Lynne is also doing something fabulous for a poor African girl, who was destined to be sold. Lynne has not only raised enough money to rescue her, but is now putting her through nursing training. If you would like to donate or get involved in some way, contact Lynne directly( enquiries@thestylealchemist.com).

Ronen Chen, 43, is one of Israel’s leading fashion designers for women’s clothing and has a flourishing retail and wholesale business. He has 14 successful years of experience in the fashion industry behind him.

He owns 11 beautifully designed concept stores under his name and is sold in 50 additional specialty boutiques nationwide.

Ronen Chen’s label is designed for the modern woman aged 35 -65 who wants to look and feel good. His designs are fashionable but not trendy, super comfortable & flattering. The workmanship is fine & the prices are attractive.

Ronen Chen’s styles are available in sizes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. These are equivalent to European sizes 36-46, and to American sizes 4-14.

www.ronenchen.com

For a peek at the clothing on offer, take a look at www.anneodowd.com or ring 020 7402 5292 . Prices are good too, from £25-60. The London concept store is situated at

23 New Quebec Street
Portman Village
Marylebone
London W1h 7SD

Tel: +44 (0) 020 7723 1973

I was literally taken aback. I know hundreds of image consultants and I have NEVER heard of any of them asking a client to strip down to their undies. There’s no reason to do so. It might be OK for Trinny and Susannah to prod and poke in their 360 degree mirror but that’s not real life, it’s TV and they need the audience ratings. Admittedly, if I’m doing a wardrobe weed or personal shopping, I may see a client in her underwear BUT only if she wants me to. I go into another room or wait outside the changing room if that’s her preference.

The way image professionals are taught to carry out a style consultation should never allow the client to feel exposed in this way. After all isn’t it supposed to be an enjoyable experience? Even though I like my body, I wouldn’t want to take my clothes off in front of a stranger if there was no real need.

Image is not just about body shape. It’s about the multiple facets that make up who we are as an individual. If you are asked to take your clothes off in a style consultation just be aware that it is not necessary and, if it’s uncomfortable for you, find another consultant who’ll be more considerate towards your feelings.

But I got to thinking.  Should I be using a different fragrance in the summer from the one I wear in the winter? We change our clothes and make up, so shouldn’t we change our scent at the same time or have I found my own ’signature’ scent which is seasonally universal?  What do you think? Let me have your thoughts.

http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshops.php

Have you recently met a woman of substance? Is she determined, honest and selfless? Does she have plenty of integrity and inspire others?  Now the time has come for you to put pen to paper - or even go online – and tell us as the search is on to find Britain’s real women of substance.

A Woman of Substance Awards have been launched to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s debut book, A Woman of Substance, first published in 1979. The book is one of the top 10 bestselling novels of all time with more than 31 million copies sold in over 40 languages and in 90 countries.

The awards are inspired by Barbara Taylor Bradford, the creator of the original – and now iconic - woman of substance, Emma Harte, in the worldwide bestselling novel. Conducted in association with Debenhams, P&O Cruises, and in support of the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, Barbara is encouraging females across Britain to nominate themselves and/or other women in their personal and professional lives at www.awosawards.co.uk

Barbara Taylor Bradford says: “A Woman of Substance is a book that has changed the lives for a lot of women. It empowered them to believe in themselves.  It gave them the confidence to overcome a lack of education or great adversity and triumph as a human being.  It showed them that with great ambition, discipline and stamina they could really succeed.  I’m delighted that now, 30 years later, we are surrounded by real examples of women of substance and I feel it’s about time that we recognised and celebrated their achievements!

“It’s essential that we don’t rest on our laurels.  Even today, we need to champion women who do extraordinary things be it in their home and with their family, in the area they live in, in the work that they do given the research show 23 per cent of women in the UK have no female role model in their lives today.  It’s quite shocking.”

As part of the launch of the Awards, Barbara, together with her publisher, HarperCollins, carried out independent research to explore females’ views of what it takes to be a woman of substance in 2009.  It reveals that WAGS, wannabees and women who kiss and tell are a massive turn off for ordinary women. Daughters of the rich and famous who have not personally earned their success, models and a number of politicians are also seen by females as women with no substance.

Our most important role models are our mothers, grandmothers, friends and sisters. And the qualities we admire are: someone who fights for what is right; someone who has overcome personal barriers and hurdles to achieve success; someone who has risen to fame because of raw talent; someone who has worked hard to help others succeed and someone who remains true to her roots.

A Woman of Substance Awards’ entry information can be found at www.awosawards.co.uk. The closing date for submissions is July 31. Finalists and their guests will be invited to attend the awards event personally hosted by Barbara – at The Dorchester hotel in London in September.

The overall winner will receive a prize package of a luxury cruise for two people and two children courtesy of P&O Cruises, a full makeover (hair, make-up and manicure) and styling session courtesy of Debenhams Westfield, a £250 Debenhams gift card, a copy of Barbara’s latest book, Breaking The Rules (due out 3 September 2009), a newly released, luxury bound limited edition of A Woman of Substance, plus a DVD package of Barbara Taylor Bradford films.

If you are also having trouble finding a pair, here are my top 3 tips for you:

1. Play to your face shape. If it’s really rounded, don’t choose totally round lenses as this will just accentuate the roundness. Equally, any that are very angular will also look wrong. Your frame needs to be rectangular in shape but having rounded edges so they thin out your face without jarring. If you are angular, you can emphasise the angles by choosing an angular frame with really square corners but you can also soften it by choosing slightly rounded edges like Jackie O.

A long face needs glasses with a wide frame. You can also carry off a larger lens. The horizontal line created shortens the face length. A short or wide face needs the glasses to sit within the frame of the face and to sport smaller lenses to provide some length.

2. Choose a colour that suits your skin tone and your personality. Black suits cool complexions and brown, warm ones. Unless you are sure you have the personality to carry off a bright colour, my advise is don’t - leave that to Christopher Biggins who has made it his trademark.

3. Make sure they are ’safe’. Always check that the lenses have adequate protection against ultra violet rays (they should carry a  C E mark) and that you will be able to use them to see correctly when driving ( i.e. traffic lights colours are discernable from one another).

Those in the photo are from a Fabris Lane selection for House of Fraser  http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Search-Show?prefn1=brand&prefv1=Fabris%20Lane

or go directly to www.fabrislane.co.uk for a massive variety of styles to suit absolutely everyone, whatever their preference.

So what can you do if you’re a size 16 (or above) to look and feel fabulous?

Firstly, you need to be convinced that you really are beautiful in your own right. Clothing, on its own, will never be convincing unless there is an element of truth coming from within, so choose clothes that really support who you are.

Take lots of time and effort to select clothes that really appeal to you -  colour, mood, comfort, fabric and personality - because you are worth it. DO NOT buy the first thing you see that is in the correct size. It must fit both your outer body and your inner goddess.

Carla Mathis, a remarkable woman and one of my favourite teachers, always maintains that we are like individual works of art. It is really important that you believe this and adorn yourself accordingly. Baggy and shapeless will not do you any favours as you’ll just look larger and uninspiring.

Pay lots of attention to your hair, nails, makeup and accessories.  Lack of grooming can destroy all the effort you’ve put in so far. If you don’t want attention on your body, funk up your jewellery and shoes so you get noticed but with the focus directed elsewhere.

To obtain the right fit you may need to spend more, but look on each piece as an investment and make sure you adore it enough to justify the cost.

Designers to try: Anna Scholtz, Vivienne Westwood (if you love the dramatic), By Malene Birger, DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Evans (now has a fashionable, funky range by Beth Ditto), Fenwright Manson, Not My Daughters Jeans. Try also Marisota, La Redoute, Beige Plus, Elvi and Box2.co.uk with the beautiful plus size owner Nicky Allen who really understands how to dress women who are not stick thin, want to look chic and modern in clothes that really do the job (see photo).

Even I took a risk, being captivated  by a lovely shirt in very small orange and white check rather then choosing the safer option of blue and white. I also picked up a small patent orange clutch in the sale at Faith, which is really gorgeous, looks divine with navy blue and smartens up my jeans no end. This is the FIRST time I have ever worn orange EVER which proves we can all push those comfort boundaries when the time (and the garment/accessory) is right.

Perhaps the glorious sunshine has affected us and we want to feel sunny and bright. After all orange is the contrast (complement) to blue on the colour wheel so we should feel the opposite effect.  If we can feel ‘blue’ why can’t we feel ‘orange’?

According to Suzy Chiazzari the colour therapist and internationally acclaimed author:

Orange is supposed to shore up the immunity system and stimulate digestion.

Orange is, without a doubt, a “happy” colour. It frees emotions, promotes self-esteem and the capacity to forgive. This stimulating colour fights depression and cultivates good humour. Lighter hues such as peach and apricot, help restore nervous energy.

Those who often wear orange are active, competent and rather impatient. They are independent, motivated, competitive and well organised. They are also creative and practical people, full of energy and often incapable to stay put.

Orange combines red’s and yellow’s stimulating attributes. It is a “happy” hue with a strong personality that pleases active, self-confident people. It seems that dancers are often attracted to orange. Those who find orange too strong often find such as terra-cotta, peach or amber more acceptable as they retain some of the attributes of orange.

I remember Evana Maggiore ( founder of Fashion Feng Shui) saying to me that ‘if you really don’t like a colour (and I’ve never been a fan of orange) it’s probably the colour you SHOULD be wearing to provide balance in your life’.  I’ll let you know how I get on with it but I can already tell you that my husband thinks it looks great on me, so ladies, never say never.

Is there a colour that captivates and entices you that you could you introduce into your wardrobe right now? Give it a try. Not sure? Then choose something unexpensive which you can wear away from your face - a bangle perhaps -  and see how you feel. Don’t forget to let me know how you get on.