I didn’t get a ticket to the Mark Fast show. He is probably one of my favourite designers. But I didn’t get a ticket. Not that I’m bitter about it or anything but did I mention that he is one of my favourite designers? And did I also mention that I didn’t get a ticket to his show?

Hmm anyway like I say I’m not bitter… but if I was bitter, which I’m not, my last women’s wear show of fashion week might have done something to lighten this mood, because hold on to your hats Mark Fast fans; a new knitwear kid on the block has arrived and her name is Alice Palmer.

Fitted yet uniquely sculptural knitwear was the order of the day, or rather evening, at this show. A simple palette of black and white with the odd flash of gold lurex thrown in (ooh love gold, love lurex!) made sure these numbers were both fabulously original and completely wearable.

Highlights included the hidden pockets of contrasting colours within the dresses, a two tone cape and the fitted black crop and mini worn with long white knitted coat which had a daring ‘Pretty Woman’ feel to it.

With a touch of futuristic panelling, a hint of skeletal ribbing and a whole lot of sexy cut out detailing… I soon found myself asking… Mark Who?

All my fashion week goings ons are on my blog

BB
xxx

All photos my own

As fashion week went on I started to look forward to the presentations more and more. A break from the fast paced stress of rushing from show to show, the presentations usually lasted a few hours meaning you could drop in whenever you could and browse at your leisure.

Although despite the free alcohol and free food (at one presentation I was even given carbs! At a fashion event! Whatever next?) I found they could sometimes be a little unimaginative, a few mannequins displaying the clothes and nothing to really tell me anything about the designer or what their collection was representing, meaning often I was in and out within 10mins.

However when I arrived at Somerset House on the morning of Day 5, I was shown how informative and interesting a presentation could be. Christian Blanken is a designer I am familiar with from my days interning at his pr agency many moons ago so I already had high hopes for the collection which is usually somewhere in between elegant separates and to die for tailoring. The presentation set exactly the right tone for the clothes; clean, understated and effortlessly chic. A rolling stream of modest looking models entered the all white Portico Rooms in pairs, styled in the latest Christian Blanken looks. They seemed unaware of anyone around them, posed for no one and simply stood for long enough for us all to admire the beauty of their outfit. The clothes themselves were fuss free and super sharp with his signature luxe sportswear edge, metallic gunmetal silver minis were teamed with layered knitwear and classic blazers, soft yet luxurious textured and fur jackets in monochrome colours were offset with neatly tailored trousers, and printed jersey seperates were worn with razor cut leather.

This was to be trumped yet again though when I visited my second presentation of the day – Maria Francesca Pepe. Set in a dark gothic atmosphere where lights were low and music was eery, entering this presentation was a challenge in itself… led only by a faint red light and scary horned mannequin inside a religious circle. Once inside the room, live model mannequins sat freakishly still upon tables and benches, made up to look like silver statues and showcasing acres of Maria’s signature fierce jewellery – wear.

Glass Cabinets held this seasons key pieces including amulets and horns, leather cuffs and chest adornments and spiked and studded stilettos.

With a suitably dramatic feel to the collection and a strong sense of theatre to the pieces, it is no surprise that Maria has quoted icons such as Rihanna and Lady Gaga as the muses or her fierce, quirky sense of style.

See the rest of the action from my fashion week here

BB

Xxx

All photos my own

Last night Be and I attended the opening of “Four Hats,” the delightful exhibition of a young man with his finger so firmly wedged in many a pie; illustrator/artist/designer Matt Cruickshank put on a lovely show of vivid colours and 3D installations for all to ponder over.

Shoreditch boys and girls were out in mass and got their RSVP in early to catch this fruity spectacle of paintings, illustrations, sketches, digital and sculpture.

The exhibit will be running until May 5th and I strongly suggest a gander.

It’s housed at NOBROW publishing and gallery/bookshop.

Where: 62 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR, London

(old street tube station)

Enjoy.

We headed to The Rex this week in Berkhamstead, thanks to Jacqui, who has been banging on about this cinema for the past two years. Finally gave in to her, since she is about to head back up north next week (sob) and jumped on a train, a real, overground train for AAAAGES!!!…

and OH MY GOD it’s lush. Opened in 1938, its Art Deco at its most decadent. Tables with wine and cheese boards on the ground floor, and comfy sofa - seats in the stands, it is simply exquisite. After the trailers, the man below in a tux comes out to give you the latest Cinema news and introduces the film. And Berkhamstead is lovely too! If you’re stuck for something to do, jump on a train from Euston… but make sure you book, it sells out fast.

x

If there is one tiny little bone of contention I have about my experience of fashion week, it is that often my standing ticket, in other words not important enough to be in the line of view for photographers, has somewhat limited my views of the outfits as a whole during shows. To put it bluntly standing at the back means I am never privy to what I’m sure more often than not, are extremely covetable shoes… and if there is one thing I love about fashion – it is the shoes!

After constantly reading tweets about fabulous shoes here, fabulous shoes there, when I finally got my chance to be bumped up to front row at The Joanne Hynes/ Helen Steele catwalk, I threw myself and my bags over the seat so quickly I nearly took out the photographer next to me!

And if I could have picked any show to be privy to the footwear it would have been this one… as soon it the first model strutted out in patent wedges so high they practically came up to my knees when sitting, I knew it was going to be good.

From then along with long tight dresses, gold lame and patent skirts and full fur coats, the shoes continued to dazzle me time and time again.

Patchwork Snakeskin flat Chelsea boots in an array of colours were a highlight, as were the eccentric glam rock platforms, both designed by Joanne Hynes. Hand painted clogs in distressed look metallic bronze fitted perfectly with the bright accents and graphic prints of the collection.

A collaboration between the Irish designer Hynes and the artist Helen Steele, the printed items were what really stood out. Steele’s own series of paintings had been translated into dresses, scarves and tees with digitally constructed moving images and then clad with Hynes signature crystal hallmarks to create a wonderful clash of pattern and texture.

A favourite outfit for me, and one I would happily wear tomorrow if I could was the black patent ra-ra skirt teamed with gorgeous cream arran knit and shiny purple wicker platforms. Along with a stylish blonde hair cut on the model and a swish of bright orange lipstick it nearly had me drooling.

All the rest of the fun from fashion week is on my blog

BB

xxx

All photos my own

Nightly she went in search of a new warm bed and hoped for redemption between its sheets. That poor misguided wretch. She naively gave herself to strangers but even the prostitutes know to get something in return. Its when a young girl finds herself without a single female friend that she’s really in trouble.

Image Credit: http://annaliss.tumblr.com/page/2

x

See more from the wonderful Blau at www.blaubushka.com and she is on Ballad all month!

Fashion is a faith?

Fashion is a drug?

Fashion is a craving?

Fashion??

Be x

After a couple of days of a distinct lack of discernible colour at London Fashion Week, the Bernard Chandranshow was a joy to behold. Fuchsia, tangerine and scarlet (more evidence of red being the hot accent colour for next winter) were shown head to toe on structured cocktail dresses and miniskirts in fabrics that had that characteristic Chandran sheen. Lace-up ankle boots and opaque tights completed the full on colour coordination.

This technicoloured show was my first show of the week in the new BFC space on Northumberland Avenue, and quite the apt setting it turned out to be. The luxe textures and opulence of Chandran’s autumn/winter 2011 collection suited the cavernous room with its ornate ceiling and multiple chandeliers.

As well as the warm brights there was plenty of drama in a moodier tones: black dresses with patent panels, plus dark teal and navy gowns with diagonal check print. When dark tones clashed with bright on daywear - for instance a black quilted jacket over magenta tights and boots - the resultant colour blocking was superb. But for evening it didn’t always work. A perfectly lovely red lace gown was appendaged with a black patent leather petal-shaped protrusion at the hip, thereby placing it too far into avant-garde territory for many a red carpet-walker’s stylist to consider. Not that there weren’t plenty of other options, not least the marabou feather topped cocktail frocks. On the whole, this was actually a more restrained collection than recent seasons, and Chandran’s knack for luxe, off-kilter glamour shone through.

Images: Katie Wright

…at least for another 7 months. Was it amazing? YES! Did we all have heaps of fun? YES! Are we so so so so so tired? HELL YES!!

Bye London Fashion Week, we love you.

Photos are courtesy of our lovely intern Meg x

So not only does our intern, Rebecca Jackson, Style shoots and Photograph shoots…she also makes books. Something new everyday from Rebecca! Gingham Chintz and vintage. These are SOOOO Ballad.