Karen’s Harley Street clinic offers a variety of services including permanent makeup, semi-permanent lash extensions and a whole range of treatments that suits everyone’s beauty needs.

Permanent Brows are still trending this AW 12 and they are back with vengeance in S/S 13 eyebrows have never been so coveted! The brow shouldn’t be an over powerful feature, the brow is renowned to complement brighten and lift your eyes and face.

One lady who is following the highbrow trend and making others want to achieve the ‘Wow Brow’ is the Duchess of Cambridge; Kate Middleton. To achieve this perfect brow you need one lady Karen Betts.

Over the past several years, groomed eyebrows have attracted new attention both in the world of fashion and beauty, for the woman on the street. With Karen’s celebrity clientele growing by 250% women are realising permanent make-up is the way forward!

• Contact Karen for more details at karenbetts.co.uk

This new, beautiful and modern collection is designed with the fashion conscious young lady in mind, yet manages to complement and reflect Nicki’s renowned flower girl range – now known as the Cygnet Collection. By using the same fabrics, colours and styling details, all encompassed in age-appropriate designs, she has ensured that both collections will lend a co-ordinated and sophisticated look to any bridal party.

The latest Nicki Macfarlane Collections are dripping with the most beautiful, delicate detailing, using the finest of fabrics. From satin bows at the shoulder to Peter Pan collars, ribbon waistbands and organza sashes, Nicki has successfully merged a variety of textures to give her dresses a unique, modern edge. In interpreting catwalk styles, including 1950s-inspired full-skirted dresses with nipped-in waists, she has ensured that even the most particular teenager will approve!

Lace continues to be the fabric of the moment and the 2013 Nicki Macfarlane Collection highlights why this is a fashion that every girl would love to wear, whatever her age. With a choice of delicate eyelet lace, cotton embroidered lace or even lace with added sparkle – there really is something for everyone.
This season features an exciting new palette of colours, including vibrant sunset, luscious lawn green and floral tones of wisteria and violet, each evoking the beauty of wonderful summer days.

Last year, Nicki was given the honour of creating the bridesmaid dresses for HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. As well as her ready to wear collection, Nicki also offers a bespoke service and offers appointments in either London or Wiltshire.

See Nicki Macfarlane’s new 2013 collection in full glory at White Gallery London 20-22 May 2012.

For more information please visit www.whitegallery.com

Women are once again daring to bear their legs and to wear glamorous sheer nudes, exposing their legs to more scrutiny than ever before.  British retailers are also reporting sales of sheer hosiery soaring, in some cases by more than a third compared to 2010, showing this trend is no where near slowing down.

Now thanks to Lycra Fusion fibre, an innovative ladder-resistant fibre, women can embrace the trend and step out of the door; confident that their hosiery won’t let them down. Whether you have a crucial meeting at work or a first date, walking into a room with a ladder in your tights leaves even the most confident women on the back foot, and we all know how vital first impressions can be.

Invista, the owner of the Lycra  fibre brand, understands more than anyone how valuable a well dressed leg is and the role hosiery plays within this.

To gain further insight the company has collaborated with renowned independent psychologist Honey Langcaster-James on a study to decipher the ‘language of legs,’ helping women understand how legs can be the key to confidence.

“Thinking about the way in which you stand, sit or pose when in a work situation can really help boost your inner confidence and also project a positive image to work colleagues. It can dramatically alter the way you are perceived by colleagues and those around you”, Honey says.

Honey has identified the five most popular and useful poses used at work, and delved into what these poses really say about you and what signals you may or may not be inadvertently giving to your colleagues or those around you, providing psychological insight that means you will never give the wrong impression again.

Demure diva – Legs crossed at the ankle, knees together, very soft and feminine and often a royal pose. This pose says – “It’s nice to meet you”

Go getter – Standing with one leg in front of the other in a strong confident pose. This pose says – “Pay attention because I’m going straight to the top”.

Artfully assertive – Legs crossed at the knees in a traditionally feminine but sexually strong position. This pose says – “I know how to have fun too!”

Networker – Seated with legs slightly to one side, knees and ankles together but not crossed. This pose says – “Let’s talk business”

Confident presenter – Standing with feet hip width apart, toes pointing forwards. This pose says – ““Trust me…I know what I’m talking about”

For more details visit Aristoc.

• 5 Star Weddings: Congratulations Nicki on your success in being chosen to design the bridesmaids dresses for the Duchess of Cambridge – what were your thoughts when you were first asked to take on this high profile opportunity?

•  5 Star Weddings:  What was the inspiration for the royal bridesmaids dresses?

Nicki Macfarlane: Catherine came to us with a clear vision of what overall look she wanted for her bridal party – un-fussy and sophisticated. She also wanted to echo the design of her own gown so our designs for the bridesmaids’ dresses were created organically.  The colours were agreed early on, but the fabric came about later, once Catherine and Sarah Burton had selected their fabrics.

• 5 Star Weddings: How long did the dresses take to design and what detail was involved?

Nicki Macfarlane: Although we started designing the dresses in February, as with all our bespoke clients, we didn’t start making the dresses until a couple of months before the wedding as little children do have a habit of growing!  We had a few fittings with the girls which were wonderful, happy occasions.
The dresses had so many lovely details.  The ballerina length skirts were box pleated ivory silk satin gazar, layered over organza, wild silk and petticoats, this gave them their sculptural quality and depth of colour.  The skirts, neckline and sleeves were trimmed in the most beautiful English lace.  The sashes were made in pale gold wild silk and were tied in the back in a sumptuous bow. As a special memento, we hand embroidered the little girl’s names and the date of the wedding into the lining of the dresses.

• 5 Star Weddings: Was the Duchess of Cambridge involved in choosing the styles and designs herself?

Nicki Macfarlane Yes, The Duchess was involved at every stage of the design process; she attended every fitting and was open to our suggestions.  She was an absolute joy to work with.

• 5 Star Weddings: What styles have become desirable recently for bridesmaid and pageboy outfits?

Nicki Macfarlane: Since the Royal Wedding, we’ve had a lot of enquiries from future brides who loved the style of The Duchess of Cambridge’s bridesmaids’ dresses.  We are forecasting a move away from the frothy, floaty look of recent times towards a more structured, sculptural and sophisticated look.

• 5 Star Weddingsl: How far in advance do brides need to contact you before their wedding, if they want a made to measure design?

Nicki Macfarlane: We need at least three months for our bespoke commissions.

• 5 Star Weddings: Do you have a personal favourite within your current collection?

Nicki Macfarlane: Well, I must admit to having a soft spot for the version of The Duchess of Cambridge’s dresses we created and I’m extremely proud of our new capsule collection we designed for John Lewis. I always love designing bespoke pieces for brides because you get to know them and their family and feel part of their special day.

• 5 Star Weddings: What is your advise to brides with young flower girls/pageboys in terms of practical dressing?

Nicki Macfarlane: I think that the most important thing is to make sure that they are comfortable.  Ensure that their outfits are well-made, if possible lined and that nothing can irritate their skin or make them feel itchy.

• 5 Star Weddings: You’ve obviously just been involved in one of the most prestigious events of the decade but do you have any other wish list high profile weddings that you’d like to be involved in?

Nicki Macfarlane: I know it sounds ridiculous but working with Catherine and her family was just like working with any of my bespoke clients! Even on the morning of the Wedding at The Goring Hotel, it felt just like any other family wedding day -everybody was calm, excited and relaxed.  Being with any bride in the build up to their marriage is an absolute privilege and I feel extremely honoured to be part of it – whoever they are.

• 5 Star Weddings: What in your opinion, makes a 5 Star Wedding?

Nicki Macfarlane: I don’t think there is a formula.  I think that every wedding is wonderful!

Copyright 5 Star Weddings