The Fashion Show

Not long ago there was a lot of winging on blogsphere about the lack of fashion programmes on British TV. Well someone must have been listening because since then there have been quite a few decent fashion shows on. There was Channel 4's Gok's Fashion Fix which turned out not to be so bad after all and then the return of the wonderful, Mary Queen of Shops - courtesy of BBC. Now ITV have got in on the act by launching a fashion show of their own. Not to be undone by rival channels, ITV have recruited model/WAG, Abigail Clancy to host a show that meshes high street style and glamour. Imaginatively titled, The Fashion Show, viewers will be treated to style secrets from celebrities and a peep into their wardrobe as well as the inevitable make over. Clancey is joined by TV and radio presenter, George Lamb and catwalk model, Michelle de Swarte and the concept here is accessible fashion for the ordinary girl about town. With iconic TV producer, Sebastian Scott on board - he who brought us the legendary pop culture show, The Word and The Big Breakfast - I am sure it will be an interesting watch. Plus with London Fashion Week right round the corner, the timing is impeccable.

The Fashion Show airs on ITV2 later this month.

Observer Woman Monthly

There was a time when The Observer was seen as a paper for fuddy duddies. However with a funky modern look, the paper that only OAPs used to read is now appealing to the young and trendies. A lot of this has a lot to do with the fantastic supplements that are produced and distributed with the Berliner designed paper. As well as colourful sections on travel, sport, money and business, almost every week there is an Observer magazine. It all started back in 2000 when the much acclaimed Observer Sport Monthly ie OSM was launched. Packed with features and interviews, this was a glossy mag that not only looked good but was also a damm good read. Being the sports buff I am, I loved it. OSM was soon followed by Observer Food Monthly, inevitable considering the nation’s new obsession with food, then we had the Observer Music Monthly and last but not least, the Observer Woman Monthly aka OWM. With a staple diet of sex, relationships, style, shopping, health and beauty, OWM made its debut in January 2006 fighting for attention with the likes of YOU, Stella and Style. I will admit that not every issue has hit the mark for me and some have very much been hit and miss. Although OWM contains hard hitting features it lacks the beauty and appeal of supplements such as YOU and co. However, this month’s issue really outclasses itself. Using the theme of coolness, OWM combines the new up and coming faces of Britannia with some pure heavyweights; there is a four page interview with Pop goddess, Katie Grand, a meaty profile on Mary Portas from Mary Queen of Shops, a revealing profile on Biba founder, Barbara Hulanicki as well as a narrative from Julie Burchill telling is about her coolest moment. This is an issue I will certainly treasure and if you missed it, never mind because you can catch it online.

Mary Queen of Shops

I am really excited about a fabulous new fashion series that is coming on TV. It is called Mary Queen of Shops and it is a four part documentary that follows fashionista, Mary Portas as she revamps boutique shops around the country. In case you are wondering who the hell Mary is, she is the human dynamo who is responsible for turning chic department store, Harvey Nichols into the new lush haven that it is now. She also pens a column in the Telegraph appropriately titled, Shop. Basically Mary does a Gordon Ramsey on the show but hopefully without all the swearing. The programme is aired on 31st May on BBC Two.