Show Me Your Doughnut
When four dozen hot pink and purple Krispy Kreme doughnuts landed at Somerset House on the last day of fashion week people went mental. Food at fashion week? Surely everyone would shy away and nibble on their inner lip rather than be seen stuffing food into their face in public. Not so, these little babies were too good to resist and it was impossible for anyone to take themselves too seriously while biting into one.
In celebration of Glamour's 10th anniversary the magazine has teamed up with Krispy Kreme UK to produce the... wait for it... GLAMOUR Glaze which is modeled off every girl's favourite accessory: lip gloss. This limited edition doughnut is currently available at Krispy Kreme shops across the UK. It is pretty similar to a normal glazed doughnut but with a slight strawberry or black current taste. Yumm.
p.s. while they might be modeled off lipgloss I don't advise actually attempting to wear the glaze as lipgloss... a few of us tried and it was quite the messy ordeal, although, it was very tasty to lick off.
Big thanks to Remy for providing the doughnuts and Abi for picking them up.
Post fashion week crash
London Fashion Week is over, one week from today I'll have moved to a new country, and all I really want to do is pull the covers up over my head and sleep until this house has packed itself up and moved on its own. Where's my magic wand when I need it most? At least for the time being this scarf pretty much hides my face from the world... I promise I'll be back on regular form soon.
Wearing: Jack Wills scarf, M&S grey jumper, white vest/black jeans from Urban Outfitters, YSL arty ring and large Boat and Tote zip top bag by L. L. Bean that strangely got a lot of attention when I brought it to LFW on the final day. And yes, it's embossed with my last name...
Thanks to Kit for taking this photo.
Where To Go: Anthropologie Shoe Launch
While the much loved American brand Anthropologie may have opened in the UK a few years ago it hasn't had a space to properly show off its range of footwear. That will, however, all change tomorrow with the opening of the first Anthropologie shoe-only store in Europe. This evening I got the chance to have a little preview of the space which is small, cosy, and exactly what you would hope from the company whose visual aesthetic will make you want to ditch your own home and move straight into their store. A custom built shelving unit wraps around the walls of the store creating a display that can be changed and manipulated. There are over 80 styles that are presented next to flowers, illuminated by the soft light being dispersed by countless vintage lamps. More like a library of sorts than a shoe shop, the Anthropologie shoe space is inviting, enticing, and, after just one quick visit, left me thinking it was the kind of little treasure trove where you would always find something delightfully unexpected.
The Anthropologie team are hosting a celebratory opening weekend so be sure to head down to the Kings Road to check out the launch or pop down next time your in London town.
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After viewing the shoe gallery I skipped next door to the main shop. Despite Anthropologie being one of my favourite stores to visit whenever I'm back home in the US I've never actually been into any of the London stores. I was absolutely blown away by the space which included a strangely therapeutic wishing fountain, lots of fun letters and stuffed animals to play with, and a whole host of girly books and treats to explore. Just incase you aren't familiar with Anthropologie, I've included some images below.
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The Anthropologie shoe store is open from the 25th of February and can be found at 131-141 Kings Road, London SW3.
Thank you Charlotte for inviting me along to this event!
What I Wore: Day 6
I finally caved and went for an all black combo (hoody included)... sometimes it's just the only thing that will see you through the day. Opted for a bit of a kick on my feet with Patouf's Coco shoes in bright yellow. I absolutely love that you can just throw these on with an otherwise quite boring outfit and it's suddenly something special. Someone commented earlier that it was like ending the sentence with an exclamation mark. On a separate note I am obsessed with this black leather jacket by Paul & Joe. How is it that I don't even own a black leather jacket?! It has officially been added to my birthday wish list.
Wearing: Paul & Joe leather jacket (HPR London), Patouf Coco shoes, American Apparel grey hoody, Jigsaw snood, H&M black dress, and Next tights.
London Fashion Week: Day 6
The Buzz
You didn't think it was over yet, did you? It was the final day of London Fashion Week today and loads of people were exclaiming on twitter, 'Fashion week is not over! It's menswear day! Get to Somerset House.' By the time menswear comes along a lot of people have already headed off to Milan or decided their cozy bed was too difficult a thing to resist. I'd never stuck around to see menswear but it was not at all what I had expected. Why was I thinking the courtyard would be filled with dapper Savile Row types stroking their mustaches and twirling their brolies while debating which print tie to buy for next season?
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Although I've shared a lot of my photos from LFW with you already there are still some special features that are yet to come... including the 5 days of Fashion Week with Matthew Zorpas, a Krispy Kreme medley, backstage at KTZ, what I wore Day 6 and more. Stay tuned little chickens... for now, I'm off to bed and it's not 5:30am! Yesss.
What I Wore: Day 5
Well hello there. Apologies for the radio silence and for the lack of pictures from Day 5 at LFW. Turns out that after four days of madness (getting to bed at 5am, forgetting to drink any water, living off a burger a day plus the overbearing amount of adrenalin that is pumping through your body) I accidentally slept in until 4 pm. I woke up thinking that I must have missed my first show but that hopefully I'd make it in for the next one then flipped open my laptop and saw the time. I didn't anticipate fashion week would be as shattering as it has been or that I'd be as busy or as totally loopy. I attempted to do a bit too much which resulted in letting a few people down. In the future, I know only to commit to what I am really passionate about during fashion week. Early starts, late nights, deadlines for people, plus trying to post on your own blog and still get in a few hours of sleep is difficult.
With that said, I have had such a blast and wouldn't change it for the world.
But hey, always good to be reminded that you're only human.
Wearing: dress from Flying A, leather jacket by Paul & Joe & Jacey Withers necklace worn around wrist (both courtesy of HPR London) tights by Next, Monki shoes. Just running out for the last day of fashion week (Menswear day!).
Photos taken by Jackie.
What I Wore: Day 4
How adorable are these cat print shorts? Yes, that's right cat print. They are made from really thick cotton and almost feel like a pair of denim shorts. It was such fun wearing these because everyone I spoke to would realize the print mid-converstaion and exclaim, 'that print is amazing!' or something to that effect. They were so ironically uncool that they were cool. Thought I'd dabble in a bit of print clashing and colour popping - two key trends I've noticed from LFW this year.
Wearing: leather jacket by DLUX Collections (this is the softest leather jacket I have ever felt), cat print shorts, leather bag (which I am obsessed with now... it's so Celine) and polka dot jumper all by Paul & Joe(courtesy of Harriet from HPR London), Next tights and vintage Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.
p.s. How did I forget to mention that I've been blogging for Next over fashion week? Check out the posts I've done for them here.
London Fashion Week: Day 4
Got off to a slow start today. I didn't have any shows and so decided to just take it easy and recover a little bit. Headed into Somerset House in the late afternoon to see the lovely Elizabeth Lau. Also spent some time in the courtyard people watching and laughing at Kit who got asked to have her photo taken with someone because they liked her psychedelic print combination so much (this isn't a normal thing). There were loads of tourists around and so, shortly after, made a beeline for some nearby sushi.
Here's a selection of photos from today. Just friends and photographers who were hanging out in the courtyard. The above chap had on the most insane outfit and was my absolute favourite. I think he photographs for Japanese Vice. Next is Lexie from My Labyrinth who was wearing some killer Alexander Wang heels. She is my go-to girl for backstage photography now and her site is one of my new favourites. Also included is Jennifer from Style East, Kit, and Imogen.
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What I Wore: Day 3
These Dr Martens were modified by my friend Charlie May and I've been aching to wear them. They were created from a pair of shoes she bought on ebay and, as far as I'm concerned, are just about the coolest things ever. I had to layer up two pairs of tights to try to add a bit of warmth to this outfit... because really, I was stepping out into 4 degree weather without a coat. The dress, which can also be worn as a jacket, is by one of my favourite Swedish brands Patouf. I love the simple minimal feel of it's cut.
Felt so nice to have comfy feet and a hassle free outfit to wear. Thanks Anna for sending over the dress from Sweden and Charlie for the shoes.
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Wearing: Christelle dress/blazer by Patouf, Dr Martens modified by Charlie May, American Apparel large leather pouch, Vintage fur, two pairs of black tights from Next, and top turquoise nail polish by Models Own (just seen). If you're interested in finding out how you can get a pair of these Dr Martens or want to use them for editorials get in touch with Charlie. She is a total gem.
Photos by Shini.
London Fashion Week: Day 3
Seeing as it was Sunday and all, it only seemed appropriate to have a bit of a lie in this morning. Actually, I didn't get to bed until 5am because I'm developing a bit of laptop overload insomnia... and the birds on Baker Street will not stop chirping. Like right now, for example, it's 2am and they are at it. Why? Anyway, took it quite easy today. Went to two shows, showed off some crazy shoes my friend Charlie May made (more on that later), and tried to avoid freezing to death. London is so cold right now and there is an unyielding mist hanging in the air... tragic for any fashionista attempting to have a good hair day or wear stilettos (luckily, I never try to do either).
12:30 - Masha Ma
Last year, Masha's first collection was incredible but this year it only got better. The light milky colour palette teamed with fire engine red boots was such an original combination. A sense of overflowing origami remained present but it was taken to a new level and incorporated into slick leather pieces. Skirts were straight, fitted and midi length... one model was so restrained she had to walk with the most baby of steps. Rather than looking awkward though it resembled the way a geisha might teeter down the street. The entire collection was stunning and there were a whole host of items I left wishing I could pull straight off the model and wear out the door.
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2:15 - Charlie Le Mindu
The line for this show stretched all the way around the building and most of the people waiting, for an hour in the rain, were turned away. If you aren't familiar with Charlie's work it might come as quite a shock. He sent the first model down the runway naked with fake blood dripping down her body. The sound of pigs being slaughtered was blasted through the room to the point that it was physically painful and, while this might all sound a bit disconcerting, personally I thought it was impossible to leave without feeling a sense of serious wonderment. It felt more like a work of art than a catwalk show - a work of art that, understandably so, isn't quite everyone's cup of tea. Charlie has famously dressed Lady Gaga in outfits made entirely of hair. This collection, for me, translated into something that is more transferrable than just that: the incorporation of painfully dark elements coupled with a stark ethereal innocence.
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The Buzz
There were a lot of big shows taking place today (Acne, Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood, Topshop Unique...) that were at locations away from the main British Fashion Council location. This meant people weren't actually hanging around Somerset House and, because sadly I don't have a limo (uhh... or even taxi), to chauffeur me around London all day, there weren't as many people to shoot. That, plus numb fingers that made pressing buttons on cameras difficult, made for slightly slim pickings street style speaking. The tactical layering going on though is pretty impressive. All hoods are pulled up, cardigans doubled on two thick, and thermal underwear is secretly sitting under even the most incredible of outfits. Hot on everyone's lips, apart from the weather, included the question of why Alexa Chung wasn't at Mulberry this morning and whether the BFC could possibly squeeze any more blue rubbish bins into the area surrounding the main tent.
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See you in a few hours for what I wore.
What I Wore: Day 2
Swapped my skinnies for some flares and dabbled in a bit of bright colour for the second day of London Fashion Week. I wanted to be warm so trousers were a must, especially as I could hide my little multi-coloured Happy Socks under the wide leg... no more shivering ankles. Also thought a trench coat was a must and this gorgeous little one by Sonia Rykiel is so sweet and feminine with the little ties at the wrists and shoulder. Topped it all off with this Anton Heunis necklace that I am crazy about.
Wearing: Equipment shirt, J Brand Lovestory jeans (have converted me away from skinnies... something I never thought was possible), Anton Heunis necklace, and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel trench (all My-Wardrobe). Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and Happy Socks hidden underneath.
Photos by Shini.
London Fashion Week: Day 2
Woke up this morning to the sound of rain pounding on the window. Slept in and then headed to Somerset House while feebishly attempting to juggle a huge clutch bag, coffee, umbrella, and oyster card. Arrived to find the photogs were out in monumental force: Garance Dore, the Sartorialist, Altamira, Jak & Jil, Vanessa Jackman, Street Peeper... 'why hello, is it me you're looking for?' I asked as I sauntered past flipping my hair. Highlights of the day included being photographed by Vanessa (who I love), meeting the lovely girl behind State of Sunday, and being introduced to Mary Katrantzou's mother by Matthew (I said, 'you must be so proud'... uh, duh). Spent most of the day getting soaked out in the courtyard (though I did go to the J. JS Lee and John Rocha show - photos below) and topped it all off by having a big burger and vanilla milkshake at Byrons for dinner.
The Buzz
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12:30 - J. JS Lee
Seriously, it's a wee bit too late for extensive amounts of words but let's just say that J. JS Lee was good... and has got me trying to figure out how I can attach a jacket to the front of my shirt, while searching ebay for long grey dresses and strands of pearls.
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3:15 - John Rocha
Abbey Lee Kershaw, who didn't walk a single show in NY, opened and closed the John Rocha show. Insanely beautiful. The same goes for the entire collection. The slightly sheer textured details on the black dresses were some of my favourite details.
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Bye for now, need my pillow.
People featured in this post include: Tali Lennox (ph1/3), Matthew Zorpas (ph7), Peony Lim (ph14), Kit Lee (ph18/19), Sandra Hagelstam (ph20), Daniella Maiorano (ph21), Nadia Sarwar (ph22), Imogen Roy (ph23), Shini Park (ph25).
Backstage: Aminaka Wilmont
Models at the Aminaka Wilmont show yesterday wore yellow contact lenses and had elaborate designs braided into their hair. After the show, when I had the chance to interview Marcus Wilmont I asked him how much input him and Maki have on the entire production. Do designers have the time to dictate hair and makeup or are they more focused on the individual pieces? He said they were both deeply involved in all the elements that went into the show and knew just how they wanted to use the overall appearance of the models to emphasize the theme of the collection. Their 7th season has been named Totem and is influenced by the concept of creating a new tribe. Totem poles, primitive religions, and animals are all expressed through the range of bold prints, soft knits, and painfully covetable leather items. Personally, I loved the darker vibe and thought the model's complete intensity in appearance only worked to further the durability of the collection.
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Thank you Mercedes for inviting me backstage, I had such a blast. Also, big thank you to Marcus for taking the time to chat to me. I hope you managed to have that calm dinner with your brothers last night!
View the entire Autumn Winter 2011 Aminaka Wilmont Collection here.
What I wore: LFW Day 1
The day started off feeling like bare legs was a somewhat reasonable option and then it just got colder and colder as it progressed. Ah well, what's a little shivering when you have friends whose cosy scarves you can snuggle up in. Woke up feeling a bit worse for wear yesterday. I blame it on the fact that I got to bed at 4:00 am and the seriously questionable Mexican food I ate in Notting Hill. Fashion week parties and 8am starts... it's a very bad combination.
Wearing: Flyaway Dress and Coco shoes in bright yellow by Patouf, vintage Barneys biker jacket by IL2L, Mulberry oak Alexa bag (My Wardrobe), American Apparel cardigan and gloves, Past Times owl necklace, and vintage fur.
A big thank you to Anna from Patouf for sending me the dress and shoes all the way from Stockholm. I am obsessed with both and just wish the weather was a bit warmer so I could show them off better. Thanks also to Jazmin from Conker Communications for the jacket and Susie from My-Wardrobe for the bag. Without you guys I'd be pretty much naked.
Photos taken by Shini.
London Fashion Week: DAY 1
Currently, I'm riding off three hours of sleep and a six piece chicken mcnugget... oh, the glamour of attending fashion week. It certainly has it's highs (Marcus Wilmont recognizing me?) and its lows (severely blistered feet) but overall there is just a bizarre sense of delirium that sort of lingers over your head, forcing you to say ridiculous things like, 'Do you have tickets to BBQ?' (Kit). So here is the deal pumpkins, last year I failed to post on loads of shows I attended because the backlog of images was just insanely overwhelming, so I'm doing things a bit different this time. Each day, you'll get a highlight of my favourite moments from all the shows and all the action going on at, and around, the glorious Somerset House (I say glorious very loosely, it was so cold today and heavy rain is being forecasted for the next three days). If there's anything super special I'll do a separate post on it at another time but for now I just want to bring you as much of what is going on as humanly possible. If there is anything in particular you want to see more of just let me know and I'll try to get it... unless it's a nipple slip on the catwalk that you're after, in which you came to the wrong site.
Buzz
The hotly pursued Matthew Zorpas was on form as per usual, only this year he has stepped things up a notch and has a camera crew following him around to each venue. It is mental and slightly intoxicating to be around. 'Matthew Zorpas: the film'... it does have a certain ring to it. Other things that caused excitement included: Caroline Mode and her gorgeous yellow Celine tote bag shooting first thing in the morning, Face Hunter looking unusually bright eyed, and the eerily omnipresent power of Twitter (Daniella was likely typing, 'omg... so glad to have Starbucks finally')
9:00am: Paul Costelloe
Personally, I thought the Costelloe show kicked off fashion week well. It had an inherently youthful and playful feel to it. Bouncy skirts, colour blocked yellow and pink suits, plus a print that resembled Christmas wrapping paper (come on people, this is an Autumn Winter collection after all, what's not to like about that??). The hair was channeling a bit of a Topshop Unique Spring 2011 vibe and the collection sort of reminded me of Mulberry's shapes... but overall, I thought there were some sweet pieces, and it was all very wearable.
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1:15 pm: Corrie Nielsen
This was my favourite show. Corrie, who won Fashion Fringe last year, put on a mind-blowingly atmospheric production. From the music, to the speed at which the models walked, everything was spot on and actually quite moving. It almost felt like it was from a different world altogether.
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3:45 pm: Aminaka Wilmont
Decidedly darker than their previous collection, Aminaka Wilmont sent down a slew of fabrics that were a mishmash of different animal prints with gorgeous leather jackets and soft knits. Together it had a coherent vibe that channelled a forbidden and enraged creature from the jungle (cue yellow eyed models). I did backstage photography and also had a little chat with Marcus Wilmont after the show... but will save that for tomorrow. For now, I'm off to bed to get a few hours of sleep before it all starts up again tomorrow.
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View each designers entire collection on the British Fashion Council's website here: Paul Costelloe, Corrie Nielsen, Aminaka Wilmont.
Please Note: all photography is my own. If you'd like to use any images please feel free but credit accordingly, because otherwise you are stealing, which isn't cool. Unless, of course, you fancy being made a fool like Wynona Ryder when she was caught shoplifting... just sayin.