Wheeeeee it’s the Jubileeeeeee. 

The countdown to our Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations are official under way. Bunting is being hung, corgi’s are being preened and Pims are being prepped. If you haven’t already bagged your royal outfit for this weekend’s celebrations, you better hurry the (Prince) Harry up. 

ASOS is my regal choice. Of course the site is renowned for being reliable, fast and fashion forward but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t swayed by the free DIY designer* crown. 

RED: Staple Backless Halter Shirt Dress £56

WHITE: ASOS Sweetheart Neck Summer Dress £22

BLUE: LnA Ballet Dress £140

Let me know what you think of my choices and what you’ll be wearing by this weekend by tweeting me @CassGowing

*by House of Holland, Preen, Danielle Scutt and Julie Verhoeven

Dior Jubilee Manicure - Oh My Queeny Queeny.

To celebrate Queenies Diamon Jubilee head to the Dior counter at Selfridges, London to get this Dior manicure (and a cheeky glass of Pimms). 

The Dior team will file, shape and paint your nails with this deliciously rich Red Royalty polish. Then their Nail Art Machine will add a crown (or dior logo) to the finished mani. 

A must for all who wish to celebrate the jubilee royally. 

(To book please call the Dior Selfridges counter on: 0207 3183 696. A £20 booking fee will apply, redeemable upon purchase.)

Dell XPS 13…

One of the things which should make my blogging schedule a HELLUVA lot easier, is my brand spanking new (free) Dell XPS 13. I got a lovely email last week asking me if I would like to try the laptop that everyone is talking about. Of course, I agreed. 

And the result? Well I think I’ve fallen in love. Smooth, slick, sexy, speedy - it’s everything a laptop should be. 

I’ll be blogging and tweeting my reviews of the Dell XPS 13 in the future so keep an eye out. 

Cass Gowing Fashion has been a busy bee in the form of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Editor! 

Bonjour my lovelies. As I’m sure you’ve been following on both my Twitter (now @CassGowing) and VFS’s account and seen that I have been tres, tres hectic over the past view months. I’m loving working for VFS but this has however, meant I haven’t spent as much time on the CGF blog as I would like. Now that I’ve settled into the role as Editor, more time will be spent on this blog, don’t you worry. 

In the meantime, check out my work on www.thefashionscout.com.

As well as reviewing VFS designer news, features and lookbooks, I’ve also been chatting and interviewing to some of the incredible designers that we represent (Joseph Turvey, Georgia Hardinge and MASC to mention but a few) and various fashion insiders. 

Peace and love. 

Cass x

Battle of the trenches; Burberry becomes a billion pound brand whilst Aquascutum falls into administration.

Today Burberry announced an 11% increase in sales, meaning that the British brand has joined Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton in becoming a billion pound label. 

Meanwhile, Aquascutum entered administration following serious losses this year. The brand is currently owned by BFC chairman Harold Tillman.

Jean Paul Gautier finally talks about his SS12 Amy Winehouse tribute couture collection.

“I was surprised when she died that no one in fashion made an homage to her,” he told VogueTV this weekend. “Her look was fabulous, fantastic - it was unique. Usually, actresses and singers need fashion advice. She naturally had the right make-up, the right earrings - it was a truly a style. She didn’t just pick up one part of that look. And I love her voice, I love everything about her.”

Meanwhile, back in January, Amy’s dad, Mitch Winehouse revealed that he felt “upset to see those pictures, they were a total shock.We’re still grieving for her loss, and we’ve had a difficult week with the six-month anniversary.”

But what do you think on the matter? Was it insensitive to those suffering from the loss of Amy? Or is it a fitting tribute to her iconic personal style? Tweet me @CassiusIsOver with your thoughts.

Stylistpick review

After searching for hours this afternoon for the perfect pair of wedges to take me through the Autumn/Winter to Spring/Summer* transition, I decided to give Stylistpick ago.

I must admit, so far I’m impressed! After completing a brief quiz to identify my personal style, I was presented with a preview of what my showroom will look like (it’ll be completed tomorrow after their team of stylist hand-pick my selection).

Despite it only taking a couple of minutes to sign up, they seem to have nailed my style bang on the head. In addition to this, all shoes are £39.95 and I get 25% off and free delivery on my first order!

I’ll update my Twitter tomorrow to let you know what SP’s stylists have chosen for me. But for now, I’d definitely recommend heading over to Stylistpick!

*I do wish the British weather would make it’s mind up…

RiRi rocks Ragged Priest’s Studded Shorts

Rihanna performed at Coachelle ‘12 in Ragged Priest’s ah-mazing studded customised Levi shorts. I’ve been admiring these for a lonnnnng time and seeing these limited edition stonewash blue shorts on Rihanna has made me determined to snap up a pair. 

Perfect for summer, I’d team mine with a cutesy cream cape blouse. 

Grab yours here for £95 or head to Topshop, Oxford Circus. 

Queen of cool Chloe Sevigny gives the thumbs up to Dior newbie Raf Simons.

‘I think it’s cool,’ she’s said to NY Magazine of Simons’s appointment. ‘I think some of the big houses got caught up in this nineties moment and early-2000s, and I think they kind of have to refine their houses again. I think Raf is going to bring it back to the elegance that Dior deserves. Not that Galliano didn’t do an amazing job, but the bags and the merchandising and the branding got ahead of itself, and now it kind of seems old-fashioned. It seems out of touch. I think he’ll infuse the house with some real elegance and class.’

I think it’s cool too, Chlo.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you… Charlotte Free is announced as the new face of Forever21.

Back in the beginning of January, I blogged that Charlotte Free and her bubble-gum locks were set to be huge this year. And who doesn’t love being right?

Charlotte may stand at just 5”7 but she’s already walked for Vivienne Westwood and fronted Uniqlo campaigns. Bagging this Forever21 campaign just indicates how much bigger she’s set to be.

Happy Birthday Emma Watson!

I must confess, I was never the biggest fan of Hermione Emma Watson. But over the last couple of years, she’s really grown into her own personal style and is shaping nicely into a fashion icon that this country can be proud of.

Becoming the face of Burberry - back in 2009 - meant she had a helping hand into the fashion world. But her elfin crop and recent styling (noticeably the Rafael Lopez gown at the premiere of Deathly Hallows Part One) has given her additional style kudos in my book.

Happy 22nd Birthday Emma!

Forget clutches, oversized and totes, I’m rather obsessed with backpacks for the Summer months of 2012.

Like many other fashion objects, I’m not willing to settle for any less. I have the image of the perfect backpack in my mind and I’m not willing to settle for any less. 

If you’re not as picky as me, have a look at this lovely selection of rucksacks. 

Plain Duffel Bag £22

Scallop Edge Backpack £28

Paul Smith Floral Backpack £280

Colour Block Backpack £36

Aldo Mcmanis Stripe Backpack 340

All bags are available from ASOS.

“I drink the French 76: vodka, sugar, lemon juice topped with champagne; it’s the best drink ever but it only tastes like that in the Hemingway Bar,” says Moss, here in L’Espadon. “Colin [Field, Ritz Paris head bartender] made it for my wedding. It doesn’t taste at all strong - and then, whoa, whoops-a-daisy!”

Kate is wearing an Alexis Mabille Haute Couture burnished lame dress and hat, featured in Vogue US as part of a closing shoot at the Ritz Paris before its renovation. The editorial is accompanied by an article by Andre Leon Talley which is an absolute pleasure to read.  

Claudia helps Guess celebrate their 30th anniversary by returning to model for the brand. 

The image on the left is from 1987, the one on the right, today. 

Five words are running through the nation’s mind:

HOW

DOES

SHE

DO

IT?

Claudia perfectly marks the brand’s 30th anniversary in style and admits “shooting the Guess 30th anniversary campaign was like going back in time. It brought back so many great memories and has been a lot of fun working together again with Ellen and Paul.”

Kate shows how to update the coloured trouser trend and bring it forward to SS12. 

Kate Moss rocks these pastel pink cropped trews by teaming them with an open neck black shirt. 

Classic, understated and on trend; marriage seems to suit Ms Moss.