Hair predicts health

Your locks could be the key to a healthy heart...

Researchers in Canada have claimed that they can predict a potential heart attack from inspecting a single strand of hair.

Apparently the more stressed out you are from love life problems, financial woes or job worries, the more likely your mane is to contain anxiety hormone cortisol.

The researchers discovered through a non-invasive test that people with higher levels of cortisol hidden in their hair were more likely to have suffered from a heart attack in the past three months.

So next time you tease, curl or straighten your hair, just remember to take a deep breath and avoid stressing out those tresses.

Oscar de la Renta: Town and Gown

New York – Oscar de la Renta is the closest thing America has to a couturier, so in keeping with his mission to dress the Uptown crowd from daytime social functions to a soiree-filled nights, he does two things perfectly: sunny suits and show-stopping gowns.

For his spring 2011 collection, which he showed, of course, on Park Avenue in New York on Thursday, Sept. 16, before a crowd that included Sarah Jessica Parker, de la Renta made his somewhat outdated, though obviously still profitable mission, all the more retro with a series of '50s inspired coats, cardigans, day suits and ball gowns befitting a society lady or debutante circa the Eisenhower years.

A floral theme dominated the looks, whether on a narrow natural linen suit embroidered with organza peonies, an azalea printed sheath dress or in his final look, a gargantuan pink bolero that resembled a puffy carnation worn atop a garden green gown.

Elsewhere, a plaid print with a dripping ink line that had a hand-painted feel was used on a shibori silk cropped jacket paired with a voluminous tulip skirt, or on a double face wool coat.

There were a few concessions to the stiff '50s sheath silhouette in the daywear, like ruffle top silk jumpsuits and a lovely pleated silk organza dress with a peony print.

Then, as "The Great Pretender" played, de la Renta sent out gowns worthy of any flashbulb popping occasion, be it next season's biggest charity ball to Hollywood awards season, though gowns for each respective event might look radically different. For instance, for the charity set, one envisioned the ball gowns with embroidered flowers, covered in polka dots, or accessorized with an over-the-top tulle bolero.

But for the red carpet, where the fashion police would rip those tulle boleros or swan's down skirts to shreds, there were more the classic "old Hollywood" gowns.

Celebrity stylists, take note: a blush silk crepe de chine gown with a plunging wrap neckline would win any actress "best dressed" accolades.

Shoe SOS

It's time to get the heels out, girls! To avoid any shoe issues, follow our quick five steps to happy feet...

1. Foot fit
To make it easier to walk in heels, strengthen your legs and ankles with some exercises. Go for regular walks in trainers to stretch your foot muscles and stand on your tiptoes and go up and down the bottom stair to build strength and flexibility.

2. Alterna-toe
Don't wear heels every day, as your feet need time to recover. Instead alternate between high-heeled, medium-heeled and flat shoes each day and walk on damp grass with bare feet occasionally to help tone your foot muscles.

3. Walk this way
When walking in heels, keep your weight balanced on the entire foot, not just the toes. Take smaller steps, keep your legs close together for stability, swing your arms for balance and stand up straight.

4. Toe treat
Dust talc on feet each morning to prevent sweating. Later, soak achy feet in hot salty water, trim nails and rub off dry skin with a pumice. To stop itching, sooth with lemon juice and vinegar. At night time, rub in moisturiser or coconut oil and wax and sleep in socks.

5. Try before you stride
Always wear heels at home before wearing them out in public and scuff the sole for added grip.

Get a degree in “luxury”

Think you know your fashion? Consider yourself a connoisseur of haute couture? Well, now you can put it to use, and get yourself a degree in it. The University of Monaco is offering an MLUX – which translates to a Masters Degree in Luxury.

The university has teamed up with only the best, including the likes of Gucci and Ralph Lauren for case studies and internships.

The University of Monaco website described the program, saying, "It focuses on how the luxury industry interacts with the economic, cultural and technological environments of the twenty-first century, the characteristics of today's luxury consumer and the resonances generated by high-end goods and services."

The official degree is a Masters of Science in Luxury Retail Management (they've already had an MLUX for Luxury Goods and Services), and it's the real deal. The 10-month, 60-credit degree limited to 35 students is completed in three 12-week terms, conducted in English, and costs around $25, 500 per academic year plus fees. That, and whatever it costs to then live in Monaco or a nearby town in the South of France for the duration of your education.

As for the students enrolling? You can guarantee that campus life for these rich kids won’t include cheap beer and second-hand textbooks.