Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Elena

Elena Perminova, after Valentino, Paris, March 2012.

 Recreate Elena's look (kind of)):

Derek Lam shearling trimmed cotton coat, Proenza Schouler shearling-collar quilted leather jacket,  O'2nd detachable fur cocoon coat, Belstaff Rutland padded shearling coat, Alexander McQueen hooded shearling jacket or River Island leather biker jacket with fur collar

Ganni Oldspice striped jersey top, Madewell Kira bow back tee, or Zoe Karssen ribbon stripe tee

Cap: Eugenia Kim Elyse cashmere Marine cap, The Elder Statesman Billed Bubble cap, or Bop Basics Newsie cap

Patent boots: Stella McCartney faux patent leather ankle boots

New York Fashion Week SS 2013....Elena

Elena Perminova in Tibi, after Derek Lam, NYC, September 2012.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

Tibi Coral print top or dress

Animal print sunglasses: Elizabeth and James Limited Edition leopard print sunglasses, Illesteva Leonard 2 leopard print sunglasses, ASOS kitten cat eye sunglasses or Yves Saint Laurent Panther print sunglasses

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013....Elena

Elena Perminova, after Giambattista Valli, Paris, October 2012.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

Double-Up on Print: Miu Miu printed jacket and pants,  Miu Miu printed jacket and pants, Carven blazer and pants or Topshop jacket and pants

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013...Elena

Elena Perminova, after Valentino, Paris, October 2012.

New York Fashion Week SS 2013...Elena and Leaf

Elena Perminova and Elle China's Senior Fashion Editor Leaf Greener (and Fortitude the NYPL lion!), after Victoria Beckham, NYC, September 2012.

Recreate their look (kind of) with prints, prints, prints!:

Rochas dotted pants + dotted blouse (this is the print Leaf is wearing), Miu Miu brocade pants + brocade jacket, J.Crew Rummy metallic brocade pants, J.Crew Cafe printed capri pants, Marni printed pants, J.Crew floral print pants, or Aqua Armour digital print pants

Gold and black shoes: Marni gold-trimmed suede pumps

New York Fashion Week SS 2013...Elena

Elena Perminova, before Jason Wu, NYC, September 2012.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

The season of the animal intarsia sweater! Channel the jungle in: Kenzo tiger embroidery sweater (I thought it was a lion....clearly I need a refresher course on the cat species!), Wildfox sequin lion friend sweater, Paul &Joe Penjab elephant intarsia sweater, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel raccoon intarsia sweater, Mulberry tiger intarsia sweater, ASOS tiger sweater or Topshop animal face jumper

ASOS denim shorts, Rag &Bone/JEAN The Mila shorts, MiH jeans Halsy 90s cut off denim shorts

Elizabeth and James Limited Edition snow leopard sunglasses, Prism Portofino cat eye sunglasses or ASOS Butterfly cat eye sunglasses

Animal print bag: Alexander Wang Marion bag, Christian Louboutin Farida leopard-print bag or A.P.C. animal print bag

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Elena

Elena Perminova, after Elie Saab Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Want to add a little BAM!POW! to your chambray dress/jacket/shirt? Team with neon accessories like Elena (bra top, necklace or sunglasses).

Recreate her look (kind of):

AG Adriano Goldschmied denim tank dress, Diesel denim dress, Vanessa Bruno cotton and linen blend coat, MM6 Maison Martin Margiela oversized denim shirt or Topshop Moto collar tip denim shirt

Quay neon yellow circle sunglasses, Gorjana Graham neon yellow leather studded wrap bracelet, Betsey Johnson neon yellow sneakers, Topshop yellow jelly sunglasses or Noir jewellery neon cuff

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/2013...Elena

Elena Perminova, before Giambattista Valli couture, Paris, July 2012.

Top to toe tomato red....not for those who wish to remain inconspicuous :) 

Add jeans or a pair of grey, black or navy pants if you prefer a more subtle interpretation.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

Alice + Olivia Patty Peplum top, Comme des Garcons flat top (amazing structure and fit) or ASOS textured top with peplum (in red)

Red pants: Peter Som red trousers or Giambattista Valli pants

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 12/13....Elena

Elena Perminova, before Chanel Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Another maxi dress - sheer this time - in the prettiest nude/blush/pale pink. Oh so beautiful and perfect with Elena's skin tone and hair colour.

Blush dress inspiration:  Elizabeth and James Sandy silky chiffon dress, Nina Ricci crochet hemmed satin dress, Vanessa Bruno dress or Miu Miu ruffled silk-chiffon dress

Sophie Hulme tote bag

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Elena

Elena Perminova, Tuileries, Paris, March 2012.

After a glimpse of warm summery weather on the weekend, today the UK returned to its four seasons in one day form. We had sun (albeit for only approximately 10 mins or so!), rain, hail and, inexplicably, snow flurries! I was sitting in Cuisine De Bar by Poilane* (tucked just behind Sloane Square) with Peony when other customers started gesturing outside: "Snow! In London! In May!" How bizarre!

So how to dress for this changeable weather? Pack an umbrella (obviously**), throw on a warm coat or better still a showerproof trench and then wear something pretty, soft and summery underneath like Elena has. Because the sun is bound to come out sooner or later....or at least we have our fingers crossed that it does!

Recreate Elena's Look (kind of):

Altuzarra Marigold ruffled blouse, Sandro Euphorie silk blouse, J. Crew sheer polka dot blouse, Temperley London Celestine shirt

Miu Miu nude leather platform shoes, Christian Louboutin Piou Piou 85 leather pumps or Topshop nude platform court shoes

*I had the Australian tartine which consisted of Poilane bread, vegemite, avocado and chilli flakes! Yum.

**Of course neither of us were sensible enough to bring an umbrella



Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Elena

Elena Perminova, after Stella McCartney, Paris, March 2012.

Love this outfit on Elena - sure, there is a lot going on (patterns, patent/shiny fabric, statement flowers, colour) but somehow she makes it all work together cohesively. To me, it is the sort of inspiring outfit where you can find at least one piece that you really love and could see working in your own wardrobe. Personally, I love Elena's floral neckpiece - so very beautiful.

Recreate Elena's look (kind of):

Lanvin Petales necklace, Lanvin Raffia flower choker necklace or Lulu Frost triple pipeline necklace

Add a shiny jacket: Altuzarra Chameleon hooded coated nylon jacket, Lisa Perry Snazzy jacket or Miu Miu patent leather jacket

A Printed top: J. Crew Shafasa polk-dot silk shirt, Stella McCartney Wilson paisley print blouse, Acne Patti print blouse, MSGM print shirt

Some cute shorty shorts: Rory Beca Orissa silk running shorts, or  Anna Sui printed silk shorts

Jil Sander open toe heels (in white) or Camilla Skovgaard Roller sandals

Michael by Michael Kors blush pink clutch

Paris Fashion Week AW 2011....Elena

Elena Perminova, Paris Fashion Week March 2011.

Love this floaty white shirt dress. So pretty and wearable....especially after the Holiday excesses we have no doubt all consumed :)

Paris Fashion Week AW 2011...Elena

Elena Perminova, March 2011.

Still love that coat and Maison Michel hat.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2011....Elena

Elena Perminova before Chanel.