ALL eyes were on Paris Fashion Week (spring/summer 2012) last week, not just because it’s a major fashion event, but also because rapper Kanye West made his fashion line debut.

Overall, the week of fashion presented a lot of fresh ideas, some updated versions of older trends, and many good old style ideas that would probably carry on into late next year.

Kanye-wear

Kanye’s fashion line was launched last weekend to mixed reviews. The Dw by Kanye West (ready-to-wear spring/summer 2012) collection was no doubt flashy, but many critics opined that there was no substance to it. Many found the plunging necklines, skin-tight pants and OTT (that’s, “over-the-top) accessories tasteless and tacky.

From comments that the clothes didn’t fit the models to the fact that the clothes were only fit for “Kanye’s tribe” aka women who have to attend the Grammy Awards in ridiculously revealingoutfits, few people seemed to have love for Kanye’s collection.

Kanye's collection

The Daily Telegraph’s Lisa Armstrong was quoted as saying, “It was the equivalent of Karl Lagerfeld launching a hip-hop career: i.e. absurd”.

Collar-mad

For many of us, collars symbolise formality, a stiff upper-lip and something that doesn’t see the light of day on weekends, party nights or during any “fun” times.

On the runways last week, however, it became evident that the collar is here to stay, and not just during office hours.

Collar craze

Collars were on coats, casual blouses, even floral-print dresses, showing us that the collar has become a lot more versatile and suitable for just about any occasion.

Sheer everything

The sheer trend is the best way to give your outfit a sexy edge without looking “slutty”, and I for one am glad it isn’t going out of style anytime soon.

Sheer shoulders, decolletage, arms and midriffs are still very much in, and now, so sheer skirts have made their mark!

Sheer skirts are in

However, it is a trend that will take a little getting used to – it does seem a little silly to be wearing a short skirt or shorts under a full-length sheer skirt but in time, it’ll be on every rack in boutiques.

Full-print ahead

Most of us shy away from loud top-to-toe print dresses, and admittedly it is easy to end up looking auntie-ish or grandma-like with the wrong choice of dress or print.

Full print

However, the trend which hit the runways early this year looks like it is here to stay – from brightly coloured floral patterns to intense jungle motifs to heavy wood-like patterns – loud prints are making appearences on knee-length and maxi dresses alike, the world over.