed, fed and ready for school, but what follows is something most mothers, or any of us, might struggle to find the time or energy to endure — two hours of exercise. Every day.
It explains what is keeping the 40-year-old actress in devastatingly good shape, and how she keeps up her energy to keep working on films — though she only does one a year now because of her family commitments — and working on her lifestyle and e-commerce website while pumping out cookbooks and constant publicity commitments.
This is what Gwyneth told WWD her daily regime involves:
7:00am “I get [the kids] fed, and I get them dressed in their uniforms, any bits of homework are finished.
8:25am “I take [the kids] to school. She [Apple, 9] gets dropped off at 8:25am, and he [Moses, 7] gets dropped off at 8:45am, so we have a croissant together in his school dining room and we do reading together.
9:am “Then I go home and I work for one hour on all the e-mails that come in overnight from L.A.”
10am “I exercise from about 10am to 12pm.”
12pm “I work on GOOP [her digital media and e-commerce website] for pretty much the rest of the day until I pick up my kids and then they have various activities.”
In the interview promoting her new fragrance for Hugo Boss, she also told WWD how being the face of the brand was “the perfect job when you have kids”.
Hazel Hawke has passed away at age 83 leaving behind an incredible legacy as tributes flow for the much-loved Australian woman. We remember her life in pictures.
One of Australia’s most celebrated women Hazel Hawke has passed away at age 83 leaving behind an incredible legacy.
She was the wife of a former Prime Minister but a remarkable woman in her own right, influencing policy and advocating for issues she was passionate about.
Her biggest fight began 12 years ago when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
We remember this great Australian woman in pictures.
She was the wife of a former Prime Minister but a remarkable woman in her own right.
A young Hazel and former husband Bob Hawke.
The family: Ian, Sophie, baby Sue, Bob, Hazel and Rosalyn Hawke.
Pictured with close friend Wendy McCarthy.
With husband Bob Hawke during the 1987 election campaign.
Hazel was a talented pianist and always keen to entertain.
With then-husband Bob Hawke after he was voted out of the job as Australia’s PM.
After a decade of being on fashions worst and best dressed list, this leading lady is never scared to make a bold fashion statement.
From floor grazing gowns to stunning sequins and eye catching frills, Nicole Kidman is the ultimate couture queen – a style icon no matter the red carpet occasion.
Recently stepping out at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival wearing a L’Wren Scott eye catching gown, Nicole like usual maintained her style stand appeal.
See more of Nicole’s most stunning red carpet looks here!
At the 2012 Emmy Awards Nicole wore an Antonio Berardi white column dress.
At the ‘Stoker’ Premiere wearing an L’Wren Scott dress with a a Bottega clutch.
Nicole at the 2007 Oscars wearing a gorgeous scarlet Balenciaga gown.
At the Moulin Rouge 2001 Premier Nicole steps out in a frilly Tom Ford dress.
Nicole 2012 wearing a Lanvin gown which was custom-made by Alber Elbaz.
Nicole is all class in this Oscar de la Renta Fall 2013 black beaded gown.
Nicole at the 2013 Golden Globes in a Alexander Mqueen shapely gown.
Nicole in a sheer black Jean paul Gaultier dress at the 75th Academy Awards.
At the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards Nicole wore a L’Wren Scott Red Hot Dress.
Nicole wears a white embellished L’Wren Scott dress.
Posing in a gorgeous green L’Wren Scott Fall 2009 strapless dress.
At the 2011 Golden Globes wearing a cream gown by Prada.
Nicole at the 2013 Grammy Awards wearing a golden Vera Wang gown.
Nicole at the Golden Globes 2012 in a body hugging Versace studded gown.
At her ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ Premiere, Nicole wore two piece velvet red ensemble.
Nicole at Omega House opening wearing a sleeveless Azzedine Alaïa knit dress.
At the 2013 Oscars Red Carpet, Nicole captivated onlookers with a L’Wren Scott number.
Nicole wears a navy sequined Vivienne Westwood gown to the 2013 SAG awards.
Nicole wearing a eye catching L’Wren Scott Dress to the Cannes Film Festival.
Keeping things classy, Nicole wears an L’Wren Scott open Back dress. Wow!
Nicole wearing a Collette Dinnigan cocktail styled dress to the 2012 AACTA Awards.
Australian horticulturist Phillip Johnson has claimed best in show at this year's Chelsea Flower Show with his ecologically sustainable Australian style billabong garden build in the heart of London.
Phillip Johnson’s friends call him “the Crocodile Dundee of gardening” and, when you meet him, it’s clear where the moniker comes from. Phillip is not just into gardens, he’s enthralled by them. Mother Nature energises him: he loves to walk barefoot through his gardens, listen to the tumbling waterfalls in his natural billabongs and watch the rain fuel his creations.
“My grandparents were passionate, enthusiastic gardeners and they got me into gardening from a really young age. I guess it just sparked something,” he says.
“At the age of four, I was planting, and, by eight, I had a little 3m by 3m plot in my parents’ garden in Glen Waverley in the suburbs of Melbourne.”
Now 37, Phillip runs a sustainable landscapes company and is a presenter on Nine Network’s Garden Gurus.
Over the years he has developed his own unique, free-flowing garden style and there’s no better example of it than Olinda, the house and garden he created for himself from untamed bush in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
“I purchased the land about 10 years ago and there was nothing on the property, just the existing vegetation.
“I wanted to design and build something that would inspire people and that connected with the environment.
“There was no mains water on the property, so I thought we could capture all this water that comes off the driveway and run it down into these beautiful natural pools and billabongs,” explains Phillip.
“I built the house first and then the garden, so everything — the rocks, boulders and plants — had to come underneath the elevated driveway. We built on two levels, with a natural swimming pool at the top and a billabong beneath, with bream in it. I chose native plants to suit each location and built a gravel path through the landscape, because gravel helps the water percolate the soil.”
While Phillip built Olinda as a bachelor, he now shares the property with his wife Sarah and can’t wait to have kids and see them running around.
“My goal is to inspire everyone to have a sustainable Australian garden, to make the most of this country.”
How to create a Vertical Garden
What you need Back board: 1cm-thick recycled HDPE plastic sheet Growing medium of three layers — weed mat, felt, second layer of felt, all cut to fit the plastic sheet Drip line/soaker hose Staple gun Stanley knife Plants
What to do Use the staple gun to attach the first layer of weed matting to the plastic board, and then staple the first layer of felt. Run the soaker hose along the felt. Staple another layer of felt over the top to cover the soaker hose. Think about the planting design you want to create before choosing your plants. Select plants that are waterwise, and will work with the area you have chosen for your vertical garden. It’s best to have your plants fairly close together to cover the felt/board. Create slices in the top layer of felt — about 10cm long — for inserting your plants. Shake off excess soil before inserting your plants (one plant per slice). Staple the plants into position, making sure they’re held firmly. Move your new vertical garden into position.
What to consider A vertical garden doesn’t need a large site — or investment. You can even create one in a space as compact as an apartment balcony. Use lightweight materials and check on engineering requirements before attaching to walls or fences. Look to combine the vertical garden with a grey water recycling system or other sustainable water source. Consult your local nursery for advice on plants that will grow well in the area you live in. Carefully select plants to suit the “microclimate” of the site.
The former wife of Bob Hawke, Labor’s longest serving prime minister, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends following a long battle with dementia.
”The family appreciates the great affection many have for Hazel, but ask for privacy at this stage,” her daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke said in a statement.
“There will be a private funeral for family and close friends. A memorial celebration of her life will be held later at a time and place to be advised.”
Hazel is being remembered as a “courageous” and “gutsy” woman.
“Bob Hawke’s public achievements in the union movement and in government are unthinkable without Hazel’s steadfast support,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.
“After her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, Hazel’s life of service to Australia continued in ever more trying circumstances.”
Governor-General Quentin Bryce said Mrs Hawke was one of the most admired Australians in public life.
“She was gutsy, compassionate, and had a fierce intelligence and a wonderful sense of humour,” Ms Bryce said in a statement.
“My most special memory of her is of the time at the Opera House when she played the piano exquisitely.”’
Hazel, who was married to Bob for 38 years, became the public face of an Alzheimer’s campaign to raise awareness about the disease, after revealing she suffered from it.
Bob and Hazel divorced in 1994 and he went on to marry biographer Blanche D’Alpuget the following year.
Hazel spent her final years living a high-care nursing home.
Jennifer Aniston had a brief reunion with some of her Friends co-stars on a recent episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Jennifer, who co-hosted the show with Ellen on Tuesday in US, was joined by Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox for a skit.
In the spoof, Jennifer decides to stop by Matthew’s house for advice on co-hosting with Ellen, but he is surprised to see her, saying they haven’t stayed in touch since Friends went off air.
“We used to walk into each other’s apartments all the time,” Aniston argues. “I mean, we’re friends!”
“That was a TV show, we haven’t actually seen each other in a pretty long time, like eight years,” he retorts.
As the pair chat, Courteney Cox emerges from the house.
“You’re sleeping with her, too?!” Courteney exclaims. But she isn’t the only one in the house: she’s followed out by Portia de Rossi and Ellen herself.
See a sneak peek of the clip in the video player above.
It wet and chilly night but that didn't stop Sydney's biggest stars turning out to walk the sodden red carpet at the Australian premiere of Baz Lurhmann's The Great Gatsby yesterday.
It wet and chilly night but that didn’t stop Sydney’s biggest stars turning out to walk the sodden red carpet at the Australian premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby yesterday.
Baz and his wife Catherine Martin – the film’s production and costume designer – were joined by stars Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Elizabeth Debicki to launch the movie, which was filmed in Sydney.
A host of other celebrities turned out to support the film, including Sarah Murdoch, Delta Goodrem, Deborah Hutton, Danielle Spencer and Ita Buttrose.
Danielle Spencer, Carey Mulligan, Elizabeth Debicki, Deborah Hutton and Delta Goodrem.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
