2009 September | Fashion For Lunch

Archive for September, 2009

Armour yourself

Clearly I am feeling all of the Grecian draping showing at London Fashion Week for Spring/ Summer 2010. I’m not sure who wouldn’t look good in fluid jersery and silk. It’s elegant and effortless, which brings me to Body Amr’s S/S 10 presentation of poolside luxury.

I visited the showroom with my fellow fashion-lover Suzanne, who dissected The September Issue alongside me at the Electric several Saturdays ago. She has been sporting her Amr for several seasons, and who else to better guide me through the collection than a veteran? When we first arrived, we sat in on the film presentation, a dramatic clip featuring a gorgeous model traipsing around the Nevada desert in Body Amr’s must-have spring collection. I was hooked.

Then onto the clothes, where we were able to feel our way through the collection (not as cheeky as it sounds sadly, but I love nothing more than exploring fabrications). The line was inspired by the clean simple lines of RTW American fashion, according to the reading material. Beautiful fuscia and peach mix with aqua and bold metalics this spring. I adore ( x100) this wrapping champagne and coral maxi above–it makes me wish for a warm spring evening asap. Here we arrive at the predicament of working months ahead of the curve: unfortunately we’re still several seasons off from wearing any of these pieces, but this would be perfect for my Croatian holiday (oh so slowly approaching) next summer.

These candy floss colours look sweet and romantic swirled together in this halter dress.

This gold sequinned mini is the perfect metallic pop for Spring/ Summer.

Pools of blue jersey draped for luxe lounging.

22.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Boudoir chic

Clear images? What?! It can’t be! Thankfully, Style.com has refilled its photo gallery with London Fashion Week images, and we have returned with more pro shots and less hand-held blurriness just in time for Antoni Berardi’s SS 2010 collection. The Sicilian-born designer is already a favourite of mine, especially after meeting him at Fashion’s Night Out. He was so kind greeting customers at the entrance to Browns, which only increased my fashion crush.

Berardi unleashed his line of sheer embellished corsets and silky drapery on St. Mark’s Church in Mayfair on Sunday night. Apparently influenced by a trip to Venice, the designer’s Spring/ Summer collection shined in exceptional detailing and tailoring. The nude and petal-coloured corsets opened the night beneath fluid kimono sleeves and later, peaked out under structured evening suits–stealing the show. Embellished with sparkling crystals, the boned bodice brings lingerie to daylight.

Berardi dashed in several bright azure and orange sherbet drapey suits that were lovely, but the designer’s Italian influence was most clearly felt in the subtle sheer detailing of these bra-inspired looks.

Shop Berardi’s Autumn/ Winter 09 collection on LynkU now.

22.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Jasmine di Milo

I was attempting to come up with a creative title for this post, but designer Jasmine Al Fayed has already taken care of that with her line so I’ll get straight to the presentation. I have been a fan of Jasmine di Milo for a while (see post below praising its beautiful black AW09 collection), but SS 2010 reaffirmed my belief.

The presentation was tucked away in the maze of Somerset House, back in the Portico Room, a tiny venue with a miniscule capacity. However, once inside, the show was well worth the wait. There were two concentric circles running around gold pedestals in the center of the room. As the models filed out one by one in elegantly draped gowns and perfectly fitted looks with an emphasis on texture, I decided that I would and could wear every single outfit in the room. Diaphanous chiffons, ruched bodices, and buttery soft leathers really stood out. I could not get enough of the structured corsets and shimmery fringed coats that were delicate yet strong statement pieces.

Pleating, ruching and waves- no accessories are necessary with a mini like this. The model’s waivy locks remind me of mermaids, perfectly translating that ‘of the sea’ appearance.

Lovely one-shouldered chiffon gown in a chocolate degrade hues.

Only a silver fringe jacket could upstage a pair of high-waisted hot pants. Cannot get enough of this look.

I would wear this outfit any spring day. I adore the one-shouldered ruched top paired with textured shorts– take a close look to see the triangular imprints. Love love love.

21.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Qasimi wear-house

After climbing what felt like 300 steps, in heels mind you, I descended on Qasimi’s blackened warehouse– like someone had pulled the plug on the whole of fashion week except for a small firey glow in the centre of the runway. We all sat around the rectangular walkway as heavy music started pulsating out of the speakers.

Qasimi first debuted at fashion week in February 2008, with 40 pieces inspired by Egyptian cabaret dancers and Old Hollywood starlets. In this latest showing, H.H. Khalid bin Sultan AlQasimi and Elliott J. Frieze, creative and operating directors respectively, introduced a dramatic collection packed with bold silhouettes and hand-embellished pieces in a rich palette of crimson, turquoise and gold.

Extravagant intricacies set this line apart from others. An Arabian dream of lavishly decorated gowns and cropped coats, Qasimi’s spring season draws on the spiritualism of the Byzantine empire- according to the PRs. There were loads of peaked shoulders and structured evening suits, but the delicately draped chiffon gowns were truly stunning.

I was completely impressed by a line I admittedly knew so little of going in. This is a duo to watch in the future–whether showing in Somerset or some abandoned warehouse, Qasimi puts on an impressive show to highlight a stunning collection.

A jewel-embellished jacket has never looked better in this deep burgandy colour.

I would wear this printed gown to any function, the sky-high slit is perfect for revealing just a bit of leg.

Gold pieces add some shine to neutral dressing.

Love this combo of teal and gold detailing for Spring 2010.

21.09.2009 / 1 response / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Frills, florals and fashion

I viewed Betty Jackson’s SS 2010 collection bright and eary Sunday morning (9 a.m. thank you very much), and I realize I’m a day late in posting this, but the weekend was relentless. Fashion never sleeps, and apparently neither do writers?! Anyway, I’ve decided to catch you up on the details of this show (and a few other stops from yesterday), because it was so very pretty. Not shocking or jarring, but is that what we want of our feminine frills? No, Jackson’s collection oozed springtime femininity–in stark contrast to the dark and studded styles we are forging into as leaves start to fall.

The show opened with pastel floral prints and ruffled silk blouses and graduated into capes and cocoons, perfect for layering. Elongated neck pieces were key, with rose coloured crinoline climbing up to the models’ chins. Jackson mixed and matched bold florals and jacquards (could this be a theme developing for Spring…), and tempered decorative prints with structured silhouettes.

Silver is used as an accent tone throughout the collection, giving several looks a more evening feel. The shiny metallics broke up the floral rhythm quite nicely.

Mixing classic neutral knitwear with silvery separates adds a little shimmer to Spring style.

Love a flirty floral dress for tea or after-hours cocktails

The model looks as though she is blooming out of the neckline of her top. I’m loving the mixed floral prints and especially the oversized bow on the high-waisted skirt.

A collage of prints for springtime fun.

21.09.2009 / 1 response / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Fashion week’s T-shirt tent

Matches has brought its own brand of cool souvenirs to Somerset House. Apparently the luxe London boutique will be peddling t-shirts, bags and pins there throughout the week (er, til Tuesday in real time). I’m already collecting a mess of ticket scraps, press packets and business cards galore, but a lovely t-shirt can’t hurt, right?!

Click here to shop all Matches products on LynkU.

19.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Spring beauties

Day 2 is in full swing (and sweltering I might add, guess the Indian Summer turned up after all) and very busy. I just popped into Maria Francesca Pepe’s SS10 presentation to take a peak at her ‘Bathing Beauties,’ a collection of clothing and accessories inspired by the sea. Pepe’s fluid interpretation marries texture and silhouette, showcasing silky jacquards that clearly replicate waves in the ocean. Her clothing range is mainly in neutrals, infused with a deep aqua pigment.

The jewellery collection was most appealing, as it saw the designer reinventing her signature geometric shapes into ‘fin-like’ accessories, equipped with pleating and shimmering crystals to give an overall wet appearance. Take a look at the chunky, tubular necklaces to see how this comes off. Pepe’s Beauties even came with a leather swimming cap to complete the seaside style.

Who needs a fan when you have these pleated rings for your fingers.

Some diamonds for your diamonds, of course.

19.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
London Fashion Week has arrived

I am writing this in between shows, and presentations, and oh-so-beautiful people. What a gorgeous day in London town to start fashion week! I woke up extra early even though I already knew what I was going to wear (my camel coloured cowl neck knit from All Saints, leggings, an a-mazing pair of suede studded ankle boots from my guy Kurt Geiger, and a silvery cocoon coat from NYC).

Not wanting to be fashionably late, I run (actually skip, awkwardly….those shoes are difficult to even walk in!) to Paul Costelloe’s opening show–his sixth straight year opening LFW. After figuring out the whole press pass procedure, I take a seat and am trying to choose the best setting on my Cannon for the runway–not an easy task if you see below (sorry, I tried)–when I realize my friend, the lovely Anastasia Nemchenok, editor at SHOP magazine, is sitting directly in front of me. Perfect start to the day!

Street Chic: Ana and her amazing bag. Loving how the ripped jeans and over-the-knee boots make this outfit.

Ok now about the clothes. Costelloe showed mens and womenswear this season, but I’ll stick to what I know best. The girls came out in a rush of architectural silhouettes. There were loads of peaked and exaggerated shoulders, high collars with padding and bouncy skirts. This play on proportion saw sleek bodices take shape into angular skirts. Costelloe’s S/S 10 collection worked with a lot of jacquard fabric in metallic gold and silver, and later in coral and tangerine (my personal favourite).

After the show, we checked out all of the many presentations before heading into another round of shows. (Yes, Boris Johnson even made an appearance at Caroline Charles’ collection). Sadly, no photos were allowed in the exhibit halls, but I will post all about those finds just as soon as I receive images from the PRs (such a tease). Ok back into the mix…

Gold jacquard dress, loving the floppy fringe on all the models

There you go high neck and sharp shapes. Costelloe showed several of these skirts where there appeared to be box-like prints in the fabric.

High peaks, cannot get enough of these shoulders. Certainly elongates the neck ...

*Shop all Paul Costelloe here.

18.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway
Rox star

Accessories are a girl’s best friend, and I like nothing better than finding the perfect ring— not necessarily limiting myself to the diamond variety at that. When I first came across Bex Rox and her exquisite collection of modern jewellery, it was love at first sight. The designer blends gold-plated fossils, semi-precious stones, leather and chain to create reworked vintage pieces with a decidedly art deco feel. I was determining an outfit to wear with the gunmetal/gold combo bracelet when I stumbled upon the rings.

Oh the rings! Think your mother’s cocktail jewellery with a twist. Chunky onyx, mother of pearl and rose quartz are modern and affordable luxury options.

According to her web site, Bex was raised in the Balearic islands and drew inspiration from her natural surroundings and travels in Asia. The designer recently took home the award for London’s Best New Jewellery at Coutts London Jewellery week, and her collection is already on display in the glossies: Vogue, In Style, Harper’s and Marie Claire to name a few. Take a look, and shop the collection here.

16.09.2009 / no responses / Category: A/W 09 Runway
Rodarte for every meal

As the oh-so-creative title would suggest, I adore Rodarte.. for lunch, for tea, forever. This fascination goes way back, to say 2005 when Kate and Laura Mulleavy brought their very first 10-piece collection to New York. A practice in delicate draping and detailing, the line epitomizes femininity. I will certainly stare at these runway shots from New York Fashion Week for hours (thank you, Style.com). I can be quite obsessive about lines I love, and Rodarte’s S/S 2010 collection is quite the fashion feast.

This season the Mulleavy sisters created a fiercely beautiful landscape. Not quite tribal, though you could be misled by the models’ arm decoration, the show was unveiled with a gothic haze rising from the runway. Destroyed, ravaged, ripped and burned–this is fashion survival at its best.

Yes, yes, sure, of course there were trousers in the show, perfectly fitted and paired with amazing Nicholas Kirkwood gems, but let’s get back to the dresses. The stained berry hues mixed with moody ebony and granite are key in this inspired end-of-the-world dream. Shards of cloth and twisted fabric are strewn everywhere, and yet only in necessary details. Ferocious yet feminine, Rodarte is interesting in its intricacies.

Rodarte S/S 2010 runway shots from Style.com

16.09.2009 / no responses / Category: S/S 10 Runway