Pastels are one of the big trends in colour this year with delicious ice-cream shades on all kinds of fabric featuring heavily on spring summer catwalks including Burberry, Christopher Kane, Chanel and Marc Jacobs to name just a few.

GANT has gotten in on the pastel action and has drawn inspiration from Italy & the zestful Italian way of life. The result is a collection of modern casual wear with a European flare, reminiscent of the effortless glamour of an Italian ‘60’s movies – think the narrow streets of romantic Rome to the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the Amalfi Coast.

‘Sporty elegance’ is the essence of the ‘New Nautical’ range which I must admit I’m quite drawn to for summer.

One trend that never seems to abate is nautical and this spring it’s going to return to prominence once again.

Designers at Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tommy Hilfiger are just some of the labels that have given their nod to nautical and why not? The bold patterns, colors and whimsical details create the look that many celebs have been rocking recently including Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Katy Perry and Olivia Palermo.

The real question is how do you make it look fresh? The trick to that is in the detailing and this spring nautical themes are completed with fabulous sequins and lavish detailing. Pair with a simple blazer, skinny jeans, and an oversized tote and you’re in business.

As November begins and winter arrives with a bang, Littlewoods Ireland, brought a little sunshine to Dublin on Wednesday as it launched its colourful new Spring/Summer collection for 2010 in the Morrison Hotel. God know’s we need it, I arrived with semi-frozen hands having cycled down the quays so needless to say I was thrilled to see the fabulous array of colours that greeted me at Littlewoods.

Next season sees a number of new key trends including vivid colour clashes, head-to-toe denim, the revival of leggings (and to my chagrin cycling shorts!) and lots of lovely delicate, feminine dresses.

The colour palette included lots of bold acidic yellows through to cobalt blues. Polka-dot dresses are also big on trend next Spring/Summer with spots in big and bold candy colours, dotted randomly and working in stunningly feminine fabrics. One of my favourites is the polka-dot panel dress in cream and burnt orange (see below).

I’m not so keen on the head to toe denim look but I’m very excited about one of the major trends coming through – statement fringe leather jackets, think Ralph-Lauren inspired jackets with a southern cowgirl twist. They also have fringe leggings that rock!

In terms of footwear, the gladiator sandal will continue into next season in futuristic, metallic finishes, giving a new edge to the footwear hit of 2009.

Overall the new collection is fun, detailed and nicely designed and with a price point to match making it very accessible. In my mind Littlewoods Ireland have got it spot on.