LUST HAVE TREND : TERRIFIC TASSELS

Late last year tassels had the Spring 2011 runways all tied up, with an endless list of designers embellishing everything from belts, bags, shoes, and jewellery to hems, fans and necklines. Now finally the tassel is filtering through and hitting stores ready to be embraced!
The Tassel certainly isn't a new invention (in fact its been around for thousands of years) and has admittedly been a fairly familiar sight adorning shoes and bags, but this season it is settling for nothing less than centre stage.
Forget those dainty peach tassels holding your nanna's curtains back or the one atop your graduation cap…this trend is all about statements; think oversized, strong and obvious, long fringes and leather with metal hardware. That said, to be truly runway chic ; keep it classic, its about blending in as much as standing out. Yes they are large and fantastic but more importantly they are symbols of glamour and luxury. Keep to tones that blend or coordinate with the outfit or item they adorn and let the shape speak for itself!
Whether recharged as a by-product of recent trends in military and nautical themes (both are steeped with historical and traditional use of tassels) or perhaps the current popularity of art & crafty pursuits, this trend is leaping out of the world of soft furnishings and into your wardrobe, so open the door and find it a couple of nice places to stay at your place this season!

P.S Also keep an eye out for the tassel's cousin - fringing, I think it could also make a popular appearance this season

Runway pics via style.com

(1) Marchesa - Embellished silk dress £2962
(2) Philippe Audibert - Baltimore silver-plated tassel earrings £102
(3) Golden Goose - Platform Pumps US$260
(4) Sussan - Lindsay drawstring bag AU$39.95

PHOTO OF THE DAY : CAMEL EDITORIAL

As a follow on from my Lust have Trend post yesterday this first 'Camel-themed' pic was going to be my photo of the day, but once I saw the rest of the shoot the post was stretched into another 'Editorial of the day'. I'm loving the look of the layered camel shades, with the model's gorgeous pale blonde hair and flawless skin. I'm particularly coveting the last outfit, Mad Men meets Louis Vuitton? (via)

LUST HAVE TREND : COLOUR ME CAMEL

Get ready for an invasion of Camel! (the warm beigey hue, not an invading herd of desert-dwelling mammals - har-de-har) From capes to boots and all the clutches, pants and dresses in between, this season's new black is a trend that has been simmering for a while, and is now expected to boil-over onto our streets in 2011. A great cool-weather Neutral; Camel means instant sophistication for any outfit. And teamed with warm reds, oranges, animal prints and crisp black & whites; its your go-to for chic.

TREND SHOPPING:

A.Witchery Oversized Boyfriend Cardi $129 B. YSL - leopard print Scarf $560 C. Topshop jersey bow front bodycon skirt £28 D. Topshop buckle cuff wedges £60 E. Kate Spade Chrystie street Rosaleen $395 F. Gucci Logo Keyring EUR 109,00

LUST HAVE TREND : EMERALD CITY

My second colour trend -Emerald- falls conveiniantly on the day of green! St Pattys.

Whether this one sprung up as a spinoff from the "green" eco-chic trend, the popularity of Wicked or as a nod to the latest line of celebrities spotted endorsing the hue, its definitely a stand out colour this season. And by stand out I mean; you wear it - you stand out. Its bold and

eye-catching; a colour made to be seen.

Best teamed with, blues, tans and gold jewellery, keep to rich jewel tones and deep shades for a more flattering look. Avoid matching one emerald with another, if you want the head to toe look invest in a dress and accessorise with metallics.

What better day to give this trend a trial run!

CELEBRITY TREND WATCH

Emerald on the 2011 red carpet via FabSugar

TRENDS ON THE RUNWAY

TREND SHOPPING

[1]Dorothy Perkins flower dress £20 [2]Anthropologie raw emerald earrings $198 [3]Rick Owens Leather jacket EUR 1250 [4]BCBG Max Azaria Leather watch $198 [5]Balenciaga college bag EUR 830 [6]Dorothy Perkins Hanging leaves collar £15 [7]Paul & Joe fringed suede sandals £183

FASHION TRENDS TO HOME HUES

Apparently like blue, time moves faster in green rooms! A calming and restful colour its why guests waiting for their 5 minutes of fame wait in a "green room". Its a colour that can signify renewal and nature and in your home you can be a little more flexible with the shades than fashion. Pick the tones that work best with what you already have and dont be afraid to experiment with something a little darker.

[1]OzDust Wicked magnet $8 [2]Anthropologie Moroccan Jewel Hurricane $98 [3]Letitia Morris vintage poster $450 [4]Ikea Karlstad armchair $369 [5]Country Road Natasha & Emme cushions $59.95 & $39.95 each [6]Spoilt Bath towels $55 [7]Ikea Blommig Vase $9.99

LUST HAVE TREND : MONDAY MORNING BLUES

Even though the Fall runways continue to be strutted down, my trend hunter within has already spotted some strong threads weaving throughout the shows, (Stay tuned for plenty more Fall 'Lust Have Trends' in the next couple of weeks) not the least of which has been a focus on colours.

A pigment named for being historically made using cobalt salts of alumina, Cobalt is the biggest splash of blue to hit the runways this season. Seen in collections from Marni and DVF to Sportmax and Zac Posen, it's a shade that easily translates from frocks to footwear, bags to bold accessories. Saturated enough to stand on its own as a statement look or be teamed back with more subtle hues, for this shopping season think less Mediterranean Summer and more New York chic. Best teamed with slate grays, crisp black or creamy neutrals, it's definitely a shade to lift your spirits and add punch to any outfit during the coming drearier months.

*click to enlarge pics

TREND ON THE RUNWAY

TREND SHOPPING

[1]Clu Contrast tank dress £45 [2]Max&Chloe sobral Indiana bracelet

[3]Sara Berman striped cardigan £90

[4]Zimmermann Copy Cat Bikini $290

[5]Ruche agency sandals $23 [6]Juicy Couture Watch $140 [7]Sylvia Toledano crystal detail clutch

FALL FASHIONS TO HOME HUES

From the fall runway to your home, colours are a simple and easy way of incorporating fashion trends into decorating your abode. While Cobalt may not be a wall to wall kind of hue it definitely has potential for making a dramatic impact through small pops in accessories or big splashes with furnishings. Check out the collection of goodies I've put together below:

[1] Ikea Fabric $10/m [2] Freedom Pug Cushion $30 [3]Opus Design Pantone Cup royal blue $14.95 [4]Maxwell & Williams blue carafe $12.95 and blue hi-ball $5.95 [5]Boidandnoble Robot Alphobot print $67 [6]Ikea Karlstad sofa $669 [7] Ikea Dito cutlery set $20

LUST HAVE TREND : CAPED CRUSADER

Is there perhaps a hidden and unspoken superhero aspiration in all of us, that haS fashion's elite turning to capes every few seasons? I like to think so!

Its a bold look to try right now, but think sleek, sexy and powerful...hone that caped crusader within because this trend isn't about hiding (although it does offer good camouflage), and remember to keep things proportioned, try it with slim pants, skinny jeans, tights or a pencil skirt to balance the volume.

PS keep an eye out for an extension of this trend in the shape of the Box silhouette and batwing sleeve.

ON THE RUNWAY

David Koma,L'wren Scott, Osman, Emilio Pucci and Marc Jacobs Fall 2011

SHOP THE LOOK

A - Love Moshino - Contrast Trim cropped cape £167

B - MissSelfridge - Knitted Cape £27

C - Sportsgirl - Emily Adventure CApe AU$89.95

D - TopShop - Petite Camel Belted Cape US$169

E - Country Road - Textured Military Knit Cape -AU$179

HOW TO WEAR IT

street style, Natalie Portman

stockholm street style, Refinery 29 Street Style

LUST HAVE TREND : SPRING 2011'S TOP 10 KEY LOOKS

With New York Fashion week underway and all the Fall runway trends beginning to emerge, I thought now was a good time to collate my pick for Spring's (which for us here in Oz is more like Autumn trends) top 10 looks that I think we will all be wearing in the next few months! Theres plenty more trends swirling around out there! but heres just a few that could be most prominent this season.

*Click to enlarge image*

1. The Trends : Animal Print, Ladylike, Skinny Belts

The look: Uniqlo Leopard Print Cohair belt - £12.99

2. The Trends : Lace, White, Neutrals, sheer, ladylike, Shift dresses

The look: Michael Kors Cotton Lace shift dress - £1867

3. The Trends : Aviator Jackets, Leather, Utility, Shearling

The look: Karen Millen Luxury Aviator Jacket - £550

4. The Trends : Prints, Maxi Skirts, Florals

The look: Erdem Chie Printed silk satin maxi skirt - $1250

5. The Trends : 70s, flares, denim, wide leg pants

The look: J brands 1277 Bette in Wodnerama Jeans - $218

6. The Trends : Stripes, Berry, luxury Sportswear, box silhouette, brights

The look: Topshop Tee - $70

7.The Trends : Mini Satchels, cross-body bags, mustard/yellows, brights, tassels, bucket bags

The look: Sussan bag - $39.95

8.The Trends : Lace up Boots, booties, black, biker/rocker chic, utility, urban, wedge

The look: Sam Edelman Effie Wedge - $130

9.The Trends : Schiapparelli pink, brights, bold colours, statement lips

The look: Chanel's Lipstick Rouge Allure in Insolente - $32

10.The Trends : Skinny legs, cropped pants, skinny cargos, Khaki, utility, military

The look: Witchery Skinny Pocket cargo pant - $129.95

LUST HAVE TREND : LIP SERVICE

LUST HAVE MINI TREND : STATEMENT LIPS

This is one trend you can't miss! Its been warming up for a while now but this season it was splahed all over the runways. In particular bold shades of orange, red, berry, coral and shocking pink were most popular. Definitely one to try!Make it bold, make it bright, just make it noticeable!

Try Avon's inexpensive Ultra Rich colour lipsticks.

Isaaz Mizarahi and J. Mendel Spring 2011 RTW

Dior and Jill Sander Spring 2011

DVF Spring 2011

CELEBRITY WATCH :

Agnes Dean and Rhianna

Alexis Bledel

LUST HAVE MINI TREND : BODY SUITS AND CROSS NECKLACES

MINI TREND - BODYSUITS AND THE CROSS NECKACE:

Was it Lady Gaga or a 90's revival that brought back the body suit? Twilight or True Blood that brought the Cross back into fashion? Whatever it was these mini trends are definitely making a comeback. (Check out yesterday second 'shop the look' for tips on how to wear it right)

Lets ere on the side of caution ladies; avoid the fishnets and stripper heels with this look and keep it classy. Check out online stores MyCatwalk.com and Beginning Boutique for a good selection of body suits available now

LUST HAVE TREND : GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS

GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS : THE MAXI LIVES ON!

There was a lot of floor sweeping on the Spring runways recently and I couldn't be happier as this means a continuation of last summer's maxi revolution. Added in this season will also be some calf skimming lengths and toe-touching skirts; with plenty of colour and prints. This time around the trend is also a little more relaxed and body friendly - you will see more covered neckline choices and room to hide bra straps.

For an up to the minute look team your maxi frock with bejewelled sandals or some lace up wedges and add a piece of statement jewellery as frosting.

Perfect for times when you forget your fake tan or 'misplace' your razor, this one step outfit is the ideal failsafe summer style staple. So whether bright and structured, flirty and floral or hobo chic, the Maxi dress (and skirts) are every woman's friend this season and should be on your 'must have' shopping list!

LUST HAVE TREND : CELEBRITY STYLE

Katie Holmes, Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie and Chloe Kardashian

LUST HAVE TREND : SHOP THE LOOK

(1) Witchery Resin plate necklace $59.95, (2) Bloom Cosmetics nail polish 'Cate', (3)Witchery Spliced maxi tank dress $129.95, (4)Rubi Shoes skye sandal $29.95, (5)Witchery Carrie tassel clutch $129.95

(1) Oroton boho Hobo bag $795 (2) Sportsgirl summer tropic maxi skirt $89.95 (3) Mimco Dauphine rosary strand necklace $179 (4) Sass & Bide follow the line frill bodysuit $240 (5) Rubi shoes skye sandals $29.95 (6) Bloom cosmetics nail polish 'Greta' $29.95

HANDMADE BUY OF THE DAY : YELLOW THERE!

As a continuation of Today's Lust Have Trend, the Skinny Belt, I discovered this double wrap leather beauty in Lemon Yellow: right on trend! Handmade in Israel by Studio Amiel, this particular belt is hand cut from Vaketa leather and can be yours for $43USD. If yellow isn't your colour then check out the rest of the store for a rainbow of options. (Found on Etsy.com)

LUST HAVE TREND : BELT YOURSELF IN

The skinny Belt is a trend that has been around for a few seasons, but from the looks of the latest Spring runways, it is here to stay and its bringing some colourful friends!

I love this look because it can be professional and classy while still being fun, young and on trend.

Think dainty Dior-style cinched-in silhouettes versus weightlifter wide buckles. It's an accessory that can carry us through the end of this cooler weather (by adding shape to knits and providing a place to tuck your scarf) right into summer; belt your flirty dresses and accentuate the waist in feminine tops or otherwise boring workwear. Im especially loving the thin double belt and pops of bright colour on neutral garments.

And don't be shy about what you belt, this season everything in your wardrobe can be enhanced with a little waist emphasis. Coats, knits, tshirts, blouses, dresses, shorts and vests get cinched- in!

Don't forget to experiment with colour and layering, this is a great trend for completing an outfit or tying one together.

CELEBRITY STYLE

Olivia Palermo, Taylor Swift, Leighton Meester

TREND SHOPPING

Sussan woven belt (coral) $39.95 Witchery Cut-out skinny belt $49.95 Country Road Knotted Waxy Cord Belt $49.95 (available in 5 different colours) Judith Leiber crystal-embellished (via net-a-porter) Fashion Addict Turquoise skinny belt $14.95

Sportscraft Canvas Belt $39.95