She's the Goldin Girl

Congratulations to Louise Goldin, who celebrates winning the British Fashion Council Fashion Forward award, receiving sponsorship for two seasons to show at London Fashion Week. The shortlisted designers included Basso & Brooke, Emilio de la Morena, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Osman and Todd Lynn.

Louise Goldin says with delight, “I am so proud to be a winner of this prestigious award – Fashion Forward. It is amazing to have the support from The British Fashion Council, Coutts and industry experts. I am even more driven to create my most successful collection yet! Receiving the financial sponsorship enables me to create pieces which are commercially viable yet maintain creative integrity”.

Goldin's SS10 pastel collection showcased her innovative knitting techniques through elegantly sculptured garments.

She states her design signature as “Innovative programmed techniques where I create my own knitted fabric and textures, combined with structured, sculpted garments.”

All eyes will be on Goldin this February as we all wait to see what she has to offer.

The Face of Armani

The time has come girls! Late last year I reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has become the new face of Armani, following David Beckham's footsteps. Well, now the results are here!

Showing off his amazing physique, Ronaldo poses in a series of photo shoots promoting the luxury Armani brand.

"Cristiano is a great-looking young man with the perfect physique of an athlete," Armani said.

"For me, he is the essence of youth - spontaneous, exciting and a real maverick. It is for his energy that I have chosen Cristiano to become the new face of Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear - for his youthful, exciting, and, yes, sexy attitude."

Doesn't that just reflect his these sexy advertisements! He reportedly maintains his chiseled abs by performing 3,000 sit-ups a day. No wonder!

Ronaldo responds saying: "Giorgio Armani is a legend in the fashion world and I have long been a fan of his work. I am very pleased with the pictures we have done together - they are certainly striking and are full of attitude and a spirit I can relate to."

I'm more than happy to flick over those fashion pages and seeing these! It's thumbs up for me, and a great replacement for David Beckham.

Williamson Expands

Wool printed scarves, £195
Paisley printed silk scarves, £225
Beetle print cotton/silk mix T-shirt, £265
Plain cashmere, £395
Printed cashmere, £450




He's already collaborated with H&M last year, and has his collection for Debenhams, but now Matthew Williamson is to launch a capsule menswear range for spring/summer 2010. He surely is developing quickly.

The designer who is again lined up for this February's London Fashion Week will unveil his very own capsule menswear collection for spring/summer 2010, with the possibility to expand the line the following season.

The luxury collection will consist of slim-fitting cashmere jumpers, of course featuring his signature prints and embellishment.

"I know these jumpers will become season-less staples in my own wardrobe," Williamson states.

Adding to the line will include "cashmere and silk printed scarves and hand-beaded T-shirts complement the line and form a solid foundation for the collection to grow next season."

The collection will be available from February 2010 in Harrods menswear designer department, as well as Matthew Williamson flagship stores and online boutique.

All men must be eager to get their hands on Williamson's first menswear designs. It looks like a great line to me and it's going to be a cheerful start to the spring season for the men.

The Queen Honours...

It's a new year, a new decade, and I begin with a positive by congratulating Amanda Wakeley, Stephen Jones, Luella Bartley and Cath Kidston on being named in the Queen’s New Years honours list.

On January 1st her Majesty The Queen appointed Amanda Wakeley and Stephen Jones Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and Luella Bartley and Cath Kidston Members of the Order of the British Empire.

Wakeley, whose signature label now enters its 20th year, was honoured with an OBE for her work as the founding co-Chair of charity Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Wakeley said: ‘I am extremely humbled by this honour. It is also recognition for the talented and committed teams that I am fortunate to work with both in my own business and at Fashion Targets. It’s an incredible way to complete an extraordinary year.’

Milliner Stephen Jones who I bumped into during the last London Fashion Week was honoured for his services to the fashion industry with an OBE. He says ‘around the world, millinery is seen as a uniquely British art and I am proud to be part of that tradition” continuing, “I would to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my talented staff and faithful clients who, like me, believe that self-expression in fashion need not stop at your neck’.

On the other hand, Luella Bartley, despite losing the investors of the Luella label in November last year, starts 2010 on a high with a much deserved MBE. Homewares designer Cath Kidston also receives an MBE.