posted December 30th 2008 at 9:58am by Laura Heaps
Want to know who this year’s movers and shakers are in the world of fashion? Look no further than the industry’s favourite publication, Drapers, who have announced their annual Top 100 most influential names in retail.
In a year when sales have been down and we’ve been curbing our spending (well, I say we…) it’s probably no surprise to see Arthur Ryan, the man behind cut price brand Primark beating Sir Philip Green – of the Arcadia Group (Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins) to the number one spot. We’re sure Sir Phil will be crying in to his millions tonight.
Elsewhere the Shudoo team have been shockingly overlooked, while other surprises come in the form of Agyness Deyn – rocketing up the charts to number 20, a whole 26 places higher than Kate Moss (last year’s number six was also considered less influential than the likes of Cheryl Cole and Alexa Chung).
According to Drapers it can be no fluke that Cheryl Cole’s rise to national sweetheart has coincided with a dramatic fashion overhaul. The popular fashionista as gone from her WAG-chav uniform of baseball caps and velour tracksuits to a wardrobe envied by the majority of the nation!
Since appearing on this season’s X Factor, Cole has proved worthy of her celeb fashion icon status. Sporting everything from a Luella bubble-skirted prom dresses to D&G leopard-print tunics. It seems that even a brawl in a nightclub can’t taint this young ladies popularity…
I can’t say I’m shocked to the core to find Gok Wan flying high alongside the governor of the Bank of England and the leasing director of Westfield.
Cheap shoe retailer Shoe Zone (what were you lot thinking?!) has been picked out as the most influential shoe specialist, closely followed by Kurt Geiger with their Chief Executives in 24th and 29th place respectively.
posted December 29th 2008 at 11:46am by Nikki Beukes
What are your thoughts on UGG boots for men, will you be sporting them?The Men’s Beacon boot looks great, especially with the chunky sole! I’ll certainly be looking at them and the rest of the range as Winter approaches!
If you could swap shoes with any other celebrity, who would it be and why?
I like the style of some of the older men, especially Pierce Brosnan. He exudes a relaxed but elegant style which is what I aspire to….(still some way to go to match him though…)
What is the most you have ever paid for a pair of shoes, what were they?
I bought a wonderful pair of Chelsea boots in New York a couple of years ago…they were about £360 but I couldn’t resist. I was more than a little irritated when the airline ‘misplaced’ them along with the rest of my luggage (most of which was shopping!)
What made you decide to go from modelling to quiz shows like Egg Heads?
I was a model for nearly 5 years in Germany and although I loved it, I was so busy, I had no personal life so decided to quit and pursue other interests. Quizzes had always been a passion and I began to enter TV shows, got noticed and was offered Eggheads. A classic case of being in the right place at the right time!
If you returned to fashion which designer would you like to model for?
Although I’m a big fan of Alexander McQueen, I think I’d prefer something a little more classic such as Kenneth Cole who is my favourite all round designer at the moment…I love his suits!
posted December 26th 2008 at 1:40pm by Sian Claire
This year the New Year sales promise to be full of more bargains than you can shake a Luis Vuitton handbag at. The credit crunch, soaring energy and food prices and general Christmas malaise means that the shops are desperate for you to spend your money in their shops. Bonza!
But before you grab your battle axe and head for the shops, have a think about what you’re actually letting yourself in for.
Firstly, you can’t leave it too long or else you’ll end up rummaging through scraps of random material covered in muddy footprints. Yes, that sparkly top might have been reduced from £136.00 to £12.50, but it now looks like a sequinned dishcloth, and you’ll never wear it.
Buying shoes is even more hit and miss! Get to the sales early – and we’re talking ‘camping-outside-on-the-street-the-night-before’ early – and you stand a good chance of grabbing a decent bargain.
But beyond that small window of opportunity, you won’t find any shoes in your size, the colours will be wrong, and the only remaining options include a pair of glittery novelty platforms that only a nut job or club singer would be seen dead in.
And finally there are the Aggressive Shoppers. Remember the Great Primark Riot of 2007?
It was these sale-crazed psychos whose battle cries echoed up and down Bond Street when the new Primark opened. People got hurt. It was very nasty.
Aggressive shoppers are dangerous creatures whose ‘Shoot to Kill’ shopping methods mean that you’d better be prepared to fight to the death over those cut-price Steve Maddens.
You don’t need all this. But you do need a bargain. Let’s face it, it’s as much a part of the Christmas celebrations as turkey, tinsel and Quality Streets. But how can you avoid the trauma? The answer is simple. Shop online!
You can choose you’re shoes from the comfort (and safety!) of your own home. The sales promise some great bargains, and you might even be able to pick up some nice extras such as free delivery. Plus you’re more likely to make a well-informed purchase, rather than ending up with a pile of cheap tat that you’ll end up giving to charity. Problem solved!
2. Sheepskin Boots
We LOVE UGGs and, according to the analysts out there, so do you. Whether it’s classic UGGs or stylish Jumbucks, rockin’ Koolaburras or street style LFA’s, sheepskin is the look.
3. Full Length Boots
You ladies are still working the knee-high and longer look, and why not? It works all day and with any outfit. Check out the Manas Riding Boot for a this-season classic or check out Bumper Boots.
4. Wedges
Sandals, boots, courts or peeptoes, wedges have made a major comeback over the past twelve months. And the celebrities’ wedge of choice? It’s got to be the Terry de Havilland Margaux Pewter, as seen on this year’s golden girl, Cheryl Cole.
5. Ballet Pumps
Ballet shoes have been the combo of comfort and class we’ve craved. Nobody does Audrey Hepburn-inspired flats quite like French Sole.
6. Sandals/Flip-Flops
From oh-so-comfy Birkenstocks to classic Havaianas and the fabulous FitFlops, not to mention Aspiga, comfy flip flops and sultry sandals still rule.
7. Everyday Comfort Shoes
We all need a little comfort from time to time and the old ladies have undoubtedly contributed here. Combine comfort and style with cute Desperate Housewives inspired My Sweet Feet mules.
9. Trainers
No shoe cupboard is complete without a sneaker or two as this year’s footwear indicators show. As far as Shudoo are concerned cute, girlie Golas are the only way to go.
10. Crocs-style
If there’s one shoe which has defined 2008, it has to be the Croc. But if you didn’t already know, the classic Croc is just the start. Try the Alice or Cleo for a change of look.
posted December 23rd 2008 at 11:08am by Nikki Beukes
So X Factor has sadly ended, what on earth and we going to watch on a Saturday night now? Well never fear, Celeb Big Brother is here!
Yes Celebrity Big Brother is back, love it or loath it, it’s going to be plastered all over our television sets very soon and there’s no avoiding it.
I’m sure we’ll probably start out all blasé, like every year, then by week 3 be utterly hooked.
The female housemates have now be revealed, drum roll please…
The brave (or stupid) volunteers this year ready and willing to bare their souls on television in front of the nation includes, former Sugababes singer Mutya Buena and glamour model Lucy Pinder, usually a page 3 regular who is said to have a liking for touching other women’s bodies, watch out girls!
Rumoured to be joining them in the Big Brother house is 28-year-old, former Liberty X singer, Michelle Heaton. Miss Heaton is certainly a party animal constantly being seen falling over her Terry de Havilland’s as she stumbles out of all the best celeb hang outs in West London.
Whether it’s her distinctive peep-toe Louboutins or must-have celeb fave de Havilland’s Michele always seems to be hot on the footwear front.
We can’t help but wonder…how many gorgeous shoes is she going to be able to fit in her Big Bro suitcase?
Others said to be entering the Celeb Big Bro house are ‘Loose Women’ presenter Sherrie Hewson, 1980’s supermodel Paula Hamilton who rose to fame as the face of the Volkswagen Golf adverts and more recently has revived her career as a judge on Britain’s Next Top Model.
It’s not just women who will be gracing our TV sets this year, on the male front Austin Powers ‘Mini Me’ actor Verne Troyer and socialite MSP Tommy Sheridan are said to be appearing on the show.
Joining them will be American rapper Coolio, best known for singing ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’, as well as legendary Ian Wright Wright Wright!
So it looks like it’s set to be another explosive year in the Big Brother house with fiery personalities and troubled pasts bound to clash!
posted December 23rd 2008 at 9:30am by Nikki Beukes
Shudoo has chatted to Chelsey Pucks, the 21 year-old bebo star of ‘Chelsey OMG’
Miss Pucks is from the USA and is very outgoing and vivacious. She begins to work her way around the London / European fashion and party scenes. Fresh from High School she’s flown over to London and will be working as an intern at a Fashion Marketing Company and already seems to have made a N.W.E, that’s New Worst Enemy to you and me.
She’ll tell you all about it in her bebo show ‘Chelsey OMG’, you can tune in for regular updates. The comedy show is running into next year…click here to watch
How would you describe your fashion sense, do you have a favourite pair of shoes?
Bold, Bright, and Unique. My two favorite pairs of shoes would be my platform Black and Silver Jimmy Choos and my Ugg boots. I love my Jimmy Choos because they are so comfy (I usually find platforms to be comfy), they give me great height which lengthens my legs. I also get a kick out of the fact that people always think they’re hard to walk in or uncomfortable, but they’re actually my most comfortable heels! I also love my ugg boots for day to day wear - I throw them on with my jeans quickly and run out the door!
Whose celebrity style would you most like to steal and why?
Jessica Simpson! She always looks stunning, whether casual or dressed up. She also always seems to be appropriate in what she chooses, but yet she always wears something that makes a statement and is eye catching. I think it is impressive that she’s able to find that balance because some people in Hollywood seem to be one extreme or the other.
What’s the best thing about how British fashionistas dress, and where’s better for shopping New York or London?
Mixing and Matching - I find it funny and cool to see people mixing patterns together like striped leggings and a polka dotted shirt. Somehow people seem to “get away with it here”. When I left the states, I didn’t see much of that on the streets but on my few trips back, I will catch the occasional person mixing and matching. Perhaps they’re visiting from London or perhaps it’s catching on over there!
What item of clothing did you miss the most when the airline lost your luggage?
My Victoria Beckham Rock and Republic Jeans (I wish they still made them!) - They’re so comfy and flattering. They ripped awhile back and I had my mom add some beading, lace, drawing on them to cover the hole and make them look a little more “rock-star-ish”. I also missed my pink ugg slipper flip flops!
You seem to like Lily Allen’s style, she’s always being seen in her Uggs when she wants to be comfy, what’s your favourite footwear choice for:
a) partying
One of my pairs of Jimmy Choos. My friends laugh at me but I also always carry along a pair of flip flops in my bag for when my dancing feet get sore or when I leave a bar/club and need to walk to find a cab! I’m the one laughing then!
b) When you want to be comfy?
Ugg slippers and Victoria’s Secret flannel pj’s.
Your new boss seems to hate Mariah Carey, what do you think of the Diva’s style?
I think she is brave with certain outfits and I think she looks elegant in others. I do respect and love that she is curvy like me. We’re both “real” looking women.
You seemed to start a new trend ‘under-privileged chic’ when you wore a football shirt to work, what do you think is going to be the next big trend in footwear?
Well I sure hope that it’s not going to be football cleats (or as you call them boots?) because I doubt anything in my wardrobe (except that Chelsea football jersey) will go with them! But hey, you never know! If Sarah Jessica Parker started wearing them, I’m sure there would be girls that would buy them and start wearing them too!
posted December 22nd 2008 at 10:13am by Laura Heaps
It’s been the most talked about new opening of 2008. Shudoo investigates just how successful Westfield shopping centre in London has really been…
There couldn’t have been a worse time to welcome a new mecca to shopping. The credit crunch was hitting our purses hard and the last thing many of us were thinking about was retail therapy. But the doors opened and the fashion hungry came.
So many shoppers headed West, in fact, that Oxford Street and the surrounding area saw 25% less shoppers in their stores in the first month of Westfield’s October opening, compared to last year.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing – Westfield hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons during its first weeks. Shoppers were outraged that many stores – including the flagship Louis Vuitton outlet – weren’t open as the centre was unveiled.
Meanwhile brands were furious that Westfield bumped up rental prices during its first few days…
However with more and more brands signing in (designer boutique Choice, stocking Vivienne Westwood and True Religion among others, being the latest) and an expected 20million visitors over the next year it looks like it’s a thumbs up for Westfield, even if I’ll be sticking to the internet for my future purchases.
posted December 19th 2008 at 1:55pm by Laura Heaps
Use the code 20XMAS at the checkout at Shudoo to recieve a 20% discount, offer ends December 22nd
She’s everyone’s favourite clothes horse…no, I’m not talking SJP, Sienna Miller or even Kate Moss…but Barbie!
So it’s no surprise that designers are fighting to dress her as she heads for the big five-oh.
The blonde bombshell’s fiftieth will take place throughout 2009 with Mattel even organising a special fashion show in her honour during New York Fashion Week.
Fifty mystery designers will create designs inspired by Barbie’s looks of the past but each will be topped off by the only shoe designer a girl of Barbie’s couture nous would be seen dead in – Christian Louboutin.
Louboutin is set to create a pair of pumps in Pantone Barbie 219 Pink in honour of the woman of the moment. “I guess I always had a ‘girlie’ side who liked Barbie,” explains Louboutin himself, “Barbie needs to wear great shoes because every girl needs to wear great shoes,” too right!
posted December 19th 2008 at 12:29pm by Nikki Beukes
Use the code 20XMAS at the checkout at Shudoo to recieve a 20% discount, offer ends December 22nd
Mark Heyes, television fashion guru & stylist to the stars…
You may recognise Mark from GMTV where he is fashion stylist for Lorraine Kelly on LK Today.
He started his fashion career by studying Graphic Design at the Glasgow School of Art.
He got a job on ‘She’s Got To Have It’ for Channel 4 immediately after graduating, having done fashion styling for newspapers and magazine whilst at college.
Mark chats to Shudoo about his crush on Cheryl Cole and his fave British shoe designer…
What do you think are the best Christmas heels? And what styles are big this party season?
Anything super-high and super-uncomfy! Embellished heels and outrageous platforms get my vote too. In particular anything by Nicholas Kirkwood – he’s a shoe genius.
What do you think of celebs such as Justin Timberlake, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio wearing men’s Ugg boots? Would you wear them?
If anyone can get away with men’s Uggs it’s those three… in fact they could probably get away with wearing anything - I’m more of a Converse boy.
Which celeb would you most like to style and why? Cheryl Cole – as I have a serious crush on her. She look’s amazing in anything but I’d love to push the boundaries with her – she sometimes plays it a bit safe
If you could swap shoes with any celeb, who would it be and why?
Kanye West…he’s a big fan of Lanvin, Louis Vuitton clothing and always dressed to perfection. I’d love to have a nosey in his wardrobe!
What would you say has been the best British fashion trend and why?
Without doubt punk. It’s the ultimate trend from the UK and still affects designers around the world today. In my eyes it sums up British style.
Who is your favourite British shoe designer?
It’s got to be Charlotte Olympia – designed by London ‘it girl’ Charlotte Dellal. Her shoes are fun and quirky with a retro feel and her cobweb branded packaging and logo is just too cool.
Tell us about your Debenhams range? Do you have a favourite piece? My Debenhams’s collection is made up of my favourite pieces from all the Debenhams collections, including the Designers at Debenhams and Red Herring. It’s their strongest items highlighted to the shoppers – making it that bit easier for them. Their Limited Edition dresses are my absolute faves– I adore them all!
Christmas fashion tips…
Shop online – it takes the hassle and stress out of your Christmas shopping. And if you’re buying shoes its shudoo.co.uk all the way…they’ve got every Christmas wish answered!
posted December 19th 2008 at 11:00am by Nikki Beukes
Use the code 20XMAS at the checkout at Shudoo to recieve a 20% discount, offer ends December 22nd
Beyonce Knowles is “crazy right now” for sky-scraper heels. The ‘If I Were a Boy’ singer admits she can’t resist expensive stilettos every time she passes a footwear store… well if she were a boy, then she wouldn’t be able to indulge in her shoe addiction now would she?
I don’t think any of us have that much will-power when it comes to gorgeous shoes. She’s confessed to adoring the super high heels that are all the rage right now and just can’t get enough of them and judging by her fab gold Christian Dior Extreme Cutout Gladiator Sandals she has extremely good taste.
Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, has also recently revealed that she loves attending photo shoots as they have all the most recent gear straight of the catwalk, and she gets given so many free pairs! Ok rub it in why don’t you.
However the 27-year-old singing sensation isn’t the only celeb with a penchant for towering heels…
Pamela Anderson has also recently revealed she insists on wearing her stilettos to bed! We are not sure why she would want to sleep in her heels, but perhaps she has a rather more saucy plan in mind, who knows?
However we know it’s not just heels that the sexy star loves, Pamela Anderson was the women responsible for the Ugg boot phenomenon when she was seen wearing them on the beach in between takes whilst filming Baywatch.
Christina Aguilera is another addicted celeb, so much so that she persisted to wear high heels through-out her pregnancy with son Max, when really a cosy pair of Uggs would have been far more practical.
The list goes on…Eva Mendes has admitted she is a huge fan of stilettos but cannot walk in heels higher than 5 inches, describing she’s like a circus act teetering around all over the place, we take it Miss Mendes won’t be a fan of the new 8 inch Louboutins then.
And finally we’ve saved the best till last, none other than Mrs Victoria Beckham has to be crowned queen of all the high heel wearing celebs. We can’t think of anyone else who is seen in towering heels 24/7 for all occasions, practical or not.
Posh’s top tip to seduce a man is to wear, tight skinny jeans, a figure hugging top and killer heels. The fashionista believes the ‘simple but sexy’ look is the way to a man’s heart. Personally we hope our man would love us even in our comfy Uggs or ballet pumps.
Can you think of any other high heel addicted celebs? Leave your comments below…
Want to know who this year’s movers and shakers are in the world of fashion? Look no further than the industry’s favourite publication, Drapers, who have announced their annual Top 100 most influential names in retail.
What are your thoughts on UGG boots for men, will you be sporting them?The Men’s Beacon boot looks great, especially with the chunky sole! I’ll certainly be looking at them and the rest of the range as Winter approaches!
