I have previously criticised and stated my distaste for the bird like dresses in the Alexander McQueen SS08 collection. However there was another part of the collection that I think used nature in a much nicer way. I have always loved butterflies and think that they are perfect for adorning elegant and feminine clothes. The characteristics of butterflies just seem to fit so well with beautiful clothes. There are hundreds of species of butterflies and their colourfulness must certainly have been a key inspiration for many designers. But what I really love about butterflies is their gracefulness, delicateness and the way that they move. With their paper thin wings, they are the most beautiful insect. A clever designer can incorporate all of this into the design giving a really natural feel to the clothes. Lately I have seen quite a lot of use of butterflies in designs, here are some of my favourites:-

At Alexander McQueen Butterfly Sillhouettes fluttered in flattering diagonal lines against a purple ombre background.

At Sonia Rykiel delicate butterfly hair decorations perched gracefully on heads as if they really had just landed there.

Pictures from Style.com

These gorgeous Celeste Stein Black Butterfly Tights are a reallydifferent way to get that fluttery look.

Pictures from Style.com 

Designer Betsey Johnson has not been long standing fashion royalty for nothing. Her clothes are over the top but stylish with it. She has won stacks of awards over the fifty years that her designs have been rocking the fashion world. Her career started in the sixties when she became a designer for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique that lists some of the coolest London designers of the time, including Mary Quant and Paco Rabanne. It was at this time that Betsey developed her trademark beautifully fitting clothes with gorgeous detail and sexy silhouettes. This is a look that is still very evident in the clothes she designs today. In the seventies Betsey again proved herself to be a true trend-setter as creative controller of the label Alley Cat which was known for its rock n roll, bohemian and ethnic style clothes.In 1978, Betsey formed her own label with Chantal Bacon, the Betsey Johnson Label as it is now known has gone from strength to strength and now includes handbags, belts, cold weather accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, swimwear, legwear and a fragrance.Betsey’s Spring / Summer 08 collection certainly lives up to expectations with lots of fun feminine dresses that can only really be described as whimsical.

As Prom season approaches, every girl is looking for the perfect prom dress that will make her look and feel gorgeous. Here are some of my ideas for finding just the right prom dress for your shape.If you have a curvy or hour glass figure you should choose a dress that nips in at the waist or has a belt or sash. Quality fabrics that skim rather than cling will look best on you and a straight or A line dress that is quite fitted around the bust will look great.For those with an athletic build, you can make your shoulders narrower using strapless or halter neck dresses. A flared skirt will help to balance out wide shoulders. Keep the top half fitted and keep detail to the bottom half of the dress.

I love scarves. Not the thick woolley ones that you wear in winter to keep you warm, although I like those as well, but the beautiful silk ones with amazing patterns and pictures on them. They are just so versatile and can make a really dull outfit feel really special. There are lots of different ways to wear a scarf and these are my favourite:

Take a sash scarf or a triangular silk scarf folded into a long shape, wrap it around you head and tie at the back of your head/ nape of your neck. You can vary the thickness and angle of the scarf depending on the look you want to achieve. For a sixties look you can backcomb your hair at the crown for added lift.

A scarf can be used in the place of a belt either wound through the belt loops of jeans or trousers or tied around a dress as a waist sash. For a flattering look use a long scarf with long ends hanging down as this elongates the body.

Take a large silk scarf and fold diagonally into triangles. Tie around the waist as seen at the ss08 Hermes catwalk show. This is a great way to show of a beautiful scarf with a full on picture. It is also very flattering and a great way to cover up a bulging tummy.

Fold a square scarf diagonally into a triangle and tie over your head peasant style. You can either tie under your hair or under your chin as seen at the AW08 Paul Smith Catwalk shows.

Take a long silk scarf and wrap around your neck then knot either at one side either leaving long pieces of scarf hanging down in front (This is a great way to make the torso appear longer) or in a big floppy bow.

Take a smallish square scarf folded into triangle or wound into thin scarf and tie wrap around the neck and tie at the side. You could also try using a variety of different knots and brooches to tie your scarf and add interest.

Take a largish square scarf folded into a triangle then with the point of the triangle at the front wrap loosely around your neck so the end fall at the front.

This Camilla Staerk signature print scarf will be great for brightening up any outfit this summer.

Elle magazine has named Charles Anastase designer of the month and I think they have made a great choice. Charles, founder of Comme Des Garcons is attracting followers from Kylie to Kelly Osbourne and Beth Ditto. He didn’t have enough money to study so just continued designing anyway and was rewarded with the LVMH groups 50 000 euro prize from the French Ministry of Culture which allowed him to start his own label and since then, he hasn’t looked back. 

 His clothes are gorgeously feminine and very flattering. His signature dresses are princess like, with puff sleeves, luxe fabrics and drop waists and are coveted by both fashionistas and celebrities. His Spring Summer 08 collection combines pretty white broderie anglais with frock coats. His look is far from minimal. 

His fairytale like success seems to fit in well with his design inspiration. His debut collection was based on Alice in  Wonderland and I think he can really be described as a true romantic when it comes to fashion.

He has now been accepted by the Chambre Syndicale, the prestigious committee that decides the lucky few who can show there clothes under the couture label. So watch out for lots more fairytale creations from Charles. 

You can get some of the French fairy tale style with this Step out in a Sunshine Dress.

I have just rescued my old washed out jeans from the charity bag. This summer, washed out denim is going to be everywhere. I love denim because it so versatile and hard wearing. A pair of jeans is great for everyday wear and this season the perfect pair is likely to be washed out, faded and ripped denim. This summer denim has a really pale and soft look, perfect for wearing with this seasons florals and romantic ruffles.

For Spring Summer 08 Christopher Kanes show was awash with washed out denim, from slashed skinny jeans, to tiered ruffle skirts and lace up boots to bustier tops. The denim was washed out and distressed with raw unfinished seams.

At D&G the denim was smart with a seventies vibe or scraps of unfinished denim in a patchwork effect. The seventies look was created by teaming wide bottomed jeans with a denim waistcoat and floppy hat.

At Chanel, the denim was glammed up by wearing with delicate jewellery. The collection included a fitted denim jacket, denim swim wear and baggy denim trousers.

At Just Cavalli, a faded denim waistcoat was worn over an animal print shirt for a chic look.

 pictures from Elleuk.com

If you want some on trend jeans this summer, try these Levi Raw Cut Jeans

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Pictures from Style.com

I have recently posted on how stripes can be used as an optical illusion to trick the eyes into thinking that you look different and also on the mixing of patterns for spring summer 08. The spring / summer 08 collection from Thakoon combines both of these ideas in one. With bright bold prints teamed with blue and white stripy prints and a variety of different lines, taking the eyes off here there and everywhere. My eyes were so confused they didn’t know where to to look. This is a really interesting look but not one for someone who wants to fade into the background or merge into a crowd. The mixture of patterns and lines is both interesting and rather tiring on the eyes, so perhaps not ideal for the morning after the night before.

In a stark contrast to the business of these outfits, the collection also featured brightly coloured dresses in just one colour. These were nice but not nearly so interesting. If you would like to work this confusing look, then try combining these Emilio Cavallini Striped Capri Leggings with a gorgeous floral print dress.

This seasons safari trend is great if you are planning  a trip to Africa, but it is also a really smart and cool look for any occasion this summer. The key to this look is the softly structured jacket pulled in at the waist with a belt. Short shorts showing off tanned legs and leather sandals. The beige and khaki colour scheme is mixed with whites, browns and tans. For  a really dramatic effect, designers like Christopher Kane have used animal skin prints. Chiffon also featured, giving some of the outfits a much softer feel.

At Versace white was the predominate colour but with this seasons safari shorts - short, khaki and tailored.

At Donna Karen loose fitting and softly draping shorts looked great with a fitted top, wide belt and 3/4 length coat for a really elegant take on the safari look.

At Michael Kors, a crisp and clean cut safari jacket was teamed with short white shorts. A floppy hat and sunglasses completed the look and were also great for protection from the hot African sun.

At Blumarine, a khaki shorts suit with softly structured tailoring looked cool and laid back.

 Pictures from Style.com

If you don’t have the legs of  a super model, but still want to look cool in this summers safari shorts trend, these Bermuda Chino Shorts are perfect.