By Xu Xiaomin

　　THE annual Lane Crawford Autumn/Winter show, just staged in the high-end store, has passed-on some up-to-the-minute information to fashion conscious Shanghai women.

　　British Element - This will be a highlight of this year's Autumn/Winter collection, including original tartan, herringbone, pepita checks and black and white.

　　For the collection of Strenesse Gabriele Strehle, styles focus on contrasts - masculine and feminine, black and white, prissy and sexy.

　　Coats, jackets and pants based on British men's tailoring have become the ultimate in femininity, taking on a sexy, lean line through the use of pleating, smocking and buckles. Legs are the centre of attention; sexy minis and sharp fitted pants are worn with high heels. The collection emphasizes Gabriele Strehle's signature usage of innovative fabrics, structures and graphics.

　　Sweetness and Romanticism - It will also add more fun to the cold season. To escape from reality and reach spaces belonging to fantasy and fable, Alberta Ferretti designs a sweet and romantic collection for Philosophy this season.

　　Inspired by fairy tales, Ferretti was drawn to the colours of the rainbow, from the pearly blue of icy lakes, to the red of the sunsets and the ivory white that prevailsswheresshadows do not form.

　　Micro and mini shirts are dominant in the collection this season: satin mini dresses, pleated micro skirts and chiffon toppers are worn with a cloak in finished or simple wool warming the shoulders and a pom-pom hat. Although the skirts are short, the look is warmed up by small down jackets, light sheepskin blousons, boots and also pretty, small mantles in cable knit.

　　During the evening, Philosophy's "little" woman shows off micro dresses in chiffon embroidered with little metallic circles to conceal excessive nudity.

　　New Inspiration - To some brands with a classical tradition, there can also be something new. The designers at St.John tried to find new inspiration from the trends of two different generations, combining both classicism and vigoursintosa single contemporary style.

　　To win applause from older women, St.John's design proves changeable as a kaleidoscope, with the same coat shifting its look to match denim pants and boots or skirt and formal shoes.

　　Freedom and sports-inspired Casualness - This will still be prominent on the winter stage, with a wealth of details, embroidery, patchwork and fur trimming - new proportions are introduced with a light, sure hand, and styles mix colours and fabrics ad lib. Inspired by skiwear fashions from the 1930's, the American college look and the fusion of ethnic, Eastern and Western influences, the winter collection presents an attitude that's rich in contrasts and rooted in the city.