Beta.Romeo.Zulu: Dolce and Gabbana was a bit of All White... I'm feeling fruity aswell though..

Winter is coming thick and fast, but I can't help feeling a little bit better about myself looking at all this - what i can only describe as quite literally 'fresh' off the catwalks for SS11. I'm actually quite tempted to whack on a bit of Chaka Demus and Pliers and sit back with a Malibu and pineapple; I won't though, this blanket is on my lap for a reason, I'm staying put thanks.

I digress, and this is my first Blog post.. Out in the open, that's my motto, as of now.

In the beginning, looking through the likes of Alexander Wang, BCBG, and Thakoon at NY; each opening their shows with clean lines of pure white, felt like opening the curtains to a beautiful sunny meadow after hibernation in a rich velvety gothic mansion that I like to call AW10. This theme of initial purity to open a collection was evident then throughout. Fresh starts, Optimism, New beginnings; that's what I thought.. The likes of Erdem follow suit but beautifully introduce us to sprinkles of bright paprika - a key colour following on from Autumn, before leading us into its playful but poised print perfection. Standard.

Erdem

SO MUCH WHITE! Think of the practicalities! I jest Dolce and Gabbana, I jest. I thought their collection was just what we needed, and, dare i say, distracting us from a typically uplifting colour palette in other designers, helped us to concentrate on the beautiful shapes they've crafted with use the use of broderie. The reminiscent 1950s lingerie shapes and delicate negligee cover ups felt to me like a confident and bright take on prosperity after harder times - not forgetting pure femininity in its simplest form. Lovely.

Dolce & Gabbana

Let's not forget (and I am very excited about this) How important collars have proved to be throughout. Finally, button up is back and in full swing! Expressing androgynous collared shirt features in fine textures was feminine preppy and not in an over-doing it kind of way. Just to confirm, Richard Nicoll at Cerruti is always a yes.yes.yes. Well done you.


Paul Smith

Phillip Lim 3.1

Michael Angel

Sportmax

Carven

Cerruti

I'm also loving the daring zestyness towards colour and print for the projected season - Fluro colour mixes at Christopher Kane were a breath of fresh air, you could hardly miss it, let's face it. But one thing that really made my mouth water were the juicy citron prints at the likes of Moschino Cheap and Chic and Stella McCartney. Tropicalia's in, and Stella said so!...