No trends? I'm not buying it

The most important part of fashion is communication. There may be no trends if there are no 'fashionistas' telling us what is cool, what is not, and what is in-store. So it's a little bemusing to pick up the hefty February magazines and find that there are apparently no trends for Spring/Summer 09. Where are they all?

There are many things wrong with this statement. For one, each designer sent a collection down the runway back in October which contained a menagerie of crazy styles, textures and fabric manipulations. I always wonder that fashion trends are simply the grouping together of commonalities among collections- and so I'm sure if I was a designer that had spent months developing innovative designs, only to hear that the next guy has used and abused fringing or embellishment too, I'd be a little peeved. But isn't it a bit pointless to include a 'trends' supplement (I'm looking at you Vogue and Elle) full of trends after declaring there are none?

If the blatant 'this is the season of no trends' statement was an ambitious forecast, then the advice can be taken with a pinch of salt. The recession can't go unnoticed across the fashion capitals and designers are under pressure to produce wears that people are willing to spend a substantial amount on for a reason. It's suggested to go for quality and buy classic items to wear for more seasons to come. There were no major signs that fashion houses muted creations this time, but the folding designers and cancelled after-show parties mean purses have been tightened. The advice we should abide by is not to splash out on disposable trends that will be undesirable next season, but it feels like editors are looking through dull specs instead of rosy ones and predicting the market rather than the trends. Fashion now is ever more reminiscent of the 80's, as dressing is getting more powerful and clean, but this does not mean it needs to stand still right now.

Following runway is my passion and I saw an abundance of aspects to tweak and add, pushing your style into a new year and developing the high street in what might be a stale few years for retail. Stores may play safe and produce clothes they know will sell and not end up in the bargain bin, but it's ever clearer by forefront retailers like Topshop that there is a huge demand for experimental fashions. The point is, many of us know we can't afford to impulse and consume all the fast fashion Primark can offer, but that does not mean designers didn't work their hardest to bring some amazing shows full of delights to sample and indeed start new trends. Statement pieces are an investment, but magazines still go on to feature loads of trends- they shouldn't be afraid to push the boat out and encourage a colourful, inventive season without suggesting apprehension or spending guilt.