Friday 6th October: LFW SS18 - Round Up

SS18 London Fashion Week had iridescent branding from the foil on the glass panelling of the venue at 180 The Strand to the printing on the programme.  I was in heaven!  But the best iridescent moment came when Bjork unveiled the world premiere of her latest music video at a screening with director Andrew Thomas Huang.  The fashion film clip "The Gate" focuses on her wearing an iridescent gown made specially  for the project by Alessandro Michele at Gucci.  Just incase you haven't seen the genius computer generation animation yet, head over to Nowness for the chance to experience the totally cosmic world conjured up by Andy.

Here are highlights from some of the shows inc. Paula Knorr, Richard Malone, Marta Jakubowski, Sadie Williams, "The Gate" screening, the new Fiorucci store on Wardour Street designed by Brinkworth Design, Kitty Joseph and I wearing her new SS18 collection at the i-D X Jeremy Scott party.

Thursday 5th October: LFW SS18 - Nico Panda

Nicola Formichetti's debut runway show launched on schedule at London Fashion Week with his line "Nico Panda" .  As a stylist-turned-designer he devised a complete concept from his favourite teenage films and called the collection "The Jock, The Preps, The Punks and The Prom Queen".  The tradition of having a bride close the show was taken by Princess Julia who modelled a tulle box pleat gown to the glory of the East London crowd assembled at the Amazon Fashion venue.  Nicola has always looked to the future with technology and this is the next venture via a collaboration with the online retailer who started selling the line immediately, straight from the catwalk.

Thursday 5th October: LFW SS18 - Nelly Rose presents "Globelle Series"

Nelly Rose has been travelling the world collaborating with craftsmen on traditional textile design to compile a new collection "Globelle".  Samples of the cloth were on exhibit within her show at fashion week to give a detail focus on the garments.  Projects from Guatemala, Japan and Palestine were turned into artisanal womenswear and accessories, modelled by Nelly's own muses.  Her graphic patterns have been interpreted thru beading, embroidery, woven panelling, patchwork and print from the regional workshops she has developed.  This was definitely a highlight at this year's Spring / Summer season demonstrating the positive benefits of cultural exchange, as championed by Caroline Rush at the opening reception of London Fashion Week.  Her anti-brexit speech couldn't have been more on point as demonstrated in the success of Nelly's story.

Wednesday 4th October: The Braid Bar

After having my hair freshly coloured for Fashion Week, I then went to The Braid Bar in Selfridges to have it plaited to expose the pastel shades.  It was so neat and tight that it lasted all week!  I wish I could have this hairstyle permanently so its a real treat to try out for special occasions such as this.  It was so much fun having the twists put in and wearing it out like a cosmic princess.

Follow The Braid Bar on Instagram here.

(Here are snaps from the concession at Selfridges by stylist Charzcouture, at a Fashion Week show by Catherine Alpines, and wearing a new rain mac by Boo Pala shot by Bridie O'Sullivan)

Wednesday 4th October: Fudge, Paintbox hair colour

Here are snaps from my latest hair colour for Fashion Week by Tracy Hayes at Fudge, using the Paintbox dye range.  I chose an amethyst palette of pinks and purples to match my new Felipe Pantone jacket!  Here you can see how Tracy seperates my hair into sections to apply the spectrum of pigment........... and the finished style which hides the hues under my platinum blonde toner.

Wednesday 27th September: Notting Hill Carnival - Anna Laurini

To round off my Notting Hill Carnival posts for 2017 is a snapshot of street artist Anna Laurini whose profile tag we see all over London but never seen the actual face.  I witness alot whilst cycling around W10 at dawn and absolutely love watching everyone setting up from the food stalls to the soundsystems.  Here is Anna making her contribution to the Grenfell campaign before the streets became full a few hours later.  This is how she does it so secretly and by stealth.  In the early hours and by bike!  

Follow her ubiquitous face graffiti here.

Wednesday 20th September: Notting Hill Carnival - Monday Finale

Its taken me a long time to get this post published because not only does it take a while to edit a selection from all the glorious photos but also because Ive been set back by the devastating news that the community has lost Gloria Cummins.  Visiting Gloria is the fondest memory I have on my Carnival research explorations.  I fell so in love with her and her house / studio that I totally out-stayed my welcome and couldn't leave.  She was one of Notting Hill Carnival's original mas designers and still staying true to the art form of making traditionally inspired, narrative themed costumes.  There are only a handful of bands holding on to the practise of creating larger-than-life constructions to tell the story of the roots of the tradition.  I've placed her pieces as the top 4 images here to see the beautiful authentic materials and techniques that she used and taught to pass on to the next generation.  I'm so saddened that Notting Hill Carnival's procession will be missing the place of her unique designs keeping it epic in scale and educational in message.  Not only this but her knowledge has gone with her and we've lost a rare, invaluable mentor.  I'm deeply regretful that I didn't get to know her better but magically humbled that at least I did get the chance to discover her.  Long live the legacy of Flamboyan Arts and the mas camp on the Carnival route that had a Trinidad flag hanging out the window 365 days of the year.

Read my original report here.

The rest of the photos here, from the Grenfell tribute costume downwards are an amalgamation of highlights from the various mas bands that contribute to the splendour of the day.  These include (in running order) Chocolate Nation Mas, South Connections, Baccahnalia, Wassiville, Ebony, Samba Batida, Elimu / Paddington Arts, Paraiso School Of Samba, Sunshine Arts, Urban Touch, Carl & Glyn Gabriel, Mahogany.

See more on my Instagram for The Carnival Arts & Masquerade Foundation here.