Whilst snooping around the Somerset exhibitions during London Fashion Week, I came across these lovely Lola Rose scarves for spring.  I have always been, and will always be, a faithful scarf  lover, and now I’ve got my eye on Lola.  Lola Rose was created by Nicola Gewirtz in 2000 in answer to our prayers concerning affordable luxury accessories.  Nicola/ Lola aims to make shoppers feel “wonderful” and emphasises the importance of splurging every now and then. Ah, a girl after my own heart. Retailing from £65 to £195, the Lola Rose scarves are breezy and sweet–perfect for spring!

What we all need is a bit more l-o-v-e.  The Love scarves let you wear your heart on your neck in a mix of soft pastels and bolder tones.  Chocolate/pink and sky blue/fuchsia are favourites.  I would knot this around my neck with a crisp white button-down and pair with jeans, or just leave it loosely strung around with a cardi.  If you’re going to go the route of message T’s or accessories, spread the amour.

Moving on with a new scarf for a new day.  It’s impossible to go wrong with paisley, and this bright blue and white number is fresh for spring.  Mix with other prints for a more eclectic look.  And then we have the paint chip print scarf.  Similar to Henry Holland’s autumn 09 collection of Pantone colour-block come-to-life, Lola Rose takes swatches of pigments and arranges them neatly in a geometric pattern.  When I look at it unravelled, the urge to paint my flat keeps gnawing at me; however, when swished around the neck it allows you to wear all the best shades of violet at once.

Shop the current collection of Lola Rose accessories on LynkU, and keep your eye out for scarves come spring!

I just received these images from Ioannis Dimitrousis’ Naughtica collection for S/S 2010, and I’m intrigued. Remember that Sex & the City ‘Fleet Week’ episode, with all of the sailors swarming midtown Manhattan joined by a throng of excited girls? (Carrie realises she doesn’t really belong amongst rowdy 20-somethings any more… I’m heading down memory lane with the box set and a Cosmo in hand). Well this is the fashion equivalent of Fleet Week/ Paul Cadmus’ paintings depicting the same scene. Guess which one inspired the designer. Cadmus’ version of sailors flocked by floozies translates into Ioannis Dimitrousis’ Naughtica collection seamlessly in splashy blue plaids and understated ivory. Though this is my first introduction to Dimitrousis, I rifled through pics of autumn 09 after finishing with spring, and am anxiously awaiting to see how this line develops.

The designer and his mum (I love that!), have returned for spring with smartly tailored jackets and floor-length gowns, enhancing designer’s signature silk crochet. I like how paillettes are woven throughout the yarn in Ioannis Dimitrousis’ Naughtica collection, it’s pure craft luxe. There must have been something in the air for spring, as we saw embroidery, tassels and patchwork cropping up all across spring runways. This home-spun flavour certainly adds a one-of-a-kind feel, like you picked the best bits from grandma’s wardrobe, strategically tugged the yarn across your body, while working in some subtle beading when necessary. If only it were that easy. Thank you Ioannis and the like (I’m talking Mark Fast here, London’s master of crochet) for translating this in a way that makes sense and looks fantastic.

Beyond the loom, Ioannis Dimitrousis’ Naughtica collection featured silk separates and a dose of plaid for him and her. Plaid has to be just right for my eye (I’m not sure exactly how to describe this, but I know that more than six colours = a mess), and I am definitely keen on Ioannis’ deep sea blue cut with crimson. Tying back into his marine theme, the designer interjects dabs of ocean blue into his white and black palette.

I’m throwing in some autumn 09 images so it is pretty obvious from where spring has developed.  Focusing on yarn and chain mail for autumn, I have a clearer idea of where Ioannis Dimitrousis is headed with his autumn collection.  In the photo below, Dimitrousis cuts shapes with fabric and colour block for autumn.  This collection has a decidedly more sophisticated feel to it.  Despite the gaps of material, these crocheted minis would be fantastic for a night out as the weather gets cooler.  Don’t shrug off your knits for day-wear just yet, Dimitrousis is certainly doing his part to advance yarn in the fashion hierarchy.

I’m not over fashion month yet. I apologize.  Bora Aksu’s was one of London’s gems, so let’s address his stellar spring/ summer 2010 performance.  Weeks of catwalk analysis has left us with a synthesised list of  ‘trends’ of which Aksu can tick off one-by-one throughout his collection.  Pale ivory and taupe mixed with sheer black? Got it.  Delicate chiffon details and exposed undergarments? Naturally.  Of course, Bora’s interpretation is what makes the clothes interesting.

Aksu layered flowery lace over sequin-embroidered leggings, which reminds me of those optical illusion posters I had when I was ten, cut-outs swirling in and out.  Check out the model second from left, where does her left leg end and right leg begin?  Was this intended? Is this flattering? I can’t give you a definite on any of these, but I will say I’m impressed.  The decorative legs add a shimmery and unexpected futuristic element to Aksu’s whimsical fairy tale.  Ballet ribbons, over-sized capes, corsets and sheer lace overlays complemented the overall romantic tone.

But don’t write the collection off as simply sweet just yet, later in the show Aksu introduced a bit of drama with dripping cage-like vests worn over pale rose chiffon.  The dress above on the far right, feels a little Rodarte to me–all ravaged beauty–and I adore it.  The Turkish designer has struck my fashion chord (anything vaguely reminscent of Rodarte makes me immensely happy).  I’m talking a loose translation at best, but something about the sheer black pleats pulled diagonally across the body near the end of Aksu’s show was nagging at my inner Mulleavy-radar.

Back to Bora, the Victorian era lace and web-like knits below were divine.  Like dolls come to life, Bora’s girls streamed out in a fusion of black-pink-white. I try to avoid playing favourites (well, at least with colours), but I could have collaged all of these looks, if not for some editing  restraint.  In shades of petal and lavender, Aksu experiments with soft volume and cinched waists and a transparent trouser or two.

One of my favourite London- based designers to watch, Bora Aksu’s spring 2010 collection shines.

Another post-fash week recap. Angel Jackson. It deserves the emphasis.  Utterly amazing, lah-vley satchels and clutches–and until discussing these handbags with the helpful LFW team, I wasn’t exactly sure a satchel could be sexy. So wrong.  Dead wrong, in fact because Angel Jackson’s “Damned and Dangerously Beautiful” collection out SS 2010 is exceptional.  What I love best about this line is that it takes grown-up fashion (I’m talking snakeskin bags here), and makes it fresh and hot for a younger generation of shoppers.

Union Jack is a violent clash of violet, fuschia, fluro orange and turquoise.  I wasn’t into the patriotic clutches that flooded shops this summer, but I would absolutely parade the flag on this bag.  The sequin/ studded satchels (they truly are the perfect size bag) epitomize punk rock chic, while the dangling feather & chain ‘discos’  (Angel Jackson’s name, not mine, but loving it nonetheless) are brilliant.  Modern and mad, the Mohawk bags are perfect for work and play, surprisingly.  Everything is studded, coloured and bold, and I would gladly lug around my nightly equipment (read: lip gloss, Oyster card, debit and mobile) in any one of these options.

Wear these bags with any of the 80s ultra-luxe looks, studded separates and basically, well anything.  Described as bourgeoise Parisian meet British irreverence, these bags are deliciously decadent.  Sure gives Fitzgerald a run for his money.

Shop Angel Jackson’s AW 09 collection here.

Since fashion week will ripple on for weeks after its finale, I feel that it’s perfectly acceptable to continue  adding in little finds and favourites along the way.  One presentation in particular completely distracted me from where I was headed last Monday.  My brain was still a little sleepy as I attempted to juggle my Cannon, a notebook, and the rest of the contents in my bag whilst managing to sling my press pass around my neck on the way to Body Amr, when I caught a glimpse of a room packed with pretty dresses at the end of the hall.

La Petite Salope, or for us English speakers, The Little Strumpet, is a perfect pastiche of cotton, jersey and drapey silks (and I do adore all things draped).  I walked around feeling my way through folds of fabric, which normally looks rather strange in public but actually seemed standard in this showroom, until I arrived at the very last rack, satisfied.  The brainchild of designer Nicola Helgesen, La Petite S***** (it’s current branding) stocked some interesting qulited frocks, and a heavy dose of twisted, textured cotton which I loved–nothing simple or ordinary about this line.  Fluid silk silhouettes looked luxurious and were regally draped–a new era in youthful sophistication.

From there, I checked out the A/W09 offering of La Petite S*****  on LynkU and picked out the very best velvety, sparkly looks.

To shop, left to right: Star by Julien MacDonald clutch, Terry de Havilland Margaux shoe, Angel Jackson Sequin satchel, Jimmy Choo leopard print pumps, Bottega Veneta lilac satin clutch, and Fendi leather and suede shoe-boots.

Says it all, don’t  it?  I was lucky enough to get a ticket to The Sunday Times evening with Christopher Bailey, hosted by style writer, Colin McDowell.  Squeezed into a dark, unbelievably crowded room in the bottom of Selfridges, we (myself and a throng of eager listeners–mostly female) sat listening to Colin and Christopher (we’re on a first name basis now, naturally) run through the designer’s humble start in Yorkshire to his gradual rise up fashion’s Mt. Olympus.  I’m going to use chapters, well because it’s an organized approach, and also because last night felt sort of like story time with a super famous fashion designer.  So here it goes.

Chapter I: “This is Christopher by the way…”

Far from the flashing lights and pounding music of Burberry Prorsum’s impressive fashion show days ago, last night’s discussion was casual and relaxed, and made me want to have Christopher Bailey as my best friend/ big brother/1st cousin…you get the point. Turns out, that though he had always had an interest in craft and achitecture, he never really saw himself in the world of designerwear.  Things changed after Christopher started working in a wedding boutique, where he listened to what women really wanted in clothes.

Chapter II: Life in the Big Apple and beyond…

(This sounds supernatural, and I like it).  Bailey first headed to the States to work for Donna Karan.  “New York was everything I hoped it would be: tall buildings, steaming streets, and everyone walking around saying the F-word.”  Yup, sounds about right.  The fashion scene in NYC is a “slick operation,” and Bailey says it taught him how to develop a collection season after season.

On his departure to Gucci, the designer says Tom Ford “seduced” him into sharing his dream of rehabing the floundering Italian line.  With Ford, every day was different, and Bailey was told he could live wherever he pleased, though he admits he spent most of his three years in hotels, following Ford from city to city.

Chapter III: “Here’s the question you don’t want to answer” (Can’t stop McDowell)

Most things in Chrisopher Bailey’s life have seemed to unfold organically, including his arrival at Burberry.  Though he was initially wary of returning to England, he had a eureka moment, when he realized that Burberry was “like a beautiful diamond that had been forced into the ground, and just needed to be dusted off.”  And then McDowell hit him with a zinger: explain how you overcame Burberry’s past reputation of er, chavs and checks, and well, uhm, how do you cope?  Apparently no dramatic boardroom meltdown here, Bailey says he just stuck to his vision and the line’s heritage.  And there you have it.

For the fashiony details: Bailey doesn’t do themes, he starts each collection with a certain attitude in mind and builds up the colour palette, adding fabric to the mix.  He said the key is to remain “sensitive to the moment you’re living in.”

After the Q&A, I skipped the “invitation” to shop the AW09 collection on 4, and went to view the new spring stuff again, naturally.  Here are some faves just for you (and a little for me):

Yes, I realise this is short notice (my apologies), but LynkU has posted Temperley London’s latest sample sale, which is on today and tomorrow.  Unfortunately, we missed Alice Temperley’s SS 2010 presentation this year, she debuted her circus of style across the pond.  Don’t hang your head too long, because we get to rifle through the line’s ready-to-wear, accessories, knitwear, and vintage samples for two days only.  Label-lovers put on your best trainers and pack cash, prices are slashed starting at 60% off.  Now for the important details:

The sale is being held at the 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove until 7 tonight, and 6:30 tomorrow night.  For a map and more info click here.

Christopher Kane’s much anticipated runway show at London Fashion Week displayed the Scottish designer’s acute ability to develop his vision into a cohesive collection.  Packed with gingham check, floaty chiffon and luxurious cashmere, Kane’s line transitioned effortlessly.

The show opened with a tailored vest over a hazelnut-coloured checked dress with slits creeping up the leg, and it’s here the Central Saint Martins alum establishes the tone: one part school girl sweet mixed with a rebellious edge.  Kane relentlessly pushes the boundary between innocence and subtle seduction, with clever thigh-high slits and exposed balconets verging on disturbing.

He progresses from menswear-inspired pieces to structured separates to chiffon babydoll dresses flawlessly, alternating between pale blue, petal pink and sunny yellow.  Weaving gingham throughout the collection, Kane graduates from checks to floral embroidery seemlessly.

I absolutely love how Kane builds a collection, adding only necessary pieces to enhance the completed line.  The gingham feels very 1950s to me, but the designer has manipulated it quite brilliantly in flirty dresses and paired with knits, making the print modern and feminine.  I wish we could fast forward a few months and jump into these spring styles.

Many designers attempt to establish a theme without looking too contrived, but few succeed like Christopher Kane’s S/S 2010 collection.

Shop Christopher Kane’s current collection on LynkU.

This post is several days in the making, as I met Sabina on Saturday in the midst of a trillion shows, and naturally lost her bsuiness card until today when I decided to start sorting through my LFW collection of paperwork.  So here you go, this is street style at its best.  Sure you have designer shows, but the attendees also come suited in their fashion week best– dressed in provocative, fun and inspiring clothes and getting snapped by nearly as many photogs as the models!

Sabina works as a stylist (wow, completely surprising right) and her leggings are ridiculous.  Truly amazing, I did a double-take coming out of Somerset.  To be fair, Saturday was a shiny, sunny, gorgeous, perfect day (you get the point) and my eyes were adjusting.  On first glance, I thought these beauties were a variety of over-the-knee boots–an interesting texture regardless.  However, when I turned around again, I realized Sabina’s heeled sandals were not attached to her brilliant leg-wear.  She said that they had been causing quite a stir that morning, and a valuable lesson is gleaned: if you dress your best, you will get noticed.

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.

]]> http://fashionforlunch.com/2009/09/armour-yourself/feed/ 0