London

Giles Deacon's dazzling evening gowns

The day ended with one of the hottest tickets of the week. Along with the iconic Italian fashion editor Ana Piaggi, we arrived late (not quite as fashionably) and the venue was heaving. Our seat had been snapped up so we watched from the edges and hung backstage where we could get a good view of Giles Deacon’s incredibly crafted evening gowns, fit for a grand ball. Deacon had incorporated influences from nature like pheasant feathers and porcupine spikes for dramatic effect. Exquisite corsets, complex embroidery, black ostrich feathers, yards of silk and the most amazing Duchesse silk dress made from 550 pieces of fabric looked awesome.

All well and good but when we thought about the highlight of the day, the simple, unpretentious charms of Antoni & Alison won hands down. Feature continues

Trends
If you want be ahead of the pack, here are the trends for winter that you can start buying now (ooh, and the ones to ditch too). You know it makes sense.

Buy
Classic tailoring as seen at Margaret Howell in the form of beautifully cut wide leg trousers or Todd Lynn who delivered slim trousers and blazers with nipped-in waists and padded shoulders.
Glossy black. A pair of PVC leggings perhaps – or maybe just some patent shoes (check out Topshop, Ravel and Russell & Bromley)
Brogues. The fashion pack can’t seem to get enough of them. We predict it’s a trend that’s going to run and run – check out Luella’s or go to a traditional British shoemaker like Browns. River Island has also done its own pointy version.
Short skirts. Above the knee, fitted but not too short.
Elnett hairspray and perhaps some extensions – huge hair, slick back at the sides and back combed on top is back in a big way. Thank you Danielle Scutt.

Sell
Neon. Over before it began. Purveyors Christopher Kane, Mario Schwab have ditched the fluro in time for winter for more muted and sophisticated colours.
Anything remotely boho or floaty. Yes, that includes chiffon dresses and peasant tunic tops.
Carrot-shaped jeans. Officially dead. Slim fits still ok – particularly Radcliffe’s NW1 but anything tapered, forget it.
Grey tights. Every day at Fashion Week at least ten fashion people could be spotted working this trend, usually with some big old statement shoes in bright colours. Enough already, and anyway spring is on its way.
Purple. Big on the catwalks last season, nowhere to be seen this time around. So tricky to wear.
Animal print. A hard one to get right and definitely not OK to buy on the high street. If you can’t give it up, make sure it’s vintage faux leopard print worn with black and a dash of red lipstick.