Chart topping sensation and queen of controversy Rihanna has turned her skills to the world of fashion.

The 24-year-old pop singer has designed a collection of loose fitted printed and slogan t-shirts for Emporio Armani. This is her second
collection for the international fashion house, her first being released last year.

This time round, her collection features edgy tees, distressed denim boiler suits and short leather biker jackets. Whilst clearly retaining her ‘rude girl’ fashion sense, this look is a far cry from the skimpy outfits often seen on the young starlet.

Three sketches were released by Emporio Armani, which revealed the preliminary instalments from the collaboration and the collection has now gone live.

The latest collection also features fashionable shopper style shoulder bags with a large design label on the front. The iconic Emporio Armani eagle, with Rihanna’s initial drawn across the middle, is the collection’s logo. It even appears on a t-shirt pocket as well as on the belt of the denim boiler suit.

This new wave of laid back chic is a welcome alternative for those who want to channel Rihanna’s style without being too daring.

We love these accessories which channel Rihanna’s collection’s edgy laid-back look:

1. Bibi Bijoux studded gold cuff with black faux fur

Made with Swarovski elements and smoked topaz crystals, the studded bracelet also features a stunning gold tone chain that is perfect for giving your look a quirky twist.

2. Puntotres brown leather belt

Nothing says rock like leather and so we bring you this simple yet elegant brown leather buckle belt – ideal for everyday wear.

The Duchess of Cambridge attended a charity polo match over the weekend to watch husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry competing.

Whilst Kate Middleton was mostly standing on the sidelines with Lupo, the couple’s newly acquired dog, she was also snapped running in some towering tan-coloured wedges and a breezy silk aqua green dress.

Kate, who recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary, was seen in Coworth Park, near Ascot, running to catch up with William following his match.

The sporty Duchess’s legs looked very toned in the large wedge heels and above the knee dress.

She matched the delicately printed button shift dress with a simple pair of studded earrings.

Prince Harry and William, who participated in the charity match, showed off their competitive streak as they teamed up for a number of
matches at the Ascot grounds. More than 200 special guests attended the Audi Polo Challenge, including actors Russell Crowe and Tom Hardy. The annual event has raised more than £1.4 million in the last decade.

The Sunday event marked an end to a busy week for the Royal couple that including an appearance at an Olympic Black tie event on Friday.

Wearing a jewel-encrusted teal dress, the Duchess stole the show at the Olympic Games event, which was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The Jenny Packham dress with lace capped shoulders and intricate button detail on the back sported by the Duchess will undoubtedly
become a sell out item in the coming weeks.

Matching the dress with a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of glittering diamond drop earrings, Kate Middleton looked as glamorous as a princess.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry, are the official ambassadors for the London 2012 Olympics.

Get Kate Middleton’s look with these classic crystal studs from Lovett & Co.

Hermès, the luxury handbag designer, is celebrating 175 years in the making with a unique Leather Forever exhibition.

For those who can’t get their hands on one, they can certainly enjoy looking at them at the London exhibition this Spring.

Fans can feast their eyes on bags made by one of the world’s most highly regarded luxury fashion brands.

Displaying hand made leather goods from the traditional 1837 saddle bag to delicate modern silk scarfs, the exhibition showcases the very best of Hermès.

The famous Kelly and Birkin bags will make an appearance and demonstrates the label’s rich history. The Birkin bag has often been called one of the most recognisable handbags in the fashion world. Named after the actress and singer, Jane Birkin, the statement bag came about in the 1980s following an inflight conversation between the singer and a Hermès designer.

Since then, the travelling handbag has gone on to become a rare iconic piece with prices ranging from £3,500 to £100,000 and waiting lists of up to six years.  If you cannot wait that long, get the look without the killer price tag with this exotic grey snake print, large shoulder bag from Fiorelli.

The Birkin is hand made by only the finest craftsmen who have to train for a staggering five years before they can even get anywhere near one. The entire process of creating one of the bags can take two days as they are made of a range of materials including skins from lizards to crocodile and goatskin lining.

Diehard fans will only have to wait a matter of days before they can see one up close and personal, without the £1,000 commitment.

The free entry exhibition will be held in the Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens from 8^th May until 27^th May 2012.

Britain may be shrouded with angry grey clouds for now, but we can smell summer just around the corner.

Whilst the majority of people will be stuck in an office over the summer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t feel the heat with some stylish accessories.

Here are the best accessories for work..

Laptop case

Smart, sophisticated and chic, what’s not to love about the simply stunning Knomo London red patent laptop case?

Designed for the 13” MacBook Air, the envelope case laptop carrier will keep your computer safe, secure and stylish.

If a ruby red patent is too garish for your liking, Knomo London have designed one in classic black, which also has a patent finish.  The genuine leather material and soft black velvet lining make it the perfect accessory for work.

iPad cover

Nothing says you mean business more than a croc effect animal print iPad case. We love the Owen Barry animal print leather iPad case, which features soft suede hair on the exterior in a croc effect. Not only is this dashing leather cover suitable for all models of iPads, but a whole range of other tablets too!

Tote bags

If ever there was a bag designed for working, it is the Tote bag.  We can’t get enough of the gorgeous Kate Benjamin, tan brown oversized Tote bag. Practical and perfect, this bag could contain all your workday essentials and more.

Exclusive to Accessories Direct, the classic bag features a cute polka dot lining and little mobile phone pouch on the front for instant access to those all-important calls.

Understated necklace

Add a touch of summer glamour to your day with a fabulous yet understated pearl necklace. The Lovett & Co glass pearl necklace, with elegant crystal flower detail, is beautifully handcrafted with Swarovski elements.

Going metallic is clearly a big trend this season, as a number of superstars donned a shimmery look at a legendary New York event.

Guests at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala may have needed to accessorise with a pair of sunglasses, as everyone from Jessica Alba to Cameron Dias was head to toe in gold metallic, sparkly dresses.

One superstar guest who really took the head to toe look seriously was Victoria’s Secret model, Karolina Kurkova. Wearing a high neck gold textured dress designed by Rachel Zoe, the model topped it off with a matching beanie style hat, statement rings and a thick silver bracelet.

The idea of wearing a high neckline to floor dress, with what could only be described as an embellished swimming cap, is a look that could scare the life out of many women..but the underwear model pulled it off!

The prestigious event saw a number of glammed up superstars in futuristic fabrics of gold and silver hues.  Sofia Vergara, Lana Del Rey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Camilla Belle, Scarlett Johansson and Nina Dobrev are just a few of the world’s rich and famous who wore show-stopping sparkly dresses.

The majority of the stars wore long ball gowns, yet Gwyneth Paltrow, looking stunning in a Muccia short backless lilac-silver dress paired with peep toe metallic heels and lilac rings, looked like the bell of the ball.

To get the look, here are some of our favourite metallic accessories for evening and daywear.

 Clutch

We love the Olga Berg metallic silver clutch bag.  This elegant accessory, with a curve shape and slight texture, has everything you need to look the part for an evening event or just to add a bit of sparkle to your day outfit.

Art deco inspired, this clutch works with almost every outfit and would look fantastic matched with some chandelier style earrings.

Bracelets

The Rosie Fox baroque crystal cuff would definitely wow the crowds. Featuring silver tone metal and elegantly shaped in a wave-like fashion, this bracelet – with oval crystals inset – would dress up everyday outfits and evening ensembles.

The Bank Holiday weekend may be behind us, but you can still treat yourself with some fabulous summer purchases. What better way to do so than with a sale? The Accessories Direct mid-season sale is now on, with up to 70% off on bags, jewellery and other essential accessories.

Here are some of our favourite sale items:

Kate Benjamin necklace

We love this gorgeous crystal hoop necklace from Kate Benjamin. It’s a timeless classic which will work with almost any outfit. Jazz up everyday wear with the simple yet elegant necklace or add the finishing touches to an evening dress – the crystal hoop will look effortlessly chic at the end of its long chain. The stunning necklace is now less than half price at Accessories Direct.

Rosie Fox

The Great British summer has yet to fully arrive, so why not wrap up warm on those chilly spring nights with this soft faux fur stole from Rosie Fox?

The cream catwalk inspired faux fur would be ideal for a wedding guest outfit or for an evening look that demands grace and style. Complete with a delicate bow at the front, this unique stole is the ideal way to keep your shoulders warm whilst looking fabulous from head to toe.

Fiorelli

Bag yourself a bargain just in time for your summer holidays with this ultra-chic shoulder bag by Fiorelli. The black art deco themed back features faux pony fur and a contrasting gold tone metal bar across the top. The sleek yet casual bag could be ideal for day trips and packing your essentials on evenings out. The bag has a vintage edge and cross body style strap with a flap over magdot fastening – a must-have mini bag for this season!

Oxford Street has paid tribute to the world of fashion by hanging almost 150 union jack flags along the popular shopping street.

With just over 30 days to go until the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Oxford Street looks spotless ahead of the big day. Ten of the dedicated fashion flags are designed to celebrate Great British Fashion.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) and the government’s tourism campaign, GREAT, showed their support at the London ceremony.

“Oxford Street is at the heart of our industry, attracting national and international shoppers from over 200 countries with its 1.5 miles of fashion,” chairman of the BFC Harold Tillman told wwb-online.co.uk, the womenswear website.

“It is home to more UK flagships than any other UK shopping destination as well as providing British designers with a launch platform within one of the famous department stores or through a high street collaboration,” added Tillman.

Celebrating 147 years of one of the world’s most famously fashionable shopping strips, Oxford Street features over 70 premium and luxury brands, as well as high-end designers and 147 union jack flags!

If you want to get into the spirit of the nation and look the patriotic part, here are some of the best accessories from the best British designers.

Rosie Fox

This London-based designer burst onto the scene in 2006 and has gone on to produce a wonderful range of vintage/heritage accessories since then, from stunning tiaras and headpieces to glamorous faux fur stoles and beautiful clutch bags.

Make this Jubilee extra special with this elegant embellished black head band.

Alternatively, you could look to add some colour and sparkle by opting for this crystal butterfly hair clip.

Lovett & Co

Rachel Lovett & Ally Martin, the brains behind Lovett & Co, both hail from sunny Brighton and have produced some delightful jewellery in recent times. We can’t get enough of their 1920s style pearl and crystal flowerburst bracelet.

Try this elegant art deco style Lovett & Co locket necklace for a look that exudes vintage elegance:

The Middleton sisters stepped out at the weekend looking the part with extravagant fascinators at a friend’s wedding.

Pippa Middleton won the competition for the largest fascinator, with a beige lace-like hat covered in golden butterflies with purple detail. The headgear, designed by Middleton favourite, Madeleine Millinery, is part of the Champagne collection for Spring/Summer 2012.

Matching the hat in a piece from Dannii Minogue’s fashion label, Project D, the gold sequin dress looked very glamorous under a dark
elegant coat.

Pippa was accompanying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the wedding of an old school friend of the Middleton sisters on Saturday in Suffolk.

The wedding fell just one day before the first anniversary of the Duke and Duchess who had quieter celebrations compared to this
time last year.

Kate Middleton attended the weekend’s event in a blue lace Erdem dress that she had worn before during her trip to Canada last year. This time around she added a gold and navy belt and dark blue fascinator to complete the look.

If you’re in need of an elegant headpiece, we’ve picked out some of our favourites.

Fantastic fascinators

If you want a simple and understated look such as Kate Middleton’s, the Jane Tran black pleated hairpiece could be just the ticket. The gorgeous headpiece has semi-precious stones and attracts instant elegance. The 13 inch pleated material is attached to a solid Alice band.

For a headpiece that commands attention, we love the stunning bright blue turquoise feather fascinator from Deanna DiBene. The embellished headpiece features crystals and adds an instant flash of colour to any outfit. The vibrant blue and aqua green colours will
certainly turn heads!

Bottega Veneta, the high end Italian leather goods brand, has announced plans to launch a range of bags which can be personalised with the initials of individual customers.

The specialised service allows customers to add their own personal touch to handbags and accessories with their initials. With a choice of eight colours for lettering and a range of four different hues of leather, the innovative feature is already available online.

Bottega Veneta’s creative director Tomas Maier told British Vogue: “I’m excited to be launching Initials because it allows us to take the customer-centered philosophy of Bottega Veneta one step further.

“The service is truly personalised and the process is fun. The best part is that the products look great.”

Initially, the service is only available on handbags and accessories. However, the personalisation will be extended to luggage from
July.

In order to personalise your item, you will have to type your initials into their website. Thereafter, customers are shown a range of leather bags, belts, iPad cases and wallets with their initials on in a range of colours.

The brand’s blog states that the service “adds another dimension” to Bottega Veneta’s famous motto, ‘When your own initials are enough’.

Best leather bags

Kate Benjamin’s tan coloured, oversized leather bag is ideal for all occasions. The classic practical bag also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, making it suitable for larger items. It can be worn all year round and features a cream polka dot print inner lining. This bag is exclusive to Accessories Direct.

Suzy Smith has a great collection of handbags. We love the gorgeous genuine leather brown scoop shoulder bag. Small and sweet, it makes the perfect everyday wear bag. Complete with gold tone metal branding on the front, this classic bag will never go out of style.

The world’s favourite royal couple celebrated their first anniversary this weekend, marking Kate Middleton’s first 12 months as a princess.

This time last year, the world was gripped with royal wedding fever. Over 24 million people in the UK alone and over 2 billion people worldwide watched the royal wedding on 29^th April 2011.

Kate Middleton, 30, has spent the last year attending official royal duties around the world, as well as participating in charitable
work. She has also attended a number of glitzy film premieres and rubbed shoulders with several A-list celebrities.

The couple’s first year has been a whirlwind of events with Prince William, 29,  spending the last six weeks completing his marine pilot training in the Falklands. Whilst the prince bought his wife a puppy for company, his training meant that the newlyweds missed their first Valentine’s Day.

The royal couple were expected to have a low-key private anniversary event at the weekend, a St James’s Palace spokesman stated. Whilst no other details were revealed, the couple may have exchanged gifts or enjoyed a romantic meal in privacy.

Wedding anniversaries range from paper to diamond or, if you make it to 80 years of marriage, oak.

If you’re looking for some special anniversary gift ideas, here are some of our timeless jewellery favourites.

Gold necklaces

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend….but gold is a pretty reliable companion!

You cannot go wrong with an elegant gold necklace. We love the Dinny Hall lotus petal 18k gold vermeil necklace, with a delicate
adjustable chain.

Earrings

Special occasion earrings are a wardrobe essential, yet, anniversary earrings are just that little bit more special. We love the long drop Swarovski elements earrings from The Earring Boutique.