Paint The Town Red: RTW Spring 2013

One of the most noticeable trends on the catwalk this season has been the colour red. From Dolce to Dior, Valentino to Versace, nearly all haute couture spring collections seemed to pay homage to it. An array of clothes donning the hot new colour were presented to us in the forms of sultry sanguine cinched-in suits, coral red cocktail dresses, fiery crimson ball gowns and silky cerise kimonos, all of which exuded sensuality and sophistication. So if you have to take away one message from the catwalk, take this: forget blacks and ditch greys and dare to be daring in red - this season's hot new colour!

Christian Dior RTW 2013

Alexander McQueen RTW 2013

Burberry Prorsum RTW 2013

Valentino RTW 2013

Dolce & Gabbana RTW 2013

Jonathan Saunders RTW 2013

Ralph Lauren RTW 2013

Nina Ricci RTW 2013

Miu Miu RTW 2013

 

Versace RTW 2013

Style icon: Audrey Tautou

She is one of the more underrated cinema stars of our time yet certainly one of the most beautiful. French actress Audrey Tautou, noted for her tiny gamine physique and pixie looks, is perhaps most famous for her leading role as the quirky Montmartre waitress in Amelie in 2001 or as the face of the Chanel No 5 campaign of 2009.

The revelation that she had been chosen as the face of the world's most renowned perfume did not come to me as any surprise. Everything that Chanel No 5 was, she was too: classic, alluring and undeniably...French!

Not that her statement look is such a difficult one to simulate. Her outfits provide an interesting mix of the masculine and feminine, combining little T shirts, long-sleeved tops and simple knitwear staples with minimal accessories. These are items that we all possess, yet never seem to succeed when it comes to that twist of classic French chic. In our society which promotes sex-appeal through minimal attire and the idea that less-is-more, Audrey's image comes as a refreshing new approach to the meaning of la coquette.

My Handbag Obsession

As you well know, girls fall into two categories: girls who like bags and girls who like shoes. Being 5ft9 barefoot myself, I do not get the same kick out of footwear that others do. While many fawn over a pretty pair of heels for a night on the town or gaze starry-eyed in awe at some strappy sandals for a hot summers day, I tend to stand back and, with some reluctance, am compelled to choose the sensible over the stylish.

I have therefore compensated for my shortcomings in the foot department by channeling my unfulfilled passion for shoes into lust for handbags. My collection is by no means a big one but I more often than not find myself on the lookout for any can-be and, more wantonly, any would-be additions.

I say "would-be" because unfortunately I cannot afford to shop for Gucci handbags the same way I might pick out some Granny Smiths in a supermarket. Until then, I have to resign myself to the simple pleasure of drooling over them in Selfridge's window displays - not quite the same as being the proud possessor of sublime leather goods such as these but whoever said there was any harm in dreaming big?

Mulberry Nude Willow Tote

Dior Diorissimo Orange Bag

Valentino Rockstud in green

Prada Twinstrap Summer Tote

Miu Miu Matelasse Luxe

Moschino Red Quilted Tote

Morena Rosa Fall Campaign 2013

I love the new 2013 Fall Campaign for Morena Rosa. We see Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana claim the streets in daring red dresses, over-the-knee boots, fur gilets and racy stilettos, creating a sexy, glam-rock aesthetic.

Inspire me: The Ballerina Skirt

Unsure why, but I've recently developed a huge fetish for the ballerina skirt. I'm not talking about frilly ra-ra minis or puffy prom crinolines. I mean these ones: delicate, graceful and feminine. I hope you get as much inspiration from them as I do.

TFW: Matohu Fall 2013

One of the collections that I adore from Tokyo Fashion Week is that of Matohu. Long woollen coats, quilted gilets and modest below-the-knee bell shaped skirts were big on the agenda this fall, all with an infusion of delicate shades of greys, creams, olives and teals. A playful use of texture pervades the collection, with interesting juxtapositions of heavy swathe tweeds and wools balanced with lighter fabrics such as silk, cotton and chiffon for blouses and skirts. The clothes are all so incredibly different to the quirky eccentricity of their French and Italian counterparts, yet, because of this, they possess a certain quality of charm so befitting to the ideal of the demure Japanese lady.

Style icon: Olivia Palermo for Vogue Spain 2013

Today's post is going to be a bit of a quick one. I ask only that you take a few minutes of your time to reflect upon today's style icon, Olivia Palermo, who is undoubtedly one of the best-dressed celebrities of today. Dressed up or dressed down, cocktail or casual, she always manages to look great, combining up-to-the-minute trends and her own personal style to create a sensation. Is it any wonder she is the darling of fashion-watch the world over?

I know you are probably fed up of seeing endless photos of her on virtually every fashion blog on the internet but...well, would a few more hurt? In these pics she's modelling for the January edition for Vogue Spain, donning designer brands such as Gucci, Miu Miu and Yves Saint Laurent. She is just so effortlessly elegant, and never in any way excessive or unsavoury which, in my opinion, only makes her all the more beautiful.

But enough with me, what do you think?