Roving Reporter: Marchesa

I'm a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE Marchesa fan! So much so that I had real issues picking out my favourite photos, so I'm afraid you have ended up with nearly all of them. Marchesa make THE MOST beautiful party and red-carpet frocks and this season they treated us to a host of asymmetric, powdery coloured dresses.

There is always plenty of tulle and this season was no exception - the model above looked like a delightful doll, wrapped like a present and sealed with a bow. They are so delicately put together that they almost look unwearable.

I love this slightly gothic number. I'm used to their dresses being all about meringue peaks, pale tones and florals, so to see one that is seriously rocking it up was very interesting indeed.

Again, like S/S09, obi belts are a must. Marchesa has sealed nearly every dress with an oversized bow, a trend we saw plenty of at Paris couture week.

This impish frock had a very summery feel, drenched in appliqued florals - this pulls more in line with trend we saw at the beginning of the week and with the S/S range from Lim and Koi Suwannagate.

There were a host of items in reds and pinks, all beautifully sealed with a bow. This asymmetric piece screams Anne Hathaway. Bows were everywhere the past couple of seasons, so it is no surprise that the hit applique is here to stay.

This moulded-hip number reminded me of Balenciaga's futuristic pieces a few seasons ago. However this is a much brighter and more feminine interpretation. Covered in beads (embellishment trend!) the model looks like she is covered in sweeties, definitely a dress that is truly scrumptious.

One of the very few playsuits around for A/W09. This one however was the smartest one I had seen. Tailored trouser legs and gorgeous bow bodice: I think this is one for Katy Perry!

I'm getting a Sienna Miller/Carrie Bradshaw vibe from this fabulous frock. Firstly, what a breathtaking blue. All frou-frou and embellishment, I cannot wait to see this one on a red carpet somewhere. (Though I would prefer to see it in my closet.)

Origami silhouette: this sculptured piece was simply outstanding and well left till last.

Just the most incredible shape I have ever seen. I think I'm speechless and may have to go and lie down.

Roving Reporter : 3.1 Phillip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim is one of the most successful brands in the fashion world. This season, he showed a small selection of menswear alongside his women's wear line.

50s-style checks and a pale, double-breasted tuxedo edged in black created a cool new twist on traditional men's suiting. There was a really cool New Yorker vibe to the collection and I can see A-list males such as Mark Ronson and Kanye West being fans of this fashionable offering.

Styled with leather driving gloves and flat loafers, these boys had an indie vibe all of their own and though there wasn't much in the way of menswear, the small selection is a good taster of what is yet to come from Lim's ever-expanding empire.

Monochrome tones showed sophistication and grown-up glamour. This layered tulle skirt references the cut-out detailing that we have been seeing throughout most collections this week.

Not many people have demonstrated a military theme, which is often popular for the winter months, but there were lashings of it at Lim. The beautiful button detailing and turned-up cuffs have classic style and beauty, showing that Lim's collections can work for a range of ages.

Lim's collection soon moved into the 70s as ankle-skimming bootcuts, became the trouser shape of the collection. Ruffle-front shirts in hot pink and caramel created a slight Austin Powers vibe, while models had a distinct bowl haircut. Fur and waterfall-front jackets made the inspiration for this pieces more poignant and while rather exaggerated were fun and flirtatious separates.

This dusky pink suit was a great tailored classic, a perfect piece of New York workwear. Though 70s in colour and cut, the strong shoulder line again fits in with what we have been seeing elsewhere this week.

Metallic, striped trousers, patterned shirting and oversized jackets had all the hallmarks of a vintage look. 3.1 has a huge following from the young fashion crowd and with the popularity of vintage dressing still very strong, I wouldn't be surprised if Lim has taken this an inspiration. The look was strongly hippy. However it is important to recognise the strong use of styling to create that vibe and not discount the items and singular commercially viable pieces.

The coat has fantastic kimono sleeves, which have been shown at various shows this week.

Bouncing about the decades, I got the feeling that Lim is driven more by creating beautiful items than he is by an overall theme. This sparkly dress will fit well with the continuing embellishment trend, but also strongly reference the Roaring 20s. A perfect red-carpet frock!

Playsuits have been all the range since last S/S. There have actually been fairly few showing for A/W09, with the only memorable ones so far being at Marchesa and Diesel. However with its popularity at an all-time high and women now getting into wearing what is effectively a romper suit, this is probably another sell-out piece. It has fantastic military overtones and its lack of fuss will make it a very versatile piece for the dedicated Lim fashion crowd.

Sequined jacket and fur cuffs! Could this be the most desirable jacket yet?! Lim's clothes always have waiting lists and re-orders for each season and I'm sure this one will be no different. I am particularly fond of this t-shirt dress, with fabulous rip detailing. Totally on-trend and I'm sure worth every penny.

Embellishment has been huge this week and Lim didn't let us go home without a bit of sparkle.

This beautifully sequined top was styled so well, with basic, waisted wool trousers and a military cape. This again references the idea of pared-down opulence and always wearing best. Designers are encouraging people to part with their cash by presenting beautifully detailed and versatile items that will last through the seasons, and lets be honest - we all want a bit of 3.1 in our lives.

Roving Reporter : 3.1 Phillip Lim : In Detail

Though the main collection was a mixture of decades (70s and 80s), there was a prim, equestrian vibe developing here. The cut on this jacket is so incredibly creative and a total wardrobe staple - the outfits you could build around such an enigma!

Leather was a look I thought we had well got rid of, but this full, 50s skater-style skirt is really tickling my fancy. Again teamed with a prim shirt/jacket and laced gloves, Phillip Lim has combined unlikely factors to create a well styled and innovative look.

Furry skirt (I have nothing else to add).

Love, love, love these shoots (shoe-boots). There is a slight element of baseball boot to them, again a trend that has been creeping back on to the catwalks for A/W09. Adore the pastel shade and the snakeskin.

Take note: toe shapes. There have been lots of chunky pointed toes showing for next season. Also note the stitch line down the middle of the toe. This was also seen at Marc Jacobs (see Marc Jacobs: In Detail).

I have often suffered this dilemma. I have donned my gorgeous, elbow-length gloves but then want to wear bangles. Well dilemma solved! Just chuck them over the top. Phew. Take note: silver sparkle on the dress, gold bangles on the arm. It's OK to mix your metals. Also on the way: platform stiletto heels.

Disco bags: big bags are back. This beautiful leather has been jazzed up for any 80s-style lady. Love the metallic.