LFW Day 4: My Final Night & Day in the Fashion Bubble

The circus themed House of Evolution party, featuring burlesque dancers, beds, candy floss, and slightly freaky bathrooms; flashes of neon were a big street style trend, as were patterned trousers and leggings, statement shoes (but when are they not on trend?), hats and (gulp) fascinators; Pandemonia goes for a daytime stroll; Mollie from the Saturdays arrives for Mark Fast, and Nicola Roberts leaves; Charlotte Gush in tie-dye from our very own Affleck's Palace; I know this man is a someone but I cannot place who - help, anyone?


If you had told me this time last year that I would be attending my idolised London Fashion Week just twelve months later, I would have glanced away from my obsessive checking of style.com just long enough to give you a withering glance.

Yet, I was there at Somerset House for the A/W 2012 season. I was lucky enough to see a fair few shows, go to the best party I have ever been to (massive thanks to Katch PR and House of Evolution - you guys sure know how to throw a crazy after party) and meet some really wonderful people - some planned, but many I was simply stood next to in a queue and bonded from there (hello to Sophie of la Fashion Folie, Anna of the Quarter Life Tales of Annie Bean, Jenna of Pret A Style, Amy of Wolf Whistle, and Victoria of the Window Shopper).

I hope my photos have given you a feel of what it's been like to be at LFW, though they won't have conveyed just how constantly overjoyed I was to be there (even late last night when the pain of four days of heel-wearing nearly reduced me to tears).

First ambition of going to London Fashion Week fulfilled. Next ambition: to attend as press working for one of my favourite magazines.

Here's hoping.

Emporio Armani Live

Finally, I have now handed in all of this term's university work! Due to my brain being thoroughly immersed in assignments recently I've missed some exciting Manchester events, one of which was Emporio Armani Live on the 24th November.

The Spinningfields store is one of my favourites in the city, and on more than occasion I've excitedly exclaimed "I love this retail space!!" to a bewildered sales assistant. Browsing the achingly chic, beautifully merchandised glass-walled space brings calm when I'm agitated, and inspires when I'm feeling prosaic. Imagine my surprise when I heard this place was due to host a musical event - surely all the divine stock would not just be shoved to the side?

Thankfully, the pictures play out a rather more elegant story. The space suits being a stage, and the clothing rails and mannequins become an innovative, alluring backdrop to enhance the musicians' acts.







Egyptian Hip Hop, Josh Bray and Polarsets all look extremely dapper in their Emporio Armani threads, plus Slow Club and JP Cooper played on the night, too.

Next time you're in the Spinningfields area, slink into the store and absorb some of the opulence it oozes. Let's hope this becomes a regular affair for Emporio Armani!

Mulberry & Stylist Party

A few evenings ago the Mulberry store in Spinningfields hosted a Stylist Magazine party. The gin cocktails flowed as we stuffed ourselves with mini fish & chips and goats' cheese tartlets - I felt like I was in the party pages of Grazia!

Singer & DJ Yasmin spun a mix of retro tunes, then treated us to a few acoustic tracks. I hadn't knowingly heard her before, but I'm now a fan - her voice is rich and soulful, and I love her quirky-chic style.

It must be difficult to perform with a giant fox staring down on you!

Some of the Stylist team were present - Fashion Director Alexandra Fullerton (right) is wearing top-to-toe Mulberry SS12. It's a very wearable easy-breezy look.

Bags, bags, and more bags - admittedly I'm not too hot on naming the Mulberry bags, though I know some people can reel them off easily. Is that an Alexa in the last picture..?!

Cool ceiling!

I'm wearing a Topshop t-shirt, Zara skirt, and Mulberry mask. I did get a balloon to take home but the wind cruelly stole it from me! If you find a gold Bayswater floating around Manchester, you know whose it is.

A few stores along, Kurt Geiger were also holding an event. There was champagne, a 20% discount, and the highlight.. a photobooth, complete with dressing up box!

Stephanie of The Wardrobe Angel and I

Along with the rest of the female population, I'm a lover of Kurt Geiger shoes, so I was interested in seeing what their accessories collection was like. They're well-designed staple pieces, like this soft oversized clutch. I love how well it matches the rest of my green outfit.

All-in-all, a super fun, fashion-filled evening - the Manchester equivalent of Fashion's Night Out, perhaps?!

PS. Don't forget, you have until Tuesday to enter my AX Paris dress giveaway!

Hobbs 30th Birthday Party

Remember the cute window cling from a couple of weeks ago, advertising a 30th birthday? Yes, yes, I couldn't remember whose window it was. After attending their 30th birthday party last night, I now know it was Hobbs!

My friend Becca and I were treated by the lovely Hobbs staff to an evening consisting of an autumn/winter 2011 style presentation, the chance to privately shop the collection, and, most importantly perhaps, a few glasses of bubbly.

The trend presentation focused mainly on smart, chic outfits for work, that can also be dressed down with jeans for the weekend, or with a sparkly dress for cocktails. The first is made of camel hair, and I would love to wear the skirt with a polka dot blouse or 1960s style sweater, plus some pointy, Prada-style court shoes.

Hobbs are particularly proud of their coats, and although these pieces are currently bang on trend, they will be a go-to for years to come. The first is a camel-hair crombie. I'd wear this with leopard print creepers and my bowler hat!

Leopard print is no longer a trend, we were informed, but is a "staple". That is just fine with me.

Love this shirt dress with unusual people print, in this season's colours of camel, navy and red. (Apologies for the NW3 signs over the glam assistant's face - she requested I don't show her gorgeous mug!)

After the presentation, Becca and I had a little style-off. Even the changing rooms are synonymous with the Hobbs branding, with luxurious fixtures, and quirky striped curtains.

I feel Becca (on the right) wins this round - the clashing prints make this a kooky look, but it works as the prints are subtle, and have the common colour of grey running through. I loved both of the pieces of my outfit, especially the super pussy-bow blouse version of the dress featured above, and would be a great alternative to suiting for work.

I don't think this is something Becca would normally wear - hence the slightly awkward stance! - but I think she looks amazing in it, and needs to get herself a wrap dress, stat. The print on this one is the perfect leopard, and, as you can see, the cut is incredibly flattering.

Love this Paddington-style NW3 coat!

Big thanks to the incredibly friendly and welcoming Hobbs team, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Make sure you take a trip to the store on New Cathedral Street, Manchester.