RED ALERT

It's about this time of year, just as summer is peaking and the weather is hotting up, that I start to crave new trends and get excited about a/w fashion. Backwards, I know. Truth is, I am a winter dresser at heart, I much prefer snuggly scarfs, boots and cosy layers to skimpy summer dresses and sandals.

Anyway, I'm super excited for this autumn winter, because the new trends look so exciting and fresh. One trend currently being touted by Vogue and modelled by fashion-forward celebs that I can't wait to give a try is the calf length skirt/ dress. Calf or 'midi' length skirts, as Vogue likes to call them, emerged as a big trend on the pre-fall catwalks. Artfully paired with ankle boots, chunky socks and sleek knitwear on the Bottega Veneta runway, the calf length is big news.

Even more exciting for me is the return of the colour red to the height of fashion; mark my words, come September red will be everywhere. It was seen on the catwalks of Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and in the pre-fall Valentino collection, notably the first airing of the label's signature colour since Valentino himself left the label five seasons ago, handing design control over to Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Pablo Piccoli (what amazing names!). Pairing red dresses with red shoes and red tights, the label's message couldn't be any stronger: red is back, and it's here to stay.

AWARD WINNING FASHION?

I'm just checking out the first pictures of the red carpet dresses from the BAFTAs and if I'm honest, I'm underwhelmed. Saying that, at least I'm not completely horrified like I was looking through the tangoed, tack-fest that was this years soap awards. That's a harsh & highly bitchy comment I know, but it's not as if the cast members of most soaps can't afford a stylist. They just chose to forgo one for some reason, styling themselves with disasterous results.

Anyway back to tonight's proceedings, and my favourite tabloid star of all time, Katie Price, arrived in a black taffeta statement ballgown. Whilst I am appreciating Price's recent attempts to tone down her glamour girl look, I do wish she'd stop wearing black. Against her dark hair and botoxed face, black looks very harsh, and in all honestly brings to mind visions of a wicked witch- which is exactly the kind of PR Katie doesn't need at the moment! But hey, you have to admire the way she completely ignores fashion trends and just wears what she fancies.

Wearing black much more successfully was ex-Coronation street actress Suranne Jones. I suspect this two-tear is by Halston Heritage, the 'it' label of the moment thanks to SATC 2, in which Carrie models 6 dresses by the brand. Suranne gets it right here; I like her embellished clutch and statement earrings, she added just the right amount of accessories in my opinion.

Another sartorial winner was ex-Eastender Kara Tointon, who looked positively goddess-like in this Grecian white gown. Shame about the mahogany tan, but the delicate accessories and chic updo rescue the look.


For more BAFTAs dresses head to The Daily Mail and let me know what you think!

TOP MARCS FOR THE BEACH

I have a secret penchant for cutesy, slightly tacky designer garb; in the darkest depths of my wardrobe back home there even lurks a genuine Juicy Couture terry towling turquoise dress. (cringe). Slightly less tacky but no less cutesy are my collection of Marc by Marc by Jacobs hairgrips, that make me look positively pre-pubescent; a look that doesn't come cheap at £30 a hairgrip.

So it's perhaps no suprise I'm lusting after this gorgeous Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S09 beach set, currently on sale on theoutnet.com for a cool £137.50, reduced from £275.

The set comes complete with a beachbag, a cotton sunhat, mj branded flipflops and beach towel, all decorated with Marc Jacobs quirky cartoon prints. Ok, so it's not exactly chic, but it's definitely cute; who says beachwear should be serious anyway? The set's available here for those that share in my love for all things cutesy.

IN CHECK

Gingham has to be the ultimate summer fabric for me; it has a whimsical, innocent quality that looks so appropriate in summer. Gingham was always going to be a key trend this season after Christopher Kane sent it down his S/S catwalk; re-inventing the look with provocative cutaway panels.

Of course you do have to be careful how you style gingham, else you could end up looking like this:

No offence to the Dorothy's, but the gingham milkmaid dress is a garment that should be reserved soley for Andrew Lloyd Webber productions.

My favourite gingham piece that I've spotted so far this season is this sheer longline shirt from Asos.com, £25. Tuck the shirt into cropped trousers or wear loose over this season's shorts for a look that's bang on trend and miles away from an Andrew Lloyd Webber protege.

MEADHAM KIRCHOFF AT TOPSHOP

Meadham Kirchhoff's new colloboration with Topshop has launched on Topshop.com today and I can't stop drooling over it. Meadham Kirchhoff is the label run by design duo Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff, who met whilst studying at St Martin's school of art. Their latest Topshop collaboration features a simple palette of black and nude tones. However the addition of glittery polka dots to jersey and chiffon t-shirts is what really caught my eye, my inner 5 year old loves a bit of multi-coloured glitter, and some how Meadham Kirchhoff pull off the impossible of making glitter look cutting-edge and cool. My favourite piece is definitely this simple jersey tee, priced £55. I'd wear it with leggings and ballet flats for day and then tuck it into a neat high waisted skirt for night. And the rest of the collection is equally as delicious, check it out at Topshop.com now.

GEMMA ARTERTON AT THE PRINCE OF PERSIA PREMIER

Gemma Arterton's red carpet look can be quite hit and miss in my opinion; she loves a vampish heel and a mini dress, and whilst she has the body to work the look, I can't help longing to see her prettier side. Which is why I'm thrilled to see her looking quite so delicious at the Prince of Persia premiere in this wonderful Valentino strapless dress. The gown is embroidered with thousands of silver beads and in this season's nude colour that looks so delicate and fresh against a pale complexion. Teamed with the red lipstick and a chic up do, Arterton really has the markings of an old school Hollywood actress in this gown. Occasionally I get told I look Gemma which I absolutely LOVE. Hmm wonderful if Mr Valentino has anymore gowns he's willing to lend out to pale skinned brunettes...?

WEDDING WEAR

This is a very exciting picture blog dedicated to Rache Bew, because as she rightly pointed out my blog is becoming far too wordy and as a result lacking in picture posts these days. So, I am sharing my exciting bargain dress purchase with you all that is for the first ever wedding I have been invited to; that of my lovely school friend Lydia. It's next Sunday, so I'm rushing a bit to get my outfit together.

Anyway, thankfully yesterday I purchased this b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l shift dress from Florence and Fred at Tescos. It's priced on the website at 14 pounds, although it only came up as 9 at the self checkout, simple pleasures hey. The picture is of a sample I reckon, because my version differs alittle, it has a beige waistband that highlights my waist nicely and the central panel is beige as opposed to white.

I know It is slightly cringey that A) I am wearing a 9 pound supermarket dress to wedding and that B) it has been featured on all the Tescos S/S adverts so there's no hiding the fact; (as noticed by my friend Henri tonight) but that's ok because as a student I am used to wearing cheap tat, I jest.


Accessories-wise I have the perfect black and beige heels to adorn my feet and I am also hunting down beige lace gloves and a lace fascinator for a touch of 50s chic. I will post my completed outfit pre wedding next Sunday. Exciting !!