Since leaving Zoë Jordan last September, I am excited to see their latest presentation at LFW. Calling on Zoë’s formula 1 heritage, the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection entitled ‘Chicane’ offers a fresh spin on sports-luxe. Fur trims, sleek visors and leather panelling give an ultra-cool take on contemporary tailoring and embroidery emblazoned pull-overs.
Click the image to see the full collection on Vogue.co.uk
This evening I had the pleasure of viewing the Huishan Zhang SS14 presentation. As one of my personal faves I had high hopes and was expecting his signature delicate aesthetic with intricate detailing. The presentation itself was in an odd shaped room and the intimate audience stood in a huddled pack, tip toeing as much as they could to catch a glimpse at the intricately smocked pieces which were, for the most part shielded by a wall of cameras. The clothing itself remained true to Huishan’s aesthetic; silhouettes were softly feminine and crystal embellishment glittered with the flash of camera lights. The colours were a vibrant emerald green,not my favourite, which progressed into smooth creams and bright blue as well as the season’s staple, pale pink. Floral cut-work adorned a sheer skirt/tee combo whilst flowery lace indulged the soft transparency of hems and overlays. Hair had a slick 1930s feel and was tied in a cute vertical bow whilst make up was natural and clean with eyes emphasized using a graficsy liner curving across the top lid. Key design detail for me came in the form of smocked lapels – gorgeous. The presentation ended with a very happy looking Huishan greeting the audience.
Today I had the incredible experience of shadowing fashion editor Lisa Armstrong as she worked her way around London’s shows and exhibitions. We started the day at Preen’s SS14 show at the Natural History Museum and following a delicious flat white from ‘Look mum no hands’ coffee entered the show space. I expected to be hidden behind heel wearing fashion giants and was surprised to be on the secon row behind queen of style and princess of mean, Olivia Palermo. Other noteworthy names included personal idol Alexandra Shulman because those who know me know I love me anything to do with Vogue.
Crisp whites and multi coloured chevrons were seen in silks and jacquards whilst garments were fitted with straps fastened with metal buckles. The slip dress silhouette and backless trend continued which I expect to see more of in shows to come.
Post show I joined Lisa and telegraph stylist Sophie in their official f-week Mercedes(!!!!) and off we rushed to the Smythson presentation. I fell in love with the orange A4 notebooks finished with gold page edges, one for the lust list. British film-maker and Illustrator Quentin Jones created organic, un-pretentious collages depicting famous faces and their Panama notebooks.
And then, via a Starbucks pit stop, it was on to the Emilia Wickstead show. Whilst the aesthetic remained true to previous seasons, I really enjoyed the loose fitting high-low hems with fitted sleeves, a great combo and the bluesy music was pretty catchy too.
The highlight of the day for me came at the Mulberry show. Mini scones and sarnies were served as the crowd flooded into the Claridges show space, walking on a field of faux turf edged with little daisies. As a dog lover I was equally enamoured by the number of pups sporting their Mulberry finest as I was with Alexa Chung who graced the front row along with Juno Temple and Douglas Booth, Ultra-editor Anna Wintour and Hilary Alexander. The show opened with Cara Delevingne. and showed a patriotic collection with textural, sequin embellishments and sumptuous jacquard fabrics. We also saw complimenting dog jumpers on some very well-behaved dogs. My lovely friend Chloe was working backstage and sent me the following snaps of this model-pooch.
Ps. Mulberry was definitely the winner of best soundtrack! with heavy beats mixed with old-school nursery rhymes. Rule Britannia.
What an incredible day, Thank you lovely Lisa and the telegraph girls for showing me the LFW ropes.xxxx
For those of you who keep up to date with my fashion adventures (thank you all!) you will know I’m currently at a great internship with London based designer Zoe Jordan. To celebrate the run up to fashion week, ZJ have recently launched ‘Do it like a doodle’; a competition which could see your design on the runway at London Fashion Week in September as well as stocked in Harrods. The winner will also receive their doodle top whilst 10 runners up as chosen by ELLE UK will win a show goodie bag. The best thing, this competition is relevant for both fashion lovers and bored desk scrawlers alike. To enter you just ‘like the Zoe Jordan Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/ZJ.Zoe.Jordan) and click on the Do it like a doodle app and submit your doodle! Easy as pie. Stay tuned for some celebrity doodles too!
For the latest news make sure to follow ZoeJordanStudio and ELLE UK on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ZoeJordanStudio
https://twitter.com/ELLEUK
London Fashion Weekend proved to be a huge treat. Filled with anticipation and buzzing with fashionistas, Somerset house saw a final flourish of style following the success of London fashion week. The day started with a Mulberry designed tote bag filled with indulgent goodies. Followed by a Daks catwalk showcasing their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection for which I will dedicate another blog post!
From top right:
1. Daks Autumn/Winter 2012 write up
2.Lavazzo coffee sample
3.Compeed plaster
4. Velvet tissues
5.Colgate tooth whitener
6. Elizabeth Arden moisturising face cream
7. Limited edition John Paul Gaultier coke
8. London fashion weekend guide for the day
9. Triumph underwear
My lovely friend Saskia Hadley (read her blog here) and I enjoyed a gorgeous lunch. I chose of mushroom risotto (below) and a glass of chilled champagne at Tom’s dining room.
Following the show, we explored the pop up boutiques at gorgeous stalls selling designer wear from, John Galliano, Maison Martin Margiela and Twenty 8 Twelve and millions more! I indulged in a gorgeous thick leather t-shirt dress which I plan on living in as the winter rolls in. Later, we sat in on two talks. The first focussed on London as a fashion hub with CEO of the British fashion council, Caroline Rush and Senior Elle UK editor, Natalie Wansborough- Jones with crucial tips on how to make it in fashion.
In between talks we relaxed in the kinder bueno room with a free massage and endless supply of chocolate. After having a further browse at the ever-appearing rooms filled with designer bargains (and purchasing a super-soft Elizabeth Lau jumper pictured below in grey with black bead wording) we returned to of a beauty focussed talk with fashion week stylists Richard Mannus from Toni and Guy, Lisa Potter-Dixon from Benefit and Rachel Singer-Clark from Elizabeth Arden which looked at the looks for the season, and the products to never go without.
A fantastic day was topped off with a delicious cocktail overlooking the river Thames and I’m already looking forward to next year’s London fashion weekend.
One of my favourite collections at LFW so far has to be Bora Aksu spring/summer 2013. The modern queen was the key inspiration, Bora says “To take you forward we must first take you back. With her enchanting 19th century beauty, exquisite jewels and decadent fashions, Marie is to be our guide. Born an English princess, but becoming a Romanian Queen – her heart; full of romanticism, art and culture beats through spring summer 2013.”
Shades of blue and soft mustards were shown in light-as-a-feather fabrics and drawn together with a swirling print. Outfits were finished with sky-scraping crowns and tights with a similar swirling print to that of the garments.
With a design philosophy that transcends trends and places and a rejuvenated brand identity Zoë Jordan’s signature style can be described as androgynous and feminine. Her designs are effortlessly chic and never over styled. With a background in architecture, you can expect sharp tailoring and a crisp cut softened with the finest fabrics and tonal colour palettes.
Inspired by weathered Andalusia, Moorish palaces and whitewashed Spanish houses the autumn/winter collection is filled with hues of an autumnal sunset from deep burgundy to zesty orange. Soft fabrics and slicks of glossy leather compliment Jordan’s handsome and ethereal style.
Expect to see her trademark graphic lines and refined silhouette in the upcoming spring/summer 2013 collection which is to be shown at London fashion week in September.
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