Vivienne Westwood Launches Denim Collection

Teaming up with label Lee, queen of punk, Vivienne Westwood is set to launch a denim collection as part of her Anglomania label, called 'The Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and Lee collection'.

The nine-piece range is due to hit the shops in Autumn 2010 and, according to WWD, it will 'include styles such as superskinny jeans and microshorts for women, along with bondage jeans and skinny jeans for men. Washes will run from indigo denim to metallic gold- and copper-colored denim to denim printed with a trompe l’oeil lace design'.

Prices for the collection will range from about £80 to £200 pounds, available at Vivienne Westwood boutiques and selected retailers, and the collection is planned to run for more than one season. So all Westwood lovers should start saving!

Seems like Westwood has taken back her words after declaring that she 'hates jeans' when interviewed by the Telegraph newspaper last year. Referring to her 10-year old granddaughter, Cora, Westwood admitted 'she's really conservative. I'm very disappointed in that. She wears jeans. I think jeans are terrible... She said to me, "It's more important if people are nice people than what they wear." I said, "Rubbish."'

However, Carlo D'Amario, managing director of Vivienne Westwood said: "It is very important for us to work with a denim brand like Lee with such a strong heritage."

Sounds like a good idea to me. Now let's wait and see how creative Westood gets with these denim designs!

Lily Allen Quits Singing for Fashion

Lily Allen has announced that she is due to quit music for 'at least one or two years' in order to pursue a career in fashion. Her success in the music industry and her open thoughts never fails to keep her in the limelight.

It was only recently when she starred in Chanel ads - but now she has plans to open a boutique with her sister, Sarah calling it Lucy in Disguise. Allen has taken on board a newish concept that will make her shop different. Shoppers not only can buy the clothes, but there's that opportunity for them to hire or rent them.

Allen tells Sarah Cox on Radio 1 yesterday: "It's about making fashion democratic. That's the idea behind it. It's about getting really nice clothes but letting people rent them for affordable prices so they can go out and feel like a million dollars and it won't cost them a million dollars." - Talk about tackling the recession!

The idea is part of a growing 'democratisation' trend in fashion, which has an increasing number of designers taking steps towards widening their reach among the masses.

Allen also plans to launch a record label that will focus on new and upcoming acts, stating that she doesn't 'want to compete with other record companies', but to act as a support to new artists.

Her last gig before her break will take place alongside rapper Dizzee Rascal at London's O2 Arena next March.

Well, best of luck to her!

Zandra Rhodes for UCA Chancellor

Being part of University for the Creative Arts, I am delighted to hear that Zandra Rhodes has been appointed as Chancellor for the University.

The world-renowned fashion designer, born in Chatham, Kent, is one of the many famous names to have studied at one of the University's founder colleges; during her time, the Medway College of Art.

Zandra says: "My years at Medway College of Art were my formative years and shaped me into what I am today. The caring, dedicated staff guided and nurtured me. My mother also taught draping and dress making at the Medway college. I learned the basics that have carried me through the rest of my life and career: Drawing, sketching, lithography, screen printing, linocutting, all the practical basics.

"I feel very honoured to have been chosen to be the first Chancellor for the University and will endeavor to be inspirational to the students with some emphasis on the old values that I was trained with."

Through this role, Zandra will be representing the University. She will preside at the graduation ceremonies, with the power to award degrees. Not only will this create additional exposure for the University, this shows the level of success some can achieve through their courses.

So how exciting is this new for the potential UCA graduates! I am surely looking forward to my graduation in 2011 now!

David Koma, David Koma, David Koma...

Oh, don't we love David Koma. From the moment Cheryl Cole stepped through those doors on the X Factor last Saturday, I immediately knew her dress was designed by David Koma. You wouldn't have thought it would get so much publicity, and what a week the young lad has had!

Koma, a Central Saint Martins graduate, Harrods Design Award winner and Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award winner, showcased his S/S 2010 collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout (off-schedule at London Fashion Week) again this year and I was able to see exactly David had to offer whilst working with the team at the venue. And what a response we have had on his A/W 09-10 collection, first Cheryl Cole picked his dress for her Saturday night appearance on The X Factor and last night Beyoncé Knowles appeared at the MTV Europe Music Awards wearing a dress from the same collection. The celebs certainly love his designs.

"I have been working with Beyoncé and her team to create a unique dress and knew there was a possibility she may wear it, but when I saw her last night she looked absolutely incredible!" a starstruck Koma told VOGUE.COM this morning. "Beyoncé represents the ideal woman that inspires me, I'm delighted that she wore my dress to collect her award and feel privileged and incredibly proud that a worldwide superstar has shown such support."

He also states, "Cheryl is an amazing, beautiful, super sexy woman - I really like her and I was very flattered when I saw her in my dress," Koma went on. "This week I'm a happy man, it's a very exciting time right now!"

Despite several negative response from viewers, Koma is without a doubt delighted with his customers. For some, he has become a young emerging designer to a well known star for his signature style just within a week.

Koma continues his style for his S/S 10 collection, offering sculptured silhouettes combined with bright contrasts and hard embellished elements. He definitely is one to watch!

VB is Expanding

See a designer handbag spotted on Victoria Beckham, some will go and buy the same product. A great form of promotion you would have thought, but why doesn't she have her own collection of bags? She has her own clothing line 'VB', so surely it's time to do bags, shoes and all that jazz isn't it?

Well, it has finally hit Victoria Beckham as she begins to expand her label by creating a new collection of bags and shoes. She can finally wear an outfit all designed by herself, and not have to act as a 'walking advertisement'.

A friend of hers states, “Victoria is tired of promoting other brands. If she wears Christian Louboutin or Hermès people go and buy it. She thought, 'Why can't I do this with my own line?'”

Being successful with her VB dress line, having been a hit with the A-listers, we would surely hope that her handbags and shoes follow suit. With hundreds of Hermes Birkin bags hanging in her wardrobe, she must know a thing or two about stylish bags!

We shall now wait in eager to see what Victoria has to offer!

Kate Moss to Launch Xmas Collection

Kate Moss is adding a new spark to her collaboration with Topshop this winter 09, as she makes her debut in nightwear. Her collection, due to launch this Thursday consists of an oriental feel. Pieces will include an oriental butterfly print kimono and slip, and both silky and lace lingerie sets, all inspired by her collection of vintage nightwear in her wardrobe.

'I used some of my favourite prints from previous collections like the vintage rose and the swarms of butterfly from my last collection.' Moss says in her interview with Topshop.

Her collection is girly, sexy, and glamorous. You can now feel good about yourselves all day and night, and what a great Christmas present it will be. I know that i'm looking forward to see the pieces hit the stores. So the collection will be available this Thursday (29th), so get ready to grab your favourite pieces!

Lily Allen Goes Coco

Karl Lagerfeld designed a new casual yet sleek line of handbags for Chanel this autumn/winter 09 /10 naming it 'Coco Cocoon.' Some of the nylon and lambskin bags are reversible, revealing the signature quilting that Chanel is recognised for. Whether you've heard it or not, Lily Allen is now the face of this collection which launched at the beginning of this month.

At first, I didn't think Lily would be right for the brand, but having seen the advertisements, Karl Lagerfeld's selection is growing on me.

'I love Lily Allen.' he says. 'She looks a lot like Gabrielle Chanel and she is a self-made women. She is cool, young and extremely witty. Photographing her for this advertising campaign was fantastic fun. She is extremely inspiring and is completely taken with the bags - with her typical English casualness.'

When we talk about Chanel, we think the brand is targeting an upper class women with a well paid job. That's right, but what Lagerfeld is intending to do, is to broaden his target market by attracting younger women. Lily will help create more exposure, hoping to interest a younger market, such as females as young as her and her fans. Her fresh face channels the youthfulness and essence of this collection. As much as we would all love a Chanel handbag, it's not as if we can all afford one now.

Parisian Chic Coming to the High Street

An announcement was made on Monday by high street retailer H&M stating that designer Sonia Rykiel also known as the ‘Queen of Knits’ (a title she was given more than 30 years ago) will be next to collaborate with the brand.

"Sonia Rykiel will be the next designer invited for winter 2009 and spring 2010," Hennes & Mauritz said in a statement.

She will be designing clothing as well as lingerie for the fashion chain, due to launch this winter, on 5th December. Her second collection which will also consist of childrenswear will be an iconic and colourful spring collection, featuring knitwear, and accessories hitting stores on 20th February.

"Sonia Rykiel is a true fashion icon who invented a signature style combining femininity, Parisian chic and modernity, as well as clothing that is practical, comfortable and wearable," said Margareta van den Bosch, responsible for design at H&M, in the statement.

So note it in your diaries, 5th December - Paris chic at high street prices, what a way to brighten up a winter's day!

French Vogue Causes Race Row

Not usually do we hear controversial comments made about fashion magazines, but the October issue of French Vogue has sparked a new race row. Carine Roitfield has always known how to keep her magazine in the limelight, but not for the right reasons this time.

Photographer Steven Klein's shoot for a spread in the magazine's new "Supermodels" issue shows Dutch supermodel Lara Stone plastered in brown make-up, not because thats her skin tone, but for no specific reason other than the fact that no models of colour were part of it at all.

The photo shoot, styled by the editor herself, lead to an outrage, making it a huge talking point in the media and online. The US blog Jezebel criticised the the need to alter the model's skin colour, accusing them of 'cultural insensitivity.'

"What Klein and Roitfeld should know … is that painting white people black for the entertainment of other white people is offensive in ways that stand entirely apart from cultural context," Jezebel stated.

On the other hand, Dominique Sopo, president of the French organisation SOS Racisme, said that even if the shoot was not racist in intention it was certainly "tactless".

"If the aim was artistic, and not to pass off the model as a black girl, the fact that it produces such reactions shows that the world of images – advertising, fashion, whatever – is now paying for its long tradition of not allowing black people to show their bodies in public."

However, French Vogue is standing its ground. According to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson said that it was "unaware it had caused offence" and declined to make any further comment.

Personally, I think it is highly unnecessary for a model to have her skin tone changed. She is white, so why paint her black? If they were to be diverse, they should bring in other models rather than completely change ones look. It would also save the paint. Something like this will create a misleading message and of course it can be taken offensive.

Not a great month for French Vogue then!

Megan Fox replaces Victoria Beckham

Having earlier revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is replacing David Beckham at Emporio Armani Underwear, it has just been announced that Transformers star, Megan Fox is to be the new face and body of Emporio Armani women's underwear, jeans range, replacing Victoria Beckham.

Unfortunately however, we won't be seeing Ronaldo, 24 pairing up with Fox, 23 in saucy photoshoots like the Beckhams did. Fox ads will be seen in January although it has been reported that her photo's had already been captured in LA by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and Ronaldo's are yet to be captured.

This Week's Best Dressed is....

Love her or hate her - Cheryl Cole has been named as one of this week's best dressed. Having seen her all over the media since she was young, Cheryl has changed dramatically.

Raised up in a rough council estate in Newcastle, the young girls life was about to change as she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals. Her talent made her status grow as she and fellow finalists formed successful pop group Girls Aloud. Now with a main role in the X Factor and also a debut single, 'Fight for This Love' as a solo artist, not only has she caught our eyes on television, her style has done so too.

Being such a huge celebrity, always spoken about in magazines about what she wears, you would have thought she had a stylist behind it all - but she doesn't! Cheryl must clearly keep her eyes open for all the seasons trends and obviously knows exactly what works together. It's great to see someone who is able to do that. Surely this is when you can give someone personally the 'best dressed' status.

On the other hand, we see stars such as Emma Watson, who is constantly being praised for her style, when really she has a personal stylist behind it all. Whether its thumbs up or down, its all up to the stylist. So surely it should be, 'this week's best stylist is..'

Whether its good or bad fashion, I suppose celebrities would take all the credit! But did you know, not everything worn by these celebs have been brought by themselves? In many cases, they were given to them free from brands who want to be associated with them. Really, they should pay for the clothes like we all do, simply because they can afford it!

Uniqlo Booms

To me, it is not surprising to hear that Japan’s Fast Retailing has forecasted a 10.5 percent rise in operating profit this financial year at its Uniqlo clothing chain (Forbes) as consumers are drawn to the great value and quality of its products.

If you haven't heard of global retailer Uniqlo, you should get out there and find them on the High Street. A brilliant Japanese brand offering a huge selection of casual garments in tons of colours - literally. You can't miss them. There is always something for everybody.

I must confess that i'm quite a fan of the Japanese-based brand, last popping into one of their stores during the weekend. I just couldn't resist whilst I was on Oxford Street. I purchased a pair of jeans at a reduced price at £14.99 down from £24.99, and even got them altered at no extra cost! Being as petite as I am, this was an option that I couldn't refuse. I could finally put on a pair of jeans that actually fit! I also brought a check flannel shirt, a must have this season. Uniqlo is different to any other High Street brand as they are constantly upping their game. Bringing something different to consumers.

If value isn't enough to draw in customers, Jil Saunder has recently launched her collection '+J' with Uniqlo for this Autumn/Winter 09 season. A basic range of clothing, from cardigans, shirts to coats ranging from £14.99 up to £99.99 - her collection I must say doesn't particularly stand out. There isn't that unique stamp that she has put on to her range, but I suppose it fits in with Uniqlo's current range.

So if you've never been to a Uniqlo store, I highly recommend you to do so. Ideal for Christmas presents and highly affordable, and if you are a student, benefit from a 15% off discount!

Ronaldo for Armani?

When we ask 'Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham?', it may be a difficult for some to choose - both do have an amazing physique. But when it comes to promoting underwear for Emporio Armani, you would have thought Beckham would be more ideal of the two; a phenomenal worldwide in what he does, and a style icon to many.

However, after four years of great promotion for the luxury brand, Ronaldo is now set to be the new face - and body of course, of Emporio Armani Underwear from Spring/Summer 2010. No, he won't be joining Victoria Beckham in the advertising campaigns as she has decided not to renew her contract so that she can concentrate on her own collection.

Well...lets hope Cristiano Ronaldo will meet up to expectations since he's following the footsteps of David Beckham.