Something about Milan...

Frida Gustavsson at Dsquared...an unusual source of inspiration.

There must be something strange in the champagne over at Milan fashion week, because my usual fvaourites; Jil Sander, Fendi & Prada were huge let downs for me. The biggest being Jil Sander, the shapes were unflattering even on the models and Anna Wintour spent the whole show tapping away at her Blackberry. For me, it's the most disspointing collection since Raf Simons joined the house.
So where did the great looks come from? I never though I'd say this but Roberto Cavalli and Dsquared2 are what I remember most about Milan. Believe me, it pains me to say this. Of course Bottega Veneta is never a let down, Alberta Feretti was stunning and Marni was wonderful.


(Dsquared S/S 11, Dsquared S/S 11, Bottega Veneta S/S 11, Bottega Veneta S/S 11, Maxmara S/S 11, Maxmara S/S 11, Roberto Cavalli S/S 11, Roberto Cavalli S/S 11.

I mean this Roberto Cavalli collection is just so...Shakira in the Whenever, Wherever video. Maybe after what feels like three weeks of minimalism at NY, London and parts of Milan I can find a Roberto Cavalli collection wildly fun. There's fringing! Sequins! Snake Print!. Another stand out is the wonderful make up, courtesy of the master, Pat McGrath. This has to be the most flattering and simple make up I've seen in Milan it made all the models look incredible:



I just can't help loving it, maybe my mind will change after seeing Paris.

I ♥ LFW

I may be incredibly biased but London Fashion Week has to my favourite fashion week, it's always so varied, interesting and relevant. I'm so lucky to have been able to attend the shows for the last three seasons, and I've finally had a spare half an hour to catch up on the best of LFW. After an especially monotonous NYFW (seriously, was it just me or was everything the same? Proenza and Donna Karan were the only stand outs) it's a welcome return to colour - glorious colour - at LFW.


Holly Fulton S/S 11, Peter Pilotto S/S 11, Peter Pilotto S/S 11, Acne S/S 11, Antonio Berardi S/S 11, Mary Katratzou S/S 11.

London certainly hasn't ignored the minimalist trend that swept through New York but through a variety of fabrics and cuts London has really stood out for making minimalism look fun in a way that only London designers can do.

Peter Pilotto S/S 11, Julien Macdonald S/S 11, Acne S/S 11, Hannah Marshall S/S 11.

LFW Day 2: Simon Ekrelius

If you've ever wondered what rain weather couture would look like. I think I've found the answer. The Simon Ekrelius show at On/Off on Saturday was a collision of transparent fabrics, dramatic hats and amazing plays on monochrome. I think the models have to be applauded too, for walking in nothing but a completely transparent trench coat.

I was lucky enough to go backstage before the show, and I got this fabulous shot of Simon himself in a DIY t-shirt he had made that morning:



I think that perfectly sums up most Londoner's feelings about the Pope visit to the city that no one actually wanted. Ahem.

Back to the clothes. The styling was wonderful, with peach coloured lips and lilac extensions running through the hair to take a more paired down approach to the two tone colour hair that was so prevalent last season.

These have to be the town stand out pieces from the show. But the show also featured some fantastic pointed shoulder pads, high waisted monchrome leather trousers and more wearable playsuits.



(all images apart from DIY t-shirt from On/Off Facebook page)

LFW Day 1: Eun Jeong presentation

I was thrilled to get a chance to view the Eun Jeong presentation for my first show of London Fashion Week S/S 11. Presentations can feel a little cold, and impersonal but in a building above Covent Garden Eun Jeong hosted a beautiful presentation, with an intimate atmosphere.

The 2008 Fashion Fringe showcased a collection with wonderful draping and interesting digital prints as well as the sparkliest shoes I'd seen so far at London Fashion Week and with a very practical heel too!
Models were draped around the room, lounging on antique chairs or leaning on furntiture decked with trinkets, whilst soft lighting and gentle music set the tone. Eun named English summers as a key inspiration for the collection and you can really see from the pictures how this translated into the garments.



Oh, and the perfect way to finish off? Mini sparkly cupcakes of course!

Frida & Hanne rock NY

I think for most people who follow model style the two most interesting models right now are Frida Gustavsson and Hanne Gaby-Odiele. Their style couldn't be more different, with Frida favouring laid back tailoring and brilliant pops of colour whilst Hanne favours a more grunge and extreme look. Both styles are equally distinctive. I love these two pictures from NY Fashion week because it perfectly demonstrates the difference between the two models but also sums up their street style appeal:


Frida Gustavsson @ IMG Models.


Hanne Gaby-Odiele @ Supreme models.

Stam goes from runway to front row

Jessica Stam at Rag&Bone Spring 2011. Isn't she glowing? I can't wait to see her back on the runway where she belongs.

My highlight of Fashion's Night Out (London)

Sorry for such a short post, I promise there's more to come but my camera has decided to die for now. Fashion's Night Out was again an amazing experience, and it seemed to have got alot bigger this year with more shops and celebrities taking part. My first shop of the night was Marc by Marc Jacobs on Mount Street where you could get a free Marc Jacobs Bang t-shirt, complete with naked Marc on the front and you could become a campaign star for the day:

(Me, with the red lips and Sarah from City Girls Fashion Box!)

MAC's guide to Cat Eye Make Up

I usually avoid posting about make up, because there's just so much going on in the world of beauty I would like to do it justice, and not just post about something everyone already knows about. I'm also a bit of a beauty amateur, so I was so glad to find a really helpful make up tutorial from fashionista.com + MAC cosmetics. It makes what can be a very daunting make up style achievable, and with all the 1960's inspired clothes for the fall season, now is the perfect time to get practicing.



Whilst I'm on the subject of beauty, I just have to share Tom Ford's new Black Orchid nail polish:



Isn't that the perfect shade? It's dark and luxurious and a great shade for fall. I'm starting to get so excited about the fall season, and with Fashion's Night Out tomorrow I'm going to be trying out some of the new fall looks on offer.

Have a great Fashion's Night Out!

The science behind your jeans

(Lykke Li being fitted for her Curve ID jeans)

Regular readers of my blog (I hope there's at least one!) will know I've had a long love affair with Levi's. Everything from the campaigns, to the fit and to that wonderful rich heritage. Well, now Levi's have only gone and done it again; they've finally created jeans that fit to your shape rather than your size.
For many women jeans shopping is a nightmare, trying to find somewhere that fits on legs, waist and ass is near enough impossible. Today I was lucky enough to be one of the first to experience Levi's new Curve ID range:


The campaign stars Pixie Geldof, Lykke Li & Miss Nine, and shot by the amazing Peter Lindbergh:

I've never seen double denim look so good, I'm obsessed with the Levi's jean shirts too. I can gladly report that the jeans fit like a dream (I'm a slight curve) and are so comfortable! I've had far too many pairs of jeans that have no stretch and I have to lie on the floor to put them on...not such a great look. Luckily this service is coming to all Levi's stores as well as House of Fraser & Harrods, and it's so useful to find out what shape you are instead of size. Once you've had your measurements taken, a curve consultant takes you through all the washes and cuts, I could have spend hours trying on all the different styles but opted for a dark wash in the skinny cut.

I'm already recommending the service to my friends!