A-Z of Autumn/Winter 2014 Fashion

A is for... Artistic

Autumn/Winter patterns are reminiscent of art work, be it geometric like the 60s or scribbles and doodles as seen at Burberry.

Left to Right: Chanel, Burberry Prorsum, Bottega Veneta

B is for... Berry, Tomato, Crimson Reds

Seen all over the catwalk, red is a hot colour this season. Wear in any shade you like, as long as it's red, it's right!

Left to Right: Versace, Sportmax, Dolce and Gabbana

C is for... Capes

Capes are back! But if they aren't for you, wear your coat over your shoulders, cape-style.

Left to Right: Valentino, Thakoon, Saint Laurent

D is for... Dappper

Channel the androgynous look with crisp shirts and sharp tailoring. This season, best worn head-to-toe block colour.

Left to Right: Stella McCartney, Gucci, Hugo Boss

E is for... Embellishment

Even top print designers such as Mary Katrantzou opted for embellishment over print for AW14. This is one sparkly season!

Left to Right: Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem

F is for... Fairytale Fantasy

Woodland creatures at both Valentino and Dolce and Gabbana, Game of Thrones at McQueen and Little Riding Hood at Fendi, there was an overall fairytale fantasy theme on the catwalks this season.

Left to Right: Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Dolce and Gabbana

G is for... Glitter

Glittery fabrics were a very popular choice with the designers. Seen on everything from skirts to suits and outerwear.

Left to Right: Rodarte, No.21, Antonio Berardi

H is for... Hairy

And by that, I mean fur! It is making a huge comeback!

Left to Right: MSGM, Marni, House of Holland

I is for... Intergalactic

Stars at Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Matthew Williamson, and the moon at Rodarte.

Left to Right: Rodarte, Jean-Charles de Catelbajac, Matthew Williamson

J is for... Jungle Fever

Animal patterns is on the biggest trends right now. A key piece seen across many catwalks is the leopard print coat.

Left to Right: Givenchy, Just Cavalli, Carven

K is for... Knit Head-to-Toe

Make a statement with your knitwear, wear head-to-toe for full impact. Chanel even had knitted tweed sunglasses...

Left to Right: Missoni, Chanel, Joseph

L is for... Lace Up

Lace up footwear is a big trend this season, whether it be trainers, heels or boots, the more laces the better.

Left to Right: Chanel, Antonio Berardi, Emilio Pucci

M is for... Mini Bags

One of the cutest trends this season is the mini handbag, adorable! Not the most practical trend but don't worry, oversized bags are still in style. Keep it dainty or keep it bold. Another bag trend for AW14 is fun packaging - see Moschino for ideas.

Left to Right: Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Moschino

N is for... Newcomer Danielle Romeril

Danielle Romeril's label has only been around for 2 years so far but she is one to watch with her youthful and contemporary yet nostalgic designs. I lover her AW14 collection with a 60s feel.

O is for... Outerwear

Outerwear is getting better each season, more and more designers are getting creative with their coats and jackets. Waterfall coats as seen at Chloe are particularly popular along with plastic or sporty raincoats. I love Balenciaga's plastic cable knit one!

Left to Right: Chloe, Balenciaga, Thakoon

P is for... Patchwork

Whether traditional like Prada, abstract like Missoni or layered like Jonathan Saunders, patchwork is in!

Left to Right: Prada, Missoni, Jonathan Saunders

Q is for... Quliting

Quilting is back but this time it's not just restricted to outerwear.

Left to Right: Miu Miu, Christian Dior, Temperley London

R is for... Retro

Biggest comebacks are from the 60s and 70s but if you don't want to let go of the 90s just yet, you're in luck.

Left to Right: DSquared2, Meadham Kirchoff, Saint Laurent

S is for... Sports Luxe

The 90s sportswear revival takes a slightly more glamorous and refined approach.

Left to Right: Jeremy Scott, DKNY, Tom Ford

T is for.. Tartan, Plaid, Checks

This trend is everywhere, you can't really go wrong!

Left to Right: DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel

U is for... Ultra High Neck

Wrap up warm this winter as high-necks are super stylish. Layer a rollneck under your clothing, wear a turtleneck coat or scarf it up.

Left to Right: Edun, Peter Pilotto, Salvatorre Ferragamo

V is for... Velvet

Glam up in luxurious velvet.

Left to Right: Michael Van Der Ham, Emilio Pucci, Nina Ricci

W is for... Woolly

Woolly textures are both stylish and practical this season. A key piece is the woolly coat in cute sugary pastels.

Left to Right: Emilio de la Morena, Erdem, Gucci

X is for... X-Ray Sheer

Sheer fabrics are great for layering or showing some skin without baring all.

Left to Right: Prada, Alberta Ferretti, Donna Karan

Y is for... Yoda

Rodarte's collection this season was full of Star Wars references with images of Yoda, R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker printed across garments.

Z is for... Zesty

Brighten up your winter in eye-catching colours.

Left to Right: Christian Dior, Paul&Joe, Gucci

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A-Z of Couture Spring/Summer 2014

A is for... Artisinal
This was the name of the collection at Maison Martin Margiela which celebrated handcrafting and finding preciousness in the overlooked. Wallpaper-type prints were patchworked together, old fabrics and garments were reworked, creating new from the old.

B is for... Bride
Model, Cara Delevingne, closed the show at Chanel in a stunning sheer, white gown and feathered headdress as Karl Lagerfeld's bride, complete with page boy.

C if for... Confetti

Continuing the bridal theme, Alexis Mabille presented frills and confetti butterflies at his couture show. A bride-to-be's fairytale.

D is for... Diagonal Lines

There were bold stripes everywhere at this season's couture shows. Wear them in every direction.

Top: Oscar Carvallo Bottom: Ulyana Sergeenko

E is for... Elegance

Pure elegance and sophistication was demonstrated across many of the shows. 

Top: Giorgio Armani Prive, Ralph & Russo Bottom: Valentino, Elie Saab

F is for... Floral Fairytale

One of my favourite couture collections this year comes from Elie Saab and his dreamy, fairytale designs in floral embellishments, feminine palette and luxurious fabrics.

G is for... Glow

Extreme hairdresser, Charlie Le Mindu, was inspired by the seapunk and spacepunk movement - a new world where man has not been yet. Extravagant headpieces glowed under neon lights and models were dressed in latex catsuits.

H is for... Hooded

Versace models were dressed in jersey silk dresses with hoods - much like Kylie Minogue's infamous outfit in Can't Get You Out of my Head. 

I is for... Iridescence

Fabrics this season were more luxurious than ever in iridescent shades and silvery tones.

Top: Giorgio Armani Prive Bottom: Versace

J is for... Jewel Encrusted

Opulent jewel embellishment was another lavish theme across many of the shows with panelling at Alexandre Vauthier, embellished jackets at Bouchra Jarrar, beads, buttons and chains at Margiela and tattoos at Versace.

K is for... Kerchief

Giorgio Armani Prive's collection, entitled Nomade was inspired by all things Eastern with headscarves, genie pants and embroidered motifs.

L is for... Latex

Viktor & Rolf's latex collection was modelled by cast members of the Duch National Ballet. Blurring the line between skin and clothing, they presented draped, fluid ballet dresses, skater skirts and wrap dresses. The latex was as light as chiffon, transforming a untraditional fabric into a delicate one suitable for couture.

M is for... Modern Technology

Hussein Chalayan brings modern technology to the house of Vionnet with winding electrical wires around waists and necks.

N is for... Newcomer

New to the couture scene is Bouchra Jarrar, becoming the first woman grand couturiere in thirty years! Her collection featured tailored trousers, embellished jackets and feathers.

O is for... Opera

The theme for Valentino this season was Opera. Every dress embodied a character from an Opera in a magical, woodland themed, imaginary world. Snakes and birds wound around short ballerina dresses whilst lace robes and cashmere coats featured butterflies and flowers. The opening outfit introduced the theme with a tulle dress decorated in musical notes.

P is for... Pop of Colour

Giambattista Valli was bright, fun and bold in colour.

Q is for... Queen Bee

This season celebrates the womanly figure with hourglass silhouettes seen at Ralph & Russo, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stephane Rolland.

R is for... Ruffles

Ruffles, frills, flounces, whatever you want to call them, they were everywhere.

Top: Stephane Rolland, Oscar Carvallo Bottom: Alexandre Vauthier, Jean Paul Gaultier

S is for... Sporty

Sportswear is a big theme this season with Chanel leading the way and Dior featuring some trainers.

Top: Chanel Bottom: Chanel, Christian Dior

T is for... Theatrical

Theatrical shows from Jean Paul Gaultier featuring Dita Von Teese, and Schiaperelli. Would you expect any less?

U is for... Underwear

Bra top detailing is a big hit this season.

V is for... Vivid Prints

Prints were graphic and bold at Schiaperelli and Margiela.

W is for... Windsurf

This was the theme at Alexandre Vauthier with beachy attitude and ambient music.

X is for... X-ray

See through clothes in sheer fabrics were popular amongst many designers.

Top: Chanel, Elie Saab Bottom: Stephane Rolland, Valentino

Y is for... Yellow

Stephane Rolland's show was bright and summery in yellow.

Z is for... Ziad Ghanem

Ziad Ghanem's collection features plus sized models and took inspiration from Disney villains. The silhouettes were dramatic, bold and majestic. His styles are available in sizes 8-24.