If you loved Biba back in the day, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the fabulous label is back. House of Fraser has the complete collection and it’s made for those of you with a bust and curves.

Take a look:

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Search-Show?prefn1=brand&fromBrand=Biba&prefv1=Biba&&start=40&sz=20&fix

At last – a large national department store recognises we exist and has the clothes to help us in every aspect of our lives. Thank you Debenhams.

Read more about it here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1314558/Debenhams-targets-forgotten-women-launching-middle-age-models-campaign.html

Thanks also to my lovely client Louise for sending the info.

About a year ago, around April time, I blogged about how I was drawn to green things in my clothing and my food. Feng Shui equates green to the Springtime meaning new beginnings, innovation and growth. In hindsight, the attraction to green was really relevant as I too was changing my business and the way I worked.

It was the colour orange that beckoned to me back in February. Neither green nor orange are colours that suit me but I felt it necessary to go out and buy a couple of T shirts and a bag in this vibrant colour. I’ve since learned that orange is associated with the chakra (energy centre) that governs the Solar Plexus. As I was suffering with my digestive system it made sense that I was drawn to orange which, placed next to my skin, acted as a healing agent.

 In the last few weeks, my diet has changed to that of a vegan – give or take a milky cappuccino now and again. Grains, pulses, root vegetables have all really appealed to me. This won’t be for ever, that I know, but it seems that I have a real need to remain grounded and all of these things come from the ground and represent the colours of the earth and the harvest.  Like everyone else, I have no control over external events and I’m trying hard not to get fearful or worried about what may or may not happen. At the same time, my love/hate relationship with yoga has changed. My yoga practice has taken on a new importance and become more joyful as I’ve found a new teacher that really inspires me.

The point of this blog ? Your body and your instincts tell you what is right, if you’ll just listen. Observe and let yourself be fascinated by what you discover. In Fashion Feng Shui we say that your clothing is the body’s most intimate environment, so let it work its magic for you.

Interested in learning more?

I’m speaking at the Feng Shui Society’s conference on Saturday http://www.fengshuisociety.org.uk/Feng-Shui-Conference-September-2010.php

and running a one day workshop on Wed 6th October http://shop.feelfabat50.com/index.php?maincat_id=6

Looks like my glasses might soon become a thing of the past. A cure has been found for the gene that causes myopia, short sightedness, one of the most common eye problems in the UK.  That’s got to be good I know, but part of me would be very sad to say ‘farewell’ to my specs. They have been an intrinsic part of my look for so long now. I’m known and recognised for them. You could say that they have been a huge part of my personal brand. Mind you, I can’t see them eyewear disappearing overnight, at least not while David Beckham has just started sporting a pair.  I don’t care if  ’experts’ think they add 3 years to your age. I think they look sexy and hey, I can always take them off to look instantly younger!

I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to be one of the main panel of judges for The Face of ESP 2010. ESP is a local glossy magazine that I work for on a freelance basis, sometimes writing articles and other times styling and creating a photo shoot using real women (not professional models). I love it. So it’s always an honour and a privilege to be asked to select the girl that will go forward to represent the magazine and all the good work it does within the Peterborough area. What I really loved about this year’s event was that two ‘older’ ladies were nominated and got through (easily) to the final. One was in her late 40’s and the other, her early 40’s.  How fantastic.  I take my hat off to anyone who is brave enough to enter this type of competition, as I would never have had the nerve at 18 and I’m not sure I would have now either.  The lovely winner, Lauren, and I then went shopping for her Cover Shoot outfit which was very reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn so very elegant and sophisticated ( see photo). Not bad for someone who plays both football and rugby!

I continued my work with the magazine to style two fabulous ladies that have suffered from breast cancer. One was only 21 years old and the other 41. We decided to buck the trend and ditch the minimalist trend of greys and camels and opt for something bright and glitzy. We had tremendous fun and they looked amazing.

I have such a great job I can’t tell you how lucky I feel.

At last, common sense prevails and New York Fashion Week is using the UK equivalent of size 16 models for the very first time. Many are worried that it is pandering to the obese culture prevalent in the US but surely it is a better option than that of celebrating a size zero, where the model looks anorexic?

What do you think?

We’ve all heard about downsizing, downscaling and ‘down’ coupled with about every other word you can think of.  A symptom of this ‘down’ turning economy. But have you heard about upcycling?

This is what you do if you want to have the luxury of wearing unique garments made from fantastic fabrics which ooze quality, all without breaking the bank – too much. You’ll also be doing your bit for the planet, as upcycling is totally ethical.

To be fair, many of us have a secret Primark side that will buy cheap throwaways, but we know that this is not great for the environment or the workers who produce the garments in the first place . Upcycling is completely the opposite. Its concern is with the production of clothing using ‘waste’ materials and turning them into quality goods which we will want to wear for ever and ever.

Interested? Then take a look at From Somewhere. Orsola de Castro is one of several designers upcycling and getting a celebrity following as a direct result of the beautiful garments she designs. Using swatches from off cuts of luxury fabrics, end of rolls and so on (often salvaged from the likes of Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith), de Castro makes pieces worn by fans such as Miriam Clegg (Nick’s wife) and Colin Firth’s wife, Livia. She also successfully collaborated with Tesco for a cheaper Florence & Fred range, which sold out in March of this year.

I really like the idea of something original, from upmarket cloth and at prices I can afford. If  you do too, go to:

 www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

I was listening to an interview this morning on BBC Breakfast with the iconic Vidal Sassoon, who still looks absolutely brilliant at 80 plus which just goes to show there is no excuse for anyone to stop taking pride in their appearance. But that isn’t what struck me. He was asked if he was checking out the female presenter’s hairstyle. His reply – ” No, I was checking out her ankles”. Both presenters thought he was referring to a masculine desire to mentally overview the female form but he was not. He explained - to create a hairstyle that flatters the wearer you need to be aware of the rest of the body, its proportions and bone structure. He likened it to creating a new building in the middle of an existing older city. The building needs to fit in with the rest of the architecture but it also neds to be visually unique and striking.

Yippee!!!! I’ve rarely found any hairdresser or top class stylist that asks you to stand so they can appraise your overall look. Not only should they be doing this, but they should also be asking pertinent questions about your lifestyle so that the hair style they provide will not only look fantastic but it will appropriate for your work, fit in timewise with your routines and be as easy or difficult as you can cope with.  If only there were more stylists like Vidal, our hair salons would be less scary places to visit. After all, your life really is in their hands.

The Sassoon team has the following credo:

We believe that perfect beauty is different for every woman and that achieving it need not be a daily struggle.

That’s why we never mass produce but always tailor the look: Considering the individual’s unique features and needs when conceiving their cut and colour.

We never concoct styles that just wash out, but cut a shape that stays in the hair, making it quick and simple to recreate every day.

Realising perfect beauty – individual and practical – is our goal.

This is Sassoon. This is Hair Design.

http://www.sassoon.com/about/index.php

Sounds good to me.