NEXT SUMMER'S UNIFORM

The big guns of fashion (that's your Chanels, Diors, and the like) may show at Paris Fashion Week, but there is one trés Parisienne designer who has proved time and time again to exercise greater influence than those veritable fashion dinosaurs, on everyone's wardrobe, from the off-duty model to the on-duty mum. Isabel Marant - creator of the wedge sneaker, purveyor of the colourful loose knit, and catalyst for the explosion of the baseball jacket - showed today in Paris, and you better start studying this collection hard - fast - if you want to hit the ground running for spring/summer '13. The formula is the same - one part bohemian to two parts cowgirl, with a whole load of nonchalance - it's just the lustworthy pieces are new and fresh in a way that only Marant can manage.

On my list? It's got to be Aymeline's short sleeved embellished jacket and Kati's cut-out playsuit. Inevitable sell-outs, this will of course forever be only a wish-list..

  Images style.com and Into The Gloss

HARVEY'S SUPERCOOL

I could quite happily live gazing down onto the views of north Deansgate - especially if I were constantly surrounded by the beautiful pieces showcased at the Manchester Harvey Nichols autumn/winter 2012 press day on Wednesday.

No self-respecting fashionista could hate Givenchy's rottweiler. The brand emblazened it over sweaters, tees, clutches, and, in this instance, a tote. Further bags proffered to the press were Victoria Beckham's Harper bag (which unfortunately posessed an eye-watering price point), Alexander McQueen clutches, and an enormous Givenchy leather backpack, ideal for back-to-school, albeit a £10k-a-year private school.

My future without the Isabel Marant suede fringed jacket is looking rather bleak. Once seen, never forgotten. Marant is a new designer to the Harvey Nichols fold (who are also carrying the Etoile line) and they have a fantastic selection of the best pieces - including the fringed boots and Bobby sneakers.

It's very easy to focus on your favourite designers with an offering like this but I'm glad I also checked out Maison Scotch. The collection's cosy knits appear to be Mexican-inspired with some really cute details.

Another new brand to Harvey Nicks is Delicious. Their fun prints and candy coloured jersey are akin to Wildfox, and are oft-spotted on the trendier members of the TOWIE cast.

And the best of the rest.. Prada sunglasses, Superga x House of Holland sneakers, pretty perfumes, and Arty rings.

On my way out I took a detour through the shoe gallery where there is currently an abundance of Jeffrey Campbells. And not just Litas! The silver cowboy boots have shot straight to the top of my birthday list.

So what do you think of Harvey Nichols' new collection? Personally I'm seriously impressed - they've really updated their designers and got with the times without losing their luxury identity. A new buyer maybe? Or maybe they just got a Tumblr account. I don't care. I love it!

A Sneaky Confession

That's it... I admit it. This has been niggling away at me for some months now, and I've tried to resist it, but I really must confess.

I WANT SOME SNEAKER WEDGES.

Sure, I liked the Isabel Marant versions. Their chunky weirdness and awkward colour combinations had to be appreciated; but on other people, not me. And a select few people at that - Natalie of Canned Fashion being my favourite, as she doesn't take them seriously. As we ventured further into spring I found that they were being communicated to me via multiple mediums and I just couldn't get away: they're all over magazines, blogs, even people in the street. I really didn't expect them to filter down so quickly, especially not to the mass market. And then one day (yeah, today) I just snapped: I think I may need a pair. This ASOS pair would do the trick just nicely.

Will I resist? Only time will tell...