X Factor 20th Nov 2010

Dannii wins again in the style stakes. I love the simplicity of her chocolate satin dress, her pared-down makeup & her elegant up-do. "Totally on the money" as Simon would say. Throughout this whole series she has trumped Cheryl, whose styling has ranged from Quality Street girl, Minnie Mouse Hairdo (last week) & her penchant for those awful shoe boots which do nothing to lengthen her tiny legs. I know Dannii is much older but Cheryl's style is so Barbie-fake now and I really detest her plum-red hair. Less is more, love.

Not sure what Cheryl was doing dressing her girls, Cher, in what looked like a bed sheet tied around the middle and Katie, with her newly-shorn hair, looking like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby - not great choices. Rebecca, was as always, oozing class from every pore, in a stunning scarlet trouser suit with palazzo pants and her trademark hair scraped back but TBH this girl would look good in a bin liner.

Dannii got Matt's look wrong tonight as I'm not a fan of the builder, wearing-a-vest in public look.

My biggest bugbear apart from Wagner (why do the Brits love an underdog? And Widdy is with us for awhile longer too!), is the incredibly irritating audience whose constant cheering makes it impossible for both the contestants and judges to hear the comments. Simon, it's your show - shut them up and let Dermot do his job!

Strictly - who wore what. 20th Nov 2010

Well - if I don't start with Ann, it will be a bit like the elephant in the room (if you pardon the pun). What on heavens name was she wearing tonight? She looked like BIG Bird from Sesame Street & seeing her yellow footless tight AND yellow knickers was all too much to bare (!). When Ann started Strictly she was adamant that she wouldn't show any flesh and for this I am grateful, BUT, her necklines are way too high for such a bosomy woman. I also am astounded that she has not been advised to wear a decent bra (not only for training) but as the bras are built into their costumes, her bosoms are still terribly low-slung. Although Apple-shaped, Ann has delicate wrists and ankles and only takes a size 3 shoe, so it would have made sense to have enhanced these features. Her dresses have all been terribly "boxy" and an empire-line dress would have been much more suitable and I fear that Su Judd and her wonderful dress designers on the show, weren't given much choice!

Tess's outfit wasn't terribly flattering and even my fashion-conscious teenage son remarked that her jumpsuit looked like "jack-ups". Trust me, this is not a compliment! Just because an item is fashionable, it doesn't mean it's flattering. IMO Jumpsuits look best on small children.

Patsy's dress was very boudoir-inspired, blush pink with black lace corset, with a mullet-style skirt, short at the front and longer at the back. Gorgeous and very showgirl.

Katja's dress was simply divine and I loved the simplicity of the stark white with the black embellishments.

But as for the standard of dance, well let's just say Blackpool did Vegas proud & MY favourites were Matt, Pamela and Kara.

Kate Middleton - The Royal Frock.

Ever since the Royal Engagement was announced yesterday, speculation has been rife as to who will have the honour of designing Kate's dress. I would very much hope that it would be a British designer & in light of the current economic situation, it would be politic to do so. It would give a much needed shot in the arm for the British Fashion industry. Kate is an absolute clothes horse and whatever she wears, she will look spectacular. One thing is for sure though, she will very much have a say in what she wears and unlike the late Princess Diana's dress, there won't be a meringue in sight! All terribly exciting stuff....

Personal Shopping trips Autumn 2010

It's been a while since I've blogged - naughty me! Lots to comment on but firstly an update on Altered Image: Have had numerous Personal Shopping trips latterly but yesterday was with one of my favourite (& most long standing) clients, Gabby. The brief was to get her out of trousers and into dresses. There are a plethora of fab frocks out there, notably two found in Phase 8 which are patterned and the other two at Hobbs, which were plain. Wrap dresses suit most women unless incredibly flat-chested but suit curvy women to a tee. Showed her that dresses are actually easier than trousers (which, in themselves, are tricky to find a decent-fitting pair) & all dresses need to be worn with, are boots. If you have larger calves, Gabor do different size widths to fit small, medium and large calves - GENIUS!! Patent is huge this season but if this is a bit scary, then go for black or brown leather with a rounded toe. We also managed to come in way under budget which delighted Gabby no end and I got treated to lunch! Gabby's brief was to look a little less severe and corporate and more feminine at work but going for boots without a heel, kept the look professional. So go on, try a wrap dress - you will never want to wear trousers again!