Karma-Style LFW Analysis and Awards

London Fashion Week for me is about the emerging or struggling designers. As they really need promoting and supporting more so than the A-list designers. I saw beautiful creations from them that could easily have taken centre stage spotlight at the BFC tent. Their collections aren't shown on Style.com or Vogue.com. 
All the more reason to bring them to you.

Some key themes were:

Lots of layering of fabric

Asymmetric lines

Peaked shoulders are still going strong (for men also)

Colour block accents and panelling

Leather and leather accents
Shearling and fur

Mixed fabric pieces

Gorgeous chunky coloured knits

S&M references
Dark apocalyptic, sombre themes
Soft and strong lines
British Heritage

Karma-Style LFW awards

Best Hair: Florian Jayet

 Favourite womenswear: Florian Jayet

Most original make-up: Carlotta Actis Baronne

Hottest male models: James Hillman

 Favourite menswear: James Hillman

Fave A-list designer show: John Rocha

Exhibitor at Somerset House that should have had a catwalk show: Felicity Brown
She's so talented!

Favourite accessories: Hannah Morgan

Best Picture taken

Black is back in a big way. Burnt bronzes and shades of blue were the stand-out colours. Fashion is now so fluid and diverse. So many looks to choose from which is great for us - we can pick and choose what works. I can't wait to see how the high street translates these AW11/12 looks.

The key makeup trend amongst fashion week attendees was red lipstick. Everyone was wearing it, including myself on Day 1. LFW was intense, enjoyable, manic and tiring but well worth it. I also met some wonderful people including my mate Hilary Alexander, who I asked if was true she was retiring. She said she has a bus pass now but will semi-retire and keep writing for the Telegraph, so A-list yet so down to earth - a great lady. Stephen Mahoney was a sweetie too. 

September will come around before we know it for the next season's instalment, not sure I'll go to as many shows but I'll always support the designers showing here in London.  It seems that the fashion flame of London isn't shining as brightly as New York or Milan. Our own A-list celebrities were not on the front row in the same way New York, Paris or Milan are supported by the A-list. Better marketing and more funding is needed. Back in the day London Fashion Week was always the place to be. It saddens me as we have talent just not the finance. Anyway..

My highlights were Fashion Mode, Felicity Brown, Zed Eye and the Circuit-Collective.

You'll be pleased to know the bombardment of emails is over and I'm going back to one a week - YAY!

I hope you've enjoyed my coverage and gained a Karma-Style insight to this great British fashion event.

CamilleA

Day 2 - London Fashion Week AW11

On Saturday I was running late and missed my first show of the day - Bernand Chandran, so went straight to Belle Sauvage instead. It was staged in an old sorting office in Holborn... 


13.30pm: Belle Sauvage
Whilst we waited, the paps went mad for Diana Vickers (X factor) and others I did not recognise. Alesha from BNTM was also there,  I did wonder why she was sitting in the front row and not walking the catwalks of LFW. 


Anyway, my fashion friend Valeria of Trisori accessorised this cool collection. Only two mediocre pics I'm afraid...

15.15pm: John Rocha
John Rocha is an A-list designer that I truly respect. This show was packed to the rafters - even ticket holders were being turned away from Somerset House. It was a crazy scenario and my pics really don't do justice to this collection.

John Rocha's finale. His trademark long flowing black hair is now totally grey.

16.45pm: Jacob Kimmie
Headed to my favourite venue, Freemason's Hall for the next show. Jacob Kimmie looked like Fat Joe the rapper. He really did not look like your usual fashion designer - it was a nice surprise. 
I think I've slightly redeemed myself with these pics - the live sculptures were interesting...

Jacob Kimmie at the finale

On Day 2, I realised there were definite themes which I'll write about in my summary of LFW after these day posts. One stand-out theme was S&M.


18.45pm: Carlotta Gherzi for Sado
Last but not least was Carlotta Gherzi. Who, had people fighting for the front row, watching them cram in like sardines was hilarious and an indicator that something good was coming. I did not have a clear line of sight to capture decent shots for this one. 

Feeling absolutely shattered. I decided to give the after-parties a miss and go home and draft this. All that walking in the rain from venue to venue really took it out of me.


The Mulberry show was the next morning, I knew I wouldn't make it. My fashion friend Hanna (BSF mag) was sure to and promised to fill me in. There were other exciting shows ahead and I hoped for no rain on Sunday.


Oh yes, nearly forgot had a nice little chat with my (imaginary) friend Hilary Alexander that day ;) Will tell you all about that in my summary too.


Day 3 post coming soon...


CamilleA