But I always think of it as the big build up! American designers are never as adventurous as the European sector. Talented yes but no as innovative as the British or Italians. Marc Jacobs may be an exception, but he too spends a lot of his time these days in Europe.

Its not a criticism at all, Donna Karen and Vera Wang, consistently design beautiful clothes, which would make any women look good. I thought both of their runway shows were wonderful last week. Both used a color palette of warm earth tones and Vera Wang played heavily on crystalline necklines and necklaces.

Marc Jacobs stood out too, his silhouettes were perfect, but some of his miss mash of fabrics were a bit hard to digest, but there was lots of inspiration to keep the high street stores happy!

London comes next, always exciting and the unexpected. Looking forward to seeing what Christopher Kane, Luella, Emma Cook and Temperley, are going to come up with.

I was wondering when she was going to change her hair. She had kept the ‘pob’ style just a bit too long, especially as everyone was copying it, even her close friends. But have no fear the pixie look is here!

It looks like this week she will take New York by storm. I loved the Marc Jacob’s black wrap mini dress she wore last night, and for the finishing touches having Marc Jacob to escort her.

Of course this is a big week for her career too.  She has just shown her brand new line of dress. They are available in sizes 6 to 14, she described the dresses as ‘suitable for all ages’. The line is launching in February, each piece is produced in limited editions – there will be no more than 400 of the first collection – and will cost between £650 and £1,900.  So there quite pricey and I’m not sure she will be able to command these high prices, which are up there with Marc Jacobs and Dolce and Gabbana.

Only time will tell, but good luck Posh, and well done for trying.

I’ve lived in the States for 4 years and really miss the fast pace of London high street stores. They can turn round within 6 weeks, catching on to the latest trends and getting them out really quickly whilst the look is still hot.  Top Shop does this so well, it has many suppliers that work with them to make it happen. They don’t work ridgedly to set production schedules, where it can take up to 4 months to produce a garment. Yes that does happen for none fashion garments, but not the latest trends.

I’m sure the New York store will mirror the famous Oxford Street super store, it will be buzzing with music and large video scenes and no doubt a cafe.  Just the place to meet your friends and spend the whole morning. And the great thing about Top Shop is all ages can shop there, its not just for youngsters.

Of course they have the extra pull of Kate Moss’s 7th line for the store. This will surely get it off to a great start. Although Kate is fairly active in her ideas for the line, just give a thought for the in house designers, buyers and manufactures who all make it happen for her.

Can’t wait for the opening!

So how can this be, with the cost of living rising all the time, the dollar being weak against the rest of the world? Is the Apparel business making any profit?

Oh yes, believe me some of them are. I have worked as an apparel designer on both sides with retailers and with the manufactures. The retailers are still making their 200/300% mark up, its the manufacturers and the fabric mills that are taking the cut. Back in the 80’s when business was booming manufactures could make a decent mark up on their garments, which gave them a safety cushion in case any think went wrong. Now days they are lucky to cover their cost. So many garment manufactures in America and Europe who were known for quality and reliability have gone out of business. Why because they just can’t compete. More and more business is going to China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and so on.

Company’s such as Forever 21, Wal-Mart, H&M, Primark(UK), Top Shop(UK) to name but a few, are really destroying the industry. Yes their delivering cheap disposable fashion, but at what price? If the public were made aware of what really goes on wouldn’t you be prepared to pay a little bit more if you knew it would save thousands their jobs and preserve our own factories right here in our own country.

In England where I grew up, we had some of the best fabric mills in the world, our quality wools and cashmeres were considered among the best, but now only a few survive and only designers like Armani and Ralph Lauren can afford them.

No the rip off is for the manufacturers fighting to survive! Even the big factories in China are fighting, as the retailers put more and more pressure on. Canceling orders, if the style isn’t selling, demanding discounts if the delivery is late. Were will it all end?

So next time you buy a garment and it costs you $20, just give a little thought to all the people that made it possible for just a few cents.