You only have to take a look at her Rihanna For River Island range to see that the Diamonds singer has a keen eye for classically cut, staple wardrobe pieces. She makes these her own by mixing in grungy pieces made from denim or leather. While she usually goes down the edgy style route, when Rihanna wants to look ladylike she’s an absolute pro, which is why she is our best dressed of the weekend.

I was completely blown away by Rihanna’s sweeping red gown at the 2013 Grammys and I wasn’t sure she could top how beautiful and elegant she looked in it.  Then I saw this.

While it might seem odd to pit two completely different styles against one another, I really think the understated glam of this outfit makes an even bigger statement. At the Grammys, her custom made Azzedine Alaia dress did all the talking but this look is the classic example of how accessories can make an outfit.

Wearing a simple oversized grey jumper with light blue skinny jeans, this has the basis to be styled in virtually any way. Rihanna could easily style it down with simple black Converse, light brown ankle boots or ballet pumps but her nude toe cap courts by Christian Louboutin really amp up the chic factor.

Her nude fold over clutch bag ties her colour scheme together and while matching colours can feel a little outdated, the neutral tone works perfectly and the toe cap detail stops it from being too ‘matchy matchy’.

Her statement necklace was exactly what this outfit needed to pop and provided the perfect detail in an otherwise very simple look. Her bright pink lips add another splash of colour, although I wouldn’t say it’s needed because of the coral colour of the necklace.

What’s your favourite part of this outfit?

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from DailyMail.co.uk

The post Best Dressed of the Weekend: Rihanna appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

A Hollywood smile can make you look younger, fill you with confidence and make your smile more noticeable, it’s no wonder all the celebs are doing it! But it’s not only celebrities that are choosing to have dental work. With all of the advancements in cosmetic dentistry procedures, it’s now more popular (and more affordable) than ever for you to give your smile a helping hand.

I met Laurence from Arnica and really got to the nitty gritty of cosmetic dentistry. So if you’re interested in getting something done, or just a bit intrigued as to what it entails then read on, I promise you’ll learn something new!

I regard myself as being very practical (I was driving tractors and helping with the lambing at the age of 10) I also enjoyed looking after people’s health and wellbeing. Having a really cool dentist tipped the balance so instead of becoming a vet I decided to become a doctor specialising in dentistry. I spent several years as a maxillofacial surgeon at Cheltenham General Hospital helping to rebuild faces after serious traumas such as car crashes. This experience got me interested in improving people’s lives through cosmetic dentistry.Hi Laurence, great to meet you! So, let’s start at the beginning, why dentistry? Especially cosmetics?

Wow, impressive! That must be rewarding too, I went through some orthodontic work when I was 18 and I know how much more confident I felt afterwards. I was like a whole new person! Do you see a lot of people in similar positions coming to you for help? 

Yes, I get to meet a lot of gorgeous people who lack confidence because of oral defects such as crooked, damaged, stained or missing teeth. With the help of some amazing advances in technology and technique including dental implants, crowns, bridges and veneers a perfect smile is now within easy reach of so many more people. Makeover shows, a proliferation of information on the internet and lots of editorial in lifestyle magazines are educating people as to what is now possible.

What are your most requested procedures?

Our most popular treatment is our ‘Smile Makeover’ which focuses on the teeth visible when smiling. Treatment often includes repair or replacement of missing or damaged teeth, orthodontics (teeth straightening) followed by either teeth whitening or veneers.

The most amazing procedure we do is the All-on-4 where we can completely restore oral functionality and appearance of people beleaguered by dentures with permanently fixed, life- like teeth. The impact this has on people’s lives is incredible, I’ve had people in tears (of joy that is)!

We also complete lots of ZoomR laser teeth whitening treatments which is very effective as it can lighten teeth by as much as 8 shades!

Sounds great, book me in!  Do I look like a good candidate?

If [your] gums and roots are in good shape then there is no reason why you can’t benefit from most procedures. Some procedures are recommended for over 18 year-olds such as teeth whitening because it has to be carefully controlled.

Have you ever had any odd requests, such as an exact replica of a Hollywood stars teeth?! Simon Cowell springs to mind!

The oddest request that I have ever had was a gentleman who wanted his central incisors (front teeth) replaced with gold replicas to look like Goldie.

Brilliant! He must have been a huge fan to go to such lengths! Do you think people like Goldie give us Brits a bad name when it comes to teeth?! As a nation do you think we’re bad at looking after our teeth?

There are so many factors that come into play such as health, diet and lifestyle its difficult to say. As a nation, all things being equal we do appear to be less bothered about the state of our teeth than other countries.

Well for all of us out there who may fall into this category and are turning over a new leaf, what are your top tips for a healthy, beautiful smile?

Brush and floss twice a day, always use a fluoride toothpaste. Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly. As soon as you detect a potential problem get it checked out. Always seek the advice of a reputable local dentist. Be very careful of cheaper treatments.

For more information on the treatments available or to chat to a member of the team visit the website, call 01242 655 554 or follow the Arnica team on Twitter.

What do you think, are you tempted to let the team get their hands on your gnashers?! We’d love to hear your opinions below!

Rachel E Tranter.

As a stylist, fashion blogger, social media manager and PR exec, Rachel has worked for CFW for the past two years. Rachel is now blog editor for CFW whilst also maintaining her own blog; Perfectly Presentable. Follow her here on Twitter.

The post Hollywood Smile appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

YSL promises ‘Defined Volume. Magnified Lashes. 24 Hour Wear’ which all sounds very exciting but we need a little more than an attractive tag line to go by. So what else do they say?

‘With one stroke, Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll magnifies your eyes through the innovative structure of dual-length bristles. The multifaceted brush alternates thick, widely spaced bristles to coat and magnify your lashes, while finer, more closely spaced bristles define even the shortest lashes, one by one, from the root to the tip.
The result? Volume that can be customized to suit any women’s desire for a false lash effect without touch-ups for 24 hours.’

Ree from Really Ree also had the chance to try out the mascara and said, ‘It is incredibly lengthening and defining. My lashes are practically touching my brows!’ Find her YSL Baby Doll Mascara review here.

From the reviews and some of the pictures we’ve seen, the YSL Baby Doll mascara definitely looks very promising. It comes in four different colours and will retail at £24.50. Due to be released in the UK on the 22nd May, you’ve not got long to wait.

Will you be trying it out?

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from YSLbeautyus.com and Graziadaily.co.uk

The post Beauty News: YSL Baby Doll Mascara appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

Hollywood’s biggest stars arrived at the opening ceremony kicking off with Baz Luhrmann’s eagerly anticipated The Great Gatsby. Star of the film, Leonardo DiCaprio was being very helpful, ensuring there was always an umbrella protecting the ladies in their dresses. His co-star, Carey Mulligan looked particularly elegant and beautiful in a pale pink couture Dior gown.

Carey Mulligan’s red carpet style is always so polished. She absolutely oozes class and we love how she’s embraced her pale skin and complimented it with the pale shade of her dress.

Keeping her hair sleek and simple and adding just a few pieces of jewellery really lets the dress do the talking. To stop from looking washed out, her slick of red lipstick works perfectly. We are really enjoying her new longer cut bob too. Where before her short crop gave her that elfin look, this longer style compliments her dress and gives a more feminine touch.

Nicole Kidman looked effortlessly glam in this embellished Dior gown. She made her dress pop with her almost-neon pink heels, keeping the look very modern.

Her hair was styled like an ultra glam mohawk with sleeked back sides and coiffed in the centre, which was perfect for defying the wet weather and it stayed put all night.

Freida Pinto was stunning in a hot pink Gucci gown with Chopard jewels. We love the tone of this dress against her skin colour and think it echos back beautifully to the traditional vibrant dress of her Indian heritage.

With an intricately plaited up-do, Freida was another star who laughed in the face of the wet weather. Freida is a big fan of bold colours on the red carpet and her gold toned accessories compliment the fuchsia of her dress perfectly.

Who has been your best dressed at this years Cannes?

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from Styleite.com and hellomagazine.com

The post The Best Style Moments So Far at Cannes 2013 appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

Meet Kim. Kim blogs from her vastly popular blog Sweet Monday and is a home grown talent from Cheltenham. Mainly focusing on fashion and outfit posts, Kim also writes about her day to day life and blogs delicious recipes too.

Kim’s style is very girly with a good dose of pretty dresses which she adds edge to with bright lipsticks, leather boots and little details like studs. When she’s not in dresses, Kim likes skinny fit trousers with statement shirts and oversized knits.

We love her style because it is actually quite classic and easy to wear. Kim makes it modern with the little details like adding pretty white ankle socks with boots, teaming skater dresses with bold accessories and choosing unusual prints.

Kim’s blog is a great source of inspiration whatever your age and style. She shows how to wear statement pieces without the need to look too ‘out there’. Pairing classic staples with grungy accessories changes up her look with minimal effort and minimal cost.

Kim’s blog is a great example of how clever and well thought out fashion is all in the details. You can rework most things in your wardrobe with a great bag in an unusual colour or design, or with a splash of colour on your lips, even down to how you paint your nails.

As another feature of her blog, Kim posts her nail art designs which prove you don’t need to pay through the roof for expensive manicures. All you need is a steady hand and a bit of imagination to create unusual designs. We love this cute dandelion design.

Topped off with gorgeous cupcake recipes and healthy eating recipes, there’s a little something for everyone on Sweet Monday.

Check out Kim’s blog Sweet Monday, find her on Twitter @sweetmondayblog and Sweet Monday Facebook too.

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from SweetMonday.co.uk

The post Blogger Profile: Kim from Sweet Monday appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

Jessica Alba is one of those women who appears to have it all. She has a gorgeous family, a hugely successful career, flawless natural beauty and a completely effortless style.

Since becoming a mother, Jessica’s style has grown to be classically elegant and yet always current. While she’s a designer’s dream to dress for the red carpet, her day to day style is casual but polished. Whatever she wears, it’s always figure flattering and well thought out. While it’s hardly difficult to flatter such a figure, you have to give her credit for always looking perfectly put together.

Here Jessica can be seen on her way to a Mother’s Day lunch with husband Cash Warren and daughters Honor and Haven. She chose a beige wrap halterneck midi dress for the occasion and teamed it with a tan waist belt, metallic cork platforms and delicate jewellery. I especially like how she’s matched her colour theme with her daughters’, very cute.

Jessica’s look can be easily recreated on a high street budget. This first dress can be found at French Connection for £130 and is the perfect option for smaller busts and pear shaped ladies. The halterneck is perfect for drawing attention to your shoulders and the high neck and pleating flatters a small bust. While it is at the higher end of a high street price, it’s so classic and versatile you’ll be able to wear it again and again.

Metallic cork heels don’t sound right but worn how Jessica wears them, it’s made me realise what’s missing from my shoe-drobe. These rose gold wedge sandals from Nordstrom are reasonably priced at £41.59 and are the perfect summer heels. They will go with almost anything and are perfect for summer weddings or evenings out.

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from DailyMail, French Connection, Warehouse, ASOS, Banana Republic and Nordstrom

The post Steal Her Style: Jessica Alba appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

While the TV BAFTAs don’t quite measure up to the likes of the Oscars in the style stakes, there were some lovely dresses on display.

There were some great contenders for the best dressed of the weekend but we have got to give it to Kara Tointon.

Great Gatsby glamour has been having a fashion moment recently and is all about heavy embellishment in the form of beads, jewels and fringing. For a more wearable evening look, look for dropped waist dresses and leave the feather headband at home.

While Kara ticked all the boxes for beautiful, classic red carpet attire we have to mention Sienna Miller for her powder blue Matthew Williamson number.

The leaf print, glitter hem, clear box clutch and spiked pointed heels, prove Sienna’s fashion credentials yet again. The skater style and long sleeves make this the perfect dress for flattering most shapes. Her perspex Charlotte Olympia clutch is hugely on trend and the spiked Louboutin’s finish off the look in Sienna’s signature quirky style.

Hannah Reynolds

Guest Blogger for Cheltenham Fashion Week and all time fashion fan. Find her personal style blog at Eve Wanted a Wardrobe.

Photocredit: Images from DailyMail and Empire Online

The post Best Dressed of the Weekend appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

Of course if you are partial to a horizontal stripe, then there were an abundance of those on the catwalk too! Blue pared with white is a usual Spring/Summer staple, conjuring thoughts of yachts and sand, beaches and a cool sea breeze, Haizhen Wang updated this look with sleek lines and a thick black belt to cinch in the waist. Or if you’re looking for something a little different, take some inspiration from Preen and mix your stripes with anything and everything that you can find! Think of yourself as a patchwork blanket filled with snakeskin, spots, block colours in an array of textures for a really edgy summer look.

To really liven up this trend, why not don a brightly coloured stripe with heaps of accessories for a look that’s bound to turn heads this SS13! Take inspiration from Dolce and Gabanna – I just love those chandelier earrings! What do you think of this for summer, will you be incorporating a stripe into your outfit?

Rachel E Tranter.

As a stylist, fashion blogger, social media manager and PR exec, Rachel has worked for CFW for the past two years. Rachel is now blog editor for CFW whilst also maintaining her own blog; Perfectly Presentable. Follow her here on Twitter.

Photocredit: Images from style.com

The post Straight Shooting appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

Blues, blues, everywhere

One of the hottest colours this season can be found in the sky, the sea and most definitely a lot of eyes. You’ve guessed it, blue. Thanks to the likelihood of, real or fake, shimmery and glossy skin during the summer months, there isn’t a better time to add in a multitude of cool, deep and bright blue shades into your beauty regime. Perfect for day looks, festivals and special occasions try something sleek and cool at la Topshop Unique. Or for a more subtle, evening look why not go a little deeper like Jason Wu.

Keeping it clean

The best thing about the spring summer season is the acceptance of bearing it all. After going through the driest and dullest of skin seasons, there can be nothing better than letting it breathe a little. Whether you’re brave enough to go au natural and foundation free, or prefer to fully cover up, minimalism is definitely a look to covet this season. Starting with a silky, smooth base add tones of nude, cream and pinks for the ultimate minimal look. Or if you can’t strip it completely back, add a little coloured lip whilst keeping the face and eyes bare. Perfection!

All images courtesy of Elle Uk and Modus Publicity.

The post SS13 Beauty: Less or more? appeared first on Cheltenham Fashion Week.

The reincarnation of decoupage last year in delicious designs and pretty patterned paper had me decoupaging anything that wasn’t nailed down; tables, chairs, photograph frames even empty wine bottles! Nothing was safe from my creative clutches. More recently I have been framing sumptuous silks in ornate guilt frames….just to bring a creative touch to my humble yet happy home.

For the latent interior designers amongst us, a new course at Gloucestershire College will is bound to get your creative juices flowing….Gloucestershire College is running an intensive GC Express course in Interior Design starting on the 22nd April at Gloucester Campus for 12 weeks!

The exciting new course is a basic introduction to interior design concepts and will cover colour theory using a colour wheel, the importance of pattern and texture and how to gain the best use of an available space. You will learn how to respond to a visual arts brief, including exploration, planning and producing ideas. The course will give you a Level 2 qualification in Interior Design.

So come on budding designers, release that uncapped creative potential and sign up now! By the summertime you could be a fully-qualified Interior Designer!

*If you have been made redundant or are unemployed and looking to return to work we might be able to help with the cost of your course. If you are in receipt of benefits, your tuition and exam fees maybe waivered!

For more information visit our website express or call 0845 1552020 to apply

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