Guys: 5 Reasons You Might Be More On Trend Than You Think...

Fashion month 'proper' is just about to kick off, but let's take a moment to look back at the lessons to be learned from this season's men's shows... could you (or your man) be more on trend than you ever realised?

You're oh-so-AW16 if...

L-R: Off-White, Ami Alexandre Mattiussi, Bally, Topman Design, Raf Simons

• You rock a suit and kicks combo on your morning commute...
• Minus the blazer, but plus a bomber...
• And, on changing out of said kicks, occasionally find yourself sporting mismatching socks.
• You waited out the whole skinny jean thing...
• And are still the proud owner of a puffa. High fives all round, Mr. Ice - or can we call you Vanilla?

5 things you might not be wearing yet, but really should...

L-R: Topman Design, Ami Alexandre Mattiussi, Louis Vuitton, Issey Miyake, Bally

• Flares - take note, guys, as Topman shows you a totally non-scary way to work them into your workaday wardrobe...
• A statement coat (yes, even if you do have that puffa locked down) - tartan, chevron, checkerboard.... the world - and colour wheel - are your oyster...
• OR a statement scarf - if you're not quite ready for full body coverage...
• Berry tones - flattering virtually every complexion, burgundy hues are guaranteed to get you noticed for the right reasons...
• Roll necks - layer up or fly solo - just get ready to roll now... slip one under your suit blazer for a dose of David Gandy dash, or pop a shirt or sweater on top for a so-hip-it-might-just-hurt hit of '70s prep.

...and 5 you might not be quite ready for...

L-R: Sandro, Ami Alexandre Mattiussi, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, 3.1 Phillip Lim

• Leather trousers - on the catwalk, leather skinnies + tonal tailoring = all kinds of chic. But serious cheek(bones), not to mention model-esque pins, are required to pull them off. And the same goes for...
• Sequins...
• Embroidered denim...
• And embellished knitwear. Then we have...
• The wear-it-out onesie - if you're going there, please follow Phillip Lim's eminently sensible example and layer a shirt underneath, or trips to the loos are going to get a teensy bit awkward.

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Gift Guide #2: 100+ Ideas to Make Everyone Happy...

Tearing your hair out over what to get the man/woman/child/foetus who has everything this Christmas? Whether you have £6 or £600 to spend, I challenge you not to find something they'll want here...

Click on product descriptions for more info/to buy, and don't forget to check out my Secret Santa and stocking filler ideas here...

Oh, and there are plenty of cheeky Black Friday weekend/Cyber Monday deals still waiting to be snapped up too, so go go go!!

1: '70s Tassel Necklace, Accessorize, £15; 2: Cutwork Sandals, Karen Millen, £165 (25% off this weekend), 3: Cutwork Clutch, Karen Millen, £99 (25% off this weekend); 4: Retro Style Sunglasses, Mango, £9.99; 5: Personalised Diamond Initial Necklace, Ernest Jones, from £44.59; 6: Black Suede Tassel Cape, Warehouse, £80 (£56 this weekend); 7: Multi-Tassel Collar Necklace, Warehouse, £22 (£16.50 this weekend); 8: Bag, Skinnydip London, £30, 9: Pom Pom Gloves, Coast, £49 (£39.20 this weekend); 10: Alona Bella Ear Jacket, £95; 11: Cable Knit Pom Pom Bobble Hat, Warehouse, £14 (£12.60 this weekend); 12: Bijoux De Famille Dress Me Plastron Necklace, £325; 13: Faux Fur Ear Hat, Quiz, £7.99; 14: Faux Fur Cuffs, Quiz, £5.59; 15: Belt, Baukjen, £59; 16: Filipa Grey Faux Fur Scarf, Reiss, £90; 17: Ava Hardcastle Hard Clutch Bag, Accessorize, £34.30; 18: Marbled Faux Fur Cape, Accessorize, £40 (£28 this weekend); 19: WOW Suitcase Bag, Accessorize, £32; 20: Black Fur Trim Hooded Cape, Quiz, £34.99; 21: Bijoux De Famille Eat Me Choker Necklace, £340; 22: Foster Hobo Bag, Jaeger Outlet, £59; 23: Helene Berman Veiled Pom Pom Beanie, £99; 24: Chocolate Milk Carton Bag, Accessorize, £29; 25: Black Sequin Collarless Cape Blazer, Lavish Alice, £68

1: Get Your Party On/Paint the Town Glam Gift Set, Benefit, £39.50 (Worth £81); 2: Limited Edition Pink Pepper and Mint Cleanse and Polish Gift Set, Liz Earle, £20.75; 3: Laura Mercier Matte To Metal Caviar Stick Collection, £39; 4: Laura Mercier Honey Bath in Fresh Fig, £33; 5: Penhaligon's Ladies Fragrance Collection, £35; 6: The Gift of Great (Big) Hair, Bumble and Bumble, £30; 7: Lily Lolo Vegan-Friendly Luxury Makeup Brush Set, £49.99; 8: REN Luxury Rose Collection Gift Set, £49 (Worth £59); 9: Facial Kit by Grown Alchemist, £34; 10: Lana #10 Lashes by Huda (Kardashian fave), £15.50; 11: L'Occitane Jasmin Immortelle Neroli Sensual Collection, £55 (Worth £73); 12: NUXE Prodigieux Addict Gift Set, £40; 13: Trust in Love Set by Stila Cosmetics, £30; 14: Models Own Chrome Gift Set, £10; 15: Clarins Perfect Lips Collection, £19.50 (Worth £42); 16: The Award Winners by Eve Lom, £75; 17: Spoilt Cow Vanity Set, Cowshed, £50 (£40 this weekend); 18: Omorovicza Introductory Christmas Gift Set, £59; 19: Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Body & Home Collection, £95 (Worth £110); 20: Ultimate Bath Jewels by Aromatherapy Associates, £58; 21: Nutty Body Butter Sweethearts, The Body Shop, £12; 22: Flash Tattoos Set, £20

1: L'Occitane Collection for Men, £49 (Worth £75); 2: John Smedley Cashmere and Silk Hat and Scarf Set, £199; 3: Liz Earle Men's Shave Duo, £16; 4: Uniqlo HEATTECH Touchscreen Windproof Fleece Gloves, £12.90; 5: Modern Gent's Post Party Rescue Kit, The Body Shop, £16; 6: Wallet, Jaeger Outlet, £45; 7: Religion Canvas Shoulder Bag, £7.99; 8: Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Cracker, £20; 9: Reindeer Beanie, Forever 21, £9; 10: Alain Delon Framed Print, £195; 11: Birchbox Man Limited Edition Box, £25 (Worth £58); 12: Reiss Personal Shopping Experience, from £250; 13: Silk Knitted Bow Tie, Reiss, £50; 14: Personalised "I Love You More Than" Coaster, £6.95; 15: Puma x McQ Trainers, £100; 16: Christmas Jumper Hip Flask, Accessorize, £10; 17: Emporio Armani Logo Scarf, £39.99; 18: Smart Phone Projector, Not on the High Street, £17.95

1: Cath Kidston Spot Mini Satchel, £38; 2: Timberland Junior Classic Boot, £110; 3: Talking Paddington Bear, £18; 4: Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit, £15.75; 5: Mi Pac Americana Backpack, £17.99; 6: Make Your Own Bracelet Kit, Accessorize, £10; 7: Helen Moore Children's Faux Fur Collar, £30; 8: Marshmallow Toasting Kit, £14.75; 9: Girls' HEATTECH Knit Double Bobble Hat, Uniqlo, £7.90; 10: Maui and Sons Twister Stunt Scooter, £44.99; 11: Kickers Lovehearts Ankle Boots, £33; 12: Fox Cross-Body Bag, Accessorize, £25

1: Cath Kidston Baby Bag, £95; 2: Isabella Oliver Extra Long Skinny Belt, £65; 3: Isabella Oliver Slogan Maternity T-Shirt, £45; 4: Fortnum & Mason New Arrival Gift Box, £110

1: Molton Brown Frankincense and Allspice Reed Diffuser, £39; 2: Winter Christmas Candle, Cowshed, £36 (£28.80 this weekend); 3: Personalised Clock, £19.99; 4: Biba Faux Fur Throw, House of Fraser, £140 (£70 this weekend); 5: Glazed Apple Scented Candle, The Body Shop, £10; 6: TOAST Natural Soy Wax Candle in Porcelain Jar, £34; 7: Personalised Heritage Plaque, £19.99

1: Chocolate Teapot, £19.95; 2: Fortnum & Mason Rose & Violet Creams, from £5.50; 3: Brownie Club Subscription, £75.99; 4: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, £29.98 (save over £15); 5: Signed Copy of Marco Pierre White's White Heat 25, £25; 6: Discovery Dozen Gift, Laithwaite's Wine, £72 (save over £20); 7: Personalised Embossed Rolling Pin, £26; 8: Fortnum's Cocktail Truffles, £13.50; 9: Lily O'Brien's Christmas Chocolate Shoe Box, £40; 10: Pink Espresso Coffee Pot, £16.95; 11: Chocolate Egg & Bacon on Toast, £12

1: Sweaty Betty Yoga Fan, £15; 2: Puma Carson Cheetah Print Running Shoes, £60; 3: Sweaty Betty Media Armband, £30; 4: Puma Eskiva Metallic Boxing Boots, £75

1: Design Your Own Fragrance, £99; 2: Lulu Guinness Limited Edition Silver Polaroid Camera, £450; 3: 25 Heritage Heroes, Elemis, £225; 4: Men's Cashmere & Silk Hoody, John Smedley, £599; 5: Smythson 2016 Soho Diary, £180; 6: GHD Black Gold Value Set, £145 (save over £80); 7: Smythson iPad Mini cover, £275; 8: Cashmere & Silk Roll Neck Sweater, John Smedley, £399

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Express Yourself (Editorial 3)

Hot on the heels of Editorial 2 came our third and final LCS styling challenge... and, this time, the brief was thrown wide open... Given a starting point of "Express Yourself", we were to target publication in an edgy mag in the mould of i-D. First thoughts (obviously) revolved around Madonna clad in double-breasted suit and monocle in the pop video of the same name... Hmm...

Since we were to be provided with our choice of male and/or female model once again, as in the previous shoot, I decided, once again, to take full advantage of the situation and use both, switching up my gender references (not that this turned out to be an entirely unique idea - at least half the class seemed to decide at this point that their portfolio would not be complete without at least one man in a skirt).

Delving into the street style archives and current catwalk collections for inspiration, I opted to combine elements of gothic Victoriana (inspired by Givenchy and Thom Browne's AW15 shows) with a nod to street-style sportswear, playing on the theme of expressing vs. concealing with sheer fabrics and veils. I'd already decided to use our final shoot to push myself out of my darkly romantic, vintage-inspired comfort zone with something a bit tougher and edgier, more graphic and pared-back... so this brief provided me with the perfect opportunity to do just that... which, on the whole, I think I managed pretty well, whilst retaining the essence of "my" style... because, OK, there is a darkly romantic vintage vibe (modern, female version of Charlie Chaplin, anyone?) about some of these shots, but so what?

Photographer: Leigh Keily
Models: Bella Glanville at Milk and Phillip Gardner at Nevs
Make-Up: Martin Carter
Hair: Carolina Crona
Styling: Samantha Simmonds

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Into the Wild (Editorial 2)

When I heard that our second LCS editorial was to be shot on location, in "the wild", I was instantaneously possessed by an unassailable compulsion to conjure up an epic fairytale romance in the mode of a Leith Clark-styled Harper's story... This was what I'd been waiting for all my life. Drawing additional inspiration from the trademark dark romanticism (or "savage beauty", dare I say?) of Alexander McQueen's AW15 collection, and the mussed-up elegance of Haider Ackermann's SS15 menswear, I decided to make volume and layering the keystones of my "regally dishevelled" prince and princess's looks.

My Mood Board

Location and concept sorted... now I just had to style up "couture" looks for two on zero budget...

Easy. First stop - my own wardrobe. 4-year-old Limited Edition Primark dress (previously part of my Alice in Wonderland/Jesus - don't ask - costume, worn for last summer's onstage crucifixion) layered over £10 Izabel London tutu for a lavish tiered effect, and under Topshop's new dusky-feathered gilet for an additional "lift" and nod to the wilderness.

Accessories-wise, it was customisation o'clock once again... Inspired by Andreia Chaves' mirrored shoe boots, I marshalled a few hundred mirror mosaic tiles (nope, I'm not exaggerating), a whole lotta hot glue and 11 hours of my time in the service of creating my take on Cinderella's glass slippers...

Cinderella, pre- glass slipper loss (and/or disintegration)

Did they fare better than Cinders' originals in the great outdoors? Well... no, not really, since you ask, but Franco, our lovely photographer, was kind enough to touch up the tiles wickedly whipped away by the wind by the time the above image was shot #AboveandBeyondtheCallofDuty.

A bangle wrapped with ribbon and some illicitly-gathered twigs fashioned, along with some more of those damned mirror tiles, into a headdress, and Cinderella was complete. Then, of course, Prince Charming had to be appointed - from sources outside my own wardrobe, obviously (well, aside from the Primark faux fur... and I'm keeping that snake-print scarf).

On top of the world: my favourite shot

Photographer: Francisco Gomez de Villaboa

Models: Eliza Franks and Jack Harrison at Milk Management

Make-Up: Martin Carter

Hair: Carolina Crona

Styling: Samantha Simmonds

Keep your eyes peeled for the results of Editorial 3, coming soon to a screen near you...

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Sam Muses at London Collections: Men SS16

Yep, aside from that glorious day in April, London has so far seen scant evidence that SS15 has arrived, but, in the world of menswear, it's already all about SS16... The last few days saw male models, celebs and fashionista(/o?)s galore descend on the capital for London Collections: Men, and, buoyed up by my newfound zeal for menswear, I was thrilled to be invited to work with two key brands: Aquascutum and KTZ.

Front of house for Aquascutum, one of Britain's most important "heritage" brands (they invented the trenchcoat, FYI - aquascutum being Latin for "water shield", dontchaknow), I played gatekeeper to the hordes of VIPs (including the gorgeous David Gandy, who turned up looking tip-top in top-to-toe M&S!) and blaggers turning up at our Soho townhouse in search of sumptuous suiting and free bubbles (before turning my hand to some mannequin stripping and dismemberment once the doors closed).

The collection itself retained the classic "gentleman about town" feel the brand was founded on back in the 19th century, whilst sneaking in several delightful little soupçons of modern flair, from ultra-skinny cuts to ultra-chic digi-prints.

 In an underground Southwark club, catwalk bounded by caged sides and strip lighting, meanwhile, KTZ was a whole other story. No David Gandy this time, but the presence of 40ish super-buff, live models went some way towards making up for his absence (added bonus: no dismembering required at the end of the night, other than shoe/parachute de-lacing). No concessions to classicism here - this innovative and directional collection was all about looking forward. Want to get a headstart on your SS16 wardrobe? Get crafty with your bacofoil and chip paper now... P.S. How proud am I that the look featuring my painstakingly coloured-in-with-a-permanent-marker masking-tape-trimmed parachute laces became the most Instagrammed of the night (below centre)?

Outside of the shows I worked on, my favourite collection of the season had to be Topman's Northern Soul-inspired presentation. Directional, yet wearable (given a few tweaks for the man in the street!), I loved their update on the now-ubiquitous '70s trend, combining a dauntless appropriation of the "Oxford Bag" silhouette with a mix-and-match ethos (one pair of stripy trousers - 2 ways to wear!).

What do you think of this season's menswear collections? Can you see yourself or your boyfriend going Northern in Topman, donning a paratrooper-inspired ensemble à la KTZ or easing into printed suiting with Aquascutum?

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