Last year we went crazy for skyscraper high heels. So you’ll be please to hear that the time has nearly come to give your feet a breather. The gladiator sandal is back for yet another glorious season.

It’s such a great feeling when you can dig out your favourite sandals from last summer at the first sight of sunshine. However, everyone’s wardrobe needs freshening up now and again, and we have the perfect new addition. These Silver Stud Embellished Flat Sandals with Ankle Cuff are a bargain at £19.00 and will keep you looking glam in the summer months.

The silver studded embellishment will look great, twinkling in the sunlight, worn with a pair of shorts or teamed with a LBD for the evening. Imagine a night out on the town without the painful shoe agony: what a luxury.

The wide ankle cuff is great for extra support and the added elastic gives you that little bit more flexibility.

So give your feet a well deserved break this summer and get ready to expose your polished toes.

By Yvette Yarnold - Product Features Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

After looking at all the fabulous photos from the opening to London Fashion Week 2010, I decided to do some research on the Fashion For Relief night, opened and executed by the one and only Naomi Campbell - and what an impact that had had on me!

People always seem to criticize the money that goes into runway shows: the sets, the costumes, the designers, the models, but if we really knew what these stars were doing for the world then maybe we wouldn’t be so sceptical. Naomi Campbell has certainly showed the world what good can come from the fun that is fashion with the tremendous amount of money raised for The White Ribbon Alliance For Safe Motherhood.

Following the recent disaster in Haiti, Campbell vowed to raise as much money as she could for babies and mothers in the affected area who are at highest risk. By enlisting the help of fashion friends including Kate Moss, Denise Van Outen, Geri Halliwell and Annabelle Neilson, Campbell created a star-studded, headline-grabbing, head-to-toe glittering extravaganza of fun-filled fashion which raised a massive £1.4 million at the time of going to press. As global ambassador for The White Ribbon Alliance, it seems that Campbell is doing more than her fair share for this life-changing charity.

Since its launch in 1999, the WRA has been amplifying the voices of people suffering from complications due to pregnancy and childbirth in developing, as well as, developed countries. In 2008 Naomi Campbell joined forces with global patron Sarah Brown (wife of the Prime Minister), and was later honoured as an official ambassador for WRA in 2009. Since that time Campbell has taken the fashion world by storm, raising crucial funds for women and children all over the world.

At the most recent Fashion For Relief night, Campbell opened the show with a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen, and the show kicked off with Kate Moss modelling a little blue dress  from his latest Spring/Summer collection, which later sold at auction for a whopping £100,000! The auction also saw a Damien Hirst painting go for a massive £300,000 - and a bespoke “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evora, which was the evenings biggest hit at £320,000! And that’s not all! Clothes modelled on the night are also available for purchase on NET-A-PORTER.COM with all proceeds going to the WRA.

It seems after all that fashion is more than a big elaborate show of wealth - without the collaboration of all these amazing stars and models charities such as the White Ribbon Alliance would be struggling to help those who need it most. But don’t forget that you can also help! The WRA website has loads of ideas for fundraising and awareness which can easily be achieved by anyone, young or old, who wants to make a difference to the world.

I know that seeing the achievements of one famous model devote her time to help those less fortunate than herself has inspired me to do more to help others. I just hope that her continual efforts will increase awareness of the problems faced everyday by women and children who are not blessed with the same health care as we are. Fashion really can conquer!

By Charlotte Seabury - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

Here at a-shu we love studs on everything and anything, especially striking metallic summer sandals.

Our Silver Stud Embellished Flat Sandals with Ankle Cuff are a fabulous £19.00 and offers something a bit different to the beloved gladiator sandal. They are a little more toned down, back to basics. Splattered in studs, these staple fashion fix sandals will make any outfit pop or give it an edge. 

It’s all about metallic this season, and embellishment is always key. Kate Moss is a huge fan of the studded flat sandals, which is more than enough of a reason for me to treat myself.

These sexy metallic sandals feature enough embellishment to make you stand out from the crowd, whilst the wide elasticated ankle cuff keeps them secure and the non-slip sole keeps you from any mishaps. They are also light, so perfect to throw in a bag for a weekend trip away or pop in a chic beach bag on a glorious day.

If you are a fan of these pretty sandals, why not peruse are other Summery shoes, including the Brown Mid Heel Woven Design Wedges for £22.00 or the Mustard Yellow Stud Embellished Gladiator Sandals for £19.00.  If we think sunshine, maybe it will appear!

By Amy Shiels - Product Feature Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

The fourth of the six key colours this spring is that beautiful light shade of purple we all know and love. Now, there is no reason why lavender should be restricted to wedding colour schemes.

Soft tones are definitely en vogue which coincides nicely with spring - think of it as if you’re blossoming, waiting for summer to really pack a punch with those tropical colours!

Diane Kruger who has proved time and time again that she’s a rising fashionista has been spotted rocking this shade. Instyle says of purple’s softer sister: “Round out the whimsical ensemble with ballet flats during the day and strappy, pearl-coloured sandals in the evening.”

Lavender also works well with ruffles, the soft shade guarantees that you’ll remain stylish and not over the top if you decide to try something new.

Slightly bolder handbags and stunning fashion accessories work best when wearing softly shaded clothing - you don’t want to look blurred with too many pastel shades.

Instyle also says: “The brighter, the better is the rule of thumb for dark skin tones while fair complexions complement lighter shades of lilac.”

With another versatile shade to indulge in, it seems like spring 2010 is shaping up to be the perfect season.

By Safeera Sarjoo - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.

We can feel spring just around the corner, and we’re ready for the new season’s trends. Having spent what feels like forever wrapped up from head to toe, the time for fun, frivolous fashion will be welcomed with opened arms.

Each spring we predictably get excited about florals and this year is no exception. Luella have some beautiful rose print dresses for spring and Christian Dior have incorporated flowers into soft lingerie-style pieces.

But if you really want something to get excited about, it’s all about patterns: the busier the better. This is no trend for shrinking violets. You need to be bold to be beautiful. One woman who is exactly that is Donatella Versace and her spring 2010 collection is an explosion of wild patterns. Geometric designs and a bright colour palette decorate the miniest of mini dresses and certainly say, hello summer. Another bold statement is Balenciaga’s crazy leggings. The trick with this trend is to mix and match your patterns and wear them on top and bottom.

For many of us this is a lot to ask and we might not feel comfortable walking down the high street looking like an Art Attack. However, we can still join in. Our Tan and Gold Snakeskin Effect Handbag with Boho Floral Print Scarf, £26.99, mixes two patterns without going over the top. Snakeskin is very popular with designers too and works especially well with handbag trends. Just take a look at Alexander McQueen’s extravagant python clutch bags as an example!

To get the look nailed, if you’re feeling brave, wear your catwalk inspired Tan and Gold Snakeskin Effect Handbag with Boho Floral Print Scarf with a patterned dress or blouse to really mix it up.

By Yvette Yarnold - Product Features Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.