It’s hard to write about London, girls and empowerment without wanting to break out the Union Jack teatowel dress. But it’s not the 90s, and I’m definitely not Ginger Spice, so last night I exorcised a few teenage demons by popping by the launch party for Girlcore‘s new book and exhibition at the Orange Dot Gallery.

For the uninitiated, Girlcore is the kind of project  I wish had been around when I was 16, kicking about with my hair twisted into a poor imitation of Bjorks’ and consoling my best friends over the break-up of Take That. It’s an online and real-life community of like-minded girls who provide a showcase for other like-minded girls working in the creative industry, in the kind of supportive, mutually inclusive environment that makes me want to put on a Patti Smith record. The online portfolio of works from photographers and illustrators is an inspiring collection; it’s genuinely a club you might want to belong to. And nobody is screaming BLOODY FEMINISTS at them… and it doesn’t scare off the boys either. I know because I saw some last night.

The girls behind the Girlcore concept started out as friends still high on festival vibes who wanted to recreate their summer of love in the form of a London club night. Using their network of DJ and promoter friends, they started to build this mini-empire which was all about pushing forward their equality as talented female mates. From there grew the website, the online portfolio and now this book and exhibition which kind of solidifies the Girlcore identity. The influences and role models are varied, old and new; they’re Peaches and they’re Virginia Woolf and everyone in-between who has ever inspired anyone to do something creative.

Girlcore Magazine runs at the Orange Dot Gallery in London until February 27th. Head over to LOOKBOOKS to see the original story.

Vicks, 15 months pregnant with her first girl — who will, by the bye, be the best-dressed baby in the world so Suri Cruise, fall back — spoke to WWD about her new line along with her seemingly sassy “de facto chief executive officer” Zach Duane.

While Victoria envisions the line as representing her other, softer, less fierce grand diva bitch side, Zach tosses his weave back and tells it like it is: “We had to do something or we’d be a niche brand forever.”

The dresses were inspired by Emily the Strange and mix a very definite 60s silhouette with bright, vibrant colors, resulting in what Beckham refers to as her “most girly collection” ever. The Victoria dress line will also be less body conscious, with the designer’s intent to open them up “to women and girls of all different shapes and sizes.”

Aside from discussing her upcoming collection, the WWD article also offers an interesting portrait of the usually reserved Victoria Beckham. She comes off as just another “working mum” who likens the pressure to “juggling glass balls when you’ve got the kids and a husband to look after, and you’re passionate about your career.”

But the most interesting tidbit comes from Vicks’ longtime manager and Svengali, Simon Fuller, who explains Victoria’s ascent from the ashes of dVb, her joint brand with huzzy David :

“Very quickly we realized that she had a voice, there was demand, and more importantly, that she had her own brand that was very distinct from her life as David’s wife or them as a couple. We realized that the dVb brand name didn’t really work because they’ve taken very different paths, and what she stands for in the market is very different from what he stands for. We decided with the launch of the dress line that it would just be called Victoria Beckham and over a period of a few seasons, rebranded everything. DVb, as far as she’s concerned, does not exist anymore.”

Rather quietly and shrewdly, Victoria Beckham has carved a place for herself outside of David Beckham, the Spice Girls and her alien hyperbitch public image. And she did it with 3 kids hanging off of her and a 4th on the way — nevermind that she probably has 400 nannies and a full house staff. But of all the Spice Girls, who knew Posh would be the most successful? [WWD]

I’m not sure exactly what a bodywear line is but considering that promotion of it entails David posing in his underwear again, I’ll take it. Meanwhile, Homme, his third fragrance, is a collaboration with new licensing partner Coty Inc. and will start stinking up stores in September.

To go along with all this newness is a new logo designed by Alashdair Willis, also known as Stella McCartney‘s husband and founder of Announcement Creative. The hole stamped into the end of the name is supposed to represent a soccer ball…or a viewfinder which, as WWD explains, “can spotlight a product detail or visual flourish on various marketing materials.” Okay.

At 36, Beckham is nearing retirement age and branding himself is a deliberate attempt to ensure a future for himself and his ever-expanding brood long after the  announcer stops shouting “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!”

“David and I have a number of ambitious and exciting ideas in development across a broad range of categories,” says Simon Fuller, David’s manager who is also the mastermind behind American Idol and a little group known as The Spice Girls. “The next 10 years will see David evolve into being recognized, not just as an iconic sports figure, but also as an important entrepreneur.”

As long as he’s in his underwear, I’ll recognize him. Ladies, am I right? [WWD]

Clueless (1995)- If this 90′s classic wasn’t already on your top 10 movies list of style and rich girl ways well then start jotting! Alicia Silverstone is the best prepster out there, and no matter how old we are or how many fashion trends pass by Clueless will always remain a fashion favorite… through knee-high socks, more than enough argyle to handle, feminine school girl blazzers and especially because Britney Murphy was in it too!

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997)- A little on the dumb-ass side and I’m pretty sure no one would wear as much metallic and glitter as these two on screen best friends, but it’s still fun to watch their adventure in going back to their high school reunion and dominating the Madonna-inspired blasts from the pasts.

Spice World (1997)- Victoria Beckham‘s style may be taking over the style headlines a lot more than the Spice Girls do now, but it doesn’t mean that we would ever forget baby spice, scary spice, ginger spice, posh spice, sporty spice, or any other spices that I’m forgetting in between!

Jawbreaker (1999)- Catty and backstabbing what other way would a girl like their movies, when you accidentally kill your best friend in your favorite pumps?

The Virgin Suicides (1999)- When it comes to Kristen Dunst’s careless ways she makes any film look awesome! Sofia Coppola (director) filmed the movie in an angelic sort of sunlight state, and with the simplicity of the style on the girls, from sundresses to school outfits, the obsession of five boys falling in love with mysterious sisters begins, and they watch them on the road to suicide.

Factory Girl (2006)- Starring Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick a muse of all muses for the New York City life style of Andy Warhol. Not to mention, Mary-Kate Olsen gets her five minutes of fame getting to rock the furs and the smoking glam of this crazy 1960′s fashion filled film.

500 Days of Summer (2009)- Zooey Deschanel would be the perfect heart breaking type girl, with her vintage dresses and humorous ways as she completes every girls dream to crush the boy who’s insanely in love with her in nonchalant ways.

Whip It (2009)- Ellen Page plays a rebellious small town girl who creates a wicked life for herself in Austin, TX. And along with Drew Barrymoore and Landon Pigg she rocks her indie-child style with combat boots, random skirts, and bizarre rock band tees!

The Runaways (2010)- When hearing the names Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart you don’t normally think of one on one girl make out sessions or drug addict… which in their case would be a good thing but luckily these two actresses rocked the hell out of bringing the Joan Jett and Cherie Curie’s wild child style to life!

Black Swan (2010)- Obviously what kind of timeline would this be without listing Natalie Portman’s surprise act of dealing with perfection and giving us a mental image of just how good Rodarte ballet wear could be!

I’m totally digging this washed out barbie look… thoughts on the rest of the LOOKBOOKS album?

The Fanta Girls

TLC

3LW

The Spice Girls

Destiny's Child

The Cheetah Girls

The Pussycat Dolls

The Saturdays

Please ladies, the love is beautiful and all, but leave the matchy matchy up to identical twins, the junior class powderpuff football team or a dance group on America’s Best Dance Crew!

And the Glamour Women Of The Year Award goes to… Kate Beckinsale.

At the awards show, Kate (above at the awards), 34, won for best film actress. Beautiful, sweet, very deserving Kate!

Other notable winners include:
Editor’s Special Award – Lily Allen
Entrepreneur – Kate Moss
Newcomer – Hayden Panettiere
UK Solo Artist – Leona Lewis
Band – The Spice Girls

Okay, first of all, how is Kate Moss and entrepreneur? I give her credit for cleaning up her act (as much as she could) and making a huge comeback into modeling, but just because the model thinks she’s a designer (her collection for Topshop didn’t do too well) doesn’t mean she’s an entrepreneur.

Is Hayden the newcomer of the year because she showed her back in a photoshoot and maintains a daily column on Parez Hilton and The Superficial.

And The Spice Girls? Really, were there no other bands nominated? Uh, I give up…