In case you hadn’t already spotted it, I thought I should mention that dogtooth is going to be a huge trend for this autumn and winter. It is the new ladies tweed, bold, monochrome and quintessentially British. Seen on the catwalks at the show of one of Britain’s hottest designers Alexander McQueen. I love the optical illusion effect that this design has. Thankfully the fashion and high street retailers have managed to translate it from Alexander McQueens dramatic designs into a much easier to wear version. I am sure that I will be investing in something with the dogstooth design this autumn or winter, whether it is a more subtle accessory or the an attention grabbing jacket.

Limted Collection dogtooth jacket

Limited Collection dogtooth cardigan

Ladies Tweed dogtooth jumper

Ladies tweed dogtooth hat

pictures from www.style.com

If you though that some of the fashion shows this year have been a little toned down and bland, this is definitely not the case for the Alexander McQueen show in Paris. Full of theatrics and drama, this was one of the shows that I was really sorry to have missed. The collection combined couture like craftmanship with extraordinary tailoring and a costume theme creating a very strong and bold show that could not fail to get noticed by press and buyers alike.

The collection referenced Dior and his own past collections perhaps in what could be described as cherry picking some of the best of recent fashion history. The make up was almost clown like in places with models faces painted white and huge red lips and one model had her face entirely covered in chain mail in for a very sinister effect. These clothes were certainly not designed with comfort and practicality in mind. The shoes were incredibly high, the skirts incredibly tight and the head dresses huge and no doubt quite heavy. There were also more than a few fetish references.

I am sure that many would comment that this collection was trying to say something about consumerism or the state of the economy. But I prefer to look at fashion as it is and not try and read too much into it. It is a great collection full of Alexander McQueen talent and creativity, I would have loved it with or without the theatricals.

Get a bit of Alexander McQueens bold style and geometrical prints with this Alexander McQueen ruffled silk blouse.

I make no secret of the fact that I love bright and colourful clothes, especially in teh spring and summer. For spring summer 09, I was delighted to see lots of gorgeous and very modern prints in bright colours.

At Alexander McQueen, the prints were inspired by nature and environmentalism and had a modern computer pixelated appearance. I think this was my favourite of all the spring summer 09 colourful prints.

At Jonathan Saunders, the cool watercolour like prints were made using the most amazing colour combinations.

At Peter Pilotto - bright swirly prints were used on expertly draped dresses for a great effect. Just as would be expected from the design duo at Peter Pilotto.

I love the interesting print on this Santacroce shirt.

picture Josh Goot Spring Summer 09 - www.style.com 

I love British fashion and like to take a keen interest to new comers and up and coming talent in London. Here are some of my favourites that I will be watching for 2009.

Charles Anastase -a French illustrator and designer who is obsessed by the renaissance. His clothes are inspired by fairytales, art and psycho analysis. For spring summer 09, his collection is inspired by Degas ballerinas and Lolita.

Emma Cook - Tipped as Londons next big thing and following in the footsteps of Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen, Emma designs feminine and intricate clothes that are not too girly and frou frou.

Josh Goot - an Australian designer who debuted at London fashion week in September last year. He has become well known for his jersey separates. This season, I love his watercolour prints and bright mini capes in jersey.

Peter Pilotto - This design duo includes Austrian Peter Pilotto known for his amazing prints and Libyan Chris de Grot know for his expert draping.

Simone Shailes - A central St Martins graduate who has gained recognition for her chunky and textured knitwear.

These talented newcomers could well follow in the footsteps of more established London designers like Alexander McQueen. I love this Alexander McQueen draped top.

Alexander McQueen never fails to put on a show at Paris Fashion week and his collections are always far from boring. Although one would not describe them as every day wear and perhaps they are not to everyones taste, Alexander McQueens shows are always talked about.

His signature style of cinched in waists and skinny trousers were definitely evident in his RTW Spring 2009 collection. There was an ecological theme to the whole collection with flowers, birds and wood like prints. The collection also had a calm and natural feel to it with colours that mirrored the natural world and in comparison to previous collections was probably his most wearable yet.

I love the colour of this dress and the barely there layer with flowers.

This is definitely a dress  to get you noticed in true Alexander McQueen style.

This is a more exaggerated versions of this seasons tullip skirt with a extra cinched in waisted and full top for a really dramatic Silhouette.

Again a tulip skirt that actually looks a bit strange with this fitted blouse.

This dress reminds me of Zena Warrior Princess and I can’t imagine wearing it on a night out but still, it is gorgeous.

The subtle reds of the underlayers and flowers is typical of McQueens couture like.

For Alexander McQueen fans, these  Alexander McQueen casual trousers are a great wardrobe staple.