Style Speaks Louder

I've noticed a trend in accessories this week - they are all beige. Yes I know a colour normally reserved for the OAPs but to be honest beige is looking pretty hot.

For example take these gorgeous bags (clock wise from top right: House of Frazer, Chloe, Burberry, Tods and YSL)are all in soft buttery beige leather - with the exception of the glittery YSL bag - they are great bags that don't scream at you. The colour will go with any outfit and will allow you to be more creative with your clothes - a statement necklace perhaps or a sumptuous coloured dress for this season or they will add light notes to your look for pre spring.

If like me you are looking for a new bag take example from one of the above beauties. The Tod's bag has that great fringing which is going to be so big next season and is large enough but cute enough to sit comfortably on the crook of your arm whilst holding all your worldly possessions. It could quite happily sit on the crook of my arm.

But it's not just bags that have gone a shade of beige - shoes have too. In fact I think Beige is going to be a big colour next season - cool looking and not too aggressive it will calm the block bold bright colour that has been infecting our wardrobe this AW08.

Just one word of warning don't go raiding Grandma's wardrobe unless its vintage Chanel.

Ah the end of London Fashion Week was Friday and although I didn't get the chance to attend some of the end of FW parties I did get to see two wicked shows on Friday.
I was third row (I'll explain) at Ashish and I think it may have been my highlight of LFW.

There was silver fringing, frayed denim hot pants and Alice in Wonderland like sparkly dresses, depicting the Queen of Hearts card. There was plenty of sparkle and the collection was fun with wide leg jeans with large dice patches and spangly camouflage.

It was also quite amusing to see the confused face of the PR guy when I produced a front row ticket but requested to sit third row. You see unfortunately the ticket was not sent to me at work and was actually the property of an fashion exec - but she couldn't make it. Hence said ticket being passed to the intern (that's me). But we had been given strict orders not to sit front row as it 'would not look good for the company' so I requested to sit third row and sadly watched the very cool black and orange RayBan style sunglasses (only front and second row got a pair) snapped up.

I finished off Friday watching Aminaka Wilmont whose models looked very severe and had a very grown up collection with lots of grey tailoring and long shirts.

Overall I had a great LFW - I just cant wait until next season........

*The piture is of Ashish and although it is blurry you can see the kind of sparkle and fringing I was talking about. The models looked fierce too with black kohl eyes and backcombed big hair.

House of Holland SS09

Retro POP was what House of Holland was all about yesterday, with an explosion of bright bold flower prints and powerful polka dots. Alas I was not at the show to see it myself but the pictures from the show look amazing.
Naturally Holland’s BFF Agnes Deyn opened and closed the show for him, which couldn’t have made his show cooler and more desirable to see.

His collection influenced by the 90’s, (apparently he was inspired by Beverly Hills 90210) was full of acid oranges and yellows, clashing prints of polka dots and lurid flower printed jumpsuits. Sheer skirts and dizzy bright flower prints injected some summer fun into the catwalk yesterday but his latest is not for the faint hearted.

There were whispers of ‘What was he thinking’ in the office when we saw a very confused looking polka crazy menswear look, but I think with Holland, his madness is his making. His clothes are anything but subtle and couldn’t possibly be worn by any respectable person over the age of 25 (even that may be pushing it) but I think that’s his appeal. He’s young and fun and that shows in his collection.

I mean what could we have expected from the man that brought us bright blue mini kilts with a matching eye patch last autumn? I say keep doing what you do best Henry, besides I loved the 90’s.

My second major show today, Louise Goldin, ended fashion Tuesday wonderfully. Unfortunately I was not privileged enough to see Christopher Kane today but at least I have Goldin to send me happily to sleep tonight.

Luring in a big fashion crowd (The Elle fashion team was out in force) Goldin did not disappoint with an amazing show of futuristic sculptured design and glitz. Highly structured white dresses opened the show, displaying Goldin's knack for creativity and tailoring. Over the top and outrageous seemed to rule the collection with transparent organza dresses and pastel knits nestled under elaborate white structures.

A skin tight swarovski encrusted bodysuit caught my eye, even if I may never have anywhere to where it, I think I would be quite happy spending Sundays strutting around my living room in it or maybe to the corner shop. As did the fusion of silk and knit into the dresses. Goldin's SS09 was completely unwearable but completely wonderful. Her take on femininity mixed graphic prints with bone like structures to create a highly interesting and creative show that will secure Goldins name in fashion for years to come.

The atmosphere at the show was suitably excited although that may have been the champagne I was sipping even though I preferred the blood orange juice and lemonade. Also quite suitable Bangers and Mash was served up - fabulously British and fitting. And the venue was so packed there were people crowding the isles - much to annoyance of a certain fashion editor who forced them all to sit on the steps.

Sigh there's a never a dull Tuesday in fashion world.

I have just got back from Emma Cook at London Fashion Week and it was amazing. Quirky cool was the theme at Emma Cook with plenty of floaty white and ruffles to put us in a summer mood.

Sheer black and tight silver pencil skirts hinted at a more grown up collection but the fabulous rose- like ruffles throughout and the iridescent pink and peach flapper cocktail dresses, owned the catwalk. I loved the fringed pale grey flapper dress and a pretty pink-tiered dress with a reference, it seemed, to the sea.
It was also clear that Cook had thought about British weather as a whole line of clear macs encrusted in Swarovski crystals paraded down the catwalk, that’s rain with style.

Quirky prints and cropped jackets kept the collection very playful where as soft hues of gold, grey and pink created a very relaxed but elegant feel to the show.
Cook kept it all very fresh and young, and counterbalanced the 1920’s dresses with chunky ruffled platforms (her own design for Topshop), and plenty of feminine frills and tucks.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and energetic but that may have been the quails egg Benedict and blood-orange juices they were serving to the fashion hungry crowd. Goodie bags totes designed by Cook for Topshop lined the rows, but it seemed that only front row (no I didn’t get one) got a little something, maybe something from Swarovski, one of the sponsors or maybe some Mac makeup.

Next up Louise Goldin SS09 – I’ll keep you posted.