Better off Red: Dolce & Gabbana

image from Catwalking

What's a girl gotta do to get a Dolce & Gabbana crown around here?!

I know i've not been posting much this weekend, but I couldn't resist posting this one faaaaabulous image from Dolce & Gabbana's AW13 show in Milan.

Milan is one of my favourite cities for shopping, architecture, culture, but it is certainly not my favourite fashion week. Always a little bit too "much" for my tastes, the designers that show in Milan aren't among my favourites, with a few notable exceptions, of course. 

Nevertheless, the Dolce & Gabbana show was rather tempting indeed: a furiously regal showcase of golden crowns, gilded brocades and intricately crafted scarlet dresses. Shamelessly luxurious, this collection just exudes that typical Dolce & Gabbana lavish glamour.  

LFW AW13: Runway

Simone Rocha, images from Catwalking

Jonathan Saunders, images from Catwalking

Felder Felder, images from Catwalking

Erdem, images from Catwalking

Mary Katrantzou, images from Catwalking

Richard Nicoll, Images from Catwalking

 For today's instalment of my LFW analysis, I thought i'd present to you my pick of the LFW catwalks.

There have been some real highs and some real lows this season, so here is a brief analysis of which ones I personally fell for.

I must admit that I did not really rate Burberry or Mulberry, both of which I usually love. I felt they were both rather staid in comparison to the other talent to be found at LFW, such as Simone Rocha and Felder Felder, two brands who presented truly phenomenal collections with immaculate styling. 

I have been following the work of Simone Rocha for a while now, and her latest collection certainly delivered in my view. Soft pastel shades that would not look out of place on a S/S catwalk were modernised with unique tailoring techniques and innovative fabrics. To bring the collection bang up to date and back into the realms of A/W,  these sugar pastels were interspersed with tactile and tempting looks of jet black, providing a stark contrast between prettiness and power. 

Moving on, I simply can't sing the praises of both Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll enough, and neither disappointed me for AW13. Jonathan Saunders pulled out all the stops with a modern but feminine aesthetic which is sure to be a hit, it is also going to be my fat day inspiration- those loose sweaters worn over slouchy skirts would conceal a multitude of sins... and donuts... and champagne... 

I am never going to say I dislike an Erdem collection because I highly doubt that I ever could. While this new collection is not my favourite of all time, I do love the slightly sinister, darkly romantic look. I particularly adore the intricate black lace that conjures up images visions of a fantastical forest at witching hour. 

Which were your favourite shows of the new season?