source: © shopzilla - D&G grecian dress

When Kylie Minogue strolled down the red carpet dressed up in Grecian splendour … and it started something of a tidal wave of copycats. It is a great look, particularly if you can get the accessories to match and have your hair intricately piled up. I had a quick shifty at the best Grecian style “long dresses” available.

A little bit too gladiator for me and certainly out of my price range, the shapeless Roksanda Ilincic Silk sleeveless dress, limps in at number 5. It does a gorgeous pistachio colour which is a little more inventive from the basic ivory or cream.

In at number 4 is the decorated knee length purple dress, that to me only vaguely represents Grecian but for £34 it’s a snip and if you can be a little creative you can pull off the look with great accessories.

I tried to find a close match to a similar style as the original dress which started this furore. The Kylie version was an exceptionally “long dress” and floaty too; the equivalent skims the top of the knee and is very basic in design. It does have a strip of genuine Swarovski crystal to nip it in at the waist which makes it stand out from crowd. According to the write up it does also come in maxi length, so perhaps if there was a picture it might have made it further up the list than number 3.

Never being one to conform, I have left the safety of the traditional and picked the Jane Norman angel dress as my number 2. The teal colouring looks beautiful against creamy skin and the sequin panel adds a lovely lift to the design.

And now for the big number 1. The one that eclipsed all the other designs is on offer in a wide variety of colours, champagne of course being my favourite and is incredibly close to the Rihanna version. The unique neckline adds a little something but the floaty backless style is my idea of perfection.

Rated: from 1489 votes

Iconic pieces and brilliant colours -the spring is going to be hot with Matthew Williamson’s latest collection available at H&M!

In two days (23rd April) is the day we all have been waiting for as the Matthew Williamson collection will be available in H&M stores. Around 200 H&M stores worldwide will carry Williamson’s wardrobe of eclectic prints and vivid colour pieces full of the influences and inspirations of a global traveller. From dresses to tops, all-in-ones to the sharpest tailoring, this fashion collection has all the key pieces for Spring 2009. It’s a exciting time for the high street. It’s believed his pieces will be sold out in no time. Everything of this collection is just as good as Matthew’s main catwalk line. The exclusive collection for H&M is full of the vibrancy that has made the London-based designer famous.

“I wanted to create a strong urban collection fused with the brand’s signature symbols and shapes. It’s been fascinating to search back through my archives to isolate the most iconic pieces, then rework them for H&M. Colour is one of the defining aspects of my signature style, I focused on the iconic peacock motif seen across my collections to develop a palette of blues, chartreuse and emerald. The spirit of the collection is both covetable and precious”, says Matthew Williamson.

Don’t forget to also put May 14th in your diary, too as Matthew Williamson will be back with H&M beach line and menswear (his fashion debut in menswear). Read more about the ueber-glam designer Matthew Williamson.

Here a subset of Matthew’s exclusive Spring collection for H&M:

PEACOCK BRIGHTS: dress £44.99 © H&M	SILK TULIP: dress £69.99 / belt £29.99 © H&M
COBALT SUIT: top £34.99 / jacket £69.99 / trousers £49.99 © H&M	FLAMENCO MAXI: dress £199.99 / jacket £149.99 © H&M

Photographer: John Scarisbrick

If you are interested in more, watch this video on Matthew Williamson for H&M:

Rated: from 1695 votes

source: © shopzilla - Hafize Ozbuda dress with Swarowski Crystals

Can you imagine wearing a dress that costs more than your car? What about more than your house? In fact, what about if I told you there was a dress out that’s worth more than your entire street?

source: stock.xchng © straymuse

Enter the Scott Henshall “formal dress”, featuring 3000 diamonds in the shape of a spider’s web. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was made of expensive gemstones you wouldn’t look twice. Ok, it’s glitzy, glamorous and sparkly but it’s not all that … In fact to me, it looks a bit cheap. I think I heard a collective sharp intake of breath - I do apologise.

Now if you want stunning, the look no further than the wedding dress made for princesses. Loaded princesses. Clearly, it’s a snip at $12 million, but boy it is divine. The intricate and exquisite detailing is out of this world and it is the brain child of Renee Strausee in collaboration with Martin Katz Jewellers. The diamonds are priceless … so they say.

I know where I’m going shopping if I win the lottery.

Rated: from 1824 votes

It’s often said that beautiful women look good dressed in any old rubbish. Well now any woman can wear rubbish and look good.

© Debenhams

High street department store, Debenhams, has produced its first garments made entirely from recycled plastic bottles that would otherwise have ended up in landfill sites. The project to create clothing from 100 per cent recycled sources has taken the fashion retailer 12 months to perfect. The resulting expertly tailored trouser suits look and feel like any other outfit created for smart female executives, and wouldn’t look out of place in the boardroom.

Each suit is made from 50 bottles which are put through a special process involving melting them down, refining the mixture and weaving it into a soft, but hard - wearing type of polyester. The unique jacket and trouser suits from Collection, Debenhams own brand, do not compromise on style. The single-buttoned jacket is nipped in at the waist with a subtle herringbone lining, while the trousers have a modern shape with a boot-cut finish, ensuring the suit ticks all the right boxes for the fashion conscious female.

Debenhams claims its eco-suit is an innovation which saves energy, reduces CO2 emissions and cuts down land-fill sites, making it the perfect outfit for eco-friendly fashionistas.  Costing a credit-crunch-conscious £55 for both the jacket and trousers (jacket £35, trousers £20) the store feel it has also managed to avoid the “green premium” that customers purchasing environmentally friendly products often end-up paying.

“You definitely don’t need a lot of bottle to wear it” said Elena Antoniou, a spokesperson for Debenhams.  “We are proud of our creation as it’s right on trend in terms of fashion, and kind to the environment, without costing the earth.

“If it proves popular amongst our customers then there’s no reason why we couldn’t extend it to menswear, so watch this space. “ concluded Antoniou.

Rated: from 1725 votes

This spring it’s time to go wild in Native American style and go for the Pocahontas style. Fringing was huge at this year’s fashion shows with the likes of Alexander Wang and Jimmy Choo leading the way. With a variety of different accessories such as fringe boots, handbags and waistcoats it’s easy to follow this season’s “Country&Western” trend.

© Shopzilla

Fringe boots are not only incredibly comfortable, but they can be a great update to simple and basic items.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with wearing them to different occasions. A pair of Minnetonka shoes shouldn’t be reserved for skinny jeans -  why not pair them with casual dresses for a bohemian, vintage vibe. You will be surprised how far a pair of fringed moccasins can go!

Celebrities, among them Kate Moss and Nicole Richie, already have shown us how to wear fringe boots in Autumn. Now it’s your time.

This spring “Indian Summer 2009″ will come early as the boots make it big on the High Street. Topshop and Office offer fringed boots in variation of colours and shapes: from classic fringed moccasins to fringed high heels and sandals.  The Minnetonka  boots are a must-have for this spring/summer, so hurry up and get your statement Pocahontas footwear!

Rated: from 1601 votes

source: istockphoto © sophia tsibikaki

Gone are the days when women were considered the weaker sex. Way back in the 19th Century people believed that women were so fragile they needed a corset to support their bodies; today it’s purely a women’s fashion statement.

The corset nowadays is often associated with the burlesque movement, on a par with the fishnet dress - but it can look fantastic as the top half of a simple dress.

One of my firm favourites is the Latin exotic look with the fishtail. Corset dresses in this style are finished immaculately and have some stunning detail including the boned corset bodice, couture lace edging, satin adjustable bra straps, and feminine front pleat detailing. I came across one that was riveted with steel eyelets and finished off with some jaw dropping deep red satin ribbon. The skirt of the dress contrasts with the plain black bodice and is breathtaking in a striking red rose pattern on a sultry black background. The skirt has extras too, net underskirt and lace hem edging. Gorgeous!

Rated: from 1534 votes