Mermaid envy is nothing new to us, I mean, who didn’t grow up wishing they could explore Atlantis in a pair of pretty purple shells and a green tail a la Disney’s Ariel with such natural aplomb? We just didn’t think we shared those watery fantasies with the trend forming fashion elite!

For ss12 everyone from Milan to New York (and all in between) went crazy for the aquatic with Karl Lagerfeld transforming Paris’ Grand Palais into a decadent seabed for his mermaid-esque models to saunter through. Even their hair was slicked back as though they’d just emerged from a refreshing ocean dip (a look we probably won’t be attempting!)

Whilst in London the trend was evident at some of our favourite young designer’s shows, Christopher Kane, Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou. We loved the cool, shimmering fabrics in watery washed out tones, crystal embellishment, fish motifs and high-tech scuba fabrics.

To interpret this trend for the street, we’ll be piling on the pearls for our own hit of ocean glamour. Our valley ring, with it’s cluster of oversized pearls, paired with an armful of our pearl brace,et sets in suitably water-drenched shades will be perfect for emulating a look even Ariel herself would be jealous of, purple shells or not!