Designers say fashion repeats itself every 20 years, rendering itself en vogue once more. A mere glance at the catwalks will prove this theory to be true: shoulder pads are back, the perm is being re-debated, and neon is the new black. Another trend sweeping across the fashion shows -- and the faces of anyone who is anyone in the modish crowds -- is glasses. Whether they be tinted or clear, if your face isn’t framed then you’re not a picture worth looking at. Jason Ng, founder and creative director of Cassius Eyewear, unveils the secret to finding the perfect pair of specs.

Jeans, Primark. Shoes, H&M. Jacket, Mango. Unlike Confessions of a Shopaholic’s Rebecca Bloomwood, I used to be very much in the mindset of looking good on a budget. Shunning designer brands for high street deals, my wardrobe was full of designer copies for a fraction of the price. Sure, the main reason for my frugality lay in the fact that I couldn’t afford designer clobber, but I still needed to look on-trend. What with the financial crisis showing no signs of abating, a smart shopping solution was needed. And, thankfully, it was found in Europe’s chic outlet shopping villages. There are nine villages in total -- in London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, and Dublin -- and each offers up to 60 percent off retail. In the name of research I set off, armed with my plastic friend, to explore three of the villages.

They say it’s hard for anything to grow out of the desert, and in Dubai, it’s often as much true of the culture as it is of any flora or fauna. However, rock 'n' roll can be a pretty unstoppable force in itself, and in this part of the world, one band in particular is hell-bent on rising above the drought. When Time Out Dubai described Beat Antenna as "one of the best bands operating in Dubai," it was clear the British indie group was defying the odds -- not so much stamping their mark on the city’s music scene, but rather creating it.

“Animals. Not the band -- the actual animals living in nature. They’re the most under-rated musicians. With the right producer they could sell millions of records,” enthuses Henrik Johansson (no relation to Scarlett), guitarist from Sweden’s latest musical offering, Lacrosse. The indie band formed in 2005 after meeting at a wedding between mutual friends. “It was love at first sight,” gushes Henrik. That’s right we’re on first-name terms. “Now we’ll be together forever making sweet music.” When describing each member in his musical marriage, he can only wax lyrical. “Auhm,” he clears his throat in preparation for his ode. “There’s actually a poem explaining it all. Tobias is the drummer, he's as steady as a rock, you can lean on him; Henrik is our hero with a missing sense of smell, he plays guitar and your heart stands still; Robert’s the pretty boy, he plays the bass with a heart of gold; Rickard is the wonder child, there's nothing he can't do or won't for you; Kristian is a singer who writes most of the melodies; Nina is also a singer who writes most of the lyrics.”

Quirky may be a lazy adjective, but it’s the only word befitting the female duo causing a stir in the underground pop world. Fan Death, who comprise of sassy Polish blonde Marta and vivacious Canadian brunette Dandilion, are anything but mundane. Lashings of eyeliner, layers of false lashes and outfits so daring they make Scissor Sisters seem demure, Fan Death produce music so embedded in retro pop, they embody the re-hashed zeitgeist. While most of our disco experiences revolve around the side step dance, with the odd finger clicks thrown in by those brave enough, Fan Death throw shapes a la Molly Ringwald circa 1980s. Crazy legs and flailing arms, they have the fever, the disco fever. Here’s all you need to know about the ladies.

Chopping and slicing, Margaux Lange mutilates the body of one of the world’s greatest icons. Tearing off ears, cutting off limbs, she takes no prisoners when it comes to art. Lange is a contemporary jewellery designer, and her victim is a Barbie doll, which she innocently pulls apart, turning it into avant-garde jewellery pieces ideal for any princess, plastic or not. For most, childhood memories of Barbie and her lover Ken were packed away in the attic by the time they hit adolescence. For Lange, the separation was too hard -- and now at the ripe age of 30, she has found an acceptable way of keeping the perky doll in our lives.