Bravissimo

Last week London Fashion Week kicked off with Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief in support of the White Ribbon Alliance, raising over a million pounds for the survivors of the Haiti disaster. The show included celebrity models such as Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, Pixie Geldof and a rather heavily pregnant Denise van Outen, as well as less likely models, David Walliams and James Corden and comedian Ronnie Corbett. It was down to Vivienne Westwood to design the official T-shirt for the show baring the image of a pair of boobs and the slogan ‘vital statistics’ which referred to the numbers of people affected by the Haiti disaster. The T-shirts were worn by the celebrities after the main show. As well as the gorgeous super models gracing the stage, there was also a treat for the female’s eyes in the form of cricketer Andrew Flintoff and Arsenal hottie Francesc Fabregas taking to the catwalk. In total 50 celebrities graced the catwalk.

The White Ribbon Alliance to which the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown is patron, was set up 4years ago and has raised money in support of other appeals such as hurricane Katrina and the Rotary Flood disaster. The money raised from this particular event will go to support the survivors of the Haiti disaster and implementation of a new health system to care for mothers and babies.
Now who said fashion was vain?

In a world where we have become reliant on texts, e-mails and computers for everyday life, we ask what would life be like without modern technology, however did we cope before the days of computers, sat navs and mobile phones and what on earth do we do when these gadgets stop working on us without prior warning?

It’s happened to all of us, we’re in the middle of an important day at work, piece of coursework or internet shopping spree and boom, your computer crashes.  Have you ever forgotten your mobile phone and left the house before it’s too late to go back and get it? It’s like loosing a limb, it can make you feel lost, even if no-one would have texted or called you that day anyway, you’re always worried that you might have missed something important. We don’t wash the pots any more, we have dishwashers, we have a speaking computer telling us that driving down that country lane definitely is the quickest way to get to your destination, and even if you know it isn’t you follow it anyway (just in case) and we’re even using computer games and work out DVDs to get our regular exercise. 

So next time your internet stops working, washing machine floods the kitchen, hair dryer cuts out, just remember how lucky we are to have such helpful gizmos in our lives. We have a lot to thank modern technology for, making our lives quicker, easier and a lot more fun. However, it doesn’t hurt to every once in a while leave our phones at home on purpose or get out of our daily routines and get back to basics, cook, play more with the kids, pamper yourself  without the use of wireless connection! Why not try it for yourself? Instead of watching the TV after dinner get the family together to play a board game or instead of spending an hour at the gym, dig out your bike and go for a bike ride or a run!  You never know, you might enjoy it more.

The start of this new month brings with it lighter nights and brighter days, or a least we hope so. We have to say it, we’re done with winter and as much as we do enjoy cosying up on cold nights with a hot choc and girly DVD, we’d much prefer to have a social life and not feel like its bed time when we leave work because it’s so dark.

Basic White Tee

The somewhat erratic weather of recent has been teasing us with the odd but gloriously sunny day, the next day however is rubbish and the next few days after that too! This is causing havoc with our wardrobe choices, as when we leave the house in the morning it’s cold and rather grim, but come lunch time the sun comes out in all its glory and makes conditions almost stifling. Then as soon as the sun goes down, it’s blumming freezing again! What is a girl to do?! Well, during this inter-season phase, when its not quite warm enough to wear the spring/summer collections that have been in the shops since February, but neither is it cold enough to still be wearing full on winter layers, the key to combating wardrobe choices is layering. Luckily this is hot trend too right now, so you can look chic and keep warm/cool/dry all at the same time! The best place to start with the layering look is with a good set of basics, long and short sleeve tee-shirts, simple cardigans and shirts. Click here to view our range of basic tees and tops for layering, and to assure you get the perfect fit discover your Bravissimo size.

At the Brit Awards this year, the girls really did come out on top. They stole the show not only with their talent but also with their outfits. Performances from the likes of Florence Welch, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga and Cheryl Cole proved that these women have got it all, talent, success and great wardrobes (although we’d probably give Lady Gaga’s wardrobe a miss)! We did however love Florence’s embellished mini dress, the gothic vibe displayed from both Pixie Lott in her little black laced dress and Lily Allen’s floor sweeping Chanel number and Leona Lewis’ futuristic style dress with elaborate shoulders and shiny fabric. Top marks ladies!

When we did a survey last year, Cheryl Cole has the figure we all would love to have!  Not only has she been top of the charts and the X factor, she also has the celebrity boobs most girls would like to have.  We think Cheryl’s boobs are fab and estimate she’s around a 28F bra size.  With a well fitted and supportive bra, girls can achieve the shape they want!  if you’re not sure what size you are, why not visit your nearest Bravissimo store for a free fitting.

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New TV Advert!

We hope you love our new TV ad with our gorgeous customer models and a glamorous look reminiscent of 1940s Hollywood! 

Why not watch the ad now and tell us what you think…

http://www.bravissimo.com/adcampaign/2010/tvad/default.aspx

There is a certain number of staple clothing items of that no woman should be without. Here we take a look at what classic items build the foundations of a great wardrobe.

Classic white shirt

• A shirt, but not just any old shirt, a great fitting crisp shirt that can be worn with anything from jeans to suits.
• Perfect fit jeans, good fitting jeans can often be one of the most difficult things to find. They’re either too long, too short or just don’t fit right. But a pair of well fitting jeans (or two) are an absolute essential. Go for a slight boot cut in a dark wash for a flattering fit and to balance out a top heavy frame.
• A tailored suit. Suits can be used for so many occasions and these days they are much more feminine than the power dressing days of the eighties (even if shoulder pads are back in fashion)! For those of you that like the individual look go for a suit with quirky tailored lines and more unusual detailing.
• The LBD (aka the little black dress). This is a must in any wardrobe. Your own perfect LBD should always be super sexy, super glam and super comfortable so that when that special occasion comes round you will know exactly what to wear!
• Cashmere is a must, especially this time of year. When the weather is cold outside, there’s nothing better than snuggling up a pure cashmere cardigan. But don’t skimp out on the price, with cashmere you do get what you pay for so make this one an investment buy.Every t-shirt style tops
• Plain white tee, t-shirts tops are great basic items to create a more casual look, as well as being versatile. But don’t stop at white, try different colours and patterns to give different effects and to add a punch of colour to an outfit. They’re also great for carrying off the layered look.
• A WOW dress. A wow dress does exactly what it says, makes people’s mouths drop in awe when you enter the room wearing it! A wow dress can be as glamorous as you want, a colourful, embellished, floor length gown would do the trick. But whatever style the dress is, it must do one thing; make you feel a million dollars. And not a cent less.

This may seem like a lot of shopping if you don’t already have some of these classic wardrobe staples. But don’t worry, you don’t have to buy them all in one go (unless of course you want to!). These are items that will stand the test of time and an investment wardrobe will take time to build up too but trust us, it will be well worth it!

Bumbags and head to toe denim not your thing? We discuss the spring trends you could wear and those that should be left on the catwalk.

Pastel lingerie with delicate embroidery

Pastel tones. Thank goodness, some lovely colours for spring. Pastel blues, yellows, pinks and purples are just what we need to lighten up our mood and to take our thoughts away from all the snow we’ve had! Though the colours remind us of being kids in the sweet shop, this look is definitely grown-up with tailored pieces and feminine ruffles, ruches and frills.  There’s some lovely pastel lingerie too.

Be style savvy and pull two trends off at once! The safari and military trends have certain similarities that can be used to make the most of your wardrobe, plus you probably don’t wish to look like you’re actually on safari or in the army. Khaki tailored trousers are the perfect base for both looks, add tribal inspired prints for the safari look and double breasted buttoning to hit the military trend.

This season shorts are just that, short! But on the bright side it’s just the motivation we need to stick at the gym as the only accessory to wear with short shorts are tanned, toned legs! Why not try a pair of tailored shorts instead of a skirt for an evening out? Or for the casual look, softer looser fitting shorts in white or grey with flats work great if you’re off for some summer sun, we might be waiting a while though here before it’s warm enough to even think about shorts!

Beige and sophisticated nudes. Beige believe it or not is THE colour at the moment, and not just where clothing is concerned, there are beige shoes, beige handbags and even beige nail polish. You get the picture, nudes are also big news. So anything in a pink, grey or peachy shade in a sheer fabric is a sure thing in the style stakes.

Underwear as outerwear is still a key look for spring. Wear your best bra under a sheer top to keep it classy and try to keep the colours matching for a more subtle look. Our new early spring collection features some great sets in pastel shades, perfect to pull off this look!

As much as we’d like to be able to eat all the chocolate/ meat/ cabbage soup we can in a day (ok not so much the cabbage soup but definitely the others) and still loose weight, we know these fad diets aren’t going to help us in the

Don't forget a good sports bra!

long run. Diet crazes all promise quick weight loss, but what they don’t promise are long term results and such extreme dieting techniques have led to criticism from the medical world. However much we want a quick fix for that party/wedding/holiday we’ve got planned, we know that it’s not going to give us long term results. The only guaranteed way to loose weight and keep it off is to eat well (with the odd treat allowed) and exercise on a regular basis, simple in theory but much more difficult in practice.  Here are some ideas of how you can squeeze some exercise into your day, so that you can squeeze back into those jeans you used to wear;

• Walk more: walking is a great form of exercise it involves less impact on your joints than running and doesn’t involve an array of expensive equipment. Try walking places instead of taking the car or parking at the furthest end of the supermarket car park when you do your weekly shop.
• Take the stairs: climbing stairs is great way of toning up your legs and bum, choose stairs over escalators or lifts to increase your heart rate!
• Choose a form of exercise you actually enjoy, signing up to a gym if you hate going to the gym is a waste of money and time. Instead try out some of the classes on offer at your local leisure centre, anything from aqua aerobics to boxercise, you’ll never know unless you try. And why not take a friend along with you, that way you can encourage each other and have a giggle at the same time!

There’s nothing we enjoy more than curling up on the sofa whilst the night are still chilly with a hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and a good film. Here’s a list of our top 20 feel good films, that even if you have already seen them a million times, we’re sure you’d probably want to watch most of them again!

1. Billy Elliot, it just makes us want to dance.
2. Slumdog Millionaire, the soundtrack is amazing too!
3. Dirty Dancing, one of the best feel good films of all times.
4. Sex and The City, can’t wait for the sequel!
5. Bridget Jones’ Diary, oh the plight of one single girl and one big pair of knickers!
6. Amelie, there’s just something about this quirky French film that we love.
7. Shakespeare in Love, this film makes us fall in love with love.
8. Finding Nemo, one of the first animated films to be as appealing to adults as it was to children.
9. Notting Hill, Rhys Ifans in his pants, classic film moment.
10. The Goonies, a real classic.
11. Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts plays hooker turned darling in this great love story.
12. Love Actually, perfect Christmas feel good film.
13. About A Boy, Hugh Grant, enough said.
14. City of Angels, a sad but great film.
15. The Shawshank Redemption, perfect story of the good guy winning in the end.
16. When Harry Met Sally, the will they, won’t they story is enough to leave you shouting at the screen.
17. Ghost, a truly beautiful film.
18. Wall E, you can’t help but feel for the little metal fella!
19. Grease, one of our favourite classic films ever!
20. The Wizard of Oz, we still covet a pair of ruby slippers, just imagine, three clicks of your heels and wherever you are in the world, you could magic yourself straight home!

Check out our new spring collection, it’s full of new styles of lingerie, swimwear and clothing as well as brand new spring colours in some of your favourite styles!

The lovely Alana Bra to a K cup

The Alana bra now comes in the gorgeous shade of pale aqua, the perfect accompaniment to your spring pastel wardrobe. Both the Ariza and Eliza bra also come in brand new shades for spring and for those days when a plain t-shirt bra just will not do, try the Frankie or Arabesque bra in bright colourful patterns to liven up your day! We also have some great new work wear, the iridescent collection comprises a fitted jacket, uber smart shift dress and tulip skirt in a shimmery slate grey fabric, it will jazz up any office! Mix and match with your wardrobe basics for work and if you’re brave enough, wear the jacket with a sexy basque underneath to nail the underwear as outer wear trend in the evening. We now have more dresses than ever, which are all designed to fit you perfectly. One of our favourites has to be the waterfall dress in scrumptious raspberry. It’s a very flattering style and is sure to turn heads. Got a party to attend? Why not try the sleek satin shift dress for size? This fully lined shift dress with belted empire line gives great shape and is the kind of dress that won’t go out of fashion, it’s a classic! The twist front dress in a divine shade of blue is great for those of you that prefer to cover up thanks to its long sleeves, higher neckline and just below the knee length. It’s a very sexy dress without revealing too much! As well as new clothing and lingerie styles, we’re also bringing you new swimwear and night wear, we’re nice like that! Take a look at our new spring collection.

That should be enough to keep you going, for now!