Friday 22nd June: LCM = Random Shots

I captured the action of London Collections Men live as it happened via my Instagram feed and here are some of the highlights which don't slot into other posts here for the blog.

Top to bottom:  Shaun Samson's inflatable beach ball invitation, Katie Eary's SS14 print on a shirt and the collection's inspiration - Irvine Welsh's book Marabou Stork , Meadham Kirchhoff's scented invitation, the Meadham Kirchhoff presentation with film and sound by Jeffrey Hinton, Bobby Abley's High-Top in a crown at his MAN show, the "Man-Up!" burger at the Topman LCM pub, my Rude-Girl look for day 1, trying on Astrid Andersen's back-pack at The Hospital Club on Day 2

Listen to Astrid's Fashion Mix for SHOWstudio here.

Thursday 20th June: LCM - Christopher Shannon SS14

On Tuesday I was lucky enough to attend the Christopher Shannon show and then whizz over to SHOWstudio to take part in a panel discussion to review it.  Here is a recording of that conversation between myself, Jez Tozer, Gary Aspden and chaired by Colin McDowell.  It was my absolute favourite collection to date ........ I was so excited to see the bright colours and beautiful floral collaboration with Liberty............  and the highlight = the glitter hair!  (snapped backstage on Harry Yuzoka.)

Thursday 20th June: Katie Grand ❤ Hogan Collection Launch Party

Here are a few of my snaps  from last night's party at Shrimpy's in Kings Cross, hosted by Net-a-Porter, to celebrate the Katie Grand x Hogan collection.  Love magazine editor in chief Katie Grand has teamed up with Hogan to create a capsule range called 'Gang' of bold colors and graphic patterns. Drawing inspiration from the Italian brand’s archives, there are sleek patent loafers, animal-print high-tops and accessories. Grand tweaked three sneakers (based on styles from the Hogan archive), a ballerina flat, leather purses, and oval sunglasses with a heart motif.  Zebra print heart cushions were handed out  last night as a keepsake and ended up as a handy prop for moves on the dancefloor.  

(Images top to bottom:  A cushion accessorizing a Nasir Mazhar tracksuit, me in my Boilerroom football kit with Bobby Abley / Tom Ryling and Kim Howells, Ryan Lo, one of the collab handbags)

Thurs 20th June: CSM BA - Show two

If you're still hungry for more fashion after the finale of LCM, you can head to Central St.Martins and loose yourself for a day in their huge campus trawling the degree shows.  This 2nd week of exhibits spanning the courses is all about fashion, textiles, jewellery, architecture, product and industrial design, ceramics, animation........ 

Central Saint Martins, The Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4AA.   Saturday 22 June, 12-6pm,  Sunday 23 June, 12-6pm

(Percy Lau's "Seeing is believing?" glasses, Nathaniel Lyles knitwear, Cassandra Verity Green fish tank handbag)

Thurs 20th June: Happiness Recycled

With only a week to go until Glastonbury and in midst of a Summer of music festivals across Europe it's time to start planning outfits, dying hair, decide what wellies to wear............ and generally what else you need to take ............. baby wipes, torch, English breakfast in a can ........ all of which will end up in a pile of rubbish when you pack up to leave and scramble for the nearest exit to take off your mud caked garms and find a real loo...........

Well here, is a a gentle and proactive reminder from Coca-Cola to consciously de-clutter the grounds by making sure to recycle your waste at special bins provided on sites (see the project captured here).    A campaign has started visiting festivals in Scotland raising awareness to bin your bottles in the right way.  The initiative titled "Happiness Recycled" is a fun push to get more people thinking greener and ultimately all work as one to reduce our carbon footprint.

Weds 19th June: Craig Green X Purified

One of the most exciting runway shows this season (well, as always) was MAN which featured the three fantastic designers Alan Taylor, Bobby Abley and Craig Green.  Craig sent out complete head-to-toe tie-dye looks which have been constructed from fabric he has hand dyed himself.   This labour of love was certainly worth it as honing the technique meant that the swirls sat perfectly in placements on the garments.  These patterns were then replicated perfectly in paint by David Curtis-Ring on the canvas constructed accessories that Craig has made his trademark.  These artworks have now been translated into a highly wearable and covetable footwear collaboration with Purified.  The day after the runway show, these pieces were exhibited at the Fashion East installations to get a real close look at the magnificent detail involved.  Time to snaz up your summer wardrobe!

See an archive posts on Craig Green working on atheletes performance shoes and David Beckhan's Adidas at the Olympics here and his collection from last season here.

Listen to Craig's Fashion Mix for SHOWstudio here.

Weds 19th June: LCM - Kit Neale presentation at Fashion East

Weds 19th June: LCM - Martine Rose

Here is a taster of Martine Rose's SS14 collection which took the format of a static presentation, with an immersive set design for the model to inhabit and guests to investigate.  The space was dressed as an imaginary home interior to conjure up the idea that out personal space reflects our personality equal to that of our style.   The floor was scattered with rave flyers which is a theme that has cropped up throughout other shows on the week's schedule (Christopher Shannon, Katie Eary, fashion film for Elena Crehan) so is sure to be a trend to come thru this season.............  dust off those baggies and dust your face with glitter.............

Tues 18th June: LCM - Streetstyle: shoes