METALLIC SKIRTS: KEY 2012 TREND

One item that I am really coveting at the moment is a metallic leather skirt. As seen on the Felder Felder, Prabal Gurung and Suno AW12 ready-to-wear catwalks, high-shine metallic skirts were big news at the fashion weeks in February, particulary when combined with some luxe leather.

From L-R: Felder Felder, Suno and Prabal Gurung AW12 RTW shows. Style.com.

To style this look, pair your metallic skirt with something low-key, a sporty sweater or a cosy knit will prevent you from looking like an extra from Doctor Who. Here's my pick of the three best styles online at the moment:

1. Metallic pleated skirt, Topshop, £90.00.

2. Felder Felder Jill embellished metallic leather a-line skirt, The Outnet, £245.

3. Topshop gold leather skirt, Ebay, £69.99.

GORGEOUS, AFFORDABLE JEWELLERY BRAND ALERT: MEET CINDERELA B

On Tuesday I headed to Spitalfields to visit the showroom of up and coming designer jewellery label, Cinderela B. The Cinderela B brand was founded by British designer Rachel Jackson, who set up the label following a life-changing gap year spent travelling the world. It was whilst in South America that Rachel formed a lifelong friendship with an inspirational local lady called Cinderela Bracante, who consequently taught Rachel how to make jewellery, and from whom the label takes it name.

The Cinderela B showroom itself is a gorgeous little haven near Brick Lane where I was served french fancies and tea from fine china whilst viewing the adorable South-American inspired designs and receiving a fuss from Rachel's pup, Raffy. To say the majority of the collection is gold and silver plated, with many designs incorporating gemstones, the prices are extremely affordable with a bestselling dainty Bea Bracelets costing just £25. So to get you inspired, here are just some of the stunning designs that caught my eye.

Bea Bee choker necklace

Liberty print bracelets

Pom pom necklaces

Refreshments Cinderela B style

Bea Bee bracelets

Founder and designer Rachel Jackson with
showroom pup Raffy!

A statement piece from the Vintage Couture range

A close-up of the Bea Bee necklaces

More Bea Bee collection

Bea Bee earrings

Raffy the Cinderela B pup

Wearing my beautiful Amazonite Pom Pom necklace

Continue reading after the jump for an interview with Cinderela B designer Rachel Jackson...

SIX OF THE BEST STATEMENT EARRINGS FOR SS12

When it comes to earrings for SS12, the bigger, brighter and brasher the better! The statement earring is a huge trend for the season; as seen at Dolce and Gabbana where the design duo sent pasta-bow shaped earrings down the catwalk, and Prada where oversized resin rose and crystal pieces complemented the 1950s-style collection. Once the preserve of Pat Butcher and your kookily-dressed high school art teacher, the statement earring is now well and truly on-trend, so to get you started here's six of my favourite pairs.

1. Miu Miu plexiglass lightning bolt earrings, net-a-porter.com, £90.

2. Tom Binns small dot dash Swarovski crystal earrings, net-a-porter.com, £155.

3. Circle triangle drop earrings, Topshop, £8.50.

4. Rose and faceted tear drop earrings, ASOS, £10.00.

5. Marni at H&M earrings, Ebay.

6. Bijoux Heart opal and Swarovski crystal earrings, theoutnet.com, £155.

PAURIC SWEENEY BAGS HIT THE OUTNET

If I had a spare 500 quid right now (which I definitely don't), I'd be investing in a Pauric Sweeney handbag. For those of you unfamiliar with Pauric's designs, he first shot to fashion fame in the noughties when his python skin handbags became the celebrity tote of choice. Since then he has been busy perfecting the quality and designs of his bags at his global head quarters in Florence, sourcing the finest leathers to create some of the most beautiful luxury handbags on the market. I was actually lucky enough to meet the one-time architecture student turned handbag designer last year, before the opening of his new Mayfair flagship store. As well as being utterly charming, Sweeney is a fascinating guy with a real eye for design and a passion quality products. Up close his holdalls are simply incredible; made from the most luxurious of tactile materials finished with unique architectural hardware details. So, what better excuse to 'invest' in some accessory genius than with some tempting discounted styles on The Outnet right now?

1. Satin-jacquard tote, £265.50.
2. Patent-leather tote, £412.
3. Overnight leather tote, £388.
4. Overnight perforated leather patent-leather tote, £412.
5. Overnight textured-suede tote, £398.
6. Overnight leather tote, £388.

COACHELLA 2012 CELEBRITY FASHION TRENDS

As the first major outdoor music event of the summer season, Coachella tends to set the fashion trends for the forthcoming festivals. So, what are the trends that the bright, young (and downright lucky) things are rocking this season? Here's some of key emerging styles...

 

Barely-there denim cut-offs skimmed the thighs of fashionable festival goer after festival goer. When it comes to pins for Summer 2012, if you've got it- flaunt it!

Mulberry's Creative Director Emma Hill

Model Hannah Gabe

LA IT girl Harley Viera Newton

Celebs embraced their wild side at Mulberry Coachella party in tees and sundresses in the label's fierce tiger prints.

Emma Watson (with the gorgeous Lily Collins)

Kate Bosworth

As seen on Kate Bosworth pared with all her Coachella looks. A trend is made!

Kate Bosworth (again)

Katy P went all bohemian in a sheer floral 1970's style maxi dress pared with her new purple hair.

Katy Perry

 For more Coachella looks head to the Telegraph's Fashion galleries.

INVESTMENT BUY: THE SPORTMAX POTUS DRESS

On a trip to Selfridges last week, my mum and I took an equal liking to this Sportmax 'Potus' dress. Sportmax is the hip little sister of of Italian fashion brand Maxmara, offering a cutting-edge and (marginally) more affordable take on the label's look.  The Potus dress is a timeless investment piece with a fashionable yet wearable graphic rose print and sporty panelling designed to flatter the female form. The fact both my mum and I loved this dress also speaks volumes, the Sportmax look is trendy yet ageless and at £308.00 this dress is a great investment piece.

Sportmax Potus Dress, Matches, £308.00.

TASK PR AW12 PRESS DAY: MARC CAIN, ASH, THOMAS SABO & MORE

On Wednesday I headed to the Task PR press day to see the Marc Cain, Thomas Sabo and ASH shoes AW12 collections, to name but a few. Here's a few of the pretty things I spotted.

Hot pink and tangerine artfully clashed in the Marc Cain collection.

Love the bold and bright colour palette.  

Marc Cain: Animal prints, pops of colour update heritage styles.

Animal inspiration: faux-fur and clashing animal prints.

Marc Cain: Shaggy coats are a key trend for AW12.



Sporty tailoring at Marc Cain.



Bright and beautiful Marc Cain brogues.

Adore this woodland-inspired print on a Marc Cain pencil skirt!

The rose motif is a key theme at Thomas Sabo.

Tamaris' uber cool part brogue/ part brothel creepers.

Sporty high-tops in a plethora of colours at ASH.

Sportswear is a key trend at ASH for AW12.

Love the futuristic metallics in these Kzeniya clutches.

You can follow me on instagram @lafashionfolie.

FLORAL DRESSES ALA MICHELLE WILLIAMS AND ERDEM

Michelle Williams looked adorable when she stepped out in a SS12 Erdem shift dress whilst on the My Week with Marilyn promo tour. Florals are a big trend this season and for the best intepretation of this look on the high street I recommend heading to Oasis, who have gone print-crazy for spring/summer. Although it may not be a carbon-copy of Michelle's sunny shift, this Oasis belted sundress will look great at your summer soirees and has all the charm of an Erdem number without the designer pricetag.  

1. Erdem SS12 RTW catwalk. Style.com.
2. Michelle Williams in Erdem.
3. Floral belted sundress, Oasis, £50.
    Pendulum Platforms, Topshop, £90.00.

SS12 TREND: SPORTS LUXE

With the Olympics just around the corner, it's no suprise that sport luxe will be a key trend for 2012. But this isn't akin to the dire sportwear trend instigated by Spice Girl Mel C in the 1990s, 2012's interpretation is sophisticated and chic; think subtle sporty details in the form of zips, go-faster stripes and performance-wear inspired panelling. So to get you started, here's my pick of the sports-luxe pieces that are definitely worth sprinting to the shops for.

1. Knitted Mesh sleeve dress, Topshop, £46.00.
2. Isabel Marant Uden track trousers, Matchesfashion.com, £330.00.
3. Jason Wu Varsity wool sweater, Net-a-porter.com, £950.
4. NW3 Hayle trouser, Hobbs, £23.00.
5. Diane Von Furstenberg Sporty-Drew tote, Net-a-porter.com, £660.
6. Ash Bowie wedge trainers, ASOS, £149.00.
7. Marni paneled sweater, The Outnet, £252.50.
8. Karl metallic leather high-tops, Net-a-porter,com, £295.

HAVE YOU DISCOVERED J.CREW YET?

If you haven't discovered the fashion label J.Crew yet, then you're in for a fashion treat. The New York-based label was founded in 1983, but has become hot sartorial property in recent years thanks to the brand's creative director as of 2007, Jenna Lyons. Lyons is the living and breathing embodiment of the brand, her preppy electic look is reflected throughout all the J.Crew collections.

So what's the J.Crew signature look all about? Well expect the unexpected with this fashion brand, colour combinations are delightfully off-the-wall and styling is kooky and unique; a casual hoody pared with sleek courts and printed cropped pants shouldn't work but 100% does. Prices are not the upper end of the designer scale either, with cotton tees starting at £30. Currently you can only shop the collection online at Net-a-porter, The Outnet and J.Crew.com, but rumour has it Lyons has been spotted scouting London for locations for a UK flagship. Watch this sartorial space!

J.Crew's Fall 2012 RTW Collection: Image source Style.com  

WHISTLES AW12 PRESS DAY

On Thursday I had a sneak preview of the Whistles AW12 collection in the opulent surroundings of Claridges.

As I made my way round the rails photographing my favourite garments, I soon clocked Whistles' main inspiration for fall: texture. Fabrics had a pleasing stiffness and simple pieces like a track pant or a cigarette trouser had been transformed through the use of leathers, brocade and boucle. When so many high street shops are cutting costs and producing flimsy garments in cheap fabrics, in contrast the Whistles AW12 collection feels reassuringly luxurious and timeless.

Of course there are plenty of other trends running through the range too, Whistles love a good print and they have plenty to offer next season from delicate dots through to blurred and colourful graphic prints. The Olympian  look will continue long after the games themselves have finished with plenty of sporty pieces in the collection, my favourite being the butter-soft leather track pants that are so wrong yet 100% right.

For Whistles next season's colour palette begins with soft greys and mints, moving in to navy, rich forest green and metallics for the Christmas period. Punchy vermillion red accents contrast neutrals, and a stand-out piece in the collection is a knock-out full-length cocktail gown in the aforementioned colour.

Prints and a peter pan collar; two trends ticked in this dress

Soft mint and pinks look great in this statement dress

Sporty details like this drawstring waist detail appear frequently

A signature piece in the collection; butter-soft black leather track pants.

Forest green and navy are pared together in a stylish colour palette

Loved the sheer panelling and lace print on this dress



The vermillion evening gown; I could see Kate Winslet rocking this on the red carpet



A simple black pant is transformed with textured jacquard fabric

I am starting saving now for this forest green brocade party frock

Brocade takes centre stage for eveningwear

Delicate dots look great on silk pieces

Vermillion is an accent colour throughout the collection

Even simple leather totes got the texture treatment- loving the fur-finish!

So ladies, my advice is simple; start saving for fall now, you're not going to want to miss out on the Whistles AW12 collection.