London Fashion Weekend - SS13' Trends

The Trend Show I attended at London Fashion Weekend depicted four of the latest seasons 'must have' trends for Spring Summer 2013. 

A mixture of designer and high-street key pieces styled together by the legendary fashion director Hilary Alexander adorned the runway.

The first trend to be unveiled was Graphic Art - A combination of sharp-cuts, interesting shapes, block colouring, monochrome stripes, bold spots and digital prints define this trend.

Image: http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk - Trend - Graphic Art

The second trend to appear from behind the back drop was Urban Lifestyle - A personal favorite this look combines classic tailoring with chic contemporary styling. Longer lengths, 'Grown-Up Girls' style, dropped waistlines, day-dresses and statement jackets re-define the working wardrobe.

Image: http:www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk - Trend - Urban Lifestyle

The third trend to hit the catwalk was Eastern Promise - defined by it's title, this trend is all about taking those cultural influences, mixing them all together and creating something beautiful. Long gowns, origami style skirts, oriental prints, tunics, detailed embroidery and kimono style jackets are the key elements that define the detail to this trend. 

Image: http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk - Trend - Eastern Promise

And the forth and final trend to be unveiled was Doll's House - This trend epitomizes every-girls dream of their very own dressing up box and the wish to feel 'pretty' (oh sooo pretty as the song goes). This trends provides a modern take on this wish introducing, longer length pencil skirts, and shell-tops, party dresses, lace and sparkle. 

Image: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk - Trend - Doll's House

Words: Nathalie Dawe

Images: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Visit to London Fashion Weekend

London Fashion Weekend commenced on Thursday - providing the perfect finale to fashions most revealing week on the calender. The event allows everybody to get a taste of just some of the madness, glamour, hard-work and atmosphere that makes London Fashion Week definitive of great British fashion.

I attended the event on it's second day of the extended weekend, unknowing of what to expect, me and my friend had done our research and our expectations were high.

Our day commenced around 11am as we collected our official Radley show bags, full of little treats, vouchers and of course the essential show guide, we were ready to start a fashion packed day.

Outside the Vodafone LFWend Show Space.

The layout of the event throughout the grounds of Somerset House created a sense of adventure as you walked through each room set out in the style of a designer boutique. Another door followed, by another unveiled a series of (every girls dream) walk in wardrobes displaying collections from designers including  Hermione de Paula, J.W. Anderson, Paper London, DKNY Jeans, Pringle of Scotland, Tweny8twelve and The Cambridge Satchel Company to name just a few. 

The flags are out - LFWend Somerset House.

After browsing the collections you could opt for a spot of relaxation in the Bueno Lounge with unlimited free chocolate and a mini massage or treat yourself to a new haircut in the TONI&GUY pop-up salon, a facial in the Elizabeth Arden beauty studio or a lash makeover at the benefit brow bar. There were also plenty of photo opportunities with the Canon pop-up studio and Capital FM   snapping away providing lots of fun throughout the day!

Me (Right) and my friend Laura spotted by Capital FM.

The Vodafone show space dominated the central grounds of Somerset house, complete with its own catwalk show fronted by the stunning presenter Zoe Hardman for the 3rd season depicted four of Spring Summer 2013's biggest trends - The Catwalk Edit introduces us to these trends as Graphic Art, Urban Lifestyle, Eastern Promise and Dolls House (I'll cover these with my own views in a later post).

Zoe did a fantastic job hosting the show for a 3rd season, but i would have loved to have seen more looks for each trend, as the show seemed to be over so quickly. However those we did see perfectly pinpointed the key-pieces required for our next wardrobe update. 

En route to LFWend - 22/02/13

So this morning I'm on route to the most prestigious week (end) in fashion. LFWend at Somerset house. After a lack of sleep, and an early start I'm really excited too see what the event has to offer!

Tickets for the event are available from £15.5O-£40.00 depending on how much of the event you would like to experience.

I have chosen the shop and catwalk ticket which gives me exclusive access to the shopping department and a catwalk trend show.

There is also the very special Luxe ticket available for those who would like to be treated like a V.I.P for the day - These tickets are available from £120.00-£165.00.

For more information about LFWend or to still book tickets you vist the following link:

http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk

I'm off to have a fantastic day of shopping and catwalk shows with my friend Laura. Getting my wages on the same day as this a shopping event is really going to test my will-power.

If you want to know more about a day at LFWend I will be updating this post after the event!

National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fair

Today I attended one of the seven 'National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fairs' at The University of Birmingham. The event is held on behalf of targetjobs.co.uk. The employment website work towards helping provide 'the best possible start to your career' and is dedicated to supporting undergraduates and graduates looking to take those very important FIRST steps into what many may want to refer to as a 'proper' job.

Targetjobs.co.uk also provides a particular focus towards finding the right POSTGRADUATE opportunity for YOU! Holding events such as the National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fair to give students and graduates the opportunities to meet and talk to representatives from in excess of 100 universities.

Image: http://www.targetcourses.co.uk

Chris Phillips organizer and founder of the event was on hand to provide a seminar to students and graduates regarding - 'Funding your postgraduate study'. Having attended this seminar I would highly recommend it to anybody concerned about whether or not they have access too or are eligible for post-graduate funding. 

The seminar covered a range of different disciplines the most important being to ASK yourself...

- Will your post-graduate study give you an ADVANTAGE?

- What about the cost? Is their FUNDING available?

- Is your course REALLY essential to your industry?

- Is the course VALUED by potential future employers?

- Is the university HIGHLY-REGARDED?

What I most appreciated about the seminar was that it was completely unbiased towards or against postgraduate study. You was not made to feel as though postgraduate study was essential for ultimate success nor was you made to feel like it was completely unachievable - Something I believe is felt by many(myself included) due to how daunting the cost can seem, without the knowledge of the funding opportunities available.

If like myself you are considering postgraduate study its not to LATE... You still have plenty of time to apply and their are still National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fairs running in the following Cities:

- University of Sheffield: 28th February 2013

- Victoria House London: 7th March 2013

You can find out more about targetjobs.co.uk and The National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fair by clicking on the links below:

Target Jobs: 
http://targetjobs.co.uk/

National Postgraduate Study and Funding Fairs: http://targetcourses.co.uk/fairs-and-open-days 

  

LFW Autumn Winter 2013 - Day 5

It's mixed emotions as London Fashion Week comes to a close... for followers of the event everywhere its always an exhausting and exhilarating performance - The early starts, late nights and constant pressure to meet deadlines and look good while doing so! 

Thankfully many of us can get comfy on the sofa, grab the laptop and log onto the LIVE stream. Although i wouldn't EVER say no if i was ever given the privilege of being invited to leave my sofa and join the infamous FROW' for the unveiling of a new season.

The final day commenced with Simone Rocha unveiling a collection of pastel pink, asymmetric hemlines, layered skirts, black patent, collarless jackets, buttoned up shirts and full-fur separates for the Autumn Winter 2013 season. Epitomising the designers ideal client - 'A woman who wants to wear beautiful things' as depicted in the designers show notes. 

Other designers showcasing their Autumn Winter 2013 collections included, Lucas Nascimento, Paul Costelloe, Anya Kindmarch, Roksanda llincic, James Long Women, Emilio de la Morena, Nasir Mazhar, Meadham Kirchhoff, Ashish, Tata-Naka, Ostwald Helgason, Maria Grachvogel, Aminaka Wilmont and Haizhen Wang.

You can view each designer’s FULL Autumn / Winter 2013 collection and watch the show again LIVE on the London Fashion Week website via - www.londonfashionweek.co.uk 

I haven't had chance this week to have a really good look at the final day of LFW, but i will be updating this post shortly with my thoughts on the final collections from the most prestigious week in fashion - In the meantime please take a look at my coverage from the rest of the week!

Words: Nathalie Dawe

 

London Fashion Week - Topshop Unique

I didn't get chance to post about Topshop Unique but the collection was once again sensational, demonstrating youthful elegance vamped up by the brands trademark 'edge'.

Cara Develinge took the lead for the second time this season to unveil the Autumn Winter 2013 collection from Topshop Unique designer Emma Farrow.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

The Model of the moment emerged showcasing one of my favourite looks from the show - A high-waisted wet-look skirt in voluminous black, a crop knit and over-sized velvet look coat and diamond  design bag.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

The opening look set the bar high for expectations of the show and it did not disappoint. A balanced mix of high-waisted leather, over-sized outerwear, contrasting collars, velvet panelling, cropped knitwear, floral graphics and wet look sequins adorned the catwalk to a star studded FROW (The Front Row).

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

Other key pieces from the Unique collection included the classic crop, 3/4 length sleeves, silk pockets, oversized all-in-ones, thigh-high slits and the most popular piece for Autumn Winter 2013 - the midi-skirt.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

Overall I felt the look of the Unique collection demonstrated a feminine silhouette beautifully, yet kept it's prestigious 'unique' sense of style on par with it's feminine update.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

Through the use of wet-look and textured fabrics Emma Farrow epitomised the brands trademark 'edge' by adding a casual brogue, thigh high slits, patch of fur, calf reaching boots or a piece of over-sized outerwear.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

These are just my first interpretations of the collection, but as an avid follower of the Unique label. It is possible that I will update these notes when I have the opportunity to study the collection further but so far so good!

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Unique

Well done Topshop Unique!

You can view each designer’s FULL Autumn / Winter 2013 collection and watch the show again LIVE on the London Fashion Week website via - www.londonfashionweek.co.uk 

Words: Nathalie Dawe

Image composition: Nathalie Dawe

Pictures: http//www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

LFW Autumn Winter 2013 - Day 4

With the unveil of the Burberry Prorsum Autumn Winter 2013 collection - Day 4 of London Fashion week was amongst the most anticipated show of the event, globally talked about on twitter hours before it even began. The luxury fashion brand has been setting the bar for the future catwalk for a while now and it's long reign is down to it's innovative ability to update each trademark piece season after season.

While still keeping that strong sense of British heritage  building on their signature key pieces, Burberry continue to  strengthen their on-going reputation, demonstrating how a brand strongly leading the luxury market can still create a sense of it's original craftsmanship, updating it's trademark key pieces to suit a new generation and a new wardrobe.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Burberry Prorsum

Chief creative officer of the brand Christopher Bailey unveiled a montage of midi-lengths, cinched in waists, leather collars, bold stripes, fringed leather, pointy flats leopard print and chic love heart printed pieces (for the men too!) creating the collections key looks for the season. 

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Burberry Prorsum

‘The belted mac’ is a staple wardrobe update, the unveiling of the piece is always highly anticipated come fashion week, but never fails to disappoint. Providing a fine example of the re-working of a classic as shiny metallics cinch in waists and defined pockets update the brands trademark piece.

London Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 2013 - Burberry Prorsum

The brands usual earth tones paid tribute to Burberry's signature palette while the monochrome prints contrasted beautifully with the enriched colour palette incorporated by the rest of the collection. 

Other designers to showcase their Autumn Winter 2013 collections included, Peter Pilotto, Sophia Webster, Antonio Berardi, Pringle of Scotland, Huishan Zhang, Michael van der Ham, Christopher Kane, Louise Gray, Erdem, Fashion East, 1205, Osman, GILES, TOM FORD and J.W. Anderson Women.

You can view each designer’s FULL Autumn / Winter 2013 collection and watch the show again LIVE on the London Fashion Week website via - www.londonfashionweek.co.uk 

Words: Nathalie Dawe

Image composition: Nathalie Dawe

Pictures: http//www.londonfashionweek.co.uk