Inside my flat...
Finding a flat in Zurich is near to impossible... I've been here six months, am in my second short-term flat, and will be moving again in the new year (fingers crossed to something wonderful and more permanent). Despite things feeling transient I've tried to make this place a bit like home and have found that it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference.
[Blue and white striped sheets. Fresh flowers. Coffee and a breakfast nook. Champagne corks. Cheap pictures in nice frames. Books. The ugliest but comfiest orange couch with my favourite magazines brought back from London. Underneath my spare rail in our extra room.]
p.s. happy birthday to my love, who turns 27 today.
High up.
Spent today soaking up the Swiss life... no, not cruising in a Lamborghini down Bahnhofstrasse - the other type of Swiss life. I've got family visiting so I'm taking the opportunity to don my favourite flannels and reunite with nature. Okay, so I spent half the day drinking coffee and tasting cheese instead of doing any real hiking but when you're surrounded by views like these it's hard not to feel a bit more peaceful - and that must count for something. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. xx
Fielding Hotel, London
uring fashion week I got to stay at the Fielding Hotel for a week. It's tucked away between Drury Lane and Bow Street on a pedestrian only road called Broad Court. As far as central London goes, you couldn't ask for a more ideal location - it's right in the center of Covent Garden. It was perfect for fashion week and put me smack-dab in the middle of all the shows.
During fashion week I got to stay at the Fielding Hotel for a week. It's tucked away between Drury Lane and Bow Street on a pedestrian only road called Broad Court. As far as central London goes, you couldn't ask for a more ideal location - it's right in the center of Covent Garden. It was perfect for fashion week and put me smack-dab in the middle of all the shows. This meant I could fall out of bed at 8:30am, get a coffee from Starbucks, and still be at Somerset House at 9am. Seriously, I couldn't have been happier. Plus, Zara was just around the corner - which saved me one morning when I had a horrendous outfit crisis.
But, let's get down to the nitty gritty. Besides the great location, does the Fielding Hotel have anything to offer? As with all things, the website solidified my first impression. If I'm honest, it didn't make a great one. But, when I arrived the hotel didn't look at all like the photos - it's bright and welcoming with incredibly friendly staff and great quality rooms. For example, my room (number 16) was big and super comfortable - with two flat screen TVs, a massive bed and plenty of closet space. I had stairs leading to a separate sitting room, two desks and a lush bathroom with the most irresistible rainfall shower. The hotel has recently been given a makeover - so don't be fooled by the pictures on the website. The truth is, the Fielding Hotel has a whole lot more to offer than what first meets the eye...
A massive thank you to Chris for having me and to everyone at the hotel who was so welcoming, despite seeing me in my slightly ravished fashion week state. Thanks also to Kit for helping with the photos. Dress by Natar Georgiou.
Squishy
Still dreaming about this Christopher Kane gel filled pouch that I spotted on Michael during fashion week... definitely one part ridiculous but also amazing. If anyone can please find a place that sells these for a fraction of the price I will be forever grateful. If only I could go back to my childhood self and stock up on them... I remember having a pencil case just like this.
p.s. if anyone out there happens to live in Zurich, I'm setting up shop at a market on Saturday. Give me a holler if you want the address. Would love to see some friendly English speaking faces there.
Flashback: Day 4 LFW
On day 4 of London Fashion Week the streets were split into two camps: brights and heritage. Okay, maybe it just felt that way because I shot outside Christopher Kane in the morning and then Burberry in the afternoon. At Kane everyone was in fluorescent brights from the designer's ss11 collection. It was a bit of a circus outside. Then at Burberry it was an even bigger circus and everyone seemed to have pulled on their tweeds and rich autumnal colours for the occasion...
With people like Kanye West and Sienna Miller around the paparazzi were going a bit mental. Slightly surreal and, apparently, nothing compared to what Paris is like (good luck if you're going). It's intense to get a good shot, especially if you want one without a gazillion people in the background as there are people everywhere. It was so much fun though and totally worth the mania.
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A paisley pajama party
Would you judge me if I said I was craving a wardrobe filled entirely with ss12 Topman? I loved the mixture of prints and textures. There were silky old school pajamas, micro paisley shorts and double breasted suits with cropped trousers. Then came the bright patent brogues, slubby 70s style knits and brash headache-inducing prints.
Would you judge me if I said I was craving a wardrobe filled entirely with ss12 Topman?
I loved the mixture of prints and textures (see photo 1). There were silky old school pajamas, micro paisley shorts and double breasted suits with cropped trousers. Then came the bright patent brogues, slubby 70s style knits and brash headache-inducing prints. Did I mention there were freaking awesome clutches and printed backpacks? Yah, it was good. I liked it, a lot. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect to see the men of England sporting these looks head-to-toe anytime soon. But if even a bit of this eccentric attitude works its way into their lives come spring, we'll all be better for it.
Photos by Jennifer Inglis.
View full set of photos from the Topman Design show here.
Flashback: Day 2 LFW
Re-re-wind...
My superwoman powers failed me last week and, despite good intentions, I was physically unable to post everything the day it was shot. (Doh - as if going through 700 photos each night and waking up for shows at 9am is single handedly possible) So, as a result, we'll be dangling in a London Fashion Week related time-warp for a few more days... I know we've all mentally moved onto Milan (hello! Prada and their cars... spotted a pair of sunglasses at that show I'm desperate for and a pleated dress) but in my little world London is still where it's at.
So, it was Day 2... I went to DAKS, Masha Ma and Ashish - I always love the day that Ashish shows because Somerset House is suddenly taken over by people wearing rad sequins - this year they came in the form of red tartan jackets and trousers - hott. Then spent the remainder of the day dodging heavy bouts of unpredictable rain. It gave me an excuse to spend a while in Toms Cafe where I nibbled on chocolate cookies and drank lattes (yumm - can't complain about that).
Just want to say a big fat thank you to everyone that left comments or sent message about yesterday's post. Really appreciate that people took the time to read it. Means a lot.
p.s. to avoid posting on LFW forever I'll be putting a hefty chunk of photos up on facebook and tumblr.
Natar Georgiou
On the last day of London Fashion Week Matthew came rushing over to my hotel in the morning to tell me he had just been sent the most incredible dress from Cypress. He didn't even have to ask if I wanted to wear it because I immediately pulled it over my head and started cooing about how much I loved it. The vibrant colours, mis-matched stripes, oversized shape, details at the wrists... I felt so snuggly and cozy all day but still like a million bucks. I never wear bright colour like this and I absolutely loved it. This dress has snuck its way to the top of my wish list... wearing it once just wasn't enough.
Wearing: Natar Georgiou dress, Balenciaga boots, American Apparel large leather clutch, Bottletop clutch (last photo), and Topshop ring. Thank you Kit for the photos.
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On being a blogger at fashion week...
Fashion week has come to an end but I've still got lots I want to show you from the week. Just a couple shows but mostly street style and the general atmosphere. Theres been a bit of a kerfuffle going on about the experience of being a blogger at fashion week this season... this is my experience and thoughts on it:
People are saying this season was different then past ones and that bloggers weren't treated the same. It's true. We were treated differently. Registration for fashion week opens months before the shows, normally you'll be sent a fast-track code beforehand so that you don't have to wait in line on the day. This season I didn't get a confirmation. When I went to register on the first day I discovered there was a separate line for bloggers - making three categories: buyers, press, and bloggers. When I got to the front of the queue there was a girl sitting behind a computer. She asked the name of my blog. I told her and passed over a card so that it would be easier to find. I stood there while she looked it over... wondering what she was thinking. There was a long line of people behind me. She looked up and asked what my stats were. I leaned in and told her, feeling slightly embarrassed to be saying with a bunch of people right behind me. It's not that I mind telling the BFC what they are, it was more that I wasn't expecting to be asked. Plus, is there a certain number that qualifies you as being 'big' enough?' How many twitter followers do you have?' - she asked next. So I answered. 'Have you been to fashion week before?' She eventually reached the conclusion that she 'liked it' so she printed me a pass. Before which she explained that, 'it was horrible to say, but a lot of bloggers are actually blaggers.'
Fair enough. I get it. I never expected to be considered press or to be waved into fashion shows. I don't expect it to be easy. I'm a fashion outsider and, to be honest, I feel privileged whenever I get the chance to go to a show. It just seemed like a last minute decision to have the process work the way it did. Maybe in the future the pre-registration form could be a bit more dynamic. Letting you explain what your blog is and why you want a pass. Yes, I'm a blogger but I'd rather like to think I'm not just a blogger. I also write for Yahoo's fashion channel and consult with brands/designers. But there isn't space on the form to distinguish the multifaceted nature of being a blogger.
All this has left the question of why I even want access to fashion week spinning in my head. Is it to sit on the front row? To get photographed in the courtyard looking fierce? To drink free Vitamin Water then get my hair and makeup done in the press tent? No. I love attending fashion week because I love the inspiration that comes from it. For me the six days at London Fashion Week are like a euphoric fashion induced mind-coma. I love attending shows, even if it means I'm standing in the back row. Sure, a seated ticket is better than standing - but only because it guarantees you entry first and you aren't left standing in line for an hour only to then be turned away. I love that I've been able to build relationships with different designers and PRs - that I can show my take on the best parts of a collection and give exposure to designers that people might not know about. I love hanging around outside, watching the mania take place... seeing Anna Dello Russo and Kanye West strut by in all their hyper-reality fabulousness. I love getting to see my friends. There's loads of people that I adore together in one place who I rarely get to see - getting to meet people who I follow on Twitter for the first time and discovering they're just as brilliant in more than 140 characters.
Yes, the relationship the fashion world has with bloggers is still having its kinks worked out - that was clearly evident in London this season. But it's a small kink in the great scheme of things and one I'm willing and going to ride out.
Let me see you work it.
LFW Outfit: Day 5
Do you ever have those days where you wake up and can't find anything in your wardrobe to wear?
That's how I felt yesterday morning and so I had a last minute panic shop. It's fashion week though so this really isn't the sort of thing you ought to be doing at 9:30am when you've got shows starting at 10. Luckily, I've been staying in Covent Garden and so have a shoppers paradise right outside my front door. I scooted over to H&M for some budget retail therapy where I found this jumper, skirt and scarf - all for 35quid. I thew it on and ran out the door feeling quite the thrifty shopper...
Wearing: H&M jumper, scarf, skirt and socks (please note: this post is not sponsored by H&M - promise), Balenciaga boots (purchased from Caritas in Zurich) and Sambag tote.
First two photos by Sandra for Lily. Third photo by Frances.
Meadham Kirchhoff SS12
Pastel coloured balloons arched over the catwalk of the Meadham Kirchhoff show this afternoon creating a candy coloured paradise. Before it even began Spice Girls was playing and that was enough to get people cheering. In no way was I prepared for what was about to happen...
To begin, a group of impassioned dancers filled the center of the catwalk. They powdered their chests and applied lipstick before throwing themselves into a wild performance. Like rag dolls their limbs were thrown around into a can-can dance of the most unusual variety. While this was taking place the collection was shown. I struggled to know where to focus (as a result, so did my camera) because there was so much to look at and so much movement.
After the first group scurried off a new set of dancers took to the stage. Only these were young ballerinas and their arrival signaled the beginning of a far more regal and avant-garde collection than what was first shown. It was incredible. A show like nothing I've seen before. It was playful, imaginative, and perfectly executed all at the same time.
LFW Outfit: Day 4
It would be one thing if I had a private car to drop me at the door of every show... I'd wear heels all the time and be fabulous every day. I'd never have a hair out of place. But, the truth is fashion week isn't that easy. You're standing all day, waiting in lines, running after people to shoot and squatting to get the right angle. I'm not complaining - just explaining why my outfits are progressively getting more casual.Wore these maroon Zara trousers that I snatched up for 25 quid. Totally love them. Only got home to find they've split at the side. Umm, Zara?! Get your shizz together. They aren't even too tight (I promise). Have had a lazy morning, need to get myself together and out of the house. It's Meadham Kirchoff and Aminaka Wilmont today and the last day for womenswear.
Wearing: Iro leather vest (My Wardrobe), Zara trousers, Converse, Robinson Pelham jupiter bracelets, LiLiFi leopard clutch, and YSL arty ring.
LFW Day 3 - the streets
Grey zip jacket and Celine two-toned clutch... yes please.
Caroline and Daniel from Stockholm Street Style - skinny black trousers and monochrome animal print boots.
Jennifer from Style East - slouchy beanie, cable knit, and a leather skirt. Autumn wardrobe sorted.
Shini at Somerset House wearing a Mulberry mask.
Nadia's brother looking quite the dapper gent.
Various types but all show off their ankles.
Tribal influences and mustard tones.
Desperate for a jumper just like this: cream, baubles and cable knit - oh my.
Been zooming around town in an Amber Sakai taxi thanks to HPR London.
A moment of rest...
Rumi's dress and bag outside Topshop.
Anna Dello Russo in all white.
Crowds outside the Topshop venue...
Long ride in the taxi with my leopard clutch thanks to nasty traffic.
Unexpected: overalls and white ankle socks - goes to show anything can work (just add polka dots).
Peony's winning Hermes and Missoni combo.
Carrie and Carolina Engman.
Topshop Unique SS12
