Wednesday 19th September: Zandra Rhodes LFW SS19 “Looking Back, Looking Forward”

Zandra Rhodes “Looking Back, Looking Forward” at LFW for Spring Summer 2019, presented with jewellery by Andrew Logan

The title is an indication of Zandra's upcoming 50 year anniversary!  The collection has taken this theme by referencing her extensive back catalogue, incorporating prints and colours from 1969 to the present day.  Patterns such as her signature "Cacti, Frills, Punk and Wiggles" have been revisited and screen- printed by hand at her London atelier.  She has kept every single screen so here the racks are a real archive of her artwork which can automatically be re-visited.  These soft chiffons feature alongside her other trademark style of structural pleated metallics, my absolute favourite.  Total dream.    

Help fund the feature documentary "Zandra With A Zee" exploring the life & art of one of Britain's most iconic designers on the run up to this Jubilee Anniversary. Head over to the crowdfunding page to pledge here.

Friday 6th October: LFW SS18 - MM6 Maison Margiela

For SS18 MM6 Maison Margiela took over an empty premises on Floral Street and white-washed the entire thing......... even the bollards outside on the street!  Guests to the event could enter and view the collection in an installation or live photoshoot whilst the public could watch models on rotation in the windows.  I love how the lettering of the print is carried across the jacket onto the bare skin of the chest.  

See last season's presentation here.

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)

Monday 20th February: LFW AW17 - MM6 Maison Margiela

The MM6 Maison Margiela presentation took the form of a shop interior on New Bond Street being decked out with a set to replicate an atelier, a screen-printing studio and a fashion photo studio.  Models wandered between the separate scenarios involved in the activities by either taking part in fittings, constructing garments or posing for a look-book shoot.   All of the real-life actors were so immersed in their jobs that they didn't seem to acknowledge our presence and intrigue.  The rooms were assembled on fake wall "flats" like a TV set so that the doors opened and closed to a void either side.  Although the creative processes were truly happening it was also carefully set up so that the tools on the tailors desk were all white coated in painted muslin.  It was a beautiful realisation of a brilliant idea.  Everyone loves being nosy and this was a perfect cheeky performance playing out how the creative process might be.............. using an AppleMac charger cable as a belt.......