London Fashion Week | Day III
Photo credit: Kino, @shotbykino
LFW | Day III | From Fashion Week Virgin to Practiced Amateur, in 2 days or Less!
If you missed Days I and II catch up here and here!
Sacrificing a leisurely Sunday brunch with Mr O was worth it to start the day with a serving of fabulous fashion! By Day III I felt like an old-timer, even though I was technically still a novice at negotiating this thing called Fashion Week. But with my my route from our Hackney hotel to Fashion Scout’s Freemason’s Hall down to a T, I arrived in time to see a series of smash hits from the new Ones to Watch!
Ones to watch
Featuring collections from Aucarré [@aucarre_skalidaki], Price on Request [@priceonrequest] and Nous Etudions [@nousetudions], these collections were as dramatic as they were different and as inspirational as they were punky and beautiful! Full low down on all thee collections below.
Designer opposite: Nous Etudions, @nousetudions
Aucarré
Drama! That’s the word I’d use to sum up this strikingly beautiful collection. From the black-on-red gowns, skirted in scarlet millefeuille, to the gigantic floral appliqués and pretty intricate prints, this was a collection of the highest dramatic order!
Deconstructed jackets vied for attention with highly-constructed belts. Accessories were verging on the fetishistic (including a butterfly-shaped face mask), while footwear was printed and decorative.
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
price on request
There were undeniable punky, androgynous and sporty tones to this collection from the Croatia-based label.
Transparent panels on trousers, sleeves and blazers nodded to SS19, while black vinyl kept the clothes firmly rooted in darker times, and an even darker mood.
For me, the pièce de résistance was the ivory trench coat, affixed with myriad fabric-fold appliqués, that rendered it chic, but just this side of urban as to co-exist against the edgier pieces (see model on left).
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
nous etudions
Now this collection was a piece of me! Sherbet-coloured, pastel suiting, columns of beautiful colour and a level of matchy-matchiness seldom seen anywhere else but on the runway (and me)!
I’ll be honest, the crinkly blue metallic pieces I could definitely live without, but as to everything else, I’d have it all in my wardrobe!
Without doubt, my favourite piece was the pink oversized coat with yellow branded lettering. It even comes with multiple, built-in boxy bags - practical and fabulous! Who knew?
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
Tip #9: Don’t be shy!
There’s a wealth of great fashion and street style to be enjoyed in London any day of the week, but more than ever, during Fashion Week. So don’t let your shy, retiring side stop you from asking for a photo of the inspirational stylistas on the streets!
Opposite: The charming and gorgeous Tiffany Anaïs, @visual.milk just in from NYC
F.H. CHristensen
A blush-crush feather-fest of über-femininity kicked off this show, much to my delight. There are simply not enough feathery finds to be had, if you ask me, and much of these pieces were trimmed in feathers - a far easier wear than a full, feather-strewn skirt, take it from me!
Then followed a jewel-toned bounty of transparent, risqué lace looks, embroidered gowns with plunging necklines and a-symmetric dresses in iridescent taffetas and rich velvets.
A final feathery flourish, in shades of blood-red and black completed this glamorous collection.
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
Tip #10: Make new friends
I’ve mentioned already how overwhelmingly friendly, generous and welcoming the fashion crowd made me feel. But this cannot be overstated. From shooting my picture, to taking me to shows and presentations I didn’t know about, and sharing a cuppa at some of the prettiest places in London, EVERYONE I met was lovely! These are just some of my Day III pals!
Smiling in his signature Brixton hat, Kino of @shotbykino and @streetstylebykino
Steven Tai
After tea, me and my little posse of new friends headed to The Shop at Bluebird on Floral St to see the Steven Tai presentation.
And what a feast for the senses it was! The whole loft space, complete with outdoor terrace, was infused with the scent of fresh flowers, slowly maturing in the late summer heat. Spring was in full bloom in the colours and adornments of the clothes too - from soft lavenders and punchy oranges, to grassy greens and warm, earth tones, it was reminiscent of a hot and hazy day in a field of wild flowers.
Ruffled necks and cuffs, rope belts and safari-style, oversized pockets made for a practical and pretty combination. Tai brought a true diversity of model, which was both refreshing and very beautiful to see.
And with a glass of English sparkling wine in hand, it was a sensory overload I’ll never forget!
Tip #11: Take time out
There’s no doubt the exhilaration I felt was matched only by the fatigue of being on-the-go, with little down-time, for several days straight. I’m not complaining, but to make it easier on yourself, if you’re accompanied and supported, as I was, by your other half, or you have a friend in town, take time out to meet and eat with them. It will re-charge you and keep your feet on the ground!
An early evening bite at BrewDog - nearby, tasty and a chance to see Mr O!
Starsica
An über-feminine, quirkiness pervading much of this collection was offset by transparent, peekaboo, breast cut-outs that were rather unexpected!
The scalloped-edged looks were reminiscent of the flat, little paper doll’s clothes, called scraps, that you attached by folding the tabs back around the cardboard doll - well, it was the 70s! They were quirky, colourful and, apparently, entirely waterproof!
Tiered skirts and micro-pleats created fluid lines, and the multiple frills on one turquoise coat-dress hinted at the boudoir chic of Doris Day movies and a Hollywood glamour we’ve all but lost.
Wearable tea-dresses and midi lengths were eminently easy, but the top-to-toe, lilac, ruffled look was by far my favourite… if far from everyday wear!
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
a-Jane
Blessed with a prime position in the FROW meant a chance to capture some quality close-ups (even if I was mostly shooting slo-mo video on iPhone and editing stills from it)!
A strong urban practicality (denoted by boyish shorts and brogues) was mixed perfectly in this collection with the subtle femininity created primarily by the multiple layers of fabric folds and gathers; nips and tucks; knots, ruffles and ribbons.
This celebration of material manipulation and craftwork carried through to the accessories - particularly note-worthy were the cone-shaped, fluted cuffs and scrunched-up, purse appliqués in acid greens and neon oranges.
A triumph of modernity!
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
Stories from arabia | Atelier Zuhra
It was a stretch to get from Freemason’s Hall to the Institute of Directors on Pall Mall in time to catch this whole show, but with the promise of so much prettiness, and an after-party on site, it was always going to be worth the rush!
Another collective of designers showed beautifully crafted gowns in feathers, beading and silks. Here are a selection of my favourite looks from a handful of designers.
Atelier Zuhra’s collection appeared to be inspired by Swan Lake’s beautiful, icy whiteness. Feathers and silver slivers of mirrored appliqués reflected light and gave a lightness of touch to this oh-so-glamorous evening wear collection.
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
1Mor
The ‘Emerald Collection’ was beautifully embellished and offered the perfect mix of loose-fitting, highly-wearable styles and haute luxe adornment.
The pops of emerald green were all the more special for their sparing use against a largely monochrome aesthetic.
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
Farfalla
Screaming spring/summer loudly and proudly, this collection was reminiscent of butterflies fluttering on a sunny summer’s day.
Bright satin prints and monochrome gowns floated down the runway with a liquidity and fluidity that oozed drama and femininity.
Photo credit: Simon Armstrong
Photo credits: Simon Armstrong
Tip #12: party!
One of the most fun parts of Fashion Week was meeting some of my fellow Instagrammers and bloggers!
This is the lovely Katarzyna [@katz_london] who I met in real life for the first time with Jade [@jademadgwickphotography] at the Mansion House soirée following the runway show. We spent the evening together, drinking gin cocktails and posting silly IG stories!
Just don’t have so much fun you miss the last train back!