Firmly placing itself within CardiffÔÇÖs Fashion Calendar, Cardiff Fashion WeekÔÇÖs showcase revealed upcoming A/W 13 trends from high street retailers and independent brands.

One key trend was modernism, reflected within the monochrome colour palette, but also more predominantly within the structured, clear-cut silhouettes.

Leathers and Tartan were key textures, nodding to the current inherent A/W punk trend, but also adding a touch of luxury through smart tailoring and metallic details.

Marks and Spencer was one, surprisingly leading brand, which focused on the monochrome trend and the cocoon coat created the perfect proportion for fall. Dressed with black skinny jeans and stiletto boots, the colour blocking in this collection encapsulated the modern city chic trend. 

Armani Exchange and River Island also proved their talents through neat tailoring alongside an air of punk luxury. Armani Exchange perfectly embodied a scare free nod to the punk trend with metallic stud detailing, whereas River Island embraced the luxe metallic trend with more flirty looks, adding a chunky gold body harness to a sheer, chiffon pink maxi dress.

 The official stylist behind Cardiff Fashion week is Wenda James Rowe. Working closely with retailers across the city, Wenda has created the Cardiff Fashion Week collections as well as hosting styling and colour workshops.

For us students, Wenda suggests that cherry-picking retail stores and building ÔÇÿa little black bookÔÇÖ of style is essential. ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs all about taking one key item and creating a number of looks from itÔÇØ, says Wenda, and that one key piece for Autumn/Winter could be an on-trend coat or pair of boots. Key textures for fall┬á are luxurious and have rich surface texture, such as delicate mohair or sumptuous velvets.

For Wenda, itÔÇÖs all about taking a trend and transforming it to fit your own personal style. Being confident is essential and with that, you can wear anything.

Hannah Clarke