Agent Provocateur - Let Them Eat Kate and Watching Josephine.

As a wise man once said; "Always wear nice underwear - just in case." Well, okay, maybe it wasnt a wise man but one of my girlfriends who said it, with a cheeky grin on her face, but she had a point. Even if no-one else gets to see it, sexy underwear can make you feel good. Josephine de la Baume, the new face of Agent Provocateur, sizzles in their Spring/Summer 2011 range.

The campaign, called Watch Josephine, is as sexy and eye-catching as one would expect from Agent Provocateur, and also features a peeping-Tom style video of the model.

Their previous campaigns have featured names such as Kate Moss and Peaches Geldof. Kate's photos are stunning and favourites of mine.

 

The images are striking and dramatic as well as jaw-droppingly sexy.

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but they've got some competition from high heels.

Marilyn Monroe once said, “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” I’m inclined to agree with her. High heeled shoes are – just like Marilyn herself – fabulous. They add an air of glamour to any outfit. And while I’m not debating that they take a bit of getting used to – but you gotta suffer to be beautiful, right? – they’re worth the discomfort. They make your legs look longer, they improve your posture, and they are, quite simply, sexy. (Though I admit – I always carry a pair of flats in my handbag on nights out.)

Though I don’t always wear heels out, when I do, I know they make me look better, which makes me feel better. They give me that extra bit of confidence. And heels aren’t only for nights out. Boots with heels looks great with jeans, and casual day-time wear can be made elegant with the right pair of high heeled shoes.

Of course, there are heels that look simply impossible to walk in… For example, I can’t imagine myself being able to balance in these Armadillo heels, designed by the late Alexander McQueen and made famous by Lady Gaga in her Bad Romance video. In fact, some models refused to wear them at his 2010 spring/summer show.

And while I’d probably break my neck in these ridiculously high and even more ridiculously beautiful Christian Louboutin heels too, I’d happily take my chances! Sadly, I know I’ll never be able to afford them… But still, a girl can dream!

Luckily for me, the high street does provide plenty of gorgeous, reasonably priced shoes. Even Primark has recently produced some decent high heels! Lately I’ve noticed that some fabulous, edgy and very affordable boots and heels in Office too. 

Again, I’d like to thank whoever invented heels – we really do owe him (or her!) a lot!

Natural shade of brunette, or bright, fire-engine red? The right choice of hairstyle depends on the individual.

Is it better to have healthy, natural looking hair, or is a fun, brightly dyed hairstyle the right choice?

Playing it safe is all very well, but its's fun to branch out and experiment from time to time, and changes in hairstyles are a great way to play around with your look. Dramatic changes to cut and colour can make a huge difference to your overall appearance and often make a bold statement.

The trick of course is finding what suits you and feels right for you - this doesn't mean your hairstyle will always remain the same, it is simply a case of what is right for you at a particular time in your life. For example, I wear my hair long and dye it blonde, as it suits me and my personality. However, I often feel urges to try other colours, and certainly wouldn't rule out a shorter hairstyle and a change of colour in the future.

 A change of hairstyle can be a reflection of a change in lifestyle. As Rihanna changed from the fresh-faced, pretty girl image she had when she first hit the music scene to a darker, sexier style when promoting her Good Girl Gone Bad and Rated R albums, she ditched her long, brown long and opted for short, edgy haircuts in bold colours such as black, blonde and red. When Nicole Richie left her party girl lifestyle behind her and settled down with Joel Madden, she also left her bleached blonde hair behind and chose a classy brunette shade instead.

Rihanna looks stunning and unique with her flame red hair and edgy cut...

... while Nicole looks healthier and happier than ever after losing the bleach and going for a more natural, rich shade of brown.

As with everything about fashion - clothes, make up, accessories - finding

the right hairstyle is all about finding what's right for you. 

Rihanna is a perfect example of how unusual styles can suit some

people, while Nicole proves that for others, natural is the way to go.

 There is no right or wrong answer, only what suits the individual and makes them feel good.

Jessica Alba wins the award of style queen in this stunning Rachel Comey dress.

Of course Jessica always looks beautiful, but we rarely see her her looking as stylish as she does in this gorgeous outfit. The modern print is edgy and makes the piece catch the eye, while the nude panels keep the pattern from being overwhelming. The matching nude shoes lengthen her legs.

Jessica has kept her make up minimal, and this, combined with her understated hairstyle, makes the outfit appear effortless - "What, this old thing? I just threw it together." Top marks, Miss Alba!

Fight the cold weather with faux fur - fabulous and cruelty-free!

It can be tricky to look stylish in wet, windy weather. Rain and snow ruin hair and make up, and our favourite glamorous skirts and shoes must be put away for the winter months, and replaced by sensible boots and layers of warm clothes. However, there are some pros - the chilly weather is a great excuse for us girls to treat ourselves to cosy coats, cute scarves and gloves. My personal favourite winter accessory for 2010 is faux fur - not just the elegant jackets, but also faux fur bags and accessories. In simple colours like cream and grey, faux fur adds class to an outfit; for a more edgy look, go for bold animal print. Nicky Hilton shows us how its done in this classic leopard coat.

Many celebrities now choose to shun the real fur industry and wear cruelty-free faux fur. Wonderful as this is, it can be difficult to imitate celebrity fashion - the Hilton sister's clothes tend to be a little bit out of the average woman's price range! However, luckily for us, there are many great, affordable high street options available. River Island currently has a wonderful range of faux fur jackets and gilets in stock, which can be bought in stores or online.

The River Island faux fur range includes classically beautiful items, such as this gorgeous cream coat...

...or, if you prefer the quirkier look, you could opt for this edgy grey boyfriend cardigan, with its unusual eyelash pattern.

Oh and remember, sleeves aren't essential either - to mix it up a little, you could always throw this gorgeous gilet over a long sleeved top!

Nicola Roberts : Fashion Icon. How the "ugly one" from Girls Aloud has transformed into a style queen...

  Right from the beginning, when Girls Aloud were first created in 2002 by the ITV reality show Popstars: The Rivals, Nicola Roberts was always considered the plainest member of the group. With her pale skin, freckles and unconventional looks, she was constantly singled out and ridiculed. Lily Allen famously referred to her as “The Ugly One”, a title which stuck. Aged only 17 when the group was formed, Nicola was just an awkward teenager with braces and freckles, yet to find her own style, going through the same journey of mistakes and self-consciousness that all young girls go through at some stage, in order to blossom into confident women who feel comfortable with themselves. However, unlike other young girls, Nicola had to endure her awkward stage under the cruel scrutiny of the public, her every mistake highlighted and criticised.

  People can be cruel, and no-one stopped to think that Nicola Roberts, Girls Aloud superstar, was in reality just a young girl, as vulnerable and easily hurt as any teenager. For years she endured constant taunts from the public and media, who regularly mocked her looks, particularly her fair skin and the distinctive flame-red hair which has now become her signature feature. Surrounded by beautiful bandmates such as Cheryl Cole and Sarah Harding, with their typically good looks, and regularly insulted by the press, it is no wonder Nicola Roberts felt insecure and unhappy in her own skin.

  “My self-esteem was at rock-bottom,” she has since revealed. “"For years I felt like the ugly one in Girls Aloud … The odd one out … I felt awful. Turning from a teenager into a woman is hard enough without dealing with snide comments.”

As a teenager, Nicola was yet to find her own style...

  Instead of embracing her own differences and dressing for them, Nicola spent years trying to force herself to fit the girl-band stereotypicl mould of a “pretty, bronzed, blonde commercial-looking woman.” Using layers of fake tan and thick, heavy make up, she coated her light skin with products in an attempt to look as tanned as her four bandmates. In an attempt to completely disguise her fair complexion, Nicola also dyed her hair darker. Old pictures clearly show a self-conscious young girl, trying hard to be somethings she’s not. Under such constant criticism, it is no wonder it took Nicole so long to find her own style, and work with her pale skin and red hair, instead of against it. But thankfully, the “ugly one” from Girls Aloud has finally learnt to celebrate her differences. The ugly duckling has blossomed into a beautiful swan.

  Gone is the spray tan and orange make up. The hair dye and extensions have been ditched. Nicola’s skin is back to its natural, clear white, which perfectly compliments her eyes, features and distinctive red hair. Never before has the phrase “pale and interesting” been so true. Nicola stands out now not as the plain band member, but as the striking, glamorous, different one. She proves beyond a doubt that to look your best, you must work with your natural looks – never try to change them completely. And with her new-found confidence, Nicola has begun to experiment with fashion, quickly finding her own original style which suits her fair skin and hair. This amazing transformation has seen Nicola Roberts swiftly becoming a style icon.

  Nicola has become an inspiration, not only to fashionistas everywhere who admire her fabulous clothes, but to anyone who has felt uncomfortable in their own skin. She recently released her own make up range, appropriately named Dainty Doll, which is aimed at women with very fair skin. Nicola explained, “Seeing that no other brand on the market cater for paler skinned women really frustrated me.” Music career aside, Nicola is now becoming well known for her passionate interest in make up and fashion. However, when asked about releasing her own fashion range, Nicola pointed out that celebrities who put their name on clothes for the sake of it are taking opportunities away from hard-working, up-and-coming young designers, saying; “I have too much respect for the industry.”

  Personally, I adore Nicola’s style, and admire her obvious, genuine appreciation for fashion. For too long, she has been overlooked. Now she is coming into her own as a style queen, a unique beauty and a champion for girls who don’t want to follow the tanning bed trend. People are beginning to sit up and take notice of Nicola Roberts. Her outfits are both daring and stunning, her hairstyles and make up are flawless, and it is clear that she has finally made peace with her insecurities, and learnt to be comfortable with her own particular brand of delicate prettiness. She is definitely a style icon and someone to watch. When Nicola spoke out about her new look, she seemed happy and confident as she explained how she loves what she is doing now and no longer feels like the ugly one. She also added that if anyone disliked her style, she “couldn’t give a toss.” Good for you Nicola!

* Attention, fashionistas! A few final thoughts…

Check out Nicolas outfits at London Fashion Week – they are all fab and inspiring!

Pale girlies who wanna rock the natural look – look up her Dainty Doll Range! Pale is beautiful, if you know how to work it!

http://www.harrods.com/brand/dainty-doll?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=beauty&utm_campaign=ppc&cid=PPC_International%20Harrods%20Brand%20-%20Ireland_Beauty%20and%20Fragrance%20-%20Dainty%20Doll

Kim Kardashian glows in this edgy patterned dress.

It can sometimes be hard for curvier girls to work the edgy look - hourglass figures are generally more suited to classic styles. However, Kim Kardashian proves it can be done in this gorgeous black dress with it's fab gold pattern. The dress is dramatic, so Kim keeps the accessories simple - a dark clutch and shoes, with her hair tied back. Beautiful!

(Also - I noticed this in a "Worst Dressed" section - some people are so clueless! Fashion is about taking risks and daring to be different, and Kim totally pulls this off.)