It's final - it's a WHITE OUT this season or total Milanese bianco pazzia. So in my frenzy of references, I remembered this Harpers Bazaar spread some time earlier this year. I loved this piece of editorial as the styling is still very relevant and edgy.

Loving the cut-out details and the bling-ed out accessories. Am inspired this very second to bling/white out myself!

Yes yes? or No no? or total Tipp-Exy-sexy love?

singing schubert

Simon Schubert is such a facinating artist. Loving his interpretations of interiors using paper. As it is all about archicture today (yawn!?) and forms, this would make facinating reading. Non?

Infatuated with the shapes and forms of the clothes shown here. Simplistic beauty. Or... papier-mâché ?

Images courtesy of style.com and toxel.com

fluid architecture

Some beautiful decorated pieces with a lot of architecture references here. S/S10 is also about sculptural silhouettes. Layering, pleating, volume and angular placements of patterns playing on the fabrics' natural beauty. The effects of different fabrics also come into play with the weightlessness and light-reflecting attributes of gazar and organza, the versatility of cotton voile and nylon help to highlight the organic shapes showcasing the neutral colours used at its best.

Images from Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein & Gianfranco Ferre S/S 10 via style.com

blue crush

Surf's up for the summer people! Looking at these gorgeous trends, it isn't hard to defy the current crunch and just live it up next season. The prints and bright hues speak volumes. Here you can see that each detail although clashing, is being shown beautifully on a short shift dress, racerback tanks and micro miniskirts.

Frivolous? You betcha!

show choons

What's your flavour this fashion week?
The mix is rather radical from extreme ends of the music spectrum. Opera at Alberta Ferreti, 80s feel, pop at Gucci and rock.

Am personally bopping to this list:
Get Back Guinozzi - Police and Thieves
Metal on Metal- No front teeth
Grace Jones’ remake of Rita Hayworth classic Amado Mio
Brenda Lee’s All Alone Am I

Dance, dance, dance!

I ♥ Robyn Peterson

A fitting ending to fashion week. Catwalk Confidential starring Robyn Peterson as a one-woman show is part memoir, part cautionary tale, but mostly very well written and delivered with a nice swish in the tail and an irrefutable sense of authority: this woman has lived a life, and is obviously still living it. (Raised in Miami, leaving home at 16 for the bright lights of New York and then to the City of Lights, Paris, where she was catapulted to fame as a model.)

Directed by Tony Abatermarco, this ingenious production is an evocative period of snaps of Peterson and of the heyday of haute couture, climaxing in the famous Vogue topless study by Helmut Newton.

Peterson is fabulous at telling the story behind the picture, and she sketches in hilarious lightning images of a speechless Yves Saint Laurent, a hysterical Karl Lagerfeld (when she snaffles a bikini from another girl’s rail and then goes down the catwalk with a dress on back to front, peppered with his signature Germanic staccato accent) and the inscrutable, dominating Newton.

Dressed in a simple white shirt and black satin slacks, she proves fascinating company, suggesting that women should keep their thighs in shape by copulating on top. This 80-minute leaves you wanting to hear and learn more about Peterson.

Post show, I met up with Tony and was being introduced to Robyn whose beauty belies her age and suggested that this fascinating story should not shy from being featured as a movie. Your thoughts?

a breather

trekstocking

London Fashion Week saw the launch of “Trekstock Loves” SS10 collection. A collaborative effort between Richard Nicoll, House of Holland, James Long, Ksubi, LPBG, MariaFrancescaPepe, PPQ and Trekstock. The launch kicked off with a party hosted by Haynes PR, Bungalow 8 and Browns Focus - Trekstock ‘giving back to charity through music and fashion’.

Music at the party was totally awesome with amazing DJ sets from Friendly Fires, Henry Holland, PPQ, Ronnie Joice, Starsmith, live sets from Vices and The Mannequins just to name a few.

Founded in 2006, Trekstock has raised thousands of pounds for Teenage Cancer Trust. The idea originated when its founder, Sophie Epstone, signed up for a Teenage Cancer Trust trek to Everest. To raise money, she conceived the idea to put on a little music gig, pushing her to visit the UK festivals, spread the word about Teenage Cancer Trust and promote the event using her now cult 'I ♥ Trekstock' blue badges. The message grew far and wide, as did the support from world famous artists and celebrities.
Since then, the Trekstock brand has gained invaluable celebrity support from artists and celebrities such as Beth Ditto, Mark Ronson, Katy Perry, Bloc Party, Mischa Barton, Noel Gallagher, Chase Crawford, Jason Mraz, Kings of Leon, Agyness Deyn, The Klaxons, Band of Horses, Jack & Kelly Osbourne, Kate Nash, Carl Barat, Bat for Lashes, Russell Brand, Razorlight, The Mighty Boosh, The Horrors, Radio 1's Chris Moyles, Zane Lowe and Nihal, Kimberly Stewart, Sadie Frost, Jimmy Carr, Johnny Vegas, The Mystery Jets, Alan Carr, even Maggie Darling! Plus many, many more. (excerpt from The Story of Trekstock)

To continue to help support this worthy cause, please visit http://trekstock.com

matches for lfw

The scramble to advertise and market different brands and designers were rampant this London Fashion Week. London was literally a pop-up frenzy.

On site at Somerset House, Matches popped a shop near the tents in collaboration with Gary Card. The shop offered a unique selection in collaboration with some of Brit's best design talents including Charles Anastase, Preen, Louise Goldin, Erdem, Hannah Marshall, Nathan Jenden and Issa. The offering catered more specifically (I think) to practicalities of working crazy fashion weeks. When you are lugging around bags of goodies from shows to press releases etc, the huge canvas tote bags come in handy. T-shirts, in case you decide to have a wardrobe change in between shows, badges and vinyl stickers for an extra custom accessorised look. Proceeds from sales were donated to the BFC Princess of Wales Charitable Trust.

Thank you Giles for letting me grab a quick pic even though you were swamped with gorgeous ladies waiting to pruchase.

new beginning

In the last afternoon of fashion week in London, the crowd is worked up in a frenzy. Lots of shows already today. All different from the other. Lots to take in. The tent at Somerset House was very busy. Queues of people trying to get into the Wakeley show.

This is Amanda's first official foray back onto the catwalk after buying back her name again. This liberating feeling echoed through her S/S10 collection. Relaxed, easy, pull-on pieces. The fluidity and layering of the fabrics together with the combination of colours inspired by an Indian summer made the collection an inspired showcase.

PS: Loving the necklaces by Maria Francesca Pepe. Yummy!!

“The Sequin Ball”

4.45pm on a balmy afternoon. The crowd is somewhat relaxed outside the Freemason's Hall. The ushering into the presentation room begins shortly after. Perfect day for a game of sport. Inside, you are immediately greeted by suspended garments on rails against an ornate back drop. Simple designs in bold colours.

Then the game begins on screen. The crowd - silent in anticipation. Heavy breathing. The sequin ball hovering among the players captures your attention as the players, dress in Markey's designs compete elegantly to get the ball. Slam dunk.

computer says NO

The day started out perfectly. Weather perfect. Outfit... well perfect (you may disagree but the comfort factor was - PERFECT).
First show of the day - Christopher Kane. Late. Computer says NO...
Next, Garance's private view at the Gap pop up store. Late and without invite (!!). Computer says NO....
Feeling disappointed, head to Sartorialist book signing at Liberty. This time, by the skin of my teeth! Computer says YES! Happy (can't you see the dreamy smile on my face??).
So, success rate = 30%. (as you can see from photos with gorgeous piles of rubbish - nuff said!)
Last event of the day - Luella Bartley's after-show party at Bungalow 8. Computer says YES! YES! YES!
Hurray!!! Good end to the evening, surrounded by packs of fashion folk in very, very sheer dresses...hmm.... gives you an idea of what's coming in S/S10, or rather what the recession has taught some designers: less material, more sex appeal..... same price point (nuff SAID).

(Top from Whistles, leggings, wedges & scarf from H&M, canvas tote from Reiss, bracelet & necklace by FE)

Chaos!! This was the situation prior to the 2pm Eley Kishimoto show where crowds of fashion folk, had to wait longer than usual due to the slight hiccup caused by the postal strike. This is London = half of these people attending the show did not get their invites = show already running late, will run even later! Once in, the lights dimmed and music started pounding through the speakers, there was more chaos! Not the literal sense of course. But the chaos of prints that are Mark & Eley's quirky touch in bright, bold colours. A mixed juxtaposition. Cleverly executed. Feeling inspired? Then head down to their pop up store on Kingly Street.

Eley Kishimoto Pop Up Store
8 Kingly Street, until October

gaga pour Gap et Garance

Gap is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season with a concept store in the heart of Carnaby Street's Kingly Court. A combination of art and fashion, the store is split to reflect both within two levels. Here you will find your favourite classics designed by Gap collaborators such as Pierre Hardy, Pharell Williams and Albertus Swanpoel.

In the lower level, an exhibition curated especially for Gap by the famous blogger Garance Doré. Her beautiful illustrations and iconic photographs line the walls making up groups of collages. J'adore.

The 1969 Gap concept store is open for 19 days and 69 hours only. To see more of Doré's work visit www.garancedore.fr/en/

GAP 40th Anniversary London Denim Concept Store
Unit G7 Kingly Court
London

On|Off

The Newburgh Quarter is littered with pop up shops this fashion week. Following this trend is On|Off. This leading independent fashion show case features exclusively collections and limited edition pieces by Jean-Pierre Breganza, Alina Jessipovich, Claire Johnston, Ashley Isham and Jasper Garvida just to name a few.

The boutique also allows you to enjoy catwalk shows through live video streaming from their screening room in the basement. Complimentary popcorn included.

Many thanks to Jules who very kindly allowed me to snap some shots of the boutique.

On|Off Boutique
8 Newburgh Street, until 22 September

hot scott

Jeremy Scott, famous for the latest three-stripe hype, is showing for the first time at London Fashion Week. As a result, Scott has teamed up with Adidas to transform its shop space at No.6 Newburgh Street into a bespoke environment for the global launch of a new range. The pop-shop will also showcase Jeremy Scott ObyO A/W09 collection.

Jeremy Scott for Originals by Originals Pop Up Store
6 Newburgh Street, until 28 September

after hours

Weather-wise, this was a marvelous day to be out and about and the evening was a great way to kick back with some good food and great company.

Back to reality in the depths of Hackney's Broadway Market - best steak joint in London by far (at least I think so!). The atmosphere is hectic and the clientele makes you feel like you haven't left Fashion Week far enough. The difference is - the crowd is young and über trendy but having none of fashion's hiccup about food. Yum!

The evening ended with my favourite tipple (hemingway daiquiri & tequila con verdita - if you must know) at Casita. This small but friendly joint makes excellent cocktails and is also open at friendly hours. Meaning you do not have to compromise on your beauty sleep.
Bliss!

Buen Ayre
50 Broadway Market
London, E8
020 7275 9900

Casita
5 Ravey Street
London EC2
0207 729 7230