TREND: CLOSE-KNIT FRIENDS

I must have got such an overdose of knitted jumpers as a kid that I have been avoiding buying knitwear for a long, long time. And although an amazing new batch of knits were all over the autumn winter catwalks, that alone wasn't enough to get me hooked.

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TREND: OH, THOSE CAPES

Some say capes are tricky, I say they are not. It's just that it's been too long since they last graced our wardrobes - or rather, the wardrobes of our mums, that we feel we venture into uncharted territory just checking them out in stores.

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, EMILIO PUCCI: WHEN THE YACHT COMES

You know I'm not one for floor-sweeping prints or intricate bodycon nights. And while with Pucci you've got loads of both, this collection hits right where it should to be truly desirable.

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, D&G: A GARDENING PARTY

Picture-perfect flowerbeds on both sides of the catwalk. The wooden floor that doubles as decking is none the less perfect. At the end, models emerge from a magical, overgrown secret garden in full bloom.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, BURBERRY PRORSUM: GLAM-PUNK BIKER EXTRAVAGANZA

The Burberry show is THE event of London Fashion Week, if not the season. 

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, TODD LYNN: SLITHER ON REGARDLESS

Todd Lynn is no stranger to magic. Genesis Redux, the title of his spring/summer collection, is a charm he used to bring beautiful new creatures to life yet again.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, KINDER AGGUGINI: INTO THE WILD

Once upon a time, there was a Scotsman called Mungo Park. Bored of life in late 18th century Blighty, he set out to lose himself in Africa. And he did, or so the story goes.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, JASPER CONRAN: PRETTY IN PLIMSOLLS

What Jasper Conran just showed us was nothing short of sophisticated, cool, simple, crisp, laid-back and breezy.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, TOPSHOP UNIQUE: DAZED AND CONFUSED

Topshop Unique caused a bit of a shock when, instead of serving up a year's worth scoop of chic minimalism, it sent the craziest, loudest hippy outfits down the catwalk, that is, the disused old Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station. Even though the more subtle 1970s pieces have made yet another comeback this autumn (just think of the palazzo trousers, pussy-bow blouses and flowy printed tops), this in-your-face, exuberant version of party outfits and loungewear left many quite speechless.

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HAPPY AUGUST 23

GreyCatte wishes you a violently happy August 23!

It's been exactly six months, and it's my birthday.

Go have fun!

CLOGS, SUMMER TO WINTER, PART TWO

It all started at the shows of spring/summer 2010. Or did it?

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CLOGS SUMMER TO WINTER: PART ONE

It all started at the shows of spring/summer 2010. Or did it? 

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TREND: THE SHEARLING AVIATOR JACKET

Compiling my favourite fashion season's wishlists stars here! In fact, it started about six months ago, but August is when items to die for first hit high street stores. The biggest investment piece is, no doubt, the aviator jacket, that is, if you are after the real thing: sheepskin shearling.

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NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, RALPH LAUREN: NIGHT ON EARTH

Night On Earth

When it comes to seasons, I know it is autumn/winter I look forward to the most. But when asked to name designers closest to my heart, I always forget to mention Ralph Lauren, even though he never fails to present one of the best collections of my favourite fashion season.

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PARIS FASHION WEEK, CÉLINE: PHOEBE'S FEAST

Last season saw the glorious return of Phoebe Philo after her 2-year break, presenting what was (err, still is) arguably the best collection of spring/summer 2010. Please, please do your homework and watch it for me - or, for instant refreshment and inspiration.

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A SEARCH STORY: SURGE OF ENERGY, SPARK OF INSPIRATION

A friend with Google tattooed over her heart (and who knows what else) sent me the Search Stories link to get me to create mine, and I answered the ping, apparently.

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, BOTTEGA VENETA: GO PILE THE LEATHER ON

Bottega Veneta's leather pieces are some of today's greatest staples, so it may be hard to imagine that less than a decade ago, the house was on the verge of breakdown. But in came the Gucci Group with designer Tomas Maier, et voilá, the label was reinstated in the glory it deserved, with its understated luxe, rich leather bags and clean lines.

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, GUCCI: SMOOTH AS SILK, COOL AS AIR

Softly glowing, no fuss daywear served to a cool chillout beat, anyone?

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, DSQUARED2: MANGALICIOUSSS!

Collections and catwalk shows dreamt up and staged by Dean and Dan Caten have long been one of the highlights of the season.

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, VERSACE: IS THIS FOR REAL?

Goodness, what to do now, what to do... here's the thing: over at Donatella's, the 1980s are apparently making a comeback big time. 

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, DOLCE & GABBANA: THE TAILORS OF SICILY

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MILAN FASHION WEEK, PRADA: THE BOND GIRL THAT NEVER WAS

Imagine a movie scene in which James Bond (think Sean Connery and the 1960s) gets drugged by some dangerous villain, only to find himself trapped in an underground cathedral, having nightmares of psychedelic jazz playing in the background, as a host of gorgeous and unusually properly dressed women ignores him. Tough break, isn't it?

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HOW TO COVER MILAN? AND HOW TO GET SNAPPED BY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hiya, after New York and London, Milan Fashion Week is well under way by now, only too bad I missed two good days, thinking (stupid! stupid!) no shows were being broadcast live... and doing reports based on press images just would not cut it. Luckily, some designers are definitely doing live or on-demand streaming of full shows, so once I get around to double-checking I may review some favourites.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, BURBERRY PRORSUM: FASHION ROYALTY

And thus it is that Christopher Bailey has been crowned fashion royalty. What he has achieved is way beyond the number of awards he has collected, or the amount 154-year-old Burberry has grossed under his creative leadership. He is officially the closest thing London has to King Karl of Paris. 

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, CHRISTOPHER KANE: FULL POWER

Christopher Kane had a decent year in 2009, collecting a BFA for the Collection of the Year in 2009, and launching arguably the best high street collaboration of the year with Topshop. Apparently, that was just the prelude to an even better 2010.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, TODD LYNN: URBAN GLADIATORS

Inspired by African and Japanese warriors, Lord Of The Flies and painter Jonas Burgert, beautiful Canadian Todd Lynn unleashes yet another pack of urban gladiators, born of the marriage of the last two collections.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, KINDER AGGUGINI: INSTANT CRUSH

Here I go, Kate Bush announces as a tan coloured military inspired coat, strictly buttoned up, opens the show and I'm head-over-heels. The hounds of love are indeed hunting. 

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LONDON FASHION WEEK, PAUL COSTELLOE: GET THE JUICES FLOWING

For the magic seventh time at the top of the schedule, it feels like Paul Costelloe is responsible for all this. Somehow, he’s the excitement we feel as the dark curtains of the everyday roll back to reveal the next chapter of the beautiful frenzy that’s London Fashion Week.

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BURSTING OUT

GreyCatte, a.k.a. August23g has decided to go live. Right here, right now. There was no clear warning, and nothing to do against her will either. 

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