Posts Tagged ‘london fashion week’

24 February 2010: 16:33

Front Row at Amada Wakeley

It wasn’t so long ago that a Amanda Wakeley show seemed unfeasible, but since Amanda bought her business back last year, her label has gone from strength to strength. Her Autumn/Winter 10 show certainly didn’t break any new fashion ground, but it did provide a beautifully wearable collection of clothes that will look as good on her celebrity fans as it will her more civilian followers!

Full of muted tones, the collection including cosy cover-ups, slick shift dresses and, our favourite, a gorgeous draped jumpsuit. The shapes were simple, the fabrics gorgeous and all were complemented by fabulous accessories – the odd fur wrap, tough black cuffs, grey wooly tights.

The highlight for us though was definitely the evening wear – from tough black to nude pinks, it’s surely only time before we see an A-lister or two in one of these gorgeous shimmery, slinky connoctions. The sequinned maxi dress defintiely has Oscar winner written all over it.

Perhaps we’ll even be seeing one of these gorgeous frocks on royalty as Princess Beatrice sat in the front row – although she seemed more interested in her boyfriend, Dave Clark, , than the show! We also spied Christopher Biggins, but we think he may struggle to get into Amanda’s creations.

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23 February 2010: 16:52

Front Row at Bassso & Brooke

The Basso & Brooke show at London Fashion Week today was definitely not for the shy and retiring fashionista! In fact, if you like things minimal and plain, this is one collection to avoid. However, if you’re potty for print, the Autumn/Winter range is definitely for you.

G-Fonne Photography

The catwalk was a riot of clashing prints of all sorts – reptile, digital, abstract – yet by keeping the shapes simple, it never looked too much. Some outfits were trimmed with fur, which just added to their opulence!

G-Fonne Photography

Our favourite oufit of the show? Well, it’s hard to pick just one but we really loved this shift dress with the voluminous sleeves. There was something very retro, yet modern about it and we can just see ourselves swanning around a glam cocktail party in it!

G-Fonne Photography

Aside from being mesmerised by the gorgeous prints, we couldn’t help but get sidetracked by the hair, which really complemented the outfits. The slicked back look was topped off with a square bun! We love – after all, who says that buns have to be round?

G-Fonne Photography

Obviously the FROW (front row) is just as important as what’s on the catwalk and this one didn’t disappoint! It  included a fabulous Jodie Harsh with huge hair (wouldn’t wanted to have been sat behind her) and a petite Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of The Noisettes, who was literally mobbed by the paps when she arrived poor love. In fact, we witnessed one pap get very shirty when he didn’t get his shot – ooo!

Overall, it was a great show featuring beautiful clothes.  We’re now off to start experimenting with that square bun…

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23 February 2010: 10:44

Should Curvy Models Be On The Catwalk?

Once again designer Mark Fast has caused controversy on the catwalk by employing ‘plus size’ models to show off his clothes during London Fashion Week.  Models such as Crystal Renn (who is a super in the plus size world) and newcomer Hayley Morley took to the catwalk in Fast’s body conscious designs.

The pair, seen above in a shoot for Evans, proved that being stick thin isn’t always the best. Of being chosen for ther recent catwalk shows, Hayley said that people could relate to her ‘ …more than a size six model. It makes me proud.’

However, some critics panned Fast’s choice of larger ladies saying his clothes looked ugly on larger figures and that he should’ve stuck to the regular size six models.

Here at Westfield HQ, we’re celebrating the return of the curve. After all, most of us aren’t model proportions but still want to wear fashionable clothes and finally in Mark Fast, we have a designer who finally not only realises this, but actually puts his money where his mouth is.

But what do you think? Should curvier models been seen on the catwalk? Or do you prefer the fantasy version we so often see? Leave your comments below!

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19 February 2010: 12:57

Front Row At Fashion For Relief

We had exclusive front row seats and backstage access at last night’s Fashion For Relief catwalk show, and we can tell you that it was absolutely fantastic! We interviewed the likes of Alexandra Burke, James Corden, Kimberley & Nicola from Girls Aloud, David Gandy, Jo Wood, Pixie Geldof plus more who were all doing their bit for Fashion For Relief.

The night opened with a word from MC Trudi Styler followed by Sarah Brown, who is a Patron of Fashion For Relief. She gave a touching speech about the plight of women and babies in hurricane stricken Haiti, which made everyone realise the true value of the night. We were then treated to an electric performance from Beverly Knight, appropriately singing Soul Survivor – she blew us all away with her soulful voice!

The show opened with Naomi Campbell – who is even more beautiful in real life and doesn’t look her age at all – followed by Kate Moss, wearing Alexander McQueen, which was a fitting tribute to their late friend and designer. Sir Phillip Green went on to purchase Kate’s McQueen dress for a cool £100k!

Backstage, the atmosphere was buzzing and there were no egos in sight. In the spirit of the night, the celebrity models patiently lined up half-an-hour before they were due to go on and didn’t complain at all – surely a rariety in the celeb world?

Key celebrity catwalk highlights included Naomi & her mother (quite obvious where she got her stunning genes from), Kate Moss, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, Erin O’Connor, Amber Valetta and mum Yasmin Le Bon walking together, Denise Van Outen who was positively glowing and showing off her growing baby bump, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, Alexandra Burke, Shirley Bassey, Jo Wood, Geri Halliwell and of course the cheeky Ronnie Corbett!

Backstage, celebs including Erin O’Connor, Kimberley Walsh, The Saturdays, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Shirley Bassey and David Gandy all signed our limited edition Vivienne Westwood T-shirts, which will be auctioned for Fashion For Relief at Westfield London’s fashion event in March. We’ll also be giving one of these away the next Westfield London e-newsletter – so if you’ve not already signed up, sign up now.

You can watch the entire Fashion For Relief show online now – so take a look and don’t forget, if you’re in London, come down between 19th-21st February and snap up a limited edition Vivienne Westwood T-shirt.

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23 September 2009: 13:40

Bringing Sexy-Back

Will Baker gives us his view from the Buberry Prorsum show.

“Burberry Prorsum was back to celebrate London Fashion Week’s 25 year anniversary. The front row was knee to knee celebrities, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Liv Tyler, Emma Watson, Mary-Kate Olsen and stellar editors Carine Roitfield from French Vogue, and Glenda Bailey from American Harpers Bazaar.

The star-studded front row at the Burberry Prorsum show

The star-studded front row at the Burberry Prorsum show

 The collection is designed by Christopher Bailey and what a collection. It was balletic, lovely soft colours, rose and lilac and beige and gold. I loved the classic Burberry trench transformed in sugar pink satin and crystals. Gorgeous! There was a military influence with webbed belts and sweaters criss-crossed with matching ‘ruck-sack’ straps.

The shoes were fab, strappy cone heeled sandals and high heeled combat boots. Really sexy.”

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22 September 2009: 14:10

Long Live The Fashion Queen!

Anna Wintour, queen of American Vogue was in the front row for the Meadham Kirchhoff show. Fabulous news for them and it was a really, really beautiful show.

Yes, that really is Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue

Yes, that really is Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue

The clothes were gorgeous. There were lots of layers, T-shirts over dresses, little cropped jackets, boxy tops. Everything was glittery, metallic pinks with cream and white, navy, beige and grey. It was really modern with little parachute silk bomber jackets, draped and slung over tulle and jersey knits. And the shoes – all flat – had tiny little silver spiky birds at the heel.

Each show I’ve seen so far is so different. That really is the great thing about London, the constant creativity, modernity and new, fresh ideas.

Meadham Kirchhoff’s clothes were truly beautiful and completely different, graceful, loose, covered up, nothing typically sexy or tight. The show was lovely – with silver sculptures and delightful music – wonderful, inspirational to start the day with. It was a sophisticated show, really lovely to watch. The hair and make-up was so chic, very controlled. The models ethereal, blonde, gentle.

Meadham Kirchhoff, I’m sure Anna would agree, is a label to watch!

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21 September 2009: 17:22

Going Back to the ‘30s

Richard Nicoll’s show was great. I really loved it. It was new. He’s such an avant-garde, intellectual designer; he always pushes the boundaries and is so directional, with a properly unique view.

The show had a ‘30s chic about it. There was lots of tied fabric and layers. Tailored skirts and bra tops but with a knot and a tie, fringing and ribbons. Metallic fabrics were there again – there was a great hibiscus print – and there were jewelled epaulettes. It was a very sexy, feminine show. I loved the colours, quite muted, greys and silver, purples and bronze.

Richard was born in London but grew up in Australia. I felt a Balinese influence in this collection. It was chic and so modern. The models looked up to the minute, new and fresh. Richard used lots of blonde girls with chignons, very glossy and very chic.

The show was busy and crowded and the fashion press greats were there, headed by Suzy Menkes, the rest of the crowd felt younger and they were buzzing with the creativity.

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21 September 2009: 17:22

Vivienne Westwood Goes Wild!

Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label show was wild. It was noisy, boiling hot, the music was so loud the floor was shaking. I loved it. I saw Boy George and Judy Blame  – two of my great career influences – Tracy Emin, Alexa Chung, Michelle Williams, Ashley Heath from Pop, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud.

 

Michelle Williams, Geri Halliwell and Boy George

Michelle Williams, Geri Halliwell and Boy George

The show was pure Vivienne. She may be a Dame but her punk roots are strong. She’s still the ‘enfant terrible’. Her signature silhouettes and draping were evident. Especially on shirts – there were some great shirts, stripes and prints. Metallic fabrics too – a definite trend – I loved her bright pink metallic suit.

 

Sarah Harding, Alexa Chung and Nicola Roberts were on the front row as well!

Sarah Harding, Alexa Chung and Nicola Roberts were on the front row as well!

Vivienne’s show for Red Label was very real. There were no airs and graces, I felt the punk influence in the attitude of the models, who stomped down the catwalk – there was a lady with a skinhead, a few tattoos, and one was smoking! All of Vivienne was in the show, her political manifesto, her ‘stuff the establishment’ attitude, her clever, clever cutting, draping and silhouettes, plus a hint of the pirate and a smidgeon of Bo Peep.

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21 September 2009: 17:22

Will Baker reports from London Fashion Week

William Baker is producing an amazing catwalk show for us at Westfield London this week. In-between preparing for this huge show, which will feature 60 autumn/winter looks, he’s been enjoying some of the finest shows at London Fashion Week and reporting back for us! First up, Matthew Williamson…

William Baker arrives at the Matthew Williamson show

William Baker arrives at the Matthew Williamson show

Matthew Williamson is back in London this season after quite a while, so it was a hot ticket. It was a great show. The 80’s influence was there, high-waisted skirts, shorts and hot-pants and tapered trousers with little cropped tux jackets. And there was lots of metallic. I loved the see through metallic shirts and the mirrored accessories – all very futuristic and reminiscent of sculptor Andrew Logan.

Matthew showed amazing prints and his signature bright colours. His graphic, geometric prints were very hot. Girls love Matthew’s clothes. They are colourful, vibrant, and easy to wear – he makes women look and feel great. There’s a femininity in his designs, which was definitely seen today in this sophisticated, grown up show, it was so elegant and it felt really New York somehow. There was lots of chiffon and my favourite piece was probably a long, black, flowing gown, cut away at the sides – it was really sexy.

In the front row were those models-now-celebrities, the beautiful Yasmin le Bon, Erin O’Connor, Ben Grimes and Twiggy – oh and not forgetting DJ Jodie Harsh!

Erin O'Conor, Jodie Harsh and Ben Grimes all enjoyed Matthew's show

Erin O'Conor, Jodie Harsh and Ben Grimes all enjoyed Matthew's show

I loved the shoes – satin with bars and high ‘ankle boot’ shoes – watch that for a trend! And the models looked great. The hair was slicked back and the make-up healthy and glowing, as if they’d just stepped out of a pool in some gorgeous uber-resort.”

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