Designer Label Fashion

Fringing. For those of us who found our fashion feet in the 1980s, that means awful flashbacks of suede jackets with fringes down the sleeves, fringed boots with snow washed jeans tucked into them, and big highlighted hair (with a bleached fringe). But it doesn’t have to be that way - not when design houses including Temperley London, Balmain, Christian Louboutin and Vanessa Bruno are the ones doing the fringing. So stop worrying, and start twirling. And if, after looking at these gorgeous fringed designer goodies, you’re still nervous, then for god’s sake just buy a scarf (a fringed scarf, obviously).

This gorgeous fringed cropped jacket, £895 by Temperley London from Browns Fashion, has delicate fringing on the sleeves, front and back of the jacket. Fastening with a single hook at the front, this Temperley London fringed cropped jacket is 79% Acetate 21% Rayon.

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A stunning black fringed silk waistcoat by Vanessa Bruno, £260 at Browns Fashion. This fringed waistcoat is hip length and sleeveless, with fringing covering the main body of the waistcoat. Made of 45% Silk 31% Acrylic 24% Cotton, the waistcoat has French sizing.

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An elegant cream tiered fringed dress from Temperley London, with an unusual plaited neckline, £620 at Browns Fashion. The hemline of this fringed dress reaches to mid thigh. The dress is made of 79% Acetate and 21% Rayon with a 100% silk lining.

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A cute pair of lace up high heeled ankle boots by Balmain, with fringing around the top of each boot. These fringed boots are £660 at Browns Fashion. With a pointed toe, these fringed boots are 100% leather and have a 4.5 inch heel.

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This black fringed coat is a real statement piece from Vanessa Bruno, £615 at Browns Fashion. The coat is a silk blend and is covered in fringing with a fringed belt (there are no fastenings). With French sizing, this fringed coat is 45% silk 31% acrylic 24% cotton, with a lining of 100% silk.

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Well, if you want to make a statement, these heavily fringed peep-toe boots from Christian Louboutin (with those famous red soles) are the way to do it. The Christian Louboutin beige fringed Tina Summer boot is £940 at Browns Fashion. These fringed boots have a five inch heel, and a zip down the inside of the leg. Italian sizing, 100% leather.

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Temperley London strikes again - this cute flapper style black mini skirt (the hemline reaches to mid thigh) has fringing all the war around, Made of 79% Acetate 21% Rayon with a 100% silk lining, this Temperley London fringed black mini skirt is £395 at Browns Fashion.

Stella McCartney is best for Summer 09 nautical prints. We’ve lusted after the nautical silk shift dress, chucked our handbag clutter into the nautical print bag, gone retro with the nautical print one piece swimsuit, dieted into the nautical bikini, and channelled ladylike chic with the nautical print silk blouse. (Obviously not all at once. That would just look stupid.) Well say hello to… the Stella McCartney nautical jumpsuit!

This gorgeous and relaxed Stella McCartney nautical jumpsuit, £775 at MyTheresa (actually called the Stella McCartney marine print romper) has a casual loose fit with large pockets, a round neck and button front. The jumpsuit has a stunning nautical print of boats, seagulls and anchors and is 100% silk.

Browse Stella McCartney at MyTheresa, Browns Fashion or Matches Fashion.

How did that new year diet go? The new Herve Leger bandage dresses are now available at Matches Fashion - so breathe in, and start shopping…

This blue Herve Leger bandage dress is £638 at Matches Fashion. With bust-emphasising detail and a centre back couture zip and wide straps, this Herve Leger dress is also available in pink. 90% Rayon, 9% Nylon, 1% Spandex.

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A gorgeous turquoise green bandage dress from Herve Leger, £1098 at Matches Fashion, that really hugs the body. With a centre back couture zip and wide straps, this bandage dress is 90% Rayon, 9% Nylon, 1% Spandex.

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Taking bodycon to a whole new level, this stunning graduated grey-to-black herve Leger bandage dress is £1358 at Matches Fashion. With off the shoulder sleeves, this Herve Leger dress is 90% Rayon, 9% Nylon, 1% Spandex.

Lanvin have gone print-mad this season on their gorgeous range of bright and summery tote bags in large and small sizes. Funky, stylish and fun prints make these Lanvin totes the perfect Spring/Summer 09 accessory. The selection of Lanvin totes below is from online designer boutique Browns Fashion.

The Lanvin small printed Aloha tote bag is £335 at Browns. This Lanvin tote bag has a stylish print, short handles and a pocket on the lining. Made of coated toile, this cute designer tote is Width 35cm Length 37cm Depth 2cm.

Lanvin small island print tote bag £335 at Browns. This funky small tote bag from Lanvin has a cute summer print, cream piping down the sides and a navy cotton lining with a pocket. 100% woven cotton, this Lanvin tote is  Height 37cm Width 35cm Depth 1cm.

This Lanvin large printed tote with sunshine print is £370 at Browns. With a multicoloured print and short handles, this Lanvin tote also has an internal pocket. made of coated toile, with Width 43cm Height 45cm Depth 2cm.

Lanvin large printed “beachside” tote, £370 from Browns. This cheery Lanvin large printed beach scene tote bag has two short handles, and an inside pocket.  Made of coated toile, this tote bag is Width 43cm Height 45cm Depth 2cm.

If you’re going to do florals for Spring/Summer 09 (and who isn’t?) - you might as well do them properly. And you can’t get more eye-catchingly floral than this floral print waffle shirt dress from Chloe diffusion line See by Chloe.

See by Chloe waffle shirt dress with multicoloured large floral print - £374 at My Wardrobe. Box pleat front and back zip. Crew neck style with short sleeves. See by Chloe floral dress is 100% cotton.

This waffle dress is one of my favourite new season dresses - it’s a perfect antidote to the unremittingly grim news at the moment. Team this floral dress with neutral platform sandals and a clutch (and a megawatt sunshine smile, of course - well, someone’s got to).

There’s also a gorgeous See by Chloe skirt in a similar large multicoloured floral print on a black background for £224, also at My wardrobe - see it here.

• Or browse See by Chloe new season and sale at My Wardrobe.
• Or check out the Chloe main fashion line at Matches Fashion.

Karl Lagerfeld says the recession has killed bling. Elsewhere we’re told to go for luxe not lustre: toning down the glitter and big labels, focussing on subtlety and cut.

I see no reason why craftsmanship and sparkle can’t mix (see the Swarovski crystal evening bag, below). Classic doesn’t just mean smart neutrals.

A very sparkly Power Silver Shade Evening Bag from Swarovski. Crystal Mesh with a removable rhodium-plated snake chain handle. Swarovski crystal evening bag, £548 at Swarovski.	This elegant Bottega Veneta clutch bag is an instant classic - it is made of navy python skin and has a classic clutch design with a magnetic closure. Bottega Veneta python clutch bag, £975 at Matches Fashion.

And while I can understand the appeal of the understated (like the simple but stunning Bottega Veneta python clutch, above), we could easily spend as much as before (no-logo luxe may be chic but it isn’t cheap). And (horror), what if nobody notices? Do we bring out the bling again, or ditch our not-so-fashionista-as-we-thought friends? (or educate them with the gift of Vogue…)

I love a perfectly formed classic Bottega Veneta bag or pair of shoes, but I also love a bit of sparkly Swarovski crystal. So wear that metallic pink Marc Jacobs handbag, the Swarovski crystal jewellery, or the pearl-studded designer shoes - though perhaps not all at once.

Reclaim your rock chick credentials in these on-trend designer T-shirts. Browse designer T-shirts from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Lanvin and MCQ (Alexander McQueen’s diffusion label). The classic way to wear designer Tees is with skinny jeans, or try these Sass and Bide Black Rats liquid leggings / wet look leggings.

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A quirky Marc by Marc Jacobs printed T-shirt with a grafitti girl design on soft grey jersey. This designer Tee has a scoop neck and a slightly longer length than many designer T-shirts.
Marc by Marc Jacobs print T-shirt with grafitti girl print is £75.

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This bright, cheerful Lanvin print T-shirt would look great with skinny jeans or leather. Illustrated by Alber Elbaz, this Lanvin T-shirt is 100% cotton.
Lanvin print T-shirt illustrated by Alber Elbaz is £318.

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This is a Miu Miu T-shirt dress but would work as a slightly longer T-shirt over leggings. The T-shirt dress has a cool rosette print and is 100% modal.
Miu Miu T-shirt dress with rosette print £135.

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An MCQ by Alexander McQueen rock chick black Tee with multicoloured bow design. 100% cotton, this MCQ T-shirt is also available in white.
MCQ by Alexander McQueen black designer T-shirt with multicoloured bow print £88.

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Currently there is also a sale of Christian Audigier designer T-shirts and tops at Secret Sales, until 23.59 on Tuesday 20 January 2009. Sign up to Secret Sales for free and with no obligation to buy, and get access to regularly-changing, fixed-length designer sales.

I wasn’t looking for red designer fashion. I was looking for orange, after reading yet another article about the brights trend, and also Jess Cartner Morley in The Guardian on Saturday about… orange. But every time I found a gorgeous designer dress, or bikini, or top online, the blurb said they were red. After much squinting and laptop-screen twiddling I had to agree (on most of them). So here it is - red designer fashion for Spring/Summer 09, some of which may look… a bit orange.

A loose-fitting ruby red silk dress from Stella McCartney with a pussy bow and three-quarter length sleeves. This Stella McCartney red dress is everywhere at the moment so get it before it goes.
Stella McCartney red silk dress £439 at Matches Fashion.

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A stunning but very functional structured red tote bag from Lanvin, with cute tassles and silver studs. Matches suggest pairing this Lanvin tote bag with the Stella McCartney seaside print dress.
Red leather tote bag from Lanvin £1,268 at Matches Fashion.

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This Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress in red jersey has asymmetric sleeves and lots of draping. It’s pretty clingy and sexy, and cheap!
Red jersey dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania £156 at MyWardrobe.

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A red playsuit from Paul and Joe Sister,in 100% silk. Wear this red playsuit with tights until the weather warms up a bit (and you’ve done all your new season exfoliating).
Paul and Joe Sister Kiwi all in one short suit playsuit £146 at MyWardrobe.

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Stella McCartney red bikini in a retro style with a sweet silver anchor charm. The bikini top is gathered. It’s never too early to get your new summer bikini!
Red Stella McCartney retro bikini £205 at Matches Fashion.

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These 1950s style red stilettos from Diane von Furstenberg are red suede with red patent leather detail and a 4″ heel. 100% leather. Every woman should have a pair of red shoes.
Diane von Furstenberg red suede stilettos £250 at Matches Fashion.

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A stunning cocktail ring with large red-coloured stone from Kenneth Jay Lane. It is 22k gold electroplated, and the red stone is a chunky 3cm by 3cm.
Kenneth Jay Lane red cocktail ring £105 at My Wardrobe.

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Animal prints, leopard prints, and animal inspired jewellery are still key designer trends.

But what looks great on Bond Street doesn’t always translate well to more mundane surroundings. If you love your animal print designer fashions but you’re wary of coming over all Bet Lynch in a leopard print coat, or of having to walk home from the station to a neighbourhood chorus of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, grab yourself some animal print accessories instead and go with the less is more approach.

I just love this New Season Kenneth Jay Lane leopard cuff. It’s unusual, well-priced, and on trend. (It’s a cuff! And it’s got leopards on it! The only way it could be more fashionable is if the leopards were wearing peg legs). The cuff is 22k gold plated with black enamel. The double leopard heads have red Swarovski crystal eyes and there is a  gold hoop centre. It has a magnetic closure and measures approximately 17cm on its internal circumference. Kenneth Jay Lane cuff £156 from My Wardrobe.

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These lace up animal print block heel ankle boots from D&G Dolce and Gabbana are half price in the My Wardrobe sale so you can nab a real bargain. With a pointed toe and brown laces, these D&G ankle boots also have a chunky 11cm square heel. Leather upper, lining and soles. Half price - now only £185.50 reduced from £371.

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Whether you’re a rock chick or a heels ‘n’ pencil skirts kind of girl, this gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent leopard print scarf will look great around your neck or in your hair. This 50% cotton / 50% viscose fringed Yves Saint Laurent scarf is £325 at Matches Fashion.

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Kenneth Jay Lane seems to be providing a veritable menagerie of wild cat inspired jewellery this season. This Kenneth Jay Lane tiger head ring is 22k gold plated, and the eyes are red Swarovski crystals. The ring circumference approx 11cm. Kenneth Jay Lane tiger head ring only £65 at My Wardrobe.

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Unusual shiny (patent leather) leopard print court shoes from Brian Attwood. With a thin stiletto heel and an almond toe, these Brian Atwood leopard print shoes are £375 at Matches Fashion.

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Flat leopard print pumps from Pedro Garcia that are not only animal print - but are now half price in the My Wardrobe sale! incredibly comfy, these flat, round-toed Mary Janes have a button-fastening strap to stop your foot slipping out. Leather upper and lining, rubber soles. (These are a fashion shoe and not for every day use.) The Pedro Garcia Greta shoe is reduced from £190 to £95 in the My Wardrobe sale.

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This short kaftan from Heidi Klein has a snakeskin print and silver dot decoration, and is ideal as a beach bar cover-up. There is a tie waist and twisted ties at the neckline. This Heidi Klein short kaftan is 100% silk. £158 at Matches Fashion.

Jumpsuits are big news for Spring / Summer 09. I have already blogged about jumpsuits but it is worth doing again. (See my post here about designer jumpsuits in the sale, including playsuits, from Hussein Chalayan, Stella McCartney, Yeojin Bae and Paul and Joe - which might still be available.)

There’s a designer jumpsuit for every occasion - whether you need a smart black jumpsuit for work, stylish Missoni woven stripes for that 1970s pool party look, or Yves Saint Laurent classic glamour.

This stunning soft khaki brown silk blend jumpsuit is by Yves Saint Laurent and manages to combine two trends in one - jumpsuit and a soft peg leg. It has a round neckline, and two slit pockets at the side. €1,100 from MyTheresa (a European website that prices in Euros but has an English website and ships worldwide - with free returns). Yves Saint Laurent khaki brown silk mix jumpsuit. Or view more YSL designer fashion at Matches Fashion or MyTheresa.

A knit Missoni jumpsuit, multicoloured with tube top and elasticised belt with golden closure. Long, full trousers, and lurex metallic highlights throughout. €719 from MyTheresa (a European website that prices in Euros but has an English website and ships worldwide - with free returns). Missoni knit multicoloured strapless jumpsuit. Or view more Missoni designer fashion at Matches Fashion or MyTheresa.

This sophisticated Chloe all in one jumpsuit in black has a deep neckline and a buttoned waist.  The trousers are cropped. This Chloe jumpsuit is 100% silk. £810 at Matches. Chloe black silk jumpsuit with cropped trousers. Or view more Chloe designer fashion at Matches.

This lovely Stella McCartney black jumpsuit has a flattering draped cowl neck and a long peephole at the back. This Stella McCartney jumpsuit has a drawstring waist and two front slip pockets. €415 at MyTheresa (a European website that prices in Euros but has an English website and ships worldwide - with free returns). Stella McCarney black jumpsuit. Or view more Stella McCartney fashion at Matches Fashion or MyTheresa.

This Missoni jumpsuit (called the Enid Combo) is unusual as it is  created from the typical Missoni zigzag pattern trousers and has a floral print v-neck wrap top - but it also comes with a tube top in the same design as the trousers, to wear under the v-neck. €1,349 from MyTheresa (a European website that prices in Euros but has an English website and ships worldwide - with free returns). Missoni Enid Combo jumpsuit. Or view more Missoni designer fashion at Matches Fashion or MyTheresa.

Black YSL wool jumpsuit with bustier top, wide black velvet ribbon belt, and tailored legs. This Yves Saint Laurent jumpsuit is 100% wool. £1635 at Matches. Yves Saint Laurent black wool jumpsuit with bustier. Or view more YSL designer fashion at Matches Fashion or MyTheresa.

Jumpsuits and all in ones were everywhere on the catwalk and may even supersede “the dress” as the easy way to get dressed and win some extra fashion points. Jumpsuits are glamorous (all that slinky draping), and in some ways very practical (you only need to add shoes and a jacket, no skirt’n'top or trousers’n'blouse matching to worry about).

There should be more slinky designer jumpsuits coming through as the online designer stores restock so I will keep blogging about jumpsuits, playsuits and all in ones.