London Fashion Week Kick Off!

The time is very much NOW.  London Fashion Week’s official kick off is today, followed by the start of the London Design Festival from tomorrow.  It’s a beautiful crisp day, autumn is in the air and so is the anticipation for the creative potential set to be unleashed.  I will chat a little about London Design Festival tomorrow – for today ladies and gentlemen, it’s ‘FASH-WON’ all the way.  This Summer may be coming to a close... but next Summer is just about to begin!

So last week the excitement began, of course in New York. Fashion Week was a triumph over there as usual, with the main story transpiring being that of 70’s inspired colour and silhouette.  Nice.  The biggest excitement for me personally was British designer Sophia Kokosalaki (we've got to wave the flag over there too, don't we?), unveiling her first catwalk collection for Diesel Black Gold as womenswear Creative Director.  Her sexy, yet feminine; hard, but soft signature style, was prominent and picturesque.  Kokosolaki’s used a lot of leather and a neutral colour palette; a lot more subdued than the rest of the week’s more obvious bright collections.  Diesel called the collection “an ode to the wild creativity of the West Coast arts and crafts movement, the free spirit of rock festivals and the sun-drenched landscapes of California, as seen through the eyes of Kokosalaki”. Go to the Diesel Black Gold website to see the entire show - it really is 70's Californiatastic and yummy.  Roll on next summer girls – it’s going to be a sizzler! 

My blog, however is not about New York, it’s about LDN, thank you very much, but if you were excited by NY, then just wait and see what London has to bring.  After all, what NY is to sophistication, London is to ‘cool’.  Bring it on! 

 

As well as the prominent players in the our city’s fashion scene, what I love about London Fashion Week more than anything, is it’s strong support of new emerging designers.  I am as excited as ever to see this year’s winners of BFC NEWGEN sponsored by TOPSHOP, which has brought us the likes of Alexander McQueen, Julien McDonald, Gareth Pugh, House of Holland, Marios Schwab and Christopher Kane; most of these now key features in the week’s catwalk schedule. This year's winners include David Koma, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham and Peter Pilotto. From Koma's powerful and confident female attitude; to Louise Gray's mad textural mix with a street edge; to Katrantzou's bold industrial jewellery and crazy prints - there will be lots to talk about.

 

Let’s not forget NEWGEN ‘MEN’, which has followed in the footsteps of the original scheme, since 2009 (SS10 show), which has brought us the likes of Carolyn Massey - a super talented menswear designer, who I remember clearly could roll off every seasonal trend and catwalk collection since the dawn of time, from any designer – you name it! (we were at university together back in the days spent fighting over dress dummies and fabric swatches – ahh – memories).  With men spending more and more on fashion than ever before, designers such as Carolyn Massey and James Long are like dynamite and will be explosive.  Be warned.

With so much fresh talent – and I mean ‘fresh’ – London is set to be making headlines again this year, so keep your ears to the ground and eyes wide open.  I’ll post again at the end of the week, once every last bottle of Moet has been drunk and dust has settled on the final runway.... it should be interesting.  

In case you're not sure where to go this week, Red Maps has created and handy guide to get you about town.  I know where I'm going, after all, I am 'Design Girl About Town' - but do you?! Do not fear, that's why I'm here (to inform you how) - so check out the Red Maps Blog for lots of handy tips; where to eat, drink and of course shop.  Enjoy.

One last thing - when you are out and about this week, MAKE SURE YOU REPRESENT!  This is London, WE are London, YOU are London… look good, strut your stuff and make an impact.  Just because you’re not on the runway, it doesn’t mean people won’t be watching.  They will.  We always do! (**evil laugh optional**)

A Design Girl Day Out - Tate Modern Massive

It was a grey day in London and I needed a bit of an oomph, so as I had some spare time (between jobs), I decided to play my 'Design Girl About Town' theme to the max (and be a little self indulgent).  Decision - to hit our fabulous Tate Modern Exhibition and spend the day enjoying it to it's full capacity.  I hit the Northern Line and exited at London Bridge, where my magical Monday began.

As always, I walked around with my eyes and ears open; being London, you never know what little hidden gems and design-y tit bits you can find.  After cutting through Borough Market (of course pretty dead today), I turned down Stoney Street before hitting the river.  Boo! I found my first little piece of street art - look familiar?!  Hmmm.

Anyway - as I continue, I then I see some questionable writing on a wall - which makes me wonder whether someone has the number of a good therapist? (No judgement - of course.)

After giggling to myself and strutting along to the rhythm of the beat (iPod naturally on full blast), I cruise along until I finally reach my destination - Tate Modern.  Ahhhh.  I haven't been for ages, so I was really quite excited.  The main exhibit 'Exposed' has been on for a while so I am glad I am finally getting round to seeing it.

So - what did I think?  Well - the idea that the camera, since it's invention, has been used to capture images of people unawares.  Some imagery was humourous, some thought provoking and some just down right dark and/or dirty.   From hidden war cameras to modern day paparazzi shots....

Poor Paris - Off to be Locked Up!

.....to our nations world famous obsession with CCTV!

My favourite piece, however, was the 'Ballad of Sexual Dependency' - a slide show, that I have to admit, really moved me. It was made up of hundreds of photographs taken by Nan Goldin over three decades and was so personal and raw and uncensored - it was all consuming and brought me to a place of 'realness'.  Documenting the unbelievably intimate lives of her friends and lovers, (and probably some random strangers that she picked up in bars across New York and Boston), the slideshow was a graphic depiction of life, love, sex, drug use, violence, death, pain, fear, vulnerability and so much more.  With an unbelievable apt soundtrack with lyrics evoking the relevant emotions, to say I was choked doesn't even cover it! Seriously, it was worth the day out just for this - Room 8 (by the way).

Following on from this - I checked out the rest of the place and forgot how much fun the free stuff at Tate Modern has to offer.

Great day at Tate Modern...

Design Girl signing off from her day of indulgence....

Before I go - look what I found on my way home....

London makes me smile too....

Roger and out.