Roving Reporter : Charlotte Ronson

This is one hell of a talented family! When Mark and Sam aren't lighting up the world of music (producing and DJing respectively), sister Charlotte is rocking NYC with her edgy fashion label. It's been great to see collections by the likes of Acne and Ronson, who seem to be bringing a new vibe to New York Fashion Week.

To me, Donna Karen and Calvin Klein sum up NY fashion: simple but sophisticated, in easy to wear shades. But with these new kids on the block, the party scene is beginning to show through, and it definitely has a rock-chick feel.

As with so many collections for A/W09, there is an 80s vibe coming through. Unlike the neon trends of past summers, this 80s comeback is harder and more rock-couture than neon-pop. With black lips and high ponytails, the styling seemed to have been borrowed from the early Madonna years.

There were leather staples in the form of a well tailored, skinny blazer with matching skinny-cut trousers; the tassels of the past year seem to be sticking around again (great for the recession).

Eighties leotards (think Fame) were referenced through jersey tops with huge cut-out sections (a la Rachel Roy), teamed with high-waisted, skater skirts. I loved this look - it was so Madonna, with a touch of council-estate chic (but in a good way).

The whole collection looked like it was based on Sam Ronson's wardrobe, as the more girly pieces left the runway (maybe that was the LiLo selection). The models were then clad in tartan trousers with a slight peg-leg cut, sheer shirting and prim cardigans that were delicately studded to take a rebellious spin on the twinset.

There was plenty of print too - one of my favourite pieces was a simple black shift dress with slightly curved, exaggerated shoulders and a skeleton-like print across sections. Very wearable and little bit rock-chick couture (my preferred look).

The further I got into the collection, the more convinced I became that we are to see a switch to the darker side of the 80s this fall. Ronson sent down the most outrageous jumpsuit. It was beautifully cut. Big, 80s shoulders, nipped-in waist, slightly volumised hips and with tapering at the ankle. This beauty was definitely one of the lynch pins of the collection. While not easily wearable (after all, it was marooned-based floral print, accented with blue, coral and yellow), there was something totally lovable about this crazy look.

When Charlotte wasn't looking to the 80s, she had evidently taken her time machine back to the 20s, as there were some great 20s-deco appliques. My particular penchant was for this skirt. The look had a little bit of PPQ about it. Total grown-up sophistication and glamour, but with a hint of rebellion - which lets face it, is why we love all the Ronsons. But right now, it's all about Charlotte!

Roving Reporter : Acne

Well this favourite jeans company added a touch of rock-chic to New York today. Models were clad head-to-toe in a predominantly black colour palette, only accented by nude shades. Dresses were cute, thigh-skimming and angular, creating almost square-like cuts, and were quite tunic-esque in their silhouette.

These were teamed with the past season's favourite 'wet-look leggings' and the upgraded version of 'plastic-look leggings'. Yes I said it, the models looked like their legs had been clad in cling film. These was done in black and clear shades and were both wonderfully inventive and totally bizarre (though I'm predicting Topshop copies to hit the shelves).

There were two trouser shapes being worked, at two extremes of the spectrum. They ranged from wide-legged boot cuts to super-skinny pencil cuts.

Jackets were dressy and would work perfectly with cocktail dresses and skinny jeans. Shoulders, again, were structured and cuts incredibly tailored.

There was a fantastic, battered leather jacket, printed on one shoulder, with a real vintage feel. Interestingly, this was teamed with a loose-cut trouser, rather than the traditional indie-skinny silhouette.

Again, like at Rachel Roy there was plenty of asymmetric cutting go on, with one-shoulder dresses and slouchy, sheer tops, giving away a hint of skin without putting it all out there.

Styling was minimal, and while shoes were incredibly huge skyscraper platforms, the odd piece of jewellery was also huge - but kept to a single piece, either a statement necklace or chunky bangle.

A fun collection that would really suit the cool kids on the New York scene: Think Olsen twins, Sam Ronson and LiLo. This is not for the fainthearted, but a definitely rock-cool selection.

Fashion Bitch: Save It for Yourself

Rivkie pulled me out of bed at the ungodly hour of 10 a.m. today (I had to get up at 8, you beast), so naturally while I was waiting the customary 20 minutes at the Tube stop for her to show, I stumbled into a Pret to start caffeinating. Choosing a window seat so I could see the Rivmeister roll up, I had the unpleasant sight of watching someone bounce by in leggings and a supremely short coat. Lady, if you're watching this, you owe me the half of my Diet Coke I spit out.


Yes, we all went through the "Are leggings really pants, yo?" debate a few years ago with Lindsay Lohan (whom I still love dearly). But the woman in question shocked me for a different reason: the too-tight bikini pants underneath.

I'm not going to argue about whether it's OK to trot around the city in skin-tight cotton and Lycra, but what I can say is that whether you like it or not, people check out your bum and your bits while you're in public view. The least you can do is see that your rear end does not separate into quarters - if for nothing else than your own comfort. And you men who like the skinniest of skinny jeans, I hate to bust you, but people are watching you and wondering how you keep a low voice in those things.

When we get old enough to pay taxes, we should be old enough to train our eyes to look away when it's polite. But we should also be able to stop ourselves from feeling just a bit happy that the person with the 90 grocery bags can't squeeze into a crowded Tube carriage, from marveling at the size of the piece of cilantro between a stranger's teeth or from laughing at the person who slips on a banana peel (my friend has actually witnessed this - swear).

We're animals with eyes and a brain - we watch things and judge. In fashion, that's the name of the game. Not every day has to be a runway, but the least you can do is realise that you'll never do yourself a favour by making yourself, or your underwear, a public spectacle.