Designer fashion is relevant to clothes buyers everywhere whether you know your Gucci from your Givenchy or not

Designer fashion is relevant to clothes buyers everywhere, whether you know your Gucci from your Givenchy or not. I felt very sorry for myself when I split up with my girlfriend, although I'd willed it, in a way I felt bad for weeks I rather enjoyed that.. People often ask me, "how relevant is the catwalk to the clothes most people actually wear?" As the spring/summer '97 round of shows gets under way, with London officially starting tomorrow, Milan next, then Paris and New York, the answer is that without designer level fashion, high street fashion would have no impetus to move forward. I have found that a smile is the most infectious thing.Michael, 34I feel self-pity when I look in the mirror I think I ought to be much better-looking.

Then, because of my illness I've done things I wouldn't have done otherwise. I've set up a fitness club, Under Pressure; I've produced a video; I've just written a book. I shall carry on and make the most of what I've got, and not worry about what I haven't got." I do understand self-pity, because I've been there But it doesn't do you any good. What's the saying? Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone I've cried alone, but it wasn't a help. In the end, it's all a matter of striking the right balance between knowing one's own feelings and learning not to be ground down by them.Susie Cornell, 45I was in my twenties when I was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis I felt quite alone and very frightened I was told there was really nothing they could do for me I think you always ask "Why me?" I still ask it But then you have to say "OK, I've got this problem That's my life mapped out for me. I think everyone must at some time, though I'd concede it's a negative thing.

It's part of being a self-aware human being: I think anyone who genuinely never feels sorry for themselves must be a very cold, unfeeling person, and I'd wonder about their capacity to feel sympathy for anyone else. I know if I'm being self-pitying, I'm only acting.Karen, 26I'm actually very suspicious of people who never feel self-pity. Anyway, I'm sure when most people show self-pity they're just acting - it's a way of getting attention. But I don't blame other people for feeling sorry for themselves, as long as it doesn't interrupt my life.