NYFW: the highlights.

New York was the first of the quartet that comprises fashion week season to showcase its resident designers' SS12 offerings for the fashion world to swoon over, photograph and tweet about. My social network feeds have gone into fashion week overdrive. Not that I'm complaining though. It beats reading hourly updates of John Smith's life right?

Of course, one measly blog post won't do any justice to the fashionable frivolities New York played host to last week. So, with this in mind, I will not attempt to document every collection, surprise, celebrity, drama etc. Instead, I give you my personal highlights from the big apple's catwalk shows.

First up is ADAM; a name that sheepishly sneaked onto my radar via a healthy stream of trended tweets, moments after the finale of the presentation. The ADAM show hash-tag was only accompanied by the utmost praise for aforementioned presentation. The man behind the magic is Adam Lippes; a previous CD at Oscar de la Renta with an equally reputable list of bosses, his portfolio speaks for itself.

Models paraded down the SS12 catwalk in swathes of fairy-light, white silks and sheers with pops of fluorescent pink trims signalling a subtle nod the ongoing fluro / neon trend. Powder blues and pinks added colour to the established, neutral palette. Floral prints and polka dot patterns were sent down the runway in unison to make a convincing pattern clashing statement. Again, in the most delicate fabrics. Casual, oversized tailoring held a strong presence throughout. A subtle hint that the boy-girl thing is set to stick around for another season; androgynous slouchy shapes complimented the soft, ethereal colours and fabrics consistently throughout both the day wear and evening wear collections.

A firm favourite. I will be gatecrashing his love-affair with sheer come spring: 

It posed a laborious task selecting from many a fashion house giant that showcased its SS12 offerings in NewYork. But the following imprinted a impressionable memory: The sumptuous sorbet silks of Philip Lim's 3.1 range

Philip Lim 3.1

Photo credit: style.com

My regular street style feature for Planet Notion this week spotlights a hand picked selection of the stylish crowd that graced the streets of New York including Susie Bubble's home grown homage to British fashion.

There you have it - your NYFW fix in a nut shell.

Next stop: London. TODAY. I have contemplated various approaches to LFW coverage on here. Currently, I am gearing towards documenting only the days I spend there rather than streams and streams of show reports. I'll leave that to style.com and friends. That could all change though and I may be raining all owa their parade. 

Shameless plug: I will be partaking in fashionable frolics with the Notion gang. Check out their LFW portal for exclusive, backstage interviews and goss. Now style.com don't give you that.

Twitter is where you want to be for up to the minute updates.

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as far as my DIY talents stretch.

Sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs whiling away the hours until my fashion week debut I had a sudden, rare, creative urge.

My skills in the art and craft biz don't stretch far beyond a proud C at GCSE. My teacher overtly pitied my hardest attempts. She'd often ask my best mate to "help Helen tidy up her piece would you?" She said I was destined for the fashion industry and she's got that one right so you can trust her opinion. Basics, you get the idea I'm not going to become all Tuesday Tip a la Gem Fatale but thought I'd share my attempts at this popular customisation technique. The source of inspiration was pulled from this image of Alexa Chung and those collar tips you can buy.

And ta da here is the finished article. The actual process is pretty self-explanatory so I won't patronise you by posting a step-by-step tutorial.

Studs: eBay, Shirt: New Look

Will stick to the writing,

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the calm before the storm.

I snapped these earlier today when I was parading down my hall way like the wannabe catwalk model that I am, helplessly putting together my LFW wardrobe. I received confirmation of my press pass late Friday night which spurred me on to get my ass in gear. I think I am halfway there. Still, if anyone fancies sponsoring my appearances at fashion week- drop me an email. Philip Green, non? Long shot.

Coat and skinny trousers: TOPSHOP, Shirt and ring: h&m, Vans

Nails inspired by Stevie.

I will be there with bells on from Sunday (day 3) until the grand finale on Wednesday (day 6). Who will be there? Any recommendations? I am beyond overwhelmed at all the goings-on. Areet fashion week virgin.

DON'T BE SHY, BUY

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