Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Susie

Ms Susie Lau, after the Louis Vuitton fashion train had pulled into the station, Paris, March 2012.

Rather oddly, after I decided to post these photos, I picked up the March copy of Nylon magazine (love Nylon!) and on page 138 there is a Factory Girl article by Dani Stahl about (insert excellent drum roll here) white anoraks! Dani travels to the Bebe studio in Century City and gets her very own white anorak made up by the production team. She says (page 138) "It's an excellent item, versatile, easy to pack - everyone should have an anorak. I like them so much I even love saying the word: "Anorak!" It rhymes with DJ Afrojack, which is never a bad thing (I'm really feeling house music these days)".

Hell yeah! I have no idea who DJ Afrojack is (clearly I live in a house music/dj black hole) but I am going to go right ahead and agree with everything Dani says! She ends with "The jacket is functional, but as you know, I'm more interested in the "fun" part than the, um, "-ctional" part. Like I said, fashion should be fun. And, right now, it should also be white and shaped like an anorak. Which, the way I see it, makes me right on trend" (page 140).

Recreate Susie's (and Dani's look) kind of:

Mason by Michelle Mason anorak

Topshop parachute anorak

Bebe hooded anorak

ASOS festival anorak (perfect for anyone heading to Coachella - you lucky things!It probably won't be rainy or cold, unlike festival season in the UK, but good to pack just in case)

Mulberry Alexa snake-y/scale-y bag (love this)

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Natalia and Charlotte

It has been such incredibly beautiful weather in the UK this past couple of weeks that I couldn't resist sharing these photographs of Natalia Alaverdian and Charlotte Dellal sporting sweet cherry looks before Sonia Rykiel.

How adorable are Natalia's cherry earrings especially with her red lips? For any of you crafty people out there, do you think you could make these out of Fimo? (the modelling clay you bake in the oven). I was big into making things out of Fimo in the 1980's*. If anyone has a go at it, let me know!

Otherwise get your Cherry Bomb on with these fun pieces inspired by Natalia and Charlotte:

Sonia Rykiel Fruits Defendus cherry print dress

ASOS bow skinny belt or Cacharel cherry red bow belt

Charlotte Olympia Masako Origami yellow and orange pumps

Johann Earl cherry and polka-dot print dress from ASOS

Miu Miu cherry glitter sandals (happy shoes...bringing the fruit bowl to your tootsies!)

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel cherry-print sweater

Carmex cherry flavoured lip balm (the cheapest way to get a little sweet cherry action ;)

*Mum, if you read this, do you still have any of my hideous extremely beautiful and creative pieces tucked away somewhere?!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Aline

Aline Weber, just as the snow was tapering off after Lacoste, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Aline's look (kind of):

Alexander Wang Brenda bag (in black) or leopard print (purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

New York and Paris Fashion Weeks AW 2012...Valentino Rockstud

Even though the Valentino Rockstud shoes have been around for a few seasons now, I can't get enough of them. Perhaps I like them even more now than when they first surfaced. I think it is partly because they are so versatile segueing easily from ladylike and elegant (like on Amanda Weiner, Senior Fashion Editor, Gotham magazine in the first photos) to slighty more edgy (on Ece Sukan, Editor-at-Large, Vogue Turkey). They look just as good with a pretty dress (remember when Giovanna wore that scalloped Valentino white dress?) as they do with jeans or trousers.

And I like them in every incarnation - ballerina flats, studded patent leather wedges, jelly flats or, probably my favourite, the ankle-wrap pump.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Peony

Peony Lim, after Tory Burch, NYC, February 2012.

I love that Peony wore those glasses on the same morning that Jenna Lyons sent out models wearing her signature glasses at the J.Crew presentation. So fun (even if you don't have to actually wear glasses to see!).

Peony's beautiful snake-print dress (you can just make out the head of the snake on her sleeve)? It is from London-based brand Isolda. 

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Marina

Stylist Marina Munoz after Karen Walker, NYC, February 2012. 

I must have Tam o' Shanters (the traditional Scottish bonnet) on the brain as after I posted my Margaret Howell backstage photos last week, I came across these of Marina in NYC. Love the tartan beret and the way she has teamed it with the boxy, cropped jacket and black jeans. A lovely way to combine something very traditional with very modern pieces.

Recreate Marina's Look (kind of):

Gryphon sunshine yellow Happy jacket or girl. by Band of Outsiders yellow slub-cotton jacket







New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Hanne and Teng Teng

Hanne Gaby Odiele and Teng Teng Kong, after Ohne Titel, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Hanne's Look (kind of):

Miu Miu black patent leather jacket or Lot 78 Edie spiked patent leather jacket

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Anais

French model Anais Mali, NYC, February 2012.

How cute is her star print sweater in the first photos (after 3.1 Phillip Lim)? And I love the proportions in the second photo - it is hard to go wrong with skinny jeans, a shaggy cropped jacket and some bada*s biker boots.

Recreate Anais's starry look (kind of):

Chinti and Parker Star sweater or Wildfox Seeing Stars sweater (in red) or dirty black.  

Rag & Bone Moto boots or Topshop Armour biker boots 

Alexander McQueen skull print scarf

Michael Kors Bedford bowling satchel 

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Vlada

Russian model Vlada Roslyakova, after Michael Kors, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Vlada's super-cute look (kind of):

AllSaints Marsden black leather jacket or Rick Owens contrast leather biker jacket

Backstage Fever Sequin bodycon skirt (from Free People) or Topshop pearl bead mini or AllSaints Eagle sequined and beaded mini  

Michael Kors Bedford bowling satchel

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...MJ

MJ, after Rodarte, NYC, February 2012

Absolutely adore Aussie model, MJ (Wilhelmina agency) she is super nice, funny and very grounded. And you get the feeling that no matter how big she becomes, she will always remain that way.

And I loved that she walked in the Rodarte show. MJ still lives at home in Alice Springs in Australia (which is pretty much at the heart of the Australian Outback) and the Mulleavy sisters' inspiration for the fall collection was.....The Australian Outback!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012....Aymeline

The Bike surfaces again! This time with model Aymeline Valade onboard :)

Recreate Aymeline's look (kind of):

Smythe leather trimmed duster coat

Whistles green and navy blue Dot Spot Scarf

Alexander Wang Diego bucket bag or try the leather and mesh Scuba bag (which I can't type without thinking of Along Came Polly "Are you guys for scuba?")!

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Overalls

In the last week I have read three separate articles where each person was asked what they would never wear/be caught dead in and the answer was......Overalls!

What's up with the overall-hate?! Is it the hangover trauma of having been forced to wear them in kindergarten? A proportion issue (long body, short legs? do you need long legs to pull this look off?)Or is that we like the idea of someone else wearing overalls but it isn't something we would wear ourselves?

I really like the way stylist and model Victoria Sekrier has styled her classic denim bib and brace overalls in the top photographs, especially the way she has left the bib hanging down. Kind of cool, no? I think this would only work if the overalls were really fitting (almost like jeans).....too baggy and your undies would be on display to the world!

Some denim overalls to try:

Mother Sweetheart stretch denim overalls  (these satisfy the slim leg, fitted waist criteria like Victoria's) or Gap 1969 denim overalls (more of a relaxed fit) or Textile Elizabeth and James denim overalls  (kind of skinny and relaxed all at once!)

 Or for something a little dressier, I absolutely love these dark blue Sonia by Sonia Rykiel overalls (which are really just trousers with detachable suspenders - complete with gorgeous bow). Perfect for day into night.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Irina

Model, songwriter and musician, Irina Lazareanu, London, February 2012.

Have you seen the beautiful Aubin &Wills film starring Irina and Alex James? So beautiful (it looks very much like it was filmed on Super 8mm). You can find it here.

Recreate Irina's Look (kind of):

J Brand 901 waxed legging jeans or Rag & Bone/Jean The Legging Jean (in Shoreditch)

Charlotte Olympia metallic platform suede pump or a little higher, a little more gold, Charlotte Olympia mirror-platform slingback 

London Fashion Week AW 2012...Codie

Aussie model Codie Young, after Erdem, London, February 2012.

I really liked the simple make-up and hair at Erdem (in fact I always love the beauty at Erdem) - a tiny flick of eyeliner on the crease of the eyelid and ponytail tied with a sliver of jet black ribbon. So pretty with Codie's newly dyed red hair.

Recreate Codie's Look (kind of):

Alexander McQueen skull-print scarf  (in black and pale green) or black and white or Tilly's skull print scarf (a little more budget friendly) 

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Margaret

Another girl whose style I am obsessing over is Aussie beauty Margaret Zhang, Editor of Shine by Three blog and commerce/law student.

I adore the simple white column dress (white dresses like this remind me a little of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's  Narciso Rodriguez wedding dress) teamed with the blazer and beaded scarf necklace. Simple, elegant and beautiful.

Recreate Margaret's Look (kind of):

BCBGMAXAZRIA white T-back dress (love three four things about this dress: it skims rather than hugs the body, it isn't too "bridal" nor beachy, it isn't just for after-dark, and it has an interesting back - perfect for showing off sun-kissed skin).

Roarke coralline scarf necklace  (from Anthropologie US). I also love the peter pan collar necklaces from Dannijo this season - an easy way to update a simple outfit, and achieve a similar look to the scarf necklace. Dannijo Hixson collar necklace or Dannijo bronze chain link peter pan collar both investment pieces which would last for years.

And then just add a punchy coloured blazer of your choice (with sleeves rolled up of course!). Try Elizabeth and James Spring Jim blazer in tiger lily or Rag & Bone 42nd Street blazer in turquoise.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

Love these two girls....I kept bumping into them together (and neglected to get their names).

Love the masculine suiting on the girl on the right and the cropped length of her trousers. And how happy and fun are her socks/tights?

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Suzie

Suzie Bird, after 3.1 Philip Lim, NYC, February 2012.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Justine

Justine Couvillion, Rag & Bone's West Coast Account Executive, before Rag & Bone, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Justine's Look (kind of):

Rag & Bone Sliver Tuxedo jacket (in lemon curry)

Rag & Bone Racine printed wide leg pants. The Geo print shorts are really cute as well and would look fabulous with the Sliver tuxedo jacket and a plain t-shirt for summer.

Proenza Schouler PS1 pouch (love the neon yellow and coral colours for spring/summer)

London Fashion Week AW 2012....Backstage at Margaret Howell

Backstage at Margaret Howell, London, Sunday 19 February 2012.

Low ponytails pulled effortlessly to one side under pom pom topped Tam o' Shanter's and low-riding beanies, freshly cut slices of crimson streaked blood orange and wedges of crisp winter apples, sleepy eyed models sipping welcome cups of freshly brewed coffee (show start time is 9am), boxes of brown and black preppy penny loafers, utilitarian canvas backpacks, refined twinsets, knee-length gently pleated skirts and mannish blazers (evoking images of the young Mitford sisters in the 1930's), heavy wool military-inspired coats.....and one Paddington Bear navy knee-length duffel coat, flushed rosy cheeks (a brisk walk in the country on a winter's day perhaps?), wool pants with front pockets and track-pant hems, tales of acting and photographs (we loved seeing you back on the runway this season Dorothea Barth Jorgensen).....These Are a Few of My Favourite Things from backstage at Margaret Howell AW 2012.