Selected Scribblings: October 2010

In the UK we've had quite a bit of snow recently (by our standards, anyway)...

Can you see past the sequinned nipple tassels?

A number of people are ruffling a few feathers with their recession-busting measures...

Changing the fabric of fashionable society...

Can kaos work in a time of chaos...

Set to be huge during AW10...

One of this season's hottest looks...

A sneak peek at the AW10 collection

My Favourite Fashion Discovery

Everybody has one. The cringe-worthy story told by a friend or relative that you just know will crop up in a speech on your wedding day or a milestone birthday...

Republic AW10 collection - An In-Depth Preview

This month sees the launch of Republic’s autumn/winter range which is designed to be mixed, matched and loved. The overarching theme is opulence with edge; outfits dripping with embellishments, draped with lace, and accented with faux-fur and feathers.

Fashion Gets Personal

Made to measure, commissioned pieces have rarely been within the grasp of those of us who have had to make do with hovering around the outside of the fashion press, but recently, t-shirt manufacturers have been introducing a different kind of unique and affordable personalisation.

Republic Sneak Peek

Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to view Republic's autumn/winter collection. As a little teaser, here are a few exclusive behind the scenes photos I grabbed whilst watching the shoot take shape...

Panic Attacks

It’s been a stressful day at work and you are standing on a crowded tube, going through the motions of your daily commute home. The lights flicker, the carriage rattles through a tunnel and suddenly you feel like you

are about to die.

Britney Challenge

I was struggling with a bit of writer's block one day, when my friend Ryan challenged me to come up with 500-1000 words on Miss Spears in 45mins as a way of getting the words to come out.

North London in the snow

In the UK, we've had quite a bit of snow recently (by our standards anyway). This afternoon, I made my way to the local park and took a few photos of the snow, sledges and stunning skies.

Is green the new black

In recent years, the global green initiative has exploded. An increased awareness of how our lives impact the environment on a day-to-day basis has lead to a multitude of sectors attempting to boost their eco-credentials by branching out and developing new business strands or goods deemed more ‘earth friendly’.

Management in Kaos

To boost employment in the sector and prevent a repeat of the latest recession, is it time for a new kind of management strategy to be brought to the fore; for kaos to reign in a time of chaos?

Trend Spotting

Candy colours and pretty pastels may be dominating SS10, but forward-thinking fashionistas take note: prepare your wardrobe for AW10 by indulging in chocolate box chic.

Summer Style

Sleek, sumptuous and sophisticated; this season, sportswear has emerged from the back of the gym locker having been given a luxurious makeover.

POP Princess

In the promotional blitz for her seventh studio album, the last cover I expected to see Britney Spears gracing was that of bi-annual style magazine POP...

X-Factor Style: Dannii Minogue, Week Three

23:03 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Dannii chose another Victoria Beckham A/W10 dress for the third Saturday show, adding weight to the reports that she has hired the songstress-turned designer as part of her X-Factor style team.

She paired the blue slash neck shift dress with nude heels by Brian Atwood and accessorised with a pair of simple pearl drop earrings.

To snap up Dannii's style for less, click the link below.

Dannii Minogue, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Cheryl Cole, Week Three

19:25 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

This post is part of the Cheryl-Online X-Factor Style Guide.

Cheryl described the nude, twist-front HMH Couture silk jersey dress that she modelled during the third live show as the most comfortable she has worn throughout the series so far.

She paired the floor-skimming, waist bearing maxi with De Grisogono 'Boule' earrings, a gold cuff and matching gold, spike-adorned platform heels.

To recreate her look for a fraction of the price, click to read more.

Cheryl Cole, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Dannii Minogue, Week Two (Results)

21:58 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Dannii jumped on the gothic bandwagon with her choice of a Victorian-style Antonio Berardi sheer cocktail dress for the second results show. She kept the rest of her outfit understated, with nude patent heels and delicate beaded black earrings completing the look.

To see how to copy Dannii's style for less, hit read more.

Dannii Minogue, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Cheryl Cole, Week Two (Results)

20:11 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

This post is part of the Cheryl-Online X-Factor Style Guide.

Cheryl stuck with the all-black theme on the Sunday results show, opting for a Versus cut away dress and her favourite Valentino bow instep sandals. Accessories were kept to a minimum, but her earrings were, yet again, by De Grisogono.

To grab this look yourself without the pain of a designer pricetag, click below.

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X-Factor Style: Dannii Minogue, Week Two

21:41 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Dannii decided to wear one of Victoria Beckham's AW 2010 designs (that the designer herself wore to this year's Oscars) for the second live show. She teamed the floor length, oyster toned satin dress with nude heels and a pair of understated black and gold drop earrings.

To bag yourself a high street version of Dannii's VB outfit, click below.

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X-Factor Style: Cheryl Cole, Week Two

20:23 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

This post is part of the Cheryl-Online X-Factor Style Guide.

For the second live show, Cheryl wore a bow detail jumpsuit by Azzaro with monochrome Miu Miu platforms. She accessorised with leopard print crystal hoop earrings and a bedazzled cocktail ring.

To see how to work Cheryl's look with more purse friendly purchases, click below.

Cheryl Cole, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Dannii Minogue, Week One (Results)

22:33 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Photo: Daily Mail

On Sunday night, Dannii Minogue decided to step out in one of her own label, Project D's, pieces; a full-skirted, 50s style tiered and ruffled black dress. Her enviably slim figure (especially for a new mum) was highlighted with a wide belt that cinched in at the waist, and a pair of coquettish lace peep-toes topped off the outfit.

Click below for a guide on how to replicate the look using high street purchases.

Dannii Minogue, fashion, X-Factor | |

The Shoe Galleries- Selfridges

19:54 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Bette Midler once said: “Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world.” And so it was as a girl with ambition and The Divine Miss M’s words ringing in her ears, that I hot-footed it to Selfridge’s earlier this week to wander the vast Shoe Galleries that have opened in the department store’s West End branch.

fashion, London, shoes | |

X-Factor Style: Cheryl Cole, Week One (Results)

21:33 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

This post is part of the Cheryl-Online X-Factor Style Guide.

The Sunday results show saw Cheryl modelling a smokey grey Zuhair Murad lace dress from the designer's autumn/winter collection, a pair of rich purple Louboutins plus a pair of fuschia earrings and a crystal globe cocktail ring, both (once again) by De Grisogono.

Cheryl also wore a Murad creation from the same collection in the video for her single, Promise This and is among good company as a fan of the designer; other admirers include Katy Perry, Beyonce and Shakira.

Find out how to recreate Cheryl's look on a budget below.

Cheryl Cole, fashion, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Dannii Minogue, Week One

18:23 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

Positively glowing after the arrival of her son Ethan earlier this year, Miss Minogue went for a delicate white lace shift dress by Australian brand J'Aton Couture as her first outift of the X-Factor live shows. Her choice stood in stark contrast to Cheryl's sea of black and she finished off her look with diamond encrusted teardrop earrings, a disco-ball of a cocktail ring and pewter heels.

Find out how to recreate Dannii's look on a more pedestrian budget after the jump.

Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |

X-Factor Style: Cheryl Cole, Week One

12:59 Reporter: Alison 0 Responses

This post is part of the Cheryl-Online X-Factor Style Guide.

Cheryl Cole looked as polished as ever on last night's X-Factor live show, in a subtly gothic styled ensemble. Her lace and feather trimmed dress was by past Project Runway contestant Daniel Vosovic and she accessorised with some towering Valentino boots and encased-orb drop earrings from De Grisogono, the jewellers with whom she recently launched her 'Promise' ring range and has always been an ardent fan of.

To help you recreate Cheryl's week one look without breaking the bank, I've scoured the high street and affordable outlets and put together the following outfit:

Cheryl Cole, fashion, high street, X-Factor | |