All hail Chanel!

Not only have they been one of my long-time favourite designer clothing brands, but they have now proven that there is definitely no future for fur in fashion.

In a truly breathtaking show, Chanel models strutted through fake icebergs that wouldn’t look out of place in the Arctic at the iconic French designer’s Paris Fashion Week event yesterday (March 9th).

And while the models were wrapped up in a beautiful collection of furry creations, I am ecstatic to report that no animals had to suffer in the process, as all of the fur that was used in the show was fake.

Classic Chanel suits were trimmed with fur and even the iconic chain-strapped quilted bags, popular with celebrities the world over, were given a furry addition for the autumn/winter 2010 line.

I’m personally hoping for another big freeze next year so that I can get my hands on a pair of the knee-high yeti boots that were fashioned on the Paris catwalk.

The best thing about this collection is that even though the fur is fake, it is still luxurious and elegant, while being animal-friendly.

"One of the most beautiful furs in the world is Chanel’s fake fur," Karl Lagerfeld told The Associated Press.

"This fake fur gives a very beautiful new volume. It’s a pleasure to touch and to wear it. It’s light and warm."

Chanel now joins the likes of clothing designers such as Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren, who have openly expressed their dislike for using fur for fashion.

Do you think it’s cruel to use fur for fashion?

As you all know, I have got a wardrobe that is absolutely stacked to the hills with designer clothes, shoes and bags and there is nothing that pleases me more than trawling round the boutiques on a Saturday in the hope of adding to my collection.

But it would seem that my little hobby is going to become something of a thing of the past, as a new report from denim brand Levi’s and Forum for the Future has noted that owning your own clothing is going to become about as fashionable as Ann Widdecombe.

The Fashion Futures report found that shopping for designer clothing will be out, while swapping shoes, bags and clothes with your nearest and dearest will become the hottest new trend.

"Luxury [will mean] stuff that is good for people and the planet," it stated.

Hmm, I’m really not too sure how I feel about this - while I’m all for saving the environment by recycling, walking to work and whatnot, I don’t think I’m quite ready to give up my designer handbag obsession.

I much prefer the advice proferred by the legendary Vivienne Westwood, who recently suggested that followers of fashion can do their bit for the planet by only buying good-quality clothing that will not need to be replaced in a hurry.

What do you think?

If you thought that you’d said goodbye to weird gothic trends when you were 13 then I’ve got some bad news . . . it appears that they have made something of a designer clothing comeback on the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week.

While I usually turn to the French capital for the vast majority of my fashion inspiration, I can safely say that this is one trend that I will categorically not be following.

Gone are the chic little Chanel numbers that are so synonymous with the Parisian look and in are gothic-inspired pieces that seem to take their cues from the Witches of Eastwick or suchlike.

Models fashioning looks by Gareth Pugh - who is well-known for his love for all things spooky - wore unusual rubbery-looking black jackets that looked as if you bent the wrong way, they could easily strangle you.

Structured, masculine gothic gowns and jackets also featured on miserable-looking models who quite frankly, looked as though they hadn’t seen the light of day in a substantial number of years.

Ok, ok I know it’s only just began and I know I am biased towards my hometown of London but if Pugh’s show spelled the beginning of future clothing trends for Paris Fashion Week then I think I will be looking elsewhere for my autumn/winter 2010 inspiration.

I much prefer the Christopher Kane gothic romance look that was showcased at London Fashion Week.

Will you be taking on the gloomy gothic trend?

We all know that designer clothing has gone a bit bonkers of late - underwear has become outerwear, double denim is the height of fashion and crikey, even the bum bag has staged a comeback.

And while we here at Secret Sales HQ are pretty grounded in terms of our fashion sense, we do have to admit that we have jumped on the bandwagon of some decidedly dodgy trends in our time (even though I know that may be hard to believe).

But one thing that has surprised even we open-minded folk is the number of ladies out there who would be prepared to bare their boobs in the name of fashion.

A recent study by My Celebrity Fashion has revealed that a staggering one-quarter of you would be prepared to get your assets out in one of this season’s lace numbers or sheer body-style tops.

And a further ten per cent would even be prepared to wear a full sheer lace dress, similar to that fashioned by Lady Gaga at the MTV Music Awards with just a pair of pants underneath!

It would appear that the underwear as outerwear fashion has well and truly caught on of late - department store Selfridge’s recently reported that it has seen a 20 per cent rise in sales of nude nipple covers in response to this daring trend.

Would you bare your bod for fashion?

Thank goodness the experts are on hand to lend us fashionistas a word of advice in recreating the looks that were seen on the catwalks of London Fashion Week.

Yesterday we brought you an expert opinion on this season’s juxtaposing textures hair trend and today a beauty expert has imparted her extensive knowledge upon us so we can mimic the autumn/winter 2010 contouring look.

Style queen Jessica Hogan over at Vogue noted that iconic clothing designer Vivienne Westwood played with the notion of light and dark by shading the eye sockets and cheekbones of her models with purples, browns and greys.

James Kaliardos for Matthew Williamson also experimented with the look, using deep shades of foundation on the cheekbones and temples in order to contour the face.

But luckily for us, Beryl Barnard, education director at London School of Beauty and Makeup, says that the only products we need to achieve this look is a simple highlighter, which can be used as an eyeshadow or shader.

"The application is light to accentuate and dark to recede; for example, highlight browbone down to cheekbone, blush on the apple of the cheek and dark to shade below blush line," she suggests.

Perhaps worryingly, new research from Debenhams has revealed that the average British woman’s cosmetic bag is four years out of date, with fashionistas far and wide using products that are well past their use-by mark.

You wouldn’t keep your designer clothing after it goes out of fashion so why do the same with your makeup? I’m definitely clearing out my makeup bag this evening.