Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2012

 'Fabulous' t-shirt by River Island for FTBC.

I'm always keen to see the latest charity fashion collaborations on the market and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has really excelled itself with the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Instead of working on the 'target' logo exclusively, they've allowed different brands to really put their stamp on things. That means you get Jubilee-inspired crockery from Debenhams and a flower-filled odyssey from M&S, with no two products the same. Here are my top fashion picks from the range, and how they tackle the current trends.

'Amazing' t-shirt by River Island for FTBC.

The 'Fabulous' and 'Amazing' t-shirts that River Island contributed are the perfect example of how to give a charity piece longevity, so you can pull it out of your wardrobe season after season. These tees also struck a chord with me because I'm a massive sucker for typographic art and anything reminiscent of the great artist Ed Ruscha, whose love of a good enlarged capital letter is well documented.

Trend boxes ticked:

• 1990s Grunge - the washed out feel of the t-shirts means they'll look great with cut-off jeans and Vans, or creepers.
• Wipe-out - that whole 'surfing in Hawaii' thing could be done nicely if you paired this tee with H&M's neoprene wedge shoes, a salt spray-splattered fishtail plait and some hot-pants.
• Pale and Interesting - with the washed out palette of blues, pinks and purples, all you need to complete the look is a pair of pastel chinos or a toothpaste stripe pencil skirt and some vintage kitten heel shoes.

Ana Dress by Coast for FTBC.

If you're looking for the perfect Mad Men-esque outfit then Fashion Targets Breast Cancer can help there, too. This dress from Coast gives you a nipped in waist, hips and a defined bust (without flashing the flesh), finishing at mid-calf length. 

Trend boxes ticked:

• Laced Up - you've probably noticed that lace is everywhere this season, especially in white or cream. The overlay here means that the pattern really stands out against the dress fabric. To toughen it up, add some minimalist block heel ankle boots and statement rings.
• Cut and Paste - the patchwork element of layering fabrics on top of each other also gives a nod to another trend. I'd add sherbet-coloured socks and silver spike heels to create further contrast.

 Post-Surgery Swimsuit by Marks and Spencers for FTBC.

A more poignant example of the important work done by FTBC is this swimsuit designed for women who have been through breast cancer surgery and are dealing with a single or double mastectomy. The print used emphasises that you don't give up on fashion when you're adapting to a changing body, and you can still give a nod to what's feminine or what's current without losing your own sense of identity. 

Trend boxes ticked:

• Heavy Petal - the use of ditzy florals in pink, red, orange and jade green means that you get a gentle boost of colour. I like the way it could easily be a Liberty print fabric.
• Illusion Shapes - the pattern followed by the panel of red is the same kind of illusion created by Stella McCartney's polka dot dresses, giving an hourglass figure.

 Floral satchel and purse by M&S; tweezers by Shavata, both for FTBC.

And now for the accessories: Marks & Spencer continued the floral theme with this satchel and purse, both of which have brown leather accents. They tap in nicely to the trend of English Eccentric, with the retro print and the overriding practicality for summer days out. As for the tweezers by Shavata, these are a more traditionally designed item, using the 'target' logo once again, but keeping things clear and precise (much like your brows should be, once you've used these).

All in all, this is a really strong collection that appeals to women of all ages and is sure to perform well at the tills. Combining relevant colours and shapes with practical pieces that you could actually imagine sitting in your wardrobe, it's brilliant to see that charity can be so seamlessly combined with fashion. Don't forget that an amazing 30% will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer from the branded products sold. Get shopping!

For more information, please see the official Fashion Targets Breast Cancer website.