First up, it’s new favourite and insatiably youthful Alexander Wang. The San Francisco native dazzled the audience of his adopted home with a more grown up collection from s/s 09. This time round his designs featured more tailoring, seen in his suit jackets and the military precision of the cut of his geometrical dress. For a/w the collection is suitably dark but far from gothic: think elegant sex appeal and maturity and you’re on the right track. The midriff exposure is still present for this season, but toned down by its bodycon fit and monotone black. Trousers are tightly fitted and fringed with gem stones, complimented with billowing white off-the shoulder shirts. Aside from this, there is a heavy focus on croc, leather look and pvc. Front row Queen Anna Wintour and daughter Bee Shaffer were amongst the lucky viewers, who also included Zoe Kravitz, Erin Wasson and Santogold. Definitely a crowd cool enough for the designer’s ethos.



Next it’s Rodarte, favourite of Kirsten Dunst. This season is very reminiscent of the futurism already seen at Ghesquière’s take over of Balenciaga: with ultra modern fabrics, bodycon bandaging and layering in pastel shades, combined with daring use of volume and shape. The sister designers have described the collection as inspired by monsters – something that can be seen in the Edward Scissorhands’ esque straight jacket sleeves. I adore the grey shaggy fur belted in jacket and endless black boots. Over on this front row was of course Miss Dunst, not to mention Rachel Zoe and Diane von Furtsenberg, and rather bizarrely Elijah Wood of hobbit fame.



Oh, and how can I forget Marchesa? Last but certainly not least of my top 3 from New York. The collection is all about fairy tales and fantasy: a staple of Marchesa’s wardrobe for a few seasons. The beautiful creations were bejewelled, one-shouldered, well fitting and in an array of fantastical shapes, styles and colours. Some dresses sweep the floor with puffy net skirts, others are elegantly nipped in with sashes and bows. There were strapless jumpsuits in simple monotones, set off with the purest details. My favourite has to be the fantastic black sequined strapless dress, which reached to the floor and was surrounded by net: a vision of pure fashion fantasy. I want one.

Becky Cope is a new writer for our blog. We strongly recommend you to check out her blog as well.

My mother constantly complains about seeing these ladies in magazines under ‘best dressed’. There is something so thoroughly youthful and modern about this look – something best appreciated by the young and misunderstood by the older generation. Our mothers’ generation were inspired by the put-together elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O, and lived through chic 1980s power dressing. Instead we have Sienna Miller’s boho revolution and the reinvention of the hippy spirit and boyish chic in Kate Moss’s androgynous style of skinny jeans and tuxedo jackets.

Staples of the scruff style are knee high socks, grand-dad shirts, oxford flats, faded and fraying denim as well as waist coats galore. Dunst is often photographed wearing this entire ensemble, complete with pendants and Rayban wayfarers. Chung’s taste is a little more refined, with high-waisted skirts matched with school boy blazers and shoes, making her pretty much synonymous with dressing-down outfits. Wasson again is different, with a penchant for trilbies and oversized tees over skinny jeans. All three have their individuality intact – the most important aspect of the scruffy look. This look is throwing together timelessly stylish pieces in a street-wise way in order to show personality and creativity.

Even the catwalks are getting in on this look. Balmain’s recent s/s 09 collection embraced it, with his rock-star studded jackets and scruffed up faded denim jeans, topped off with the bohemian’s best friend – the gladiator sandal. Even ripped tights cropped up on the catwalks this season. So what’s so wrong with scuffed shoes and holey tights? It’s fashionable mom!

Becky Cope is a new writer for our blog. We strongly recommend you to check out her blog as well.