Alexander McQueen Resort 2012

Alexander McQueen
Resort 2012

This collection by designer Sarah Burton had African, Indian and Spanish influences.

Garments had sharp tailoring, lots of clean lines and well structured pieces. There were plenty of streamlined jackets with nipped in waists in shades of camel, khaki, and black which were often paired with knee length skirts complete with kick pleat.

A black leather dress had a sexy yet demure feel to it. One of my favourite pieces was a trench coat which had a distinct military accent with a hint of African safari. The trench bodice was rich camel with khaki sleeves, shoulders and collar. Oversized pockets featured traditional embroidery consisting of shades such as mustard yellow, vermilion and burnt orange.

An instance of mixing the soft with the structured came in the form of a white lace blouse worn with wide legged, cuffed, 7/8 camel pant and accessorised with a lust worthy satchel complete with leopard print flap and burgundy handle. Waist cinchers were featured heavily consisting of triple buckles creating a defined waist.

Other looks included Spanish matador style, collarless high neck, white shirt with black button detail and high waisted pant. There was an empire line, tiger print dress, gold brocade, fitted peak shoulder jacket with detail on the bodice, cuffs and shoulders, sheer opulence.

Show stopping, red carpet numbers were the last looks shown in the collection, and they did not disappoint. A nude, apricot floor length gown had plenty of intricate detail, thousands of gold and bronze sequins in clusters to form flower and leaf motifs. Other evening looks included a black bodice with gold embroidery and sweetheart neckline with layers upon layers of silk faille, simply stunning.

Theyskens' Theory Resort 2012

Theyskens' Theory Resort 2012

Olivier Theyskens resort collection was all about casual chic and wardrobe staples, the 'must haves' in every woman's wardrobe.

These pieces are so easy to incorporate into everyday life and offer countless looks and options for the modern day woman.

Relaxed, boyfriend jeans in a bleach wash work well with masculine tailoring, think structured jackets worn with a loose, slub tee in a neutral colour. Add a pair of chrome aviators and a flat ankle boot to complete the look.

Fluid, jersey maxi skirt featured side splits and was paired with a shrunken, denim jacket which gave a modern, grunge feel to the look. There were pleated, tie dye halter vests with colours ranging from cream to burgundy to chocolate, bouclé, collarless jackets in taupe, floral, chiffon, flowing maxi dresses teamed with fitted, cropped leather jackets, slouchy linen sweaters, oversized baggy denim shorts, crisp white shirts, tanks in acid wash, tailored pants in diaphanous fabrics and cutaway LBD's(little black dresses).

Accessories included sequin hobo bags, small structured boxy satchels, vertiginous heels, black patent platform pumps, wedge heels with ankle buckle detail, flat ankle boots and brogues.

Vogue Espana April 2011

Vogue Espana April 2011

Reserva India (Indian Reservation)

This Vogue Espana editorial stars Toni Garrn, who is transformed into a Navajo, free spirited, hippie.

Designers featured in this shoot included; Roberto Cavalli, Balmain, Barbara Bui, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Maje, Isabel Marant, Ermanno Scervino and Salvatore Ferragamo.

To get the look of this shoot team suede, embellished flares with faded, vintage tees with college slogans, that have a worn in look. Wear distressed denim with Aztec, embroided ponchos. Sass & Bide have gorgeous ponchos, I particularly love the "Law Of Chance Poncho" and Australian label One Teaspoon do a great poncho in flush fleece named the "Native Poncho".

Look out for garments with fringing as this really completes the look. Shakuhachi do a suede fringed jacket in black, which retails for $450AUSD, which definitely has a Ralph Lauren feel, at a fraction of the cost.

Other key pieces include; lace blouses, silk petticoat dresses, lace up vests, patchwork denim, shrugs in natural fibres, caplets, desert booties, animal print (Python and leopard work well), cosy cable knit jumpers, skinny scarves, crochet vests, hipster slung belts, fur and shearling. Minnetonka do great footwear and accessories which are reasonably priced.

This editorial has some amazing pieces of jewellery. Look for pieces made by the Navajo, Zuni, Cherokee and Hopi Indian tribes. Turquoise is the predominant stone used in Navajo jewellery and it signifies protection from harm for the wearer. Tribes also believe the stones bring luck and power. Coral and onyx stones are also heavily used. Pile on bold cuffs, bear claw pendants, knuckle duster rings with clusters of stones, chains with crystals, beads with feather trinkets, sterling silver ear cuffs, the more the better. Feather head pieces look oh so cool but if they are a bit too much for you then go for a more subtle version, feather hair extension. This is a piece of suede decorated with beads, stones and feathers that ties onto your hair.

Hair and make up keep natural and minimal. Work with the natural texture of your hair. Try a loose braid or plait. Be sure to prep hair with sea salt to gain texture to work with. For makeup look to soft pinks, peaches and apricots which work well on lips and cheekbones or simply add an illumintor to cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and the cupid's bow of your lips.

Lanvin Resort 2012

Lanvin Resort 2012 Alber Elbaz

The Lanvin woman this resort season is ready for exotic travels abroad. Her body will be swathed in opulent fabrics and her feet adorned with bejewelled, gold sandals.

Key pieces included maxi dresses in shades of shimmering sands in diaphanous silhouettes, strapless bronze pleated bandeau cocktail dresses, silk fringed high neck cutaway dress in shades of peach, persimmon and terracotta, floor length yellow chartreuse pleat double thigh split gowns, nude floor length gown with tiered fine feather detail, metallic lamé mini kaftans, striped jumpsuits, khaki body con one shoulder mini dress with ruching, and mirrored billowing v neck maxi dress in silver.

Swimsuits were monochromatic, think plunging black one pieces and bright red one pieces complete with ruching.

There were accessories aplenty and jewellery featured heavily. Necklaces; long, mid length, chunky choker styles, beads and pendants were layered for full effect. Bags were small, boxy and ladylike often complete with long, chain handle. The standout was a wicker handbag with white leather trim. Minaudieres, and clutches were also on display.

Footwear included sky high t bar stilettos, flat sandals and wedges. Stilettos and flats were heavily embellished and ultra glam. For more support opt for the strappy wedge sandal.

Sunglasses had a retro feel, round and cats eye styles framed Daphne Groeneveld and Kristina Salinovic's faces. Headwear was prevalent and included Panama styles, wide brimmed raffia sun hats, turbans in earthy shades and head jewellery.

These garments and accessories are perfect for the woman who is a well versed traveller, enriched in various cultural experiences.

Low Luv Collection x Erin Wasson

Low Luv x Erin Wasson

Erin Wasson is one half of the brainchild behind the jewellery collection, Low Luv. She has collaborated with famed jewellery designer, Pascal Mouawad.

Erin Wasson is known for her effortless style and laid back chic. She is a Vogue Espana and i-D fave. Recent campaigns she has starred in include Zadig & Voltaire, Joie, Pinko, Replay, Boss Orange, True Religion and Maybelline, just to name a few.

Erin got her styling break when she became good friends with the designer Alexander Wang, they lived in the same apartment block in New York. Wang really admired Erin's style. Wang's design formula is based on the "Model off duty" and Erin embodies this idea perfectly so it only seemed fitting that Erin would make a great stylist and muse for Wang's collections. This dynamic duo are a powerhouse. Muse and designer working hand in hand.

In the latest Low Luv collection key pieces include; slave bracelets, double finger rings, crystal chain necklaces, hammered bronze bracelets, chest plate harnesses, stacking bangles, crystal crosses, eagle cuffs and triple crystal knuckle duster rings.I purchased the Long Wood Ring, Moonstone Ring and the Silver Gypsy Ring. The collection had tribal and Aztec influences.Other details featured in the range included evil eyes, etched hieroglyphics, tough, gladiator like studs and plenty of tarnished bronze which lent a antique / vintage feel. The collection is edgy and fashion forward, the epitome of Erin Wasson. Erin stars in the campaign and she looked like a modern day Cleopatra.

Online stockists of low Luv include; http://www.shopbop.com/ and http://www.miijo.com/, both of which offer super fast shipping worldwide. Another reason for the mass appeal of this range is the price point, with pieces starting at an accessible $30USD and ranging through to $275USD. Luxe pieces for less.