Fashion's Olympic Charm

January 1st arrived and we were immediately hit with the usual 'get off the sofa, go to the gym then pour yourself a cucumber juice' media frenzy. However, this time round their predictable post-festive fitness message came with a twist.

Harper's Baazar/Max Factor/Marie Claire
L-R Victoria Pendleton, Keri-Anne Payne, Jessica Ennis

Whether picking up a newspaper, glossy mag or flicking through TV channels we're not only faced with the annual post-festive detox regime - as we enter Britain's Olympic year our favourite athletes have started popping up all over the shop. And we're not just talking about sports drinks ads... our top Olympic athletes are now endorsed by the world's fashion and beauty arenas.

 It's an exciting time within an industry that's so often criticised for being shallow and noxious. Forget Hollywood actresses or reality TV rejects, there's a new breed of cover stars in town, who are tenfold more worthy of such accolades. And with Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton and Keri-Anne Payne recently snapped up by beauty giants Proctor and Gamble (Jess to represent Olay, Victoria for Pantene's Sleek and Smooth Range and Keri-Anne for Max Factor Gold False Lash Effect), their advertising pulling power is set to bring them a long and worthy career way after they bring home the medals... 

L-R: Jessica Ennis - Heptathlete; Victoria Pendleton - Cyclist; Keri-Anne Pane - Swimmer

From sporting stars to fashion icons - here's a favourite, brief snapshot of some recent coverage these golden girls have been getting:

JESSICA ENNIS

Jessica Ennis for UK Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for UK Vogue

VICTORIA PENDLETON

Victoria Pendleton for Sunday Times Style Magazine

Victoria Pendleton for London Evening Standard

Victoria Pendleton for Harper's Bazaar

KERI ANNE PAYNE

Keri Anne Payne for Links of London

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor (shot by Rankin)

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor

Beautiful, talented and strong, these sort of inspirational role models make you proud to be British... bring on London 2012!

FEATURED BANGS: Francoise Hardy

'BANG: A fringe of hair cut short and straight across the forehead. Often used in the plural’.

'BANGS: The practice of cutting horses' tails the same length was called "banging off," which led to this term for a woman's hairstyle'.

Whatever the linguistic origins, there are some personable icons of the 'bangs' that need little research, with their unabashed influence now steeped in popular culture.

With a musically influenced origin that dates back to the ninth century, to their controversial, rebellious resurgence in the 20s, Bangs are now most often associated with the rock n roll, rebellious girls of the 60s, whose fringed haircuts denoted their particularity of music, fashion and lifestyle. 


From Marie Quant to Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg to Pattie Boyd, every girl has their favourite sixties heroine. However October's kudos goes to the très-chic Francoise Hardy, whose bangs, music and style have stood the test of time to make this French singer and actress a key purveyor of sixties cool. Thanks to her doll-like beauty, impeccable dress, relaxed bangs and laid-back attitude (and rock star husband of course!), she's the obvious choice for the first 'Featured Bangs'. Classic forever, love her!