How hot are French designers right now? From cult luxury brands such as Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno to up-and-coming labels such as Carven and Maje it seems we all want a little bit of that French je ne sais quoi in our wardrobes right now.

And where does the best bit of insouciant cool begin? With a gorgeous leather jacket, of course, and from the rugged aviator style you'll be throwing on over your maxi dress this winter to your steely grey zip-upped version you'll be wearing with chiffon, skinnies and stompy boots. This season the humble leather basic has become the sexy addition to everything from jeans to a cocktail dress. Just as it is in Paris.

On the catwalks for winter we saw leather taking the form of every possible item of clothing including shorts (Alexa Chung works the look, right), coats, capes and vests, but really the all-important item is still the jacket. And the go-to designer for the best leather jacket in town? It's got to be Paris-based designer Rick Owens whose draped fleshy buttersoft leathers are available exclusively in Dublin boutique Havana.

Nikki Creedon, Havana owner, is a big fan and has been championing his rock chic aesthetic for some years now. "Rick Owens has such a following, we have women coming in and saying 'I already have 12 jackets, I can't buy another one,'" she says. "Last year he broke away from muddy greys and blacks and did metallics and that was really exciting."

Beginning his career in pattern-making, Owens' eye for shape and cut is key. First noticed when an image of Kate Moss by Corinne Day featuring one of his fitted distressed jackets appeared in Vogue, it wasn't until more recent seasons that his 'glamour meets grunge' look has been most appreciated ? and most copied, especially on the high street.

"The key is the soft jersey sleeve which makes them so comfortable as well as giving a super-skinny arm. The leather is so fine that you can actually wear them like cardigans or underneath coats," says Creedon.

And at about €1,500 a pop you'd be forgiven for waiting for them to hit the sale but if you are looking for a bargain you can forget it, says Creedon. "We always sell out every season. Owens is always an instant sell out."

Shopping audit

* We're loving shift dresses

Keep it short, pair it with ankle boots and ta-da! You're wearing one of this season's hottest looks. This mustard beauty is €91 from TopShop

* We're not sure about Wolford bondage tights

Cheryl is wearing them in her latest music video and they don't look that great, even on her. So don't even think about them.

* We're lusting after a Peter O'Brien coat

Next year when your cape is being sent off to the charity shop, we promise you that you'll be in love with this classic coat. €450, from Arnotts.