The Fashion Lover

Monday, 20 December 2010

Merry Christmas: Part Two

Want to stand out from the crowd? Then this Oasis buy is perfect for your Christmas do! Down from £50 to £35, this leopard print dress is bang on trend without being overpowering. Plus, animal print is still huge for SS'11, so you're investing... now there's an excuse to shop.

A Little Present to Myself

Beige Boxy Frame Tube Handle Lady Bag

This Topshop cutie caught my eye whilst I was hunting for Christmas goodies, and I couldn't resist. It's so chic and ladylike - be warned, it doesn't fit much in, but when it's this gorgeous, who cares! Get it now for £35, and it will last you through 2011.

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Merry Christmas: Part One

Gem Fur Shrug

Merry Christmas to one and all! It's been such a long time, so I do apologise for neglecting you lovely people, but I thought I would start off again with this beautiful French Connection fur shrug, £70. Perfect for popping over your Christmas party frock to wrap up warm against the snow. How glam!

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Day Five: LFW

From towering heels to pug dogs, from florals to neons, London Fashion Week has seen it all on its runways. But Tuesday was the last day that Fashion Week was in town, and with Burberry coming back to native shores after years in Milan, LFW went with a bang.

The final shows were a mix of styles and inspirations, proving that London fashion is still a main contender for worldwide influence. One of the British brands Jaeger was one of the first shows on Tuesday, displaying flashes of sports luxe with bumbags and hi-tops. Marios Schwab was inspired by grunge, tattoos and the film "Translyvania" - walking to a soundtrack that included Nirvana, the models sported Joan Jett-style mullets (left). And at Ashish, the directions for the models included the phrase: "She can lasso at 20 paces in her spangled rodeo shirt and drink the other ranch hands under the table." Cue pink spangly cowboy gear!

The Fashion East show, celebrating its 10th anniversary, was held on the old Eurostar platform, with shows from Lulu Kennedy (looking amazing in Louise Grey), Felicity Brown, Heikki Salonen, and Simone Rocha. Felicity Brown's designs blazed in tangerine and blue, romantic ruffles and scrunched plaits, and Simone Rocha's debut collection (right) was futuristic and fashion-forward in sheer fabrics, cut-out designs, and metal collars.

Burberry came home in style with a catwalk collection that screamed wardrobe classics and the everlasting Burberry brand. After years showing at Milan Fashion Week, Burberry sent steel invites for its grand return. Jourdann Dunn walked with a turquoise bag on one arm, followed by an array of beautiful biker jackets, jodphurs, moto pants, minted silk pleats, mixed animal prints (yes, you can combine snake and leopard and look amazing) and bright, bright colours. More seasonless than spring, Burberry (left) has hit every trend and taken it up a notch - proved by Anna Wintour's smile from the front row! The towering heels caused a few tumbles - one tottering model whipped them off and walked anyway! Now that's style.

At the end of a long week, there's nothing like a good party to let your hair down - and the fashion pack feel the same way. And the best parties of the night? Dolce and Gabbana, Longchamp and Scream.

Hair and beauty spot:

Burberry nailed it again with biker chick cool - think sultry grey eyes and dewy skin. Look no further for your night-out beauty!

Jonathan Saunders had his model's hair styled by Tigi, with big '40s prom updo's.

Front row:

Jaeger had Laura Bailey, Beatrice Ong, Pixie Lott, Rachel Stevens and Calum Best on the front row; whilst Richard Nicholl popped in to wish Lulu Kennedy luck and the Dellal's watched Schwab's grunge cool.

Burberry had the biggest pull of the day - celebrities spotted included: Sarah Jessica Parker, Andy Murray, Mario Testino, Carine Roitfield, Cat Deeley, Anna Wintour, Alexa Chung, Serena Williams, Katie Grand, Donna Air, Poppy Delevigne, Joe Zee and Charlene Spiteri.

Ashish pulled in Paloma Faith, VV Brown, Victoria Hervey, Hannah Marshall, Jodie Harsh and Marina Diamandis (from Marina and the Diamonds).

LFW best-dressed Day Five:

Sarah Jessica Parker gave me some serious jacket-envy at Burberry (the jacket was a Burberry design, what an homage!) so today she is definitely my best-dressed (below right)!

LFW shows:

Jaeger

Marios Schwarb

Todd Lynn

Antipodium Show

Fashion East

Jonathan Saunders

Louise Goldin

Issa

Adidas by Stella

Amanda Wakeley

Burberry

Ashish

Nate Berkus

Clements Ribeiro

The Twitpack:

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Day Four: LFW

Yesterday was definitely The Day to be in London! From an emotional memorial for Alexander McQueen, to an insane and epic Giles Deacon show at the Farmiloe, London Fashion Week just reached stellar proportions! Breakfast was at Peter Pilotto with muffins and poppy seed toast, and then it was show after show, with no let-up. Beautiful designs, stunning sets, and modelling excitement.

I'm starting this slot with a tribute to the masterful Alexander McQueen. St Paul's Cathedral played host to the most glamorous of stars, as they all came together to honour the late and great designer. Anna Wintour (left) made a moving speech, and Michael Nyman provided the music. Bjork, dressed as a McQueen angel, performed "Gloomy Sunday". Stars such as Naomi Campbell, Stella McCartney, Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker each paid their respects. You can read Style.Com's Tim Blank's report here.

Meadham Kirchhoff created a stir with a magical catwalk that had the Twitpack in ecstasies before the show had even started! From unicorns on the invites to Mexican dolls as inspiration, Kirchhoff was definitely the most unusual show of the day. And the designs didn't disappoint (right). In keeping with the mystical theme, the clothes were girly and floral and floaty. Dreamy!

Giles Deacon blew me away! If the run-up wasn't enough - Agyness Deyn was spotted getting a crewcut backstage and the Farmiloe was the perfect setting - the show just exploded the senses (left)! Agy opened the show, and an array of 50 models walked the catwalk, including Abbey Clancy, Alessandra Ambrosio, Amber le Bon, Noemie Lenoir, Jessica Stam, Chanel Iman, Kelly Brooke, Dree Hemmingway, and Coco Rocha - what a celebration of curves! But that wasn't all. To close the show, Amazonian, legendary model Veruschka took to the catwalk and the balconies. If that isn't an entry for the LFW Book of Wonders (there isn't a real Book of Wonders, but I wish there were just for this show), then I don't know what is!

Erdem was the most exclusive show, as per usual. At Bedford Square Gardens, the English country garden theme was topped with the pretty florals that Erdem is so good at. Never mind they were sewing right up until the last moment - Erdem was one of the best shows of the week.

Hair and beauty spot:

Holly Fulton had hair stylist Duffy in to create amazing 80s blow dries that I'm desperate to try myself!

Erdem (right) kept with it's stunning English country garden theme with Charles Worthington creating incredible "woodland fairy" hair.

Alex Box was inspired by albino peacocks for make-up at Mark Fast - looks so much better than I ever imagined.

Front row:

Mark Fast had Julia Roitfield, Poppy D, Shingai (from the Noisettes), and Nicola Roberts. But the Girls Aloud star didn't manage to get a seat after turning up late! The best bit, however, was the models - of all shapes and sizes Mark Fast showed what real women looked like.

It was an editor-off at Nicole Farhi, with Carine vs. Wintour on the front row sat mere seats apart; but better than that, some genius put Bill Nighy next to Anna Wintour! An inspired placing if I ever saw one.

Giles Deacon had all his friends on the front row, and alongside them were Janice Dickinson and Kerry Katona.

Erdem naturally had all the fashion heavyweights, including Harold Tillman and Philip Green.

LFW best-dressed Day Four:

There's nothing for it. No one in the front row or on any of the catwalks could out-dress Veruschka. So, today, she is my best dressed - in Giles Deacon (below right).

LFW shows:

Peter Pilotto

Holly Fulton

Mark Fast

Koma

Erdem

Giles Deacon

Nicole Farhi

Christopher Kane

Roksanda

Meadham Kirchhoff

Paul Smith

Marc Jacobs

Pringle

The Twitpack:

Monday, 20 September 2010

Day Three: LFW

If you think Sunday is about roast potatoes and fluffy slippers, think again. It was an early start for the fashionistas in London yesterday, including the Vogue girls heading to Mary Katranzou first thing to spot Louboutin wedges and Louise Wilson. The girls tweeted about their Breton stripes and red shoes, and spotting Anna dello Russo in chic leopard print, and Day Three of London Fashion Week began!

At Claridges, the Mulberry show (left) brought in quite the crowd, with Doctor Who starlet Karen Gillan, Gemma Arterton, Rachel Stevens, Alexa Chung, Laura Bailey, Cat Deeley and Olivia Palermo (complete with Charlotte Olympia heels from the AW10 range) all clamouring for front row. The cute pug dog place names were only topped by the English country garden theme and birdsong as Mulberry proved once again why it's such a big-hitter in the fashion world.

Julien MacDonald has to be one of my favourite homegrown designers. Who can resist his effortless cool!? And it was definitely cool at his show at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, with Sharon Tate-inspired ethereal make-up and Jo Malone "Roses" being spritzed down the catwalk before the show. The show was full of dreamy top knots, Bridget Bardot sweeps and elegance in nudes and blacks (right). Model-of-the-moment Jess Hart walked, in front of a crowd that including fashion greats like Elle McPherson and Jimmy Choo.

Matthew Williamson, I will admit, is one of those designers who I could fill my wardrobe with everything he ever does. What a genius. And the show was inspired. In a tent at the Battersea Power Station in the fading light, Williamson's models - including Jessica Stam - were all about the "shipwrecked" hair and make-up. The models might have been late, and the setting might have been a bit stark, but Williamson made it perfect with classic shades and bursts of acid brights (left). What a star!

Hair and beauty spot:

Hair is still big, and make-up is still bright. Every designer put their own twist on it, but I'm definitely stocking up on hairspray and primary-coloured eyeliner as we speak.

Front row:

Alan Carr joined Jimmy Choo and Elle McPherson (right) at Julien MacDonald, alongside the like of Colin MacDowell, Olivia Palermo and Harriet Quick.

At Michael Van Der Ham, there was a fashion coup when Nicholas Kirkwood sat front and centre to watch the up-and-comer display amazing clothes and flouro shoes in his first solo show.

Diana Vickers and Olivia Palermo both wore Julian J Smith to Julian J Smith's show - nothing like a nod to the maestro!

Pamela Anderson popped in to Vivienne Westwood, with Daisy Lowe walking the catwalk, in what's been described as "pastel pirate make-up".

Pam Hogg had drag queen Jodie Harsh, and Kinder had Jade Jagger and Anna dello Russo (Kinder also had huge elephant tusks framing the door).

LFW best-dressed Day Three:

Nicola Roberts, of Girls Aloud and Dainty Doll make-up fame, was gorgeous yesterday in a black biker jacket and cute grey dress (below right). She's not on my best-dressed list often, but she definitely got it right this time!

LFW shows:

Mary Katranzou

Basso & Brooke

Margaret Howell

Mulberry

Jasper Conran

Julien MacDonald

Antonio Berardi

Michael Van Der Ham

Vivienne Westwood

Acne

Julian J Smith

Matthew Williamson

Pam Hogg

Richard Nicholl

Kinder

The Twitpack:

Sunday, 19 September 2010

Day Two: LFW

If anything, day two of London Fashion Week was even better than the first! Forget Bora Aksu's ants, Topshop Unique's catwalk (on the old Eurostar platform at London Waterloo) was filled with giant crystals and perspex heeled platforms. There was even fashion royalty on the front rows yesterday - with John Galliano appearing at the Fashion Fringe and Rose Bryne supping on champers at the Diesel party on Bond Street.

The Fashion Fringe was chaired by Galliano this year, and the winner Corrie Nielson (right) was described by the master himself as "un homage" and is pipped as "a baby John Galliano" by the newly-converted front row.

So, without further ado, here's the low-down on some of the best shows from Day Two of London Fashion Week.

Topshop Unique (left) started their show with the theme from "Edward Scissorhands", and their models - including Coco Rocha and Jourdan Dunn - walked to the sound of Major Lazor, Destiny's Child, the Cults and Barry White. And "unique" was definitely the order of the day, with lots of sparkles, chiffon gowns and 70s flares. Like Sass & Bide yesterday, there was plenty of copper lamé, but unlike the other shows, polarised sunnies were teamed with leather and tassles. Cool and quirky, S/S11 for Topshop Unique is filled with excitement!

House of Holland was inspired by Brooke Shields in "Blue Lagoon", so lots of dusky tans and coral-peach cheeks were seen on the models, who walked the catwalk in 70s-themed designs; fringing, metal and jacquard prints, as well as pleated blue metallic leather. So beautiful! And, of course, front row at House of Holland was filled with Henry Holland's Brit-cool friends - Jaime Winstone, Agy Deyn, Nicola Roberts, the Geldof sisters and Lily Allen.

At an old sorting office, the Charles Anastase show caused a stir with flushed cheeks and bee stung lips and super-high shoes (right). But the few totters and wobbles from the models didn't distract from the feminine beauty of the 60s chic that came down the runway - a delicious mix of London and Parisian style. Some of my fave designs so far!

Hair and beauty spot:

I definitely smell a trend brewing - top knots and ballerina buns are everywhere at London Fashion Week. Topshop Unique changed direction and channeled Edward Scissorhands with big, fluffy hair.

Betty Jackson (left) was fresh and breezy with mint green eyes with the landgirl-meets-90s-utility designs. The bright colour was a flash of brilliance on the catwalk and ties in with the primary colours we saw the day before.

Coral and peach cheeks are everywhere still - a hangover from this season - and look fantastic with the feminine designs coming through for next year. House of Holland definitely did it best.

Front row:

Even though it was in a car park, Emilio de la Morena was filled with the fashion elite on the front row - Olivia Palermo, Charlotte Olympia, Charlotte and Alice Dellal, Julia Restoin Roitfield and stylist Caroline Sieber.

Jude Law was front and centre at Twenty8Twelve to support girlfriend Sienna Miller, alongside Pixie Geldof, and at the end, everyone was treated to cupcakes (so good, blogger Lucia Debieux tweeted about them!)

LFW best-dressed Day Two:

Elle's accessories editor Olivia Palermo (below right) upped the style stakes yesterday at Mulberry, in this gorgeous outfit. The skirt is Diane Von Furstenburg, the shoes Charlotte Olympia, an Hermes bag, and Dior sunglasses. You can see the Grazia team chatting to Olivia here.