It was with a slightly different feel that lfw s/s 20 kicked off on 12th September, with tickets to shows such as Henry Holland made available to the public for a fee, it wasn’t just the usual fashion industry insider, faces at the big shows this time.
Mark Fast SS20
My prep for LFW started way before that – more on that later. My first show of the season was at the inimitable Mark Fast AND what a glorious start it was with hair looks by TIGI, inspired by the Amazon, Mark requested looks that represented a wild neon party in the jungle and the animals that inhabit it. This was clearly evident in the braided hair with neon ribbons seen on the runway that were reminiscent of snakes. Even though the call time for this was on the early side if, like me, you live outside the capital, my yummy brekkie with Jewellery brand, Alice Van Cal beforehand set me up for the day.
Next up, Jamie Wei Huang (at possibly my fave venue ever); the Waldorf Astoria. This show was a triumph and a return to form for the designer. The Gayeon Lee presentation did not disappoint with her infinitely wearable pieces, beautifully cut in gorgeous pastel hues, she consistently nails LFW. With Fashion Scout at a new & imho, better venue at Victoria House, the Ones to Watch is a show I never like to miss and with good reason. With slinky (the toy, not the adjective) inspired dresses and references to both Nefertiti and Trump, this is a show where the new and emerging talent showcase their skills and authenticity in spades – often more so than the more publicised on schedule shows.
Pam Hogg is always unmissable, but this, “Best in Show” was a sensation. A stalwart of the British fashion scene, it’s worth going for the guests on FROW alone, but the guaranteed drama and theatre of a Pam Hogg show make her the stand out, uncompromising designer she is famous for. I only wish I was brave enough to wear one of her pieces…one day. Standing room only at Marta Jakubowksi but I’ve a soft spot for this designer so I took one for the team 😉 I LOVED the colour palette of this with lilac, turquoise, aqua and mint hues in abundance.
Saturday began with an utterly divine presentation at Alice Archer. I am a big fan of her collections and the whimsical beauty we’ve seen previously was ever present, only more so and if the Larissa dress isn’t a sell out, I’ll eat my hat. Plus kudos to the PR team for handing out Fiji water on the hottest day of LFW, you are total gems.
It was then off to the hottest ticket in town, Naomi Campbell’s Fashion 4 Relief at The British Library. Now, regular readers will know that my day job is as a Stylist, so when my Alma Mater, LSS asked if I’d like to be a dresser at this event, I jumped at the chance. Given the opportunity to dress a couture look for the runway to raise vital funds for the charitable event was too good to miss. It was a long day, but oh so worth it to be centimetres away from Naomi herself. She was/is the supermodel for my generation & to be in her orbit was a thrill and a half.
Alice Archer SS20
Sunday and with a strong message about sustainability at the Phoebe English presentation, this young British Designer produces pieces that are not trend driven and could be worn season after season.
Monday and off to an all day event at SUPER SUPER SUPER courtesy of Slingshot. Sadly I couldn’t make the whole day but I loved both the panel discussion with Milliner, Victoria Grant and Photographer Diana Lopez as well as the make up looks at the House of Flora presentation by renowned MUA, Astrid Kearney.
My next presentation of the day was a LFW debut for Olivia Rubin, having worked with Olivia previously it was a delight to see her rainbow vision come to life at the BFC. Bravo Olivia.
My very last presentation at Katie McGuigan was a colour riot and a feast for the senses. The nod to the 70s made it one of my faves and a suitably pleasing finale to the season.
Now then, back to that LFW prep…A special thank you to Dr Pradnya Apte for her #gifted, celeb fave Fire & Ice facial in prep for the gruelling lfw schedule, it was fabulous and made me look considerably more dewy than I usually do at fashion week. Pradnya is based at Harley Street and she is a breath of fresh air in every sense. I’ll be paying her another visit very soon.
And that’s me done until January – over and out