love love love

I just love this funky ring.

Interview: Photographic stylist - Constance Victoria

British born Constance Victoria ,22, has hit the scene with her unique and edgy fabulous photography. She posts her fantastic images on her blog , as well as items she's selling on eBay!

Read on to see what the budding photographic star had to say...

Q-How did you get into photography?
A-I have always been passionate about fashion and have admired fashion photography in magazines and ad campaigns. I took an evening course in black and white photography when I was 18 and learnt all the skills of working in a darkroom and using film. I loved the course so much that I decided to complete a degree in the subject and pursue it as my profession.

Q-What inspires your photography?
A-I am inspired by so many things. Obviously fashion has a great impact in what inspires me, and the work of other great photographers. Some of the ones who really inspire my style are Paolo Roversi and Tim Walker. I love their slightly eerie and fairytale like images and try to create this effect in my own work.

Q-Whats the best thing about being a photographic stylist?
A-I love creating a concept for a photoshoot and making an idea in my head come to life on the set using the location, wardrobe, models and props etc.

Q-Tell me a little about your blog..
A-I started writing the blog in the spring this year after deciding I wanted an outlet for my creative practices and to promote my work. It ended up becoming more of an outfit and personal style blog but I really enjoy creating it and I love receiving the beautiful comments from my readers!

Q-What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
A-I would say to any aspiring photographers to have fun and be creative. It is a really hard industry to gain work in so its great to just have fun doing it and see what comes your way! I would really recommend doing a very hands on and practical course as well as it really does help to inspire and improve work once you have learned how to use different equipment and cameras.

Q-What do you hope to achieve in the next few years?
A-I would love in the future to have built up enough of a name for myself to make a living entirely from my photography - Although my dream for the future would actually be to own my own fashion boutique! I guess I have no idea what I will end up doing but I like that there is a bit of mystery and an unknown element to the future!

Click here to visit the blog!

Jedward future fashion stars?

They entertained us for weeks on the X factor with their wacky dance moves and kooky style, but never did we think of Jedward as fashion icons.


Well, according to all the papers, that's exactly whats going to happen! Apparently they've been approached by fashion magazines Esquire and i-D Magazine, and are planning on signing deals to model for high street stores. They're also going to appear in fashion magazine Grazia this week!

A source told the Daily Mirror: "They've been inundated with requests from brands to model and perform for them. And some of them would surprise you. Big brands want a piece of Jedward and they're currently considering all the options."


I don't know about you, but this has come as a real shocker to me! I mean I really enjoyed watching Jedward on the X factor, and I found them extremely entertaining, but I just don't see them as models!

But, on the other hand, I don't think they look that bad in the picture above. They are really starting to grow on me. Nowadays anything can happen! Who knows, by next year we could be looking to Jedward for fashion advice...watch this space!

Classic clean cut trend

This cool and confident classic look represents all the stylish Jude Law wannabes.

Grey, black and white are very chic and subtle staple colours for a classy manly look.

I think blazers and buttoned up cardigans are neat and simple, and offer a clean cut sophisticated look to the outfit.

Are you into this classic look, or do you think it's too neat and simple? Maybe you prefer the preppy playful trend? Tell me what you think!

Va va velvet

Velvet is one of the biggest trends this season, especially with designers Chloe and Alexander Wang. This classic wintery style is perfect for a simple event as well as for a fabulous one (when paired with killer heels)

Personally, I am loving flowy velvet dresses this season. I think they are really girly and glamorous and super flattering! Topshop and Miss Selfridge have a fantastic range of reasonably priced velvet dresses. Check them out!

Alesha Dixon wore a gorgeous maroon velvet dress with a waist clenching satin and sequin belt to the launch of her new jewellery range in Piccadilly yesterday.

I think the dress is really flattering, and she really looks stylish, sexy and sophisticated.

Are you into the new velvet trend?

Crazy GaGa

Lady GaGa has a unique sense of style. We get that. But what was she thinking turning the hard shoulder trend into a horrific fashion faux pas at her CD launch of 'The Fame Monster' yesterday??

Hard shoulders are totally in fashion and work really well paired with skinny jeans, but GaGa's exaggerated version just doesn't do the trick! It kinda looks like a padded bullet proof shield supporting her back!!

Sorry GaGa, but your outfit needs to be burned and forgotten immediately.

Looks can be deceiving

Fashion magazines are full of flawless models, but what do they look like in reality?

I found this video extremely disturbing, but at the same time really informative. I wouldn't say that the model is initially unattractive, but her transformation is epic!

It's normal for makeup and hair to make a massive difference to a womans appearance, but what really irritated me were the unnecessary changes made using Photoshop.

Thousands of girls (including myself) read these magazines and wonder 'why can't I look as perfect as...’ . It's extremely damaging to their self esteem. No wonder there has been a rise in anorexia in young girls.

Dove ( who made the video) have campaigned against this by using 'average' looking women in their adverts.

Do you think it's okay for magazines and adverts to publish images of fake but flawless looking models? What kind of a message are they giving out to easily influenced young girls?

But then again, would people really buy magazines or products if they were being advertised by 'real' women?

The fashion star of the week is....

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart has won the hearts of fashionistas all over the world by flaunting her fresh, flawless and feminine look at New Moon premieres this week.

Famous for wearing converses on the red carpet, Stewart has switched to luscious louboutins and heavenly heels.


She wore a stunning Oscar de la Renta dress (right) to the LA premiere, and an elegant J Mendel dress (left) to the Paris premiere.

Kristens stylist told Grazia: "Few people understand (Kristen's) fearless when it comes to fashion.

"She's comfortable in her own style and has a natural edge to her, but when she's in the mood she likes to go elegant."

What do you think of Kristens new look? Has she managed to pull off the classic girly girl elegant image or should she stick to her usual punk rock style?

Poll results: sizzling sequins

Results are in and it looks like sequins have won. The majority of you are loving the new sequin trend, and I'm glad to hear because so am I!

Sequins are sassy and cool and instantly transform any outfit from simple and boring to sparkly and fun.

Take the picture below for example. I'm wearing a casual LBD with a zip up the front. To spice up my outfit I decided to pair my dress with a sexy black sequin jacket. It might not be so clear in the image below, but it really added an edgy look to my outfit which I loved!

New Look and River Island have a gorgeous range of sequins. If you also love the sequin trend and have pictures of you showing off your look send them to me at showmeyourstyle101@gmail.com and I might just feature them on my blog.

Geek chic

Large frames are big, bold and bang on trend this season. They are super stylish and clearly give you that super signature look (left).

Anna Laub, a British journalist, recently launched a brand called Prism - unique hand made large frames. So stylish I want to buy a pair!

They act as an accessory, not just a necessity. So whether you wear prescribed glasses, or just want to add some quirkiness to your outfit, go for it and spruce up your look in these show stopping specs.

Even celebrities such as Johnny Depp (right) are famous for indulging in this playful trend.

So remember, flaunt these funky frames with a fashion forward attitude and all eyes will be on you.

What do you think of this statement style?

Elegant embellishments

Embellished outfits are sleek and sophisticated, and make every woman look seriously chic with sassy style.

From jewels to beads to studs or simple stones you'll be lost for choice.

Topshop has a fantastic range of embellished clothes such as this cute and casual knitted stud crop jumper and this sexy embellished bodycon skirt.

What do you think of this fashion fad? Love it or hate it?

Beauty or brains?

A Cambridge student caused uproar this week by posing provocatively in her underwear on Cambridge’s new tabloid website, The Tab.



The ‘Tab Totty’ section has been slammed as sexist and according to the Cambridge student union women's officer, Natalie Szarek, the images should be removed because they “reproduce and reinforce harmful attitudes towards women.”



One of the girls who modeled in the ‘Tab Totty’ section, Heidi, said: “I’d like to see myself as someone with brainpower and boobs, a pairing which I feel Cambridge culture strives to deny.”



Society seems to have a big issue comprehending that intelligent women have more to offer than just their intellect. It's either one or the other; beauty or brains! People also assume that if a woman is clever then she must have no style or fashion related knowledge. The same goes for women who dress well and love delving into the latest fashion trends; people will presume that they have no substance.



Clear examples come from the movies ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, each in their own way initially exemplifying women as either beautiful and fashionable or ugly and intelligent, but by the end of the film having both beauty and brains. Even TV stars such as Cheryl Cole has been deemed a bimbo because of her striking looks and fashionable and trendy dress sense.



Why does society categorise women into these demeaning groups? Is society right to do so?

The fashion star of the week is...

Blake Lively

Commonly known as Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl, Blake Lively, 22, has the hottest fashion style around.

At the Emmy Awards earlier this year, Lively caught everyones attention in a sexy red Versace dress with a plunging neck line ( top left)

According to the latest media reports, even Victoria Beckham has noticed Blakes sassy style and wants her to model her new collection of dresses.

She rocks every trend and is a fashion idol to many.

Do you also think that Blake deserves to be fashion star of the week? Comment below.

T's for the Trust

This month River Island have teamed up with The Prince's Trust to create a range of t shirts with celebrity stars Kelly Rowland, Pixie Lott, Alesha Dixon and Kid British. All the proceeds will go to The Prince's Trust, an organisation that helps young people all over the UK.

When asked about her collection, Pixie Lott said: “My T-shirt dress is everything it should be - cheeky, fun and cool. I’m hoping it will raise a lot of money for The Prince’s Trust as it’s a cause close to my heart.”

Each artists exclusive collection depicts their unique and fabulous style. To view the chic range click here, or visit your nearest River Island store.

Which is your favourite collection?

Jeggins

Jeggins are the new leggings.

They have the same effect as leggings - body hugging and very comfortable - whilst looking like jeans! They can easily be worn casually during the day (as above) or teamed with a party piece at night!

Are jeggings your thing or are you more of a classic jeans kinda girl? Tell me what you think.

Chic checked shirt

This trend is all over the shops right now.

If you like the one in the picture above you can buy it from Mango. For a fantastic regal range of chic checked shirts visit Hollister or Topshop.

What do you think of this trend?

My introduction <3

Style ...

There are many definitions of the word style. My definition is... The distinct way in which a person expresses themselves through the way they dress.

What I love about style is that it is individual. personal. unique.

Show me your style is dedicated to showing you, the general public, different expressive styles I come across in my day-to-day life, finding out what people have to say about the way they dress and how they put their outfits together.

Show me your style wants to hear from you! What do you think about the latest fashion trends? Do you like the unique sense of style displayed in the pictures? Can you do better? I want comments! Don't be afraid to voice what you think...

Looking forward to scavenging the streets of London to find the best dressed!

Lots of love

Mandy X