INSIDE LARA'S CLOSET

Lara Bingle’s just returned from a whirlwind trip to visit her boyfriend, New York-based DJ Nick Cohen, and spend time in the Hamptons with one of her besties, model Elyse Taylor, when we meet to rummage through her wardrobe and discover just what it is that makes this Aussie beauty a style icon.

Since she was a teenager, Lara’s had that It girl aesthetic – something you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know it’s there.

It has a lot to do with her easygoing energy and, of course, how she puts herself together…

Today, the stunning 25-year-old is dressed casually in her signature colour, black, with a Saint Laurent bag over her shoulder and her fingers and ears adorned with jewellery by Dior and Karen Walker. And despite still unpacking her Louis Vuitton suitcases, Lara’s full of energy and happy to take us on another journey – this time through her favourite wardrobe pieces, the heady scents that adorn her bathroom shelves, a vast array of high heels and ankle boots, and the books and magazines she gets her inspiration from.

It’s quite the collection!

What’s your favourite piece in your wardrobe right now?
My Balmain jacket. It’s an investment piece that goes with everything. It’s the perfect blazer!

Which emerging designers are you into?
I love Christopher Kane, J W Anderson and Ryan Storer’s special pieces.

Has your style changed over the years?
As I’ve matured, I have started to invest in more classic, timeless pieces rather than buying current collections.

Where do you love to shop most?
The Balenciaga and Céline stores in Paris; Dover St Market in London; and Jeffrey in New York’s Meatpacking District.

Do you have pieces that tell a story?
I value the pieces in my wardrobe that tell a story over the designer items. I love my mother’s teenie leather pants from the ’80s and my vintage tees that I wear to music festivals. Putting these items on makes me smile.

GET LARA'S LOOK!
Rock signature pieces such as distressed denim with a fitted jacket for It girl groove



For the full interview, and more pics of Lara’s impressive wardrobe, pick up a copy of this week’s OK! magazine, on sale now!

Source: OK Magazine

WHAT'S LARA DRIVING AT?

What was Lara Bingle thinking when she got behind the wheel of her now infamous black Mercedes G350?

The car was parked but seeing the model and reality TV star behind the wheel was rather unexpected given she's been banned from driving until September 17 after a series of misdemeanors.

Last year alone, she was busted six times for speeding.

The controversial Bingle admitted to Confidential she'd been in the driver's seat but denied she'd driven her Merc through Double Bay where these shots were taken.

Bingle, 25, said she was simply "minding" the car while she waited for a friend.

"I slid over from the passenger seat to look after the car," she said yesterday. "I have an arrangement with a car service, Uber, who support my transportation needs so of course I wouldn't be driving."

So what freaked Bingle when she saw a photographer capturing her movements?

And coincidentally, a friend arrived moments later in a silver Maserati to pick her up.

Either way, we're glad she wasn't driving because it could have landed her some serious jail time.

Bingle last appeared in Waverley Court on September 18, 2012, before Magistrate Robbie Williams after being busted driving on a suspended licence. She pleaded guilty, was fined $3749, disqualified from driving for 12 months and placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond.

She is not allowed back behind the wheel until September 17.

Source: The Sunday Telegraph
Published Date: 9th June 2013

ARTICLE: EVOLVING CHAIN OF LARA'S BEST FRIENDS

Lara Bingle's girl crushes are clearly a wonder to behold.

The former reality star, model and businesswoman forms attachments to her female buddies that first appear to be set in concrete before they very slowly disintegrate.

In fact, they might as well have been built on the sands of Elouera beach.

"Lara changes besties like she does lip colour - it's hard to keep up really," commented one social observer.

Her new bestie is a quirky, platinum-haired artist/fashion designer, Vicki Lee.

The former student of posh, eastern suburbs private school Kambala, Lee and Bingle have become inseparable over the past nine months. Lee has become the new Hermione Underwood in Bingle's life - the blonde publicist who was almost her twin.

During her recent trip to New York, where she attended current boyfriend DJ Nick Cohen's brother's wedding, Bingle was positively pining for Lee, counting down the hours until they were together again, tweeting "Next 20 something hours ... see you on the other side @VickiLee".

Bingle, 25, even cut short another New York trip to attend the launch of Lee and her boyfriend Ted O'Donnell's exhibition IS/WET in Alexandria in March.

She tweeted to the couple "I am so proud of you".

All very lovely, but how long will it last?

Unfortunately, when it comes to her female besties, Bingle might as well have taken a leaf from the Paris Hilton guide to BFFs. Hot today, tepid tomorrow.

Hilton famously moves on fast from her friends, who have included everyone from Nicole Richie to Kim Kardashian.

Bingle fans will recognise Lee from the picture of her meeting Lara at the airport on May 30. Bingle threw her ams around the designer as if she had just returned from a spell in the deepest Congo and not from New York. While she was away, the two Skyped each other just to stay in touch.

It's the sort of behaviour pattern most usually seen in teenage girls, but then one of Bingle's best attributes is her sunny, playful manner.

Was it just so long ago that Bingle's bestie was Underwood, whom she met back in 2007 on a flight to LA?

PR and party girl Underwood became a mini celebrity herself when Bingle turned to her during her 2010 break-up with fiance Michael Clarke. They were inseparable, along with Bingle's other bestie, make-up artist Max May.

Quickly promoted to Bingle's manager, it was Underwood who had a major role in her 2012 Channel 10 reality series Being Lara Bingle. But when the professional relationship fell apart during the filming of the series, so did the personal one.

The two blondes now see each other only occasionally, and in the company of Lee.

Prior to Lee there was Christine Centenera, the-then fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, who turned Bingle around style-wise and started dressing her in Louis Vuitton.

Centenera, now senior fashion editor at Vogue, sent Bingle's career soaring with her makeover, but as fast as their friendship blossomed, it quickly faded from sight, as did Bingle's styling.

Perhaps Bingle becomes clingy with her besties because she was sister-deprived, having only had one brother, Josh.

Or perhaps she keeps her buddies tight after leaving school early, because of her successful modelling career. I imagine there was some jealousy from her schoolmates.

Either way, with the men in her life stepping into a constantly-revolving door, it is her close female friends that are the most constant.

At least for a while.

Source: The Sunday Telegraph
Published Date: 9th June 2013

LARA AND NICK SURVICE FIRST RELATIONSHIP HURDLE... SHE MET HIS PARENTS!

Lara Bingle has survived the first major relationship hurdle, meeting her new beau Nick Cohen's family.

The 25-year-old model attended The Intersection Paddington’s VIP shopping night yesterday fresh of a flight from New York City, where she attended the wedding of Cohen’s brother, Pete.

"We had his brother’s wedding over there which was amazing," Bingle told Confidential. "I’m pretty exhausted but the trip was great."

Australian model Elyse Taylor was also among the guests at the nuptials, which were held at Central Park’s Boathouse last week.

Bingle said she didn’t even have time to shop thanks to her commitments shooting Australian chain Cotton On’s new campaign and spending time with the DJ.

The reality star joined Pip Edwards and Hayden Quinn at the OK! Magazine shopping event, which saw labels such as Zimmermann, Scanlan & Theodore and Rachel Gilbert offer discounts on their current collections.

Source: Sydney Confidential
Published Date: 31st May 2013

JOIN THE BOWEL MOVEMENT: LARA AND SHARON BINGLE

Lara and Sharon Bingle know the tragedy of losing a loved one to bowel cancer. Father and husband Graham was only in his early 50s when he died from the disease. Lara's grandfather also died of bowel cancer. Screening is important - it can save lives.

Source: Join The Bowel Movement

MUM'S FAITH IN LARA

Lara Bingle’s mum has given her stamp of approval to her daughter’s relationship with DJ Nick Cohen — even though she’s never met him.

Sharon Bingle told Confidential she had faith in her daughter’s choice of bloke, and said she was having a great time in the US.

"I have not met the boy", she said at yesterday’s launch of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. "As long as my daughter’s happy, I’m happy."

Bingle was supposed to attend the event, of which she and Sharon are ambassadors, but was delayed in New York where she is shooting a campaign for Cotton On.

Source: Sydney Confidential
Published Date: 30th May 2013