Dare to bare
Foregoing tights in February might seem like the height of madness, but it's a status thing. From Samantha Cameron to the 'Vogue' staffers, it proves not only their dedication to fashion, but, more importantly, that they have a driver and aren't schlepping between shows on public transport. Ditto high heels.
Foregoing tights in February might seem like the height of madness, but it's a status thing. From Samantha Cameron to the 'Vogue' staffers, it proves not only their dedication to fashion, but, more importantly, that they have a driver and aren't schlepping between shows on public transport. Ditto high heels.
Bright idea
As the lights went down before Mark Fast's show, there were a couple of audience members left illuminated. Glowing in the dark were Marina Diamandis (of the band, Marina and the Diamonds), who was wearing a battery-operated light-bulb jacket, and a man wearing neon-blue glasses. At Giles, model Jade Parfitt's fluoro lime-green Christopher Kane dress and Jaime Winstone's fuchsia gown glowed long after the lights dimmed.
Mad hatters
It's official: hats have reached tipping point. See Vivienne Westwood's make-shift crowns and Burberry's oversized Sixties monochrome flat caps (we're not sure about Louise Gray's balloon hats, though). The fashion crowd also deployed various headgear to save their 'dos from the rain - the most popular were the Seventies wide-brim versions.
It's official: hats have reached tipping point. See Vivienne Westwood's make-shift crowns and Burberry's oversized Sixties monochrome flat caps (we're not sure about Louise Gray's balloon hats, though). The fashion crowd also deployed various headgear to save their 'dos from the rain - the most popular were the Seventies wide-brim versions.
Move over Alexa
No, not you Alexa Chung - you're still front-row gold; we mean the Alexa bag. The new It-bag is Mulberry's Tillie, as sported by editors at 'Vogue' and 'Grazia'. The freshest way to carry this soft-leather satchel is in the crook of your arm, not worn across the body - it shows off your outfit far better.
No, not you Alexa Chung - you're still front-row gold; we mean the Alexa bag. The new It-bag is Mulberry's Tillie, as sported by editors at 'Vogue' and 'Grazia'. The freshest way to carry this soft-leather satchel is in the crook of your arm, not worn across the body - it shows off your outfit far better.
The right stripes
It's only a few seasons since Breton stripes were the uniform for the entire front row, but people have embraced Prada's spring/summer 2011 wider stripes (or at least Zara's blue-and-black version of it), this week. However, Breton can't be beat, with Alexa Chung sporting a classic striped dress at Margaret Howell and Giles Deacon taking his post-show bow wearing a striped T-shirt.
It's only a few seasons since Breton stripes were the uniform for the entire front row, but people have embraced Prada's spring/summer 2011 wider stripes (or at least Zara's blue-and-black version of it), this week. However, Breton can't be beat, with Alexa Chung sporting a classic striped dress at Margaret Howell and Giles Deacon taking his post-show bow wearing a striped T-shirt.
The battle of the hemlines
Longer lines were a clear catwalk trend, but on the cobbles at Somerset House, the battle was between the maxi and the midi. The easier-to-wear full length just beat its rival; at Matthew Williamson, editors were spotted hitching up their maxis to clamber over the benches to exit the venue.
Longer lines were a clear catwalk trend, but on the cobbles at Somerset House, the battle was between the maxi and the midi. The easier-to-wear full length just beat its rival; at Matthew Williamson, editors were spotted hitching up their maxis to clamber over the benches to exit the venue.
Grooving to the Seventies
The Seventies trend is still going strong - musically, if not on the catwalks. Fleetwood Mac was blasting out backstage at Margaret Howell and Burberry, The Doors greeted guests at Charles Anastase, Candi Staton's "Young Hearts Run Free" cheered everyone up at Issa, while The Carpenters was overheard at Anya Hindmarch.
The Seventies trend is still going strong - musically, if not on the catwalks. Fleetwood Mac was blasting out backstage at Margaret Howell and Burberry, The Doors greeted guests at Charles Anastase, Candi Staton's "Young Hearts Run Free" cheered everyone up at Issa, while The Carpenters was overheard at Anya Hindmarch.
Love-in at Liberty
It was a closely run contest, but Love magazine and Alexander Wang's party at Liberty just pipped Mulberry's classy Claridge's affair to the post. Hosted by Katie Grand and the New York designer, with a star turn from Beth Ditto singing Whitney Houston's " I Will Always Love You", the party was wall-to-wall with international editors, models and musicians drinking Wang's Love Martinis to a background of M.I.A and Rihanna.
It was a closely run contest, but Love magazine and Alexander Wang's party at Liberty just pipped Mulberry's classy Claridge's affair to the post. Hosted by Katie Grand and the New York designer, with a star turn from Beth Ditto singing Whitney Houston's " I Will Always Love You", the party was wall-to-wall with international editors, models and musicians drinking Wang's Love Martinis to a background of M.I.A and Rihanna.
Hair to dye for
New York may be all about the blow-dry, but the hair salon of choice in London was Dalston-based Bleach, which opened a pop-up store in Topshop at Oxford Circus in time for Fashion Week. Here, you could get a "dip dye", where the tips of your hair is dyed in fabulous shades, such as Cheeky Vimto and Blue Lagoon. Taylor Tomasi Hill, the accessories editor of US 'Marie Claire', also inspired a rash of copper hair, while model Charlotte Free opened Vivienne Westwood's show sporting a shocking-pink barnet.
New York may be all about the blow-dry, but the hair salon of choice in London was Dalston-based Bleach, which opened a pop-up store in Topshop at Oxford Circus in time for Fashion Week. Here, you could get a "dip dye", where the tips of your hair is dyed in fabulous shades, such as Cheeky Vimto and Blue Lagoon. Taylor Tomasi Hill, the accessories editor of US 'Marie Claire', also inspired a rash of copper hair, while model Charlotte Free opened Vivienne Westwood's show sporting a shocking-pink barnet.
Posted in: Autumn-Winter,London Fashion Week
