A trend which is apparent in bags, hair accessories, purses, hosiery, jewellery, as well as adorned on many catwalk collections this season, and will undoubtedly still be a major player during Autumn/Winter collections, is the monochrome trend!

A trend great for the office job fashionista - pretty pencil skirts mixed with cute ruffle shirts and fabulous black or white accessories are a great way to nail the monochrome trend.

Houndstooth pattern is a classic look that will never get old, and works well in the monochrome trend to combine with a pair of black peg trousers for a timeless chic office look.

Monchrome can be worked into an evening outfit just as easily. Monochrome oozes sophistication, so add a patent black or white clutch bag to an evening party dress and you will be dripping with class and elegance.

By Laura Radford – Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

Mariah Carey is back with new music video ‘Obsessed’, the first single to be released from her new album ‘Memories of an imperfect angel’ which will be out on the 25th of August 2009.

MC is renowned for her uber-high heels, revealing dresses, and of course amazing vocal range. But fans get to see a new side to the self confessed diva in her latest video, where she is shown cross dressing in baggy pants, trainers and an oversize hoody, comparing a remarkable resemblance to rapper Eminem. Certain lyrics appear to target Eminem - a comeback from Eminem’s single ‘Bagpipes from Baghdad’, which slates Mariah Carey. Mariah Insists that the single does not have any relation to Eminem, and hubby Nick Cannon supports this statement saying “she wouldn’t waste her time.”

The fashion is saved by MC showing off exactly what she’s got in a body-skimming minidress, which she has worn with a gold chain necklace and her signature heels. Another great outfit featured in the ‘Obsession’ video shows Mariah carrying a collection of Bergdorf Goodman shopping bags, wearing a black minidress, gold necklace, and, you guessed it, killer heels.

Does MC ever have a day wearing flats? I for one admire her, if only for the shoes. If you’re feeling Mariah’s style take a look at our great heels to get the look nailed: Pre-Order Item - Purple Triple Strap Suede Effect Platforms £38.00, Pre-Order Item - Classic Black Suede Effect Stiletto Platforms £36.00.

By Emma Evans - Celebrity Style Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

Growing ever popular this season, the cut - out swimsuit is everywhere dominating fashion websites and shops! The cut out swimsuit as it is firmly known or the ‘monokini’ offers an elusive feeling of greater coverage to the beholder whilst in reality covering not much more than a mere bikini.

The material cleverly conceals certain areas of the body creating a more slim line image whilst also revealing plenty of flesh! It appears this sun-seeker one piece finally offers an answer to women feeling too frumpy in swimsuits and too naked in bikinis.

However, this confidence booster also offers a flattering change to women tired of the average bikini styles and can range between less or more revealing. They come in a range of cuts, some with structured straps, and others with middle support. 

Animal prints and patterns are popular, however due to the detailing on these suits plain block colours also look effective! Choosing darker colours looks very sophisticated whilst bright colours complete a fresh and summery image! Team with a clashing sarong in the daytime or a long flowing skirt which can instantly change your swimwear into an effective daytime outfit!

A lot of suits have metal detailing around the stomach and chest area which give your swim look accessories without the need for jewellery. The perfect outfit to create poolside glamour!

Add on these fab poolside heels to get the look nailed: Beige Gladiator Strap Wood Effect Wedge Sandals - Sale was £22 now £15.99, Black and Gold Leather Gladiator Sandals with Stud Embellishment, £19.99, Beige Shimmer Canvas Peep Toe Platform - Sale was £28.99, now £16.99.

By Lara Dalton - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

Paparazzi favourite Kate Moss has had her ups and downs, to say the least. From her cocaine scandal and stint in the Meadows Clinic in October 2005, to her rocker ex-fiancée and junkie, Pete Doherty.

The thing about La Moss, is that the majority of her career has been overshadowed by her volatile and highly publicised personal life. In the beginning though, she was making headlines for different reasons.

Kate Moss shot to fame in the nineties because of that cover of the Face. Corinne Day’s, who was one of the most influential photographers, Summer of Love shoot showed Moss in all her waifish glory. The controversial pictures had such an impact and in that moment in time, Moss managed to single-handedly destroy what a supermodel was.

Her look broke the mould as it was defined by her scrawny frame and concave chest, as opposed to the more curvaceous figures of the supermodels at the time, such as Naomi Campbell. She had become an anti-model. Moss’ height was also a factor as she is only 5’7’’, which is practically unheard of in the modelling world.  Her waif like image was exaggerated by her dark under eye circles, pale skin and messy hair.

The Face photo shoot made Calvin Klein want her.  His campaigns put Moss at the forefront of a new look: ‘heroin chic’. Eyes sunken into their sockets, bones jutting out at all angles whilst wearing a drug-addicted look, define this look. It portrayed a loss of youth and naivety, whilst being somewhat strangely alluring. This phase drew criticism from many anti-drug groups, they didn’t appreciate the stoned look, as you can imagine. Bill Clinton even condemned the look claiming that it glamorised drugs by making drug use seem more attractive.

Kate Moss was a return of the real that shook the modelling world in the nineties. Her heroin chic waif look had such an impact and marked her emergence. Whatever you think of Moss, it cannot be denied that there is something about the insanely beautiful snaggle-toothed girl from Croydon, whether it be her bad girl reputation, her trendsetting status or simply her face.

Contributors: Amy Shiels.

This week, I spotted Charlotte Robey, 21, in a floral printed shift dress with beautiful frill sleeves.

The large floral print echoes what we saw at the Moschino A/W 09 show, where reds and navy blue reigned as the colour du jour. The black and creams of this dress also works though, classic and season-less, giving it that thumbs up in the longevity department. Wear it with bare (and hopefully tanned) legs on holiday or pull on some opaques and patent shoe boots for A/W evenings. It also had a really nice long exposed zip at the back that added a punky feel, a detail that really made the dress.

The reason this dress really stood out for me, though, is the shoulders - the voluminous frill detail is a pared down and less aggressive way of incorporating the exaggerated shoulder trend that is set to become even bigger come autumn.

While Balmain, Margiela and Nina Ricci used a sharp, angular aesthetic to this area, both Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana showed this more feminine detailing.

At Dolce and Gabbana, an impressive front row consisting of, amongst others, Scarlett Johansson and Frieda Pinto, stared towards a true extravaganza; the theme was surrealism. With Shocking pink, lots of bows and the big ruffled or puffy shoulders, the design duo were obviously paying homage to Elsa Schiaparelli.

Louis Vuitton was a real 80’s affair, with Marc Jacobs’ designs indulging in ra-ra skirts, lots of ruched detailing, bubble skirts and, of course, the big ruffled shoulder. In contrast to Jacobs’ mainline show in New York, where acid brights and a defiantly disco-punk mood took hold, the Vuitton show was a lesson in late eighties Parisian femininity; bold, but very, very pretty.

By Shannon Monteith - Catwalk Trend Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.