A bit of Marchesa magic - Spring Summer 2011

In the words of Pamelaaaa from Gavin and Stacey - 'Oh my Christ!'. Marchesa have done it once again - left me, and the fashion world, completely dumbfounded. Spring for Georgina and Keren came in a collection of OMGorgeous dresses and jumpsuits to die for. Season after season they present their collection which quite literally knocks the socks of many a catwalk show. The models, as usual, stand on plinths and show case the girl's intricate, exquisite mastery - to put each dress on a pedestal is about right.

Tulle, chiffon, lace, spider-web detailing and laser-cutting - all in one breath for Marchesa. Huge skirts on romantic gowns, draping on shorter dresses and evening harem jumpsuits, hand-painted wonders that resembled a stare-for-hours work of art and stiffened shapes that can only be described as Marchesa Magic.

The red carpet is certainly going to be lit up over the next year with these dresses. It's only appropriate, for Marchesa embodies the true meaning of looking elegant, feeling amazing and giving all of us mere mortals something absolutely stunning to look at.

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!

Say it in a dress (a spring summer 2011 one that is!)

So, as New York fashion week nearly comes to a close (or climax!), and they make way for what our lovely capital has to offer, I feel it is my duty to report on what gowns have caught my fancy from the catwalks.

As you all probably know I LOVE a frock. There is something about a gorgeous woman in an equally gorgeous dress, preferably to the floor, that really pleases me. I think it's probably the romance of it, although it might be because I'm desperate to wear one myself... let's just stick to the romance maybe!

Anyway anyway anyway, here they are - the front runners!

I can't believe I haven't mentioned Jenny Packham yet. I should really dedicate a whole post to her but alas, this is it. She is one of Britain's most amazing exports this season (and hopefully this season only, I, for one, miss her!) as she takes her rather gorgeous gowns State side. The gentle sequins and beading to her synonymous floaty dresses just made practically the whole collection dream-like. Packham gave a nod back to the twenties and thirties with her exquisite detailing and draped fabrics. The colours seem to be immaterial to this collection, what you see first is the twinkling of the embellishment. In short, another perfect Packham potpourri.







'The Garden of Eden' was inspiration enough for Monique Lhuillier. The front of the collection was a mixture of gorgeous separates - high waisted red trousers, ruffle blouses, pretty strapless gowns decorated with painted flowers - but it was the back of Lhuillier spring summer that made my eyes pop. Evening wear is most definitely this lady's forte. If there's a frock to be worn on a red carpet, these are they. The nude bodice/red skirt gown was by far the best - the show piece. Romantically layered chiffon and organza graced the catwalk in one of the best shows for a good old BIG gown!

More to follow lovely readers...

Kelly O Sparkles

When I fell in love with Sharon Osbourne, I can't pin-point when it actually was, I fell hard. Her work morals, her family life, her hard approach, her no-nonsense attitude, her red hair... in fact my brief to my hairdresser a few years ago was 'Sharon Osbourne red please'. She's just amazing.

Fast forward to now and my love for her is still as strong (and I'm SO glad she's going to be back on our TVs soon with Louis on the X Factor!). And, it seems, my love is spreading outward towards her offspring. Not Jack, oh no, but Kelly!

Is it me, or has Kelly got quite a bit more fabulous recently? We've all witnessed her yo-yo dieting, it's well documented, and we've all sympathized with her about it too. We've also read all about her disgusting ex and his sleeping around, ending in a split. Silly him it seems. She's looking more amazing than ever!

Look at her in these recent pics. She's got a new body, new hair, new dresses... bravo Kelly, you look OMGorgeous!

At the Tommy Hilfiger show yesterday in New York

At the Elise Overland show, wearing Elise Overland

In a cute little white number with Mamma Osboune at The Brent Shapiro Foundation Event

Rocking out at the Stand Up To Cancer event

Looking super slim, tall and elegant at Fashion's Night Out LA

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!

Duckie Brown - something for the men!

This is my first look at the New York catwalks so far. I've heard excellent things from me friends over the other side of the pond. It sounds like we're going to have a bright, fun spring summer ladies (and gents)!

Welcome to Duckie Brown's spring summer 2011, and welcome, it seems, to one of the most amazing charity shop dressing up parties I've ever seen! "Do you actually like all this?" asked one friend. "My God, yes! So much" I replied. And let me tell you why.

It's been a long time coming when men could actually wear what they like. It worked in the 80s, but really since then we've struggled. Until now(ish). The last couple of years have proved that we, men, can actually wear something that is oversized, loud in colour or even sheer. All three embraced fully by Steven and Daniel of Duckie Brown for next season.

The first look sent down could have been interpreted as quietly innocent. What, you might think, is the big deal with a couple of shades of grey on a short jacket and turned up trousers? What's this collection about? Wait. Hang on. Longer under shirts than jackets? Leopard print? Oversized cardis? Clashing prints? Oh yes, THIS is what it's about. Men's fashion, that says something.

Duckie Brown effectively make clashing prints look cool. They especially love a check, something prevalent in a few of their collections, and some fun thrift shop-looking shirts and jackets for the next season. So fun!

Reported on WWD, via Vogue.com, Steven and Daniel divulged their inspiration for this new collection as "Grey, minimal, twist, floral, print, tartan, stripes, pattern and colour explosion." You think??