ASOS Blog

Date For Your Diary: Watch asos on BNTM This Monday!

No doubt you've been loving the new series of Britain's Next Top Model (if you're lucky enough to have Living TV, that is). There's been all the usual crying, catfights and catwalking, but things are about to get a whole lot hotter - as this week, the girls come to asos.com HQ!

Be sure to tune in this coming Monday at 9pm to get a little behind-the-scenes glimpse at your favourite online fashion store, and to find out what our fabulous Creative Director, Matt Setchell, makes of the girls. And to get a sneak preview of what's in store, click below to watch an exclusive trailer...

Exclusive Sneak Peek - High Summer Collection Preview

If you're wondering what you'll be wearing come high summer this year, then you're about to find out!

The great and the good from the ever-glamorous fashion media descended on asos.com earlier this month to view our up-and-coming high summer collection and share their views on what to buy for this years summer essentials.

In this exclusive insider video clip we give you a sneak preview of what’s due online in the coming months at asos.com. The high summer collection will be arriving on site throughout May - so start working on your wish list now!

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The Stars and Style of New Must-See TV Show 'Gossip Girl'

Did you catch the premiere of Gossip Girl on ITV2 last night? How addicted already are we!? It’s a mix of Sex and the City meets The OC by way of Mean Girls. The basic 411 is thus - the show follows the lives of a group of pretty, rich, school-going Upper East Siders in New York, whose every social move (and misdemeanour) is blogged by the mysterious Gossip Girl, the show’s narrator (very Desperate Housewives).

Already big news across the pond, the first episode was as scandalous and fabulously fashionable as we’d been led to expect (our favourite style spots from last night’s episode were a fabulous gold sequined dress, tartan mini skirts – soo next season - and an abundance of over-the-knee socks).

Here we profile the show's main characters (once you’ve seen it, they’re likely to become your surrogate friends over the next 13 weeks) and sum up their individual style…

Serena van der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively)

Beautiful blonde Serena used to be the Queen Bee of the social scene – before she went AWOL without any explanation, that is. Rumour has it she shipped herself off to boarding school. One year later and she re-emerges to find she’s been replaced at the top of the social hierarchy – not that she’s bothered, as she's turned over a new leaf and left all that superficial stuff behind her. Or has she? Turns out her disappearance was down to a rather raunchy episode with her best friend Blair’s boyfriend. Whoopsy.

Serena’s Style – most definitely the Carrie Bradshaw of the show, ‘It’ Girl Serena’s look is eclectic and cool with more than a hint of boho. Think shoe boots, prints and long, tumbling curls.

Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester)

Serena’s former BF prior to her going missing for a year - although their relationship has always been competitive and volatile. In Serena’s absence Blair stepped up and became the leader of the pack, a role she relished, and so she was less than pleased to see Serena reappear – especially when her boyfriend, Nate, confessed to having hooked up with her before she went MIA. Serena is now her arch enemy.

Blair’s Style – Every inch the cool Upper East Side princess, Blair is preppy with a stylish twist – hairbands and pearls a-plenty, but always worn in a fashion-forward way.

Jenny Humphrey (played by Taylor Momsen)

A little younger than the other girls and hailing from Brooklyn (and therefore not quite UES pedigree), Jenny is desperate to fit into the social network and this, along with her naivety, tends to land her in some sticky situations (like last night’s problem with the lecherous Chuck), but her hero brother Dan (who is more than a little keen on Serena - are you keeping up?) is always on hand to save the day.

Jenny’s Style - quirky and individual, her look is fresh and youthful, with trademark pieces including socks, masses of bracelets and sneakers.

Katy Farkas and Isabel Coates (played by Nan Zhang and Nicole Fiscella)   

We couldn’t not mention these two fabulous characters. Typical upper class snobs who worship the ground Blair walks on, Katy and Isabel always wear the same outfits just in slightly different colour-ways. The ultimate popular-by-association hangers-on – fabulous.

Gossip Girl is on ITV2 every Thursday at 10pm - set that Sky+ box now, ladies!

Paris Fashion Week Round-Up

Our eyes are droopy, bags are beginning to form and we’re most definitely feeling a little dazed and confused – yet, despite the Fashion Week Fatigue having set in long ago, we’re still committed to bringing you all the gossip and new trends from Fashion Week. How dedicated? This weekend saw the last of the Big Four wrap up – here’s all you need to know from the Parisian shows. Until next time..!

After seasons and seasons of femininity, the femme fatale is back with a vengeance. Black dominated the Paris catwalks - a glossy, sexy black - with leather, patent and satin upping the sex factor. At Yves Saint Laurent the models had ultra-glossy hair and black lips to complete the "don't mess" look. Meanwhile, over at Alexander McQueen, figure-hugging suits celebrated the female form in a thoroughly hard-edged way.

There may be a global credit crunch imminent, but you wouldn’t know it from the Christian Dior runway. Going in the completely opposite direction of the stark looks above, the Dior show was a jubilant celebration of all things extravagant – with the finest glossy satins in the richest and most regal of colours, complete with masses of blinging embellishment, Dior designer John Galliano showed all his usual flare. With just a hint of the 60s evident in vibrant prints and stark, mononchromal eye make-up, it was a thoroughly fun and frivolous affair – a welcome antidote to the doom and gloom forecast.

* Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Claudia Schiffer and Rihanna at Chanel

* Lucy Liu and Monica Cruz at Christian Dior

* Rihanna, Kanye West and Lucy Liu at John Galliano

* Amy Winehouse rocked the Paris scene on closing night by performing to the 600-strong crowd gathered at the Fendi store to celebrate its re-opening. Backed by her full band, the London girl clearly felt over-awed by the occasion (well, she was hand-picked by Mr. Lagerfeld himself) as she announced to Kanye West, Jessica Alba, Rihanna and the rest of the audience "forgive my ignorance, but I don't know anything about fashion". Hmmm - wonder how her management company will like that comment, considering it's rumoured they're lining her up to introduce her own fashion line...

* Fendi weren't the only ones celebrating a store opening - Yves Saint Laurent also hosted an in-store party to toast opening the doors on a new shop. It wasn't quite as celeb-packed an affair however - it was left to guest of honour Lucy Liu to add some star-status.

Milan Fashion Week Round-Up

The fashion world said "ciao, Milano!" as the fash pack arrived in the Italian city last week for the third of the "Big Four" fashion weeks - only Paris remains. Read on for all the trend and celebrity news from the fashion front line...

Atten-shun! Military detailing was big news in Milan, which will reignite this age-old trend for autumn/winter '08. The smart military coats seen on the Moschino runway were more than a little reminiscent of The Beatles circa the Sgt. Peppers era, with masses of brooches and brocade (although we don't know how keen the Fab Four would have been on the cute sea horse emblems - we, on the other hand, love them). Meanwhile, Christopher Bailey went for a more muted, war-vet version at Burberry with neutral officers coats worn with woolly beanie hats.

We hate to use the word 'boho' (this term having been overused so massively back in 2005), but it looks as though the designers are intent on a resurrection - with a good dollop of Italian glamour, obviously. The models at both Gucci and Just Cavalli wore bohemian printed tunics, with the girls at the later show wearing wide-brimmed felt hats which more than hinted at the '70s.

* Fergie at Dsquared², Dolce & Gabbana (with Lindsay Lohan) and Versace

* Sheryl Crow and Naomi Campbell at Dolce & Gabbana

* Margherita Missoni and Suzy Menkes at Missoni (naturally)

* Neither The New York Times or Style.com received any invites to Monday's Dolce & Gabbana show, which set the tounges a-wagging. Rumour has it that the Italian duo were less than pleased with the reviews both establishments gave of their previous season's collection. Take note, editors...

* In a continuation of the 'handbags at dawn' theme, Giorgio Armani surprised those gathered to hear him speak at the launch of the Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibiton when he launched a verbal attack on American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, despite her being present in the crowd. Apparently reacting to Wintour's past comment that "the Armani era is over", the designer pondered why it was that so many people disliked her. Ouch - fashion just got tough!

London Fashion Week Round-Up

London calling! The British capital always promises a jolly good Fashion Week, and this time round we more than delivered. Fun, vibrant and oh-so-cool, find out who wore what where - and what the designers have in store for you come autumn...

The design world looked to Britain's roots for their A/W 08 collections, with traditional fabrics such as tweed, tartan and wool featuring heavily. Paul Smith produced outfits that inspired thoughts of your granny in the county, with cardigans and checked trousers worn with retro-cool headscarves. Paul Costelloe's collection featured tartan pencil skirts and coats in a muted grey, white and black colour palette, whilst Henry Holland brought the Scottish check slap-bang into the present with bright colours, statement shoes and his trademark printed tees at House of Holland.

Futurism was most definitely evident on the London catwalks. The girls at Louise Goldin had minimalist slicked back hair, and modelled outfits with bold futuristic graphics. Elsewhere, Krystof Strozyna plated with proportion, with oversized domed capes, sharp shoulders and rounded sleeves in ultra-white.

* Kelly Osbourne, Kimberly Stewart, Alexa Chung, Lily Allen and Jamie Winstone at Luella

* Peaches and Pixie Geldof at PPQ - the big celebrity draw of LFW. Click here to see all the pictures.

* Kelly Osbourne and Kimberly Stewart (again!) at Vivienne Westwood

* Dame Vivienne Westwood, the original Queen of Punk, made a triumphant return to London after 10 years of showing her Red Label in Paris. Girl-around-Camden Daisy Lowe took to the catwalk in her honour, modelling a collection that was as full of attitude as you'd expect. Dame Viv's return to the capital also coincided with an appearance on Friday Night with Jonathon Ross. Did you see her? All we'll say is what a legend.

* Model of the moment Agyness Deyn seemed to be strangely missing from the Fashion Week scene until she popped up on the catwalk at House of Holland wearing a mysterious tartan eye patch. The reason for her Scottish pirate look? Find out here.

* The party of the week was thrown by Elle, who hosted their 11th annual Elle Style Awards. Alexa Chung played host and was pretty in pink in a tiered Luella dress. Check out all the other outfits here.

New York Fashion Week Round-Up

You may not have even quite got to grips with your spring wardrobe yet, but the fashion powers that be have already determined what you'll be wearing by autumn/winter. In the first of our international runway reports, we take a look at the trends, celebs and stories of New York Fashion Week A/W 08...

Not in a casual sense – indeed, there was definitely more than a hint of tailoring on the runways - but most definitely in terms of simple, fuss-free dressing. Marc Jacobs showed the most basic of jackets, trousers, skirts and tops in a sombre colour palette of greys, blacks and creams with dull metallic highlights, whilst Francisco Costa sent minimal, sharp-cut dresses and jackets in navy blue and grey down the Calvin Klein runway on models with minimal make-up and slicked-back hair.

Fashion’s always looking to the past for inspiration, and autumn/winter 08 will be no exception – there was a distinctly old school flavour evident on many catwalks. Diane Von Furstenberg’s models simply oozed Marlene Dietrich 40s glamour, with formal coats, nipped waists and très ladylike gloves and retro hats. Elsewhere, the old school theme continued at Michael Kors, where the models had mini-beehives and wore outfits with either very elegant pencil skirts or full and fabulous skirts, again belted at the waist.

* Victoria Beckham (along with K-Fed!?) at Marc Jacobs

* Anne Hathaway, Chloe Sevigny, Mary-Kate Olsen and Milla Jovovich at Miss Sixty

* Joss Stone, Rihanna, Rose McGowan and Fergie at Max Azria

* Helena Christensen, Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kelly Rowland at Tommy Hilfiger

*Rock offspring Daisy Lowe and Sean Lennon at THREEasFOUR

* The fash pack let out a collective gasp as model Karen Elson disastrously fell whilst strutting down the Zac Posen runway. Fortunately, P Diddy - gentleman that he is - was on hand to rush from his front row seat and help the embarrassed maiden to her feet.

* Notably absent until the final few days, Posh more than made up for it - after attending Marc Jacobs' show as guest of honour, the Spice Girl nipped across to the Project Runway show (the American version of Project Catwalk) to join Heidi Klum in celebrating the finalists' work.

* The biggest and best event of fashion week? Without a doubt the UNICEF fundraiser hosted by Madonna and Gucci - click here for all the pictures.

Best Dressed List 2007

It was difficult, but we've carefully selected our top five best dressed celebs of the year. And the winners are...

You’ve got to hand it to Victoria Beckham – girlfriend knows how to work a look. Never mind the plethora of fantastically show-stopping chic dresses she wore throughout 2007, this is the woman who launched, like, a gazillion look-alikes with her ever-changing haircuts – from the Original Pob, to the bleach-blonde Pob, to the naturally brunette Long Pob she’s currently sporting. With a successful move to the US seeing her befriend the likes of the Cruises, a Spice Girl reunion tour and her own TV show under her belt (Victoria Beckham: Coming to America was absolute classic TV), it really has been the one they call Posh’s year.

What a year it’s been for Alexa Chung. Popworld may have had its day, but Alexa hasn’t let the upset of that stop her making a play for the Indie Queen crown – and hasn’t she put up a good fight? With the likes of Peaches Geldof and Kelly Osbourne enlisted as her A-List play pals, Alexa went on to bag herself a boyfriend in the form of Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner – too cool. Add to this her impressive indie wardrobe – plenty of high-waisted skirts, ankle boots and leather jackets for her – and you’ve got yourself a first class fashionista.

Good old Sienna Miller – you can always rely on her to come up trumps in the style stakes, and 2007 has been no exception. Having put the heartache of her oh-so-public affair with Jude Law behind her and finding love once again with new man Rhys Ifans, the starlet was given a chance to prove her fashion credentials and show a more sophisticated side with the launch of her own clothing line, twenty8twelve by s. miller. Featuring lots of tailored pieces and, of course, a touch of Sienna's trademark bohemian flair, the range was a massive success. The next Sienna-inspired fashion craze? We’re predicting a Sixties revival, with her film Hippie Hippie Shake set for release next year…

Just when we were starting to fear we were all becoming identikit La-La Landers, along comes Agyness Deyn and shakes up the entire fashion world. Not since Kate Moss first launched her unique brand of skinny chic in the 90s has a model caused such a sensation in style circles. A true original, Agyness wears exactly what she likes – from sequinned mini dresses with studded heels to androgynous skinny trousers with jazz shoes – and always manages to pull it off. Coupled with her angelic cropped blonde locks and big blue eyes, it’s no wonder the Northern beauty won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Oh, how we love this girl.

Keira Knightley shrugged off her tomboy reputation this year with a succession of jaw-dropping dresses on just about every red carpet going. Starring in one of the big films of the year, 1940s-set Atonement, the actress was catapulted to leading lady mega-stardom and wasted no time in enlisting the help of Monsieur Chanel, AKA Karl Lagerfeld, in dressing her for premieres – in turn, the designer chose her as the new face of fragrance Coco Chanel. Scoring the front cover of British ELLE finished off what was a stellar year for the starlet.

And Three to Watch in 2008...

Runway Report - Paris Couture Week

It’s never too early to start planning your wardrobe for next season (and quite frankly, with the weather being as it has you’ve probably already started to think ahead). Paris Couture Week wrapped up yesterday, and so what better time to turn your attention to next season’s trends? Although the couture shows are notoriously flamboyant and the pieces unlikely to  make their way into your wardrobe (due to a – their practicality, or lack thereof, and b – the A-List only price tags), they never-the-less endorse the key seasonal trends that we’ll be working come autumn. Here’s our pick of the best bits from Paris 2007…

With Cate Blanchett in the front row, you’ll no doubt be seeing some of the Armani Privé collection on a red carpet near you soon. The theme of Armani’s show was “Rock Symphony”, but don’t expect the grungy effect of recent rock looks next season – instead the look was more that of rock royalty, with nods to Michael Jackson and Prince – and Armani himself admitted he was inspired by Bowie. The recurring theme of the show was nipped-waist dresses and jackets, the latter worn with skinny leg trousers or full skirts. It’s a more womanly look than those we've seen recently, and we’re big fans.

Over to Chanel next, where Karl Lagerfeld continued the trend for nipped-in, tailored silhouettes. What set these pieces apart was the elaborate detailing to side seams, which featured feathers,  bands of leather and pearls. Many items had a distinctly 1920s flapper girl  air, a trend we're predicting big things for come late 2007. The man who once said "what I really love are little black dresses" lived up to this statement, with plenty of trademark Lagerfeld and Chanel black on display, broken up with flashes of muted pinks, greens and blues.

Most of the column inches dedicated to the Christian Dior show were down to Kate Moss pulling out in a flood of tears due to her recent break-up with on/off boyfriend Pete Doherty. But just to focus on this is to neglect the fact that the outfits the models that did turn up strutted down the runway in were nothing short of breathtaking, encapsulating the spirit of couture - extravagant, full of artistic licence and more than a little OTT. And with  Dior celebrating its 65th year, artistic director John Galliano had reason to go to town

Although not as vibrant as his usual offerings - for this collection he, like Lagerfeld, chose muted shades of lilac, green, blue, pink and orange, with some more vibrant hues of red and gold thrown in - the show certainly delivered. Yet again, the waist was defined, with elements of Victoriana dress and corsetry evident. Suck in those waists, ladies!

TIP: click images to read notes

Three's a Trend - Wayfarer Sunglasses

If you'd always secretly suspected that you looked more than a little ridiculous in big (and getting bigger), Richie-inspired sunglasses then the new direction in hip summer eye wear that celeb after celeb is embracing will be a breath of fresh air...yes, the wayfarer is undergoing a full-on fashion revival.

First made legendary in the 1950s and early 60s by starlets including Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Marilyn Monroe, their fashion status grew when Anna Wintour, American Vogue editor and all-round fashion force, made them her sunglasses of choice for a number of years.

Fast forward to the style scene of 2007 and the wayfarer is back with avengeance! We've put them under the title of our weekly feature  "Three's a Trend", but in reality we could have written a special-edition blog this week with the title "Hundreds upon Thousands' a Trend". Literally everyone who's anyone in World Fashion is sporting them this season - Sienna, Kate, Peaches, Lily, Kelly-O, Mischa, Kirsten, the Olsens, Lindsay - do we really need to continue?

Whether you choose classic black, retro tortoiseshell or go bold with bright colours - for a way-cooler alternative to oversized sunglasses, you won't go wrong with wayfarers.

I Want, I Need, I Love - Jewellery from Disney Couture

Ok, ok - we know that at first glance the words Disney and Couture don't necessarily sit alongside each other easily . But bear with us - especially if you're a fan of super-sweet, quirky jewellery pieces...

Disney Couture is the latest jewellery brand to hit the site, and a sneaky peak at the collection left us grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Made up of three necklaces and a bracelet, the range is full of cute-as-a-button references to iconic Disney films and characters, including Peter Pan’s Tinkerbell (the coolest kid this side of Neverland). Our favourite piece from the collection is the bling-tastic Mickey Mouse 14ct gold, Swarovski-encrusted pendant pictured above.

Still need convincing of its fashionability? Starlets Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie are both fans of the brand, with Li-Lo the proud owner of the Alice in Wonderland inspired Suede Wrap Wristband (well, Alice-esque headbands and pinafore dresses are all the rage right now). Nicole is pictured below attending last month’s Disney Couture party in Bel Air where she picked up a necklace and bracelet from the collection.

See, we told you you’d love it – we weren’t just taking the Mickey…

Fame and Fortune awaits London College of Fashion hopefuls

To celebrate the London College of Fashion's centennial year, ASOS.com will be showcasing the work of their hottest new talent in a glamarous catwalk show.

The exclusive event, entitiled 'Fame, Fortune and Fashion' aims to shape the face of future fashion by looking to influential style icons for inspiration, and with the added incentive of two final year students being selected to design and create an outfit which will later be availble to buy on site, competition is sure to be stiff.

Brand Focus; Fiona and Luke

For girls who who want a look that's cute but full of attitude, Fiona and Luke jewellery could be the perfectly playful solution. With ecelectic influences ranging from the boundless stores of Americana kitsch, eighties British punk and the starry glitz of Las Vegas style, each design is infused with the brand motto of  'Love, Life and Rock and Roll'.

Give it some Welly this Festival Season

May hasn't quite delivered the weather that we all expected after the hot spell in April, and the summer wardrobes we began hopefully compiling have been replaced by our winter woolies once more.

But festival season is nearly upon us, and in true British style, come rain or shine, music lovers everywhere will be out in force. Hedge your bets with a pair of bright Wellies, colourful enough to be teamed with cute micro-shorts and billowing smocks should our weather fortunes improve, yet resilient enough to tuck your favourite denims into and dance through the mud in.  Choose from cute heart motifs or go back to nature with ditsy flower print.

Strutt Your Stuff in ASOS.com's Exclusive Designer Footwear Range

ASOS.com has joined forces with Strutt Couture, the designer shoe label loved by the A-list, to design an exclusive footwear collection. The diffusion range called ‘Strutt² for ASOS.com’ features exciting, fashion-forward pieces and is now available online!

Paying homage to key catwalk trends, the range features futuristic perspex detailing, wedge heels and sporty strapping in an up-to-the-minute colour palette which includes gold, silver, cobalt, turquoise, white and black.  The collection consists of eight styles all made with leather uppers, linings and soles.  Prices range from £115 to £130.      

They've Arrived; Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Designer Tees

The gorgeous range of exclusive tees designed in support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer by five of the fashion world’s most celebrated names have finally arrived at ASOS.com.

Your very own piece of fashion history to take home, each t-shirt boasts a different design as distinctive and stylish as those behind the creations, yet all draw inspiration from the iconic target symbol and the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 07 campaign colours – waterfall and silver.

Choose from designs by the fabulous Julien Macdonald, Amanda Wakeley, Ben De Lisi, Gharani Strok and Sara and Amiee Berman, all priced at only £30. And with each t-shirt sold carrying a £20 donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, treating yourself to this Summer's must-have couldn't be more guilt free.

Trends; Rolling Rainbows Beauty

It's the small touches that help to create a truly stunning look,  and all too often on-trend make-up is overlooked in the pursuit of the perfect shoes or fabulous jewellery. But to ensure your look stays as fashion-forward and fresh as your wardrobe, pay special attention to your cosmetics and click through to our stunning Beauty trend pages for an insight into which products you need in your make-up kit in time for the Summer months.

If bright, bold and beautiful is your thing, 'Rolling Rainbows' could be for you. Combining a kitsch 70s influence with a luxurious holiday vibe, this trend is for those who wish to stand out from the crowd. Keep skin matte, healthy and glowing using strong pinks to hi-light cheekbones and the perfect pout. Draw all attention to the eyes with a vivid palette of sea green and azure blue but maintain dramatic definition with luscious lashes and flourishes of reflective glitter.

ASOS.com Joins Forces with Breakthrough Breast Cancer

ASOS.com has joined forces with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to produce an exclusive collection of designer t-shirts in support of the fight against breast cancer- an illness which affects one in nine people.

Choose from the limited edition range, which draws inspiration from the iconic target symbol, designed by five of the most celebrated names in the fashion world; Julien Macdonald, Amanda Wakeley (design pictured below), Ben de Lisi, Gharani Strok, and Sara and Amiee Berman.

These pieces of fashion history will be available exclusively at ASOS.com from Monday 7th May priced at only £30. And with each t-shirt sold carrying a £20 donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, treating yourself to this Summer's must-have couldn't be more guilt free.

White Light

What better way to show off your sun-kissed skin and Summer lightened hair than by wearing the colour of the season from head to toe; white.

Channel the ethereal look, never straying too far from clean lines and lightweight fabrics. Accessorise with metallic accessories to further capture the light and let others happily bask in your glow.

ASOS.com Signs Sex and the City Stylist Patricia Field

ASOS.com has signed the iconic fashion designer and Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field to design a limited edition collection for the site.

Aptly named 'Patricia Field for ASOS.com', the collection of clothing and accessories, designed in collaboration with ASOS.com's in-house design team, will debut in August 2007. Patricia Field will also be styling the range for the website launch.

Rob Bready, Retail Director, said, "Patricia is world renowned for her award-winning styling and costume design work. We are thrilled to be teaming up with Patricia to bring a slice of her unique style to the UK fashion arena."

Tunics; The Ultimate in Versatile Style

Looser shapes have dominated the catwalks for some time now in the form of the Babydoll, the Kaftan and the Peasant Smock. But with the fickle nature of fashion backed up against the constant need to look to the past for inspiration, the Tunic has emerged as the new, improved model.

With longer lines, draping fabrics and feminine detailing, Tunics encapsulate all that is this Summer's key trends whilst remaining easy to wear and oh-so flattering. Team with leggings and flats for a daytime look or skinny jeans and high heels to get heads turning wherever you go.

Making Style Simple with ELLE's Editor Picks

With a stream of contradictory fashion-savvy suggestions filtering through from magazines, high streets and catwalks alike this Summer, it can be tricky to know where to turn in your hour of advisory-need.

Get organised and divine inspiration from ASOS.com, where Executive Fashion Editor of ELLE, Stacey Duguid, gives us her insider hints and tips on essential ASOS.com picks to take you from faddy and flustered to sensationally styled.

Tricky Trend; Summer Jumpsuits

For those who shunned the ubiquitous dress which succeeded in dominating every catwalk, fashion store and magazine spread, in search of something a little edgier, this Summer's all-in-one alternative is here to answer your prayers.

Seen on the London Fashion Week catwalks, and punctuating every Spring/Summer collection going with designs ranging from the Flashdance welder favourite; the high-trend boiler suit, to the raunchier, figure-hugging playsuits proffered by Dolce and Gabbana, the Jumpsuit looks set to become a wardrobe staple and as our days hot up, it seems the briefer the better.

Browse our selection of the hottest Jumpsuits around by clicking here, and pick a style to suit your figure. For the looser styles, simply nip in with a statement belt to capture the volume trend and accentuate waspish waists, or embrace your flirty side by keeping things simple with a short playsuit and let your legs make all the impact.

Tricky Trend; How to carry off 'Volume'

Although the Indie kid's wardrobe staple, the skinny jean, hasn't made quite the retreat anticipated as yet, the backlash against figure-hugging, restrictive silhouettes has well and truly begun.

All hail the 'volume' trend, which has been seen gracing every catwalk and self-respecting fashion-house out there. And with whisperings of its continuation well into next Winter, it's a trend well worth investing in. The smooth introduction of cute A-line capes and billowing shirts, to curve-accentuating tulip and puffball skirts has resulted in the high-street overflowing with outfits perfect for constructing that voluminous outline we so desire. But it's a tricky trend; too much volume and you'll be channeling a look reminiscent of a bag lady, but too little and you'll appear as though you just simply couldn't find clothes to fit you.

At ASOS.com, we recommend following your Mother's golden rule of accentuating either your top half, or bottom half, but never both. Take your cue from Victoria Beckham (shown below) and team full skirts, with sleek tops whilst hi-lighting your waist with a statement belt, or keep your look casual with a romantic blouson and masculinely-tailored trousers.

Mina Brand Focus

With the explosion of ecelctic prints being seen on the Parisian and London catwalks during their respective fashion weeks this year, folk-inspired girly patterning with an edge look set to continue through not only the Summer months, but into next Winter also.

Invest in Mina's signature quirky print dresses to make sure you stay fashion forward and focussed, just like brand fans Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley. Accessorise with flat slouch boots and opaque tights now, and next season's must-have gladiator sandals when the sun begins to shine.

Metallic Make Up

From the burnished boho tones 0f 2005 which hi-lighted our favourite gypsy skirts and cracked leather disc belts, to the high-shine contrasts of mirror-ball silver and yellow gold coursing through this season's futuristic trend, metallics seem to be a story that just won't go away.

Keep your make-up bang up to date with our selection of metallic make-up essentials, guaranteed to make you sparkle and shimmer throughout Spring.

ASOS.com Launches Ethical Fashion Collection

ASOS.com is launching a capsule collection of ethical denim to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight (26 February – 11 March '07). The range will be available on the site from early March.

The jeans range from French denim label Rica Lewis is produced using Fairtrade cotton and is available in a rigid bootcut, stretch bootcut and skinny leg stretch all priced at £40.  Each pair has a label carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark which provides a guarantee that the cotton used was produced and traded in accordance with international Fairtrade standards.

Moriamo Oshodi, head of womenswear buying, said:  “Consumers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly fashion. This range is about giving our customers more choice and the opportunity to make a positive contribution by giving something back to the environment, or the community in which the garments were produced.”

For further information on Fairtrade Fortnight visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Highlights from London Fashion Week so far...

London Fashion Week got off to a drizzly start this year, but it didn't seem to hamper the spirits of the thousands of fashion lovelies that lined up to preview the directional showcase of trends we'll all be wearing come A/W 07.

Highlights so far include Ben De Lisi's collection of elegant evening dresses which celebrated the female form featuring flowing necklines and cinched-in waists. House of Holland’s fantastic take on eighties neon oversized tshirts also got the cameras clicking with ‘modelcentric’ slogans such as ‘My flies are undone, Lily Donaldson’ and ‘Wham Bam Thank You Stam’ to name but a few.

But what would London Fashion Week be without the swathe of exclusive parties? Alexander McQueen proved that Shoreditch is still the place to be, hosting a fashionista bash to launch his diffusion range McQ, at Boombox on Hoxton Square and every stylist, muse and model worth their Manolo’s was in attendance.

Bread and Butter Buyer's Report

Exclusive fashion trade show 'Bread and Butter' held in beautiful Barcelona certainly made waves amongst the fashion buyers at ASOS.com, with amazing breakthrough brands such as Gio Goi, Chilli Pepper, Fornarina and Superdry debuting new directional trends for Summer 2007. Pepe Jeans also proved to be working on a strong collection, showcasing a flurry of high-waisted denim styles, teamed with floaty chiffon blouses.

 

Trends; Live the Americana Dream

Get into the Americana trend and wish away the winter blues with a swathe of bright varnish reds, colour blocks and floral motifs. Pair flashes of pink and lemon with your favourite denims and get ready to turn some heads with your fashion-forward look.

Coming to ASOS.com this Spring

Check out our head-turning new Spring Tease feature, showcasing all of the hottest trends hitting the ASOS.com shop floor this season. It's bound to make you dizzy with excitement.

New Trends for 2007

We’ve trawled this year’s shows to bring you our pick of the colours, shapes and styles you’ll be wearing in 2007. Keep an eye out for these new trends on ASOS.com throughout 2007.

Find this page and more in the February issue of ASOS; free with your ASOS .com order.