Louis Vuitton ended the show in style.

Louis Vuitton ended what has been a brilliant, jam packed, Winter 09 presentation yesterday.

The offering had a, now familiar, 80’s feel but with a new saucy, frivolous character. Peplum jackets, bubble skirts and jeweled leggings styled with sheer laces and delicate ruching and shirring. A bucket full of Gothic leather and lace met with navy, emerald, ruby and refreshing nudes.

Marc Jacobs' (the designer brains behind the collection) presented big shoulders on box like felt jackets. This was one of the last designer offerings of what has been a cautious, financially aware season and I am happy that it ended in such a hopeful, extravagant way.

A collection to leave you doting, Winter 09 by Dries Van Noten.

Over at Paris Fashion Week Dries Van Noten has made waves. Vintage inspired dressing gown coats and ladylike courts oozed grown up chic and were styled with slinky silk dresses, skirts cut mid-calf and sequinned jackets for a truly elegant collection. It seemed that there was no real trend prediction in terms of garment shape, instead, a new way to style existing pieces and colours.

Powder pink, sherbet orange, medium mustard, pale blue and grey sat with navy and salmon for exciting colour combinations. Outfits that looked like they had been successfully thrown together. This collection offers a bright and cheerful wardrobe for Winter 09, one that we will no doubt enjoy opening.

Hip hip horay, Barbie is 50 today!

Barbie is 50 today. Shocker. She hasn’t aged a bit. With no wrinkles, a full head of golden blonde locks and that perfect figure she is still capable of turning heads. She’s ditched Ken and is dating Blaine and will celebrate her new age in style. It is her ability to move with the times that has allowed the heroine to stay at the top. In the five decades since launching, the fashionista has continued to evolve, from the pill box hats of the 1960's, to the sun-kissed Malibu Barbie of the 70's, and the big hair of the 80's, becoming the top selling doll of all-time.

When it comes to fashion, Barbie, like many of us, has made many mistakes, but when she did get it right she could have walked down catwalks with the best of them. In this picture, the 50th anniversary doll, Barbie works Summer 09 chic at its best. Nude meets metallics in a high glamour, high impact way that only she could get away with at this milestone. We say Barbie ‘You go girl!’

Milan moments...

Here’s the round up of those truly ‘WOW!’ moments over at Milan Fashion Week…

Bottega Veneta's collection had Grace Kelly personality. Slinky, long flowing gowns full of assured attitude. It was a soft, beautiful offering spiked with feminine aggression. Ruffles met creases met folds. Nude luxurious organza coated leathers and hand loomed wools refused to take current financial troubles into consideration. Thomas Maier, the talent behind this offering, told press "With all that's going on, I just switched off the TV news and thought about designing appetizing clothes to make women feel pretty and attractive".

There was a familiar '80s theme at Gucci. Tweed power suits, peg leg trousers and a generous helping of glamour. One shoulder dresses styled alongside double breasted jackets and sleek accessories. Lashings of black and grey were brought to life with ruby and emerald highlights. Frida Gianni took inspiration from Tina Chow. "She had many sides to her personality, dangerous, tough, feminine, androgynous and fetishist, which is very important for this collection."


Peter Dundas for Pucci made a clear move away from traditional Pucci prints for his first collection for the Italian fashion house. There was a rockstar theme with skin tight trousers, super mini dresses, and an unfamiliar dark palette. The occasional print emerged as was enclosed in chic simple garments, marking a modern switch for the Italian fashion house.

My attention was fully focused on Blumarine’s Autmn/Winter 09 offering, see picture. Splashed in glorious, crystalised neon pastels the rock chic collection again referenced the 1980's with funky prints. Quirky, loud animal prints shown along with very wearable knitwear. A beautifully, simply cheerful collection.

Untouchable glamour...

Another day of fashion, another day of inspiration. Yesterday saw Erdem’s Winter 09 collection, it was powerful and didn’t dwell on current hard times. Such surface detail that screamed expense and luxury. Ederm seemed to capture the essence of what high fashion should be about, a seemingly untouchable glamour to aspire to.

It was an extravagant offering of embroidered prints and superb colour combinations. Rich, oriental prints clashed with black lace and ruby red silks. Looks that were reminiscent of Russian dolls with simple silhouettes and layers of print, lace and embroidery. Garments that expected praise, for the high level of skill and workmanship needed to produce such work, garments that got it.

London's calling...

With London fashion week now in full swing there’s plenty to talk about. Here’s the best of the weekend’s British crop...

Chloe Sevingny’s collection was brimming with school day glamour. Preppy style at it’s understated best. Re-worked street style that reflected a high level of intelligence, a sort of scruffy neat. Stripes of colour met muted cottons and still knits. A collection of dual personality, at first glance it’s super cool laid back menswear, but, Sevingny offers the whole offering in scale downed women’s sizes too.

Kinder Aggugini produced an endearing Winter 09 offering. A mature, sophisticated, at times beautifully unpredictable presentation of tailoring. Fluid, feminine florals kept under control with structured jackets and sheer dresses styled with aged, knee high leather boots. Highlights of poppy red met subtle lavenders and autumn shades. Aggugini’s early fascination with the punk era echoed throughout.

My favourite? Design duo Sinha-Stantic, see picture. Graphic prints and blurred, sheer fabrics were worked perfectly into pleats, tucks and folds. Explosions of fuzzy feathers and chunky, bobbled knits clinged to slinky printed lights. Sinha-Stantic presented us with a rock chic persona that has moved with the times, a softer, prettier mood with just a hint of cocky, self assured attitude.

Watch this space for London's latest and a Winter 09 trend walk through...

Beauty really does comes from within..

Wowed. John Patrick’s offering for Winter 09, beautiful in its own right, has an inner beauty, every garment is produced from certified organic materials and in an ethical way.

This collection did not hope it's ethical practices would be enough, it did so much more. Quirky bordering on eccentric Patrick produced an exploration of silhouettes. The John Patrick female this winter will be strong, modern and confident with a soft and loving side. Preppy, high waisted suits and work pants with rock chick character met relaxed, slinky dresses and knits. The highlight of the collection for me was a sleeveless trench-dress , see picture, made from recycled polyester, true brilliance.

Lust list..

After a predictably busy weekend at New York Fashion Week here are my top favourite collections in for Winter 09.

Alexander Wang's show was to bubble with press interest and the recent winner of the Vogue Fashion Fund did not disappoint. Models were heavily lycra clad with cycling shorts and leggings galore this was complimented with tailored jackets and a lot of skin! Panels of fabric were creatively slashed out of tops and dresses in a development from this seasons panelled bodycon trend.

A lady like front was presented by United Bamboo with tweeds, silks and satins. Vintage shifts and pussy bows mixed with graphic prints and sporting style cropped slouch pants. Grey was a definite core colour. This collection oozed a mature preppy style that will definetly be catching.

The Adam collection was super luxurious with it's relaxed, dripping silhouettes. Loose draped fabric in expensive silver and ruby red. Clashing prints with texture and chunky, stiff knitwear with fluid light knits. A celebration of wearable, comfortable style.

My absolute favourite was undoubtly Vena Cava’s, see picture, Winter 09 offering. A collection brimming with rock and roll attitude, angry graphic prints, attention seeking sequins and serious structure. A matured, developed bodycon style was noted with sophisticated and reworked panelling. Effortless success.

Here are a few of our 'Favourite Things'.

Brimming with optimism, and like other fellow designers showing at N.Y.F.W returning to his roots, designer Peter Som’s Fall 09 collection showcased yesterday. A premier of quirky feminine glamour.

A tastefully tactile assortment. Hushed heathers and greys with emerald greens and yellows. Fabulous animal prints and stylised furs styled with bright, graphics and trims. Som presented us with what he does best, mixing colours, prints and textures in a way only he can.

Entitled 'Favourite Things', this collection has put next Winter on the style map.

Come round to my house, we'll have a fashion show..

Day one of New York Fashion Week and a clear sign of the times. There was to be no huge shows, extravagance had well and truly left the building. Instead the first designer of the week, Jenni Kayne, showed her new collection at her parent’s home and the second to show, Lyn Devon, invited guests to a local interior design store. The subdued mood echoed the mood of New York’s current financial climate. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though and the choice of venue shows a willingness of the fashion world to alter itself appropriately.

Lyn Devon’s clever collection encouraged us to mix pieces from this Spring/Summer with Winter key buys. She worked bright florals and metallic’s with winter hues of grey and lilac and the odd splash of warm red. Devon presented a great understanding that people may only buy one or two key pieces in Winter 09 with such a workable collection. Next Winter is looking good already.

The look of love...

With the day of romance looming, shades of pink and red made a huge impact on Spring/Summer 09 catwalks. My personal favourite was Richard Nicoll’s collection. His truly drool worthy show popped with bright shades of the colours of love.

He was yet another designer to make tribute to colour blocking this season, working panels of zingy oranges, punchy pinks and hot reds together in one look. It was a refreshing collection of self confidence, one that wasn’t tempted to mute it’s excitement at these times of hardship. I say lets paint ourselves happy and get ready to make an impact this Valentines day.

Get geeky on the latest big trend...

As ever, the V&A hits the fashion zeitgeist right on the head with it's latest exhibition. 'Fashion V Sport' presents itself as an inspirational exploration of the two disciplines. The exhibition showed at the beginning of the year at the V&A and was so successful is now to show at the Walker Art Gallery of Liverpool.

'Fashion V Sport' shows how the two worlds collide, how sports styles are adapted to make fashion statements and how fashion styles have entered the competitive world of professional sport.

If you are lucky enough to visit, it would be rude not to wear your latest purchase from the current Sport Lux trend with 80's styling to boot!

Date for your diary...

'Fashion V Sport' - Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool: 13th Feb -31 May.

We will doodle our way happy..

With our fashion thoughts once again plagued by the Credit Crunch and news more stores that form our diet as ‘fashionistas’ are beginning to struggle yesterday, it’s easy to crave a bit of happiness, a slice of boom instead of a generous helping of gloom.

It seems this is a shared want. Images of hope and of glory are beginning to be sloshed on many of this season’s high street ‘It’ tees. Faces that smile, faces that wink, clever one liners and love hearts are popping up all over the shop! I say let this crazy doodle fetish be the beginning of a trend that lightens the mood of the British high street.

We rate the 'Heart Face Girl Tee' @ Newlook from £8.

Snow hope!

With all my recent reports on the new season’s trends I am getting a little impatient. It seems that Mother Nature is determined to keep us in our winter woollies for a while yet. With much of Britain shut down due to dramatic snow fall and more expected, our new faded denim minis and shrunken jersey brights will have to wait a while yet!

If you simply can’t wait to get new season chic, but are not that keen on getting frost bite to boot, may I suggest we accessorise! Choose statement pieces that will bring our now boring winter wardrobe into the future, and, which will cunningly take us till next winter. Excellent.

Gigantic Jersey.

This season brings luxury sports chic and a renewed love of all things jersey. Best worn draped to emphasise the extravagance intended by the trend. Throw-on-tees and over-sized vests in slinky, soft jersey should be worn layered. Buying baggy means jersey tops look fab with tight skinny jeans, Bodycon skirts or leggings and can be controlled with a denim shrunken jacket, a key piece for Summer 09.

Natasha Stolle’s Spring/Summer 09 collection, see image, encapsulates the look perfectly. Using knots and tying techniques to make giant jersey tees fit slightly better is going to be huge. Take on the trend yourself, buy soft jersey tees, a good few sizes too big, and get creative with pulling the excess fabric into knots.

Go Gaga!

Lady Gaga. The echo of this name has been getting louder, more frequent and with it more intriguing. She is the chosen one, the new style icon, the designers muse and the fashionistas inspiration. Move over Agnes Dene who moved over Kate Moss who, well, we don’t have all day!

The American songwriter is just twenty and has already written lyrics for the Pussycat Dolls and Christina Aguilera. Seems she’s doing more than just sitting pretty. Perhaps, that’s why we like her so much. She seems to have the intelligence to make people trust the reasoning behind her outfit choices. Her look demands recognition, as does her personality.

Cult fashion followers salute her 1980’s style; she mixes classic cuts with daring accessories and sleek, signature hairdos. She’s definitely one to watch. To go slightly Gaga yourself, team wardrobe staples like that perfect LBD with brights, sharp hair and even whack on a pair of shades for good measure. Afterall, it can get bright in the limelight.

Strike a pose…

Just in, news on a not to be missed exclusive fashion exhibition. An accolade to a world famous statement dresser. For decades Madonna has wowed audiences with her on and off stage get-up. Whether she got it right or she got it wrong, she got talked about! Either as Gaultier’s muse or a super fit leotarded performer her outfits got her work as a musician noticed and shot her to stardom as the style chameleon of the modern music world.

The fashion world seems to be keen to continue to use Madonna for inspiration in recent trends. Take the huge luxury sports trend set to make noise this Summer, with cropped t-shirts, shrunken cycling shorts and all-in-ones. We’ll be appropriately dressed to take a bow at the shrine to a style queen.


Date for your Diary:

‘Simply Madonna : Materials Of A Girl’

21st February to 22nd March @ Old Truman Brewery London

If you love to pay homage to all things vintage, make your tribute shimmer….

As has been true for many seasons now, many of us fashionistas continue to look to the past in a bid for stylish inspiration. This season choose vintage looks that glow with metallic glory, to work the metal trend thats set to be much hotter than our weather! Whether it's a true vintage find or a 'could be vintage' newbie make it a sparkler in Spring/Summer 09

The look was recently showcased beautifully by Dries Van Noten, see picture, suggesting that looks from yesterday should still shine strong. Key pieces include glitzy coctail dresses and statement jewellery, style with nude shoes and clutches to truelly showcase pieces.

Put your favourites in a pot and mix them up, is the end result something you would wear?

With any new season in fashion comes many new silhouettes for us to play around with. This season we’ll be wearing harem pants, all-in-ones, slouchy statement tops mixed with shrunken trousers and blazers. But, the item set to challenge our wardrobe most is the latest jean shape to take the fashion world by storm. It’s rumoured since fashion designers such as Balenciaga have plugged the style in their latest collections it’s here to stay, well, for a few seasons at least.

What is it? It’s a clever mix of styles we have become comfortable with over past seasons. These new-fangled strides are a mixture between classic flares and recently favoured ‘skinnies’, tight up to just below the knee and then a generous flare that scrapes the floor. If you want to achieve catwalk chic style with a bodycon top to hit this look on the head! Are they here to stay like our current wardrobe staples? Only time will tell but it’s expected we will slowly, but surely fall for the new shape.

Your wardrobe is a make-up palette...

Many Spring/Summer 09 collections favour bright colours and brash prints that will no doubt make us want to reach for our shades. Compliment this 80’s inspired look with accent notes of pink, blues, oranges and blacks. The key to this trend is subtlety. Have fun, mix pastels with brights.

My advice is to treat your outfits similarly to the way you would your face and the make-up you apply to it, start with a nude or pastel base and add bright highlights to the parts you want to show off. Ossie Clark’s Summer 09 (see image) collection showcases this look perfectly, brash meets subtle.

‘Handmade’ chic has clearly landed...

Surprisingly, latest Ebay.co.uk figures show the most popular purchases on EBay to be ‘make it yourself’ fashion tools. Knitting needles and wool sales increased by 100% last year, sales of pins and pin cushions were up 200%, while mannequin listings more than doubled.

Credit crunch ‘handmade’ chic has clearly landed. To work recession chic without having to risk breaking a nail, buy wisely. Chunky knits and 1940’s style cardigans will make convincing, on trend ‘I made it myself’ examples.

The North East Fashion team making ‘swishing’ their mission…

Simmering under the surface of the Newcastle fashion scene is an exciting new shopping concept that will bring its attendees some much needed faith and inspiration in these times of retail uncertainty and personal financial hardship.

The ‘Swishing’ party is a ‘Swap Shop’ based fashion event where everything you leave with will not have cost you a single penny. It’s the latest trend to sweep the UK, championed by Twiggy on the BBC’s ‘Twiggy’s Frock Exchange’.

‘Swish with Daisy Green’, to be held at Newcastle, invites us to bring along any unwanted, ‘pre-loved’ garments that no longer fit or that we simply don’t wear or have never worn and in return we will be able to swap them for clothes that do fit and that we would love to wear.

The determined team of North East fashionistas behind this event are the founders of online, eco-lifestyle, magazine http://www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk/ . The event is set to sparkle with different things to take part in, as well as a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles to get the party going, it’s marketed simply as the ‘perfect girls’ night out’.

I talked with Nicola Alexander, from Daisy Green, to find out more about ‘Swishing’, the Daisy Green team and trying to lead a more eco-friendly life.

What do you think the main advantages are of swapping our clothes instead of shopping for them, apart from saving our precious pennies?

‘Swapping clothes is great in so many ways. It’s a really social event, you and your friends can swap clothes between you, or come to an organised event where there is the chance to make more friends and have the choice of more clothes. The more you bring the more you can swap.

The clothes may be pre-loved, but many items will have been worn only a couple of times so they are a real bargain and who doesn’t love a bargain?! Environmentally, it’s great too. The clothes are being given a new lease of life with the new owner, not thrown in the rubbish bin and then sent to landfill. Many of these events donate whatever is left to a charity – everyone benefits.’

The event comes to us from you and the rest of the ‘Daisy Green’ team, what do we need to know about the daisygreenmagazine.co.uk website?

‘It’s a new and fresh way of looking at fashion and lifestyle. We are a normal bunch of girls trying to do our bit for the environment but without preaching or loosing our style.

Our website shows the best in ethical fashion, tips for customising your clothes, great events and competitions too! We are always trying the latest beauty products that are a little kinder to your skin and the environment, and in the living section there are lots of tips and products that we think are pretty cool.

And if you are interested in contributing to the magazine, there is a section for that too.’

Is there anything else we can expect at the ‘swishing’ party other than swapping our ‘pre-loved’ garments?

‘There will be a glass of bubbly for you when you arrive, some great beauty products to sample and buy and you could even have a relaxing hand massage. Our Eco stylist Krista, will be doing a demonstration on how to customise two outfits, and Bowler Hat Vintage will be selling their beautiful vintage outfits. Hand made bags courtesy of Karina Hesketh will be on offer too.

There will be a competitions and raffle throughout the night, and then of course the mighty swap.’

Other than ‘swishing’ what else can we do to lead a more ethical life as a consumer?

‘Have a look in the charity shops because you never know what treasures can be unearthed.

Buy products with the fair trade label on them, this means that the people that have made those products earn a better living and work in acceptable conditions.

When buying clothes remember, if they cost £3 or £4 pounds to make the people who have made them will invariably have been paid very, very little.

Reduce, reuse and recycle as much as you can. Reuse bags and decline plastic carrier bags.

Support local businesses; buy meat from a butcher or vegetables from a local farm. And ask questions about how the animals are cared for or how the vegetables are grown. If you don’t like the answers, buy elsewhere.’

For more details on the event visit: www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk.

Date for your diary:

To join in the fun turn up at ‘As you like it’ in Jesmond, Newcastle at 7pm on 29th January, tickets cost £5. If you would like to attend Daisy Green’s first dedicated swishing party email nicola@daisygreenmagazine.co.uk to be placed on the guest list.