Tag Archive: London Fashion Week

Aug 21 2012

Disney Love: Minnie Mouse Is Coming To LFW

Last season Barbie came to London Fashion Week thanks to her collaboration with Sister by Sibling well it seems for spring/summer 2013 the hot trend is sure to be Minnie Mouse ears and polka dots as some of the hottest designers around have teamed up with the Disney’s most famous style icon, Minnie Mouse.

Minnie is one lucky cartoon character, she has a range of nail varnishes with OPI and Mawi created a range of jewellery inspired by her iconic silhouette, and come September she is set to get her own fashion collection designed by the likes of Giles Deacon (above), Richard Nicoll and Michael Van Der Ham, which Disney is calling ‘Minnie Mouse Must Haves’, one-off garments and accessories that will be presented during London Fashion Week.

Each designer has taken Minnie Mouse as their inspiration, so think lots of signature bows, her trademark polka dots, pops of red, as well as her iconic ears. Other designers taking part include Piers Atkinson, Bunney, Husam el Odeh in collaboration with Luke Hersheson, Katie Hillier, Lulu Guinness, Tatty Devine and Terry de Havilland. Plus there will be an “extraordinary collaboration” with Meadham Kirchhoff, the design duo known for their quirky catwalk shows – oh my I simply can not wait!!!!

All the sketches are gorgeous and have made me excited to see them in person, but I think I have to give it to Richard Nicoll and Michael Van Der Ham, their designs are whimsical and gorgeous. I am loving Nicoll’s statement ‘Minnie’ ear shoulders and the comic-book strip design, but I am a sucker for a sequinned Minnie silhouette and this one from Van Der Ham looks divine and I love that he went for black and gold rather than the traditional red. I am also glad to see Lulu Guinness designing a one-off bag and I can’t wait to see Terry de Havilland’s Minnie shoes.

Following the ‘Inspired by Minnie Mouse’ showcase, each of the ‘Minnie Mouse Must Haves’ will be available at an exclusive eBay auction, so if your bid is the highest you could come away with a fab one-off Minnie Mouse-inspired creation. Proceeds from the auction will be donated by Disney to support the BFC/Bazaar Fashion Arts Foundation, a British Fashion Council initiative.

Roll on London Fashion Week…not long to go now!!!

Tags: Disney, Giles Deacon, London Fashion Week, Lulu Guinness, Michael Van Der Ham, Minnie Mouse, Richard Nicoll, Tatty Devine

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Jul 31 2012

Charity Tees: Matches Teams Up With LFW Designers

I am a big fan of affordable designer collaborations, I can’t be the only one who wants a piece of designer in my wardrobe, well when I see designers doing charity still at affordable prices I jump at the chance – because in my logic it is guilt free shopping!!!

I loved the Topshop charity t-shirt collection they launched during London Fashion Week, I am the proud owner of a Holly Fulton beauty, and I am loving that Matches have got together with eight of Britain’s favourite designers to take part in their summer charity t-shirt project to raise money for The Dispossessed Fund – the Evening Standard’s charity that fights poverty in London.

Each t-shirt is £60 each, not bad hey for a worthy cause, and there is literally something for everyone – floral beauties from Erdem, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll, a colour-blocking peplum from Roksanda Ilincic, eye-catching prints from JW Anderson and Mary Katrantzou, an Art Deco-inspired design from Holly Fulton, and a crowned leopard from the designer and illustrator behind cult magazine ‘Herself‘.

My top three tees are the gorgeous Roksanda Ilincic, I love that this colour-blocking peplum follows on from her pre-fall collection using primary colours, closely followed by Holly Fulton’s bright Art Deco design, and then Mary Katrantzou’s optical illusion ‘Cellphone Key’ print t-shirt. It was hard to choose just three as they are all so gorgeous.

I still can’t believe that they are only £60 each, check out all the designs at Matchesfashion.com and don’t forget to buy one they are for charity after all!!!

Tags: Holly Fulton, LFW, London Fashion Week, Mary Katrantzou, Matches, Roksanda Ilincic, The Dispossessed Fund

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Mar 08 2012

LFW AW12: Pringle Of Scotland – Classy Knitwear

This was one of my favourite shows, not only was the front row glamorous, but the collection had a modern-yet-contemporary feel about it that made me want every single piece that came down the runway especially all the coats.

Inspired by Alistair Carr’s return to the UK and his memories of youth, there is a Clueless-meets-school girl vibe to the collection in the twin-sets, box pleats and flashes of neon pink. Carr delved into the Pringle archives and produced a very classy line of knitwear staples with everything from polo necks, twin-sets, ribbed knitted dresses.

There seemed to be a lot more focus on outerwear this season, which I adored, I loved all the coats from the voluminous cocoon shapes in contrasting autumnal orange and navy, to the military inspired tailored, pocketed coats in cobalt blue and grey, and the gorgeous short bombers with high-collars – all teamed with flattering trousers, skirts, and dresses.

Top of my wishlist has to be the navy coat with the giant pink lapels – I adore this. One thing I wish would go away however has to be the dip-dye hair, I am still just not feeling it.

The front row at Pringle was one of my best shows I attended this season, and my first LFW sighting of Olivia Palermo. But who I was most excited about seeing was the gorgeous Rose Byrne, who just looked incredible in her autumn/winter 2012 Pringle dress, and I have to say she is more beautiful up close.

Tags: AW12, LFW, London Fashion Week, Olivia Palermo, Pringle of Scotland, Rose Byrne

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Mar 02 2012

In Pictures: Snapshots Of My London Fashion Week

Two weeks ago London Fashion Week – autumn/winter 2012 started, I then found myself rushing to shows, presentations, appointments, and not really eating much for five days, and I loved every second of it. Each season I say the same thing this was the best yet, but in more ways than one it was: I went to more shows, I even got a few front rows, and most of all I got to hang out with my fashion pals and digest some of the most creative collections in the world.

I am a very lucky journalist/blogger that twice a year gets to take in fashion through dramatic catwalk displays, intimate presentations, and even gets to touch gorgeous pieces at the exhibition, and I have to say a quick thank you to every PR, brand and designer who let me grace their show – it was a complete honour to take part in the rush that is LFW – roll on September!!!

Gracing my snapshots are fashionistas: Shanina, Alex, Carina, Ella, Briony, Sherin, Brad, Lisa, Emily and of course Tallulah, Rose and Olivia!!!

Tags: London Fashion Week, rose

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Feb 29 2012

LFW AW12: Orla Kiely – Afternoon Tea Dance

I love catwalk shows but I do adore the intimacy of a fashion presentation and it doesn’t get any better than being transported back to the 1920s to see the Orla Kiely autumn/winter 2012 collection. Set in a tearoom, decorated with Orla Kiely branded wallpaper, complete with a gold disco ball, it was the most relaxing spot of Day 1 at London Fashion Week. I was in heaven sitting watching gorgeous models/dancers wearing retro prints on tea dresses, t-bar shoes and sparkly socks, glide around the dance floor to the tunes of a live swing band, while I munched away on very tasty cakes, which were my only nourishment of the day.

The collection inspired by James Clavell’s film ‘To Sir, With Love’ was simply charming with its delicate blouses, tea dresses, dainty shorts, and prom dresses, but it was all the details that caught my eye from the pleats, metallics, peter pan collars and oversized buttons, as well as the gorgeous purple and red shades.

It was simply gorgeous to be taken back in time, taken away from stress of the LFW frenzy, and it was mesmerising watching the models waltz about the floor. Other than wanting the entire collection, the very cool lampshade, seeing this presentation has really made me want to learn how to dance.

My afternoon tea dance companions were the lovely Alex and Sherin – if only we could have danced that would have been the cherry on top of the delicious Bakewell tart that I ate!!!

The next day I went to the RelativeMO presentation and got to see the handbag collection up close – full of ladylike vintage-inspired pieces with gorgeous bows and metallic shades. I think my bag collection is going to get a lot bigger I loved it all.

Tags: AW12, LFW, London Fashion Week, Orla Kiely

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Feb 26 2012

LFW AW12: Day 3 Round-Up – NEWGEN Marks 10 Years

Day 3 was all about sustainable fashion label, Prophetik, which used to kick-start my London Fashion Week campaign but today was the only label that would get me out of bed. I was suppose to go backstage to this show but sadly my train got stuck outside Kings Cross so I only just made the show, which was a real shame as it would have been lovely to see this collection up close. Want to read more? Well head on over to my full review with more piccies.

With not many shows on my schedule I decided to check out the exhibition at Somerset House and my favourite section had to be the NEWGEN area. I have to admit I was a little disappointed to see it inside, for the past two seasons they have had little sheds outside on the Embankment, I also looked to see what this year’s collectable item was, last season it was bookmarks the season before postcards, if there was something this time around I didn’t find it. I did however find the amazing Christopher Raeburn, who as with Jeff Garner from Prophetik he cares about the environment in his designs.

Using reclaimed military fabrics and parachute silk this is a gorgeous collection of tailored outerwear rain-macs, sporty separates and a new range of bags completes the autumn/winter line-up. I have my eye on the parachute silk totes!!!

To mark their 10th anniversary supporting the NEWGEN talent scheme, Topshop has combined their high-street prices with 20 of the schemes alumni and a charity contribution to Centrepoint with a t-shirt collection. The line is fabulous and has something for everyone from my fav Holly Fulton graphic lips design to squirrel love by Peter Jensen, a floral beauty from Erdem, and a gorgeous print Mary Katrantzou. I loved the Topshop display with its exhibition vibe about it, and I loved the ice-cream van outside so I could pick up a tee, oh and can you spot my fav blogging pal Alex below??

Tags: AW12, Christopher Raeburn, LFW, London Fashion Week, NEWGEN, Prophetik, Topshop

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Feb 26 2012

LFW AW12: Day 2 Round Up – Daks, Rocha and Ribeiro

Day two and I was off to another early start for Daks, which has also started to become a tradition and really kicks off my weekend nicely. As with every season Daks has taken inspiration from its British heritage, as well as the British landscape and architecture and designed some gorgeous pieces around its House Check. My favourite pieces had to be the gorgeous streams of outerwear with their circular seaming, quilting and panelled detailing – this season I have seriously be lusting after all the jackets. I also adored all the woven details added to tops and of course I also love the addition of pleats in any collection. Simply divine, in some ways Daks is kind of a minimalistic Burberry, which uses its heritage to produce great quality clothes, except without the huge venue, celeb-packed front row and masses of money.

Next up was Clements Ribeiro at the spectacular Goldsmith’s Hall, gorgeous high ceilings, fabulous chandeliers and the most amazing art collection. The collection itself had a fierce bohemian vibe about it with a bold colour palette and exquisite geometric patterns. I loved the styling, with dresses and skirts layered over leggings, the waists nipped in with wide belts, and finishing off the look were black, white and red elbow-length gloves. I do love knitwear and those longer length cardies are definitely on my autumn/winter 2012 wishlist.

No time to stop I then rushed over to Vauxhall Fashion Scout venue at the Freemasons Hall to check out Elisa Palomino, which just for the exquisite hair and make-up styling was worth rushing for. But this is a designer that really captured my attention and I am certainly looking forward to further shows.

I was starting to feel a bit like a pin-ball machine from Somerset House to Goldsmith’s Hall to Vauxhall Fashion Scout and then back to Somerset House’s Portico rooms for the Sister by Sibling salon show. But this was a show I was most looking forward to as they had styled Barbie for fashion week, and the brand is known for their outrageous knitwear. This season, the ‘Diamond Lil’ collection has a glamorous-yet-edgy feel about it, lots of vibrant colours, fun pom-poms, leopard animal prints, and sequins galore especially for the somewhat scary face masks – and all of which was styled by LOVE magazine’s Katie Grand.

John Rocha is always an amazing show, each collection seems to display the right mix of couture and ready-to-wear and for autumn/winter 2012 it was no different. Drawing inspiration from his memories of Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Race track and the patterns and colours of artist Sean Scully’s canvasses, which resulted in a mainly black collection.

The collection itself was a contrast of styles with elegant romantic maxi dresses to sporty biker jackets, statement outerwear, as well as pieces that had a rock ‘n roll vibe with the gorgeous textures of heavy crochet, velvets and felted wools. This is one stunning collection and I loved all the hand embroidery 3D floral appliqués and the finale gown is worthy of the red carpet.