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!

Good vibrations

Yesterday saw a tiny bit of sun and in honesty it was a bit of a shock after the disgusting weather we've seen over the last two weeks, (erm, mother nature- hello? Any chance of giving us a break? I'm STILL waiting to crack open the summer wardrobe you know?). As you can tell by these photos my eyes were a little shocked by the  big, bright thing in the sky (the sun) so they went a little mole like, but I still couldn't resist sharing my very favourite (until the next one I buy), new kimono. It's super-long at the back but we didn't shoot that, so I'll have to share this little beauty with you again so you can see it in it's full glory. Hopefully next time it'll be with less layers.

Forward PR AW12 press day

Last week saw some serious rain (well in fact it's still going). London is the absolute pits in the rain, gloomy, grey and everyone is very much on a downer. I was exactly the same until I hit the Forward PR AW12 press day on Wednesday last week. How could one resist the possibility of seeing the Corrie Nielsen AW12 collection in the flesh? As you may remember from here and here, I loved this show. So much drama channelled through a victoriana, lady-like tunnel, PLUS I can never dismiss a bit of mesh and a structured silhouette.

If that wasn't enough the hats that were created specifically for the show were also on display. Created by up-and-coming milliner, Emma Yeo from laser-cut wood, all I can say is wow, wow, wow, this girl has some serious talent. I'm currently trying to see how I can work one of these bad-boys into a summer wedding that I have coming up.

Many thanks to the Forward PR team for supplying, bubbles, friendly faces and wondrous things to look at on a dreary London day.

LFW: Jean-Pierre Braganza AW12

The Jean-Pierre Braganza show was another highlight of fashion week. I saw the show last season and I have to say although it was a lovely little collection I didn't fall in love. However, this season I can't say the same, it definitely rocked my boat. I loved the futuristic shapes and prints combined with the subtle forties references via high necks, nipped in waists and feminine silhouettes. The intricate, digital prints were pretty darn great too.

 Looking forward to seeing next season already.

LFW: Osman AW12

Day 4, the Osman show. I have to admit I was struggling, four days at fashion week and a crazy Saturday night to boot, I was tired, full of cold and thinking about all the emails that were sitting untouched in my inbox. Anyhow, we muddled through and thank F*@K we did, it blew me away!
The shapes and silhouettes were incredible. Cocoon coats, mullet hems, high waisted leather skirts and jackets, statement collars, cigarette pants and THAT oriental brocade. I can't get enough, I could talk about this one all day long. Insanely good. It's almost as if he crawled into my mind and took my wish list out of my mind before I even knew that the wish list existed, does that make any sense or is my love making me giddy?

Anyhow, my shots didn't turn out so well so instead of subjecting you to wobbly runway shots here are some of my favourite looks, courtesy of style.com...

GIF images via style.com, others my own.

LFW: Corrie Nielsen AW12

Show two of day one was Corrie Nielsen and what a show it was.

Two huge influences that shone from this collection was Nielsen's distant Scottish heritage and medieval design elements. High necks, intricate folds, ruffles and pleats were exaggerated and mixed with statement silhouettes and classic tartans. It was a real show stopping show and got me going for the rest of the day. A special mention must go to the the final look of the show, that HUGE black ruffle coat, WOW.

All images except the last one: Londonfashionweek.com

Final image: my own.

LFW: Antoni and Alison AW12

Antoni and Alison's collection was not my favourite of day one if I have to be honest. The simplicity of the collection is what makes it less of a favoured one for me as I am an absolute sucker for a ton of layers and lots of texture when it comes to autumnal dressing.

Their collection was made up of uncomplicated, silk dresses and tunics with textures digitally printed onto them. An interesting take on AW dressing yes but it just didn't grab me with excitement. I did like some of the prints, the herringbone and houndstooth check printed on the silk did look nice and I also liked the piece with the bow tie. All in all the collection was simple, easy and inoffensive it just didn't rock my world. However, I'm sure one of the silk tunic dresses would be a great piece for this summer with a sandal and a load of jewellery.