Pictures from Elleuk.com

Spring Summer 09 is a long time to be thinking ahead, especially when we haven’t really got to spring summer 08. But in the fashion world, everything seems to happen way in advance, perhaps this is where the phrase fashion forward comes from. The first of the 2009 cruise collections are now out. These are the collections that come out before the main Spring Summer collections and seem to give a bit of a preview of what is to come. The 2009 cruise collection chows have already swung into action with Christian Dior and Oscar De La Renta. My post today is about the Christian Dior collection by John Galliano which I though was stunning and gorgeous in every way.

Colour was a key theme for the collection with bright fuschia pinks, lime greens, yellows and whites. Galliano managed to give the collection a bit of a sixties feel without it being full on swinging sixties. The collection featured ruffles and kaftans, Capri pants and sheer layers nothing really new, that we have not seeing this summer but he did it with the juiciest of colours finished off with large shimmering earrings and embellishment.

 It might not be 2009 yet. But you can still get this gorgeous and colourful look wearing these pink slim leg cropped trousers

pictures from Vogue.co.uk

In my last post I daydreamed about the beautiful romantic creations for Spring Summer 08. I failed to mention Julia Clancey one of my favourite British up and coming designers with a real flair for creating romantic dresses. Julia’s unique and glamorous style is increasingly recognised and sought after by ladies in the UK. Julia has no formal fashion education but has proved her ability to design beautiful and elegant clothes primarily from silk or delicate fabrics such as chiffon. Her clothes have a fairy tale like quality and are sensual with soft fluid movement. Her signature style includes classic pieces from ballet skirts, baby dolls, voluminous empire lines, satin bows, pleats and exotic trimmings. Julia was first noticed by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Mischa Barton and her clothes have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, GQ, FHM and Tatler. For me Julia Clancey clothes embody everything I love about dresses and getting dressed up.

Julia’s Spring Summer 08 collection was, as usual beautifully elegant and feminine. With its softly draped shapes, it is gorgeously romantic but still grown up and not too fluffy. The colours are pinks and neutrals but not too sugary and sweet.

I really love this Julia Clancey Amber frock in baby doll pink silk chiffon with a pleated satin bodice and a gathered skirt with frill detail.

I am a bit of romantic and I can definitely say there was some romance in the air at the spring summer catwalk shows. I have fallen in love with this trend already. The beautiful sheer fabrics, soft tones of pink and white, the frothy frou- frou frills, swishing skirts and gorgeously feminine details. 

At Rodarte the dresses had a fairy tale quality with the diaphanous swathes of fabric

At John Galliano, dresses were frilly and pink with inspiration taken from the 1930’s.

At Roberto Cavalli seventies boho style dresses featured romantic lace and broiderie anglais detail.

Stella McCartney featured yet more frills and ruffles this time in sheer white.

At Zac Posen the floor length ruffled dress was dream like and just pure romance.

pictures from style.com

The romantic trend is a great look for summer parties, balls or proms. If you fancy a bit of romance yourself try this lovely tiered party dress by Sara Berman.