Monday, 15 September 2008

So, that’s me rifling through my newly acquired Belen Echandia Take Me Everywhere bag on the way to the shows – from here forward, simply to be referred to as BE. BE made its debut at the Qasimi show, which I can only imagine cost a small fortune to produce. A pair of model-esque musicians playing golden violins serenaded us to our seats and the show was opened by Jade Parfitt wearing one of milliner, Louis Mariette’s most renowned feathered headpieces. An army of models (45 or so – that’s a lot of shoes to have to sort out) wearing equestrian, safari and Indian-inspired pieces made their way down the catwalk, then stood at attention until Erin O’Connor (also wearing a Louis Mariette piece) closed the show in a couture gown.

In the evening, BE and I went to On|Off’s 10th anniversary party, which was so overcrowded the fire brigade was called in to deal with the large mob numbers. I was excited to spot my head floating on On|Off’s wall-sized celebration banner – pictured with Alison Lowe of Felicities and fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy from On|Off’s Custard Party in Paris last February. The three of us are just above Hilary Alexander and just below Cleo Rocos, who was at the party as well and is so nice!

Tuesday, 16 September 2008
BE and I started our day with a whimsical show by master milliner, Justin Smith and his label, J Smith Esquire. Dancers were cast in place of models, and careened down the catwalk wearing his gorgeously quirky hats. My top pick was the Amy Winehouse, which featured sequin-filled woven balls and long beaded tassels. Justin is great and pictured here modelling one of his pieces.

Next stop was Aquascutum at the Science Museum. This was my choice show of the week. Everything from the music, to the silver Manolo Blahnik shoes, to the little books and pencils on each chair, the models (who didn’t walk this show?!), and of course to the beautiful collection, paying tribute to my favourite colour, blue, was perfect. I loved it (in an unbiased way as possible, as I do adore Mr. Herz). Although the focus was on blue, the show did start with a series of white pieces, and I am guilty of falling for a lovely white jacket with layered panels. I think this photo of Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler post-show outside the museum is lovely. I was asked by Michael not to blog it, but I like it. Sorry, Mr. Herz. I’ll bake something for you.

Later in the day BE and I went to see Afshin Feiz. I met Afshin in Paris (where his studio is based) last February and he truly is one of the genuinely nicest people I’ve come across in the world of fashion, and is one talented designer. He has spent stints at Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Gilles Rosier and Nina Ricci. For SS2009 he worked with chains, pastels and ruffles. The end result was a collection of pretty dresses reminiscent of cupcake frosting with an injection of sexy. I was happy to be perched beside my lovely friend and illustrator, Daisy de Villeneuve and her mum, former model, Jan de Villeneuve. Daisy is in the new Gap ad campaign and was assigned to blog LFW for Style.com.

A few hours later, after a party at The Metropolitan, I found myself at Afshin’s after party (Afshin and I are pictured below) at Mahiki in Mayfair, where he treated an intimate circle of friends to champagne and watermelon martinis – a yummy end to the day!

Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Betty Jackson was BE and mine’s first show of the day, with the gorgeous MD of Muks, Jaime Cooke. She’s pictured here with her very own Belen Echandia number, the Take Me Anywhere in tan.

I’m not sure how I felt about Betty Jackson. At first I didn’t think she got the memo that is was spring/summer, but as the looks progressed, some nice oranges and prints emerged. I did, however, love the Avsh Alom Gur show which followed. His collections are always so fun and carefree, and filled with little oddities like knitted chair earrings and lots of colour! The Bernard Chandran show was amazing. Pretty much every single piece was exquisite – the shapes, the textures, the details…and the little boquet of lilies on each seat was a nice touch. Basso & Brooke was Basso & Brooke – lots of bright, beautiful prints, but this time with a Japanese spin. Their after party at Paper was fun. I went along with stylists, Rebekah Roy and Shyla Hassan, and we shared a table with the girls from Elle, Leanne Meaney and Leanne Bayley, pictured below, along with Shyla and me.


Thursday, 18 September 2008
I’ll just skip over the first show of the day as it’s mean to slam a label on the Internet, but it was really not good. The redeeming point of Thursday was seeing the Victim show by Mei-Hui Liu. It was so much fun. Layer upon layer of colourful lace, corsetry, and amazing shoes, hair and make-up. Not necessarily pieces I would wear personally, but I really loved the show.

So, on to Vivienne Westwood. I didn’t go to the show. I was having a delicious meal of potato pancakes with uber-DJ, Jeffrey Disaster and stylist, Shyla Hassan, but what I did do, was DJ at the after party (photographic evidence below) at 33 Portland Place – sandwiched in between sets by the stunning Skin from Skunk Anansie and The Horror’s lead singer, Faris Badwan, who was super nice and quite shy…and very appreciative of the gin and ginger ale I snuck him!

I got some great photos of new friend and Creative Impressario, Philip Levine’s fabulously decorated head throughout the week! What I do regret is not getting a photo of Phil shaking it with Emma Watson (Harry Potter’s Hermione) on the dance floor at Viv’s after party – hilarious!


Friday, 19 September 2008
A perfect last day. The sun was shining, it was warm, and hardly a cloud in the sky! BE and I started with Bora Aksu (kind of predictable and samey), then went on to Osman Yousefzada – fabulous venue – the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park with beautifully tailored clothes and stunning make-up. I had to take a photo of these three girls leaving the show - they looked so gorgeous strolling through the grass in the sunshine.

Then on to Scott Ramsay Kyle – urban chic with a twinge of metallic, ethnic embroidery – fun party pieces. Ashish was Ashish – lots of sequins, but a fun new addition of beaded fringing, dresses of giant playing cards, and big oversized military jackets –very fun, very Ashish! Aminaka Wilmont was gorgeous. Draping teamed with delicate/edgy detailing in a cool palette – and loved how Rock & Roll Queen by The Subways was in the soundtrack – such a good song! The last show BE and I saw was Inbar Spector at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout. I have to take a moment to say how lovely the venue has become. They’ve come so far in the last few years, and Martyn and John, who run it, are so nice, as is all of their staff, and their media room sponsors, the team at koodos. Well done, VFS, and koodos!

Back to Inbar Spector. She showed last season, and I was hot-tipped by the show’s stylist, the fabulous Rebekah Roy. I loved it. Inbar is not afraid of volume, and makes the most amazing trousers. This season, the volume was upped several notches with lace and tulle twisted and manipulated into the most fantastically structured pieces, and the styling was second to none. Rebekah styled several shows over the week: Karen Brost, Harriet’s Muse, and Inbar Spector. Nice work, Ms. Roy. You can go sleep now. Rebekah also happens to carry a dashing crushed silver Belen Echandia handbag. Here’s a photo of Rebekah with catwalk artist, Albie Espinola and her silver bag just to her right, your left.

That’s it for this season.
Signing out,
Courtney Blackman
Founder & MD, Forward PR
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Fashion Business Club