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The global catwalks have spoken! They present the styles and trends of the forthcoming spring/summer 2008. The runways pulsated with a mixture of styles; sexy feminine, fun flowers, rainbow brights, masculine tailoring, bohemian chic and futuristic fashionista, to mention a few.

One crazy trend to emerge was flora and fauna. Flowers bloomed on Dries Van Norten's designs and leafy climbers curled up models' trousers on a backdrop of coruscating colours. Luella used teeny, tiny floral prints on dresses, mini-skirts and blouses finished off with black, clumpy boots for the ultimate bad girl' stance. Alexander McQueen flirted with feathers; the models strutted down the catwalk proudly displaying a dramatic technicolor of ruffles and feathers. Attempt this trend with caution, to avoid looking like Big Bird the feathers are best kept as trimmings or accessories. Keep the colours bright and avoid greys, the idea is Peacock not Pigeon.

Romance was in the air for Roberto Cavalli as the models floated by in ethereal dresses. A low cut white and red floral, floor length, satin dress worn over a chiffon blouse and slinky gold slip with tassels were the perfect outfits for escapism. Take inspiration from your sexy boudoir garments and translate them into (almost) acceptable attire. The key piece of my summer wardrobe will indefinitely be a Stella McCartney slouchy jumpsuit; either in the white soft cotton or the floral voluminous style, these all-in-ones encapsulate the relaxed summer statement perfectly.

YSL mixes smart tailoring, sleeveless wrap-over jackets and baggy smart high-waisted trousers with psychedelic stars rocketing up satin dresses. Block, vibrant colours hit the runway for Lanvin, maxi dresses in orange, yellow and green billowed down the catwalk. Jill Sander challenged the norm with work-wear by using slabs of vivid colours on shift dresses and trouser suits. Discard your greys, browns and blacks dare to wear a devil red suit to work!

One trend I personally will be embracing is Boho Tech. What the heck is Boho Tech I hear you say? Think futuristic fashionista clashes with Amazonian Warrior, generating a metamorphosis of two opposing styles. Bold ethnic prints, global graphics and slouchy fabrics were fused together with a kaleidoscope of cyber colours, studs, metallic materials and plastic trimmings. Designer Marios Schwab participates in this trendy oxymoron by teaming white cotton smock tops with shiny metallic trousers and matching printed petal body-con dresses with dominatrix style heels. Mathew Williamson evolves his signature floating dresses, colouring them in bold colours and stamping black and white geometric prints on the front. Flashes of metallic materials shimmered down the catwalk and tribal printed kaftans were tucked into tailored city shorts. Tackle this tricky trend by teaming a tribal printed dress with futuristic techno heels. Alternatively tuck an ethnic kaftan into tailored shorts, sling a wooden belt round the hips and wrap a tie-dye scarf around the neck and finish off with gladiator sandals.

So there we have it, the main message of the catwalks is to mix and match opposing styles and have fun manipulating and trend-twisting by adding your own influence and creating your individual look.

Learn more about this author, Sophie Gardner.
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