1. Try a bit of texture: Taking your cue from Erdem, the young British designer and current king of lace, textured pastels (be they lace or jacquard) lend a little bit of edge to a simple, pretty coloured shift. Throw in some colour popping accessories and a pair of minimal shoes, and you’ll add just enough edge to your outfit to counterbalance the sweet.  Images: Catwalk, Erdem SS13, Innes embroidered organza dress by Erdem, white Givenchy heels and agate earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane all at www.net-a-porter.com, floral jacquard dress by Osman at www.matchesfashion.com and Kotur’s Margo fluorescent jacquard minaudière available here.

2.  Minimal chic: One way of making sure your pastels still mean business is by opting for sleek, minimal looks in soft neutral colours that are as slick and they are pretty. Mrs Beckham is the champion of this look, of simple, structured shift dresses cut with sporty details and that fall beneath the knee. Finish with sleek chrome accessories (that lend a touch of the tough,) and you’re set. Images: Catwalk, Victoria Beckham SS13, nude silk Emilio Pucci dress and Roland Mouret Belmont dress at www.net-a-porter.com, Joomi Lim crystal and spike earrings from www.matchesfashion.com, Everly pumps by J Crew and Kotur Morley in embossed metal croc available here.

3. Trophy Trousers: As Jenna Lyons at J Crew has been ably modelling for seasons now, there’s nothing like a statement trouser to spruce up a daytime outfit. Jacquard pastel pants with a touch of the brights about them work well colour blocked with similar shades to give a look that’s pretty but not too dressy. Pair yours with a simple silk tee and some vintage inspired accessories and you have the look down pat. Images: Catwalk, J Crew SS13, jacquard trousers by www.topshop.com, silk T shirt Theyskens Theory at www.matchesfashion.com, nude pumps by J Crew, necklace from Aurelie Bidermann at www.net-a-porter.com, and Kotur JB Renna sequinned Bonnet available here.

In a collection that played to the brands strengths (luxurious fabrics, mannish tailoring, cool prints and a brilliant take on evening dressing that even the most manic of us would have time to pull of at some point between work and dinner,) there was plenty to put on our shopping lists. First up on ours are their party trousers (officially our favorite nightime look of choice – pair with a pointy pump, and you’re done,) their printed sweaters and their coats (just the right mix of quirky and classic). Click through our gallery above to see our favorite looks from the collection, plus check out our previous interview with the brilliant Jenna Lyons here.

All pictures from www.style.com

Fans of our bags will know that we love a bit of Brocade. On trousers, it’s also great. Cropped to the ankle and slim cut, party pants are made for showing off ankles and keeping legs warm. We rather love them. And J Crew does a rather fabulous line in them – much as with this pale pink pair.

On top, a silk blouse like this by Temperley London is both pretty and party.

Whilst, on our feet, we’ll be wearing knockout sequinned pumps – brought to you again, by J Crew.

The finishing touches are a pair of chandelier earrings by Isharya from net-a-porter, and, of course, a Kotur clutch. To add a bit of contrast, plus plenty of punch, our Levin in green will absolutely do the trick.

Happy New Year!

With best wishes,

All of us at Kotur.

x.

Thanks so much to you all, and to friends who came to toast and support… it meant so much to me xx

Jenna’s own trademark insouciant style takes a little from the boys, a dab from Grandma and is finessed with a good pinch of chic. Often combining sequins, feathers, cashmere and camouflage in a way only the sartorially blessed can.

Truly statuesque at 6’ in her stockinged feet – not that you would ever know as she is ALWAYS in her heels, elevating even the most downbeat of 10-year-old denims to fashionable new heights.

I met Jenna when, as Creative Director for J.Crew, she asked me to create a range of bags for their Holiday collection. Naturally, I jumped at the chance, and I’m so excited to be launching the collection alongside Jenna at the J.Crew New York flagship store event next week…

KOTUR: What’s in your make-up bag?
Jenna: Red Square – Nars; Blistex; Crème Blush – always; Black Eyeliner

KOTUR: Do you have a favorite purse or bag?
Jenna: Vintage Chanel – Mint Green

KOTUR: Name your desert island essentials?
Jenna: Sunscreen, Beckett, a J.Crew string bikini, and a good book

KOTUR: Do you have a beauty secret?
Jenna: Don’t look too closely into the mirror and be happy

KOTUR: What do you wear on a fat day?
Jenna: Men’s trousers and a white shirt, the highest heels I can find and red lips – smoke & mirrors

KOTUR: How would your female friends describe your style?
Jenna: Boyfriend/granny

KOTUR: What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
Jenna: My ten-year-old Okura jeans.

KOTUR: Is there anything in your wardrobe you should get rid of but can’t?
Jenna: That list is embarrassingly long

KOTUR: What do you never leave home without?
Jenna: My 1969 Gold Rolex

KOTUR: When home alone, what do you wear?
Jenna: My day of the week undies and an oversized t-shirt

KOTUR: You’re the fashion police for a day, what do you ban?
Jenna: French Manicures

KOTUR: How old is too old for a mini?
Jenna: 29 years, 11 months and 20 days

KOTUR: Have you ever worn anything you are now embarrassed by?
Jenna: Have done, will probably do again, am sure I will, forever. Asymmetrical haircut was the worst.

KOTUR: Have you ever worn anything you now regret?
Jenna: I have cried many fashion tears.

KOTUR: How high is too high a heel?
Jenna: When you can’t walk

KOTUR: What is your most recent purchase?
Jenna: Celine plaid pants & coat

KOTUR: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Jenna: Smile, vulnerability and generosity

KOTUR: Can you judge a book by its cover?
Jenna: Terribly

KOTUR: What are your guilty pleasures?
Jenna: Full cartons of ice cream with a tequila chaser

KOTUR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Jenna: Never let people see your stress

KOTUR: What’s your favorite smell?
Jenna: Clean skin

KOTUR: What’s your idea of a great holiday?
Jenna: No phone

KOTUR: What are you most proud of?
Jenna: My beautiful boy

KOTUR: What are you least proud of?
Jenna: My ass

KOTUR: What’s your pure bliss?
Jenna: My son’s belly laugh

KOTUR: If you could meet someone from history who would it be?
Jenna: Betsy Ross

KOTUR: Yes or no to a nip and a tuck?
Jenna: Ask me in 20 years

KOTUR: What would you like to achieve before you die?
Jenna: Balance

KOTUR: Which of the various Kotur bags you have is your favorite?
Jenna: The JB Renna Shagreen clutch makes my heart stop

KOTUR: On a scale of one-to-ten, how good looking are you?
Jenna: Ha. That’s a trap.