CELEBRITY - Tara's Silver Floor-Length Dress

Tara Palmer Tomkinson has a book out, and I'm afraid I will not be in a hurry to read it. I like trash literature for a summer holiday but Tara, a writer? That said, she was spotted out at her book launch wearing a fab silver dress with sheer sleeve detail and cut-away back by Suzanne Neville. With the faux (I hope) fur cover-up it epitomised old Hollywood glamour!

MFW - Get the Look: Dsquared2 Hair Styles

At the Dsquared2 S/S 2011 show during Milan Fashion Week, models were styled by Sam McKnight, Global Stylist Ambassador for Pantene Pro-V.

The Inspiration for the hair looks to complement the Dsquared2 collection was young and fresh super sleuths: intellectual-looking boys and girls with an unfussy attitude; dishevelled bow buns on girls, boyish girls with masculine side partings. It seems geek chic is far from dead ladies.

Get the look:

1.  "The base of any great style is freshly washed and conditioned hair using Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner," says Sam McKnight, Global Style Ambassador for Pantene. To build texture and volume with a glossy finish, Sam combed Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Mousse through from the roots to the ends.
    
2. He then blow dried the hair back and away from the face using a paddle brush to keep hair smooth.
    
3. Allowing hair to fall into a natural parting, or creating a low side parting for the 'boyish' girls, Sam then caught hair into a ponytail, positioned just above the nape of the neck. To create a bow shape, Sam looped the length of the hair up and tied to secure the loop into the base of the pony tail using no-snag elastic.
    
4. The remaining length of the hair was looped round to complete the other side of the bow and pinned into the base of the ponytail to secure. Any remaining lengths were used to cover the centre of the bow.
    
5. The key to achieving Sam's signature 'Done, undone' look lies in making the style look as if the girls had done their hair themselves. So to complete the style, Sam pulled out loose tendrils of hair at the sides and then using his fingers, added texture to the bun by slightly teasing the hair.

Your hair styling kit:

• Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo
• Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioner
• Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Mousse

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LINGERIE - The New Wonderbra Full Effect Bra

I've reviewed Wonderbra products before... I loved the Ultimate Strapless in fact. But now, there's a new bra in town from Wonderbra and I just have to tell you I love that too!

The new Full effect bra is designed to boost your bust by up to 2 cup sizes and unlike some gel-filled bras, this one is super-lightweight and gives a completely natural and rounded shape. It's pretty comfortable to wear too and although under a tee you might not really notice the size difference, if you through on a low cut top you'll be pretty stunned by how much bigger your boobs look. I don't have the smallest assets to begin with which is why boosting bras like this have sometimes been a bit heavy and cumbersome in the past, however, this one is just as easy to wear as any other everyday bra and the effects are pretty dramatic. Let's just say, my boyfriend was a fan.

To celebrate the launch of its new Full effect competition to find three stylish girls to win an amazing fashion experience as either a fashion buyer, stylist or journalist, Wonderbra has picked the brains of its judges Britain’s Next Top Model judge, Grace Woodward, X-Factor star, Lucie Jones and designer Richard Sorger to share their top tips to giving your look a boost:

Grace says: "Right now Christina Hendricks is the hottest thing since hot buttered crumpets, and boy does she have some. Christina's look though is just as hard to achieve as Victoria Beckham's, but with the help of the new Full effect bra it's not impossible. It's a known fact that guys like us gals looking curvy and now Wonderbra has the perfect way to achieve it without doing something drastic!

Lucie says: "The one item you have to have in your wardrobe whatever the season is a leather jacket. You can throw it over anything and it just gives your outfit a bit of edge. I’ve updated it slightly this season by getting a shearling aviator jacket, I’ll be living in it come winter. Equally I could not live without mascara – it just makes you look ten times better in about 10 seconds!

Lucie says: "On a night out I always make sure I choose my outfit before I start getting ready, last minute cupboard raids are just way too stressful. I always, always do my hair last, that way you can match your hair and make-up to your outfit and your whole look will look polished."

Richard says: "Transparent/sheer tops or dresses over a Wonderbra or a top that shows off your Full effect cleavage is just as sexy as exposed skin."

Lucie Jones has been signed up by Wonderbra to inspire girls across the UK with a flair for fashion.
Since signing with Select model management in December Lucie has been working as a model and is now using her experiences to inspire other girls to fulfil their fashion ambitions through Wonderbra’s Full effect campaign. See her pics throughout this post. What do you reckon?

To find out more about the competition and to enter visit www.wonderbrafulleffect.co.uk The ad campaign for the bra was launched with a 3D billboard at London's Waterloo station. Check out the photos.

LFW - Behind the Scenes at Jasper Garvida SS11

 

Thanks to Miele, the key sponsor for Jasper Garvida and his Vauxhall Fashion Scout Show, I was invited to see the SS11 collection on the catwalk and also able to go backstage to get a sneak peek before things kicked off. Boy I don't know how the models kept their make-up from slipping off their faces, the backstage area is hot, hot, hot and super busy.

The hair created by the Toni & Guy Session Team was pretty exceptional. Big candy floss buns on the tops of the models heads which were adorned with jewel hair accessories. Make up was soft and in girly shades of pink and lilac, a very feminine look and one that's easy to copy for yourself.

But you want to know about the clothes too right? This latest collection, named 'Belle', features pleated ballerina skirts, slick tailoring, delicate embellishment in bronze, silver and gold not to mention some fabulous textures and touches of floatiness too. I dread to think how long the hand embellishments have taken the team to do, but the effect is dazzling. The collection was born from inspirations of Paris in 1951 and Degas's 'Ballet Dancers'.

Part of the collection features an almost brown fabric with multi-coloured tones running through it. It reminded me of when as a kid, you mix all the paint colours together and are left with a bit of everything, it was really different to other things I'd seen this week and so it instantly appealed to me. Seeing the clothes up close and personal before the show also makes you appreciate just how luxurious the fabrics are and how accomplished every detail is. Fabrics used include silk organza, brocade, voile and cloque. The textured looped organza was a technique that gave pieces that voluminous feel too, you can really see it in the video I've embedded (my pics weren't that great).

This fabric is heavenly, I'm in awe!

We were lucky enough to catch a couple of minutes with Jasper too before he was whisked off for an interview. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jasper to help out in judging Miele's Fashion Prize and he really is the sweetest man in fashion. He explained to us that his throat was sore, not from shouting though, from singing while he got everything ready for the big show. sounds like something I would do!

Goodie bags from Miele lined the front row and you can find out more about the Miele/Jasper Garvida partnership at the Forever Better site. Miele have a great relationship with a whole bunch of fabulous bloggers and had made sure we all got seats for the show. It was great to catch up with everyone, and with my competition winner Sherin too.

Jasper Garvida also has an online store so if you love his style, you can shop it from the comfort of your chair.

LFW - Julien Macdonald's SS11 Collection

Some people don't like to make that instant link between designer collections and celebrity, but in the case of Julien Macdonald, it's very hard not to. Waiting outside the show (to take my standing place) car after car drew up with a more famous face, and a more frantic paparazzi.

Getting inside the Banqueting House on Whitehall where the show was taking place, things were still a little chaotic with the likes of Rachel Stevens turning up pretty late and the PR people having to do a bit of a chair shuffle to get everyone seated. Then Elle Macpherson swans in... it would be easy to get star struck in a room like that.

The collection was actually very light and airy with floral prints, daringly micro-mini dresses and trailing billowing maxi dresses. I loved the collection although some pieces were far more wearable than others. My favourite bit of the show was hair and make-up though, it was real sexy, boudoir styling. What's not to love! Before the first model walked out, women sprayed the whole room with perfume to set the scene, something that was later done at other shows.

Here are some of my favourite looks from the collection and check out the wonderful setting...

And for those who are interested, here are a few of the famous faces that Julien's new collection attracted. I wonder who'll be first to wear something from the SS11 range...

Amber Rose (in yet another outfit change for the day)

Olivia Palermo

Michelle Williams

Rachel Stevens

Cat Deeley and Elle Macpherson

Shingai Shoniwa

Janice Dickinson

LFW - Jasper Conran's Beautiful Beach Holiday

The Jasper Conran collection had to be one of my favourites from the whole of Fashion Week. It was simple yes, there wasn't a Kelly Brook walking or naked model in sight, there was no celebrity circus on the way in, what it did have, however, were delightfully timeless dresses and separates with a colourful, seaside-inspired twist.

The shapes were a mix of fifties and sixties chic including shifts, skirt suits, capri pants and my personal favourites... the gorgeous retro fifties style dresses. The colours were just the brighter side of pastel in a plethora of petal shades. I loved it! These are the sort of dresses I dream of finding in a vintage shop.

The soft, layered chiffon styles and those with pleats and fitted bodices were the highlight of my day. Some, I'm sure, would accuse me of being a tad boring by getting so excited by this collection, but sometimes all that's needed is great execution of beautiful designs and that's what Jasper managed to pull off with ease. It's also nice to have something on the catwalk that works equally well for older women too.

The transparent hats were a little bit 'wedding' for me, but strip that away and all these pieces are instantly wearable. The models even wore flat pumps, so no broken ankles for these models! Take a look at some of my highlights below...

If you want a taster of Jasper Conran at a high street price, then be sure to check out his J by Jasper Conran range at Debenhams. They've also just launched Jasper's style notes section with outfit inspiration and ideas.

LFW - Charlie Le Mindu SS11

What can I say, this show had one of the best receptions of any I'd been to. I think it's partly because the ideas are pretty unusual, the models were almost naked (some entirely naked) and the overall spectacle was hard to beat. A Charlie Le Mindu collection is like taking a walk through Lady Gaga's closet. My personal favourite piece had to be the poodle head piece and likewise the flamingo was pretty incredible too.

If you're not familiar with Charlie's work, he was originally a hairdresser and has become well-known for sculptural wigs, clothing and accessories made with human hair. Yes it's a niche market, but boy does he do it well. This season the styles were influenced by the rich and famous, by Hollywood and it's groomed poodles, Cadillacs and champagne and by glam red carpet dressing.

More pics of the collection can be found here.

I was sat within touching distance of the beautiful Amber Rose. Just in case you were interested, this lady has some killer curves. She was wearing the jacket with tights and not much else! I also know that she changed outfits between each show during the day... now there's a dedication to fashion and not being photographed in the same thing twice.

LFW - House of Holland and a Q&A with Henry

I wasn't there for the House of Holland show this season *sad face*. However, I was lucky enough to be invited by Blackberry to a private screening of the show with the man himself who stuck around for a fashion blogger Q&A sesh. And the location for the event? Well, the Henry Holland pub of course. I often walk past it on my lunch breaks but didn't realise that Henry actually had his 21st birthday there. He loves it! The location right by Selfridges is handy too, but anyway, I digress...

We all watched the show, which I loved by the way and it was great to be there and get Henry's reaction to it too. The collection was slightly more sophisticated and when asked if this was deliberate Henry said yes. He explained that he likes to create clothes for the women he hangs out with. 'We are all growing up' he said, 'I want House of Holland to grow with the customer rather than them moving to other brands as they age'.The House of Holland lady is getting invited to more cocktail parties these days, so naturally she needs something to wear to them.

The collection

The new collection uses some of the same colours as previous seasons but there is some newness too so I asked about how he developed the palette for this season. Henry admitted that his collections always starts with purple, but this season a new element was added with the cream and green of a banana leaf print - which covers one of the key pieces, a striking jumpsuit (that pal Agyness Deyn has nabbed apparently). The print epitomises that 70s Miami feel which runs through the collection. In fact, the 70s has definitely been a strong look on many a catwalk collection this London Fashion Week and I'm actually quite liking it (although I'll need to grow a few inches to work the look). 

Friends and family

Henry is constantly inspired by his mum (SteffiHolland on Twitter). He tells the story of his mum not being able to answer the door without lipstick and earrings on, even at 4am in the morning... that's the statement marabou feather earrings explained then (don't call them pom poms!) It's also great to hear that Henry gets to work so closely with his friends and family. His aunt comes in and sews buttons for 4 days before a show and his mum is there helping out too. As Henry says, 'when you put together a fashion show you can't say 'I'. It's definitely a team effort, although there's no sharing the credit for the ideas, those are all Henry's.

Collection highlights

Other highlights from the collection included a denim playsuit with voluminous pleated sleeves, fabulous fringing on dresses, Swarovski stars and oversized pockets. My personal fave is the purple pleat print short dress, and the turquoise pleated dress has already been seen on Pixie Geldof. If you love House of Holland, you'll be lusting after these...

Celebrating with Blackberry

Henry and pals celebrated the new collection and the launch of sponsor Blackberry's brand new Torch phone with an after party on Brick Lane. I managed to get along there too, with my new dance partners for the evening Adele (of Fashion For Lunch) and George (of Glitterbird). Hands down the best party I've been to this Fashion Week - thanks to Nick Grimshaw for the awesome tunes.

All in all it was a great evening and I have to say a big thank you to Blackberry - I had a chance to play about with the new handset and I am lusting after it more than you can know. It has a keyboard and touchscreen, the most important things for a handset to get on my 'most wanted' radar. Even more exciting than that though is the limited edition case designed by Henry that means (just like his mum) you can show off your earrings at all times, even when chatting away on your Blackberry - see the 'Now Look Ear' blog for the latest pics. I'm certain you'll recognise most of the faces on there.

 Could Aggy and Henry have the most adorable and genuine celebrity friendship ever!

LFW - John Rocha for SS11

Everyone knows the name John Rocha, he's been a design authority within high end fashion and on the high street for years, in everything from homeware, crystal, kidswear, womenswear and menswear. But, onto the spring/summer collection for next year...

I loved the palette of black, nude, rose and ivory in delicate knits, raw tweed (think dishevelled Chanel chic), and tufted lace was simple but graceful and much pared down compared to last season's show. With Rocha it's always about texture, detail and form and this collection is no different. Some of the pieces looked incredibly delicate and dainty while others had a simpler, stronger feel.

The cocoon shaped backpacks neither fitted nor jarred with the garments but what they do fit with is the travelling ethos that has become so central to Rocha's brand and influences. The model's hair was all about volume and, dare I say, frizz, but it was almost essential to sit right against the huge ruffled hats which gave everything a slightly period drama feel. 

Max Rocha is cited for the music for the show, and I am guessing this is John's son? The fashion industry is most definitely in the family's genes with Simone Rocha, John's daughter, showing at Fashion East this season. Her signature style is described as "modern and strong yet romantic" and she set up her own label earlier this year after studying art and design. Watch her, she's bound to do well and from what I heard via Twitter, reception to her collection was positive.

See John Rocha's profile on debenhams.com too. He's always been keen to supplement a high-end mainline collection with pieces that are more accessible and that's where Debenhams plays such a strong part. His approach is that design shouldn't be elitist, it should just be done well regardless of price. A concept that I fully subscribe to, no one should be priced out of good quality and good design, and John Rocha is one of the amazing designers who helps ensure that doesn't happen.

There's a few of my own pics on my Flickr page.