While stripes and polka dots are fun, leaf prints, floral’s and abstract prints help keep a fresh and funky style profile this summer.

Tunics are very easy to accessorise – you can try a chunky gold necklace, bangles, wooden earrings, belts or medium to over sized handbags. If it’s a day at the beach try a fun bra or bikini top underneath.

Here are a few tunic tips:

• Always wear a camisole under sheer, blousy fabrics.
• If it’s a night out, take your look up a notch by wrapping a wide belt over a tunic.
• Empire waists tunics will make you look fuller. So stay away from them if you have a curvy body.
• Don’t choose a tunic that falls lower than mid-thigh, it will make the outfit look sloppy.
• If the tunic is extra flowy, try wearing extra-narrow bottoms, such as slim-fitting jeans, pencil skirts or shorts.
• Slim fitting jeans are not for everyone – boot cut is normally flattering for most body shapes.

Tunics are for women of all ages! Here’s how:

20s: If you’re in your 20’s a good way to wear tunics is with short shorts, Bermudas or capris, accessorize with beaded necklaces, earrings, a slouch handbag and wedges or peep-toe heels

30s: For a fun and flattering look, wear a tunic with jeans, heels, a layered necklace, shell earrings and a leather handbag

40s: To create an elegant look, try wearing a sheer embroidered tunic over a camisole with cropped pants or jeans. Wedge heels, a mid-sized handbag and an elegant bracelet will complete the look.

50s: For a no-fuss day look, try an embroidered tunic with a floral skirt. A beaded bracelet or gold necklace along with comfortable sandals and a woven handbag will make you look and feel great.

The label is well known for its fab accessories but there were bags of everything brilliant and bright on the runway this time.

The maxis were coloured up to the max, there were espadrille strings on arms as well as legs and fringes gave a sizzling swish of movement and colour.

Australian Vogue’s fashion director Naomi Smith summed up the mood perfectly: “It’s very casual and colourful, and great for a beach holiday.”

G’day Australia!

There are drifty chiffons in dusky hues, bright white broderie anglaise jackets, jazzy Aztec prints and forties florals.

But haven’t we seen this look before? Spot the 1960s Twiggy shot in amongst the latest of Kate.

The collection is available now at Topshop. Your local stores are as follows:

Dubai: Unit Gf25, Mercato Shopping Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, Tel: 04 3442677. Deira City Centre, Al Etihad Road, Tel: 04 2951804. Ibn Battuta Mall, between Interchange 5 & 6, Skh Zayed Road, Tel: 04 3685946. Wafi City Mall, Sheikh Rashid Street, Tel: 04 3279929.

Abu Dhabi: Marina Mall, Breakwater Area, Tel: 02 6818242.

Visit her stand at Mercato, Jumeirah Beach Road, from 10am to 8.30pm until 28th March. For more about Kim, visit http://www.kimfletcher.com.au.

Last month’s fashion shows had the runways buzzing with excitement. Now you can get those styles without the wait.

Net-a-porter has the looks from London and New York online right now, so check out http://www.net-a-porter.com and bag yourself a designer bargain.

Figleaves.com has a great range of in-the-pink Valentine specials, plus a stunning selection of swimwear.

We tried them out. The service was fast and efficient - with great quality products in a full range of fittings - and at affordable prices.

Click here for their Valentine’s specials.

Cover up and cuddle into crinkly coats, or shine on into the night with sequin sparkles. Colours focus on traffic light hues of green, amber and red. Make a street statement with these wintery stunners.

The programming specifically targets females18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle. With original series and specials featuring beauty, leisure, home, weddings and fashion, its lifestyle programming that’s irresistible.

Available only on Showtime, The Style Network is now a 24/7 source of information for the latest updates on the trends in high fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle balanced with realistic viewpoints on how today’s woman can apply those trends. Key shows on the channel include;

Style Star: Takes an intimate look at one celebrity and her fashion sensibility as it has evolved through the years. With the help of stylists, experts, people watchers, and Style’s library footage, you’ll see the style secrets of today’s top celebrities.

Fashion Police (pictured): A weekly roundup of the hottest looks on film, television, the Red Carpet, and the runway. From the latest clothing and accessories to the coolest
workouts and hangouts, Fashion Police captures the most arresting tastes and trends of all our favourite celebrities.

The Look For Less: The show for any woman who loves a bargain. Whether it’s this season’s mod chic or the glossy glamour lip color from the runways, host Yoanna House shows you how to get the hottest looks without breaking the bank.

Seasonal shades of rust, green and charcoal were offset by dips of cream.

“Haute couture has to be the ultimate in luxury or else a luxurious pret-a-porter would suffice,” said Lagerfeld.

“If it is not truly exceptional it has no reason to be.” As his final creation appeared covered in white feathers and offset by a pair of sunglasses, we could see what he meant!

Fur and feathers drifted like autumn leaves through this season’s haute couture.

Valentino’s final autumn collection dazzled in front of an appreciative audience. This was his prelude to last month’s sad fashion moment as he revealed his last ever Paris collection - for Spring 2008 - after a mere 45 stylish years.

Pucci

Just a week after his own collection in London, Matthew Williamson was back on the catwalk in Milan as creative director at Pucci.

It’s taken him since last year to gel in this role but his spring/summer 2008 hit the mark. Moving the image from Pucci’s swirling psychedelic prints he went aztec style adding zig-zags to seventies-esque kaftans and maxi dresses.

His bright lights colours and shiny perspex and metal accessories gave Pucci a new edge for next spring.

Trussardi

Beatrice Trussardi echoed the shape of her greyhound logo by adding a few pooches to her runway show.

The collection was stylish and Italian chic, with tones of and Italian chic, with tones of

There were shirt dresses, billowing silk pants teamed with tailored jackets, and sporty all-in-one playsuits, but nothing surprising apart from perhaps the dogs on the catwalk.

Krizia

This spring/summer 08 collection is a little less girlie that the image you’d expect from Krizia.

But looking past the boiler suit there’s still the puffball mini shorts and skirts. Colours of beige and cream were worn with metallic platforms and knee high socks - schoolgirl style.

Then came sexy black, bright orange and yellow creations. Exotic eveningwear lit up the show with metallic silver flashes and a fuschia finale.

Emporio Armani

This the show may have set the style for fashion shows to come, opining with the very sexy Beyonce on screen advertising “Diamonds” - the designer’s new fragrance.

Maybe the younger mood of pop star culture is the way fashion is going. The show had minis, shorts and playsuits with a paler pallete of grey, lilac, and pale blues.

Metallic detail flashed out, and the smarter look came from the tailored jackets, in wool boucle, silk and black and white checker board print. A fun collection with a pop star beat.

Gucci

Fragrance was again an accessory to the fact when Gucci used their ad as a preview to their show, but it was a bit of an own goal, as the images had mixed reviews.

Clothes were good, though, with

Great for a night out or for a calm afternoon, white in all its purity creates that perfect, cool look. Don’t limit the white-out to clothes - make it extra white with wedges, bangles and sunglasses. Go all-out white or just accessorise your outfit with this hot, yet super-cool colour. The choice is yours!

Be on the lookout for:

Embellished white tops and dresses to wear from day to night
White summer dresses, shorts and skirts
White pants, shirts and skirts at the workplace
Accessories: bangles, handbags, headscarves

Tip: If white on its own seems a bit too dull for you, liven up your outfits with colourful accessories and nail polish.

We asked Fashionistas to show you how to get the White hot look this season and where to find similar looks in Dubai:

Stores in Dubai where you can find the above:

Clothes: Bebe, Banana Republic, Pimkie, Ted Baker, New Look, Club Monaco, Le Chateau, Debenhams, AI Zone, Cocoon, After Shock, H&M, Reiss, Forever 21, Kimaya, Fae, Bershka, Stradivarius, Monsoon, Splash, River Island, Next, Oasis, Vero Moda, Zara, S*uce, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Top Shop, Sauce, Villa Moda (Emirates Towers)

Accessories: Club Monaco, Banana Republic, Le Chateau, Bebe, Kube, HyperPanda, Koton, River Island, Top Shop, H&M, Forever 21, S*uce, AI Zone, Aldo Accessories, Kimaya, Accessorize, Kenneth Cole, Splash, Peacock (at Lamcy & Ibn Battuta), Boom & Mellow, Gucci, Beads Palace and Accessories, Eve Michelle, Al Washia.

Shoes: New Look, Vincci, Le Chateau, Reiss, Faith, Spring, River Island, Top Shop , Pretty Fit, Milano, Vinnci, Novo(Bur Juman & Ibn Battuta), Charles & Keith, Candella

Handbags: Monsoon, Club Monaco, Kube, HyperPanda, Candella, Sauce, Zara, Mango, Debenhams, Accessorize, Villa Moda, River Island, Top Shop, Kimaya, Spring Boom & Mellow

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH:

Patricia Field
http://www.patriciafield.com

Patricia Field is one of fashion’s greatest visionaries! She costumed Sex and the City, the most fashionable show in television history, and recently acted as costume designer for the 2006 feature film The Devil Wears Prada, plus many other hit TV shows.

She opened her first boutique in New York in 1966, catering to fashionistas and “in the know” scenesters.  Now you can dress like Sarah Jessica Parker or any other celebrity you admire. Patricia Field ships anywhere on earth - so get clicking!

Necklines are plunging, cuts are Grecian goddess with folds and swirls. Colours are drifty whites, toning with coral pinks and blue hues, and contrasting with dramatic black. Accessories are shining necklaces and bangles of pure gold.

This sultry longer look has rapidly taken the summer centre-stage, with celebrities such as Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Eva Longoria making the most of the length.

For all those who are leg-conscious, maxis couldn’t have come at a better time. With a variety of cuts, styles, colours and fabrics, maxis keep you cool during the day and look fab and glam at night! Keep it casual or dress it up - you get to choose!

This summer, look out for Maxis with:

• Border prints and motifs
• Vibrant, bold & rich colors and patterns
• Embellishments
• Ankle skimming hemlines

Tip: Wear this hot trend with ethnic and wooden accessories, gold jewellery and oversized totes and handbags



We asked Fashionistas to show you how to get the hot Maxi look this season and where to find similar looks in Dubai:

Stores in Dubai where you can find the above:

Clothes: Bebe, Ted Baker, New Look, Club Monaco, Le Chateau, Debenhams, AI Zone, Cocoon, After Shock, H&M, Reiss, Forever 21, Kimaya, Fae, Bershka, Stradivarius, Monsoon, Splash, River Island, Next, Oasis, Vero Moda, Zara, S*uce, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Top Shop, Sauce, Villa Moda (Emirates Towers)

Accessories: Club Monaco, Le Chateau, Bebe, Kube, HyperPanda, Koton, River Island, Top Shop, H&M, Forever 21, S*uce, AI Zone, Aldo Accessories, Kimaya, Accessorize, Kenneth Cole, Splash, Peacock (at Lamcy & Ibn Battuta), Boom & Mellow, Gucci, Beads Palace and Accessories, Eve Michelle, Al Washia.

Shoes: New Look, Vincci, Le Chateau, Reiss, Faith, Spring, River Island, Top Shop , Pretty Fit, Milano, Vinnci, Novo(Bur Juman & Ibn Battuta), Charles & Keith, Candella

Handbags: Monsoon, Club Monaco, Kube, HyperPanda, Candella, Sauce, Zara, Mango, Debenhams, Accessorize, Villa Moda, River Island, Top Shop, Kimaya, Spring Boom & Mellow

Website of the month

Harmony Lane
http://www.harmonylane.com

Shop in Beverly Hills without leaving your residence! Sounds too good to be true?? After Harmony Lane opened their webstore, customers have access to the same selection as those who visit their store in Beverly Hills. Shop with celebs like Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Nikki Hilton, Christiana Milian and other hot actresses and musicians! So, if you are looking for one of a kind pieces and must have items, look no further than Harmony Lane!

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Fashionistas - Personal Shopping & Style Concierge Personal shopper, stylist, wardrobe consultant - for men & women. Dubai based, available for consultancy within the UAE. P.O.Box 74327 Dubai United Arab Emirates T: +971.4.3116776 F: +971.4.3311765 M: +971.50.4629845 Email: citychic@fashionistas.ae
]]> tag:uaeasy.com,2007:index.php/17.771 2007-06-02T14:47:00Z 2007-07-03T07:39:46Z Aidan Goldstraw aidan@uaeasy.com There are five key pieces you need to update your wardrobe this summer - according to personal stylist Annabel Hodin.

The first is the tunic dress (worn with flats or a platform heels). Made popular by Kate Middleton earlier this year, and part of the Kate Moss collection at Top Shop, it’s a summer must have.



Then comes the white and feminine sundress, to show off your summer glow.



This season’s blouse has full sleeves, either plain and flowing to reflect the shades of summer, or just downright Zandra Rhodes outrageous.

Raising the stakes, it’s the high waist - either trousers, shorts or skirt.  Finally, accentuate your look with a belt (wide or skinny). If it’s new jeans time, all shapes and sizes
look good in Tummy Tuck jeans - an almost magical mixture of stretch and stitching to hug you in.



To update last year’s summer clothes takes a bit of imagination. If you already own the perfect pair of trousers, you don’t have to buy a new pair of high-waisters. Just wear your belt high this summer, then add a dash of jewel bright colour to an existing outfit, or try a flash of mega-metallic.

]]> tag:uaeasy.com,2007:index.php/17.757 2007-05-07T09:45:00Z 2007-05-07T09:48:00Z Aidan Goldstraw aidan@uaeasy.com Summer’s hotting up so it’s time to sparkle. Go for the shine with shimmering silver - it’s a must have this season. Look scintillating in silver dresses, trendy tops, leggings or shoes. Accessorise with clutches, or add glamour with the gleam and glitz of silver jewellery.

Though metallics are IN this season, the gold rush is losing some of its shine, as silver sweeps the runways.

If you are wary of going metallic from top-to-toe - it’s still cool to add a smattering of silver to your look - maybe with your make-up or accessories. Silver looks great by day or night - so you can wear it casually or for that special night out.

Silver tip: Be sure to look out for structured pieces when selecting sparkle, or use metallic silver shoes, jewellery or handbags to accent your outfit.

We asked Fashionistas to show you how to get the silver look this season and where to find similar looks in Dubai:



Stores in Dubai where you can find the above:

Clothes: Bebe, Ted Baker, New Look, Club Monaco, Le Chateau, Debenhams, AI Zone, Cocoon, After Shock, H&M, Reiss, Forever 21, Kimaya, Fae, Bershka, Stradivarius, Monsoon, Splash, River Island, Next, Oasis, Vero Moda, Zara, S*uce, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Top Shop, Sauce, Villa Moda (Emirates Towers)

Accessories: Club Monaco, Le Chateau, Bebe, Kube, HyperPanda, Koton, River Island, Top Shop, H&M, Forever 21, S*uce, AI Zone, Aldo Accessories, Kimaya, Accessorize, Kenneth Cole, Splash, Peacock (at Lamcy & Ibn Battuta), Boom & Mellow, Gucci, Beads Palace and Accessories, Eve Michelle, Al Washia.

Shoes: New Look, Vincci, Le Chateau, Reiss, Faith, Spring, River Island, Top Shop , Pretty Fit, Milano, Vinnci, Novo(Bur Juman & Ibn Battuta), Charles & Keith, Candella

Handbags: Monsoon, Club Monaco, Kube, HyperPanda, Candella, Sauce, Zara, Mango, Debenhams, Accessorize, Villa Moda, River Island, Top Shop, Kimaya, Spring Boom & Mellow

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH:

Shop Intuition
http://www.shopintuition.com/

Fancy shopping at the Holywood’s hottest boutique, where celebrities and Hollywood-wives hang out? Who goes there? Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson to name just two. Now you can - and you don’t have to fly out there to shop. You can get your hands on the latest must-haves before they even hit the street! It’s definitely worth a click.

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Fashionistas - Personal Shopping & Style Concierge Personal shopper, stylist, wardrobe consultant - for men & women. Dubai based, available for consultancy within the UAE. P.O.Box 74327 Dubai United Arab Emirates T: +971.4.3116776 F: +971.4.3311765 M: +971.50.4629845 Email: citychic@fashionistas.ae
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