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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NEW IN:charity / vintage / thrift / w.e you wanna call it.

These are some things I bought during the week amidst my fashion week, wardrobe freak out. They come from my mother's favourite charity shop, its one of the better ones around here.

Grand total: £8

Aforementioned items have accompanied me to LFW as PG never gave me that sponsorship call.

DAY 1 of LFW. Bring it.

Follow me on twitter, @dressingyouup for live updates

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also, if you see me around; DON'T BE SHY COME SAY HI.

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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