Why We Heart Amy Winehouse, by Belinda White

What a year it’s been for Amy Winehouse. She’s had a rough old time battling an eating disorder and drug addiction alone, while new husband (My Blake) is incarcerated at Her Majesty’s pleasure, yet still managed to gain national hero status in February by winning a record-breaking five Grammy awards.

Love her or hate her, the tabloids just can’t seem to get enough of the daily soap-opera her life has become. And more often than not she’s only had herself to blame for any bad press she’s attracted.

But now it’s gone too far. Here at handbag.com we are still reeling from the news that Amy was voted Worst Dressed at the NME awards last week. Of all the crimes against fashion committed this year (Sarah Harding, KT Tunstall, all of the Spice Girls, anyone?), maybe this would have been one chance to leave Amy alone.

She’s had a few off days, most noticeably when she dyed her hair blonde, but through all the ups and downs of the last 12 months she’s managed to bust more killer looks than any other star on the planet we can think of. And even though at times it’s seemed like she’s losing her mind, she’s never lost her eye.

We love Amy because she takes risks with her wardrobe, maximises her assets and can do sexy like nobody’s business without ever looking tarty.

So come with us on a journey through Amy’s greatest hits and then try and tell us she’s not one of the biggest style icons since Madonna.