*Trend: Ruffles

Embrace your femininity this summer by stepping out in ruffles!

This girly embellishment enhances the look of any outfit.

Many designers present them in their frilliest, feminine form.

But lest you pass out from all the pastel, remember that opposites attract, and an edgy element such as a distressed moto jacket, black leather belt or tailored blazer will go a long way as you court this look.

Because it's all about contrasts this Spring.

Here I've selected a couple pieces:

Marni Horn ruffle bracelet

Rachel Gilbert Hannah mini dress

Moschino Ruffle skirt dress

Designer Remix Collection ruffle neck dress

Emanuel Ungaro Taffeta silk mini skirt

Catherine Malandrino ruffle neck top

Zimmerman summer lovers bikini

Sources:

www.thebudgetbabes.com

www.net-a-porter.com

www.moschino.com

*Trend: Jumpsuits

The all-in one jumpsuit is this year’s answer to go-anywhere dress.

New cuts take on a long lean look with strapless, asymmetric, cowl and halter necklines and the up-to-the-minute ankle-cropped 7/8th lengths.

A drawstring at the waist adds detail this season, whilst still keeping things simple.

Belt slouchy all-in-ones at the waist for a sexy silhouette.
The humble jumpsuit has had a makeover with heavy embellished tops, sparkling sequins and studded waistbands.

Yes, some all-in-ones are a but overwhelming, but there are so many subtle styles available that it’s possible to find a suit for any situation.

Here a couple of my favourite pieces for this spring:

(This pieces are a bit expensive, but cheaper alternatives can be found on www.topshop.com)

Stella Mc Cartney shantung silk jumpsuit

Alexander Wang Printed silk playsuit

Missoni Fortaleza woven jumpsuit

Alexander Mc Queen all-in-one tuxedo

ADAM sleeveless silk jumpsuit

Halston wrap top jumpsuit

Lounge lover tessa jumpsuit

Sources:

www.net-a-porter.com

www.topshop.com

*Trend: Sequins

Sequins in spring, not normally something you would consider but thanks to designers including Dior, Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson the sparkles are not just reserved for the party season now.

With such an enormous popularity of sequin items this spring, I felt I owed to dedicate at least one post to the sparkly sequin trend.

If you have recently made an investment into a sequin item, have no regrets!

Based on all the runway reports, sequin trend will stay with us for as long as summer 2009.

To illustrate my affection for the attention-getting material, we rounded up a few excellent examples:

Rachel Gilbert Scottie sequin dress

Adam Ruffle tank

Phillip Lim sequin covered dress

Diane Von Furstenberg Zaria sequined dress

Donna Karan top

Marc Jacobs chain detail bouclé jacket

Anna Sui paillette embellished shorts

Miu miu sequin platform shoes

Sources:

www.net-a-porter.com

www.whowhatwear.com

*Runway: Catherine Malandrino

Successfully merging Parisian flair with New York cool, this are the key words for a malandrino collection.

Malandrino's clothes are intricately cut, colorful bursts of subtle sophistication.

Malandrino stayed true to her crafty core with loads of tactile details for the eye to drink in, including scalloped lace, appliquéd tulle, and quilted leather.

New for Spring, she explored the idea of layering fabric that worked nicely to add an interesting layer of texture.

That said, a fishnet overlay fell flat. The designer is reissuing the flag dress she found fame with a decade ago, but it was another nod to Americana that provided some necessary wit here: a lace-printed silk gown featuring the Statue of Liberty.

Though it's clearly what her clientele responds to, Malandrino's craft parade can easily threaten overload, and it did so here with a backless jeweled top that seemed to be little more than a hunk of embellishment with straps, as well as a gown with a neckline of gob-stopper jewels.

Here soms shots from the show:

Sources:

www.net-a-porter.com
www.vogue.com
www.elle.com
www.style.com
www.catherinemalandrino.com

*Fashion: Giuseppe Zanotti

From attention-grabbing cut-out wedges to demure daytime flats Giuseppe Zanotti has something for every shoe-fanatic.

His hometown of San Mauro Pascoli in Italy has a long tradition of shoemaking so footwear was in his blood.

Zanotti's high-fashion debut was at Christian Dior and he has since consulted for Roberto Cavalli, Missoni and Vera Wang.

In 1993 he set up his eponymous line, which is now the go-to for starlets after shoes with the wow-factor.

For the woman who shops, knowing that a percentage of her futile expense goes to a good cause makes her feel better about shopping," he said.

Here one of my favourite pairs:

Studded strappy sandals

Cutout patent sandals

Chainmain cuff sandals

Woven leather sandals

Cutout shoe boots

Crystal detail thong sandals

Sources:

www.vicinishoes.com

www.net-a-porter.com

*Runway: Preen

The show opened with an example of the latter: a white one-shoulder cocktail dress with cutouts at the ribs inset with a wide mesh.

Next came a denim-looking silk button-down blouse tucked into matching genie pants with slouchy pockets and fabric pooling at the ankles.

Back-and-forth it went like that—tiny dresses in white, red, or black, some with caged backs, laces crisscrossing the shoulder blades, others with mesh slips peeking a few inches below the hem, followed by weightless silk or chiffon cut into drawstring-waist dresses and anoraks that floated on the breeze in the model's wake.

For me the elegancy, different colors and patterns makes the pieces of the collection a big hit.

Sources:

www.preen.com

www.elle.com

www.style.com

*Fashion: Alice+Olivia Spring presentation

Alice + Olivia was born from designer Stacey Bendet's love of pants and her quest to find the perfect pair; flattering, form-fitting and long enough to wear with the highest heels.

After a successful launch in 2002, which had everyone in her native New York lining up for a pair of "Stacey's perfect pants", her collection has grown to include retro-inspired tunic dresses, tops and jackets.

The city-chic side of Stacey showed up again in her collection of girly brightly colored dresses and blouses, with the floral-print silk gown a real standout.

Here a preview of the presentation for spring 2009:

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Sources:

www.net-a-porter.com

www.content.coutorture.com