BY M

ARLE

NE

NAI

CKE

R

When the leaves begin to turn yellow and brown and darkness descends at 6 p.m., when the air is still alive but quiet, Autumn has appeared in Europe.

Along the canals the smell of fresh wood earth fires being lit permeates, the soft billowing smoke spiralling through the air and filling the night sky with its warmth.

The cafes are bathed in a candlelit glow, people huddled together conversing in animated but quiet disposition. Autumn is the time of winding down, the year is almost over and winter is not far behind.

But Fashion in Autumn as in Winter has its own buzz...its own necessities, must-haves and shopping eccentricities. From the cashmere coats to soft, sinking fur lookalikes, snow boots and dainty little gloves the shop windows and stores are warmly, inviting lit and decked in all the seasons steals. On my way to the office , I pondered on the status of

winter fashion in the Middle East – Summer temperatures soar into the 50 degrees – So what does winter bring ? And to my delight read that average temperatures are around 25 degrees – which means that you fortunate souls have almost 12 months of summer fashion.

Whilst the rest of us are freezing and covering every wee bit of bare skin and looking for inspiration from Marc Jacobs to Muiccia Prada to brighten up the cold, grey wet days.

In the middle east you still have the luxury of dressing for summer but mixing with the wonderful colour palettes and fabric trends of our winter.

Scouring through the catwalk diaries and look books of 2011, to my delight I came across the Fall Effect for 2011, cuts and colours that with a little creative thinking from fashionistas work for both European and Middle Eastern Winters...

THE FALL EFFECTFall 2011 epitomises countless ways to be chic: Polished , complete and the trend of the year Colour-

Blocking is still in all its glory – Giambattista Valli used beautiful silken fabrics in rich hues to lighten up the dark days of winter, but still encouraging the chic middle eastern woman to embrace the code of colour

blocking in finished, lavish looking skirts and blouses. Bottega Veneta serenades us in a vibrant burnt orange – almost forgiving us for thinking we are back in the heady days of summer and Narciso Rodriquez and Sophie Theallet in diaphanous rust brown and flowing fuchsia. Winter is clearly no longer about sobriety or drama...

GRAPHIC PRINTSadded a sophisticated and sleek twist to rounded skirts and tops. Givenchy

engaged us in a visual display with fluorescent yellow and floral foliage prints – for a feminine appeal. Whereas, Balenciaga took on a more masculine approach and

Stella McCartney did not disappoint in her black and gold lame.

THE JACKET

has been updated to 24/7 status this season with Oscar

De La Renta using the richness of emerald green and robust faux fur for

a luxurious jersey throw and Vera Wang in her eponymous clean, straight lines in neutral tones making a beeline down the catwalks. A jacket or jersey to keep you

warm during those chill evenings – brought in by the desert

winds?Stella McCartneyGivenchy

Oscar De La Renta

Sophie Theallet

Narciso Rodriguez

Giambattista Valli

Bottega Veneta

Vera Wang

EMBELLISHMENTWhat is winter without the flutter of Glitter? This season it is understated with beading and embroidery. Think Ralph Lauren in long black velvet gowns bedecked with emerald

green beading; or Dolce & Gabbana in their bejewelled shift dress finished with blue and white polka dot sleeves;

or Giorgio Armani using the tone of pastel and silver shimmered tassels to create a flowing easy gown.

TOO HOT TO

FOXTROT?Fabulous fur particularly fox – are

embellished on everything from coats to bags to shoes. Fendi re-created the look using the fox stole as centrepiece blouse – with soft diaphanous black

silk sleeves embellished with sequins. Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton used the fluff on virginal white for

a crisp, clean look.

Ralph LaurenDolce & GabbanaGiorgio Armani

Fendi

AltuzarraJimmy Choo

Christian Louboution

WINTER LACE ethereal softness, undenied femininity and this season dyed and embroidered in rich shades of red

with scalloping see Marc Jacobs to Jason Wu's elegant and refined ready to wear skirts and blouses to Lanvin's mischievous black sheath dress – lace is still around and clearly remains a favourite amongst

our designers.

FALL ACCESSORIES From fur trims on bags, shoes to python and snake embellishments – this season accessories are no longer about simply being an investment piece for our recession hit wardrobes – this season it is about letting go and having fun – with pointy

shoes, clutch bags which are updated for day use and long earrings which bedazzle.

In short – Fall fashion 2011 has all the key essentials for the warm wintery days in Qatar, the trick is to allow your imagination to run with the colours and textures and update your wardrobe in key pieces which are on trend, keeping you one step ahead of the fashion crowd!

Have Fun with it!

PucciMarc Jacobs

Oscar De La Renta

Ralph Lauren

Jason Wu

Muldooneys Eileen Black & White Python

Marlene Naicker is Founder and Creative Director of Muldooneys – London. The brand Muldooneys is renowned for its luxury

leather accessories, notably handbags, designed for sophisticated, independent, fashion concious women.

THE LGDwhen night falls the Long Green

Dress makes its statement. Long, flowing lavish fabrics in greens of all hues – this

seasons LGD blows the LBD to pieces. Emilio Pucci uses sateen silk with his avatar inspired cut and Ralph Lauren polishes it off

in a sweeping floor length absinthe green gown. Could night time have becoming

anymore exciting?!!