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Bjorn Borg // Lights Off // London Fashion Week

Underwear brand Bjorn Borg takes over Battersea Power Station and they’d like me to attend their party. Then they send me this video. I can not wait! Massive fan of 4D Projections anyway, and this will apparently also have hot tubs, a snow covered forest, glow in the dark underwear and a massive 50m projection on the Thames. 

The whole event will be live streamed on MTV and here whilst presented by the very lovely Alexis Knox. 

I will of course be sure to report back all the juicy details and excitement. 

Bjorn Borg // Lights Off // PARTY

A Child of Jago // London Fashion Week // Spring Summer 2012

A week is a long time in fashion, one day your in the next your out, well thats what Frau Klum says. But whether you’re in or your out the six days of London Fashion Week are long. I genuinely don’t know how the editors and buyers manage a whole month. Once the fatigue sets it, it’s nearly impossible to shake no matter how amazing the time is you are praying for it to end. There is only so much Prosecco you can take. It is beyond doubt a hard life indeed. So when we got to 4pm on Menswear day my bed was calling. But I had two more shows to see and a party to go to. Seriously it’s a hard hard life. So I, several Japanese buyers, a handful of celebs I didn’t really know, and the good lady herself Vivienne Westwood trekked out to Wiltons Music Hall in East London to see the A Child of Jago show. 

Having seen previous collections and having spoken to the show producer I knew this was going to be worth it. I could make lazy comments about how the talent apple rarely falls far from the tree, but let’s be honest there are countless celeb offspring that prove it can regularly be flung to a different county. Though more importantly to do so does Joe Corré a grave injustice. He and co-designer Sam (Barnzley) Armitage ooze talent of their own. Their tailoring skills are fantastic and the desire to entertain during the show and through the collection made this probably my favourite show of the season. 

For the aspirant Dick Whittington the streets of London were said to be paved with gold, and this was to be his story. Arriving in London, admiring all that lay before becoming a bon viveur living the high life. I could not have been more excited. Then the wait began. And continued. Then we waited a little more. A little more. I mean I’m used to waiting at fashion week. Nothing starts on time. Ever! The term fashionably late exists for a reason. If a show starts 15 minutes late it’s almost early. But having been brought to our seats just after the run through and ahead of many other guests, after over an hour of waiting even my patience was wearing thin. Not thin enough to leave though, I’m not a madman. The show eventually started right as my hopes of making Asger Juel Larsen evaporated. But that’s another story and frankly you’d need to borrow the skills of Dr Who to make every show you wanted to. 

A mixture of sharp tailoring, interesting details, brilliant use of stripes and new shapes was sent down the gold sparkling catwalk. But more than this the models were alive. Full of attitude and life. They laughed, they swaggered, they owned the clothes and the room. These may have been strongly tailored guys but they were still rude boys made you both hope and fear running into in dark alley.

The girls of the show were classy London harlots if such a thing exists. 

It’s shows like this that make Fashion Show worth it all. Inspiring dynamic and fun. For all the beauty and splendour of it all, it’s this raw edge that London is famous for. Long may it last! 

Sibling // London Fashion Week // Spring Summer 2012 

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Sibling is a brand growing season on season, and their witty take on knitwear is so fresh that it frankly blows most others out of the water. Those that know of them fast become die hard fans and to be honest revel in knowing something others don’t. We can be greedy like that us fashion people not willing to share our favourite toys.

Much to my shame it appears I was one of those greedy people. I was sure I blogged about their beautiful winter collection here, but apparently not when I searched the archive. Please forgive me!

It was with trepidation I saw the menswear collection if I’m honest. When I saw the womenswear on the NEWGEN terrace I wasn’t particularly enamoured. Looking back at other people’s photos I see I was too harsh. I foolishly judged the collection on the location. It was basically a corridor and no one could properly see the collection. So in the possible event you see anything nasty being said about Sister by Sibling remember the location did it no favours. However, I need not have worried Sibling were at their playful and naughty best.

Leaving last seasons East End pub crawl behind this time we were invited to scream if we wanted to go faster and ultimately fool around behind the waltzers with the bit off rough carnival guy. Who was I to say no?

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Stand out pieces were the LOVE and HATE tshirts, I am definitely getting one, just not sure which yet. The Gypsy red cardigan and this seasons cutest logo I heart Hot Dogs! The Elvis star jumper showed their knitwear skills off, and mean I’m now looking forward to Autumn 12 to see what they’ll produce next. The mix of both embroidered jersey and printed jersey should hopefully open up some new price points for them as well ensuring this East End brand continues on its upward trajectory.

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Jasper Conran // Womenswear // London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2012

So I dont normally write about womenswear but when a good friend seats you behind Alexandra Shulman & Harold Tilman it’s prob the least you can do to jot down a few words. The Great British Summer or at least our childhood memories of it that actually had sunshine seem to be a recurring trend this season. There were definite elements of this at Jasper but only after having reimagined by a modernist architect. 

Strong and immaculate lines graced the catwalk in a brilliant white punctuated occasionally with fuchsia, red and black. Thigh high splits were the order of the day and the back was without a doubt the erogenous zone of choice. It’s a tough look to pull of if you aren’t a model but given that items will only be available to order and Jasper runs a semi-couture house maybe you could get them tweaked.  

Stand out pieces were the colour blocked red on white shift dress, and two stunning white dresses one with an angular powerful glazed tulle cape, looking both diaphanous and powerful, the other with slits up the side front and opposing side back looked breathtaking. Once again the problem with simplicity and looking effortless is a single stitch out of place destroys a piece. The showroom was apparently beavering away until 8 am to finish the collection and this dedication really paid off. Last season I loved the panelled dresses that were cunningly only stitch on the corners. This season the wonderfully finished open seams were back but in a more subtle way giving us the smallest hint of skin when we least expected it. Backs were either bare or with crossing straps like the most exquisite apron, and this is meant as a compliment, or with razor sharp racer backs.  

To top this off the accessories complimented the idea of invisible strength and beauty with clear or blood red perspex clutches and handbags.

ps I soo need to get a new camera!

Updated:: Paul Costelloe // London // Spring Summer 2012

As ever Paul Costelloe kicked off London Fashion Week this morning. Which meant a ridiculously early start for my goodself. Honestly 5 am is a time to be stumbling home not to be desperately trying to put outfit choices together. It is fashion week after all.

Having worked all week with the very lovely Rebekah Roy casting, styling and fitting the show I was looking forward to seeing it all through. Final checks were made, a dress rehersal had (thank God! as the chanegs turned out to be even faster than we had anticipated) and then at 9 (well 9.30) the show began.  It was of course the traditional flurry of clothes both off and on, tweaks in the line up and hush shouting for the models. The buzz of working back stage never ends. I genuinely love it and miss it between shows. Four or five months work comes down to thirty or forty minutes of ice cold coolness out the front and controlled panic backstage.

The menswear was a great collection of wide legged Oxford Bags, slim trousers, with great coats and jackets. Several large romantic shirts billowed down the catwalk. In a bit of a Miami Vice moment there was a great white suit with an aqua dress shirt. The flurry of colour at the end was a great end to the silver greys of the start, each section clearly appealing to a slightly different Costelloe man.

The womens collection was the usual collection of pelumed angels this season in silvers, creams and whites. I loved it, and it looked fab from the crazed frenzy of backstage.

Apologies for the poor quality of the images but iPhones really arent designed for this and my camera was buried under a several other people’s bags.


To watch more, visit designer_profile.aspx?DesignerID=242

Richard Nicoll // London Fashion Week // Vodafone

Richard Nicoll Spring Summer 2011

Each season London goes a little bit crazy for fashion week. I mean at the end of the day it’s just a trade show. No one gets their knickers in a twist about Plumbers Expo or whatever it may be. Then again you don’t see the likes of Olivia Palermo, Anna Wintour and more rocking up to see the latest innovations in U-bend technology.  But seriously people it’s just a trade show. Naturally when I’m stressed outside a show dying to get in I try and convince myself of the same thing.

Now Richard Nicoll and Vodafone have teamed up to let 10 mere mortals in to experience the shoulder barging, seat stealing high life for themselves, through the Vodafone VIP experience. If I wasn’t already with a rival I’d be tempted to enter the comp myself! I’d prob have more chance of getting tickets to what is normally one of the highlights of London Fashion Week.

Other events being planned including the launch of some new accessories and a personal appearance by Richard in the Vodafone flagship store.

If you are a Vodafone customer all you have to do is register your interest on Vodafone’s website and hope for the best.

Photo credit: Fashionlover.com via Style.com

NEWGEN MEN // SS2012 // London Fashion Week

So the Topshop NEWGEN sponsorship has been announced. Whilst I would have loved to have seen the insanity of Charlie Le Mindu getting some backing (I still hope he’ll show this season, as last season was amazing), the choices of James Long (left, below) and Christopher Shannon (right, below)for catwalk shows are great. I think both will bring some freshness to Menswear Day. 

James Long AW11 // Bainser Menswear Style BlogChristopher Shannon AW11 // Bainser Menswear Style Blog

(photo credit: www.catwalking.com via London Fashion Week)

James’ collection teaming great knitwear with chunky new tweeds and checks and slim trousers was both wearable and exciting. Normally I’m not a fan of the long cardigan but these appeared light and easy as well as warm.I especially loved the pink tweed biker jacket. Gorgeous!

I remember leaving Christopher’s show last season excited by the craziness of it. Sure the flounced tracksuits would never get within a million miles of my wardrobe but that’s not the point. The above look however was genius!

I would have loved to have seen JW Anderson get a full show again. I really loved last seasons collection. From layered latex to great new knitwear, and beautiful hooded tailoring, everyone was excited by it (My full review review can be found over at Amelia’s Magazine). Though they have been awarded sponsorship for a presentation so it will be really interesting to see what they can come up with! I can not wait.

Other winners included the ever talented Sibling. Who knows where they’ll go after last seasons pub crawl through Shoreditch and its environs, but I will be clammering at the doors to find out. 

Sibling

Sibling

Overall Menswear day is shaping up to be another huge success, and I’m already counting down until September. Obviously we still have Paris and Milan menswear fashion weeks to come first. Yes they get whole weeks! I’m not bitter, no no, not at all! If London keeps growing in popularity who knows this dream may become a reality.

Click through for the full list of winners.

Horace - Autumn Winter 2011 

You know those moments you just wish you were cool, like rockstar cool! It doesn’t matter who you are, we’ve all done it. At least I’m hoping we have or I’m totally out on a limb here. Almost anytime I meet up with a particular friend of mine from uni, that’s exactly how I feel. She’s fantastic, talented and lovely, our lecturers said to her face she’d never go far but now she’s designing for a great and ever growing brand. I’d be jealous if I wasn’t so impressed by it all. On top of this she’s cool. Like rockstar cool. So are her friends and the people she’s worked for. So when I bumped into her outside the presentation for Horace I knew I was onto something good. We chatted and sipped our LFW Vitamin Water for a bit before being brought into the next presentation.

The lights dimmed, the music blared and a multi layered film began. I thought that would be it, but slowly models began to parade round us. It was far more intimate than your traditional show or presentation. Plenty of time to take great shots if unlike me you have a decent camera. Horace is a burgeoning casualwear brand building firmly on its growing fanbase. That includes the likes of Sienna Miller, Agy Deyn and the new cast of Skins.
 


The collection opened with neon infused intarsia knitwear for both men and women with striking geometric designs. What followed was an eclectic mix covering everything from wild banana print trousers and boots, oversized slogan Ts, and faux fur trousers. For women there was everything from a feather trimmed swimsuit, to a monumental coat that bore almost duvet like proportions. Which was looked like a club kid had robbed an old Viktor & Rolf collection and made it their own. Fantastic.


 

Interspersed amongst the more adventurous prints and feathered trousers were some quirky and wearable clothes. From extra large printed jersey and chambray tops, or a leather biker jacket for the boys, to a layered baby doll dress and short shorts for the girls.


Horace is stocked in all the coolest places in Europe and the Far East, their aesthetic is born of the best and most secret East London clubs. The presentation part catwalk show, part video showed their understanding of their customer, their vision and showcased the eclectic fun collection to its best. I may never be cool enough to carry off half the clothes, but I salute those who are, and in the meantime I need to figure out how to get my hands on the leather jacket I saw.


Photo Credit: Liza Maria Dawson

Click through images to go to Horace’s facebook and more images by Liza Maria Dawson

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