Ah, what a fashion year it's been. We have a first lady who is showing her arms in great outfits, a couple of great fashion documentaries were released (Valentino: The Last Emperor and The September Issue), and even America Ferrera as Betty Suarez got a makeover on ABC's Ugly Betty, a TV show about a fictional fashion magazine and the shenanigans that go on behind the scenes. Hopefully you've found a minute to pay attention to fashion so you can score big on this, the 14th annual Fashion Quiz.

As usual, score two points for each correct answer. If your score is 18 - 24 points, you've been following Perez Hilton's new blog devoted to fashion, www.cocoperez.com. If your score is 10 - 16 points, you've managed to keep up with fashion while standing at the checkout line flipping through US Weekly; score 2 - 8 points and you're relying on the cast of MTV's Jersey Shores for your fashion advice. Stop that! Score 0 points and the only way to redeem yourself is to go out and purchase a scarf, men included. This is the best accessory to be "in" for both genders. Besides, it'll keep you warm during the holiday season. Now answer these questions before you pick up that next sugar cookie.

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1. This new pop princess has taken the music scene by storm with her eccentric fashions from pant-less outfits, ornate headpieces and shocking makeup:

a. Rihanna

b. Lady Gaga

c. Katy Perry

d. Taylor Swift


2. The term "dressing high-low" means

a. High waist pants paired with low cut top

b. Wearing high-priced items with low-priced items

c. Wearing high-end designers bought at a low price

d. Wearing high tops with low socks

3. Michelle Obama is sophisticatedly dressed in fashions that mix high-end designers with everyday retailers. She has been known to favor retailer______

a. Banana Republic

b. Martin and Osa

c. J.Crew

d. Forever 21

4. The New York Times characterized this fashion duo from the movie The September Issue as the Mick and Keith of fashion. They are:

a. Madonna and Britney

b. Kate Moss and Aman

c. Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington

d. Oprah and Gayle King

5. The Snuggie phenomenon spread like wildfire this year. The Snuggie was most popular as:

a. Bar crawl attire

b. Cozy wraps for your small, mid- or large-sized dog

c. A blanket worn while at home

d. All of the above

6. Which Hollywood starlet was hired as artistic adviser for Ungaro?

a. Blake Lively

b. Lindsay Lohan

c. Lauren Conrad

d. Dakota Fanning

7. Which fashion designer was quoted as saying, "Fashion can add to your life. But you should never become trapped by it or believe material things are the key to happiness."

a. Tom Ford

b. John Galliano

c. Betsey Johnson

d. Stella McCartney

8. Which magazine will be devoting its January issue to plus-sized models?

a. Vogue

b. Elle

c. V Magazine

d. InStyle

9. Who said, "I always felt like a very ordinary looking girl, and I found that dressing in a unique way made me feel less ordinary and more glamorous."

a. Madonna

b. Dita Von Teese

c. Lady Gaga

d. Sarah Palin

10. Which fashion label appears to have been laid to rest this year?

a. Christian Lacroix

b. Kate Spade

c. Diane von Furstenberg

d. Dior

11. Who has been hired as the latest fashion designer for Target?

a. Zac Posen

b. Lilly Pulitzer

c. Eileen Fisher

d. Christopher Blue

12. Which singer/fashion designer joined forces with HSN (Home Shopping Network) and sold out his/her perfume line in 16 minutes?

a. P. Diddy

b. Jessica Simpson

c. will.i.am

d. Usher

Answers:

1. b. Lady Gaga. Did you catch her at any awards shows this year? She'll inspire your disco wear, but don't be looking like this while you're shopping at Whole Foods! There will be a crash of shopping carts like you've never seen before.

2. b. If you're thinking that following a big name designer and wearing head-to-toe outfits in that designer's line is going to make you look instantly fabulous, you're wrong! Do what everyone from Queen Latifah to Michelle Obama do and mix it up with low-end labels like H&M or Target with high-end labels like Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana or knock-offs of Gucci and D&G!

3. c. J.Crew couldn't be happier that Michelle is photographed wearing their products.

4. c. Anna Wintour is the editor of Vogue magazine and Grace Coddington is Vogue's creative director. This is a must-see movie for control freaks and the creative types who barely tolerate them. Oh, and for fashionistas as well. It follows the making of the famously heavy September issue of Vogue and will make you wish you'd been collecting that issue for the last two decades instead of recycling them.

5. d. All of the above. Are you wearing your Snuggie as you're taking this quiz? You should be! It's nippy out there!

6. b. Lindsay Lohan. Just how well is that working out for you, Ungaro?

7. a. Tom Ford. He's bringing his aesthetic to the silver screen and getting good reviews for A Single Man starring Colin Firth, who is getting best-actor Oscar buzz.

8. c. V Magazine. Must magazine covers focus on scary thin models in order to sell? I guess we'll find out! Stephan Gan, editor-in-chief says, "Everybody's beautiful and this issue is out to prove it." Good to know!

9. b. Dita Von Teese. She's a famous burlesque dancer and spokesperson for MAC's Viva Glam lipsticks. Oh, and she's dated Marilyn Manson. She could be an icon for vintage clothing, which she wears really well...when she's not working.

10. a. Christian Lacroix has accepted a freelance gig designing uniforms for 20,000 employees for French railway operator SNCF, after 22 years of designing beautiful couture. At least it's a job!

11. a. Zac Posen is the latest designer to get a coveted gig at Target. It is all the rage to get these lower-end designing gigs. He joins other top designers who have done it including Vera Wang, Thakoon, Norma Kamali, Alexander McQueen and others.

12. a. P Diddy. What has he touched that hasn't turned to gold? If you figure it out, let me know. His perfume line, I Am King, selling for $60 a pop, sold all 5,600 units in 16 minutes. I bet he gets asked back.

Happy Holidays to you fashionistas, one and all!

Brenda Kinsel is a fashion and image consultant based in Marin. Check out her website at www.brendakinsel.com.

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