Search Results for “x factor

Love or Hate: YSL leather Tribtoo pumps

In the female population’s never-ending quest for the perfect high heel, few can confidently say they have found their dream shoe. This means we spend years traipsing around the high street, and even dabble into designer, in search of that elusive footwear. They have to possess the wow factor, combined with unparalleled comfort and vertiginous height. But a big A list following? Even better.

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Five minutes with Mulberry’s Emma Hill

Mulberry’s Emma Hill is one of those seldom stars who’s huge success hasn’t hindered her humility one bit. Before she joined the luxury British label in 2008, the brand was going from strength to strength under the creative direction of Stuart Vevers. Many thought he’d be a tough act to follow, but Emma’s distinct Brit-girl twist has brought the cult brand to a whole new bed of roses. Once celebrated solely for its iconic accessories, Mulberry’s ready-to-wear is now as sort after as its ‘It’ bags thanks, no doubt, to Hill’s hawkeye vision and inherent understanding of what women want to wear. But enough about the past, Mulberry’s – and Hill’s – future is getting more exciting by the minute. With the help of regular contributor Venetia Dearden, the designer’s spent the last three years putting together the brand’s latest venture: a photography book giving readers unprecedented access to never-before-seen images of Mulberry’s factory, of flame-haired models having a sneaky cig before fashion week, and of its many famed parties. We caught up with Emma at the book’s launch last week for a (very) quick chat about the book, her favourite holiday reads and what she’s got in store for the brand’s big 40th birthday… Tell us a bit about Mulberry the book… It was something we decided to do two years ago – well, over two years, because we were already thinking about the 40th [anniversary] – and we’d been working with Venetia Dearden. She’s such a great photographer and we love working with her so it all started from there, really. And also I think we’re quite a visual brand, we like to tell stories and we’re quite a mouthy brand so she [Venetia] became like a Mulberry and followed us round and came to shows. She’s gutted […]

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Lunchtime buy: Jaeger ruffled pink pleat dress

Got the Monday morning blues? Turn that frown upside down, or rather, turn your blues into punchy pinks with Jaeger’s pleats. This bold babydoll dress from Jaeger has the kind of delicious detail to make us swoon – the soft silky fabric will cascade over your curves while the ruffled pleated hem adds real wow factor. We’d happily don this statement dress in the office, but we reckon it’s just too cute to be kept inside so we’ll be wearing ours to garden parties and summer soirees with towering heels, simple jewellery and ample attitude. And if the promise of the spotlight isn’t enough to sway you, maybe this will – if you spend £200 at Jaeger you can get a free black clutch worth £160. Sold? We think so! Jaeger ruffled pink pleat dress, £399, available from Jaeger. BUY NOW!

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Met Ball 2011: best dressed

We’ve just about recovered from the excitement of the Royal wedding with its vast array of stylish guests and, of course, Kate Middleton’s breathtakingly beautiful McQueen gown – but the weekend hit us with more star-studded events as the Met Costume Institute Gala landed in New York last night. The Met Ball brings the best of the fashion, film and music industry together for a night of fabulous fashion and exhibitions, and this year’s gala was hosted by none other than Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who honoured the late Alexander McQueen with an exhibition called Savage Beauty. Naturally, the prestigious event is harder to get into than Wonka’s chocolate factory, so we’ve cast our sartorial eye over the fashion elite who bagged a Golden Ticket and strutted their stylish stuff on the red carpet. Here’s our top 10 best dressed from last night’s Met Ball…   Ashley Green She may play a vampire in Twilight, but Ashley Green managed to look positively angelic in a custom Donna Karen strapless gown. The nude voluminous tulle was adorned with silver sequins that trailed into a wedding-like train. Teamed with a sleek up-do and touches of sparkle in her ears, clutch and cuff, she looked positively radiant. Jessica Alba Always one to look utterly fabulous on the red carpet, Jessica Alba didn’t disappoint at last night’s Met Ball dressed in a custom Ralph Lauren platinum strapless bustier gown covered in a sparkly crystal-encrusted overlay that highlighted her growing baby bump. Blake Lively Being the face of Chanel has been a dream come true for this Gossip Girl starlet, and last night she was joined by Mr Karl Lagerfield himself. Naturally, Blake opted for Chanel couture by means of a nude embellished dress covered by silver-lilac a chiffon sash to flaunt her fabulous figure too much. Beyoncé […]

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Deal of the day: Reiss Julio double wrap belt

Now that the sun’s come out, so has the colour in our wardrobes. The rising temperatures have made us say goodbye to winter tones once and for all and wave hello to colour popping brights, and luckily for us, neons and crayola colours are everywhere right now. And that means we can wear this Julio double wrap belt from Reiss with cool colour confidence. Featuring a contrasting silver buckle and eyelets and complementary red stitching, this leather belt is the easiest way to add a rainbow piece to your outfit. Wear it to break up colour blocking separates or with statement stripes for real wow factor. We’ll be sporting the red version for top fashion marks, but we also love the tan for a smarter look. Head over to Reiss now for today’s style injection for just £45. Julio double wrap belt, £45, available at Reiss. BUY NOW!

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Deal of the day: Cheap Monday skinny cords

One of our favourite trends right now is coloured denim. Seen on countless celebs, you get all the comfort of your skinnies with a fresh spring update (plus admiring glances from fellow fashionistas) – what’s not to love? These skinny cords from Cheap Monday are just the thing to lighten our mood and our wardrobe this Easter Monday – the cool rusty colour isn’t too big a splash but still has a high fashion impact and will go hand in hand with spring’s obsession with the Seventies. But of course it wouldn’t be a deal without an amazing price tag to match the style factor, so you’ll be pleased to hear these jeans come with a massive 70% off, now just £56.67 £17. Plus, if you visit farfetch.com before 26th April you’ll get free shipping – even better! Wear with a floppy Seventies hat for off-duty chic, or dress up with layers of luxe necklaces – you’ll just have to race us to the checkout for these on-trend lovelies (our collection of bright jeans for summer starts here). Cheap Monday sky blue skinny jeans, £17, available at farfetch.com. BUY NOW!

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Deal of the day: Jaeger amethyst cuff

We’ve seen a lot of gold and brass hammered jewellery this season, and we love its luxe look and versatility, which is exactly why we love this amethyst and brass cuff from Jaeger – perfect for playing dress up. Cuffs are the jewellery du jour for effortless elegance, and this one’s the real deal, with the glam gold effect base giving real wow factor. The chunky amethyst stone detail provides a unique touch and gives it that little something special, and, if purple isn’t your colour, you can also pick up the same piece with a natural amber stone. At £75, this cuff is well worth it for its wearability. Wear at the office to jazz up workwear staples or keep it in your bag and slip it on in the evening for easy summer glam. Jaeger amethyst and brass cuff, £75, available at Jaeger. BUY NOW!

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Top stories this Week: Burberry rocks Beijing, John Galliano sacked from own label, Topshop’s Dress Up launch and MORE!

Burberry in Beijing: Tackling fashion with technology has been taking over the minds of the fashion gods lately. Luxury British brand Burberry landed in Beijing on April 13 – all gadgets and contraptions aboard – to create an extraordinary visual and sensory experience. The event staged on the 2000 square metre stage at Beijing Television Centre marked the first of its kind, introducing virtual image technology, live models, animations and life-like holograms to the fashion world. Read more here! John Galliano sacked from namesake label: It appears, since John Galliano’s racial mêlée, he is continuously being ousted from the very fashion clique that made him the couture success he is today. News has been confirmed of John Galliano’s sacking from his eponymous – and 91 per cent Dior-owned – label, with much concern surrounding the future of the brand. Read more here! Valentino and Elle launch ezine partnership: Luxury fashion label Valentino launched its second ezine partnership this week with Elle magazine – along with the help of three leading style bloggers. The recent gossip circulating fashion bloggers’ roles in the industry has attracted much attention, so featuring the ezine on the successful sites spells guaranteed success. The three chosen bloggers include Susie Bubble of Style Bubble, Leandra Medine of Man Repeller and Catherine Kallon of Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Read more here! Angelina Jolie launches jewellery line – Style of Jolie: Angelina Jolie certainly is the real-life Lara Croft. Perfectly balancing an ever-growing family and empire, Ange has added a luxurious line of fine jewellery to her already overstretched list of entrepreneurial achievements. The line, called Style of Jolie, boasts semi precious stones and glittering diamonds, and has been created in collaboration with jeweller Robert Procop to raise money for Jolie’s charity, Education Partnership for Children in Conflict. Read more here! […]

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Diane Kruger’s dated double denim

We’re so used to seeing Diane Kruger looking nothing less than perfect that we were quite shocked to see photographs over the weekend of the actress looking… well, not so perfect. A close friend of Karl Lagerfeld, it’s very rare that she puts a foot wrong. From her red carpet Chanel gowns to her dressed down, indie chic ensembles, the German beauty has always been high up on our best dressed list – but she was clearly having an off day last weekend. Arriving at LAX airport, undoubtedly after a long flight, means we can overlook the flat booties and oversized knit. After all, comfort is an essential factor when travelling.  But it’s the double denim combination and yellow sunglasses we can’t forgive. Sure, we’re all for mixing and matching denim, but this is so last season, Diane. This is the woman who bagged our teenage crush Joshua Jackson, though, so we’ll let her off with a casual warning this time… What do you think of Diane’s double denim? [poll id=”79″]

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Deal of the day: French Connection Dakota clog

We love a good flat shoe. Cute ballet pumps, pretty sandals – who doesn’t need versatility? – but in this often fast world of fashion, we could never turn our back on heels. As such, we’re totally digging French Connection’s Dakota T-bar platforms for their stylish on-trend feel and comfort factor. Perfect for summer, these platform clogs are the ideal day-to-night shoe. Channelling all things Seventies, these chunky heels could be straight out of your mum’s D-I-S-C-O loving wardrobe if it weren’t for their contemporary twist. In hot to trot tan with buckle ankle straps and stud detail, these spring-ready clogs are a bargain buy this season for fun, flirty footwear. Wear with a floaty maxi for summer days to channel your inner hippie chic, or dress up for the dancefloor, safe in the knowledge that you can last all night. French Connection Dakota platform clog, £65, available at French Connection. BUY NOW!

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More Blake Lively Chanel ads

Everyone knows by now that Gossip Girl star, Blake Lively, is the face behind Chanel’s latest campaign ad for its range of Mademoiselle handbags – so just as news is rife, we give you yet more pretty pictures to ponder over. Having already showed you a quick glimpse into some of the previous pictorials, it looks as if the second batch is just as exciting as the first – with Blake looking positively stunning, naturally. Complete with tousled blonde hair and an absent smile from the American dream girl’s face, Blake homes in on the seductive glam factor Chanel simply love – making way for a set of truly stunning images. But wait, the fun doesn’t end there – thanks to Fashionista we can catch an exclusive behind-the-scenes shot of Karl Lagerfeld and Ms Lively having a good ‘ole chin wag. Oh, to be a fly on the wall, eh?

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John Galliano could face imprisonment

After news broke that John Galliano was heading to rehab in order to help treat his alcohol problem – a factor that contributed to last Thursday’s events – the situation now seems far worse than once thought, as the former Christian Dior creative director could now face imprisonment for his alleged racial crimes. Last night, Sky News announced that the Paris Prosecutors Office has decided to put Galliano on trial to face the alleged racial accusations made against him. The formal proceedings are set to take place in the second quarter of the year, which means the outcome of the trial won’t be known for at least a few more months. But if the designer is subsequently found guilty, Galliano could face six months imprisonment or fined €22,500 (£19,085), reports Vogue UK. Either way, the end result doesn’t look good.

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London Fashion Week AW11: Mary Katrantzou

Who: Mary Katrantzou What: Electrifying prints, structured skirts and separates. Thoughts: Mary Katrantzou received rave reviews last season so she was under a lot of pressure to deliver with her latest offering. She needn’t have worried, though, because once again her beautiful use of prints came up trumps.  In rich, jewel shades with patterns ranging from birds to florals to mosaics she threw caution to the wind, adorning everything from slim trousers to pencil skirts in exquisite detail. Although she reissued the structured lampshade and peplum skirts she’s becoming synonymous with, she compounded her collection for autumn/winter 2011 and made it more wearable than in previous seasons by introducing separates. Sleek, knee-length skirts, trousers and leggings were all key parts of Katrantzou’s look, mixing and matching them her eye-catching prints. Surprisingly, the collection finished with an entirely different angle – floor-length dresses with loose billowing silhouettes introduced a more feminine, if utterly regal, side. Not for the faint-hearted but if you want to stand out, Mary Katrantzou’s got the wow factor.

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London Fashion Week AW11: Meadham Kirchhoff

Who: Meadham Kirchhoff What: Eerie Pagan school girls, shrines, and sinister dark layers Thoughts: We’re not sure if what we witnessed was a runway show or a ritualistic march at Meadham Kirchhoff yesterday, but we’re rather fond of what we saw. Starting with a finale, the designer duo put on what must be a record short show of about four minutes with all models storming the catwalk at once in army-like precision – they appeared again, briefly, before Ben Meadham and Edward Kirchhoff popped out with a thanking wave, alerting the audience they should’ve clapped at the second stomping. It was actually very effective, and very clever. With shrines to the designers in the centre of the runway and a piercing Psycho soundtrack, the label’s autumn/winter 2011 collection is signature-sinister with models that look part Pagan, part peasant, part school girl hitting the ground in heavily layered looks. Black pinafores were layered over white ruffled shirts and smocks were worn with white collars tied with black velvet ribbon; peasant blouses had ethnic-looking embroidery, exaggerated puff sleeves and frayed, fringed edges; demure white lace dresses peered out of black slit coats or were layered over black versions. Vibrant red interjected the macabre monochrome palette in little woollen jackets, shapely smocks, knits and hits of lace. Long-hanging crucifix necklaces on black and white beads added to the religious-like effect, while models’ hair, coiled into two bunch-like halves, came tied with black lace or velvet bows. It was dark, decadent and, to be honest a little confusing, but its shell-shock factor is a resounding success, especially at second glance.

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Jessica Alba in Valentino

Whilst attending the New York premiere for her latest comedy flick, Little Fockers, actress (and all-round superstar) Jessica Alba wore a stunning Valentino frock for the special occasion. Looking rather angelic dressed in all white, the mum-of-one effortlessly pulled off this teeny-weeny micro number, while the signature Valentino tassel and frill detailing gave this red-carpet dress that all-important style-stealer factor. Sporting a new-found shorter hair ‘do, the Hollywood star certainly bumped up her high fashion credentials with this barber shop choice – not to mention those stunning silver Louboutin stilettos – an all-round winner in our eyes. Does she ever ever look anything less than flawess?

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Luxury gifts for her: Merle O’Grady Varvara necklace

If statement necklaces are your thing, look no further, for they don’t come much bigger and better than Merle O’Grady’s Varvara necklace. In her signature tough-luxe styling, the combination of black Swarovski crystsals and multi-layered gold chains give this vintage-inspired party stealer the ultimate wow factor – and one that’s guaranteed to turn every head this Christmas. So don’t shy away at your New Year party; get your fashion fix with this achingly cool stand-out neck piece – you’ll want to wear it with everything from simple tees to striking after-dark dresses. Merle O’ Grady Varvara Necklace, £297, available exclusively at my-wardrobe.com. BUY NOW!

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Cher Coulter’s top party accessories

This is a guest post by Cher Coulter, celebrity stylist, best friend to Kate Bosworth, and one-half of JewelMint, the new jewellery label that recommends bespoke designs based on your personal style. But she can introduce herself better than we can. Cher Coulter is a top Los Angeles-based stylist, whose client list includes Kate Bosworth, Sienna Miller, Katie Holmes, and Scarlett Johansson. Known for combining easy avant-garde with absolute glamour in her women’s styling, Cher possesses an equal talent for men’s fashion. Cher and her dear friend Kate Bosworth recently launched their very own jewellery line, JewelMint, which provides members with high-end jewelry for $29.99/month. We asked Cher to pick her top party accessories to share with you, our lovely readers, to have you sparkling like a celeb this Christmas. See below for her favourites… 1. Topshop Velvet Bow Clips, $15.“These are so Sixties, so swinging and so festive! To style, either beehive the back of your hair and stack them in the nest on top, or wear two on one side. So cute!” 2. Paillette Flap Bag by Chanel, $6000“This is the perfect party bag because you can sling it across your body and throw your hands in the air on the dance floor – but nothing will get lost!” 3. Sparkle Calf Sock by American Apparel, $9“For a fun look, team up these socks with those plain old pumps you just love. This is a cheap way to jazz up your outfit!” 4. Mystic Fall Earrings by JewelMint“These show-stopping chandelier earrings are the perfect party accessory. Try the Ganesh earrings for a more feminine look, or the Piet earrings to up your cool factor! Pull your hair back to give these pieces lots of perfect light to sparkle.” 5. Celestial Wreath Necklace by JewelMint“Want to feel like a […]

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Steep vs Cheap: metallic mini skirts

A metallic mini skirt is the perfect way to spice up your party look this festive season, especially when it’s laced with luxe textures and embroidery – after all, you can’t go wrong with a spot of decadence. For those of you with a bit of cash to spend, this statement golden silk-jacquard skirt from See by Chloe is the answer to all your high end needs. The sumptuous molten shade makes way for the perfect Christmas show-stopper, not forgetting the tonal graphic weave finish which takes the ever-stylish mini to a whole new fashionable height – but at £118, this one-off luxury may be a little out of reach from most of our hands. But don’t worry, we’ve found a cheaper alternative from House of Fraser at eBay Fashion Outlet for just £9.99 – yes, seriously. This gold acetate micro skirt by Untold oozes sleek sophistication, creating a chic but understated party number – plus, the subtle cinched-in waist and puffed lantern design gives this little beauty the ultimate feminine festive factor. See by Chloe Silk-Jacquard Skirt, £118, available at theOutnet.com. BUY NOW! Vs Untold Gold Lantern Skirt, £9.99, available at eBay Fashion Outlet. BUY NOW!

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Pretzels spark pro-anorexia controversy

Last time we had a pretzel, it was two inches thick, completely stodgy and covered in salt, but we’re clearly not up to speed – Pretzel Crisps, aka the snackers’ delight, has been advertising its thin and crispy versions on bus shelters in New York City recently, but its slogan has sparked outrage.

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Raf Simons and Fred Perry Shirt

Oki-ni do like their collaboration pieces, and guess what? So do we. That’s why we wanted to share this little beauty with you, yes one of the latest pieces to be added to the Oki-ni site, this great short sleeved shirt from a collaboration between designer Raf Simons and iconic sports lifestyle brand Fred Perry. The slim fit gives this shirt a really simple feel, but the iconic Fred Perry logo detail gives the shirt that instantly recognisable factor. The real style is in the details such as the small button down collar and the classic Raf Simons tailoring. Wear buttoned to the top without a tie for a contemporary take on office-smart or team with your coolest pair of jeans for a super stylish casual look. Raf Simons and Fred Perry shirt, £125 Oki-ni.

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Lunchtime buy: 3.1 Philip Lim sequined tuxedo vest

Sparkle in the sun this season with this luxurious 3.1 Philip Lim sequined tuxedo vest. We might be many months away from the party season but we’re all for daytime sequins to catch the light of that glorious sunshine! The eye-catching cover-up will take you from day to night and will transform any outfit, adding that all-important glitz-factor to jeans and tees and LBDs. And another thing: It’s reduced! £740 £370 from The Outnet.

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Guillaume Canet in Yves Saint Laurent

Yep, that’s it right there. That is how to wear a suit. French actor Guillaume Canet shows us how it’s done as he attends the premier for the Woody Allen film ‘You’ll meet a tall dark stranger’ at Cannes this week. That is – how to wear a suit and look effortlessly stylish whilst doing so. We can’t decide whether the secret is in his nonchalant pose or the fact that he’s wearing top-to-toe Yves Saint Laurent in the form of a black tuxedo, white shirt, black tie and black lace-ups. We’ve got a sneaking suspicion that it’s probably both of these factors, coupled with an annoying yet admirable ‘je ne sais quoi’ that French men have when it comes to dressing. Oh and there’s one more rather dazzling addition that contributes to Guillaume’s effortless cool, and that’s in the form of the very beautiful Marion Cotillard. Guillaume’s girlfriend Marion looked stunning at the Chopard 150th anniversary party earlier in the week wearing a Lefranc Ferrant sequined jumpsuit. We’re looking forward to seeing their creative talents brought together as Marion stars in ‘Les Petits Mouchoirs’ later in the year – a film directed by the very stylish Guillaume.

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MET Ball 2010: Eva Longoria Parker in Marchesa

It’s rare that Eva Longoria Parker gets it wrong when it comes to picking the right dress and her appearance at the Costume Institute Gala recently is no exception. Wearing red-carpet favourite Marchesea her platinum crepe column gown steals the show as Eva channels old style glamour with her side parted set and wave hair. The silver embroidery adds a touch of classic detailing to this contemporary take on the floor length gown, and the flared cascade skirt adds real wow-factor to the dress. Doing floor length dresses in oyster, cream and neutral shades is a venture into a difficult area as looking like a bride-to-be is always a distinct possibility, but the ankle-revealing length teamed with her fierce shoes firmly puts this dress in red-carpet domain. It’s a really sophisticated look for Eva and against her warm skin tone the champagne colour of the dress looks stunning – a true A-list starlet in a truly A-list designer.

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Doutzen Kroes in Rachel Roy

Enviably gorgeous model Doutzen Kroes makes us wonder why we’d ever opt for a LBD again when a LGD (little green dress) can look this good. Ok, so we may not have her Victoria’s Secret body, but wearing this piece from top stylist Rachel Roy’s clothing line Doutzen proves that a burst of colour is the smart option when it comes to achieving the wow factor. With clever cut-out detailing at the waist, this otherwise classic dress is given a contemporary twist, as well as creating an exaggerated hourglass figure. The bold jade green colour makes a real statement and makes the most of the trend for jewel coloured brights. Doutzen keeps the look simple by pairing the dress with killer heels, in this season’s most wearable shade – nude. If you want to go for a similar look, we’ve found this jade green fitted shift dress from Oasis for £75. The zig-zag detailing at the waist creates a panel that elongates your body so you won’t need to worry about that Victoria’s Secret figure after all. Buy it here now.

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Bargain Buy: Retro Vanity Bag

Do you remember that vanity case that you would take everywhere with you as a child? Packed with your treasured strawberry flavoured lipstick, various collected items and possibly a Barbie with no hair? Well, while your handbag items may have changed to a M.A.C compact, your blackberry and your credit cards, if you’re anything like us the desire to keep everything in a shiny vanity case still lingers. If you’re fed up of lugging your oversized shopper around town and fancy something a little neater then look no further – this bright red leather vanity style bag from ASOS is perfect handbag material that will leave your hands free to clutch all the more shopping bags. Plus it will hold all your essentials whilst keeping them safe, as its structured shape will protect your valuables from fellow pushy shoppers. Its shiny finish and cute hand strap gives it a retro feel and will add a pop of colour to your most basic of outfits. Reduced from £55 to just £30 it’s a purchase that’s worth making and it will give you that instant feel-good-factor with its air of nostalgia. Click here to buy now!

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Revlon invites MFL to the Dorchester to test new DoubleTwist mascara

Make-up. Cakes. Champagne. Cocktails. When Revlon invited My Fashion Life and a specially selected group of fellow bloggers to London’s impeccably swish Dorchester Hotel for an exclusive sneak peek at it’s new products, there really was no way we could say no. After-all, with a crack-team of industry heavyweights behind it, Revlon has arguably been one of the most exciting brands of the year. The 76 year-old cosmetics giant has undergone something of a renaissance since its signing of former Lancôme international artistic director and renowned make-up artist, Gucci Westman in May last year.

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Christmas partywear at M&S

Here at My Fashion Life, we’ve decided that November is the acceptable month to start getting excited about Christmas and therefore, the sparkly partywear that will start to filter through our favourite high street stores over the coming months. Marks and Spencer were quick off the mark when they hosted their partywear press day in October, showing us all the delightful and fashionably festive things that we have to look forward to.

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London Fashion Week SS10: Maria Francesca Pepe

Today I fell in love all over again. Maria Francesca Pepe’s S/S 10 presentation, which began with screening of her film Bathing Beauties for the collection, couldn’t have started any better. The dreamy footage showcasing her designs , modelled by Portia Freeman, among others , was completely enchanting as we watched the Bathing Beauties pose by topaz pools against the backdrop of a delicate piano.

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