The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Olympic Gala Concert at Royal Albert Hall

In her short but glittering reign as Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has yet to put a wrong Jimmy Choo-clad foot forward.
As she exited the limo in arguably her best outfit to date on Friday, her waiting subjects drew a collective intake of breath.
In a floor-length Jenny Peckham teal gown (adapted from the original mint green) first showcased on the Spring-Summer '12
runway and a matching clutch, HRH has once again raised the style stakes.

Continuing her winning streak in a pair of strappy Jimmy Choo heels for the second time in a week (hey if it ain't broke...),
the duchess clearly meant business. Her custom-altered dress adhered to royal protocol; the lace detailing covered her decollatage
in place of the plunging neckline of the original version, and the pleats in her full-bodied skirt draped seamlessly over her slender
frame.The back of her dress was undoubtedly the focal point, with the swarovski-encrusted lace fabric, a high neck and delicate
buttonschanneling the romantic mood of the Victorian era.

Taking a break from her usual high-gloss face-framing curls, the duchess's brunette locks were swept into a low chignon at the nape
of her neck with an intricacy that complemented her dress. Her accessories were kept simple so as not to detract from the rest of her
outfit (dripping diamond earrings and her signature engagement ring), and her makeup was fresh and natural; full eyebrows, smokey
eyes, and peachy cheeks. A style triumph for the duchess, and just in time too - with the upcoming Diamond Jubilee and the looming
Olympics, Kate knows that all eyes will be on her, and she is turning up the heat faster than you can say 'Your Highness'. 

  

 Kate's makeup, hair and accessories are kept immaculate and fuss-free as usual, she keeps up with the lace trend and proctects
 her modesty at the same time

With the instatement of the Obama's as the First family of America, and the appointment of Barrack as president, the lines of celebrity have long since been blurred. We all knew that any event hosted by the family was bound to be a star-studded affair. Even so, many have raised an eyebrow at the turn out at the White House Correspondent's Dinner last Saturday. 

Leading the pack of the most unlikely representatives of Tinseltown is the very unpolitical Kim Kardashian, bringing sexy back (what else is new?) in a full-length Johanna Johnson gown of forest green velvet. 

              

                                    Image courtesy of justjared.com                                                                  (image courtesy of getty images)

An equal contender for the most-undeserving-of-being-there award is troublesome actress Lindsay Lohan, whose emancipated frame miraculously managed to fill out the plunging neckline of her dark sheath dress (designer unknown). Her timely arrival at the red carpet was almost as surprising as her invitation in the first place.

Always knowing where it's at, Michelle Obama dazzles in a printed Neema Khan dress, proving once again that she is beautiful, fit, rich, smart, as well as fashion-forward. The Lord have pity on us mere mortals.

               

                                     (image courtesy of facenfacts.com)                                                              (image courtesy of perezhilton.com)
                                                 

Accentuating her Columbian curves in a signature David Meister dress and, of course, customary Christian Louboutin heels is the effortlessly gorgeous Sofia Vergara, proving that you can never really go wrong with a Little Black Dress, towering heels and chic jewellery.

Eva Longoria kept it short and sweet in a hot-of-the-runway, high-necked Marchesa frock with intricate embroidery. As usual, her makeup is minimal with dark smokey eyes and nude lips. Hey if it ain't broke, why fix it?

               

                                        (image courtesy of mirror.co.uk)                                                                 (image courtesy of zimbio.com)

Girl-Of-The-Moment Kate Upton was unexpectedly demure in a softly draping Alexander McQueen satin number in the softest shade of pink. Plunging neckline aside (hey, you can take the girl out of Sports Illustrated...), the long sleeves and full bodied gown make for a look that we aren't quite accustomed to seeing on her. 
                            
                                                         
The youngest attendee of the event, 18-year-old Dakota Fanning is ethereal in a strategically revealing embellished Prada number.

                

                                             (image courtesy of pr photos)                                                                   (image courtesy of pr photos)

All in all, an impressive (albeit occasionally eyebrow-raising) turnout, and we hear the president, as his usual wise-cracking, good humoured self, made an excellent host and kept his guests on their toes. Bet you weren't used to seeing your favourite celebrities so covered up, huh? 
                                   

Now that Kate Middleton is making near-daily headlines with her fashion choices at star-studded events, and what with Charlotte Casiraghi recently being named the Face of Gucci, royalty, and its dangerous wanderings into the realm of celebrity, has never been so attractive a prospect. While she may not have a drop of blue blood in her veins, many would argue that model turned TV presenter Alexa Chung is a different kind of British royalty. A self-styled hipster princess, her remarkable feat of transcending fashion boundaries by mixing high fashion with Primark, edgy with bohemian, biker chick with ballerina etc. has garnered her serious attention on the fashion forefront, inspiring collaborations with brands such as Mulberry, Lacoste, and most recently, Italian trainer brand Superga. Fashion fans worshipping at the alter of Alexa (Anna Wintour has hailed her a 'phenomenon') would no doubt agree that someone should get this woman a Damehood now!

Alexa's experimental nature comes into play here as she is given free reign over Superga's spring/summer campaign - her only instruction being to 'go create'. Her role as the creative director, stylist, and model of the shoot resulted in a series of stunning retro-inspired photographs (Instagram, anyone?) with a playful, vintage vibe that is quintessentially Alexa.

In one shot, we see Alexa expose her long tanned limbs in the passenger seat of an open-top car in her signature laid-back pose. She takes a girly lace dress to a whole new level with a thin gold chain, retro sunglasses and yellowing brown trainers.

In another candid-inspired snapshot that looks as though it had been taken out of a holiday album, Alexa relaxes atop a low wall in a colour-block summer outfit. Her hair is tousled, her head tilt back, and she wears the faintest shadow of a smile.

The resulting effect of the shoot is relaxed, sexy, and effortlessly glam. What else would you expect from a collaboration between cult brand Superga (favoured by boho celebrities such as Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins) and predictably unpredictable Alexa Chung?

Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II at the beginning of her reign (left) and as she approaches her Diamond Jubilee (right).

What with Kate Middleton's glorious ascent into the royal spotlight, the looming Olympics, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, there have never been so many eyes on the monarchy. But while everyone is seemingly on a Kate hype, there seems to be an emerging style icon in the unlikely figure of the queen. We take a look at her fashion choices.

Mint green is the it-colour of the season, and has been a staple in the collections of power houses such as Acne and Chloe. Little would the fashion world expect the queen to lead the wolf pack in an all-mint suit at her visit to Fortnum & Masons earlier this month. 

  
The Queen on her visit to Fortnum & Masons, accompanied by the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall, making for their first joint outing.

Neon is a sizzling trend this season, and its possibilities are limited only by the extent of one's bravery to rock the look, but they don't call the 85-year-old monarch 'Queen' for nothin'. Here she is at the wedding of the century, almost but not quite upstaging the bride in a canary yellow suit, matching hat, and bright red lipstick. No 'safe' pastels for her, thank you very much!

  
The Queen cuts a dignified figure at the Royal Wedding 

With that being said, the Queen dipped back into her trusty pastel savings (which coincidentally, is also a trend) in her Diamond Jubilee stop off at Manchester on Friday. Pairing it with a triple-string of pearls, a rose-trimmed hat and white leather gloves, the Queen takes a break from her exhausting day job of being a trendsetter and reverts back into buying her cosy, grandmotherly self.

  
The Queen charms an adoring crowd in Manchester

And just in case you thought one had no time for frivolities, check out Her Royal Majesty's delightful indulgence. 

                                                                       The Queen with her specially commissioned 'brollies' (in a rare display of vanity), each with a transparent hood (for the viewing pleasure of her subjects) and a specific colour trim to perfectly complement her outfit of choice. 

Long live the Queen of Style - er, sorry, England! If Kate Middleton ever runs a dry spell with her fashion choices, she may need to look no further than her blessed grandmother-in-law. Viva Elizabeth!                                                               

It is the event of the season, where Tinseltown's elite gather in the name of film to mingle among one another in gowns and suits collectively worth enough to feed an entire nation. Blowing superficial air-kisses at one another to avoid ruining their meticulously applied makeup, and pouting, they work the hundreds of cameras set upon them as if their lives depended on it, and if you think about it, they actually do!

A relative unknown in the western world, BingBing Li, who will make her Hollywood debut in Resident Evil: Retribution, due for release later this year, is a vision in her Georges Chakra gown. The intricately detailed texture and high slits add an interesting dimension to an otherwise boring piece, and her diamond flower cuff bracelet only serves to enhance her angellic apperance. Not a bad first impression, I say. I'm taking off 3 points for her rigid hairstyle and her (if possible) even more awkward pose. 7/10

Gwyneth Paltrow in a grecian-inspired Tom Ford gown. Is it a gorgeous dress? Yes. Does Gwyneth look good? Yes. Is it more than a little predictable? Yes. Mission to make people 'forget you'? Accomplished. 6/10

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep can usually do no wrong, but this Lanvin dress, as flattering as the burnished gold is against her porcelain skin, does nothing whatsoever for her figure. Weirdly ruching in certain areas and loose in others, the dress managed the miraculous: making an elegant beauty look frumpy. As for the belt used to cinch in her waist, it is about as useful as a Christmas tree ornament; i.e. purely decorative. The mini clutch is cute, though.  4/10

This gown by Badgley Mischka ain't half bad, and neither is newly gym-honed Kelly Osbourne's body in it, but they say that accessories can make or break an outfit, and the lavendar skunk resting atop Miss Osbourne's head certainly has the final say.  2/10

                                                           
Modern Family breakout star Sarah Hyland, who already looks far younger than her 21 years, is positively overwhelmed in her Alberta Ferretti gown. We all love playing dress-up, but surely someone should tell Sarah that wearing her mother's gown to the Academy Awards isn't a good look? Especially one that would make an 80 year old look old. It's a pity too. With her cherubish pretty face, she could pull off almost anything - just not that. Where is Rachel Zoe when you need her?  3/10

                                                    
Finally. Jennifer Lopez strikes all the right chords in her Zuhair Murad gown. With its cut-out sleeves, plunging neckline and mini train, not only does the piece pay homage to what is really in this season (remember the Chanel underwater mermaid trend?), but it also perfectly accentuates her statuesque, womanly figure. Her decision to keep the rest of her accessories minimal (Lorraine Schwartz jewellery), a high ballerina bun and minimalist make up, highlighting the key points of her face: her gorgeous cheekbones, smokey eyes and glossy nude lips - so it does not detract from her statement piece or overwhelm, is worthy of an Oscar in itself. This is how you do the
Academy Awards.  10/10

I have mixed opinions about Viola Davis in Vera Wang. On one hand, the emerald dress beautifully complements Viola's skintone, and her decision to match her earrings to the dress is a thoughtful gesture and does not come across monotonous. The embellished area of the bustline and her cropped hairstyle, enhancing her decolletage, arms and neck makes for a very regal touch. The bottom area of the dress with its ruched shirring, its beautiful with its mermaid like effect. However, the body of the dress is entirely too stiff and the colour, though beautiful, becomes almost nauseating after a length of time. Monochrome colours, or even a strategically placed belt, might have helped the outfit. Still, not entirely a disaster.  5/10

What would the Oscars be without a Brangelina appearance? The dynamic duo showed us exactly why they are Hollywood's hottest property in beautifully complementing outfits. Angelina, in particular, sizzles in a rich velvet Versace gown that is structured yet flowy in all the right places, with a thigh-high slit that bares some serious leg. With her loose hair and red lipstick, Angelina puts a fresh spin on old school Hollywood glamour, courtesy of her irrepressible (though considerably tamed) rebellious streak. Her only accessory? Her hunky movie star husband. Hollywood at its best I say!  10/10

The passing of the indisputably glorious Whitney Houston yesterday plunged the musical world into deep despair.  Irreprochably beautiful; she possessed a certain pizzazz and fire within her soul that lit her up in a way that no amount of diamonds could (and back in the nineties, they used to hang them on like a chandeliar at Buckingham Palace). Her voice was pure and sweet, untainted by her difficult childhood, and yet it radiated with a strength that reflected the woman that she was. She was a diva, not by the stereotypical Hollywood definition of a high profile starlet who makes unjustified requests, but because of the way she was - regal, queenly, angelic. There was none, and can never again be one like her. She was unrivalled, incomparable, irreplacable.

The blessing of photographs lie in their ability to - in the words of Abba, 'freeze the picture, and save it from the funny tricks of time'. For a person of Whitney's calibre, whose long struggle with internal demons (prompting an uncontrollable spiral into a life of hard drugs) became as much a public concern as it was a highly personal matter, and who had to face having every aspect of her arduous journey documented for vulturic (public) consumption, we can be thankful for the photographs that immortalised Whitney at her prime, doing justice to her memory even when the subsequent news of her descent from glory failed.

(image courtesy of wonderwall.msn.com)

And here she is, in what is easily one of my favourite photographs of Whitney, striking in a gorgeous polka-dot bow-dress (a design that is, coincidentally, coming back into style), grooving as she does what she does best. Her ebony skin gleams in the spotlight, her pearly white teeth are exposed in a genuine care free laugh, and even with minimal jewellery, she is effortlessly beautiful in a way that needs no artificial adornment. 

(image courtesy of wonderwalls.msn.com)

Proving that a true beauty needs to be a chameleon, here she is a disco diva in a sequinned dress with a blazer jacket. The dazzling quality of her outfit does not detract from the raw passion on her face as she belts out one of her classics. Her cheeks are flushed - and even in her grimace as she powers through the high notes, there is an element of a smile behind her expression. She is in her element.

(image courtesy of wonderwalls.msn.com)

Forget the likes of Kim Kardashian and Maria Fowler. When you have a talent such as hers, there is no need to flaunt your body in exchange for fame, but with a body like Whitney's, it certainly didn't hurt to show some flesh. Here she oozes sex appeal in a studded mini dress and a Cleopatra-inspired hairstyle. 

(image courtesy of wonderwalls.msn.com)

Performing at a pre-Grammy party exactly one year ago, Whitney shows the world that the new generation of wannabe soul divas still have nothing on her. Although animal print has been coming back in style over the last few years, Whitney wears her safari inspired ensemble and pulls it off the way a true diva knows how - as if it never went out of style in the first place.

(image courtesy of wonderwalls.msn.com)

Proving that the years of turmoil have not taken a toll on her, Whitney looked positively resplendent in a grecian inspired assymetrical sheath dress on the night of what should have been the beginning of her ultimate comeback. At 47, she cut a flawless figure, putting most women half her age in similiar body-hugging gowns to shame.

(image courtesy of wonderwalls.msn.com)

Reminding us why, despite her long years of absence from the music industry, she still reigned as diva supreme. Oozing sensuality in a dress that flows and clings to all the right places, Whitney proves that balance is always key to staying on the right side of the line by flashing only a few choice areas of her body: her long slender neck and decolletage (a highly overlooked region of the female body), her cleavage, and of course - the crucial element that no self-respecting old school diva could do without: the dramatic slit up one thigh. 

With the face of an angel and the voice of one, her time on earth was ended much too soon - her life had ended before it had truly begun. In the immortal words of The Eagles, she was 'too fast to live, and too fast to die' - with her unresolved issues from her childhood, her god-given beauty, raw talent, female prowess and the unstoppable fame and fortune that ensued, she never really had a chance. And yet despite it all - she held her head like a queen and carried on. She never gave up and she never stopped to take pity on herself - forever gracious, eternally beautiful, her strength of character lives on in the legacy of her music. Rest in peace Whitney Houston, you will be forever missed.

(image courtesy of awelldressedman.blogspot.com)

Sprouting out like wild mushroom after the rain, seemingly coming out of nowhere and seemingly going everywhere, Lana Del Rey, with her throaty voice, porcelain skin, sultry doe eyes and perpetually pouting lips, is the woman of the moment. Her title was cinched and the extent of her fame blown up to unprecedented proportions when Vogue made the move of featuring her, a virtual unknown and newcomer, on the cover of their March issue. The harsh reviews by her critics served only as a catalyst to her overnight celebrity, perpetuating the girl from the shadows into sudden limelight. But Lana, otherwise known by her birth name, Elizabeth Grant, is poised and mature beyond her years. With wisdom-filled eyes to match her soulful voice, and good looks to rival her model counterparts, the 'self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra' is a candy with a surprise centre. Her striking features, making her look like a hybrid between a 1950's housewife of the all-american dream, a retro pin-up girl and an urban sweet-faced beauty, belie the deep voice and the strength that lie within. You never quite know what you might find with this girl - what you see is not what you get. 

Even her fashion choices are indicative of the treacherous waters that bubble beneath the surface.

(image courtesy of urban1072.com)

Here she is, looking like a poster girl from the early 1900's advocating domestic appeal. She is the quintessential housewive, her chestnut-auburn hair is glossy and falls in pin-up waves past slender shoulders, her delicate skin is unfreckled and she pulls off coral lipstick the way only a red-head can. Her blouse, buttoned all the way up her neck, with its peter pan collar, is ladylike and innocent. She is rich as cream, the girl that the soldiers from bygone wars would look forward to, the girl of their dreams - greeting them with a smile as they stepped fresh off the plane onto the tarmac, smelling of cookie dough and bringing with her the comfort of home, a safe haven from the brewing wars in the outside world. And yet, underneath her top, she has added a subtle feature - a feature so subtle you could easily overlook, but once seen cannot be unseen: a red bra, reflecting a racier nature.

(image courtesy of fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

Here her rebellious streak is out in full force. Exposing her pale midriff in a ripped up t-shirt and lightwashed jeans, Lana accessorises with mismatched jewellery (Chanel earrings, a religious necklace and a chunky statement necklace and ring) and a classily held cigarette, and adopts a distinctly 'gangsta' pose, paying homage to her turbulent nature. Her gaze is challenging, almost sinister; and yet her makeup is impeccable, her skin dewy, her hair perfectly coiffed. She is a walking fashion contradiction - so wrong, and yet so right.

 
(image courtesy of justjared.buzznet.com)

Here she is at the Late Night With David Letterman show, looking prim, proper, and as sweet as honey, a vision in an all-white assemble surely more suited to church or brunch with her in-laws? Her structured, long sleeved ladylike dress is complemented by nude pumps, and she keeps her accessories to a minimal. She is positively angellic, keeping the lid on her wild side firmly intact. If it wasn't for her fiery hair, one would be forgiven for mistaking her for Kate Middleton. She is turbulent, experimental, unpredictable, controversial, a regular chameleon - she is the perfect fashion muse. Already she is creating buzz in the fashion world, having recently been signed by Next Model Management. 

Bearing in mind the fickle nature of fame (remember Rebecca Black? where is she now?), and the enormity of her star proportions at the moment, it seemed like a crime not to dedicate an entire post to her. I for one, think that we have not heard the last of Lana Del Rey. Watch this space.

The colour-blocking trend has been a red-hot staple on the Spring/Summer '11 runway, with many a snap-happy celebrity braving the look on the red carpet, often with disastrous results (Remember Cheryl Cole's make-or-break debut at the US X Factor premier and the outfit that ultimately broke her?). Contrary to popular belief, the secret to pulling off this look lies not in the colour palette, but rather in the subtle details that cinch the outfit. Here, actress Camille Belle strikes the chord of perfection in a head-to-toe Gucci ensemble. 

                                                        
                                              (image courtesy of myfashioncents.com)

Beautifully clashing colours in equally weighted fabrics of clinging gossamer silk, seemingly contradicting and yet paradoxically complementing one another - the outfit is so wrong, and yet so right. Like any self-professed fashonista will tell you, the key to achieving the highly coveted understated glam appeal is balance. Camilla keeps it sexy in a low-cut sleeveless top, showing off her bronzed decolletage - an underrated part of the female body. While it is virtually impossible to find an exact duplicate of Camilla's high fashion outfit, put your own spin on the look by modifying the colour scheme to flatter your skintone (and bank account).

This wine-coloured top, currently on sale at French Connection for only £28.75 is the perfect transitional outfit for the cold winter months. 

                                                       
                                                (image courtesy of shopstyle.co.uk)

Keep within the theme of winter-friendly colour-blocking in these gorgeous gold-green silk trousers from Yoox for only £35. 

                                                      

                                                 (image courtesy of Yoox.com)             

The two components coupled together should create an exotic, almost Princess Jasmine inspired look. Retain the irresistable Middle Eastern flavour in this burnt red blazer from Warehouse for only £35.  
                                                        
                                               (image courtesy of warehouse.com)

Not only is the colour of this blazer a lot less vivid than Camilla's, but its pocket detailing and sleeve-length differ as well - but don't let this worry you, for this is an element that you should get especially creative with. However, keep your blazer shoulder-pad free if possible; a boxy structure on an oversized piece will make your outfit instantly androgynous - a la Agyness Deyn. A slouchy structure will ensure that your outfit remains feminine and casual. 

And finally, complete your outfit with a gold tassel belt from shopbop.com for £70.31 and let its Midas touch (pardon the pun) do the work for you. 

                                                          
                                                   (image courtesy of shopbop.com)

The magic of the new year is that we are all given a clean slate. In fashionista-relevant terms, it means that when the clock strikes twelve, all your fashion and beauty sins are washed away. My past pictures have given me too many reasons to cringe, from disastrous hair dyes, to majorly awkward smiles, I have seen (and done) them all. I have taken the term 'bad picture' to a whole new level, reaching heights that I, quite frankly, had no idea I was capable of. Being a perfectionist, I have always been one to beat myself up, but no more. This year, I am starting afresh, and what better way to begin than with my fashion life?

Among the many heinous appearance related crimes that I have committed in the past, one in particular stands out among the rest. In the last few years of my fashion consciousness, I have erred on two extremes; from sacrificing my health and well being in the name of beauty, to more recently, sacrificing my appearance in the name of comfort. From the beginning to the middle of 2011, my social networking friends would have noticed a distinct lack of new pictures on my profile, with good reason. The stress of the last academic year at university, coupled with daily, three hour commutes to campus do unspeakable things to a person. My diet and exercise regime went out the window, which resulted in weight gain and bad skin. My skin became almost tinged with green and my hair lost its luster, I only wish I was kidding. In the words of a shocked friend, I looked as though I had 'lost the will to live'. More unforgivable still, was how low my fashion sense became, because my days were long and cold, 'style' was no longer the name of my game. Neither was 'looking decent', for the matter. Here is the complete break-down of my outfit of the (every)day: A plain tank top paired with an uninspired pair of leggings, worn always with my trusty pair of sport shoes (because the studio only permitted rubber soles). Over that, I wore a lightweight black gym jacket, and because I had developed a deathly fear of the cold, I layered two of my brother's oversized jackets on top (and not in a trendy boyfriend-fashion way). As for makeup, are you kidding me? I barely had time to sleep, and no, I do not have pictures, or at least, not ones that I haven't feverishly untagged myself from. As far as I'm concerned, that period of my life did not happen. 

For purely educational purposes (and only a tiny bit to make myself feel better, we are all human, after all) let us take a look at a few celebrity mishaps.

                                                           
                                                              "Image Credit: (liweddings.com)"

Although not quite on my wavelength, there is no denying that Lindsay Lohan can be one hot mess. Where should I begin? from her garish disco-ball silver purse, to her lingerie-resembling lace-edged top saying peek-a-boo under what appears to be a gold-plated piece of fabric impersonating a garbage bag, the only way this outfit could possibly be any worse was if she matched her dress to her orange Essex tan. Oh wait.

                                                           
                                                              "Image Credit: (sodahead.com)"

While there is no denying that Kelly Osbourne has come a long way since her DWTS days, I'd just like to go on record as saying that whoever dressed her in that get-up should be shot and then hung out to dry. Surely a fashion faux pas like this should be punishable by death, and there I was thinking that you could never go wrong with a white-and-black ensemble topped with fire-engine red lipstick. I hope you're happy Kelly. You've made a non-believer out of me.

                                                                                                   
                                                                "Image Credit: (marieclaire.com)"

Giving vegans and animal rights activists everywhere a field day, Lady Gaga reinvented the term 'innovative fashion' with her infamous costume made entirely out of meat. I'd think of something catty to say, but I'm too busy trying not to throw up at the thought of the overpowering stench of a thousand slabs of raw meat glued to your flesh. Surely if you were a good enough artist you wouldn't have to resort to such transparent and far-fetched lengths to seek attention? Just sayin'.

                                                                
                                                          "Image Credit: (scottsdalefashionista.com)"

It is a sad day for the fashion world when a graphic pair of collagen-enhanced lips became an acceptable way of protecting a woman's modesty while making a statement. Shame on you, Leona Lewis. Coco Chanel is turning over in her grave as we speak.

So here is to a new year guys. Live life, love hard, and wear every last outfit like it is your last, and as for the rumors that 2012 might be our last, I don't know about you, but I fully intend to be here this time next year, inwardly groaning at all my tragic choices in fashion in the past year and lamenting my experiences in blog form. Happy New Year!

                                                        

                                                         (image courtesy of twilightsaga.wikia.com) 

Described as being unsurpassably lovely even before her beauty was immortalised by the venom of the vampire, Rosalie Hale's looks are unprecedented. Even in an unnatural world where its females are strikingly attractive, she is supposed to be the most beautiful vampire in existance. Contrary to her pretty adoptive sister Alice, with her elfin features and irresistable smile, Rosalie is tall and statuesque, with face-framing golden hair that billows in the wind and pouty blood-red lips. Her eyes are haunted, shadowed with an suppressed hunger and pain - an unquenchable longing for mortality. She rarely smiles, but when she does, it streaks across her face like lightning, and momentarily brightens up her melancholic beauty. Her beauty is almost deadly - it is her greatest asset; she uses it as a weapon on unsuspecting victims who are mesmerized by her unearthly loveliness. Despite this, she holds the sanctity of human life in the highest regard and has never tasted human blood. 

Rosalie's beauty needs no external adornment. She has a classic and timeless sense of style and does not subscribe to fads and fast fashion, because she does not need to - her beauty speaks for itself.  
 
                                                           (image courtesy of tellusfashion.com)

If there was ever a dress that perfect complements Rosalie's ehthereal beauty, it would be this Georgian inspired dress by Christina Dami. The nude dress, made out of different weighted fabrics - crochet, lace and hand-embroidered sequins and beads, is designed to softly skim over the length of the body, clinging to every curve without overwhelming the womanly figure. The vintage trimmings on the front of the dress are the very essence of romantic goth, metaphorically commemorating the tale of the girl with face of an angel with an unholy past, while the demure yet playful quality of the dress pays homage to the snobby social-climbing upbringing of Rosalie's previous life. Coincidentally, the cheekily differing lengths of the dress is very on-trend at the moment, not that it would matter to Rosalie. Toughen up the dress with strappy gladiator heels in a military green, which would bring out the nude undertones of the dress beautifully. Wear your hair in loose waves around your shoulders, with perhaps a section on one side twisted messily behind your ear to expand the Greek aspect of the outfit further. The beauty of this dress lies in its simplicity - like Rosalie, it is unapologetic in that aspect, so no accessories are necessary - save, if you must, a gold cuff worn on the upper arm.

                                                         
                                                         (image courtesy of geekfemme.blogspot.com)

Here she is again, in a simple black tank top underneath a classic fitted black leather jacket - understated as always, minimalist in every regard and yet posessing that kind of unbridled and unrivaled elegance that could show up even a beauty queen in a floor-length glittering gown. I would be lying if I said that a mere leather jacket is all you need to achieve Rosalie's minimalist beauty that still somehow manages to speak volumes, but a leather jacket is as good a place as any to start.

                                                     
                                                           (image courtesy of tellusfashion.com) 

One of my favourite finds is this beautiful leather jacket by the same designer (Christina Dami), in a luxurious chocolate brown. It is a lot more unconventional than Rosalie's (but hey, we mere mortals have to go the extra mile) but its cut is extremely flattering - the uneven choppiness of its crop is certain to add extra length to your body (if you aren't already blessed with Rosalie's model inches) while the draping material in front is simultaneously forgiving (drawing attention away from unsightly bulges) while accentuating curves where there are none. Wear with skinny jeans and sneakers for a perfect tribute to Rosalie, or put your own spin on it by wearing it over a white lace eyelet dress and cowboy boots. 

                                                           
                                                                  (image courtesy of sugarscape.net)

In this instance, Rosalie lets her natural femininity do the talking by experimenting with the androgynous look. She plays down a structured, almost pinstripe, blazer (with a low collar to balance out the masculine quality of the look) with grey jeans and an angellic crochet scarf which she allows to drape across the length of her body. It is a professional yet casual, yet inexplicably eclectic look. To immitate her down-to-earth approach, pair a fitted blazer, or a military jacket with jeans and open-toe heels (her favourite) (as shown below):

                                                             
                                                                 (image courtesy of esmeisland.com)  

These shoes, as worn by Rosalie in a scene from Twilight, is classic of the vampire - sassy, feminine, with attitude to boot, it is timeless and can be virtually worn with every single outfit. Invest in a pair of shoes similiar to these and you will be set for life. Finally, accessorise with a long scarf thrown on casually - almost as an afterthought; it is all part of her natural uncalculated appeal. Keep your colours within the neutral family - Rosalie hardly ventures beyond cool shades of grey, taupe, brown, white and black. Of course, you can add your own twist to the look by wearing a graphic t-shirt underneath your blazer, or by injecting some femininity to your outfit with long dangling earrings.

                                                          
                                                                 (image courtesy of coolspotters.com) 

Rosalie is rarely seen without this medallion - an amulet necklace emblazoned with the Cullen family crest. Fiercely protective of her family, she wears this proudly as a badge of honour - it is part of her unfathomable charm, her mystique. While I am not urging you to order a knock-off version online (although I personally think it is a stunning vintage piece and would not mind adding it to my collection), there is a moral to be learned from this: devise your own identity and stick to it. Rosalie never set out to be perfect - she is frivolous and often termed 'pig-headed' by her adoptive brother Edward and often comes across arrogant, but she has never once apologized for who she is. Her proud nature disallows this, but she makes amends for her shortcomings with little loving gestures - for example, by offering to help Bella with her hair during her wedding. There is much to be learned from her unwavering stance, and in that aspect she becomes an unexpected role model - unchangeable in her beliefs, she finds a way to accept another even though they disagree on the most crucial crux of life. She makes no excuses for her beliefs, nor does she see the need to defend her identity; she is unapologetically her own person, and perhaps this is the reason she is considered the most beautiful of all vampires - her internal radiance shines through, blurring out the edges of her immortality, making her, for almost a semblance of a moment, almost human. And that is perhaps the most important style lesson - beauty fades (though not, of course, if you are a vampire), but personality lasts forever.