Firstly I have to apologise for the frankly lame title of this post, I just can’t resist a bit of shameless appropriation. Secondly I know the subject of Cara Delevingne seems about as original as the blogger tastic ensemble I rocked on Monday. But bear with me, because this is one of occasions where I’d especially love to hear from you lot. The other night I slipped off my J.Crew sheepskin slippers and tucked myself into bed in my tartan PJs and cosy cashmere socks armed with a mug of peppermint tea and set about getting stuck into the February issues.The first thing I noticed, leafing through the many gorgeous ad campaigns on display before the first article, was the fact that Cara Delevingne starred in not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 of them. Namely, mulberry (above), DKNY, La Perla and Saint Laurent make up. This was not the first time I’d encountered Miss Delevingne that day nor would it be the last, she’s everywhere. And despite having been E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E for some time now, it doesn’t appear that her proverbial fifteen minutes are even close to being up. This, I know, isn’t exactly news but it got me thinking, what is it about Cara that has the world so enraptured? What unique qualities have made her fame and career eclipse that of her sister?

La Perla SS14 Campaign

Cara Delevingne is beautiful, well obvs, but dare I say it no more gorgeous than Karlie Kloss or Jourdan Dunn. I mean really, they’re all goddamn goddesses. But yet, it’s Cara who makes headlines on a daily basis, walked in practically every AW13 show, then had the clout to basically opt out next season and still scores more Vogue covers and major advertising campaigns than the lot. This led me to wonder that perhaps the key to this particular model’s meteoric success lies not in her good looks, banging bod, posing prowess or business acumen. Perhaps the reason fashion brands and fans alike go cray cray for Cara D is more down to her highly publicised personal life and possibly even her personality itself, or at least what we conceive her personality to be. Whether or not the Cara’s knack for face pulling selfies, A list besties and inherent naughtiness are a clearly calculated PR strategy, it’s sure as hell worked out brilliantly for her. She neither pretends to be perfect not subscribes to the Kate Moss school of enigmatic mystery which, I suspect, may not have been quite so effective in an age where everyone wants to know what their idols had for breakfast and swiftly direct their attentions elsewhere if their demand for 24/7 selfies goes unmet.

Cara Delevigne closing the Chanel Haute Couture SS14 show

Cara’s backstage snaps

But of course, merely sharing the ins and outs of ones daily grind does not a megastar make. It’s got to be something people want to see and secretly, or openly for that matter, desire to emulate. A reason so many social media addicts flock to Cara D’s Instagram feed is no doubt because they can be damn sure those snaps won’t just be of her at home reading a novel. Cara spends New Year’s Eve partying with Rhianna, casual afternoons causing global scandal by snuggling with Michelle Rodriguez and last Tuesday morning opening and closing the Chanel haute couture show, playing muse to Monsieur Lagerfeld, documenting the lot with a series of gleeful and goofy selfies. On paper, Miss Delevingne seems like the ultimate rockstar supermodel but maybe the obvious joy and excitement she takes and shares in experiencing something most people could only dream of proves she is not so far removed after all. If you spent a night with Rhianna, let’s be honest, that shit would be all over Instagram. And that’s precisely what Cara does.

Cara & Rhianna’s New Year’s Eve night out

Michelle Rodriguez & Cara Delevigne getting cosy on the baseball FROW

As a supermodel, she appears to be both a combination of unbelievably lucky and comparatively relatable. For as long as I’ve read magazines it’s been something of an A list obsession to pretend they’re just normal people when of course, clearly they’re not. So no wonder we love (or love to hate) it when famous females openly live the excessive, jet set, high rolling lifestyles most of us can only fantasise about. The more major campaigns and famous mates Cara Delevingne acquires, the more she can revel in these particular perks of her job. The more her antics reach our ears, or rather our iPhones, the more we talk about her, the more campaigns she lands and thus, the cycle continues. Or at least, that’s one theory on it.

The question I’m really putting to you dear readers, is what do you think it is about Cara Delevingne that has kept her star rising and looks to keep it doing so for the foreseeable future. Is it her differences from other supers and celebs? Her willingness to share her life, flaws n’ all? Or just a combination of good genes and even better luck? Ultimately it comes down to the question of what it is exactly that elevates someone from the realms of mere celebrity and makes them a phenomenon.

What do YOU think?

Love Ella. X

Have you ever been to Amsterdam? I first went aged 18. This decision was prompted largely by the fact my Dad was dead set against it, something than instantly made my visiting the Dutch capital inevitable. As the lone female in a large group of boys the trip itself involved a whole lot of aimlessly wandering around the Red Light District, very disgusting hostels and fast food that came out of vending machines. Needless to say, I didn’t enjoy the experience. Since that deeply unpleasant trip I’ve been back to Amsterdam, discovered the impossibly picturesque, gallery packed and generally gorgeous side of it and fallen hard. If you’re not a scrubby, clueless teenage tourist it’s a city of such immeasurable culture and coolness you’re left daydreaming of the canal boat lifestyle. In recent years Amsterdam has also shown itself to be a veritable hotbed of exciting fashion talent. Case in point, Stills.

I feel bad that I’m only posting about Stills now. I was introduced to the brand months and months ago so you may well be very familiar with them by this point. But then again, you may not. Theirs is a subtle, unassuming elegance. Once that resides in their Amsterdam atelier, focusing on perfecting the cut of their cloth, the architectural brilliance of their stores and the captivating beauty of their imagery rather than dressing ‘slebs or splashing themselves all over social media. Now, I’m a big advocator of using all the technological tools available to promote one’s wares far and wide but there’s something about the cool, calm and collected way designers Korrie Vulkers and Martin Tramper go about their business that is utterly compelling. I also suspect that they know, once someone’s stumbled across the understated sensuality of Stills they won’t forget it anytime soon even if they have to hunt a little harder than usual to find it. It is in fact only now, some five months on from being introduced to the brand that I’ve finally ‘got’ what the name’s all about; stillness, which, in a world that couldn’t be moving any faster is a rare and delectable luxury. That’s not to say for one minute that their creations are boring. You know me, I’ve no time for head-to-toe neutrals. Admittedly Stills gives great neutral, in tactile worked fabrics, buttersoft leathers and sumptuous silks, but they also deliver a myriad of rich hues which leave me weak at the knees every time I look at them.

Spring/Summer 2014 provides a crystal clear example of this fusion of minimalism and eye candy. Razor sharp cuts and stark monochrome shades meet painstakingly concocted, hand woven raffia jacquards, delicate prints and melt-in-your-mouth colours. Gossamer fine, draped and flowing shapes are juxtaposed with structured silhouettes echoing the striking modernism of their Dopel Strijkers designed boutiques. Though a myriad of contradictory qualities and a rigid adherence to their core brand values, Stills is a brand to watch for 2014 and beyond. I recommend snapping up a piece or three now and revelling in feeling thoroughly smug.

Stills is currently stocked in the UK at Harvey Nichols and Fenwicks, Bond Street. More stockist info here.

Love Ella. X