London Fashion Week: Day 1

London Fashion Week started today and I was up bright and early to view all the A/W 13 collections at Somerset House. 

I started off my day with Zoe Jordan and Bora Aksu (pictures to follow) at the BFC Courtyard Show Space, before moving along to the Savoy's ballroom for a presentation by Fyodor Golan. A Salon show by Jean Theo followed (pictures on instagram) and then it was back to the Savoy for new demi-couture label Gyunel. For lunch I met up with friend and fellow blogger Sophie from La Fashion Folie who kindly took the pictures for my first ever outfit post below - let me know what you think!

I finished my day off with catwalks from Jean-Pierre Braganza, where I had a great front row view of the action, followed by a celeb packed PPQ show. On my way out I managed to get stuck behind Caroline Flack so I'm expecting some paparazzi shots to surface soon with me looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights trying to dodge out of the way! Also spotted at PPQ were Dionne Bromfield, Laura Whitmore, Kate Nash and Jodie Kidd. 

Friday Treat Time: Mulberry's Willow Tote

This week's Friday treat time comes direct from Selfridges, London, which is carrying a one-off edition of Mulberry’s much-anticipated ‘Willow’ tote in biscuit brown ostrich leather. Setting you back a whopping £5,500, the Willow is one of the most talked-about handbag launches of the season, and this exclusive style is the only one of it’s kind in the world, and will be available from Selfridges’ Oxford Street store from today.

 

The structured Willow Tote features the signature Mulberry hardware; postman’s lock, zips and padlock fob, and has a clever zip-off envelope clutch.

The new Willow collection will be made exclusively in Mulberry’s British factories, and is named in honour of Mulberry’s second home factory, The Willows, which will open in Somerset in late 2013.

Available in extremely limited distribution, Selfridges London is among just a handful of retailers worldwide to stock the Willow collection. What’s more, Selfridges offers a global exclusive, as the only place in the world to carry the tote in biscuit brown.

Converse & Marimekko's new collection

Finnish design company Marimekko and Converse will unite once again for the Spring/Summer 2013 Converse ♥ Marimekko collection. Showcasing colourful Marimekko prints by Maija Isola and Maija Louekari, the collection will be available in the Chuck Taylor All Star and a brand-new Converse silhouette, Chuck Taylor All Star Platform. A special treat for sneaker fanatics, the new Chuck Taylor All Star Platform will be dressed in Marimekko’s vintage Mansikka print, designed by Maija Isola in 1967. The print, depicting fresh strawberries in a bowl of cream, will be seen on the classic Chuck Taylor All Star style as well. In addition, Chuck Taylor All Star will wear two more prints: Unikko, one of the most iconic Marimekko patterns, designed by Maija Isola in 1964, and Räsymatto, inspired by colourful rag rugs and designed by Maija Louekari in 2009. The new Converse ♥ Marimekko collection will be available starting from March 2013 at selected Marimekko stores, premium retail outlets and online at www.converse.com.

Show Report: Thakoon

Thakoon creates a winter garden for A/W 2013, replete with custom floral point d’esprit, crystal embroidered dragonflies and graphic print dandelions. 

Silky slate tones and blacks break way into a palette of dusty blues, lavender and mauves that encapsulate the energy of summer into the wintery weights of boucle quilted knits, wool and goatskin furs. Meanwhile, structured cocoon shapes envelop layers of lighter fabrics highlighted with lace and tulle insets. The crowning glory though has to be branch-like ear cuffs from Tasaki by Thakoon in pearl and diamond or yellow sapphire. 

Introducing Lazul

Lazul is a brand new swimwear and resort label I want to introduce you to, mainly because its the one i'll be imagining wearing on my (fingers crossed) not imaginary holiday this year. 

The brand has an aesthetic which fuses Seventies glamour with modern detailing, with cut-away shapes, plunging halter-necks and day-to-night kaftan's all in attendance for the S/S 13 Cruise Collection. Prints meanwhile, include exotic floral blooms and high octane snake skins, with coral, purple and an eye catching emerald green the key tones for both the cruise and mainline collection.

Bio: Lazul founder Nina Deckers comes armed with all the experience of her family business, which has specialised in the design, development, and production of luxury swim and resort wear for over 30 years. Lazul is currently being stocked in Harrods, Selfridges, and Browns in the UK.

Trend Spotting at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Those who follow me on Instagram will already know that this weekend I was in Copenhagen attending their Fashion Week and the trade fairs VISION, Gallery and CIFF. I had an amazing time once again, staying in the lovely Bella Sky hotel and getting to see a bit more of the Danish capital under a faint dusting of snow. 

Whilst I was at the shows I managed to get a good feel for the trends coming up for A/W 13, including lots of chunky knitwear and outerwear - baby it is cold outside after all. My top picks though have to be the three B's: bikers, bombers and blazers. Invest in the most head turning pieces now and you won't regret it once the weather starts to turn - these are the new style staples for 2013.

Ganni, Doma, V ave shoe repair



Minimarket, R/H, Hofmann Copenhagen


 

By Groth, R/H, Baum Und Pferdgarten



Sessun, Lolly's Laundry, Numph

Ganni, Sofie Schnoor, Rosemunde