Last night I caught up with some of the news of the world to make sure the apocalypse hadn't started while I was in Wales. That's how I stumbled upon Sheikha Mozah, Qatar's first lady. There's an elegance and flair for fashion that it's hardly found in European royalty.

Like Rania of Jordan, Sheikha dresses appropriately to the occasion in quite simple but strikingly beautiful dresses, mostly full length and of Empire silhouette, which she wears with a cool attitude that makes her remind me of Grace Jones. During her recent visit to the Spanish monarchs in Madrid she wore an extremely elegant ivory dress with matching blazer and turban (I love!) and tan leather clutch and belt (very Colonial Ralph Lauren/Hermès).

The fashion highlight of her visit was the ss11 Haute Couture Chanel gown worn by Anja on the catwalk. It feels like it's people like her that Haute Couture has survived for. She is a big fan of the French house, as she is of Dior, and the one reason why I might give the royal wedding a go.

[Zimbio.com, TFS]

Kylie makes a statement

Today, as I was coming back home in the dark and icy London weather I thought to myself how can we possibly make a fashion statement through the winter when we have to heavily wrap up to fight the climate. I try not to wear my dark grey and navy coats too much so that I don't bore myself and when I do I often add a nicely patterned scarf and a colourful pair of shoes and gloves. But there's only so much one can do, right?
Well, Kylie Minogue has managed to both make a statement and stay warm during the Thanksgiving celebrations in New York (Happy Holidays to the soVIP American readers, btw!). She donned one of Chanel's most extraordinary fur and tweed coats from Legerfeld's FW10 collection and she amazingly accessorised it with a thick-knit turban, leather gloves (rings included) and a nice pair of leather boots. There is nothing I don't love about this look. I had never been too keen on Kylie but she is making all the right choices lately.

I'm off.

[Picture: Zimbio.com]

Dressing Jessica Rabbit

Jean Paul Gaultier's Haute Couture like is, without any kind of doubt, the best of all shown in Paris for the FW10 season. Givenchy was definitely a stunner but JPG's collection definitely blew me away. There was a lot of 50's silhouettes slightly evoking a 20's style —tube feathered skirts, suggestive lame layered with gauze and snow white fur. A richness in materials and fabrics that makes one a little shocked upon finding the long-sleveed, high-neck leather tops that are almost latex-like and seem to have escaped from 'The Avengers'.
Hairdos and turbans definitely stole the show. They reminded one of Marc Jacobs' FW09 collection but with a difference; Gaultier's pointed forward, for his woman is a determined one. There was also a certain influence of 30's pin-up —silhouettes hugged and accentuated the hips but the waists weren't as narrow, this is modern sexiness.

As I soon as I saw the picture of Jessica Stam in the see-through top under the white fur stole and the red lips there was 'someone' I couldn't get out of my mind —Jessica Rabbit. If anyone were ever to make a human version of Roger's wife she would have to wear Jean Paul Gaultier. In fact, Dita Von Teese would be a good candidate to cast as Jessica Rabbit and she already walked for Gaultier. She could wear the sophisticated 'bunnie' inspired turban to elegant soirees to match Roger's ears, no?

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

turban is the new hat

Looking at Maurizio Pecoraro's collection it isn't hard to understand why Nicole Phelps recommends a more focused collection to stand out among the Italian biggies. But if one also stops and considers that sometimes an intelligent array of wearable clothes is always in demand Pecoraro's collection can bring to your wardrobe the utilitarian pieces with a restrained designer character. That being said, I have to admit to my infatuation with his turbans. This season more and more people have been twittering about the beauty details of the catwalk as much as about the clothes. I would love for some of these (turbans and Aquascutum hair and make-up at the top of the list) to become actual trends. Which beauty work have you liked the most so far?

[Pictures: style.com]

I'm off.