The Stars 2011: LFW

Saturday, October 1, 2011

LFW: Day 5 Georgia Hardinge

It isn't often I say this but I would happily wear every piece from Hardinge's S/S '12 collection- it was beautiful, streamlined, structured and very elegant. My favourite piece was the excessively floating dress which sashayed across people's feet on the front row and blew about abundantly as the model floated down the catwalk. Absolutely perfect to wear on holiday with a pair of chunky platform wedged sandals, which I myself swear by every summer. Hardinge's choice of footwear- chunky laced Jeffrey Campbell boots which complemented the serene like quality to the overall collection. Titled 'Cubed' because of the cubism pattern applied to sheer fabric, I felt it was slightly safari-esque with the brown and grey colour palette applied to see-through shirts. Both were a stark contrast to the freshness and cleanness of the blocks of white in the form of a lampshade skirts, pale grey tones and vibrant blocks of bright orange. Boxy shapes, patterns that resembled sexy cut outs, high-wasted trousers and loose fitting garments were all interesting elements to such a great collection- certainly one of my favourites this season. I personally adored the all in 1 orange jumpsuit and the exposed collars make an otherwise mundane accompaniment to trousers, fun, creative and certainly showing the craftsmanship of a well travelled and hard working designer who is supported by the industry. She is definitely one to look out for seasons to come, whilst she is creating a successful label as an established creator of fashion.

Thanks to working with the PR company who represents Hardinge, I had the opportunity to view the collection and the smiling faces of the friends and family (and The Clothes Show's Caryn Franklin who was talking on her mobile and scribbling away at her notebook) in attendance. Her nan was rather funny taking pictures of everything and everyone as the crowd of people were waiting for the show to commence. I only wish I had the means to buy a few pieces because my wardrobe is waiting for something as amazing as this.

What are your thoughts on the collection? Which designers have stood out for you this season?

WONDER FULL

Sunday, September 18, 2011

LFW: Day 2

The second day of LFW began with a not so early start but meant a push and shove through Covent Garden on a busy Saturday night for another trip to The Freemasons Hall but this time to get things ready before The Swedish School of Textiles showed their graduate BA/MA collections. This consisted of putting together the goody bags and greeting/escorting people as they piled in to view the catwalk show. One I spotted and recognized immediately from a recent television series Dirty Sexy Things, the cocky Jay Camilleri. He rather amusingly said to one of my colleagues, "I am a really famous model so could get front row?!" Anyway, aside from the pointless sighting, the show was rather avant-garde and far out, which is usually expected but this was foam boxed dresses, tights worn over shoes, cellophane footwear and odd tubed eye wear, are all things not to everyone's tastes and which is fair enough. These designers had an idea in their heads which they wanted to create and make their own on a catwalk and which is what they did. I must say, I very much enjoyed the show- it gave me goosebumps when each and every one of the designers stomped out onto the catwalk to Pet Shop Boys' You Were Always On My Mind. There was a constant clicking from the photographer's bench, as the music pieces suitably accompanying each collection were played, which I thought were great. Music, for me, tends to adds another element to a collection and only emphasises a designer's vision even more. Overall, it was another fun few hours and a result that we could sit down and watch the entire show.

Have you been to LFW? Did you manage to blag your way into a show? What do you make of the collections?