With winter in full swing, it is time to start unleashing the hottest catwalk trends head to toe. From the ladylike influence of the 1940s to skin-tight fetish inspired wear, A/W 2011 caters to every personality and allows the voracious fashionista to try out a multitude of contrasting looks. Not for the faint hearted, the animal kingdom’s ever present impact on fashion can be seen in full force this season. Think snakeprint in an array of colours, gorilla-like faux fur jackets and animal motifs emblazoned on fabrics. Moody floral prints smattered over shirts and skirts and the iridescent sheen of sequins reminiscent of fish scales, also featured heavily on the catwalk.

Forget Leopard print, this season is all about the snake. Chloe used the print on feminine blouses, skirts and dresses; adding a touch of sass to prim silhouettes. Dyed in an array of jewel tones, snakeprint blouses came in citrine yellow, bright orange or the more natural taupe shade. Skirts were full, midi length and shimmering emerald in colour (of course printed with the same python pattern, which emerged as a recurring motif throughout the collection.) Dresses were flowing chiffon cinched in at the waist with belts, a nod to the 70s with an exotic twist. This A/W make sure you purchase a jewel tone snake print blouse; chic, easy to wear and oh-so-stylish.

Faux fur is always a hit come the colder months and one of the more practical styles to adopt. This season, silhouettes were bigger and shaggier than before. Fuzzy, gorilla furs strutted down the Prada catwalk; from full on coats to just the arms of jackets covered in luxurious shag. Those who want to make a more subtle statement, invest in a stole which is easy to throw over any jacket/cardigan giving it an instant style update. Make sure the lower silhouette is streamlined to balance out the exaggerated upper half. Wet look skinny jeans, pencil skirts and curve skimming maxis would all work.

Givenchy’s panther print caused a storm in the fashion world; it seems anyone who is anyone wants to own or already has a panther printed skirt/t-shirt/jacket. Quirky, moody and exotic, the print featured on transparent pencil skirts, semi sheer blouses and boxy jackets. If you don’t have the money for one of the coveted Givenchy originals, try a kooky panther print t-shirt. We found the perfect look-alike here, a steal at only £15! If wearing an animal head on your threads seems a little too pre-school, look to the likes of moody winter florals. Making the same dramatic impact (albeit in a more grown-up manner); mix and match for the ultimate wild statement. Erdem’s beautiful A/W collection looked like a forbidden forest with softly clashing prints, colours and textures oozing sophistication.

To light up the night, wear sequins and shimmering paillettes on dresses, pencil skirts and evening jackets. Designers such as Marc Jacobs and Prada took inspiration beyond the jungle, to tropical lakes filled with exotic fish. Large acetate circles overlapped on dresses to form shimmering scales at Prada. Marc Jacobs utilised a structured 1940s silhouette as a base for his luxurious designs. Sheath dresses and form fitting skirts were covered in fish-scale tiers, at once sophisticated and unconventional. This is the perfect cocktail look, dramatic, sensual and beautiful. In fact, all the wild, animalistic prints, textures and silhouettes make for perfect party wear; so make sure you walk on the wild side this season!