Leading music and enytertainment group HMV has announced the launch of a new fashion arm.

HMV will partner with Boxfresh and Lee as it enters the world of fashion retail, the latest phase of the group’s evolution into what calls a ‘broad based entertainment brand’.

The move will see HMV stores add a dedicated fashion section in their stores, to be called ‘The Studio’. These will feature predominantly menswear and accessories from well known brands including FLY53, Lee Jeans, Boxfresh and Eastpak, and are set to debut on September 1.HMV’s Oxford Street London flagship store will also feature items from Rocawear, the designer label from hip-hop star Jay-Z. UK rapper Kano will also be involved in the new initiative, along with the indie band Everything Everything, who are brand ambassadors for Boxfresh and Lee respectively. It is understood that both artists will make live, in-store appearances to celebrate the launch of the new fashion direction.
 
The entertainment group said that it sees itself as the perfect outlet for which to capitalise on the crossover between the music and fashion industries, claiming that the fashion foray was a natural progression.

The new clothing range will also feature online at the e-commerce site run by HMV, with the possibility of making an appearance at stalls run by the group at music and festival sites. Richard Stockwell, the HMV fashion manager, said that the two genres over-lapped each other strongly, making HMV the perfect fit to showcase both.

Pop diva Kylie Minogue has admitted she suffers from frequent work related meltdowns, but boyfriend helps to calm her down.

Minogue, 42, has been with current man, Andres Velencoso, 32, for around a year-and-a-half having earlier gone through a series of disastrous relationships. During an interview with leading UK fashion magazine Grazia, Minogue spoke of how she had put her career ahead of all else, acknowledging her habit for perfectionism had left her open to stress.

Fortunately, the Spanish model Velencoso is very understanding and supportive, the former Neighbours star saying he was her oasis of calm, particularly at this time when the singer is working on promoting her brand new album Aphrodite. The stunning songstress said Velencoso had seen her in all moods, from chilled at home Minogue to full-on stress puppy that frequently freaks out and suffers meltdowns. His reaction has most often been a simple, gentle ‘hey, calm down’.

The latest stress-test for the couple was over media reports that Velencoso felt pressured into accompanying Minogue on her celebrity appearances – which the pop princess says is blatantly untrue, claiming that this was another media ploy to destabilise her relationships, presumably giving them something to write about. She said she was at a loss to comprehend why it was that people would want the happy couple separated, but added her work and love life were both wonderful.

Remember the good old days of fighting with your siblings over which radio station the family listened to in the car?

However, the almost worldwide takeover of the personal music collection by Apple and the ubiquitous iPod has changed the landscape of travel music forever, with barely a soul on earth now not owning one of their tiny music devices.

But has this been a real benefit to the individual or is it at the cost of personal preference? Sure, everyone has a music collection dozens of megabytes in size, but the ability to share, and thereby devalue you treasured listening, has left many lamenting the standardisation of travel music. Gone are the days of making a special mix tape for that special holiday, but has that music disappeared as well?

So what is the best, as opposed to most commonly accessible or downloadable, travel music? The traditional soft-rock, middle of the road, easy listening rock will always be popular, with its guitar-led melodies and tales of love and escape most suited to long road trips. Oldies such as The Eagles, Credence Clearwater Revival and the Doobie Brothers are all essential for touring the United States, while the British seem to favour rock bands such as Blur, Oasis, Coldplay, the Stone Roses and U2 for getting around.

Few people can think of heading into New York without imaging Frank Sinatra crooning, while Edith Piaf is synonymous with old time Parisian travel. No trip to Jamaica or any island resort in Southeast Asia is complete without the obligatory Bob Marley soundtrack, although beach bums have tuned into ambient and down-tempo dub and chill, with the likes of kiwi band Fat Freddy’s Drop and the west coast sounds of Sublime and DJ Mark Farina ideally suited for the ultimate driving cruise.

Of course, sing along artists such as Ronan Keating, Van Morrison and Elton John remain popular with female drivers, while red-blooded males still get their testosterone kicks to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Guns and Roses and Elvis Presley.

So it seems that old, easy listening, favourites are still the most played, evoking a sense of impending escape or adventure that comes with the knowledge that you are finally heading somewhere new.

Madonna Louise Ciccone, aka Madonna, the original Material Girl, has been voted as the leading fashion icon from the 1980s

The record-breaking pop superstar’s dress sense, which was copied by fashion followers in almost every country on the planet, was recognised in a new survey of British women. The study was appropriately undertaken by Galaxy Counters – the retro chocolate.

Madonna beat fellow icons Kylie Minogue and Debbie Harry into a tie for second place, with her constant ability to update and stay one step ahead of current trends making her an undisputed fashion leader. Joan Collins, Jerry Hall and Annie Lennox rounded out the top five

Whether it was leg-warmers, mesh tops, stonewash denim, Ra Ra skirts or even kabbala bracelets, wrist-ties and chunky jewellery, Madonna started it or brought it back. Galaxy Counters spokesperson Jacqui Thomas said that one of every three UK women claimed that stonewash denim - which even today appears to be going through somewhat of a renaissance – was one of the 80s greatest fashion trends.

The chocolate maker launched the survey as it prepares to join the ranks of comeback cult classics with the prelaunch of the brand new looking Galaxy Counters – themselves an 80s institution and one of many favourites from that decade to make a reappearance of late.

For the more contemporary fashion leaders, Cheryl Cole was voted today’s most stylish woman ahead of eccentric songstress Lady Gaga. Emma Watson, Sienna Miller, Lily Allen and Agyness Dean also made the list.