LFW: Mulberry SS'14

After having sent out THE most adorable London Fashion Week tea cup invitations made by Wedgewood, Claridges was transformed into an English country garden, complete with fresh flowers, astro turf floors and a stuffed peacock, forEmma Hill to say “over and out” with her final collection as creative director for Mulberry.  Well known for bringin’ the brand’s sexy back, Hill emotionally commenced the show with an echoing voiceover from Sir Winston Churchill, ‘this House we have built together, brick by brick, stone by stone, this house we call home’ before blaring out ‘Our House’ by Madness as the models cue to strut.  Showcasing typically cheery designs inspired by the Sixties London, the models (including Cara Delevigne) wore wide-leg trousers, over-sized silhouettes and enlarged floral prints.  Turbo the British Bulldog wore a floral overcoat – expect one to adorn all the hottest dawgs next spring.

Above:  I am naturally always most interested in the new collection of bags swung on the catwalk, and alongside stripey Bayswaters and a midnight blue Willow, the Kensal, named after the brand’s London roots, was presented. The firey orange Kensal (below) instantly grabbed my attention (after my flame Bryn having being my constant companion for the last few months, I can’t recommend a mood lifting, bright bag for the summer more!) Emma Hill is leaving some very big shoes (and bags) to fill.

Below:  Alexa Chung with her pal Cara Delevigne at the Mulberry after-party.

LFW: Temperley London SS'14

Along with the Duchess of Cambridge, I have always been a big fan of Temperely London and am lucky enough to own a couple of their beautifully ethereal and embellished dresses. 
Inspired by a Sicillian holiday, the Temperley London SS’14 collection, shown at The Savoy, was irresistibly lovely.  Dresses with embroidered flowers, crystal detailing, cherry-blossom prints and flowing fuchsia (clearly THE colour next spring) had a tangible romance to them.  The big surprise for me were the soft floral patterns transcending into leopard print (much like a chocolate pretzel, you wrongly assume this shouldn’t work!)  An elegant collection fit for a modern-day glamourous Princess… Now, if only they knew one…!

LFW: House of Holland SS'14

With a catwalk covered in fluffy purple clouds and a FROW filled with the coolest cats in town (including Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof and HARRY STYLES – a name I can’t even read without hearing 100,000 girls hysterically screaming it!) this could only be the setting forHenry Holland’s forthcoming House of Holland SS’14 collection.

I once worked under Henry’s instruction at a teen fashion magazine and still remember how fun he was even all those years ago, with such real creative vision, once hand decorating, sequin by sequin, a pair of heels he had found in a vintage shop for a photo shoot we worked on with a teenage Poppy Delevigne.  I am always excited to see what tricks Henry will pull out of his hat and this show did not disappoint.  In the an ode to Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the collection merged the idea of the chola girl gangs of the nineties with the Mexican Tybalt-style feuding boys in the film. With brilliant bright colours, fun flowery designs, kitsch sunglasses and religious tattoo designs, the designer explained the designs were "really a love letter to that film."  I really loved the orange floral sleeved white trench coat! Oh… did I mention HARRY STYLES was there?!!

HAWT: Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

Jessica Alba looked utterly chic whilst en route to the Ralph Lauren SS14 during  New York Fashion Week.  Wearing a long baby-pink Ralph Lauren chiffon ballet skirt paired with a simple black cropped jumper, accessorised with a patent black bag and a classic chignon hairstyle, the actress looked part Audrey Hepburn, part Carrie Bradshaw – the perfect combination of elegant and quirky cute.  So hawt. 

NYFW: Oscar de la Renta SS'14

The Oscar de la Renta SS’14 show at New York Fashion Week was, as we've come to always expect from the patriarch of American fashion, utterly breathtaking.  Filled with show stopping princess gowns and striking statement shades (supermodel Joan Small in that yellow dress – totally knockout!) had the audience of this ultra feminine collection apparently gasping with delight. 

NYFW: Marchesa SS'14

Marchesa’s SS’14 show this New York Fashion Week was brim full of elegant, floaty, gothic gowns galore.  The intricate detailing, sheer fabrics and fluid lines left me swooning! As red-carpet worthy as always. 

NYFW: Christian Siriano SS'14

Christian Siriano’s SS’14 show at New York Fashion Week was FAB-U-LOUS.  I was actually shaking with excitement whilst pouring over the catwalk snaps of this collection. 

Inspired by a recent trip to Mexico’s Isla Mujeres, the designer showed a rainbow assortment of cute daywear and vibrant evening gowns.  The astonishing coral dress adorned with floral appliqués (below) is almost certainly a work of art.  Happiness would be a wardrobe filled with this beyond heavenly collection.  Love. It. All. 

NYFW: Kate Spade New York SS'14

When life gives you lemons, you’d best hope they’re by Kate Spade!  The Kate Spade New York SS’14 presentation during New York Fashion Week was the ideal antidote to the bustling streets of Manhattan with the collection, entitled ‘Places to Go,’ People to See,’showcased in a tranquil indoor garden filled with lemon trees.  The collection was as feminine and perfectly polished as one has come to expect from the brand, and the delicious ladylike lemon print dress and skirt, alongside the playful zesty accessories (the straw bag below has my name all over it!) were irresistibly sweet.  

NYFW: Monique Lhuillier SS'14

Monique Lhuillier’s SS’14 show this New York Fashion Week has easily been my favourite.  With no sign of any of the emerging trends for spring, Monique’s runway was filled with the most stunning of red carpet showstoppers.  Models were adorned in a collection of flowing and embellished gowns in hues of pink, orange and gold – I LOVE! 

Below:  WOW!  My favourite look was undoubtedly this silk linen gazar bandeau in hot pink, paired with a very full orange draped ball skirt... Did I say WOW?!  I foresee a Hollywood catfight to wear this lil’puppy on the red carpet.  

NYFW: Victoria Beckham SS'14

The SS’14 Victoria Beckham show this New York Fashion Week showed a very different kind of collection to that we have become accustomed to.  Gone were the zipped back desk-to-dinner dresses which are well known to fly out of stores upon minutes of their arrival, and in their place, a younger, more urban and masculine style, with some flirty fuchsia and pleated asymmetrical hemlines added for good measure.  Victoria recognized this shift to more relaxed and cool designs, "I still love a fitted dress, but there's another side of me that wants to feel a little bit more at ease.”   I particularly liked the dove grey dress with white flippy pleats seen below.

Enough about the collection however, as we all know all eyes at the show were firmly set on the designer’s husband (naturally) and on the youngest member of the FROW, Miss Harper Beckham.  Hands down this photograph is THE picture of the week – Adorable!