What's the best thing about the new collections in-store at SAMUI? Colour, colour and lots of it! One brand that fits the season perfectly is French fashion darling Carven.

Find a cotton or silk tee-shirt dress printed with postcard-like souvenirs from the 60s and flamboyant colours of a Swiss mountain landscape in the spring. A range of colours inspired by summer flowers, sky blues and grass greens mingle, while a bright sky can be found on a long crepe dress, modest in front but revealing the back. Technical fabrics combine with materials that are more rustic and designs play with contrasts and volumes, creating surprising combinations. A fresh, invigorating spirit. We love it.

Is it any wonder the brand has enlisted a huge celebrity following with the likes of Leighton Meester, Lily Collins, Elizabeth Olsen and Rachel Bilson regularly spotted on and off the red carpet in the brand's beautiful pieces. 

To read the interview, click the image below, or better yet, pick up a copy of Irish Tatler!

French fashion designer Vanessa Bruno is known for her exquisite clever tailoring, always with a contemporary twist and beautiful luxurious fabrics.

With a fan base that reads like a red carpet guest list, Bruno caters for every occasion; from wearable casual garments that you take out of the wardrobe time and time again to quirky cocktail hour looks. Exclusive to SAMUI this season, Vanessa Bruno's spring/summer 2012 collection is a triumph. Backstage before her Paris Fashion Week SS12 catwalk show, she offered up a patchwork of references and ideas—Jane Birkin circa 1968, monster truck rallies, punk, and traditional French fabrics like vintage rose prints. "Like a futuristic Laura Ashley," she said.

With her diffusion line, Vanessa Bruno Athe, the super talented designer applies the same philosophy, creating a collection of laid-back garments rich in colour, texture, and shape. Launched in 1999, its luxe cable-knit sweaters and elegant day dresses perfectly encapsulate the label's understated brand of contemporary cool.

This month Ireland's original style bible Irish Tatler magazine shone the spotlight on Roland Mouret's arrival of exquisite dresses at SAMUI which have been received with great excitement – anyone who walks onto the shop floor has been making a beeline straight for the collection!

The Sunday Independent's Life Magazine also spoke highly of Camilla Skovgaard's debut shoe collection which has been causing quite the stir among shoe lovers.

The Irish Examiner's Fashion Editor Annmarie O'Connor also included the very popular Weston Scarves in her Mother's Day gift guide.

And last but definitely not least, a huge kudos came our way from VIP Magazine who had SAMUI down as their boutique of choice to visit last month! Wonderful praise indeed.

At the Peter Pilotto showroom we had a very interesting chat with the talented duo behind the brand Christopher De Vos and Peter Pilotto. This season their brand just exploded and the heightened media attention and consumer reaction has really put a smile on their faces. They talked us through their autumn/winter 12 offering. As predicted (and something which we love) their prints played a starring role and for this season were inspired by recent trips to Asia. They created a pattern based on Japanese "light trucks," vehicles studded with thousands of lights, and another one abstracted from Chinese opera masks.  Crisscross and cutout effects were back with a bang and last season's embroidery was updated with more intricate beading. Furs and puffer coats also added an extra element of surprise for us.

After bidding the Pilotto boys farewell, off we went to visit Schumacher. A firm favourite with our clients at SAMUI, the lovely Stephanie talked us through the brand's key pieces over delicious coffee and French pastries. I couldn't help but get excited by their amazing accessories gallery.

To finish a wonderful day in Paris we had a very exciting debut meeting with the team at Mary Katrantzou while models worked the showroom wearing the most amazing printed pieces straight from the catwalk. We've definitely had a colourful time in the world's most beautiful fashion capital!

By mixing edgy luxe with stylish and glamorous staples, they create must haves for the discerning fashionista. Expanding it's current cashmere staples to introduce luxury bright colours, fresh prints, jersey basics and lace embellishments, the SS12 collection offers effortless and ultra-cool every day pieces for you to adore.

Long cardigans in vivid tones offer the perfect balance of streamlined simplicity. Dip-dye directional tones work wonders in maxi dresses and waterfall cardis and the tunic reappears in a delectable ditsy print.

Perfect for any summer outing – the softest jersey basics fuse beachwear with city-chic making for a truly relaxed but slender silhouette.

Crumpet is a favourite of Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, Jemima Khan and supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Taking a step away from BFF Stella McCartney, Gwyneth looks stunning in this Tom Ford creation. Love the diamond cuff and how she kept her hair and makeup simple and fresh.

Michelle Williams

A big night for young Hollywood starlet Michelle Williams, this coral Louis Vuitton gown is a winner. Unfortunately she missed out on an Oscar this year but she did make the SAMUI Best Dressed List!

Victoria Beckham

So we strayed to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party to pick this winning gown but how could you ignore the talented Mrs Beckham pouting in her own creation. She definitely selected a winning red carpet accessory too!

Over the last nine years Roland Mouret has firmly established himself as a leading light in international design. With awards including British Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards and a record three nominations at the Lycra British Fashion Awards, including designer of the year, his work is recognised and praised both within and outside the industry for its originality and his unique vision of women’s sensuality. Roland continues to draw upon his eclectic background for his inspiration and creative perspective. 

Born in 1961 in Lourdes, this son of a French butcher has emerged from the fashion scenes of Paris and London working as an artistic director, model and stylist.  He presented his first collection during London Fashion Week in February 1998 and received huge critical acclaim. Having initially been established as one of the leaders of the Demi-Couture movement, Roland evolved his technique of draping and structure to meet the growing demands of modern ready to wear. He and his team built Roland Mouret Designs Ltd. with worldwide recognition including his catwalk shows in New York, the famous “Galaxy Dress” and dressing numerous international stars including Scarlett Johanssen, Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett and Demi Moore.

Now available in SAMUI, Camilla Skovgaard shoes are gaining recognition for their aesthetic fluid-edged style combined with high quality shoemaking. Her emphasis is on form, materials and style rather than decoration. The combination of contrasting elements such as fluidity and severity, restraint and sophistication play an integral part in the character of her design.

Camilla Skovgaard shoes are embraced by fashion's most influential editors and adored by celebrities the world over including but not limited to Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, Kelly Clarkson and Rihanna.

Join the A-list and find your favourites at SAMUI now priced from €435.

Today is our final day in London. It's always bitter sweet. I love the style and energy and spending time in the city but I also can't wait to go home to see my family. Mary-Claire and I are also very excited about seeing all the new collections that have arrived in-store since we were last there over a week ago. The hard working SAMUI staff said deliveries have been coming in non-stop with the arrival of Carven, Sphere One by Lucy Downes and Opening Ceremony shoes… there goes Mary-Claire's pay check!

This morning we had our first appointment at Chiltern Street Studios with Denise who showed us the autumn/winter 12 Vanessa Bruno Athe collection. It really is such an easy collection for any woman to wear with soft jersey dresses, textured chunky knits and of course the obligatory structured blazer. 

After Athe it was across town to see knitwear collection Crumpet, which when the first delivery of spring/summer arrived in SAMUI last week sold out straight away! Crumpet's autumn/winter offering didn't disappoint either. We selected many pieces of their printed knitwear in vibrant tones of orange and red with a touch of leopard print thrown in for fun!

After a lazy lunch in the food hall of Harvey Nichols it was homeward bound. I am now on the plane home reflecting on the past 8 days, on all that we have bought for SAMUI and I can't help but feel very excited about autumn/winter 2012 at SAMUI! One final trip to Paris before buying season is over. Can't wait to fill you in on what we find!