2012: British Soap Awards winners and best dressed

Sunday night saw the best actors and actresses turn up to the London’s TV Centre for the British Soap Awards 2012.

Michelle Keegan

Amongst the winners were Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan dressed in a gorgeous midnight blue Jexica floor-length gown and a dapper Scott Maslen (Eastenders) whom both won Sexiest Female and Sexiest Male for the forth consecutive year running.

Aside from this Eastenders also walked away with Best Soap for the fifth year in a row while Coronation Street’s Alison King (Carla Connor) who was dressed in a vintage halter neck gown, Martine Wester jewellery and Dune clutch took home the award Best Actress. Danny Miller who portrays Aaron Livesy in Emmerdale also walked away with Best Actor.

Most of the ladies however brought a huge Hollywood theme to the evening adorning full-length gowns and jewels which would have not have looked out of place at the Oscars or Vanity Fair after party. They posed in a similar backdrop aside a red curtain.

Catherine Tydesley (styled by Martine Alexander whom also styled Alison King, Samia Smith, Lucy Dixon, Gemma Merna and Sascha Parkinson) also looked striking in her Nadine Merabi baby pink gown, Monica Vinader jewellery and Artful gold clutch bag.

To end the night stars headed to the Cafe de Paris to dance the night away where both Corrie actresses Michelle Keegan, 24, and Brooke Vincent, 19, both made a quick change into knee length dresses to party the night away…

National Television Awards 2012 best and worst dressed

As a stylist it was great to see so many fashionable ladies (and gents) rocking their outfits at the National Television Awards, which was held at the 02 Arena last night. Aside from best dressed there were of course, as always, a few fashion faux pas so here is my round-up of my favourite and should-have-left-it-at-home from the red carpet collection….

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First up stepping into the limelight was the incredible supermodel Elle ‘the body’ Macpherson. She was invited of course to present an award and turned up with fashion designer Julien Macdonald in tow. Looking stunning in a floor-length charcoal jeweled gown Macpherson opted for a on-trend ponytail with matching jewel accessories.

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly also caught the papperazzi’s eye looking like an Amazonian queen in her black gown, split to the thigh, with metallic gold lining and matching neck cuff.

I think also a special mention has to go to Corrie’s Catherine Tyldesley. Aside from the above, she really did exude elegance in her long velvet purple gown by Azagury (a brand that the late Princess Diana favoured); showing that there is real Hollywood glamour outside of Weatherfield. Her stylist Martine Alexander also dressed an assortment of the cast including Paula Lane in Roc and Doll and Ali King in Suzanne Neville: one very busy lady on the night.

Another stylist who should also be noted for her amazing skills is Sinead McKeefry; dressing BFF’s Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby. Cotton shimmered in a 1920s style silver flapper gown complete with fringing and beading from Temeperley, whilst Willoughby sizzled in a figure hugging gown by Roland Mouret.

The crew from TOWIE also pleasantly surprised me looking sharp in their chosen tones of pale pink and stark black. Lydia Bright led the way looking like a Hollywood starlet with 1950s inspired curls and red lips whilst Jessica Wright opted for a suitably modest Honor Gold lace dress. Sam Faiers and Lucy Mecklenburgh (dressed in Forever Unique from PasticheCouture.com) sparkled in their chosen gown which were encrusted with Swarovski crystals and metallic sequins – Michelle Keegan and Michelle Collins also adopted the evenings dusky pink hues too.

X-Factor judge and mentor Tulisa of course shrieked with delight when her team won the category of best Talent Show. However, as much as I admire her, the flamingo pink ruffled strapless cocktail dress was a concoction that should have stayed in the nearest wildlife park and gave me flashbacks to Bjork’s ‘swan’ gown at the 2001 Academy Awards.

Alongside her co-host Matt Smith who also won an award for Drama Performance (Male) in Dr Who, Karen Gillan (who picked up the matching award for Drama Performance – Female – in Dr Who) seemed to have unfortunately dressed down for the occasion in a simple LBD, whilst presenter of the NTA after party for ITV2 Caroline Flack also tried to keep it cool in her quirky print chain dress; the length could have perhaps been adjusted to something less revealing when she sat down.

I’m A Celebrity contestant Fatima Whitbread also showed off quite an assortment of flesh on the red carpet with a coffee coloured gown which seemed to swamp the muscular athlete whilst morning TV presenter Kate Garraway also seemed slightly swamped in her bubble gum pink satin gown. Aside from the TOWIE girls that were a hit there were also some that made a total miss; Lauren Gooder exposed herself in an unflattering silver gown whilst Chloe Sims (whom I adore) just needed to add a belt to the centre piece of her outfit. Lastly Lauren Pope’s silver gown, which  looked so demure from the top, literally fell apart at the seams with slashes of lace created throughout the encrusted satin a-line skirt, completely ruining it for me.

But I think that worst dressed celeb for the evening by far was new Dragon Hilary Devey; her space-man costume was far from entertaining for a woman of her age.

For the full list of winners visit http://www.nationaltvawards.com/

How to buy Spring/Summer 2012 trends from the sales

My favourite thing in the world, apart from good food and drink, is shopping. So it comes as no surprise that I have eyed a fabulous array of clothing in the January sales that are simply must-have pieces. However, if you are a savvy sale shopper then you will know that it’s all about wading through the re-hashed seasonal stuff (yes all shops end up cracking out items that are 4/5 seasons old amidst the new) to find those few ‘gold-dust’ classic pieces that will last you the test of time i.e. a classic shift dress, smart blazer and your favourite skinny jeans. Aside from this if you are really clever and fashion forward then you will spot those rare items that you know are perfect for the season ahead.

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Mine has come in the form of a skirt courtesy of designer Emma Cook from Cocosa.com. This silk layered skirt in black and white comes with remnants of sea shells and bubbles; perfect for the aquatic theme which swept through the majority of shows last September for Spring/Summer 2012 and which was seen at Holly Fulton, Mary Katrantzou, Versace, Chanel and Alexander McQueen amongst others.

Alongside this was a flurry of deep blue hues from midnight to sapphire and beyond as shown at Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and Victoria Beckham. If you are keen on keeping a demure profile opt for these shades in a silk, satin or lace tops, skirts and dresses which which should flow perfectly as you walk through the office or as you hit the dance floor on a night out. My favourite is a Notte by Marchesa evening dress from Net-a-porter.com reduced from £575 to £287.50.

Lastly the spring/summer 2012 catwalks were full, as you would imagine, of clashing prints, lace and exploding floral content. You can find these sorts of prints and materials everywhere so try not to be a wall flower and opt for an exciting new print that flatters your shape and complexion. Start by looking through high street stores such as Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Zara, but if you want to splurge then head to TheOutnet.com for some series retail therapy and purchase something like this fabulous Aztec inspired print top from Diane von Furstenberg (was £445 now £178).

London Fashion Week: GILES spring/summer 2011 collection

Over the past 5 days or so I have spent a lot of time with the TONI&GUY PR team heading back stage at shows casting a watchful eye not only over emerging fashion trends, but also spotting trends for hair and make-up for spring/summer 2012.

I was therefore lucky enough to go back stage again with them at GILES, one of this season’s most anticipated shows for London Fashion Week.

Joining Paul Hanlan, who was heading the TONI&GUY team, at the Royal Justice Courts on the strand, one of his colleagues explained that for GILES’ spring/summer show they had actually met the day before to do a hair test with the models and one of them turned up after a long flight from New York, had a quick shower then emerged at the meet with soaking wet hair all pinned up in small twisted buns. When she took her hair down it produced an amazing wave, which when Stylist Katie Grand saw, was convinced was the right hair for this show instantly.

Therefore to achieve this beachy yet wet wave the team simply washed the model’s hair added lots of label.m protein spray and blow out spray – amongst other products – and either held it in a bun for a while before releasing, or teased through the hair with their fingers to create this organic and elasticated effect. Some hair was slightly defused also depending on type.

The aim was simple to keep hair to a minimum and let the clothes do the talking. GILES, of course, did not disappoint. For his spring/summer 2012 collection he showed an array of wearable and desirable pieces, almost couture-like in his construction.

Metallics also played a key role being woven into tops, skirts and dresses with soft prints adorned across silk dresses in cream, white and pale peach.

His palette also changed to vibrant reds and blacks, using lace and amazingly intricate cut out pieces on top of dresses sprawled across the chest and breast bone. Swans were also a major factor being embellished on sheer organza dresses adding red feathers around the neckline.

It seems that this season GILES was going all out finishing with an abundance of models who wore fabulous red and white swan headdresses to accompany his vivacious designs. As the models took to the catwalk for their finale together they all lined up and poised, posing with their arms flanked against their heads which gave the interpretation of a tribute to something as gracious as Swan Lake.

Thank you Team TONI&GUY!