The Devil does not wear Prada

Yesterday, London-born, American fashion Royalty Anna Wintour, met the head of British Royalty at Buckingham Palace.

As an early Christmas present, the head of fashion bible Vogue, was named in the Queen's 2008 Birthday Honours for services to the industry.

The fashion Queen was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the industry.

Wintour was beaming at the honour.

The perfectionist editor showed off her impeccable dress sense, as she paused to show off her award in a Chanel suit straight off the autumn/winter 2008 catwalk.

Although she rules American and International fashion she always remembers her creative roots. She once said:

"People constantly make the mistake of comparing London with New York, Milan and Paris and that's not what it's about. London has its own fashion identity. You come to London to find the next Alexander McQueen or John Galliano,"

Time to break the myth of 'the French Fashion Style'

People keep assuming that the French have the best fashion sense in the world.

It is true that they are renowned for their Haute-Couture houses and The 'Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne' (the Association of Haute Couture Houses), created in 1868, still rules the Couture world.

Every year a Paris based commission declares which houses are eligible to showcase collections under the term 'Haute Couture'.

All this because Paris was undeniably the epicenter of high fashion for centuries, ever since the sublime extravagences of the Court of King Louis XIV (1638-1715).

In the 18th Century, Marie Antoinette had a Fashion Minister, and her dress sense was celebrated and copied everywhere in Europe.

But since then, it has all gone downhill...

The average French person has no idea who designs for Dior.

It is not that the French lack class as a nation, but in terms of wardrobe, it is a little bit limited. The typical young french person has the choice between three main styles:

1. The laid-back classic: jeans, a black/grey/brown top, and black shoes - pumps or 2in heels max mostly.
2. The fake seventies hippie with: large cotton trousers, a large cotton formless top, formless cotton bag and trainers or flip-flops. Dreadlocks are a must.
   
3. The urban Sportswear look: the french version of the Bronx hip-hop/rapper.

A little colourless?

That is another thing that french people resent: colour.

It is considered a crime to wear anything that isn't black, grey, brown or dark blue. Dark purple and a few other dark colours are accepted. As long as nothing is bright.

This is why the streets of Paris are, unlike the common notion, extremely dull.

After all even their top fashion houses employ designers from other countries. Think about John Galliano for Dior, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy (until 2001), or Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.