Ah Fendi...another closet staple. Always the go-to dresses for a classic look that also makes a modern statement.  A catwalk of subtle nudes shook the hearts of bystanders. Chunky espadrilles were given another life with six inch glossy platforms and sensuous fabrics that caressed and flattered the ankle. The bags were what we have come to expect from Fendi - fantastic. But really it was the clever dress designs that made me take my hat off to Karl. A great deal of emphasis is still placed on the shoulders this season with glorified footballer's shoulder pads and cleverly draped fabrics.       

That's the motto for spring. It's loose and comfortable and we are seeing it strut down the catwalk with every passing day.  

Etro has always had a mother earth-meets-couture kind of vibe and this season is no exception. Dresses are loose, trousers are slung low and colours are warm. But this is only the start of the show. Veronica Etro switches things up in the middle with the waist dramatically cinched with wide belts. Although the midriff is restricted, fabric flows freely on both the top and the bottom. The body is able to move about with only one area crying out for attention.  Veronica may look dwarfed next to her gigantic runway models but this little lady packs a serious punch. I am already looking forward to spring and have a new motivation to sticking with my running routine...let's just say bras aren't really part of the Etro game plan for next season so I have some work to do!

I think that's a pretty accurate description of what was seen at Dsquared in Milan this weekend....and I loved every inch of it.

Dsquared is known for its outrageous takes on fashion but this is pure and utter genius. A girl in a poofy purple gown, beer bottle in hand and a trucker hat on her head is the highlight for me. It doesn't get much better. It's only heightened by the fact that the clothes are actually phenomenal.

Perhaps that is the point of such unlikely pairings...not even wearing a rag on your head or a hat resembling a beer helmet can detract from these stunning designs.  One more thing before I go...I never imagined in my lifetime I would see a wilderness girl in a black floor length gown with a black leather silver studded rucksack - LOVE IT!

I'm speechless. What a fantastic show! My favourite of his to date. Giorgio....there are no words. The blue hues, the silk fabrics, the sequin detailing and sculpted shoulders. You can do no wrong. Tradition and modernity come to life together on the catwalk before our very eyes as we watch the fabrics move. Even the models walked with a fresh new swing in their step as the beautiful clothing allowed for a newly realized confidence.

Ok so I thought it was about time to give the male species a bit of attention here as fashion certainly isn't for females alone. 

The first day in Milan was centrally focused around men's fashions and if you thought there were some crazy sights on the catwalks for New York and London you should have seen some of the catastrophes strutting their stuff on the catwalks in Italy. 

That's not to say I wasn't enjoying the view because what girl in her right mind doesn't enjoy the sight of a man with the body of a Greek god strutting his stuff with no shirt in sight?  But those aren't fashions that are applicable to the every day male. 

Above, I have chosen looks I believe are easily translatable for city life. Looks that will make you stand out for being chic and fashionable, not because you look like a space oddity.  I will admit that they are classic in nature with slight modern twists put in place by the designer, but why mess with something that works?  Any man stepping out in the outfits above is sure to be noticed...and dare I say, desired.

 

 

While watching the show I couldn't help but repeat the phrase 'cheap and cheerful' over and over in my head. The reason this comes to mind is of course because of the name of the line - Moschino Cheap & Chic. It is definitely chic but doesn't look at all cheap and this is what I love about Moschino.

Rosella Jardini has fun with fashion. She doesn't take herself too seriously and she knows her audience.  I loved this year's show. When the world seems really grey from not only the weather but also the current state of the economy, you can guaranteee that Rosella is going to brighten up your day...the pink backdrop on the catwalk was evidence enough of that!  And this theme carried through with every piece that swanned down the runway.  The main emphasis seemed to be on monochromatic bases with bright pink or red splashes. The dresses were either mini or maxi, nothing in between. Ruffles reigned and wrap styles followed close behind.

A show I could have spent all day admiring!

 

Prada's show in Milan was, frankly, disappointing.  I am a huge fan of the label and will jump at a Prada dress if given the chance. But if this is the designer's take on the modern woman I'm not sure I want to be placed in that category. Saying that, however, I felt that there were two or three dresses that saved the show. Her silk floral and patterened dresses will undoubtedly be seen in glossies in the coming months. It's hard to criticize a legend and Miuccia is definitely a legend in fashion. So I will just say it was not my taste this time around. I look forward to seeing what she presents in February.

 

If this is Albino D'Amato's idea of going on safari I want to sign up for the next skip through the African jungles. The designer presented us with sensual fabrics, soft hues and draping detail this year in Milan.  He wasn't afraid to use sheer and light material to create great folds on his models.  The result - amazing dresses that look comfortable while also exotic and rare. His pairing of delicate textiles with chunky jewellery is a theme expressed in both London and New York and it looks to be a must for all in spring of next year.

One of the perks of working in the fashion world is the access to fantastic parties! The press office at Harveys was kind enough to extend an invitation to the PPQ after party at the Mayfair Hotel last Saturday night. Now I don't know anyone that turns down an invite to mingle with the fashion crowd and enjoy an open bar all at the same time. It's like heaven in a hotel. 

 

And the crowd was jumping...the party was lined with celebrites including Peaches Geldof, Nadine Coyle, Fearne Cotton, Alexa Chung, Henry Conway, Jodie Harsh, JLS and Brix Smith-Start, to name a few, as well as the PPQ crew themselves - Percy Parker & Amy Molyneaux. 

 

DJ's the Broken Hearts kept the party bouncing while we were all sipping gorgeous cocktails from the sponsor - personal fave was Harveys paired with lemonade.  There was even a top-hatted performer in a martini glass! I mean do parties come better than this these days?!

 

We all got to leave with a goody bag with a limited edition bottle of Harveys for the tube ride home! Oh wait, I mean I waited to crack it until I was in the comfort of my own house....

 

Thanks PPQ and Harveys for showing Fashion Foie Gras a good night out! It's nice to get away from the blue computer screen every once and a while. And congratulations on a fantastic show....

One can definitely feel the Japanese influence in Erdem's collection this season. It is a floral fiesta.

A most wonderful eye-popping display of waist cinching, hip hugging and leg lengthening fabrics.

There were wonderful transitions in the show from lighter florals for daywear to more moody florals of navy blue and black for evening attire.

With either capped shoulders or long sleeves to suit your tastes and modest hemlines abound, this collection is one in which nearly every woman can find an item to take their fancy.

 

I say this every season and every season that passes I come out on top - Basso and Brooke are the best "printers" in the fashion business. Every single dress is a work of digital art and I imagine every woman that buys a piece feels like she has walked straight off the walls of the Tate Modern.  There's not much more to say here. Just look at the fantastic presentation - it says it all.

The one thing I loved about the Eighties was the extremity of the fashion displayed. Things were either bright or pastel, ridiculously loose or skin tight, revealing or super-conservative.

Ashish Gupta, renowned for his love affair with sequins,has wowed the world once again with his  latest Spring/Summer 2010 collection at London Fashion Week. This time he takes us on a journey to some of the world's greatest cities and countries, including New York, Paris, Italy and Africa.

He is designing for the woman who isn't afraid to stand out in the crowd and wearing one of these dresses she is guaranteed to be the centre of attention. By accessorizing with black silver studded bumbags and clear black visors he incorporates the Eighties trend seen in so many other shows this season on the London catwalk.

The Statue of Liberty dress is pure genius. I can't wait to see who is daring enough to turn up on the red carpet in one of these classy little numbers. 

 

I loved Oscar de la Renta's casual wear but when it came to the formal gowns I wasn't as impressed as I usually am with his work. That being said, you can't like them all.

The black gothic bridal dress and pink silk ruched gown were a bit too much for my liking. But I will take the nude beaded number featured above. I can only imagine how long that took to make and how many sore fingers there are right now because of it.

Oscar is definitely a man for the details. Every piece shown presented extreme attention to the littlest of things. Hardly a piece walked down the runway without some sort of beading or jewellery worked in. Marvellous, darling, absolutely marvellous.

Just as a sidenote, can someone please do my hair with the braids and ribbons as it is presented here? Watch out - I'm sporting that look on the next red carpet. So glam!

Another hit...this week just keeps getting better and better!

Michael Kors knocked it out of the ballpark. Brilliant simplistic designs tweaked with slithers of fabric removed and replaced with a clear swatch of plastic.

So somewhere in New York there are remnants just ripe for the picking - £100 to anyone that can find them...only kidding.

I will be first in line for the little black number on the right. I believe Michael Kors really does love women and you get the feeling his work is done in a way in which the female body is displayed at its finest.

Just look at the angles of the revealing lines in the dresses. He concentrates on the small of the back, the belly button, the top of the thigh and the collar bone - all places men are known to 'check out' on the opposite sex. 

Kors understands this perfectly and manages to hit all these points while still giving his ladies a sense of dignity. Anyone can achieve the same look in a mini skirt and a crop top, but we all know the image you are giving off when you leave the house in that sort of getup.   

 

Picture this scene: Over one hundred stylists representing the top names on the red carpet and gala scene. All are in attendance at the Marchesa show waiting to see what the genius gown maker has in store for them this season. Twenty five designs are shown. Every single dress is red carpet ready. They are perfect in every way, shape and form. In fact this doesn't get more ideal. Marchesa has always created gorgeous pieces but this season she has truly outdone herself.

Now have you ever been to the designer wedding dress sale in New York City? If not, I am sure you have at least heard about it. This is where even the classiest ladies from the Park tend to lose their cool and start using elbows to get what they want. One year I actually saw a women depart said location with a black eye, and her wedding dress safely tucked beneath her left arm. I have a feeling that this is what the scene will look like after the show with the stylists and their assistants rushing to get into Marchesa's pocket first.

Well done Marchesa.  

All the models seem to have marched straight out of the Sixties, having become a mixture of prep and flower child with straight shiny locks, minimal makeup and sensible shoes. The clashes in fabrics create wonderful texture within the outfit and her use of patterned hosiery with bright silk print dresses is brilliant.   

...None other than the Brazilian master Alexandre Herchcovitch. This skirt is Miro in motion. Paired with the perfect simple sheer top this is an outfit that will make you stand out and be remembered for generations to come. What a wonderful display of artistic talent and courage. 

Philosophy, while maintaining a soft colour approach, rounded out their show with a wonderful lips focus. The dresses are fantastically futuristic.  They are gently bringing us into a new wave of fashion...or in other words, they aren't shoving a new concept down our throats.

The lips on the fabrics are created on sheer textiles so that they are merging classic design with a faint step in another direction for fashion  Once again we see nudes as a major focus for the new season. 

Game, Set, Match....another win for Narcisco Rodriguez. Yet again we see fabrics that flow. Are we seeing a theme for Spring/Summer 2010 or what? It's all about loose, comfortable and smooth looks. Rodriguez - the man behind Michelle Obama's election night dress - drives this home while also incorporating small details allowing for a woman's body to wear the dress rather than the dress wearing the woman.

That's right...we are seeing a lot of nude on the catwalks again for the Spring/Summer season ahead. Although to be honest this is a colour that never goes out of style it only gets transformed with new patterns cut every season. And what wonderful patterns Catherine Malandrino - favourite of actress Anne Heche - cut for this year's show.

Above I chose two dresses which I believe you will see again only this time it will be on a hollywood starlet who makes $15 million a movie rather than a model who makes $15 hundred for walking. I love how she has taken the one shoulder trend and used ruching and draping around the bodice to take it up a notch. This is what separates the professionals from the amateurs and I don't think anyone will argue with me when I say Maladrino is on top of her game here.

The entire show made me feel like I was sitting in the bedroom of one of the housewives from "Mad Men"...Dennis Basso you are LEGENDARY. What a fabulous collection of dresses. Silks, furs, taffeta...oh my!  If you are female and you aren't immediately seduced by this collection then perhaps you should check your hormone levels for activity.  I just want to slip into the silk minidress and drape myself with the fur coat. Even the stockings (which we have seen on several other runways as well) are a throw back to the 1950's with the lovely lace beige lace trim. Absolutely brilliant! The favourite, by miles, was the gold mini dress with the alligator skin bustier (first picture). Sign me up for regular shipments. I can't wait to see what you do for the fall Dennis!

I have to tell you upfront that I have never been a huge fan of Betsey Johnson as a fashion designer. This is important to present before my review as you must know that I have an opinion formed before her show, which this year was more or less exactly what I expected it to be. 

Betsey Johnson is actually an artist. I know all fashion designers are, in their own right, artists as such. But Betsey's creations are truly walking canvases. I do wonder if she actually plans on the clothes she designs being worn off the catwalk as they are displayed here. Surely this is not reality but some surreal lovely world where fashion, not fitting in, is all that matters. On the rare occasion I have seen women out in a Betsey Johnson vision I have always noticed one thing in particular...they exude confidence. You have to be one confident cookie to walk out of your house in a colour so bright it could lighten up an entire city block.  But I have always said "if you are going to wear it loud, wear it proud." Betsey, I salute your artistic talent...I only wish I had the confidence to step out in one of your fantastic creations.

Design duo Mark Badgley and James Mischka presented a fabulous lineup of over 40 delicious fashion recipes last night in New York. I can honestly say there was not one piece that I would have turned down had the amazing men offered the entire collection to me on the spot.

The new collection was designed by the team while vacationing in Palm Beach and you can definitely feel the rich, classy and mannered influence of the American hotspot.  This is also reflected in the amount of jewels that are on display with the textiles.

Palm Beach is renowned for its women walking around in bikinis and chunky pearls or diamonds. It's a luxury not all of us can afford but one that we can all lust after.  Badgley Mischka wove in the affluent charm of tangled jewels on most outfits presented and it is marital bliss!

 

 

 

 

Does this dress not scream of "put me on the front cover of a glossy"? Douglas Hannant's collection was museum worthy this year and with his first boutique opening in New York I have a feeling he will be overwhelmed with requests for the upcoming Met Gala. What a wonderful dress to welcome in the season of spring. 

We're in the Big Apple and the models are still walking...

Well I'm not terribly impressed thus far but we still have a few days to go. If this is a sign of the cities to come I might bail out on the rest of these shows and just wait for the photos

London Fashion Week starts at the end of this week and I am already laying out complete outfits along with bags for each occasion. One can never be too prepared for these events. It is really only twice a year that the fashion elite gather to celebrate our design deities in their natural habitat. 

 

Dear Santa,

 

Over the past couple of weeks we have seen a lot of celebs bragging about their closet space but I think this may be the first time we get to see one rid their closet of old fashions! (Watching this makes me miss the good ole days of walk in closets found in every home in America. In London this seems to be a must only for the nouveau riche.) 

And if Miley Cyrus isn't the picture of Middle America I don't know what is. She is worshipped by every little girl under the age of 17. She has a new line in every Walmart across the US (which funnily enough features a British twist with the Union Jack and lots of nods to the Great British culture) and her movie was top of the box office for weeks.

She's on top of the world right now...and now little girls everywhere can wish for her closet as well as her duel life led as Miley and Hannah!

For you young ladies who are not Miley Cyrus fans you will appreciate this video as well. You can all shake your heads and say, " Oh how today's youth has changed."

We hope Miley is at least giving all of those clothes to charity instead of just filling a bin! 

 

For all the ladies who have dreamt about owning an Hermes scarf but had nightmares about the pricetag - that usually reads over £400 - I have a fantastic announcement for you! 

Hermes has joined forces with Liberty of London to create Hermes Pour Liberty. It's ok, go ahead and scream, jump up and down and sign up for your local boxing class as you will most likely need it when these little gems come up for sale! Although, you can avoid the lines and pre-order the scarves online now. With a price tag of £140 they are going to fly. 

And men, you shouldn't feel left out. There are ties for the gents by Hermes as well. I will definitely be picking up the Purple Pepper Tie for a Christmas gift!  

 

I know it really isn't a fashion carnival that takes place every year in Notting Hill but I have more fun people watching than anything else on this party filled weekend in London. This year was a little more drab than usual. All the fashion seemed to run together. People were out to shock and every shocking outfit seemed to have an 80s theme to it. Let's put in a little more effort for originality next year people. Be a fashion leader, not a follower. There were a few who stuck out in the crowd who were nice enough to let me capture their look to share with you: