It’s My Time campaign by the United Colors of Benetton offers young people around the world a means of sharing their opinion,as well as a place to be noticed and a dream to aspire to. This worldwide communication campaign is the first global online casting session running from 8 February to 16 March 2010 and will choose faces from around the world for United Colors of Benetton’s next product campaign.

Young people are invited to attend a global casting session and illustrate their style and personality – the things that make them unique – through videos and photographs, which can be uploaded at will and free of charge at benetton.com/casting, through a special YouTube page.

A democratic campaign, open to the world and its young people, in perfect Benetton tradition, for the first time it highlights personal styles, which are not necessarily the latest trend, and the desire to be unique.

The young people taking part in Benetton’s global casting session will be voted by the web community. The 100 finalists will then be evaluated by a specially-formed jury of experts, who will choose 20 finalists to fly to New York and feature in  United Colors of Benetton’s advertising campaign for autumn-winter 2010/2011, under the lens and creative guidance of British photographer Josh Olins.

The French Connection man steps in to SS10 with two diverse collections.  French Connection’s mainline collection provides sophisticated fashion-forward looks with quality fabrics, unique detailing and signature design twists where as denim-led street wear apparel for a casual look, focusing on individuality and embracing unconventional style. 

The French Connection main collection starts off the season with precision in military detailing on longer length leather as well as classic four pocket jackets.  Pockets dominate – unusually placed on checked shirts, utility style on camouflage shorts, kangaroo pockets on loose fit denims – team any of these with a khaki loose waffle knit, ribbed dark dye denim or simple cotton jacket. 

Salmon pinks, greys and creams carry through in to high summer, livened up with bright contrast linings and trims.  Sporty clean line track tops provide a grown up stylish approach to sportswear, while even the humble tee is not overlooked – polo shirts have no shoulder seams, while thin loose melange tees have elasticated hems, and even plain shirts feature embroidered tipping detail.

FCUK paints an inspiring picture in its introductory range ‘The Artist’ – paint splattered loose fit clothing jumps straight out of an artisan’s studio and in to your wardrobe.  A washed out, over-worn feel in a soft palette of pastels, dijon, blue, and grey is key to capturing the care-free spirit of the artist.  Mixing and matching texture adds an eclectic creative edge and evokes a rebellious streak – leather and canvas mix on jackets, while chambray and poplin shirts sit side by side with waxy feel work coats and luxurious angora mix jumpers. 

When summer’s in full swing and you want to make a bold style statement, don’t just say it, spray it.  Colourful tees feature 80’s style graffiti bubble writing in neon shades evoking hot summer days on Brooklyn streets, while the trail of graffiti lingers on purple paint splattered jeans.  For the more reserved, neon flashes liven up the lining of a classic bomber or appear as top stitching on a check shirt.  Checks are large, sleeves are short, all look great with a range of five pocket jeans in varying fits and authentic washes to complete the laid back look.  The new night-crawler fit jean is the freshest summer shape with a longer crotch and narrow peg leg. 

Hats hail in all shapes with the introduction of a duckbell cap, and the staple summer trilby re-worked in coloured straw, Prince of Wales check, and neutral canvas – all with contrast colour ribbon trim.  Cotton scarves are adorned with monochrome stripes or vivid colour checks, while alternative neckwear comes in the form of fun ties – choose from preppy stripes, bright spots, chintzy paisley or ditsy florals.  Bag it up in a leather satchel, retro plastic messenger, or a variety of canvas bags – the biggest and best of them being an oversize barrel duffle bag – perfect to pack up your summer wardrobe in and head off in to the sun…