These days it’s all about younger siblings upstaging you. The Geldolf sisters are constantly in competition with each other- Peaches was said to have stormed out of a club when her younger sister Pixie had apparently ‘stole’ her new goth image. Lindsay Lohan’s younger sister Ali is also on the rise and set to overtake her sister in the child star ratings this year.

But it’s Alex Watson, younger brother of Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who has averted attention away from his sister the most so far this year. Emma, who was on wow.ie’s Best Dressed List of 2009 has had to share her striking good looks with her brother. The actress turned model who has fronted Burberry Prorsum’s advertising campaign for the past few seasons has let her brother step into the limelight with her. Both are modelling in the Burberry campaigns for Christopher Bailey’s Spring/Summer ’10 collection that are set to explode onto the high street with trench coat imitations popping up already. With similar features as Emma and a jaw line to die for, Alex is set to be a concrete feature in the model industry. He has also embarked on an acting career, posing as an extra in two Harry Potter films. However judging by these Mario Testino shots from their recent photo shoot, there will be no jealously involved.

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A new wave of uber cool starlets are about to cause a tidal wave in the fashion industry. Forget Agyness, Alice and Alexa, these new faces are a younger, more daring bunch that are already making a name for themselves.

First up is Taylor Momsen (above). The Gossip Girl star is surprisingly similar to her on screen person, Jenny Humphrey, both in age and style. Momsen is a rebellious 16 year old that not only stars in one of the biggest shows since The OC, but has recently fronted a modelling campaign for New Look. The collection (in stores now) boasts grungy pieces mixed with girly symbols such as cute love hearts to match sweetheart necklines. Teaming them with over the knee socks will unleash the goth within you. With a feature in The Sunday Times Style magazine and fronting the girl band Pretty Reckless, it’s a blessing in disguise that she was pipped by Miley Cyrus to attain the role of Hannah Montana at the last minute – her look would have been extremely different no doubt.

A lot of young stars recently are the offspring of famous musicians, models and designers. Take Daisy Lowe for example, daughter of Pearl Lowe and Gavin Rosedale. How else could they afford to support their shopping habits that keep them looking on trend? Coco Sumner, Sting’s daughter (above), used her father’s music connections to make a name for herself in the music industry. Her musical alter ego, I Blame Coco, have just released a debut album with collaborations with Swedish electro pop queen Robyn. But it is still her clothes that get the attention. She too has a modelling contract and was apart of the star studded Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer ’10 campaign (pictured top). Blessed with the good looking gene, her look is more dishevelled that Momsen’s but with a similar overall aesthetic with ripped tights and smudged eyeliner. She has an uncanny resemblance to Alexa Chung at first glance – perhaps it’s the Kurt Kobain locks and signature pout, but is more fashionably daring than her predecessor.

Another descendent of rock and roll royalty is Georgia May Jagger. Much like Taylor and Coco, she too has a modelling contract and has numerous campaigns and magazine covers under her studded belt. She fronted the Rimmel campaign last year, taking over from Kate Moss and Lily Cole, and her luscious lips mimic that of her fathers and provide a perfect canvas to advertise their lipsticks, especially the scarlet shade. She has also modelled for Hudson and Versace and has strutted down the catwalk for both labels. Her signature gap toothed smirk has made for interesting conversation, saying in an interview in Vanity Fair that “I think my gap adds character”. She has had editorials in Vogue, I.D Magazine and Vanity Fair, and will undoubtedly continue on this season with a few more.

These ‘style iconettes’ are every girls style envy, and we too can take inspiration from them by incorporating little aspects into our everyday wear. Their music leaves a lot to be desired and not comparable to their famous parents but what they all have in common is style, undercuts and suspenders; the effect might be just as devastating to mothers as a tsunami.

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This Springs new trend that emerged back in September on the Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks of all the major fashion houses has been coined the Utility Trend. It has been deemed both hard-wearing and chic. It isn’t a far cry from last years fashion safari with a similar colour palate-muted beiges, greens and browns that overpower this trend.

The key items in this military derived trend are oversized parkas, cargo trousers in cotton or silk and military jackets. However much a re-run of the nineties this trend may resemble, it does not mean you should dig out your copy of What’s the Story Morning Glory or the parka worn to mimic the Gallagher’s and Richard Ashcroft. This time around it is more refined and clean cut, not the baggy and dirty Brit pop look. Louise Trotter, Joseph’s creative director says “Less nineties grunge, more Brigitte Bardot in the sixties. This look is strong but sexy, and best worn with heels, not hunters.”

The jacket has been reworked by many different designers. At Louis Vuitton, the classic bouclé jacket has been transformed into a Sergeants dream with large button down pockets. The shoulder silhouette-loving Christopher Decarnin has declared war on rival fashion houses with his brass buttoned tail coats and dripping sequined shoulders at Balmain. Jackets are to be worn belted, not slouchy, and chinos should be teamed with chunky heels for the added edge.

Phoebe Philo, new creative director at Céline has created utility work-wear that will have you marching in line around the office. In Hessian shades, starched fabrics are a testament to military wear. She also included leather skirts in a variety of colours, and leather t-shirts that will have everyone vying after them. Christopher Bailey is always at the forefront of any look that boasts a muted colour palette and this season trenches at Burberry Prorsum will have you ticking all the right boxes. Bailey also introduced another trend into the mix- socks and chunky sandals. What was once associated with unfashionable men in the summer, has now been reinvented and made quirky. Get your pair from the high street in stores such as Topshop, Gap and River Island. Knitted and ribbed, these wonders should tide you over until that Burberry trench finally becomes affordable.

Fashionistas- Forward march!

Top L-R: Balmain, Burberry Prorsum, Celine, Rag & Bone, Liam Gallagher

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Icy pathways, slippery stairs, treacherous commuting conditions – surely one wouldn’t dare don a pair of heels – or would they?

Hardcore fashion lovers may have wrapped up in cashmere and snooded themselves in winters must have accessory but no matter how snowy or icy the ground became, nothing could tear them away from their beloved high heels. Luckily, no one caught my Naomi Campbell impression as I skidded my way into the New Year gracefully.

Celebrities are accustomed to wearing heels almost everyday and they certainly weren’t going to give up that easily when a bit of snow fell over the Christmas period. Alex Curran stepped out in towering studded heels while shopping in Liverpool. Across the frozen pond, Jennifer Lopez needed the help from her many assistants to stop her from slipping into the evil grasp of the dreaded paparazzi.

However caution must be taken during this tempestuous weather. Dr. Rick Pullinger, a consultant in emergency medicine said “typically people were coming in with injuries sustained from slipping on the ice almost as soon as they stepped out of their front door”. Surely that shouldn’t dampen our spirits as much as the snow has dampened our hair?

To most of us, the Christmas period is all about style and a dazzling appearance. While the more sensible folk stuck to flats – dare I say my mother crunched on the ice in her golf shoes – us stubborn fashionistas could not attempt to leave the house without the uncomfortable comfort of our six inch wonders during the party season.

Perhaps this decision was justified by the many models that have slipped and slid their way down the catwalks over the years. Who can forget Vivienne Westwood’s monstrous strappy heels from her Spring/Summer ’07 collection that had model Kamilia Wawryzina tip toeing and tumbling on the runway, watering can in hand. Or that poor Prada model from Spring/Summer ’09 who has now become youtube.com gold receiving over 500,000 views since the video was uploaded a year ago. Even Alexander Mc Queen tested his models in his latest collection with futuristic moulded platforms Schiaparelli would be proud of. If heels can cause models to fall on a clean, obstacle free runway and get up smiling, what’s the harm in tackling the freeze in style?

Flats and festive glam simply do not mix, unless of course you are The Kills/The Dead Weather singer Alison Mosshart, but even she is partial to some Prada. She admitted to Alex Blimes in an interview in Vogue’s February issue that when she saw a pair of studded brown leather shoes on Kate Moss, she just had to have them.

It is undeniable that we put style before sense, and many of us have ended up succumbing to the power of ice by using it to nurture our battered feet after an attempted high-heeled strut. Companies have tried to relieve the stubborn heel wearer by inventing items such as non-slip pads that help grip the ground better and may prevent falling, or at least looking like a duck waddling down the road. Maybe next year we will remember to bring a larger clutch to carry flats in for the walk home, along with a harness and ski sticks.

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I stumbled across this online store and upon further investigation, I immediately fell in love. Focussing mainly in handmade jewellery and handbags, the stores’ owner and main designer, Rachel Lamb, makes an online shopping experience as personal as actually going into a store.

Hannah Zakari, meaning ‘blossom’ in Japanese, promotes smaller, more independent designers that fear that their work will be no match to their high street contemporaries. However, all the UK designers, and some international ones, are unique in their own right and are extremely talented. Each item on sale on Hannah Zakari is hand picked keeping that unique ideal in mind, and Lamb has certainly created an intimate online shopping environment that is perfect for a personal treat or a gift for a friend. Ranging from intricate handmade items to wonderful vintage pieces, Hannah Zakari is the place to hide from the grasps of the high street and opt for something original no one else will have.

The charm necklaces are a personal favourite formed of rusty keys, watches and lockets, and most of them are one of a kind which makes them that bit more special than the ubiquitous charm bracelet craze that has exploded with the introduction of the Pandora design. Treat yourself to a pair of bow earrings or a teapot necklace everyone will be vying for!

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Everyone can note ‘exercise more’ on their dreaded New Years resolution list this year but a new trend that is set to explode this spring will have us looking the part. Unfortunately it cannot guarantee the getting into shape aspect of the bargain.

Track pants are the new take on tracksuits bottoms, keeping a similar shape but using cotton and jersey materials for that comfortable feel and effortless look. Seen on the Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks of Proenza Schouler (above) and Bottega Veneta, these pants are set to transform the street silhouette. Bottega Veneta have opted to stick to the harem shape, but changing the fabrics and ensemble to fit in with this new look.

However, it is important not to get confused and actually wear these to the gym; unless of course you have the pins to wear them with flats. The idea is to team them with some sort of chunky heel and a tight upper half piece to stop looking like you’ve just come from a gruelling game of tennis. The chic transformation of the ubiquitous tracksuit is a saviour for those of us who have been squeezing into tight trousers and jeans over the Christmas period. What’s great about them is that you won’t end up looking like Madonna or Missy Elliot in their favoured Adidas get up, or indeed the Hilton’s with their love of Juicy Couture. These high end trousers certainly do not have anything scrawled across the backside or hideous stripes going down the side of each leg. Instead, they are available in a variety of muted colours and for the more daring fashionista- the not so garish stripes of the navy silk Proenza Schouler pair should suit your tasteful palette.

It’s nice to know that when you come in from a hard day of work (or shopping for those of you who can still afford to splurge), that you can curl up in your outfit without having to change. It’s like being a sporty young teenager all over again!

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Two thousand and nine was a very fashionable year that topped off quite a fashionable decade. There have been many celebrities who got the look right at every red carpet event, and others who always got it wrong. My top five best dressed celebrities (well six if you count the Olsen’s separately) are a mixture of actresses, models, reality TV show and fashion designers, and in some cases, all four. They have all been photographed in the front row of fashion weeks in New York, Paris and London, and have even been sitting together. Maybe their fashion tips have rubbed off on each other?

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been leaders of the celebrity trends ever since the beginning of the 00s. But this year they both excelled in coining their own style. While they are both fans of the platform- even for popping out for a Starbucks- they do have quite contrasting styles. Ashley is the preened one of the two with sleek Oscar de la Renta gowns accompanied by styled hair and impeccable make-up. Mary-Kate on the other hand opts to rustle through vintage stores to get that unique red-carpet look. Her once boho-meets-dustbin look has been thrown away in favour of more designer gear. The two provide inspiration for designers such as Giambaltista, Proenza Schouler and Givenchy, and they also design themselves with two lines; The Row and Elizabeth and James (cutely named after the other siblings). They have recently joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America and have helped increase sales of such items as leather leggings and Balenciaga has Ashley to thank for their boost in handbag sales. These are just some of their key looks from this year.

Alexa Chung is never far away from a best-dressed list and of course she has to be mentioned in this one. Annoying voice and pretentious demeanour aside, this girl has definitely got a unique style and has everyone lusting after her get-up. She mixes vintage and high street perfectly, and has recently thrown designer into the mix with the rise of her pay cheque. Her move to NYC has been nothing but positive for this Brit, however her weight seems to have plummeted due to her hectic schedule. Her wardrobe doesn’t seem to be suffering though as she showed off her never-ending pins this year in denim shorts and mini skirts which were juxtaposed by her love of men’s clothes- from band tees to over-sized blazers.

Her overall look is Kurt Cobain meets Coco Chanel, with a bit of everything in between. A highlight from her 2009 wardrobe was a vintage navy sequined mini dress teamed with battered heels she wore to the NME Awards. With more television coverage and her new show It’s on with Alexa Chung, she has been a designer clothes horse. With friends like Christopher Bailey and Henry Holland, it’s no wonder she always looks amazing. What makes it worse is that she is one half of the coolest couples around. Surely it’s not fair that she has both the wardrobe and Alex Turner!

Chloe Sevigny has been around since the late 80s from her Freaks and Geeks days, but has since come into her own as the ultimate fashionista. She has such a dazzling résumé for someone in their early thirties- she now has her own clothing line for Opening Ceremony, and is the face of Chloe perfume. And with such a high profile and natural fashion sense, some of her outfits from this year have really set the bar high for any wannabe style princesses out there.

Mimicking the Miu Miu catwalk models in an underwear-as-outerwear ensemble and then coming up with her own trends such as socks with sandals at Coachella festival in California (one way of preventing blisters), Chloe goes to all the right parties and wears all the right outfits, and showing off her key features while she’s at it. Like Alexa, she’s a fan of nerd-chic, so nerd glasses and way-farers were a must with every look this year and no doubt it will carry on into 2010.

Whitney Port first turned heads with her quirky take on the American clean look in The Hills but has outdone herself this year in The City. Working in Fashion PR and fashion houses like DVF has certainly helped her wardrobe, no matter how weak the term ‘working’ is for her. She seems to follow trends subtly yet adds her own personality by teaming them with gold accessories in the form of rings and over-sized watches- much like the Olsen’s. Her golden locks sure help with her wardrobe palate enabling her to wear everything and anything. She is a fan of Marc Jacobs and dons designer gear to fashion events and parties. Using her reality TV show status to propel her into the fashion limelight appears to have been an excellent move as she has recently designed her own collection thanks to her coverage on the show.

Her love of body-con dresses by night contrasts her day look of jeans and trophy jackets. She too shows off her key features that happen to be her amazing legs- the navy dress she wore on her first date with her Ozzie beau Jay made me want to amputate them and disguise them as my own!

And finally, the youngest member of the Fantastic Five is Emma Watson. She sure has come a long way since the first few Harry Potter premiers where she was clad in matching tanks and cardigans. She now floats up the red carpet in designer gowns. It’s not only the magical film premiers she has been attending; this year has seen her social status soar and her fashion sense has too. As the face of Burberry’s Ready to Wear AW 2010 collection and is now friends with the brands creative director Christopher Bailey, Watson has blossomed into a fashionista that will certainly have her older equals green with envy. One look that epitomised her transformation was a canary yellow embellished Burberry dress which she wore to their catwalk show that closed London Fashion Week in September. This made her a force to be reckoned with and will certainly carry her into the next decade. I wonder what spell she cast on herself to become so fashionable.

All these women have taken style to the next level proving that one can create their own individual look. They however have the help of designer friends and bursting purses which makes it a tad harder for us everyday women to successfully pull off their effortless look. But who doesn’t love a challenge? Especially now that high street stores are more speedily copying the catwalk pieces, we are sure to be on next years best dressed list, at least in the workplace!

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There is something extremely intriguing about the designer Peter Jensen. Maybe it’s the allure of his Danish homeland imprinted in him, or it could be the fact that he is not very well known to the masses. He is however undeniably popular within the fashion world and his high street collaborations over the past few seasons have elevated his designer status.

Originally from Denmark, Jensen’s fashion story began with his “fat neighbour” whom he used to make clothes for. It was these tailored outfits that accelerated his love for designing and he enrolled in a six-month embroidery course. Here he was trained with utmost discipline and traditional techniques which still permeate his collections today. He reminisces about the tough methods and divulges that they would have to wash their hands in cold water and wear white gloves so the fabrics would not get dirty. Jensen has never forgotten his Danish roots and derives inspiration from Danish TV shows such as Matador and his dollhouse inspired spring 2010 collection reminds one of Ibsen’s renowned play A Dolls House. He completed a B.A degree in Fashion Design in Denmark where he studied the art of womenswear and he then went onto do an M.A Menswear Fashion Design in Central St. Martin’s in 1999. The Static Show (a month long exhibition of graduates collections) in which he took part to win an Italian backer focused on his menswear label, and to his surprise he won the financial backing. Jensen now teaches the Menswear M.A at CSM as well as focussing on his own work.

His menswear collections are mainly inspired by his personal style and also based on a Mike Leigh character, Keith, from the film Candace Marie. He is huge admirer of Thom Browne who he believes he goes “as far as you can go with menswear before it becomes grim”. For his latest womenswear collection, it was American artist Laurie Simmons that influenced his designs. Instead of a regular catwalk show, Jensen fused his love of film and photography to show his collection in a surreal dollhouse based on the monographic facets of Simmons’ work. Jensen is a fan of clean cuts and uses a multitude of fabrics and techniques to manipulate his clothes onto each model. “I like the cleanliness of American sportswear from the fifties”, and is a fan of Madeline Vionnet who predicted the future would be sportswear. This collection was awash with bright prints and peppered with some intricate embroidery detailing.

He is also a contributor to the website showstudio.com, where along with many other designers and photographers such as Alexander McQueen and Nick Knight he fuses fashion and film. However is adamant on his theory that fashion is not an art form, and that it is the way it is portrayed that is in itself the art-take styling photo shoots for example.

Peter has collaborated with many different labels and stores, such as Opening Ceremony, Urban Outfitters and Topman/Topshop. His most successful collaboration however was with Fred Perry. He was commissioned to use a misprinted Loral from the 1930s which added a vintage feel to his already European aesthetic. He also has a strong celebrity fan-base which includes the infamous Amy Winehouse, Helena Rubenstein and singer Nina from the Cardigans. He tends to design with these people in mind, and loves bizarre and not so obvious muses.

Having lived in London since his M.A, Jensen is intrigued by English pop culture as it infiltrated his youth in Copenhagen. He is more concerned with the conservative aspect of womenswear and doesn’t rate the sensual side as highly as some British designers-“Sexy is an English disease.” Jensen is certainly set to impress next season but kept his collection under wraps throughout the intimate interview in the University of Creative Arts, Epsom, in November.

www.peterjensen.co.uk

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Conveniently in time for Christmas, Nick Knight has just released a book of his most famous/infamous fashion photographs.

Knight first exploded onto the fashion scene back in the 1980s with his unconventional methods of photography. From digital manipulation to streaming shoots live on the net, Nick Knight has transformed the art of fashion photography and his book documents his most famous works. Some of the models he has photographed range from supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to the luscious curves of Sophie Dahl, which have since disappeared. While an exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of showstudio.com takes place in Somerset House in London, the book aims to reach a wider audience and show just how influential Knight has been. He has shot multiple covers of Vogue and Wonderland and has done many a fashion spread for Dazed and Confused; most notably the Levi Strauss campaign in 1996. He has also worked on many designer campaigns with Jil Sander and his creative equal Alexander McQueen- who is an avid fan of the showstudio movement as he too believes in capturing the event in time be movement and making it accessible to the masses.

He uses inspirational figures that may seem like unlikely candidates. While he has used a plethora of famous models and personalities, he also casts people in their 60s and people with physical disabilities. “My aim has always been to push at the boundaries of what is and isn’t beautiful” Knight admits. “Instead of our perception of beauty opening up, it’s becoming more narrow all the time”. He is a firm believer in this aforementioned imperfection and states that “anyone with a brain knows that it is the quirkiness and imperfection in a person that attracts other people.”

Knight is famously so involved in his work and he even flew to China while the book was in print just to make sure everything was to his taste. “From the moment I conceive an image to the moment it is completed, every step along the way, I am interacting with it, changing it, pushing my thoughts and beliefs on to it”.

The book entitled ‘Nick Knight’ is published by HarperCollins (£50). It is a perfect gift for a fashion lover, photography expert or even just an admirer of art. Definitely a collectors item for those of you who wish to aspire to be as great as this fashion Knight.

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Music and fashion have always come hand in hand. When the Beatles were first styled by Fiona Adams, they appealed to the masses and their many looks set off trends that are still being reinvented today- take the iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club military jacket designed by costume duo Bermans & Nathans for example. Female musicians are usually at the forefront of this styling trend; Diana Ross and the Supreme’s sparkled in matching dresses and Lady Gaga now wears haute couture pieces on tour by the likes of Alexander Mc Queen. Florence Welch is another star whose individual style has been splattered across every fashion publication over the past few months.

However it is the men who seem to be reverting back to the Beatles heyday. A new trend emerging from recording studios today is that bands are opting to employ stylists to help perfect their look. Whatever happened to the do it yourself mantra of Morrissey that had fans on bicycles following him around Manchester in his trademark nerd glasses and Smith’s tees? No longer do the same dirt encrusted jeans and creased t-shirts of bands’ first album suffice, unless of course they have been manipulated that way on purpose.

When they first started out, Kings of Leon wore clothes tailored by Mother Followill which made it very difficult for people to emulate their style. After the release of their third album, the long knotted hair and bushy beards were exchanged for a more well-kempt look (except for the drummer Nathan who has held onto his long greasy mane). At red carpeted events they are styled in tailored designer gear and decked out in Burberry and All Saints whilst performing. They have also collaborated with French designers Surface to Air to create a limited edition clothing line which will be sold exclusively at Paris Texas, Copenhagen. I wonder if poor Molly dwelling in her Chamber would approve.

Tom Meighan of Kasabian recently shed his luscious locks as soon as their most recent album, West Ryder Lunatic Asylum, became a hit. Even Pete Doherty cleaned up his dishevelled look for a fashion spread in Elle magazine’s October issue, where he smartened up in a custom-made wool suit by Edward Sexton with Burberry accessories. What is the need for already established musicians to change their look in favour of more styled appearances?

Downloading and streaming are massive problems in the music industry and CD figures show a huge decrease in recent years. Bands have stepped up their game and feel the need to appeal to a wider audience by looking the part. It’s not all about selling records though as Alex Turner excellently demonstrates. It is a natural trend that as your music matures, your look does too. Having a fashionista girlfriend might make it slightly easier to master this transition, but it’s no doubt that he looks dapper in celebrity tailor Spencer Hart’s designs, who also provides ‘cocktail suits’ for David Bowie.

This exchange of fashion tips between the two genders in the music business has been bubbling for a while now. But it has suddenly exploded with the introduction of preened bands such as The Script, and of course the transformation of more experienced bands mentioned above. This trend will certainly affect how the bands of tomorrow will dress, and may even influence lyrics as bands are singing about themselves, and “sex” to quote KOL, being on fire.

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