…then go Buy My Wardrobe. Head to Adam St Members Club, London WC2 – between 12-5pm on Saturday 31st January. Search through the nearly-new garments of the “Wardrobe Mistresses;” which tomorrow include the Gucci Group Executive Mimma Viglezio. I received many emails about my previous Buy My Wardrobe post, asking when the next event will be…so apologies for the last minuteness but tomorrow is the day! Although I am unable to attend, I shall be extremely jealous of all those that do. Rummaging through the wardrobes of others, even the pieces they no longer covet, is an enviable task. Recycling is old news…re-using is so much more friendly, so make me envious and go Buy My Wardrobe.

Yes, she’s officially recognised as “cool.” Yes, her album has received critical and popular acclaim. Yes, she wears a lot of plaid. But what has drawn me in is the quality of her music. Ladyhawke’s self-entitled first album may hark back to a bygone era, where Bananarama ruled the airways which for me is its greatest appeal. There are few albums that I can listen to from start to finish and find enjoyment in each track but Pip Brown has produced an offering that involves no “skippage.” Maybe it is nostalgia for my childhood that keeps me engaged – the thought of big hair and tonnes of lycra mixed with fluffy pop and I think her cat adoration as seen in her illustrative covers helps too! Check out Ladyhawke’s MySpace and website, plus catch her on tour in Europe and in the U.K. with the Ting Tings.

I am not a, “dressy dressy” kind of girl. Looks that are too polished, too refined, are not appealing to me. Matching my shoes with my handbag and my fingernails, has never been a priority for me. Gary Graham offers a deconstructed look that fits me perfectly – a formal dress teamed with oversized builder boots, multi-layered parachute materials…my ideal. His spring lookbook is a delight, each look more endearing – see all Mr. Graham has to offer here.

Hedi Slimane’s fashion crudentials are enviable; from Yves Saint Laurent to Dior, his influence has shaped the look of menswear today. He is called, “friend” by many notorious celebrities and has delved deep into the the world of art. It is his photography that has drawn me in – it is contemporary, relevant and very real. He has that covetable talent of making the ordinary, extraordinary – taking everyday objects and events and making them exceptional. His blog/diary is inspirational and worth a perusal to gain a true insight into the life and influences of the artist.

Random Fashion Coolness has reached the 2 year milestone. Your readership, ideas, kindness and comments are very much appreciated and spur me on…even when the day only offers me 5 minutes to myself. In the world of fashion the visual is all but on this, the second anniversaire, I would like to ask you about smell and the nostalgia it evokes. I began thinking about it only last week, as the importance of scents and smell wafted over me. Jean Paul Gaultier², is my parfum of choice and each time I spray it, I am sent to L’Hôtel du Petit Moulin in Paris. It is one of my favourite hotels, possibly in the world and I believe they use the aforementioned fragrance as a room freshener! It illustrates to me the fundamental importance of smell and the feeling of happiness, comfort and confidence that aromas can induce. So, enlighten me – what do smells mean to you and what land do they transport you to?

The demise of Wedgwood in these troubled financial times has been well publicised in the U.K. Not even an innovative collaboration with illustrator du jour, William Broome, could buoy the sinking brand. It was only after seeing William’s ceramic collection that I realised how ubiquitous Mr. Broome currently is. Where may you have seen his work before? From Topshop to Marc Jacobs, Saville Row window displays to London’s FLASH restaurant. Aside from the cool simplicity of William’s work, the main draw for me are his quirky, off-the-wall quotes; they seem to express the randomness of my thoughts! See William’s repertoire here and buy his Wedgwood collection while you still can!

The New Year. For many of us it brings the opportunity for a “New You.” I haven’t made any official resolutions this year but I have made some realisations; I am getting older and physically the signs are starting to show. I read a really interesting article in Sunday Times’ Style supplement today entitled – look good, look better, look younger. It talked about the different tribes that are formed as the aging process kicks in; the naturals vs the plastics. The article must be read to be fully appreciated but it encompasses my gripe on where the bar is set on aging. In a world where “procedures,” injections and fillers are the norm, what does “good for her age” actually mean any more? So many Hollywood starlets look nowhere near their actual age but are never forthcoming about the amount of effort that allows them to remain ageless. This gives us mere mortals very little hope and unrealistic, false expectations. Then, once a certain, unknown age is passed and the same amount of monthly treatments continues, the freak factor sets in. So what can I do as the wrinkles start to appear? I have chosen to utilise a little more of a cover-up tactic that will begin in my beauty regime (that doesn’t currently exist except for some over-use of vaseline.) The now ubiquitous Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are first on my shopping list, followed closely by some of their lashes; if I get some longer, more feathered examples they will surely cover the creeping crows’ feet! So as age catches up with me, I shall try my best to embrace the changes, safe in the knowledge that the facade of the celebrity world can be as false as the characters portrayed.