Death of the Killer Heel?

I recently read an article in the Sunday Times Style magazine saying that the killer high heel has had it’s day…and the return of the kitten heels and sensible flats were back! Being 5”2 and a serious shoe fanatic with a closet destined to rival imelda marcos I’d like to severly debate this issue.

There are a million and one reasons why the killer heel will never die…we look better in heels, we walk better in heels, we have better posture in heels…wearing heels has even been proven to tone your upper thighs, so technically we could say wearing heels is exercise! Not only that, but heels are prettier than other shoes… you are never going to be able to compare a pair of flats to a pair of 5inch sex bombs. No Way! Shoes instantly cheer girls up, it’s like a cheaper version of therapy (well almost cheaper)…I have the most amazing pair of Topshop shoes that are aptly name “the breakup shoes”. Then I once had a very traumatic experience in Gatwick airport where I almost wasn’t allowed through the gates (long story), so again a pair of snakeskin fuschia Kurt Geiger heels were purchased in duty free and instantly the tears went away! High heel shopping is my cure for everything…to eliminate high heels from fashion, is like eliminating anti-depressants from a chemist!

Now don’t get me wrong, when I’m working or on a shoot I wear flats…not even I can run up and down Grafton street in stilettos all day. But when the occasion calls (ie. every weekend night or event) it’s high heels every time!

!

I will continue to love certain designers for continually pushing the boundaries with high heel designs. Last season Rodarte’s leather thigh highs were to-die-for and this season it’s all about Alexander McQueen! His latest S/S 10’ line had the most remarkable pieces of art I’ve ever seen, almost mythological in style. It’s refreshingly creative. Okay I won’t be buying a pair anytime soon…but I guarantee Topshop or some other highstreet label will bring out a more wearable version and baby, I’ll be first in line!

European Music Awards female fashion WARS!

Katy Perry, queen of quirky, kept her more sensible side on display while walking the red carpet as host for the EMA’s. She dazzled crowds in a stunning blush Marchesa gown with black lace detailing and a sleek up-do. She did however let her hair down as soon as she got inside the venue and donned a variety of crazy outfits, including a cheeky tribute to boyfriend Russell Brand by wearing a bespoke burlesque West Ham lingerie style outfit. Then there was the homage to a twisted prom night, in a wacky Victor and Rold designed ball-gown that looked like it had been attacked by mice. And although she was certainly hitting all the unique factors, the on-going burlesque theme, inspired by popular German Musical Cabaret is going to be huge next season with a lot of designers following the underwear as outerwear trend.

Beyonce also had a few costume changes throughout the night, but my favourite was definitely her red carpet look, in a shimmering Atelier Versace pink number which was unbelievably stunning,. The detail on the dress was exquisitel and hugged her in all the right places, her disheveled, big bouncy hair was a perfect contrast to the sleek style of the dress. Top marks for Sasha Fierce.
Brit singing sensation Leona Lewis tried to be a bit more daring than her usual look…she went for a super luxe sequined harem pants with a matching corset by designer Vivienne Westwood. Even though Hareem pants are risky at the best of times, it still looked a little boring! She had all the ingredients for a wow-factor look; sequins, corset, harem and of course Vivienne Westwood… but it just didn’t deliver!

Is Shakira morphing into Mariah Carey? It certainly looks that way in this mini “almost there” shimmer dress and slicked back hair. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. She looked way cooler at the VMA’s wearing a Balmain quilted leather mini dress with over-the-knee boots. Stick to rock n roll, sexy Shakira…it’s way more ‘she wolf’!

Pint sized popstar Pixie Lott usually impresses me on the red carpet with her sweet and sassy take on fashion, but she looked over-groomed, and a tad boring in her Dolce and Gabbana mini-dress. The sparkly shoes get a nod though…very nice!

Only rocker Juliette Lewis could possibly pull off this ultra-androgynous look, red lippy, leather on leather, bakerboy cap, over trouser boots, gold gloves and embellished belt. I love it on her…she just wouldn’t look right in a little dress…this is so much better.

Lil Kim aint so lil anymore…oh dear god! What was she thinking? There’s shock tactics and then there is ridiculous…this is ridiculous! I really, really did not want to see all of that. Leather hotpants are just so wrong, I don’t even think Gisele could get away with wearing them (who am I kidding, of course she could)! However, the jacket is actually very nice (if her breasts weren’t popping out the front) it’s got that military vibe with the gold buttons and the embellished detail on the shoulders…very on trend…that is about the only thing right with this look though!

Pocahontas eat your heart out, here we have Bar Rafaeli wearing a fringed Cavalli creation from his Spring/Summer line. Initially at first glance I didn’t love this look…but actually the nude colour, layered metal chain belts, and cool fringing make her very fashion forward but still understated.

All in all, an eclectic bunch of fashionistas there…as usual some hits, some misses…but without the misses I’d have nothing to slag off…so lil Kim, keep doing what you do best and look like trash. Thanks.

The Monokini…Practical? No. Sexy? Yes.

“The cut out swimsuit is this summer’s hottest trend, and certainly one bikini trend that just screams sex appeal…but is it practical?”




One of the biggest shock trends of the summer is cut-out swimsuits…otherwise known as the monokini! When the monokini came back into the limelight a few years ago, many thought they were just a phase, with only the super thin and super famous like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton daring to bare …until now! That scandalous ’60s bathing suit is this season’s hottest swimwear silhouette, and everyone is wearing them. More revealing than the one piece, the monokini is being worn by sexy celebs like Kim Kardashian and Audrina Patridge to hide their negative bits but highlight their curves with strategically placed cutouts. Although you don’t have to have their bodies to pull off this tricky trend!

My favorite designer styles are this season’s bandage dressing, dare-to-bare swimsuits from Hervé Léger. They were a typical example of spring’s extreme cut-out, knock-em-dead pieces that appeared on the runways of Spring 2009. But there are endless high-street styles to choose from too, with a variety of styles on option for maximum appeal. But make sure that you purchase a monokini that you will feel comfortable in, that way you will be oozing confidence at the beach, and what is sexier than a confident woman in a swimsuit?



So yes, this season’s swimwear may have been made for posing and not so much for swimming, but I think practicality is overrated! The only real downfall to a monokini is the risk of odd or unflattering tan lines. My advice? Invest in a little fake tan to even out those crazy patches!
Fashion has never been about practicality! If it was, then Thierry Mugler, Alexander Mc Queen and John Galliono would not have jobs!

Victoria Beckham's Optical Illusion

Call her a style icon or a walking mannequin, love her or loathe her, there’s no denying that Victoria Beckham’s style statements always grab the headlines! Her most recent public outing in Milan was no different, she stepped out for dinner with David on Monday, in this €1,171.36 Alexander McQueen column dress. It’s a strange optical illusion, creating curves from one view, and making her look even thinner from other angles.
If you stare at this dress any longer than 30 seconds you will be hypnotized, the monochrome blurred lines make me feel dizzy.

Well Victoria Beckham must be doing something right, because the dress sold out on www.net-a-porter.com within 24hours of hitting the newsstands. You too can take inspiration from her look and buy monochrome this season...however you may have to take a few shots of absinthe to get the dizzy effect!

VIP Style Awards?!?

At the VIP Style Awards held in Dublin last week, Ireland’s best-loved TV personalities and socialites didn’t fail to impress. This is the one glamorous award ceremony where you can take risks, have fun with your outfits and channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw…and they did just that!

While standing together, the Xpose team looked like they jumped out of a box of Quality Street , but when flying solo they looked great, staying true to their individual styles and being adventurous!

The Xpose host Lorraine Keane was crowned Ireland's most stylish woman! Hmmm, don't know if I agree with that, given some of the awful outfits she wears on the show. However on the night she picked one of the hottest colours for spring and wore a deep purple number by bridal designer Tamen Michael, looking her ever glamorous and groomed self.

Aisling O’Loughlin won best dressed of the night, in this peacock inspired dress. I love the top bustier detail, but the tulle bottom is a little over the top! This dress would have been more show-stopping if it was cut just above the knee and made into a cocktail dress!

Although Karen Koster played it safe in a little black dress, she hit two key trends with popping-red, statement shoes (copies available in Topshop) and a one-shoulder detail on the dress.

Yvonne Keating looked stunning in a powder pink dress, with diamond-embellished belt detail and ruffle detailing on the neck and base of skirt. She and husband Ronan Keating won most stylish couple on the night and we can see why - she kept it classic and age-appropriate but had fun with a summery colour.

My personal winner of the night was Pippa O’Connor in a dazzling blue, empire line, and silk-chiffon gown. It was elegant with a twist, having the one-shoulder strap with embellished corsages on it, and keeping it stylish with smoky eyes, nude lips and a loose chignon bun and minimal silver jewellery.

But the worst dressed award goes to Miriam Ahern…she’s a cross between a flamenco dancer and big bird dyed black! The ruffles…dear god, all the ruffles, this lady needs a crash course on how to dress for your body type…yes black is slimming, but not with layers and layers of RUFFLES and detailing! One good thing she did was to accessorise with red lips and nails and a cute red diamond bangle. (But that’s the only compliment she’s getting).

Oh dear God what was she thinking???

Loveable Paula Abdul from American Idol, has never exactly been top of the style polls! But she at least manages to look half decent on the show (the miracle work of a stylist)... however if you caught any of her reality tv programme, you'd see that unfortunately she likes to dress herself for red-carpet events! Bad move Paula, seriously bad move!

She recently wore a floor-length, flowing, canary yellow gown with jewlled detailing to the Grammys! Sounds stunning right??? Well check out this hot mess! (Photo to right) There's just too many trends in one dress, dwarfing the tiny star. Plus it doesnt help that she has a hairstyle to rival Marge Simpson..adding to the over-the-top look!

It's not the first fashion disaster she's had either, Paula regularly makes the worst dressed lists! Dressing too young for her age in cleavage pushing mini-dresses, or trying to be stylish and ending up frumpy, in over-detailed garments!

Hint to Paula...maybe stick with the American Idol stylist and while you may not become a style icon overnight...you can at least steer clear of articles like this about you.

Oscars red-carpet happy ending?

There was a fairytale feeling sweeping Tinsletown on Sunday, as all of Hollywoods’ leading ladies lived out the Cinderella dream through their dresses!

Big, bold and beautiful seemed to be the recurring theme for the night, with most actresses being a little more daring with their choice of attire! Sarah Jessica Parker drew inspiration from her tutu in the opening credits of Sex and the City and donned a ‘barely mint’, Dior Couture gown with a huge tulle meringue skirt.

Penelope Cruz dazzled in a white Vintage Pierre Balmain dress with brocade detailing and sheer touches while Jennifer Aniston showed the world just how she bagged her toyboy prince John Mayer, in a figure-hugging, strapless, white Valentino gown.

The two Disney starlets who surely should have the princess look down to a tee got it all wrong on the night. Vanessa Hudgens wore a black Marchesa dress with a fishtail, aging her by at least 30years and making me wonder if she’s auditioning for a new role as Mortisha Adams.

Miley Cyrus (right) also dared to be different in a stunning Zuhair Murad dress with scalloped layers. On anyone else this dress could have worked perfectly, but on a sixteen year old pop singer just screamed "I borrowed this from my mum’s wardrobe".

Freida Pinto may play a rags to riches orphan in Slumdog Millionaire, but she looked nothing less than regal in a royal blue, Galliano, one-sleeved dress with intricate embellishments!

On-screen queen in Starwars and off-screen, queen of the red carpet, Natalie Portman (below) wins my vote for best dressed of the night! She shone in a stunning, lilac-pink, Rodarte, strapless gown with Swarovski detailing and was certainly the belle of the ball!

So Hollywood proves, that when it comes to fashion, there can always be… a happily ever after! Pity the Disney Girls got it SOOOOOO WRONG!!