My favourite looks from LFW

Choosing your favourite looks from such an amazing variety of collections is possibly one of the hardest things a person with an extreme love of fashion and design can do. I have done just that, meticulously skimming through each of the best, most exciting and personally most successful collections shown at London Fashion Week this season, to create a list of my favourite looks.

Some collections were simply let down on accessories- fur hats wouldn't be first on my list to be teamed with a gorgeous fitted dress a la Temperley and the clumpiness of the mustard boots at Matthew Williamson, you couldn't help but feel were letting down the overall finish of most looks. They are however, not omitted- they were nonetheless, fantastic collections. 

I continually love Erdem and Jonathan Saunders. It's the mixture of colours, design technique/concept and overall femininity that I adore from both designers. 

It was unbearable to pick just one look from Marios Schwab- his collection this season has been hyped and excessively adored; it was absolutely breathtaking, completely beautiful and oozed feminine, glamorous sexiness. Yes, all of those things.

Paul Smith shone once again with the most wonderful tailored jackets, gorgeous staples and workwear I would covet for a lifetime. 

Burberry literally gave me goosebumps. I loved the cute animal jumpers and the rain drenched finale. Who says umbrellas indoors is bad luck?

And Topshop Unique, which I liked for the first time this season, surprised me with embellished mini dresses, platform stiletto ankle boots and the most gorgeous selection of outerwear. 

That said, I love each and every one of these looks, resonating once again, that London really is the creative hub for fashion with the freshest ideas and which is why it is so  profusely celebrated twice a year. 

So there you go, here's my mini round up of London. I will be continue to post my picks from all fashion weeks, Chanel for example, which I am tremendously excited about. 

You never can tell what's next for Karl.

Until then, I would love to hear your thoughts on London Fashion Week. Did it exceed your expectations? In a good or bad way? Do you agree with my choices?

Fire away.

Look 3

 Richard Nicoll
 

Look 10

Erdem

Look 10

Osman

Look 20

Matthew Williamson

Look 20

Roksanda Ilincic

Look 4

Temperley London

Look 4

Michael van der Ham 

Look 7

Peter Pilotto

Look 10

Marios Schwab

Look 15

Jonathan Saunders

Look 15

Giles

Look 15

Holly Fulton

Look 16

Paul Smith

 Look 16
Burberry Prorsum

Look 17

Christopher Kane

Look 18

Nicole Farhi

Look 20

David Koma

Look 21

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Look 26

Topshop Unique

Look 28

House of Holland

Look 29

Antonio Beradi

Look 29

McQ

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She knows what women want

I can honestly say I have never taken an overt interest in the DKNY collections, although the memorable campaigns are always flawless, interesting and beautiful, like this one, for Resort 2010. And the same goes even for New York Fashion Week for that matter. I have always felt an attachment to London, being British, and the emerging and refreshing talents of those showing there, which is exactly what London is known for. But this year in particular I've been immersed by all of this season's fashion weeks and have really got stuck in, having been working on the fashion/editorial desk of social, shopping and fashion site Motilo. I attended the Maria Grachvogel A/W '12 show held at the Lancaster ballroom of the Savoy Hotel and I adore the crazy, exciting, stressful atmosphere pumping through the entire Capital when the catwalk shows, streetsyle photographers etc. etc. are in abundance. It literally takes over for 5 whole days.

Having been checking the LFW schedule constantly and admiring the collections on STYLE at every chance I get, I have been jotting down a mental list of my favourite collections and specific looks. My favourite are there- Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Victoria Beckham, but it can be that a new entry will make it into that list and there were three designers, including DKNY that for me, really shone, after spotting certain looks from the stylist's top 10 picks from NYFW on Motilo, of which you can view here.

As for the collection, it focused very much on the wardrobe of the working woman, which is a component Donna Karan adapts so well to a sleek, sophisticated and always uber fashionable look. It was black. It was simple. It was classic with a touch of elegance and fun with sheer panels on billowing, yet soft loose fitting wide leg trousers, impeccably tailored fitted leather jackets and structured outerwear. Then pops of vibrant colours- rich burgundy in the form of an incredible fur and python coat, soft fuchsia pink flare hemmed and cobalt blue maxi dresses. As well as a pretty head-to-toe floral printed trouser suit and the most beautiful coat with fur collar. Then colour popped back several looks later in the form of patent leather 2 tone platform ankle strapped shoes teamed with a variety of the most elegant ruffle dresses: one skimming the shoulders, one bandeau, the other roll neck.

I personally love the oversized roll neck jumper, the addition of leather lapels, panelling (fur, leather, darkened tones) dark piping and the simple grey above-the-knee pencil skirt. I love the collection and it's overall shiny, polished finish and the combination of fun prints, overly womanly components and luxurious exterior. A really gorgeous, wearable presentation of clothing. 

What are your opinions of the collection? Do you have a favourite look? 

Which collections have you been coveting this season?  

All images from STYLE.com

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More than one red carpet

Wow, this week has been a busy one indeed, from the incredible night of the Baftas to the craziness of the Grammys and the beginning of London Fashion Week, one of the most exciting times of the year. 

It is clearly apt to share with you my favourite looks from the past week's award ceremonies, my quick of round up because you will have read about it everywhere. So anyway, here are my opinions on who I thought looked the best and who for me stood out stylistically.

There has been much speculation about Tilda Swinton's outfit and in general- whether or not she is attractive and if she looked great or boring at the Baftas- but I, without a doubt, thought she looked incredible on screen in a simple floor length Celine gown. There is no need for adornment of any kind with her; her hair was in the usual curly side sweep and make-up was minimal, as was her dress and the result was amazing. I adored the white oversized pearl ring poking out from her slender finger. She is an incredible actress, interesting in more ways than one and whether you are a fan or not, she never fails to captivate people with her always, although subtle, attention grabbing look. Simply beautiful. 

 

Adele possibly provided us with the best series of photographs ever, as she was seen looking understandably ecstatic with her hands full, clutching each one of her shiny awards and the Grammys, which you laugh at again once more here. I no less feel proud that a fellow British wiped out the awards cabinet and rightly so as she is without a doubt the most original actual singer to have been nominated, compared with those fellow talentless and copy-cat nominees. 

In Burberry and Armani Prive dresses, she looked incredible- polished, uber elegant with her trademark 60s eye make-up. Her hair was glossy and wavy, her complexion, creamy flawless and her dress slinky with thick waistband accentuating her natural form. The Armani Prive gown pictured was my absolute favourite. Basically, she looked the best she has ever looked and there was absolutely no need whatsoever for any flesh.

I saw Christina Ricci arriving at the Met Gala in New York back in May and although I have been a fan of hers ever since her days as Wednesday Addams in Addams Family Values (1993), a film I used to watch constantly, it was then that I fell absolutely in love with her. She is so, so beautiful with her large facial features, definite 60s vibe and looked utterly incredible at the ELLE Style Awards. Like, insanely gorgeous. And she was working a dress by Jonathan Saunders, one of my favourite designers ever. It must be love. 

The dress was sexy, feminine and sheer- everything a red carpet dress should be I think. The accessories complimented it perfectly and her straight and shiny fringed bob was equally as sophisticated. Dewy complexion, peachy lips and soft kohl and ta-dah! She is now third on my girl-crush list. Look out for another post all about her coming soon. Until then, lust some more right here...

 

She also looked fantastic at the Baftas in Givenchy Couture: picture.

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Here comes the summer sun...

I'm beginning to get a little high from all this sun and dreaming about the summer (even the fact that I can leave the house without a coat fills me with glee!) English weather has the means to be very tempremental and very annoying. The slighest speckle of warm sunlight forcing it's way from the clouds means the whole nation strips off, which is often not a pretty sight and you find yourself thinking: "Put it away!" Well, anyway I was hoping to find out what others love about summer so much and their favourite things to do when the sun is shining. Let's start with a drink, shall we?


What will be your summer tipple?


             Sweet Pimm's & Lemonade                 Refreshing White Wine                           Fruity Cider

What will you be doing in the sun? (apart from drinking!)
                                                                          
                                                                           Sports in the park

Garden BarbecueSeaside Visit

What would be your ultimate holiday?  (mine is a mixture of all 4!)

                         

                                     Lazy Beach                                                            Hardcore clubbing

                             Backpacking Adventure                                                 Cultural City Break

Who will you be holidaying with?

                                        Family                                                                      Friends

                               Boyfriend/Girlfriend                                                            Alone


What will be your style of dress?

                          Pretty florals a la Erdem                                Simple monochrome a la Jonathan Saunders

What else will you be doing this summer? Do you have a holiday booked?

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Oh, Jonathan...

Although I have already posted some of my favourite Spring/Summer '11 trends, each were just one look that caught my eye from this season's collections that always impress me.I spend tireless amounts of time flicking through the collections and deciphering over which ones are worth sharing. I could literally post a thousand images but the collection that only days ago really excited me was Jonathan Saunder's wonderfully chic but colourful collection made up of tennis style pleated skirts, sheer summer dresses and the most amazing slender monochrome gowns. For me, it is one of the most wearable collections and the one that certainly reflects my taste in clothing. One of the outfits even reminded me of an summer outfit worn on holiday a few years ago. I absolutely adore the entire collection and it is soo me!

All images from STYLE.com

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