FASHION WEEK TRENDS: GO BIG OR GO HOME

Sleek silhouettes might have reigned the Paris and Milan fashion week catwalks this season but in many of the collections we saw oversized coats, knits and trousers... even belts! More often this trend is neutral in colour if you don't count Issey Miyake and his bright red creation. Perhaps these looks would work better in Europe but if it were cold enough here would you try this trend, or do you prefer a more snug fit for your outerwear?

DAVID BECKHAM H&M BODYWEAR AD

Okay, so granted we're seeing more body than body wear in this video but you have to give the fans what they want. For his H&M Bodywear collection, I present David Beckham. Available now!

CALVIN KLEIN WHITE LABEL SUMMER 2012

Now this campaign is more like it. With all the F/W stuff coming out in bulk we Saffers are feeling a little overheated. Clean looks, simple styling and gorgeous models. Need I say more? Featuring the impeccable looks of one Miss Lily Donaldson alongside Vladimir Ivanov and Danny Beauchamp. 

sweet & simple

Dress: ASOS (similar here). Jacket: Zara (old). Shoes: Jcrew. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Pin: Vintage. Purse: Celine. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, Coach, Gap, BR, Jcrew.

EDDIE REDMAYNE FOR VOGUE

Eddie Redmayne might be making big waves in the fashion industry as a top model but did you know he's mostly an actor? The 29 year old picked up a Tony not too long ago and appeared in 'My week with Marilyn' but still manages to give good face. Here he is not long after those Burberry shots in a Vogue editorial shot in Ibiza with Karlie Kloss. No prizes in guessing Vogue used Mario Testino for these stunning images. 

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Stripe Dress: Jcrew. Chambray Dress: Jcrew Outlet (similar here). Jacket: GAP (old). Shoes: Converse. Bag: Foley+Corinna (last seen here). Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Jewelry: David Yurman, Jcrew, Pomellato, GAP, BR, Max&Chloe.

FASHION WEEK TRENDS: COLOUR

It was obvious early on that certain colour trends were emerging this season. Thankfully one of my favorites reigned supreme for fall/winter. Green! Wether it's sea green, olive, emerald or moss it's up to you. The army green, if not militarian trend was strong this year and extended to coats, knits, hats, shoes and scarves. 

Second to green this season you could barely go a show without seeing burgundy or red, specifically the former. Givenchy chose red as a theme alongside stars and stripes but other designers chose it to make more of a statement. Or in the case of Mugler, burgundy made up entire looks in different shades.

Last up is blue. Diesel Black Gold released their look in a powdery tone but the closer we got to Paris the blue became more electric. Again with blue we see this used more as a statement piece so you can take pointers from these looks on how to execute it into your own style.

THE J&B MET 2012 'MADE DIFFERENT'

On the 28th of January the J&B Met will take place and for the first time ever I will be attending. Like, ever-ever. Of course in lieu of fancy masks you can barely see out of I am just going to wear some fancy sunglasses instead. Sunglass Hut is hosting the Inner Circle marquee at the Met, which is precisely where I will be. The theme is 'Made Different' and encourages you to wear something you wouldn't ordinarily wear. Yeh, I'm just going to wear what I want.

Tickets are on sale for R1,500 and include a VIP style party and a R2,000 SGH gift voucher which can be redeemed on the day. Only 200 tickets are available in total so if you want to join me at the races email events@sunglasshut.co.za or call 021 286 6119.

See you there?

double/double

Shoes: Loeffler Randall (last seen here). Bag: Celine. Top: Cynthia Vincent c/o. Denim: Cheap Monday. Skirt: Zara. Nails: Butter London 'Teddy Girl'. Necklace: Saks5th (old). Jewelry: Michael Kors, Jcrew, David Yurman, YSL. Sunglasses: Karen Walker.

THOM BROWNE 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

You know when you watch a movie and it appears somehow in your dreams? Well it was like Thom Browne watched American Horror Story and the Rocky Horror Picture Show and this collection came of it the following day. Each look suggests a simpler look underneath and features staples like great shoes, scarves, knit hats and nautical trousers. Add to that, heavily exaggerated shoulders that ran through the collection, models ready for some warped fashion-cum-football event. I don't know... there are few collections that actually leave me speechless. Oh look an anchor! 

AGNES B 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Playing with gender-bending elements, Agnès B for Fall 2012 introduces mens tights, or mights/meggings I imagine someone, somewhere will pen them. But in addition to this, ballet pumps, denim skirts and cropped capes. If androgyny can work on women I don't see why men can't do it too. Also featured were some nicely cut burgundy suits with a double-breasted check, or red if you're up to playing a ring-leader. 

PAUL SMITH 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Old Smithy takes us out to see this season, but mostly in the literal translation with jellyfish printed mainline trousers and nautical knits. He tries to simulate the movement of moody water by layering neons under dark knits but takes the accent of neon to the edges of other garments too. We also see the return of old favorites like two-toned trousers, chunky knits and Peter Pan collars. All aboard now.

ANN DEMEULEMEESTER 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Featuring a line-up of goth-like looks that suggest a change in colour preference, Ann Demeulemeester's collection offers long tunics, elongated silhouettes and bursts of electric blue and reds to accent the white and black palette. The star of the show was no doubt the gradient suiting with matching zipper boots. Did you enjoy this collection?

LANVIN 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Stepping out in their signature high-tops, Lanvin models were decked in a series of masterful jackets and suits.  Noticeably, this included dropped shoulders or ballooned sleeves that were matched with super slim or flared trousers (that I think are fantastic). Their palette was moody but still colourful, playful even with prison stripes in navy and dark camel. Wonderful. I really am... Lanvin this collection. 

LOUIS VUITTON 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Marc Jacobs may be trying to keep the chill out but this collection is a breathe of fresh air. Keeping the vintage inspiration theme going for fashion week this season, Louis Vuitton reached back to the 70s and 80s. We see oversized scarves, parkas in bold prints and two-toned suits (yes- one thousand times yes) and a kimono-suit hybrid seen as is or under traditional pin-stripe suiting. 

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Maison Martin Margiela may be trying to tell us that fashion is disposable. At the rate we go through it I wouldn't be surprised. Still, the other themes running through his newest collection are pretty varied from one end to the other. Wether it's fur lined jackets you're after, motocross pants or more refined looks like that of his camel coats and beige suiting, the house of Margiela is catering for it all, no matter how bizarre.

DIOR HOMME 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Many of this seasons designers focused on fit, but Kris Van Assche leaned the other way. Plenty of oversized looks here with military and sportswear influences. Suits were the focal point but now they are low slung and relaxed compared to former seasons. What do you think?

DRIES VAN NOTEN 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Dries Van Noten unveiled a new season of psychedelic prints mixed in with more classic pieces and construction. And while they may have leaned on the loud side, they didn't overwhelm a collection of masterfully crafter threads.

GIVENCHY 2012 PARIS FASHION WEEK

Givenchy, fashion weeks bad-boy goes stars and stripes for fall/winter 2012. Riccardo Tisci doesn't veer too far away from prior seasons (just check out the kilt/skirt) but ventures to darker streets this time around, certainly L.A hip-hop revisited. What are your thoughts?