News just in… Balmain’s latest fragrance, Ambre Gris is now exclusively available at Brown Thomas, Dublin.

AmbreGris is described as an opulent fragrance with a sensual trail which will make heads turn!  Faithful to the brand’s image in fashion, the scent is a thoughtful blend of shifted sophistication, it combines elegance and exception.

Paying attention to detail, this olfactory creation reinterprets hits, using the most noble perfumery ingredients.  We haven’t tried it as yet but will be sure to report back as soon as we do.  Meanwhile, let us know what you think of this latest perfume to hit the counters…

Balmain Ambre Gris is priced at €50 for 40ml, €72 for 75ml and €86 for 100ml.

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Fashion creator Christophe DeCarnin re-inventing the military style on the catwalks of Paris.

Balmain‘s eagerly anticipated Spring/Summer shows were an even bigger success than last seasons if you can imagine that!  Continuing with his structured coats and jackets, Christophe DeCarnin toned his line down this season just a little and continues to surprise us with his military line.  The collection of distressed military jackets were the highlight of his Paris Fashion Week shows!  We show you how to get the look for a lot less!  Check out this Vero Moda beige/nude military style jacket at asos.  Bang on trend, bang on colour and bang on price at €56.84!

If you are going to go all out and follow this seasons military look be sure to go all out and make the look your own!  Oasis‘ leather military jacket is extra hot as they’ve combined the two hottest looks at the moment!  Leather AND military.  Team it with a pretty floral dress for an extra twist.  Rock and Girly = Super Cool!  Having said that leather will always be in style so consider this an investment (at €150 we’d have to!), that will go with almost anything you have in your wardrobe.  You’ll wear it for years, trust me…

This New Look jacket is the newest addition to my wardrobe.  At €45 it is affordable disposable chic perfect for all you girls who like to stay ‘in style’.  I have worn this twice already and I expect it will see me right through the Summer!  Pair it with high-waisted shorts, a cute playsuit or a tight body con for night time.  You can dress it up or down!  Just don’t forget to add some height girls!  Check out River Island if you are on the hunt for a white version.

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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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Dune- Leopard print boots £99/€120 approx. I’ve been trying to find leopard print boots for a while now and when I saw these in last weeks Style magazine I knew I was destined to have them. The high heel makes them an all round shoe as I can wear them during the day with harem pants or at night with a plain black dress. Let the shoes speak for themselves!!

Argos-Casio Watch €29.99. I much prefer men’s watches to women’s. The wider face and thick strap make it more noticeable than a dainty watch.

Topshop-Kate Moss Suede Mini Dress £150. Unlike everything else in Topshop at the moment, this has a classic zip-up back so there’s no need to worry about a pasty white back. The elegant long sleeves are perfect for a black tie event and when teamed with glitzy accessories can be turned into a party dress in a flash.

Balmain Leather Jacket, price on request. Everyone needs one!

Even though it’s winter there’s never a bad time to buy sunglasses. Ray-Bans are forever, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself with such a hefty price tag. There a so many variations of these glasses available, like the ones modelled here from asos.com, but I’m a sucker for the real thing when it comes to quality.

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We saw a lot of leather on the runways recently with some of the big fashion houses using it to create a more classic vintage look. Others used it to vamp up the rock-chic look sometimes borderlining on a fetish vibe! The ’09 colour palate was vast but the leather for 2010 seemed to be more earthy and monochromatic. That eighties grey leather is definitely back but black is always there it’s not your thing. If you liked the D&G country girl theme then go for browns. All this ties in well with the seasons thigh-high boot look (all except the cow girl that is!).

Balmain (above),really took it to another level with their uber fitted leather minidresses and jackets with their immediately recognisable peaked shoulder pads. Slouched buckle detail boots were something all Balmain looks seemd to share.

Miss Sixty (below) had their take on leather along with their prints and corset style tops. They’ve included mini skirts, jackets, dresses and skinny leather trousers but most outrageous of all are their leather hotpants!

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