I am the type of person who knows what I like, and when I find a fashion item that I really, really like, I often buy two. This doesn’t mean I buy two of everything, my system usually applies to basic items, or things I know I’ll wear to death. Previous examples have included Banana Republic white t-shirts, American Apparel lace underwear (although that did cause me some problems), Uniqlo jeans, and COS shirts. My latest double-acquisition, is a pair of Finsk pumps.

The amazing thing about these shoes is that they are cut asymmetrically.

To be honest, this isn’t the first time I’ve bought two pairs of the same Finsk shoe in different colours, I’ve actually got a pair of sandals and a pair of peep toe wedges that I have in double (and there was a third pair of those wedges bought for my Mom.) When I was in London in April, I ordered two pairs of the Finsk asymmetrical pump, one in pewter and one in a dark gold colour, because I knew it was the perfect fall shoe.

This photo shows the gold pair, which, due to my poor photography, doesn't look that different to the silver.

The Finsk brand works two ways for me, there are the crazy, amazing shoes that I wear for impact. But the other reason I fell in love with Finsk, is because she makes amazing shoes that are extremely comfortable. Most people say it is impossible to wear a 5 inch heel that is comfortable, but I have to disagree. Julia Lundsten, the designer behind Finsk, has all these lovely little tricks that make her shoes comfortable. Which is why for my fall Finsk order, I decided to go practical, and buy some shoes that I would be able to wear to work, and during my day to day life.

Believe it or not, these wedge boots are extremely comfortable.

I love the detail on the heel.

The two pairs pumps arrived yesterday, along with this fantastic over-the-knee wedge boot. Things like this make me excited for the fall and winter!

Be jealous: my Finsk collection is AMAZING.

I love this Calvin Klein Fall 2010 campaign with Lara Stone, shot by Mert & Marcus. It is such a great look for her, and it shows her versatility, which is something I had never really considered before (I sort of through she had one look, and that was it.) I also love that this campaign is so Calvin Klein, bringing the brand back to the minimalist roots. Francisco Costa has done a great job with this collection.

These photos came from Fashion Gone Rogue, which is one of the latest additions to the Searching for Style Reading List (on the right of the homepage), which I recently updated. Fashion Gone Rogue posts tons of great campaign images and photoshoots.

I love Jean Paul Gaultier. He is old school, but hip. He is very 80’s, but in a modern way. He is haute couture done rock’n'roll, and that is exactly what this collection is. I remember one of my first weekends living in Paris, I went to Porte de Clignancourt to visit the famous Paris flea market with my new fashion school friends. Jean Paul Gaultier was buying some incredibly expensive, fabulous antique furniture and wearing a nautical striped sweater (SO him!) We were rudely staring at him, our first famous designer encounter, and he turned around and smiled at us. He’s the best!

I love…

a couture trenchcoat.

beautifully thin and extremely soft leather with fur trim.

rounded shoulders and hips.

an incredibly strange yet interesting dress.

awesome shoulders! I love this silhouette.

more amazing shoulders, this time jeweled and square.

I loathe…

the cone cups that look great on Madonna's bustier look crap on a boring blue top.

All images from Style.com.

Read the rest of my Haute Couture Fall 2010 reviews here.

It feels like Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are finally starting to understand Valentino. The understated yet interesting silhouettes, the feminine ruffles on bold shapes, and the mix of 60’s gamine and elegance are what Valentino is about. They hit the mark with some of the dresses, although some were slightly exaggerated versions of Valentino that ended up looking like oversized babies’ dresses. But I’d say this collection gives me hope about these two designers’ ability to take after their fake tanned master.

I love…

Prim and proper with a touch of sass (I can't believe I said the word sass.)

navy blue evening wear. So much more interesting than black.

couture lacework.

a new interpretation of 80's Valentino.

I loathe…

this ridiculous flower.

looking like a big baby or a tacky doll.

All images from Style.com.

Read the rest of my Haute Couture Fall 2010 reviews here.

Chanel puts on the most incredible productions for their haute couture shows. This one, in the Grand Palais, featured a giant gold lion resting his paw on a pearl, which doubled as the entrance for the models. The collection was super classy, very elegant, with beautiful, structured tailoring. I loved the amazing rounded raglan sleeves, and the evening pieces, which show off the tehcniques of the ateliers and the Karl Lagerfeld’s incredible talent as a designer.

I love…

the way the top comes away from the skirt at the waist of this coat, and the beautifully rounded, narrow raglan sleeve.

that Karl has gotten rid of the hideous fake fur and brought back the real stuff!

this lovely silhouette and the perfect little gathers at the waist and on the sleeves.

more beautiful tailoring, this time slightly deconstructed.

embroidery to die for.

a dramatic evening dress worn mid calf and with slouchy boots.

the fact that this feels traditional, folksy, and space age all at the same time.

Image of the stage from here, the rest of the images from Style.com.

Read the rest of my Haute Couture Fall 2010 reviews here.

Ok, think Dynasty, think 70’s and 80’s retro glamour, think the Gucci by Gucci ad, and think the famous Steven Meisel Fall Winter 2000 Versace campaign. That’s what the Armani Privé Fall 2010 collection looks like. The tailoring is sexy and strong, and the evening wear is very glitzy. My only complaint is that a lot of the tailoring looks very ready-to-wear, I hope the finishes and fit make the hefty price tag worth it.

I love…

fabulous 70's glamour.

more beautiful 70's tailoring. I love the draped neckline, the giant button, and the tones of brown and tan.

wearing a cocktail dress with a matching coat. And a killer crocodile clutch.

a crocodile jacket. That is haute couture.

a glittering long-sleeved gown.

Armani's take on Dynasty evening wear.

I loathe...

a bad fit. The model wearing this dress needs much higher, larger breasts.

the unflattering shape of this dress. I know couture is about creating an incredible fit with the minimum number of seams, but this just looks shapeless.

All images from Style.com.

Read the rest of my Haute Couture Fall 2010 reviews here.

I am really trying to limit my menswear coverage because I am not supposed to be working on holiday, but I wanted to cover Kim Jones’ collection for Dunhill because we went to school together and I have a huge amount of respect for the guy. He was the one that was always making things happen. Although he is a great designer, I wouldn’t count him as one of the most talented St. Martins‘ alumni, but he is successful because he gets shit done. This collection, despite a few really nice parkas and outerwear, is a lot of quite simple tailoring, which is very classic, but still manages to look fresh and young.

I love…

hidden placket cardigans.

cool, casual parkas.

a new, classy baseball jacket, with a set in sleeve and piping.

bow ties that make men's tailoring look fun.

I loathe…

Dunhill's new jacket shape. The widened lapel and the flared hem looks odd, as do the two lone buttons.

See the rest of my menswear spring summer 2011 coverage here.

All images from Style.com.

Anyone who says menswear is boring should look at John Galliano’s catwalk shows. He is the only one who consistently puts on a real show, with crazy styling and unbelievable sets. But despite all the weirdness (this season, inspired by Charlie Chaplin), there are always some great commercial pieces in the collections. Which goes to show, menswear can be exciting AND wearable.

I love…

check-lined jackets. Galliano is not the only one doing it for next spring summer.

that men too can wear statement pieces, like this amazing trenchcoat.

classic tailoring with fun details, like this sleeve embellishment.

I loathe…

when the crotch is at the knees.

flared shorts with floral inserts.

See the rest of my menswear spring summer 2011 coverage here.

All images from Style.com.

I love Paul Smith’s castings. He uses a strange mix of guys on his catwalk, not always models, but men he thinks are pretty cool. That can mean anything, but for this season it is a lot of long-haired rocker types, but not the boring skinny versions, but real men. I also love the styling of the show, everything looks thrown on and effortless (there’s that word again…)

I love…

that Paul Smith can put pussy bow shirts and ridiculous sunglasses on his models, without making them look like girly men.

a great mix of textures. The shiny jacket, the discreetly patterned shirt, and the grey acid washed jeans with interesting seaming.

forcing men to experience a day-in-the-life of a woman: carrying around a giant shoulder bag AND a handbag.

I loathe…

when the floral pattern is worn with the pussy bow shirt and then its gets to be too much.

See the rest of my menswear spring summer 2011 coverage here.

All images from Style.com.

I really like this Dries Van Noten collection. It has got all the elements of Dries, the strange colours, interesting patterns, and unusual shapes, but he has kept it grounded and very masculine.

I love…

that Dries can do acid wash in a discreet way, and make it look modern.

paint splatter prints.

when patterned trousers look eccentric and classy, rather than tacky and over-the-top.

masculine pastels.

I loathe…

bowl cuts and buttoned up shirts. It look way too Dr. Evil for me.

See the rest of my menswear spring summer 2011 coverage here.

All images from Style.com.