Fashion seems dark and sombre this season and this is reflected by yet another mainly monochromatic collection, this time from Milly, usually a preppy and optimistic house. Designer Michelle Smith played with proportion and deconstruction: shapes were long and skewed or cropped, shirts and dresses were turned back-to-front and held together at unconventional angles and sleeves slashed at the shoulders or extended past wrists, puffed and exaggerated. The only relief came from the use of a few metallics: gold and copper and silver and some texture by way of feathers. 

So many designers have decided this season - for whatever reason - to show their collection as a presentation rather than on the runway. In general, we don't have a problem with this choice, but this time around, many of the chosen locations have been noticeably high on 'atmosphere' and low on lighting which makes the clothes hard to photograph and do them little justice. Case in point, the presentation put on by Jill Stuart whose beautiful clothes could have benefitted both from better lighting and the movement models strutting down a runway could have provided. In any event, her collection, largely in black and gold, was a lot of look featuring intricate, lacy and overwrought pieces often in the same outfit. The clothes were unabashedly feminine with frills and florals all combined in unusual ways. 

Kenzo showed beautiful oversized parkas that were layered and flounced, cinched at the waist with drawstrings and ties. The waist was a recurring feature with wide banding and belts used to emphasise that part of the body, giving an obi-esque feel. Warm shearling jackets and even skirts in rich colours such as chartreuse, pale blue, black and white provided warmth and texture and even more texture came from their use of plaid which in some cases were woven and ended in fringe and ribbons. We thought the badges that featured scenes of tropical landscapes were an ironic touch. Wish you were there?

It seems like New York Fashion Week has started out more slowly than usual, with the number of noteworthy collections yet to gain momentum. While we wait, let's kick off our coverage with a look at Red Valentino's presentation which was all about feminine folklore, a theme that has reoccurred quite often over the last few days.

Fidgeters rejoice!

The Quotidian Pen is a ballpoint pen prototype that features a magnetic propulsion mechanism created with the use of neodymium magnets whereby the nib of the pen is only extended once the cap is placed on the end. The pen is designed to be fiddled with and is carefully centre-weighted to provide an effortless, yet premium, writing experience. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminium  that has been coated to create a high gloss surface and solid brass which is designed to change to a natural patina over time.

Because of Bermuda's one-car-per-household law, scooters and bikes are extremely popular. Couple that with a population that is becoming increasingly aware of the effects of pollution on health and the environment, and this the Elettrica Electric Scooter from Vespa begins to look more and more welcome. The Elettrica promises to bring all-electric mobility to the streets using the latest technology all the while maintaining the style, handling and ease of use of the original scooter.

The Elettrica will be launched in the second half of 2017.

Repurpose your old jars with the HOME Vase from Rainy Sunday and turn any jar or canister into floral art. A perforated curved steel frame is designed to hold flower stems in place and can be used with a few sprigs or an all-out flamboyant arrangement of blooms. The HOME Vase is powder coated and is available in Smoke Blue, Yellow, Pistachio, Black and Cream.

We love the subtle palette of the Lotta Agaton for H&M home kids collaboration which is based around black, white and pale pink. The Swedish interior stylist used simple shapes, batman and masked rabbit graphics to create a Halloween kids' party. The collection features rugs, bedding and storage items.

These sweet ceramic animals from Dodo Toucan are individually handcrafted in Paris by designer Sara Theron.

Karen Walker has updated four styles of her iconic frames by rendering them in wire. The frames come with clear placeholder lenses but can be fitted with prescription or tinted lenses.