WWD asked fashion designers for “out-of-the-box ideas on how to break the cycle of lingering economic woes”…here are my favourite answers on fixing the economy….

Karl Lagerfeld: I think they should make a tax so that when you earn a certain amount of money, you have to spend a certain amount on shopping. To buy whatever….And that way, we create tons of jobs. I think it’s a good idea. What I hate is people with a lot of money who don’t spend it.

Michael Kors: “Make clothes that make you look thinner, taller and younger. Steal away the plastic surgery money, because if you cut your clothes well, that’s what you’ll be able to do.”

Donatella Versace: I believe that in tough times it is still important-more important than ever, actually-to look your best. It is a way of boosting your confidence and the confidence others have in you.”

Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz: “It’s more difficult to cook with potatoes, eggs and cheese than with caviar … The pieces that are actually flying from the stores, they’re not the cheapest, the commercial versions, but the special pieces.”

Roland Mouret: “Don’t forget that when you buy or sell something expensive, [there's] a good chain underneath-that of people making a living… By spending on expensive luxury goods, you’re supporting life for other people. Rich people should be respected for that, certainly.”

Haider Ackermann: “I don’t have anything else in mind than dreams…and dreams can be useful….Let’s glorify life and reality to search for beauty and to escape from poverty.”

Manolo Blahnik: “Designers - do a good product that lasts, something solid, well-done and handmade if possible. Women - invest in good things. The days of cheap things and gimmicks are over. . You need to buy something that lasts.”

Markus Lupfer: “Peace, Love and Sequins! It’s all about creating jobs. The government should introduce a quota where companies have to produce a certain percentage within their own country in order to create jobs, and in the meantime - sequins for everyone!”

As you are probably aware I have been lobbying for shopping to be an Olympic sport for years. It’s an extreme excercise. It takes discipline and hard work to be a winner. Practice makes perfect. You have to train hard to be successful. But you need the best equipment. Serious shoes. A fabulous bag. A flexible card. Muscles. Stamina. Courage. You also need makeup that lasts for hours. And sunscreen. Which is why you need the fabulous new Neutrogena Ultimate Sport face sunscreen. It has the all important Helioplex® for the best sun protection. It’s 4 hours water and dag resistant. It’s Non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. It’s Oil and PABA free and also 30SPF. Best news?  It’s sweat resistant. Just what you need when your heart starts racing and you’re pushing for personal best in Prada.

$14.95 NEUTROGENA® ULTIMATE SPORT^TM Face Sunscreen Lotion Neutrogena.com.au

That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor …..by Anne Sebba

Now that Madonna is about to release her movie W.E about The Duke and Duchess of Windsor it’s time to read the biography of Wallis Simpson. Check out the interview with Madonna in US Harpers Bazaar here!

” One of Britain’s most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified woman of the last century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, by a woman which attempts to understand this fascinating and enigmatic American divorcee who nearly became Queen of England. ‘That woman’, as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hate figure for allegedly ensnaring a British king. Born in 1896 in Baltimore, Bessiewallis Warfield endured an impoverished and comparatively obscure childhood which inflamed a burning desire to rise above her circumstances. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, and no longer young, she nevertheless became one of the most talked about women of her generation, and inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that even giving up a throne and an empire for her was not enough to prove his total devotion. Wallis lived by her wit and her wits, while both her apparent and alleged moral transgressions added to her aura and dazzle.
Based on new archives and material recently made available, this scrupulously researched biography re evaluates the role of politicians in the 1930s, sheds new light on the character and motivations of this powerful, charismatic and complex woman, and questions was this really the romantic love story of the century?
AUD$27.29 Published: 18 August 2011 Bookdepository.co.uk

GUCCI: The Making Of …. by Frida Giannini, Contribution by Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal and Christopher Breward

This is a big year for luxury label Gucci : celebrating 90 years with a a new museum in Florence! Now read the book:
‘Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Told through a loose grouping of words, concepts, shapes, and moods, the book tells its story through new conceptual forms and the free links between images, symbols, and objects. Edited by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, with essays and inserts by contributors including Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal, Christopher Breward and Stefano Micelli, Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture.
In recognition of its ongoing partnership with UNICEF and the release of this luxury edition, Gucci will make a donation of US $250,000 to support UNICEF’s Schools for Africa initiative.

$85 Published Date: November 1, 2011 Rizzoliusa.com

This week I have gone mad for shoes. Just shoes. Fabulous, divine, must have shoes.  We love Shoes. They will razz up any old, daggy outfit. They will change your whole look from drab to fab. They can be ageless. Plus they always fit on a fat day. You gotta love that.

May I present FiFi’s top Ten sandals. You’ve got flats, wedges and heels for day wear…while you are aware that bright colours are hot for summer I suggest investing in chic brown, taupe, white and snakeskin. These elegant, neutral colours. Why? Because they love bright colours as much as they love black and white.  Because they are versatile, understated and chic. I have chosen cheap but chic shoes rather than Prada, Gucci and Louboutins. They are all fabulous. Who needs help buying those?
Get shopping !

Wanted shoes ( above)
I love these flat taupe very Balenciaga style sandals with a metal detailing on the ankle. They look a little refletive so you can always check your lipstick when you bend down. They are so great with rolled up chinos or with a dress. Don’t have a conniption thinking that they will give you cankles.  They will hide them. No one will even look anything else except these shoes. $119.95

NOVO shoes
How can you go past these fabulous orange sandals? This strappy style is almost a classic now. Love orange but they are also in beige. Orange is great with choc brown, black and red. Wear these with everything from a denim pencil skirt to a maxi dress or floaty day dress. Please what do you want for $59?  Wear to the beach and thrash them.

Witchery
Love a nude sandal. The idea is that this colour will make your legs looks longer because they are the same tone as your legs. But we all know only surgery will ever get my legs longer. Damn. These are the perfect summer sandal. Classic, chic and comfortable. Perfect ! Wear with everything. They are also in different colours. You can buy versions of this style as well at Wittner shoes. But you already know that because I wrote about them weeks ago. $99

Eclettica
Adore these snakeskin flat sandals. Adore. Why? Because they are handmade Italian leather sandals. Made in Florence. That’s a pretty good reason to adore anything. Snakeskin is a huge trend and will razz up all your snoring and snoozing black sitting lost in the back of your wardrobe. Yes, please. You must have these. $299

Country Road
I love this heel. So Givenchy. It’s elegant but still a little stomp-a-lcious. I love the tan but you could go for the black as well. Why not? You can never have too many black shoes.  I think they are quite comfortable if you are capable of (stumbling around in) heels.  Tan works with black and, as I was mentioning , bright colours. Remember you need to wear short, rolled up, narrow pants with these shoes. Roll up ! Roll up! Please do not hide them under your trousers. That is so, so daggy I just can’t bear it. Yes, like boots under long jeans. Oh the horror! $199

Sambag
We love a wedge. Sambag have done just the right heel height here don’t you think? You can shop for hours in these shoes and never ever take a Nurofen. true story. They are comfortable and chic. Who ever saw those two words in the same sentence? I like the taupe/natural patent colour. They work with everything. No kidding. Everything. But you can have the navy and black if you must . Again roll up those pants dudes or go straight to the daggy corner. Bless.  $180.

Betts
AS I was mentioning snakeskin is hot. hot, hot for next winter season so I say get into the look right now. What’s holding you back?  The best thing about snakeskin is that it adds texture and print. It lightens up black and brown you know, without resorting to , um, er, actual bright colour. Yes, that can get scary for some people. Love this style. The round platform pump is almost classic and you are so used to it. It has almost plateau-ed and peaked so yes, the trend will end next season. Sorry. But they are $69. Shut up. That’s what I say. SHUT UP. And shop. You can also invest in this style in black or taupe.

Mimco
I’m thinking these black “Dylan Midi Heel” are hot. They are just the thing when you want a heel but nothing outrageously and staggeringly high. Tres cool with the snazzy cross over straps and the silver studs and hardware. Wear with jeans, chinos and dresses. They also come in a neutral but I like black. I think they seem very Balenciaga influenced. This is a good thing.  $199

J Crew
I love these heels from J Crew on Net a porter. And looks like everyone else does too as they have nearly sold out. The reason? They are just like Celine. They are the new look. Simple. Lower heel. One strap. Everything crazy strappy gladiators are not. Even if you can’t get these actual heels then look out for something similar. Let me know if you find them : I have looked everywhere. LOVE.  $230

Nine west
As you aware outrageous towering heels are everywhere. I was saying Tthat crazy stomp-a-lcious syle has climaxed. And we all enjoyed it ! So even though you can still get another season or so from platforms the smaller heel is on the horizon and about to come back big time. Just think of the money you save on Pyshio bills now when you downsize both your shoes and bags. (This can only mean more shoe money).  I like these little colour blocked numbers in taupe, tan and brown. Also in other colours if you must. Perfect with pants and dresses. Perfect for casual summer days. Perfect with a gin and tonic. But then, isn’t anything? $159

Matt Moran’s Zucchini with garlic, chilli & lemon ….adulterated from from Dinner At Matt’s by Matt Moran

This is just the thing to serve as a main vegetarian dish on its own with rice. Or try it as a side dish with any fish, chicken or meat. It’s easy, spicy, fresh and crunchy. Perfect way to start summer.
You need for 6-8 fashionistas or 30 models

4 zucchini flowers, stems removed and reserved
5 yellow squash, cut into quarters
1 green zucchini cut into wedges
1 yellow zucchini, cut into wedges
¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 large red chilli, finely sliced lengthways
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan
Lemon juice, to taste.

If you can’t find Zucchini flowers then don’t cry: just add another green zucchini.

• Slip out of your new Celine shift dress.
• Pull on your Tree of Life shift dress.
• Climb out of new Prada wedges.
• Pour a wine. Gulp. Relax. Repeat.
• Yell at George Clooney to start chopping garlic, chilli and to remove stems from Zucchini flowers.
• Don’t be annoyed that they are the only flowers you have received him lately. Ahem.
• Chop the squash and both the zucchinis into wedges. Think YSL chunky wedges. Maybe slightly smaller.
• Boil some salty water if you know how.
• Throw in the zucchini flower stems, squash and zucchini in the salted water for just about 2 minutes, then drain. I’m talking the wine glass and the zucchini.
• TIP: Matt says don’t overcook the zucchini and squash - they should be just lightly blanched. Think Kim Kardashian. She is lightly blanched at the moment non?
• Now heat up daggy old olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
• Chuck in the garlic and cook it for about 2 mins: you could even shake the pan a little and cook until the garlic is as golden as Beyonce.
• Toss in the chilli, the blanched stems, squash and zucchini and stir fry it over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Guzzle more wine.
• Now throw in the zucchini flowers: They hardly need cooking.
• Then season with salt and pepper.
• Throw it all on a chic white platter.
• You can now accessorize with Parmesan and then drizzle over lemon juice.
• Divine.