Bingo wings are a thing of the past thanks to my DAILY MAIL shoot!

Check out my shoot for the Daily Mail here and more importantly, go and buy it TODAY!!!

Inspired by Helen Mirren's complaint about dresses not having long sleeves to hide her bingo wings, I've styled up some options or every occasion, style and budget.  Aimed at the more 'mature' lady, I reckon we could all wear these dresses.

Here's a taster:

Buy the Daily Mail today to see more!

Dune brings out your arty side - COMPETITION ALERT!

Now, I'm not really one for sharing competitions - I mean, why would I want ruin my chances of winning?! Duh.

BUT every once in a while, something comes along that I just can't help shouting about. This is that while.

Dune, as in the fab shoe brand where I recently purchased my utterly gorgeous thigh-high boots, are giving us the chance to win £10,000. Just imagine what you could buy with that!

Dune aren't just giving it away though - this comp is a real challenge. Forget those daytime TV multiple choice quizzes
i.e.
Where would you find a tree?
a) in your back garden
b) in your garage
c) in your gall bladder
Erm, oh gosh, is it 'b' or 'c', I just can't seem to remember?!

Dune are giving you the chance to bring out your arty side. They've dedicated their AW '10 campaign to the shoe as art, after all shoes have inspired everyone from Van Gogh to Andy Warhol.

Yep, you guessed it! Dune are looking for 'the most original and visually exciting art work that best represents the shoe as art.' It can be produced in any medium and in any style. They just want to stimulate our artistic sides.

I love this comp. Not only does it have a super duper prize, it'll get our brains ticking over for the next few weeks.

One person will win £10,000, while there are three regional prizes of £1,000. And the winning entries will go on display in the window of Dune's flagship store in Covent Garden, for the whole world to see.

Here's how I have mentally spent the prize money:
1. Pay of student loan (BORING but kind of sensible)
2. Buy the most amazing wedding dress in the world
3. Spend Christmas on a Caribbean island
4. Buy a LOT of shoes!


OMG - the excitement is unbearable! Get drawing/painting/sculpting quick!

_______________________________

The details:


Submit your entry on the Dune website, at your local Dune store or send it to Head Office at 9 Hatton Street, London NW8 8PL | Submissions should be labeled with reference to “Shoe is Art” competition | For all correspondence relating to The Shoe is Art competition, please address to Murilo Pissinatti at the Dune Head Office | Each submission will be issued with a receipt | Entries open on Friday 27th September and close on Sunday 8th November | Judging will be completed by 12th November | Winner announced on Friday 16th November | Artwork displayed by Wednesday 1st December
The panel of judges will be made up of experienced artists, academics and designers.

Register online at www.dune.co.uk

T&C’s - refer to the Dune website for all full terms & conditions

Milan Fashion Week - Round 2

London is wet, windy and grey.

Milan, on the other hand, is awash with colour and the brightness that only the Spring/Summer collections can hold.

So, without any further ado, let's take a look at what the weekend brought to the stage.

Emilio Pucci

Ooh! I love, love, love this collection. It's certainly not going to win points for originality - the Seventies are everywhere - but it is a gorgeous homage to the decade. Beautiful prints and cuts combined with fantastic accessories.

Beautiful blue - the colour I wish the sky was right now.

These boots will be mine!

Dolce & Gabbana

Utterly divine and beautiful, Dolce & Gabbana opted for a much simpler look than what we've come to expect. There was lots of white, but that white was presented in some of the prettiest broderie anglaise I've seen. There was, of course, their signature leopard print (what would a Dolce collection be without it) and as the label behind the underwear-as-outerwear trend, there was plenty of sauciness to be seen.

Elegant, chic and very grown up.

Love a bit of leopard.

Not sure I have the guts to roam the streets in this, but perhaps the bedroom ;-)

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Fun, fun, fun! That was what this collection was about. The show was more like a party, with prosecco and pizza being passed around while models walked down an elevated catwalk, smiling. Yes, the models were smiling. Shock, horror!! How very refreshing. As for the clothes, well they'll bring a big, fat smile to your face too.

Fun and floaty for the summer.

Who doesn't love a cute little short suit?

Roberto Cavalli

How Mr Cavalli manages to use so much fabric, show so much skin and make it all look great at the same time, is beyond me. This collection is an utter triumph. I want it all, from the python skin trousers to the fringed boho maxi dresses. 

I am so wearing this next summer - I'm starting the sit-ups tonight!

Signature Cavalli - I hope it's worn right.

DSquared2

Dean and Dan Caten are showmen, so it came as quite a surprise when their models paraded a collection of rather preppy shorts, trousers, shirts and blazers. I don't really 'do' preppy, so it was a bit of a relief to find these more glamorous offerings thrown in to the mix.

So simple yet so effective, and thankfully done without looking slutty.

Dramarama!

Salvatore Ferragamo

Another awesome homage to the Seventies - hoorah! This time, it's very grown up (all muted tones and simple lines), has a gypsy edge (there are actual poofy off-the-shoulder crop tops) and is totally wearable. So refreshing.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

Bring on the crochet.

I told you Milan was pulling it out of the bag...and there's more where that came from. Promise.

Challenge Magpie!

Hello all,
To give you a bit of respite from the onslaught of fashion weeks, I am trying out something new. I'm taking on your wardrobe challenges! Write to me with any wardrobe questions you'd like me to tackle and I'll get to work, so you don't have to.
Love Miss Magpie
xxx

Challenge Magpie No.1

Q.
"I really want a sexy full-length evening dress that looks special without being OTT. Ideally it will be figure hugging and really flattering and will allow me to get away with having a smaller bust. It should look expensive but cost a maximum of £300. Help!"
Avital, North London

A.
This is quite a challenge Avi! Buying a full-length dress is never easy as there are so many styles to choose from. Beware of too much embellishment (can look tacky and you won't be able to wear it again and again) and too much fabric (not flattering). Opt for simple styles in luxurious fabrics and then accessorize them, so you can change it up every time you wear it.

Here are some options (click on the links for full details):

Iris halter dress, Halston Heritage, £302, My-Wardrobe

This dress is very classic, which means you'll get years of use out of it. A halter-neck works for big busts as well as smaller ones, so don't be afraid of them. The simplicity of this number will be highly flattering. I know that this is not the figure-hugging look you were looking for, but I'd still give it a try.

Floral silk dress with bustier bodice, Tibi, £287.65, My-Theresa

The beauty of having a smaller bust is that you don't have to worry about support all the time, therefore strapless numbers work well. This dress has a boned bodice which will provide you with enough support and will give you some structure. The print is very relaxed so can be worn for a variety of different events.

Annette maxi dress, £180, Monsoon

Ok, I know this is from a duller-than-dull high-street store BUT it is actually very, very pretty and has some lovely little details. It is also well under budget. If you are still not convinced, then check out the back:

 

See - how very pretty is that! Plus, with a smaller bust, the whole bra consideration isn't even a worry! Once again, this is not a figure hugging style, but I still think you should give it a whirl.

Mesh insert maxi dress, Was £38, Now £30, Asos

Ok, try this one out. It will either ooze sex appeal or will look really cheap and tacky. I'm not quite sure. The back is completely open which will look great on you. The best thing is the price - because what you save on the dress you can spend on a pair of killer heels!

Black cross-back evening gown, £200, After Dark

Ok, so I would never normally do this, but I am going to share one of my secrets. I bought this dress back in May at After Dark - a small dress shop in North London. It is perfect for black-tie occasions - though perhaps a little too dressy for some events. It has padding in the bust area, so there are no worries about that and is completely figure-hugging. It comes in various colours too. I doubt they'll still have this style, but they do have a good selection of evening gowns.

Finally, I'd like to recommend getting a dress tailor-made to suit your needs. Try Pussy Willow for a bespoke evening gown, made to fit your shape, taste and budget.

And if your budget miraculously grows...

Beulah wrap gown, Diane Von Furstenberg, £730, Matches

Ok, sorry, that was mean!

HAPPY SHOPPING AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON...

Milan Fashion Week - Round 1

Today, we've woken up in Milan (courtesy of Style.com). Milan is truly the home of beauty and sophistication.

Let's start with the big shots...

Gucci

A collection oozing glamour and polish, Frida Giannini upped the style ante with an homage to the 70s (surprise, surprise) and the colours of Marrakesh. It also has some very modern traits - see the leather and revealing cuts.

P.S. My beau and I are clearly on-trend as we are planning our wedding in Marrakesh. Hip-hip-hurray!

Prada

Miuccia Prada is the leader of the pack, always setting the standard for future trends. One problem: I don't like her ideas for Spring/Summer '11. It is highly minimalist and too be honest, no that flattering! I do however, like the thought that we will all be wearing bright, zingy hues come next summer.

D&G

I want an allotment and D&G will provide the perfect wardrobe for my new hobby. Inspired by flower-filled gardens, the D&G designing duo conjured up the prettiest collection I have seen all season. Flower prints, stripes and checks galore, I adore the whole lot.

It feels straight out The Good Life doesn't it? I'm wishing away the days to next summer if it means i can sling on some florals and wellies and get all mucky!

Fendi

There's a lot of Karl Lagerfeld in this collection. Example one - fur. Yay - I'm a fan. I'm also cheering on these simple cuts and gentle hues. Anyone see the 1970s coming through again? Has a trend ever been made so clear?!

Alberta Ferretti

Like the boys at D&G, Alberta Ferretti also looked to her garden for inspiration. Pretty prints, unfussy frills and flowing fabrics, this collection is another winner in my books. There were also maxi dresses galore which I can see being a big hit next year. Long live the maxi!

So, as you can see, Milan has gotten off to a fashion-tastic start. I look forward to seeing what else the Italians have in store for us. Keep reading for more updates.

London Fashion Week Highlights

I couldn't move on to Milan without telling you about everything else that happened at London Fashion Week. With nearly 70 shows in the space of 5 days, I clearly didn't make it to all of them (and er, didn't receive invites to all of them), so let's have a look at the best of the best from London's hottest designers.


Burberry Prorsum

Well, who wasn't excited about this show? The anticipation was palpable. The last few years has seen Burberry delivering us the most amazing and desirable collections. This collection was no different.

Skin-tight leather and biker jackets just ooze cool.

Add some attitude to your pretty dressed with a hard-core leather jacket.

Take one traditional trench coat and bring it in to 2011 with a metallic fabric.

The trench isn't going anywhere. Add some zing to yours with some serious studs.

A Burberry cover-up is now taking top position on my wish-list. From the original trench coat to its modern incarnations and everything inbetween, they are just the most classic and style savvy pieces you can own.

Following on from Autumn/Winters harder edge, Spring/Summer for Burberry is all about leather, studs, python and patent. I can barely contain my excitement!! Not every summery I hear you say... Who cares! Someone needed to shake it up.

I'm going to invest in a leather jacket now and I know this will carry me over for seasons to come. Take my advice and do the same,

Christopher Kane

I never really know what to expect from Christoper Kane - neon brights, gorilla t-shirts, WI style embroidery....and now a homage to Princess Margaret. We're taking lace and twin-sets. Seriously.

Prim and proper with a touch of naughty in the PVC.

Matchy matchy twin-sets with a sheer twist.

But, because it is Christopher Kane, he gave it to us with a twist. Neon brights, laced PVC and sheer fabrics brought out the youthful, fun side we all enjoy about Kane.

As for the reference to Princess Margaret, Christopher thinks of her as 'super sophisticated' and his sister Tammy sums up the collection as 'Princess Margaret on acid'. Now it all makes sense and I love it. All I'd like to see now is Princess Margaret actually on acid; that would be a show!

Erdem

The master of pretty, Erdem Moralioglu did not disappoint. Inspired by the beauty of the ballet, the collection was full of delicate lace, feminine shapes and pretty prints.

Just divine. White lace at its best. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

I adore this gown, but has anyone noticed how similar it is to Antonio Berardi's AW collection?

No doubt we'll be seeing this on the red carpets!

Nothing to say apart from that I can't imagine anyone not falling for this collection.

Matthew Williamson

The venue, I hear, was magnifique! Battersea Power Station. How cool.

The collection was er, not very Matthew Williamson. I mean, it was fab (naturally), but just not was expected.

See for yourself:

See! These are not the party-gal dresses we're used to.

Matthew's idea was that of a girl stranded on a desert island. Now I have to say that if I had this wardrobe while stranded somewhere in some far off to sea, I'd be over the moon!

And now...

...because we must all be getting tired (and I've had a general anaesthetic today and the painkillers are slowly wearing off), here are some more of my fave looks from LFW - the summarised version, you'll be pleased to hear.

Antonio Berardi

Clements Ribeiro

David Koma

Giles

House of Holland

Julien Macdonald

Marios Schwab

Unique

Over and out.

See you in Milan (well virtually anyway) tomorrow...