C by Clarissa

With the big day looming it is time to dust off your Christmas knit and force it to rear its ugly head to the forefront of your wardrobe.  There was a time, not so long ago, when no right-thinking fashion follower would have dared go near the bright coloured narn of a X-mas jumper.  How times have changed.  Once a garish gift from Grandma is now a turbo trend, embraced by the look-at-me instagram generation forcing the festive-sweater selfies to be de rigour this year.  The “IT Knit” is distinctly retro, born in the 80’s under the cringe de la cringe Parent Act; it has transformed itself into fashionable festive apparel.  There are the comedy snowmen, the prancing reindeer, the jaunty elves and the overzealous use of sequins and glitter.  These are the cute, the kitsch and the wacky.  Then come the subtle, the sedate and the stylish: less cute, more chic, and more wearable. Whether you go all out and shower yourself with candy cane vomit or opt for a less traditionally naff ensemb

Olivier Rousteing, the Creative Director for badass brand Balmain describes the perfect Balmain Girl as a party one.  Having just announced world famous hard core party loving Rhi Rhi as their new face for the more-is-more SS14 campaign one can only congratulate Olivier on his choice.  Mixing up ladylike lace and light pink shades with chunky gold bling, this collection screams R dog.  Exploding houndstooth, power pinstripes, sumptuous folds and hedonisitc ostrich feathers, this season has pumping 80's beats all over it. It looks like the sickly sweet eighties threw up after a 21st century all nighter and it rocks.  An oversized chain edged seam, a ra-ra frill and some shimmery silver embellishments is exactly the kind of party gal look I lust over.   Congratulations Mr.Rousteing you have just propelled yourself up the designer food chain at a rate of knots. 

Jet in from London and whiz like khalifa straight up the tallest building in the world to dine on the finest food with the finest company, hello Christmas Work Lunch with the VIVA team. 123 floors up, 360 degree view and a 5 course menu.   Nothing quite exudes that Sex in The City feel like a small troop of fashionistas dining in heaven, in the midday sun and sipping on an ever so smooth pinot.  Deep fried Oysters, melt in your mouth Burata, a Wagyu Tenderloin that could knock the socks off any steak worldWIDE and not to mention the white chocolate parfait accompanied by some sweetly sour passionfruit sorbet.  Deeeelish! Indulgent and decadent, festive and fun.

A morning of perusing new collections and a private style workshop with celeb stylist Rana Saab.  Germany's fastest growing fashion brand sure knows how to entice and inspire a bunch of fashion hungry fashionistas.  Taking us through the do's and don'ts of dressing and self styling, Rana taught even the most self confident style sistas a thing a two.  From layering to leathers - this express workshop deserves it's own round of applause thanks to the personal interaction from the store and the stylist.  As quick as a supermarket sweep, the ladies of the floor were putting together their own looks and having them judged by the queen herself.  With a pat to my own back, I got a ten out of ten for my choice - A leather trew, a boyfriend shirt and a Chanel esq boyfriend blazer.  Comma, you certainly know how to accommodate my favourite fashion flavours.  

Stand out - and up this festive season. Animal ears in all shapes, forms, sizes are being worn by the whose who of the fashion world, including the fashion savvy posse parading the pavements. Mickey Mouse just got glamorous and Bugs Bunny just got sexy.  Grab yourself a pair of subtle or not so subtle ears and become as cute as a bunny or sassy as a preddy puddy cat.  Thank you to Maison Michele for introducing this acceptable fancy dress accessory into our everyday get up.