#mai'sthoughts..

I am not inclined to try very many sports willingly at all - maybe running for the last remaining must have designer sale piece floor or even for the bus - but I am wanting to try something new if I get to wear Stella McCartney's designs for the Great Britain Team for the London 2012 Olympics this year!

At first, I felt taking on this challenge would be fashion suicide for McCartney as a designer. She definitely proved me wrong with her eye for colour and a strong colour palette of blue shades. She used the iconic British Union Jack, often only having hints of a corner of the flag appearing in the clothes.

Though, critics have complained that the clothing McCartney has designed does not contain enough red - the reason being that the colour red stands out very strongly on the Union Jack and represents Great Britain and its glory. To be fair, they are not wrong; there is not much red in the items. However, I think that was intentional and correctly so.

2012 is a year of British celebration! We have the Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee and in the world of fashion we have so much happening - "Men's Collections" are coming to London this year ahead of Men's Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks! As a result, I feel that tourism into the country will explode and the Union Jack will be plastered across anything and everything it can. With so much going on, I believe the idea to use red in a minimalistic fashion enabled the designs to look both classy, but still keep a sporty edge without any gimmicks or fashion faux pas.

All in all, Stella herself has made me want to exercise more!

Mary Katrantzou's fashion following grows larger day by day, and with the latest collection, it is no surprise why. I now don her "The Queen of Print" here in London, as she expertly manipulates different prints and patterns and moulds them together to create such beautiful garments. Not only that, but her creativity lends itself to creating interesting silhouettes and shapes that inspire the more fashion forward amongst us. Often, in this collection, her pieces were very well crafted; so much so, that some of the pieces look very rigid, bringing an austerity and elegant strength to the women wearing her pieces. Other times, Katrantzou cleverly chose to make her pieces flow a little more - exploding to create volume to otherwise fitted and body-tight clothes. She used a variation of colours in different shades including: blue, green, red, yellow, pink, white, black and grey. The collection was certainly something for the eye to travel across, finding different textures created by the optical illusion-like patterns.

McQ is delightful taster of it's sister brand Alexander McQueen, shown here in London - where I think Alexander McQueen should also show! The label is young and fresh, very fashion forward with a strong McQueen aesthetic that appeals to so many women who like an edgy, up-to-date and very fashionable look. This season, models walked out on a crispy golden leaf catwalk that is very symbolic of autumn. Each look was belted, defining the waist of the woman - creating shape. Tulle added volume to pieces in all the right places, creating bursting skirts from the synched-in waists. The pieces, as expected, were feminine but with a raw edge. With the aid of plaid, appliqué, fur, leather, lace and, as mentioned, tulle Sarah Burton created a feast for our eyes and what I think is set to be a bank breaking collection. The pieces vary from outerwear to evening dresses, so there is something for everyone. The crafstmanship in the designs is nothing short of amazing, with appliqué floral finding their way into many looks. Altogether, I couldn't complain, not that I ever can when it comes to McQueen or Sarah Burton.

The Osman collection this season was opulent, with strong silhouettes created as a result of masterfully tailored pieces. Brocade took to the catwalk, initially glimpsing at the audience on collars or in lining cuffs, but took over the show in an extraordinary manner whereby brocade was the only thing being shown. Though, there were other pieces made from leather, which appeared in white and red. The show was undoubtedly a success - there is just so much choice in shape and silhouette!

Burberry Prorsum is a magical show year in year out. So it comes as no surprise that this season was no different. The finale walk was spectacular to look at, with models going out umbrella in hand in what was rain and snow. Though the rest of the show was not as enchantingly beautiful, there was a real presence as the clothes came out. Peplum skirts, asymmetric skirts, pencil skirts, skirts, skirts and more skirts walked the show. Jumpers and t-shirts also took to the catwalk with embellished owls, partridges and even a few different breeds of dog. To top things off, Christopher Bailey used stripes and floral prints in his concoction for success. For those of you worried at my lack of mention of trenches and macs, never fear! They were plentiful in the show, coming out in tweed and plaid, exploding at the hips creating further amusement and excitement and some jealousy too. The looks were belted off with neat little bows of various colours.

Pringle of Scotland gave us a show that creative director Alistair Carr should be proud of. The direction of the company takes a dive into modernity but holds the flag of Pringle tradition up high. With the help of colour blocking, prints and knits the collection takes the average woman and transforms her into what seems like a high-flying, conscientious and powerful woman. The darkness of winter is eclipsed almost by the pops of pink, orange, cranberry red and mustard. My favourite pieces opened the show - asymmetric dresses came out with prints and colour blocking in all the right places, whilst the knits nearer the end of the show made me all warm and cosy inside, but little hints of skin kept me excited.

Over the past fifteen years, Matthew Williamson has grown up and so has his woman. No longer the typical bohemian girl, she knows that she has other responsibilities. However, that does not mean she is not young and vibrant. Quite the opposite actually, as this collection clearly depicts. With the aid of fur, lamé trousers, intoxicating brightness and some fabulous prints Williamson has created another collection perfect for his girl-turned-woman!