This season's new height (or lack thereof) started at Haider Ackermann's S/S12 show. It's not often that the word 'trend' and 'Haider Ackermann' are used in the same sentence, for he's amongst the rare breed of designs so attune to his own vision that tapping into any big trend is never more than a mere coincidence. Nevertheless, the backless brogues that he showed alongside his low slung masculine trousers last season has had a serious ripple effect. The fact that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have rarely been spotted without them is a pretty good indicator too.

Don't get me wrong, flats aren't anything new. I mean, what woman doesn't own a ballet flat or three but these styles are different. The feeling is far from conservative and is definitively not only the preserve of women who work in the city or want to be 'taken seriously'. Just like the clothes for fall, it seems that designers are becoming more attune to what women actually need, as opposed to simply pumping out killer heel after killer heel as has been too often been the case. With the world out there being tough enough right, being held back by your shoes of all things doesn't make sense anymore.

While I've always been a sucker to heels - I blame Victoria Beckham's book 'That Extra Half Inch - the idea of a good pair of flats has been growing on me. What with the shows just around the corner, the need to find something practical that takes me from shows to appointments and the odd event or two has become my mission and thankfully, there's a lot of good styles out there. Christian Louboutin, who has been one of the major influencers of the ever increasing height of heels, has even succumbed to the charm of the flat offering a really fun, quirky pair in tartan with studded black toe caps. Charlotte Olympia's kitty loafers have persuaded even the most die hard heels fans to go low and even Chloé have created a great fringed pair that are the perfect nod to this season's masculine feel. My style of choice? A pair of gold chunky brogues from Marni that will I know I'll wear to death.

As the above names show, everyone is doing it and it isn't just the big labels either. ASOS probably have the best selection around from the more classic ballet flat styles to cool loafers and timeless brogues.

Are you convinced?

SHOP THE EDIT: 1. Tartan loafers, £545, Christian Louboutin at Net-A-Porter; 2. Fringed loafers, £505, Chloe at Net-A-Porter; 3. Glitter loafers, £295, Jimmy Choo at Net-A-Porter; 4. Velvet covered leather loafers, £420, Miu Miu at Net-A-Porter; 5. Metallic leather brogues, £370, Marni at Net-A-Porter; 6. Leather and velevt creepers, £310, McQ at Net-A-Porter; 7. Loafer shoes, £38, ASOS;  8. Tassled loafers, £110, Bass Washington at ASOS

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Last year ASOS and NIVEA® partnered up in the wake of the launch of the beauty brand's NIVEA Invisible for Black and White Deodorant collection and following the partnership's huge success, they're doing it again but this time they want to put your styling skills to the test.

The pair have created a special four-piece collection of exclusive monochromatic summer dresses in key styles for the summer season like the skater dress and the sheer style that we saw across all four cities at fashion week and even more recently at the Met Gala and Cannes Film festival. While the dresses are solid wardrobe pieces, they are a blank canvases and that's where you come in. With NIVEA Invisible for Black & White collection, NIVEA has designed its range to help protect clothes from marks and keep them in tip top shape as the heat continues to rise, but they need your help to style the pieces up.

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Like the majority of people I was severely traumatised after Shailene Woodley sported those five finger Vibram shoes with her Calvin Klein dress at the InStyle Golden Globes after party earlier on in the year. All is forgiven now as she appears back to her normal self with no Vibram's in sight in the latest issue of ASOS magazine.

In the issue, the 20 year-old sports the pyjama trend that I've been talking a lot about recently and also talks about the flack that she received for wearing that Valentino dress to the Oscars this year. 'A lot of people didn't like it. They were like, 'she's 20, she's covering herself up, why is she doing that?' But to me it felt classy and elegant and that's what I think of when I think of the Oscars,' she explained. 'It felt simple and elegant and it still represented who I am. Most of my clothes come through friends – this cardigan is two years old and these jeans are my friend's boyfriend's.'

What do you think of the cover?

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Shirt, H&M; Shorts, Zara; Rings, ASOS; Ankle boots, H&M; Jacket, vintage

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Image cuertesy of Vogue.co.uk

In June alone, mega online retailer ASOS reported profits of £20.3 million on sales. Not only is this it's only success, the company has grown a massive 80 per cent each year of the nine that it has been trading. This can be said to be down to CEO Nick Robertson, who it has just been announced will receive an honorary degree from De Montfort University in Leicester for his contribution to business and fashion. His idea to move ASOS stateside is set to only further enhance the profits of the business with a suspected 60 per cent rise in sales if this goes ahead.

He spoke of his joy at hearing the news saying "I am absolutely delighted to receive this honorary degree from De Montfort University. It is an institution which has a fabulous reputation for its business teaching in the Leicester Business School and its cutting edge fashion courses in the faculty of Art and Design. I am delighted to be associated with the university and the huge amount of talent that is produced here year after year."

Robertson will be made an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a ceremony in Leicester on Tuesday July 20.

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