London Fashion Week
John Rocha: London Fashion Week
Budgets may be down but fashion is up and optimistic - full of energy and excitement. There's the usual lashing of eclectic style that is so synonymous with British fashion designers.
From head-turning milliner Stephen Jones’ knock-out hat exhibition, An Anthology by Stephen Jones at the V&A (showing until 10th May), to bold catwalk shows in amazing venues like the new Saatchi Gallery. London had THE fashion buzz at a time when we all need a bit of cheer!
What a week it was! From the avenue of sexy men at Aquascutum ushering in the audience, to celebs like Jo Wood on the catwalk parading Vivienne Westwood's rebellious school-girl style.
Highlights to watch out for when we shop next autumn are:
- Shoulders: they are the new zone. Remember the Eighties - power shoulders are big.
- Tactile textures: faux fur, mohair, fluffy knits and shaggy sheepskins. Check out Luella's fun sleeves.
- Knee high sox: young but wear if you dare - especially grown-up at Nicole Farhi.
- Colour-blocking: modernist neutral graphic colour mixes, Mondrian style at Jaeger and young and candy-coloured at House of Holland.
- Sheeny fabrics, shiny skin tight shapes notably at Giles Deacon.
- A-line shapes: from tailoring to knits. Check out favourites from Betty Jackson and Paul Costelloe for must-have coats and jackets.
View our favourite items in our Fashion Week gallery
Celeb spotting at the shows
Celebs Dawn French, Lorraine Kelly and the gorgeous, young Tamsin Egerton (current face of Hoss Intropia), Melanie Blatt of All Saints and the still exquisite, silver-haired Sixties celebrity model Carmen dell' Orifice - magnificent as ever and now in her 70s!
Quote of the week - we love it!
“Being English makes us unique" says Vivienne Westwood.
Well said, we say!
If you want to soak up some post Fashion Week atmosphere and bag a designer bargain, check out the London Fashion Week weekend shopping event. 4-8th March on the lawns of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. Call 0871 230 1558 for further info.
View all the London Fashion Week catwalk collections on marieclaire.co.uk
