SIX OF THE BEST SANDALS FOR SS12

For SS12, your sandals should do the talking and make a bold statement in your outfit. Look for glossy, colourful patent (no.1) or flashes of neon (no.2) to inject some colour into your look. Alternatively embrace the futuristic trend with a metallic pair of sandals like this on-trend ASOS pair (no.5.) A fun way to liven up an everyday outfit is with a printed sandal, and no-one does prints better than Marni (no.6). The 'sensible' sandal (no.4) is also a key trend, look for a block heel and real leather to work this look. Finish off with a pedicure and a pop of bright nail varnish and you're good to go!

1. Fearne leather flat sandals, ASOS, £20.00.
2. Highlight patent sandals, Topshop, £28.00.
3. Vinnie flatforms, ASOS, £40.00.
4. Tan leather t-bar sandals, New Look, £24.99.
5. Flipper flat leather sandals, ASOS, £25.00.
6. Polka-dot leather sandals, Net-a-porter.com, £265.

SUNO DOES SEQUINS FOR AW12

If you're a lover of sequins (who isn't?), then Suno's aw12 collection will be right up your street. The design duo showed some glorious looks at New York fashion week adorned with irresistable multi-coloured sequinned flowers and polka dots.

If you're looking to recreate the Suno look on a budget, then look no further than the new and up and coming fashion brand Virgos Lounge. Already a favourite with Grazia magazine and a whole host of celebs, Virgos Lounge specialize in contemporary silhouettes and trends inspired by vintage styles. In their lookbook they style together the below Amber top and Poppy sequin skirt (as seen on TOWIE's most stylish female, Lydia Bright), which echoes the luxe sequin-on-sequin Suno look at a fraction of the price.

1. Amber top, £45.00.
2. Poppy skirt, £65.00.

WHISTLES PRE-FALL COLLECTION 2012

Attention all Whistles shoppers, the super-chic high street brand have just realised their pre-fall lookbook; and there's so much to covet in the forthcoming collection. I have to admit I'm a self-confessed lookbook junkie (I like to collect them, judge me if you will) and I can never bring myself to throw away the pitch perfect  past-season Whistles lookbooks.

So, what can we expect from Whistles pre-fall? Well sportswear shapes are still a key trend, with athletics-inspired piping and waistbands appearing on skirts and pants. Leather features as a key fabric, toughening up basic tees, baseball jackets, SS's peplums and flirty skater skirts. Whistles are known for their unique signature prints, and pre-fall's is described as 'micro patterning', pepping up shifts, shirts and pjama pants. Grey, forest green and black are accented with mint green in a uber-cool and modern colour palette.

My favourite pieces? The leather panelled t-shirt and pencil skirt hit my sartorial spot 100%; the sporty, clean and minimalistic styling feels fresh and will surely be a welcome relief after a print-mad SS. Whistles fans should keep an eye out for my blog next week when I will be attending the AW12 press day, if pre-fall is anything to go by it looks set to be another style success.

SIX OF THE BEST SATCHELS FOR SS12

You couldn't walk ten paces at London Fashion Week without passing a fashion bod clutching a cambridge satchel in a day-glo neon hue. Undoubtedly the satchel is the hottest bag of the season. The key to taking this look from playground to Prada is the colour; uniform black and brown leathers are official no-gos, instead fluro green, highlighter pink and acid-bright yellow reign supreme. Clash with mismatched neon talons and you're on to a style winner.

Image source: Sterling Style blog


Here's my pick of 6 of the best satchels for the season:

1. Zatchels colour block leather satchel, ASOS, £122.00.
2. Proenza Shouler PS1 large leather satchel, Net-a-porter.com, £1,440.
3. Pink metallic Cambridge satchel, ASOS, £120.00.
4. Fiorelli Havana Satchel, ASOS, £49.00.
5. Fluro green Cambridge satchel, Cambridge Satchel, £105.
6. Shelly structered satchel, Stylist Pick, £39.95.

FLORALS: THE PERFECT PRINT FOR SS12

Whether you plump for ditsy, tropical, graphic or abstract, a floral print is always a safe sartorial bet for Spring. To style the look for SS12, mix micro and oversized floral prints together ala the master of the floral print Erdem. Or add a touch of floral with a delicate accessory like Liberty's covetable knot watches, adorned with prints from the brand's iconic archives. Here's my pick of some blooming lovely floral buys... 

1. Dolce & Gabbana silk-front cardigan, Matches fashion, £680.00.
2. Strawberry theif print knot watch, Liberty, £59.00.
3. Riley a-line short skirt, Alice and Olivia, $198.00.
4. China floral lattice back dress, Topshop, £36.00.
5. Aldo Devoss floral bag, ASOS, £40.00.
6. Lucy in Disguise Promenade printed belted cotton dress, The Outnet, £79.75.
7. Equipment Nico printed silk chiffon blouse, The Outnet, £59.50.
8. Aldo rinks floral wedge sandal, ASOS, £65.00.

MEET THREE FLOOR FASHION: THE NEW AFFORDABLE ONLINE FASHION BRAND

If there's one fashion brand to watch in 2012, then it has to be  Three Floor Fashion. I first discovered the uber-cool and jaw-droppingly affordable brand after a heads-up from Brix Smith-Start on ITV's This Morning, and ever since I've been itching to share it on La Fashion Folie. 


So what's so special in my eyes about Three Floor? Well unlike some high street brands that simply rip-off catwalk looks when they're putting together their new season collections, Three Floor Fashion's designs are original and unlike nothing you find in a fast-fashion retailer. Prices start at £39 for a cami (neon yellow and lace, no less) and range up to £129 for a faux fur-trimmed parka (which I spotted at London Fashion Week several times), which are great prices for cutting-edge designs.


I could quite happily post the whole look book here, but I've picked my top 10 favourite looks for your viewing pleasure. Three really is the magic number!



Bear Hug crop jumper, £48.

D'vil shirt, £78.

Heroine cape shirt dress, £68.00.

Field Trip fur parka £129.

Victory bodycon midi dress, £70.

Sweet Talk satin mini dress, £65.

Bear Hug colourblock jumper, £55.

Swoon scallop dress, £78.  

Flare neoprene dress £68.

Cross My Heart midi dress, £118.

Thank you to the lovely people at Temomanin pr for sending me the look book images.

MAKE LIKE ALEXA IN PAISLEY PRINT

Alexa Chung was bang-on-the-money in her paisley print pants by J W Anderson at London Fashion Week. As Alexa knows, paisley print is a huge trend for the season, cropping up on a number of the SS12 catwalks including that of the wonderful Stella McCartney. For those of us not lucky enough to have J W Anderson or Stella on tap, the good news is, paisley is a trend that can be easily found both in vintage shops and on the high street. I've found these gorgeous Whistles paisley shorts online, and even better they're in the sale, reduced from £95.00 to £50.00. Pair them with a chunky knit and booties now, and tan sandals and bare legs when the weather gets warmer. Add a touch of paisley print to your wardrobe now and you'll be bang on trend for SS12 just like Alexa.

1. Stella McCartney SS12 catwalk.
2. Alexa Chung in J W Anderson pants.
3. Daisy Garter stitch sweater, Whistles, £70.00.
    Liliy Paisley shorts, Whistles, £50.00. 
    Acclaim Suede platform boots, ASOS, £65.00.  

MAWI, JAMES LONG AND MORE: WHAT I SPIED AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

James Long, Mawi and and Sister by Sibling were amongst the upcoming and established brands that caught my roaming eye at London Fashion Week. I spent a great Monday morning  snapping all the beautiful, wacky and wonderful fashions on display in the showrooms and BFC NewGen exhibition (sponsored by Topshop). Here's some of the beauties I spied...

Supreme use of sequins by James Long.

The incredible mermaid scale-like sequins on James Long's work.

Mawi's 1980s-inspired tiger head door-knocker necklaces.

Mawi's fierce jewel & metal collar necklace.

No animals were hurt in the making of this Sister by Sibling fox stole.

Fair Isle knits get a punky twist at Sister by Sibling.

The statement heel reigns supreme at Joanne Stokler.

Luxurious marble-effect heels at Joanne Stokler.