Basso & Brooke's stunning prints

The Basso & Brooke SS08 is the first show this season that when I saw the pictures, my heart started beating faster with desire. It is just stunning. I love everything!

The shapes have not really changed that much since the AW07 collection (in our warehouse now!) but the prints are just wonderful. But maybe that's because I love colour. I've never been scared of big prints and bright colours and prefer hot pink, yellows and orange to black. It is these prints that the guys at Basso and Brooke are famous for so it's no wonder that I love it.

Unfortunately I'm not buying the collection this season. They only do their buying appointments in Milan and I can not physically get there which is really unfortunate. I really hope they start to see that the world of fashion does not revolve around Milan and offer appointments in at least one other city.

Here's a five minute interview with Bruno Basso & Christopher Brooke.

Amanda Wakeley's safe style

There's no doubting the elegance of Amanda Wakeley's designs. They are the type of garments I'd love to put on and wander around my white-washed-walled Belgravia home (if I had one) with it's white interiors.

Her new collection is lovely. It's safe but it does have some stand outs that are stunning. The black chiffon covered catsuit is so simple and yet so highly flattering and fabulous.

I have decided not to buy Amanda Wakeley going forward. I believe that Brittique's customers, you, want more edgy design with standout qualities rather than the safer classics. But I'd love to hear your views.

Photos: Vogue.co.uk

Preppy from Peter Jensen

SS08 was another play on the preppy look that Peter Jensen has made his signature. I always like his clothes better in the buying appointment than I do in the show. Maybe it's the styling that just doesn't do it for me, or maybe that they don't show their best pieces in the show.

His colourful sweaters are very cute and I can see myself living in his "P" embossed tee with people wondering where it came from. The sexy secretary in grey look is fabulous and could be adapted in so many ways. I'm really not sure about the dropped crotch jeans though. They don't look fabulous on a model, so not sure about the rest of us. The pink tea dress with the lace petticoat and collar is just the sweetest dress, but would you wear it?

Photos from Style.com

Louise Amstrup in the Guardian

After these Louise Amstrup trousers appeared in the Guardian I was inundated with customers asking where they could get hold of them. We do have them available on preorder for delivery early October. But already we've sold out to just two pairs left...

I can't praise enough the fit of Louise Amstrup's garments. Nothing is too tight, it fits real women in all the right places. Her trousers are a must-try.

Emma Cook is sailing for SS08

Emma Cook has become one of the most popular designers on Brittique and there is little wonder when I see her new collection for SS08. I really love how she takes a theme and then loosely bases her collection around it. For SS07 it was the feathers, for AW07 the owl and the coming season has a subtle nautical theme with anchor emblem.

Her new collection features some really fun little dresses that are still easy wearing and easy fitting, which are the main reasons she has a following. But the quality in the detailing of the crochet and applique mean that they stand out from the collections of any other designer.

From these pictures I know the buying appointment is going to be really difficult - how much I can buy with my budget! And I can't forget to mention the fantastic ankle boots - I must find out where we can get those!

Behind the scenes with Brittique

Guy and his team at fashion156.com work tirelessly on this brilliant, original and inspiring e-zine. Produced every 12 days, it works to support new designers, something that both Guy and I are passionate about.

This issue features an interview with me about my views on London Fashion Week. Shown here are the Tata Naka Mickey Mouse dress and the hugely popular Amanda Wakeley corset belt. Also featured in the "Hot" list is the Rose Dress by Tata Naka.

The battle of the Brits

As a homesick Brit (by adoption from Australia) I miss newspapers almost more than London's clean restaurants. Even the most high brow of broadsheets seems like The Sun compared to The Times. And don't get me started on US Vogue... a larger UK Glamour? I think so.

But then I discovered the New York Magazine and The New Yorker. Fabulous publications that manage to be intelligent, gripping and educational all at once. When I eventually move back to London, I won't be giving up my subscriptions to either publications.

Today I read the Lisa Armstrong article "The Brits are coming, so let the battle commence" about how designers tend to become rather Americanised when they show at NY fashion week starting with the teeth. She then continues that NYFW is pretty much a week of the same with only a few stand outs and you need to come to London for originality.

Normally I would agree wholeheartedly with Lisa, and tend to think of American fashion as quite samey. But then I saw the picture here of Nadia Livingstone shop girl from jeweller Alexis Bittar from the NYmag's "Ask A Shop Clerk". Although on the skinny side (let's assume that it's natural) she looks incredible. I love the way she's teamed the patterned leggings, which sit a the perfect length on her calves, with the tight body-con dress and large belt. The shoes and jewellery all add to the inspired outfit. This one picture makes me actually want to stand up and say that there are pockets of ingenuity in New York, you just have to know where to find them.

Tribute to Anita Roddick

Anita Roddick is one of the most influential business people of our decade and someone I have long admired. It's very sad that she passed away today from a brain hemorrhage probably caused by Hepatitis C.

Only a couple of months ago I was due to meet with her for a business mentoring session. She has selected Brittique.com as an ethical business and wanted to meet me. It was a huge honour but unfortunately I could not go because I had just moved to New York. A friend and founder of Devi Doll, Sindhu, went in my place. She was gushing about the strength and passion that just flowed from Anita. I deeply regret that I could not meet her.

I'm currently reading her book Business As Unusual. Her business views really are unusual and I also hope that these can be reflected in Brittique. While she was in the business of beauty and cosmetics, she used The Body Shop as a platform to lobby fearlessly against the "big guys" and raise awareness for causes. The book is a brilliant read and I recommend it for everyone in business.

The death of Anita Roddick has left a huge void in the international business world and I hope someone can step up to the role.

Preen in New York

Despite being in New York now, I didn’t get to Preen’s debut American show. It’s a shame they left London, but given the blog inches they’ve been given before and after the show you can understand why.

I did check out the show on vogue.co.uk and I must say that I’m in love. The easy fitting, easy wearing pieces are just so floaty and beautiful. I can imagine walking down Fifth Avenue with the flowing silk brushing against my legs. These flowing styles that belt in at the waist are just perfect for curvy girls like me as well as the more straight-up-and-down figures because they add a waist.

Also fabulous in this show was the model's hair. It's a nice change from overstyled hair. That messy and yet sleek waves is the look I aspire to - or rather what happens when I don't blow dry my hair, although mine has a bit more of a "fly-away" look that I'm waiting to come into style. Doubt it will ever catch on here in New York though, the girls always look like they step from a salon each morning!

I’m looking forward to the buying appointment and I’ve already had customers emailing asking to be put on the waiting list for specific pieces. So if there is anything you want, please let me know now!

My favorites are the yellow silk shirt dress. This colour is just beautiful as is the stunning blue also featuring in this collection. The white jumpsuit also looks so fun in a "scrubs" kind of way. It reminds me of when I bought a white cotton coat and met some friends for brunch. Everyone asked if I had a new job at a hospital! Finally the white tulip shaped frock coat is just so Preen and I'm already lusting after it. Not sure that white is such a great option though, it will probably spend as much time at the dry cleaners as it will on me. I'll wait to see what other colour options they offer.

Helena Christensen flip flops about in Camilla Staerk

When I first tore this page out of Grazia, I actually thought it was Mischa Barton! There is a resemblance with Helena Christensen, even if it's just the hat, mini and casual flats style.

It just so happens that these are Camilla Staerk flip flops and we were selling them at February's London Fashion Weekend. I actually think there are some more left...

As a fellow Dane, Helena has long been a fan of Camilla Staerk. I believe Helena stocks the label in her New York boutique. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but now it's cooling down, I have no excuse.