One wouldn’t argue the association of summer with colours, be it in the garden or on clothing racks. But if you’re tilting away from the predictable colour palette of the spring 2012 season, then black and white should be your protocol. Londoners and Melbournians are often criticised for purposely injecting this colour palette on the streets of these cities, but you can’t blame them, a…

Gone is the traditional English foundation, the tartan and lace; for spring 2012 McQ by Alexander McQueen is seemingly Texas bound. Sarah Burton’s designs maintain their femininity through strictly cinched-in waists, as is customary, but this time she adds a 50s rockabilly meets Western flavour. Metal-tipped collars, ribbon neck ties, embroidery, and denim all play a part in this cowgirl scene, smashed together with modern…

Spring / summer 2012 is a hotspot for the the hottest of what has become colloquially known as an arm party. No one’s tastes have been left out (except, perhaps, those who’d thumb their nose at the term): bright coloured bangles mingle this season with gemstone-embellished wristlets and leather strapped cuffs sit next to metallic gold bracelets. The jewellery this season is chunky and bold,…

There’s volume in McQ fall 2012, but it’s always kept at bay with strict waist cinching. And we mean always. It’s become part of the McQ aesthetic, that strict femininity that at once hides yet celebrates the female form, here in skirt lengths that dust the knees and coats that border on military heaviness. Such cuts could lose their appeal but keeping the waist the…

On first look, ruffles can either remind you of a flamenco dancer or an extravagant wedding dress. But when translated to the language of fashion, ruffles take a whole new meaning. For spring 2012 ruffles and frills can be anything from accents to the foundation of an entire outfit. Read on for the full details.

Who said layers were just for winter? Spring's breezes and summer's sun bring with them opportunity to dabble in layers that don't cover up, but rather reveal. Under-layers get sheer and skirts get unbuttoned as we explore unique ways to incorporate layering into your spring / summer wardrobe. Read on for the full report.

Talking not to the masters, but to those left behind in the world: Pierre Bergé imagines that Yves Saint Laurent would hate the fashion world today, and Sarah Burton faces the challenges of filling Alexander McQueen’s unimaginably big shoes. Meanwhile Marc Jacobs fails to pay his models, and wardrobe-cleaning tips abound. View our 5 weekend reads after the break.

“There’ll always be a McQueen woman. She is a strong woman and she is a powerful woman, and when she puts a McQueen jacket on, she feels different. The way she stands is different. The way she moves is different. It’s almost like the clothes are slightly empowering.” — Sarah Burton Sarah Burton has impossible shoes to fill. Her collection for Alexander McQueen fall 2012…

View all the photos of the beauty & make-up at the Alexander McQueen autumn (fall) / winter 2012 showing at Paris fashion week. Read the article to see the full gallery.

View all the detailed photos of the Alexander McQueen autumn (fall) / winter 2012 showing at Paris fashion week. Read the article to see the full gallery.