London is the shortest fashion “week” of the month (it’s only five days long) but it manages to pack in a ton of shows in that time. And we were at most of them! London’s fashion is really unique–from heritage brands to the buzzy up-and-comers, we’ve chosen our 10 favorite collections from the London shows. Click through to see our picks (in no particular order) and tell us if you agree!
Mary Katrantzou is collaborating with Current/Elliot on a an amazing-looking line hitting stores next February. Yes, February. It just seems a bit cruel, no? {SheFinds}
FLOTUS hopeful Ann Romney dressed like a blinding tropical flower patch on Live with Kelly and Michael–which WWD called “more Lisa Frank than First Lady.” Since when is that a bad thing? {HuffPost}
Didn’t quite get your shoe porn fix during fashion week? Lucky‘s got you covered with it’s comprehensive ‘Shoes of NYFW’ vid! Should do the trick. {LuckyMag}
The Feds? The mob? Private investigators? FASHION?! Looks like Calvin Klein’s split from ex Nick Gruber isn’t going so smoothly. As opposed to his face. Which is very, very smooth. {Page Six}
How to stand out in a packeddd fashion week calendar? Well this being London Town (i.e the place where things like sparkly gimp masks and blazers embellished with mirrors and pompoms are par for the course), the answer Sunday when the Topshop girl discovered Minimalism proved to be to reign it in–relatively speaking. Critics deemed Preen’s rose-and-reptile splicework (rendered in soft pastels) a beautiful evolution, and felt Mary Katrantzou’s cash prints really made the garden of art and commerce grow.
Mary Katrantzou was inspired by postage stamps and bank notes–and she quite literally translated these exotic patterns into garments.
The list of nominees for this year’s British Fashion Awards was announced last night, once again reminding us why Great Britain has become the place to watch in terms of innovative design and style. Taking place in London November 27th, the roster boasts massive names such as Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen, and both Read more →
Vogue Italia EIC Franca Sozzani has snatched the title of UN Goodwill Ambassador. She’ll be working with industry insiders to promote sustainable development and much more. {Telegraph}
World-renowned milliner Stephen Jones will be fabricating fascinators for Raf Simons’ Dior Haute Couture premiere. Jones called the collection “exciting, beautiful and new,” but wouldn’t say much more than that. {Vogue UK}
At last year’s Webby awards, Anna Wintour told us that “sometimes geeks can be chic,” and the rise of fashion-forward online games only reinforces her statement. {WWD}
Mary Katrantzou, reigning queen of jaw-droppingly beautiful digital prints, won’t, or rather can’t, show pre-fall or resort collections because her intricate patterns take too long to produce (hint: four days to make a single print). {Vogue UK}
Here’s some news that might help speed up the rest of your work week (it’s already Thursday, after all!): Topshop has just announced its latest collaboration, with eccentric Scottish designer Louise Gray. Gray’s insanely glam-punk shows have long been high on our radar– And not only for her creative use of wigs and liberty spike extensions. She was recognized last spring as an emerging British womenswear talent with a NEWGEN award.
So what can we expect to see from Louise Gray x Topshop?
It’s the buzziest, most fashion-y red carpet of the year and it’s finally here! Welcome to the 2012 Met Ball red carpet! Finally, finally, Beyonce made it to the red carpet in the sheerest of Givenchy and the red carpet’s a wrap. So far we’re loving: Anna Wintour’s Prada-designed homage to Schiaparelli’s lobster dress; Prom Read more →
Kim Kardashian is releasing her fourth fragrance, a “luxury” scent called True Reflection. A Lord & Taylor rep said the perfume will reach a more mature audience who can “share in Kim’s experiences in reflecting on what she’s gone through.” Right… {WWD subscription required}
Here’s the cover of LC’s new book– aptly titled Beauty– as well as shots from her summer lookbook for Kohl’s. {ONTD}
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London will open its “Ballgowns” exhibit in a fortnight (a term we might actually use if we were located anywhere remotely geographically close to attending this amazingness), which will include gowns worn by Beyoncé and Bianca Jagger. {Vogue UK}
Because Beyoncé is literally good at everything, now she’s getting a writing award. {HuffPo via ONTD}
Victoria Beckham Covers Harpers UK: Queen Victoria (pre-lob pob cut) covers May’s Harper’s Bazaar UK looking flaw-free in that Prada bodysuit the fashion set just can’t seem to fold away. The glossy was the first to feature Vic on the cover as a serious fashion contender back in 2009, and apparently, the super soccer mom hasn’t been on a vacation alone with husband David since. A blessing and a curse… {Harper’s Bazaar UK}
What Does Your Handbag Says About You? Are you a canvas tote toting toots or a Hermes-carrying honey? Your bag of choice (or, well, budget allowance) says more about you than you might think. {Refinery29}
Happy Birthday Lady Gaga! She’s no longer a little Lady. Stefani Germanotta was born this way/day 26 years ago today! To celebrate, take a look back at some of her most fibbity fab fash mag spreads– there’ve been a lot. {FabSugar}
Mary Katrantzou Menswear Line: Is more Mary K menswear on the way? The it-designer known for her photorealist prints says it was a “happy accident” that she started designing for guys, after Henry Holland peeped a pic of Mary’s male friend donning one of her women’s blazers. There’s no official line yet, but Mary K’s not ruling it out for the future– and we can already see Kanye getting in on one of her fly floral get-ups. {Vogue UK}
Marni at H&M Is Already Being Returned: The folks over at Madison Avenue Spy found a bevy of returned items from the Marni collaboration at their local H&M store. We wonder: with all the money to potentially be made from selling your unwanted Marni at H&M wares on eBay, why bother returning anything at all? {Madison Avenue Spy}
Is Azealia Banks Playing The Chanel Show in Japan? The rapper took to her beloved Twitter account to announce an upcoming gig with the label, apparently playing their Japan fashion show. The tweet has since been deleted, maybe because it was supposed to be a secret? Anyhoo, if you’re headed to the Chanel show in Japan, you might be treated to a live performance from Ms. Banks. {Fashin}
Jimmy Choo Designs ‘Iris’ Shoe: The folks over at Jimmy Choo have designed a woven leather sandal with a five-inch heel named after 90-year-old style icon Iris Apfel. While it must be a great honor to have a shoe named after you, we wonder which 90-year-old woman is still wearing five-inch heels? Wouldn’t flats have been a more appropriate choice? {Telegraph}
She’s already successfully produced her wares with a smaller price tag for Topshop (It was the fastest-selling collaboration in the chain’s history). Next up? Buzzed-about London-based designer Mary Katrantzou will likely start making her award-winning printed dresses in larger sizes.
As Vogue UK has pointed out, the Greek-born designer told the Evening Standard, “Net-a-porter.com asked us if we would go bigger [to a size 16] and we would–we had a discussion with them.” Net-a-porter, aside from being one of the most important luxury retailers in the world, is one of the few that try to offer a decent selection of plus-size options.
