We here at Secret Sales HQ have been around long enough to see a number of hot new clothing designers break into the mainstream.

That’s why we’re so pleased that we’ve got another bunch of up-and-coming fashionistas to watch out for.

A shortlist of 12 new brands has been revealed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), who are all up for the organisation’s Fashion Incubator Award.

Collaborating with the New York Economic Development Corporation, the CFDA has whittled down the contestants to the final 12.

Thanks to this new initiative the contestants could find themselves enjoying an increased platform in the fashion industry.

As well as the top-class publicity that winning this award would gain for a new brand, they would also receive some practical help along the way.

The clothing designer who wins the accolade will be given half-price rent on a fantastic studio in Manhattan.

It’s times like these you wish you were a designer - I’ve always fancied a little bolthole in the Big Apple to escape to.

The lucky up-and-coming designers who have made the final 12 include Sophie Theallet, Prabal Gurung and Alice Ritter.

Grazia magazine recently dubbed Prabal Gurung as "the one to watch" after Demi Moore was seen sporting a monochrome creation that he designed for her in October 2009.

Will you be following these up-and-coming clothing designers?

Here at Secret Sales HQ we recently reported that we were a little surprised to hear that Harry Potter actress Emma Watson was launching a range of ethical clothing for People Tree.

But as her collection of hooded jumpers, cricket tops and cropped tracksuit trousers hit the stores yesterday, the busy starlet has used the opportunity to explain why she wanted to get involved with the cause.

"It is hard to know what is good and what is bad on the high street and equally hard to find fashionable or youthful ethical clothing," she said.

Emma went on to add that she wanted to put together a clothing range that she could be proud of both for looking fabulous and being ethically-sound.

And it would appear that the actress’s efforts went down a treat - Safia Minney, founder of People Tree, praised the young star for using her love of fashion and personal style "to help develop a range that will appeal to this new audience".

The People Tree, Love Emma collection - which is handmade using organic, fairtrade cotton - went on sale yesterday (February 1st) in selected John Lewis stores and at online retailer Asos.

I think that Emma is well on her way to conquering the fashion world with her designing career standing alongside high-profile modelling campaigns for Chanel and Burberry - all at the tender age of 19.

Are you interested in ethical clothing?

Not only is Kate Moss a woman who seems to look good in absolutely everything but she also has an eye for picking out sensational combinations.

From modelling to designing best-selling clothing ranges for Topshop and designer handbags for Longchamp, it seems that everything she touches turns to gold.

That’s why I am not surprised to report that the model is to be honoured for her contributions to the fashion world with an exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

Kate chatted to Harper’s Bazaar magazine about the moment when she found out that she was the designer of choice for the museum.

"I just didn’t believe it," she said.

"So they took me to see it and then I realised it was major! All these red flags on the Rue de Rivoli with my name on them right by the Louvre."

The exhibition, which will document the model’s 20-year career at the top of the fashion industry, will be on display at the museum from 2011 onwards.

But it could be that in the future Kate is not the only clothing designer in the Moss household - she recently revealed to the International Herald Tribune that her adorable daughter Lila Grace has her sights set on a career in the fashion industry.

"Lila’s got her ideas too - she’s got really good taste. She wants to do her own collection!" she said.

Here at Secret Sales HQ we will certainly be making a mad dash to Paris as soon as the exhibition launches - will you be joining us?

As you all know, I love skyscraper heels just as much - if not more - than the next girl but if I were suffering from painful bunions then I would probably give them a rest for a little while.

Despite being advised by medical professionals to lay off the designer heels, Victoria Beckham still insists on teetering around in stilts, it would appear.

The Daily Mail states that the star was forced to remove her designer shoes while passing through security at LAX Airport in Los Angeles.

In doing so, the usually immaculately-dressed mother-of-three revealed huge holes in her tights, which in turn helped eagle-eyed fashion followers to spot a large bunion on her left foot at the base of her big toe.

Victoria has already reportedly been told that she needs to undergo a bunionectomy, where a surgeon would have to cut into the toe joint and re-align the bones with screws.

Ouch!

But having this procedure would mean that the star would be forced out of her trademark heels for weeks, or even months, on end.

We here at Secret Sales HQ are absolutely loving new Jimmy Choo footwear, which is perfect for fashion-followers who want to be comfy but still look gorgeous.

The brand has collaborated with Hunter wellies and Ugg Australia, as well as recently revealing a new line of trainers that are perfect for foot-friendly fashionistas.

Do you think Victoria should give her poor tootsies a rest?