05 October 2011

Back to cool

From show ponies to top notch topknots, it’s a whole new Autumn term at style school. There are lessons to be learnt, so settle down to some serious swotting if you want to be top of the class...

Pony tales

A perennial favourite with designers, it was no surprise to see ponytails swishing down a host of runways. Every ponytail told a different story for A/W11. Innocent and girlish with an Alice band at Valentino; taut and shiny with a dominatrix vibe at Louis Vuitton. For a new take on a classic look, we liked the emergence of the detailed pony (created by gathering a few ponies into one) at Ingrid Vlasov.

Click here to copy the catwalk and style it step-by-step.

Ingrid Vlasov

Louis Vuitton

Hey boy, hey girl

Swap your stilettos for boyish brogues and embrace Saville Row style for an authentic take on androgyny. Gel, quiffs and slicks licked the boyish look on the runway, but the addition of feminine touches made them easy to wear for even the girliest girls. YSL and Stella McCartney were the go-to shows for slicked-back style inspiration, while quirky quiffs conquered at Dolce & Gabbana and Sass & Bide.

Click here to copy the catwalk and style it step-by-step.

Sass & Bide

Dolce & Gabbana

Sculpture club

Slick and shiny sculpted knots replaced the ballet bun as the updo for Autumn. Tight and defined with not a hair out of place, these were works of art in their own right. Double knots at Marios Schwab were minimalist magic, while the knots positioned to mimic puppy ears at Topshop Unique’s Dalmation-themed show were cute and quirky. Maria Grachvogel’s architectural knot with sculpted shards stole the show – wear and prepare to do the same.

Click here to copy the catwalk and style it step-by-step.