who is plus a pair and a spare.
wrap it up.
Exotic locations provided a healthy dose of inspiration for a number of the collections showcased at London Fashion Week and Jena.Theo's line was no exception. Models sauntered down the catwalk with larger-than-life turbans wrapped elaborately around their heads. The ethereal take on draping was carried throughout with cascading fabrics in soft shades of violate and cream. To avoid a too costumey Arabian-nights feel, tougher modern elements were mixed in: shredded denim, gold embelishment and, my personal favourite, an overexposure of details that could only resemble bandoliers. These chicks looked suited up for combat of the most unusual kind. The fabrics melted into themselves, in some cases making it unclear where one piece ends and another begins. Regardless, the details are striking and this is affirmed by the fact that I can't stop looking at the images, wishing that I too could be draped in pieces from the line. The show closed with an ellaborately contructed post-apocalyptic regal ensemble that, while probably best left to the Lady Gagas of the world, showcased the designers' multifaceted vision that is soundly rooted in pure design talent.
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improvise.
After a simple hassle free way to update your current look? It's sorted: just keep your arms out of your jacket sleeves and wear your top layer like a cape. Ditch conventions and throw your favourite sweatshirt on with a pair of well tailored trousers for an updated take on last season's sports lux. A gorgeous statement bag? Now that's more difficult to fake...
Bryce Aime Spring 2011
Bryce Aime offered a mixed bag in his Spring 2011 collection. While his show, entitled Asiarama, had a clear eastern influence, there was a separation between two distinct categories: the well structured pieces and the slightly haphazard ones. For me, the true excitement lay not with the floral leggings or sorbet jerseys but with the gold speckled immaculately cut geometric pieces. Disappointingly they weren't more abundant in the collection, but when they surfaced they provided the greatest potential. The skirt and jacket combination (see photo #22) looks reptilian from the back, like the perfectly planned scales on a desert crawler. This displays the ingenious quality of Bryce that, I think, many would like to see more of, rather than the sheer draped jersey in shots #3, 5, and 11, for example. The accessories, on a side note, couldn't have been better. Also designed by Aime, the platformed geisha-esque shoes guaranteed that models maintained a slow stride while side pony tails were topped off by jauntily placed black hats, some of which could be mistaken for Chinese take-away boxes. With Janice Dickinson exclaiming, 'I want that hat!' mid-show, surely one can expect a rampant celebrity endorsement of the Japanese inspired collection.
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jungle remix...
Inspired quite broadly by Africa, Kinder Aggugini's Spring 2011 collection delved much deeper into the continents wealth of character than most designers dare. Though there were elements of the oft quoted safari trend, the Italian designer showcased a juxtaposition of imperial elements and raw nature - a combination that made his collection not only coherent but painfully covetable. Neutral shades opened the show with tailored deep brown jackets layered over waistcoats (cue the British Empire). The items were mixed with neck rings, heavy leather bangles, and cardboard hats, created by Stephen Jones, which all worked to provide a contemporary swing. Gradually brighter colours were worked into the mix: first a royal blue collared dress with oversized pockets, followed by a jacket in the same shade paired over an animal printed shirt. While the graphics moved from abstractions on jungle nature to orange geometric squares, a consistent link was maintained between each look that came sauntering down the runway. For me, the dual relationship between the hunter and hunted culminated mid-show with a selection of black pieces featuring a small tinge of animal print in one select region. Perfectly modern and just the right dose of wild for, I'd think, most women. [nggallery id=5]
a streetheart...
Taking people's cards at LFW, or any event for that matter, is useless. You get home, dump out all the collected cards, and have no clue which belonged to each person you met. I decided to solve this problem by photographing cards I received directly after taking the person's picture to whom it belonged. The only problem is, in some cases, they have no individual names which still leaves you a bit in the dark. Case in point: the one above. When I took it I didn't recognize the name on it and later in the day, when Shini and I were resting our aching feet and scrolling through Bloglovin in the press lounge, we came across the site. 'Oh! I like that... send me a link so I remember to look at it again' I told Shini. When I got home and opened my DM to see the site was The Street Hearts I felt like an absolute tool... I took that very card from someone earlier in the day. Oh well, that wouldn't be the first time I made a fool of myself that day (the peak moment being when I asked Tommy Ton if I could take his picture... cringe... at least I got a laugh out of the girls who watched the spectacle take place). Anyway, all this to say the above girl gave me a card from The Street Hearts but I can't seem to find any info about her on the site. Does anyone know who she is? The site is gorgeous by the way. Check it out for some inspiring street style.
p.s. innovative play on lengths - the long cardi is officially back on the radar.
STYLE ICON: MATTHEW ZORPAS...
Matthew Zorpas is quickly becoming a widely recognizable style icon.
Voted second best dressed man in Britain by Esquire he is a magnanimous force. Each day at London Fashion Week he donned a new mesmerizing ensemble, sometimes multiple, and couldn't make two steps across the courtyard at Somerset House without being stopped by a photographer. It's clear why: not only does Matthew stand out from the crowds, he's a firm supporter of new generation designers. Each time he is snapped the designer's card is handed out to the photographer so that the outfit he is wearing can be properly credited. Having only lived in London for four years, after moving over from his native Cyprus, you'd think Zorpas had lived here his whole life. This boy knows everybody, or better yet, everybody knows him. Despite his growing recognition he is achingly down to earth and so much fun to be around. Not the slightest bit fussed over which row he sits, or even if he stands, he's always up for trying to wiggle his way into a show and, if you're lucky, will drag you along for the ride. He's got drive too and is in the process of setting up his own PR company that will support, that's right, new generation designers. It's a worthy cause and, if the commotion he manages to stir everywhere he goes is anything to go by, this boy is one to watch.
Day 1: Waistcoat and trousers (denim waist built in) by Harold Lunde Helgesen.
Day 2: (Outfit 2) by Thorbjørn Uldam
Day 3: Liria Pristine & Jillian Carrozza neckpiece HLHtrousers.
Follow Matthew on Twitter here.
LFW: Outfit day 3 - flats and fries.
By day three of London Fashion Week my personal style went out the window. My feet were blistered and embarrassingly swollen to the point I could barely squeeze them into a pair of converse. This flip flop wearing girl is seriously not cut out for eleven hour days in sky high heels. I'd like to say lesson learnt, but chances are I'd do the same thing again. I was no longer bothered about what I wore and as a way of sticking it to the Man I opted for all black topped off with converse and a low bun. After the first show of the day we went for breakfast in Covent Garden only to discover most places have move onto lunch by noon. Unfortunately I was in no state for soups or sandwiches so broke the cardinal rule of fashion week and scoffed down a bowl of fries. Bloated belly in a body con dress? Oh well. Instead of being sunny like the day before the air was icy cold all day. Shame, another attempt gone awry. My bare legs were literally quivering when Jill offered me her mom's buttery driving jacket to wear. Bless her, it saved the day.
Wearing: jacket borrowed from Jill, H&M dress and thrifted long black blazer both borrowed from Daniella, and converse (not seen).
Cape it.
Capes are big news for this season and there have been a fair few floating around Somerset House during London Fashion Week. Peter's, from Cracker Your Wardrobe, really stood out. The juxtaposition of his top half compared to the bottom is effortlessly cool. Traditional British red plaid scarf and a deep green cape emblazoned with military badges are offset by quirky high tops and distressed denim. A lesson in how to cape it.
Day 3: London Fashion Week
Caught the Spring 2011 shows for Masha Ma and Kinder Aggugini today. Spent a lot of the day sipping vitamin water in the press lounge; it really is true that the ability to eat is sucked right out of you during fashion week. The rest of the time I shot the crazy-beautiful folk that were surrounding Somerset House.
p.s. A certain illustrious fashion editor sat in front of me at Kinder. She was wearing some wild headgear which consisted of two giant cherries planted firmly on the side of her head. I'm uploading randomly bizarre shots, like the aforementioned one, onto Facebook because I don't want to overcrowd this site with a gazillion LFW shots. So head over there to see the weird and the wonderful of fashion week.
London Fashion Week: Outfit Day 2
Wearing: Dolce&Gabbana Embellished Trim Pocket Jacket and Vanessa Bruno Athe Drape Dress. Items were kindly lent to me by My-Wardrobe. The Bruno dress was amazingly comfortable to wear and so flattering with the cinched in waist. By far the most impressive jersey dress I have ever seen or worn. Felt a bit like an uber-fashionista in the jacket. Slipping it over your shoulders literally transforms the way you feel. Seriously chic. I'd swap my hoodie for the beauty any day. Now, if I can just find a job that will allow me to purchase 800 quid jackets...
Photo taken by Shini of park & cube.
Day 2: London Fashion Week
Quick sneak peek at the shows I attended yesterday. Spring 2011 - Bernard Chandran, Betty Jackson, Spijkers en spijkers, and Bryce Aime.
anywho anywho...
Met two of the girls from Anywho at LFW today. They looked just as gorgeously laid back and cool as they do on their blog. If you haven't seen their site get over to it pronto.
LFW: Day 1 Outfit
Wearing: Vintage 1940s hat, H&M jumper, Levis shorts, Banana Republic socks, Mentor shoes. Also, rocking a complimentary haircut I got from the lovely ladies at Toni & Guy who were situated within the Somerset House. If you are around you should pop in and see them .