Emma Sells

Going up:

High-brow fashion: This month sees the launch of the Fashion In Film Festival, Tim Walkers’s exhibition at the Design Museum and the Skin & Bones exhibition at Somerset House, plus the Richard Prince show at the Serpentine Gallery is just around the corner. Who said we fashion fans were vacuous?

Alice Dellal: We’re officially obsessed. With her half-shaved head, ripped denim shorts and don’t -mess-with-me biker boots, we don’t want to channel her style exactly (we’ve spent too long getting our highlights just right to get rid of them now) but we wouldn’t mind some of her rock ‘n roll attitude.

Raffia: We’re talking accessories here, although we are strangely tempted by the Armand Basi skirt (not wholly practical for rush hour on the Central line, but then what is?) It’s our material of choice for all things bag related and we’ve stocked up just in time for the sunny weekend that we’re (hopefully) set to have. And we don’t mean cheap, fall apart in three seconds beach bags but stuper-stylish, must-have-them-now clutch and shoulder bags…

Going down:

The Jagger Dagger: We are perplexed. Now, we like Jade Jagger, and we definitely have a soft spot for Belvedere vodka, but this particular collaboration has us stumped. It’s an ice pick. Encrusted with diamonds, sapphires and lapis lazuli. And it costs £125,000. We think this is classed as ‘the gift for the person who has everything’ but frankly, if we had that much money to spare, we’d rather buy shoes.

SATC anticipation: Enough waiting! We’ve lasted four whole years, we’ve listened to all the rumours, checked out all the outfits, speculated on the story lines, and now we really, really just want to see the film. Now the premiere’s in London on Monday but we have to wait until the END OF THE MONTH until the film actually hits the cinema. We can’t take it any more - we need a Cosmopolitan or two to take the edge off…

Knee-high gladiator sandals: In theory gorgeous, oh-so-fashion-forward, making us look like supermodels and perfect for teaming with our summer dresses. In practice, making our calves look like sausages. We don’t need anything this unflattering in our lives so we’re sticking to ankle length ( from Marks and Spencer since you’re asking…)

Going up:

Nike Liberty Dunks: The trainer ticking all the summer trend boxes - hi-tops (which all the cool kids know are the only style of trainer to rock right now) covered in pretty floral Liberty prints. They’re heading into Dover Street Market tomorrow for £85, so get there early to avoid the rush. We want, we want, we want…

Giles Martini case: Now this is a designer collaboration we can really get behind. Combining our two favourite things, fashion and gin, this studded case has been designed by Giles Deacon for Tanqueray and holds everything you could need to make the perfect martini. It hits Harvey Nichols this month and costs a hefty £510. Now, how many G&T’s could we buy for that?

Goodhood.com: The shopping website for this super-cool Hoxton based store has just launched and is fast becoming one of our favourite sites. Championing independent brands like Casette Playa, PAM (an ELLE favourite) andRittenhouse, it’s a must-visit for all you cutting edge fashion fans out there…

Going down:

Rachel Zoe: Alledgedly she has been disinvited from New York’s annual glamourfest, the Met Ball, thanks to her slightly ill-judged comments about Anna Wintour. On the plus side she still gets to dress a bevy of stars for the event which is, after all, her job. Do you think we could get her ticket instead?

Summer sandals: And ballet pumps. In fact, any footwear that doesn’t at least reach the ankle. Pouring rain + summer shoes = damp feet and miserable us. Until the sun starts shining (and when will that be please?) it’s boots or nothing for us. It may not be cool but if this carries on much longer we may even break out the wellies…

The Gwyneth haters: So she keeps her family to herself, doesn’t get drunk in public and her films aren’t always that exciting. But how can you hate someone with such fabulous shoes? Stop being mean! We’ve been dazzled by her wardrobe and we’re totally on her side. The pro-Gywn t-shirts are being printed as we speak…

Going up:

The new bag from Aspinal of London: We love, love, love this St Tropez bag that has just been launched by Aspinal of London. Expect to see it littering the arms of countless celebrities before the month is out…

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: Funny and clever and with beautiful illustrations to match, this is our current must-read. Even better a film of the book is set for release next month, jam packed full of fabulous 1930’s fashion and starring Frances McDormand and Amy Adams.

Yummie Tummies: Just in time for summer, a vest that looks super stylish AND holds in the bits you’d rather hide. From vests to T-shirts, the Yummie Tummie range has a secret hidden panel that smooths over the lumps and bumps leaving you looking trim and fabulous. So much more attractive than control pants…

Going Down:

Staying in: The days have got longer, the sun is (tentatively) coming out and the summer events have started - the Camden Crawl lat weekend, Love Music Hate Racism on Sunday, the days of curling up inside are over. Bring on the fresh air!

Mass production: Apparently sales of sewing machines have soared Does this mean that fashion fans everywhere are getting creative? Or that they’re setting up their own sweat shops a la Alexa? We suspect many of these recent purchases are currently gathering dust (like ours) but we whole heartedly approve of DIY fashion. Time for a trip to John Lewis…

Celebs and their coffee: We are perplexed. Don’t celebrities have staff to get their coffee for them? Didn’t their mother ever tell them it’s rude to drink in the street? Surely the likes of the Olsens should be getting their Starbucks for free by now? So many questions…

Going up:

Actresses-turned-singers: There have definitely been more hits than misses in this camp but we’re loving Zooey Deschanel’s new band She and Him and we’re eagerly anticipating Scarlett Johansson’s album of Tom Waits covers that’s set to be released next month. Infinitely preferably to the likes of Martine McCutcheon…

Sex and the City speculation: With just over a month to go until the movie is released Cynthia Nixon has revealed that one of the characters is set to die. Will Samantha’s cancer return? Will Big have a heart attack at the altar? Or will Carrie fall off her Manolo’s under a bus? The possibilities are endless but we reckon you should have your hankies at the ready…

Anchors: From the motifs on the gorgeous bikinis by Frost French for Debenhams to the Giles and Brother pendant, we’ve fallen for them hook, line and sinker…

Going down:

Heathrow’s terminal 5: First there were the long queues, then Naomi’s dramatic arrest and now they’ve lost Kate’s Louis Vuitton luggage containing samples of her next collection for Topshop. Could it get any worse?

Celebrity twins: Is anyone else getting a bit freaked out by the way that Evan Rachel Wood is becoming more and more like Dita von Teese every time she makes an appearance. Is this a conscious decision or is this the effect that Marilyn Manson has on his girlfriends? We think it’s time she forged her own style…

Skinny minnies: Politicians in France are considering making the promotion of anorexia on websites, blogs and in ads a criminal offense. What will Karl do if this comes into force? Does this mean that Beth Ditto will become the face of, well, everything? We await the outcome with interest…

Going up:

Pilates: We’ve been bombarded by pictures of Madonna looking fabulous all week and, although we’re not quite convinced by her penchant for leotards, we’re loving her look. And if she can do it, why can’t we? We’re heading straight to Beautcamp and have booked our first Pilates class…

Denim: We’re not talking jeans here - the high street is awash with everything from ruffled skirts to towering platforms made with our favourite fabric and the celebs are setting the trend so make like Alexa and go denim-tastic…

PPQ: Our favourite party dress destination has done yet another collaboration, this time with Ben Sherman. Choose from 5 dresses themed from 5 different decades once they hit the stores this month - we’re lusting after the 1980s…

Going down:

Naomi Campbell: Oops, she did it again. Queen of tantrums Naomi got arrested and was hauled kicking and screaming off a flight from Heathrow. Looks like she’ll be back cleaning toilets before you can say diva…

Moccasins: Say yes to fringing and no to the new Uggs. One, two, three, repeat after us, ‘My name is not Pocahontas’…

American Apparel: Being sued by Woody Allen for using an image of him in one of their ad campaigns. Apparently he’s not a big fan of jersey vests and gold lame leggings…

Going up:

Kate Moss, The Biography: The newest ‘tell all’ book about our favourite supermodel has hit the shelves. Unfortunately it’s in French. Quick, who can translate for us?

House of Holland @ Movida: Get on your dancing shoes and head to the hottest club night in town, Fash Bash – yes, the music’s bound to be good but the celeb spotting will be even better… ( every month at Movida, Argyll Street,W1)

Colourful trainers: We’re still lusting after the latest designs from Pierre Hardy (below) but we’ll settle for Reebok or east-end cool kid approved Nike’s too.

Carla Bruni: We’re obsessed. What will she wear next?! And, look, she’s meeting the Queen! And sitting in a carriage! Our new favourite celebrity.

Going down:

Chocolate: Hands up if you over indulged at the weekend? Us too. Diet central, here we come…

Going out: With all new series of The Apprentice and Desperate Housewives, plus the arrival of (we can hardly contain our excitement) Gossip Girl, there are simply no evenings available for us to be sociable.

Winter bodies: Shops stocked with new spring clothes remind us  it’s not too long before the sun comes out – time to book the waxes and pedicures and reach for the fake tan…

Rod Stewart’s clothing line: Seriously? We think this celebrity turning designer thing has gone too far…

The internet is abuzz with talk of the latest round of Marc Jacobs ads. No, not the oh-so-cool sequels to the Posh offerings featuring one of the coolest girls on the planet, M.I.A., but the ones featuring Bjorn Borg and and John McEnroe:

Oh, all right, as you may have guessed there’s some serious fakery going on here. According to Fashionista.com, the spoofs hail from New York-based duo Greg Hart and Thomas Larson who have their own creative agency and who dressed themselves up and posed for the ‘ads’ just for kicks. I have to say I’m pretty impressed – their wigs may not be convincing but they captured pretty much perfectly the feel of your average Jeurgen Teller shoot. And of course, the Marc Jacobs ads as a rule have a hefty dose of humour about them. These spoofs are good but I can’t say they made me laugh as much as the first time I saw Victoria Beckhams legs sticking out of a monster tote.

Anyway, we know that MJ is pretty internet savvy – let’s not forget that he posted comments on Cathy Horyn’s blog during the late-fashion-show-drama of 2007 – and I bet you anything that he’s checked them out and had a good old giggle to himself. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past him to a) use the ads for real b) give Hart + Larson a job (which is perhaps what they’re angling for) or c) use Bjorg and McEnroe as the inspiration for his next show. Would they really be any more outlandish than Spongebob Squarepants? Click here to see the full range of pics…

Continuing the anti-fur theme from last week, I couldn’t help but notice that one of my favourite perma-tanned celebs, Lindsay Lohan, has been spotted stepping out sporting the latest must have accessory - a no fur badge from PETA.

Now, far be it for me to judge or use the words jump or bandwagon, but it’s only a matter of moments since LiLo stepped out in a whole succession of pretty hideous ensembles which all had a distinctly non-fake furry theme. Want to see an example?

Mmmm, the fur lined cape. Hot, no? Now PETA reportedly left her off their most hated list this year because she’s been showing signs of improvement in taste and shopping habits. Apparently the sight of her in her leather jacket is more palettable. Frankly I’d take almost anything over those damned leggings that she wears 24/7, but that’s just me. Anyway, back to the subject in hand. Do you think that she’s really had a moral turnaround or is she merely concerned about the prospect of being covered in flour or having her very own dedicated website a la the Olsens? Only time will tell…

Anyone who knows me well will be aware that on my list of fun things to do, exercise of any sort doesn’t rank particularly high. Or rather it doesn’t rank at all. It follows, therefore, that golf is not an activity in which I indulge terribly often. I meandered round the golf course with my step-mum once or twice as a teenager but nowadays the closest I get is tying to dodge the golfers while strolling on Wimbledon Common. However, the pictures that have just dropped into my inbox of the new golf collection from Stella McCartney for adidas nearly have me reaching for a five iron.

We’re not talking plus fours and flat caps here; cute tailored shorts, smart polo shirts and, my personal favourite, a gorgeous trench-style jacket, will look as good off the course as on. As Stella herself says, ‘I think it is about time that women who wear golf can now echo what they wear in everyday life on the green. It’s exciting for me to bring a bit of an edge to golf.’ I predict that club memberships will be up across the country. The range is in adidas Sport Performance stores now - call 0870 240 4204 to find you nearest stockist.

Today I went for a bit of a wander during my lunch hour and found myself at Topshop, Oxford Circus (quelle surprise). Hidden away behind the bustling crowds I noticed a new window.

With a distinctly jungle theme – a bikini clad mannequin surrounded by foliage and cuddly toy reptiles – this is the latest collaboration between the high street favourite and Olsen-hating anti-fur group PETA. Splashed across the glass is the slogan ‘Exotic skins make our blood run cold – Join Topshop in saying ‘No’ to cruelty’, the aim being to encourage shoppers to spurn anything made from exotic animal skins due to the inhumane way in which they are farmed. (If you want to know the gory details and see the evidence for yourself then click here.) To be honest I can’t imagine that the average Topshop customer snaps up too much crocodile skin on their shopping trips, but I definitely appreciate the sentiment. The window will be up until March 14th so go down and check it out.