Trend Focus: Sixties Mod

One of my favourite trends for Autumn/Winter 2011 is, without doubt, the sixties mod trend seen in abundance right now. It all started when Burberry, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton and Prada sent models down the catwalk at their AW/11 shows in buttoned swing coats, tight-fitting flares and caps. 

Louis Vuitton AW11

Christopher Bailey christened his Burberry designs as the 'Shrimpton Collection' after the sixties model and we all bulk-bought thickening mascara and falsies in preparation.

Burberry AW11

Since then the look has filtered into the hight street and has really taken off. Is there any girl who actually hasn't tried a peter pan collar yet? I love the mod look because it is effortlessly cool and chic at the same time. The fact that is also from my favourite decade of fashion is also a huge bonus. It has also had a major presence in the fashion glossies lately.

Harper's Bazaar October 2011

My favourites include the beautifully shot sixties spread in Autumn's i-D with Abbey Lee Kershaw and an amazing shoot with Alexa Chung in October's Harper's Bazaar.

i-D Fall

Model of the moment Edie Campbell has been pioneering the look for a while now and, fascinatingly, always looks like she has stepped off the set of Quadrophenia. 

Edie Campbell

The best news is there are plenty of ways you can get the look on the High Street. One of the best investments you can make for Winter is the sixties swing coat.

This stunning burgundy zipped-back design from Urban Outfitters is perfect:

Won Hundred Graze Zip Back Coat, £290, available at Urban Outfitters. 

They also do a fabulous tweed pinafore dress which is fabulous for the look:

Renewal Tweed Pinafore Dress, £48, available at Urban Outfitters.

Of course, adding sixties style accessories will give you an instant update. Leather gloves are a mod classic and these ones from Pure Luxuries are perfect:

Ashwood Ladies Wine Button Gloves, £30, available at Pure Luxuries. 

Of course no true mod would be seen without lashings of obligatory mascara.This one from Illamasqua is my favourite at the moment:

New Masquara in Raven, £15, available at Pure Luxuries. 

Maria x

LFW SS12 Highlight: Burberry

Every fashion week there is always one designer which stands out from the rest in my mind. This year there were so many candidates for this crown. Christopher Kane's sublime take on summer of love complete with sheer floral embellished dresses looked so current and so nostalgic at the same time. 

Christopher Kane SS12

Vivienne Westwood didn't disappoint and her grandiose and anarchist collection of deconstructed pinstriped suits and draped dresses. The fact Viv's BFF Pamela Anderson made an appearance on the front row made the whole show even better. 

Pamela Anderson at Vivienne Westwood SS12

However, the one that really stood out to me was Burberry. The whole of London was a-buzz with Christopher Bailey's new offerings and the fash-pash came out in droves to view his collection. Burberry muse and face of their Body fragrance, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , looked fantastic in a bright orange trench coat and leather trousers. Not to mention Anna Wintor, Mario Testino, Kanye West, Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexa Chung. Phew.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with Christopher Bailey

Part of the front row at Burberry

There were definitely Oriental and tribal touches to the collection with dresses embellished with brightly-coloured beading, crochet collars and bold prints. It was certainly one of the most colourful collections we have seen from Burberry in a while and I loved the freshness and vibrancy of it all. Of course, if there is one thing I will be channelling from the collection right now, it is the playful bobble hats that adorned the models heads. Cute and perfect for Winter.

Burberry SS12

If you are and impatient soul and want the SS12 Burberry look right now, there are plenty of ways you can go about it...

All the skirts were below the knee and around mid-calf length. Classy and refreshingly cool there are plenty of versions on the High Street. 

Burberry SS12

This one from American Apparel is my favourite:

Chambray Mid-Length Skirt, £48, available at American Apparel. 

The classic beige trench took on a distinctly more colourful twist. There was also plenty of detailing on the top, giving it a modern touch. 

This one from the Outnet is a good alternative:

See by Chloe Embroidered Linen Coat, £520 £260, available at the Outnet.

Now for the accessories. The all-important bobble hats shone in the collection and, best of all, this is the perfect look for Winter. 

Burberry SS12

This one from Pure Luxuries will give you an instant update:

Seven Gauge Studios Chevron Bobble Hat, £25, available at Pure Luxuries.

The other important accessory seen on the runway was the humble waist belt. Given a new twist by being worn over chunky coats and dresses, it is a simple but highly affective way to get the Burberry look. 

Burberry SS12

This All Saints number is perfect:

Cassandra Wide Waisted Belt, £85 £42.50, available at All Saints. 

M x