Dior's new direction

Raf Simons must have felt under great pressure at his debut Dior show at Paris couture week but he stepped up to the mark and certainly didn't fail to impress. His vision to infuse 'the codes of dior' but include 'more energy' came together on the catwalk as the scrutinising fashion world gave Simons their seal of approval. Following in the big footsteps of John Galliano, who was sacked last April, Dior has been at the centre of controvesy but delivered just the comeback required.

A much anticipated and discussed debut that will go down in fashion history Simons incorporated his own signature style, which is minimal and aware of practicalities, amongst the pretty, detailed, feminity which Dior has typically been recognised for and the result was definately a success. I think we can all rest assured that Dior is in very safe hands under Raf Simons control and the future of the iconic brand will bring a lot to look forward to.

Images from Vogue

Royal Ascot 2012: The good, the bad and the ugly

Royal Ascot is as much about the races as it is about the outfits. The much talked about and controversial reformed dress code for Royal Ascot 2012, strict hemlines and no fascinators, didn't seem to stop the fun. High heels, stylish dresses and statement ( and eccentric) hats remained the focus of attention on Ladies Day. Here is my selection of hats guaranteed to catch your eye - for all the right and wrong reasons...

Not meaning to wish my time away...

I know there's no time like the present but let's blame the weather, which isn't exactly providing us with that summer-time feeling and as the previews for spring/summer '13 collections are looking ever so pretty what's the harm in creating an early wish list? It will give us something to look forward to and here's how mine will begin:

Valentino Resort 2013

Gucci Resort 2013

Erdem Resort 2013

Colours fit for a Queen

The Queen hasn't failed to impress the nation over the Jubilee celebrations and as a result Vogue have created this colour chart proving to us all that we all need a splash of colour in our lives.

Rainbow Queen

Special edition Pantone colour guide

So if the Queen can pull off this seasons candy hues using fashion-forward colour trends there's no stopping any of us!

Jubilee Fever

A double bank holiday, the perfect excuse for baking and street parties but overall: the chance for everyone to become patriotic - it's no wonder jubilee fever is sweeping the nature.

Here's my pick of the best of British:

Dior manicure

The iconic Bayswater with a twist

Baking inspiration

So whilst we have the perfect excuse to celebrate let's not overlook our very own style icon who hasn't let us down during her 60 years at the top:

Chris Levine portrait of the Queen

Lucian Freud

'What do I ask of a painting?

I ask it to astonish, disturb, seduce and convince.'

- Lucian Freud

The Lucian Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery has been talked about as the exhibition of the year and now I understand what all the hype is about, as no textbooks give Freud's paintings their deserved justice unless they're seen in the flesh, quite literally. 

Despite having studied Freud at school I hadn't fully appreciated the stylistic changes that occurred during his career but as you make your way through the exhibition you feel as if you gain an insight into his lovers, family and friends. 

I've got to admit that I'm not usually one to take much time appreciating individual pieces at galleries but there's a quality to Freud's paintings that demands this of the viewer. The brushstrokes, the colour and the subjects are just a few of the aspects that make this a must see and I'd definitely agree that the 130 works of the exhibition successfully 'astonish, disturb, seduce and convince.'

Eli and David

Benefits Supervisor Sleeping

Hurry up Easter...

Having faced the challenge of giving up chocolate for lent Easter can't come quick enough for me. But the Easter Egg just became glamourous. Vivienne Westwood has added a fashionable twist to chocolate (surely a winner?) by teaming up with Fortnum and Mason to give Easter a decadent twist.

So if you're going to treat yourself, make this the perfect excuse - at least you're doing it in style... Enjoy!