And the hits keep on coming

Berardi AW09

When the going gets tough, it seems the tough get going straight back to the welcoming arms of London's sartorial scene. That JFK-LHR British Airways flight will literally transform into a flying tin can packed with the world's most stylish sardines come September 17 as yet another two international players are tossing their hats into the returners ring alongside Burberry, Williamson and others--Antonio Berardi and Sass & Bide.

Berardi launched his label fourteen years ago in London, but the Italian-born designer has been cavorting amongst the French ever since 2005. This is great news because now he can fix that dress of mine whose zipper erupted Queen-side at Ascot. I would also accept a frock from his new collection. Either way, his time of reckoning, as far as I'm concerned, has come.

Returning "home" like a true Italian feigning a love of the British pub way of life, Berardi has teamed with his native beer brand, Peroni, who will be sponsoring his show. As long as Peroni doesn't end up on my amazing cobalt blue silk Berardi number which is jumping for joy this very moment in my closet at the prospect of meeting its maker runwayside without having to cross the Channel, I won't complain.

Also staging a return is Aussie denim and ready-to-wear label Sass & Bide (the brand behind last year's smash hit wet-look "Black Rat" leggings). Time to show some Commonwealth love. The Aussie-duo behind the brand first showed in London in 2002 only to skip off across the Atlantic to NYC. Look who's skipping back now.

Well, Anna, aren't you glad you penciled us in en route to Milan after all?