There's a sporting spirit sweeping the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, as designers exchange little black dresses for track jackets and synthetic fibres- and it's not just those New Year's resolutions kicking in.

From the red carpets of Hollywood and Cannes, to the catwalks of fashion weeks in London, New York and Paris, to high streets worldwide, Winter 2011 saw a monumental return to old-school, high-octane glamour - 2011's signature style and the driving force behind almost every trend last winter.

With just three short weeks to go until the start of New York Fashion Week, anticipation is growing for the big reveal. Winter 2011 was a fast-paced season of volatile trends, with plenty of surprises, and there is little doubt that 2012’s showing will be any different.

As one of the hottest, and most surprising, trends of winter 2010, many critics and wholesale clothing manufacturers felt Ikat prints would be remembered as little more than a 2010 wardrobe one-hit wonder. Much to the astonishment of the aforementioned, the vibrant, playful fabrics remained a strong trend throughout the summer months, as part of one of this summer's hottest styles, the tribal print.

Keeping up with the trends and making sure you’re ahead of the game is top on the priority list for any self-defined fashionista, and the only way to begin establishing your sartorial superiority is with colour.  The experts have already released their verdict on what’s in and what’s out for Spring 2012, so below is a brief summary of their predictions and what has changed since last year.