I love a good online chat!  Fashion editor Khabi Mirza and assistant fashion editor Laura Jackson of Drapers typed away until their fingers were raw giving us the hits and misses of this seasons catwalk.

Things to pay attention to:

Khabi Mirza:  "The oversized bag trend has almost entirely disappeared in favour of structured styles inspired by the 1940s."

Laura Jackson:  "80s trends are all over the high street in the form of neon T-shirts and graphic prints (as mentioned earlier) but are set to move over into womenswear for spring 09, and I think the high street will love them – we’ve already spotted jumpsuits and peg leg trousers on recent shopping trips so expect more and more as we hit the new year.

Khabi Mirza:  "This season is all about looks that will be really tricky to replicate with cost in mind. The draping trend only really works on softly fluid silk, structured shapes are tough to follow and the prints are super intricate. Easier to copy may be the architectural shoulders and also the peg-leg and harem trousers which you can already get in Topshop."

Khabi Mirza:  Belts were massive and they came in lots of permutations. Skinny belts were the strongest look and were used on tailored jackets and dresses.

Just because these are the trends we’re seeing on the catwalk it doesn’t mean we have to wear them but for fun let’s ask ourselves: how do they translate into our everyday lives? I’ve always felt London girls love oversized bags because they can fit their high heels into a big bag after a night out but I can’t resist a structured hand bag! So the solution is I have a pair of ballet flats from Bloch that fold up so small they can be hidden in a small structured handbag and I’ll just have to carry the high heels home! I confess I’m not big on the 80’s look, big hair, big shoulders – but I have ordered a Harriet’s Muse silk jumpsuit for the next season -it’s more chic than 80’s (or so I’d like to think). I love skinny belts but they don’t look good on everyone. You have to try one on and look at yourself and see how it sits on your waist. There are so many wonderful trends this and every season just don’t get caught up in a trend just because other people are wearing it or you see it in a magazine. Choose a trend that you love and that suits your style and shape!

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There are some people who have a gift of making you feel special, they take time when they speak with you and look you in the eye – it sounds so simple but it’s become so rare, so when it happens you fall under their spell and you can’t help but adore them. Joan Burstein is the face, heart and soul of Browns. She and her husband Sidney created Browns 1970 with a small boutique on the ground floor at 27 South Molton Street, the shops grew and now there are five connecting townhouses with number 23 being exclusively for men. Browns is one of London’s most important fashion destinations: not just for shoppers but for designers as well: if your collection is in Browns it’s like a stamp of approval. Joan Burstein is credited with discovering such talents as Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Commes des Garcons: she first spotted John Galliano at his degree show, and gave a teenager, Manolo Blahnik a job in her jeans department. She always had pieces that are exclusive to Browns and she cultivates her relationships with designers, helping them to grow and develop. Most of all is she’s very kind. She makes you feel at home in her shop – all her staff are like that – it feels very genuine, she knows her designers and understands her customers. Although Browns is very well established it still feels like one of London’s best kept secrets. I think some Londoners are intimidated by the shop, they’d feel more comfortable in a big department store where you’re anonymous and nobody speaks to you – but once you get past this fear and walk through the doors of Browns it’s like you’ve come home. I think I was a bit nerves the first time I went into Browns – you know it’s special and important but none of the staff are pushy or condescending, it’s just warm and welcoming and just being in there makes you feel special. Marcio & Mrs Burstein are in the photo.

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I went to see the Balenciaga Spring 2008 preview at Browns. It’s so fun to drink champagne and eat rose petal flavour macaroons from La Durée. Who says fashion isn’t a nice life – well actually nobody does! Anyway fashion is great, of course it’s greater if you have more money, but don’t we say that money can’t buy style? But honestly, with the team at Browns, it doesn’t matter if you have no style at all, you just have to have enough money and you’ll come out looking so good – just ask for Marcio. It used to really bother me when I was a teenager that some people could just go out and buy style, but now it doesn’t bother me at all. I like that anything can be bought or taught, and on a certain level I believe that style can be taught.
So how does this collection work? Well the colour palette is divided between North America and Europe. At the preview Browns only has the samples belonging to this side of the ocean. However if you like a garment in a print that sells in North America, at this particular moment in time you can order it and you can have any combination that you’d like. Not all these looks will be sold in Browns: many of the looks will sell out before they ever even hit the shop floor!

I love these shorts and this little jacket!!

Courtney Blackman, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of the Fashion Business Club, with the delightful Marcio!

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Worked with a super cool new fashion designer, William Tempest.

What is the name of your collection?
William Tempest: Noir Style… I was inspired by actresses such as Rita Hayworth and Katharine Hepburn, and played with the stereotypes that regularly feature in film noir movies, from the femme fatal to the private detective. The use of slats and straps in some of the garments references the use of harsh lighting, shadows and angles in the genre.

When did you graduate?
William Tempest: London College of Fashion – Womenswear July 2007

Are you working on a new collection?
William Tempest: At the moment I’m working in collaboration with
Diesel, where I have designed the new installations, window displays and
denim treatments for the launch of the new Kings Road store. When the project is finished I’m hoping to start work on some new ideas which I will be able to turn into a new collection.

Where are you from?
William Tempest:Cheshire, England

Are there any family members that inspired your work?
William Tempest: Thinking about it quite a few people in my family are creative. My Grandad Len used to love painting and his father worked with shoes. My Grandad Geoff is a structural engineer and produces amazing drawings in CAD and my sister is a florist. My grandma used to do lots of knitting for everyone. It’s good being able to create make
something from scratch.

What is your signature? Is there a specific fabric or print that you are known to use? Or a detail?
William Tempest: I love shape making and tailoring and mixing them together. I love working with beautiful wools, silks and leather and making fabrics act in unexpected ways.

Who are your favourite designers that you look to for inspiration?
William Tempest: Balenciaga and Lanvin

Where are you working now?
William Tempest: Giles Deacon and Diesel

Who are your dream stockists?
William Tempest: Libertys, Harvey Nichols, Browns, Independant Boutiques, Selfridges

Which celebrities would you most like to see wearing your collection?
William Tempest: Sienna Miller, Bjork

Do you remember your dreams?
William Tempest: Yes, quite often I wake up and can remember my dreams vividly, I often have really imaginative dreams sometime in bright colour. Sometimes I have dreams that I have dreamt before several years ago, or from when I was a child.

Do you eat breakfast?
William Tempest: Yes I always eat breakfast, usually toast and a glass of
orange juice

Do you have a pet?
William Tempest: I don’t have a pet now. But I used to have lots of pets when I was younger. I’ve had a few rabbits, guinea pigs, a budgerigar, fish and some dogs at one point. I really like macaw parrots though, it’s amazing they can speak.

Favourite food, restaurant?
William Tempest: I’m vegetarian but I like simple english food and also Italian pizza and pasta

Favourite places to shop
William Tempest:Dover Street Market, 59 Broadwick Street, Selfridges

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