Want to meet Mary Portas and peruse her brand new spring/summer 2012 collection for Clarks with a complimentary cocktail in your hand? 

To coincide with Mary Portas launching her sophomore collection with Clarks (and of course, to celebrate London Fashion Week in style) the self proclaimed Queen of Shops is inviting all of you – yes, all of you – to have a drink and a chat with her at the Clarks store in London’s Oxford Street on February 21^st between 6 and 9 pm.

You’ll get the chance to meet Mary, ask her your burning style questions and try on and even buy her fabulous spring/summer 2012 collection! Not only that, but shoppers will get to sip a free bespoke ‘Bloody Mary’ cocktail – doesn’t sound bad, does it?

Mary and Clarks have lots of surprises up their sleeves, including the chance to win a free pair of shoes from the collection as part of the Mary Lucky Dip, as well as a host of other prizes and discounts.

So, if you have a spare ten minutes between shows at London Fashion Week or you’re just doing a spot of shopping, make sure you pop in to the 260 Oxford Street branch and say hello!

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Topshop’s ankle boots are becoming a thing of legend – they are just so good! Having swooned over the Ambush boots and their incredible resemblance to the famous Acne Pistol boot before, we now turn our attention to the latest member of Topshop’s boot family, the Psychic3 Studded Ankle Boot. Hey there, beautiful!

The Psychic3 boot has the same chunky style and feature zips that we loved about the Ambush boot, whilst boasting its own exciting detail. The steel toe cap and studded rear are glitzy hardware that we’re simply obsessed with, referencing the nineties grunge trend that looks set to be huge this season. The tan leather meanwhile is simply lush, whilst the wooden heel is just the right height, elongating our legs perfectly.

We’ll wear these now with our skinny jeans, band t-shirts and a chunky coat, until we ditch the coat and swap the jeans for denim cut-off shorts come summertime, when these will be looking simply sweet on festival fields. Rock on!

Topshop Psychic3 Studded Ankle Boots, £110, available from Topshop.

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Sigh – where to start narrowing down our favourite shoegasms? We could have easily done a lucky dip and picked five pairs out from one of those metaphorical hats and we’d still have five lush, lust-worthy pieces of foot candy.

Alas, after hours of deliberation, we’ve rounded up the hottest shoe launches this year because while it might sound crazy to dedicate a ‘best of’ solely to shoes, we know you’re just as obsessed as us.

Thank us later!

Charlotte Olympia Ninivah leopard pumps

Eat your heart out Christian Louboutin paw heels, it’s all about the Charlotte Olympia Ninivah leopard pumps! A statement shoe if ever there was one, this has been at the top of every MFL girl’s wish list this year. Like any good, unique and fabulous shoe, you’d never have to agonise about your wardrobe choices again.

Chrissie Morris Metropolis Deco Pumps  

A quirkier edge to your average statement black shoe, these Chrissie Morris Metropolis deco pumps seem to have it all. Slim but sturdy heel? Check. Peep toe? Check. That extra zing that will set it  – and you – apart from the rest? Triple check! At £395, they’re not an extortionate amount to pay for the endless opportunities they’ll reward you with, either.

Christian Louboutin pigalle leather flats 

We thought it was only right to feature at least one set of flats in our list, and these Christian Louboutin pigalle leather flats are a great find. Whoever said a flat shoe can’t be ultra glam? We love how the studded design found on all of the season’s hottest pieces is translated into a cute, comfortable pump.

DVF cranberry youth suede block heel boot

God bless the Seventies and God bless Diane von Furstenberg for giving us these lush cranberry suede block heel boots – the perfect accessory to get anyone into the festive spirit, but versatile enough to wear with almost anything. We all have those fat days, but adding these to a dark ensemble would instantly elongate any leg. Yes, please!

Alexander McQueen wedge ribbon sandal

And finally, much like many of our most coveted items of the year, our last shoegasm comes from the house of McQueen. Where do we start with these Alexander McQueen wedge ribbon sandals? The unique but iconic design or the sheer versatility of them? We’d happily pay £615 for a pair of shoes that can give both quirky yet deliciously feminine edges to a look.

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At this time of year, when we’re all compiling Christmas lists, it’s hard not to slip into fantasy Christmas Present Dreaming territory.

You know, when you’re Christmas shopping for a loved one but then somehow end up in a totally inappropriate shop, trying on a pair of shoes that you then end up dreaming will appear under your Christmas tree on December 25th. We’ve all been there!

Item no. 1 on the Fantasy Christmas Present List has to be these Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heel pumps.

Since Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli took the helm at the Italian atelier, Valentino’s accessories line has become even more exciting, which isn’t surprising considering the design duo previously worked in the accessories team at the label for 10 years.

The Rockstud collection features handbags, shoes and watches all decorated with the distinctly sexy stud.

This pair of black patent leather kitten heel pumps feature the trademark studs on pale rose straps, giving a simply elegant and intriguing finish. The triple buckle ankle closure carries the studs right up the ankle, whilst the pointed toe elongates the leg.

Wouldn’t these look just lovely under the Christmas tree? We think so!

Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heel Pumps, £575, available at mytheresa.

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After winning the Emerging Talent Accessories Award at the British Fashion Awards last week, there couldn’t be a better time to invest in some footwear by Tabitha Simmons.

The model-turned-footwear-designer trained in London and has since been crafting her shoe designs for two years. Now based in New York, Simmons is really making a name for herself.

It seems that years in the fashion industry have trained her eye to deliver exactly the kind of footwear that we want – sleek, quirky and stylish, yet classic and comfortable, too.

This pair of boots have ‘investment piece’ written all over them: distinctly cut in sumptuous black suede with a black leather fold cuff, they’re a classic in the making, whilst the gold hardware detail on the toecap and zip make these totally modern and lust-worthy.

We’ll wear these with black skinny trousers or with a cocktail dress and bare legs (indoors, obvs) to let them shine in all their beautiful-booted glory!

Tabitha Simmons Ester suede and leather ankle boots, £805, available at mytheresa.

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If Christmas is just around the corner, you know what’s now? Party season, and by ‘eck are we excited.

The festive season is nothing if not the perfect excuse to smother yourself in silly amounts of sequins, spray on the sparkle we’ve been lusting after all season and generally get so glammed up the Christmas trees don’t have a clue what their purpose is anymore.

Oh yes, the party season is just one big fat Disney dream come true. But aside from all the fairytale frou frou, there are some serious frocks to get familiar with.

We’ve brought you a whole bunch of our favourite party dresses, from the purse-friendly ones you won’t feel guilty about to the big-label spends we think are well worth it – plus, we’ve got shoes, bags and accessories to boot.

See below for our ultimate guide to guarantee after-dark glam this season.

Dresses
10 party dresses under £100!
10 party dresses worth the price tag
Forget the price tag: 30 party dresses that guarantee dancefloor glam

Shoes
20 shoes to wow your workmates

Accessories
15 sparkly party accessories to make a splash in

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Don’t forget your feet, girls! We’ve got 20 totally hot pairs right here to suit every Cinderella’s budget.

Whether you’re after beautiful booties, the prettiest platforms or height-defying heels, we’ve got a super sweet selection of the coolest killer party shoes to match your darling dresses.

See below for our pick of the 20 party shoes that’ll wow your workmates this season…

Gilmore contrast toe points, £60, available at Topshop.

Gucci suede platforms with gold piping, £529, available at mytheresa.

Poser studded platform sandals, £110, available at Topshop.

Juines platform heels, £160, available at French Connection.

Showcase double platform peeptoes, £80, available at Topshop.

Charlotte Olympia Greta velvet platforms, £559, available at mytheresa.

Presley glitter heel platforms, £100, available at Topshop.

Marc by Marc Jacobs black and gold suede platforms, £338, available at StyleBop.

Luxury velvet platform sandals, £58, available at Topshop.

Yves Saint Laurent Maggy 105 suede cutout wedges, £735, available at mytheresa.

Glacier bow pointed court shoes, £60, available at Topshop.

Garbo deco piped sandal, £159, available at Reiss.

Lillie cherry trim sandals, £65, available at Topshop.

Moon gold heel boot, £195, available at Reiss.

Charlotte Olympia Ninivah leopard pumps, £669, available at mytheresa.

Jezabel heel platform, £115, available at French Connection.

Marc Jacobs snakeskin and leather Mary-Janes, £525, available at mytheresa.

Lush leopard strappy sandals, £65, available at Topshop.

Sergio Rossi black suede sandals with gold frill, £569, available at StyleBop.

Arial flame side mesh boot, £75, available at Topshop.

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