New York Fashion Week AW 2012....Backstage at Tory Burch

Backstage at Tory Burch Fall-Winter 2012 show, NYC, Tuesday 14th February 2012.

Things that were firmly on my wish list after the Tory Burch show: a gold bow headband (so sweet and it even had a tiny Tory Burch logo embedded on the bow); a personal hairdresser* on call at all times to coiffure my hair into a french pleat (studded with pretty flower hairpins) - with a healthy dash of messiness to ensure that it doesn't look too prim; a beautiful full length evening dress (as worn by Joan Smalls) complete with seamstress to sew it closed!. How they do this without pricking a finger (or the model!) in the frenetic atmosphere backstage is beyond me; a ladylike chain handbag - I loved the snakeskin and tortoiseshell detailing (okay, so probably my camera isn't going to fit in one of these but they were so gorgeous I would make an exception ;); an oxblood red crinkly-leather (not the technical name but I am not sure how else to describe it) trench coat (sexy and elegant all at once); rolls of Gracie handpainted wallpaper. I adored the backdrop to the runway which was covered in wallpaper depicting Chinese scenes; a pair of Spectator pumps and elbow-length leather gloves; a leather plaid dress, skirt and trousers (for me, stand-out pieces); a simple peplum top (I loved the quote from Alber Elbaz on Fashionista last week "I created the peplum so you can eat in it,” Elbaz said. “You can have a dessert, you can have another sandwich".); a stack of Chiavari chairs (which worked so well with the Gracie wallpaper and printed runway carpet reminiscent of a five star hotel) and a beautiful ivory coat with exaggerated peter-pan collar and bow nestled at the waist.

p.s. The colours are a bit squiffy (the lighting is rather tricky for the way I shoot) but sometimes that's just the way I roll :)

* Eugene Souleiman if possible please ;)

London Fashion Week AW 2012...After Vivienne Westwood Red Label

After Vivienne Westwood Red Label, London, February 2012.

Just because I loved the hair and the body stencils.....

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Hanneli

Hanneli, after Louis Vuitton, Paris, March 2012.

For me, there is a whole lotta 80's going on here with Hanneli's outfit. I think it is the wash and detailing on the jeans combined with the double-breasted jacket (with just a hint of 80's power dressing about it). But all brought firmly forward to 2012 with those Acne Alice platform pumps and the Valentino studded clutch. 

Recreate Hanneli's look (kind of):

Preen pink Navigator blazer or Stella McCartney double-breasted hemp blazer  or  ASOS premium double breasted blazer

J Brand Aidan Slouchy jeans (they haven't got the fringing down the front but still have the same-ish vaguely 80's vintage feel)

Acne Alice silk platform pump or try the Audrey platform mules in denim or hot pink silk

Valentino VaVaVoom convertible clutch/ shoulder bag in black or patent red (I love this clutch and the way you can hold it with your fingers threaded through the studded band).

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Anne-Catherine

Anne-Catherine Frey, after Isabel Marant, Paris, March 2012.

I know I say it every time I post a photo of her but.....LOVE this girl (and her tiny, glittery frog brooches)!

Recreate Anne-Catherine's look (kind of):

3.1 Phillip Lim peach silk satin-crepe jacket or Nasty Gal peach Bryant Blazer

Topshop rose-print step-hem shirt or Equipment cabbage-rose print shirt  or Sessun shirt in liberty print floral

Topshop pink knitted lace front sweater or Carven lace trimmed sweater or this beautiful Carven lace shirt combines the lace + button-down shirt.

Jeffrey Campbell Lita floral platform boots or if you prefer something a little flatter, these floral print ASOS flats are super cute.  

Rag & Bone/Jean black The Legging Jeans or J Brand black 910 ankle skinny jeans

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Bunny Girl MJ

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Aussie model MJ and her super cute bunny hat and scarf in NYC!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

I love her wispy, sheer skirt with the heavy jacket and lace-up boots....proving you can wear sheer fabrics even when the temperature is sub-zero. Well, within reason. Heating always helps ;)

Recreate her look (kind of):

American Apparel sheer maxi skirt or ASOS sheer black maxi skirt

Rodarte for Opening Ceremony crochet lace-up booties or Topshop Abbey lace up booties or See by Chloe wooden heeled leather lace-up ankle boots

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012....Natalie

Natalie Hartley, before A Show, Paris, March 2012.

These Rag & Bone pants are (one) of my favourites of the season - and Natalie rocked them in Paris. They have a serious leg-lengthening effect (clearly to do with the tuxedo stripe running down the side). And worn with a pair of platform heels? You've got Nadja Auermann in your sights. Err, sort of.

Recreate Natalie's Look (kind of):

Rag & Bone Dwight trousers or Derek Lam trousers with glossy black racing stripe (move aside Mark Webber, we're comin' at you!) or go a little wider for high summer with these M Missoni Colourblock wide leg pants.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Chantal

Chantal Stafford-Abbott, after Tracy Reese, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Chantal's look (kind of):

Marc by Marc Jacobs olive green Delancey parka coat with removable hood  or ASOS khaki parka with detachable faux fur lining.

MiH Marrakesh kick flare jeans (a subtle flare) or Current/Elliott The Low Bell low rise flared jeans



London Fashion Week AW 2012...Alice

Alice Goddard, Somerset House, London, February 2012.

Beautiful, talented Alice - fashion student, stylist and co-creator of super cool magazine called, well,  Hot & Cool.

 I love photographing Alice.

Recreate Alice's look with a little tartan skirt:

Joseph Glen Plaid skirt with slits or See by Chloe wool kilt skirt or Juicy Couture tartan wool skirt

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Cato

Cato Van Ee, after Andrew Gn, Paris, March 2012.

Recreate Cato's Look (kind of):

3.1 Phillip Lim two-tone leather jacket or Acne ombre leather jacket or Pencey two-tone denim motorcyle jacket (a little lighter for spring/summer)

Alexander Wang Brenda chain bag

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012.....Eleonora

Eleonora Carisi, after Stella McCartney, Paris Fashion Week, March 2012.

Love the combination that Eleonora has put together here of preppy varsity jacket and lace skirt. Plus, and it isn't obvious from my photograph, but she was wearing a neon pink bra under her white tee-shirt. A cute way (along with her mini-purse) to incorporate colour into an otherwise monochromatic look.

Recreate Eleonora's Look (kind of):

Embrace your inner college kid with Boy. by Band of Outsiders black Varsity wool and leather jacket  or Alexander Wang tracksuit bomber jacket or Junior Varsity jacket (from Nasty Gal).

ASOS full skirt with embroidered hem or ASOS crochet detail midi-skirt or Isabel Marant Delph broderie anglaise (a little shorter in length than Eleonora's skirt)

Mimi Holiday neon-pink silk chiffon bra

Rebecca Minkoff neon pink quilted flirty bag

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Mackenzie and Katryn

Mackenzie Drazan and Katryn Kruger, after Louis Vuitton, Paris, March 2012.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Natalie

Natalie Joos, after Chanel, Paris, March 2012.

Love this outfit on Natalie - such great colours and I love the shape and structure of the skirt. It is by new London-based label Ostwald Helgason which is designed by duo Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason. They presented their collection in NYC for the first time to rave reviews.

New York and Paris Fashion Weeks AW 2012....Puppy Love

Just because it's Wednesday...and  sometimes a little puppy love is what you need to get you through the rest of the week.

p.s. the little foot "socks" are to protect paws against the salt (which can burn the paw pads), ice and snow....one woman was at great pains to reassure me she wasn't one of those* people!

p.p.s The dog at the bottom is a Briard - so much personality! Although he did have an obsession with suitcases much to one make-up artist's dismay ;)

*dress up your dog

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Doina

Beautiful (both inside and out), Doina Ciobanu, before Chanel, Paris, March 2012.

I love this look on Doina. She is still a teenager but wears this sophisticated, grown-up look beautifully. In fact I think clean, crisp masculine tailoring like this would work on women of almost any age.....and it is entirely suitable to wear in a more conservative workplace.

Recreate Doina's look (kind of):

Stella McCartney grey tailored blazer and grey slim fit flared trousers  or Reiss royal blue jacket and tapered slim trousers

Theory Larissa classic white shirt

Christian Louboutin Décolleté 100 glossed-leather pumps or ASOS shine patent pumps



Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Jac

Jac, after Rochas, Paris, February 2012.

Beautiful girl, beautiful hat....le sigh

Recreate Jac's look (kind of):

Maison Michel Charlotte felt trilby or Steven Alan Janis wool-felt fedora



New York Fashion Week AW 2012

Love her floral jeans/trousers (I can't quite work out if they are jeans or pants). A great way to incorporate florals into your wardrobe, and transition from winter to spring/summer. Throw on a coat or sweater for now, and just a tee-shirt or button-down shirt for when the weather warms up.

Recreate her look (kind of) with some flower power:

Camila and Marc Surrender botanical print trousers, Paige Denim floral skinny jeans,  or ASOS floral print skinny jeans

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Anna and Tommy

It is always wonderful to see what Anna Dello Russo wears - she adds a sense of theatre, drama and, most importantly, fun to the fashion weeks.

And I loved that Anna and Tommy were sporting those googly eye rings! So cute. It is the little things like this that make me smile during fashion month :)

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...So Young

Korean model So Young Kang, after Ruffian, NYC, February 2012.