Fashion: Once upon a time...

After the hippy chic feel of summer '99, it was inevitable something like folklore would emerge for this winter. This is down to designers such as Marni, whose eclectic collection consisted of embroidered dresses with sequinned and goat-hair-trimmed necklines, Alberta Ferretti's mix of corduroy and tartan and (below) Prada's leaf applique skirt and duffle coat. (Personally I'd give the last of these a wide berth - it's a bit too Paddington Bear meets Hansel and Gretel for me.)

You don't have to spend a fortune to adopt this look. The secret lies in the little details so pay attention to these. MacCulloch & Wallis (tel: 0171 629 0311) has a huge selection of leather and suede trimmings you can use to customise clothes you already have - try a leather cord as a belt or sew its individual leaves on to a top or sweater. Top Shop has done a fantastic suede embroidered skirt by Outer Edge for just pounds 40. Team this with Warehouse's Paisley top, pounds 30, and a pair of flat boots or slippers - Carvela's embroidered felt mules, pounds 19.99 are great - and hey presto - your autumn wardrobe is complete.

Captions: Top: Cream/red print silk dress (sizes 8-14), pounds 310, Marni, Harvey Nichols, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 5000).

Above: Aubergine velvet top (sizes 6-14), pounds 185, Anna Sui, Harvey Nichols, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 5000). Orange skirt (sizes 8-16) from a selection at Alberta Ferretti, 205-206 Sloane Street, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 2349).

Wool/lace knit top (sizes 8-14), pounds 405, beige full-length skirt (sizes 8-14), pounds 1,100, Moschino, 28-29 Conduit Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 318 0500). Leather cord, pounds 5 per metre, MacCulloch & Wallis, 25 Dering Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 629 0311). Slippers made to order by Matthew Williamson (tel:0171 253 4200). Cushions, from pounds 125, sheepskin throw, made to order, Samson Saboye, Bow Wow, 70 Princedale Road, London W11 (tel: 0171 729 3521).

Above: Paisley top, pounds 35, Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street, London W1 (tel: 0207 841300). Cream wool skirt, pounds 249, Betty Jackson, 311 Brompton Road, London SW3 (tel: 0171 589 7884). Hand embroidered boots (sizes 3- 8), pounds 750, Gina, 189 Sloane Street, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 2932).

Above: Embroidered dress, pounds 260, Joe Casely Hayford, Pineal Eye, 49 Broadwick Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 240 3572).

Below: Olive embroidered wool/cashmere jumper (sizes 8-16), pounds 585. Olive skirt with leather trim (sizes 8-16), pounds 175, MaxMara, 32 Sloane Street, London SW1. Selfridges, Trafford Centre, Manchester (tel: 0171 287 3434). Faux pony skin bag, pounds 105, Bill Amberg, 10 Chepstow Road, London W2 (tel: 0171 727 3560).

THE INSPIRATION

Leaves by MacCulloch & Wallis (tel: 0171 629 0311).

Leaf duffle coat, pounds 1,700, Prada London W1 (tel: 0171 647 5000).

Grimms fairy tale book pounds 30, March Plane (tel: 0171 836 8661).

THE ACCESSORIES - FAIRY TALE PIECES FOR LESS THAN pounds 35

Black embroidered cardigan (sizes s-l), pounds 34.99, River Island, 283 Oxford Street, London, W1. 92 Arndale Centre, Manchester (tel: 0181 991 4759).

Cream embroidered bag pounds 33, Billy Bag, Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (tel: 0171 730 1234).

Hair clip, pounds 14.99, Johnny Loves Rosie, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 375 3574).

Embroidered slippers (sizes 2-8), pounds 19.99, Carvela, Selfridges, Oxford Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 546 1888).

Photographs by BECKY SMALL

Make-up by Sharon Willmore using Cosmetics A la Carte. Hair by Giuseppe Bulzis at Windle using Bumble & Bumble (tel: 0171 497 2393). Modelled by Aude.

Shot at Alphaville studios (tel: 0171 490 8889).