One of the most underrated pleasures about keeping a blog is that you don't have to be selective in terms of images and you're free to pretty much say anything. Perfect for indecisive and gobby types like me.
You never forget your first LFW; anticipating what madness, 'meh'-ness or magnifucent creation will step on the catwalk and within weeks hit the shopfloor whether you like it or not.
Why should only fashion editors have all the fun? So here is my very first report on what I saw, loved and most importantly would potentially buy, whether it's the designer version or high street interpretation. After all, as fashion journalist Caryn Franklin wrote too-rightly on LFW Daily "The foundation of a successful collection is in appealing to those who will buy, as opposed to those who will photograph".
Of course you're welcome to disagree.
1. Hot shoulder
Shoulders are having a hot moment - none more experimental than at Osman. My favourites? Just a bit of shoulder revealed on a demure draped top, David and Goliath (mismatch sized) sleeves and an Icarus-style shoulder piece by Topshop Unique- clearly it's not just Red Bull that gives you wings.
Osman |
Osman |
Topshop Unique |
2. Scissorhand skirts
Emilio de la Morena's innovative skirt slits made me want to grab my nearest shears and slash up my mum's old pencil skirts. (Thankfully that never materialised). His brilliant tailoring skills created a dynamic altercation between skin (sexy) and fabric (sophisticated). Unusual but utterly wearable.
Emilio de la Morena |
Emilio de la Morena |
3.'70s geometric wallpapers
Eye-boggling prints are back again, interpreted by designers from Holly Fulton to Matthew Williamson. Like the unmistakable appearance of camouflage and quilting, I had my doubts this flattered anything other than pasty bedroom walls. With the exception of House of Holland's punchy take, pairing huge prints with muted tertiary hues like the lime green below, rather than black which can be a bit too severe. A clever fitted silhouette and bust pattern detail saves it from the retro costume category.
House of Holland |
House of Holland |
4. A detail less ordinary
Off-centre, double-notch collars, asymmetrical tailored jackets and dresses, anything goes as long as it's wrong for all the right reasons.
Daks |
Kinder Aggugini |
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi |
Osman |
5. '40s tailoring
With a self-admittedly limited knowledge of fashion history even I spotted references from 1930s through to the 1950s, hence settling with a happy in-between. High-waisted peg leg trousers with tucked-in, short sleeve turtle necks, mannish suits à la Katharine Hepburn. Breasts optional.
Emilia Wickstead |
Margaret Howell |
Emilia Wickstead |
Vivienne Westwood Red Label |
6. Long layering
Unkempt, baggy layers that eliminate curves, grungy contrast texture knits, Dr Zhivago-esque furry hats. James Long's non-chalant boyish street urchins are totally me.
James Long |
James Long |
James Long |
7. One-offs to watch
Self-indulgent slogans
Ashish |
A shiny, shiny red skirt
Topshop Unique |
Matching wallpaper knits
Topshop Unique |
Longer-than-billed baseball hats
KTZ (All images http://www.londonfashionweek.com) |
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