As the weather warms up and the days get longer, memories of summer's trial-by-heat again begin to send shivers down the collective spine.
In the topsy-turvy world of fashion, though, it's time for the autumn/winter collections already. For the last two weeks, Tokyo's catwalks, galleries and chic cafes have been host to the finest of Japan's established and up-and-coming designers, showcasing their latest creations aimed at next time the mercury falls.
Beyond these shores, Afghan leader Hamid Karzai may be all the rage; an unlikely style icon recently labeled "the most chic man in the world" by Gucci's Tom Ford. Though his trademark lambskin hats and dashing chapan (Uzbek capes) have been the talk of the world's fashion commentators, here -- except for some coats at Yuki Torii -- "Karzai couture" appears to have barely registered on the rag trade's radar.