Search Results for “FASHION WEEK”

alexander mcqueen mcq flagship store london mayfair london fashion week
alexander mcqueen mcq flagship store london mayfair london fashion week

McQ comes to London Fashion Week and opens a flagship store in Mayfair

by on 23rd November 2011 0 comments

Could the next London Fashion Week in February be the best one ever? Just yesterday, we announced that Stella McCartney would be coming home to hold a fashion presentation during London Fashion Week, and today another fashion house has revealed that it is bringing one of its brands to London. For the first time since the brand launched, Alexander McQueen will be showcasing its younger McQ collection with a catwalk presentation during London Fashion Week, although the mainline collection will continue to show at Paris Fashion Week. The catwalk show will coincide with the McQ flagship store that is due to open in London’s Mayfair (at 14 Dover Street, to be exact) in the spring. A four storey Georgian townhouse – with 273 square metres of retail space – has been transformed to house the collection which offers womenswear, menswear and accessories.

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Jessica Biel does pastel-pretty at Paris Fashion Week

by on 6th October 2011 0 comments

Jessica Biel has always been the queen of understated, making a welcome change from the droves of A-listers who dress up to the nines at every occasion possible, and the actress lived up to this title when she appeared at Valentino’s presentation during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday. Wearing a completely neutral palate – apart from an eye-catching pair of turquoise heels – she looked chic, coordinated and effortlessly stylish. Her silky muted beige dress and pale lavender coat complement each other beautifully, and her gorgeous studded pale blue clutch gives an edgy touch to the ensemble. Miss Biel did a damn good job, considering Parisian girls are complete aficionados of understated chic. Justin Timberlake and amazing style? Some girls have all the luck! [poll id=”213″]

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10 beauty looks we loved from London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

If there’s one place you can guarantee a designer’s look will extend all the way to their face, it’s London Fashion Week. Whether it’s Vivienne Westwood smudging rainbow colours across their cheeks or Erdem allowing them to remain romantically natural, here the models don’t just wear a look, they work it. And so, it’s only fair that we dedicate a little attention to best beauty looks we spied at London’s spring 2012 shows. Below, behold the 10 beauty looks we loved from London Fashion Week – and hey, why wait ’til next spring to try ’em? We can’t wait to give these a go now. Rose-bitten lips at Erdem Why: Who could resist this undone, romantic look? Wine-stained lips at Giles Why: Similar to Erdem’s but a little naughtier, we love the one-glass-too-many look (not least because we can guzzle a glass of wine without guilt). Elfin au naturale at Christopher Kane Why: Plain has never looked so pretty. Modern Forties smokiness at Marios Schwab Why: A cool update on the always-favourite smoky eye. Bright popping lips at Mary Katrantzou Why: Modern, fresh and simple – we’re loving Katrantzou’s popping pink and orange lips. We’re quite fond of the blue, too (even if they do look a little frozen). Colour craziness at Vivienne Westwood Why: Ok, so we might not actually try this one, but how fun does it look? Candy-floss streaks in Sixties bouffants at Mulberry Why: Volumised Sixties ‘dos are updated with candy-coloured streaks in pale pink, lemon and blue. Glitter-smudged eyes and dark berry lips at Ashish Why: The perfect disco eyes? We think so! The Nineties dark lips are a great way to make party makeup look cool, too. Strong metallic eyes and muted lips at Todd Lynn Why: Fresh and futuristic. We love the blue, […]

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10 things we loved at London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Once the chaos has calmed down on London’s cobbles and we’ve decided on our favourite shows, we like to have a sift back through the snaps to find the hidden highlights that we missed first time around. Perhaps it’s the way crushed crystals caught the light, the way light-as-air fabrics billow in the wind or just a closer look at the eye-popping prints we can’t get out of our head. We’ve scouted everything from need-them-now shoes to hot head-to-toe looks to bring you those must-see moments from the past five days. Take a look at the 10 things we loved at London Fashion Week… Nicholas Kirkwood shoes at Peter Pilotto Burberry’s murky lime-yellow beaded coat Laser-cut leather at Giles Intricate embellishment at Christopher Kane Flower-embroidered clutch bags at Christopher Kane Pin-clamped ponytails at Todd Lynn Modern Sixties eyes at Marios Schwab The most three dimensional trompe l’oeil prints we’ve ever seen at Mary Katrantzou Striped fluro flower fields at Mary Katrantzou Perfect rose-bitten lips at Erdem Images: Harper’s Bazzer; catwalking.com; Vogue UK; Cosmopolitan UK

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Our five favourite shows from London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

So London Fashion Week has wound down to a close, and boy is there a lot to take in. From Christopher Kane’s sophisticated space-age to Burberry’s wintry wonderland and Giles’ dramatic swans, we’ve witnessed some incredible collections from our home-grown guys this season, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than sitting back with a cuppa and reliving every moment. After a thorough morning spent sifting through reels of show photos, we’ve picked our favourite five collections from London Fashion Week that had us ohh-ing and ahh-ing from start to finish. See who made our cut below… Christopher Kane Why: From silver-embroidered leather mini dresses to crushed glass encrusted mini skirts, there’s not a piece we wouldn’t wear from Christopher Kane’s spring 2012 collection. Peter Pilotto Why: It’s sporty scuba meets exotic elegance, where eye-popping prints look like they’ve come straight from the ocean via a walk through the tropical jungle. Michael van der Ham Why: In what’s only his third season showing on-schedule, Michael van der Ham is competing with the big boys next spring with his exquisite patch-work prints strategically strewn across beautifully draped dresses and slinky silk separates. Giles Why: There are no words for Giles. From fabulously futuristic metallic leather to couture-esque show-stopping gowns accessorised with fully-feathered, glitter-beaked swan hats, every moment of Giles’ spring 2012 show had us gasping. Margaret Howell Why: For all the drama of other shows that Margaret Howell’s collection lacked, its simplicity was all the more stunning. Easy, wearable, elegant designs that are both pretty and practical for spring – if we could only wear one collection next season, this would be it.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Edeline Lee and Cora Sheibani

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Clouds with a Silver Lining by Edeline Lee and Cora Sheibani What: An exhibition featuring jewellery from Cora Sheibani and fashion from Edeline Lee. Models lined up in beautiful dresses and jewellery to showcase the work of two very talented emerging designers. Jewellery was mostly delicate and ornate, with a few costume pieces thrown in for good measure. Garments complemented the jewels effortlessly through impeccable styling. Highlights: Call us voyeuristic opportunists that love a bit of backstage juiciness, but we loved watching the models get ready as we moseyed on in behind the scenes. The harlequin-style black and white dress in the middle of the line-up was a particular favourite – very theatrical indeed. Lowlights: We didn’t see any clouds that warranted a silver lining – this collection was strong in its entirety. Overall: The exhibition took place in what looked like an abandoned warehouse, instantly giving it that hidden, underground urban tone; and of course, the exhibition spruced up the vicinity tremendously. The bird nest hair (courtesy of The Sassoon Academy) gave some much needed rugged chic to the two collections that were very prim and precise everywhere else. The models eventually gathered in what reminded us of a police line-up against a plain white wall, which was the perfect backdrop to ensure all attention remained on the items that mattered.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Burberry Prorsum

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Burberry Prorsum What: Autumnal tones, trademark slim-fit trench coats, woven fabrics and wooden beading; creating an affinity with both nature and a hint of Africa. Highlights: Textured woven wools set in coloured stripes, ethnic-style prints featuring 3D wooden shapes as embellishment and peaked caps bearing oversized pom poms. Lowlights: It’s a sumptuous colour palette, but the plums, burnt oranges and earthy green tones feel more akin to autumn. Overall: If Christopher Bailey’s best seasons are in the winter, he sure as hell knows it. The designer has played his strength to his advantage next season, and for spring 2012 delivers a palette rich in leafy tones with a plethora of jackets to boot. It’s no surprise – Burberry’s heritage lies in its outerwear, after all – that Bailey should show such a collection, and if he anticipates a sun-less summer next year, we’re sure as hell joining him for the ride. High-waisted skirts, softly fluted at the hem, floated to mid-calves and were teamed with fitted knits that were woven in crochet stripes with wooden beads attached. More beads decorated necklines and shoulders of tops and gradually transformed into multi-coloured shapes on jackets. Shoes were also beaded, as were waist-cinching belts that are bound to replicated everywhere next spring. Slinky silk shirts in sumptuous mustard sat alongside punchy plums, slate blues, earthy greens and rusty oranges, some of which appeared together in graphic, African-inspired prints on jackets and gathered draped skirts with over-sized ties. Coats – spanning belted leather trenches to enlarged bubble parkers – were textured and grainy, and came with various forms of detail from beaded collars to leather-bound edges. For all it’s wintry appearance, Christopher Bailey has delivered perhaps one of the most wearable collections from Burberry for several seasons – and you’ll be glad to […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Christopher Kane

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Christopher Kane What: High shimmer, strategically slashed leather; glistening short suits; brocade mini dresses; floral applique and twinkling embellishment. Highlights: Subtle embroidery that looks almost wet from a distance, clean cuts and breathtaking attention to detail, especially in decadent embellishment. Lowlights: The flip-flops (sorry). Overall: Christopher Kane’s space-age theme hasn’t waned – instead it’s grown up, simplified and strengthened. In what’s, perhaps, one of the most talked about shows of London Fashion Week this season, the Scottish designer sent a string of streamlined dresses and separates in shimmering leather down the runway, delicately embroidered in silver and gold so that from a distance it appeared almost wet to the touch. Shift dresses featured slashes across the hips and elbow, mini brocade dresses came in bronze or pale gold and small A-line skirts in pale mint were teamed with sleeveless golf sweaters. Pieces that weren’t embroidered were printed with bold, glittering flowers in electric cobalt blue or black and white, but the best pieces by far were Kane’s embellished creations. Encrusted mini skirts, jackets and mini dresses, densely packed with sparkling crystals, gave a completely contemporary approach to the art and felt effortless despite their extravagance. It’s a stunning collection from Christopher Kane next spring, and though this may seem like one big gush, that boy is one clever, clever man. Watch the video of Christopher Kane’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Christopher Kane SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Meadham Kirchhoff

by on 18th May 2021 0 comments

Who: Meadham Kirchhoff What: A sickeningly sweet assortment of candy-coloured brocade dresses, exaggerated structured skirts and clown-like pom poms struck straight from a childhood fantasy. Highlights: Aside from the can-can dancing, Magic Roundabout soundtrack and darling ballerinas? There were some beautifully constructed pieces, especially a blush pink pleated cropped wool jacket and cutesy lace-edged brocade dresses. Lowlights: It’s completely crazy and, at times, a little hard to follow. Overall: Today we regressed back to our childhood, or so it seemed when we walked into the Old Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo. Towers of pale pink and baby blue balloons arched over the runway as Spice Girls’ Wannabe blasted from the speakers, much to the approval of our seven-year-old selves. They would be pleased again, as it happens, when a pack of dolly girls, powdering their faces with puffs, playing with their skirts and pouffing their hair, appeared on the middle of the catwalk and cracked into a can-can when models began to walk the runway. White afros, pom poms, and a healthy helping of glitter, Meadham Kirchhoff appear to have taken their inspiration from the circus for spring 2012, but that’s not to assume their collection is fool’s play. In fact, among the crazed chaos, there are some beautifully constructed pieces. Brocade dresses feature frilled edges, echoing the enlarged versions on models’ clown-like platforms; rhinestones encrust big knickers; knitwear comes with a smattering of hearts, and pinafore dresses feature teddy bear faces or are smothered in mismatching buttons. Better still, perhaps, are the beautifully tailored wool jackets, laser-cut leather layers, and brocade dresses that become more structured and exaggerated at the hip by the minute. Just when you thought this couldn’t get any better, then came the darling little ballerinas in butterfly-backed tutus, who pliéd and flapped their hands at the […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Ziad Ghanem

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Ziad Ghanem What: High fashion with high drama – poetic, sensual, mythical, provocative and erotic – all under one umbrella. Curve-enhancing corsets and bodices were mixed with floaty organza gowns, while vintage fabrics spiced up the texture. Apparently the theme of the show was a tale of a nun possessed by demons, with love and sacrifice being her only form of salvation. An illuminating theme if ever there was one. Highlights: Without a doubt, our highlight of the show was teeny-tiny little bridesmaid Janet Younan, aka Ziad’s adorable little niece. We never thought we’d hear as many coos and aaws at a fashion show! The temporary tattoos and the fact that he used models of all shapes, sexes and sizes was another plus. Lowlights: We genuinely hope Ghanem’s finely crafted work isn’t upstaged by the theatrics of the show. His collection would still speak volumes without a single gimmick. Overall: You’d think after we got over the initial shock of the photographer pit giving way and making five or so photographers and their cameras topple into each other domino-style, the rest of the show would be drama free. Boy, how wrong we were. The entire show was an exhibition of full-on drama. The models didn’t walk down the runway, oh no – they danced, glided, shimmied and most importantly – performed. Every turn of their heads, swing of their arms and even blink of their […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Spijkers en Spijkers

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Sarah Driscoll, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Spijkers en Spijkers What: A fairytale-inspired collection of desirable silk dresses and tailored pieces featuring Oriental geometric prints and an evocative delivery of colour that the label is becoming well-known for. Highlights: The diamond-print black and Sahara beige silk dresses and tailored jumpsuits, teamed with oversized, slouchy blazers. Lowlights: The tweed blazer and trouser set that featured at the end of the show looked oddly out of place with the rest of the collection. Overall: The dutch design sisters returned to London to deliver a strong show this season that captured both the Eastern spirit of Arabian Nights and the wonder of vintage Western tales such as The Great Gatsby. Lime yellow and bright coral star and diamond shapes featured on sumptuous silk dresses, worn with low-slung side ponytails and thick tied headscarves. The ethereal sounds of Bjork echoed through the classically ornate room as the dresses and soft blazers billowed softly, evoking a desert fairytale set in warmer, more exotic climes – the dream summer mood. Gaping backs framed with T-bar beaded straps and flapper fringing completed a feminine and highly desirable collection.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Warehouse design winner

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Warehouse design competition winner Shivani Chavda What: The winner of the Warehouse design competition showcased her collection at the BFC show space at Somerset House. We saw an explosive, vibrant and exotic collection predominantly filled with billowing maxi dresses made from floaty, flowing fabrics. Fierce and fabulous! Highlights: Sometimes with technicolour, designers run the risk of making their garments look like they’ve collided with a rainbow but Chavda’s designs were anything but. Each colour was strategically placed sparingly; we loved the way she pulled it off. Lowlights: We wish more models had been hired to parade around the show space in Chavda’s gorgeous designs, because the rail they were hanging on in the back didn’t do them justice. Overall: We saw Shivani Chavda casually walking around the show space in Somerset House before the exhibition started and made a mental note to keep an eye on her and ask who she was wearing because we loved her dress. Little did we know that we’d stolen a few moments with the designer herself and she was showcasing one of her very own creations (top left). Emily Smeaton, the photography competition winner, was on hand to capture Chavda’s designs in the best way – she made each and every splash of colour almost jump off the page (or canvas, as it were) and the exhibition left a lasting impression on us.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Louise Gray

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Louise Gray What: A chock full of colour, texture and contrast, and we were even treated to a cheeky bit of Gwen Steffani! Garments were busy in print and colour, with close attention to detail, while pastels were blended with brights and neon across playful silhouettes. An overall urban, post-modernist and versatile collection with punk elements, feminine shapes and hints of masculine tailoring. Highlights: We loved the cutesy white ankle socks worn with the equally stunning shoes, and the multi-coloured tapestry piece. Plus we loved the hair – Helena Bonham Carter would be so proud! Lowlights: There were no ‘safe’ pieces, but that’s not really a huge issue with us. For Louise Gray, it’s a case of go bold or go home, so if you’re not a fan, you’ll have to avoid the collection this season. Overall: The models strutted their stuff down the catwalk to the sounds of Rich Girl blaring out of the speakers, so akin to the song, the collection was rich with both colour and character. There wasn’t a single garment that had less than three colours on it; the all-over explosion of colour in this collection is exactly what dreams and spring collections alike are made of. Watch the video of Louise Gray’s spring/summer 2012 show below: Louise Gray SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: backstage at Giles

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

We love Giles. A lot. We love his fun shows, his playful collections and his ability to always make us smile in surprise. We also love the massive crowds he pulls, his super-starry front row and his eclectic choice of models. So let’s just say we were particularly excited to head backstage before his spring/summer 2012 collection to catch a peek at what everyone’s favourite designer has done for spring. Take a look at what we saw backstage at Giles’ spring/summer 2012 show, in pictures… [nggallery id=81]

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London Fashion Week SS12: backstage at Todd Lynn

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Todd Lynn’s fast become one of the must-see shows of London Fashion Week. His signature tailoring and androgynous aesthetic has earned him a top spot among the capital’s fashion press with his ability to transform simple shapes into edgy, wearable pieces spiced with sharp rock ‘n’ roll structure. With a self-confessed soft spot for fur and leather, we were particularly excited to see what the super-cool designer does for spring, so we headed backstage pre-show for a sneak peek. Here’s what we spied, in pictures… [nggallery id=80]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Michael van der Ham

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Michael van der Ham What: Digital prints in signature collage style, sumptuous silk dresses and a strong focus on separates, where two-toned trousers were layered with silk T-shirts or sheer pieces. Highlights: Pared-down silk trousers made exciting by eclectic prints, vibrant jewel-like colours combined with soft fabrics that conveyed texture, and a sheer navy T-shirt layered over a floor-swooping silk dress that closed the show. Lowlights: We loved it all (really). Overall: For a collection whose show notes promised a more grungy, laid-back vibe, Michael van der Ham’s spring 2012 collection was surprisingly feminine. Fans of the London-based designer will be pleased to hear his signature patchwork prints are back for spring 2012, and they’re as pretty as you’d ever want. Vintage prints – a combination of brush strokes, confetti, feathers, and geometric patterns – appeared on every piece, more often than not mixed together, if not two at a time then three or, occasionally, a hybrid of them all. Colours came popping, from embossed brocades in turquoise to splashes of coral, silver and gold, creating a thoroughly modern approach to the vintage shapes Van der Ham is inspired by this season. Separates are key for spring, with a strong focus on two-tone, slim-cut trousers, collage print silk tees and structured jackets, each exceptionally wearable, but it was the dresses, whether small or long, that stole the show. Crepe de chines and textured silk satins carried bold prints beautifully across day dresses layered with semi-sheer chiffon ties, full-length gowns in soft shades, and other designs with asymmetrical hems or straps. It’s a beautifully feminine collection that’s grown-up and elegant, without the fussy grandeur. Watch the video of Michael van der Ham’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Michael van der Ham SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Peter Pilotto

by on 29th September 2011 0 comments

Who: Peter Pilotto What: Signature digital prints, sporty scuba details and sea-like crystal embellishment on structured, feminine dresses and draped separates. Primary colours and dimensional neons have an exotic flora and fauna feel, and perspex heels are fabulously futuristic. Highlights: Perspex Nicholas Kirkwood heels which echo the collection’s prints and embellishment; a printed mullet dress, cut-away at the front but structured and floor-grazing at the back to look like a sparkling sting ray’s tail; eye-popping prints. Lowlights: Are you kidding? This is one of our favourite collections so far. Overall: If this is the kind of holidaywear Peter Pilotto like to present, we wouldn’t mind jumping on board their plane next season. For spring 2012, the design duo’s signature digital prints take on the forms of the exotic – the Pacific Ocean reflected in waves, Idonesian foliage shown in indigenous flowers – to create something really rather fantastical. Patterns look three dimensional via embroidery, beading and crystals, encrusted by hand over printed fabric to create texture. Sportswear and suba details, like neoprene trims, industrial zips and racer backs add a tough edge to the feminine fabrics and shapes, which are often volumised at the hip or nipped in at the waist with fluted, pleated skirts. Sporty corset tops add structure, paired with skirts that echo the shapes of the crashing waves, and the designers’ trademark draping is evident in silky separates. Colours come from the ocean, rich in blues and turquoises with pinks and corals acting to soften, but most effective, perhaps, are the retro primary colour prints in true blue and red, and neon swiss lace in zesty lime and orange that looks fabulously futuristic. Spring 2012 also marks Peter Pilotto’s first foray into swimwear in collaboration with Lisa-Marie Fernandez, where neoprene swim pieces featuring signature fabrics and prints […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Peter Jensen

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Sarah Driscoll, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Peter Jensen What: Known for always centring his collections around a famous female muse, Jensen’s SS12 collection focused on troubled jazz singer, Nina Simone. Highlights: The safari animal printed suits and floral tulle dresses, rounded off with the cute ankle socks and bohemian turbans. Lowlights: Those who didn’t like the character may have struggled to escape the theme. Thoughts: It’s quite poignant, considering the recent loss of another infamous troubled jazz singer, that Jensen focused on Nina Simone. Simone’s stubborn, strong and independently-minded character was the inspiration for the pieces, and the clothes certainly made that presence felt. White broiderie Anglaise trench coats and ankle strap shoes with socks suggested an innocent femininity, whilst the angry-eyed tortoiseshell sunglasses and huge hair tucked in black straw turbans showed a more dramatic, passionate side – as did the raunchy satin-front bustier dresses. Leopard print cropped trousers and gold lurex jumpers offered a more relaxed, off-duty approach to the glamour, as models walked to a live piano performance, which further enhanced the sense of the musician behind this inspiring collection. Watch the video of Peter Jensen’s spring/summer 2012 show below: Peter Jensen SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod

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London Fashion Week SS12: J. JS Lee

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Sarah Driscoll, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: J. JS Lee What: Korean born NEWGEN designer J JS Lee (Jackie Lee) shows for the second time at London Fashion Week since graduating from Central Saint Martins last year and winning the greatly esteemed Harrods Award. Highlights: The white! It dazzled on drop-waisted dresses, boxy jackets, and on the laser cut sandals and wedges. Lowlights: J. JS Lee’s signature seems to be in keeping things clean and simple; this may bore some style aficionados looking for something more contrived… Overall: Jackie Lee likes an elongated silhouette, and this season the clean lines were created by stitched box pleats on Twenties-style dropped waists in a mainly monochrome palette, with the odd flash of peach sorbet and cobalt blue. Discs of shiny film that featured on some of the dresses, apparently inspired by candyfloss, added interest to the strong tone of simplicity that the collection carried. The intrigue really did lie in the detail: tied string tucked underneath the rear signed off the dresses sweetly, etched peter pan collars gave a modern update to flapper dresses, and carved-out bare backs added a sensual note. Susie Lau of Style Bubble took a front seat at the show, too, confirming that Jackie and her creations are definitely ones to watch. Watch the video of J. JS Lee’s spring/summer 2012 show below: J. JS Lee SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod

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London Fashion Week SS12: Topshop Unique

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Topshop Unique What: Ancient Eygpt, via the street style of the urban Nineties ghetto. Highlights: Gold everything, from prints to embellishment and leaf-capped hair. Lowlights: It’s a hard collection to pull off for your average fashion fan. Overall: Ancient Egypt and the urban Ninties hip hop scene aren’t two historical eras on the timeline we’d expect to come together, but where Topshop Unique is concerned, it’s really best not to have any expectations at all. Actually, you’d be surprised just how well oversized sporty streetwear and abstract hieroglyphic prints work. Jersey cropped joggers and sweaters are exaggerated and relaxed, and as street as we’ve come to expect from Unique, but they’re splashed with brash graffiti-like hieroglyphic prints. The occasional full-skirted dress or flared skirt gave way to a more refined edge, but the underlying street signs didn’t wane as ghetto gold motifs of coiled snakes and scareb beetles reflecting the opulence of Ancient Egypt appeared on everything from slouchy separates to tube dresses and a pretty pink pleated skirt. Gold was the order of the day, it seems, covering everything from foil bustiers to hotpants and models’ hair. Monochrome was also prevalent, particularly effective in an enlarged Elizabeth Taylor Cleopatra print, as were jewel tones in turquoise and watermelon. Glamorous and ghetto-fabulous, Unique’s spring 2012 collection is a contemporary pharoah party, with the likes of Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell and Olivia Palermo filling the dancefloor. Watch the video of Topshop Unique’s spring/summer 2012 show below: Unique SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod

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London Fashion Week SS12: Mulberry

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Mulberry What: Bonkers British seaside! Carousel animal prints, candyfloss colours – in hair and clothes – and pops of arcade brights on floaty dresses, skirt suits and separates. All, of course, laced with signature Mulberry charm, wit and English eccentricity. Highlights: Decadently embellished jackets that sparkle like arcade lights, a gold skirt suit in muted metallic boucle and lizzard print accessories (naturally). Lowlights: Khaki knitted leggings felt out of place under a pink skirt and zebra tee. Overall: You could have guessed, from the icecream van dishing out frozen treats and pink lemonade outside and giant candy-coloured cones decorating Claridge’s entrance, that this was going to be a lively show, but of course, it’s inside where all the fun happens. If you hadn’t guessed the theme of Mulberry’s spring 2012 collection yet, walking past the animal balloon-filled hall of helium leopards and zebras and into the ballroom, where sounds of seagulls played against an arcade entrance with flashing coloured lights and an enlarged clown-like face certainly gave the game away. As Oh I do like to be Beside the Seaside played out to the room, so the models appeared on the runway, clad in flowing pleated skirts and rain macs to account for every weather at the beach. Sundresses that resembled Refreshers in pink, lemon and mint stripes were layered over long-sleeved tops, while animal prints featured on jackets and dresses to deliver Mulberry’s signature quirk. Hair, backcombed to a bouffant, had washed-out candy floss streaks, a jewel-encrusted skirt mimicked reflections of the brightest Blackpool lights and muted gold summer boucle skirt suits added a posh twist to this pier collection. Though she’s still fun-loving (note new Alexas with teddy bear rivets), Mulberry’s girl has grown up for spring – she’s a little sexier and showier and, hell, we […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Margaret Howell

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Margaret Howell What: Relaxed but refined tailoring with an emphasis on cut – crisp white shirts, key shirt dresses, signature navy separates and stripes in between. Pops of deep coral-pink punctuate through neutrals, occasionally appearing with light khakis and stone-coloured separates. Highlights: Loosely structured shirt dresses, perfect flat summer sandals – classic, two-strap kinds – and a trademark buttercup yellow fisherman trench. Lowlights: It’s going to cost a lot when we buy the entire collection. Overall: If only every day could start with Margaret Howell and a Joni Mitchell soundtrack. The British designer has delivered, possibly, the most practical collection for spring 2012 yet with her signature evolving classics. Key this season are crisp white shirts and airy, softly structured shirt dresses that sit free and feminine. Signature stripes, on pyjama dresses and tops, break blocks of stark white and navy separates – high-waisted tapering tailored trousers, easy-breezy pleated skirts and straight shorts. Tomato-red lips deliver a contemporary pop of colour to these classic pieces, but not as boldly as the deep coral that pops between light khaki and stone in a nod, perhaps, towards next spring’s safari trend. Pared-down and unassuming, Howell’s latest collection is spot on in its simplicity, as clean shapes come spiced with elegant, feminine touches – it’s light and airy with perfectly executed pieces that could step straight off the runway into your wardrobe. So wearable, so wonderful. Watch the video of Margaret Howell’s spring/summer 2012 show below: Margaret Howell SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: Margaret Howell

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London Fashion Week SS12: Fashion Fringe

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Sarah Driscoll, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Fashion Fringe was fashionably late. A full hour, in fact. But once Claudia Schiffer and Roland Mouret took to the front row, the three finalists from this year’s competition were able to show their entries for the coveted award, which has previously been won by designers including Erdem. Showing first was Fyodor Golan, whose collection resembled a gothic fairytale. Referencing Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo, the looks were indeed layered and troubled art, with gloomy black and charged yellow dresses featuring embellishment that seemed to grow like nettles up the models bodies, enhanced further by a necklace that literally choked their hair. Heidi Leung followed, offering a starkly different tone with caramel sporty trenches and bright layers. Chiffon was expertly panelled to create some interesting pieces, with colourful fluffy slippers completing the look. The third finalist, Nabil Nayal, delivered a dramatic Elizabethan-inspired set, where ruffles and flared jackets were given a modern edge with sexy sheer fabrics. Following the show, Claudia and Roland gathered to present the award to (drum roll) Fyodor Golan. The duo of designers, one sporting an Iron Maiden T-shirt, looked delighted to have won in what was a very strong competition. And with previous winners of Fashion Fringe going on to great things, the future is certainly very bright.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Tiffany Amber

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Sarah Driscoll, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Tiffany Amber What: Celebrating the ‘Siren of the Nile’, Tiffany Amber’s collection was a love letter to strong, powerful women who are not afraid of glamour, the female form or colour. Highlights: The rich green, mustard and navy printed silk suits with matching vintage trunk-shaped bags. Lowlights: The turquoise crepe print dresses were borderline bland when considered next to the rest of the collection. Overall: Glamour and Africa were the two prevailing themes of Tiffany Amber’s spring 2012 show. Keisha Buchanan and Foxy Brown took Front Row position as flowing dresses slit to the thigh with slashed necklines came down the runway in Quality Street shades of purple, green and golden yellow. The symmetrical prints of deeper, richer blue, green and mustard were the highlight of the show, and featured on straight cigarette pant suits, fitted dresses and even the vintage trunk cases that many of the models carried. Canary yellow and electric blue sheer blouses were also hero pieces, celebrating a feminine confidence that seemed to be the shows predominant attitude; an aura that was further accentuated by the unrelenting use of bold colour throughout the whole collection. Kooky round sunglasses and chunky bright fabric necklaces complemented the strong and exotic collection.

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London Fashion Week SS12: Jaeger London

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Jaeger London What: short suits in pretty pastel colours, sweet scalloping details on dresses, broderie Anglaise cutwork and roomy, feminine separates. Highlights: Feminine short suits, wide-brim stiff lacquered hats and cutesy cut-out details. Lowlights: It’s not particularly directional, but there’s a solid place for its wearable heritage. Overall: “This season sees the Jaeger London woman landing on the isle of Mustique,” read the show notes. Well, after just escaping the rain and entering a chilly BFC tent, we rather wished we could get there, too. Inspired by the glamour of the late Sixties and early Seventies, Jaeger is decidedly more feminine for spring 2012 than in seasons past. Surprisingly light and gentle, pretty pastels in pale pink, mint and sunflower yellow are used to great effect on airy shift dresses and suits – both skirt and playful short versions. Textural summer tweeds are particularly pretty, as are roomy Broderie Anglaise dresses, shapely cut-out details and scalloped edges. Pleated hemlines add a girlish innocence, but a look to wide-leg culottes adds a sporty edge, while lace cocktail creations remain classic. It’s fresh, fun and feminine – once again, Jaeger delivers a decisively wearable collection. Watch the video of Jaeger London’s spring/summer 2012 show below: Jaeger London SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Jasper Conran

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Jasper Conran What: Clean lines, lithe, languid shapes, and a sense of simple sophistication. Dominant in black, white and silver-greys with explosive bursts of electic colour – the saturated tones of a geranium. Highlights: Controlled colours – Conran picks the perfect shades – grown-up, feminine elegance and innovative detail (a weightless silk tulle overlay on a white dress with rigid red rectangles is, on first glance, invisible, but closer inspection shows there to be a fine film over the model’s shoulder). Also note-worthy are the perspex structured box bags. Lowlights: It’s clean, crisp and controlled, with little room for relief or play – though frankly, it doesn’t need it. Overall: If sporty could ever become sophisticated, Jasper Conran’s spring 2012 collection is where it’ll happen. Loose shapes, whether in dresses or separates, are relaxed, but painstakingly precise – cuts are modest, made interesting by detailed wraps and ties, a backless dress or layered fabrics. Cottons, crepes and silks form the basis of his structure, with an opening palette of black, white and silver-grey. A little reserved, you might think, until explosions of tone-perfect tomato-red and popping pink blast their way through monochromatic monotony. Simplistic stripes are layered onto light-as-air silk tulle and georgette, creating both interest and depth. It’s easy, elegant and grown-up, with a decisive lack of grandeur. Watch the video of Jasper Conran’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Jasper Conran SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Ashish

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: Ashish What: Florals, oversized sunflowers and graphic chess board prints – all crafted in signature sequins. Feminine dresses are paired with big grungy boots and separates are mixed to clash prints; fans will be pleased to hear his souchy pyjama pants are still around, too. Highlights: Vibrant sequin sunflowers set against black and white stripes; exaggerated, sexy V-backed dresses and wild flowers spilling out of heavy boots. Lowlights: Are you kidding? This is like Lucky Charms for breakfast, and then some. Overall: Ashish has gone decidedly feminine for spring 2012. Though his trademark toughness is still apparent at core – grungy Nineties lengths, sweats and shorts and plum-black lips – the designer’s shown a soft side, too. Girly garden prints form the spine for spring, with blowsy roses appearing on a straw fedora, sequinned sunflowers on separates and dresses, Oritenal poppies on denim and French marigolds on a shirt. But though this girl likes florals – the focus is a gardener’s daughter, if you hadn’t caught on – she’s not flowery. Attitude is packed into graphic prints like lawns and brick walls, as well as other, geometric patterns – a monochrome stripe or a sharp chess board. As such, shapes are simple – shift dresses or ankle-length sheaths are clean, but a deep v-back or a hip-reaching split would suggest she’s devilishly playful, too. Pretty-but-dishevelled ethereal plaits, straw fedoras and big black boots deliver the perfect dark finish to this feminine collection – it’s wearable, edgy and, possibly, Ashish’s best one yet. Watch the video of Ashish’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Ashish SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Ashley Isham

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Ashley Isham What: The Hollywood edition – if a celeb needs an Oscar dress, this would be a perfect place to start. A vibrant and varied colour palette on delicate materials – mostly romantic silks and playful leathers. Influences from British furniture man Thomas Chippendale were weaved into the collection, as were Rococo-inspired embellishments. Highlights: We loved the theatrical headgear and make-up, but more so the fact that not a single one of the pieces was upstaged by the extra gimmicks. The deep purple and royal blue dresses were some of our stand-out pieces, as was the fuchsia one shouldered mullet dress. Lowlights: The small parade of white, patterned mini dresses happened too quickly at the end of the show – it would have been nice to study them individually in more detail. Overall: Ashley Isham likes his headgear, doesn’t he? It was a prominent theme in his last collection and it plays just as big a part in this one too. However, where last season he varied the head pieces, Isham stuck to a few favourites this time, although he extended the head accessorising to his models’ foreheads as well. This collection essentially captures the spirit of summer both in terms of the colour palette and the Mediterranean and Asian influences. Cheryl Cole, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga are famous fans of his razor sharp tailoring and intricate attention to detail, and in this […]

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London Fashion Week SS12: Teatum Jones

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Teatum Jones What: Traditional masculine tailoring with a feminine aesthetic. The theme was ‘sometimes it snows in April’, which made us expect snow a la Burberry circa A/W 2011… alas the vicinity remained snowless. The presentation featured a video, some pieces displayed on mannequins and four models posing up a storm on a platform in the middle of the room. Highlights: Models seemed so choreographed yet somewhat spontaneous in their actions and manoeuvres – as if they were being fed directions through an earpiece. Lowlights: Honestly? We wanted more. Overall: A running theme if ever there was one. The silhouettes, necklines and overall structures of pieces in the main presentation acted as a blank canvas for the designs. Pale pinks, blues and lilacs were found on the billowing and form fitted dresses alike, with the real difference in the garments being in the cut and shape as opposed to texture, colour and pattern. More photos from Teatum Jones’ spring/summer 2012 collection to come…

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London Fashion Week SS12: Ones to Watch

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Ones to Watch What: four collections from the best up-coming designers, presented by Vauxhall Fashion Scout. A taste of four very different offerings from designers that are totally worthy of their recognition. Highlights: each collection had a contemporary twist on classic designs and the signature styles of the designers were very apparent. Malene Oddershede was a personal favourite, purely for the huge splash of colour, reminding us that we were indeed watching a spring/summer catwalk. Lowlights: Even though we loved the collection, many of Alice Lee’s pieces were effectively the same, give or take a stitch here or a pleat there. More versatility would have been good, but what she did, she did well. Overall (pictured L-R above): Alice Lee showcased a finely handcrafted couture-inspired collection while Malene Oddershede Bach made it very apparent that she wasn’t afraid to play with colour and texture, favouring leather and bright brights in particular. Phoebe English (i.e. the girl that practically made an entire collection out of hair last season) presented a versatile but very defined collection, and Shao Yen’s outing comprised of an abundance of unusual materials, many of which were slightly reminiscent of bondage gear. More images from Ones to Watch to come…

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London Fashion Week SS12: Krystof Strozyna

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Krystof Strozyna What: a cool blend between pastels and panels with black bases and flesh tones seeping through. The silhouettes were mostly loose and draped with some casual infusions of denim and form-fitting bodycon numbers to mix it up a little. Highlights: the asymmetrical dresses and the pieces with exposed zips were among favourites – and the Sixties dresses also get a special mention. Lowlights: on the subject of Sixties dresses, we’d have liked models to be styled with the era in mind, just to accentuate the influences. Overall: after such an impressive show last season, we were looking forward to Krystof Strozyna’s catwalk outing for spring and, in a nutshell, we weren’t left disappointed. There was an abundance of brights and prints last season, but this time everything’s more muted and understated. That’s not to say it didn’t make a statement – Strozyna is doing well to create a signature style and stick to it and this collection was no different. Colour blocking was the prominent theme of last spring and was so popular so we’re not surprised to see a handful of pieces cropping up here. Diana Vickers joined us in the front row and appeared to be enjoying the collection as much as us!

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London Fashion Week SS12: Jena.Theo

by on 18th September 2011 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Jena.Theo What: Volume – and lots of it, with no sign of stopping or toning down. Contrast and symmetry were the two themes Jena Theo ran with – individually they were great, but when combined they were even better. Denim also made a big appearance in this collection, in varied fabrics and washes. Highlights: The blended black and grey shirt dress went down very well, as did some of the uber tight leather hotpants. We’re not brave enough to try them ourselves yet, but the models looked smokin’! Lowlights: A single rogue brown poncho/cardigan hybrid piece was confusing – it looked out of place on an otherwise very structured and heavily themed catwalk. Overall: The first thing you notice about Jena.Theo’s spring collection is the volume. Most people would associate volume with drama, and the collection fused lots of dramatic and theatrical elements. A taste of colour blocking came from the other side of the scale – colour blocking after dark, if you like. Jena Theo famously works with London artist O.Two for collections past and present, the end result of which is a beautiful blend of colour and texture, making each piece unique and impossible to replicate so finely. Anyone lucky enough to be seen in this collection would wear it with pride. Watch the video of Jena.Theo’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Jena. Theo SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Caroline Charles

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

This is a guest post by Maria Pierides, one of our fabulous competition winners. She’s been hitting the tents at Somerset House as a guest fashion reporter for My Fashion Life to cover as many of London’s spring shows as she can make – find out how she got on when we armed her with a bag full of tickets and sent her packing… Who: Caroline Charles What: Vintage 1920s Chanel-like cuts and silhouettes. Monochrome was very prominent, but it was varied with different patterns, consistencies and textures. Hats are once again all the rage, so hat lovers and milliners everywhere rejoice! Highlights: The sparkly pieces, oh how we adored the sparkly pieces. The collection was accessorised flawlessly from the waist cinching belts to the Coco Chanel-esque lace gloves – attention to detail at its best. Lowlights: sometimes the black belts distorted the silhouette of some pieces – it would have been nice to see the odd clean line just to get a sense of the structure. Overall: This is quite a Sex and the City collection – Charlotte York would be in heaven draped in most of these numbers. If businesswomen wanted to compromise style over comfort in London’s albeit rare summer days, this collection will give them the best of both worlds. The suits, particular pleasers, looked refreshing both in style and in material. We actually squealed when the sparkly pieces made their runway appearance – the perfect way to end the show if ever there was one. Plus, it’s the first show this season where the models have made a conscious effort to smile; and they had every reason to. Watch the video of Caroline Charles’ spring/summer 2012 show below: Caroline Charles SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: PPQ

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

Who: PPQ What: Powder puff pastels, Rubicks cube prints and patched cowboy denim. Highlights: blush pink bon bon dresses, tailored bra tops, boucle jacket dresses and popping pink hair. Lowlights: some micro mini bandage dresses loaded with gold accessories feel a bit trashy, but it’s all part of the fun. Overall: it’s candy floss meets cowboy and western – with a little bit of trashy Eighties thrown in for fun. For spring 2012, PPQ mix powder pinks and lemon sorbets with bright, clashing colours reminiscent of a Rubicks cube in a collection that’s as quirky as we’ve come to expect from the London design duo. Micro mini bandage dresses barely covered bums and occasionally came with coloured chiffon ribbons flapping from the shoulder, while pastel dresses took the shape of sweet-like evening designs. Tights and leggings, courtesy of Bebaroque (who collaborated with PPQ on prints and select pieces this season), featured bold prints of the PPQ crest, denim came Western-inspired and patched – part of PPQ’s collaboration with Lee Jeans – and tailored bra tops were paired with various pencil skirts for a mix and match effect. And for fun, crystal harnesses, gold key earrings and gold tip heels finished looks with attitude. It’s cute, edgy and a little bit crazy, but that’s its appeal – and boy is it fun. Watch the video of PPQ’s spring/summer 2012 show below: PPQ SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Image: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Basso and Brooke

by on 18th September 2011 0 comments

Who: Basso and Brooke What: digital prints, tropical colours and loosely-structured, light-as-air silhouettes. Highlights: prints! Colour! Lowlights: we want it all. Overall: it’s surprising, after a bucket of dark blues and nudes, what a splash of colour can do for one’s morale. There’s something about Basso and Brooke that manage to put a gasp on even the coldest editors’ faces, such is their talent for putting on an explosion of print and palette. For spring 2012, the design duo, pioneers of digital print, have pushed the boundaries of their signature design with a subtle but successful difference. Trompe l’oeil prints are real enough to touch, each carefully placed on panels of dresses to enhance optical illusion and evolving from every garment. The idea of contrast and evolution features heavily – hard, angular lines and structural shapes are set on light-as-air fabrics that float in the wind, yet remain refined with loose structure. And riotous, tropical colour – explosions of orange, red, blue, green (and everything in between) – only act to bring prints to life. Really, it’s everything you want from a spring collection. Watch the video of Basso and Brooke’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: Basso & Brooke SS12 | Rightster, posted with vodpod Images: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Bora Aksu

by on 16th September 2011 0 comments

Who: Bora Aksu What: delicately ruffled dresses, sweeping curved lines and layered, tailored separates. Signature demi-couture finishes – hand-sculpted leather roses, draping and dramatic pleating – adorn soft, romantic nudes, zesty corals and turquoise, and dark midnight blues. Highlights: soft, flowing, feminine dresses, decadently decorated with draping details; Aksu’s use of texture and panelling; and stand-out demi-couture masterpieces. Lowlights: a lot of it’s unwearable, but then again, Aksu’s signatue is half-way to couture. Overall: there’s a heart-warming story behind Bora Aksu’s spring/summer 2012 show that enables him to tell a tale through his collection. Inspired by four postcards found in Geneva, he creates the story of Rose and Charles – two French lovers in 1905 – and the course of their love through the clever use of colour: creams and fleshy pinks for romance, corals and turquoise for desire, midnight blues and blacks for sorrow. Curved lines in dresses reflect Rose’s Edwardian handwriting, while sweeping curves, larger by the dress, reference cinched waists of the decade. Decadent pleats, hand-sculpted leather roses, lace, crushed glass beading and draping appear adorned on delicate silk gazette dresses, and other, more extravagant versions – some full-circle-ruffle-skirted, others fishtail. Separates are key for spring, with silk blouses, tailored trousers and short summer jackets proving as wearable as they are layerable in silks, cottons and tulle. It’s a complicated collection, but Aksu manages to mix his signature high-end creations with wearable pieces in an offering that’s both trademark and fresh. Watch Bora Aksu’s spring/summer 2012 collection below: To watch more, visit designer_profile.aspx?DesignerID=57 Images: catwalking.com

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London Fashion Week SS12: Paul Costelloe

by on 16th September 2011 0 comments

Who: Paul Costelloe What: 1960’s Paris – swing dresses, voluminous silhouettes and youthful elegance. Pieces punctuated with luxurious layers of fabric, especially silk, are given extra life with tailored flirty frills. The palette remains neutral, often pearly, but is punched with coral, pink and mint green for Parisian edge. Highlights: teeny-tiny babydoll dresses, balloon sleeves and skirted dresses, button-up skirt suits, and a Sixties belted shirt dress. Lowlights: fussy frills and ruffles became repetitive and, at times, overpowering. Overall: If sticking to a theme like glue sticks to paper was his aim, Paul Costelloe certainly deserves a medal next season. For spring, his girl has a taken a decidedly youthful turn, played out in feminine, flowing dresses with flirty touches. The Sixties Hollywood classic, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, was Costelloe’s inspiration, and it’s evident in Sixties babydoll dresses, some high-necked with exaggerated puff sleeves and others scooping softly lower. Elements of vintage Parisian style seep through, most notably in coral and mint metallic splashes, but the palette remained unashamedly neutral, with pearly whites and creams taking centre stage. It’s elegant, innocent and shamefully pretty, but with enough frills to fill a frou-frou wedding, it errs a little too far on the sweet side. Watch Paul Costelloe’s spring/summer 2012 below:

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15 things we love from New York Fashion Week

by on 15th September 2011 0 comments

After a week of shows, New York Fashion Week is winding down to a close. We’ve applauded Victoria Beckham, ooh-ed and ahh-ed at Alexander Wang, gawped in awe of Oscar de la Renta’s sheer volume and spied on the FROW action – and loads of stuff in between. Not without good cause, of course – we’ve sifted out the boring bits to bring you the best stuff from the stalls. Here’s 15 things we love from New York Fashion Week’s spring/summer 2012 shows. 1. Alexander Wang’s golf club bags and pointy stingray shoes 2. Beyonce on the FROW at J. Crew and Vera Wang 3. Nichloas Kirkwood’s silver space-age shoes for Rodarte 4. Rodarte’s picture-perfect Van Gogh-inspired dresses 5. The Fanning sisters at Rodarte (sense a theme?) 6. Proportions and safari prints at Proenza Schouler 7. 3.1 Phillip Lim’s loose, pastel pants 8. Ridiculous extravagance at Oscar de la Renta 9. HARPER SEVEN BECKHAM! 10. Pastels, prints and crazy colours at DVF 11. Marc by Marc Jacobs’ clean lines 12. Nanette Lepore’s shocking neon orange dress with blue lace overlay 13. Laid-back (affordable!) luxe at Theysken’s Theory 14. Marchesa’s frothy fairy-tale creations 15. J. Crew’s heart-print dress [Images: Vogue UK, Harper’s Bazaar, Fashionista, NY Mag]

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Editor’s survival kit: London Fashion Week

by on 19th October 2013 0 comments

As New York kicked off the month-long fashion processions last week, so London Fashion Week falls this Friday. We should be prepared, given that it only happens twice a year, but somehow it always manages to spring round the corner quicker than summer can stick around. And so, I find myself in the same situation every season. What the hell do I wear? What bag do I take to carry all my stuff? What shoes will I wear to combat the cobbles (and which flats should I take as precaution?)? While I’ve yet to answer any of those questions, there are a few things I know I’ll need: my can’t-survive-without-them essentials. From moisturiser to mints, these are things that litter my bag, without fail, every fashion week; the things that help me function; the things that help me breathe a little easier: my survival kit. So yes, while I do risk tripping over the dirt track due to some poorly-conceived heels, at least I’ll have hydrated skin. When I get stressed, so does my skin. I always keep a hand-sized tube of moisturiser in my bag to banish any dry spots inbetween shows – plus, it’s great for faking a dewy complexion pre-party (just press the palms of your hands gently onto your face as a final touch). Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream intensive daily moisturiser, £28 £25.20, available at Debenhams. From pre-party to post, I never leave the house without YSL’s Touche Eclat – it hides all signs of the night before’s bash (because though I might be feeling the effects of two hours sleep and too much champagne, nobody else need know!). Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, £24.50 £22.05, available at Debenhams. When my skin’s looking lack-luster and lifeless after a long day of shows, I swear by […]

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Highlights from High Street Fashion Week, pt 2

by on 12th September 2011 0 comments

This is a guest post by Daisy Jeffery, one of our (frankly brilliant) competition winners. In her first-rate role as fashion reporter, Daisy’s been hitting London’s Oxford Street every day this week to sample the best of High Street Fashion Week and all the fun it’s offered. Find out how she fared as an adopted MFL girl when she took on the task this week… While Charlie may have won the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, I struck fashion gold when discovering My Fashion Life would be sending me all over London to cover High Street Fashion Week.

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Highlights from High Street Fashion Week

by on 9th September 2011 0 comments

This is a guest post by Lois Mills, one of our (frankly brilliant) competition winners. In her first-rate role as fashion reporter, Lois has been hitting London’s Oxford Street every day this week to sample the best of High Street Fashion Week and all the fun it’s offered. Find out what she got up to when she visited Selfridges’ vlogging booth and hunted down the biggest bargains… High Street Fashion Week should definitely be changed to High Street Fashion Month – with all the crazy and un-missable fashion moments going on, it’s no wonder I sacrificed mealtimes to get more involved! Having had a briefing on Monday about what was in store over the five days, I was set and raring to get onto that high street! After being unable to get myself available for Tuesday’s events, I was overly enthusiastic about Wednesday, with a tip-off about a ‘vlogging’ booth that was popping up in Selfridges. The cute yellow-striped box looked like it should be filled with sweets rather than a recording opportunity, but the giveaway signs of girls clutching their discounted purchases led me think to otherwise. Having not been on the street too long, I sadly had no steals to show off on camera, but that didn’t stop me talking to myself about a fantastic Warehouse studded dress I’d walked past and my plans for the rest of the week. Oxford Street has never seen so many happy faces; and had I not have been aware of all the amazing discounts and events taking place throughout the stores, the huge ‘30% off’ sign outside BHS certainly confirmed my suspicions. Now, though I would not normally see myself as a your typical BHS shopper, I wondered around anyway for a glimpse of some bargains; and for those of you […]

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Become a fashion reporter for MFL at High Street Fashion Week!

by on 5th June 2016 0 comments

This competition has now closed – congratulations to Daisy Jeffery and Lois Mills who have won the opportunity to report for us from High Street Fashion Week! Fancy yourself as a bit of a fashionista? Do you hit the high street hard on pay day? Can you sift the slickest from the sickest on a bulging bargain rail and write about it? Well, you’re just what we’re looking for. We’re on the hunt for two fashion reporters to cover the ins and outs of High Street Fashion Week this September 5th – 9th, where you’ll be treated to a whole host of VIP events, including catwalk shows, new collections and cocktail bars. What’s more, you’ll also be reporting live from Fashion’s Night Out on September 8th, where the whole of London’s West End will be transformed into a fashion lover’s paradise. You’ll need to be a savvy shopper, know your H&M from your House of Fraser and be a ruddy good writer to boot – and you’ll need to be available in London from September 5th – 9th. If you think you’ve got what it takes to report from the high street’s hottest event in history and have your work published on My Fashion Life, send us an email to comps@my-lifemedia.com explaining why we should pick you. Entries should be no more than 150 words and show your flair for fashion. Good luck, guys! Closing date for entries: Thursday 1st September.

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