Though the ripple effect of the anarchic culture of the late 1970s never really seemed to dissipate, fashion has decreed that punk is officially back.

The organic intention of punk was counter-cultural, and its aesthetic founded in anti-fashion. Those who were present and active in its inception are understandably giving the cold shoulder to this contemporary ratification of the chaotic artistic movement as an on-trend style. However across the runways for FW13 there were still plenty of the studs, zips, spikes, deconstructed fabrics and hairstyles with attitude that are now fairly common place as captured in many a street-style image and seen backstage as a default off-duty model uniform. Frayed denim, biker boots, the imperfect ponytail- these hieroglyphs are still the elements that are deemed to add ‘edge’ to an ensemble and enable the wearer to stand out from the crowd.

Punk is about daring to be different. If Punk is back, its timing couldn’t be better.

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Click here to download the EL app directly from itunes or to register your account with the unlock code found in the front of you Essential Looks Book visit here.

With red carpet season well and truly underway, the super slick 12-day event that is the Cannes Film Festival did not disappoint in the style stakes for it’s 66th year- with everything from sequins to sculptured gowns on show.

The party kicked off with the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s hotly anticipated Great Gatsby, where Carey Mulligan, Cara Delevingne and Leonardo DiCaprio walked down a soggy red carpet for opening night sheltered by umbrellas. Leading lady Carey opted for a pale pink Dior couture gown and added a screen siren edge with a slick of fire engine red across her lips. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne went all-out Hollywood glamour in a black Burberry lace gown, hair swept back to reveal a sprinkling of Chopard diamonds and a heavy tough-girl brow.

Showing no signs of being tired despite her hectic schedule, Mulligan looked in great spirits as she arrived on the red carpet again last Sunday for the premiere of her new film Inside Llewyn Davis. Laughing and giggling in a standout monochrome Vionnet gown she kept her hair swept back and her make-up super- simple in tones of nude to showcase her alabaster complexion. In true gentlemanly fashion, co-stars Justin Timberlake, John Goodman and Garrett Hedlund kept to Carey’s monochrome themed palette in complimentary black and white suits.

Read the full story exclusively on the Essential Looks app:

Click here to download the EL app directly from itunes or to register your account with the unlock code found in the front of you Essential Looks Book visit here.

In this part we show you how to get the most out of this new app. Browse, read and play new content and of course dive into the wealth of knowledge that is the Trend Report. This app features the full Spring / Summer Colour Buzz collection. Enjoy.

Click here to download the EL app directly from itunes or to register your account with the unlock code found in the front of you Essential Looks Book visit here.

Here is part one of the animated How to Use guide for the new Essential Looks app. This video covers the basics of downloading and registering your inspiring new app.

Click here to download the EL app directly from itunes or to register your account with the unlock code found in the front of you Essential Looks Book visit here.

Essential Looks launches the new Essential Looks app for iPad. This app combines an incredible number of features including the EL Trend Report, Inspirational stories, videos, live streaming and the very latest fashion and hair news written exclusively for Essential Looks.

Running on the Apple iPad, it’s panelled and easy to use design will continually evolve bringing you even more exiting features, ways to explore and innovative tools. This is an “organic app” ever evolving from the “feedback and suggestions of it’s users”. The iPad app complements the new look Desktop Trend Report app perfectly, adding even more exciting and inspirational features on top and taking full advantage of the benefits of a touch screen device.

This app is free to download and use with news and inspiration sections open but current Spring Summer Essential Looks subscribers can access the full interactive Trend Report as well using the unlock code located in the front of their Essential Looks book. If you don’t have a code and would like to request one please use the contact for here