September is a month of change; summer becomes winter, evenings become darker, and the students of York become increasingly lonely as their friends leave en masse for their own University terms. September also marks an important event in the fashion world – thousands of journalists, models, bloggers and important people descend upon Somerset House on Strand to view next season’s collections and (if you’re lucky) place their first orders of SS13.
I had applied – and, to my amazement, been accepted – for a press pass for this year’s London Fashion Week and I too descended upon the historic arts building armed with notebook and tablet; by 10AM I was sitting in the BFC Press lounge with my shiny ID badge and all the free Vitamin Water a girl could drink, waiting excitedly for my first show. The courtyard space outside the exhibition was filled with bloggers and fashion scouts – street-style photographers included Coggles, Reiss and prestigious fashion blog The Style Scout – all snapping away at the best-dressed of day one.
Caroline Charles was the first show on my schedule, celebrating 50 years in British fashion. Charles is famous for her sharp jackets and coats; impeccably-tailored designs have remained a staple throughout her half-century in the business. Having managed to score a front-row seat, I settled down with my goodie bag to watch a sea of Mardi Gras colours and prints float down the catwalk – models sported neon wedges and feather prints, festival music blared from speakers and tropical lighting provided the perfect backdrop to the show’s Latin American theme.
After leaving the show – and being snapped by The Style Scout for my dartboard dress (Moschino Cheap & Chic, in case you were wondering…) – I wandered up to the Vauxhall Fashion Scout building to check out their exhibition of emerging designers, featuring names such as Timur Kim, MASC, and Jennifer Morris. The media lounge at VFS hosted a cosmetics station courtesy of The Body Shop and nibbles from SNOG and POD, as well as an endless supply of Vita Coco and cocktails from Beach Blanket Babylon. As official sponsors of London Fashion Week, MAC cosmetics and Toni & Guy had cosmetic stations in the BFC lounge for the use of us lucky bloggers. I managed to blag a quick blowdry with T&G, leaving me with luscious locks that would make Kate Middleton jealous, and left with a brochure filled with their new up-do’s and inside information on catwalk hairstyling.
Turkish newcomer BORA AKSU was my second show of the day; telling the sombre tale of Queen Marie of Romania, grand-daughter of Queen Victoria. Flowing chiffon dresses were paired with simple clutches and round-toed court shoes, and models wore floral-patterned tights and elaborate paper crowns as a nod to Aksu’s regal inspirations. Goodie bags contained Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn and tons of make-up from Ellie Faas’ capsule collection.
My favourite look for the day was a clownfish-print dress from Caroline Charles’ collection; finally I can start wearing my Finding Nemo PJ’s in public. Until tomorrow, fashionistas…
F
I know I shouldn’t have clicked on the it in the first place, but this might be the most inane article ever written. They are just clothes you know, get over it.