January fashion shows

Gucci S/S 2012

It's the beginning of a new year, and the beginning of a new fashion season. January is set to showcase the best in men's fashion from Paris and Milan as well as the Paris haute couture shows.

Dates, dates, dates!

• Milan Menswear A/W 2012: Jan 14-18
• Paris Fashion Week A/W 2012 Menswear: Jan 18-22
• Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture: Jan 23-26

China International Fashion Week

Umbrella cocktail dress by Liu Lili.

China pulled out all the stops for the International Fashion Week held in Beijing last week. I don't know what to think of the umbrella dress above by a designer called Liu Lili - but it sure has a bit of edge to it - I can definitely see it worn in the streets of Harajuku. There was also a leather design competition held during fashion week, and China churned out some pretty amazing pieces there too. More pics below.

Gown by Deng Hao.

Entry in the leather design competition.

Another leather design entry.

See the full leather design gallery here, and some more amazing designs here. Images via People's Daily Online.

Burberry Prorsum Womenswear Spring Summer 2011

So, this is pretty much the best womenswear collection I've ever seen. I do overdo it on the drama always sometimes, but seriously I absolutely adore what Christopher Bailey has done this season.

The colour of the collection is nude-based - reaffirming the no-black policy of the spring/summer season - with super-chic splashes of neon. Oh, and there are enough studs and metallics to pick up a radio signal.

I won't talk any more on this collection because I'll go on for hours and it's almost 4am in Australia. I will say that I honestly feel like crying when I see this collection (again with the dramatics, I know!), it's just so beautiful. Below are a few of my favourite looks, full collection is here.

Colour Blocking is Back

Jil Sander SS 2011

Quick! Go run through a fluoro paint ball battle field, because colour blocking is 'in' again!

Colour is a recurring theme througout the Spring Summer 2011 collections. Jil Sander is a colour-blocking extravaganza this season and Versus by Christopher Kane breaks out the bright, clashing colours too. Bright colours continue on through D&G's floral-themed collection as well as Prada's SS 2011 offerings and the Moschino Cheap & Chic Presentation. Even Burberry featured flashes of neon.

Here are some tips from British Vogue on colour blocking... From 2009! It may be several seasons ago now, but judging by the sea of clashing colours we're seeing, it's still relevent.

Complimentary Colours
•Team colours from the same family together for a harmonious look - think bright pinks with vivid fuchsias, turquoise with royal blue
•Keep warmer tones like orange and red together
•Go for a neutral-toned shoe to keep it simple

Mixing it Up
•Work regal purples in with contrasting, fiery oranges
•Try lime green with melon or rosebud pink for a pleasantly jarring combination
•Go to town on the look with a loud, contrasting shoe or handbag

Versus SS 2011

Here's a video BryanBoy took of the Jil Sander show:

Anna Dello Russo's Fashion Month Looks

Fashion week is all about the clothes, right? Maybe not always the clothes draping from the models though... I could watch an entire collection of just Anna Dello Russo's looks! So, here are a few the style icon's fashion show outfits from the various fashion weeks across the globe.

Milano Fashion Week: Anna wears Emilio Pucci.

Milano Fashion Week: Anna at DSquared2.

Milano Fashion Week: Anna at the Mittel Moda Fashion Award Exhibit.

Milano Fashion Week: Anna at Emporio Armani.

New York Fashion Week: Anna wears Jason Wu (photo via The Sartorialist).

NYFW: Anna wears Balenciaga.

NYFW: Anna wears Worth Couture and headpiece by Alan Journo (photo via BryanBoy).

NYFW: Anna wears Francesco Scognamiglio.

I especially love the lime Pucci outfit, the Balenciaga dress and I'm always a little fond of Worth Couture. FYI, my girl Kylie Minogue also made an appearance at Pucci and stole the show in a stunning gold Pucci mini dress.