Top 10 London Fashion Week Looks

Here's the run-down of my top 10 favorite looks from the London Fashion Week fall/winter 2012 runways, in no particular order.

House of Holland

Red leather is heating up the runways right now, and Henry Holland's fire engine cocktail dress might be the sexiest version I've seen so far.

Temperley London

I loved Alice's Temperley's polished folk-themed runway show. I could imagine a stylish young czarina wearing this bright floral embroidered velvet dress with sheer long sleeves. 

Mary Katrantzou

Unique prints are a huge trend for fall, and no one does them better than hip designer Mary Katrantzou.  Mundane, every day objects like clocks, grass and typewriters decorated her moulded dresses for a not so mundane result. 

Marios Schwab

Marios Schwab drew inspiration from Hollywood grande dame Marlene Dietrich for his fall collection. My favorite looks were a series of sequined sheaths glittering under sheer chiffon, referencing Dietrich's "naked" dresses from her cabaret years. Who knew that pornographic fashion could look so chic?

Christopher Kane

 Christopher Kane also took on the sheer trend, but this time, the designer chose see-through tulle mesh, strategically covering any naughty bits with oversized black flowers.

Burberry Prorsum

Dressed up puffer jackets were a favorite on the fall runways. Christopher Bailey's cropped coats looked especially sleek paired with slim ruffled pencil skirts. Expect to see these stylish puffers sell out everywhere come fall.

Mark Fast

 Now, THAT's a sweaterdress. I've never seen comfy look so sexy!

 Matthew Williamson

 I loved the bright baroque prints that decorated Matthew Williamson's gowns. This is such a unique take on red carpet dressing.

Roksanda Ilincic

 Dressed up sweatshirts have appeared on many runways this season, but my favorite was this one, contrasting an ice blue astrakhan skirt with luxurious fox trim.

Jonathan Saunders

The futuristic equestrians at Jonathan Saunders were both charming and modern. The neon green mixed with neutral tones was a clever, but simple stroke of genius.

Spring 2012 Trend Report: 1920s

Ralph Lauren

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Sui He

This spring, designers drew inspiration from one of the loveliest eras of all time, the Jazz Age. Channel Daisy Buchanan in pretty pastel frocks from Ralph Lauren or Christian Dior, which heavily referenced The Great Gatsby heroine. 

If screen siren Jean Harlow is more your style, try a seductive gown in curve hugging satin (Suno) or sheer and cut on the bias (Christian Dior). 

Flapper fringe added a dressy element to a gorgeous metallic frock at Marchesa and a super chic robe at Mark Fast. But if you prefer a less literal look, drop waist cocktail dresses at Marc Jacobs or weekend perfect outfits from Sonia Rykiel are both elegant and wearable options.

Suno

Photo: Alessandro Garofalo / GoRunway.com

Model: Bethany Terry

Marc Jacobs

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Siri Tollerød 

                                                      

 Marchesa

Photo: Alessandro Garofalo / GoRunway.com

Model: Karen Elson

Christian Dior

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Alla Kostromichova

 John Galliano

Photo: Filippo Fior / GoRunway.com

Model: Jourdan Dunn

Mark Fast

Photo: Filippo Fior / GoRunway.com

Model: Eve Delf

 Zac Posen

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Aline Weber

 Sonia Rykiel

Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Model: Daria Strokous

Spring 2012 Trend Report: Bandeaux

 Viktor & Rolf

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Miranda Kerr

Crop tops started popping up on the runways about a year ago, but for the Spring/Summer 2012 fashion shows, the trend exploded. The most popular version is the teeny tiny bandeau top, which can be tricky to pull off. Obviously you have to have a lot of confidence and be pretty tiny to try these, but they are the most wearable paired with a high waisted skirt (see Viktor & Rolf) or a jacket (see Cavalli). Will you have the confidence (and body) to pull these off come spring?

Prada

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Lara Mullen

Proenza Schouler

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Maria Bradley

Versace

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Nyasha Matonhodze

 Emilio Pucci 

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Joan Smalls

 Helmut Lang

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Valerija Kelava

 Mark Fast

Photo: Filippo Fior / GoRunway.com

Model: Jules Mordovets

                                            

 Roberto Cavalli

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Natasha Poly

 Ruffian

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Angelina Nawojczyk

Dolce & Gabbana

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Caroline Brasch Nielsen

Spring 2012 Trend Report: Tribal

 Michael Kors

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Jourdan Dunn

One of the first spring trends I've gotten excited about is the tribal look. So many designers this year were inspired by African and tribal clans, like Michael Kors whose "Afriluxe" collection was a breath of fresh Sahara air. If the trend is a bit too much for you, adding a fringey, patterned scarf like the ones seen at A. F. Vanderworst will give you the look without looking too literal.

A.F. Vandervorst

Photo: Alessandro Viero / GoRunway.com

Model: Emily Senko

Mark Fast

Photo: Filippo Fior / GoRunway.com

Model: Egle Jezepcikaite

Salvatore Ferragamo

Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Model: Monika Sawicka

Missoni

Photo: Monica Feudi / Feudiguaineri.com

Model: Daiane Conterato

Hervé Léger

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

BCBG Max Azria

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Brenda Kranz

Ann Demeulemeester

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Model: Josephine Skriver

Isabel Marant

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Arizona Muse

Vivienne Westwood

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Model: Victoria Lee

Hermès

Photo: Alessandro Viero / GoRunway.com

Kristina Salinovic

Spring 2011 Trend Report: Peekaboo Shoulders

 Above: Alexander Wang

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Model: Aline Weber

Fall's erogenous zone may have been the bosom, but come spring, it's all about the shoulder.  

Sleeves ruled the runways, but a recurring theme was to slash them at the top, revealing a sliver of skin (Alexander McQueen), or framing the shoulder for a slyly sensual effect (Versace).  

While every naughty bit remains covered, the finished product can be quite tantalizing. I figured this out when I wore a BCBG satin pussycat bow blouse with cutout shoulders to work once. My boss (who happens to be my aunt), scolded me gently. "Lovely shirt, but much too sexy for the office!"

 Above: Rodarte

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Model: Rasa Zukauskaite

 Above: Versace

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Model: Samantha Gradoville

 Above: Alexander McQueen

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Model: Lili Ji

 Above: Lanvin

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Fabiana Mayer

 Above: Halston

Photo: Marcus Tondi / GoRunway.com

Model: Du Juan

 Above: Mark Fast

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Anais Pouliot

 Above: Giorgio Armani

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Natalia Zakharova

 Above: Prabal Gurung

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Model: Daiane Conterato

Above: Givenchy

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Model: Jamie Bochert