The Trend Report: Autumn/Winter 2011

I'm thrilled that parkas are making a return to the fashion scene, and this year they're going to be more luxurious than ever before; as thankfully designers have not compromised the value of design aesthetics when taking into account the practical need of outer-wear. Altuzarra leads the way this season, teaming parkas with heels and sequined gowns for eveningwear practical-luxe. But my fave has to be Thakoon's retro red and blue checked number.

Spots were popping up everywhere on the catwalks. Stella McCartney opted for sequin-like discs embroidered onto sheer tulle dresses, whereas Marc Jacobs covered his models head to toe in spots, including gloves, hats and hosiery. Invest in a spot print dress for the office a la Vena Cava or pick up a few spot themed accessories to ease your way into this trend.

For evening wear the emphasis was on borrowed-from-the-boys tuxedos. Yves Saint Laurent's came in white with nothing underneath, other designers feminised the look by adding sequins to the trousers or teaming a cream silk shirts with statement black chokers.

Fashion Tidbits

So much has happened in the world of fashion in the last 24 hours that I couldn't resist posting an update for you all.

There's been much talk this week of who will be replacing John Galliano at Dior. And if the Twittersphere is anything to go by, then the answer to this vital question is Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci. The social networking site was abuzz with talk of the designer after fashion editor Derek Blasberg tweeted: 'I was just told backstage at the @Katy Perry concert (of all places!) that Riccardo Tisci is CONFIRMED at Dior. I leave #PFW for a second...'

I'm not sure Tisci has it in the bag just yet, Lavin's Alber Elbaz is also rumoured to be in the running and Style.com added fuel to the fire yesterday with the tweet: 'Not to add to the Dior rumor mill, but people in Paris are asking, why has the Lanvin team been in tears all day?'

Other news... Kate Moss returned to the catwalk today for the first time in years. The supermodel retired from runway fashion in 2004, and has only made a couple of appearances since, most notably at last year's Fashion for Relief show to pay tribute to designer Alexander McQueen. Ms Moss took to the stage to close the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2011 collection. Clad in black high waisted, leather gloves, a fur trimmed jacket and knee high lace boots the star met a rapturous applause.

The first photos of the gorgeous Gisele modelling for high street giant H&M have just been released, and I have to say she looks so spectacular that I want to purchase every item she wears. I love the white background of the photographs as it creates a fresh and Spring-like feel to the images.

New York Fashion Week Kicks Off

A few days into New York Fashion Week and I've been having a sneaky peak at what was on show.

I'm already lusting after Jason Wu's collection. Lace was heavily featured - reportedly, he used 15 different types all made in Paris in the show. A particular favourite for me was a tight grey jumper with black lace panels running down the sleeves. Mostly black and white, the collection featured the odd glimpse of deep tomato red, violet and nude. Feathered skirts were another highlight, as were the high collared, sheer blouses, ideal office wear. The collection was finished with stunning evening wear in the form of full lightly-layered maxi skirts and tops smothered with sequins.

Alexander Wang created disco fever at his show with flashes of glittering lurex drainpipe trousers in an array of fun colours. Yet, the main focus was luxe sports wear. Wang, once again created tough, sexy and street luxury clothing. Black bomber jackets were turned into ponchos, boyfriend blazers were made from fur and tuxedo jackets had details borrowed from the retro puffa coat. Think glamorous and heavy, hooded knits paired with light-weight skirts and peep-toe leather boots. It wasn't all in the silhouettes either, zip details and fabric choices (often flashes of leather, velvet, satin and chiffon) ensured the look was luxurious yet edgy.

The designer also featured 1920s and 30s inspired items: there were pale peach cashmere coats with fur collars, bias cut satin maxis and fur trimmed accessories.

If the Max Azria runway is anything to go by, those of us who invested in a camel coat this Winter (and let's face it, as the most coveted item around, most of us did) will be able to carry it through another cold season.

Two are better than one

Started on the Chanel A/W 2010 catwalks, a penchant for doubling up on jewellery has spread like quick-fire. No matter what trend you're sporting, accessories speak volumes, and in the season of all things glittering and sparkling now is the time to add a pinch of maximalism to your look. Double up the dose of bracelets - one on each wrist (but always matching). The one rule: bracelets have to be big. Opt for sophisticated and gem like, a la Emily Blunt, to create the perfect glamorous look for a Christmas party. Alternatively, make like the Missoni catwalk and mix chrome cuffs with blanket knits, ribbed leggings and capes to create the perfect daytime layered look.

Leopard print... hits the spot

One of my most treasured possessions is a faux-fur leopard print coat from Miss Selfridge. Only purchased last year, this coat is the bearer of numerous compliments, and I cannot wait for the colder climates to breeze in, so I can adorn myself in it once more.

You see, I am a leopard-lover. Currently, my jungle wardrobe includes one silk dress from Warehouse, a floaty Topshop skirt with large pockets and zip detail, a sultry La Senza lingerie set, a somewhat faded T-shirt and a pair of ballet pumps (so old I have no idea of their origin), all in leopard print.

I would go as far as saying that I love leopard more than any other print. Floral is cute and feminine, but it lacks sex appeal. Zebra is quirky and original, but hard to find. Tribal - now this is one that truly rivals leopard, but as striking as it may be it does not carry the charm and daring attitude suggested by a leopard print.

Yet, this print seems to divide the style set quicker than a Team-Monalo vs Team-Choo debate. It is clearly because leopard print can so easily go wrong - there is a very, very fine line between tarty and tasteful. Some fear the print is just too brazen.

That is not something that concerns the felines of the celebrity jungle. Everyone from Sophie Dahl to Lily Allen to Katie Holmes are sporting the trend this winter. And love it or loathe it you will find it difficult to avoid the big cat spots this season. The catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2010 were lavished in the print, and this time is wasn't just the usual suspects taking part. Giorgio Armani made his luxurious and classic tailoring pop with a glimpse of a leopard belt or shoe. Even Dries Van Noten seemed to have a soft spot for leopard ladies, pairing his metallic, slouchy trousers with a leopard printed swing jacket. And my-wardrobe.com has a range of leopard treats including the luscious Kenley Snow Leopard scarf and Kurt Geiger's sexy platform peep toe.


The high street, of course, has also gone leopard mad. ASOS ups the game with 252 items in the exotic print, ranging from Converse Hi-tops to leggings and jumpsuits.

For the faint-hearted among us, my advice is to start small. A simple scarf, a la Sarah Jessica Parker or a cute cross the shoulder bag like Florence. If, like me you don't need to start small, and in fact can't get enough of the print, this winter is the perfect season for you. Make a statement at your Christmas party with a floor length design in the style of Rachel Bilson and Kelly Clarkson. For those who are even more daring, try an original take on the print like Olivia Palermero, who opted for a pink leopard print mini dress and a leopard waist belt.

Double Denim: Why, oh Why?!

I guess I should have seen this coming; we had denim look leggings last autumn, then the oversized denim shirt came back, and now it seems designers are trying to revive the double denim look. Why, oh why?!

After seeing the matchy-matchy look of Britney and Justin in the 90s, surely no-one can think this is a good idea. I doubt many of us on seeing someone team jeans and a matching denim jacket on the street think to ourselves how stylish they look. Even some of the big fashion magazines are getting the look all wrong, and if they can't make it look good, who can?

And I'm not the only one who thinks double denim is a fashion resurrection too far: 'There is no excuse for double denim. I wouldn't care if there was a law saying that everyone should work the matchy-matchy look; this does not mean you should start dressing like a rock band from Estonia in the 80s... Moreover, why in the name of all that is sane and obvious do you want to do the double denim look anyway? Do you think it looks good? Do you own a mirror?' Hadley Freeman (Guardian)

But, apparently, things are different this time around. The look is more about mixing rather than matching; designers are teaming different colours, textures and weights of denim together for this season.

And I have to give credit where it's due - some celebrities really can carry off the look. Alexa Chung, for example, looks amazing in this month's Vogue cover story. And although she has legs that seem to go on forever, and a make-up artist at her disposal, the pictures make me wonder if double denim does have hope? Part of the trick seems to be having a little bit of flesh on show; it breaks up the look and makes the whole thing look a lot fresher and relaxed.

And I can definitely imagine Farah Fawcett rocking the look in Charlie's Angels, but can it really work for us non-celebrity folk? Maybe it can, which is good because pictures from the Autumn/Winter 2010 catwalks suggest double denim might be around for a while. But for me, there are many other, more inspiring trends out there. So for now, I'll be giving double denim a miss.