LFW: the wardrobe - day #4 and then some.

Three outta seven (outfits photographed at LFW), ain't bad.
You'll be happy to hear that I won't be painfully dragging this out any longer. Hooray.

Here is the final roundup of the week.

 bloggers blogging

 models at sophie hulme

 sophie hulme poses for photogs

 colourful girls on the cobbles

 face: unimpressed.com, leather: rare, jumper: COW vintage,

dress, worn as skirt and satchel: new look, shoes: next, bowler: topshop

superchic couples





oliver spencer finale

Oh, how I long to be fashion again.

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#LFW: the basics.

source.

The hash tag has (prematurely) reappeared, the check and to do lists penned on various scraps of reporter's notebook. Four measly weeks - Y U COME ROUND SO FAST FASH WK? So, what am I doing resting on my lorrells when I should be typing out show requests to 100+ PRs? I come baring 'Fashion Week Survival Advice' for the virgins out there, among you.

I write this as second-timer so please don't take me as some sort of Fashion Week pro. Bloggers, buyers and press unite for my favourite season of the year -Autumn/Winter baby. Not harmoniously as you'd think though - there was outcry among bloggers, in September regarding their restricted access to the main venue. The BFC have obviously listened to this outcry as they have installed a separate bloggers lounge in Somerset House, for Feb.

This is what I wish I knew pre // what I learnt during my LFW début : 

* shy bairns get nout

    Talk to anyone and everyone - in the courtyard, press or bloggers lounge, Tom's kitchen and the queues.
    Am I telling you to queue for shows? That's right; put your best fearless face and hautest shoes on, you
    have as good chance as any of being granted the privilege. Even if it is in the photographer's pit - you'll get
    better runway shots and less of that supposed, big, fashion name's backside profile.

    'the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.'

* stock up

   A school boy error of my Fashion Week, first time.

   Business cards - avoids the "my blog is are u dressing up or.. etc"

   Food and water - fashion people do eat.

   Flat shoes - even just for the journey to and from the venues.

   Phone charger - it will inevitably die on you. Mine did day after day but I never learnt that lesson.

* you are not super(wo)man

    It's fashion; things overrun, start late, get re scheduled. Guaranteed you will not be able to make every 

    presentation and show. It grants the opportunity to find content that not every fashion editor will be 

    covering. Spend time absorbing the exhibitions, talk to the prs and designers, interview street style 

    subjects... Great journalism is all about finding a new angle. Also, few spots come better for people
    watching - soak it up.

Put your hands up if you're joining me?

I hope I have helped more than I have patronised.

See you on those cobbles in your sumptuous sorbets.

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LFW: the outfits.

I know you have all been sitting patiently, with bated breath, during my fashion week hiatus, for this very moment. What the foe did I wear? Three shirts and two kinds of leather bottoms, pretty much.

ONE. New Look Shirt, h&m, leather skirt.

 TWO. Primark, sheer, snakeskin print shirt, h&m, leather skirt.

THREE & FOUR. Shirt, as above, h&m sheer shirt, Topshop, leather leggings.

Nails: TOPSHOP black, Lips: TOPSHOP 'Vampy'

It's a wrap guys; the LFW party is officially over.

I should probably go find out what's been going on in the real world.

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LFW: Bunmi Koko.

Originally published on: Planet Notion

Set in the intimate yet, elaborate confines of Freemasons Hall, Bunmi Koko headlined the penultimate night of fashion week. And boy, was it worth the wait. FROW fans included ex-Sugababe, Keisha and the Dirty Sexy Things crowd with Taliah Storm providing the live soundtrack of sophisticated piano strokes and immensely powerful vocals.

The fash-pack's focus may have been marred by the hideously humongous hair-dos of the model line-up; backcombed like nothing I have seen before, they made Newcastle girls look tame in comparison. Nonetheless, a delectable plate of creative goodness was put before us.

A kaleidoscope of blue opened the evening's proceedings in an abundance of fairy-light fabrics; contrasting sheer crops, silky long-lines played in unison with classic blazer and midi-skirt shapes to compliment the laser-cut electric blues. Closely followed by a stream of audacious brights; canary yellows, turquoise aquas and eye-popping oranges that draped over models’ bodies’ in oriental fabrics creating the most powerful silhouettes. Precise tailoring, strong shapes and creative cuts achieved Bunmi’s premise for the ‘Allure of The Sirens’ SS12 collection; the juxtaposition of danger and seduction.

The fluruos came out to play towards the end of the show, appearing alongside daring sheers. Tight pleats, dainty prints, long-lines also emerged as recurring themes.

Another, sneaky, guest list invite; thaaanks press people.

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LFW: Joanne Hynes.

Another, Vauxhall Fashion Scout, show-stopper, Joanne Hynes marvelled the turn-out with her 60s colour palettes, futuristic fantasies and Harajuku girl touches.

Colour and texture play were the consensus for her SS12 presentation; eye-popping, PVC brights met equally, colourful-clashing leathers and foils. A refreshing revival of pre-season’s, colour blocking trend.

Shapes wise; wide-brimmed sleeves and waists as well as cropped lines, surfaced as the dominant silhouette. The classic shirt turned playful with a generous dosing of fish scale, sequined tubes lining the centre parting. The blazer also got a look in, in primary red leathers and gold, foil sleeves. 

An obvious pop-art influence emerged with the first prints; appliqué and emblazoned across dresses in foils, silver especially. Latex leggings dripped down the back of legs like acrylic paint. 

Accessories followed the established suit; PVC clutches in emerald greens and ruby reds provided a tamer take on colour-blocking. Generously-sized jewels were scattered from necks on PVC chokers, down to torsos inferring 80s disco-glam. Oversized animal pendants in conflicting textures and colours hinted at the Japanese, Harjuku girl influence, completing the mishmash of eclectic influences.

Photos via: Fashion156

A contemporary, sci-fi colour-bomb emulated a futuristic feel throughout.

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LFW: Inbar Spector.

Freemasons Hall provided the beautifully, lavish backdrop for Inbar Spector's eponymous, SS12 collection showcase. The audience were set to be wowed whilst the cream de la fash pack were cooing over Osman's buoyant silhouettes.

'Nightmares' and 'hell' were the inspirational buzz words of the press release that attendees were met by on taking up their seats. The initial strokes of the opera-esque soundtrack echoed the dramatic, extravagant designs that lay ahead. Complex constructions, crinolines and intellectual sophistication set high expectations for the impatient crowd. Staying true to her word, Inbar sent metallic brocade, amazingly intricate, sheer sculptures in candy floss pinks and pastel mints, floating down the catwalk in the most incredibly, voluminous shapes. A palette that triggered heavenly connotations.

A designer that is renowned for her trademark monochrome reputation, her SS12 offerings weren't all sorbet shades; black and white, mesh-sheer skirts and dresses provided the signature monochrome quotient and were teamed with gold, brocade, sculptural jackets, signalling an affirmative nod to the Gothic era.

The finale pieces provided a poignant talking point of the week; an engulfing cascade of white ruffles was played off against a never-ending, spiralling of metallic gold. The icing on an already, incredibly, aesthetically pleasing cake.

Photos via: Task PR

Luxurious creativity resounded from beginning to end.

A big thank you to Inbar's PR people who kindly slipped me an invite, literal hours before the scheduled starting time.

Inbar Spector SS12 Show

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LFW: backstage bits & show snippets of KTZ.

Originally published on: Planet Notion

The premise for the show lay somewhere between the definitions of fierce and fiesty; models strutted down the catwalk with vampy lips, adorned in tribal embellishments, bondage harnesses and more buckles and leather straps than well.. a buckle factory. A promising, affirmative nod to the continuation of AW11′s fetish trend. House signature graphic prints and silhouettes provided the common theme.

Stylist: Alexis and assistant: Rachel.

The soundtrack was to hardcore party-goers’ tastes – an eclectic assortment of hardhouse classics. The attitude of the music was mirrored in every model’s attitude: strong walks and poignant pouts.

The journey from pre-show to finale can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster. Last minute decisions, misplaced shoes (Mario ended up offering his own to a male model) and kit-bag dashes cause uncountable levels of stress but the atmosphere backstage more than makes up for the literal sleepless hours, twenty hour days and survival diet of coffee that you inadvertently sign yourself up for on offering your services at a show.

PRs, photogs and everyone in between stand united in passion providing the driving force. The adrenalin backstage is unrivalled, it is honestly one of my favourite places to be. Make-up artists and models alike lap up the hype. It is worlds apart from the sublime aesthetic of the finished product; the actual show. An exclusive insight into the making of, it cements your appreciation and recognition as to how hard these people work for a twenty minute show. I only have the utmost praise.

A massive hats off to Alexis and her glamorous assistants – Joanna and Rachel. The girls sure know how to put on quite the show. And of course to the designer brains – Mario et al.

Models applaud Mario's catwalk appearance.

Bloglovin' / Facebook / Planet Notion / Twitter

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LFW: every journo / editor / photog's worst nightmare.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but due to unforeseen circumstances or arguably, plain stupidity a spanner has been put in the works of my fashion week coverage. In my defence, it had been a long day. Over it. Moral of the story; left my camera memory card in Somerset House, sitting nice and snug in a press lounge computer. Nice one Helen. I am as gutted as you but let's not dwell on it; the handful of iPhone photos will suffice.

I write this on my hideously long treck back up North, laiden with fashion week flu, an imminent fashion week come down and too much to tell you.

In a word, or three; it was amazing. It sounds ridiculous but Somerset House is a world away from the trials and tribulations of real life. I saw so many beautiful people, clothes, shoes, jewellery; everything you expect from a global fashion capital and more.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The past few days have surpassed at ridiculous speeds; over far too soon. Highlights included meeting some favourite bloggers, including one half of LtS - Sally and being street style snapped by one of my all time faves - Carrie of Wish Wish Wish. It was lush to put a face to the words and photos of blogs that I avidly follow.

Street style snapped for Cosmo by Carrie

The LOOK lounge at Westfield Stratford City also qualifies as a favourite. Sophie gave an insightful chat on her journey to LOOK magazine. The girl has an amazing life story thanks to the success of her blog - Sophie Feels Better. I've said this so many times but the power of blogging is seriously underestimated. Sophie has been approached by a literary agent who are keen to publish a book based on Sophie Feels Better and there are even promised whispers of a TV show. She has helped an insane amount of women along the way, I only have the utmost praise for the girl. In her rare free time, she also writes a beauty blog dedicated to her love for lipsticks. I strongly urge you to check out both of her internet sensations.

I bagged three last minute invites to Vauxhall Fashion Scout shows, staged in the intimate yet elaborate confines of Freemasons Hall. Although my photos are no more, I shall post individual show reports on these before the weekend is out as I have pages of scribbles from all three and it'd be a shame not to.

VFS Venue, JH Invite

Menswear day wins first prize for favourite fashion week day. Why, you ask? Cos I so totally had the pleasure of assisting the superbly stylish Alexis Knox again (CSLondon2k10) with the Koko to Zai (KTZ) show. I was summoned in the morning to help with pre-show prep meaning I got a pretty jammy deeks into the backstage workings of a show from pre-show to after party. Well nearly, I sacked that off in favour of bed.

KTZ Showroom, Most beautiful boy in the world and Charlene, models and Mario

Take me back.

Fashion is perceived as this frivolous, oh darling, freebie this, after party that; I have never seen a  group of people work harder srsly. I really think that that is something that comes as a surprise to all the writer, model, photographer, PR, event organiser wannabes out there. It is far from all glitz and glamour, not unless you're Anna Wintour of course.

Eyes peeled for more belated fashion week coverage.

Big up for hitting the 1000 follower target, I had noticed.

Bloglovin' / Facebook / Planet Notion / Twitter

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LFW: snapshot.

I would be perfectly content whiling away my life people watching on the terraces of Somerset House during fashion week. So many inspirational sights to be seen. Blink and you miss it. Street style snapping is harder than it looks. Here are a few snaps from days 3 and 4 at Somerset House. 

Photos via iPhone, proper ones will follow

Suprisingly enough I, myself have also been street style snapped a kanny few times. Will post links and photos in the weekends LFW catch up session.

I WISH EVERY WEEK WAS FASHION WEEK.

Also, if you haven't already; this is worth a cheap laugh. See why I've been reluctant to do a vlog now do we?

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fashion week inspiration.

Creeping upon us like a shadow in the night, London Fashion Week is literally days away. Somerset House, masquerading as the main stage, will play host to the world's street style playground. An environment, in which I imagine the presence of glamour and scrutiny are at their most ferocious. Bearing this all in mind, I'd like to look pretty haute, moderatley cool, etc. My usual stylish-self (modest, I know) appears to be on holiday and therefore I am calling upon the aid of these stylish sisters.

Sweeping source: tumblr / fave fash bloggers.

Fashion week stress has officially ensued.

Suggestions on a postcard, or in the comments. I don't fancy plastering my address all over the internet and whatnot.

eBay party

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