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London - RTW SS09

Giles
Spaceship headwear accessorized this collection. The clothes were his usual high fashion but not 'out there' unwearable. His sexy fitted short sleeved dresses included a gorgeous graphic print Black and white number. A lot of his look this season will stand the test of time. His willowy floor length black draped dress was the S/O piece.

Aquascutum
KS loves this collection! Purples and blacks. Great materials for spring. Very wearable and timeless. Soft side ruffles are so feminine. The strapless purple/black kaftan dress was our S/O piece. They have surpassed Burberry with this collection.

Christopher Kane
Scalloped edges were the key feature. He featured red leather jackets and mustard leather skirts. Not wearable for most women but the detailing can easily translated on the HS. His gorilla print futuristic mini dress was our S/O piece.

Nicole Farhi
A fantastic homage to the 50's. All so flattering and extremely wearable. Modern floral patterned dresses, ¾ length trousers. Acid yellow ¾ trench coats all so relaxed and chic. Her blue/red and white striped dress was our S/O piece – gorgeous. The most simple yet effective black dress knee length is sure to be a hit with the RTW and HS ladies.

Luella
This collection will grow on K-S – hopefully. An ultra-layered Chanel interpretation gone wrong is what comes to mind, but we will say no more.

New York - RTW SS09

Ralph Lauren
Always classic. This collection's twist was its African, Arabian accents. Headscarfs/turbans along with Indiana Jones style hats. Safari silk shirts, harem pants and narrow legged trousers in sand tones. Metallic dresses in soft golds, greens, black and white.

Marc Jacobs
A decadent, flamboyant collection. The prints are a kaleidoscope of colour so hard to describe you have to see it. He takes you back in time and steps you into the future in one fail swoop. His accessories i.e. stacked bangles can already be seen on the high street. Our standout outfit is the metallic purple leather pencil skirt teamed with a sunshine yellow shirt – Fabulous! and so is this collection.

Diane Von Furstenberg
Hippy chic was the surprise theme here. K-S is not convinced as we adore DVF's usual easy to wear glam designs – maybe it's the flower headbands that are putting us off. There are some great pieces in this collection but they are lost in the hippy focus!

Milan - RTW SS09

Prada
Pencil skirts, strapless bra tops and tee-shirts were a key feature, crumpled fabrics in an array of colours including tinfoil gold, bronze, black, red and ochre. Layering featured strongly. K-S is not feeling this collection – it's too messy but that's just our humble opinion. Non-iron fabrics no doubt will feature heavily on the high street.

Dolce & Gabbana
Well, Well!?! It will be interesting to see if wearing your nightclothes i.e. jim-jams on the high street. Dressing gowns ruled this show along with basques and bubble skirts. We are particularly confused with the pairing of a patterned bubble skirt with pyjama top! not a good look in our eyes – enough said.

Gucci
What works? This collection. Gucci has communicated spring summer and wearability perfectly this season. Any one of any age and size can take inspiration and it will translate beautifully on the high street. Colours; tropical jewel tones suit most people. An uplifting collection. Bravo Gucci! Fitted blazers, belted skirts. Like JPG one shoulder full length dresses really shone. The black empire line dress with fitted low front was our favourite.

Georgio Armani
The gift of Armani is the fit and drape. Another very wearable collection. Delicate hues, soft chiffons and silks. Monochrome brooches, accessories. Our fave, his strapless pale bluey-green silk flowing knee length dress – stunning! A hit for the high street copycats.

Burberry Prorsum
Country chic defines this collection. Floppy hats and colour dipped fabrics, brocades and necklaces that look like your 10yr old daughter/niece made them (in a good way). Trenches were very male in their tailoring. K-S prefers their trademark fitted trench. Another collection with a messy feel. Another feature were the socks with shoes – interesting. This collection will date in an instant.

Versace
Ultra-sexy collection where you have to show off your legs! Gorgeous cuts and fit in ivory, yellow, shimmer golds, pinks, purple and black. Hand painted starfish prints on some of the pieces are stunning. The 3D heart shaped zip ivory one-strap evening dress was the S/O piece – Amazing! Bare shoulders was the theme, longer length versions of this collection would be a sure fire hit on the high street.

D&G
Keywords in fact, only words; Nautical and ridiculous!

Missoni
Japanese influenced, so fashionable and so wearable. The colour palettes of coral, chocolate brown and beige. Shirt dresses, strapless jumpsuits, amazing fabrics, matching mid-width belts. S/O piece embellished pale orange/gold v strap ‘trousergown with the look of leather in the picture (not quite sure). K-S wasn't up close and personal at the show, so cannot confirm. An outstanding collection which you don't have to be stick thin to wear.

Paris - RTW SS09

COLLECTION CRITIQUE

The SPRING/SUMMER 2009 READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTIONS were a homage to the 80's and confirms Karma-Style's (K-S) philosophy.

Christian Dior
See-through mini dresses and full length dresses, criss-cross front halter necks in hues of limes, oranges, muted soft greys, sage and fuchsia. Embellishments with studs and sequins, belted waists. No real statement jewellery and no allowances for full figured women - this collection is not for the majority. Model proportioned ladies can only wear these styles.

Chanel
Throwback Chanel with a twist, monochrome suit with fingerless gloves. Statement jewellery in the form of huge collars. Black and white dominated, with the addition of Pinks, peaches and grey. Not sure about the headpieces?! birds nest spring to mind. Strange gypsy foiling in some of the collection which looked really odd. Cool draping jewellery, boleros and mid to full length skirts. A very mature collection.

Yves Saint Laurent
What can we say…in one word Fabulous! Square basketweave shoes and ankle boots so unique and such a trend - will never go out of fashion. These looks can so easily translate on the high street for the young and old. LBDs rocked. Blacks, pale shimmer golds, rich purples and bronzes lit up this collection. Once again, various lengths and shapes, belted and high waists were featured. Gorgeous shiny plum and forest green dresses were the S/O look. The clothes are stylish yet comfortable. Bravo! Stefan Pilati.

Louis Vuitton
This collection is not for the everyday woman on the 'street'. Statement accessories are a massive trend for SS2009. Huge hoops and full on neckpieces. K-S is loving this collection, even though it isn't a realistic look for most women, Marc Jacobs has produced an innovative collection.

Chloé
Colours of muted pastels, lime yellow, red, black and ivory. 3D shoulders and scalloped edging details. KS is not loving this collection, but we are wise enough to know it can transfer well on the high street. It's safety with an edge. We do love the knee-length chocolate deep V puff sleeve dress - a great look.
Newsflash - MC Hammer pants are back!

Alexander McQueen
How does this man do it? His designs are mostly unwearable for the majority. Saying that we believe his designs are true works of art. K-S is proud he is British, his space-age sequin mini dress to the swirl-patterned fabrics in gold, browns and cream and the gunmetal grey dress which looked like hair – gorgeous! Lots of big shoulders, wide belts and high necks. Shades of blue and purple kaleidoscope jacket with matching leggings – Amazing. The jewelled burnt orange catsuit is a K-S fave. Alexander McQueen we salute you!

Mui Mui
No ultra-minis here. This collection of reds, black, and arty fabrics is so wearable for all ages and sizes. Classy elegance yet so high fashion without feeling overdressed. Great lengths very flattering, soft pleating, so feminine. K-S loves the roman print fabric dresses. This old school fabric will never date – so chic.

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Gorgeous autumnal colours, tailored suits in his own inimitable style. One shoulder dresses that flatter the décolleté big time. Shoulder pads played a big part in this collection, layered gold tops were layered over dresses, dresses over trousers all so relaxed and very chic, wide and narrow belts accented the waist.

Stella McCartney
Pastels – peach, grey and flesh tones with a sprinkling of black ruled this collection. Shoulders were also a key feature whether bare or padded. Jewellery was a flashback to the 80's - huge plastic hoops and button earrings. The signature oversize blazers were a let down, their shapelessness make these pieces outdated from the get-go. Not impressed here at K-S, although her black patterned shoulder accent cream mini-dress was a winner.

Paul and Joe
A cool relaxed, floral and fresh collection. Lace, denims, checked and chambray shirts that embody spring. Ripped and customized jeans another flashback to the 80's. Loving the khaki low v jumpsuit and strapless polka dot floaty dress were the stand-out pieces. Bear in mind this collection is for the young, and the young at heart.