The Christmas party-dress quest

I don't understand the craze that comes with the countdown to Christmas. I have always found party dresses hideous and Christmas depressing.

Firstly it is cold - in a such a chilling way, that even with two pairs of tights, wearing a skirt is a challenge.

Secondly it's pitch dark outside by the time you finish a late lunch, and drinking coffee when it feels like you should be in bed with a cup of tea messes with my body clock.

Last but not least, kitsch decorations are everywhere: from the streets, to cafes, to dresses.

Yet, the the quest for the party dress of the year - that will be thrown at the back of a shoe cupboard after having cost a whooping £80 (if you're lucky) - is inevitable.

This season's dress



The good news is that everything goes this season: it is all about statement pieces.

So, whether you prefer winter florals, oversize, (Giles' pom pom coat is a good place to start) or decorative (Christian Lacroix created some sumptuous pieces, perfect for a detailed glossy look), there will always be something for everyone.

The only rule is: short.

It seems that designers are not in favour of a below-the-knee party dress this season. And it probably is all for the better. With all the eye-catching hosiery to be found legs are guaranteed to look dazzling.

Swarovski is a girl's best friend

La Semana de la Moda (Fashion Week Mexico for English speakers), celebrating its 10th anniversary, has finished today, after a week of showcasing colourful collections with the name of exotic birds and cocoa drinks.

Amongst clothes by new Mexican talents such as Marvin y Quetzal or Cocola, there is one designer that did not go unnoticed.

Gustavo Helguera is not afraid of colour or sound.

Models with tights ranging from bright green to tomato red and pumpkin-orange, Rock' n' Rolled up the catwalks Wednesday in a very smiley fashion.

The Mexican born jewelery designer, mixes anything he believes will create pieces with structure, form and sound.

For Spring/Summer 2009, he lightened up the mood on the runway, with Swarovski-encrusted statement pieces, ranging from oversize pearl chokers to a red-crystal, heart-shaped, dangling belt.

But one of the most eye-catching piece was probably the 12" vinyl LP hair-piece, with a bright-yellow smiley face as a centre hole. It is still a mystery to me, how it stayed in place on the model's head...

Helguera's designs are remarkable and bring out femininity in a joyful outlandish way. And although some of his large, coloured-stone pendants can be loud, there are no better pieces to pull an outfit to life.