Now you don’t often associate knitwear with summer. But this pretty, feminine collection from Maggie Cook will keep you cool and comfortable. Made in a range of cotton yarns, the capelets, cardigans, shrugs and scarves provide stylish accessories to everyday and special occasion outfits. They’re light and versatile and make great additions to summer dresses when the sun goes down and you’re still up.

An inspiring and unusual collection with its roots in long English summer days. Think picnics, garden parties and afternoon tea.

For further information and to shop, go to www.maggiecook.co.uk.

It’s Royal Ascot this week and almost as many column inches will be filled with fashion as with talk of horses and racing. This is the week that the hat comes into its own. And it seems that it’s not a time to be conservative.

I caught up with milliner Karen Henriksen to talk about this season’s trends. Like many designers she’s noticed a real interest in ‘individuality overcoming high street blandness’. Small sculpted head-pieces and handmade Windswept panama caps and visors have proved popular with her customers.

Karen is passionate about making millinery relevant and accessible. She uses traditional methods but brings them bang up to date to a new generation of hat wearers. She has worked with some of the most respected millinery companies in London and won the prestigious Hat Designer of Year Award in 2002 while studying at the Royal College of Art.

You can buy direct from http://shop.karenhenriksen.co.uk/shop.php. Bespoke orders are also welcomed.

Now these are pretty. A delicious selection of Liberty prints balanced with bursts of sunshine yellows, apple greens and ribbon reds, all by Nadinoo. The designs are about being comfortable in your own skin and also a wee bit flirty.

Now for a bit of sunshine please.

Shop at www.nadinoo.com.

A t-shirt is always a good bet for a male gift. And you can’t go wrong with this selection from Bonbi Forest. They’re designed and hand printed by Lee May Foster, the owner of the indie emporium. She also designs for various bands and music makers and is the designer behind the official merchandise for Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. So your dad will be in good company.

Get yours at www.bonbiforest.com.

Since graduating from Chelsea College of Art, Anita Quansah has been developing and promoting recycled textiles. Working within the fashion industry, she has collaborated with some of the leading design houses, including Christian Lacroix and DKNY.

If you look closely at her work you can see a number of influences - Monet, Gustav Klimt and Robert John Thornton. Recurring themes include florals, the garden and nature. Combining various techniques including appliqué and hand and machine embroidery, Anita creates unusual and unexpected effects - her floral designs appearing to float on the fabric.

To see more, visit www.anitaquansah.com.

Win tickets to the Clothes Show London with Connected Generation.

Over the past few weeks the Connected Generation trend spotters have noticed a re-emergence of the popular I heart t-shirts. This gave them the idea for a competition. They want you to put your own personal slant on this classic design and send it to Connected Generation via their website. The winning design will be put into production and sold on the Connected Generation website. In addition the winner will receive 3 tickets for The Clothes Show London at Excel on Friday 29th May, where they will also get to see their design go on sale!

For further details go to www.connectedgeneration.co.uk/blog/2009/05/i-heart-competitions.

If you like making your own clothes, I have just the thing. You’ll love this site. Colette Patterns is a range of sewing patterns in timeless, classic styles. They can be made up in a variety of fabrics to suit the season and are wearable, practical and pretty. And there’s a little bit of vintage about them too.

Oh, and the packaging! Each pattern comes with its own stitch bound booklet.

Buy direct from www.colettepatterns.com.

For this collection, it’s all in the name. Pretty Disturbia - pretty garments that are slightly disturbing. This is something for the confident consumer with a penchant for uniqueness and oddity. Skinny vests, daring hem lines and 80s cropped tops are mixed with burlesque glamour and subverted fabrics. Weeping vintage florals and blurred, irregular prints provide a slightly sinister styling.

I just can’t take my eyes off them!

Shop at www.prettydisturbia.com.