LONDON NOT FASHION WEEK

Look where I am, ma!

To me, there is such an oversaturation of London Fashion Week coverage now: not only can you get your favourite fashion editor's thoughts immediately over Twitter, but bloggers are going backstage, getting sneak peeks, sitting front row.. so this time it was nice to get off the treadmill and have some chill time in London. I went to the pub both nights, saw friends from home who now live in the Big Smoke, met new friends, and just had a lovely holiday in Camden staying at the very hospitable Sheree's.

This post wouldn't be very interesting for you, dear reader, if that were all I did. I went to the Ashish show thanks to Sophie, who took pity on me and donated her ticket, plus the Tahir Sultan show which was in fact the very last show of Fashion Week this season. Mr. Sultan himself was a fabulous finishing act, strutting down the runway, totes shoulder robing his jacket. Chuckling way too much to get a photo.. soz.

The first couple of looks at Ashish were a little disappointing (read: no sequins, weird puckered fabric) but the collection quickly settled into the 90s-inspired liquid sequins we've come to love and respect. Ashish's party girl has had to grow up and get a job this season - and a construction job at that. Not sure the patchwork denim trapeze maxi dress is really suitable building site attire but I loved it nonetheless, and also the spaghetti strap sequin jumpsuit was beautiful (they say two's a coincidence.. let's just wait for number three). The hair was so backcombed that I worried for the models' next show; how they got that out I don't know, but at least it's a totally achievable at-home look. You just need a fine-tooth comb and an entire can of hairspray.

I gotta admit to being a bit of a fangirl.. it was also super cool to see models of the moment Leomie and Chloe Norgaard on the runway!

Other highlights for me included Sophia Webster's metallic purple unicorn bag, the Maoam machine that was broken and just carried on spitting Pinballs everywhere, discovering ethical company Veja and their collaboration with print designer Greg Anser (that rainbow image is a carbon map of the Amazon.. love a print with a story), seeing old faces and meeting new ones, and just generally having a good time in Sunny Old London.

Sheree's amaze shaggy jacket is Nasty Gal
I wore:
Topshop jacketWildfox teeForever 21 maxi skirtMiista bootseBay blow-up backpack





Wildfox jumperCharity shop shirtTopshop skirtJeffrey Campbell Pointe flatformsCharity shop coatForever 21 bagWildfox sunglasses


Image from Helena, who is also the pretty lady in paisley above
You can see a video of me in this outfit pretending to be a totally important fashion designer made by DijonVu.

UNIQUE, C'EST CHIC

Right now I am in London for the final two days of Fashion Week - storming in fresh just as everyone else is on their last legs - but I couldn't resist sharing these images from yesterday's Topshop Unique show. I'm not into trends anymore but Unique manage to create a sugary pink 90s look that is super cool without screaming fashion victim. I am so utterly in love with this pink sequin midi skirt; I say this a lot but it is what my dreams are made of and I really, really hope it gets produced for retail. Imagine it with a Wildfox tee! Or the cream fluffy knit above! Or, you know, just as it was styled on the runway with an oversized leather bomber.

And can we discuss the sequinned jumpsuit Jourdan wore to close the show? Like liquid metal gliding along the runway.

Too cool.

I LUV ME DOC MAR-ENS

In case there is any doubt whereabouts in England I am from, skip to 1:15 of this Stylesight video to hear me talk about my Doc Mar-ens and how my jumper is just sooooo Clueless in a thoroughly Northern accent (its broadness surprises even me).

Alternatively, watch the whole thing to see some genuinely interesting people and outfits. I particularly like Jane Rapley: "sometimes I think they try too hard, but then when you're young you have to"...


And the full outfit, as featured on The Style Scout. In retrospect I'm really not keen on the whole look but.. whatever. You live and learn right?

NAMASTE

Lovely followers - of which there has been a jump in numbers in the week since I last posted, maybe that's a hint not to blog quite so much - please accept these additional photos of my favourite Fashion Week outfit, plus a bit of Company lovin' for my vintage jumpsuit, as an apology for not being around as much recently. There's something going on in my personal, non-fashion life (I have one of those! Yes) which I will be focusing my energy on, and whilst I will still be posting here it won't be with the frequency and dedication to which you are accustomed. If you like we can keep in touch via Twitter and I will of course be keeping up with your blogs during downtime.

Thanks for reading, and I'd really appreciate you sending some positive energy my way... Namaste.

  H&M sample leather dungarees  Minkpink dress (underneath)  Office shoes  Louis Vuitton scarf Forever 21 jacket   Accessorize hat  Vintage jumpsuit  Acne shoes  Old faithful Zara bag Urban Outfitters sunglasses
(last image nicked from Pearl)

LFW SS13 DAY FIVE: ASHISH

Don't let my fantastic Ashish photos fool you. I wasn't in the photographer's pit, the front row, or even in the same room... I was simply in the Canon Cinema (or the Cinema of Rejects, coined by Gemma Satire) watching the show live, developing more of an urge to wear sequin socks with Reebok Classics as it went on. I'm not sure how I feel about remembering a retro trend the first time around, but it's probably not a good thing. Mr Gupta hit the mood just right with the sporty white, grey, and denim collection, with his signature sequins covering just one aspect of the garments - one leg, one arm, or one side.

I certainly am très fatigué, as evidenced by my terrible posture and spotty face in these photos, so this post will be kept relatively short and sweet. Check out the pictures of Tata Naka's pool party, Nova Chiu's silk prints, and the last of the week's street style in the fading sunshine.

London, it's been unreal. See you next season.