Fall in Love with AW12 Fashion

With autumn in the , it’s time to start embracing the styles for the new fashion season. AW12 is most definitely upon us, with the first of the collections already firmly in place on the high street (and some already in the sale)

If the thought of buying a new season wardrobe has you tied up in knots, if you’re not sure which trends to embrace, which will suit you, which have longevity or what the trends even are, then fear not! I'm here to help guide you through the AW12 maze. Follow my new season guide to keep your look stylish, on-trend and above all, fabulous!

Brocade: 

Combine baroque opulence with rich brocades, embellishment, beadwork and damask with sumptuous colours to achieve this on-trend look.

Balmain AW12

Marni AW12

Leather:

Fashion has turned to leather for AW12. Tough black leather and severe cuts were seen all over the runways, thanks in particular to Rooney Mara’s character in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

 

Gareth Pugh AW12

Givenchy AW12

 

Peplums and curves:

Designer’s celebrated the female shape for AW12, showcasing the waist and emphasising the hips, by adding peplums, pannier and padding.

Lanvin AW12

Stella McCartney

 

Great British Heritage:

Downton Abbey had an effect on the runway this season. To achieve this heritage look, think checks and plaids in rich, earthy tones and sweeping coats, which would look perfect on a windswept moor.

Burberry Prorsum AW12

 

Gothic Romance:

Silks, lace, tulle and other stunning fabrics were seen in dark yet oddly romantic colours– deep black, rich blues, lavish purples and beautiful maroons.

Gucci AW12

New Military:

Khaki, army coats, epaulettes, big pockets and gold hardware make this trend pop. Mix these elements plus shiny black boots and tailored detailing and you have the AW12 military look in the bag.

 

Maxmara AW12

 

Purple Haze:

If there’s one colour to be seen in this season, it’s purple. Glamorous and feminine, wear this colour as a block or as a print and choose to go either head to toe or simply opt for purple details.

 

Erdem AW12

 

I Heart Printed Trousers

A couple of years ago, I bought a pair of silk tapered trousers with a fabulous Aztec print on them. This was during the summer when a lightweight pair of trousers are the perfect choice for work or play. However, when I wore these printed lovelies, the comments came in thick and fast..."Ooh...their unusual" "you look weird" "I wish I had the confidence to wear something like that" you get the picture!

Now I thought these trousers were fabulous, and the fact that I didn't really see anyone else (apart from a brave few) wearing something like this, made me feel...special!

Well, it seems as if everyone else has finally caught up with this fab trend, and printed trousers have suddenly flooded the high street! Designers showed them strutting down their runways for the SS12 collections, and the styles and prints that the high street have adopted make these trousers suitable for now and for going into autumn!

I've chosen a few of my favourite styles that have caught my eye, with prints ranging from tropical (thank you Stella McCartney) to floral to tribal to abstract! There's a print for every mood.

What do you think about printed trousers? Would you be brave enough to rock a pair? Enjoy x

ASOS

dorothy perkins

river island

river island

topshop

topshop

zara

Kylie Rocks in this Week's Stylist Magazine

I am not normally the biggest Kylie Minogue fan. I have nothing against her - I think she's cute and can hold her own on stage. Her stylist obviously dresses her well, and I kind of loved "Can't Get You Out of My Head," but I've never really seen her as a fashion superstar.

This perception changed today when I picked up my weekly Stylist magazine. This bumper issue is just fabulous! The pint sized singer is dressed by 25 of the world's greatest fashion designers (to commemorate her 25 years in music). JEALOUS!! Including a Cavalli dress designed especially for her. Yes, jealous...very jealous. She actually looks amazing in this mega fashion spread, and manages to evoke a new look, attitude and style for each of the shots. OK Kylie, you rock!

Designers participating in the spread include; Stephen Jones, Roksanda Ilincic, Sonia Rykiel, Philip Treacy, Tom Ford, Christopher Kane, Victoria Beckham, Julien McDonald, Stella McCartney, David Koma, Alexander McQueen, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Antonio Beradi, Richard Nicoll, Preen, Basso & Brooke, Holly Fulton, Bodyamr, Mark Fast, Peter Pilotto, Emilio Pucci, Tommy Hilfiger, and Mary Katrantzou.

I love that they used more avant garde, British designers such as Christopher Kane, Holly Fulton and Mary Katrantzou, along with such established fashion houses as Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Cavalli.

This shoot was styled by Alexandra Fullerton and shot by William Baker. If you haven't grabbed your copy by now...hurry up, there's still time! Enjoy x

in Mark Fast

in Stella McCartney

in Emilo Pucci

in Roksanda Ilincic

in Richard Nicoll

in Sonia Rykiel

in Victoria Beckham

in David Koma

Friday Fashion Flash

I am so sorry I have been AWOL for the last few days. I started a new job this week and my laptop decided to die, so I have been unable to blog...I've felt so helpless!!

On the plus side, I've had a great week and have been to a few awesome events, including the launch party for the new Desigual store opening in Oxford Street, which I went to with my friend and fellow blogger. It was an amazing party filled with some gorgeous fashion folks, fab goody bags and some reality show "celebs." what more do you need from a party?! Anyway, more on that another time.

I'm back in the driver's seat now, and to make up for not being able to post a Monday Must Have, I have decided to post it tonight as a Friday Fashion Flash! So, here is what I have been lusting over this week! A stunning knitted dress by Stella McCartney, an uber cute faux fur fox hat by River Island, a pair of stunning tan leather boots from Zara, and....best till last...the Daria bag by Mulberry...now, did I mention it's my birthday next week?? Enjoy x

Topshop's New Gypsy Rocker Collection

The fabulous Topshop has always been one of my favourite British High Street haunts. Much to my hubby's dismay, I can never pass a Toppers without somehow magically being swept into it and having a quick (alright, lengthy) peruse at its latest collections.

However, this season I haven't been very impressed. Normally I would find an armful of dresses, cardis and skirts that I would have to justify buying, but for the last few times I've been in, I have been able to walk out without a single purchase. Thankfully, this has all changed now, thanks to the new Gypsy Rocker collection!

Bored of the normal festival/hippy inspired summer collections? The Gypsy Rocker collection brings together the best of the these trends and combines them with a dash of gypsy rose, a touch of rocker and a lot of attitude! Frills and kitsch prints and fruit prints (inspired by Stella McCartney's SS11 collection no doubt) tropical jewellery and embroidery make this collection fun, playful and perfect for the summer months.

Personal favourites have the be a gorgeous black suede fringe bag, a fab Navajo fringed crop top, a sweet blazer jacket covered in tiny elephants and an essential cream tiered maxi skirt.

I've put a few pics below to give you a taster, but you should visit the collection to get a real idea (and be prepared to part with your money!). Enjoy x

Black fringe bag £30

Navaho cropped vest £16

Gypsy calf skirt £28

Brown elephant print jacket £50

Cream crochet collar top £32

Grey suede fringe cape £195

Orange paisley lace dress £29

Cream crinkle tiered maxi skirt £35

Sleeveless denim cropped jacket £35

Primarks SS11 Campaign

Um hello! How amazing is Primark's SS11 video campaign? I felt like I was watching a Prada...well...maybe not Prada, but at least a Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren campaign vid.

The guy and gal model look uber high fashion, chic and just the right amount of beautiful model bored. I love this collection, and it's clear to see that Primark have truly drawn inspiration from some of the best collections from the SS11 catwalks, including Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Pucci and Jill Sander.

Definite favourites include the horizontal stiped maxi dress, peasant girl dress and paisley print kaftan maxi...and the boys stuff ain't bad either. Little slim fit sailor t-shirts, boat shoes and candy stripe shorts...it's a collection worthy of the most fashionable guys in Shoreditch! Have a gander and get down to Primark ASAP before all the best bits go...you know they will! Enjoy x

Brit Awards 2011 - The Style Stakes!

Last night the 2011 Brit Awards took place in London, with a host of stars gracing the red carpet and the stage. Of course, the music and the awards were very important, but, as always, who wore what was paramount!

Top of the best dressed list has to be Cheryl Cole, Rihanna, new comer Jessie J. Cheryl looked gorgeous in a backless Stella McCartney number, elegant and sexy, Miss Cole looked stunning. Rihanna had a couple of outfit changes through out the evening, but my favourite was her red carpet look - a vibrant and sexy Dior dress, which ticked all the boxes for SS11 - colourful, clashing and bold! The red haired singer looked simply fab in the sparkly purple and turquoise number, complete with turquoise shoes. Love! Finally, critics choice Jessie J looked very cool in a structured mini metallic green showstopper, which suited her style and personality brilliantly, and her uber cool black bob and full fringe looked as fab as always.

I thought Ellie Goulding could have done a little better - her silky, nude ensemble, pale make up and pinky blonde hair made her look very washed out and a little older than her years. Sophie Ellis Bextor looked like she was heading to a prom, or a barn dance in a very predictable red and black strapless dress, but my biggest gripe of the night was Avril Lavigne. Her dress was a black Julien McDonald with a feather mini skirt, acceptable, but her hair...love, you're a wife, mother and well past your early teenage rebel days, so put down the multi coloured highlighter pens and maybe try a new look eh?

Pics below, enjoy! x