Credit www.polyvore.com

Heavy metal is hot this Autumn/Winter and I’m not talking about the kind your father listened to in the 70s (or if you’re my dad, still does). I’m talking about the season’s hottest embellishments that adorn everything from clothing to accessories. Zips, studs and chains add the perfect edge to any outfit and it’s up to you to decide how far you want to go. For a tamer look, accessorize your look with an embellished bag; or unleash your inner rock goddess with a studded dress or power-shoulder jacket. Looking fabulous doesn’t have to cost a fortune; check out Mr Price for a wide selection of studded accessories at great prices.

Even though it was over a year ago that I was planning my wedding, I’m still drawn to Jillian Clark’s delicious blog called http://100layercake.com/blog/ which features the most beautiful weddings (down to the last detail). And judging by the number of people who were glued to the screen when Destiny editor Khanyi Dhlomo’s wedding was featured on Top Billing, I’m not the only one. Recently featured in the Layer Cake blog was the gorgeous wedding of the beautiful US Marie Claire‘s senior fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rossi. The photos made me gasp with pleasure! Zanna’s dress was by Marchesa, her shoes Christian Louboutin and the bridesmaids wore Burberry – some of them also wore Louboutin shoes.

Photography by Charlotte Lewis

Taj Hotel, Cape Town

There’s been some furious building work afoot opposite Cape Town’s iconic St George’s Cathedral for many months. The dust has finally settled and behind the façade of the beautiful old BOE building a brand-new luxe hotel has emerged. The Taj Cape Town is not due to open til the end of this month, but I was treated to a sneak preview this week. The hotel is part of the Taj Hotel Resorts and Palaces. Their floating  Hotel Taj Lake Palace Udaipur was used as a set in Octopussy. The Taj Cape Town promises to fulfill your James Bond fantasies too, albeit in a landlocked form.

I’ll be adding the number for the hotel’s flagship restaurant Bombay Brasserie to my speed dial. We’re used to accepting pretty pedestrian Indian food in South Africa, but this is the real deal. Don’t bother if you’re looking for a curry in a hurry – this is glam, relaxed dining at its best. They have also launched a slick new bar (also open to the public) called Twankey, which is destined to become the Marie Claire team’s new watering hotel. It’s just around the corner from our offices so it’s ideal to slip in a sneaky Shiraz on the way home. See you there?

The beauty of make up is not only it’s powers to transform but it’s ability to take the wearer to ‘that happy place.’ It also always seems to get girls talking. Self-taught make up artist and YouTube phenomenon Lauren Luke starting talking (and teaching) women how to achieve make up looks in 2007 after a stint of selling make up on eBay. She took photos of herself wearing the make up she was punting to show buyers what they could do with the goods, and the rest as they say is…well currently, 64 million views and over 310, 000 subscribers since her first upload two and half years ago. In fact Lauren is is the most subscribed YouTube user in the UK.  Her YouTube channel Panacea81 has birthed a cosmetics line called By Lauren Luke (www.bylaurenluke.com), also available at international beauty giant Sephora – and a book as well as a weekly newspaper beauty column. The girl is certainly busy and obviously a huge success. But it’s Lauren incredibly working class English background with no formal qualifications, that makes her an unlikely celebrity. She stills lives at her home with her mom and is a single mother to her 11 year old son. But proving anything is possible with talent and a web cam, Lauren is now the most viewed make up artist in the world, achieved from literally sitting in her modest bedroom and showing her viewers how to apply their eyeliner. Now that’s got us talking!

While we all literally put up our feet when on holiday, the last thing we want to do is actually smell them. Which is why I wish I had had this little nifty gadget – the Travalo atomizer – with me on a recent trip. (Not that I smelled of feet, but you get what I’m saying). At 8cm, it’s a pocket-sized refillable perfume atomizer which you can fill with your favourite fragrance when in transit.  Simply spray (holds maximum 50 sprays) your favourite scent into the compact aluminium and slip into your vanity case. No more worrying about your treasured fragrance breaking in your luggage. Available at Euphoria perfume stores at R150; visit www.travalo.com

Ingrid Pearce and Katlego Pitso

From front row to behind the scenes – get the inside track at Audi Joburg Fashion Week from Ingrid Pearce, Marie Claire fashion assistant Johannebsurg, and our fashion intern Katlego Pitso.

David Tlale at his studio

Who would have imagined that a part-time lecturer at Vaal University would become a successful fashion designer. David Tlale, who has set a blazing trail in the industry since he launched his label at the ELLE New Talent fashion show in 2003, has become a household name.

* For Audi Joburg Fashion Week this year, you’ve decided to have an off-site by invitation only show? I wanted to show the maturity of the brand and create a feeling of exclusivity. It was a collective invitation that was sent by African Fashion International, Total Exposure and coordinated by my office.

* What was your inspiration behind this year’s collection? Architecture, with the public art gallery Circa in Rosebank as a reference. The textures of the collection are embellished fabrics with soft silk and hard brocades. I also took into account the transitional phase that the climate and economy in SA is currently facing.

* What’s happened to the plus size range? I am still designing for fuller figure women. There is a huge rollout happening soon.

* Going back to your roots, what was your experience working on the Carducci like? I was part of the brand and designed the collection for women for 2 ½ years. It was a beautiful growth experience for me. I learnt a lot about tailoring, suppliers, and manufacturing which set a foundation for my own brand. (Contrary to popular belief) I didn’t leave on bad terms and still have a great relationship with Carducci.

* And how did your collaboration with Luella shoes come about? Last year, Luella was looking for a designer to work with and they approached me. They were looking for brand positioning for their own growth and experience. Fashion is a lifestyle and the David Tlale brand equals that lifestyle. The brand is called Luella, David Tlale Collection.

* What is your personal Signature style? The Afro hair-do is signature to my look. My style in clothing varies and have always used the colour black as a base. I love wearing harem pants and I’m most comfortable in them – for working, travelling or attending function. You can dress harem pants up or down.

* Where and who do you look to for trends? I interpret trends in my own way and mainly look at what people on the streets of London, Paris and New York when I’m travelling. I look at John Galliano to Givenchy and Alexander McQueen. Locally I love Clive Rundle – he’s rebellious and does what he wants which motivates me.

Stoned Cherrie Photography credit Simon Deiner/SDR

What Audi Joburg Fashion Week

When Wednesday, January 20-24, 2010

Where Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

For more info Visit www.africanfashioninternational.com

Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic

It’s awards season on E! And if you’re like me and relish checking out and couch-critiquing each and every outfit worn by the A-listers on the red carpet, this is your chance. I love that on ‘Live From the Red Carpet’ they now have a 360-degree camera view so we can scrutinise not only from head to toe but front to back. Tune in for the 67^th Annual Golden Globe Awards, the 16^th Screen Actors Guild Awards and 52^nd Grammy Awards.

Set your PVRs or your clocks for:

* Wednesday, January 20, 9pm – Fashion Police: The Golden Globe Awards

* Saturday, January 23, 1am CAT – Live from the Red Carpet: The SAG Awards

* Wednesday, January 27, 9pm CAT – Fashion Police: The SAG Awards

* Sunday, January 31, 12am  – Countdown to the Red Carpet: The Grammy Awards

* Sunday, January 31, 1am– Live from the Red Carpet: The Grammy Awards

* Wednesday, February 3, 9pm  – Fashion Police: The Grammy Awards