Republic: 10 For £10 Or Under

Check out these bargains available in Republic's sale all available for £10 or under:

Day & Night

Dress it down with a leather jacket and pumps, or dress it down with a blazer and nude and metallic accessories.

Pinterest

'Pinterest', is a content sharing service that allows members to "pin" images, videos and other objects to their pinboard.


Pinterest is like a virtual pin-board. When you sign up, you'll be put on a waiting list for a little while. Then you'll got an invite e-mail to set up your profile.
You can make lots of boards, and 'pin' images onto them either from the internet, other people's boards, or you can upload your own images.
You can follow other member pins, or you can just follow one of their pin boards. These will appear on your home page when you log in.

Pinterest is full of inspirational images that can help you with design work.
It is also a good way to get your work out there.

You can find out more about how to use Pinterest at:
http://pinterest.com/about/help/

Back 2 School Bags

So, it's nearly back to school already, but how about getting a new school bag to beat the end-of-holiday blues.

Here are some stylish bags suitable for school/college for whatever your budget is.

Autumn Fashion

Fashion Names Make List of 100 Most Powerful Women

Powerful Women

in Fashion

Designers Diane von Furstenberg and Miuccia Prada, American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, all appear on the list  , which is topped by German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Surprisingly, Diane von Furstenberg beats Wintour to achieve the highest ranking of the four women, appearing at number 33. The publication cites the 65-year-old Belgian designer's fourth term as president of the CFDA, and her upcoming collaborations with Roxy and Evian, as well as her second marriage to media mogul and billionaire philanthropist Barry Diller (who is ranked 804th on Forbes ' Billionaires List) as reasons for her positioning. 
Wintour, who has edited the US edition of Vogue since 1988, is positioned 51st owing mainly to her increasing political prowess. According to a list published by the US President's re-election campaign organisers earlier this year, Wintour has raised more than $500,000 (£315,600) through various fund-raising events including a 2010 dinner at her private residence in New York's Sullivan Street attended by fashion luminaries Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Diane von Furstenberg; and a dinner co-hosted by film mogul Harvey Weinstein in 2011 for which tickets cost $71,600 (£45,000) per couple. Forbes also makes reference to the opening of US Vogue's revenue-making digital archives in 2011.
Miuccia Prada takes the 67th spot on the list thanks to the $13 billion value of her fashion empire, of which she controls 33.2% of the shares and includes both Prada and sister label Miu Miu. The company was floated on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2011 .
Brazilian supermodel Gisele, who is currently pregnant with her second child , comes in 83rd, but she's noted not just for her wealth - she is still the world's highest-earning model - but also for her philanthropic deeds. She is credited with planting over 50,000 trees in her native Brazil this year through her work as an ambassador for the U.N. Environmental Program, she has donated $1 million to the Japanese Red Cross for Earthquake relief and she has recently launched a model search in Brazil's most impoverished areas in an initiative which aims to boost the self esteem of Brazil's slum dwellers.
Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts also features on the list, at number 45. The 52-year-old mother of three is credited with "infusing the classic clothier with Silicon Valley tech savvy". Other famous faces who appear on the list include Lady Gaga (#14), Beyonce Knowles (#32) and Angelina Jolie (#66).

Article from:
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9494031/Fashion-names-make-list-of-100-most-powerful-women.html#

Living Dolls

'Living Dolls' have created quite a stir recently, the most popular being Venus Angelic (Venus Palermo) and Kota Koti (Dokata Rose).
Dressing in cute outfits, styling their hair and make up and posting tutorials on YouTube, Venus has a total of 19,850,987 video views, with Kota Koti ahead on 23,624,129 views.

Some people are describing this as "disturbing" and "not normal", but at the end of the day, it isn't hurting anyone and they don't literally think they are dolls. I think people should be able to dress the way they like, and personally, I think their styles are cute. Why not dress the way you want, while you look good?

Steal Her Style: Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen, front woman of her rock band The Pretty Reckless, has an edgy, punk/gothic style. We might not all be able to rock her corset, stockings and stripper heels get-up, but why not add an essence of her style with a leather jacket or a band tee.

You can check out The Pretty Reckless' latest video for their song 'My Medicine' from their debut album 'Light Me Up' below:

'Desperate Scousewives' Banned from Liverpool Fashion Week as Organisers try to Smarten Up

Fake tan, false eyelashes and heavy makeup have been further ingrained in Liverpudlian culture thanks to the reality show Desperate Scousewives.
But in a bid to disassociate itself from the glamourised image portrayed in the Channel 4 series, Liverpool Fashion Week is going au naturel.
As casting gets underway, its organiser Amanda Moss has stated that models emulating the 'Liverpool look' will be banned.
In previous years Kerry Katona and Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe have taken to the catwalk but Ms Moss' new policies could mean such stars would be ruled out.
She told MailOnline: 'Desperate Scousewives hasn't done Liverpool Fashion Week any favours and it's made it difficult to be taken seriously.
'All of the women on that show go out looking for a boyfriend caked in makeup but they will never find anyone looking like that. My husband hates it when I go out wearing fake eyelashes, it's just not the look men want.
'It's not a beauty pageant, we're the second biggest fashion event after London Fashion Week in the UK. People need to recognise this and this year I want the event to be more upmarket and credible.'
As casting calls move to Manchester and Cheshire Ms Moss offered aspiring models some last minute tips on her Facebook page stating: 'I’m getting tough with this year’s models. There’s to be no ‘Scouse’ look, so big hair, brows and OTT lashes are out.'
However her decision has caused outrage with a number of local designers.
Desperate Scousewives star Elissa Corrigan told the Daily Mirror: 'Banning the Scouse look at Liverpool Fashion Week is like having the Beatles without John Lennon.'
While co-star Amanda Harrington, who is set to launch an online store Scouse Boutique, added: 'The point of Liverpool Fashion Week is to celebrate the city’s style, not go away from it.'
Sinitta will open the the week-long event, which launches on October 16.
It will feature 50 catwalk shows - celebrating 50 years of the Beatles - with clothes from brands including Rouge by Rachelle, Bollywood Bazaar,  Be Boutique and Pacha featured on the runway.
Neil Woods, who also helps to run the event added: 'Does anyone seriously think that Karen Millen, Reiss and 20 other top labels will spend time, money and effort if we promise them, all the models will have the scouse look.
'It's not being snobby,I'm going by what they tell me.'

Article from:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2137758/Desperate-Scousewives-banned-Liverpool-fashion-week-organisers-try-smarten-up.html

Floral Fancies

It comes around every summer, but I still love floral prints. Here are my picks off the highstreet:

Tips for Wearing Floral Prints

• Use the same colour pallet as the floral print.
• If you're not ready to go head-to-toe in florals, why not wear a pair of floral shoes or a floral bag. Pick out your outfit colours from the floral print, like the picture above.
• Like with any print, it's practically impossible for a floral print not to look good with a solid neutral colour. Try teaming florals with black, white, grey, taupe, ivory and beige.
• For a more edgy look, pair a floaty floral top with denim shorts, tights and a cropped leather jacket.

How To Dress:Sporty Clothes

Sports luxe is a big trend this season. Here's some advice on how to wear it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/video/2012/mar/16/how-to-dress-sporty-clothes-video

Bold Fashion Choices in the Bright Sunshine for New BFFs SamCam and Michelle Obama as they Enjoy Official Welcoming Ceremony

Today's bright DC March morning delivered another dose of unseasonably warm sunshine - and fine fashion choices to boot.

The British Prime Minister's wife took full advantage of the balmy weather, wearing a cleanly-cut, bold shift dress and no jacket to the UK state visit's official welcoming ceremony.

By Samantha Cameron's side, Michelle Obama wore a white Zac Posen suit, teaming its sharp tailoring and clever, paired-down feminine touches with a futuristic and eye-catching pair of silver heels.

But it is not simply state relations that are close - the President laid a guiding hand on Mrs Cameron's arm at one point and David Cameron was unafraid of receiving a little public affection from his supportive wife as she laid a hand on his derriere.

Indeed, the President made a special mention of Mrs Cameron on her first official state visit.

Dignitaries including Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton flanked the podium, where they were joined by Chancellor George Osborne and other senior members of the UK delegation.

As much as the relationship-strengthening trip is about official state business, all eyes are bound to be on the wives tonight at the highly-anticipated black tie state ball.

Chosen gown designers, kept under wraps until the very last moment, can look forward to a flurry of attention following tonight's exposure and the First Lady has in the past been known to propel unknown designers into the mainstream - such as Jason Wu - by wearing just one of their creations.

Yesterday, Mrs Cameron and her American counterpart visited DC's American University where they took part in a mini-Olympics event.

Yesterday, Mrs Cameron and her American counterpart visited DC's American University where they took part in a mini-Olympics event.

Saluting American designers, Mobama paired her L'Wren Scott cashmere cardigan with a floral ruffled shirt by the same designer.

A pair of wide-legged white trousers again contrasted with the form-fitting black cigarette trousers sported by SamCam.

You can view the full article at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2114960/Bold-fashion-choices-bright-sunshine-new-BFFs-SamCam-Michelle-Obama-enjoy-official-welcoming-ceremony.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Fashion Fun

When I'm bored and I've got some time to kill, I like to go on http://www.dressupgames.com/.

This website has links to hundreds of dress up games and it doesn't matter whether you're into the current trends, or more alternative styles, such as goth or punk, you'll find plenty of games you'll like.

They're quite fun when you're bored and you might get some outfit ideas while you're at it.

There are always games about make up, hair and nails.

Milan, New York, Paris, and London. Why Not Lagos?

Africa fashion week: Lagos event set to become fixture of global style calendar

Not so long ago, the idea of an African fashion scene was an optimistic stretch. Now, the organisers behind the Arise Africa fashion week believe those days could soon be very last season.

Inaugurated in Cape Town in 2009, the event this year, which ended on Sunday and took place in Nigeria's vibrant commercial capital, was such a success that organisers plan to make Lagos a major fixture in the global fashion calendar, and take their designs around the world.

"You've got Milan, London, New York and Paris. Why not Lagos?" organiser Penny McDonald said. "We've been invited to showcase in New York, and to return to Cape Town and other places, but there's such an appetite for fashion in Lagos that we were comfortable with a vision for making this the fifth fashion capital of the world."

It started almost two days late, but the show eventually lived up to its name. For one week, Lagos was graced with glamour, cries of "Hello darling!" and fashion high priests such as Ozwald Boateng and supermodel Alek Wek. Backstage more than one temper tantrum ensued over improperly steamed dresses and nail polish colour choices, while ladies sharpened their elbows to catch a glimpse of male model and reported Rihanna love interest Dudley O'Shaughnessy.

Seventy-seven rising African or African-based designers were whittled down to five winners to show at next year's New York fashion week, the glamour queen of all fashion weeks. Among them was Boateng, the youngest and first black man to open a shop in London's prestigious Savile Row.

From Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, known as the "Paris of Africa", to fashion deserts such as Somalia, entourages were flown in to Lagos on all-expenses paid trips funded by the show's founder Nduka Obaigbena, an ebullient Nigerian media baron nicknamed The Duke. "This is about putting Africa on the map. There is an African brand of style, elegance and beauty," Obaigbena, dressed head-to-toe in white, said as he mingled among fashionistas, an apparently bottomless martini in hand.

Nigerians don't do things by halves when it comes to fashion, and the shows rivalled the creative talent found in global fashion hotspots. Long-legged women – and a few men – in heels tottered across polished marbled floors. Runway lights glittered off sequinned bosoms and music pumped as models sashayed down the catwalks. Any wardrobe malfunctions were eagerly applauded.

For designers struggling to break through preconceptions in the European-dominated industry, the week was a chance to shine. "I don't subscribe to the school of thought that there is such a thing as African fashion. I think the whole print fabric and ankara [a traditional west-African lace fabric] thing is limiting," said Fatima Garba, whose House of Farrah boutique attracts moneyed crowds in the capital, Abuja. "It's overdone and overplayed. It's always animal prints or tribal or whatever. I want to design clothes that an African lady or a woman in Alaska feels they can wear. I prefer to go left when everyone is going right," she added, dressed in towering red heels and a sparkling purple top.

Nigerian designer Maki Oh's models paraded down the runway in suits whose frills and sheer materials would perhaps be a little too va-va-voom for the office, but will look at home when she displays on the New York catwalks this coming September. Also chosen to accompany her was South African Gavin Rajah, whose flowing pastel clothes elicited wistful sighs from the audience, and the UK-based Tsemaye Binitie.

Tradition-inspired clothes made an appearance too, ranging from tiny native corals woven into Kinabuti's clothes (showcased by models from Nigeria's coastal cities), to bold prints from South African label PPQ. Delicious pastel colours were draped in ways that recalled Sahelian nomadic clothes by Nigerian brand Amede.

But even fashion isn't immune to the everyday problems that frustrate Nigerians. The country's electricity supply is notoriously erratic, averaging four hours a day. The first day of the show was almost scrapped after generators needed to power the dozens of marquees and glittering lights had broken down.

The textiles industry is also more than a little threadbare. In an attempt to boost it, Nigeria's government has belatedly lifted a ban on importing materials. But northern-based cotton mills and dye-houses, once frequented by Italian designers in search of top quality fabrics, have fallen into disrepair as decades of successive governments have focused on the oil-rich south.

Still, the event showed a glimpse of how the continent's fashion industry could grow. "It's amazing. Nigerian fashion has evolved so much. The talent has always been there but we're not used to seeing it showcased like this. I am blown away," said Uti Nwachukwu, the winner of last year's Big Brother Africa. "I keep seeing strong, sexy and confident clothes. It's awesome. It's like my taste in women walking down the catwalk," he added, surrounded by a gaggle of breathless female fans.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/12/africa-arise-fashion-week-lagos?newsfeed=true

Leading the Fashion Fundraising Pack

Leading the fashion fundraising pack: Emmy Rossum goes for sleek and stylish as Tori Spelling turns out in hippy chic for star-studded charity event

It appeared to be one of the most star-studded events in the showbiz calendar as a whole host of celebrities turned out to show their charitable sides.

And while Emmy Rossum showed up to John Varvatos' House Benefit looking sleek in a white frock earlier today, Tori Spelling went for hippy chic in her get-up.

The stars spent the afternoon at the designer's boutique in Los Angeles and mingled with the likes of Alice Cooper, Steven Tyler and Zoe Salmon.

Emmy led the style pack as she went for a classy number consisting of a white layered frock with a short cream tailored jacket. The ensemble showed off her petite frame, while she added some colour with a purple pair of heels.

And she finished the look off with a simple brown clutch and an intricate necklace with her hair down and poker straight.

It was a far cry from Tori's choice, which was more of a bohemian number with a floorlength printed gown.

The brown, blue and cream patterned dress gave her a summery feel with the off shoulder cut.

And she also went for a bare-faced look with her platinum locks loose above her shoulders.

Looking like she was going for a stroll along the beach, Tori opted for brown leather shoes and a matching shoulder bag, as she was joined by husband Dean McDermott.

While Emmy and Tori made the biggest impact at the event, it was American Idol judge Steven Tyler who made the biggest effort on the red carpet.

The rocker was clearly in a jovial outgoing mood as he posed for a number of photos, larking about for the cameras.

More A-list support came from Zoe Salmon, who went for smart casual in skinny trousers, black boots and a light jumper.

Actress Maggie Grace, former Friends star David Schwimmer and supermodel Cindy Crawford were also in attendance.

As were Terrence Howard and rocker Alice Cooper, who also posed as they entered the event via the red carpet.

Thanks to the star turn out it's clear John Varvatos is a popular man and designer.

The fashion boss is currently working on an NBC TV show called Fashion Star, which is due to debut in the US on March 13.

You can view the full article at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2113697/Emmy-Rossum-goes-sleek-stylish-Tori-Spelling-turns-hippy-chic-star-studded-charity-event.html

Front Row Fakers

The fashion world is in shock after one of its own, the designer Nicole Farhi, blew the whistle on a long-held secret: that celebrities are sometimes paid to appear in the front row of catwalk shows.

Fahri called this an "abominable" and "stupid" practice, adding: "What do they show you in the papers after a fashion show? Not the clothes, but the celebrities who are being paid to sit at the show."

I agree this is a regrettable change to photo-culture. As news, London fashion week isn't up there with the Syrian uprising, but pictures of it break up the front page nicely. Illustrated massacre isn't necessarily the first thing you want to look at with breakfast, but, insofar as fashion developments are "news", the clothes are what should be pictured.

Besides, they're interesting to look at. Before "what was shown" got replaced by "who was there", I always enjoyed looking at the latest fabulous creations from the cutting edge of style and laughing heartily. I'm sure it added to the gaiety of nations for us all: examining a catwalk snap of a spindly girl in orange pantaloons and a tweed fascinator, with one nipple poking artfully out of an asymmetric tank top, and giggling at the idea of wearing it.

It's quite refreshing to see expensive stuff that you don't want. Looking at women in haute couture is like watching people trying to drive down narrow urban streets in brand-new 4x4s. It's a healthy reminder that having millions might bring comfort, security and lovely holidays, but the chances are you'd spend your days dressed like an idiot, swearing as you banged your wing mirror for the 18th time en route to painful appointments for colonic irrigation and new teeth.

We rarely see those hilarious pictures of models in bizarre "A/W 2013" clothes any more. They've been edged out by the front-row celebrity snaps; it's not nearly as much fun to look at Alexa Chung sending a text message.

Photos of the people in a fashion-show audience don't interest and amuse like the clothes do, because they're never surprising. By all means hold the front page if you get a picture of Kim Jong-Un sitting there. If a model's lanky frame is striding past the eager, captivated face of Mary Warnock, Ken Dodd or Robert Mugabe, go on and show me. I'd be interested to see appreciative applause for a witty hemline from Willie Thorne, Dame Edna Everage or Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub. But they're never there. It's only ever famous models, aspiring actresses and Bryan Adams. Thanks: I could have imagined that.

I should point out, for reasons of legal nicety, that there's no reason to suppose Bryan Adams has ever been paid to go to a fashion show. But I'd probably admire him more if he had, rather than schlepping there out of interest alone.

Nevertheless, I think there is a message here for David Cameron. They're not fools in the fashion business or, if they are, they're rich fools. If they think it's worth paying celebrities to be photographed in their environs, that means they know this will affect public behaviour.

That is how the trickle-down effect happens, from haute couture to high street: snap a star at a fashion show, get the reader's attention, then slip in the news that "short and pink" is the way to go for summer (I'm speaking of skirts, by the way; in body terms, I'm short and pink all the time) and the culture is changed.

Could we not use this technique to encourage other, higher-minded cultural shifts, on a national scale? I don't know how much it costs to hire celebrities, but it's got to be less than Trident. I hope the coalition will consider finding a budget to create the following "impromptu" photographic tableaux on our front pages some time soon.

What's your opinion on the front row fakers?

Is it wrong to pay celebrities to come to a fashion show?

I wouldn't like the thought that the celebrities that are at my fashion show just because they have been paid to be there. You'd like to think they are there because they're a fan of your work. This makes it seem a bit fake.

I think it should be about the fashion and the clothes that actually come down the catwalk. That's the most important bit, not which celebrity was spotted in the front row of who's fashion show.

Article at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/11/victoria-coren-celebrities-fashion?newsfeed=true

Primark: Inspiration or Stealing?

As a darling of the New York fashion scene, Prabal Gurung has a high-profile fan club that includes Lana Del Rey, Mila Kunis Sarah Jessica Parker - and, it appears, the designers at popular budget retailer, Primark.

The chain, which has stores in the UK, Ireland and across the rest of Europe, seems to have paid extensive tribute to the much-loved label's resort 2012 collection.

While the Primark garments are not copies - there are enough significant differences to prevent such a claim - there are some distinctive hallmarks shared by the two lines.

The similarities between the two collections don't end there. A white sleeveless shirt with statement Peter Pan collar also seems to have taken a style lead from the Prabal line, as does a dress, which shares the almost exact shade of green in the skirt.

Mr Gurung was alerted to the likeness via Twitter yesterday, when a fan sent him an Instagram snap of the Primark window display at its flagship store on London's Oxford Street

The original tweet from user Nickgfromdc read: 'Wow is that primark ripping off @prabalgurung?'

The designer replied: 'Oh boy looks like it TY 4 lettin us know.'

So, what's your opinion?

Is this stealing or just taking inspiration?

Personally, I think that Primark are a good cheap alternative than some of the designer clothes that the vast majority of us can't afford to buy.

Yes, you can see the blatant similarities between the 2 dresses, but they're not completely the same.

As for the other 2 examples, you can't copyright a peter pan collar shirt and the colour green.

At the end of the day, Primark are hardly going to make designers go bust.

You can view the full article at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2112882/A-fashion-tribute-gone-far-Primark-accused-taking-excessive-inspiration-New-York-designer-Prabal-Gurung.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Future Fashion:BBC Home Of The Future

I saw this when it was on T.V. & found it really interesting, & I've only just remembered it.

There's some stuff about designer dresses that feature in-built light shows, and instant T-shirts that come out of a spray can, which I thought was pretty amazing. :-)

Check it out at:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/home-of-the-future/4od#3292910

Steal Her Style: Jessie J

With the highstreet stocking tropical prints for Spring/Summer, I thought this fitted JJ's style to a T.

Dress up in clashing, bold prints, bbodysuits, and statement shoes and accesories to get the Jessie J vibe.

White: Graphic vs. Girly

The abundance of all-white looks that graced the spring/summer 2012 catwalks can be considered a trend of two halves.

Celine, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jil Sander and Stella McCartney favoured precision-cut tailoring and crisp cotton for their take on the new minimalism, for a cool, clinical brilliance.

Whereas, Louis Vuitton, Giambattista Valli, Chloe and Dolce and Gabbana cast a pretty spell for spring with girlish white pieces in jumbo broderie anglaise, lace and the sheerest of silks.

Highstreet

Here's some examples of both trends on the highstreet:

Which is trend is your favourite?

Student To Design Shoes for Duchess

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge has today picked out her favourite shoe from the selection presented to her by a group of young designer's at De Montfort University. The Duchess revealed her choice of shoe as she accompanied the Queen on her visit to Leicester; the first port of call on her Diamond Jubilee tour.

Her choice was the fittingly Royal blue heeled shoe-boot pictured above, shown here with its designer Becka Hunt. Becka, who was born in Peterborough said of her shoe: "My design is inspired by 19th century fashions and based around the things Kate wears, her engagement ring and her style."

We've been really excited here at Shoewawa to see which shoe design Kate would pick, and can certainly see why she made the decision to pick Becka's design: like much of Kate's wardrobe it's a classic design with a modern slant, and it would look great worn alongside her stylish and feminine wardrobe pieces.

We're sure that Becka's attention to detail and thoughtful design process will have appealed to the Duchess too: matching it to the one piece Kate is never seen without - her sapphire engagement ring - is a stroke of pure genius. The prototype will soon be made into a bespoke pair of shoes for Kate to wear.

Well done to Becka and to all the students who took part - we're sure they'll go far and look forward to seeing their names on a shoe near us soon.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/uk/student-to-design-shoes-for-duchess--in-royal-blue-7545726.html

Fashion Quotes

Steal Her Style: Taylor Swift

I decided to do a kind of 'style file' on Taylor Swift because the warmer weather will be coming soon, & I think Taylor's summer style always looks pretty & effortless.

You can't go wrong with a pretty patterned summer dress, ballet pumps and a statement necklace.

How To Become a Fashion Designer (Part 2)

I posted part 1 of this a long time ago (19th November 2009 to be precise), but as I have now moved on to the next stage, I thought I'd do another post about it.

After you have done your GCSEs and got at least 4 A*-Cs, you can either progress to do A-levels, or a specific BTEC course in fashion design.

I am currently doing a BTEC Level 3 extended diploma, which is worth 3 A-levels. I'd really recommend taking this course and it teaches you all the skills you need to be a designer;pattern cutting, sewing, drawing, designing, art and design history.

If you would like to take this course, I recommend you start to save some money up before you start, because it is quite a costly course. You will need to buy your pattern cutting and sewing equipment, sketchbooks, art materials and fabrics and stuff for your final pieces, like buttons, beads, etc.

This course is also very time consuming, what with it being heavily art based. You need to really be sure that it's what you want to do, because otherwise you won't enjoy it. You will need to split your study time between several projects, and you'll need to use your study days wisely.

But, I assure you that if you're serious about fashion design, you will love this course. My class have been on several trips, including Charleston house, and Camdon, which I found interesting.

They may push you hard, but you'll be really proud of the work that you will be able to produce.

S/S12 Fashions: Peplums

Peplums

Peplums on the Catwalk

Peplums on the Highstreet

H&M Red Peplum Skirt, £29.99 - In Stores Only

Black Peplum Skirt, Miss Selfridge, £32.00

Topshop, Sweetheart Peplum Dress by Opulence, £149.00

S/S12 Fashions: Pastels

So, the weather's heating up, so I think it's the perfect excuse for a new wardrobe.

Trends to look out for:

Pastels

Style Tips

• Steer clear of sickly sweet shades. Go for glacier blues, spearmint greens, bitter lemon & damask pink for a subtler palette.
• If you can't decide which shade to choose, why not combine a mix of pastel shades in colour-block or delicate washes.

Highstreet Picks

Check out Topshop's '50s Diner' range.

(In order)

TEXTURED LANTERN SKIRT

• Price: £35.00

• CHINO TROUSERS

  • Price: £28.00
  • 
    

  • CO-ORD FLUID BLAZER

    • Price: £60.00
    
    
    (All of the above are from Topshop).