LFW: Zoe Jordan AW13

It's that time of year again, where I suddenly realise I own NO CLOTHING and my feet feel like they have died- London Fashion Week.

Following on from opening last season, Zoe Jordan kicked off the proceedings, this time at the main show space at Somerset House. I'm a huge fan of Zoe's and once again she didn't disappoint.

True to form the collection was cool as a cucumber, oozing that effortless elegance that one so longs for. It displayed a luxe mix of sharp architectural tailoring, minimalistic clean lines and silhouettes and a juxtaposition of textures including tweed and silks. Once again Jordan brought a slight tom-boy playfulness to her collection which for me was greatly received.

The colour palette of greys and monochrome was offset beautifully with bold splashes of raspberry and orange and I loved the fur panelling on the coats.

   

   

   
 

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: Visual Diary Pt 3

Well folks, this is my final visual diary from this season's London Fashion Week. I am aware that LFW was a few weeks back now but I had got a little bored of posting about fashion week as well as reading about it on just about every blog so I thought I'd take a little break.

1. Mega lights at Sass & Bide SS13

2. Cocktails ans red lipstick

3. The snappers

4. Cocktails and pink nails

5. Cocktails at Temperley (perhaps we did a little too much cocktailling this season?)

6. Super-cool eyewear

7. Sarah-Leigh's sexy shoes

London Fashion Week: Visual Diary Pt 2

1. Fringing at Sass & Bide's SS13 show

2. Street style at Somerset House

3. Sass & Bide designers and founders Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton

4. Sarah-Leigh mid-tweet

5. Refreshment at Laduree

London Fashion Week: Sass & Bide SS13

Seductive femininity met masculine tailoring at Sass & Bide's SS13 show. From start to finish I was in a complete daze, from the monochrome palette to the deco and even disco touches of silver and gold metals. The super-sexy show was enthralling from start to finish and the parade of some of the world's best models only added to the wonder of the show.

True to their signature design style, the key thread to this collection was embellishment. Sequins, metal flowers and feathers all featured while a flash of colour was seen in the form of coral coloured shells and beading.

  

All-in-all, the collection was slicker and grown-up in comparison to previous collections but still had that Sass & Bide magic that I just love.

LFW: What We Wore

For day one, I had a rather lovely little number picked out but the weather didn't appear to be on my side so I went with a different, lovely little number but it did mean that I was in my standard uniform of head-to-toe black (hey, if it 'aint broke, don't fix it right?)...

My partner in crime Sarah-Leigh was a vision in her vintage blouse and denim combo...

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!