Mon 21st Sept: Our Scrabble Challenge in THE DAILY

This is a long story which I don't have time to go into now..................................but pick up a copy of The Daily for today's schedule which I created with Amy Gwatkin and Rosy Nichols.  

Also there is a bloomin marvellous picture of Charlie Le Mindu's collection and a whole page dedicated to Michael van der Ham!  Hooray

Sun 20th Sept: GUEST POST: Naomi at Pam Hogg – Tighty-tight is quite alright

Late as usual, I had to run, (yes run, me in my denim body-con dress with pagoda shoulders) to catch the first look of the Pam Hogg show. The absolutely glittering galaxy of stars in the front row belied the grungy, underground carpark in which the runway had been constructed.

The loyal Hoggettes were fired up with anticipation, resulting in an atmosphere quite unlike the usual library-like hush of the BFC tents and more like a much-anticipated gig or party about to take off. On her press release Ms Hogg forwent the usual descriptive setting of the scene that you get at most collections to simply thank everyone, saying “the goodwill that pours my way is staggering” and you could absolutely sense that in the space. A collective outpouring of ‘Come on Pam!’ radiated between the concrete pillars.

The collection itself was very slick and gave off a well-organised sheen, a kind of comprehensive, covering-of-all-bases feeling. Starting off where AW 09 left off, with catsuits and body-con dresses featuring her trademark geometric panels. This time round though, the neon colours had been replaced with stark monochrome.


The ‘it’s alright to be tight’ theme progressed throughout the collection, and the colour palette progressed to pastels, then metallics . . .

. . . then finally brights, and eventually a bit of draping was showcased, as demonstrated here by Alice Dellal.

Finally, a studded section was rounded off with a particularly Billy Idol “It’s a nice day for a white wedding . . .” take on the bridal gown that closes every couture show. Nice twist.

Afterwards I dashed into the crowd, hoping to get a quick quote from Bishi, whose marvellous quiff had been conspicuous in the front row. Somehow she had disappeared, so I had to settle for vox-popping nearby 80's ICON of wonderment, Boy George.

Did he enjoy the show?

“Yes, I think Pam’s great. My favourite part was the Elvis references. Did you notice the Elvis theme running through the collection?”

Only when I looked back at the pictures, George. Will he be channelling any of the ideas shown tonight?
“No way. These clothes are designed for Amazonian women, not the likes of me. Pam’s very good at what she does, which was a sleek, chic and rockin’ collection. I found it to be very commercial”

Yikes! All I can say is, if you’re going to do 80s, you may as well do it right.

Naomi

Sun 20th Sept: Best Dressed Man Award goes to............

Reliably always always always.............LOVE

Saturday 19th September - Naomi at Danielle Scutt

Down at the Topshop venue in NW1, I watched an emphatically feminine vision of SS 10 courtesy of Danielle Scutt.

With a colour palette comprising lots of pink and yellow mixed in with black, white and brown, the collection catered well for lovers of polka dots. Also remarkable were a huge array of ruffles in every permutation imaginable; flamenco-style on skirts, vertical on sleeves, in triangular ‘napkins’ on dress bodices and on oversized shawls worn around the neck.



Particularly eye catching was the hair styling, perched as it was in stacks of pom-pom like buns atop each head, balancing out the super-short skirted silhouettes.

I also happened upon Fred’s studio mate Andy Macgregor, who was calmly sketching away during the show, on a commission to provide today’s illustration in the LFW’s The Daily, essential and entertaining queue-reading for every fashionista in town.

Naomi Attwood

Sun 20th Sept: Louise Gray

New Gen perceptively plonked Miss Gray and I in the same room at the exhibition so I have the joy of daily tripping out over her equidistant colour explosion AND rubbing my hands like Vagan over these exclusive Judy Blame customised accessories.  This is Judy's only collaboration this season and it has extended 3 way as he has embellished Nicholas Kirkwood's shoes for Louise.  Here she is with superstar-super nice Richard Sloan who styled her presentation here at Somerset House complete with Steel cages by set designer Tony Hornecker.

Sun 20th Sept: Cooperative Designs:

In the nature of all things Cooperative ..............the ladies have collaborated with a collective of creatives on their new season line "Happy Birthday Bauhaus".  The ongoing relationship with Corrie Williamson designing their jewellery line has hit a whole new level with the most covetable selection of perspex pieces which have been styled to full effect in the press images by Liz Cardwell and shot by their muse Amy Gwatkin.  

This season the runway was replaced with a presentation at The Freemason's Hall with a specially designed set by Alex Cunningham.  She devised a gigantic Bauhaus chess board to lay down for the mannequins which sat like playing pieces amongst giant cardboard constructructions.  Here you can see one of the Alice In Wonderland scale cross playing pieces  which was the perfect platform to display Annalisa's incredible new perspex shoes.  

Amy has also shot a film which I think is going to go up on Dazeddigi imminently so check it oooooooot

Saturday 19th September: Guest Post = CHARLIE LE MINDU @ BLOW PRESENTS

Hola a todos! Once again, I’ve been out traipsing the mean streets of London Fashion Week only to bring you, Fred’s faithful readers, the finest of the fine that the UK’s fashion capital has to offer.

Now then, Fred and I have both been admirers of Le Mindu since long before we even met each other. He truly is the Nutty Professor of Hair – what ever is happening in the outside world, be it rain, wind or global financial meltdown, ol’ Charlie won’t care, no he won’t, for he’s too busy toiling away in his laboratory cum salon crafting away on the greatest futuristic suits made of hair that money can buy.

It was no accident of fate that I was in the front row for his latest feat of hirsute mastery, and here is what I saw. . . .

On paper, Paris's imposing monument, le Tour Eiffel plus a clingfilm suit doesn't sound that great. But on the catwalk it really came together.

The main part of this outfit was a giant collar, overflowing with blondness like an inverse waterfall. Astounding.

This model's head was topped by a giant pair of Daliesque lips crafted in black hair. We like.

My personal favourite look. And possibly a true fashion first, with the London premier of hair-trouser-tights.

And the great man himself. Running away from the spotlight, as all the best designers are wont to do.

Charlie, nous t'aimons beaucoup! Au revoir for now,

Naomi

Sat 22nd Sept: Guest Post = Naomi for Nova............

NOVA DANDO at LFW – A to the MAY to the ZING!

Hola, Bienvenidos et Konichiwa Butlerettes! Naomi here with a report from the Nova Dando show at swanky Covent Garden Members Club - The Hospital.

I edged myself to the front of the stage just in time to catch dance troupe House of Danger Cats vogueing their way through a routine showcasing Nova’s designs, comprising graphic print leggings and catsuits with shaggy bombers, tutus and rainbow boleros. Eye-watering fashion and shapes. The PA rumbled into life shortly after the presentation voicing everyone’s thoughts: “Ladies and Genlemen, you may have noticed that this is no ordinary fashion show . . . .

The dancers presented the message behind the collection so much more effectively than any number of glassy eyed models could, and it was a pleasure to marvel at their muscular thighs in the sexy lycra.

Fred and I have oftentimes discussed the dilemma of meeting your heroes. Is it ok to brazenly introduce yourself, even though they may have no idea who you are or why you should be talking to them? I always retort that YES you should turn every opportunity YES YES YES whereas Fabulous Fred pleads shyness and keeps herself to herself. Well, tonight I put my own theory to the test and tried my hand at a spot of celebrity hob-nobbing, on Fred’s behalf, at Nova’s presentation.

Here's Elly Jackson of La Roux, deep in the darkness of the basement club. I asked her about her relationship to Nova. “I think both me and Nova have some issues with the term ‘stylist’ but we are very close friends and we thoroughly enjoy collaborating and working together on my look.” Elly went on to bring the house down with her storming live set, in honour of the collection.

And here we have Patrick Wolf, in the lobby. Are you seeing many shows at LFW? I ventured “No. I’ve only deigned to leave my house for two shows this season. Ada Zanditon, for whom I produced the music, and Nova, tonight”. What a gentleman Patrick is, rumpled but a dandy nevertheless in his black suit and minimalist black wellies.

Emboldened by my success with Patrick and Elly I charged headlong into a conflab with fashion blogger extraordinaire, Susie Bubble. What do you love about Nova? “I really admire her work as a stylist, of course. She’s great and when it comes to accessories, there’s no one else like her” enthused La Bubble.

The dancing was followed up by a live performance by La Roux and a film projection of the collection. For the record, I carried on my hob-nobbing marathon with a chat with Nick Grimshaw of Radio 1, then by smiling purposefully at Jamie from the Klaxons. (Well, even I can't talk to everyone)

All in all a very auspicious start to the 5 day thrill that we like to call . . . . . London Fashion Week.

Naomi Attwood

Sat 22nd Sept: Black 'n ' White

So it was the first day of fashion week opened by Boris Johnson who gave a hilarious speech and closed with a reception hosted by Sarah Brown at No.10 Downing Street. Here are some highlights from the day including:
a) Erin O'Connor and Stephen Jones at the "Hedonism" presentation...........a selection of 5 London miliners showcased their new collections on a rotating platform designed by Michael Howells..............all the hats including Noel Stewart and Soren Bach are now on display in the exhibition space.
b) Stylist Kim Howells on the Red Bull as she is working round the clock saving the lives of 5 different designers.......Piers Attkinson, Hannah Marshall and myself
c) Susie Bubble in a new headpiece that was a gift from a fan delivered to her hotel suite whilst she was in New York for fashion week
d) Dean Quinn showing as part of "Ones to Watch"
e) The Cooperative Designs ladies Annalisa and Dorothee filled with glee at visiting No.10

The evening was a very emotional experience for us as the room was filled with the fashion industries establishment toasting to the capital's creativity..........and we had been invited to join in! Having worked worked worked worked worked to the bone to fulfill our life long dream, this was the thumbs up that we have got there! WOW!

Sat 22nd Sept: Super Market Sarah Goes Live

Its up and live for fashion week...............snap up my archive or one-off special pieces like this cashmere tank from Timmy Andrews or Link necklace by Bethan Wood..............
Sarah has individually photographed everything and put a cute little anecdote with each piece.......

Thurs 21st Sept: Good Luck!

A good luck card that has brought a smile to my face and restored my hope...........so I'm sharing it for everyone..........good luck for fashion week London Town..........Somerset House it gonna rock the world!

Thankyou Laura!

Thurs 21st Sept: What's that on Talulah's Barnet?

Thanks Namalee!!!!!!
XXXX

Weds 16th Sept: Another S/S 10 preview

http://fashion156.com

Weds 16th Sept: Sorry

Apologies for lack of posting...............going mental here .........

Have been cutting lots of very tiny things out..............as only I would choose to do a few days before fashion week...........
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COME IN TO HELP

Monday 14th Sept: Supermarket Sarah Presents Fred Butler

Time to go wild in the aisles for the manager's special because Ive stepped up to guest curate the wall for Super Market Sarah during fashion week. Its a mix of my archive and special pieces from 12 of my favourite designers, here is my hand-picked selection of the ripest talent:

Rosy Nichols
Scott Ramsay Kyle
Timothy James Andrews
Work It
Lucy Aeibishcer
Colin Henderson
Bethan Wood
Maki Lou Lou
Cooperative Designs
Jim Stoten
Brie Harrison
Hannah Draper

There are also some of my own prized possessions up for grabs.........Grace Jones records, Bowie VHS & Biography, and this pair of CUTE rubix cube reminiscent shoes. The shop homepage is going to go live at the end of the week to get your trolley revving and ready to snatch the inflatables..........you never know what the price tag is gonna be.............

Sun 13th Sept: Craft talk

This is for everyone going a little bit crazy working insane hours to get their collections finished for fahion week..............WORK THROUGH THE PAIN............FASTER FASTER FASTER

Thanks to Rosy Nichols for this incredible tip-off.............

Sun 13th Sept: EK Pop Up

As part of London's Fashion Night Out, Eley Kishimoto opened the door's to their new pop-up shop..............thanks to Victoria for these snaps when my gang nipped down to check it out and Camille picked up a pair of EK socks for £3! Apparently the basement is full of past season bargains .............