LONDON fashion week favourites.3

A sleepy sunday in the rest of the world, but with fashion week in furious full-swing there is no rest for the wicked and that means the fashion pack are up bright eyed and bushy tailed for another full on day of fashion frivolity and fabulous apparel. And oh boy it was worth getting up on a sunday, with fantastic offerings from Matthew Williamson, Louise Goldin, Richard Nicoll and Vivienne Westwood. 


It was an early morning androgynous, DIY inspired womenswear collection from RICHARD NICOLL who combined checks, tweed, charcoal grey, velvet, blue, burgundy, jersey and nude all into one feminine and edgy collection. 

From my neck of the woods, MARGARET HOWELL's signature is the quality and detail that appears in her garments time and time again. It would be too bold to describe Howell as a heritage brand but there is something remarkably traditional yet contemporary about this collection with a strong British infusion. Duffel coats, knitwear, camel, tartan and belts. 

Returning to the catwalk at London Fashion Week, Matthew Williamson did not disappoint, with texture and colour abundant and a to die for collection for AW.

This year has already served her well, winning the FASHION FORWARD  prize. Central St Martins graduate, LOUISE GOLDIN has an individual style focused on sculpture and technological innovation. 

vivienne westwood is to fashion as the pope is to the church. That said viv has well earned her place at the top of the fashion hierarchy and her RED Label continues to flourish with a youthful yet classical approach. Inspired by culture, classical music and paintings viv is bringing a cultural clash to life. and I wouldn't expect anything less.

images from www.londonfashionweek.co.uk image gallery

LONDON fashion week favourites.2

Another day, another collection of fashions finest and the best London has to offer. While most mere mortals are waking late, consuming coffee and pastries, tackling the weeks worth of washing in the basket and possibly battling the great British high street for a pre pay-day retail fix, the fashion pack were up with the sun navigating the cobbles outside Somerset house in their heels and preparing for another day of shows with a quick caffeine hit to awaken those eyes and get those fingers ready for camera clicks and note taking. 

and if you weren't awake by the time CHARLES ANASTASE took to the runway, his pop bright colour palette ensured your eyes were firmly on the clothes. Combining knits, nudes, and electric blue, lime green and stop sign red with tailoring and print, charles really ticked all the boxes for AW/10.   

 

images from www.londonfashionweek.co.uk image gallery

Mark Fast is no stranger to controversy with his larger than average models walking down the catwalk, he lost some of his creative team from this decision, but once again fast put a larger foot forward for AW/10. Burgundy, berry, navy, khaki and grey all feature on fasts autumnal colour palette and his signature figure hugging garments made him a match made in fashion heaven. Fast is a favourite of mine [ i know i've talked about using that infamous favourite word before - but he really is a designer i give fashion kudos to], maybe because he has the guts and the gall to put beautiful full figured models on a catwalk otherwise inundated with slender child like things whose clothes hang off them. The hot debate of size zero always rages and I like the fact that fast uses a range of girls on the catwalk, putting two fingers up to fashion's established and expected constraints. 

Black and gold at PPQ make it a must have. The strong tailoring exudes power and the dark colour palette sex. Black velvet and shiny gold pvc offer a texture and colour clash. What more could you want. Although I dont like the throwback to an 80's lapshade that looks awfully familiar to one that used to inhabit  my house. 

images from www.londonfashionweek.co.uk image gallery