Pantone has declared mimosa the colour of 2009. Pantone 14-0848, a bright sunny yellow!

It’s been so cold and grey that a yellow dress sounds good right about now. Something cheery. Maybe we need yellow. Things are happening that we just didn’t imagine, the world of luxury that seemed so permanent has changed. When icon fashion houses like Chanel lay people off what can we have faith in?. Everyday there is some fashion brand going into receivership. With everything in flux, yellow just seems safe. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® explains "The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance. Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

You’re going to see lots of yellow for Spring 09!

                                               Alexander McQueen

               Basso & Brooke                                           Christopher Kane

                   Emilio Pucci                                         Kristian Aadnevik

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Pearls have always been fashionable but they do come and go.  Just remember, these are not your grandmother’s pearls but oh wouldn’t you be so lucky if they were! Expect to see more pearls this season, and layered up. In times of turmoil we look for stability and pearls are just perfect for that. It’s about luxury but not indulgent luxury – refined luxury.

Love this classic chic look. You have to be young and fresh to make this look work!

Monsoon’s Phoebe Statement Necklace only £22.00.

Loving these layers of contrasting pearls, the Pearl Cluster Necklace is available at Jaegar £99.00.

Super chic- I think that layers of pearls like this is a much harder look to pull off. You have to have a sense of style and fun to work these long layers. Of course model agent Carley Meagor totally rocks this look!

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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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Some things are not for everyone, but isn’t that what fashion is all about – personal style? Well, I love these Chanel shoes and yes if I had the chance I would wear them. They are sequine goatskin open-toed shoes with a light bulb as a heel that actually works!

Over-the-knee statement boots. You’ll have seen them at: Badgley Mischka, Akris, Fendi and  Halston. On the high street check out Office.  These boots are easier to wear than you think. Wear it with a longer skirt, skinny jeans, leggings or tights. Should you buy a pair? Will you see them around next season? You will but wear them well. A soft earthy colour will work great with Boho Chic and Black Suede will look great with Romantic Goth. Just be chic, elegant not cheap don’t think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman….

Although not my favourite you’ll see lots of fringe at Gucci, Balmain, Anna Sui and this pair is from Christian Louboutin. On the high street check out Aldo’s. Fringe is all about personal style and it takes someone with true style to make this look work. It’s more than just your everyday Boho; take it to the next level and think hippy luxe.

The shoe boot has been around for a couple of seasons, but they are so versatile they have staying power. Will you see them next season? Why wait? I love this Fendi boot with the bronze trim, £385.00 at Browns. If the high street’s more your style River Island has a large selection. We know ankle boots look great with jeans but wear them with opaque tights and dresses for an autumn look.

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There is a new trend in Eco fashion and the focus has shifted to be fashionable first – understanding that it’s fashion that sells, for the most part people will buy something because they like it, they can afford it and if it’s eco friendly that’s just a bonus.

Leju’s latest Spring Summer 09 collection shows us the continual need for eco fashion that is fashion/ trend lead. Leju are now combining "Vegetable Ivory"  with sterling silver and semi precious stones. They are using their South American manufacturing techniques and fusing them with a more European style. The jewellery is very tactile and smooth – it’s hard to believe it’s a nut!

LeJu is stocked in over 175 boutiques and galleries throughout the UK and Europe and is available from several on-line boutiques.

FYI: What is vegetable Ivory? The seed is harvested from a palm tree species called Hyphaene Phytelephas, found in the Amazonian rain forest. Vegetable ivory resembles elephant ivory in both colour and hardness and is the only 100% sustainable alternative. Tagua is another name for the seed or nut, and the rich colours are created by staining and dying it with natural plant extracts and oils.

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