LONDON fashion week favourites.

So I didn't experience the glory of garments up close and personal at said LONDON FASHION WEEK, however with live screenings galore I had a front row seat for all the fashion action! Favourite is a strong and selective word which seems to invoke the idea that the leftover pickings were not like-able. Implausible surely that London has nothing but fantastic fashion to offer up in its contemporary, classic and edgy nature. Contradictory words I know, but somehow London's host of fashion frontiers seem to effortlessly [although having worked with a British designer before I know it certainly is not effort-LESS!] combine contemporary edge and classic style season after season [the debate of the classical will follow later]. So without further ado, I have compiled my favourites from London Fashion Week 2010.

Newbie to the London Fashion circuit was HAKAAN who wowed the crowds with his debut collection.  His collection had a futuristic feel with a classic edge; real attention to detail had been paid to tailored pieces and an eclectic use of leather, fur, lace and mesh really tantalised those fashion taste-buds.  

 

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Fresh from winning the first prize at the "Young Fashion Designers Contest" which was organised by the Instabul Textile and Apparel Exporter Association, HAKAAN is a name to remember. His gorgeous collection combines textures and  exquisite detailing with strong shapes creating a sense of femininity and power in equal measure. 

BODYAMR produced a collection with a feeling of luxury with classic cuts and bold, solid colours. Simple and wearable but far from boring.  

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sass & bide always offer fantastically feminine garments with stunning detail and oh so subtle masculine touches with tailoring. Inspired by "perfectly placed chaos" for their AW/10 collection, striking aztec style prints and embroidery on a background of cream, black, grey and gold, with feathers, leather and lace, the ladies have combined clashing components for a wonderful outcome of ladylike glam with a modern edge 

did you say p.e.n.g.u.i.n. prints?

Since the beginning of DECEMBER I have been waiting with patience and excitement in equal measure, for a little known fashion designer making waves off the Isle of Wight, to unveil her penguin, grandma inspired collection to the world. Showcasing her wares at LFW at an exhibition with Vauxhall Fashion Scout, CHARLOTTE TAYLOR successfully combined penguin prints with tweed and wool for a AW/10 collection with an eclectic and sophisticated feel. 


"Trashy grannies, penguins, old soap operas, movies and the eccentric within provide fuel for the fire in this bold yet elegant collection." [charlotte-taylor.blogspot.com]


Her writing style is quirky yet simple and this is reflected in her stunning debut collection, where an emphasis has been placed upon clean lines and strong silhouettes for women. Elegance and tailoring combined, a cream and navy colour palette and bright penguin prints mixed with warm orange, navy and autumnal tweed make this collection a winning combination of WEARABLE and original pieces for winter. 

 

 

images from http://charlotte-taylor.blogspot.com/

ON v OFF

London Fashion Week is unrivaled. You cannot beat it. yeah New York has the glamour and  Paris has the class but London has the EDGE. 


A platform for the most exceptional talent, especially that of young fresh designers, there is a LFW for everyone whether it be ON Schedule at Somerset House, or OFF schedule with Vauxhall Fashion Scout at Freemasons Hall and ON/OFF at Victoria House in Bloomsbury. 


once upon a time... ON schedule was where it all happened. But don't underestimate the clout of the OFF schedule gold-mine. It is the place to be. Its where to find the freshest faces. And the future of British Fashion. And the FUTURE IS BRIGHT. 


With designers like David Koma, Louise Amstrup and Ada Zanditon at Vauxhall Fashion Scout and Ashley ISham, Bryce and Roksanda Illinic at ON/OFF - the OFF schedule are certainly giving those at Somerset House a run for their money [not to mention the press and buyers who will literally be running between ON and OFF, good job the venues aren't to far from each other!]


And one other thing, fashion is feeling the technological revolution, and what with all the live screenings, I can sit at home on the sofa and get to the shows here and there without any running. lovely. 

girl of the MOMENT

olivia palermo is a Manhattan girl with a stylish heart and a fashion head on those rather dainty shoulders. Spotted at many a London Fashion Week show, olivia is best know for her socialite status and for her part on the cast of American reality show following fashionable twenty-somethings, "the city". 

style icon and upper-east side socialite titles firmly in the bag, palermo's sights seem to be set on LONDON - a love affair which is already in full flow after talk of a move across the pond. 
With fashion, seemingly running through her veins, she has now been crowned the spokesmodel for MATCHES label FREDA. have a look at their smart and stylish photo shoot with the new queen of FREDA and a Q&A with the American sweetheart. 

http://www.matchesfashion.com/fcp/content/fredaoliviapalermo/content

images from the internet

Florence and her unstoppable MACHINE

Best known for her style and her soul shattering tones, 
florence welch 
and her MACHINE  have achieved a remarkable amount since 2008. Thanks to the gusto of the BBC, who hailed her as a talent and broadcast her voice from the rooftop as part of BBC Introducing, a flurry of festivals sets followed, with her charming personality and style credentials proving her as a successful all-rounder.  Her albumn LUNGS was released in JULY 2009 - finally reaching the well deserved no.1 spot on the 17th JANUARY 2010. Starting off 2010 with a big BANG, miss Welch continued full steam ahead into the BRIT awards winning Mastercard British Albumn and stopping the show with a collaboration with DIZZEE RASCAL re-working her classic 'you got the love cover' for 'you got the dirtee love' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxdWGdsLhFw&feature=related

images from the internet

http://www.florenceandthemachine.net/index