Cara Delevigne - Model Du Jour

Phew!! Was there a single catwalk in the past fashion month that Cara Delevigne did not walk?!  The British model du jour, Cara appeared in 28 shows over the course of New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, making her the most booked model of the season. Cara walked for Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Marchesa, Jason Wu, Rag & Bone, Fendi, D-Squared, Sass & Bide, Mary Katrantzou, Ermanno Scervino, Acne, Marc Jacobs... And the prestigious list goes ON! This girl deserves a BIG holiday (and a foot rub...)

And behind the scenes... Some of Cara's Tweets. What's NOT to love about this girl?!!

MFW - Prada SS'13

I think when I look back on this year’s Milan Fashion Week the images that will first spring/summer to mind will be THOSE PRADA SHOES.  With obvious Harajuku and Geisha Girl references throughout the whole of Miuccia Prada’s latest collection (floral appliqué and stenciled white flowers adorned kimono style dresses overcoats) it was the shoes that will have left the most lasting impression amongst the fash pack.

The controversial sock/clog combo boots, decorated with satin bows and flowers, left the show’s audience divided but ultimately fascinated.   Love them or hate them, I cannot wait to see how Topshop and H&M reinterpret and filter down this seemingly unuuusual style of shoe onto our high street next year, and who will be brave enough to wear them...

Jean Paul Gaultier Diet Coke

This must be the most chic Diet Coke Break possible.. French designer Jean Paul Gaultier has followed in the feet of Matthew Williamson, Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli by becoming this year's creative director for Diet Coke.  The limited edition designs (left) named 'Day' and 'Night,' are available at Harvey Nichols but I was lucky enough to be given one at Vodafone's London Fashion Weekend.

Below:  With my haute bottle of Diet Coke.

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend

Just when I thought London Fashion Week was over and the ungodly swarm of models that invaded London had all jetted on to Milan, taking their insanely long legs with them, Vodafone UK sent me an invitation to their London Fashion Weekend... 

Twice a year, Somerset House hosts London’s largest and most exclusive shopping event holding catwalk shows, pop up shops, fashion panels whilst offering mahooosive discounts from designers to the public. DJ/Presenter Izzy Lawrence (left) and I attended on the first day where we watched the Daks’ A/W’12 show (presented by a leather-clad Zoe Hardman, below) and made good use of the genius Vodafone mobile rechargers on the Front Row and then watched a talk held by elle.com editor Carrie Tyler and designer Henry Holland (above) both of whom I interned for maaaany years ago! This event really makes Fashion Week a little more accessible to everyone, the vibe is very welcoming and unpretentious and I would definitely recommend getting tickets next season.

LFW - The Mulberry Willow

Known for its British eccentricity, Mulberry transformed Claridges into an English country garden for its SS'13 show.  With astro turf, a sprinkling of gnomes and pastel-layered cream cakes, the quintessentially English summer mood was perfectly captured.  With the world’s most perfect FROW, Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Lana Del Rey, the scene was set for the sophisticated, 1970s inspired, softly coloured collection to be unveiled.  The star of the show was the latest addition to the Mulberry family, the Willow.  The tote bag comes in three sizes and has a detachable clutch (a clote?!) which makes it perfectly practical and suuurely (with its 2 for 1 allure), a more than justifiable purchase?!  Mulberry’s creative director Emma Hill said, “everyone likes something that you can take off or add on, well I always do.  I think it’s the kid in me that likes Transformer toys when you can turn something into something else.” 

With Mulbabes Lana Del Rey showing off her Mulberry Del Rey, and Alexa Chung clasping her Mulberry Alexa, did Kate Moss feel a little put out and pouty that the Mulberry Willow had not been named after her?  Her declaration after the show, whilst holding said black snakeskin Willow (below) would suggest as much, “I wanted this one to be the Mulberry Moss bag but it’s not, it’s the Willow. But I love this one because it doubles as a clutch. It’s genius.”  Keep those fingers crossed for next season Kate...

LFW - Burberry SS'13

One thing, and one thing alone, went through my mind during the Burberry SS’13 finale at London Fashion Week… Quality Streets.  My addiction to chocolate aside, it was a remarkable sight to see; model after model wearing an array of rainbow-coloured metallic coats marching around the catwalk at Kensington Gardens, whilst the star-studded audience, including Dita von Teese, Victoria Pendleton and… Harry Styles, cheered enthusiastically.  

Inspired by Norman Parkinson photographs from the 1940s and 50s, Christopher Bailey named the collection ‘Corsage and Cape,’ and whilst respecting the strong British style which Burberry traditionally has adhered to, the designer replaced the camel tones we usually associate with the brand with vibrant metallic raspberry, lavender, emerald and sapphire. “The collection was a bit more joyful and quite sassy and a bit sexy,”  Bailey told reporters backstage.

LFW - Philip Treacy SS'13

It has been 13 years since the world famous milliner Philip Treacy last staged a show in London and he certainly made sure he returned with a bang.  Wearing a nude bodysuit, a floor length pink neon veil and a pair of Alexander McQueen silver platform boots, Lady Gaga opened the mesmerising Fashion Week show at the Royal Courts of Justice.  Lady Gaga continued to wow fashionable onlookers by taking to her seat peeping out of a multicoloured floral headpiece (left).  The show featured only black models, including Alex Wek and Jourdan Dunn, dressed in jackets from the archive of Michael Jackson, modelling an array of hats including a miniature Neverland fairground, a working carousel and Minnie Mouse style ears to the sounds of Billie Jean.

I reeeeeally hope we see Princess Bea rocking these hats at Buckingham Palace soon...

LFW - Huishan Zhang SS'13

I was lucky enough to be invited to Huishan Zhang’s SS’13 presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House this London Fashion Week.  This was the Chinese, Central St. Martin educated designer’s highly anticipated debut at Fashion Week and I was holding one hot ticket.  There were three presentations held throughout the morning and each one was as jam packed as the next. 

The collection was a contemporary take on a more traditional Chinese style, taking inspiration from Chinese dresses (silk fabrics with high necks and leg slits), Huishan Zhang has created beautifully feminine, delicately detailed dresses all with an edge of strength and power to them.

Stunning Chinese imagery (including miniature pagodas, mahjong tiles and Swarovski crystal embellished ancient birds) is printed on to beautiful ruffled backless dresses with ethereal, patterned lace detailing on striking midnight blues, pretty blushes, exquisite aquamarine and minty green coloured silks.  The entire collection had a distinctly youthful, modern and exciting feel to it, encouraged by the models’ colourfully painted, shimmering cheekbones and double plaited ponytails. Huishan Zhang is not just a designer, he is an artist and I am really excited to see what he will come up with next.

New York Fashion Week's SS'13 Trends

After eight days of being glued to the shows at New York Fashion Week I have been shown an insight into what next year's fashion holds in store.  Amongst the sporty references, monochrome combinations, oversized silhouettes and powerful prints, there were four main trends which I could see standing out above the rest...

1.  FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

An S&M influence was clear to see on the catwalks, and although this has said to have been inspired by famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton's iconic black and white images, I think it may also be accredited to the bestselling novel, 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'  When even Oscar de la Renta, known for his ultra feminine style, succumbs to using leather and latex, you know next Spring's wardrobe will be all kinds of racy.

Above: Herve Leger By Max Azria

Above: Jason Wu

Above: Oscar de la Renta

2.  CUTAWAY

Following on from the previous trend, even more skin was shown on the SS'13 runways this Fashion Week with several designers slicing and dicing their dissected garments.{cke_protected_1}

Above: Peter Som

Above: Victoria Beckham

3.  FEARLESS SHEERNESS

Once again, MORE skin!  This trend however, is a far more subtle way of showing off your body, with sheer paneling and 'peekaboo' layering.
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Above: J Mendel

Above: Charlotte Ronson

4.  BOLD STRIPES

Horizontal, vertical, monochrome, colourful, barcode, prisoner... you name it, the NYFW SS'13 runways had it!  There were dizzying zigs and zags in every direction! 
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Above: Marc Jacobs

Above: Michael Kors

Above: Oscar de la Renta

NYFW - New Kids On The Fashion Block

Watch out Suri Cruise, there are two other mini fashionistas in New York this week. 

Below:   Harper Beckham made the most adorable addition to mum Victoria’s front row.  Wearing a little white summer dress with a matching bow in her hair, the oh-so-cute 14 month old Baby Beckham was particularly distracting for the audience invited to watch the Victoria, Victoria Beckham (VVB) SS’13 collection during New York Fashion Week. 

Below:  Another little trendy tot to hit New York Fashion Week was designer Alexander Wang’s three year old niece, Aila.  Wearing a custom-made Wang dress, accessorized with teeny tiny Nike trainers and a teeny tiny Chanel bag (probably stuffed with sweeties and crayons) Aila was the most fashionable of mascots at her uncle’s show.