the colours I have been seeing across Europe at the trade shows, and in particular at Pitti Bimbo for next winter.Photography by Linda McLean

Showing at it's headquarters in Florence, over the river from the main Pitti exhibition, a relaxed atmosphere greeted the press and buyers at the presentation of the Gucci winter childrenswear collection for 2012. This is a label synonymous

collection with a quirky sensibility honed by designer Syreeta Johnson's high fashion background as a buyer for Topshop. Her version of monochrome dressing has a bold Domino print for easy fit dresses with either a black or white background. A funky bananna

here. It is interesting to see Christina Rohde's SS13 collection which retains the florals for buyers who love them, but also includes graphic prints in strong colours over cotton loose tops and skirts.

.Girls got net veil hats, knee socks, gilets and skinny waist belts and Russian-style Cossack fur hats which will have gone down well with the record 400 Russian buyers at this edition.Boots were often trainer style high-tops or brogues all covered in studs

also inspired so many looks, but has become such a mainstream inspiration in childrenswear it seems unnecessary to point that out. All in all, it was a good Pitti Bimbo where a lot of the trade seemed to be coming from Russia and the Far East