Jaeger – The established British brand has been gradually building up kudos with spot on quality designs and its highly desirable Black Label. This season Jaeger will feature on the LFW catwalk while chief exec Harold Tillman is tipped for the top British Fashion Council position.

Barbour – As seen at Aquascutum Barbour is having a contemporary revamp, reworking its country clothing classics with sleeker lines and modern aesthetics. If forecasters are to be believed we will all need to invest in quality wet weather gear if global warming has its way. 

Vivienne Westwood – Hot international ticket of February’s London Fashion Week Queen Viv is back on home soil showing off what she does best with her Red Label line.

Halston – Heritage brand Halston relaunches in 2008 with top fashion players Tamara Mellon and Rachel Zoe on board. Owned by The Weinstein Company the label will include ready-to-wear, handbags and footwear for the New York Fashion Week launch this February.

Dover Street Market Accessories – Just arrived in London’s most stylish emporium are Comme des Garcons limited edition accessories. Covetable designs without the hefty price tag of the mainline.

Fashion Against AIDS at H&M – Spreading awareness as well as profits on essential AIDS related projects H&M gets together with Designers Against AIDS to create a range of printed separates on sale from February.

Aimee McWilliams – A designer name to watch - the Aimee McWilliams brand grows year on year and with the Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 award under her belt the success is set to continue.

Jonathan Saunders – It wasn’t so long ago that Jonathan Saunders revealed his unique take on graphics and colour under the Fashion East umbrella. Seasons since he has developed and polished his signature designs into a label that the fashion pack can’t get enough of. 2008 is the year he goes global by showing at New York Fashion Week - expect rave reviews from over the pond. 

Grecian Goddess – Draped, soft and romantic Grecian Goddess ruled at Julia Clancey, Ashley Isham and Afshin Feiz.

Jonathan Kelsey – The latest shoe designer whose cone shaped heels are getting the fashion pack in a tizz. Kelsey previously worked for Jimmy Choo and Giles Deacon, since launching his own line he can count stylish celebs such as Amy Winehouse and Kate Bosworth as fans.

Maiden Britain – Punky pieces produced by a creative collective headed up by designer Ziad Ghanem - already a big hit with club kids and in-mode musicians.

Traveller Chic – Combine seventies style and global references with layered-up festival dressing and hey presto you’ve got an eclectic traveller chic look.

Vanity Fair Portraits – The National Portrait Gallery plays host to some of Vanity Fair’s finest images. The exhibition includes photography from the likes of Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz and Herb Ritts delving into the Vanity Fair archives spanning from 1913 – 2008. The exhibition opens at the NPG, Wolfson Gallery on the 14^th February.

Jewel Shades – Deep purples, fuchsias and emerald greens provide a bold contrast to Spring/Summer’s soft nudes, pinks and caramels.

Ruffles Galore – Fluttery tiers and ruffles romanced-up 2008 skirts and dresses while adding volume, texture and lashings of feminine appeal.

Arty Prints – Cyber florals, quirky illustrations and painterly prints offer visual stimuli of the creative kind.

Hussein Chalayan design

SKIN+BONES: Parallel Practices in Fashion & Architecture will no doubt be the exhibition to get those creative juices flowing. Featured designers include Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen while Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and David Adjaye join the architecture camp. SKIN+BONES opens in April at Somerset House, London.

Statement Jewellery – Stacked up bangles and chunky necklaces create styling focal points. 

Dip & Tie – In keeping with the 70s tack designers add dip & tie dying techniques to their fabric treatments while maintaining modern 2008 cuts. 

Transparency – Sheer layers and sections add a delicate modern feel to suits and dresses for inspiration look no further than Jil Sander, Richard Nicoll and Felder Felder.

By JoJo Iles

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