The catwalk, the street style, the parties... and so it has begun. The shows have kicked off in New York and a month of fashion is upon us. Caroline picks out the items she'll be wearing during fashion week and shares her insiders tip.

The accessory:
A Maryam Schaefer bag.

The shoes:
LK Bennett leopard print kitten heels.

The key item of clothing or a full look:
Equipment blouses, Ohne Title sweater jacket and a Paul Smith suit.

Your style icon for the season (or the kind of vibe you'll be going for):
Pocahontas.

The 3 shows you're most looking forward to:
Prada
Jason Wu
Lanvin

The spot to relax in after or during shows:
The coffee shop in Somerset House for a quick pick-me-up.

The soundtrack to your fashion weeks:
Anything by Freddie Sanchez.

The insiders tip:
Get a Kindle and load it up with loads of books!

New london label Riyka is only in its third season. It may still be early days, but its not stopping the husband and wife team - Vedran and Rebecca - from mastering directional sportswear separates. For autumn/winter 2012, tops and sweater dresses feature crisp geometric patterns in denim, leather and coloured jersey. The inspiration for the collection came from Ska music (hence the title of the collection Are You Dancing Yet?) and, more esoterically, the gentleman of Bacongo - a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the Congo.

Sir Paul Smith wrote the foreword to a book by Daniele Tamagni all about them: Gentlemen of Bacongo. In the midst of war and poverty these men dress in colourful three-piece suits and immaculate brogues - you only have to google them to see the bubblegum pink that features in Riyka's latest collection. Designing from their east London studio, Riyka is a fledgling label taking care to make practical but stylish fashion at an accessible price point. Autumn/winter 2012 will be availble online from mid-September.

Text by Rupert Bickersteth

Luxury Turkish label DESA is celebrating 40 years in business and while the brand might not be an especially familiar name to English shoppers - with their first store only opening here in 2010, and since then one more in Hampstead - that is all set to change with an impressive autumn/winter 2012 collection designed in collaboration with Graeme Black.

Turkish fashion has definitely been on the rise in the last few years, evidenced by the widely positive reception to the launch of Vogue Turkey and prominent Turkish-born industry figures, such as Mert Alas - one half of photography power-pair Mert and Marcus. DESA's collaboration with a designer such as Black (with previous experience at Galliano, Armani and Ferragamo) only serves to further establish the brand as an international destination for luxury fashion and great leather pieces.

Graeme commented on his new role at the label: "The Desa brand excels in its use of leather and the excellent craftsmen cherish a design challenge - a winning combination that has produced a finely tuned collection. My first encounter with a Turkish brand is exciting and stimulating. The concept of this leather-based collection is to create a co-ordinated working wardrobe for ready-to-wear, bags, shoes and small leather goods, taking inspiration from the mix of of English, Ottoman and Byzantine cultures." Available now in DESA stores and online at desa.uk.com