It is a well known fact of fashion, that where Miuccia Prada leads, the rest of us follow.
It was she who revitalised the trend for heavy, boiled wool,
paired stilettos with socks, and has such an
open distaste for what she perceives as constrictions in fashion, you could almost credit her with kick starting the current love affair with mixing it up – think vintage garments worn with ultra-modern pieces, as well as a
clashing of colours and textures.
So when Mrs Prada showed elegantly grown-up lace in her autumn/winter 2008 collection, the fashion world took note. Think layers of dark, Italian Bordello-style lace, worn over simple blue shirts, or layered with stern black jackets, for an erotically charged, silhouette.
Sheer is my big tip for next season. Whether it's a sheer shirt or a dress with sheer detailing it's a demure yet sexy look which can be easily pulled off.
Madonna has already worn the trend and it appeared on the catwalk at Chanel, Luella and countless
Graduate Fashion Week shows.
Sequins have been around for a while now – witness the huge success of those 60s style, French Connection dresses last winter – but this autumn/winter, they're getting super sized.
Large sequins, or paillettes as they're known in fashion-speak, adorned the edgy creations on the catwalk at Christopher Kane, and Italian label Krizia, also seemed to have caught the glitter bug.
For a Christopher Kane look – hot from the runway – pair your paillettes with contrasting fabrics, such as sheer chiffon or leather.
For Autumn/Winter, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith and Jean Paul Gaultier all showed beautiful models wearing – I kid you not - headscarves. Yes, it seems that the hitherto frumpy style, beloved of Hilda Ogden and the Queen, is back.
As part of the new season's obsession with traditionally
British heritage looks – such as tweed,
tartan and Country House chic – the bright, print silk headscarf is back on our radar.
Classic heritage fabrics such as tweed, tartan and checks featured heavily on the catwalk for Autumn/Winter. Leading the way was British designer Henry Holland who created his own tartan pattern and based his entire
House of Holland collection on the indigo fabric. The most memorable piece was a tiered tartan dress modeled by Henry's BFF Agyness Deyn.
