Girl Crush - Masumi Max

I'm a lover of contrast. I like my colours bright, my whites white and my blacks so velvety they melt. And so it is with my girlfriends. It isn't all Rita Hayworth and Doris Day over here, in fact Doris has nipped out to straighten the bathroom while Rita makes the Margaritas as they wait for my next guest to arrive.

Meet Masumi Max - pin up, fetish model, contortionist and fire performer extraordinaire.

Image by Amaleaphoto.com

Wearing the Black Salsa dress from Pinup Girl Clothing

She has a killer style, dangerous curves and takes a mean portrait.

You won't see her sitting in the front rows at fashion week, nor will you see her splashed across the tabloids Starbucks in hand. More likely than not, you won't see very much of her unless you're into hot rod shows and mens mags. Nevertheless, there is something about her I find captivating and worthy of a good dose of Jean Paul Gaultier. Perhaps the designers showing at this years fashion week should have given Max a call and avoided the runway carnage aka the Stitt Storm. Either way, I predict you'll be seeing a lot more of Miss Max's style in the shops this season.

But if the latex and the heels are all a bit much for you there is one leaf you can take out of her book. Next time someone whips out the camera, look straight down the lense and give them a that Masumi Max stare. Killer.

You're Such A Doll

Barbie portraits used by permission. Photographs by Torno Photography.

This year, March 9th mark Barbie's 50th birthday! And my doesn't she carry it well? With an army of designers and plastic surgeons (quite literally) at her beck and call, it is no wonder this lady can still knock 'em dead. For her upcoming birthday she was being presented at New York Fashion Week with 50 new outfits by some of the world's most illustrious designers including Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Sui and Vera Wang. But why should she have all the fun?

Celebrating the style of a little lady we have all owned at one time or another, I've put together a selection of outfits just for you to channel your inner Barbie. And while I'm not a huge advocate for that awful phrase "dressing your age", I went with a certain feel for each age group. Feel free to mix, match and possibly steal from others as you please.

So whether you are a fabulous fashionista, a domestic diva or a queen in need of a new frock; get yourself a little Barbie style this week and celebrate the woman she made you.

Style Icon - Jennifer Connelly

Way back when, when I had a passion for fashion but the only "fashion" magazine available for girls my age was Dolly; and teen celebrity culture was an unheard of phenomenon in the way it is today, I found one of my formative style icons in my favorite film. The pubescent Jennifer Connelly in the Jim Henson fantasy, Labyrinth. I must have watched this film every Sunday afternoon for almost a year I loved it so much. And while the film appealed to me on so many different levels (I'll leave that for another day), it was Connelly and her character that sparked my imagination.

Not having the disposable cash of teens today (and yes I had to walk a mile in the snow to the mall) or the cheap fashion selections, I always had to create my outfits from what I already had in my wardrobe, things pinched from mum or miscellanea from the dress up box. So with a pair of jeans I had, a Pirate style shirt loaned from mum and a vest pinched from one of Dad's old suits, I styled myself into quite a passable imitation of Ms. Connelly. And I loved it. The moment I put on that outfit, I could inhabit her character in much the same way as an actor on the stage, except to me, it was real. I was suddenly so much more romantic, floating around looking wistfully into the distance and trying to find old first editions novels to pose strategically with. But it was more than just a girl playing dress ups, it was a fashion epiphany. Clothes were not merely something to have for "good" or "everyday", clothes had a secret language. A language that held the power to tell the world who I really was. (In this case a raven haired, goblin charming adventuress). And the rest for me was, as the say, history.

But not only did Jennifer Connelly play a staring role in my introduction to the power of fashion, she went on to become a style icon in her own right. Given, she flys under the radar when it comes to celebs that court the front covers of checkout magazines, but if I know my readers you'll agree that this only adds to her charm. When it comes to the red carpet, Jennifer isn't afraid of a statement piece. Case in point, her sculptural floral dress from the Balenciaga S/S 08 collection. (Seen out on the town just prior to being seen as part of the advertising campaign) Unlike many a celeb, Jennifer inhabits the clothes as an extension of her personality rather than coming off like an uncomfortable clothes horse with a stylist on her last pay cheque.

In Balenciaga

Photo Getty Images

For me the most inspiring elements of her style is the way she always looks lady like, but never dowdy or overly conservative. She mixes it up, takes risks and carries it of with a strong sense of self assurance. As a mother of two, I'm sure it would be easy for her to scrub up for these big events and then let it all go when out of the spotlight. But once again, contrary to many a candid celeb shot, this example of Ms. Connelly out for coffee with her two boys, shows me that she just GETS it. It's jeans, it's a t-shirt, it's a pony tail - but it works!

Photo by Flynet

So all I can say is, "You remind me of a Babe."

Spring Style Fit for a Queen

Norma Shearer as Marie Antoinette

I know I am a few days early, and Spring has not sprung quite yet, but today is such a delightfully sunny day that I am already planning ways to welcome it. I spent this morning having an outfit fitting for the Worn Wild event, and as such, am now in rather a theatrical mood. In typical Super Kawaii Mama fashion, I have been pondering one of the most recognizable style icons from a bygone era, Marie Antoinette. Now while the recent movie by the same name was beautiful, its styling was rather flogged to death on both fashion blogs and on the glossy page. I could barely search out a picture of the lady herself without being overwhelmed by images of Kirsten Dunst in her divine frippery. But during all my reading and searching, something not often highlighted occurred to me. Not only one of history's greatest fashion icons, Marie Antoinette was also mother of two children. Perhaps it could be said that she is the original Uncommonly Fetching Mama!

So as the first rays of Spring sunshine works their fingers into your days, start planning some fun, fabulous and infinitely stylish ways to celebrate. And so with all this in mind I present you with some of my dreamy picks for a Welcome to Spring Picnic, in modern Mama / Marie style. Children and pets most welcome!

Feminine, frilly and oh so much fun. I have had my eye on these frilly collar necklaces for a while and am currently working on a DIY version. The shoes I discovered today while out hunting for stockings in a sex shop. Who knew you could get such gorgeous shoes there?

While you're planning your perfect picnic, don't forget to include all the proper accouterments. Bring along a mechanical songbird, and that way if only the seagulls should make an appearance, you won't be disappointed. And for some rather Georgian entertainment, pack a sheet, some black craft paper and your embroidery scissors to tackle a little silhouetting in the Spring light.

Relax and enjoy the splendor of the budding trees and add a parasol to soften the sunshine (much more flattering). Don't forget to pack a little cardi for the latter part of the afternoon and make sure to kick off those shoes and run through the grass in your bare feet. Ah Spring!

Style Icon - Pola Negri

On rare occasions I am referred to as a Drama Queen. Oh who am I kidding, it may be rare that I am told this, but frankly I think it is said daily out of my ear shot. But were I lost for for words (god forbid), I would not be lost for other methods of expression, thanks to the wonderful tutelage of true stars like Pola Negri.

It is not so much her wardrobe I admire, but those other wonderful elements that make her a stylish woman. Her mannerisms. The way she tilts her head, eyes closed, as if her own presence is a delicious treat. A cigarette between her fingers becomes a prop that is used to indicate disdain, indulgence or passion.

For a dose of instant silent screen queen drama in your day try these tricks.

• Make up your eyes, darkly and dramatically. Practice your withering glances in the mirror till you can drop a man at ten paces.

• Wear gloves with everything, even in summer. Not only will they give your outfit an edge, you can use them to hail a cab, keep the suns damaging rays from your delicate skin, or to protect your hands from beard rash when you slap that rogue of a man.

• In these days when smoking is banned most everywhere, find yourself another useful prop. Take to carrying a fan that can be folded in your hand. It is perfect for glancing up behind, gesticulating with and hitting uncooperative shops assistants.

Next time you feel your confidence flagging, close your eyes and imagine you're a woman like Pola.