Up to 75% off on your top fashions

Online bargain shopping search service, LoveFashionSales.com has introduced a new feature which helps you to find the biggest fashion bargains online in your size. From now on registered users can narrow their search to find clothes, shoes, bags and accessories from their favourite brands which are discounted by 75% or more.

This latest addition is one of a number of new features introduced by LoveFashionSales.com to make bargain hunting even easier.

Whether you are looking for a high street bargain or a designer discount, LoveFashionSales.com monitors over half a million styles and can help you to bag the biggest bargains online. Simply register for free on the website, select your favourite brands from 400 fashion retailers (including Dorothy Perkins and Jigsaw) and thousands of designers (from Miu Miu to Prada), add in your clothes and shoe sizes and LoveFashionSales.com will direct you to the bargains.

Rob Gorton, founder of LoveFashionSales.com explains: “LoveFashionSales.com is one of the UK's fastest growing fashion destinations providing a free-to-use, personalised bargain hunting service to save users both time and money. By providing a wider range of search criteria, we hope to make it even easier for registered users to find the fashion bargains they are looking for – whether they are seeking the biggest discounts or items in a particular price bracket.”

With the new features, it is now possible to:
- Perform an instant search, in your size on any or all of the 8,000 brands the site monitors (high-street or designer).
- Narrow your search by:
- Price (i.e. you can seek items in various price bands such as under £49 or over £250)
- Discount (i.e. you can select to only view items with greater than 75% reduction)
- Colour (there are 15 colours to choose from, so you can search only for garments in silver or purple or navy… etc.)
- Garment (16 different garments from swimwear to handbags and sportswear to jewellery)
- Sort your searches by 5 criteria (e.g. lowest price, highest discount or most recent first).
- Search all your past email alerts for items that are still available.
- Personalise the presentation of your email alert by choosing between leopard print, snakeskin, denim, lace or a simple black border

Rob Gorton concludes, “These improvements mean that users can be much more specific about what they are seeking. If you are looking for a discounted red dress from a designer brand to wear to a wedding but don’t want to spend more than £149, you can instantly search for this and be shown the most discounted dresses at the top of your search.”

On Your Marks... Get Set... GO!

This Spring/Summer is all about the London Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and the Nancy Dee SS12 range leads with the perfect exclusive print and styles to chime with the country's celebratory mood and upsurge in national pride. Take a look and you'll see what we mean by getting in the swing while remaining coolly stylish and effortlessly chic!

More reasons to celebrate...

Proud to be British

Nancy Dee was founded in 2008 by sisters Tamsin and Seraphina Davis. Every Nancy Dee piece is designed in Seraphina's studio in North London and made in two small factories in the Midlands.

True limited edition pieces
Nancy Dee's prints are uniquely designed for the brand by the sisters, and a limited quantity of each style is made, so each piece is that bit more special for the wearer.

High-performance fabrics naturally...
Their premium fabrics - organic cotton, bamboo and Modal - are wonderfully soft against the skin, drape beautifully, are from sustainable sources and grown naturally.

It's a family business, Nancy Dee was created in 2008 by sisters Tamsin and Seraphina Davis. With backgrounds in Film and Social Policy (Tamsin) and Fashion Design (Seraphina), they share a desire to create wearable stylish pieces that provide a real ethical and sustainable alternative to mainstream fast fashion. The company is gaining a loyal following as more and more people discover that an alternative is possible.

Nancy Dee's manifesto:
Sustainability begins at the design stage. Nancy Dee dresses are not one-season wonders but are designed to be long-wearing, versatile and much-loved pieces. Made in jersey, they can be dressed up for evening ('day-to-night') and adapted to work with seasonal trends. Whilst longevity is key, our designs remain relevant and we have been featured in consecutive seasons in the Drapers future trend catwalk shows at the PURE exhibition in London, and our styles are listed on the Mudpie.com trend forecasting website.

Their materials - organic cotton, soya bean, bamboo, linen and silk - are made from fibres extracted from renewable sources, which means that they are grown naturally, the land can be re-used after each harvest, and unlike synthetic materials they are fully biodegradable.

Made In Britain. By manufacturing in the UK they can be confident of quality, of working conditions, and of helping to preserve the specialist skills that we have here in Britain.

Unique design. All of the clothes they make and all of the prints they use are designed exclusively by Nancy Dee. The production process - from sourcing the yarn through to the finished piece - can take up to a year, and as hey produce a set quantity of each style, limited editions are guaranteed.

If you would like any more information or have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

www.nancydee.co.uk

Even more reductions at AllSaints!

AllSaints Spitalfields continue their Sale with further reductions beginning 14th January 2012. Shop selected Sale lines with up to 60% off, both in-store and online at AllSaints.com.

The AllSaints Sale continues, with up to 60% off selected styles both in-store and online at AllSaints.com.
With further reductions on selected Sale styles; there is no shortage of options for brand loyalists.

In Menswear, outerwear is an essential category that includes a wide choice of Italian wool Pea Coats, fully lined Parkas and Vintage inspired Biker Jackets for keeping warm in the final months of Winter.

For the perfect wash and fit at a significantly discounted price, be sure to check out the Mens Denim range. The authentic collection of vintage inspired jeans include straight, slim, skinny and tapered fits to suit every leg shape. These styles come in a variety of laundered and treated finishes that are innovatively developed to ensure that the denims can be lived in, whilst guaranteeing optimum durability.

For Women seeking stylishly classic sale items, the luxurious dress category promises inspiration. Heavily hand beaded embellishment, garment washed leather and watercolour print silks are just some of the ever popular styles that make up the AllSaints Dress collection and provide classic styling pieces to suit every occasion.

Knitwear is also a key category for channelling the ever popular layering trend and keeping warm in these chillier months. The collection includes a mix of mid weight cashmere cardigans, ideal for creating luxurious yet understated looks, and chunky cable knit capes and jumpers made from premium lambswool blend yarn.

Also available in the AllSaints Sale are premium leather Handbags, hand finished Footwear and essential jersey Loungewear.

AllSaints Online make purchasing even easier for the Sales shopper, offering FREE standard shipping to the UK and Europe and FREE International delivery to a large number of worldwide destinations on all orders of over £250.

Shop online now at www.AllSaints.com

PINGUSH - For The Discerning Woman

Meet Carina Hildebrandt, immerse yourself in her rich, tantalising colours and strong simple elegant designs that have been quietly capturing the eye of the sophisticated discerning woman.

From the strikingly simple 100% Baby Alpaca 'Signature' coat and belted draped collared jackets to the richly textured knitted necklaces, taffeta skirts and unique organic cotton empire dresses, Carina designs enduring pieces that are both flattering and addictively comfortable.

She is renowned for her stunning range of distinctive colours, soft smokey hues for summer, rich autumnal shades for winter. Her timeless contemporary look with a now all-encompassing Womenswear collection undoubtedly fills a gap in the market and PINGUSH is ready to launch to a wider audience.

Each effortlessly elegant piece has been designed to be both stand alone and work to create a variety of looks as part of a capsule wardrobe. Hand finished in our dedicated fair-trade workshop in Peru the collection is available in sizes 8-22 and is machine washable.

For further information about the range and their SW London showroom, please visit www.pingush.com

Get 75% off selected brands with MeeMee.me

Edited online fashion store, www.MeeMee.me is offering customers a massive 75 per cent off selected lines. Shoppers can take advantage of the huge discount when buying shoes, clothes and accessories by participating brands.

Treat yourself with something causal from Only or the classic designs of Vero Moda. You could even splash out on one of the luxurious faux fur coats. Don’t miss out; get that special party outfit while there’s still time! MeeMee.me has 75% off Maggie+Me and Lipsy ranges until Christmas.

All items display body shape recommendations, what’s more, you can try on your items before delivery, using MeeMee.me’s virtual Fitting Room. So you can be sure that what ever you choose you will find the perfect item for your style and shape.

How to beat the January sales!

A study carried out this year* has shown that women in the UK spend more than £1.6 billion on more than 500 million items of clothing they will never wear, with the average woman hoarding around 22 garments in her wardrobe that will never see the light of day. Furthermore, the vast majority of these crimes against fashion can be blamed on impulse buys, with over 30% of women surveyed admitting that almost all of these items are sales purchases.

With the recession still playing havoc with the purse stings, more consumers than ever are looking to buy investment pieces, viewing items on a ‘cost per wear’ basis and shunning the disposable ‘fast fashion’ that many outlets offer.

So, with the January sales looming, how can shoppers avoid wasting their hard earned cash and get sales savvy to find a true fashion investment?

Amanda Wright, founder of exclusive online clothing boutique Hunter Dunn, offers some top tips on how to beat the sales:

o Take stock of your wardrobe: Before heading out to the sales, take a thorough look through your wardrobe. Note down the items which need replacing or the gaps which need to be filled. Then, whilst shopping, use the list to keep focused, and stop you getting carried away purchasing things you don’t need, or won’t work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Update classic basics with on-trend accessories: When it comes to buying staple sale items such as dresses, jackets and trousers, go for timeless, well cut shapes without any obvious references to current trends. Then, use accessories to bring in transient seasonal trends to create classic looks with a contemporary twist!

Think big: It is better to buy something which is slightly large, on the basis that a good tailor can alter it to fit you perfectly, rather than waste money on something slightly small in the belief that one day you will fit into it!

Invest in luxury fabrics: The sales are the perfect time to snap up some luxury fabrics, which, with the right care, are guaranteed to outlast inferior materials. Cashmere is highly coveted, and the sales are the perfect time to purchase some high quality essentials which will last from season to season. Silk is also worth investing in - look for simple, well cut blouses in classic colours that can become a year-round wardrobe staple. Also not to be overlooked is pure new wool – this can come in the form of everyday knitwear, traditional woven tweeds or contemporary wool crepes. The feel of the fabric should tell you everything you need to know, and will stand up to the rigors of everyday life without stretching or sagging.

Don’t be tempted by a price tag: This truly is the golden rule - only ever buy an item if it is a shape and colour which truly flatters you. It may have 50% off, but it is not an investment piece if it languishes in the bottom of the wardrobe never to be worn.

Amanda Wright said: “Shopping the sales is a wonderful opportunity to get beautiful investment pieces at a fraction of the usual cost – but when January comes around its easy to be tempted by a low price tag and end up with clothes that will probably never be worn. This makes neither financial nor ecological sense, so it’s important to become ‘sales-smart’ and walk away with clothes that will look fabulous season after season by following these few simple rules.”

How To Spot an Investment Item

Amanda says: “Our aim at Hunter Dunn is to offer elegant understated fashion which will appeal to women who are more concerned with quality and design than transient trends.

“Buying in the sales is a fantastic opportunity to find investment pieces, and there are a few simple pointers to look out for, to ensure that what is being purchased is of a high quality.”

Turning an item inside out can tell you all you need to know about how well made it is and what you are getting for your money:

Lining
People assume lining is a sign of a quality garment, but this is not necessarily the case. Lining can make it easy for a factory to hide the quality of its work because you cannot examine the seams, the stitching or how well the pattern was cut. If your item does have a lining pay close attention to how well it fits, how the seams sit when the item is on and the quality of stitching.

Seams
High quality pieces will generally have flat pressed seams so that the item sits neatly against the body. Also, keep an eye out for bound edges - on a piece of tailoring such as a jacket, the seams will generally be bound along each edge to create a beautifully finished garment, so the inside looks almost as good as the outside.

Stitching
Check for smooth, straight stitching, and that the seams have been sewn accurately, with no bunching or puckering. Small, tight stitches are also a sign of quality workmanship as it takes longer, but ultimately helps the garments to retain their strength and shape over time and reduce the possibility of splitting and tearing.

The Hunter Dunn sale has now begun exclusively online, giving customers a chance to snap up items from DAKS, John Smedley and Mimi Berry at reduced prices.

Visit www.hunterdunn.co.uk.

New Year’s Eve sophistication with Pure Collection

Pure Collection provides the ultimate in sophisticated New Year’s Eve partywear with a selection of feminine looks in classic red, black and grey.A simple but utterly chic black dress will never look out of place at a cocktail party, so a Shift Dress, £83.85 is a flattering and versatile choice. 

 

In a wool-rich fabric with a slight sheen finish, this wardrobe staple is given a modern twist by sculptural pleats at the neckline. Pair with a Pashmina Shawl in Scarlet, £111.75, in 100% sustainable cashmere for a shot of festive colour and add unfussy, delicate diamond jewellery.

Printed cocktail dresses continue to be popular thanks to the fifties influences recently seen on the catwalks, and the Printed Silk Shift Dress, £77.40, in a bold check print channels the trend effectively. Keep a sleek silhouette with the Pleat Front Silk and Cashmere Cardigan in Cherry, £104.30, in luxurious silk and cashmere mix and its feminine puff sleeves.

If your New Year’s Eve party requires something a little more glamorous than the average cocktail dress, then the Gathered Detail Jersey Dress in Dark Red, £51.75, will be the perfect choice. With a flattering wrap neckline and gathered bodice detail, this dress needs little more than a bag to set it off, such as the Soft Quilt Bag in Black, £134.25. Detach the strap to create an oversized clutch, tapping into the popular Autumn Winter trend.

This New Year’s Eve, keep it stylish and sophisticated with a select palette from Pure Collection.

Diesel Clothing Fights to Reclaim Fashion Crown

Very much head to head with other leading fashion labels, Diesel Clothing seem to produce the goods year upon year. New designs and innovative ideas keep Diesel Clothing ahead of the rest, in terms of popularity and fan base. The key behind this is keeping the brand name small and contemporary, in a way that keeps it unique from the rest.

Many brands have taken new approaches to the High Street, in bringing out large printed designs and other unique garments. This is where Diesel as a brand were very clever, as they did not get dragged into this and follow on! They kept their brand small and unique in a way that creates consistency and has the feel of a great sense of style. Diesel have their very own mission statements as a fashion label, and have stuck to these throughout their 30 year reign on the High Street. This has helped them in terms of keeping, and increasing their very own fan base, as customers know exactly what they are going to get from Diesel.

Diesel as a brand have proved to be very much, more selective, in terms of promoting and being sold in most High Street stores. Other competitors such as G-Star are found in almost any fashion outlet, as they aim to produce as many sales as possible, increasing profit margins. Diesel saw this and let G-Star take a large hold in the fashion market of today.

This is a factor that resulted in Diesel becoming more popular, as their products are not found in every high street store. It is this uniqueness about the Diesel that enables them to increase the size of their fan base, and obtain a better customer relationship. It gives off the impression of quality within their products, whereas many people may see G-Star as producing as many products as possible to increase their overall profit margin.

With Diesels store portfolio more selective, and within more desirable shops, customers are seeing this as a one off item of clothing that is second to none in terms of detailing and materials used. Whereas G-Star have over compensated for this, and are found in virtually any fashion store. It is little things like this that increases Diesel as a fashion label, making them more unique to the rest. An example of this is the very small branding always found on any Diesel garment, no matter what the product is. Customers are attracted to this and see it as a very contemporary brand, to take fashion that next step further!

Why not drop into Bridge55, or even go online at Bridge55.com. Here you will find all of the latest Diesel Clothing collections, sure to hit the mark early, and impress you Diesel enthusiasts out there!

After beginning in the shadows of other brands such as G-Star, Diesel now have their hold on the current market, taking styles and materials to whole new levels, in order to provide you, the customers with a product for life!

|www.bridge55.com

AllSaints Celebrate Traditional British Manufacturing Methods in a New Film

British workmanship and manufacturing are given the recognition they deserve with the release of AllSaints' new documentary, Voices of the Cloth.

You might have never thought about it, but what if the shirt on your back could tell a thousand stories? What if the coat you throw on each day represented passion and commitment, or the jacket round your shoulders symbolized generations of toil and tradition? These are just a few of the questions that the leading fashion retailer AllSaints has posed in the documentary, Voices of the Cloth, a new film that will launch on the UK site tomorrow, that showcases the level of workmanship and care that goes into producing some of the materials that the brand use.

AllSaints explain: “As a brand with British manufacturing in its blood, heritage and tradition are uncompromising fundamentals of the AllSaints spirit. However, it's these values that too many, too often forget, as modern day production takes hold and skilled British work forces get left behind. This documentary was created in order to give voice to the whispered stories of survival in a fast-moving industry and liberate the Voices of the Cloth.”

Shot in the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield, where much of AllSaints’ woven textiles are manufactured, the town's endless stories presented a unique opportunity for AllSaints to celebrate their roots. With much of the film talking place within the traditional ‘finishing’ mill, a family-run establishment where many of their fabrics are treated, the skilled workers explain the specialist weaving and steaming techniques that have been developed over generations to give the miles and miles of beautiful fabric a very specific feel. This ‘handle’ is a quality that could not be replicated without their expert knowledge, or the temperate conditions of the surrounding area.

AllSaints continue: “These men of the mill are equally fascinating, working on machines now so old that they were unique in the world and using top secret soap recipes that their ancestors had toiled for generations to perfect. These were people who started work at the age of 15 knowing nothing about textiles, but who by retirement age had become experts in their trade.”


 FACTFILE:
AllSaints Spitalfields

AllSaints is acclaimed for it's unique brand of sharp, directional clothing, occupying a unique position in the fashion retail sector. The brand offers a complete collection of menswear and womenswear consisting of graphic t-shirts, jersey, denim, casualwear, leathers, tailoring and accessories.

On-trend Sale Style with Pure Collection

Tap into this season’s trends without compromising on luxury with Pure Collection’s latest sale, where there is up to 60% off key items in their collection. Pair jewel brights with elegant neutrals for a colour-popping outfit ideal for these dark, dreary days.

A structured coat in a bold colour looks striking worn over neutrals, and the Double Breasted Coat in Red, was £249, now £99, is no exception. Glossy button fastenings and warm stand collar make this a practical yet stylish coat. Team with a jewel-toned shirt, like the Longline Silk Tunic in Blackberry, was £109, now £54 with minimalist details to really let that colour pop.

The Cashmere Sweater Dress in Heather Grey, was £179, now £89, in 100% sustainable cashmere, provides a neutral in contrast to the rich jewel colours. Accessorise with a sparkling Sequin Jersey Infinity Scarf in Grey Marl, was £79, now £31, for a contrasting texture that keeps to the soft colour palette, creating a relaxed, feminine outfit ideal for dinner and drinks at a friend’s.

For a smart yet fun everyday look, these colour-pop cardigans are perfect. The Cashmere Puffed Sleeve Cardigan in Amber or Coral Spice, was £139, now £55, is a simple way to inject some fresh, modern style into your wardrobe.

Add texture with your neutral pieces by opting for a luscious Soft Pleat Leather Bag in Taupe, was £249, now £99 for casual, relaxed style: perfect for a day out Christmas shopping. For a touch of luxury, the Sleeveless Georgette Blouse in Beige, was £79, now £31, is a beautifully delicate addition in 100% silk that also subtly works this season’s androgyny trend.

The Pure Collection sale runs from 19th December to 27th January while stocks last, and has over 120 styles included with up to 60% off.

MeeMee.me wants you, you, you! New models required

MeeMee.me is on the hunt for new models to show off its unique ‘Style Me’ service, where you can shop for clothes that are designed to suit your individual shape.

It’s running a competition on Facebook to find three young women of different shapes, between a size 8 and a size 18, to be the featured faces of MeeMee.me. Winners will be styled by celebrity stylist Zoe Lem and photographed for the site, as well as winning clothes worth £500.

If you know your own style and think you’ve got what it takes to be the face of MeeMee.me, upload your picture at.

MeeMee.me is a radical new way to shop online. It’s all about edited fashion: its team of stylists create looks to suit your style and shape. On the Style Me section of the site, input your measurements, and the MeeMee.me style team will recommend the best clothes to suit you.

Want to see what clothes will suit you before you buy? MeeMee.me has an outfit builder in an online fitting room that means you can see what different outfits will look like together, on an avatar that you can customise by hair and skin colour. It’s really simple to do – just click an item of clothing in the fitting room and it shows on the avatar, so you can build your outfit, from top to toe.

If you’re not sure what to buy, and need a friend to help you decide, just save clothes into your private wardrobe.Then you can share them with friends, either on the site or on Facebook, to get a second opinion before you buy.

MeeMee.me has with five boutiques – Casual, Essentials, Daywear, Party and Holiday.

New survey shows that women think curvier celebs are the sexiest

OneStopPlus, the online plus-size store have published a survey showing that women think curvier celebrities are sexier and have the best fashion sense. (EDITOR: I have an idea that most men would agree with thisresult...) The survey polled 10,000 women asking fashion and body-image questions about shapes and sizes.

It was seen that 36% of women indicated their belief that Marilyn Monroe was the sexiest celebrity and wished they had her body. Marilyn was followed closely by Beyonce Knowles, Sofia Vergara and Kim Kardashian.

Survey results – sexiest celebrity:

Marilyn Monroe: 36%
Beyonce Knowles: 24%
Sofia Vergara: 20%
Kim Kardashian: 11%
Gwyneth Paltrow: 6%
Katie Holmes: 5%
Christina Hendricks: 4%
Blake Lively: 2%

When asked who has the best fashion sense, the results were slightly more even spread, however it still skewed towards the curvier side. The majority of women voted for Kim Kardashian, followed by Beyonce Knowles and Marilyn Monroe.

Survey results – best fashion sense:

Marilyn Monroe: 18%
Beyonce Knowles: 19%
Sofia Vergara: 11%
Kim Kardashian: 20%
Gwyneth Paltrow: 18%
Katie Holmes: 14%
Christina Hendricks: 3%
Blake Lively: 4%

Plus size model Katie Green, who has been campaigning against size zero models, speaks out about the results '' How refreshing to find a survey that actually shows that curvier women are more desirable. Marilyn Monroe set the standard all the way back in the 50's, and I'm glad that peoples perception’s haven't changed! Well done OneStopPlus on highlighting this, as I feel this sort of public information will make a significant contribution to women's health.''

The President of OneStopPlus, Stephanie Sobel, said: “We are excited about this survey as it endorses the beauty of all women and confirms that beautiful and fashionable women come in all sizes.”

OneStopPlus.co.uk caters for sizes 14-36 providing a variety of styles and fashion at great value, and is at the forefront of plus-size fashion and innovation, giving women who are plus-size the experience of the most advanced high-fashion lifestyle.

To view the full range visit http://www.onestopplus.co.uk

Soles that fold? Tell me more about Butterfly Twist foldable boots!

Butterfly Twists continues to redefine style and fashion by expanding their line to include ButterflyTwists foldable boots.

These jet-set worthy boots will be available just in time for winter.The girl on the go needs to pack lightly and with boots that was just never possible until now! This is the go-to boot for everydress, skirt or pair of skinny jeans this season! Whether it's partying at a fun festival or running all over the city lookingeffortlessly chic, these versatile, portable boots make the perfect travel companion no matter what the occasion. ButterflyTwists boots will be introduced on ButterflyTwists.com starting November 1st and widely available in the UK, USA, Japanand Korea December 1st in a variety of rich hues and two sleek silhouettes!

EXCLUSIVE look into the features of these trendy boots:

• A patented fold, tuck and zip system for true portability
• Ankle height and knee-high styles 
• Zipper detail
• Classic slouch cut and ruche effect with versatile fold down cuff
• Soft micro-suede upper
• Moisture wicking lining 
• Contoured insole
• Skid resistant flexi sole 
• Distinctive pattern print on internal pouch

Butterfly Twists' new, travel savvy product is already generating buzz before it hits stores! Major retailers and several celebrity stylists are anxious to see this new collection. "In designing these boots, we wanted to create a design that would be ideal for travelling but also an everyday favourite", explains, Mark Quaradeghini, (Director).

The success and cult following from Butterfly Twists ballerina flats has just increased with these portable boots and it is only the beginning of an extensive amount of styles and designs that are underway. Along with the boots there is a new collection of flats with exciting newdesigns and embellishments to play-up your wardrobe.

The Butterfly Twists brand is currently specialising in fashionable yet practical, portable footwear that can be worn everyday. All of the designs have an innovative twist that makes them stand out from the crowd. Since launching in 2009, ButterflyTwists has seen great expansion worldwide, and was recently recognized by the UK Fashion & Textile Association by being presented with the 'New Exporter' trophy at the UKFT 25th Annual Awards.

Butterfly Twists footwear is sold internationally at department stores, boutiques, and online retailers. For more information on Butterfly Twists boots or flats visit www.ButterflyTwists.com or reach Emmanuel by e-mail at Emmanuel@butterflytwists.com or by phone +44(0)845 519 6255. Follow Butterfly Twists on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news on collections, events and new store locations.

How to Wear Animal Print – Style Advice from Pure Collection

Animal print is very on-trend this season, seen on shoes, bags, tops and even tights. Traditionally it has been difficult for women to style, but with some simple tips to keep in mind, adding a bit of animal print into a casual or night time outfit can be easy and fun.
Pure Collection have a fabulous Cashmere Animal Print Cardigan, £149 back this season in the same neat fit with a brand new animal print design. It’s 100% Cashmere, finished with mother of pearl buttons and rib trims. Wear it buttoned up or open over a camisole top.

The key with styling animal print is to pair it with solid pieces, picking out the shades from the print to replicate in the rest of your outfit. These Slim Leg Jeans, £89 come in a deep indigo and complement the cardigan perfectly. The fabric is a touch stretchy for extra comfort and fit.

For practicality as well as style, accessorise with a Mock Ostrich Leather Belt, £59 .This comes in the finest leather and is finished with a pewter metal buckle. The sandy tones of the Ostrich effect bring out the animal print seen in the cardigan.

A bag for this outfit needs to be of high quality yet subtle; this Pocket Detail Tote Bag, £279 comes in softly textured leather and a multitude of pockets for all your bits and bobs. The dark tone helps the animal print stand out and won’t compete for attention like a bright coloured bag would.

Finally to finish, a Cashmere Infinity Scarf, £79 in Grey Camel and super soft 100% Cashmere adds the final luxurious touch to the outfit. Its infinity style provides warmth for autumn, whilst remaining lightweight.

Pure Collection Autumn Winter range is now online, featuring quality, luxury items that will last through the seasons.

www.purecollection.com

Autumn Winter Fashion Presents The Car Bootique – The Ultimate Fashion Showcase Westfield London

Fashion lovers - get ready - as the Car Bootique returns to Westfield London Shopping Centre for its second year, this season in association with Mercedes-Benz. From Tuesday 27th September to Sunday 2nd October, the über chic Car Bootique will be taking the traditional concept of a car boot fair to new heights as Westfield London’s most sought-after fashion brands take the wheels of a Mercedes-Benz car filling the boot with exclusive lines and savvy stylish buys.

Over six days of pure fashion, try and buy new and one-off pieces to seamlessly transition your wardrobe for autumn winter.
Men’s and women’s clothing brands including Reiss, Coach, French Connection, Twenty8Twelve, Onitsuka Tiger, Ted Baker, House of Fraser, Firetrap, River Island and DKNY Jeans, plus more will be on offer. Enjoy speed grooming with make-up artists who will be applying their expertise with the latest colour palettes and products, and sharing their top beauty tips.

BLOGGER TUTORIALS
Want to tell the world about your Bootique experience? Pull-in at a Blogger Tutorial session for the chance to learn the art of blogging from high profile names in the bloggers realm. On Saturday 1st October come and join Jenny from The Style PA, Emily from Fashion Foie Gras and Navaz from Disney Roller Girl for masterclasses on how to compose the ultimate fashion and beauty posts. Sessions will be available for beginner, intermediate and advanced writers.

CALLING BLOGGERS: WANT TO WRITE FOR THE STYLENOTES BLOG?
We’re on the hunt for three guest bloggers to write for the Stylenotes blog in the areas of beauty, women’s fashion and men’s fashion. Whether you have a unique writing style, are a video novice, a photoshop pro, a style icon, or if you simply love Westfield London – we want to hear from you! This is a fantastic way to showcase your talent on a well-established platform, plus earn money for your work. See the website for entry details.

A FABULOUS FASHION FINALE

If all the trunks of treasures haven’t completely satisfied your love for a fashion fix then get yourself a front row seat at Westfield London’s exclusive fashion shows, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October. One live show will take to the catwalk four times on each day showcasing the very best in autumn/winter style***.

If you love food as much as fashion, then why not take the weight off your pins and refuel at one of Westfield London’s 65 restaurants which offer an array of food styles and fusions from around the world.

For further information, please visit: www.westfield.com/london

Debenhams' Fashion Dictionary gets an update

Debenhams has added new words to a fashion dictionary it gives to personal shoppers, due to an influx of new terms that have emerged from the fashion press.

Whilst newly made up words such as 'shooties' and 'jeather' are instantly understood by clothing industry insiders, terms from last year's dictionary such as 'jardigan' and 'tregging' are now only understood by shoppers thanks to the dictionary says the store.

So mainstream are these unusual ways of describing clothing that even the Oxford English Dictionary has been forced to include terms from the Debenhams fashion dictionary such as 'jegging' and 'mankini' for 2011.

Said Debenhams spokesperson Ed Watson: "The addition of 'jeggings' and 'mankini' to the Oxford English Dictionary shows our glossary informed the masses and we now need to take it upon ourselves to create clarification once more".

"We are still aiming to strip away as much of this new language as possible and use plain English to describe everything we sell."

New fashion phrases added to the dictionary include mangrow (baby grow for men); shinos (short/chinos); trogues (trainer/brogues); jorts (jean/shorts); athleisure (clothes to take you from work to the gym); spants (skirt/pants); swacket (sweater/jacket) and glittens (mittens that roll back to reveal gloved fingers).

Debenhams' Ed Watson said: "We believe these words are only properly understood by approximately five per cent of the population - yet they are commonly used throughout the fashion industry.

"It’s virtually a secret language, designed solely for fashion experts and people who read fashion magazines on a daily basis.

"Debenhams decided to produce the dictionary so that every shopper, both fashion expert and non-expert alike, can shop easily and clearly in all of our stores. Debenhams is encouraging the fashion industry to use existing English words to describe garments rather than these made up amalgamations."

Watson continued: "Ideally we would like to drop all these amalgamations, but our hands are tied due to the terms being used on search engines. We are committed to keeping their use to a minimum. Hopefully the dictionary will go some way to cleaning up the confusion.

"It is now easier to understand complex calculus than some of the words commonly used by commentators within the fashion industry to describe garments."

Marie Clair, spokesperson for Plain English Campaign said: "The world of fashion is reliant on these changing trends, which are often based on little more than classic foundations with clever twists.  These latest words are just existing, familiar words that have been cut and stitched to make nothing more than the 'Emperor's new clothes'". 

The New Debenhams 2011 Fashion dictionary will be out this week.

Marks and Spencer announces the final instalment of the unique collaboration with Anna Smit and The Royal College of Art

Marks and Spencer is proud to present the final RCA Limited Collection as designed by overall winner Anna Smit. Selected from 10 shortlisted students in September 2010, Anna Smit has been working with the M&S design team to create a capsule collection of stylish staples as a continuation of her winning designs.

Said: Anna Smit:  “This collection is a continuation of the previous collection I did for Marks & Spencer. I have looked at opposites in simple silhouettes, fluid shapes in contrast with rigid shapes and how to flow from one to the other. Fabrics have either been manipulated so that they themselves transform from soft to solid or appropriated to specific cuts allowing their structure to transform garment silhouettes.”

The capsule collection comprises of four tailored pieces including jersey ruched leg trousers £39.50, a tobacco fluid form top £35 and two dresses; a colour block dress £49.50 and a navy draped dress £45. The collection launches on www.marksandspencer.com and in the Marble Arch store on 8th September 2011.

How to wear your little black dress this winter

From Jules Standish, The Colour Counsellor and Author of How Not to Wear Black

Most of us love a Little Black Dress as an effortless, glamorous and smart wardrobe staple – especially during the winter months and party season. But how you wear your LBD is key, as few of us can wear black well without it ageing us if we have the wrong skin tone says Jules Standish, The Colour Counsellor and author of How Not to Wear Black and discover your true colours (August 2011, O Books, £7.99).

FACTS: The reason black can make a warm skin tone look older is because up against the face it reflects and highlights all that’s dark. Shadows around the chin, lines either side of the mouth, grooves between the nose and mouth, forehead lines or the dark rings under the eyes. Wrinkles and sunken areas will appear deeper, and the older you get the more ageing black can be. Black will flatten a warm complexion by giving it a grey appearance making it look drained and tired, stripping away any natural golden glow. Understanding your skin tone and underlying genetic pigments is vital to knowing what colours suit you according to Jules.

What Skin Tone Are You – can you naturally wear black?
Summer Complexions tend to be light and colourless, not rosy cheeked and don’t tan well. This colouring is best suited to cool pastel shades of pale pink and blue, purple, off white. Neutrals are greys and blues. Celeb Spy: Claudia Schiffer is a cool summer.

Winter Complexions are cool, light or dark, not translucent, and not rosy cheeked, with a distinctive, striking look to the appearance. Black can be worn against face with no signs of dark shadows, lines or ageing. Cool colours include electric blue, fuchsia pink, emerald green, burgundy with black and white neutrals. Celeb Spy: Megan Fox is a striking winter. Winters skin tones are the rare few that can wear black well naturally without it ageing their looks.

Spring Complexions have yellow/gold undertones, tend to blush easily, have broken veins or rosy cheeks and can vary from very fair, freckled to dark and golden. This colour palate is bright and warm including lime green, golden yellow, coral, turquoise, red, and grey/stone/blues neutrals. Celeb Spy: Amanda Holden is a bubbly spring.

Autumn Complexions have more bronze undertones than spring and never have rosy cheeks. Muted colours include olive green, burnt orange, mustard, caramel and teal. Neutrals are browns/dark greys/blues. Celeb Spy: Penelope Cruz is a dramatic autumn.

The Rules of How to Wear Your LBD if it’s not in your natural colour range

- Wear a black dress with a low neckline and ensure that your natural skin colour reflects up against the face.

- Invest in a fabulous gold (warm skins) or silver (cool skins) necklace, or wear gorgeous coloured stones of amber, turquoise, citrine or jade.

-A wrap or scarf is a great accessory in a colour that suits your skin tone.

- Choose a black dress with a coloured pattern in it.

- Opt for a two-tone dress with a block of colour on the top and black on the bottom or colour down the middle and black at the sides for a really slimming look.

- Coloured jackets or cardigans can offset the LBD beautifully, are warm and hide upper arms.

- Wear make up that is the perfect colour for your complexion and features. Warm (coral, green and brown) based make up is best for yellow/golden based skin tones while cool (pink, blue, purple) for the pink based ones.

“Nigella Lawson has the cool skin one and dramatic dark features to wear black to maximum effect and she does! Joan Collins is another high profile lady who looks dramatic in black. If you don’t have a winter skin tone like these ladies then we can learn how to wear black without it ageing our looks.”
Jules Standish, The Colour Counsellor

Written as an easy to use, self-help guide, How Not to Wear Black will introduce you to your true colours, help you choose the right clothes and accessories to help you look as attractive as you can, and understand the effects of black on the ageing process. By learning to choose the correct colours for your genetic blueprint you will minimise lines, wrinkles, blemishes and dark shadows with dramatic results – an immediate and cost-effective route to anti-ageing – and to feeling great!

FACTFILE:
Jules Standish is The Colour Counsellor: a personal colour & style expert passionate about getting women into their true colours to look younger and healthier in an instant! Jules works with a wide range of individuals from celebrities to housewives and businesswomen. Jules is also a freelance journalist and has written many articles for the media.

Stockist Info: How Not to Wear Black by Jules Standish, O Books, £7.99, 2011
ISBN 978-1-84694-561-8 – www.colourconsultancy.co.uk

Lyle & Scott Vintage Autumn/ Winter 2011

The Autumn/ Winter ’11 Lyle & Scott Vintage collection takes yet another bold step forward, providing fashion lead pieces for a confident, modern consumer, whilst remaining true to the brands rich history. The range takes inspiration from rugged, outdoor and preppy themes to create the ultimate winter wardrobe; a contemporary urban armour. New this season are two completely reworked variations on the brand’s famous logo. In addition to the traditional golden eagle is a branded debossed leather square and a woven patch which brings a collegiate feel to the collection, appearing on either the chest, pockets or sleeve.

Heavyweight outerwear has an added focus on utility and colour. A multi-pocket mountain parka is the ultimate in functional winter dressing while a cotton canvas light brown hunting jacket is stylish and more suited to milder climes. A classic cotton twill mac offers a more formal alternative and a wool duffle comes in navy and charcoal marl. Other key colours for outerwear include cranberry and Woodland green, whilst a hooded jacket and gilet comes in navy and green plaid.

As ever, knitwear is at the heart of the collection. Confident Nordic patterns and Fairisle Knits complement the rugged outdoor look. A contrast colour navy and pink Fairisle crew neck jumper is an update on a classic essential while a preppy tank top adopts a more traditional take on the pattern. Cardigans, shawl collars, v-necks, zip through’s and turtle necks come in a colour palette of burnt orange, khaki, grey marl and Admiral blue.

Winter polos and tees offer yet more shots of bold colour and winter hues. Standout pieces include the very seasonal charcoal snowflake polo and the bold and daring jacquard check polo shirts, adorned with the preppy woven patch. Long and short sleeve shirts in variations of plaid and gingham move the outdoor theme forward as do wool shirts in bright red, charcoal marl and Fjord blue.

Trousers come equipped for the winter in hard wearing fabrics, including denim for the first time. Equally stylish is a corduroy jean, with a cotton twill chino providing a more lightweight alternative. The colour palette for trousers includes light chambray, light brown, navy, Hunter green and port.

Another area of development for the Vintage collection lies in accessories. Back for a second season is the range of fine cotton socks, with a Fairisle and fleck knit an addition to the bold block colours and stripes. A plethora of beanies, bobble hats, hunter caps and scarves in check, stripes, block colours and Fairisle come with all three logo options. The bag offer is also extended to include flight bags, helmut bags and briefcases and AW11 sees the introduction of cotton and woven belts.

Footwear too welcomes some new arrivals with a suede brogue in either sand or slate, a mid top raised sole boot in burnt amber and dark brown and a semi oiled leather moccasin in black and oxblood. Canvas and calf leather trainers come in earthy tones and are brightened up with shots of bright colour. A classic suede desert boot completes the offer.

G-Star Raw Clothing Now On Sale at Bridge55

Bridge55 have announced that a G-Star Raw sale is now on, with at least 40% off retail prices. All G-Star sale clothing and jeans stock are expected to clear quickly, with an early strong sales reporting showing an increase in consumer confidence. The ‘everything must go’ attitude of the retailer is clear here, with bargains to be had aplenty for the price savvy customers.

With the Autumn/Winter season approaching and the sun disappearing, all G-Star Spring/Summer stock is being cleared. The thinner brighter G-Star t-shirts are available at extremely attractive prices, making way for more seasonal thicker, darker, winter stock that is now arriving. G-star lightweight jackets are also making way for warmer and more traditional military inspired G-Star Raw apparel.

It is not only the tees and jackets that are at bargain prices however. Bridge55 have also reduced all of the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, so all G-Star jeans, hoodies, shirts, jackets, knitwear and accessories are available at rock bottom prices. There isn’t a better time to kit the wardrobe out with some steals from the sale, or simply to get an outfit ready for the weekend without breaking the bank.

The exposure of the brand has been ultra high recently with celebrity endorsers of the brand that include David Beckham, Jay Z, and Justin Bieber. These have all been seen wearing the iconic G-Star Raw logo. This exposure has lead to an increase in demand for G-Star Raw clothing and G-Star jeans which can all be purchased on Bridge55.

Autumn/Winter 2011 is fronted this season by filmmaker, actor, musician, and artist, Vincent Gallo. The Hollywood celebrity whose most notable project includes the 80s indie film Buffalo '66. He joins current face Gemma Arterton in an upcoming ad campaign to promote 3301 by G-Star RAW. The large media campaign is expected to bring strong sales for the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2011.

Despite the tough economic times, G-Star is going from strength-to-strength in the men's and women's designer clothing sector, and it shows no stopping. The mega brand has captured its loyal market and is here to stay. You can try to copy, but G-Star cannot be recreated. The ethics and core business foundations behind the brand drive it into the 21st century.

Bridge55 offer a wide range of mens clothing including brands as G-Star, Voi, Jack and Jones and many others. Bridge55 is a bricks and mortar retailer and also an online retailer. Having been trading for almost 10 years, has an established yet still growing loyal customer base that stretches to all corners of the globe. Bridge55 are at the forefront of cutting edge fashion and aspire to become the market leaders of the future.