Excuse me while I kiss the sky

Finally I'm home but the last week was a busy one! I've been busy at uni working with Brighton Fashion week - check it out here - putting together content for their newspaper that will be given out at all of the shows and in the lead-up to the event. Exciting but time consuming!

On Friday evening I decided at the last minute that I should pop to London to see my sister and niece. I'm so glad it did! A big fire as it started to gently snow, pumpkin gnocchi with pesto, toasted seeds and spinach, an ice cold beer and some big baby cuddles!

I woke up early on Saturday morning and popped to Oxford Street to meet some friends. Cami is moving to Paris for third year and somehow had never been to Liberty so we decided she simply couldn't leave without visiting! I stopped off in Topshop on my way to meet them and was pleasantly surprised by the SS13 collection. I'm not the biggest Topshop fan - expensive for what it is and not that original - but there were some really cute pieces that might be on my list of considerations for my summer wardrobe now the student loan is in! This dress... very simple and classic but really nice fabric.

And I think this shirt would be so lovely with high waisted denim shorts...

This dress is from one of the basement designers, I can imagine it looking stunning when tanned at a summery garden party, glass of pimms in hand... ahhh I wish...

And while I would never spend £25 on a 'vintage' scarf when I can get them for £1 at Portabello I was more than a little bit taken with this pheasant number...

A fab addition to the flagship store is the photo booth on the ground floor, cheesy but fun with a group of friends!

And Lola's cupcakes never fail to impress. This was breakfast!

I met the girls and as we wandered across to Liberty I came across & Other Stories. I'd heard so much about the shop but completely forgot where it was located and was SO glad I got the chance to pop in! Founded by the H&M brand, & Other Stories is for the more sophisticated customer, with spaced out rails, incredible fabrics and gorgeous pieces, all at reasonable prices. I didn't get the chance to try anything on but will definitely be heading back next time I'm in London as there was lots that caught my eye.

These shoes...

...and gorgeous tea dress especially!

After Liberty we headed straight to one of my favorite Islington hangouts for a girly lunch. Ottolenghi serves the best salads and cake and is located on Upper Street, in between Highbury & Islington and Angel tubes. The food is fab, service is always impeccable and everything tastes incredible. If you haven't been, go. Simple as that!

Lunch was the amazing salad plates, we didn't even go for mains and cake and fabulous company made the lunch fairly perfect! Now I'm looking forward to the trips to visit Cami next semester!

London Fashion Week #4 - Highlights of day 3, 4 & 5

I've spent the last couple of days massively procrastinating and watching the shows, flicking through the highlights and reading blogs and now I can't believe its all over already! #LFW 2013 went by in a flash!

 

There's no point in me documenting everything. This isn't a fashion blog after all. And the LFW website is fab at doing that. I did want to pull out a couple of my favourite designers from the last few days though. For me Christopher Kane, Topshop, Mulberry and Temperly are the ones really worth talking about.

I adored the oversized fur at Christopher Kane - easy to throw on and instantly glamorous. Temperley's collection was as classic as ever and I love the wearability of all of the pieces. Some of my faves are below:

Temperley London A/W 2013



Temperley London A/W 2013
 

Temperley London A/W 2013

Temperley London A/W 2013

Temperley London A/W 2013



Temperley London A/W 2013

 

And how could I forget Topshop? Everyone's favourite British high street brand put on a stunner of a show with the as its backdrop Tanks, adjacent to the Tate gallery and a brand new exhibition space. The front row was filled with fixtures such as Olivia Palermo, Kate Bosworth and Demi Lovato and the collection matched the audience. Topshop proves that highstreet can very much do high end.

With a show opened by Cara Delevingne and closed by Jordan Dunn how could it not really? The collection focused on texture; a mix up of different materials and dashes of notable prints. Most notable, though, was the integration (and application) of sequin and sparkle as an embellishment altogether ungirlie. High shine was key, but the assumed glitziness was subdued by way of sharp tailoring, luxe fur add-ons, and masculine outerwear counterparts.

This is a collection that is going to do extremely well!


Topshop Unique A/W 2013

Topshop Unique A/W 2013



Topshop Unique A/W 2013
 

I loved the whole essence of the Mulberry show, from set design to music, clothes to bags to oversized poodle!! The fabrics were stunning and the collection is perfect for the new season. The new Suffolk bag (my home) - reminiscent of a traditional doctors bag and available in white, midnight blue and pheasant green - is stunning and is definitely top of my wish list from the whole of the runway so far. The collection was grown up and luxurious, (although skirts over trousers was a little strange; the season really is returning to the 90s!) epitomising the brand - Emma Hill seems to be going from strength to strength. 

Topshop Unique A/W 2013









Emma Hill takes a snapshot of the Mulberry catwalk

 

 

I'm ready and waiting patiently to see what makes it down to the high street - for me, the true essence of fashion week (at least until I can afford couture anyway!!). 

London Fashion Week #1 : J. W. Anderson @ Topshop

Opening today, the first day of #LFW, J.W. Anderson has returned for a second time to Topshop with a fabulous new designer collection. The North-Ireland raised, Dalston based designer has revamped his first collection and the new pieces can be deemed an evolution. Flat boyish shoes and motif jumpers feature heavily. The change is that the skirts are patent, as is the leather, and their are unexpected colours at every turn. I'm not a fan of matching skirts and jumpers - it's a little bit 'catwalk' for my tastes but either top or bottom would work amazingly when matched with other statement pieces - a plain tee and a leather would look great given the bold nature of the collection. I'm massively coveting the argyle knits already (in fact I'd like them all in every colour!) and willing my student loan to stretch just a little bit further!!




Topshop interviewed the amazing designer and I couldn't resist sharing!

We grabbed the frenetically busy designer for a few words before the collection launches.

How did you find the reaction from the first collection?
It was really unexpected and really exciting. It was a full commitment and an entire concept, which was amazing. It was sort of like a breaking point for us and it appealed to everyone which was good.

How did it make you feel knowing you had a second one to produce?
It was daunting to think that I had to outdo it. But this one is more stripped back; it’s more about reducing. The idea is about two sisters – two terrible sisters. There’s a lot more of a kink in it. It’s all about perversion and it’s a bit perverse in terms of feel. You know, playing with ugliness and taste levels and the British kink.

Where do the Dodos coming from?
For me they’re strong symbols – the idea of extinction is a powerful one. It’s like a full stop because this is our last collection with Topshop. But it’s also just a playful little doodle – like the kind of thing you come up with when you’re on the phone and doodling at the same time. It’s the same as how the bat came about – it’s subconscious.

How does your design process work from beginning to end?
For me, it’s an evolution process from beginning to end, right up to when we take the pictures. It’s like a collage; you gather all the different elements then you piece them together. We assemble all the different information, process it, sketch it, then hang it on the body, then go in search of new fabrics and new ideas to try and get a different take on things.

How was it working with Kate Phelan?
Kate’s amazing; she’s the sharpest person I know. I love her.

How is it balancing so many projects at once?
You have to take every day as it comes. It’s a lot of pressure but bit by bit, step by step you get there. I’m a workaholic – and it’s starting to show. I don’t really have any time off at the moment until April!

What girls would you like to see wearing this collection?
I think anyone really! A bit of a boyish girl. We have certain people who wear it like Alexa, but I love to see it on anyone at all. You don’t have to be famous, as long as you love it and you believe it, that’s it.

The shoot – what was the vibe behind it?
It was an idea of two characters in a family. Something that felt a little off-kilter and macabre, but young ultimately. It was inspired by a kind of subversive youth culture – the nose chains, the glares, that long never-ending hair cascading down.

Is there a favourite piece?
The argyle. Yes, they look really chic and they’re modern but also fun.

Any tips for young designers?
Never compromise and listen to yourself. And create a good team. Never be concerned about opinion at the time – and don’t be a slave to the internet! There’s a lot more things out there other than the internet!

Snap up J.W. Anderson’s collection here and browse the feature, here.