AW12 COLOUR TREND: PURPLE REIGNS

If you only introduce one new colour into your AW12 wardrobe, then make it a shot of  purple in a regal hue of grape, amethyst or claret. As seen on the catwalks of Christopher Kane and Gucci, purple is the colour of AW12. The key to getting this trend right is go for bold hues that contrast against the soft, washed out lilacs and heathers from the SS12 pastel trend. Here's my pick of the best purple pieces that will pack a punch in your new-season wardrobe:

1. Leopard jacquard trousers, Oasis, £45.

2. Miu Miu leather shoulder bag, Net-a-porter.com, £550.

3. See by Chloe purple tiered top, The Outnet, £144.

4. Closet v-neck purple scuba dress, Dorothy Perkins, £40.

5. Lollidrop mini bag, Kurt Geiger, £80.

6. Marc Jacobs oversized round sunglasses, The Outnet, £92.50.

7. Flower & jewel drop earrings, ASOS, £15.

8. Iman purple platform sandals, Stylistpick, £35.

9. Prabal Gurung printed pencil skirt, Browns, £335.

AW12 CATWALK INSPIRATION: CHRISTOPHER KANE, MULBERRY, PRABAL GURUNG...

With this freakish weather we've been experiencing, I haven't been inspired to invest in a  substantial summer wardrobe this year. Instead I'd quite like to fast-forward to September and start buying my AW12 wardrobe instead. So for a bit inspiration I've picked some of my favourite looks from the AW12 catwalks; bring on luxurious brocade, metallics, embellishment and sumptious faux-fur!

L-R: Suno, Prabal Gurung and Christopher Kane.

From L-R: Lanvin, Erdem and Lanvin.

From L:R: Mulberry, Burberry and Mulberry.

PRABAL GURUNG'S RESORT 2013 COLLECTION

If I could chose to be a muse for one fashion designer right now, it would be Prabal Gurung. Unfortunately for me, Gurung currently favours dressing Zoe Saldana, but hey, a girl can dream. Prabal's Resort 2013 Collection (pre-SS13 collection in other words, yikes where does time go?) went up on Style.com last week, and all I can say is wow.

The collection was inspired by the Canadian artist Aaron Moran, famed for making art out of reclaimed wood, and the beauty Gurung finds in the decaying rubbish in the streets of India and Nepal, where he spent his childhood. What this has lead to is a gorgeous collection for a very cool girl in architectural shapes and bold shades of aquamarine, tomato red, canary yellow and monochrome. Gurung's signature futuristic silk-blend fabrics and digitally-enhanced prints all have that fresh appeal that are perfect for a modern girl. Oh and his cute mini dresses have pockets, which make them absolute winners in my eyes! I want it all..

Image source: Style.com

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.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: PRABAL GURUNG AW12

Whilst drooling over the New York Fashion week shows on Style.com this afternoon, I fell in love at first sight with Prabal Gurung's AW12 collection. I have to admit, Gurung is not a designer that has crossed my fashion radar before, but here was a pitch-perfect collection with look after wearable look that would fit effortlessly into my wardrobe.  

Hell and heaven was the inspiration behind the show that started with models dressed head-to-toe in pure black and culminated in angelic gold and white cocktail dresses gilded with metallics and delicately embellished with beads.

What really impressed me about Gurung's show was the wearability of all the looks; the iridescent sleeve coat (look 1) and the blue silk skater skirt with embellished charcoal sweater (look 2) are effortlessly cool and will easily work in the modern girl's wardrobe. Here's hoping iridescent sleeves hit the high street come AW, I'm head over heels in love!