Temperley SS13

Not wanting to regurgitate the same old content as everyone else during fashion week, I sat back on sharing my photos from the Temperley SS13 show in the vain hope that the burnings on your retinas of these pieces had faded away a little and that they might evoke the happiness and joy that they initially brought upon first viewing.

The blogging world was a little tough around fashion week this season. Many bloggers (big ones at that) have lost their passion for it a little and who's to blame them? PR tickets seemed to be fewer and fewer for the main attendees from the blogging circles and the same old 'show me your stats' situation was happening at the blogger desk at Somerset House.

With the blogosphere being full of the same images and the same shows I attended (for work and pleasure) I felt it didn't really do this particular show (my favourite of the season) any justice so I waited.

So here we are, Temperley SS13 in all it's glory. We were taken back to the French Riviera in the late 40s / early 50s with super-feminine nipped in waists, calf length full skirts and wrist-grazing girlie gloves all in a palette of powdery blues, bold reds and black on a base of crisp, clean whites - delicious.

The vibe of the show was somewhat reminiscent of Christian Dior's 'New Look' which was shown in 1947 with the small waists, full hips and those hats and the kudos that Temperley's collection has received only proves that classic style always wins.

Temperley always seem to hit the nail on the head when it comes to mixing classic and contemporary style but this season has blown me away even more than usual. BRAVO!

 

London Fashion Week: Jean-Pierre Braganza SS13

This season, Jean-Pierre Braganza once again played on his strengths with a collection focusing on intricate and unique tailoring combined with feminine sensuality. Being a champion of black clothing, I loved his use of monochrome for a spring / summer collection too (he's not the only one who's opted for this colour palette for next season either) combined with minty blues and a pop of bold red here and there.

This season JPB teamed up with artist, Zinaida Lihacheva and recreated her paintings within his prints, cuts and silhouettes to create and angular and architectural collection.

I was particularly enthralled with the multi-layer and asymmetric lapels and the use of leather in a gillet and cropped jacket- delish!

London Fashion Week: Bora Aksu SS13

Elegant playfulness combined with modern opulence was the vibe at Bora Aksu's SS13 show. His signature piece - the cocktail dress was embellished with regal touches from puff sleeves and shoulders to stiff, almost preppy collars. The knitted crowns also added to the Royal feel of the collection which was inspired Queen Victoria's granddaughter- Marie. Marie later became the Queen of Romania and was known by her people as 'The Modern Queen' and subsequently Aksu's collection is named this also. 

The collection is just as fun as it is grown-up and beautiful- which is a tough balance to get right but once again, Aksu's vision of girls in pretty dresses has come up trumps with this collection. Nipped in waists as well as trapeze silhouettes were seen, mostly on knee-length lengths and I'm still in love with multi-layered ruffles and frills that Aksu does so well.

I love the introduction of knitwear into the looks and the lazer-cut clutches are just divine- Bravo Bora!

London Fashion Week: Corrie Nielsen SS12

Last season Corrie Nielsen's show was one of my favourites so this season I was super-excited to see what she had to offer and once again, she did not disappoint.

Taking inspiration from flowers, botanics and even green house architecture, Nielsen's collection explores the structure of flowers inside and out creating sculptures of fabric around the feminine form.

 In a truly avant garde way, Nielsen's collection is a celebration of femininity with ruffles, frills, bows and accentuated shapes (such as peplums) in organza, silk and mesh. The almost antique, colour palette was dream-like with off-whites and creams teamed with dusky pinks and blues.

The wedding dress which closed the show was enough to make even the strongest of wedding-phobes want to run down the isle (I guess I had better start saving now).

So what do else do I need to say about Corrie Nielsen's SS13 show? Romance and drama at it's absolute finest, and in my opinion what London Fashion Week is all about.

London Fashion Week: Zoe Jordan SS13

Wow, I can't quite believe that fashion week is back again, I'm still pretending that summer for SS12 is going to hit London any day now and we are now looking at SS13!

Friday- day one of London Fashion week was actually my birthday, so after breakfast in bed (thanks to The Boy) and a few rounds of Stevie Wonder's, Happy Birthday (it's a bit of a tradition to listen to this during present opening), I was off to see my first show of the day- Zoe Jordan.

The collection was sleek and polished as well as super-fun and wearable which meant it ticked all the right boxes for me. Loose, easy-to-wear silhouettes and casual separates mixed with letterman style jackets and leather baseball caps (which I am a little bit in love with) gave the sophisticated collection a sports-influenced, tom-boy vibe.

I particularly enjoyed the use of different textures seen in lightweight silks, all-over beading, leather and suede in bold reds, prints and accents of metallics.

All-in-all the collection was relaxed and effortless and I wouldn't mind owning just about every piece for next summer and it was the perfect way to kick off LFW.

Christian Dior Haute Couture AW12/13

The fashion world waited with baited breath this week to see Raf Simons' debut collection for fashion house Dior at Paris Couture Week and it appears I am not the only one who liked what they saw.

Amongst many well wishes from fashion's biggest names, Vogue.co.uk reported that Albar Elbez was quoted telling the Guardian, "Today was a beautiful marriage between a designer and a house."

The collection was a fantastic array of tuxedo detailing from lapels and tux pockets appearing on bustier dresses and gowns to the nipped waists and exaggerated hips on the cigarette pant trouser suits. The full skirts on the beautiful strapless gowns that sauntered down the floral-walled catwalk towards the end made me dream of going to my school prom again and the whole thing oozed Dior charm whilst bringing something fresh and new to the house.

After all the speculation of who would be the new designer at the infamous fashion house, I for one am glad that Simons got the job.

What did you think of the show?

           

Images via Style.com