Hulanicki, Getty Just because the Duchess of Cambridge topped a few of 2011’s best dressed lists doesn’t mean that she’s the only one in the royal family who knows her fashion. Take her grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, who just named a handful of designers in her annual News Year’s honors. Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki was named an OBE (that would be Officer of the Order of the British Empire). “I’m just absolutely thrilled. It’s thrilling for a Polish person to get an award like that from the Queen,” she told WWD of the award. She wasn’t the only OBE recipient: Both British interior designer and perfumer Clive Christian and the British Fashion Council’s honorary treasurer Christopher Inman got the royal nod. (Inman should be knighted if he can amicably sort out the September Fashion Week schedule.) The MBE—Member of the Order of the British Empire—title, which is one step down in prestige from the OBE, was bestowed upon Lulu Kennedy (founder of the designer support program Fashion East, which claims Gareth Pugh, House of Holland, and Jonathan Saunders among its alumni) and footwear designer Emma Hope. While there were no style-setters among those receiving knighthood this year, two famous faces were awarded the CBE—Commander of the Order of the British Empire—which is the second highest honor the Queen can bestow. Marc Newson, the Sydney-born, London-based industrial designer who has dabbled in jewelry and clothing, was one of them. The other was Helena Bonham Carter, who may have been named for her service to drama, but we think it had something to with this year’s Marc Jacobs campaign. After all, not just anyone can pretend to be a snarling dog while wearing a highly coveted ensemble and still look good.

Dana Lorenz

We love the statement pieces that fill Dana Lorenz’s Fenton/Fallon lines for their pretty, punky, and in-your-face-creations. Always a proponent of layering-on the baubles, Lorenz trained her eye at Donna Karan and Gucci, where she learned the importance of mixing mediums. For her, luxury is much more than having the funds to sponsor a healthy shopping addiction—instead, it’s all about the little things in life, like a candlelit bubble bath or a much-needed glass of vino.

Imaxtree

During the coldest months, it’s no winter wonderland for our hair, nails and skin. If you’re broke from living large during the holidays, try these DIY remedies that combat harsh winter weather—from head to toe. All these quick fixes can be done in a day, ideal for making the most of all that post-holiday downtime. Why DIY? Beauty products sky rocket in price when the ingredients are all-natural and the balms, salves, or creams are chemical free. Making your own beauty products is better for your body—and your bank account!

Photo: Splash News

Last week, Editor-in-Chief of the Dutch fashion and lifestyle magazine Jackie resigned in disgrace, after publishing an article that referred to Rihanna as “the ultimate n****ab***h.” Parlour Magazine has an image of the complete article, which continues laying the insults on thick, referring to the pop star’s choice of footwear as “porn heels” and her personal style as ” what’s on can come off. If that means she’ll be on stage half naked, then so be it.” Not only did Eva Hoeke give the hugely offensive article the go-ahead, she also used social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to make a few not-really-apologetic apologies. She posted on Facebook that “the title of the article was intended as a joke—it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that slipped through my, the editor-in-chief’s, fingers….Furthermore I hope that you all believe there was absolutely no racist motive behind the choice of words.”

Diane Von Furstenberg, pre-fall 2011

Diane Von Furstenberg dubbed her pre-fall 2012 collection: “Macadam Diva” (macadam translates to asphalt in French) in homage to the edgy, street-wise urbanite look that was her inspiration. Many of the looks were sophisticated and structured; their edginess attributed to accessories like elbow-length black gloves, knee high black socks, studded bags, and sleek boots. You can make the ’60s chic separates work for you the same way that DVF made them dark and daring: with accessories. By adding fresh, flirty touches you can rock DVF’s pre-fall looks without looking like you’re heading for your first job interview.

Use Your Head

You can take any ’60s glam structured look and add a youthful pop with big bright hair accessories. Hair bows, the bigger the better, can be added to updos or used to  held back artfully swept locks. Rocking a short cut? Slip on a headband, like the one below, from the Gap.

The countdown is approaching, and hopefully you have your New Year’s Eve dress/makeup/shoes/accessories ready to go. But for all the last-minute shoppers out there (and we know you’re out there), here are some of our favorite dresses for every kind of party to help you feel glam and fab while ringing in the New Year.

2011 was a great year for Hollywood’s finest—or at least, the people who love to watch them, which of course would be us. This year, we decided that our favorite celebs deserved a little recognition for excelling in their niches: music, acting, or acting ridiculous on reality TV. Check out our first ever ELLEgirl Award winners!

BEST ACTOR

It’s almost a new year—and along with it, an all-new awards season—so there’s no better time than now to reflect on all the wonderful fashion choices made by Hollywood’s most stylish young starlets this past year. From LBDs to bright red gowns, tribal prints to sparkly frocks, here are 11 of our favorite dresses that turned heads in 2011.

Cameron Silver

Owner of Los Angeles vintage emporiums Decades and Decades Two, Cameron Silver ditched his passion for performing cabaret songs in 1997 (he warbled on a cross-country tour after college) and turned his love of vintage hunting into a business with the launch of his first shop on Melrose Avenue. Once named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential in Fashion, Silver has had no problem dressing up Hollywood’s elite in the vanguard attire of days past. Needless to say, when Hermès names a bag in your honor (The Cameron Bag), you’ve clearly done something right. ELLE.com gives Mr. Silver the quizzical top ten treatment.