Yes we know they’re everywhere – the lists of what was hot and what was definitely not in 2009. But it’s December, my mind has turned to thoughts of mince pies and festive frocks and so unless you all want to read about my wardrobe dilemmas then this is what you get. But we’re setting the bar a little higher for this list: it is not just for the predictable fashion favourites of the year (Cheryl Cole and Frieda Pinto would be all over that list) but is actually for those fabulous fashionistas that may not be orthodox icons, but who certainly caused a stir in the hearts and wardrobes of many women over the last twelve months. We have women who defined the frumpy geek look in a new, sophisticated genre, proving that you don’t have to show skin to do sexy. On the other end of the spectrum we have those who take the trends that we thought wouldn’t translate and make them fierce on the red carpet, from power shoulders to the highest of high heels. They may make brave fashion choices, but we love them more for it.

Florence Welsh
Florence (and her Machine) stormed the charts this year with their debut album Lungs and fantastic live performances. But we noticed Florence, not just for her fiery red hair but for her eighteenth-century literary heroine-esque outfits, very Kate Bush, we said, but would she be able to translate her stage looks to real life? Apparently she can: Florence doesn’t go for cleavage or smoky eyes to attract attention, she uses a mix of vintage pieces and custom choices to create a whimsical, slightly geeky style that includes lots of high-necks, long-sleeves, lace and clashing patterns. And we find her much more interesting than a ‘certain geek chic goes stateside’ who wears a lot of brogues….

Nicola Roberts
Until now she lived in the shadow of the party antics of Sarah Harding and the new Britain’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole, but Nicola has shown far more panache when it comes to choosing outfits this year. With her new pale luminous skin we think she looks like a delicate china doll – perfect for the jewelled colours she now chooses. She picks influences from every decade to put together the almost-couture like looks she now favours.

Lily Allen
What a difference a year (or two) makes! Although the transition from prom dress and trainers to fashion-gal started last year, it was in recent months that Lily Allen hit fashion icon status when none other than Karl Lagerfeld chose her to be his new muse for the latest Chanel handbag campaign. The images show Lily in slinky leather, swept up chignons and modern Chanel suits, showing off the handbags in confident Lily style. And these looks swept over into her everyday wardrobe, as she found new confidence in her body and looks. We’re so proud!

Lady GaGa
We’re sure that the outfits of Lady Gaga started as a joke. She was treated as a fashion anomaly along the lines of Bjork or Christina Aguilera during her leather chaps and streaky hair faze. But then we realised that she made brave fashion choices that only she could pull off – Thierry Mugler origami dresses and a lot of Alexander McQueen mean a new fierce fashion icon emerged. We may not be able (or be brave enough) to imitate her, but that just adds to the fashionable intrigue.

Rihanna
As far as we remember, last year Rihanna was still experimenting with looks and sometimes failing, looking like a teenager who isn’t quite grown-up enough to pull off some of the things she wanted to. This year however, she has most definitely grown up. Her best looks involve D&G style corsetry, fierce shouldered jackets and a slight bondage look. She isn’t a little girl lost anymore. Backstage at Paris Fashion Week she held her own against the models and fashion editors in a series of high-fashion looks included uber-high heels, decorative jackets and tight dresses. Watch out Beyonce.

Dannii Minogue
Dannii managed to achieve the almost impossible this year: outshining Cheryl Cole on numerous occasions. We admit, we started to find Cheryl’s ultra-groomed, glossy hair and succession of styled-to-the-hilt dresses a little, well, boring (gasp!) but it all seems oh so refreshing again on Miss Minogue. Yes she has been working the glossy hair, ultra-styled look on X-factor, but we’re loving her fabulous, offbeat choices such as the ruffled Aurelio Costarella dress or the pink, structured J-Aton Couture version. We say keep up the good work…