90210

Tonight’s the night.
Kelly and Brenda return to our screens, sans big hair, shoulder pads, and dodgy denim. But what about the new kids on the block? Watch this space…

Sunset Boulevard

That most exciting of nights, The Academy Awards, is just around the corner and Hollywood’s elite are getting in some practice and cutting their Jimmy Choos on Oscar’s competitors: The Golden Globe and SAG Awards.

Last night’s attendees of the Screen Actors Guild Awards Ceremony appeared to take a step back in time to 1980s Miami Beach, as the red carpet was awash with the colours of a South Beach sunset. A huge trend for SS09, it looks like the 1980s are back with a vengeance.

Holly Hunter led the pack in her Reem Acra hot pink strapless gown. In danger of looking like the biggest throwback of the ball, HH kept things modern by ditching big hair and bigger jewels for low-key locks and minimal accessories.

Laura Linney beat Eva Longoria in the best coral frock category - this Miami Vice hue is set to be the colour for Spring and LL’s asymmetric Michael Kors was an 80s dream.

In a sculptural red Nina Ricci number, Claire Danes managed to look 80s retro and extremely modern all at the same time. Plus red on red is, in my book, always a good thing.

Mickey Rourke IS the 80s. And he knows it.

Obamarama

Ok, so I know I’m a little late with this but to follow up from my Michelle musings I must share with you my two pennies with regards to the Inauguration Day idols.

First up, First Lady. I’m still on the fence about her lemongrass suit but I did dig her belle of the ball gown. Gorgeous in a blushing bride sort of way.

First daughters Malia and Sasha looked as cute as a pair of frosted cupcakes in their colourful coats and continued to fuel my desire to dress like a child.

A special mention though to Queen of Soul, Aretha. Franklin sure knows how to turn heads with this millinery miracle. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Alithia Spuri-Zampetti

The latest in a long line of Central Saint Martins graduates to cause a commotion, Alithia Spuri-Zampetti is worth the hype.

Winner of the L’Oréal Professionnel Award, Spuri-Zampetti's dazzling cut-out creations deserve every accolade available. Alithia sites floral graphics found on Japanese 'furisode' kimonos as her main inspiration, favouring them for their collage and monochrome possibilities. In fact, the result is a collection of razor-sharp pieces which evoke birds of paradise, cubism, origami, and Elizabethan knights. Sticking to a 1950s silhouette, Spuri-Zampetti avoids alienating her audience - the cut and fit of the garment is as important to her as the visual aspect.

Looking at her work is like watching a futuristic anime re-make of In the Mood for Love. That's pretty darn spectacular in my book.

Sasha is Fierce

The lady with a glove formally known as Beyonce has reportedly been created to allow Ms. Knowles freedom to pursue an edgier musical style. But could it be Sasha also exists to allow B to step out of those beaded gowns and into something more Fierce?!
Armed with a suitcase full of leotards and a collection of futuristic fashion courtesy of one Gareth Pugh, Beyonce’s transformation into Sasha Fierce is nothing short of inspired. After watching Put A Ring On It for the umpteenth time I am convinced going out dancing in a leotard would not make me look like an 80s reject but a strong, powerful, sassy lady. I may even go as far to consider the merits of a Jacko-esque single glove, a la Fierce’s metal one-hand-wonder. After all, if an image change as simple as this can produce this Diva, why not? Long live Sasha. Fierce.

All Aboard

The Obamas are currently traversing their way to Washington, D.C. on board a restored 1930s train cart. One can only imagine the emotions carousing through the carriage as the vehicle speeds towards the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
In less than 24 hours, Michelle Obama will join her husband and their two children as the first black family to call The White House home. As popular with the public and press as her charismatic partner, Michelle has enraptured the fashion world with her sharp personal style and strong, powerful beauty and was named one of Vanity Fair's Best Dressed in 2008.

In the shadows of 50 years of Inaugural gowns, Michelle is set to shine. Courted by designers and revered by fashion editors, Mrs. Obama is sure to have had expert advice on hand for her inaugural debut tomorrow. However, Mich need look no further than former first ladies to learn what works.

DO design your own. In 1961, Jackie Kennedy cemented her reputation as a style icon in her own creation: an eye-catching white cape designed and realised with the help of Ethan Frankau.

DO address the economic crisis. In 1977, Rosalynn Carter wore a Mary Matise coat to her husband's inauguration - the same coat she had worn to his earlier gubernatorial inauguration.
DO be G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S. In 1981, Nancy Reagan brought a touch of glamour to the White House with her elegant lace James Galanos dress.
DO support local talent. In 1993, Hilary Clinton supported her hometown by choosing Little Rock designer Sarah Phillips for her inaugural gown.

Whether Michelle chooses to DO any of these, tomorrow will be a memorable day for more than one reason....fashion journalists will no doubt debate how first daughters Malia and Sasha dressed too!

Three words

PUT THEM AWAY.

High Brow

Upon losing my tweezers to the depths of my mary poppins-esque bag I finally found myself ready to listen to my mother’s beauty advice: I have not plucked my eyebrows for a few months now and the results are quite surprising.

In previous incarnations my brows have born resemblance to spindly speech marks and worrisome worms but never couch-potato caterpillars. The bushy, unkempt eyebrow has always been avoided. However, three months of re-growth have not left me looking like Oscar the Grouch.

Instead, I have a fantastically on-trend pair of 80s power brows that are naturally sculpted and thick and dark enough to draw attention to my eyes. Sandy Cohen would be proud. Brow-beautiful Camilla Belle (below), Brooke Shields, Selma Blair, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Lindsay Lohan and Audrey Hepburn are all testament to the benefits of big brows. Brow on.