Over the years the 'other' Vuitton print has had much exposure and this time Marc Jacobs has turned his talents to the chess board print, from head to toe.

After the muted and self professed "ugliness" and yet utter magic of last season's show this collection saw a return to ultra prettiness. 

The models arrived down escalators in pairs, with spookily matching hair and make up, a sixties heel and a sixties cut.

Each outfit had it's familiar, prints were reversed, a playsuit became a dress, a maxi dress a jumpsuit, a skirt and jacket were swapped. It was as though the designer had tried to explore the idea to it's absolute limit.

Colours went from acid yellow to mid brown, to grey, black and bright green mostly checked but some block coloured and a dash of floral.

The shoes were a pointed low heel and the bags were stunning yet sized just so and perhaps were the secret stars of the collection as for each outfit we were straining to see the complimentary hand candy.

Wonderful.

McQueen did not disappoint this year. Sarah Burton built on the ultra feminine show of last season which exuded softness this show had a stronger, harder feel which echoed the brand's roots.

With a stunning opening of honeycomb prints, meshes and stunning tortoiseshell accessories the hard edge of McQueen was evident and complimented the exquisite tailoring and luxurious embroidery.

The palette was as strong as the theme echoing the world of the bee with the golden yellows, browns, blacks of the hive and the floral bursts of red, yellow, pink and white.

The full floral skirts with a mesh bodice and a cluster of bees at the neck trod the fine line of the beautiful and the grotesque. The honeycomb thigh high boots were a highlight and the softening of the full victorian hoops and bustles was inspired.

The tortoiseshell then evolved to corsetry pressed onto a floral bodice, the skirt an explosion of flowers. Oh, to be that bride.

This season at Bottega Veneta we saw must have heels and gorgeous feminine florals with a touch of goth. We saw sequins, tassels and baroque embellishment teamed with paired down hair and make up and of course wonderful, wonderful handbags.

Images courtesy of Style.com

Bo Ningen 

From buzz bands to the Buzzcocks, an inventively curated lineup brought the crowds to London’s Shoreditch Park where amid the to-be-expected sea of Aztec, plaid and denim, receding Mohicans, DIY badges and age-worn leather were telltale signs that the Seventies punk scene were also out in force to champion legends of the era.

Leeds noise rockers Eagulls showed how much they’ve come along in very little time, the imposing presence of front man George Mitchell charming a packed tent who were treated to a rocket-speed blast through the band’ explosive yet melodic indie rock. On the mainstage Berlin-based garage rockers Crocodiles showcased their new expansive sound during a set that took in the best of their three albums, from their shimmering breakthrough “I Wanna Kill”  to blissed-out choir-backed material from this year’s Endless Flowers album.

Returning under canvas for a band dubbed London’s best live act didn’t disappoint: Japanese foursome Bo Ningen’s swirling psychedelic rock captivated with breakneck fretwork and beautifully chaotic song structures, over which echoed and distorted vocals, which added another devastating layer of sound. An equally engaging set came from LA duo Deap Vally, whose seductive and visceral Led Zepp inspired saw appreciation from a swelling main stage crowd. Which made a fitting entrance for the Buzzcocks, whose posturing hour-long set gave plenty for the cider-soaked crowd to cheer, even if the majority were waiting for the inevitable high of “Ever Fallen in Love”.

A rush between energetic London upstarts Citizens! – who, even despite a illness-beset lead singer, managed to sound vivid and upbeat – to the doomy brilliance of Eighties electro stalwarts Minny Pops, followed, stopping only to witness the sickeningly fast rotation of the waltzers blend young and old as the sun set on a day that did plenty to blur the boundaries between then and now.

Images by Rebecca Cleal

The creative couple behind Helmut Lang, Michael and Nicole Colovos surprised us all when they presented us with a rather colourful S/S 2013 collection in New York this week.

Drawing on inspiration from their own research of the sea and joining forces with tattoo artist Thomas Hooper, the couple sent models down the runway in a collection full of graphic prints and creamy hues of yellow, blue and orange.

Chic shift dresses, tailored trousers and silky shorts were teamed with slick boxy jackets giving each look the Helmut Lang urban edge. Slouchy trousers came in the tattoo prints with matching jackets and teamed with simple silk tees.

By Maria McKenzie

If you were looking to Victoria Beckham to provide you with sweet summer dresses this season, think again. The designer -now in her fourth year- showcased a confident collection which included sleek separates, signature dresses and steered clear of heels.

Cropped jackets were sharp and teamed with button down blouses, chic skirts and skinny trousers. Bralets peeped through sheer fabric shirts and touches of lace and chiffon bought the collection a delicate feminine touch. Dresses featured emphasis on the waist with diamond peepholes and modest necklines were high.

The colour palette was mainly black and white but was broken up with blocks of poppy red.