|
 
 
|
DAY 5
On the last day of London Fashion Week, the queen of international press Anna Wintour arrived at the Peter Pilotto show before everyone else. Twenty minutes later, the models strutted down the catwalk like beautiful nymphs draped in lightweight chiffon and satin silk dresses. Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos seemingly took us right into a middle of a Monet Painting, where you could almost touch the prickly sea anemones...
At the New Gen exhibition, Scottish designer Louise Gray caught my eye with her great installation where you could see the way she blends bright colours and bold textures. After roaming through the vast exhibition space of Somerset House, we finally found where the Fashion East show was taking place and went straight to our seat with a hefty goody bag between our feet. The show consisted of 3 designers back to back and my favourite had to be the super talented Michael Van Der Ham with his deconstructed evening dresses - a real feast for the eyes!
It was so hot inside the venue at Jonathan Saunders that when I saw the models with their wet-look hair, I couldn't help but wonder if it was actually sweat running down their face! Transparency was the key to Saunders’ SS10 collection enhanced by a pretty pastel palette. After watching the explosive prints and structured silhouettes at Basso & Brooke back at the tent, I went to the Tuesday Night Band Practice party (the coolest T-shirt brand!), at the Den (what used to be the End club). Just one thing to say: Rock and Roll is back!
Violaine Bernard
|
|
 
 
 
|
|
DAY 4:
Starting the day with the Meadham Kirchhoff show at the Topshop space, I couldn't help but feeling emotional when the models were sent out to Nina Simone’s haunting voice (thank you Robin from Maria Luisa for pointing it out to me)... the beautiful series of dresses and romantic layers of chiffon were poetic and inspirational. It was undoubtedly my favourite show so far, with plenty of pieces I’d love to wear including their signature cut-off trousers and cute pink glittery T-shirts however, it's the black Plumetis dress adorned with midnight blue velvet bows that I'll be dreaming of until it hits the store.
Next location was Soho’s infamous Brewer Street car park where Josh Goot show was held. The invitation said "abstraction" and his SS10 formula did indeed, consist of colourful abstract prints. The two-tone trousers and polka dots silk shirt combo were for me, the epitome of sporty chic - perfect for sunny days. After the show I snapped my four favourite styles of the day on the beautiful Ece Sukan - Editor-at-large for Turkish Vogue, our very own Sarah Harris from Vogue UK, whom rocked the Chris Kane Tee like no one else, Japanese writer and fashion icon Yu Masui sporting the Louis Vuitton bunny ears headband, and Tommy from www.jakandjil.com/blog wearing the amazing Louboutin studs sleepers.
After a quick stop at Vauxhall Fashion Scout, I finished my day at the private view of Garence Doré’s exhibition for the Gap 1969 denim concept store. Some limited edition T-shirts with Garance’s illustration were on sale in-store (if you were lucky enough to grab one) and all the fashion enthusiasts were there to congratulate the beautiful Garance (who was wearing a Peter Pilotto skirt that she picked from Feathers few hours earlier!!).
Violaine Bernard
|
|
  
|
|
DAY 3
Yesterday morning I popped in to Qasimi show where it was all glamour and Grecian couture. Then I head down to the ON/OFF venue next to Somerset House for the Ponystep Beach Party, hosted by promoter extraordinaire Richard Mortimer (remember Boombox? That's him!). I was happy to catch up with the lovely Charles Anastase outside the venue before going back to the tent to check out more SS10 collections, including hipper than hip Mawi jewellery. I love the futuristic gold necklace, perfect worn with a white tee and a pair of cut-off denim shorts.
Like a lot of designers this season, Richard Nicoll SS10 was full of soft silhouettes and a muted palette. Like inside a beautiful aquarelle paint box, the colours flowed from greys and pinks to lilac and blues, ending with beiges with a touch of silver. Silks were fluid and draped around the waist creating easy to wear sarong-like skirts and the hibiscus prints were simply delicious. After the show, I quickly ran backstage where Sarah Mower was interviewing Richard Nicoll for style.com.
Violaine Bernard
|
|
 
|
|
DAY 2 CONTINUED...
Anyone who loves sequins will already be familiar with Ashish’s sparkly wonders. For his SS10 collection Ashish didn't disappoint – adding some bad-ass studs to the profusion of Hawaiian flower and flamingo prints that hit the runway. I also loved the ‘80s bleached denim jacket and the sunset palm tree dress - I'll be taking my next trip to the beach very seriously! We were all there to cheer at the finale including front-rower Paloma Faith, VV Brown, Michelle Williams and Channel 4’s Jameela Jamil who I snapped outside the Tent.
Later at the Old Finsbury Town Hall, Charles Anastase returned to his signature crinoline and babydoll dresses – for Alexa Chung's pleasure - who I saw running backstage at the end of the show. There were feminine fitted trench coats, long dresses and mini shifts, some with tangerine tulle peeking through. It was graceful and cute with the fairytale touch that makes Charles' designs so attractive.
When I arrived at the PPQ show on new Oxford Street, I was happy to escape the pouring rain and headed straight to the bar to get a Mojito where the lovely Hilary Alexander from The Daily Telegraph complimented me on my dress! It was all about the atmosphere rather than the clothes at PPQ last night… Naturally the crowd was heavy on young East End hipsters and I noticed the beautiful Taylor Tomasi - Accessories Editor for Teen Vogue (who normally skips LFW), looking confused when a heavily coiffed Jodie Harsh tried to squeeze in next to her.
Braving the last bit of rain, I made it to the Fantastic Man party for a last drink and got home with a goody bag!
Violaine Bernard
|
|
 
 
|
|
DAY 2:
It was an early start on Day 2, which was totally worth it considering I have always found Mark Fast’s distinctive knit dresses absolutely irresistible. It was also great to see a plus-size model opening the show, sporting his trademark black cobweb number. Although it’s still very much one of the sexiest labels you can find on the London runways, the SS10 collection definitely featured a more girly attitude with a palette of soft mint, lemon, nude and hot pink, accessorised with beads for party time. The shoes were courtesy of Mr Louboutin of course, who was front row seated next to Kate Phelan – Vogue’s Fashion Director.
Then I was off to the Blow Presents featuring young and original talents such as Iris Van Herpen with her incredible leather pieces. Talking about leather, the Hannah Marshall show was the place to be for ‘80s power dressing aficionados. There was amazing black chiffon and leather panels on dresses and Erin O’Connor gracefully closed the show in front of a celebrity-packed front row, including Skunk Anansie’s Skin, the Geldof sisters and the beautiful and pregnant Rosin Murphy.
Violaine Bernard |
|
|
|
DAY 1:
In a venue like Somerset House, it's hard not feel part of something very special on this first day of London Fashion Week. So I head down to the tent where Hedonism show is held and with one glass of champagne in hand (yes I know it's 10.30am don't judge me!) I'm watching the unveiling of the emerging London milliners' most amazing pieces - it's like Alice in Wonderland going to Ascot!
After the show we even heard a speech from our Mayor Boris Johnson praising the fashion capital for its “originality and innovation”. When I got to Emilio De la Morena show I was so happy to discover the silk crepe cocktail dresses in beautiful hues of nude and lilac accessorized with thin studded belts - I want! I want! Couldn't help but congratulate the man backstage where I ran into my good friend Brylie Fowler, Editor-in-chief of Plastique Magazine sporting the most amazing Alexander Wang shoes - Courtesy of Feathers of course! I'm definitely working on getting better pictures and thank you Suzie Bubble for pointing at the notes on the wall backstage, commenting “that's quite funny why don't you take that?!”. After an agitated cab ride where the driver had no clue where he was going, Brylie and I just made it to Sass & Bide, a few seats away from Alison Mosshart and Kimberley Stewart.
I knew I had to go home perfecting my photographic skills (or learning should I say!) when the lovely Garance Doré and Scott Schuman told me nicely that actually I need to use my flash!! I ended the evening with the Aminaka Wilmont show, where the amazing prints were inspired by empty and abandoned buildings. How cool is that? No parties for me tonight I'm too tired. But tomorrow I'll be putting my heels on!
Violaine Bernard |