A t-shirt is always a good bet for a male gift. And you can’t go wrong with this selection from Bonbi Forest. They’re designed and hand printed by Lee May Foster, the owner of the indie emporium. She also designs for various bands and music makers and is the designer behind the official merchandise for Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. So your dad will be in good company.

Get yours at www.bonbiforest.com.

Since graduating from Chelsea College of Art, Anita Quansah has been developing and promoting recycled textiles. Working within the fashion industry, she has collaborated with some of the leading design houses, including Christian Lacroix and DKNY.

If you look closely at her work you can see a number of influences - Monet, Gustav Klimt and Robert John Thornton. Recurring themes include florals, the garden and nature. Combining various techniques including appliqué and hand and machine embroidery, Anita creates unusual and unexpected effects - her floral designs appearing to float on the fabric.

To see more, visit www.anitaquansah.com.

Win tickets to the Clothes Show London with Connected Generation.

Over the past few weeks the Connected Generation trend spotters have noticed a re-emergence of the popular I heart t-shirts. This gave them the idea for a competition. They want you to put your own personal slant on this classic design and send it to Connected Generation via their website. The winning design will be put into production and sold on the Connected Generation website. In addition the winner will receive 3 tickets for The Clothes Show London at Excel on Friday 29th May, where they will also get to see their design go on sale!

For further details go to www.connectedgeneration.co.uk/blog/2009/05/i-heart-competitions.

If you like making your own clothes, I have just the thing. You’ll love this site. Colette Patterns is a range of sewing patterns in timeless, classic styles. They can be made up in a variety of fabrics to suit the season and are wearable, practical and pretty. And there’s a little bit of vintage about them too.

Oh, and the packaging! Each pattern comes with its own stitch bound booklet.

Buy direct from www.colettepatterns.com.

For this collection, it’s all in the name. Pretty Disturbia - pretty garments that are slightly disturbing. This is something for the confident consumer with a penchant for uniqueness and oddity. Skinny vests, daring hem lines and 80s cropped tops are mixed with burlesque glamour and subverted fabrics. Weeping vintage florals and blurred, irregular prints provide a slightly sinister styling.

I just can’t take my eyes off them!

Shop at www.prettydisturbia.com.

Just before Christmas I blogged about a new concept in fashion retailing. Connected Generation is more than an online clothing store. It’s a community based on fashion, music and art, where the customer decides which garments are sold.

Since its launch customers have been voting on the garments that they want to see instore and the votes are now in. You can browse the first ever customer-led Connected Generation collection at www.connectedgeneration.co.uk/shop.php. Oh, and they’re on sale too. Bonus!

The Wholly Cow SS09 collection is now online. Designed and manufactured in the north of England, the range includes reversible apron tops, tulip shaped minis, knee skimming a-line skirts and organic cotton tees.

With its bold patterns and contrasting colours, this is a young and daring collection.

Buy online from www.whollycowclothing.co.uk.

Introducing e.g. . . and their debut collection. The brainchild of Emma Griffiths, this recently launched clothing label is influenced by 80s style icons such as Grace Jones and Joan Collins. The structured tailoring and sharp cuts create strong, powerful silhouettes that are also quite sexy.

I like this look - a sort of dramatic power dressing for the noughties. Yep. A bold, kick-ass collection for strong and confident women.

Look, browse, shop - www.egfashion.co.uk