I was pretty delighted when I received a breakfast invite to meet with Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE magazine, to discuss the launch of fashion’s answer to the X-Factor-The Shopgirl to Stylist competition, which launches today!

Lorraine says: “This is a unique and exciting projects which heroes the men and women who literally style the nation. They deserve more credit for what they do, and we will give them that in the pages of ELLE”.

As part of ELLE magazine’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, the British style bible is on the hunt for super-talented shop girls and boys, who, if selected, will win a chance to style an ELLE shoot, plus a magazine internship and expert mentoring from ELLE’s internationally renowned fashion director, Anne-Marie Curtis who wants to give the winner, their big break, with a stylist’s profile and lots of contacts.

25 super shop stylists will appear on the website where readers can comment and list their favourites, and then ten will make the grade to head-to-head stylist challenges, where they get help from the ELLE team.

If you’re out shopping this weekend, why not let that helpful shopgirl with awe-inspiring shoes in H&M, know about it, or if you are one of those rocking shop girls that we love so much, apply – it’s allowed!

www.elleuk.com/shopgirltostylist

Guest post from the gorgeous Miss Carla at MessyCarla

I managed to swing a last minute invite to Bernard Chandran’s Private Dinner party at the beginning of London Fashion Week last weekend. I was only supposed to be going to cover The Look Show for New Look, so it was a bit of luck that I was in the big smoke to blog about this for The Sassy Minx!
 
Bernard Chandran is Malaysia’s hottest designer – as well as being a television personality in Asia, being the chief designer on Project Runway Malaysia, he also has a stream of high-profile celebrity clients, such as Lady Gaga, Little Boots, Rhianna, Tori Amos and the royal families of Malaysia and Brunei.
 
So, it’s fair to say it was fairly intimidating meeting a man at the fabulous Awawa restaurant in Chelsea (just down the street from Louis Vuitton and Prada…), which is one of the country’s top restaurants, and co-operating with Malaysia Kitchen to promote Malaysian food in the UK.
 

 
However, he wasn’t intimidating at all – in actual fact, for such a hot designer he was incredibly down to earth and friendly. I write a blog about being a size 16, and he seemed really into this idea. “When I design for women, I do not think of their bodies – I love women’s imaginations and spirit more!” He sparkles, “My assistant for example can’t fit into any of my collection and that’s fine – I hired her for her personality!”

When I asked him about his collection, although his latest collection is the height of couture, with enlarged sleeves and skirts in many of the pieces, he describes his look as wearable. “It’s all about context,” he explained. “You wouldn’t wear one of these pieces to the beach, would you? But I love them all – I call them my babies, and I couldn’t pick a favourite!”

 
Amongst his celebrity friends present were Mr. Hudson, Beverley Knight (who when watching a playback of the show asked me “Couldn’t you just see me on TV in that?” I definitely had to agree – it was a beautiful sparkly purple bodycon dress), Sophie Anderton and Jimmy Choo – who FYI: was very sweet and polite – despite the fact I was wearing £35 heels from Next!
 
It was a wonderful, sparkling event – filled with people in the industry including designers, photographers, journalists and bloggers. I even got talking to Alexandra Burke’s family over a fantastic chicken dish and chocolate mousse. That’s Chelsea for you – you never know who you’re going to run into over dessert!
 

 
Many thanks to Sassy Minx Miss Lisa for letting me go in her place and get to tell you all about this! And be sure to follow my blog at http://messycarla.blogspot.com!

Now I am all for a bit of china, especially when it comes to settling down to a nice cup of tea, a few fondant fancies and a good book. Which was why my insides did a little jump for joy when I found Trixie Delicious, a continuous range of china, that isn’t necessarily traditional but frankly rocks my world. I want to put the Seven Heavenly Virtues up on my wall, put my junk jewellery into the Stash jar, and stain the Tart teacup with my red lipstick marks. Meet Karen and enjoy the fabulousness behind it all!

Who/what inspires you and why?
Inspiration comes from everywhere- websites tv programmes, magazines, books, shop windows, people on the street…I try and write ideas down, as I go along, but it doesn’t always work out. I’m my own harsh critic and discard allot when I read them back.

What do you love about being a woman in the world?
I’ve always enjoyed fashion and I guess women have more scope with that, than guys. I don’t mind getting older because I’m happy to swap wrinkle free skin for wisdom.. The world has changed a lot since I grew up in the 70s, and I think it is better for women now. The internet has definitely improved the global female network . I live in New Zealand which has a larger female population than male so macho attitudes have had to change as well and here we have had strong female role models- a female PM and Governor General in the last decade.

Where are your five must-go destinations for inspiration, life..
I have had a long relationship with the USA, – Got married in NYC in 1994, honeymooned in San Fran and I have travelled many times to LA.

Oaxaca Mexico where I spent a fabulous birthday. I’m a Halloween baby which coincides with the Day of the Dead celebrations. Tripping through a graveyard, drinking tequila, while mariachi bands and fireworks blasted away, was an experience I’ll never forget.

Melbourne Australia- great city, pretty architecture, fabulous food.

New Zealand’s South Island- beautiful scenic roads with no one on them!

Auckland city.I was born here and have lived here all my life so it is home.The city has grown up a lot in the last decade and is becoming more cosmopolitan which is a good thing.

What has been your proudest moment so far?
Giving birth twice- I have a son and daughter.

Which five tracks make Karen’s day?
I’m a Bowie fan and I love Starman
I have too many musical loves to say…

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Eyeliner
Niki de Sainte Phalle eyeshadow kit- outrageous colours, hard to find
Red lipstick
Good moisturiser
I’m a fan of tinted moisturisers as I don’t like powder.

Niki de Sainte Phalle perfume- hard to find

What makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
A sense of achievement. Graduating from art school after 4 years. Its tough been a student for so long- going without money etc..

What is your life Motto?.
Don’t just talk about it, do it!!

What is next for Trixie Delicious, and what is your favourite ever piece?
I put together a set of Seven Deadly Sins out of old chipped plates and used different fonts on each. It hangs above my bed and I can’t part with them.
Trixie will just keep going the same way maybe I will develop my own online shop one of these days-see motto…now that I’ve said it I’ll have to do it!

Quick fire round: What’s your favourite?
Shop: Etsy
Book: Many but I like a good bio- Keith Richards by Victor Bockris- hilarious
Website/blog:Badder Homes and Gardens.com- they are wickedly funny naughty and gorgeous girls
Hang-out: Boatshed on the Kaipara harbour, 2 hrs north of Auckland
City: LA
Must-have beauty item:eyeliner – it’s an 80s hangover!
TV prog: Hung
Food: My husbands pasta dishes- he was Italian in a former life.

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you, Karen?
Confident, foxy and witty

We are crossing our fingers for that online shop, Karen! x

Find our more at www.trixiedelicious.com

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