Wintour to visit LFW

It has been confirmed American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour will be front row for London Fashion Week in September - her first visit since 2007. No doubt the city owes the visit to the likes of Christopher Bailey's decision to return Burberry to London for Spring/Summer '10. 

(On a side note, I had a dream recently that I was Anna Wintour's personal assistant. Unlike The Devil Wears Prada however, her demands were less extravagant asking for chocolates of all things!)

Pop-Up boutique

East London boutique hotel 40 Winks will open a pop-up showroom for designers during London Fashion Week. They invite applications from clothing and accessories designers who want to show their collections close to the main event in central London.

Previously, 40 Winks has been used as a fashion shoot location by both British and American Vogue..

Hermione's all grown up!

So Burberry has signed actress Emma Watson to be the face of their AW'09/'10 campaign. I can't help but think, it's about time!

Burberry picked the British actress to “reinforce the brand’s rich heritage” with the campaign being photographed by Mario Testino near the new Burberry HQ in London. Burberry have also made the decision to return to London Fashion Week instead of Milan. 

The Creative Director of Burberry, Christopher Bailey, said: 

“I wanted the images to represent both the rich history and the modernity of the Burberry brand whilst at the same time reflecting a quiet beauty, timelessness and strength that is particularly significant today... [Emma] was the obvious choice for this campaign who like the images she fronts, has a classic beauty a great character and a modern edge.”

I have been expecting this for a while and it makes sense that it is Burberry, after last October's shoot with Christopher Bailey and that famous feather dress. I am so jealous she got to wear that. 

Mark Fast Knitwear.

“I believe that there is a growing attention to craftsmanship in fashion these days, as opposed to quick-fix disposable pieces. I am focusing on timeless classics.” 

I have become slightly obsessed with the new wave of knitwear designers. It is interesting to see the scope knitwear design can cover in comparing Mark Fast's work to Sandra Backlund's. 

Mark Fast's innovative designs are beautiful, sexy pieces which flatter the female form. He finds inspiration from the past and translates historical costume and style into contemporary pieces. 

Having worked on knitwear for Bora Aksu for a year after graduating from Central Saint Martin's, Mark had his very own Fashion Week in February at London and received rave reviews. His clothes look so flattering for woman, I want them all.

Sandra Backlund knitwear.

I discovered the almost sculptural work of Swedish knitwear designer Sandra Backlund  a while back and immediately forwarded it on to my lovely cousin Kate in London who is a very talented knitwear designer herself. Backlund's exaggerated and complex work fascinates me.

 

"I improvise and allow myself to lose control and see what happens if I do not think so much about practical things. The human body is always the starting point. I am really fascinated by all the ways you can highlight, distort and transform the natural silhouette of the body."

She builds the garments by hand from basic "bricks" which she multiplies and attaches to each other in different ways. Her Fall '09/10 collection lookbook "Control-C" is stunning.

 

Topshop own London Fashion Week

Grunge isn't dead...

I feel the need to discuss my recent return to all things grunge.

Whilst I rediscovered the looks and the music I so dearly loved when I was a teenager, coincidently NY and London were showing a return to the look which originated from a bunch of Seattle based bands in the late 80s/early 90s. 

It's all very exciting for me since I was too young to take any notice the first time round!

Though of course punky style (doc-marten boots and stone-wash denim in particular) is a non-mover, Grunge has a way of combining the toughest of garments with pretty floral dresses and cardigans that look like they've been taken right out your Granny's wardrobe.

Here's my favourite grunge looks from the Fall/Winter '09-'10 collections so far, both sides of the Atlantic:

Topshop Unique - very futuristic grunge.

Marc Jacobs - the King of Grunge fashion (not counting the likes of Kurt Cobain of course) had to be in here.

Luella - yet another triumphant collection which we will no doubt see all over the high street come Autumn.

Christopher Kane - only 6 collections in and getting stronger.

London Calling.

Last night I got back from my very short trip to London where I met up with my ex flatmate (and long lost love) Kirsty and stayed in her student halls. I didn't get to do much shopping but I did get to look about Spitalfields again and went into the All Saints original store to look at what they're doing with their visual merchandising since my last visit.

Kirsty is doing a Masters in Art at the legendary Central Saint Martins (check out her blog of her amazing work) and it was great to go for dinner with her in SoHo and wander past her new uni.

I also managed to pop along to the impressive Marks & Spencer HQ (below) again where I got to speak to some of their buyers about their Spring Summer '09 trends and the current market. I did a placement during the summer with the Buying teams for Ladies Holiday wear and Leisurewear. The whole experience was amazing and I learned a lot. It was great to even revisit the building and be given the opportunity to work inside the building of the UK's biggest high street retailer. 

My only purchase of the entire trip was this vintage dress but I am so happy with it because it was such a bargain. Bought for £8 just round the corner from the M&S HQ. It looks as if it has been hand made. I don't suit long things because I'm pretty small so I am going to have it taken up. I love the sheer sleeves and the back is a great deal lower than the front. Watch this space for the finished garment.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week had some lovely surprises in store as usual.

For Spring Summer '09 I thought there would be a real step away from the Modern Romance themes of SS '08. However, with the likes of the Luella show (welcome back) and Emma Cook's collection again showing fragility and subtleties in light, floaty fabrics such as chiffon and silks; fresh sorbet & neutral colour pallets (I particularly loved the rose colour presence, it looks like romance is a non-mover. Ruffles and lace are still present though not as obvious and it looks like bows are eventually being played down (though still present).

Luella

Emma Cook

Also holding a strong presence was the return of the 80s with power-dressing particularly present in Topshop Unique's collection. Jumpsuits (this time more dressed up and one shouldered) held strong AGAIN as well as head scarfs and fetish-style statement shoes. 

Can't wait!

Notably, Naomi Campbell also hosted her 3rd 'Fashion for Relief' with money raised going to the White Ribbon Alliance. The occasion drew more attention this year due to the appearances of celebs on the catwalk - notably Cheryl Cole who received the biggest applause of the event.