[Vintage gowns from here!]

As a picture of health and vitality, I've never had the pleasure of a hospital visit. Still, I've seen enough daytime TV to know that hospital gowns are generally blue/gross/have a bum flap. Pretty démodé, so perhaps it makes sense that Ben de Lisi has taken it upon himself to redesign the humble hospital gown.

While I appreciate that being in hospital for a long period of time can be a depressing/demoralising/dehumanizing experience and anything that can alleviate some of that is to be applauded, would you trust the man responsible for this to make you look good? I jest, of course. Actual charitable work in the field of fashion is few and far between so good on him for taking time to do something that will actually effect people positively. The Teenage Cancer Trust did something similar last year as a one-off fundraiser with designers like Alexander McQueen and Henry Holland auctioning off designer gowns, but this is the first time a Brit designer has attempted something more permanent. Way back in the dark days of the 90s, American designer Nicole Miller created a snazzy range of stethoscope print gowns for the Hackensack University Medical Centre in New Jersey (check out this truly bitching website), but the idea of a designer primarily known for evening wear taking up the challenge does seem a little unusual.

According to the interview in the Guardian, he was the one that approached the Department of Health to ask if they'd let him submit some ideas. They agreed and the designs are due to be trialled in King's College ­Hospital next month. Time to pencil in a workplace accident/bout of gout?

The Grauniad piece goes on to say that in the US the hospital gown market is thought to be worth £49m(!!), but I suppose when you're on the NHS you have to be grateful for what you get. I guess it makes sense. If you're a chic, smart, stylish woman with a scheduled month in hospital ahead, why wouldn't you buy something nice to take instead of the standard shit?

So what's it gonna look like? Well Mr De Lisi is keeping fairly quiet but revealed that it's unisex, has 'access points' (snigger) but does not have a bum crack. Cryptically he also compares it to one of his cocktail frocks saying, "there are similarities in the sense that it is one garment and it goes over the body. You could call it a hospital dress." Intriguing!

I've been waiting for the YSL Y Mail Palette to land on my desk for what feels like for-fucking-ever so it was a bit of a special moment this morning when the jiffy bag of dreams actually arrived. Actually, it arrived last week and my esteemed colleague Charles hid it away in cupboard to prevent the Office Thief having his (uhm, I mean his/her) wicked way with it. Phew, I didn't mind the delay though, at least it's in my sweaty mitts now.



This limited edition palette is, obvo, a take on the classic Y Mail series but with the added bonus of shiny makeup inside. There are actually two versions, one featuring a blusher trio and one with a highlighter combo, which is the one I got and the one that's shown above. You can see the blush swatch here. It's hard to express how pretty this shimmer block is, especially on a wanky iPhone. Just the right blend of sheen/glow, no glitter/sparkle. The picture I attempted looks like this, which is why I borrowed these snaps from the curiously named Femme Thing site instead. As well as the gold compact, you also get a ridiculous/cute mini version of the Y Mail tote. It's about the right size for a Barbie, so not entirely sure the point other than looking cute. The highlighter itself is good, gets a nice radiant glow but I think it will be better on tanned summer skin rather than the pasty, pallid, flaky winter shit that I'm currently dealing with. I've tried the pearlescent lightest shade as a brow bone highlighter though and it's tops, maybe a rival to my beloved Phloof.

The YSL Y Mail palettes (and the rest of the SS10 collection) is available at the usual suspect department stores for 35 quid and if that seems a bit steep for a blusher, just remember that you can rinse it out when you're done and use it as a natty compact mirror. Crafty.

If you can look beyond the bizarro world cluster fuck first outfit (2005? Yeah I thought it was you, I'm just about picking you up on my Motorola RAZR... right?), these pictures from the new Topshop look book are pretty nice. I love that Topso are so willing to fully embrace hair trends, as demonstrated by the ratty, colour-dipped, plaited strand ponies they've included here. So many high street stores nail the fashion but then opt for a nice safe blow-dry or bun or something which is all very well and good, and looks tasteful, but I'm far more into this kind of ugly shit that Topshop are brave enough to pull off. As someone in the world of hair, of course I like it, and I'm sure Topshop's teen market who take a look from the lookbook and just work it head to toe will get behind too. I guess I just like the fact that they're not afraid to alienate people to stick with their vision. It's not often you see that in the money makin world of the high street.

Speaking of which... kind of. Anyone remember the Chicks? Criminales Coches Pistolas Y Chicas? Lead singer Isabel Reyes Feeney was the first IRL person I saw with a dip-dyed ponytail. All black with neon green ends. God I loved her.

I've talked about Jennifer Behr on here before, but I just spotted her latest collection on Bleach Black so I've got to be predictable and mention it. There's not actually so much I love this time around, although there are two stand outs. Of course I'm not planning on dropping two hundred bones on a bit of satin any time soon but this would take about ten minutes to DIY with the aid of my trusty pliers so maybs I'll make the most of this upcoming quiet weekend and get on the case... I do have a lot of old tights to work with.



The studded bow is cute too, although it would be alittle more tricky on the DIY front. Love this picture of it in action in Teen Vogue. Clearly I like all things studded (wow really? I know I'm pretty discrete about it) but even I am starting to question when the love affair is going to end. Getting a bit silly now, isn't it? Studded knick knacks next? I wouldn't be surprised, in fact I'ma get on the case right now.

Of course, you can see all of Jennifer Behr's collections and make your purchases at her site.

As Tavi-gate rolls on (this post in particular is incredible. I know subs are hard to come by but just email it to your mum or something and get her to proof it?), one statistic currently blowing my mind concerns the fact that today is me and my old man's anniversary. When we first got together, Tavi was a baby. I don't know which of those things freaks me out the most. We were drinking warm pints of Carling and trying to avoid the sticky carpet of Corp, she was toddling. Nuts? I dunno, not really, but it's still gently busting my brain out of its comfort zone.

Long may the mighty Tavi reign, large may her headwear grow and above all, happy umpteenth anniversary to my mister.