Manish A-ROAR-a

Manish Arora's Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection seemed to transport the Amazonian rainforest to Paris. With feather plumage, sequinned foliage, iridescent scaly dresses and reptilean prints topped off with camouflage make-up and hair dyed fur colours, we'll soon be going wild for these outback outfits.

RAWR! ♥

pret-a-pottery

The pretty floral prints at Erdem transported me to Holland, with its tulip fields and Delft china.

The blue and white theme also reminded me of the launch of Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell collection at the beautiful Author's Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok - a perfect scent to match a floaty floral gown...

UPDATE 30/09/11: Nina Ricci also seems to be tapping into this pretty floral trend, non?



pump up the gas

Yet more childhood memories were awakened by the racy designs of Prada's Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection. I'm sure I'm not the only one who had a huge desire for a car bed (the height of cool) and matching car-print curtains, duvet and wallpaper, plus the obligatory automobile rug on which to play Scalextric...

Clothing: Prada Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2012

Bedding: Next Directory, Spring/Summer 2011

Those smokin' hot flames are reminiscent of Hot Wheels battles and Disney's Cars characters. Well, he wasn't called McQueen for nothing, was he?

funfair fashion

Meadham Kirchhoff's Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection brought back some wonderful childhood memories of going to the fairground, riding on carousels and teacups, winning giant teddy bears, having one's face painted with garish glitter, eating lollipops and candyfloss (channelled through the models' fabulously fluffy hair) . The models even carried kitsch teddy coin purses in which to keep their pennies for the rides.

The collection also reminded me of old-school children's television shows such as The Magic Roundabout (bows, pouffy skirts and rosy cheeks à la Florence), Tweenies (check out those pinnies, sunglasses and patterned shirts), and Playdays (who could forget Rosie, the Magical Musical Merry-go-Round?!).

And what about those frothy gowns, pretty bows, pom-pom heels and permed blonde hair? Barbie dolls are back - only this time, they've taken to the catwalk!

I knew there was a reason for refusing to let go of my favourite childhood tutus, princess dressing-up costumes and teddy bear jumpers. I think it's time for a rummage through the boxes in the attic...