Weds 22 Feb: London Fashion Week AW12-Katie Eary by Emily Beard

Katie Eary's press release promised a 'darker side of the fairytale' for her AW12 'King Night' collection. With inspirations such as Warhammer and Zelda, the story was less Sleeping Beauty and more about the Eary Army battling in Middle earth. This was reflected in the use of mock croc, oversized hoods, military silhouettes and utility rucksacks. The Eary signature Nike Airs had an equally tough edge, while heels were adorned in crystals.

Emily Beard

Mon 20 Feb: London Fashion Week AW12-Fashion East by Emily Beard

James Long

James Long's AW12 womenswear collection saw strong zig zags slash across knitted jumpers and leather. The graphic lines, created in soft quilted leathers and silks, were paired alongside vivid, glittering pinks, and thick, curving wedged heels.




Marques' Almeida

The Autumn/WIntere 2012 Marques' Almeida collection drew inspiration from the 90s, where their girl was moved from the urban environment and into the outdoors. This was realised through slashed denim, parkas, and thick flatforms, all laced with splashes of acidic green.





Maarten van der Horst

Maarten van der Horst was inspired by officewear for his AW12 collection, referencing 'deliberately mundane' floral prints and elements to contrast with overtly sexual silhouettes and shapes.

Emily Beard

Mon 20 Feb: London Fashion Week AW12- Michael van Der Ham by Emily Beard

For his Autumn Winter 2012 collection, Michael Van Der Ham referenced eveningwear, home knits, and Veronica Lake. This meshed to create eclectic dresses in an array of tactile fabric mixes. The mixup continued into knitwear, which saw a blend of cashmere, viscose and mohair twisted into silvery metallic pieces.

Emily Beard

Mon 20 Feb: London Fashion Week AW12- Peter Pilotto by Emily Beard

It was an early start at the Topshop showspace for the Autumn/Winter 2012 Peter Pilotto collection. The show was a medley of velvet spliced with vivid prints in deep blues and greens. Outfits were accented with coils of puffy rainbow furs and Nicholas Kirkwood heels.

Emily Beard

Sun 19th Feb: London Fashion Week AW12 - 'FASH/ON FILM'

K_A_R_M_A_G_E_D_D_O_N from CASSETTE PLAYA on Vimeo.

Cassetteplaya and director Grace LaDoja at the animation fashion film showcase hosted by Kathryn Ferguson at Somerset House cinema today. The BFC's new venture 'FASH/ON FILM' is a complete schedule of screenings and events dedicated to the specialism with an additional mentoring scheme sponsored by River Island. Last evening I went to the London preview of “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel” which was one of the best happenings of London Fashion Week for me so far personally! Check the calender for more slots which included an accessories programme earlier today and an emerging ready to wear showcase tomorrow with Alex Noble, David David, Fanny & Jessy and Palmer Harding ..........

Sat 8th Feb: London Fashion Week AW12 - SISTER by SIBLING

Designer trio Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery's Sister by Sibling salon show was all about pink'n'orange, pompoms'n'sequins and pop-pop music provided by dj Jerry Bouthier. The "Diamond Lil" collection of trademark leopard print knit in twin sets had been accessorized with lace knitted merino wool, hand sequinned at sibling studio by the in house team. On top of these face coverings sat ridiculously cute Mickey Mouse style ears in clusters of large pink/purple palettes and knitted ping-pong ball size flowers. The stand-out quirky statement piece was a "Dalston Fox Stole" ........... a local nocturnal animal perfectly celebrated by a label established from Shoreditch nightlife notoriety. With the season styled by Katie Grand and re-sized for a Barbie collaboration, Sibling are stood in good stead as the idiosyncratic fun British knitwear separates specialists.

Sat 8th Feb: London Fashion Week AW12 - Dr.NOKI vs. Kingston 1st yr BA

Saturday was all about masks down at Somerset House from the streetstyle to the SIBLING styling and Dr.NOKI's sustainable project with Kingston University. The designer known for having an unknown face has worked with 1st year students to take a spin on the idea of a ‘Masked Fashion Monster’ and devise a look that "creates an arresting silhouette, stimulating discussion, debate and conversation". The class were paired up in duos to collaborate on the task and given instructions to recycle two existing garments into a totally new design in just four days. From this collection, Dr.NOKI selected a few to be exhibited in the Estethica exhibition at fashion week which you can see here from the launch event. My personal favourite was this rainbow panelled and multi-seamed creation with interactive sleeves by Henry Stanford & Minnie Walker. I think its absolutely brilliant that fashion students are learning the fundamentals of the rag trade (ie. this bubble outfit is inspired by toxic emissions given off by decomposing textile in landfill) meanwhile having the opportunity to showcase a piece of work on schedule! Props to NOKI for his constant crusade and causing a shift in the conciseness of the industry from the grass roots and future generation .......

Sat 8th Feb: London Fashion Week AW12 - Basso & Brooke

Graphic print poster invitation to the Basso & Brooke AW12 show and the geometric patchwork dog-tooth print worked into kimono style tailoring of the collection.

Fri 17th Feb: Opening of Hedonism at London Fashion Week day 1, report by Emily Beard and Keely Hunter

The first day of London Fashion Week saw the opening of Hedonism, sponsored by Royal Ascot and curated by Stephen Jones. The event celebrates the best of emerging British Milliners: Piers Atkinson, Charlie Le Mindu, J Smith Esquire, Noel Stewart & William Chambers.
The display will be showcased throughout the duration of London Fashion Week at Somerset House.

Images and text by Keely Hunter and Emily Beard.

Fri 17th Feb: Walter Hugo "A Moment In An Instant World"

The latest exhibition to land from prolific artist Walter Hugo is a mini retrospective of past projects at Shizaru Gallery. Walter has installed his pinhole camera instrumentation at the show so you can see exactly how his glass plate process is set up. If you happened to have missed any of his works before, this is the perfect place to catch up on how the whole idea began and see the different ways it has progressed ........... and if you take a walk round the corner to the gallery at SHOWstudio you can witness the most recent 3D portraits where Walter has exposed straight onto busts of his subjects .......... mind bending and brilliant.......... as always!

(Gemma Cairney and Suzy Pettigrew standing by their portraits)

WALTER HUGO: A MOMENT IN AN INSTANT WORLD

16 February - 24 March 2012

Reflecting the Bright Lights... from London Sessions Productions on Vimeo.