Avril Lavigne goes global

Like so many celebrities that hope to break into the fashion industry, Avril Lavigne partnered with a big retailer when she launched her own fashion line Abbey Dawn in 2008, but just two years later, the pop star turned business woman ended her relationship with Kohl and Lavigne began her journey to build a global fashion company.

Her new online store has now also included two fragrances, Black Star and Forbidden Rose to her collection of online fashion.

The music diva launched her business website AbbeyDawn.com, last December, and its clothing is now available in more than 50 countries. The site features her iconic rocker-chic T-shirts and hoodies with her bold graphics designs and bright colors including hot pink and lime green. Some of her clothing is emblazoned with the titles of Lavigne's singles, such as "Smile"and "What the Hell." Lavigne says she is "deeply involved" in every step of the clothing design process. "The brand reflects my own style, so nothing goes on the shelves that I wouldn't wear myself," she says.

The pop star recently completed a three-week tour in Asia, and is now planning to unveil a full spring collection at the Bread & Butter trade show in Berlin. Over the the next year the music star plans to expand her new business into new categories, such as footwear and denim. "Our main goal right now is to make our clothes available to fans all over the world," Lavigne says. "When I see girls wearing Abbey Dawn, it's awesome."

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Cheryl braves a bold new look

It's not the first time Cheryl's undergone a style makeover

From Dannii Minogue’s sophisticated sleek bob to Marilyn Monroe’s sexy blonde locks, we’re all guilty of copying hair trends from celebrities. Whether it’s an attempt at home or a cut at the hairdressers, everyones after the latest trends.

Once again, the trend setter is fashion icon Cheryl Cole. The girls aloud singer and Ex-Xfactor judge has once again left hair salons being flooded with women asking for the ‘Cheryl look’. We’ve craved her brunette curls or her red tinted waves but now with a fabulous new cut there’s a whole new trend.

This week, celebrating her 28th birthday with a bang, Cheryl ditched her flawless chocolate waves and took a risk with a long blonde bob. The distinctive, modern cut was unveiled as she held a celeb filled fabulous birthday party, estimated to have cost around £20,000.  Despite taking Cheryl’s xfactor role, Tulisa Contostavlos was one of the many famous guests who attended, along with Ashley Cole's brother Matthew and the Black Eyed Peas.

Magazines follow Cheryl’s rollar coaster life every second of every day, yet despite Cheryl’s recent injuction, preventing the paparazzi from taking photographs while she's in a private place, her US Xfactor failure was splashed across the media. After an obvious low point in Cheryl’s career her daring new look is said to be a turning point for Cheryl. The Geordie looked a new woman, happy confident and classy complimenting her the fresh start in her white Stella McCartney dress.

This new look is admitedly daring and adventurous, but once pulled off, is unique charismatic and expressive way to make your life a little more interesting.

Photo courtesy of randomplaces

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Another high street giant goes into administration

Zolfo Cooper, has been appointed the main accountancy firm that will manage the sale of the 90 plus store chain, which was put up for sale by its banks last month after a month of turbulent sales following a period of poor performance.

Reports suggest the company may be open to a controversial sale via a controversial pre pack administration, a pre pack administration allows a company to be sold even if it has debts in excess of £140 million.

There are a number of buyers that may take interest if the situation develops including, Edinburgh mills and Debenhams.

Fashion retailers across the high streets have been hit hard the past few months as a downturn of the consumer economy combined with warm weather and bank holidays have hurt profits which in turn have made trade plummet.

According to figures made by the accountants BDO sales fell by 10.5 pc in the week ending May with that sales of clothes slumped to a disappointing 11.2 pc and footwear dropped by 5.0 pc.

Jane Norman was founded in 1952 in London. The chain used to be owned by Baugur, the Icelandic investor, and Kaupthing, the bank. Both institutions collapsed during the credit crisis and the chain is now majority-owned by a consortium of around 15 banks.

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Diet Coke mixes fashion and social media on new ad campaign

Photo: the style PA

Diet Coke, who recently collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to produce a stylish limited edition bottle design, is now expanding its influence fashion industry by launching a new fashion channel which will link with Yahoo UK, hosted under Lifestyle, this will further Yahoo’s goal of pursuing the fashion market and also the market of mothers like myself into drinking more coca cola.

The Channel which will be called "The style is light," presents a daily chronicle of fashion, style, fashion focused galleries, reviews, fashion advice, and an interactive content channel which also includes interactive content tailored to users personal interests and will help up and coming fashion designers and aspiring students to view work and make comments.
I’ve found the site itself to be very resourceful and a great replacement for many of the other gossip and news sites the only down side is that the site itself is plastered in images of diet coke and as many mothers know the mixtures of good gossip and the influence of coca cola will end in many a sleepless night.

The channel is part of a broader "Light It Live" campaign which was launched in late May to promote Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light across the entire north-western Europe and the Nordic region
James Wildman, managing director and vice president of sales for the United Kingdom and Ireland on Yahoo, was quoted as saying, "We believe that branded content is the future of online advertising, and this type of exclusive and innovative site is a great way for brands to reach, engage and interact with consumers "

Coca-Cola Light TV campaign launched last month in the "love is the light" campaign that includes limited edition bottles designed by Karl Lagerfeld and outdoor advertising campaign photographed by the designer which I have found to be quite cleverly made and enticing to the eye.

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Short shorts… Good news or bad?

So the summer months are almost upon us and so far one thing is becoming abundantly clear – short shorts are going to be HUGE! Whether you’re rocking out at your favourite festival, chilling in the park with friends or jet setting on a well deserved holiday, there’s no escaping this summer’s biggest trend.

Now I’m no Agyness Deyn so the thought of showing off my legs filled me with dread I find difficult to express here. From being a teenager with those awkward and embarrassing PE lessons in school, I’ve never been quick to get me legs out on show for the world. (well not the world exactly, but you know what I mean!)

Having said that, every magazine from Elle to Closer and Heat show gorgeous girls confidently striding around in heels and shorts, telling us that these are the only things to be seen in this season. As a moderately lazy excerciser the past year, I do have gym membership which I’ll dust off every couple of weeks, and the focus will very much be lunges and squats for me!

Follow the blog over the next few weeks and I promise I’ll share all on my progress from short shy office girl to pin flaunting cutoff Queen in weeks!

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