Spooks at Stella McCartney

With Halloween just around the corner, I was delighted to see the Stella McCartney shop window in her store at Bruton Street, London.




Oooh, and here's the link to @Stella McCartney's twitter, she seems so sweet and answers alot of fan questions :)

Fur Sure

There's practically snow on the ground in England right now, it's that cold. So of course my thoughts turn to fur coats, I own a vintage fox fur coat with huge shoulder pads but I love seeing the way fur is styled. This editorial is from 1999 and published in US Harpers Bazaar starring Frankie Rayder (seriously, if you're not familiar with her work, check her out she's as sexy as Freja). I'm taking a trip to Budapest in December, and I'm fur hats and coats are going to be the only way to stay warm.

Hairnets at Yohji Yamamoto

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!