Celebrating 25 years of London Fashion Week

Its been 25 years since London Fashion week first stormed on to stages and calenders across the globe. In that tie its produced a galaxy of global design superstars - fro John Galliano to Alexander McQueen - and a £40 billion industry. To check out the latest videos, images and interviews go to www.londonfashionweek.co.uk NOW!

Chunky Knits!

Texture is certainly not missing from this years Autumn/Winter collections. Chunky knits are certainly a main feature, with some designers taking it to the extreme! Textured knits are a great alternative to the traditional coat...

 

 

Brian Viveros

Mix cigarettes, alcohol and blood with beautiful female illustrations and you will come up with work by artist Brian Viveros....

Future Ghost Tribal

Kokon To Zai  

Autumn/Winter 09/10 Collection

  

Kokon To Zai Store

The name Kokon To Zai, which means “east meets west” in Japanese was chosen by the store founders, Macedonian design duo Marjan Pejoski and Sasha Bezovski. The newest store can be found on Golborne Road, near Portobello Market in Notting Hill, west London. The store stocks the designers’ own labels including Pejoski and KTZ, a label designed by both Pejoski and Bezovski. Sitting alongside these are a mix of brands including Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania, Peter Jensen, McQ by Alexander McQueen and Bernard Willhelm. Various objets d’art and macabre make for exciting visual merchandising props and double up as products for sale. A stuffed peacock keeps watch over the shop floor under the shade of a bright green parasol. Skulls, framed butterflies, antique taxidermy and quirky jewelery are carefully placed around the store. The Kokon To Zai store is a must see for any fashion or interior design fanatic...

Luella and Owen Plummer

Brit designer Luella collaborates with the prolific zine maker in creating original drawings created by Plummer on tees, bags and brooches. An in-store exhibition that will be on display throughout London Fashion Week at the Luella store on Brook Street...

500 Days of Summer

Junk Jewels

Junk Jewels is the creation of independent, London based jewellery designer, Miss Jones. The online collection boasts a mixture of eye-catching vintage charms and modern trinkets that hang from inches of silver and gold plated chain - At tiny prices!!! Junk jewels can be found every saturday at Portobello market, Notting Hill. There you will find a collection of cute charm necklaces and matching bracelets. One-off pieces can also be found exclusively at Portobello market. Or otherwise visit www.junkjewels.co.uk. Here are some of Miss Jones new Autumn collection...

 

 

No need to cover up your undies ladies!

Many fashion elements have emerged from the 1980s and its clear certain elements have a place in this decade and the next. The 80's was the last time we saw the shift towards lingerie as outerwear.  So it is that we see various pieces of underwear return to the fore as outerwear to feature amongst 2009 and 2010 fashion trends. In many ways i think this may become one of the ubiquitous fashion trends; one that is transseasonal, and one that emerges more as we pay fresh attention to tights and stockings as a feature piece, and not just an accessory, courtesy of the hoisery trend! The following images are taken from Christian Dior Autumn/Winter 09/10.

BANKSY

All those of you who were unfortunate enough to miss the Banksy exhibition held at Bristol Museum, here are some personal pics you should check out from the show...

BALIN Autumn/Winter 09/10

Sculpting Shoulders!

The star role this fashion season goes to shoulders, whether they be billowing and soft or big and dramatic. Balmain is at the forefront of the trend with celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé spotted in its pieces. A Balmain shoulder-padded jacket costs upwards of £3,000 but the high street has been quick off the mark with versions coming in at less than £100. Jane Shepherdson, CEO of Whistles, thinks they "can be very flattering and make women look powerful for a change. This time around, shoulders are neater, sculpted to the body, rounded or with an exaggerated point, and a narrow sleeve, creating a sharp shoulder line." Thats all we needed to hear ladies!

 

  

 

KATE MOSS X Topshop Autumn/Winter 09'10

Kate Moss's collection for Topshop Autumn/Winter 2009, as just been released. This collection is fantastic, and my favorite Kate Moss collection so far. Topshop has chosen to go for a shabby chic look for their Autumn Winter 09/10 collection. They have paired  glamorous faux fur coats with tights that have runs in them. The collection ranges from £45 to £150 and includes slinky dresses, pencil skirts, strapless dresses, jumpsuits, chiffon kaftans. Some of the pieces also include studs - one of this seasons biggest trends.

Kate is quoted on the collection saying she decided too ‘move away from the playful designs of past collections’ in favour of ‘an eclectic collection of vintage glamour and smart, chic pieces for a more grown-up 

Autumn/Winter 09′. And this is just what she has achieved!

 

 

JEWELS

This year has seen some of the most beautiful jewelery on Couture runways... The oversize Costume jewels have given us a peek for whats in store for Autumn/Winter 09. See Topshop's new jewelery collection for the more 'affordable' option, these jewels are sure to make Any outfit POP!

 

 

  

 

 

Over-the-knee BOOTS

Undoubtedly the hottest and most daring trend for shoes in 2010 are the thigh high and over-the-knee boots!It seems that society's hang ups about women in knee-high boots have long since vanished, as has a penchant for overly conservative boots. And women's boots in 2010 will be anything but conservative!Boots this season seem to be coming under three different categories;   

Classic: for a classic or elegant take on the over-the-knee boot, your best bet is to go for a slim-fitting suede pair with a round or tapered toe. Look no further than Hermes or Isabel Marant for some perfect examples of styles that will stand the test of time.  

Rock: the right pair of tight black leather over-the-knee boots screams rock-chic; tough, but sexy. Check out Jean Paul Gautier for some key examples. 

Futurism/Cyberpunk: building upon the cyberpunk influences of recent years, some designers have thrown an element of dark futurism into the thigh-high boot mix. Particularly evident in the boots by Rodarte and Topshop Unique.

 

 

CHRISTOPHER KANE - Topshop

On Thursday the 17th of this week, Christopher Kane will release his wildly anticipated third collection for Topshop, and it hits the shops just in time for London Fashion Week! You can expect a range brimming with sexy body-con dresses, crocodile print T-shirts, bucket handbags, boots, eyelet adorned hoodies, jackets and skirts with lashings of studs, leather and lace in a colour palette of baby pink, lemon, cream, plum and black. The range will be released online on Friday 18th to coincide with LFW!

VELVET

Velvet has made a huge comeback this season in everything from super chic mini dresses from Christopher Kane and Marc Jacobs, to blazers at Luella, Dolce & Gabbana and Martin Margiela. Velvet will be big news during the party season, but be careful not to overkill the trend by wearing too much!

 

 

Rae Ceasar

Ray Caesar has some striking new pieces on his website. Here's a little taster...

Lori Carley

LEATHER

It's no great secret that the humble leather jacket has become a wide-spread wardrobe staple over the last few Winters. However, this season women's leather clothing is being taken to a whole new level. Used leather pieces are being put together for a classic vintage-inspired look, but most 2010 leather fashion pieces fall into rock-chic and fetish. Leather is being made in everything such as thigh high boots and minidresses to lingerie.

Bigger IS Better

Bigger hair is back with a bounce when comes to this Autumn/Winter. Voluminous with rolls, twists, buns and even bouffants have been making regular appearances on the catwalks and is the height of fashion just now. Paul Costelloe in London, and Oscar de la Renta, Badgeley Mischka and Marc Jacobs in New York all offered a variation of the traditional up-do - but this time with more height, more texture and in some cases, more curls!