Fashion by Nicole Francis

Hi everyone,

My name is Nicole Francis and this is my guest column for Local Xtra. For those of you who haven't heard of me, I'm a local girl and I am also the new face of Fake Bake after I won a contract through Coleen's Real Women.

I have so much to say with Spring/Summer approaching, SLOWLY approaching that is, judging by the weather conditions! Anyhow it is on its way, and I'm here to give you a few hints and tips each month to get you through to the next month, confidently and affordably.

Now I'm not claiming to be a fashion expert, not at all, but I do know the high street right through to the top end of the market i.e. your Cricket, Flannels etc, and with a bit of mix ‘n' match here and there you cannot go wrong.

Merseyside has certainly found it place on the map and I feel what we are continually commended on is our Fashion and the effort that we make with it...............

Last month..............

Was the opening party for Liverpool Fashion Week which I have been heavily involved with along with Kay Uchegbu, Adrien Longden, Danny Ryan and London's top make-up artist Victoria Tiplady.

This is set to be an exciting week and can I just say a big thank-you for everybody who has been involved: models, presenters, entertainers, the make-up team at MAC and the fabulous and creative guys at ‘Time' Hairdressing.

This month................

Sees the most exciting event of the year (in my calendar anyway!) The Grand National weekend! This hosts the Most Stylish contest which is always an exciting part of the whole period. My friend Stephen Wong was the male to win It last year which was well deserved! He just used a bit of creativity wearing the likes of Vivienne Westwood and other accessible names to get him the crown in 2007. Places for ladies to shop for their outfits are ‘Repooc Couture' across the water or on this side of the pool ‘The Dressing Rooms in Waterloo.

3 must haves...........

Store of the month........... ‘Joy' situated where the old post office was on Bold St. This has recently opened and is part of a nation wide chain with its head office based right above its Brixton store, and is very much in touch with both it's employees and of course its shoppers. This caters for both the guys and the gals, as well as offering the most unusual yet stand-outish gifts you could EVER or in fact NEVER think up.

Its tag line or statement is LOVE, LIFE, LAUGHTER and just browsing the store brings a rush of all these emotions. Get down there and decide for yourself. There is regularly promotions in-store and if you leave empty handed you certainly need to stop following the herds!