Trending : Flower power - 2

Dolce & Gabbana's main line collection saw vintage-esque prints infused with crochet panelling.

Stella McCartney's collection was peppered with a fine scattering of muted flower prints

Liv Tyler toughens up her pretty Thakoon dress with a cutaway black blazer and thick opaques.

Intricate and ornate at Alexander McQueen.

 Michelle Obama chose safflowers for her Easter Sunday look. America's First Lady brightened up an egg roll in this bold design by Tracy Reese.

British actress Noemie Harris is just one of many starlets who have fallen for the charms of London Fashion Week designer Erdem's spring/summer 2011 collection.

An instant wardrobe classic and a lesson in fine florals by Isabel Marant.

Raf Simons collection for Jil Sander was a riot of colour and beautiful blooms.

Read more »

J.Crew to open UK e-store at end of August

The American high street giant, and favourite of Michelle Obama, has confirmed it will launch an e-commerce site at the end of the month.

 Darling of the American high street, J. Crew, has confirmed that its UK e-commerce site will be going live at the end of this month. The New York-based brand, which opened its first store in 1989, has in recent years been experiencing somewhat of a global expansion.
The label, which is nestled at the top-end of the high street (prices starting at about £25 for a T-shirt and climbing up to over £300 for an evening dress), has been a long term favourite of America's First Lady Michelle Obama and a host of well-dressed American celebrities including Rachel Bilson and Ashley Olsen. However J. Crew's appeal reaches far further than that; it is the go-to store for anything from wardrobe basics to bridal wear. It also has a successful menswear line, collections for children, aptly called Crewcuts, and an extensive range of accessories.
The company, which is headed up Jenna Lyons who has been with them for over 20 years, will fill the hole between the high-street and high-end in the UK market. Net-a-porter began stocking an edited selection of J. Crew's in May, receiving a positive reaction from UK shoppers.

Read more »

Trending: Pink ladies - 2

Christopher Kane's oh-so-desirable neon lace dresses set the tone for all things fluorescent this season.

French actress Lea Seydoux in a cinched Louis Vuitton design at Cannes.

American First Lady Michelle Obama has also dipped a toe in the trend, choosing tones of dusty pink by designer Naeem Khan.

Fuchsia was prevalent on the Sportmax catwalk.

Top model Jessica Stam at the Met Ball in a Tommy Hilfiger dress that could be classed as 'Fairytale pink'.

 Twilight star Ashley Greene goes head to toe in blush courtesy of Fendi.

 At Loewe, baby pink was contrasted with zingy accessories.

Read more »

Kate Middleton wears Reiss to meet Michelle Obama

The Duchess of Cambridge sticks to the high street, wearing Reiss for her first meeting with the President of the United States and his wife, Michelle Obama

The Duchess of Cambridge stayed true to her democratic high street fashion policy when she met America's First Lady at Buckingham Palace today. She chose 'Shola', a pale camel bandage dress by Reiss, one of her favourite fashion destinations, costing £175. Reiss have confirmed that the dress is still available in their stores and on their website, although the website has currently crashed due to a huge spike in traffic as a result of the Duchess's patronage.

Read more »

Michelle Obama dazzles at Buckingham Palace in Tom Ford

It was a night of white might, regal dazzle and diamonds, and subtle fashion politics at the Queen's State Banquet in honour of President Obama and Mrs Obama at Buckingham Palace last night.

The Queen sparkled as only a reigning monarch can, in a white, crystal-studded empire-line ballgown, with the Grand Duchess Vladimir's diamond tiara, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee necklace, the Garter Sash and Star.

America's First Lady played a masterstroke in trans-Atlantic style. She shimmered in an ivory 'goddess' gown by the American designer, Tom Ford, which underscored the 'special relationship' between the two countries.
Ford, who shows his collections during both New York and London's Fashion Weeks under "For Your Eyes Only" security, maintains his studio and design headquarters in London, in Victoria, only a short walk from Buckingham Palace.

The silk-georgette gown, with ribbon details, was draped across the bust, and featured a cross-strapped neckline which left Mrs Obama's famed, well-toned upper arms bare.
Like the Queen, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and many of the other female guests, Mrs Obama adhered to the formal evening dress code, with long white gloves.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 7

 Michelle's choice of a Peter Sorenen asymmetric gown, complete with her 'up-do' and diamonds, is the epitome of dinner-date glamour.

Michelle may have caused a controversy with this Alexander McQueen dress to host a State Dinner at home, but the end result was that she looked simply resplendent.

 Michelle championed up-and-coming Thai designer Thakoon Panichgul with this futuristic floral-print shift dress.

After a long flight, Michelle manages to still look picture perfect in this boldy striped Marc by Marc Jacobs dress.

On her visit to the UK, Michelle wore a vibrant purple wool-crepe dress by British designer Roksanda Ilincic, with a cobalt blue coat by New York designer Narciso Rodriguez.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 6

 

Michelle loves statement jewellery such as oversized necklaces and colourful brooches.

Looking just as great in a casual combination to watch a college basketball game.

This silk, marble-print dress kept the First Lady looking and feeling cool during a recent visit to India.

Michelle Obama shows off those toned, sculpted arms in a sparkly, strapless dress by Pete Soronen.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 5

Sarah Brown just couldn't compete with Michelle's teal-coloured triumph. A dress by Jason Wu paired with a quirky cardigan courtesy of Junya Watanabe makes Sarah's navy-blue skirt-suit pale into the background.

Michelle Obama has become famous for her love of cardigans. She paired this embellished 'cardie' with a skirt by one of her favourite brands, J. Crew . 

The content of Michelle Obama's closet must resemble a rainbow. This vibrant green dress if offset by her glowing complexion

Michelle Obama hand-picked a gown by the young New York Fashion Week designer, Jason Wu, for her inauguration gown.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 4

Even when faced with the daunting task of looking picture-perfect next to former model Carla Bruni, Michelle holds her own in this white ensemble.

Is there any colour Michelle Obama doesn't look great in? Apparently not. The designer behind this dress-coat and shift was Issac Mizrahi.

Rocking a full-skirted, little black dress (with Barack as the ultimate accessory)....

.... and wearing a similar style in white.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 3

Michelle cuts a dash in this elegant evening coat and mustard scarf.

Michelle has proved that she's not afraid of colours and prints, and how she can mix them together like a pro.

She loves canary yellow, and pulls of this shift dress with aplomb....

... but shows how muted tones suit her just as well.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 2

It's 'holiday season' as the Americans call it, and the perfect moment for a bauble-embellished Christmas cardigan. Mrs Obama's J.Crew design proved to be a sell-out hit for the popular retailer.

 The Naeem Khan 'nude dress' - which sparked a huge debate about the merit of the colour of the dress being described as 'skin-coloured'.

 Michelle Obama dazzled in a white Tom Ford gown at the state dinner at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.

Read more »

Michelle Obama's greatest fashion - 1

First Lady Michelle Obama is America's queen of style. Take a look at her greatest fashion moments...

Obama recently selected a vintage 1950s black lace dress by one of America's once-great designers, Norman Norell, courtesy of New York Vintage that is estimated to be worth around $2500. Much excitement surrounds their claim that Obama is 'possibly' the first American First Lady to wear vintage at a public event, with owner Jon Schneck gushing to The Huffington Post that he is "truly honoured that the First Lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture."

Michelle goes for red carpet glamour in a sequin-embellished gown by Naeem Khan, accessorised with diamond earrings by Bochic.

Read more »

Samantha Camerson vs Michelle Obama - 2

THE SUPPORTING ROLE ENSEMBLE
It was surely no coincidence that a pregnant Sam Cam chose a Conservative shade of blue to mark the moment her husband confirmed as the nation's new Prime Minister, outside Number 10 Downing Street, while there was no missing Barack Obama's other half at the Democrat Presidential Election Night Party, where he would claim victory.
Our verdict
Sam cam's proud sartorial move served to show that she was loyal and supportive as ever. Obama's 'lava lamp' dress as it was called, by New York Fashion Week designer Narciso Rodriguez, was deemed to fussy and attention-grabbing for an election-night look.

CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
Michelle's DIY-ready outfit says: 'I've got a paintbrush, and I'm not afraid to use it!', while Samantha dresses down for a trip to an estate in east London.
Our verdict
We wonder if Cameron's muted outfit is just that little bit too downbeat to go and check up on the progress of green spaces in the capital. Meanwhile Michelle's printed T-shirt lifts suitably lifts fellow volunteerer's spirits during a renovation service project.

BLACK TIE BEAUTIES
Those official engagements provide the perfect excuse to make like a Hollywood A-lister and hunt down an almighty gown and a killer pair of shoes.
Our verdict
We can almost hear the wolf whistles of appreciation for M'Obama in her crystal-embellished gown, decadent pearls and those enviably sculpted arms. Again, Samantha should head to Bond Street and revel in a dressing-up session, letting her inner 'Sasha Fierce' come out to play for the cameras.

THE TAILORED COMPANION
…Smart blazers and tailored jackets are where Sam Cam comes in to her own. Be they from high street favourite Zara or high-end Stella McCartney, she also posses a plethora of perfectly smart, silky tops and shirts to create inspiring pairings.
Our verdict
Sorry Michelle, we suggest to stick to your tried-and-tested staple, the cardigan. This look belongs to Sam..

BEST OF BRITISH
Michelle might have caused a bit of a furore when the chose an Alexander McQueen gown to host a State Dinner at home in the White House - observers were quick to note that she should have worn something by a home-grown talent. Samantha meanwhile, couldn't afford to go anything but British when she attended the 2010 British Fashion Awards, opting for a long black creation by London fashion Week designer Osman Yousefzada.
Our verdict
Michelle, simply resplendent in this bold creation by Sarah Burton for McQueen - claims the style queen crown.

HOLIDAY STYLE
For the First Ladies, a holiday never equals time to put their feet up and vegetate, for cameras are always lurking, threatening to capture that spare-tyre-in-a-bikini-moment or a blow one's modestly with a huge gust of wind.
Our verdict
Considering that Sam 'n' Dave were on a mini-break in Spain - flying via a budget airline, no less - Sam gets marks for going positively glam. Should we re-name her Sam Glam?

ACCESSORISE ALL AREAS
This is a close call. Samantha looks slick and stylish in her Holly Fulton necklace, but Michelle definiteley looks like she's having more fun with her accessories with those stacked-up friendship bracelets and polka dot belt.
Our verdict:
This category is Michelle's by a whisker, because she's not afraid to take a chance and go for it.

SHIFT GEAR
A wardrobe staple, a long sleeve shift dress can be a girl's best friend.
Our verdict
We like Sam Cam's mint green shift and bonus points for the belt, but Mobama's figure hugging turquoise shift dress is so simple and sexy, we're reminded of Mad Men's Joan Holloway. Michelle wins!

Read more »