Does Guillaume Henry ever get it wrong? Judging from Carven’s consistently covetable collections, I’d have to say probably not. Since the French heritage brand re-launched x seasons ago under Guillaume’s expert leadership it has fast become a fash pack favourite but I challenge anyone to claim to be more obsessed than me. The fusion of classic elegance, preppy chic and playfulness that oozes from Carven’s every collection could not physically BE more up my street. Given the sheer gorgeousness of Carven’s sell out print short suits for SS12, it was hard to believe that Henry could create another collection I loved more but do you know what? I think he’s managed it.

Swinging 60s meets haute couture was the order of the day in luxe wools and rich, autumnal hues. Adorable skirt suits, immaculate tailoring and polo-necked knits give the collection an Audrey Hepburn esque polish while restrained detailing and androgynous touches ooze gamine Parisian cool. Uptown girl meets left bank beatnik If I owned just one of these beautiful boxy jackets I think my life would actually be complete… Whoever said material things couldn’t bring you happiness clearly wasn’t shopping at Carven.

Love Ella. X

I remember a time not so long ago when Tibi was synonymous with pretty prints and deliciously girly party dresses. Well, while the prints are still in place and plenty of the gear remains party-ready, the brand’s more recent offerings are a far cry from the whimsical confections of yore. Over the past couple of seasons Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic has been cultivating a rather more gown up aesthetic that fuses her signature feminine style with a healthy dose of androgyny.

For pre fall, Smilovic has picked up where SS12 left off with a collection that exudes effortless polish. Clean lines, sleek tailoring and embellishment free elegance are the order of the day in the form of sculpted peplums, immaculate drapery and louche, boyfriend fits. Fluid silks and glossy leathers make Tibi’s latest offerings a masterclass in low-key luxe while the jutxposition of acid brights and graphic florals with subtle neutrals make for minimalism with a playful twist. My favourite look just has to be the floral sleeved shirt/tailored short combo, which one would you pick?

Love Ella. X

Given that Alice + Olivia’s pre fall offerings were so pointedly Parisian influenced, designer Stacey Bendet would have been hard pushed to come up with a collection I didn’t adore. As it happened, she could have got rid of the berets and Cafe de Flore backdrop, cited Skegness as her inspiration and I still would have loved everything. Alice + Olivia never fails to deliver deliciously girly and refreshingly wearable pieces and this (pre) season Bendet truly outdid herself. Including everything from cinched waists and peplums to silk palazzo pants and micro shorts, the collection reflected a far wider range of influences than the chic streets of Paris. Simple shift dresses in graphic prints referenced swinging, 60s London while paisley print flares hinted at 70s hippiedom. And, as befitting a true New York brand, each look was teamed with an immaculate blowout and sky high heels for a Park Avenue perfect finish.

Encompassing everything from tailored wool coats to embellished flapper dresses in a palette that spans from pillarbox red to shimmering metallics to burnished autumnal hues, Alice + Olivia’s latest collection offers both a sartorial feast for the eyes and a a highly desirable solution to the perils of trans-seasonal dressing. I think pre-fall might just be my new favourite season…

Love Ella. X