Paco Rabanne has just launched the fantastic alter-ego fragrance to rival the original scent, in true Rabanne style.

Created by Anne Flipo, Beatrice Piquet and Dominiqe Ropion, Lady Million is:

“Vibrant, sensual, fresh, floral and woody, like the nectar of voluptuous flowers. Powerfully seductive, the sparkle of bitter orange with a touch of raspberry is revealed in the first breath. A burst of neroli follows, smooth and bright. The combination of Arabian jasmine underlined by gardenia is powerful yet subtle and the notes of patchouli and honey are addictive and oh so tempting! The heady note of amber spreads to become all enveloping, like a play of light on a diamond.”

It doesn’t just smell great, it looks great too! The bottle, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, is sure to spice up any vanity table.

So, if you want to look and smell like a million dollars, get your hands on the fantastic Lady Million:

30ml EDP – £33.00
50ml EDP – £45.50
80ml EDP – £60.00

Available at Selfridges

Attention all business men and women: It is time to prove that you can still look stylish even at work…

The summer may be fading fast but Brindleyplace promises to brighten up your lunchtime on Thursday 9 September, giving you a taster of the forthcoming Style Birmingham Live.

Taking time out from their preparations for the three-day event, two of the stunning catwalk show models will be meeting and greeting the lunchtime Brindleyplace crowd from 12-2pm to tell you about the exciting event that will be taking over the city from 24-26 September. They will also be joined by the uber-cool Galaxy FM crew, and together they will give you the latest gossip from the show and its host, TV’s George Lamb.

In addition, you’ll also get the chance to strut your stuff as the Style Birmingham team goes on the lookout for what the stylish people of the city are wearing to work. Let them take your picture and you could feature on stylebirmingham.com… proving that it’s not just the models that look great! Even better, if you do feature in the gallery, you could be in with a chance of winning two Front Row Gold tickets to Style Birmingham Live.

So, summer seems to have come and gone without so much as a heatwave and we’re already putting the gladiator sandals away in favour of fur-lined boots. But look on the bright side… it means you have an excuse to shop for that all-important Autumn/Winter wardrobe.

With September already in full-swing, Style Birmingham Live has teamed up with House of Fraser for an evening filled with fashion and beauty fun. The iconic 60’s brand Biba is re-launching and will be exclusively available at the store; taking the ethos of the original brand and reworking it for today’s fashion-savvy shopper… like the brand’s face and model-of-the-moment, Daisy Lowe.

As well as seeing the new collection, you can also find out the hottest trends for the A/W season, from House of Fraser’s stylist and personal shopping team.

Not forgetting that fashion isn’t just about your wardrobe, House of Fraser will also be launching Beauty Confidential, a series of amazing offers, stunning new beauty collections and treatments, and fantastic in-store events. There will also be make-up masterclasses, fantastic gifts with purchases from brands such as Agent Provocateur, Clinique and Estee Lauder, and skincare demonstrations across the hall.

So, why not brighten up your autumn with this fantastic free event at House of Fraser and treat yourself to a bit of pampering. Enjoy complimentary drinks, live music and Biba-inspired cupcakes… all for free.

Say hello to Warren Holmes, International Creative Director at Nicky Clarke…

We’ve just heard the very exciting news that uber-Brit brand Aquascutum is opening up shop on 29th September. Sharing floor space with super-stylish Jaeger, the store will stock both mens and womenswear in Aquascutum’s instantly recognisable style.

Synonymous with luxurious fabrics and meticulous tailoring, Aquascutum’s range exemplifies style and sophistication through its craftsmanship and attention to detail.  The brand describes itself as “Understated British Elegance” and an ” intergral part of London’s ever-hectic cosmopolitan life”. So we’re very excited about them making the big move to Birmingham and bringing their solution to the “perennial fashion conundrum of infusing high-end sophiscation with functionality”. (They’re definitely good with words!)

Not that we’re wishing the month away, but we’re counting down the days to September pay-day already!

Let the October workplace fashion show commence…

Guest blogger: Holly Ryland-Jones, Marketing Assistant, Bullring

So, autumn is almost here and I for one am very excited to see all the new shapes, textures and styles hitting the shops.  We’ve been lucky enough here at Bullring to take a peek at the collection previews, and we’ve already been swooning over the new looks and compiled our wish lists of key pieces and little treats to freshen up our wardrobes for the season that lies ahead. So I’d like to share with you my favourite pieces for AW10.

The cape coat is the shape to be seen in next season.  And the colour camel.  Camel was seen everywhere on the catwalks, from Chloe to Prada.  The camel coat reigned on the runways, but the cape coat was also a major hit among fashion buyers…
This gorgeous example from Reiss incorporates both trends.

As we well know Jack Frost was present for most of AW09 so we are aware how important it is to invest in key outerwear pieces for the coming season for this year too.  Several types of coat/jacket styles will only suffice if you want to stay on top of the style stakes this Autumn/Winter.

The second key item which no fashionista should be without is a shearling sheepskin jacket.  Burberry ruled the catwalk when it came to their version of this serious statement piece; in aviator form.  For a warmer, more affordable version, get to H&M for their seventies take on the look.  Their overall trend story incorporates many of the seventies elements, you can see a preview of the collection by visiting browsebullring.co.uk.

Next up is the loafer.  Along with fur-lined high-heeled hiking boots, the sensible loafer shoe adorned the feet of the models during shows at the likes of Gucci and Prada.  This prim and proper style takes on elements of the seventies once again and with a generous amount of heel, the shoe is dowdy no more.

Team a pair, we love these from Topshop, with a flared jean or trouser.  High-waisted mannish fitted trousers are the trouser trend of next season.  Flattering to the figure and working wonders to elongate the leg, they can do no wrong.  A figure hugging top will ensure you keep the femininity.

Add a fur hat if you want to introduce fur in bite size pieces.  The one pictured from Whistles is a more affordable way to add the trend to your wardrobe… and furry ear flaps will keep you warm and toasty – fashionable and practical – we don’t get that very often!

Make sure you mix up contrasting textures – traditional fabrics such as suede, fur, cable knit woollens and leather.  Dark sombre tones, berry shades and light browns, camel and beige make up the colour palette.  Detail is at a minimum – it’s a no fuss foot forward into the new season. The overall outdoorsy look focuses heavily on texture, cut and varying tones of key colours.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my round-up of investment buys for the new season…  I will definitely be sporting the above, whilst also investing in a pair of Topshop fur-lined boots, plenty of opaque tights and as I love, love, love the Farah Fawcett look, the flared high-waisted jeans will be a must-have too.

For more information on the latest trends for AW10 and to get the expert opinions on how to wear them head to browsebullring.co.uk.

Harvey Nichols has scored a place in our very fashionable hearts yet again. This time, teaming fashion with football… two of our favourite things!

To tie-in with Aston Villa’s game against Bolton on Saturday 18 September*, they’re hosting Ladies Day at the Premier League club.

Staged in the impressive Holte private suites, ladies will be treated to pampering and style treats galore. For just £125, you will get a Champagne reception with canapés; three-course meal with wine; VIP Executive half-way line seating; exclusive tour of the changing rooms and tunnel; style workshop; treatment session and a Harvey Nichols goody bag.

For more information visit the Aston Villa Hospitality website or call 0800 612 0960.

* Please note this fixture date could change to Sunday 19th September

The Birmingham-based Nicky Clarke salon, which can be found in The Mailbox, will be styling the model’s hair for the three-day event.  Even more excitingly, however, the team will be headed up by Warren Holmes, Nicky Clarke’s protégé and current signature stylist at the London salon.

Birmingham-born Warren Holmes, who actually hails from Lichfield, always knew that he wanted to be a hairdresser and went into the profession the minute he was finished with school.  His training from a young age has been nothing short of phenomenal – and particularly at the moment, his profile seems to be going from strength to strength. Working closely with Nicky Clarke in his teens and early twenties, he learned the fundamentals of hairdressing from his idol and mentor. Warren continued to push his education and learn from the hairdressing greats. It is no coincidence then that Warren’s career is taking shape similar to that of Nicky, by combining his time between session and salon work.

The hair stylist, who has been dubbed by Elle Magazine as the next big name in hairdressing, has styled hair for a number of celebrities including Sienna Miller, supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, Lily Donaldson, Jennifer Hawkins, David Williams’ wife Lara Stone, Liberty Ross, Alice Dellal and Stella Tennant.  He has some notable fans in the form of Hilary Alexander, the Daily Telegraph’s fashion guru, and Matthew Williamson the fabulous designer.  He has travelled the world and been the hair stylist in a number of photo shoots for the top fashion magazines, working alongside names like Mario Testino.

Warren says of his experience of styling celebrities’ hair: “these guys know the score so it’s a real compliment to do their hair.”

Warren is definitely one to watch out for, not only is he becoming hairdressing’s next big star, but he will be making an appearance throughout the three days of Style Birmingham Live (for which he is missing one day of Paris Fashion Week!).  More details will be released in due course, and you may even see Warren writing his own stuff on the site, so watch this space!

In the meantime you can get more information about Warren at http://www.nickyclarke.com/team/warren-holmes.php