Sea Of Sequins
There are two ways to approach the sequin - either you can just dip your toe in and add a splash of sparkle, or you can dive in head first and soak yourself from head to toe in those shiny little discs. Either way I think it's pretty sinful to keep them just for evening. Why not dress down the quintessential dress-up item and team sequins with plaid, tweed or wool and wear them for day time? And just how does one dress up a sequin? Simple. Add more.

Currently my favourite way of wearing them is have them adorn my legs. Vaguely mermaid-like, it's a less obvious option for adding sequins to your wardrobe if pretty, glittery frocks really aren't your thing. Of a day I can be seen wearing mine with a tartan shirt, knitted arm warmers and high heels. I look tres glamourous when buying my loaf of bread down the local Tesco!

If you have the nerve to rock sequin trousers then head over to Les Chiffoniers for the most luxurious versions. These suck all the sweet out of shimmer and make your legs look like they belong on a edged-up rock chick. Of course you may lose a few sequins whenever you sit down but all the better to find yourself should you ever get  lost... just follow the sparkly trail.

Beyond Bingo
Ashish Gupta likes a sequin. This London based
designer has been creating sparkly mayhem on the catwalk for several
seasons now. Even the classic houndstooth and Argyle patterns haven't
escaped his nimble fingers with both being rendered in a myriad of
coloured sequins. He has also created a marvellous sequin-trim biker
jacket which I'd  happily wear - bike or no bike. I enjoy the fact he
revels in the kitsch-ness of sequins without making them look dated.

For a cheaper version head on down to Topshop for their latest Ashish
collection where the humble jumper has been given a glamour make over. It's very easy for one to look like one is heading to the Gala Bingo circa1987 when dressed in a sequin jumper, but Ashish expertly manages to pull it back from the brink, instead creating something much more wearable, desirable and, most importantly, modern.

Hooded tops and V back sweaters and covered in black or red, gold and blue sparkle like sprinkles on a cake. I think the council should make it mandatory for gangs of so called 'hoodies' to wear Ashish's sequined
version... that way all we would have to worry about is impromptu
dance-offs!

www.ashish.co.uk
www.topshop.com

Supersized Sequins
The ultimate statement sequin has got to be when they are huge in size,
a la Christopher Kane AW08. Those delicious discs that gently cascaded
over the lightest chiffon are easily the Royalty of sequins.

I was lucky enough to see Kane's AW08 pieces in Dover Street Market and they are even more breathtaking in real life. For me they looked like
something straight out of an underwater fairytale, all shimmering and
translucent.


Of course those pieces won't suit everyones budget which is why your
local art store will come to your rescue. To get a similar Kane effect
why not buy some coloured gel sheets and cut out large circles and
adorn any mundane items you have that could do with a bit of sequin
cheer. Obviously a lot easier to sew than the fiddly little ones
therefore transforming anything is both simple and quick. Why not try
other materials too like PVC or felt? Sequins don't have to shine. I
have already been cutting circles from some spare bits of leather all
ready to layer up onto boring sweaters or tops to add a bit of movement
and drama.


www.doverstreetmarket.com