New York Fashion Week AW 2012....Daria

Ukrainian tv presenter, journalist and organiser of Mercedes-Benz sponsored Kiev fashion week, Daria Shapovalova, before Alexander Wang.  

And yes, that really is a "Well, Clarice - have the lambs stopped screaming?" Dr. Hannibal Lecter face mask purse. It was designed by a Ukrainian label, Bob Basset, in collaboration with Pure boutique .

Recreate Daria's look (kind of):

Herve Leger feather coat

Kenneth Jay Lane Swarovski crystal and coral resin earrings

ASOS faux fur turban headband

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

Love hats - I don't think I can even name one style that I don't like (although absolutely adore is another matter all together). Mmmmm okay, maybe not such a fan of that Balenciaga visor hat (although I am sure it would look completely brilliant in an editorial) but at least it would keep the sun firmly off the back of your neck ;)

And what could be better than a feather-topped chapeau?!

Recreate the look (kind of):

Forever 21 feathered wool fedora (in navy) or Rag & Bone classic fedora in navy (just add your own jaunty feather).

ASOS long cream scarf  or Splendid cable knit scarf

Marc Jacobs Stam satchel (in petal - the perfect palest pink for Spring)

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Cara

Adore Cara Delevingne and her crazy, fun approach to being photographed....and EVERYONE wants to photograph Cara!

And how sweet is Cara's personalised backpack?! Not just for littlies but for big kids as well ;)

Recreate Cara's Look (kind of):

Marc by Marc Jacobs Miss Marc backpack (love, love, love this backpack - it isn't personalised but it is seriously cute. This is the kind of backpack you buy for your daughter/niece/godchild but end up keeping for yourself :)

or go down the colour-block route with this fun Lazy Oaf backpack

Miu Miu patent leather high-top sneakers or All-Saints pony-bound hi-top sneakers or Converse All Star eyelet detail high-tops

New York Fashion Week AW 2012

Love the aviator/flying helmet hat!

On a side-note, when we were is Washington DC we visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum which was brilliant (and free!). And I am not even particularly interested in aeroplanes or space. The guided tour was excellent and it was so inspiring to see such an amazing collection of objects documenting the history of flight. Amelia Earhart's bright red Lockheed Vega 5b was a particular highlight. This model's flying hat reminds me of the leather flight helmet Amelia wore....

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Preetma

I ♥ American Vogue's Preetma Singh in a big way.

Ex-lawyer, now Fashion Editorial Assistant at Vogue.....and wearer of her old Princeton University sweatshirt 'cos she was cold and needed something to keep her warm. Genius. I adore this look (so great with the crocodile-print patent leather skirt and knee high boots - elegant, faintly s*xy and sporty all at once) and it works even if you don't have an Ivy League sweatshirt like Preetma's. Got an old school or college sweatshirt lurking at the back of your wardrobe*? Pull it out and try teaming it with a leather pencil skirt (I think it would work quite well with a flippy leather skirt as well).

Preetma also has a blog, The Working Girl, Esq, which you can find here.

Recreate Preetma's Look (kind of):

Marc Jacobs croc print patent leather pencil skirt or Tibi leather pencil skirt

*Although probably a sweatshirt with a zillion signatures all over it proclaiming just how much your classmates will miss you/love you is probably best left in the back of the wardrobe ;)

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Oroma

Oroma Elewa, Editor-in-chief, Pop'Africana, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Oroma's look (kind of):

Derek Lam Albertine clutch in berry or Valentino mini VaVaVoom bag (love this as you can wear it as a clutch - with handy studded finger hold- or as a shoulder bag)

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Tilda

Tilda Lindstam, after Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, NYC, February 2012.

In my first year of university, I had a pair of black denim dungaree shorts almost exactly the same as Tilda's....in fact they are probably still tucked away in a drawer somewhere in my mum's house (we are a family that doesn't throw anything "still useful" out....and those denim dungarees were virtually indestructible, as denim invariably is). I wore them with a variety of t-shirts, an oversized plaid shirt (it was the grungy 90's and that was the way we rolled, yo!), a pair of Timberland-style tan lace-up's.....I probably looked like a tradie from a building site but at the time I thought I looked pretty damn cool.

Not (quite) as cool as Tilda though. Love the way she has teamed the heavy dungaree shorts with the delicate lace top....this would have worked brilliantly in the 90's with the lace bodysuit that I owned :)

Recreate Tilda's look (kind of):

French Connection lace top or Madewell silk Intermission top (in parchment) or try American Apparel for a lace bodysuit

Paul and Joe Sister denim dungarees or NSF Sky denim overalls

Duffy wool and cashmere beanie

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Hanneli

My favourite outfit that Hanneli wore during NY fashion week*? The Acne motorcyle jacket (amazing, amazing colour) and adorable Miu Miu gingham earrings at Jason Wu.

Recreate Hanneli's look (kind of):
Acne Rita suede aviator jacket (in blush suede - I know it isn't the electric blue but it is a beautiful, soft colour that would last for years).
Miu Miu gingham and plexiglass earrings (these looked so beautiful with the sunlight hitting them)


*closely followed by a Karen Walker dress :)

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Ruby

Ruby Aldridge rugged up against the cold (and it was freaking cold that day), after Prabal Gurung, NYC, February 2012.

New York Fashion Week AW 2012...Violaine

Violaine Bernard, Fashion Director Velour Magazine, after Jason Wu, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Violaine's look (kind of):

Elizabeth and James Evelyn wide-leg trousers (wide) or Rag & Bone leather-trimmed silk-chiffon maxi trousers (super dooper wide)  or Elizabeth and James floral print palazzo pants (so pretty - like wearing a Spring garden on your legs!)

Violaine is quite petite and I think she is a great example of being able to wear the palazzo/wide leg pants trend without being model tall.