2009 was the year of the celebrity more than ever before… fashion models have been kicked to the curb when top fashion houses opted for celebrity models over fashion models.

Madonna famously posed in yoga-esque styles for the new Louis Vuitton adverts… putting models half her age to shame! Okay, granted there was a lot of airbrushing and fancy camera tricks…but even still you can’t deny this is one hot mama!

Victoria Beckham got all honed and toned to get her kit off for the Armani Lingerie campaign, following in the very desirable hubby’s footsteps. It was a good year for Vicki in the fashion stakes, she also finally got accepted as a bonafide fashion designer… gone is the WAG title.

Lily Allen was the shock new face of Chanel… okay she looked quite cool in the advert I must admit, but I’m sticking to my guns that she is not a good spokesmodel for a quality brand like Chanel.  See my previous post on this very subject!

Not only did Lindsay Lohan model for casual brand Fornarnia, but she also got brought on as creative director at Ungaro… talk about a cheap publicity stunt! Needless to say the collection was woeful, and got absolutely destroyed by the press. Fornarnia didn’t do too badly out of it as the campaign is quite cool and quirky!

Eva mendes looked smoking in the Calvin Klein ads… topless in the jeans advert and pretty much naked in the perfume ad… so steamy it was banned from tvs.

Harry Potter star, Emma Watson, became Britain’s favourite fashion darling, and was handpicked by Christopher Bailey to front the newest Burberry campaign.  Emma gave a much needed youthfulness and edginess to the classic British label.

Not to be outdone by bezzie-mate Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes vamped up her usually plain-jane image for the Miu Miu campaign. Previous stars they have used include Kirsten Dunst and Lindsay Lohan (back when she was actually famous for something).

So what does 2010 have in store for the fashion houses??? Well a lot of them seemed to be returning to the use of professional models (maybe it’s because they cost less?)… so with Lara Stone for Louis Vuitton, Claudia Schiffer for the latest Chanel. Natasha Poly is gracing Gucci, and Giselle is showing off her long lean limbs in Versace while Kate Moss is looking fab as always for Just Cavalli. All is right with the world!

Although I don’t think it’s the last you’ll see of celebs on fashion billboards; Madonna has switched teams and is appearing in the new Dolce & Gabbana advert! Heiress, muse and all-around legend Daphne Guinness is the new face of Akris bags, Megan Fox has landed Armani underwear (doubt Victoria’s happy about that!) and no doubt Lady Sovereign will land some gold jewellery campaign as soon as she gets out of Celebrity Big Brother.

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The fashion world are hailing Marc Jacobs an innovative genius for introducing the bunny ears to the fashion world… but they’ve been around for a long time, so where exactly did he get his inspiration from? There is of course the infamous Playboy bunny costume introduced by Hugh Hefner in the 1950’s and, instantly associates bunny ears with sex appeal.

Then, of course there is the return of the Cadbury’s Caramel Bunny, who’s new look and dress was designed by Top Brit Designer Giles Deacon this year. It is also being debated whether Maison Michel came up with the idea first or not? He had made lace headpieces of bunny ears and mouse ears too, and Marc admittedly came across the idea accidently when he saw someone with a large ribbon in their hair resembling ears.. So when Marc Jacobs’ Fall collection for Louis Vuitton came out this year (pictured bottom), and his models paraded the catwalk with bunny ears, was this fashion history in the making or a copycat idea?

Regardless of who thought it up first, as usual, celebrities are the first to take on this outlandish trend, no shocks that Lady Gaga and Madonna were one of the firsts to wear them in public. But now uber cool Olsen twins and singer Lily Allen have been seen taking on the trend too. I do think this look is actually really cute… but I really can’t see myself walking down Grafton street donning a pair of animal ears just yet? However, I also remember everyone initially laughing at leggings, skinny jeans, shoulder pads and structured skirts so maybe, just maybe this too will become known as “wearable”. Topshop have already begun to challenge the trend and have come up with their very own versions of slightly smaller headbands, so a little more normal, but I am still yet to see anyone actually wear them!

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So it’s Christmas… yay! But if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to hit the January sales to buy even more stuff. Well, here’s a few little hints and tips to make the most out of the mayhem.

1) Go into town EARLY… sale stock is always ending up misplaced in the wrong sections and on the floor, but if you’re in there for opening time, you’ll get the best selection because the brilliant sales people will have put everything in style and size orders.

2) It may sound silly, but don’t waste time trying things on… that’s what refunds were made for, you’ll just waste time queuing when you could be in your next destination shop.

3) Make a list! Otherwise you’ll end up impulse shopping, and the items will most definitely end up in your wardrobe never worn. They seem like a bargain at the time… but it’s not a bargain if you don’t ever use it! Write down all the things you wanted while you were Christmas shopping, and if they are still there on sale, happy days!

4) Give yourself a shopping budget… those €20 here and there add up, and before you know it you’ve blown your rent and food money. Oops. Take the cash amount you decide on out of the bank and leave that credit card at home! (You’ll thank me later!)

5) And last but not least… for those of you who just can’t handle the crowds… online shopping! Pure genius, you don’t even have to leave your home, you more than likely get the best sale stock before it sells out, and if you’re buying from British highstreet stores like Topshop for example, you end up paying less even with delivery so you’re saving even more bucks.  Check out a previous post on Top 10 Online Clothing Stores.

Now if I could only take my own advice I’d be a very happy girl, with a brand new wardrobe!

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Us fashionistas are typically the hardest people to buy presents for… choosing us clothing is always a very risky decision because we are notoriously picky about what we like! So.… what do you get a fashionista friend for Christmas without breaking the bank, and that she’ll actually like? Well, I’ve found five fabulous fashionable gifts that are sure to make any stylish sista swoon… and funnily enough none of them are clothes!

1) All hail ‘Sex and The City’ The Movie, it brought us back Carrie and the tutu, and more importantly a whole new wardrobe. It also reintroduced us to keyrings! Not just something to sit at the bottom of your bag… these are now as fashionable a statement as your jewellery. Follow in Carries footsteps with a copy of the LOVE keyring, available at Accessorize, or you can keep it cute and quirky and go with a different style, love hearts and butterflies anyone? Prices vary between different keyrings but all under €15.

2) We fashion fiends like to be ahead of the times when it comes to style, so what is a better present than a years subscription to our favourite fashion magazine. It’s a really unique present and if like me, you buy a million fashion magazines they seriously dent the wallet. My recommendations would be the fashion bible Vogue (well, duh!), or if you’re friend is a little more on the edgier side go for a magazine like 125 or Dazed and Confused which, is a lot more visual and full of crazy fashion.

3) Every stylist’s mecca… TOPSHOP… don’t deny it! There is something for everyone in Topshop… so if you’re really, really stuck, a topshop voucher is the answer! Yes, as impersonal as a voucher is, everyone secretly prefers it than getting an ugly jumper they don’t really like! (Gosh I hope my granny is reading this!)

4) Books are boring, right? Wrong!… Not when it’s a book dedicated to fashion. Which is exactly what ‘A year in Fashion’ by Pascal Morche is about. Available in Easons for around €32, it features brilliant photos of designers and their creations, top models, fashion icons and movie stars, royalty and rock n’ roll legends. 365 spreads, one for each day of the year. Full colour photographs along with fascinating fashion trivia. There is plenty of room for noting important dates, scribbling notes, or recording thoughts!

5) Finally, last on the list… and okay I may be pushing it a little bit with this one… but if you happen to be loaded and really love someone, ya know a lil Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel or Alexander Wang bag wouldn’t go a miss! Just putting it out there.

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Tartan has been slowly creeping in and out of the fashion limelight over the past few years … finally not just seen on the Scottish highlands… tartan is officially sexy and wearable with thanks to designers like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Marni – pictured above in that order.

Do not stress though… you don’t have to part with the big bucks to get on this fashion bandwagon … highstreet do it to! However, it is what we like to call a mini trend… you won’t find it in every shop… but I’ve sourced some of the best options around.

For those of you a little wary of the trend, why not try these cool statement tights from Warehouse for only €13. They will quickly jazz up a boring outfit, come in green and red and are still totally on trend since statement tights were massive this year!

Or for those of you office ladies who like to look a little bit more daring than your average boring black suit, but still need to be appropriate, try this gorgeous wool tartan fitted dress. It’s not too tight, and is a perfect length… team with black tights and heels for work, or maybe knee-high boots for a funkier day look.

Warehouse also have these cute tartan style skirts… think ‘Gossip Girl’, and team the skirts with bright jackets, chunky knits and lots of layering.

For those of you who just want a dash of tartan try this uber cool bag from Topshop only €35, with an almost Chanel inspired shape and chain, it will be perfect for those nights out on the town this Christmas.

So tart it up this Christmas and put some cheeky checks into your wardrobe!

Left, House of Holland.

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First there was Moulin Rouge, then Chicago … and now the movie musical ‘Nine’ is set to become the next big thing. The movie is based in Venice in the early 1960’s, around celebrated film director Guido Contini, who despite all his successes is encountering a midlife crisis as he approaches his 40th birthday. The film shows him in an emotional journey as he tries to gain back his creativity, entangling him in a web of romantic difficulties.

Although the lead character is male… a strong cast of Sophia Loren, Dame Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Marion Cottiliard and Kate Hudson, guarantee that it will be the female roles grabbing all the attention. Not just for musical lovers, but for fashionistas everywhere. If you fell in love with Nicole Kidman’s character Satine, in her diamond embellished corset or Renee Zellweger’s murderous sexy outfits you’ll have more than enough to fulfill you in this new movie. There are some truly breathtaking outfits for the likes of leading ladies Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson to dazzle in.

Colleen Atwood is the costume genius behind such movies as Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago which she won Oscars for, she even designed the costumes for genre films like Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands and Planet of the Apes. So no doubt she has a delicious array of outfits for this star-filled cast. For ‘Nine’ she worked alongside mega-jewelers Swarovski to create the unique costumes for the dance numbers, making the outfits not only dazzling but also very authentic.

Thanks to this movie we are going to see a massive return in sexy lingerie… so if like me, you are obsessed with matching twin-sets or cute little bustiers, look no further than budget busting La Senza and Penneys for your fashion fix. With Tess Daly strutting her stuff in the La Senza campaign, it looks like ‘Nine’ also inspired the caberet style shoot! So dust off those fishnets and make sure you put down some sexy lingerie on that christmas wishlist… and it’ll be sure to be a Merry Christmas!!!!

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It’s ice skating season…. yay… but that does not mean you have to let the fashion stakes slide. Please don’t do a Danni Minogue and ending up looking like your 80-year old grandmother. Eek! Stacey Solomon had the right idea though, she kept it girly in a rare draped style skirt, teamed with leggings for warmth and easy drying and kept it simple with some light layering on top.

So for all you ice-skating fanatics, here’s how to keep your cool (sorry, couldn’t help it!) on the ice rink this season. I’ll show you how to keep the frostbite at bay, and how to impress the usually super cute safety guys on the ice… but if you fall over, you’re totally on your own!

Urban Outfitters in my opinion have the ultimate best buys for these ice-skating looks… try the ‘silence and noise’ range of knitwear for some really cool layering looks. Like this gorgeous green boyfriend-style cardi, retailing at only 45 euro…bargain! Silence and Noise usually come in at price-points between around 40 and 60 Euro, so great Christmas presents too.

It’s certainly a big no-no to wear tracksuit bottoms or jeans on the ice, because they are hugely absorbent and on the off-chance you fall over, you will remain uncomfortable and wet for the duration of your skating trip. Instead, opt for leggings or tights which will be quicker drying options; these really cool sequined versions are only 50euro and come in both black and silver.

You definitely need to keep your fingers, toes and ears warm while skating, so instead of looking ridiculous in earmuffs, try these uber-cool alternatives… The corsage, head-warmer is perfectly stylish ala Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, and they’ll keep your ears all toasty. But if you want to go all-out winter wonderland, try the bomber hat €33, or faux fur toque hat €33, also from Urban outfitters.

Want to channel your inner Jane Torvill without the spandex outfits??? Well, you still can, dress up your ice queen look with cute dresses and skirts layered under those cosy cardis and over the leggings or tights. Keep them floaty for maximum effect while twirling (or at least attempting to!!!), and also this is the best opportunity to put a little colour or print in to your outfit, so try be a little bolder. My favourites are this red tea dress for €64 and this printed circle dress for just €49.99.

And finally, remember how uncomfortable ice skates are??? Invest in some slipper socks like these and not only will your feet be warm and dry… but you won’t end up with massive blisters either… double whammy!

Happy skating!

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It’s round two for top British jewellery designer Stephen Webster, as he relaunches the now infamous mosquito ring aimed to raise money for ‘Malaria No More’.

Stephen Webster is jewellery designer to the stars, not only does he have Christina Aguilera modeling in his campaigns, but Johnny Depp and Kate Moss are huge fans.  Not to mention, the mosquito ring has been spotted on the likes of Victoria Beckham and Erin O’Connor.

For those of you like me, fans of gorgeous chunky jewellery… this is definitely one stocking-filler you do not want to miss out on.  Not only is it uniquely gorgeous, but you’ll be doing your bit for charity too.  Each ring sold will buy up to 10 life-saving mosquito nets in Africa, protecting as many as 20 people for five years!

The ring is rodium plated with crystal wings and is available only online at asos.com from today, 1st December.  But, be quick, this is an extremely limited edition, with only 300 available, so to save lives and wear a beautiful creation by jewellery mastermind Stephen Webster log on asap!

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Well it’s that time of the year again… Christmas parties are coming up, and I know all you stylish ladies will be out searching for what to wear! Well I am all about the show-stopping numbers… but if you can find something that can also be transformed into a day-wear/casual option it’s a bonus.

This season there have been a few majorly directional trends that I’ll be focusing on…

Lets start with a little shift number from FCUK…. This dress hits all the right trends, it’s a gorgeous purple colour which suits pretty much every hair colour and skin tone. It has a great jewel adorned neckline and cuffs which means you don’t need to buy any accessories for this look. The sheer sleeves are great for keeping you warmer, but also for those of you who don’t like to show their arms it’s perfect and it can be teamed with tights for a more low-key look too… so great money saver.

Then we go for full on Dynasty glamour in this gold lame dress from Monsoon, with built in shoulders and the billowing sleeves you will be rivaling Alexis Carrington but in a more contemporary way. Tone it down for a night on the tiles with tights and boots… or go for A full on party look with bare legs (if you are brave enough) and statement shoes. Gold is a great classic staple other than black or white because you can be guaranteed every year it will still be a timeless colour, regardless of the trends.

Now this season sequin dresses were literally everywhere… and no doubt you’ll find a great version in every highstreet shop. But my favourite has to be the Mango one. It comes in a gorgeous midnight blue colour, and the sequins are slightly larger than normal which makes it way more flattering on the body. The big seller with this dress is the unusual back, it is backless with a mesh fabric insert for a little extra sex appeal… for maximum effect I would recommend wearing your hair up with this dress so everyone can admire the detail in full.

Okay so a Christmas party dress article just wouldn’t be complete without a mention from party dress heaven Karen Millen. Yes they are slightly more on the pricey side… but for those of you who don’t mind parting with the cash and really look for that show stopping outfit it’s the place to go. Their specialty is those structured satin dresses like this gorgeous red number. Taking inspiration from Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham’s new line, this gorgeous dress has an origami style feature on the straps as well as diagonal panel lines, which create a more flattering cut for curvier figures.

A newer, sexier version of the LBD has appeared in Warehouse this Christmas season and is sure to be a sell-out. The sheer detail keeps it extremely sexy but at the same time you are technically covered up so slightly warmer and more appropriate if it’s a work do. The small cut-out detail at the sides create a smaller waist (YAY), and the velvet body keeps it bang on trend. There is a very similar one from Topshop too, with a heavy jersey body instead of the velvet, but equally sexy.

So looking for the perfect party dress this season keep a few things in mind… what suits YOU, if you can wear it again dressed down with boots and tights (or even as daywear) it’s a bonus… but not a necessity, and most of all… make sure it’s fabulous!

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I suppose it must be hard being in a girl group with 4 other girls who have their individual styles clearly marked! There’s super styled Cheryl Cole who takes on all the new IT designers and definitely takes a few risks, vintage fan and quirky dresser Nicola Roberts, body-con queen and sexy style Kimberly Walsh and laid back LA chic Nadine Coyle. So where does this leave Sarah Harding??? She tried out that rocker chick look for a while, which suited her really well…but it looks like over the past few months Sarah has been going on a bit of ‘style soul searching’ as she tries out, demure, boho, sexy and just plain trashy looks.

Trying to look like a professional business-woman as she opens her new nightclub, she looks unusually demure in a blue silk jumpsuit. I actually sort of love it, but it’s something I would have expected Cheryl or Nicola to wear. Also it’s looking a little tight in the crotch area, which is a little uncomfortable looking. But a nice swing back to the 80’s and a great homage to Charlie’s Angels.

At a friends birthday party she took a boho turn, wearing a long, teal blue jersey dress with jewel adorned straps and she accessorized perfectly with the chunky metallic trend. Gorgeous dress, again reminds me a little of something you may see on Kate Hudson or Rachel Zoe…not exactly what you would expect a pop princess to wear…but at least she looks nice.

Then at the London fashion week parties we saw a more recognisable Sarah Harding, wearing a Vivienne Westwood PVC dress. More of a nod to her former rock-chick look, but with a slight S+M feel to it. I actually like this look too, but the fit is a little wrong on her, and I don’t like the seam across the waist because it cheapens the dress, she should have put a cool belt over it!

Most recently at her birthday Party she wore a dress that reminded me of something you’d find in one of those really nasty, cheap shops at the end of Henry Street in Dublin. It was a Mesh Mess…a very tacky diamante sheer detailed dress with a lace-up detail across the bust. To top it off she tried to vamp it up even more with a Berry coloured lipstick. Gross on all levels, it wasn’t even a good outfit in a ‘Pretty Woman’ kind of way…she really could have been working a street corner and I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.

So Sarah… on the off-chance you are reading this…stop experimenting, go back to your rocker vibe and we won’t have to write anymore bad things about your clothes.

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