Bionda Castana new shoe gods

Grazia have named the design duo behind Bionda Castana the new shoe gods. Not only do Bionda Castana shoes look amazing but they're actually walkable. Good news if you're a size 40 because that's the last pair we have left of the Amber shown here.

Kate Tailyour features in Metro

I feel really good when I'm wearing a great outfit. I feel even better knowing that it's not only made from ethically sourced, organic fabrics but that it's produced in Britain - actually just down the road from us in lovely Hackney. As featured in Metro today, Kate Tailyour's collection is just that, ethical and local, something that should appeal to eco-enthusiasts and fashionistas alike. This collection is available exclusively from Brittique. Look out for her AW09 collection which will be available for preorder soon.

Emma Cook speaks out about rumours

We can all breathe a sigh of relief that rumours circulating last week that Emma Cook was closing were just that, rumours. Emma Cook spoke with Grazia this week dismissing the rumours and confirming that her label was continuing but with a focus on a lower priced diffusion range as well as her collaboration with Topshop. What good news!

Shop Emma Cook here at Brittique.com.

Source: RihannaDaily.com

Rihanna seems to favour emerging British designers. Last year she stepped out in Emma Cook's fantastic jumpsuit - I can't wear mine enough in summer! Recently the American based singer was spotted in this Hannah Marshall short sleeve jacket. She really is super stylish and it is great to see a celeb who doesn't have to be dressed in big name designers all the time. It would be wonderful if more celebs would embrace up and coming designers from across the globe.

Designer Hannah Marshall Spills on Fashion

Hannah Marshall is one of the most talked about new designers. There is a good reason for this. Her style has sharpened since she first launched at London Fashion Week in 2007. Her collections are now entirely in black and feature strong silhouettes, broad shoulders with a sharp, tailored feel. For someone like me who doesn't tend to wear too much black it can be daunting to sift through. But when you need a LBD you can't go wrong with her collection.

Read Hannah Marshall's views on fashion with Elle Magazine.

Fashion fuels death threats

Vogue recently reported that Peter Jensen is at the centre of a fashion feud over his interpretation of Greenland's national costume. Following the presentation of Peter Jensen's AW09 collection the designer received a series of complaints including a death threat.

Of particular concern to the native Greenlanders is Peter Jensen's interpretation of the kamic boots. Peter Jensen told Vogue "The collection and the boots were made out of pure love and meant as a celebration from the trip which we went on in November. That I am now getting death threats is really taking this thing out of proportion."

I love the boots and was disappointed to learn that they're only available from a certain high street retailer... We have however placed our AW09 order for the clothing. I can't wait for the beaded sweater dress and the digital print Citizens of the World blazer. This blazer is just so versatile and can be interpreted in so many ways from preppy to layered and geek chic. Preorders are now open with delivery in September.

Perfectly pretty new arrivals from Kirribilla

Kirribilla's dress only collection is always a delightfully sweet collection of perfectly pretty dresses. As the design trio say, "you're too pretty to wear pants". These super sweet dresses are now available on Britique.com. I think the brilliant blue Helen dress will look incredible with the new Amber shoes from Bionda Castana.

Fly the Co-op

Relative new comers Cooperative Designs have created a stir since their launch four seasons ago. The launch of their SS09 collection in stores today generated press on both Vogue and Zoo.

Since Brittique started stocking Cooperative Designs in AW08, the styles have moved away from the ultra quirky handknits to a more streamlined and wearable feel. Customers really responded at London Fashion Weekend and most of their summer 08 collection was snapped up.

The summer 09 collection went live on Brittique this past weekend. Think citrus stripes in bodcon styles with cutout shoulders. My favorite has to be the little steffi beach suit. With it net lining, bobble zip and cute boy style shorts it really is a holiday necessity. If I wasn't going to spend all summer pregnant I'd imagine throwing a frisbee around Victoria Park wearing my little play suit and bare feet, hair back in a messy pony. Alas, it's bare feet and empire dresses for me!

Back to London

Source: Vogue

After a brief nearly 2 year stint in New York, I'm now back in London. While I'll miss the many beautiful friends I've made there, it's great to be back in London where Brittique is based and really get back into things.

I arrived back in the Ol' Blightly just in time for London Fashion Week. With the great coverage you get online these days, there's hardly a point to waiting out the incredible delays, sore feet and elbowing to get to shows. But one show I couldn't miss was Louise Amstrup's. I'm such a huge fan of her textured, high quality tailoring. And I've written here ad nauseam about the incredible fit - it really should be tried.

Louise Amstrup's AW09 collection did not disappoint and Vogue liked it too. It had a slightly harder feel with a more structured shape to the jackets and lots of leather details. Her print for the season is a black and white swirl with vibrant hints of fluro yellow and orange - perfect for accessorising with bright shoes and bags. As usual my only disappointment is that I can't wear the collection now!

Lily Allen wears Cooperative Designs

While there has been some speculation about Lily Allen's hair/hair extensions, there's no denying where she shops - Brittique of course. Lily shows her indie style here wearing the Aztec inspired Box Jumper from Cooperative Designs. Available now at Brittique.com.

Evie Belle on sale for just 24 hours

We won't be stocking Evie Belle anymore so we're giving you one last chance to purchase any item from the collection for 30% off. Purchase by Friday and enter EVIEBELLE at checkout to receive your discount.

Choose from tailored trousers and wonderfully soft jersey separates. These classics will be a fundamental addition to your recession proof wardrobe.

Perfect party dresses for under £100!!

UPDATE: TOFU now available up to size 14!!

Don't think you get buy a designer party dress for under £100? Think again! Introducing Tofu. New to Brittique Tofu offer feminine frocks with personality - and for a very good price. All the perfectly pretty party dresses above are under £100. The only dress that's more is the one featured in The London Paper this week. The Jerry Fish dress with it's layers of silk is still a recession proof £119. Check out their very cute coats too.

Great knits and fab fringed boots

As Metro said today, those of conservative disposition, look away: this knitwear is for rockers - and boots too! If you picked up a copy of the London commute essential, you would have seen the fab jumpsuit by Cooperative Designs. We just got this in last week and are awaiting the photos. We know for a fact that one very popular blonde model of the moment has one. I can't wait to see where she wears it.

These Camilla Staerk boots are rather daring too. Not feeling the fringe? Give them an instant update by removing the fringe and wearing them plain.

Deliciously dapper gents

Dressing a man is really hard work. I discovered this first hand recently when I grew weary of my man's wardrobe which was far too heavy on work wear and Abercrombie casuals.

First up, where do you actually go? There's the High Street but I generally have issues with the cut, quality and ethical production of my stores. So that really leaves designer boutiques and department stores. Most department stores are pretty boring with the same old world wear - great if he needed more suits. Macy's was just scary! All gangsta rapper and Ed Hardy. In the end we did manage to find a few good pieces in DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss. It was slim pickings though.

Help is here from deliciously dapper gentleman's stylist Mr Gammon. Advising viewers of the Vodcast what to wear for the season's festivities, Mr Gammon selected the new Peckham Rye for Brittique paisley scarf. The perfect paisley scarf is the ideal gift. And if you buy it for your man you can wear it too!

Introducing Bionda Castana SS09 by Imelda

Nothing gets the heart racing like a new pair of shoes. Perhaps that's why shoes outsell clothing on Brittique. When I saw the new collection from Bionda Castana by pulse raced and I knew I had to have them. They're just so yummy! No wonder the designer's won the Vogue Italia's Who In On Next award. While not available until February, preorder yours now.

Since no one know's shoes like Imelda, see the superbly funny blog for details of my recent discussion with the one and only.

Louise Amstrup heads East

A huge congratulations to the exceptionally talented Louise Amstrup. She is heading to China to show her SS09 collection at Shanghai fashion week. Preen and Basso & Brooke are just two of the big names who have preceded her.

Louise Amstrup really is one of the most talented young designers. It is hard to beat the quality of her finish and I urge you to try the fit of the tailoring. Nothing fits me better which is why I'm always wearing it!

I recently placed our order for Louise's SS09 collection and I can tell you that it's her best yet. And Vogue agreed. Preorders will open soon but in the meantime if there's anything you really must have, just email us.

More bows and a sad day for Camilla Staerk UK

I didn't realise I owned so many "bow things" until I snapped my pic this morning wearing this beautiful draped dress from Louise Amstrup and matching red ankle boots from Camilla Staerk. These ankle boots are my absolute favorite pair of shoes so I have them in a number of colours. The heel is just the perfect height - 70mm - and the toe is has the perfect "pointiness". So I was really sad when I read the news that Camilla Staerk will be no more.

Yes I know it's not really Camilla Staerk and the real Camilla Staerk designs under Staerk. But there shoes and garments had a nice feel about the cut and quality. The collections have sold well here on Brittique and I'll be sad to see them go.

Given the current economic conditions this isn't going to be the last time we wish a design house RIP.

A song and dance for Evie Belle

I know I know, I'm a bit like a London bus with my blog posts. You wait forever for one and then 3 come at once. Forgive me, like everyone it seems, I've been busy.

Confession: I didn't know who Katherine Darcy Jenkins and Darcy Bussel were when I saw these pictures. Call me uncultured but just keeping track of all the fashion designers is a fulltime job. A google search revealed that the stunning blonde is Katherine Jenkins, award winning mezzo-soprano and, with the list of awards she's received, I really should have heard of her. The beautiful brunette (with incredible legs!) is a now retired ballerina.

Katherine and Darcy appear in this photo shoot for Evie Belle, now available at Brittique.com. Evie Belle has a sexy secretary and yet vampy vibe. Kind of a secretary by day dominatrix by night type thing. The designer Sairah Hick's background with top tailoring specialists such as Burberry and Acquascutum is evident in the cut. The styles are universally flattering for sizes right through to 14. If you are a size 14 and think that designer clothing doesn't cater for you, try Evie Belle.

From Winehouse to wedding

A couple of funny titles came to mind as I write this blog playing on the Wino angle. But like Sister Wolf, I do admire Amy Winehouse for her unique sound in a world awash with pop and R&B and genuinely hope that she can pull herself out of the mess.

So why am I talking about Amy Winehouse? You may recall that this is the dress, or one of them, that she wore for her private concert in Russia. Of course in true Amy style it was an itsy bitsy mini and a super small size. Here's another take on the stunning Kirribilla Hilo dress - the cover of Cosmo bride. The floral print of the dress does make you want to pack the SPF and head to St Lucia. Unfortunately we sold out of this dress as soon as they hit the site. We do have it in perhaps the more wearable colours of black and coffee.

Futuretense by Louise Amstrup

Louise Amstrup also had a short film as part of SHOWsudio's Futuretense series of video essays along with Peter Jensen a couple of weeks earlier. SHOWstudio launched Futuretense as a global platform for new designers to showcase the future of fashion. The Q&A offers an insight into the imagination of each designer.

As I said in last week's Grazia, Louise's clothes are all about flattering a woman. I know so many designers say that but then try on the clothes and the waist is too big and the hips and thighs are too tight. That's not cut for a woman. Most of us have curves and more designers need to understand that. Louise Amstrup does and not only are her clothes cut perfectly but they finish is incredible too. As I'm writing this I'm wearing my favorite from her SS08 collection, the striped cotton dress. It has sold out now but it's also available in a brilliant blue silk.

If you try just one new designer this season take a look at Louise Amstrup. Her pieces are seasonless classics that you'll wear for years to come.