The thought of Christmas shopping may fill us all with dread, but a new website plans to help banish those festive fears.

This may be the second time in two days that we’ve mentioned the ‘C’ word (after talking about it yesterday’s M&S post), but we assure you it’s not without good reason. NearLondon is launching a website which will unveil a virtual version of London’s West End, featuring every item that’s in store in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square and Bond Street.

That’s rather a few items, let us assure you. Shoppers will be able to visit their favourite stores on the site to see what’s for sale and check prices before even setting foot out the door. So hang on, that’s all the bits and bobs from our favourite stores on one darned-handy website? Yes, please.

In the first of its kind, Elle UK reports that the website will be so life-like that the simulated streets will have buses running down them, news stands with the day’s headlines and even reflect the real weather. All rather surreal, hey?

Aimed at increasing the number of people coming to London to do their Christmas shopping, M&S, Liberty, American Apparel and John Lewis have all signed up to the scheme already.

The site is set to launch in November, conveniently around the same time that we start to plan our seasonal shopping. Funny, that.

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Jil Sander is back, and this time she’s ditching designer and taking a trip to the high street with a collection for Uniqlo.

The German designer – who left her own label in 2004 after a sour split with the Prada group – has returned to the world of fashion after five years to design a luxe for less +J collection in collaboration with high street store Uniqlo.

Despite her previous stint at the Jil Sander fashion house and Prada – who bought the rights to her name – the minimalist designer has always been intrigued by the high street.

She told the timesonline: “I have always been fascinated by the original concept of high street fashion; by the idea of offering attractive clean-cut clothes to everyone.”

The 66-year old designer, who is famed for her luxurious, hi-tech fabrics, striking silhouettes and meticulous detail, has bought her signature style to the Japanese-born high street store.

“I have been very meticulous about detail. Some pieces of the +J collection have been fitted five times, to ensure a flawless, sculptured silhouette and unconditional ease for the wearer,” she said.

Sander is the latest in a long list of designers and artists to reveal collaborations with high street chains; Sonia Rykiel has teamed up with H&M, Yasmin Le Bon launched a collection for Wallis and Emma Watson has designed a range for Tree People.

The +J range will arrive in Uniqlo stores nationwide on Thursday 1st October. We can’t wait to get our mits on Sander’s new affordable designs.

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Mark Fast is rumoured to create a collection for high street giant Topshop.

Industry insiders have reported that the Canadian born designer may be the latest to join Topshop’s long list of big-name designers.

Now an adopted Londoner, Fast has been sponsored to show at London Fashion Week by Topshop’s prestigious New Generation scheme for the past two seasons – precisely how the store’s other big collaborators got on board.

According to handbag.com, Topshop are yet to confirm the news, but if the whispers prove true, Fast would join Christopher Kane, Markus Lupfer, Preen and Richard Nicoll. Now that’s one way to be catapulted into a whole new league, Kane’s collection for Topshop sent him soaring, to say the least.

This isn’t the first time Fast has hit the fashion headlines lately, either. We recently reported how the designer sparked controversy after he made a last minute decision to use three plus-size models in his London Fashion Week catwalk.

He sure doesn’t hang around, does he? Something tells us we’ll be seeing rather a lot of Mark Fast.

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Well, well, what have we here? A super-shoe style statement? A glow in the dark light? Er, both, actually.

Forget kids trainers with those flashing air bubbles back in the 90’s, light-up shoes have climbed a long way up fashion’s ladder. Jimmy Choo’s latest design is a real masterpiece, that’s for sure. The heels of his gorgeous zip-up strappy ankle platforms apparently light up as you walk. Yes, really.

It seems our talks of fashion of the future came to light a little sooner than expected; these shoes are one way to find your friends in the dark.

Probably ones to split the crowd, we actually think these shoes are pretty amazing. Patent black leather, florescent strap detail, platformed sole, zipped ankle caging and killer light-up heel? Yes, please.

If you fear his luminescent shoes will be a little over budget, hold tight, the low-cost luxe Choo collection for H&M will be hitting stores shortly.

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What: Ted Baker Sample Sale

Where: Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London, WC1H 9JE

When: Wednesday 7th October, 8am – 8pm, Thursday 8th October, 8am – 7pm,

Why: The Ted Baker sample sale offers you the chance to buy the latest designer products at heavily reduced prices.

The sale features menswear (including suits at £75, shirts at £25), womenswear (dresses at £40, skirts at £25), kidswear and accessories.

All major credit cards are accepted but it’s much quicker to pay with cash. To avoid the queues, you can also apply for fast-track entry at www.tedsamplesale.com.

For further information, visit www.tedsamplesale.com or call 020 7255 4800.

As designers are ever looking to the future for their latest designs, this news really brings a whole new meaning to fashion of the future.

Working with scientists, no less, designer Manuel Torres is exploring the possibility of spray-on clothing, and has already designed prototypes. Apparently, Torres’ non-woven fabric is made by spraying benign chemicals directly onto the body, which binds thousands of fabrics across the skin to form disposable garments.

We’ve heard of disposable fashion before, but this is a whole new kettle of fish to us.

It’s not just creating new fabrics, either. According to the Telegraph, research has begun into making the materials responsive, too, so science could provide us with an outfit that interacts with – and controls – the room we’re in.

We can also expect clothes that help improve our romantic lives, and T shirts that turn us into portable power stations in the not so distant future.

We can’t say this hi-tech stuff sounds too appealing to us, really. We’re fans of letting our clothes do the talking, but not the thinking too.

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It’s all hush-hush and whispers here, as Hermès are rumoured to buy jewellery label Asprey.

The rumours come after the French luxury label exchanged contracts to buy Asprey’s New Bond Street store last week for £75 million, pipping Chanel to the post.

Now, reports suggest that Hermès may have its sights set on the company itself, although Hermès are still refusing to comment on such speculation.

Hermès – who boasts legendary French designer Jean Paul Gaultier as creative director – are going from strength to strength, seeing a 7 per cent increase in turnover in the last six months, whilst Asprey are falling down a slippery slope seeing sales drop £4 million in the last year, according to Vogue UK.

In fact, investors have suggested Asprey may not be able to support itself for much longer, which indicates to us that the move from Hermès could be a helping hand.

Well, there’s no smoke without fire, as they say. Watch this space, we’ll be listening out for confirmation.

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We’re sad to report that Don Fisher, the man behind the legendary denim company Gap, has died aged 81.

Following a long battle with cancer, the disease finally took its toll on the fashion legend as he died in his San Fransisco home on Sunday.

Donald opened the first Gap outlet in 1969 with wife Doris, after being frustrated at not being able to find a pair of perfectly fitting jeans. Together, they have been responsible for bringing us classic great-fitting denim for the last 40 years.

Whilst his role may have changed over the years – from CEO to chairman and finally to company director – Don has always remained a key figure at the heart of the business. As well as his work for Gap, Don was also a keen philanthropist, and supported several projects.

His son, Bob Fisher, who is on Gap’s board of directors, said: “My father was an inspiration to many people both in his dedication to his business and through his enthusiasm and commitment to philanthropic efforts,” Grazia reported.

“On behalf of our family, we want to thank everyone who has offered their love and support. We are comforted in the knowledge that my father’s legacy will live on in the spirit and passion of the millions of people who have worked over the past 40 years for the company he founded.”

Like the rest of the fashion world, we’re saddened by the news of Fisher’s passing, but we will delight in seeing his legacy live on through his iconic brand, who celebrated 40 years last week. Don; here’s to you, your work, and your life.

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Oh, no. M&S has cut its generous returns policy back by over half.

If you’re anything as indecisive as us, you’ll be as disappointed as we are to hear news that high street store M&S has cut back their 90-day deadline to a 35-day return policy.

The chain introduced the new policy back in April this year, with noticeboards in shops and printed information on receipts, but it seems not everyone was fully aware of the change up until now.

Marks & Spencer, usually recognised for its excellent customer service policies, will be disappointed to hear the new decision has upset many of their shoppers. According to Drapers, the changes have sparked a lively debate across internet forums, whilst some shoppers have even threatened to boycott the store.

Well, that’s a little overboard, we think. In fairness to the retailer, their policy is still greater than most other high street stores.

An M&S spokesperson told Drapers: “We offer our customers a full refund or exchange on goods returned within 35 days, which compares favourably to our competitors, many of which offer just 28 days.”

They haven’t forgotten Christmas shopping, either. From the 1st October to 11th December, the store will be extending their returns policy for any gifts accompanied by a receipt. Items bought within this period may be returned up until 16th January, but any items bought after 11th December will be subjected to the usual 35-day policy.

We can’t say fairer than that, we guess. Oh, and we apologise for using the dreaded ‘C’ word in September, but we all know it’s drawing closer…

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A mini vacation this weekend up northern California’s coast in Carmel. It was a lovely little girls weekend for my friends birthday…and boy was it chilly at night! If you ever happen to be interested in going to Carmel, I’ll warn you now the way I wished someone had warned us: prepare to PAY high prices for food and lodging, and pretty much everything else. We found out that Carmel is infamous for its high prices of course after we were there throwing down $20 per dinner plate. The weather was splendid though and I even got to dress warm. I took a cute scarf and actually kept it on my neck almost the entire trip. So well it may not quite be fall weather here in Los Angeles, we can at least get ready for it for when it finally decides to arrive. If it’s too warm to wear tights, and sweaters still, a light scarf will do the warmth trick and look stylish. I’m not really recommending a wool scarf yet, unless of course your current weather trends are already calling for one. Loop scarves will be big this season, I’ve already seen them in a few places, they kind of look like chic neck warmers basically.

Chan Luu Paisley Infinity Loop $125

This scarf also comes in a deep plum color which is probably the one I’d pick. I was drawn to the orange first though since October and pumpkins are only two days away!

DKNY Luxe Knit Infinity Loop $75

This infinity loop is longer, but you can find practically any size and thickness in these infinity loops. Some will look like a small loop only large enough to wrap the neck, others are a medium length, and then there are extra long ones like this. This can be doubled up too for extra warmth and volume, but I would save that for some extremely cold temperatures since this loop is a wool and cashmere blend. This DKNY one comes in a few other different colors including a bright kelly green color.
I now leave you with my favorite style in this new kind of neck candy…

Don’t worry, this loop won’t make you look like little red riding hood, you’ll just feel like her. I LOVE this Rag & Bone Twisted Merino Hood Loop! $175

I am not only a fan of the very plain color but there is also a beautiful little brown button detail in the back of this loop. This would look gorgeous on anyone and you can just pop that hood when the cold winds or rains start to pick up.

Shop though a variety of women’s scarves at Smarter.com.

womens scarves