pops and boxes.

colour pops and boxy shapes, duh.

london - clearly i'm not there, but let's not act like i'm not pretending.

fantastic coats and textures at charles anastase in rich autumnal shades. the inky blue coat with the big brown buttons was the first look out and the a-line cut really caught me straight away; but then he cemented that with red pony skin and fuzzy-looking sleeveless numbers. the textural skirt with little grey jumper and the red knit dress feel like pieces i should already own (the knits, anyway. maybe not the skirt. which i should acquire...), but they seem fresh at the same time. and the shoes, THE SHOES! i did look for some detail shots buy my usual haunts turned nothing up. big-ass platform boots; what's not to like?

house of holland always makes me happy, despite my love of bright colours being relatively new (currently rocking neon yellow nails; believe.)

this season henners went for a granny-flavoured collection, complete with neon tweeds and crochet-squared scarves and dresses. only HOH could send out a fuschia* tweed biker jacket and knee length shorts combo, paired with a floral shirt!, and make it seem legit, right for the label and fresh. personally, the little flared skirt in #1 (hell, the whole look) and the trench in #8, depsite my outright hatred of patent leather, are the top draws.

*told you fuschia was gonna be big.

jonathan saunders is also fond of brights this season; and colour blocking; and prints. in fact, colour blocking bright prints is very much his thing for a/w, and the colour choices are wonderful. see #5 and #6 inpartics.

finally, jaeger were showing er'rybody else how outerwear is done.

leather and wool trench coat; POW.

full length shearling with ma-hoo-sive collar; BOOM.

boxy mustard jacket with huge lapels; ZING.

etc.

the 'done to death but always awesome' venturess-endorsed* military theme is abound, and the pocket detailing is great, especially when in contrasting textures (#10). and look, more fuschia!

*you'll see; the next shows i'll be covering will be northumbria's, and GFW. and who should be taking the most military route, at least out of womenswear? this girl.

l'wren.

colours, shoes, etc

in all honesty, the above two looks from l'wren scott are the only ones that really got my attention, and they were the first two looks. flared dusky pink coat and matching shoes; beige and turquoise print dress (gorgeous combo). lovely. but the shoes, THE SHOES:

multi-strap court shoes in blacks or dusky pinks/browns and golds. i don't actually care if they're kitten heels (no side views; it is a possibility), i think i might need them in my life.

textures.

keep on keepin' on:

there's so much to like at yigal azrouël - elsewhere in the collection, brightly coloured separates clashed in the vein of jil sander, and shades of fuschia were to be found*, but above i've picked out the royal blues, the panelling in mixed textures (bit leather, bit chiffon) and some looks with fantastic layering. wonderful cuts all around.

*seems fuschia is one of the colours de jour this season, along with the aforementioned royal blue - both much appreciated.

and at 3.1 phillip lim, there are contrasting leather or studded sleeves abound, and fantastic accessories including the interesting cut on the court shoe. i appreciate an interesting take on a court shoe. the strappy sandals are a little too stiletto - a chunkier heel is always best* - but the straps themselves are nice (love the centre toe covering. not a covered toe, not quite an open toe).

that salmon/grey/blue colour scheme in #5 is gorgeous.

*at least from a comfort pov. is the wind changing? are chunky heels moving out and stilettos making a comeback? despair.

accessory shots from vogue.it

prints and pleats.

hit it.

knife pleated skirts and interesting florals at karen walker. what i like about this season thus far is that florals are still here in a big way, but they seem to be toned down; given a slight harsh or gothic edge, or distorted somehow. these muted photographic prints against a grey-beige background mean the froth-factor is turned right down. there's something really retro about them, but the cut and styling mean they don't look like vintage pieces. adore the colours too; lemon yellow and royal blue against grey marl is a wonderful combination.

the dresses at rodarte were a little /too/ 'little house on the prairie' for my taste (the gathered panels from the knee and ditsy prints are the culprit, i think, though the weird collar situation in #4 is cool), but the coats are all beautiful. i don't recall a previous outerwear-heavy rodarte collection, but there should have been one if these full length beauties with crossovers, cutouts and double collars are anything to go by.

and finally, this rachel roy look is adorable (and so me).

bit leather.

the nyfw train trundles on.

love the coat fastenings at the row, plus that second wool a-line dress; perfectly styles (read: as i would wear it. ok, maybe not with the huge fur hat situation, and definitely with heels, but this look is seriously making me consider the necessity of leather opera gloves, amiright? i am right.). little lace, check. little textural leather (croc skin crop vest, come at me bro) as part of monochrome leather look, check.

in summary, "olsens produce cool, casual collection with some really sweetass pieces" - business as usual then.

meanwhile, bensoni seems to have had a sift through my wardrobe.

floral bodycon, 50s style skirts, thigh high boots, sheer and floaty topped with a cropped jacket...

lovely colours; and the first floral dress is the business. the dripping, dull pink flowers aren't too cutesy or girly; always appreciated.

all these leather situations at zero + maria cornejo can get in my wardrobe asap, in partics that 2nd look which is clear proof that brown and black can, nay, should go together. love the little details like the half belt and asym cut in the first look, and the relaxed button fastening in the fourth. that sixth look - fur lined, cowl hooded, leather - looks heavenly. maybe not practical in a rainy britain (hello rain-stained-leaather D:) but the warmth would sure be appreeshed.

oh, and huge houndstooth? i adore you.