‘We love the Karen Millen trademark mix of bold femininity with sculptural tailoring. It's fierce, frill-seeking, power-dressing fashion at its best. We recommend you drop in on the high-street expert and learn how to maximise your curves with striking simplicity.'

 

Razor-sharp Glamour.

Karen Millen's Autumn/Winter 2009 collection ticks all the boxes. Strong silhouettes, yes. Super-feminine separates, yes. A return to the glamour of power dressing? Absolutely. Leather takes centre stage with elegant urban pieces while immaculately cut tailoring plays on masculine and feminine contrasts. Hot splashes of pop colour add exuberance to this bold collection while sexy boots and lashings of python and ponyskin add animal allure to accessories.

Dynasty dressing' - a la Joan Collins and Krystle Carrington - is back. That's padded shoulders, sexy separates and big hair. Karen Millen's supersoft leather is a fantastic starting point - from essential skinny trousers to a body-con shift with draped neckline. Fine leather is also cut into an asymmetric layered skirt and form-fitting pewter frill-edged jacket. Other key pieces include the super-stretchy bandage skirt and a seductive, strapless jumpsuit.

When it comes to statement tailoring, deepest black dominates. Bold silhouettes rule, from a sharply cut bouclé fitted coat with faux-astrakhan collar and deep cuffs to a plush, double-breasted faux-ponyskin riding coat cinched at the waist with a matching belt. A short, neat Melton wool coat with zip details is finished with a zippered cape. For evening, contrast tuxedo tailoring with a black chiffon blouse with satin ruffles.

Pop Colours - fuchsia pink, lipstick red, tangerine and deep purple - are welcome contrasts to a largely black and charcoal collection. Covetable outerwear includes an orange moleskin biker jacket, hot pink funnel-necked coat and a fitted neon yellow double-breasted jacket.

The must-have accessory is a pair of boots - pick from suede ankle boots or mink suede knee-high boots decorated with matching bows or over-the-knee stretch suede boot.

Store manager Agnieszka Bialon recommends: "The Ruffle Day Dress in jersey crepe. It takes you straight from work out to party and it has beautiful features - a ruffle neck, delicate belt and subtle metalwork trimming."

 

NB: Images show current ranges. If you are planning a special trip, please contact the store beforehand to make sure that these products are currently in stock and in your size.