The time has come to fess up!

You already knew there was something strange going on didn’t you! My unprecedented absence in the last week, amongst other things will have alerted you to the fact that we have had technical problems and then some.

But there’s more! I’ve been working on an event that will take place at London Fashion Week to celebrate the beauty of diversity. Yes women of all shapes and sizes at London fashion Week hurrah!I’ve picked a picture of the lovely Jade Parfitt who was the first model to donate her services but in the name of diversity we have women ranging form size 8 to 16 and ages 17 to 65. More about that later.

Jane, has also been so busy on the first ever 10 Years Younger Live show that I’ve taken to looking longingly at a picture of the two of us together because I can’t even get her on the phone right now!

That will all be rectified this Thursday when the two of us will be reunited and I help her on rehearsal day.

I’ve been writing the two live stage shows and then I’ll stand in for Myleene Klass while we mark everything on stage and check that the script works together with the fashion choreography.  Of course we’ve both made sure there are plenty of figure fixing tips for the fashion lovers amongst you and Jane will explain those live on stage.

And as she has practically donated an organ to give this event life I can tell you it will be good. Tickets cost £21.80 inc booking fee. www.10yearsyoungerlive.co.uk

It takes place this Friday 3rd July through the weekend too at Earls Court 2, so if you are fancying a fashion day out here’s an appetizer of what to expect.

Of course if you can’t make it but fancy some mentoring then why not investigate my fashion and beauty advice for women over 40.

The latest fashion, hair and beauty news and trends.

Advice on how to achieve the most flattering hair cut and colour to suit your face shape and lifestyle.

The best ways to get in shape in double quick time with the help from the very best personal trainers and nutritionists.

Live ‘Fabulous in High Heels’ master classes from author Sarah Toner to transform your posture & confidence in one swift step.

Marks & Spencer’s Bra fitting service.

Figleaves swimwear fittings & style advisor suggestions.

Evans Curve Clinic.

And much more

Over and Out.

The trip down memory lane, last post was fun. Today I thought I’d bring things bang up to date!

Here’s a black and white studio portrait of me recently where I feature without any digital enhancement.

It’s done the old fashioned way using daylight and lens exposure settings and this type of photography is a great way to give us ladies of a certain age a little allure and mystery.

These days, because of digital photography, all fine lines on the skin are very clearly defined leaving nothing to blur or look less defined in the shadow.

The problem is modern studio pictures are taken digitally, and can age the sitter so appallingly that it’s really very tempting, when it is being offered by the photographer to have a little ‘touching up,’

I think you know what I mean ladies – no smutty thoughts puleeease!

In  digital pics I’ve had taken recently swear I look like the mummified crypt keeper (yes I am prone to exaggeration but you get my point.) And in this colour photo, I’ve had that digital make-over

That’s why I am in sympathy with celebs who will be featuring in a cover shoot and want a little less ‘revelation’

But I do think a declaration on the part of the magazine that digital enhancement is used, could be helpful.

Especially when it comes to advertising.

You know the images where a teenager with perfect skin and dentistry has her skin airbrushed, so she can show middle aged women the merits of the latest anti aging skin cream. You know, the ones where you forget to remind yourself that it’s all a big fib.

I explain  in more depth how the beauty industry can hoodwink you in my ageless style e-book along with some cracking tools for understanding how to look your best after 40.

In the trade it’s called wish fulfillment, because advertisers believe that you want to see a perfect young face when you are thinking of buying an anti aging skin cream but I call it criminal. But what say you on this subject? I’d really like to know?

You are all very well behaved and never comment on what I am wearing! I thought my up to the minute all in-one-might draw some  comments perhaps?.

But no! So I’m thinking I must try harder! How about this…I’ve been writing a piece for Elle magazine in which I was reminiscing about dressing up in the 80’s and here’s a look I was wearing nearly 30 years ago when I was a young fashion editor in 1982 larking about in the studio. Still got those bondage strides but they are very very fragile now.

Speaking of starting out!

As you know I like a show and tomorrow I will host the Graduate Fashion Week Gala Show. It full be full of delightful freshly graduated designers who hope to go on to make their name.

Christopher Bailey the man behind the rejuvenation of Burberry confided in me, that I had interviewed him as a nervous young graduate and he never forgot the fear of having a camera and microphone pointed his way. Bless.

On to important things now. I’ve borrowed my dress from Osman Yousefada it’s a marvellous coral clingy number. I will be test driving it today in my bedroom to make sure I have no VPLs. I picked it to suit my pear shape and the draping over the tummy is very flattering too.

I know how to choose figure fixing clothes to flatter my shape and yes I’ll show you in the next post how it all looked but sometimes I get it wrong too.  I didn’t buy the most comfortable shoes recently, as those of you who are regular readers of this blog know and despite my loud declarations never to wear those ridiculously high ‘bullies,’ again I might have to go a few more rounds with them one more time in pursuit of co-ordination, since I haven’t been shoe shopping in the interim to replace them.

Yes I know I work with clothes all the time but who’s got a moment to actually go clothes shopping?

I see Vogue are tackling the subject of Ageless Style again this issue. Now that we’ve had it officially confirmed that we are the generation who will bring us out of the recession due to our old fashioned need not to rely on credit and our spending power after years nursing a career, we are hip again?

Tosh we were always hip.

I’ve just finished writing an article for Elle magazine about the 80’s spirit of individuality and personal statement. We invented it for goodness sake. That’s why I don’t ever take any notice of those ‘get the look,’ features. I just wear what I think I look good in.

Hence my picture today of me before I left for town this a.m. to visit my mates at Bryan Morel PR to get a dress for next weeks Graduate fashion awards but more about that another time.

As you can see I’m test-driving my new all in one bought from House Of Fraser. It’s by ‘Liquorish,’ about £60.00 (I forget the exact amount) and it’s just right for summer sophistication. I added a studded jacket bought from All Saints a few seasons ago, but very now darlings!

I’m loving myself, but I know due to the ubiquitous display of all in ones in all the stores it might just see my through to hols in Ibiza (not the trendy part – I go with my family, sisters and parents) and then it will be over. Either I will have had enough or it will begin to look dated due to its popularity.

Having the confidence to rely on your own judgement is something I talk about in my Ageless Style e-book as well as much more about looking good after 40. If you realise the trends are just a device for you to use in your quest to build a capsule wardrobe and you understand how to work them into your look, them, you are half way to creating your own confident style.

You’d think given the amazing weather over the weekend, that I would be really cheesed off at having to spend it all in a huge windowless building, air conditioning so pumped up that I needed leggings and a jacket but…

It is with genuine delight that I’m posting my pics not really with too much to say about the Clothes Show Live except that I had a fabulous time.

Of course I had hoped to post some of the press pics and I’m still waiting but no matter I’m sure my marvelous dress by John Rocha will momentarily thrill you.

I’m announcing now though that the new red shoes blogged so excitedly about two weeks ago seen here with JR’s dress are on their way to a charity auction.

We’ve already had the chat about heel height but I have to concede that so extreme was the discomfort in these red devils, I had to return to my lucky Georgina Goodman heels for a romp down the runway to introduce the show with the delectable George Lamb.

Other times during the day I even wore flats to run then length of the Excell centre to the style stage

Of course I know from the feedback that I got that anyone who went did too and my body shape work shop in association with New look went down a storm (although this picture of me backstage isn’t the sort of body shape work shop I mean). I’m talking about styling tips to flatter your shape ladies what do you think I mean!

It’s amazing how many women came up to say afterwards that the figure fixing tips I had given on stage were very helpful.

To see the blue dress and me in action click here.