If lingerie does its job right, it goes far beyond the functional. It’s tactile, sensual, confidence-boosting. For the past few weeks we’ve been partaking in an Olympic sized (well, not quite) celebration of all things lingerie, spurred on by the release of new collections from the world’s leading lingerie brands. It’s one of the few categories of clothing where seasons have little to do with…

Maria Maria… she reminds me of a Westside Story… The title of this shoot by 35mm photography, Maria Maria, sends the notes of Carlos Santana’s guitar vibrating through my head. But this Maria is polar opposite to the dark-haired beauty who grew up in Spanish Harlem. This Maria has red-hair and freckled skin, and inhabits the opulence of a classical garden.

With the redux of 1970s fashion has come, in the past few seasons, a whirlwind of styles revived from the era. There’s been a movement of all things glam, a reflection of sequins under disco-ball light; there’s been a daytime sophistication of wide-leg silhouettes and masculine tailored sensuality; and there’s been a sweeping romance with the relaxed moods and flowing layers of the hippie movement.…

It may have been inspired by the riche glamour of the 1970s, but the beauty looks in this shoot by 35mm couldn’t be more now. Credit to makeup artist Phoebe Goulding for honing in on a selection of the hottest lip colours for spring; keeping the eyes sultry yet minimal in just a lashing of mascara and faint shimmer of eye shadow.

Part of 2011′s reinterpretation of 70s fashion has been about daywear, from tailored flares to crochet tops to the must-have crowning accessory of a felt floppy hat. But the other part is all about 70s glamour. It’s about disco. It’s lurex and floor-length gowns and wrists that drip with gold jewellery. Capturing that mood with today’s dose of disco styling inspiration is photographer Matt Solomon,…