Of course they can. Nicole Kidman was breathtaking wearing red in “Moulin Rouge” and more recently in her flaming red couture gown at the Oscars. Redheads like Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore often wear red and look absolutely sensational. 

In reality ”red” hair is more orange than red and these two colours (red and orange) work beautifully together. It’s much like mixing red and orange tulips in the same vase, (one of my favourite floral combinations). Redheads are not created equally. It’s a question of finding the shade that compliments your red hair in the best possible way. It is also a matter of individual taste. I personally love the striking effect of redheads in bright red.

There’s no getting away from the fact that this is an incredibly eye-catching combination. So if you’re a redhead and you love red, wear it with conviction and expect to be noticed.

From baby pink and antique rose, to bubblegum and fuchsia, pink is the colour many of our mothers dressed us in when we were little. This season it’s a fashion colour that’s back on the map. Purple is a shade that we don’t see as often, but it’s making a subtle statement too (and I have a hunch that purple is going to feature for Autumn).

There are pink-purples (hot shades) and blue-purples (cold shades) and preferences are personal. I prefer “pinker” purples like magenta and jewel tones because I love to pair those shades with green and yellow. I also tend to like cerise pink with red and orange. These vivid color combinations remind me of magnificent Indian saris and Japanese kimonos. Ironically, colours that clash can often work in harmony.

If you prefer to sport one bright at a time, hot pinks and purples are fabulous with denim blue, white, black and tan for Spring. Remember to sport an eye-catching pink or purple accessory instead of an item of clothing if thinking pink is not quite your style.

No, they don’t. While I can’t argue that white or cream pants are practical (one wear and in the wash they go), they’re stylish regardless of your size. The important factors are the fit and the ensemble. Here are guidelines for choosing a perfect pair of white or cream pants:

• Choose a shaped waistband that’s lower in front than at the back. A wider waistband (about one and half inches) gives our bodies that extra bit of structure around the tummy area.
• Keep the front plain (no pleats) and the pockets off. Side entry pockets or any type of patch pocket tends to show through the front of light pants. Flatter fronts keep your fit smooth and streamlined underneath your tops.
• Make sure that white pants made of softer fabrications like viscose, silk, rayon and linen-blends are lined.
• Consider denim and thick cotton twills in white/cream. These fabrics don’t need to be lined and the classic “5-pocket styling” works well.
• Stick to boot cut leg openings as the most versatile and flattering option.

Striking contrast is key to creating a stylish ensemble with white pants. Match them up with a dark top and shoes and your look will pop.

All women can look incredible in the right pair of white pants. Get your head around the fact that white is a modern update on black, and that it doesn’t make you look fat.

Excellent white and denim pant silhouettes from Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.

Red started to trend for Autumn 2006. It wasn’t forecast as a major colour for Spring 2007, but it’s everywhere. Favorable reactions to the resurgence of the colour last season have kept the trend alive and kicking for a good while longer than expected.

There seem to be more red shoe and handbag options available than any other bright. This is nifty news because red is a basic colour. Alongside staples like black, white, cream, grey, brown and tan, there’s red. All colours can be matched with the right shade of red (it’s strangely glorious combined with pink and orange). If you prefer sticking to neutrals, remember that red also falls into this category. Sport maroon or paprika instead of fire engine red if the classic feels too bold. There is a shade of red for everyone, gents and children included.

Anything red (clothing or accessories) makes my “must have” list for Spring and Summer. Take advantage of the abundance of red product that’s on hand. It’s the perfect combination of timeless and “of the moment”.

Red bag (Nordstrom) and shoes (Zappos.com).

Bold and bright colors aside, nothing shouts Spring and Summer quite like the colour white. It’s clean crisp quality makes us feel cool, refreshed and ready for warm weather. A few well chosen white items and accessories can update your Autumn outfits for the new season. Here’s how to use white to reinvent your wardrobe for Spring:

• White jacket – make this a Spring staple and create a contrast by matching it up with the black, red and grey tops that you wore in Autumn.
• White pants – replace your black slacks with a white pair and refresh the look of dark jackets or tops.
• White tops – substitute white tops for dark colours underneath jackets and knitwear.
• White shoes, bags and belts – transform a cold weather outfit into a warm weather one by adding modern white accessories like patent white peep-toe shoes (which contrast beautifully against dark blue jeans), a skinny white belt or white tote.

Everyone can wear white when it’s matched up in the correct way, so don’t let your fair skin prevent you from doing so. Investing in basic white items will increase the ROI of your wardrobe and have you looking spic and span for Spring.

White jacket (Bebe), white shoes (BCBG at Nordstrom) and white tote (Michael Kors at Nordstrom).

Spring 2007 promised us an explosion of bright colours. While we’ve seen smatterings of yellow, cobalt, coral and green clothing, there’s still a fortune of black, white, brown and beige around. A substantial part of the colour for Spring in American retail stores is represented by accessories rather than clothing.

As a lover of bright colours, I’ve felt a dash disappointed. After two back-to-back strong Black & White seasons (Spring and Winter 2006), my clients and I have been champing at the bit for anything that’s not a neutral. US retailers J. Crew and Macy’s have been colour leaders this season along with Spanish stores Zara and Mango; but I still feel that Spring could have been more colourful.

I spoke to a few major chain stores about my disappointment. Their feedback was unanimous: American retailers have often “overdone” bright clothing in the past and reams of rainbow coloured items have found themselves on markdown rails as the result of poor sales. So fashion buyers are cautious this time around. Still, the likes of Ann Taylor, The Loft,  Nordstrom, The Gap, Banana Republic, The Limited and Express reassured me that brights like red, turquoise, yellow, blue, green and pink would surface in May.

Part of my shopping faith was restored at Express yesterday as rails of brightly coloured walk shorts, blousy tops and camisoles were being unpacked.  Hold on to your fashion dollars for a week or two if it’s colours that you’re after. Brights are on the way in May.

Alongside yellow, cobalt and coral this season, we’ve got green. Rich shades of emerald, avocado, lime, bottle, apple, chartreuse, neon and shamrock bring a fresh flavour to any outfit. When the weather is warm, I like green best with other greens, white, blue or yellow. It’s also a nice nautical statement with a hint of red. Most shades of green are fabulous with denim and you don’t need to be Irish or a redhead to wear them. If green clothing isn’t for you, sport a green accessory instead. I’m extra happy when I wear something bright green (that’s probably why it’s my favourite colour).

In true sci-fi fashion, silver is the metal of the season. Sleek, shiny, mod and cool, it’s a futuristically fresh highlight to any Spring or Summer enssemble. Whether you sport a silver satchel, clutch, sling-back, sneaker or ballet flat, it’s a daytime trend that’s not to be reserved for nights out. And don’t just look for silver shoes, handbags and jewelry, but for shiny platinum hardware and sparkly silver clothing as well.

Make a trendy statement by stepping out with something shimmery and silver this season.  (But don’t worry if you invested in bronze and gold last year – they are still chic and not to be ignored).

Accessories for a galaxy far, far away, from Nine West and Zappos.com.

Not quite red, pink or orange, but rather a mixture of the three. It’s what I call coral and it’s a superb colour to wear for Spring. Since it comes in a variety of intensities, there’s sure to be a shade that’s best for you. Take your pick from watermelon, pomegranate, guava, lipstick, rose and hibiscus. I like coral best when it’s matched with either other warm tones or white. It’s fresh and feminine and certainly worth a try.

Coral clothing and accessories from French Connection, Arden B., Anthropologie and Zappos.com.

There are no hard and fast rules dictating who can wear yellow and who can’t. Whether the colour will flatter you depends on your skin tone, eye/hair colour, which shade of yellow you choose and what you wear it with. I’ve dressed pale-skinned, green-eyed blondes in mustards, saffrons and neon tones with mod black and white. And I’ve dressed olive-skinned brown eyed brunettes in canary with cobalt.

Consider a yellow accessory if you love the color, but feel that you can’t wear it close to your face. There are plenty of sunny shoes and bags to choose from that are guaranteed to instantly refresh your Spring look.

Yellow sandals and flats (Zappos.com), Tommy Hilfiger satchel (Macy’s) and Maxx New York oversized tote (Nordstrom).