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By JODY THOMPSON
Catwalk queens: Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole unveil their live show fashions for the first time last night as they emerged onto the X Factor setShe claimed that she wouldn't have time to find outfits for this year's series after being too busy looking after her newborn son - but Dannii Minogue trounced Cheryl Cole in the X Factor style wars last night.
The Australian beauty looked more of an English rose than Cheryl, who'd appeared to have overdosed on the fake tan to look a very seasonal pumpkin-like colour.
The Girls Aloud singer had also backcombed into what some viewers felt was an overly-severe quiff, though her off-the-shoulder LBD 0 teamed with bow-embellished strappy black stiletto sandals - was deemed chic and understated.
Ice queen: Dannii was wearing a figure-hugging white lacy dress with accented shoulders, but kept her make-up to a minimum apart from racy red lips
Fashion forward: Cheryl was wearing an off-the-shoulder black mini dress with unusual draping and ruching
Controversial: Cheryl in her 'bin lid' dress last yearHer rather safe style choice however somewhat flew in the face of her earlier statement that she wanted to 'be a bit edgier' this year.
However, some of Cheryl's more 'out there' outfits last year caused mixed reactions amongst fashionistas - most notoriously her David Koma 'bin lid' dress.
Dannii meanwhile looked stunning with a fresh, pale complexion and minimal eye make-up to complement her lacy white dress with directional shoulders, but opted for dramatic bright red lipstick.
Her newly-lightened shaggy bob meanwhile was pinned up with some curls falling to frame her face.
Talking last month however, Dannii, 38, was convinced that Cheryl, 27, would trump her in the fashion stakes, as son Ethan was commanding all her time.
The Marks & Spencer model said: 'Last year at this time I had pretty much organised every outfit, but this time I am only just starting to get stuff together and we are only a couple of weeks away.'
Cole and Cowell: The entire panel were co-ordinated in monochrome black and whiteShe added: 'I am completely unorganised so I will be excited if I get out with a frock on the right way and I haven't got my shoes on my head.'
Dannii, 38, also said she hadn't put herself under any pressure to starve herself back to her pre-baby figure.
She claims to have gained 49lb while pregnant — but was looking exceptionally trim already last night behind the judges' desk.
She insists: ‘I definitely haven’t been exercising, I haven’t had the time or the energy.’
She mused: 'You can only do the best you can do and I have not been crazy about losing the baby weight because it is just important for me to concentrate on being a good mum right now.'
However, cynics have reflected that Dannii's protestations that she wad out of the fashion loop may have been somewhat over-egged, considering she's just launched her own fashion range Project D and her last appearance on television before her X Factor return was ITV2's Dannii Minogue: Style Queen in August.
The girl's finished looks on the show last night - which was watched by former Spice Girl Mel B - are the result of up three hours with the hair and make-up team, with touch ups in ad breaks.
Go team!: Dannii poses with all the members of her Boys category - Nicolo Festa, Paije Richardson, Dannii Minogue, Matt Cardle and Aiden Grimshaw - after the live show with a special T-shirt she's had made for them all
Made up: Cheryl leaving the X Factor north London studios after the showAs previously reported by MailOnline, Cheryl is styled by Frank Strachan, known as the 'Ferrari of stylists', with her budget for hair and make-up said to be an astonishing £80,000 and clothes £70,000.
Dannii meanwhile was said to spend around £2,000 per live show for her wardrobe and relies on Australian designers to lend her clothes.
This year, fearing that it might be her last X Factor and determined to make an impact, it's said she's tripled her budget to £60,000.
As for the boys? It was a case of same-old, same-old, with both Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell playing safe with white shirts minus a tie and dark suits.
Cheryl and Dannii meanwhile will have another fashion face-off tonight on the X Factor results show at 8pm on ITV1.
X fan: Former Spice Girl Mel B arriving back at the May Fair hotel after watching the X Factor live last nightsource :dailymail
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