Paris Fashion Week: Wednesday 28th September

Lots of great shows from yesterday, making it difficult to narrow it down. One of my favourite designers, Mr Thierry Mugler had his show yesterday and it was just as interesting as always.  Mugler has this ability to come up with some great design shapes that are dark and edgy. But at the same time, his clothes are still feminine. The look, I thought, was like this incredible desert warrior. Its unfortunate that Mugler isn't too everyones taste but I'll always continue to be impressed I hope.

Nicholas Andreas Taralis is a designer I haven't actually heard of but I enjoyed viewing the collection.

There was some interesting ways of draping in this collection and unusual seams giving a subtle asymmetrical look to certain pieces.

Then there was Gareth Pugh. Now, if there ever was a shocking and outrageous designer, it is him. You just never know what oddness he is going to come up with and though some of it can be quite weird to say the least, you have to appreciate someone who takes a risk and isn't afraid to go all out.

A lot of sharp and boxy shapes were used; large box like collars, sharp edges of jackets and mesh materials. Of course trademark colours of black, grey and white were used a lot.

Paris Fashion Week: Tuesday 27th September

Paris fashion week has commenced and I think its going to be something spectacular! There's so much great style in Paris; all you have to do is look around and think of the culture. Some of the best films have been set there and TV shows like Gossip Girl. I went there for my 20th Birthday this year and fell in love with it.

Paris is the fashion week that is allowed to get away with injecting the inner sex kitten into collections without it being viewed as shocking. And thats exactly what Anthony Vaccarello did. Using black as a foundation colour, little black dresses were made with asymmetrical shapes and large cut outs. You definitely have to be a slim woman to wear the pieces here though there were some of more commercial value in there.

Commuuns collection  this year also showed a maturity. It was crisp and sharp tailored shapes that were used and provided us with a very commercial collection that could suit every woman. You can see the sharpness in the pieces even though I have chosen to show some of those with more drape. Monotonal colours here were key.

I'm excited to see what comes next from Paris Fashion week. With a huge array of designers today, it should be a unique performance.

Milan Fashion Week: Monday 26th September

There were only four collections that were presented yesterday and without a doubt, my favourite was the Giorgio Armani. After being impressed by the sci fi like structures of the Emporio Armani collection, this bought yet another completely different look. It reminded me of glamorous women under moonlight, at some exclusive party. Lots of shine was used in the materials and yet refrained from being tacky. 

Surprisingly, it was Gianfranco ferre that was my next favourite of the day. There was something really androgynous about this collections.  White shirts were manipulated into new shapes, with high waisted tailored trousers and dresses reworked into powerful shape. Again, the black and white theme was dominant. 

If I had to pick a third collection of the four, it would then have to be the Roberto Cavalli one. There were some looks in there that yeah, I did think were gorgeous and loved but I couldn't help thinking at some points that there was way too much glitz and gold making some pieces seem slightly tacky. 

Milan Fashion Week: Sunday 25th September

I was really excited for Missoni yesterday, but unfortunately I don't feel like it delivered. I didn't find any of it that exciting really. My favourite of the day was definitely Salvatore Ferragamo. It was lively, sexy and bright with some amazing printed dresses and jumpsuits and fine bright silk suits.  If not executed well, a collection like this could be tacky but not when Ferragamo does it.  I wanted to be on holiday in Dubai or Turkey  something wearing these clothes.

Dolce and Gabanna presented about 75 looks in this massive collection, modelled by some of the best in the industry: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Ginta Lapina, Natasha Poly and Siri Tollerod to name a few.  The whole look was very tropical, very holiday in Hawaii-esque. But we were not thinking Hula Girls in the slightest. Prints were bold and looked even classier when on sheer silk chiffons.  Floral embellishments were also key to this collection.

Finally, taking a more classic art and renaissance influence was Aquilano. Rimondi.  Swirly metallic patterns were created upon more futuristic shapes of a rounded kind of nature. Compared to the other two mentioned shows, a more muted palette was used here to adopt a very elegant appeal.

Milan Fashion Week: Saturday 24th September

Armani went for a kind of sci fi take on sophistication and elegance. The whole collection was constructed in Black, white and a bit of navy with black piping lines on white, unusual shapes and futuristic styling. Its nice to see how a high class couture design can take an interesting concept and integrate it into a collection that still looks incredibly expensive and tailored. Armani receives top marks for Fridays show. 

As usual, Cavalli pulled out some amazing printed maxis for his Just Cavalli collection but he manages to give them more of a rock and roll, edgy look that a complete soft and feminine approach. I love the way animal print blends together with exotic colours.Its the look that any woman would be happy to wear, especially the youthful individual.

Pucci was very similar to D&G in the way they went for the boho look. Of course it was very different. Pucci is another one of the original creator of amazing prints and is still going strong .

Milan Fashion Week: Friday 23rd September

Versace was very beautiful. It was another collection this season that decided to work primarily with white and the entire collection was very glamorous. Even by some simple studded detailing in patterned forms, the garments came alive. They were also very simple and wearable pieces that didn't go too over the top. 

Described as being inspired by the Jazz age, Etro reminds me of European art. I've had to study tiling patterns and what not at uni and I can see the influence in these designs. But it is a clever influence and not an obvious one. The shapes of the garments are equally as intricate as the patterns being formed with geommetric shape ideas. 

Gabriele Colangelo should be congratulated for her work with silks in this collection. Theres some really beautiful prints shes created and I love the layering up of dresses into soft tiers.