ACTUAL COVER 4 COLOR GOLD FOILING

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ell, the holiday season has arrived – with a little more gusto than the year before. Streets are bedecked with glittering filigree bulbs, streets glowing in the dark. The cold of the north winter wind howling – with an ebb and flow. Despite the cold and huddling in thick fur winter coats, the atmosphere is still alive and warm. Snow is yet to make an appearance in most parts of Europe, but the seasonal change has definitely occurred;

the winding down of the year, the obligatory year-end parties, dinners with family and friend, age-old traditions and of course ringing in the New Year come rain or hail! I love this season – mostly because of its decadent call for all things fashionable. From beautiful dresses to crystal glasses and Rosenthal tableware – the holidays ares definitely the time when shine and glam are not mere verbs, but wonderful nouns!

Fashion Sense...With all this merry-making, the season ahead calls for a makeshift wardrobe that needs to run the gamut from casual to elegant to glamorous. And like every fashion savvy woman, this elegance does not only end with the best cocktail dresses, shoes or bags, but includes creating the perfect dinner parties, choosing the most well thought out gifts to being the perfect hostess, and creating memo-ries that will last a lifetime. Remember,this is going to be shared within minutes to a worldwide audience on Facebook and Twitter!

BY MARLENE NAICKER

Year-end means Office party – your outfit needs to be “politically correct”. This would hardly be the time to try out the gold hot pants or sheer blouses, as the higher-ups might be less than impressed. The key is to update your day look with a more glamor-ous (albeit still recognisable version of your normal 9-5 self. A base outfit starting with a well cut black pencil skirt can be converted from an elegant office wear into chic casual

evening.Akris, Armani, Burberry and of course

Oscar de la Renta, have all created beautiful symmetry with the black skirt. The lines are flawless, material and texture aesthetically luxurious, and most importantly still com-fortable and functional. Of course ever-so-often one eye-catcher steals the season and this year it would have to be the Behnaz Sara-fpour wool and flounce skirt.

Team the black skirt with Philip Lims silk tee shirt with beaded raglan sleeves or the kimono top from Armani and Elie Tahari’s Lyla embroidered lace blouse.

Gucci’s snow print silk blouse and Yves Saint Laurent off-the-shoulder cotton blouse teamed with white pants and strappy sandals makes turns a basic summer evening apparel into smart-casual power female eve-ning attire.

The Skirt and Blouse...Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta

Armani Prive

The Dresses...Party frocks are the staple requirements in any festive fashionista closet. In my last column we saluted the Little Black Dress, but gave attention to the LGD (Long Green Dress). Use this colour boldly and don’t confine it to clothing. Feel the colour in clutches, shoes and jewellery!

Dresses for me are the epitome of elegance. And nobody captures this better than Oscar de la Renta. His clean lines, beautiful fabrics imbued in all the brights, and delicious looking frill detailing are a celebration of women.

We have to consider his muse: “... the sophisticated woman, who understands herself . A woman who embarks on doing extra-ordinary things, a woman who understands that beauty in the smaller things in life. She is well travelled, educated and glamorous...” Remember Carrie in Sex and the City receiving her big white box with red bow with her first Oscar de la Renta dress and the squeal of delight ?! This year Victoria Beckham also beguiles us with her com-fortable shift dresses which although painstakingly glamorous and uber-chic, is also practical and functional. Especially after the long lunches and dinners!

New Year’s eve kicks in with a lot of tassels, glitter and bling. The new kids on the block, Ital-ian duo Aquilano and Rimondi have incorporated a rich mix of velvet, ostrich feathers, mohair and tassels into sleek yet simple silhouettes that allow you to dance the night away!

Karl has also added his Midas touch with a daring sequined jumpsuit. Not for the faint at heart...And what would a party be without Marc Jacobs paying homage to two key pieces The newcomer: LittleGreenDress and The eternal: LittleBlackDress!

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The jewellery...No more statement pieces - accessories have claimed their own spot in the fashion bible, adding flair and showing fashion savvy.

Top-Picks 1. Oscar de la Renta tassel earrings2. Adriana Orsini & Alexis Bitter for ready to

wear jewelry - feather drop earrings3. Chanel Rings

The shoes...How much we have changed from the comfortable carefree days of the plimsolls. Now we are all about towering platforms, glitter and unique detailing.

Top-Picks1. Gucci Sofia metallic Python Sling back2. Valentino Couture patent leather bow

platform peep toe3. Swan pumps from Manolo Blahnik

The clutches...For both day and night, a clutch has super-stay-ing power!

Top-Picks 1. Fendi Mia metallic or leopard print pouchette2. Gucci Malika Mettalic python clutch3. Ferragmo oversized clutch

Marlene Naicker is Founder and Creative Director of Muldooneys – London. The brand Muldooneys is renowned for its luxury

leather accessories, notably handbags, designed for sophisticated, independent, fashion concious women.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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