Catwalk Catchup: PFW Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012

We should technically say Presentation Catch-up, but that doesn't quite roll of the tongue in the same way. We weren't disappointed with the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012 presentation, even though there was a teeny tiny part of us that was relatively sceptical. Sarah Burton stayed true to the brand and the man himself; there were lots of bird-inspired pieces which we have a sneaky feeling is a tribute to the late designer, as he was famously obsessed with the creatures.

A versatile, classic collection that captures the essence of the brand perfectly!

Catwalk Catchup: PFW Balmain Spring/Summer 2012

Balmain got a whole lot girlier this season and we are loving it! Balmain got a bit grungy these past few seasons and although we liked the edginess, we're glad its back to doing what we think it does best. Heavy detailing, sharp structuring and fine embellishment aplenty, this is the Balmain we know and love. And with the new diffusion line coming out, we think it's about time the line went back to its roots.




Paris Fashion Week got off to a mediocre start, hence the lack of posting (we only comment on what we utterly adore) but the Balmain show alone more than makes up for it. Just like the white and gold goddess inspired outfits, this collection was heaven sent and we genuinely can't flaw a single piece. Plus, some of our favourite models were strutting their stuff on the runway, including Abbey Lee Kershaw (naturally), Freja Beha Erichsen, Anja Rubik, Natasha Poly and Arizona Muse.

We think this might be the new Dolce and Gabbana star obsession for all the magazines…and we bet the celebs are already forming a disorderly queue to be the first ones to be draped in the outfits.

Catwalk Catchup: PFW Mugler Spring/Summer 2012

After all the hype from Nicola Formichetti surrounding Lady Gaga's involvement in the show, we were expecting fireworks and as far as Gaga history goes, the unexpected. But we were actually expecting her to show up on the catwalk…which she didn't. We were surprised with her absence, but there was, as promised, a short film featuring the superstar. Gaga said: "I am a Mugler woman; don't f*** with me. Don't f*** with Mugler. Welcome to Paris; we are Paris." Check it out, above! 

Gagaloo aside, the collection was interesting. We think it was a bit safe…maybe not for most clothing lines, but for Mugler under Formichetti's direction, it was a lot tamer than we expected. Still, there were provocative pieces with cut-out features in abundance and lots of body parts were exposed, so it wasn't completely alien to what Mugler is used to. 

WATCH The Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2012 Catwalk

Easily my favourite collection from Milan Fashion Week so far, which is why I'm sharing the video from the Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk. Enjoy!

Catwalk Catchup: MFW Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2012

Another Fashion Compendium favourite for Milan Fashion Week and if we're honest, from the entire Spring/Summer ready-to-wear range this season. Genuinely a little bit obsessed with this Salvatore Ferragamo collection; if we were put on the spot to pick a favourite, we think we'd crumble and probably cry under the pressure! The styling was impeccable for this show - we can't speak for the atmosphere and the music and all the other details as we sadly weren't in Milan to witness it with our own eyes, but from what we can see, it was perfection. Bright, silky, girly, summery goodness - and the loose side-swept beach waves were an added bonus! 

High street chains, hear our plea: please look to this collection to draw inspiration for the majority of your summer clothes! Pay close attention to prints, material and colour and report back to us in a few months time. Lots of love, Fashion Compendium x

Catwalk Catchup: MFW Just Cavalli Spring/Summer 2012

We think this collection was made for rockstars! If skin-tight, metallic trousers, snakeskin (of the faux kind of course) and studs aplenty don't scream rock and roll, we don't know what does! It wouldn't be classic Cavalli without a snake involved, but they weren't the only animals in the mix, oh no. There was an abundance of animal skin on parade, from the leopard in particular.



You also found dresses with non existent hemlines and chic and sheer tops accompanying some fabulous skirts. The line was softened up a tad with some of the lace and suede numbers but as a whole, this collection was pretty much what we expected from the baby line of the Roberto Cavalli family.

Catwalk Catchup: MFW Prada Spring/Summer 2012

We loved this season's Prada SpringSummer 2012 collection at Milan Fashion Week. The skirts were a definite highlight; not so much the barely there bandeau tops because we don't think we have the elongated, never-ending upper body and washboard stomach to pull them off ourselves. Obviously on the models they look perfect, but if we're talking about a wearable collection, this is definitely it if you concentrate all of your attention on the bottom half.

This collection was pleats a-plenty, which although is a mouthful to say, is beautiful to look at. The day dresses were also pretty impressive too - perfect for sitting outside sipping Italian coffee waiting for your hot Italian boyfriend to bring the Vespa round and whisk you away on a scenic tour of Milan….No? Just us? A girl can dream.

Catwalk Catchup: MFW D&G Spring/Summer 2012

We knew this day would come, although we didn't expect it would come quite so soon. We're talking about D&G's last ever catwalk outing. Sniff! Pass the tissues please!

It was announced earlier this year that D&G will be merged with the main Dolce and Gabbana line, meaning the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk outing in Milan would be the last. Hopefully this will make Dolce and Gabbana even stronger and better than it already is.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana made sure the last collection would be one to remember and the show went out with one hell of a bang. We loved everything from the bright satin wedges to the cute and colourful strapless mini and maxi dresses to the patch-work, busy prints and everything else inbetween. Plus, who knew you could do so much with a silk scarf? Outstanding! 

The collection was a big one, but there will still be a D&G shaped hole in our hearts and our wardrobes when we notice its absence next season. Here's to a truly brilliant brand that's been keeping us stylish since 1994 - and here's to a revamped and even better Dolce and Gabbana main line! 

Catwalk Catchup: MFW Fendi Spring/Summer 2012

We love to layer and the Fendi catwalk is absolutely packed with layered loveliness! There's also an abundance of sheer pieces and some very interesting box-shaped bodices finding themselves on lots of the dresses. Quite a versatile collection we must say; fringe, lace, sheer, layering, acute and structured shapes and silhouettes - a  real mixed bag!

 And of course, being Fendi and Milan, it was quite the star studded event both in terms of front row and runway - Carine Roitfeld was of course frow, while hot top models Anja Rubik and Natasha Poly were strutting their stuff on the catwalk for one of the most sought after fashion week gigs! (the pink star signals a Fashion Compendium favourite - look how pretty that dress is...you listening Karl Lagerfeld?) 

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Marchesa Spring/Summer 2012

Another collection that blew me away was Marchesa, courtesy of the very talented Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. The intricate fringe detailing and finely sculpted tulle non-tacky-nineties-style meringue skirts were just the beginning. This is more than just a collection with the usual Marchesa wow-factor, it's something bigger that I can't quite put my finger on but it marks the beginning of something new and exciting.

For a start, the models actually WALKED the runway as opposed to standing still looking pretty, which is quite a huge step for Marchesa who usually stick to very finely executed presentations. Gorgeous show, stunning collection. 

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Rodarte Spring/Summer 2012

Hello, summer! Finally a collection that epitomises the season - hurrah! Sometimes, the literal interpretations can be the best and the Rodarte Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk show at New York Fashion Week did wonders. Forget Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry's love affair with the rainbow look, Rodarte all the way baby!

Makes a huge change from their Black Swan pieces although some of that element crept in as far as the make-up was concerned - that's dedication to heavy eye makeup to say the least!

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Zac Posen Spring/Summer 2012

Zac Posen could easily kit out every single celeb for every single award show for the foreseeable future. If I didn't like a dress on his runway, I loved it -talk about statement gowns!  Seeing a collection like truly rubs in the fact that we won't really get a handful of opportunities to wear these gowns. a) we don't have lavish award ceremonies to wear them to and would be a bit inconvenient on the tube and b) we don't have the funds for a vast Zac Posen collection, nor does Zac Posen want to lend his buddy the fashion owl any of his gowns…Damn. 

There were other looks in the collection, of course there were, but the dresses left a lasting impression on us. By far the most Oscar worthy collection we've seen so far.

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Victoria Beckham Spring/Summer 2012

Well I never, I think I've actually seen it all now that I've clapped eyed on the Victoria Beckham Spring Summer 2012 show at New York Fashion Week. First the lady herself steps out in flats on more than one occasion recently (doctor ordered) but now flats have been translated onto her latest catwalk. Do you think Victoria Beckham changed the footwear at the last minute so she could get away with wearing flats more often now that the doc has advised her to ditch the heels?

The rest of her show featured quite a limited range of colours, with pale colours and a few monochrome pieces hogging the catwalk. There were a few exceptions as there were a few splashes of orange colour which I absolutely loved. It makes a change from her last collection that was bright bright bright so it's nice that she's showcasing her versatility. Well done VB, not disappointed!

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Jenny Packham Spring/Summer 2012

Another collection I was really looking forward to seeing was Jenny Packham's Spring/Summer 2012 one at New York Fashion Week. Apart from the obvious fact that Jenny Packham has designed some of the most elegant gowns I've seen in the past few years, the other reason is because one of her most famous fans is of course the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. I don't think anyone can forget her floor-length pink dress Kate wore earlier this year - it was a different version of the one worn by Leighton Meester's character Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl. And we all know GG is always on top of the latest and greatest fashion trends and designers.

I digress…this show really didn't disappoint. The collection was versatile in the way that there was a range of cuts and colours on parade, but everything was in keeping with her classy and sophisticated style. Jenny Packham's main colours were green and white, sometimes switching to multi-coloured in the true spirit of summer. The Tinkerbell inspired dress is my favourite - I'm sure you can work out which one I'm talking about! I can definitely see this being a go-to collection for awards season at the beginning of next year. Who wouldn't want to walk a red carpet in one of these?

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2012

Miss Jason Wu, to use his Twitter name, so far had the collection where I looked at pretty much all of the outfits and said "yep. I can see myself in that." There's a divine pink floaty skirt that caught my eye as soon as I looked at the collection…guaranteed I will be having dreams about that for a few days or at least until another fine piece of fashion distracts me from it. Loving how the pale pink colour finds itself on quite a few of the models in this Jason Wu collection, as, in case you haven't realised, I'm quite the fan of the colour and all the different tones and hues that come with it.

Jason Wu also takes the main elements of summer and puts them into his collection. Floral? Check. Bright yellows reminiscent of the sun? Check. Short shorts? But of course. The dresses are also somewhat brilliant. Can definitely see a certain SJP waltzing around in that green beastie. Gorgeous!

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Alexander Wang Spring/Summer 2012

This is quite an instantly wearable RTW collection which is always nice to see for the less daring fashionista. But it might take someone with a bit of courage to pull off an ensemble with so many different prints rolled into one. 

Colour transition is once again a theme in this collection; have we stumbled on a trend already? Dip dying is all the rage when it comes to hair, do you think the same has been translated for clothes too? Watch this space!

Clearly Alexander Wang is trying to bring back all the elements of the boyfriend cardigan with his oversized designs. We also love how the models also have that just come out of the sea/surfer girl look with their hair. Attention to detail at its finest!

Catwalk Catchup: NYFW Prabal Gurung Spring/Summer 2012

We can only admire New York Fashion Week through our computer screens but we are liking what we see so far. Thank God for live streams - they make the experience come to life in far more than a literal sense. 

The first collection which stood out for me was Prabal Gurung; so vivid! It's a far cry from the dark romance theme he went for during his last catwalk outing, but his signature style is still weaved within the garments. Prabal Gurung was clearly having a bit of a lavender love affair and played with different materials and colour transitions. There was a bit of a sexy, bondage element to a lot of the dresses, but as Louis Vuitton proved last season, fetish fashion is making a comeback so he's onto a winner.

Martha Streck and Joan Smalls for Gucci A/W 2011

We're a little bit jealous of a certain Miss Joan Smalls these days; not only did she strike a few poses with the gorgeous Mr Bruno Mars in Vogue, but now she is dressed head to toe in some of the finest pieces from the Gucci A/W 2011 collection. Some girls just have it all, don't they! 

The tailoring of the A/W collection is rather magnificent; the majority of it oozes class and sophistication which is the impression we got from the runway, and seeing it in catalogue form is making us fall in love with it all over again. Although we adore the elegance of the formal dresses below, the hints of menswear are what make the collection stand out for us. Last season was all about the boys with the boyfriend jeans and cardis, but this season it's all about the men - classic menswear pieces and silhouettes make for a much more demure and business-savvy collection. Well, Gucci always do mean business!

Catwalk catch-up: Bottega Veneta Resort 2012

We love that Resort time of year and have been looking forward to the Bottega Veneta collection for quite some time, after their main linewhet our appetite and left us hungry for more. The collection has a little bit of everything which is perfect for the indecisive shopper/fashionista. Nice to see some colour blocking in there as well as a nice selection of nude tones. They certainly know how to please us.

Daily Style Crush: Raven Symone

We've been following the weight loss of curvy Disney star Raven Symone for quite some time now, but her appearance at the 18th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala stood out even more than usual. 

Although she was obviously still beautiful before the weight loss began, and you could tell she was still comfortable in her own skin which is one of the qualities that makes us love her, she really did look sensational with her slimmer figure strutting her stuff on the catwalk. Bigger or smaller, we will always have a soft spot for the child star who we grew up watching. 

Image courtesy of Frederick M. Brown/Getty