Old ones are the best...

No fashion stoppers at this show, no models falling over and nothing to really wonder about. Instead Jean Paul Gaultier produced a feast of simple, stylish and well cut luxurious clothes that really fit the ready to wear category. And how best to show them off...well send a couple of the old thoroughbred models down the runway et voilà every women over 35, with money to spend but a social conscience will be dashing off to Hermès for her classy spring summer wardrobe.


Blending the equestrian heritage of Hermès with a hint of seventies hot spot for the stars, Mexico meets Miami and a touch of colonial chic, Gaultier delivers luxury with fringe benefits. The fringed Birkin will surely be on the hot list for those who have money a plenty and how we will all salivate when they do.







Hermès has good business and social credentials from the top to the bottom. Nowhere is this more apparent than the runway. Where most designers fail to select a black model or use just one, Gaultier used five for his show and sent Ms.Campbell down three times in all her splendour.



But the best was saved to last - on stage the epitome of fun and wit Monsieur Gaultier




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Naughty.. but nice

Marc Jacobs is my joy amongst designers, not least for his affordable and high street winner Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Much as I love his NY S/S09 show I do think he's been a bit naughty with his hybrid amalgamation of many an international/film costume. Matador (tick) Geisha (tick) Little House on the Prairie (tick) Mary Poppins (tick) ah I could go on, the collection is one heck of a mash up but I kinda like the showmanship of it all. It reminds me of Auntie Mame, a madcap film full of glamour and free spirit.

You can sort of tell he's been concentrating on his physique and being lazy elsewhere. I've selected two looks which I think will translate to the high street come next year.

The new Resort Cruises in!

Miami is becoming a venue de jour with the latest billing of a sub collection -Resort.
The great thing about the Resort collection shows at Miami is, it is the cementing of a third look for every Spring/Summer wardrobe. When you come to packing away your S/S clothes you can base what you keep on the new holy trilogy of :

Riveria Chic - the ubiquitous stripes, trousers and plimsolls look from Coco Chanel,

Out of Africa/Safari Chic - neutral shirt or trousers, crisp white shirt, safari jacket transformed into tux luxe in the evening as defined by YSL,

Miami Glamour - 30s, 50s and 70s flamboyance provide a great reference for swimsuits, poolside glamour and gratuitous clothes indulgence indeed! Release your inner Sophia and Margo.

Of the four collections currently available to view on Style.com Oscar de la Renta and Christian Dior offers a real spirit of the glamour of Miami. De la Renta combines colour with an art deco reference, using 1930's cutting with the new modern take on 1970's high octane pizzaze. A truly great commercial American offering.















The Dior collection is flamboyant and presents a fifties Latino look to great effect. The outfits conjour up a star like Gina Lollobrigida in the heyday of sultry leading women pitted against the American leading men such as Sinatra.






























Chanel disappoints with an almost lack lustre performance more Miami vice than spice. Some lovely understated day wear for lunch or afternoon cocktails on South Beach but Lagerfled gives a more sombre 80s offering than the hedonistic vibe of Galliano.















all images Style.com

Style Epiphany

l to r Marc Jacobs, Prada, Derek Lam, Balenciaga, Givenchy

Ok it is far too early to be talking about A/W '08..after all in the UK we've got the summer to look forward to (fingers crossed) but oh my god am I having a style epiphany!

I thought I had it all planned and then yesterday I styled a client who was so adventurous at ..well she won't mind me saying 54 that I got sort of shaken up and out of my little zone. She was a joy to style and I find when someone goes with the flow the results are fab. What I hadn't expected was to get majorily inspired myself.

The result is I want to present a sharper, simpler perhaps more fierce look to the world. I scoured the shows and completely succombed to particular looks from Balenciaga, Givenchy, Derek Lam, Prada and Marc Jacobs - this is without me looking at Marni to mention but one, nor a peek at the viewings of Chanel and the remaining Paris shows!

The great fact is that COS on Regent Street will provide items that will allow me to make a shift now at high street prices. I've replanned the few items for the summer wardrobe and am keeping my fingers crossed my running will let me get my pins into the glorious steel grey Balenciaga trousers come next Autumn/Fall.