I love Love

It's official: Clothes Before Hoes is back in town. After a week larging in New York and DC, I'm back. Jet lagged and broke thanks to a trip to Fifth Avenue, I've spend the last few days catching up on coursework and planning my detox, I hate fasting, but after sampling the delights of every deli/burger bar I set eyes on, I really need to. But jet lag and extra pounds aside, I'm still buzzing from the lights of Times Square, the stunning view from the Empire State building, and the culture of DC. A hippie at heart, I love to travel, and after my first trip stateside, I'm itching to go back. So ... any offers to pay for my flight?

The last week as not only been amazing for me, it's also been an incredible week in the world of fashion, with the Brits Awards, Grammies, Baftas and Oscars showcasing the creme de la creme of contemporary couture, and fashion week rocking up on both sides of the Atlantic. I might have missed a lot in the fashion world this week, but one thing I've been certain not to miss is the debut issue of hot new fashion magazine, 'Love'.

'Fashion and fame' is Love in a mission statement, and is brought to us by the Conde Nast publishing house, home of Vogue and Glamour. Flicking through it's first issue, Love is like the cool twenty year old daughter of Tatler and Harper's. Reminiscent of Nylon magazine, Love is a a mixture of fashion, art and pop culture, with more than just a dash of celebrity and society thrown into the mix, served up with Agy D posing as the Queen in a stunning Lanvin dress.I'm loving it's look, lots of bright colours, swirly fonts and beautiful fashion photograghy, as well as its feel, with big, thick pages that make it worthy of even the most fashionable coffee tables. But what I love most about it is it's front cover girl, the punk singer who's known as much for her unconventional image as she is for her music; Beth Ditto. Fashion has long been surrounded by the controversial body image issues generated by the 'size zero' debate, and a world of emaciated models, I think it's refreshing to see a high profile magazine take such a positive stand and place such an unconventional icon on their cover. By the way, did I mention that she's naked?

That's right, daring to bare a few centimetres short of everything, Beth's photo shoot reveals the singer flaunting her body, underarm hair and all. Choosing to adorn her body in with custom made couture by Gareth Pugh and Louis Vuitton, and at times, with nothing at all, Beth's unashamed confidence is the perfect antidote to idolisation of unrealistic, anorexic bodies.

Another reason why I love Love? It features those amazing Loewe hats, not once, but twice; I'm sensing a Love and Clothes Before Hoes style connection! So what are you waiting for, go and grab your copy!