So it’s that time of the year when prom night is around the corner. It is a magical time when girls get to flaunt their dresses. And it also happens to the perfect occasion for guys to show that that they too can dress smart in something other than baggy jeans. So here are some fashion tips that you can juggle around in your head while trying to decide upon a perfect prom dress or tuxedo.

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Prom Dresses For Girls:

An unforgettable night starts with an unforgettable prom dress. There are numerous great dresses out there. Floor-length or short-hemmed dresses. Dresses with halter necks, sweetheart necklines, and scoop necks. Chic strapless, backless or one shoulder dresses. Classic Vintage gowns or trendy celebrity-inspired dresses. Flowy satin or layers of tulle. With so many options to choose from, you just have to plan a little in advance to select the perfect dress. When prom night finally does arrive, get ready to have fun and dance through the night. And most importantly remember that whatever you are wearing, you look fabulous.

Prom Dresses For Boys:

Prom is usually the first opportunity for a guy’s first tux. You can buy a prom suit if you plan to use it for other occasions. Otherwise renting one would be a wise choice, economically that is. Stick to a sleek and well cut suit and you can never go wrong. Don’t try to experiment with colors as you are best off in a classic black suit and leave all the pastels and bright hues to the girls. A prom suit or tuxedo usually encompasses a jacket, trousers, a bow tie, and a cummerbund. You can also choose to wear a necktie instead of a bow tie. Throw in a pair of black dress loafers and you’ll be all set.

With Memorial Day behind us, summer is officially here! So get these 5 fashion essentials and spend your days of sweet freedom in style!

1. Sexy Swimwear

A fabulous swimsuit is the quintessential summer must-have. I love two pieces with a little extra coverage, like a halter top paired with a swim skirt. However, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Because we all know nothing is as sexy as the classic string bikini.

2. Little White Dress

That’s right. The LBD has been replaced by the little white dress this summer. It’s light and airy and looks great both day and night. Maxi and off the shoulder dresses are really a hit this season, and you’ll find plenty of them in white from top designers and brands.

3. Hot Headbands

I love this trend (and if you are a Gossip Girl fan like me, you probably do too). I totally give credit to the show for bringing back this fabulous accessory. Get a few like Blair Waldorf’s with eye-catching details (think rosettes and big bows). Many of the headbands you see Leighton Meester wearing on the show are designed by Stacey Lapidus.

4. Gladiator Sandals

Everywhere you look, you’ll see gladiator sandals this summer. Get them in metallic colors if you want to dress them up.

5. Jazzy Jumpsuits

They are back and better than ever! They first popped up on the runway and have now hit stores near you. So don’t be afraid of this one piece wonder.

So the date has finally been set for your big day and now you have a thousand and one things to do, from choosing caterers and flower arrangements to picking out gowns and rings. The most important part is obviously picking out a gorgeous wedding gown. (Hopefully with a little help from us!) Once you have that covered, you can move on to finalizing your bridesmaids’ dresses. Face it, these ladies are going to be your pillar of support during all those nerve racking preparations leading up to the wedding, as well as the actual ceremony. From helping you plan a bridal shower to organizing your bachelorette party, your bridesmaids will be assisting you in so many ways. So buying them a perfect bridesmaid dress (especially something that they can use again), would be a nice gesture to show you appreciation.

Some helpful tips:
•  Choose a simple elegant dress that will look great as well as stay within your budget.
•  Keep in mind that it should suit all body types. And do make sure that you all your bridesmaids along for a trial fitting.
•  If you are planning a themed wedding, like a beach wedding or a Victorian wedding, make sure that you dresses stick to the theme.
•  If you aren’t having a themed wedding, it’s always nice if the bridesmaid dresses complement the wedding’s color scheme.

Here are some wonderful ideas to help you pick a perfect bridesmaid dress.

Want your fall wardrobe to be as hot as all the great looks shown at the New York Fashion Week? Then stick to tons of color, plenty of texture, and sleek silhouettes.

Go Skinny

If you haven’t done the skinny pants thing, don’t put it off any longer! This trend is still going strong with designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez and Ralph Lauren using it to perfection. A skinny pant can be used to create entirely different looks, from cool and casual to sleek and sophisticated to upscale, high-fashion. Just mix and match it with other textures for a really eye-catching outfit.

Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez and Ralph Lauren

Be Bold

Another great trend from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show was the fabulous use of bold colors by Tommy Hilfiger, Tadashi Shoji and Max Azria, to name just a few. Give it a shot! Pair a brightly colored top with a toned down bottom to keep the look stylish but not overwhelming. The key here is to use solids.

Tommy Hilfiger, Tadashi Shoji and Max Azria

Sleek Silhouettes

Oh, and did I mention that nothing finishes off your fall look better than a belt? See how these designers accessorized their slim silhouettes with the simple addition of a beautiful belt. Look 1 is from Carolina Herrera. Look 2 is from Donna Karan New York. Look 3 is from Carlos Miele.

Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan New York and Carlos Miele

As a staunch believer in the religion of fashion, I wanted to be nowhere but at the 2009 L’ORÉAL Melbourne Fashion Festival. But my pilgrimage plans were shelved when my husband had to take off on a business trip and my daughters needed me around. The business trip couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time but as my husband is quick to point out, now-a-days fashion weeks are more common than the common cold. Forever a cynic!

I know you don’t want to hear the ramblings of this domestic diva; rather you would like to know a little more about the L’ORÉAL Fashion Week. I have been religiously calling up and mailing my friends who are fortunate enough to be attending one of the world’s most exciting runway events. Runway shows, exclusive parties, beautiful people – a week-long celebration of fashion.

This year, the L’Oreal Paris Runways will showcase more leading Australian designers than ever before. Each night Central Pier, the home of fashion will showcase the creations of leading designers on a state of the art catwalk. Now let’s get into heart of the matter.

Ruffles, Flounces everywhere…Models in L’Oréal Paris Runway 1 & 2 came out looking ethereal.

Runway 1 had an odd mix of designers, from cut-away trend pieces of sass & bide to the sexy mini-dresses and sheer gowns of J’Aton. Karen Walker, Tina Kalivas, Kirrily Johnston, LIFE withBIRD, Ksubi, Romance was Born and Josh Goot were other designer who presented their creations.

Brother and sister designing duo Camilla & Marc showcased simple but sexy outfits, while Dhini leaned towards Victorian necklines and brought alive the sheer trend. Both Yeojin Bae and Gorman presented fashionable, fun, and wearable designs. Vixen’s creations clearly favoured the bohemian luxury fashion trend. Megan Park featured tribal themes, and earthy hues in her collection, while Akira added an oriental touch to her frocks.

Paris has been promoted as the global capital for women’s fashion since the 17^th century. France has a well-established fabric industry that works in perfect harmony with its fashion designers. Several Parisian designers, like Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Pierre Cardin, are world-renowned.

Milan, the financial capital of Italy, is also recognized as a fashion hub. The city emerged as a center for fashion in the 1980s. Milan is home to some of the most respected names in the fashion industry, including Giorgio Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and Roberto Cavalli.

New York is the fashion capital of America. However, the fashion scene in New York depended on European trends, especially Paris, until the 19th Century. In the latter part of the 20^th Century, New York came into its own.

London, with its world-famous fashion streets, like Carnaby Street, Notting Hill, and Bond Street, is a major influence of fashion trends. Famous designers from London include Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney.

Tokyo comes close, but is not officially considered to be a fashion capital yet. Other cities which are emerging as fashion hotspots include Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai, Barcelona, Cape Town, Sao Paulo, and Istanbul.

If you are anything like me, you waited with bated breath for this year’s New York Fashion Week. Sadly, it has come and gone, but not before my favorite designers unveiled some of the best collections I have seen in years. Of course, as much as I enjoy discussing the collections I loved, those that disappointed won’t be let off the hook.

In total, 76 collections were scheduled to be shown at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week between February 13-20^th. Although I can’t cover them all, I will try my best to cover as many as I can in a three part series. So, here goes Part 1.

I will be the first to admit that I am not a Diane von Furstenberg fan. With that said, I tried to view her collection as objectively as possible, but it was still a huge miss for me. This bold designer is known for her use of prints and patterns, but they were way too over the top. From the drab and ill-fitting coats to the awful pom-pom headpieces, there was little redeeming about her collection this year.

The Badgley Mischka collection, on the other hand, was a brilliant example of how to use metallics (which Diane von Furstenberg tried and failed at miserably). All the dresses were feminine and beautifully cut. It was the detailing, however, that made the collection. Who wouldn’t want to wear a dress by designers who clearly understand a woman’s body. With ruching that the draws the eye to all the right places and pretty pleats that are girly yet still sophisticated, there is no denying that Badgley Mishcka got it right this year.

Calvin Klein was a bit of a toss up. Although the men’s collection was a sight for sore eyes (or was it just the men?) the women’s collection was simply lackluster. The dress colors were uninspired. The silhouettes boxy and often oversized. The men’s collection, thankfully, was well-tailored and put together. Kudos to Calvin for designing suits that men would actually want to wear.

Well, that’s all for today. Stay tuned for more. And if you want me to cover a certain collection or designer, please leave a comment and I would be happy to oblige!

The Academy Awards Night is the time when celebrities make fashion statements or end up as fashion disasters. Big fashion houses woo celebrities to no end as these events are great platforms for advertising their brand.

“It has been said that coverage at the Academy Awards is equivalent to a $25 million advertising campaign” for a designer, said Bronwyn Cosgrave, author of “Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards.”

Since I am an ardent fan of celebrity fashion, I try to keep a tab on who wore what. Here are some of the evening dresses that I would kill to get my hands on.

For the 76^th Annual Academy Awards, Sofia Coppola was seen in a simple gown in purple silk from American designer Marc Jacobs. The crisscross neckline and wrapped waist was form-flattering.

Elegance personified!!

Penélope Cruz sported a silk taffeta gown with bow back and train from Oscar de la Renta at the 77th Annual Academy Awards. She accessorized the outfit with Chopard’s yellow diamonds and Daniel Swarovski clutch.

Yellow but mellow!!

Demure and feminine, Cameron Diaz walked the red carpet at the 75th Annual Academy Awards in a black dress from the Italian house of Prada. The dress was done in chiffon and gauze. With the bright red lipstick, she could not help but look alluring.

Angel in black!!

At the 76th Annual Academy Awards, Jennifer Garner wore a one- shoulder gown from Valentino with matching shoes from Sergio Rossi. This tangerine colored gown was accessorized with a Fendi bag, Fred Leighton bracelets and Bulgari ring.

Colorful Pick!!

Anything and everything goes for her statuesque physique. In a white silk satin gown by Marc Bouwer, Angelina Jolie looked ravishing at the 76th Annual Academy Awards. The halter style gown draped lovingly over her form, while Stern’s “Athena” necklace added the extra spark.

Jolly good number!!

Nicole Kidman’s willowy hauteur was shown to advantage in the Balenciaga column gown designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere, which she wore to the 78th Annual Academy Awards. The strapless hand-embroidered gown was complimented by jewels from Fred Leighton and clutch from Bottage Veneta.

Standing pretty (&) tall!!

At the 78th Annual Academy Awards, Keira Knightly was the fashion critics’ favorite for best dressed celebrity. She wore one-shouldered gown by Vera Wang , which was created from aubergine taffeta. Vintage Bulgari jewelry and Roger Vivier clutch added to the allure.

Truly Regal!!

74th Annual Academy Awards saw Jennifer Lopez in Versace moiré silk gown. The pink number came with detailed stitching and insets at the bodice. With South Sea pearls earrings and necklace from Harry Winston, and stylish hairdo by Oribe, there was no detail that the pretty lady overlooked.

Lo-behold the pretty one!!

Anne Hathaway’s one-shoulder Marchesa gown was a definite success. With draped fabric and garland detail, the crimson gown was a classic example of the goddess style. She wore Harry Winston diamond earrings, but otherwise kept accessories to a minimal.

Goddess on earth!!

At the 77th Annual Academy Awards, talented actress Kate Winslet wore a jeweled-bodice gown by Badgley Mischka. The gown in vibrant blue color contrasted well with her porcelain skin tone. She also sported custom-created jewels from Neil Lane and jeweled clutch from Lana Marks.

Blue wins!!

These were my top picks….how did you like them???????

Like jewels, elegant and exquisite watches, never fail to make a long-lasting fashion statement. For all those time-conscious, or rather, watch-conscious people, here’s the latest range of Swiss wrist watches. This post covers some of the captivating masterpieces launched at the beginning of 2009. Elegant, distinguished a.b.art’s Serie O wrist watches for both men and women are sure to make an impression with its simple, low-key designs. Alfex, the Swiss-Italian watchmaker, has come out with the Pazzola Giant Alarm. Its Marcus Eilinger design and the mechanical watch alarm function will woo the techno-savvy. It’s the Alfex way of marking their 60th anniversary, I suppose!

Cool curves and sophisticated design with practical functions, is what the new Elite Reserve de Marche men’s wrist watch from Altanus is all about. Also from Altanus, comes the Slim Square Automatic, a distinctively light watch with a top-quality finish. Sultana, inspired by Greek mythology, presents the Ariadne collection of watches with purely feminine dial in silvered matt white, gilded pink, white mother-of-pearl, or matt black colors.

Extravagant in style and distinct in design is the rectangular dial watch from Icelink with 5 time zones technology, a world-first. It is available in white or pink gold, with or without diamond settings. Generous in size, the all-ceramic, Rado’s True Chronograph Platinum Matt finish watch comes in deep grey-brown tones. There are split-seconds chronograph counters and two rows of hour markers, each with its own direct-drive hand to measure the seconds and minutes. Guepard’s Tersa features a scintillating see-through timepiece with 12 diamond-set Arabic numerals and a diamond-set case.

According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), fashion should be fun and not fatal. Their most iconic slogan is the one that says, ‘I’d rather go naked than wear fur’. Many designers have faced the wrath of PETA for their love of fur, leather and wool. This time around it is none other than Armani. They have urged top Hollywood stars to boycott Armani for the Oscars. According to the group, the designer signed a pledge last year promising that he would not use fur in his future collections, but he violated that agreement. The group actually brought out a poster where Armani sports Pinocchio’s proverbial nose. What would be interesting to watch is whether Hollywood’s A-list, which includes Armani faithfuls, like Katie Holmes, Beyoncé, Penelope Cruz and Cate Blanchett would pay heed to this request. We sure would let you know!! Our eyes will be trained at the Kodak Theatre’s red carpet on February 22!!