New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013-14

New York Fashion Week is versatile and bold in terms of the multitude of designers, models and personalities who make an appearance. This year, for the autumn/winter runway, New York pushed its shows earlier to avoid clashes with its European counterparts.

For the cooler months, there's always the move towards darker palettes and heavier textures but this year there is more of a masculine touch to the outfits alongside garment layering, freer structures and minimalist hair and beauty.

The Vera Wang had a vamp feel with dark lipstick and sleek hair on the models. There was a mixed combination of fabrics from jet black sequins to imperial purples and shoes stuck to the solid ankle strap.

Victoria by Victoria Beckham had a structured, business-like feel to the clothing with a serious grey/black palette and conservative footwear. The range of mini dresses channels a former Posh Spice - although quite popular among the other winter collections - and the accessory of choice: a plush beanie.

One of the more colourful shows this season is from Karen Walker. She featured an oversized red trench, matching pink quilted ensembles and traditionally menswear checks and plaid. A lot of layering on top and Scandinavian-looking shoes.

The Caroline Herrera show presented more feminine silhouettes. The floor-length dresses had an oriental twist, verging into dark pinks and purples and hair was up in a neat, slick bun. The waist was a focus area with tailoring and large belts and shoulders regally pronounced.

One of the more playful shows was uptown-meets-downtown-girl Marc by Marc Jacobs. It doesn't stand out as an autumn/winter collection, apart from a few knits, and the hair was free and flouncy. What drew my attention was the accessories - large round pop-coloured bags and retro sunglasses.

Oscar de la Renta closed with embroidered baroque dresses which stood out among the free tailoring and darker fabrics.

Karlie Kloss closes Oscar de la Renta 2013-14 A/W show.

VMA Red Carpet 2012

The fashion choices at this year's VMA awards did not seem to stand out as boldly as other events. Most female nominees were dressed in delicate fabrics, long dresses and relatively safe designs. But this night is more about the performances than the outfits. Some celebrities donned shorter outfits but there was an overwhelming amount of trailing, ballgown ensembles. Even tomboy punk singer Pink wore a Stella McCartney floor-length metallic dress with a highly coiffed peroxide hair. Miley Cyrus was out on the carpet for the first time in cropped haircut which did clash a bit with her Jolie-like black silk organza dress. With a return more traditional feminine shapes and styles, the outfits had a much softer touch than some of the outrageous couture-ish outfits of 2011.

Alicia Keys appeared in a glamourous yet futuristic floor-length olive gold gown.

Miley Cyrus looked very grown up in Emilio Pucci, a feminine cut with dramatic cutouts.

Katy Pery played it (relatively) safe this year - her hair a natural colour and in a trailing Elie Saab gown.

Emma Watson appeared in a playful Peter Pilotto ensemble, an unusual mix of colours for her but it worked well, paired with simple black heels.

Zoe Saldana has been a favourite on this year's red carpet in Salvatore Ferragamo, the neutral mini flattering her shape and natural look.

Met Ball 2012

The Met Ball can outshine the Oscars in terms of red-carpet outfits and with a multitude of actors, designers, musicians and models this year's outfits proved to be no less daring. Held annually at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, this year celebrated a new exhibition of late fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli's work - "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations". Long gowns typically dominated the scene but some celebrities took on shorter ensembles and even jumpsuits. Fabrics became more futuristic, metallic and transparent - and this year had less of a feminine touch than last year's graceful gowns. My favourite look of the night was Jessica Alba in Micheal Kors - a bold gold gown that both flattered her figure and skin tone.

Following close by is Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren- this time in silver with an ivory beaded gown, sheer detailing, a plunging v-neck and open back, looking old-school glamorous with Ralph Lauren vintage collection jewellery.

Two stars turned up with dark, seductive Givenchy numbers- Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara in a lace custom made gown and model Gisele Bündchen in slim femme-fatale couture.

Tom Ford, American designer, also appeared on the red carpet with super long, super tight and innovative designs for singer Rihanna and model Chanel Iman.

Karlie Kloss for Fall 2011

Karlie Kloss goes mod in New York City for Vogue Japan this month

Karlie Kloss just turned 19 in August and already she has modeled for the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Micheal Kors and Chanel on runway, in countless magazine shoots and campaigns. I admire her unique but classic look and have particularly taken note of her stride at this fall's runway shows. Karlie is famous for cat eyes and arching eyebrows (never mind the endless legs) which see her hired for both fashion and beauty. Her ballerina training lends her a sense of grace and elegance and although she is skinny, she appears strong, not frail. I first heard about her as an emerging schoolgirl model a year or so ago, but since then she has caught my eye with her growing number of campaign contracts. Karlie has headed to the top pretty quickly but her youthful charm and talent in front of the camera convinces me that her career is far from over. We'll be seeing a lot more of this Chicago-born sophisticated girl in the future.

Chanel Runway - Resort 2012

Michael Kors Runway - Ready-to-Wear 2011

Elle Saab Runway - 2011 Couture