Anna Sui

Never traditional, American designer Anna Sui remains faithful to her luxury hippy-chic style. A busy silhouette is emphasised by the use of psychedelic prints. Folklore, however, is never far away: fringed boots and rows of pearls add a bit of frivolity to the collection. Short frilly skirts are teamed with matching blouses. Velvet adds elegance to officer’s jackets and very ‘peace and love’ babydoll dresses…

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren celebrated 40 years in fashion in 2007 and over the years his style has always remained unchangeable and unique. The show opens with sensible-looking grey flannel outfits and feather hats before leopard print emerges either head-to-toe as a tunic dress or as details on jacket shoulders. Bright orange and purple are two strong colours for next winter, appearing here as a cashmere coat and a full-collared jacket. The country influence is never far away with an inimitable expertise in tartan materials. The lumberjack shirt is worn with a conventional looking pencil skirt while an ethnic patterned overcoat engulfs a slender silhouette and for the evening asymmetrical chiffon and velvet wraparound dresses embroidered with gold thread and feathers look sensational.

John Rocha

John Rocha who has been based in Ireland for many years now was inspired by a recent trip to his native land of China to compose a wardrobe full of rounded volumes and structured silhouettes. Usually a fan of black, this season he has succumbed to blood red and electric pink. Gold appears on little details on trousers or on the edge of a jacket. His work with wool which he knits by hand is as creative as ever and remains present in this wardrobe for next winter. And for the evening he proposes a succession of much lighter dresses in crepe de Chine or in georgette.

Marios Schwab

The autumn winter 08/09 collection by Marios Schwab follows the contours of the feminine form and elongates her to the max. Second skin dresses are sexy and simple. The torn materials on certain looks are inspired by wallpaper described in a book which tells the story of a young woman who is locked up in an attic. The jagged dresses leave the underlying fabrics visible, whether denim or lace… To finish, Marios Schwab proposes a coat which is available right down to the ankle or in a shorter version below the chest.

Fiona Sinha and Alexander Stanic

A young pair of designers who are quite well known across the Channel, Fiona Sinha and Alexander Stanic, have produced a couture collection in a young rock’n’roll style. They were inspired by an American sitcom called “Freaks and Geeks” to make full-fronted bright coloured mini dresses, the jumper dresses in mohair however bring a bit of softness and comfort to this winter wardrobe. For the evening mini dresses are brought out again, this time draped in gazar covered in Swarovski crystals.

Louise Goldin

Louise Goldin, known for her work with wool, explores new techniques in knitwear for this fall winter 08/09 collection. The designer promotes a futurist look as she works with volume and graphic cuts. She presents grey dresses with oversized shoulders and a skin tight blue outfit under a sort of black armour made from Swarovski crystals. These experimental works on Eskimo attire bring us to revisit the Inuits’ fur-lined hooded coats.

Jens Laugesen

The autumn winter 2008 Jens Laugesen woman fulfils many different styles. She plays the elegance card in pleated suits, high waisted trousers and Chinese collared jackets with over-exaggerated shoulders or a rock’n’roll edge in a frilled skirt and bolero leather jacket. A two coloured collection where Prussian blue and sky blue fabrics sit next to black. For this season, the designer dresses women in a new luxurious silk and makes the shoulders shine with Swarovski.