The Netherlands tried to batter Spain into physical submission but ultimately failed in a bitter World Cup final. The Dutch, inventors of ‘total football’, were guilty of an horrific display of unashamed brutality in the final of football’s showpiece, earning nine yellow cards and one sending off.

A disgraceful kung-fu kick by Nigel de Jong to the chest of Xabi Alonso would have been a red card in any other match, and hard-man Mark van Bommel was lucky to stay on the field after several scything tackles. Johnny Heitinga was eventually sent off after 109 minutes, with Andreas Iniesta scoring the winner seven minutes later to hand Spain a deserved victory in a depressingly bad tempered game.

Referee Howard Webb came under strong criticism from the Dutch players and coach for his failure to send off Carlos Puyol after holding back Arjen Robben, but the striker could have prevented the outburst had he taken his chances.

Webb’s failure to award a corner just before Iniesta struck also incensed the Dutch players, but in reality they can count themselves lucky not to have been more severely punished by the referee after a first half that was a shameful display of viciousness that was designed to upset the flow of the Spanish game.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk defended his tactics, claiming that his team needed to batter their opponents to win the game, but only served to reinforce Johan Cruff’s pre-match statement that he did not agree with the latest brand of Dutch football, which in the end, was rightfully defeated by a Spanish team that now stands on the brink of a lengthy dynasty.

A great new competition will give one lucky entrant the opportunity to work in the fashion industry.

The competition will also afford an insight into the machinations of television, thanks to MTV. The opportunity is presented by Grazia Magazine who has teamed up with Armani Exchange to celebrate the launch of the new MTV series of The City, which will air on Saturday nights at 9pm.

One lucky contestant will be given the chance to undertake a three-week internship in the British capital, and all that is required is a passion for fashion, excellent communication skills and a good dose of self confidence.

The winner will also be able to enjoy a week at offices of Grazia magazine, where they will shadow the fashion team to see just how the magazine is run and put together. In the second week of the internship, the lucky winner will see what goes on behind the scenes at the iconic MTV network, while the third week will be spent with the marketing and press teams at Armani Exchange. Not only will the winner walk away with a valuable insight into the world of fashion, but also have the chance to network with the industry’s top dogs and make a host of key contacts that could lead to a career in fashion.

To enter, simply drop into any Armani Exchange store and pick up an entry card, which has the full terms and conditions on it. On the back, write down in one sentence why you should be chosen and you could soon be rubbing shoulders with the fashion industry’s elite.

Ask any UK celebrity or musician where the biggest market lies and they will usually tell you its across the water in the United States.

Now the British retail industry is looking west in an effort to battle its way back from the recession, with the US fashion market providing a valuable outlet for many retailers.

High street chain All Saints this week announced that their flagship shop on Broadway in New York raked in over $1 million (£680,000) in its first week of opening. Elsewhere, the trendy street-wear brand Superdry and modernist outfitter Jack Wills have both experienced recent US success, with customers keen for a new look that move away from the stale home-grown American clothing brands.

With so many British retailers still reeling from the economic downturn and slow pace of recovery, the US is now looming as a crucial battleground for UK fashion success. The popularity of upstart British clothing labels has been widespread, as they do not follow catwalk trends blindly. Jack Wills, which features a range of grown-up school-like clothing and university wear, is one such label that stands out for its individuality. The group has launched two stores already, including one in the well-heeled holiday destination of Martha’s Vineyard, and is anticipating a 2010 full year turnover in excess of £60 million.

Likened to a British version of Abercrombie & Fitch, fashion analysts are watching developments keenly. The world’s largest consumer market has always attracted UK retailers but few have historically had any success. In 1988, leading British company Marks & Spencer sought to enter the US market with clothing store Brooks Brothers. However, this was later sold at a loss in 2001.

Michelle Obama is once again causing a stir in the fashion world, but this time not for her toned arms. A row has erupted over how to classify the colour of a floor-length gown worn by the first lady in a meeting with the Indian prime minister last November.

The description of the dress by its designer Naeem Khan: “a sterling-silver sequin, abstract floral, nude staples gown,” was reinterpreted by the Associated Press as “flesh-coloured,” sending PC pulses racing in the media world. Questions were subsequently asked about whose flesh the dress mirrored, as with its peachy pink hue, it clearly wasn’t Mrs Obama’s.

Since the controversy, AP has revised its description of the frock, classifying it more diplomatically as “champagne” – cue great debate in the fashion world about the use of the word “nude”. And with ‘nude’ shades being a hot trend on spring/summer catwalks this year, it’s bound to cause quite a kerfuffle.

Traditionally, ‘nude’ refers to anything from off-white to gold, but it doesn’t get much more controversial in terms of this debate than InStyle Magazine announcing that “nude is the new black”. But with Michelle looking as stunning as ever in her much debated dress, perhaps it’s time that the dispute was put to bed, and the fashion world realised that black and nude really can go hand-in-hand.

 Little Britain comedian David Walliams has made on honest woman of Dutch supermodel Lara Stone in a lavish wedding ceremony this weekend. The £80,000 nuptials were held at London’s Claridge’s Hotel before a celebrity-studded party at Shoreditch House.

Despite the couple’s unconventional nature, the camp comedian and his leggy younger fashionista stuck to a conservative theme for their marriage, with Lara, 26, donning a tight-fitting, cream Ricardo Tisci gown during the brief half-hour ceremony. The dress featured a lace-trimmed train and gold brocade and reportedly cost £30,000. Walliams, 38, opted for a modest grey morning suit.

After the ceremony, Lara partied the night away in a gold minidress while her new husband kept things classic in a traditional black dinner jacket and bow-tie. The funnyman and his model bride were joined at the after party by a whole host of celebrities including Walliams’s sidekick Matt Lucas, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and TV’s golden couple Vernon Kay and Tess Daly.

Also at the party were some of the groom’s many old flames, including Denise Van Outen and Natalie Imbruglia, but thankfully there were no fights over the bouquet.  In all, £10,000 worth of white roses were provided by florist-to-the-stars Ron Van Helden.

BBC producer Robin Dashwood was best man alongside Matt Lucas, but the stars of the reception were undoubtedly Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish. With a fitted navy suit and hanky, Furnish was the perfect complement to Elton’s shiny trousers, messy hair and oversized jewellery.