Jason Wu
I'm willing the autumn/winter 2014 season to come to an end. Spring is floating in front of us like a distant mirage yet we're still stuck in the confines of layers and knits.
Now that New York Fashion Week has started we're bypassing spring altogether and going straight into next winter's wardrobes. It's all a bit hard to get your head around but, with collections as beautiful as Jason Wu's latest, it's worth making an effort to comprehend.
His show was stocked full of covetable separates and a slew of drool worthy dresses. The shapes were simple and streamlined. Necklines were either plunging or crew neck. The colour palette paid homage to an old school Banana Republic one with army greens, blacks, creams and a splattering of blood red. He has been criticized for lacking drama with this collection but I'd argue the normality of it provides its strength. What's lacking in extravagance is made up for in sheer wearability.
The coats were perfection, the leather shift faultless, and the knotted back black dress the perfect companion for any unseasonably warm winter's night. To top it all off there was a little red structured bag that would look effortless draped over any girls arm.
Jason Wu's fall show felt less White House and more youthful. It wasn't corporate or overly structured. Not too girly or too blatantly sexy. It walked the fine line of being perfectly conservative in a way that Americans do best. Because for all its reservedness it still packed a serious punch. Add a black leather biker jacket and Converse to any of these looks and your golden in my book.
Photos via style.com
Backstage at Lucas Nascimento
When I arrived backstage at the Topshop venue for the Lucas Nascimento show I was absolutely soaking wet. Such was this past London Fashion Week, it rained every day. Coincidental then that the theme for Lucas's show should be 'getting ready'. This translated into the hair and makeup in an obvious way. The models were to look as though they had just stepped out of the shower - wet hair, bare faced, lashes clumped together from the water.
When I arrived backstage at the Topshop venue for the Lucas Nascimento show I was absolutely soaking wet. Such was this past London Fashion Week, it rained every day. Coincidental then that the theme for Lucas's show should be 'getting ready'. This translated into the hair and makeup in an obvious way. The models were to look as though they had just stepped out of the shower - wet hair, bare faced, lashes clumped together from the water.
No doubt I resembled this same sight upon my arrival - only a less glamorous version.
Unfortunately the ghd team had already finished the hair by the time I arrived (bloody efficient they are) but I did get to see the finishing touches being done to the makeup by the people at MAC. There is nothing quite so glamorous as wedging yourself in between a wall of makeup artists and squeezing your camera in between them to get the perfect shot. Luckily I didn't knock anyone's hand.
Ashish FW13
As much as I loved the workwear and keffiyeh print inspiration at the Ashish show, it was this single denim patchwork dress that truly captured my heart. I love the multi-coloured fabric swaths and the slouchy oversized shape. If I had to pick one piece from Ashish's autumn/winter collection to have this would definitely be it. With that said, the rest of the collection was equally alluring. Mixing something as tough as workwear with sequins is a brilliant and unexpected pairing. As always, I'm madly in love with Ashish's creations. The mega blown out hairdos also has me wishing that I had a permanent member on staff to do my hair in the morning. Why am I so lacking in volume?
INBAR SPECTOR
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show.
Most people cringe at the thought of going backstage before a show.
The atmosphere tends to be incredibly stressful - space is precious and people are on edge. Every person adds to the madness and there are already so many people (make up, hair, stylists, PRs, models, designers, photographers, assistants) that any extras run the risk of tipping the whole operation into chaos. Oh, the fear of accidentally bumping into someone's arm as they apply mascara.
When I showed up at Freemason's Hall to shoot backstage at the Inbar Spector show the atmosphere was completely different. Everything seemed to be perfectly organized. No one was yelling or pushing and people knew exactly what they needed to do - the dramatics were entirely removed from the operation. Inbar even had time to plop down and get her hair done. Fingers crossed that next season there's time for me to have mine done too...
It wasn't until the models started getting dressed that I realized just how amazing the show was going to be. Sure, you can tell that an outfit is awesome just from seeing it on a rail but it doesn't really come to life until you see it on someone.
It was the Lara Jensen face jewelry that made me really excited. There was such a buzz and secrecy about it backstage that when I finally slipped out to take my seat I just about exploded onto the person next to me with giddy joy. 'It's going to be so good.' - was all I managed to say.
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show... especially with being backstage beforehand. Inbar is clearly destined for great things and her autumn/winter 12 collection is just the start. I recently discovered that her previous collections are available to buy online. The metal tattoo dresses start at £350 and, while I realize this isn't pocket change, it isn't completely outside the realm of possibility either. They might not be the sort of pieces you'd wear everyday but they would look amazing for a special occasion or any occasion where you want to knock-the-socks off of everyone that sees you.
While I’m all for fashion that people can afford, there is something wonderfully alluring about investing in clothes that double as art.
Massive thank you to Susie at Trace for inviting me backstage and to the show.
Laird & Co. Hatters
One of my favourite things about London is its sheer unpredictability. Head over to Bank tube station, walk out the third exit, and you'll find yourself standing in front of the magnanimous Royal Exchange. Utterly grand in stature and filled with luxurious shops from Gucci, to Pretty Ballerina and De Beers, to Jo Malone - this place is a Mecca for London's fast paced city folk.
Tucked just down the right side of the building sits a magical little hat shop. The sort of place you'd imagine if you had to dream up the most idyllic English shop: towering piles of beautifully crafted hats, whisky sitting on the counter, and the most personal touch that will get you indefinitely hooked.
Laird & Co. Hatters are a small company specializing in a selection of hand made hats that suit a wide range of lifestyles and occasions. Homburgs, pork pies, trilbys, and top hats are just a few of the items on offer - all in a wealth of colours and variations. Kiera Knightly is already a fan and, seeing as the prices actually aren't too expensive, I thought it was worth introducing you to the brand. It's definitely my new favourite London discovery and is well-worth a visit.
Big thanks to Felicity from Golden Goose PR for introducing me to the brand.