Fashion lovers: Next time you're near Knightsbridge, take a friend to The Berkeley, which has just launched its Autumn/Winter 2011 fashion afternoon tea, featuring all the usual nicities plus cakes and fanices in the fashion season's styles and colours.

Among their delectable creations are a Burberry double-breasted coat, a Stella McCartney dress and a Valentino clutch. It's well worth going, although you might need to book in advance.

And yes, that is Paul Smith crockery it's being served on.

The arrival of a new brand always creates a bit of excitement amongst our staff, but never more so than with Maison Scotch, which has to be one of our most keenly anticipated collections for Autumn/Winter 2011.

Maison Scotch is the womenswear line from Scotch & Soda. It's quite a young label (the first collection was Spring/Summer 2010) but their offering of casual luxe has quickly won scores of adoring fans in that time. The clothes are a sort of mixture of modern and vintage styling. That in itself wouldn't particularly set the brand apart, but where Maison Scotch really charms you is with the details — bow ties on jackets, necklaces in jumpers, snoods and even hidden messages are typical of the thoughtful surprises the Maison Scotch designers sneak in to their garments.

The fabrics are also chosen very carefully and are one of the most appealing things about Maison Scotch. The colours are fairly muted, but it's the different textures that make the outfits interesting, with waffle knits, fine cottons, shiny metallics and cashmere all being worn together.

We've got a range of Maison Scotch online and in-store now, and there's more on the way very shortly. It'll definitely be here for 2012, too.

Shop for all Maison Scotch at Thackerays

At Thackerays, despite our big labels like Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren, we still have a love for small, super-focused brands, especially t-shirt brands. Passarella Death Squad is certainly no exception. Like the best brands, they go their own way and it shows in their collection.

The brand was created in London in 2004 by Danny Broddle and Emilie Albisser. They get the highest quality fabric imported from Japan and then produce the clothing in London — the best of both worlds. Such is their creativity that they are also signed to the Republic of Desire record label.

Passarella Death Squad is becoming very well known for their t-shirts: available only and black and white, they sport large monochromatic prints with eye-catching (and sometimes eyebrow-raising) images. We love them for it. This season is actually our second with Passarella — last time they sold so fast in store they never even made it onto the website. This time, catch them while you can...

Shop for all Passarella Death Squad at Thackerays

I managed to catch up with our Assistant Ladieswear Buyer Laura Boston recently to find out what brands and trends are in store for the coming season.

Any new brands for AW11?

Plenty: We have McQ offering edgy prints, sleek seperates and amazing "thunder storm" dresses! The Oh So Now brand designed by Sarah Burton is sure to be a big hit. LnA is another new one, putting an end to your search for that perfect t-shirt. It offers perfect basics with an edge, you will definitely want one in every colour!

Maison Scotch is going to be a clear staff favourite, offering the ultimate in casual luxe, with gorgeous knitwear and easy going cotton shirts. This brand is full of nice surprises — each item comes with a little something extra, whether its a bow tie, a necklace, a snood or even a hidden message! The styles have a vintage edge and are effortlessly stylish. We all know Belstaff and their luxury performance outerwear, with fur hoods, luxury leathers and the now famous waxed cotton. It's a favourite amongst celebrities like Kate Moss and Brad Pitt, and we're excited to be having it for the first time. Finally there is Ugg, which almost needs no introduction. We'll have a really wide range but they'll sell quickly!

What are the key trends going to be?

Well, seventies style is still a focus with Marc Jacobs at the front showcasing silk evening blouses in a emerald, rust and mustards. Outerwear is a big player with fur, shearling and leather fusing fashion with functionality, while ponchcos and blanket coats offer a playful alternative. Getting more serious, McQ gives us stunning prints with that fetish edge for those wow moments. Accessorise with studded footwear from Sam Edelman. Legs are getting louder with coloured denim, a trend that's set to continue — J Brand do this best. Heritage product is still flying the flag, the best of the bunch being Barbour, and of course everyone needs those Hunters.

What about colours?

There is still a focus on brights this season, with strong reds and cobalt blues, however we are also toning it down making way for seventies inspired hues — luxury rusts, mustards and purples.

What are you personally most excited about for AW11?

I am personally most excited about getting the Jodphur jean from J Brand — waiting lists across the country are building and I cant wait for them to come in, they're the perfect alternative to denim!

With Autumn/Winter 2011 about to kick off, I managed to get 10 minutes with our menswear buyer Ben Green the other day to find out what's in store for the coming season.

Any new brands for AW11?

Yes, quite a few actually. First there's True Religion, an American premium denim line famous for its "Super T" big-stitch jean, and McQ, which is the younger, edgier diffusion line from Alexander McQueen. We'll also have Belstaff, which we all know has a rich history with specialised outerwear, including being the pioneers of waxed cotton, and also seems to feature in every big movie you see. Then there's Anglomania Lee, which is a collaboration between Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania and Lee Jeans (Westwood is designing and Lee producing). It's full of details inspired by her main collection such as drop crotch jeans and uneven shirt collars, and even features a quilted denim jacket that was seen on her catwalk show. Finally we've got Trainerspotter, which in its short life has grown from a side project of two trainer-obsesses friends to a street-smart clothing line with nods to street culture, sports heritage and graphic design.

What are the key trends going to be?

American workwear will be a big trend, and it's still all about the chino this season. Whether it's slim, drop crotch or carrot shaped, trousers are back in a big way. Cotton, cord and wool are all there. Denim and chambray shirts are the perfect fit for the chino. Doesn't matter if it's dark, light, battered or the cleanest chambray, denim shirts are where it's at.

Barbour's quilted jackets show no signs of slowing down. They've introduced more colour into the mix this time than ever before, and the Nylon International is a candidate for outerwear must-have of the season. Staying with outerwear, gilets are making a big comeback, appearing in lots of collections including Ralph Lauren, Stone Island and Luke 1977.

Like last year, big chunky knits will be strong. Shawl collar, argyle and even aran knits are going to be everywhere. Finally, for your feet it has to be boots — tuck those chinos and jeans into battered boots and you're set for AW11.

What about colours?

Blue, Purple, Camel and Khaki will feature a lot. Men seem to be less scared of colour than ever before. There's also been a definite switch from Black to Navy.

Tell me about three pieces that will be must-haves this season

1 The Roadmaster is the ultimate Belstaff jacket, and something I've wanted us to have for ages. 2 Barbour's Akenside is a new take on the quilted jacket in grey and blue — a great piece. 3 Because of the Paul Smith duffel coat, I can't wait for the cold.

What are you personally most excited about for AW11?

Without hesitation it has to be Folk, one of my favourite brands and one we previewed for SS11 [it sold so quickly that not much of it made it onto the website]. I want to take every piece home with me. It's all in the subtle details — the cord on the jackets dipped in wax to finish them instead of being coated in metal or plastic, 6-holed button on knitwear so they can sew the brand name in, double-faced fabrics on shirts so the spot underneath just comes through on the plain shirt, cut and sew t-shirts that just look brilliant with chinos. I could go on...