Hadley Freeman speaks to marmaLADYa.com about hitting the fashion shows, the trends for 2007, her personal style notes and views on the size zero debate

Which shows have you been at this year?
Oh God, how many do you want? I've already done Milan menswear and Paris menswear, which are a week each, and just came back from NY womenswear. I’m in the middle of London womenswear and about to head off for Milan and Paris womenswear. 14 weeks of my life each year are taken up by shows, rather scarily!

What do you like/dislike about going to the fashion shows?
The travelling is nice, at least to NY and Paris. I have lived in both cities so it's good to see friends and all. I hate going to Milan, though, I find it depressing. Hanging out with the other fashion journalists is also good fun as it's basically like a big ol' school trip. And some of the shows themselves really are great. Without wishing to get all fashion fabulous, I genuinely look forward to Dior Homme, Balenciaga, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Stella McCartney, Prada, Junya Watanabe, Burberry Prorsum mens and womens, Raf Simons, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen and Nina Ricci every season. It's like getting to see a bunch of really good movies, or hearing some amazing albums twice a year, to use a metaphor from a different creative field. What I hate is the constant waiting for late shows; being away from my friends for such extended periods and the general grumpiness that inevitably sets in at the end of seven weeks spent with the same group of people.

Apart from attending the shows, what do you get up to when you're away for fashion weeks?
A lot less than people think. I know there is this reputation for wild fashion parties, and they do exist, but to be honest I am too busy working. As I work on a newspaper, I have to file news reports twice a day, still have to write my columns and am always working on at least one feature a week while I'm away. I don't think I've ever been to a proper fashion week party and I've been doing this lark for seven years now. To be honest, at the end of a day of shows the last thing I want to do is go out with the people I've been sitting next to for the past 12 hours. So, if anything, I'll meet non-fashion friends for lunch or coffees and generally use the time away from friends and distractions to get on with some work. Oh, and I do shop like Imelda Marcos on speed.

What personal style notes have you taken down from this year's shows so far?
Well, we're only just into the shows for next season so hard to say. But in terms of looks for this season I really love the simple tunic dresses with chunky shoes, lots of shorts, pretty Alice bands and long sleeved mini dresses. Admittedly, I have been wearing all of these things since I was about 14 but it's always nice to have one's tastes validated.

Which designer has most impressed you this year, and why?
I always love Marc Jacobs, more for his own line than his work at Louis Vuitton. He makes clothes that women want, that are pretty without being vulgar or overly sexy and are fun to wear, not uncomfortable and annoying. Nicholas Ghesquière at Balenciaga is another real favourite as he has been able to modernise the look of the label, not just in the cuts and styles but also in the way his clothes really do set the trends, just as Balenciaga did in the 50s.

What are the main themes and influences you've been seeing on the catwalks?
For next season, so far it's black, black, black, as it always is in winter. For this season, the clothes are loose, quite relaxed, sweet and prim or, if that's not your thing, very futuristic, not a trend I've ever been a fan of, to be honest.

What do you think about the banning of models below a certain BMI? Is this a helpful measure?
I don't think the BMI index is necessarily helpful as it's not indicative of a person's health, which is the real issue. It's not difficult: models who are clearly unwell shouldn't be modelling, they need medical attention, and it really isn't hard to see who's ill and who's not. Contrary to what the media suggests, not every thin person is anorexic. But a person whose knees jut out of her tights and whose face is covered with downy hair and whose eyes are hollowed and sad, is.

What do you think is the best way to tackle women's self-esteem and body image issues?
I do find this whole size zero debate extraordinarily insulting as it suggests that women are helpless, brain dead children who will starve themselves at the first sight of Kate Moss' hipbones and thus need to be protected. Moreover, it also implies that women with eating disorders are merely being vain and they're just trying to look like the latest supermodel. Both of these hypotheses are extremely patronising to women, with and without eating disorders. But yes, the fashion industry does need to expand its definition of beauty, as do we all. Healthier looking models on the catwalk would be a start but surely a more helpful step would be to stop mocking celebrities every time they put on weight and for weekly celebrity magazines to get rid of those picture spreads pointing out celebrities' "shocking" cellulite.

What are the defining accessories for 2007?
Fun, bright coloured and chunky pieces, such as big bakelite bracelets, dangling necklaces and decorated Alice bands.

Hadley Freeman is deputy fashion editor for The Guardian.