Pride, according to many scholars, is the most vicious of the deadly sins. But what's so wrong with feeling good about yourself, St. Thomas Aquinas?

Modern fashion-sophist Michael Stars counters with his "one-size-fits-most" philosophy. His tops look good on everyone; and will double your wardrobe when they fit all your roommates. With a look this classic and classy it makes it hard to say "its just nice to be nominated" when accepting that best-dressed award.

Southern California is a megalomaniac mecca; so induldge your So-Cal self love . Michael Stars got its start in Manhattan Beach; but this one-size wonder now dominates coast to coast. Their signature shine fabric holds its shape while fitting the form; even over night. They are comfy enough to sleep in - and can turn any walk of shame down Mission Beach boardwalk into a stride of pride.

"There were a fair amount of one-shoulder gowns," says Fink. "It's another important style statement. Her dress is an interesting proportion with the shutter pleat cocktail dress length over a long train. It really accentuates her full figure, so I think that's a wonderful choice for her. A great color too."

As Batman, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and other superheroes flood the movie screens this summer, is it any wonder that Giorgio Armani, Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier and other leading fashion designers are not far behind?

You well may be wondering what such haut couturiers possibly could have to do with comic book creatures that drive Batmobiles, have the strength of tanks or inflate their muscles like a giant green Michelin man weighing 1,500 pounds.

As it turns out, they have quite a lot in common as "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," a new exhibit by The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, so vividly illustrates. Sponsored by Italian designer Armani, the exhibit features some 60 ensembles, including movie costumes, designer apparel and high-performance outfits for professional sports, and runs from Wednesday until Sept. 1.

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The latest British designer to join the ever-growing cult of the comeback is Alice Temperley. Temperley, who runs her multi-million pound fashion company with husband Lars von Bennigsen, from a delightfully quirky series of mews houses in Notting Hill, has decided to return to London to show her spring/summer 2009 collection, after three years of showing at New York Fashion Week.

"Being a quintessentially English brand and proud of our heritage, we are delighted to take this opportunity to return home to show our s/s 09 collection and to be a part of the great, new energy that London beholds," the designer said.

Her decision to play the at-home game makes sense for personal as well as business reasons; Alice and Lars’ first child is due at the end of September. And Alice hints that plans for a children’s wear range are something she is certainly thinking about.

She is following in the tradition of True Brit designers such as Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Luella Bartley, all of whom have found reasons for showing their main collections, anniversary collections or extra ‘diffusion’ lines at London Fashion Week in recent seasons.

Their presence adds to the excitement the LFW event is now generating, fuelled in equal measure by the dynamic collections from the new generation of talents which includes Christopher Kane, Giles Deacon (now also designing for Italy’s Fay label, part of the Tod’s Group), Marios Schwab, Emily Cook, Gareth Pugh, Erdem and Henry Holland. Jaeger London, the new, younger line from the once-mumsy British heritage brand, which made its debut at LFW in February - drawing orders from top New York store, Saks 5th Avenue - is also planning a repeat performance in September.

The label is now a firm fashionista favourite. When Kate Moss was photographed in a Jaeger London star-print chiffon blouse last October, for example, it provoked a shopping frenzy that saw sales rise by 300 per cent.

Off-piste events will include the Fashion Fringe show, which stars Donatella Versace as this season’s chairperson. London Fashion Week, once again at its ‘home’ in the grounds of the Natural History Museum, will feature at leaast 50 shows on the official British Fashion Council schedule.

Sarah Jessica Parker has proved that she doesn't require an expensive dress to make her look good, for the actress stepped out a recent premiere wearing a 9 dollars frock. The Sex and The City star has signed up to promote U.S. fashion chain Steve & Barry last year (07), launching her own Bitten label which is sold in stores. The range includes jeans, jumpers, dresses and shoes, and all items sell for 9 dollars or less.

And Parker proved she is happy to don the budget clothing line in public, wearing a stunning blue and white strapless gown to a recent film premiere in New York. "I had never heard of Steve & Barry's (before signing up with them), and I didn't know anyone else who had. But I loved their manifesto and ideas," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

AKIRA has closed Australian Fashion Week in spectacular style, with an exotic and ethereal collection.

The final packed-out show was held in a black room with the designer's name up in lights and an amber runway.

The feminine collection of mostly dresses was created in a range of vibrant reds, pinks, yellows, purples and greens.

The garments featured rich tapestry-like patterns and textured fabric.

Models wore bright coloured eye make-up and flipped back hair adorned with flowers, feathers and berries.

Designer Akira Isogawa said it was important to him that hair and make-up complement his designs.

"It's vital to complete the look," he said.
 
"It's not just about the clothing but the styling as well - the shoes, the skin, the colour and the hair."

Music by Icelandic group Sigur Ros added to the other-worldly feel, as models glided down the catwalk on 10cm wedge shoes.

It was a triumphant return for Akira, who was absent from the event last year.

"We didn't participate in Australian Fashion Week last year, so I feel a bit nervous," the designer admitted before the show.

He needn't have worried, receiving rapturous applause as the show closed.

THE RSL has called for warnings regarding the wearing of military medals, after outrage yesterday at the use of war medals during Australian Fashion Week.

Under the current Defence Act, the models in Tuesday's show could be imprisoned for up to six months for "improper use of service decorations", although police said they were not investigating and the RSL said prosecution was unnecessary.

Buying medals is permissible under the legislation but it is illegal to wear them and the RSL believes a warning should be issued with replica medals advising buyers not to wear them unless they or their family have earned them.

"It would be a very reasonable way to start getting some measure into the whole process," the league's national president, Bill Crews, said. "Wearing [the medals at Fashion Week] just debased that whole value system we have in Australia."

Mr Crews, who recently had a replica set made of his own medals, said he appreciated the apology from the New Zealand designer Kate Sylvester over including medals in her collection but was uncertain whether she understood what she was apologising for.

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Australian Fashion Week founder Simon Lock says a New Zealand fashion designer did not intend to disrespect servicemen and women by decking out models in war medals.

Last night Kate Sylvester sent pouting models down a Sydney catwalk in mock-military garb as part of her "Royally Screwed" show.

The RSL's national secretary, Derek Robson, says images of the Australian Vietnam War Medal, the UN Service Medal for Korea, the Crimean War Medal and the WWII Allied Service Medal hanging over models' bare thighs is "inappropriate, irreverent and distasteful".

"The use of medals - facsimiles, replicas or otherwise is inappropriate. It's against regulation, as well," he said.

"We've just had Anzac Day, commemorating the memory of over 102,000 Australians who gave up their all - and similar numbers of New Zealanders. I think in New Zealand itself, I'm not sure they'd be too happy that one of their own would denigrate the service of those that had gone before."

But Mr Lock says no disrespect was intended.

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Fashion Week founder defends models in medals
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Hot pink ruched dresses teamed with blinding bling, hopefully the front row at Kirrily Johnston last night brought their sunglasses.

Kirrily Johnston’s highly anticipated show was the first in a long list of designers who will be showcasing their collections at this year’s Rosemount Australia Fashion Week in Sydney.

Billowing light fabrics which draped from the shoulders of the models emphased a Grecian theme, already created by outfits which mixed flat strappy sandals with Punjab pants.

The dresses were mature, with simple flowing lines and a cololur palette which stuck mainly to black, white, smoky grey, and the occasional splash of hot pink.

The use of basic jersey fabrics allowed Johnston to have fun with accessories.

The Models’ slicked back hair was wrapped with bohemian headscarves, as they strutted down the catwalk with gold walking sticks and futuristic sunglasses.

Asia has been identified as an important market for Australian fashion designers as they prepare to showcase their work at Australian Fashion Week (AFW) in Sydney.

The industry-only event - now in its 13th year - generates tens of millions of dollars in exports and according to AFW founder Simon Lock, it is highly regarded on the world stage.

"It started to break down the cultural cringe of who we are as Australians, so Parisians, New Yorkers and [those] from other parts of the world started to go, 'Well hang on. Australia's cool. Yeah, of course, why wouldn't they have great designers'," Mr Lock said.

More than 100 buyers from around the globe are registered to attend this year's AFW, including teams from Barneys, Harrods and Hong Kong's Lane Crawford.

Tjut Devi, Austrade's business development manager in Indonesia, says the pressure is on designers to show them why they should buy Australian.

"Buyers here need to see whether or not your clothing is in the magazines - not only in Australia, but also internationally," Ms Devi said.

Yana Handali already stocks Australian designs in her Indonesian boutique.

She says AFW is a crucial opportunity to view the latest designs her clients demand.

"What we like is the quality, because most of it is still made in Australia," she said.

Seasoned professional Jayson Brunsdon believes there is huge potential for Australian designers in Asia.

"We don't have the population here, but they certainly have the population in Asia," he said.

As well as showing his latest spring/summer collection at AFW this week, Brunsdon will open a signature store in Singapore.