This will definitely be the mantra of the fashion-obsessed for the next month, as legendary department store Harrods opened its doors to the renowned Summer Sale yesterday morning.

In true tradition of female celebrities starting the sale, Miss Kim Cattrall of Sex and The City arrived just before 9:00 in a fabulous cream outfit and Givenchy shoes that would make even Samantha drool. After pulling up in a horse-drawn carriage, the British-born actress (that’s right! She lived in Liverpool for the first three years of her life) was greeted by owner Mohamed Al Fayed in front of hundreds of eager shoppers.

While perusing the incredible mark-downs on YSL and Gucci handbags she went on to say, “from the clothes, shoes [and] handbags…I’ve been a faithful Harrods shopper since I got my first credit card.” Ahh the life of the rich and famous!

But even for the rest of us, who only dream of maxing out the card in those hallowed halls, can find bargains galore from now until July 26^th, when the sale ends. Rumours have been circulating that Chloe shoes and Vivienne Westwood dresses have dropped to prices half their original value! The sale also takes place online, just in case you can’t drag yourself out.

(Speaking of online…don’t forget about koodos’ clearance sale going on right now as well. Hurry up and have a look! The cutest things always go first!)

So, with even more discounts and special events for cardholders, Harrods (and koodos) is surely THE place to be for the rest of the summer – see you there!

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We’re happy to welcome Julie Cotterill, Director of Brand Protection from security firm OpSec Security as a guest author in support of National Authenticity Week.

Unfortunately, the internet is a haven for counterfeit designer goods. Since you can’t physically examine the item before you purchase it, it can be extremely difficult to establish its authenticity. Internet auction sites such as eBay cannot guarantee the authenticity of the merchandise as they act purely as an online marketplace and not as the direct seller of the goods. It is extremely easy for the sellers of counterfeit goods to pose as genuine by setting up what looks like authorised retail websites or genuine auction listings. As a quick guide, we would advise buyers to take the following steps when purchasing designer goods online:

1. Buy from the original designers’ websites, or from sites such as koodos.com so you can guarantee the source.
2. Make sure you have the ability to return the goods for your money back before making your purchase.
3. Stay away from auctions sites which use images taken directly from the designers’ own images of the product and are not an image of the exact product you are buying.
4. Sometimes designer goods have certificates of authenticity which should be included when you purchase the genuine article, especially leather goods. If not, ask for the original purchase receipt.
5. 

   When you receive the item, if it is supposed to be brand new, check the labels – do they look genuine? Also check the product itself as some designers use authentication devices such as holograms on the labelling.

6. If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of the item, check with the original brand manufacturer. If it is counterfeit, make sure you report this to the brand manufacturer and the auction site where you purchased the goods from so they can take action.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll enjoy your real designer purchases for a good long time.

- written by Julie from OpSec Security.

For more discussion, tips, articles and reference concerning all things authentic, click here for our collection of useful links.

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We don’t tend to make a habit of banging on about how brilliant we are here at koodos, but for a good cause, why not?

Gwan, our marketing messiah, recently ran the London Marathon in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust. With some chums, he came up with an inventive and entertaining way to break up the monotony of training.

Not only that, but he entered the vid into the ‘Just Giving’ donation competition and promptly won it! Winning £500 to go towards the charity.

So congratulations to Gwan for both, competing in the race and proving that his creative skills are top notch.

Watch and enjoy.

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If the purpose of the Oscars, more importantly, the Oscar dresses were to make us squeal with delight until we pass out - then mission accomplished, here are some of the best bits…

Over the weekend, the 80th Academy Awards were held in Hollywood and of course the A-list were out in force. Flowing dresses were standard with red being the colour ‘de jour’, as Anne Hathaway in Marchesa, Helen Mirren in Georges Chakra (avec £1 million of diamonds - nice, very nice) and Heidi Klum in John Galliano, displayed beautifully.

Pregnant and purple was the mantra for chic Cate Blanchett in Dries Von Noten and a stylish Jessica Alba, also in Marchesa - proving that pregnant certainly doesn’t mean dowdy. Cameron Diaz looked pretty (as always) in pink with a stunning folding John Galliano, whilst no one does Chanel couture quite like Penelope Cruz, in a ruffled, feathered, black number.

One for the boys, a Mr Daniel Day Lewis has to be congratulated on two accounts, of course for his well deserved Oscar for Best Actor but more importantly his superb choice of impeccably tailored, Paul Smith attire - Well done Sir.

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Rich and opulent, the Gucci catwalk held no reserves as Boho-Cossack glamour was presented for Milan.

Inspired by the “Intellectuals of Russia”, traditional Slavic tapestry and folklore, Gucci displayed a printed collection, decorated with fringing and gold cresting, from boots to wide, low-slung belts. Buttons were also key, adorning military velvet jackets and leather bags.

Gypsy tunic layers of crushed velvet, silk and chiffon under sheepskin and Mongolian goat afghans, in succulent shades of gold, ocre, chocolate and grape - made for some 70’s Woodstock romanticism.

Gucci Chief Designer, Frida Giannini, has produced a strong, sexy, Slavic-rock collection that will certainly transcend to the high street with the ease and success that she deserves.

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If Africa is the cradle of civilization then Italy is without doubt, the cradle of fashion and it was the ever luminous, Giorgio Armani who kick-started the Milan Fashion Week (A/W 08) with his younger, street savvy Emporio collection.

Black but by no means gothic, Armani displayed a seriously sensual  collection that continuously flattered the female silhouette. Crushed velvets in mink and chocolate browns, set the tone, with high waisted trousers and silk shirts further more setting the expected high standard of the week.

Gianfranco Ferre, the first collection since the passing of it’s namesake proved an exciting one. Femininity was key as sharp tailoring, pretty statement pieces and unusual flowing fabrics embodied modern prettiness - although word on the street is that Chief Designer Lars Nilsson has been dropped by the label a mere 5 months after Ferre’s death.

D&G by Dolce & Gabbana had our sovereign in mind with their A/W 08 collection. The Queens favourites, tartan, plaid and complete with ‘heraldic’ scarves tied under the chin saw D&G take the audience on a highland romp through next season.

Moschino certainly didn’t disappoint, with a collection that appeared to have perfectly blended military might with cheeky 20’s flapper girl. Bows and ruffles on sharp tailored trench coats completed a striking collection with a Royal blue embellished short dress complete with blue tights seriously standing out.

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