Swedish born, London based Fannie Schiavoni creates amazing jewellery.

Her trademark chain pieces drape beautifully, following the lines of the feminine form. She uses hard-wearing, structurally sound materials to create elegant work. Her designs are going from strength to strength, this collection has taken the successful parts of her previous work and developed them beautifully.

Her A/W ‘10  designs have evolved onwards from the simple chain work, including metal scales and dyed sheep wool, making her pieces not just accessories but items of clothing.

You may have seen her cage dress if you’re an avid reader of Style Bubble, but expect to see a lot more of Fannie Schiavoni’s work in the future as Q magazine has recently strewn Lady Gaga with her work and plastered her all over the magazine.

Fannie’s designs are currently available on Browns Focus and Kabiri, but, if you are planning to invest in a piece I recommend you wait until the new collection is available, as it’s stunning!

For more info, visit her website.

Words and images by Clare Potts

Friday saw the start of London Fashion Week, with the official first digital steps to a digital LFW. LFW launched its new Digital Space, the Paul Costelloe show was streamed live, followed by a short film of 50 years of creative Britain, entitled Love & Money.

LFW has changed dramatically in its 26 years, at one time it was only the privileged and the big names in fashion such as the likes of Anna Wintour, who were invited and it was touch-and-go as to whether you’d get into a show, or whether your seat would turn out to be occupied by Boy George. Now ” Through bloggers and front row Tweeters, access has grown and grown,” said Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council. Now with the introduction of digital streaming the shows will become accessible to any fashion lover.

Throughout the course of LFW Live shows will be streamed on the LFW website, while the Digital Space will showcase fashion films from designers throughout the week. Designers including LP.BG, Danielle Scutt and Craig Lawrence used the British Fashion Councils FC screen to showcase their autumn/winter 2010-11 collection.

To view the schedule for the upcoming digital shows click the link below

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/digitalschedule

Whilst reading the Guardian online this week, I came across an interesting article on the ask Hadley feature, which was entitled, Why are so many fashion trends impossible to wear if you have breasts larger than a B-cup size?

As Hadley noted, this subject has caused quite a split amongst the fashion industry. Some fashion protesters have argued that high fashion is a part of the industry that has become dominated by 20 something, size four models, who have been chosen by gay designers to make women look ‘different’, rather then attractive. It is an industry that is all about appealing to gay men.

On the other hand, designers and fashion experts claim that contrary to popular belief, this type of model and the garments she parades have been created to set an example to women; these models have been chosen to embody the ideal that women should dress for themselves and not for heterosexual males. This takes stand against claims that high fashion is a ‘cruel anti-feminine industry, in which the sole goal is to make women feel bad about themselves.’ commented Hadley.

But unfortunately as a result of the goal to achieve the perfect, empowering woman and her wardrobe, the garments that are produced for this type of breed of female don’t usually seem to fit the everyday, full figured female population. And this is why the breast issue continues.

As Hadley stated ‘part of the reason why fashion gets such a bad rap; because it is basically a private member’s club that excludes men’. Being a young female working within the industry, I and many other women do find something refreshing in the fact that most areas of the fashion industry aren’t focused upon or obsessed with breast. But the problem is that we ourselves as women are obsessed with breast, we want bigger, better, smaller, we want perfection, because we live in a breast obsessed world! Even if some  individuals over a B-cup reduced down to this ‘ideal’ fashion size, the likely hood is that many would still  remain unhappy as they would perceive themselves as imperfect in the eyes the rest of the world.

Unfortunately we just have to face the fact that in some cases high fashion and breast go together like a pair of Jimmy Choos with a tracksuit.

Dolce and Gabbana have released their latest ad campaign which features a sultry, vamped  up 51-year-old Madonna. The images depict Madonna as a italian housewife in midst of her domestic chores, sweeping the floor and hiding behind some washing that she’s in the process of hanging out to dry. The ad images also show the housewife’s saucy side, when she is applying her make-up in a provocative manner and stroking a cat in an clevage amplifying, strapped corset. In another she sits crying on the edge of a bed with a half packed suitcase, seemingly ready to leave her husband and family.

Earlier in the week provocative images of Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall were seen in numerous publications, which seemed to cause mixed reactions amongst the public. Many commented that the 53 year old Sex and the City actress was too old to be dressing in such a manner and it should be left to young women. Whilst on the other hand many were quick to praise Kim Cattrall attitude, of just because she is middle aged, it doesn’t mean she can’t give young actresses and models a run for their money. I imagine that Madonna’s sexed up Dolce and Gabbana campaign may lead to the same debates, which I’m sure will prove to be no skin off Madonna’s nose she has built her career around controversy and shock tactics.

I personally think it’s great that both stars have the confidence to star in such risque shoots at 50years+. I don’t blame them one bit, I’m sure if we all looked in our 30’s at 50+, we would all be doing the same. As long as the shots are not offensive and shot in a tasteful manner then I don’t see the problem.

In both shoots the images have captured both Madonna’s and Kim Cattrall’s femininity and sensuality, showing they are powerful, desirable, naturally beautiful women.  I say fashion vamps!

In tribute to MFN’s X Frock-ter blog, I thought I would bring you what perhaps maybe the final X Frock-ter fashion face off between Dannii and Cheryl; if reports that Dannii is set to be replaced are true.

The ever glamourous pair attended last nights National Television Awards, where it wasn’t just the X Factor that triumphed, Dannii Minogue came out victorious once again over the young geordie beauty.

It was Danniis first major public appearance since she announced she was pregnant, and she certainly was glowing. She opted for a classic horizontally striped, monochrome, vintage prom dress paired with towering fire engine red platforms.

Cole unfortunately failed to shine, in perhaps the worst gown choice of the evening. She wore a Stephane Rolland long, grey, embellished chiffon dress which only exencuated how dramatically thin she now looks. And teamed the dress with matching cuffs.

After many months in battle, the resounding of this years X-Frock-ter fashion face off is….. Miss Dannii Minogue. She blew the public and press away with her effortless style and excellent fashion choices that were, sexy, confident and sophisticated. From maxi to minidresses, she regularly opted for her favourite Australian designers J’Aton Couture and Ralph & Russo. And full credit to Dannii she pulled together her own outfits, without the aid of stylists – resulting in edgy hairdos, statement earrings and a floor-sweeping gown. Well done Dannii!