Trend: Spring Knits

Above: Day or night, no one rocks a sweater better than Alexa Chung.

Despite the sun STILL refusing to put his party hat on (yes, that is snow outside... IN APRIL!) I refuse to let my style suffer.  It may be all miserable and gloomy outside but underneath my heavy parka and umbrella I shall be wearing a series of gorgeous light and bright knits bound to put Spring in my step.  A knitted jumper is key this season so whether you choose to wear yours with a bejewelled statement necklace, layered with a shirt underneath (collar done up for the ultimate in geek chic), or, à la Brrrrr-ave Alexa Chung, with bare legs and a skirt, your Winter Blues will be banished. 

Above (L-R):  Jump(er)ing into Spring:  Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevigne & Laura Carmichael.

Trend: Canary Yellow

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Here comes the sun... Ok, kindof!   We all knew Canary Yellow was going to be a big and bright SS’13 fashion trend after DKNY tickled us with their NYC Cab hues and then more delicate tones soon followed in the Zac Posen, Jenny Packham and Carolina Herrera spring runways.  On last week’s freezing, snowy EE BAFTA's red carpet, Marion Cotillard (in Christian Dior) and Rising Star nominee Andrea Riseborough (in Vivienne Westwood) bravely led the way, both looking stunning in their LYD (Long Yellow Dresses!)   
Lemon, Canary, Mustard… Get ready for the highstreet to flood with an array of glorious sunshine shades – just add some simple jewellery and pouty red lips... 

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Above:  To emulate the feathery Bridget Bardot or Girl-Of-The-Moment Lena Dunham (at this month's Grammy Awards):  Rag & Bone Knitted Ribbed Dress - RRP. £195.00, Nars Nail Polish in Amchoor (designed by Thankoon Panichgul of Thankoon) - RRP. £14.50, Whistles Structured Tee - RRP. £75.00, Topshop Mustard Brocade Cutout Dress - RRP. £59.00.

LFW - Philip Treacy SS'13

It has been 13 years since the world famous milliner Philip Treacy last staged a show in London and he certainly made sure he returned with a bang.  Wearing a nude bodysuit, a floor length pink neon veil and a pair of Alexander McQueen silver platform boots, Lady Gaga opened the mesmerising Fashion Week show at the Royal Courts of Justice.  Lady Gaga continued to wow fashionable onlookers by taking to her seat peeping out of a multicoloured floral headpiece (left).  The show featured only black models, including Alex Wek and Jourdan Dunn, dressed in jackets from the archive of Michael Jackson, modelling an array of hats including a miniature Neverland fairground, a working carousel and Minnie Mouse style ears to the sounds of Billie Jean.

I reeeeeally hope we see Princess Bea rocking these hats at Buckingham Palace soon...

LFW - Huishan Zhang SS'13

I was lucky enough to be invited to Huishan Zhang’s SS’13 presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House this London Fashion Week.  This was the Chinese, Central St. Martin educated designer’s highly anticipated debut at Fashion Week and I was holding one hot ticket.  There were three presentations held throughout the morning and each one was as jam packed as the next. 

The collection was a contemporary take on a more traditional Chinese style, taking inspiration from Chinese dresses (silk fabrics with high necks and leg slits), Huishan Zhang has created beautifully feminine, delicately detailed dresses all with an edge of strength and power to them.

Stunning Chinese imagery (including miniature pagodas, mahjong tiles and Swarovski crystal embellished ancient birds) is printed on to beautiful ruffled backless dresses with ethereal, patterned lace detailing on striking midnight blues, pretty blushes, exquisite aquamarine and minty green coloured silks.  The entire collection had a distinctly youthful, modern and exciting feel to it, encouraged by the models’ colourfully painted, shimmering cheekbones and double plaited ponytails. Huishan Zhang is not just a designer, he is an artist and I am really excited to see what he will come up with next.

New York Fashion Week's SS'13 Trends

After eight days of being glued to the shows at New York Fashion Week I have been shown an insight into what next year's fashion holds in store.  Amongst the sporty references, monochrome combinations, oversized silhouettes and powerful prints, there were four main trends which I could see standing out above the rest...

1.  FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

An S&M influence was clear to see on the catwalks, and although this has said to have been inspired by famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton's iconic black and white images, I think it may also be accredited to the bestselling novel, 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'  When even Oscar de la Renta, known for his ultra feminine style, succumbs to using leather and latex, you know next Spring's wardrobe will be all kinds of racy.

Above: Herve Leger By Max Azria

Above: Jason Wu

Above: Oscar de la Renta

2.  CUTAWAY

Following on from the previous trend, even more skin was shown on the SS'13 runways this Fashion Week with several designers slicing and dicing their dissected garments.{cke_protected_1}

Above: Peter Som

Above: Victoria Beckham

3.  FEARLESS SHEERNESS

Once again, MORE skin!  This trend however, is a far more subtle way of showing off your body, with sheer paneling and 'peekaboo' layering.
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Above: J Mendel

Above: Charlotte Ronson

4.  BOLD STRIPES

Horizontal, vertical, monochrome, colourful, barcode, prisoner... you name it, the NYFW SS'13 runways had it!  There were dizzying zigs and zags in every direction! 
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Above: Marc Jacobs

Above: Michael Kors

Above: Oscar de la Renta