Flash Delirium

Ahh fashion. Always ready to break its own rules. 

A bra strap showing - once an unfortunate wardrobe misdemeanour that no fashionista would be caught dead committing. Fast forward to last summer and we were all expected to be prancing around in our lingerie with the 'underwear as outerwear trend'.

Don't mix prints. Otherwise you'll look like a blind clown who got dressed in the dark. But this season it's all about mixing every pattern, colour and texture under the sun, in a rainbow amalgamation that will have passers by reaching for their shades.

The latest rule to be broken, colour clashing. More specifically, two of the brightest, most opposing shades on the colour chart. Unless you've been living in a cave with no internet/newspaper access for the past month, you'll have seen the usually revered style queen Cheryl Cole rocking this fashion 'faux pas' at the American X Factor auditions. Teamed with hair that looked like Farrah Fawcett caught in a wind turbine, it was a brave look to attempt.

Now I'm not saying this is why Simon Cowell decided to ditch her from the X Factor sharpish...but well, yes that's what I'm saying. Bad move Cheryl, you look like the 70's on a very bad trip.

But it seems that Chezza isn't the only one to be experimenting with these dazzling hues. 

A very pregnant Jessica Alba recently stepped out at an awards ceremony swathed in these shades, as did Kim Kardashian at a launch at Debenhams. 

They certainly looked better than poor Cheryl, even if Kim's curves did appear to be on the verge on escaping from her outfit.

So when did this happen, when was it OK to don these opposing tones?

There is one lady to thank, and that is legendary designer Diane Von Fustenburg. The embodiment of glamour, her DVF brand is coveted by women across the world. And so if she declares something in fashion, you don't argue with her.

Her Spring 2011 collection takes summer brights to new extremes, combining eye-popping pigments with classic silhouettes that are waltzing right off the catwalk and into celebrity's wardrobes. 

The trend hasn't gone unnoticed by the media, both Paris Vogue and Marie Claire paid homage on the covers of their upcoming issues.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the high-street's spin on the style, I'm thinking H&M will be the place to go to emulate the look on the cheap? We'll see!