Lily to go for a career change?!

LILY Allen is swapping the music scene for the style scene. The singer said in a Radio One interview that following her final gig in March next year, she plans to concentrate on "doing some behind-the-scenes sort of stuff" - namely a fashion venture with her sister.

"It's about making fashion democratic. That's the idea behind it," Allen explained of her proposed venture, a rental fashion store called Lucy In Disguise - in keeping with her new "neo-luddite" ways.

"It's about getting really nice clothes but letting people rent them for affordable prices so they can go out and feel like a million dollars and it won't cost them a million dollars," she said.

Last July, Allen - who was recently made the face of Chanel's Coco Cocoon collection - launched her own jewellery range and back in 2007 she collaborated with New Look to create a cheap yet chic clothing line called Lily Loves.

Harrods to showcase young fashion talent

STARTING this week, you can now log on to Harrods.com and find amazing, unique pieces from up and coming designers that no one else will be wearing!

On Monday, Harrods launched a new initiative ‘Harrods Launches’ a platform for new designers to showcase their work with each season.

"We are constantly seeking out innovative yet commercial collections. Each London Fashion Week we're always impressed by the ingenuity and ideas displayed and I'm thrilled that this new initiative will help launch the careers of young designers," says Marigay McKee, Harrods' fashion and beauty director.

The talent to note for spring/summer 2010 is Winchester School of Arts and London College of Fashion graduate Manjit Deu and ARTEZ Academy of Arts in Arnhem student Iris van Herpen.

"More than ever our customers want unique pieces from under-the-radar labels that they will not see everyone else wearing," adds McKee.

Deu - who won Collection of The Year for his MA range at London College of Fashion - has become known for his combination of casual classics with a sequin twist and glamorous eveningwear (see picture!), while Van Herpen - who has shown at both Amsterdam and Tokyo Fashion Week - is known for her sculptural and conceptual creations.

Each season, Harrods will add to the line-up. View the collections at www.harrods.com or call 020 7225 5634 for further information.