Dinner chez Topshop thrown by Sir Philip Green. Here are the gorgeous Giles, sexy Christian Louboutin and me.
Our Antony Miles, Charlie Harrington and Claudia Croft. (DRUNK!)
Richard Nicoll and Antonio Berardi (sexy buggers!)
Sophia and Shaun Leene. (Funniest man on the planet)
Simon and Yasmin Le Bon (Bless)
The lovely Lucinda Chambers of British Vogue and fabulous Nicola Jeal of The Observer
Me, American Vogue’s Mark Holgate, Richard Nicoll and the super nice Kate from American Elle
Now whose glasses am I wearing!? Well, no other than the amazing and beautiful Lou’s from Vivienne Westwood. Here she is desperately trying to get them back.
Well, lovely Ten fans – this is our cover girl from September and star of the show this season. We love her – a true 10 starlet. A quick pic of Alla, me and Mr. Berardi during the final fittings of the evening and she’s looking AMAZING. Share the love!! Sx
OMG! OMG! Magic is afoot. What a fab new invention: a real-life rub-out ink pen! Amazing and special and only ONE in London. And I have it! Hahahaha! Sx
We leaving on a jet plane / don’t know when I’ll be back again!! Amazing – going home to London town for the fashion moment of the calendar – what’s that you say? Why? Well, it’s London Fashion Week, of course! 25-years-old this year. Here’s super-catty model casting maestro Rami and I – not sure what he’s doing with his tongue?! Sx
Francisco Costa’s breezy take on spring 10 dressing brought a breath of fresh air into a sometimes stuffy New York fashion week. He continued his experiments with volume and new geometries: naturalistic softer geometries, and when the feeling took him he played with surface details: darting, smocking and some technique that puckered the, mainly, lightweight fabrics. It was a great show.
When backstage became front stage. UK based, American designer, L’Wren Scot gave us a behind-the-scenes show (all tidied up and neat) where already-dressed models walked in front of running rails and ‘look-sheets’, to teeter in divine shift dresses. There was a certain refreshing quality to her spring collection and the polka dot blouse and other cute separates spelt: RETAIL WINNER!
I’m a huge fan of Phillip Lim. This has something to do the with the win win dresses he produces: they have this un-aging quality to them – I mean it. Put one of these well-priced little numbers on and feel instantly younger. For spring he looked at the wardrobe of a thoroughly modern New York girl: cute seperates and again, divine dresses. He also took away the predictability that New York suffers with – oh, and he’s the current fave of SJP – you knew her don’t you?! Fab show.
Marchesa’s presentation offered a sure-fire line-up of red carpet options that will, without a doubt, populate premieres around the world. Was there cohesion? Was there originality? Well, not really – but there were gorgeous gowns for all types of starlets – for sure! sx
Proenza Schouler was amazing – really truly amazing – the colours, the textures, the challenging mashing of two ideas was made for their unique DNA, and what makes the must-see show of the week. Brilliant Sx
Ralph Lauren cleverly and successfully meshed menswear into womenswear, when the clever gent took ‘grandad’ shirts and morphed them into eveningwear – his denim coloured silk mimicked but optimized the feeling of luxury with a fabulous twist. My favourite – me being a veritable magpie – were the Swarovski encrusted jeans, of course! Sparkle Sprakle. Sx
Well what can I say?! Oscar, for me, has always represented the height of luxe and craftmanship. Something that, one could argue, makes him the Valentino of New York – times this then with the quality of his pieces made by most incredibly skilled craftsmen and artisans, and you’re on to a winner. Interestingly too, this show represented a modernisation of his signature, a fresher vision that was pure perfection. Brilliant! Sx
And power dressing returns. Suits AND, more importantly the shift dress, single handedly brought back on to the streets by Michelle Obama, no less. And then we whooped at these shifts in new techno fabrications – a wonderful creased lame and taffeta and some shifts came folded. Things got trixy (but not enough to leave pieces swinging on department store rails) when he tried his hand at cutting out shapes in garments and doing clever things with zippers, it worked – well. Good stuff here.
Welcome to the world of Rodarte. A universe unique to the Californian girls
that is more reminiscent of a universe created by Tim Burton himself; beautiful,
dark and mysteriously magical. The clothes emerged from a sea of smoke that
lapped their legs and only added to the experience. One of my favorites of
the week so far! Sx
Sitting at the Marc Jacobs show a day earlier I was sure I sniffed a hint of Sue Pollard in the air and I was right. Younger sister line Marc by Marc was overrun by Sue P look-a-likes. Well, maybe more ‘Sue Pollard/Tavi a likes’, but still. Who would have thought a British national treasure could become Marc’s newest muse? This is the line that likes to dress up, but strip back the kooky styling and the mid-calf riot print skirts and super cropped jackets will sit in the very best wardrobes. I might even indulge and get me one of those bows for my curly coiffure!
Watching this going down the catwalk I must admit I was making a mental list of things to pinch when I sneaked backstage after the show. Everything I love is here. The colours, the sexiness, the looseness (more room for food, always very important), the easiness. Rodriguez understands modern American sportswear, indeed masters it – the zip-front jacket, cropped pants in chic, stretchy fabrics are as contemporary now as they were, 13 or so years ago when we first saw them. Congratulations on another stellar offering.
Well, I have to say I’m quite lovin’ Halston’s pre Marios Schwab wonderful retro offering. It’s inspired by the new scent. Definitely enough to keep us going ’till Marios Schwab’s Fall 2010 debut methinks Sx
Okay I love super-blogger Tavi, she’s a great little secret in the fashion world – well, she was!
Tavi’s been at all the shows with her dad, bless her, but I’m a little concerned about what she’s telling her teacher, after all, she is only 13 and I worry about how this industry has a very low boredom threshold. Speaking as a concerned parent, Tavi, gorge: watch those fashion vultures. sx
As sent to the gorgeous Claudia Croft of Sunday Times Style fame by wonderful reader Violet. Violet is an actress in her 70s, with many a wonderful idea. Here’s something she came up with earlier – a bag hook. With a mirror. So you can check for lipstick or food in your teeth – adore beyond!!! Sx
While trawling round Jeffrey’s enjoying a spot retail therapy I spied this corner of inspiration. The kings & queens of fashiondom have recreated their hits in minature for a very special collection of dollys. They’ll be sold in a silent auction with all proceeds going to a select group of Aids & breast cancer charities. Amazing!! Here’s a little sample of the Margiela & Balmain offerings!!
How do you reinvent your own signature in just one show? Well, you make like Marc, that’s how. Rain macs – plain rain macs (belted). Ruffles (organic-looking) on dresses, like something from the 70s. And then a clever game with lingerie – satin and light blue bra tops worn over prim peach shirting. This will happen. And then longer, fuller skirts folded over in the same stripy fabric at the waist. So much mix and match! New-way flats too (no heels, if I remember rightly)… Look! This is new. It’s also beautiful. For make-up fans, the kabuki style faces will be copied – heavily, I guarantee. Wonderful show.
It was a tick list of Donna Karan favourites at her SS10 show: the super jersey dresses? Check! Wonderful draping? Check! Flattering shapes and colours? Check! Plus some of the best pencil skirts – it’s hard to get a pencil skirt just right, trust me – we’ve seen in ages. And she’s looking great. That final bow! I’m taking up yoga.
“Loose and tight”, one of the thoughts pursued so successfully by Thakoon as he talked of his inspiration. ‘Toute la societe de New York’ are wearing these damn great clothes, there’s no wonder he featured in ‘The September Issue’. The dresses he does so well were there – the picture here just one example of the slightly kimono-esque feeling to some of the prints. Seller!
Certain designers have established a niche for themselves and grown to know their customer base so well, they become lazy. Not here. Not now. Zac Posen knows his clientele – he’s friends with many – but he keeps pushing his ideas: bright bold colourful dresses – some had sticky-out hems, some with clever cut-outs. There is a reason to buy eveningwear, and it says Zac Posen in the label.
Before final applause a goal net dropped from above and on walked ace footballer Zidane – Zidane takes shot – SCORES! And the designer Yohji Yamamoto does the same. Yes, you are correct in assuming that football and football related apparel were key to this entertaining show. Netting in pieces of clothing indeed: sleeveless cute dresses with fuller skirts (pictured) And when tailoring came – it carried a national flag. The Japanese sun ones were best.
Can DKNY really be 21? It seems incredible. True the younger sister line of Donna Karan is a part of and feels like it’s been part the scene for an age – but 21! Not that this means she’s a stick in the mud – the upbeat, quintessentially big apple spirit is still there by the bucketload: the suits massive news for spring were there in dozens of variations, silk pants too (great with a jacket) and a new play on shorts. It was confident skillflly achieved and fun.
Anoraks, giant polka dots, eyes on hats… I’d wager that this handsome chap has had more influence on menswear as it currently stands than anyone. The shorter pant! The slimmer mac, the beautiful wool cropped jacket, the short suit… I have to mention the presentation and styling: always, always great. *Lot’s of waterproof pieces – and London looks forward to precipitation.
A move forward from last season’s static presentation, Victoria Beckham gave a group of gathered journalists an in-depth explanation of these, in some cases, internally complicated dresses. A huge thumbs up to the eveningwear, of course, ‘Victoria Beckham’ is the label sewn into the backs of the chicest dresses on E’s must-tune-in RED CARPET WATCH! And what did she say as means of introduction? “Look, I know who I am, I know I came from a pop group and married a footballer, but I think people can look beyond that and see the actual clothes for what they are.” A very nice lady, I’m sure you’ll agree. And, yes, that is me with the curly hair sat next to her.
Richard chose to show his new second line Love on the catwalk this season. Perhaps he was hinting at the crunch – a kind of ,’Look, I understand, the state of things now’ statement. Or, perhaps just a clever move to show off what he calls the “girlfriend” of his main line menswear. Either way, it was a cute first show of a secondary line – look out for the pretty floral dresses and easy-to-pull on slouchy cool separates: anorak, blazer, city shorts. It’s all here in light-weight summer fabrications. Tons of cotton, of course.
Sportswear! The re-engineering of classic sportswear pieces. This was a clever ode to track-and-field as Wang once again proved himself as a mature cutter. He may be young in age, but the skill of the deconstructed dresses and coats, that American football inspired shoulder showed his maturity in the art of cutting cloth. One buyer from a a certain London based department store told me of his “phenomonal sales!”
Who thought a skull could look so good, I mean, reeeeally. These were prints of distorted skulls that were ingeniously distorted and stretched in unnerving ways. The resulting mid-thigh tunics teamed with cute clam diggers (long time since we’ve said that) plus separates (good pants) and dresses made for some seriously good summer dressing. “I probably should have been a doctor,” said designer Victoria Bartlett about the theme of anatomy…
Anyone for a game of doubles? No one does le chic sportif quite like Monsieur Lemaire. Of course there were tons of tennis refs: the micro-pleated miniskirts, chunky-knit sweater dress and there were thoughts taking us back to the work photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue according to the show notes. Beautiful summer thoughts. The collection has long graduated from the tennis court, understand – we’re on the streets here in the height of summer.
“I have no doubt I’ll end up being carried around in a sudan chair by beautiful people after years and years of wearing high heels – I haven’t quite yet mastered the art of walking in heels without looking like Dick Emery…” Sx
OMG! It’s amazing! As soon as it comes out – RUN! RUN! To your nearest cinema. This is the tell-all documentary on the making of American Vogue’s September Issue – the big issue of the fashion year.
My fave high points include: Candy Pratts-Price and her pronunciation of Anna: “Arnarrrr”. She also calls Vogue a place of worship and when asked “Is Anna the High Priestess?”, she replies: “No, Arnarrr is the Pope!” ADORRRE!
Andre Leon Talley on the tennis courts Vuittoned-up to the max: “Anna saved my life, she made me come and exercise, but obviously I have to approach it my own way…” As they pan down to the Vuitton towel draped over his shoulders, the diamond sports watch on the wrist and the LV monogramme sports bag, water holder and racquet holder! LOVE IT! Then when asked what his role was at the defiles (pronounced ‘deh-fee-layyy’), he answered: “To help Anna have a dialogue about the collections.” AMAZE!
Then when the Ad Director is asked about Anna’s unavailability, he says: “She’s not hidden, she’s just not accessible to people she doesn’t need to be…”
But my favourite character is GRACE! Her determination, her dedication, commitment and inspiration is something we should all aspire to and learn from.
Read this article on the New York Times blog as Cathy Horn speaks to St Martins’ MA Course Director Louise Wilson: “I think the problem is that fashion has become too fashionable, says Wilson. “For years, fashion wasn’t fashionable. Today fashion is so fashionable that it’s almost embarrassing to say you’re part of fashion. All the parodies of it. All the dreadful magazines. That has destroyed it as well, because everybody thinks fashion is attainable.”
Swoon swoon – the gorgeous Olivier Lalanne of Vogue Hommes has given me my new nickname of the week:
‘Scheherazade’ (the Persian Queen who survived her serial killing King by
telling pretty stories – okayyyyyyy). He has also promised to marry me.
Difficult situation really and rather improbable but hey this is what we’d
look like as the King and Queen of Persia. Amazing!
So, this was our meet-and-greet with Beyonce and the ‘official pictures’ at her recent concert, here in London. But, in all honesty, it could have been a day at Madame Tussauds!
Here’s Antonio Berardi and Sasha Fierce aka Beyonce.
Me, Beyonce and gorgeous Anika.
Finally Lina and then Bianca, who’s looking up to the heavens in disbelief at her lucky moment: she’s finally in contact with the great woman herself! But as Bianca says: “Where am I looking? The one photo opportunity I have with BEYONCE and I’m looking into space!” And then, of course, the wonderful Julia.
Highlight moment: Beyonce asks me: “Are you having a good time?” I go: “Yeahhhhhhhhhhh! I’m here with Beyonce!” Beyonce glares at me as if she’s encountered a real life stalker. Brilliant!
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