London Fashion Week-ends in style

London Fashion Week might be as tricky to get in to as a pair of size zero jeans, but this weekend its esteemed home, Somerset House, opened its door to allow all would be fashionistas the chance to experience its buzz.   

The three day London Fashion Weekend offered the style-savvy the opportunity to snap up reduced designer wares from the likes of Ghost, Twenty8Twelve, Sass and Bide and French Sole and while the Chambord bar was the epitome of restrained civility, it was a case of 'Elbows at the ready' as the bargain hungry rifled the rails in search of fabulous finds. 

If you weren't there just to shop, there were makeup artists on hand offering master classes. A super-cool catwalk show and trend presentation from presenter of the moment Zara Martin gave the fashion forward the scoop on key items to snap up as we make the full transition in to A/W10. 

The Nomad look was a key trend take out - a glorious ethnic affair that allows us to "scrap the rule book and tap in to our bohemian side." Think a colourful kaleidoscope of items dug from the depths of the wardrobe and a 'mash up of texture and pattern' worn with carefree abandon. 

Other highlights included a refresher showcase of Singapore-born designer Ashley Isham's gorgeous A/W10 collection. With his distinctive brand of glossy glamour, it's little wonder that he has dressed the likes of Lady Gaga, Kylie, Cheryl Cole and Florence Welch.

The show culminated with a sleek and sexy showcase of BodyAmr's wares. Amr's bold designs marry bright block colours with superfine feminine materials that drape the body gracefully and effortlessly, accentuating every curve.

The models sported flawless matte complexions throughout. There eyes subtly accentuated. A proud burst of vivid cerise gave plump lips the perfect colour hit. 

The scoop from Twenty8Twelve

One of the hottest tickets at this week’s London Fashion Week was undoubtedly the showing of Sienna and Savanna Miller's Twenty8Twelve Spring/Summer 2011 ready to wear collection in the cavernous Old Sorting Office on New Oxford Street.

While the surroundings were dark and industrial, the show was anything but and a stellar front row of A-listers, including Sienna's fiancé Jude Law, designer Matthew Williamson and Pixie Geldoff, were there to soak up the summer vibes at this not to be missed showcase.

The collection, which was inspired by Joni Mitchell’s album ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter,’ told the story of a girl globe-trotting through Thailand to 1950s Mexico via the Nevada desert and both the clothes and the makeup had the scorch factor to tell the tale.

Backstage, in the hubbub before the show, Max Factor’s Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath was on hand to create the eclectic summer look that sent both editors and front-row fashionistas swooning, when the models at last swept along the catwalk to Sleeper track InBetweener.

A fresh, warm skin tone, slightly darker than the model’s own, was created using Max Factor’s new Xperience Weightless Foundation.

Pat then added a sun-kissed flush to the cheekbones using Natural Minerals Bronzer.

Eyes were subtly defined using Eye Liner Pencil in Beige and lashes were then opened and volumised using another newly launched must-have from the Xperience boutique, Xperience Volumising Mascara in Brown.

For the lips, Pat created a loud and proud colour pop by mixing Colour Collections Intensely Red with Bewitching Coral. Nails made a similarly impactful statement in a hot burst of Max Colour Effects nail varnish in Red Carpet Glam.

Max Factor’s gorgeous model Emma Maclaren, who was walking in the show, commented that the look was “perfect for the season and lovely and light” a real reminder of “romantic travels and adventures.”

And thoughts of romantic travels and adventures were delivered by the catwalk collection on every front.

A paisley printed Maxi dress smacked of sun-kissed poolside jaunts, while vivid indigo shirts, paired with a tied white tee and some canary yellow printed shorts was reminiscent of a wanderer, hunting for treasures at an ethnic bazaar. Denim mini dresses exposed romantically ruffled cheese cake petticoats and a lace shift in a bright shade of sunshine gave a summery twist to evening glam.

As the Miller sisters came out to greet the clapping crowd it was clear that their eclectic brand of sophisticated boho chic had taken a big leap closer to the big time.

Meeting Manolo

I’ve never searched for the pot of gold that’s said to sit at the foot of a rainbow before, but when I saw a perfect spectrum stretching in a clear arc from Oxford Circus on Thursday, I knew where the good stuff was to be found.

Fashion’s Night Out, the annual shopping extravaganza organised in association with Vogue, was in full swing and if there was one piece of treasure I was hell-bent on scooping it was Manolo Blahnik’s pop-up shop opening at Liberty, hosted by the god of foot candy himself.

Blahnik has made a name for himself as a master of shoe design, creating art-pieces that have cosseted the feet of everyone from the late Princess Diana to Carrie in Sex and the City, but while his flagship boutique in Kensington’s Old Church street might be a stomping ground for the well heeled, he has rarely embarked on any collaborations with department stores, which makes the launch of his ‘World of Manolo’ collection for iconic store Liberty a rather fabulous first.

And it seemed that I was not the only one looking to enjoy a light dusting of Manolo magic as when I arrived at Liberty a 1000-strong queue of hungry style seekers was snaking around the block touting shoe boxes and books all looking to be signed.

Through the double doors of the Tudor emporium, standing in a perfectly cut indigo suit and amidst the throng of jostling photographers was the immaculately groomed Mr Blahnik himself, answering questions on everything from what constitutes style to the inspirations of his latest collection.

Each question was answered with equal reverie and with the kind of boyish enthusiasm that would surely melt the heart of even the most nonchalant fashionista.

But although Manolo's appearance caused a stir, it was the collection itself that prompted the most swooning. For in amongst the delicate scented candles and silk scarves designed with sumptuous Liberty prints were the shoes: Each art-piece displayed tantalisingly, combining exquisite form, yet also function - a little bit like Manolo himself.

A vintage tea party

Last week I popped in to luxury handbag specialist Radley on London’s South Molton Street, to check out its new A/W10 collection which was being showcased in a delightfully nostalgic vintage tea-party style event.


The inspiration for the sumptuous collection is the quirky world of collectors and the theme was brought to life delightfully with each new season piece nestling amongst a treasure trove of vintage memorabilia.

Antique cake stands bearing fondant iced towers of cupcakes and miniature sandwiches sat invitingly amongst the display stands.

Hostesses sporting pillar box red lips, alabaster skin and perfectly coifed tresses proffered dainty china cups filled with a deliciously fragrant choice of Proseco with jasmine or gin with earl grey tea.

And the new season pieces from the quintessentially British brand played in to autumn’s trends perfectly, with the luxurious leather bags available in an array of fall-friendly colours including aubergine, pumpkin, moss green, camel and yellow ochre.

There was a popup vintage shop with wares from pre-loved specialist Rag and Bow ready to rifle and visiting bloggers could also get their hair and makeup done by Lipstick and Curls, who specialise in vintage styling. All in all a nostalgic feast and a great start to the new season.

Style it in sepia

Summer’s carnival of colour has packed up its trunk and given way to a new sophistication for autumn: Gone is the proud loudness of look-at-me prints and the candied sweetness of sherbet shades. In their place is a luxuriously understated palette that’s dominated by an unassuming tone: Camel.

While not entirely monochromatic, a muted sweep of subtle hues rules and the look is one of understated elegance.

On the catwalks, Chloe led the way with immaculately cut Seventies- inspired trousers in shades of mink and beige, while at Chanel, super-luxe silk shirts gave a tailored take on all-things-taupe a softer finish.

And where fashion has gone, beauty has duly followed with a warm palette of honeyed toned eyes, cheeks and complexions to perfectly complement our camel crush.

There is nothing childish or girly about this look. The finish is grown up, polished and expensive with all the regal elegance of sepia photography.

Follow my tips to styling autumn’s key look:

A flawless, luminescent base ensures that this look says luxury, so begin by prepping the skin with an illuminating highlighter then apply a layer of Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation.

Tackle dark circles or any problem areas with a dab of Mastertouch Concealer.

Your complexion will still retain the last of summer’s sun kiss, but add to this with a dusting of Natural Minerals Bronzer. Apply just beneath the cheekbones for definition.

Now for the eyes: Burnished bronze and brown tones set off camel clothes to perfection and if you’re looking to turn up the glam dial, you can’t beat a smoky finish. I’m loving Max Factor’s new Smoky Eye Effect Shadow in Bronze Haze. The two-toned double-ended applicator has distinctive tips which allow you to create the perfect blend.

Once you have created the perfect smoky look, open up the eyes with two slicks of False Lash Effect Mascara in Black.

Lips should be honeyed and glossy in a rich kiss-me-quick shade. I love Vibrant Curve Effect Lipgloss in Smart

And if you’re looking for the perfect way to wear your hair with this look, invest in some large heated rollers and think big. A healthy head of soft silky waves will off-set this look to perfection.