fashionista central

Left to right: Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Lavin and Diane Von Furstenberg

It wasnt hard to see which print the designers were favouring on the Autumn/Winter 2011 catwalks - designers were going dotty for, well, dots. Forget the overdone polkadot though, this season it's all about big, bold spots in monochrome, an instant way to make a statement with your outfit. Stella McCartney went for sewn-on dots for a unique take on the trend which is gorgeous for evening wear. Marc Jacobs mixed his up with spotty dresses worn with dotted tights and polkadot outfits with large-dotted accessories. If you're loving this look as much as I am, here's how to get it without spending a fortune...

Boys, you don't have to miss out on this trend. Check out this luxe tasselled scarf by Luke 1977...

Luke 1977 Penny Lane Tootal black white dot scarf, £30

So who's the most on-trend celebrity of the Autumn/Winter 2011 season? Lady Gaga it would seem. The woman is no stranger to a bit (or a lot...) of leather and latex and although she's often been criticised in the press for her outrageous sense of style, it seems the fashion world is now turning on its heel with a whole host of fetish-inspired (some could say Gaga-inspired) creations making an appearance on the catwalks.

Let's start with my favourite design house, Alexander McQueen. The show started off with demure white, moved to a pale but pretty grey and them bam! all of a sudden there were long leather gloves, a bondage-inspired cage bodice, thigh-high lace-up boots and chokers with engraved silver plaques and D-ring attachments. Black nails, biker-chic fingerless gloves and some much more delicate and feminine chiffon and fur detail lent the pieces more of a gothic beauty than full-on fetish, but the inspiration was clear to see.

Giles, Autumn/Winter 2011

Marc Jacobs, Autumn/Winter 2011

Last but very definitely not least was the man who started it all at his New York show early in the season, Marc Jacobs. Less outrageous and a bit more chic, his designs are better suited to the woman who loves the fetish trend but doesn't quite dare to go there! If that sounds like you, a great way to get in on this trend this Autumn/Winter 2011 without looking like Lady Gaga is to pick out a fetish-style piece, piece it a cage-style waist-cincher or leather-panelled dress, and wear it with a more girly piece. The contrast looks great you'll be comfortably on-trend, just maybe leave the latex collar at home when you visit your Grandma...

Gestuz leather dress, £250

Adena embellished satin slipper shoe, Sam Edelman, £145

Sometimes in fashion it seems like everything has already been done, at least until the next thing arrives that leaves us all wondering "why did no one think of that before?". Take the shoe for example - we've had ballet flats, masculine brogues, retro platforms, towering stilettos, kitten heels, wedges, sandals, flip flops... the list goes on.

So how to go about creating something fresh and exciting? Meet the street slipper. It's footwear's answer to the recent lingerie as outerwear trend - take something you'd normally only be seen in at home, and wear it in public! So long as we don't end up wearing shower caps as hats and furry dressing gowns as coats in a few years time, I'd say this idea rocks!

The best thing about this new trend is that slippers are, essentially, designed to be comfortable and you'll find that their outdoor counterparts are no exception. There are no uncomfortable fabrics or heels to worry about - you can put them on in your bedroom and forget about until you come home from a hard day's shopping!

Street slippers are tougher than ballet flats but softer than brogues, Autumn/Winter 2011's answer to the summer sandal. Plus there's such a huge range available on the high street right now that you're sure to find the style you're looking for. From Aldo's traditional fur slipper shoe to Sam Edelman's embellished satin version, these are without a doubt the most versatile daytime shoes you'll ever buy! Not convinced? If the word 'Grandad' rather than 'gorgeous' springs to mind when you think about slippers, check out these cuties below and see if you don't change your mind...

Pratillo fur slipper shoe, Aldo, $90

Lord of the Manor brocade print slipper shoe, ASOS, £35

Eddie leopard slipper shoe, Miss Selfridge, £45

Mikey grey polkadot slipper shoe, ASOS, £30

P.S. You men don't have to miss out on this trend - click here to see some gorgeous navy velvet slipper shoes designed by Vivienne Westwood!