It is half past three on a Monday morning. My hair is frizzy, my hands are cold and I’m wearing the only pair of pants I own – and when Lynn is wearing jeans, she means business. Incidentally, when she talks in the third person, she’s generally either stressed or inspired, and, as writing takes a pinch of both, this editorial looks promising.

This issue’s Fashion section is all about making statements. In the age of Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Paloma Faith, this could be construed as ‘attention seeking’…mainly because, well, it so often is. Linked as they are, although not inextricably, expression and exhibitionism are the Atkins-permitted bread and butter of the style world. The fine line drawn in the sand between showing off and making a show of yourself can, however, be difficult not to cross.

The honest truth of it, as your Nana might say, is the fact that people in general like – and like for those around them – to fit in with the status quo. It doesn’t matter what that status quo is, as long as enough other people conform to it for it to be deemed socially acceptable on a large scale.

The irony of people like Lady Gaga lies, of course, in the fact that whatever individuality they may originally have expressed becomes so assimilated by the masses as to incite ever wilder and further-reaching attempts at uniqueness on the part of the ‘visionary’, ultimately ending in dresses made of meat – both metaphorically and literally. And so, the innovative becomes, ritually, the passé, and often the absurd.

Just as Nana suggests, the reality in the fashion world is that although people may want to be stand out, the vast majority also need their difference to be accepted – and the easiest way for this to happen is if their individuality becomes a trend.

Getting there first, putting your name to that conical bra or see-through rubber dress before anybody else, is the most important thing. Don’t get me wrong – I love creativity, design and style; but purporting to use somebody else’s ‘look’ as a means of expressing your own personality is a key flaw in today’s fashion world. Dressing like Alexa Chung doesn’t make you look like a brooding, hair- and leather-fringed indie waif – it makes you look like Alexa Chung.

I do hope that you can take from this issue the message of inspiration as opposed to imitation. From bow-ties to the more extreme sub-dermal piercings, stepping outside one’s comfort zone has different levels for everybody.

For me, this means jeans; hey, I never said I was Gaga.

No one can ever accuse Venus Williams of playing it safe when it comes to her on-court fashion sense. From her chic, corset-style, lace-up dress to her white Tina Turner-esque flapper number, Venus consistently raises eyebrows whenever she walks on-court. This most recent Australian Open witnessed the unveiling of yet another awe inspiring outfit from the seven-time grand slam champion.

Venus warned us prior to the tournament that her dress would be more original than ever before and she certainly made good on this promise during her match against Sandra Zahlavova on Rod Laver Arena. Emerging from the player’s locker room, her canary yellow and cosmic floral print mini dress with sheer lattice torso immediately caused a stir among the spectators. Coupled with her now infamous ‘stealth knickers,’ this outfit will certainly take some beating in the history of sport’s worst-dressed.

Resembling more of a criss-crossed pastry pie topping than a fashion-forward tennis ensemble, the dress even had players talking. Former British number one, Anne Keothavong, took to Twitter to air her concerns stating, “some interesting outfits at this year’s Aussie Open…not mentioning any names but seriously?!”

In her post-match interview, Venus explained that her dress had been inspired by Alice in Wonderland, believing that it captured the “surprising” nature of the story. While she certainly succeeded in embodying this emotion into the dress, rather than representing the ethereal and fantastical wonderment associated with Lewis Carol’s novel, it instead garnered more the surprise of finding your favourite pet run over…repeatedly.

Tennis used to be such a stylish sport but recently good taste seems to have been turned on its head, leaving us with an assortment of sweaty, garish girls in ill-fitting Lycra. While there have been some fashion successes this year, like Maria Sharapova’s gray and coral strappy sun-dress modelled during the Australian Open, the sport is still crying out for an unfailing fashion icon to lead it out of this current nightmare.

While former world number one Caroline Wozniacki showed early potential, teaming up with renowned designer Stella McCartney to create her on-court outfits, she has been largely hit-or-miss so far.

Defending her dress, Venus said that she uses fashion to express who she is on court. While I applaud her (and Serena’s) constant reinvention of acceptable tennis attire, this time she’s served an undisputable double fault. The Williams sisters have basically written the rule book on modern day tennis fashion, and although I find Venus’ most inventive creation nothing short of ghastly, I do hope they continue to revolutionise the clothing of this sport – if nothing else, at least for the comedy value involved!

After waiting for a considerable amount time in fashion exile, the bow tie is back…perhaps not to rapturous applause, but given the awful history of this accessory it’s not entirely surprising. With oversized, garish coloured bow ties littering the ’70s and ’80s, it is understandable that people are nervous about approaching this fashion trend for fear they will end up looking more dork than adorkable!

The media has recently been flooded with images of Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, Doctor Who’s Matt Smith, Glee’s Chris Colfer and Inception’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt all sporting very geek-chic bow ties, helping to repair its tarnished reputation. Currently, men’s fashion has been looking back to vintage styles for inspiration; with shows like Mad Men currently consuming our TV screens, we are witnessing a resurgence in ’50s- and ’60s-inspired items like brogues and pocket squares. Now it looks to be the turn of the bow tie to take centre stage.

However, it really is nothing to panic about. Designers like Tom Ford have done a commendable job modernising what has traditionally been either a very formal or repulsively tasteless fashion accessory. Diverging from the awful silk designs that can most certainly still be found in the back of your Dad’s wardrobe, contemporary materials like cotton, tweed and even denim are being employed to keep on-trend.

The bow tie is also an exceptionally cost-friendly way of transforming an outfit, selling for virtually nothing in many high street stores. Pair one with a plaid shirt, jeans and a jacket and you’re good to go! Mix-and-match with other accessories such as braces, thick-rimmed glasses or even a trilby to continually alter the look.

While I will admit that bow ties certainly aren’t a quiet fashion statement, there is still nothing to be scared of; keep it simple, co-ordinate your colours AND LEARN TO TIE ONE PROPERLY! Seriously, those pre-tied and clip on ones can look ghastly…steer clear! There are plenty of really simple tutorials online that can teach you how and it’s well worth investing even just a little time to get the knack of it.

Men’s fashion, though much improved over the last few years, is still unfortunately very limited. The bow tie can be a great addition to any wardrobe and I would hate to see such a versatile and stylish accessory being shunted aside and snubbed because of a few (though admittedly pretty bad) past mistakes.

Drew Barrymore has called her bow tie a “fabric smile” and I think if we all adopt this positive mindset there is still hope. I guess if you still don’t like it, look on the bright side: you’re halfway to having a Doctor Who costume for Halloween next year!

Abigail Russell is a woman amongst women. Think of every cliché about time management, getting the most out of life, being thankful for what you have: this lady epitomises them all. An alumna of UCC and currently studying multimedia, Russell has become a known face of the style scene around Cork city in recent years, indulging in particular in all the delights of vintage and bespoke fashion. Her venture into professional styling now going from strength to strength, I sat down for a chat with one of the – officially – most stylish gals in Cork.

It can be difficult to appreciate just how formidable a force the internet is when, for the majority of us, it is little more than a means of collegiate research and social interaction. Abigail, an avid fan of blogs such as that of FucknFilthy, Blanaid and The Style Bitches, has used the web to build up a network of contacts across the Irish style scene – not least of all Sonya Lennon of RTÉ’s Off the Rails.

Spotted through her LookBook account, Russell was asked to appear on the show when it visited Cork’s Mahonpoint shopping centre to feature all things chic about the rebel county, including ‘Cork’s Most Stylish’ men and women. Having made it into the top six best-dressed contenders, her true love of beauty for the sake of aestheticism is apparent when she tells me that there was no feeling of competition between her and the other finalists, but rather an appreciation of being in the company of other people who truly use their dress to express themselves.

It was nice, Russell says, “not to feel freakish”, surrounded by twenty or so like-minded souls whose somewhat eccentric taste can often be looked upon derogatorily. The more avant-garde among us, she feels, enjoy looking different, but not necessarily the way that this self-expression is often received by a larger audience. Sitting next to this sylph-like creature, casually dressed in wide-flared jeans, pointed ballerina flats and a coat on the right side of 1970s-Afghan homage, I find it hard to believe that this narrow persecution of her ilk stems from anything other than jealousy.

As a stylist, Russell’s philosophy is so simple that one wonders how the Trinnys and Susannahs of the world haven’t come across it before now: she genuinely just loves to make people feel good about themselves and stresses that, to do this, a good stylist has to incorporate their client’s style into the finished product.

“I don’t want to clone myself”, she says, as “a stylist’s stamp can be so limiting”. Perceptive to the letter, she maintains that she notices and notes people’s quirks the first time she sees them and never lets things slide. She wants to style people the way they want to be seen, but without losing the essence that makes the individual.

It is this caring for the people she works with that is perhaps Russell’s most endearing characteristic and it translates in her latest venture. ‘Good Genes’ is inspired by the feeling a lot of us have when looking at old pictures of our grandparents – explicitly, she specifies, “I inherited this? Where the hell did it get lost?!”. Comfortably confident, it is difficult not to believe Russell when she gushes about the show-stopping beauty of all her clients, past and prospective.

She believes in finding and coaxing out the confidence to show your best side that is so often lost in an age of candid camera where ‘posers’ are ridiculed. I have to agree with her that anyone would be hard-pressed to find somebody who doesn’t secretly covet the opportunity to star in a styled photo-shoot that they could pass down to their own grandkids, just to prove that, yes, you might be old and wrinkly now – but you were hot stuff once upon a time.

As a young mum with a house to run, a qualification to aim towards and a fiancé to dream with, the mind boggles at the absolute verve that Russell exudes throughout our interview. Her passion is inspiring and her mind is constantly at work – upon my return from a bathroom break before leaving our meeting, she has already sparked off another idea for this article and runs through her never-ending schedule of shoots at whirlwind speed.

Like any parent with a seven-month-old baby to run around after, she admits that “my time isn’t my own any more”, but says “I’m huge on perspective. How you see the world is how the world is…and I feel like the luckiest person alive”.

Abigail Russell’s portfolio is available in majority to view on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/russellstyling. Apart from styling, she offers a ridiculously affordable personal shopping service “even if people want to go to Penneys or Topshop”, helping clients to find suitable fits and cuts for their shape and personality. Anybody looking to get in touch with her can contact her via the site. She will feature on Off the Rails on March 16^th.

Never one to shy from upping the shock value ante, Lady Gaga wowed audiences across the world once again in a recent appearance on the Jay Leno talk show, sporting what appeared to be a series of small horns on her forehead and cheeks.

Although her “sub-dermal implants” were as a result of prosthetics and clever make-up, for years countless body modification enthusiasts have paid small fortunes to have small silicone or Teflon-based shapes implanted under their skin, a painful and controversial procedure. Although still considered quite an underground subculture, Gaga’s display of these has me wondering if society is finally coming around to accepting the more extreme forms body modification into the mainstream.

Google ‘scarification’, ‘dermal and sub-dermal implants’, and ‘tongue splitting’ and thousands of often gut-wrenching images will instantly appear before you.  But they are becoming more and more popular. Only last year a good friend of mine spent an obscene amount of money to have a lotus flower scarred into her upper back.

To each their own (I personally think the detailing is amazing and it does suit her own very individual style), but is the line between pushing boundaries for creative purposes and pushing them for shock value slowly meshing into one big blur?

As a long-time appreciator of most forms of body modification, I have for a long time been a fan of BMEzine.com, and online community for those interested in tattoos and piercings, as well as some of the more extreme procedures. However, in recent years it has come to my attention that many are in direct competition with one another to have the most unique and often shocking additions to their bodies, often resulting in painful and sometimes dangerous procedures. I mean, surely no one could be stupid enough to pierce their own eyelid? I kid you not…

Body piercing has been a socially acceptable mainstream practice for decades. From the 1960s onwards, girls from a very young age sported a single pair of earrings. Multiple ear and nose piercings, often self-pierced and adorned with household items, such as safety pins, were embraced by the punk movement of the 1970s.

The opening of Gauntlet Enterprises in 1978 helped further in making body piercing both safer and more widespread. The trend continued throughout the eighties, but really started to take off with Generation Y adopting the craze in the nineties.

Who can forget Scary Spice with her trademark tongue stud, a look that launched countless copycats?  Facial piercings became far more widespread and accepted, and the navel-piercing craze really took off after Aerosmith’s video for their 1993 song “Cryin’” featured Alicia Silverstone of “Clueless” fame getting her navel pierced.

The video won “Best Music Video” at the MTV Awards, and the piercing became the must have item for teenage girls all over the world. Likewise, Britney Spears’ jewel-adorned bellybutton in the late 90s launched hoards of tweenage girls begging their parents to allow them to follow suit.

The trend has continued throughout the naughties, with many celebrities following suit. Scarlett Johansson is often seen out and about sporting multiple ear piercings (included the extremely popular tragus piercing), as well as jewellery in her nostril and septum. Alyssa Milano, Joss Stone and Pink have all worn nose rings at one point or another, and Kate Moss and Fergie have frequently been seen with multiple ear piercings.

Their body modifications have often made the news; Pink famously got pierced backstage at a concert with her mother watching and I’m sure no one is going to forget Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at her 2004 Superbowel performance in a hurry!

Love them or loathe them, body piercings are not a brief fad – they’re around for the long haul. The question is this: will 2011’s pre-teen princess be begging Mom and Dad for a pretty diamond nose-stud, or silicone horns?!

Valentine’s Day: the one day of the year when loved-up men across the country manage to cast aside their prized fatman pants, rugby jerseys and hoodies in favour of shirts, ties, suits, sweaters and slacks. While I am aware that by the time this article hits the windowsill of the Boole basement, Valentine’s Day will thankfully have passed for another year, I firmly believe this is no excuse to stop dressing up for your significant other.

So you thought that donning your best clothes on this one day would be enough to impress your better half? I can almost sense you nodding your head, but unfortunately you are sorely mistaken. In the words of the eminent Kurt Hummel: “Every moment of your life is an opportunity for fashion”. You are a girl’s favourite accessory; dress poorly for a date and it reflects badly, not only on you, but on her as well. Don’t worry though, I am here to guide you through a few of the “Dos and Don’ts” of dressing to impress!

While I love suits, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to ignore Barney Stinson’s constant declaration to “suit up” when thinking of appropriate formal date attire. I know this may seem counter-intuitive, as a suit is probably the smartest item of clothing one can own, but hear me out. In the wrong setting, suits can make you look uptight; instead, opt for sweaters, shirts, ties, even suit separates to maintain an illusion of sophistication but also of leisure. So unless it is explicitly required, keep your full suit hanging in its dry-cleaning bag!

For more informal settings, jeans are of course allowed. Make sure to endeavour to wear a good quality, well fitting pair. Dark navy is always the best colour to shoot for, but make sure there is no fraying on the bottoms. For a more colourful alternative you could also try chinos. These are a great substitute to jeans and allow for a far more varied wardrobe. Team these with a simple polo shirt or cardigan/shirt combo and you’re good to go. With regards to jackets, I find a grey pea-coat can serve many functions in its capacity, being stylish but not overly formal.

Shoes: women are obsessed with them. Not just their own shoes, or shoes on other women, but your shoes as well. So wear nice ones, because her judging you on their appearance is inevitable. Pick a suitable pair, like lace-ups or Brogues for the evening, something like Dubarrys if it’s the afternoon and simple white sneakers or plimsolls when it’s just a casual get together. NEVER flip flops, for anything…ever!

Finally, one last tip: make sure to check your fly! Nothing is more embarrassing than having to zip-up in front of your lady friend. And remember, fashion is for life, not just for Valentine’s Day!

So good luck and happy dating!

With V-Day approaching and filling all us singletons with groans of dread, we can take solace in the fact that the range of underwear available at the moment couldn’t be better. Let’s face it, ladies: regardless of whether or not we have someone to impress, nothing is a better confidence boost than strolling down the street, knowing you’re wearing lingerie that would make any man weak at the knees.

I know it may seem a little clichéd, but red and pink underwear immediately spring to mind when it comes to the art of seduction. The shops are teeming with these colours this time of year – but be very careful: with this palette, it’s far easier to look Pretty Woman than Moulin Rouge! Check out La Senza’s collection of baby-dolls to find a more tasteful, classy approach to these colours.

Inspired by the timeless, beautiful 1950’s fashions of Mad Men, bow and lace- adorned pastels are huge at the moment. And why wouldn’t they be? They’re feminine, flirty and flattering! Topshop currently have some beautiful examples in stock, with delicate shades ranging from nude tones to the palest turquoise.

If you feel like splashing out a little extra cash, Elle ‘The Body’ MacPherson has some utterly amazing underwear on her website, in particular her Boudoir Range. Just…wow. I certainly know what a considerable chunk of my next wage packet is going on.

Black underwear screams sex: very vampish, very Velma Kelly in Chicago. It’s a classic, and a very seductive classic at that! H&M have some great underwear at the moment, and at prices that won’t break the bank either! If you feel like going all-out, visit the never-disappointing Asos.com for a myriad of supremely sensual black lace lingerie. Especially worth checking out are the B.Tempt’d and Mimi Holliday ranges on the site.

For the fuller figured amongst us, embrace your natural curves! A Waspie is your best friend. These super-high-waisted briefs create the perfect hourglass figure, as well as having a very cool vintage vibe to them to appeal to your inner Marilyn Monroe. Check out Marks and Spencer and Figleaves.com for some great curve-friendly options. Gok Wan has a range on simplyyours.com at the moment that’s nothing short of spectacular. It includes a bralet and waspie set that is both functional and flattering in equal measure and comes in tan, turquoise and violet.

So, regardless of your personal style, it’s easy to find lingerie to suit you. Whether you’re out to impress a certain someone special; treating yourself after finishing all your assignments; or just because you had a lousy day, a major confidence booster is just a stroll to the shops or mouse-click away!

First dates are always intimidating, as a multitude of questions rush through your mind: “Will we have something to talk about?” “What if he’s a psychopath?” Well, maybe not the latter, but you get my point! First dates are difficult enough without having to worry about how to dress. With a few simple tips, it’s easy to dress for the occasion, regardless of where your prospective new man takes you out.

1. The Cinema: Smart-casual is key here. You want to look like you’ve made very little effort while being dressed suitably for a post-movie drink if the date’s going well! Team a cute skirt with a scoop-neck t-shirt (but not too low, this is the first date!) and a funky cardi. There’s some great comfy and chic knitwear in New Look and River Island at the moment.

Footwear-wise, go with what suits your own style – ballet pumps, converse and ankle boots all work with the low-key look. Make it your own with your favourite accessories; the more neutral your outfit, the bolder you can afford to go here.

2. Drinks/Dinner: It’s always helpful to know which bar you’re going to, so your outfit can be planned accordingly. For instance, you can’t go to The Bailey wearing your favourite jeans and your comfiest tee; likewise, turning up to the Bróg wearing a cocktail dress and skyscraper heels will make you feel like a square peg in a round hole. Saying that, if a guy suggests the Bróg for your first date destination, what to wear is the least of your worries!

For such a date, the Little Black Dress is your best friend. It can be dressed up with a pair of heels and a funky shrug, dressed down with flats and a bolero-style cardigan, or given a cool edge by using bold, contrasting accessories. There’s an LBD to suit everyone’s taste and budget, but check out Topshop for the cream of the crop!

3. Gig: It may not be everyone’s first date cup of tea, but each to their own. Dress for comfort here, as you will be standing for a considerable amount of time. Check out very.co.uk for some amazing pairs of Converse – the Blondie ones in particular are absolutely amazing! For the slightly more girly-inclined, you can even get sequinned Chucks in every colour of the rainbow! For one thing, they’ll certainly set you apart from the crowd at a metal night. Equally as important is to dress in layers! You’re going to be in a very hot, crowded room, and light layers are essential so you can remove them as the night progresses, whether it’s due to the sweltering heat of the crowd, or the increasing steaminess of the date! Check out Penney’s for some vest-tops, tees and light cardigans that can be combined for some very funky looks.

So, as you can see, the first date jitters can be considerably lessened by these simple tips to ensure you dress to impress!

So, you have a date this Valentine’s Day and you’ve covered everything: you’ve even planned the perfect flirty undies (thanks to the Express’ fabulous fashion squad). But there’s one thing that cannot be overlooked; the very thing that your lucky date will be gazing at all night on Febuary 14^th: your face! Let’s try to make sure he’s transfixed by your gorgeous visage for all the right reasons.

There are very few rules when slapping on the war-paint for Valentine’s flirty festivities. Basically, it’s a fun and giggly celebration of love lust and all things sexy. You’ll be spending the evening with a guy who wants to be with you in the first place. So confidence is key. Just try to reflect your personality with your make-up.

If you’re usually quite light-handed with your make up brushes, don’t arrive looking like Bozo the clown. Keep it simple. A base of tinted moisturiser, such as Johnson’s, will give you a light glowing cover. Add a little mascara to open your eyes: Max Factor’s gorgeous Masterpiece Max is great. Finish with a little of the Body Shop’s strawberry lip balm. It smells beautiful, so if things go really well you’ll be good enough to eat.

If, like many of us Irish girls you lash on the foundation to cover up any blemish and potential spot, then there’s a pretty Valentine’s way for you to keep the comfort of your coverage. MAC’s NW20 is probably one of their best Irish sellers. The coverage is flawless and the finish is immaculate – plus, it won’t sweat off as easily as a lot of the cheaper products out there. As the price is a little steep, I’ve found another more modestly-priced product that will also do a wonderful job: Rimmel’s Lasting Finish foundation does exactly what it says on the tin. Pop on some blusher, running it from the hairline next to the corner of your eye to the hollow of your cheek, for a really defined look.

Frame your eyes with a liquid liner in black, like MAC’s Fluidline or Rimmel’s liquid eyeliner, dragging the line from the inner corner of your eye out to the edge (or beyond if you’re bold) and top your eyes off with some black mascara. Maybelline and Lancôme both have stunning gloss colours that will really have your man smacking his lips. If you dare to don red or a bold lipstick colour, I’d recommend you go for a blue-based shade that will make your teeth appear whiter, such as Rimmel’s Moisture Renew range.

Have fun with your look before you head out next Monday night – but do keep it as close to your usual routine as possible. We want your date to recognise you after all!

So folks, it’s that time of year again, when singles get ready to mingle and loved-up couples make me very angry! For all you lucky people with something to do on Valentine’s Night, I thought I’d give ye a couple of quick tips to get a sexy up-do with the minimum amount of time and effort.

Side Bun Up-do:

First thing you have to do is comb all your hair and gather it at one side around the nape of your neck. Pin the scraped side back, with bobby pins (those brown ones that your nan uses! Next, make a ponytail, then wrap the ponytail around itself in a circle. Pin all that in securely.

Finally, set with strong hairspray and pull a few bits out to create a sexy, messy look.

Easy-Peasy French Plait:

Hopefully this will be as easy as it sounds for you! First, gather all your fringe, bangs or whatever you call it together. Next, tightly French plait from your crease around to the back of your ear and secure with pins. Then, curl your hair and let the curls fall, or tie it up in a high bun when it’s wet and let your natural curls through! Set with hairspray and away you go!

Short and Sweet:

For you girls with short hair (i.e. above the shoulders), there isn’t much you can do with regards to up-dos. The best ideas for you is to again, pin as much back as you can, then pull down a few tendrils and curl them with a small barrel curler or GHD. Apart from that, you can gel up the shortest side, straighten the other and slick with serum it to give the sleekest shine.