... and (my favourite lady) Victoria Beckham hangs out at the Women's Conference

So our very own Vic Beckham rubbed shoulders with another 30,000 invited guests at the Women's Conference over the other side of the pond, in California, yesterday. Big names included Oprah, Michelle Obama, Jessica Simpson, Laura Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shriver, who also organised the event.

Ordinarily, put an old Spice Girl in amongst the amazing guests and she'd look a tad out of her depth, but not our Vic. Since launching her own fashion line, she seems to have raised her Girl Power game some what - she's now seen on many of the 'influential women' lists that fly around the news, and good for her! And, once again, she showed everyone that she can actually look serious, business-like and fierce all at the same time in one of her own designs.

The Women's Conference takes place over three days with many high-powered women (including some already mentioned) giving talks to the guests. It's all about aspiration, inspiration and ambition. A very worthy cause.

The WAGs Favourite Game... I mean Boutique - CRICKET

If there's one thing that gets more column inches than Katie Price's personal life or footballers cheating on their Wives And Girlfriends, it is the WAGs themselves. In fact, to be more specific, it is their wardrobes.


We're drawn to the masses of magazine pages and websites, like an obsessed moth to a bright, sparkly light. Coverage of this one's designer wedding dress or that one's lavish evening wear collection, her spiky heels and whats-her-name's super duper number of handbags - it's like car crash fashion news; you don't want to look, but a force so strong entices you in. Before you know it, you have an opinion. OH GOD NO. But don't panic, it's OK, we're allowed to judge. Aren't we?

Taking the one and only power-WAG, Ms Victoria Beckham, out of the mix (she is somewhat more classy than the others, in my eyes anyway), the rest seem to flock to Cricket Boutique in Liverpool for their expensive wears. Coleen et al's favourite place to be, Cricket certainly caters for everyone, including the gents. On a trip to Liverpool I OBVIOUSLY needed to find out what was so attractive about the couture hot-spot...

Not much, is all I can say. Apart from their rather impressive stock of seriously luxurious designer collections (the contents insurance for the place must be astronomical!), there ain't much else pretty about it! In fact, the downstairs men's department I well and truly bypassed for fear of going blind with the sight of too many polo shirts and loafers. Is this what men should wear? Kill me now.

The first thing you're greeted with when you make it up the stairs is a banquette of discounted bags that, quite frankly, an eight year old wouldn't even go near. I can just picture Coleen thumbing through them, turning her nose up. And rightly so! Walk past the bags and you're into serious territory. The entire autumn winter collections from Lanvin, Balmain, Matthew Williamson, Chloe, Temperely to name a few. A wall dedicated to the art of Christian Louboutin (except the wall is more Pound Shop fit than posh boutique). Alexander Wang's gorgeous jersey and leather mix pieces with hairy Cavalli boots.


The clothes were both gorgeous and typically WAG-like, it was just the actual shop that was slightly, erm, interesting. I spoke to the little assistant there, she said: "We're in this location coz of the backdoor, the WAGs can just come in and out and not be hounded by the press". Hmmm, or is it because you'd rather rake in the money rather than spend it on a re-fit???

My verdict - Cricket need a good creative consultant, a painter/decorator and an EXPERIENCED visual merchandiser!

Take a look...

Mmm, lovely yellow Ikea units!

Are the shoes plonked or placed?

A fucushia treat...

I just had to. How anyone can think this mannequin is acceptable is beyond me! Is this meant to be a WAG??

The 'Louboutin Wall'

Victoria Beckham in her denim hotpants once again...

The show's over, as the old saying goes, for Victoria Beckham, this season anyway. After her spring summer 2011 won rather a lot of praise, it's time Vic headed back to LA to get on with her already manic life and to probably start work on her new collection... oh, and to also see her "boys" as she so sweetly mentioned on a Tweet. In another tweet shout-out yesterday Vic said: "About to leave NY!What an incredible week!!I can't thank u all enough for your support!!I'm so happy!!!Thank u!!!big kisses!!! X VB X". It seems, by her enthusiasm, that she too is over the moon with how her collection went down.

En route to the airport, Miss Beckham flashed New York her gorgeous pins once again with the help of some skimpy hot pants, a striped jumper, FIERCE Louboutin booties and the very 'travel' bag that was sent down the runway only a day previous - the bag that she said is "one for David - big enough to hold a football."

We love you VB. And we LOVE your new collection. And we LOVE your travel bag!

Victoria Beckham's Spring Summer 2011

It's amazing how a Spice Girl can make the seemingly effortless transition from overly-styled yukky 'posh' garb to amazing ready-to-wear high fashion isn't it? Yes, it's taken her a few years to realise what her 'style' is but, Victoria Beckham, once again, with her second collection, doesn't disappoint.

She opened the presentation, which she spoke through first, with the purple knotted-waist dress which, contrary to the rest of the collection, was loose fitting. From there VB's uber-structured style shone through in blush toned shifts, white 60s shape dresses and, as if she could leave them out, to-the-floor red carpet gowns. Silver lame, bright yellow and black made their appearances in just the right amount. My only criticism? Leave the purple out maybe?!

As per last season, it seemed to be all about the body; how to accentuate, which bits to flatter and the details that matter. Seams created a contouring effect and zip-backs provided a sleek, elegant feel to some of the shorter frocks.

Waists were cinched, bags were carried and a lot of the dresses had pencil shapes. In short, VB very much designed her ideal fabulous wardrobe, but then she IS designing it, so can we blame her? Absolutely not. It's for women who wish to embody power when they dress, and it bloody works.

The two show-stoppers at the end of the presentation, cleverly shown in monochrome hues, were romantically voluminous yet still keeping to VB's brief - show off the figure, keep it elegant.

I wonder who of her many celeb followers will be the first to wear one of the pieces.

Love her like... SO much!

Victoria Beckham looking perfectly pouty in pink!

Ladies and gents, please let's all welcome back Victoria Beckham to our British shores. As you know, I make NO secret of the fact that I down right bloody love the woman, so when I saw this snap of her looking OMGorgeous in the pink Andrés Courreges scallop-edged dress (thanks for the credit Daily Mail) and those sunnies, the ones I am so desperately after, the ones that are 18-carat gold and nearly £500, my day seemed complete. Is it normal how good she looks fresh off a flight??

The Brit fashion designer (was she a Spice Girl once? Who cares!) is back in London to pull the reigns on her spring summer 2011 collection, ready for her New York show. I for one can't wait to see what's next in VB land!

LOVE YOU VB!

Today I'm loving...

I swear I should be a shopping editor for a magazine, not mentioning any names... Harper's Bazaar...

Here's a few bits you should be buying RIGHT NOW to update your wardrobe...

FOR THE BOYS:


Bow tie and braces tee, £25 www.riverisland.com; deep V tee, £80 by Unconditional www.asos.com


Yellow sports watch, £18 www.burton.co.uk (web exclusive); AMAZE draped Ann Demeulemeester top with Kylie style hood, £145 www.herviabazaar.com


FOR THE GIRLS:



Statement super-skinny trousers in grey check, £37.90 www.mango.com; these shoes are so 'Clueless', love them! £59.99 www.riverisland.com


Swallow print boyfriend blazer (if you can't afford the Miu Miu), £60 www.topshop.com; couldn't let this (slightly more expensive, oops) dress slip by. Gorgeously green shift dress, £1,180 by Victoria Beckham www.net-a-porter.com

Victoria Beckham struts the thigh-high boots for Diane Von Furstenberg!

So I'm going to admit that, against all my better judgement, I shamelessly sent an email to the PR handling the grand opening of the Diane Von Furstenberg suits at the Claridges hotel in London. I receive a polite email back saying that unfortunately it is a private event and that there is no guest list. I feel ridiculously ridiculous now from looking at the guest list. Victoria Beckham was there for Christ's sake! An unknown fashion blogger would look completely out of place. Oh bless me for trying though!

Anyway, back to the title of this post. WOW Miss Victoria! We have been subject recently to only a mere glimpse of you walking to and from an aircraft - I must say that you've perfected that walk with great finesse - and not much more. Thank goodness she chose her home town to show off her fashion credentials and legs once again. This time they were covered by a pair of gorgeous thigh highs. And the dress? It was that Giles Deacon number again. You might remember seeing her in an orange version of this a while back. This black leather option is much better me thinks.

One thing though VB... isn't it a tad bit hot to wear all that black leather? I would of melted and died before leaving the hotel room! Snaps to you though love!

So hi VB. Unfortunately I couldn't be there in person, but the event was much more A list than Blog-list. Next time maybe!

P.s. Von Furstenberg has a soft spot for Claridges hence her involvement in designing her very own rooms and suits. We must all pop down to see if we can get a glimpse. Apparently they're amaze!

Victoria Beckham in Vogue

As you may well know by now, Miss 'fashion' Beckham can really do no wrong in my eyes. With a hot hot hot dress collection season after season, and a wardrobe to match, she's one of my all time favourite style icons. Yes, dear reader, I DID call her an ICON.

And now, thanks to German Vogue, we get to see her dolled up to the nines (yet again) in some stunning photography. She appeared on the cover of British Vogue back in April 2008, but the pictures below show her looking even more gorge than she did two years ago. And, although I've read a lot of comments about her penciled in eyebrows, am I the only one who actually loves them??

You go VB. Be fierce!

British Vogue, 2008

Melanie C in a Victoria Beckham (or Sporty in a Posh - which one?)

Gone are the days of shell suits and trainers for this particular Spice Girl - and HELLO to a glam, elegant more grown up wardrobe. And there's no surprise in who she turned to for a show-stopping, dramatic gown for the Laurence Olivier awards last night... her pal, her sister (in the broader sense of the word), her fashion savvy oracle friend Victoria Beckham.

Look at Mel C! Even though she didn't win an award (she was however nominated for her role as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers), she definitely picks up the gong for best dressed. This gown clings to her body in all the right places, it makes her look six feet tall and above all, it's so refreshing to witness this shift in style from someone who was very much forced into dressing like a tom boy. Oh, and nice shoulder detail too Mel (or Vic actually!).

J'adore you Miss C.

Victoria Beckham loses her heels

Think of this moment as if it were a rare sighting of a bird of paradise. Or an Amur leopard - one of the rarest cats on earth... It's Victoria Beckham, SANS heels fresh off a plane at LAX!

O
M
G

It's so abnormal, so utterly unfathomable and even a little upsetting to see Posh without her signature ball breaking, bunion-inducing, vertiginous heels on! You go to have a look at what she's wearing: 'hair looks nice, I like her statement shades, ooo pretty spring cardi, where's that lovely structured dress from? huh! another Berkin bag - OH MY CHRIST SHE'S WEARING FLATS'.

I love you Vics, but please don't do this again you naughty naughty uber-fashionable little Spice Girl.

Didn't they do well???

As the little gold men were being polished and lined up on a table backstage at the Oscars, the stars were being plucked, waxed, blow dried, dusted, moisturized, brushed and zipped ready for the most coveted red carpet of the year.

In simple terms, the gowns were good people.

There were some, in my opinion, that were better than others, but you can decide.

Overall, there were a few winners for me. Leading them was Meryl Streep in her plunging neck white Chris March - elegant and so figure flattering. Cameron Diaz sparkled and shone in her gold Armani Prive, Nicole Richie looked pure glam in her dark hued Reem Accra long sleeved gown and Brit girl Victoria Beckham chose a bit of shameless self promotion in one of her own - and why not? Look at her! Statuesque!






Fashion favourite SJP and Diane Kruger both stepped out in Chanel couture. SJP said that Karl made it just for her, lucky thing!


I'm not fussed on Miley herself - can she can't she sing or act? Who knows. First thing though, her Godmother is none other than Dolly Parton herself, and secondly her dress is by Jenny Packham - one of my all time favourite gown designers. Miley looks STUNNING.

Marchesa, along with Sandra Bullock, were the big winners of the night fashion wise. 'Up In The Air' star Vera Farmiga wore this strapless, deep pink ruffle gown - the origami detail being synonymous to Marchesa's collections. Sandra Bullock posed like the Oscar she won in the intricate crystal beaded bodice and long trained dress and Gabourey Sidibe of Precious stood proud in her royal blue full length frock. Well done girls, and well done Marchesa.

As gorgeous, and slightly Gaga-eque, as Jenny and Amanda looked in their Armani Prive gowns, a little 'ooops' left my lips - they look like they are modelling the dresses, not wearing them. I think stylists need to communicate! However, the lovely spring, powder tones to both dresses certainly made up for the red carpet similarity.



This didn't do it for me unfortunately. The top half could have been saved on Charlize's Dior gown, but added to the bottom, sans the boob rose details of course, it screams bridesmaid to me. I also think she needs to sport a red or deep purple with her skin tone and complexion.


Biggest yawn of the night goes to... Mariah. It's a lovely Valentino dress, don't get me wrong, but I think teamed with her fake hair and fake boobs, it just looks cheap. Hmmmm. What can we do to you Mariah? I think we need her Marchesa-erd up!