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!

Hollywood - older women rock!!!

I am LOVING Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis wearing identical teal dresses for their premiere of "You Again". These older women are rocking this sexy look and neither woman looks like she has had obvious work done. Jamie has let her gamine-style hair go grey and with her still-fabulous bone structure, she's never looked better. A few years ago, she was brave and honest to come clean over work she'd had done and how hard she'd had to work to get that "Perfect" body. She's refused botox and looks like the beautiful woman she really is. Sigourney Weaver is like a fine wine and gets better looking with age. She is able to frown - (horror of horrors) for a woman in her prime. Many women in the movie industry should take a leaf out these womens' beauty book & not go down the vacuous, smooth, identikit, lollipop head look because it's not attractive and sends out a negative image to women the world over. The women that most normal women admire are Helen Mirren, Dame Judi, Meryl Streep; women whose talent is noticed first but they are still stunning women who have not "sold out".

Wardrobe Management session - special offer!

SPECIAL OFFER!

To help you get the most out of your wardrobe for A/W 2010, this month I'm offering a WARDROBE MANAGEMENT session. We start with colour analysis & then I'll demonstrate how to jazz up the plethora of dark clothing in your wardrobe, and also how to accessorise from as little as £10. Learning to mix and match sounds like a cliché but after this session, I promise that getting dressed will be an absolute pleasure! The cost is just £75 for 2 hours. Valid till the end of October.

To book your session, call 0777 3077 204 or email me.

My Autumn Newsletter - top tips.

There's a distinct Autumnal chill in the air so it's "goodbye" to white linen trousers & fake tan and "hello" to boots, coats and 70 denier tights, (still thanking the God of Fashion for these!).

My TOP TIP is to buy your boots and coats in the next 6 weeks as you'll have the cream of the fashion crop, and as these are high cost items, you will gain maximum wear this season. If finances are tight, then change the buttons on your coat, add a coloured belt & have your boots re-heeled.

WHAT'S HOT

Knitwear is absolutely massive this season and there's something for everyone. Chunky knits, which make me want to snuggle down with a good book, or for those with petite proportions, a smaller knit will suit.

My favourite jumper this season is the Wallis cowl neck which looks fab with jeans or a short skirt with thick tights.

And if you're really brave, go for patterned or coloured tights with a pair of biker/riding boots. Very casual and laidback.

Feel good, look great, spend less - how life should be.

Forthcoming events for A/W 2010

I'm looking forward to running the following events:

6th October - Bravissimo evening in CMK 5 - 8pm.
Champers and canapés to celebrate the launch of their A/W collection of clothing and lingerie. To book your free fitting, RSVP by 29th September.

21st October - Drop Dead Gorgeous Style Evening in Towcester 5.30 - 9pm.
Browse their fantastic accessory collection & I'm offering a ½ hour "taster" session on what colours and shapes best suit you for just £15. RSVP by 14th October.

28th October - Butterflies Dress Agency Style Evening in Northampton 5 - 9pm.
Taster sessions available for 20 minutes at £12 and also a great opportunity to bring in your unworn but lovely clothes and make a bit of money, or maybe just find a bargain designer frock?! RSVP by 21st October.

18th November - Accessories Open House in Woburn Sands
6 - 9pm...Christmas shopping starts here!

So lots to look forward to and all totally within a reasonable budget OR FREE!

See you there!

Nancy x

Back from my hols!

It's been far too long since I last blogged & I've really missed it! Somehow the school holidays and my utterly divine trip to Turkey interrupted my work flow but I'm back now! Turkey was fabulous and I felt right at home with the array of bright colours that the Mediterraneans' are not afraid to wear. The markets were a joy, although one had to remain extremely firm as the marketeers could sell ice to an eskimo and signs displayed saying "genuine crap" and "fallen off the back of a lorry" did make me laugh. Can you imagine this happening in the UK? Trading Standards would have a field day! The toughest decision one had to make each morning was "which bikini should I wear today?" I had 2 from Bravissimo (of course), one turquoise which has survived the sea, the pool, Turkish baths and the mud baths and a sexy white and silver one which was more suited to St Tropez than splashing around the pool with the kids, but felt fab. So lots of bright sarongs, a massive hat, sunnies and big earrings was all one needed to feel and look amazing. And the one thing I have learned about hot holidays, is that you only need take half of what you think you need. So it's back to reality from 34 degrees to 15 degrees and time to think seriously about an Autumn wardrobe....