London's Fashion Fiesta!

Bora Aksu. Photography: Matt Hass

It was London's turn for a slice of the style action last week and on catwalks across the capital models galore were strutting their stuff!

We checked in at some of the hottest shows to bring you the scoop on upcoming trends and deliver the skinny on the kind of looks we’ll all be rocking come Spring / Summer 2012.

Bora Aksu’s presentation was a must-have ticket for the style savvy, with fashionistas and celebs aplenty taking up residency on the front row.

The designer showcased an uber romantic collection with lots of lace and corsetry parading on a petal strewn catwalk in a rainbow of shades from taupe to turquoise.

The models' skin was cashmere soft – get a similar look with Max Factor’s Smooth Effect Foundation. Cheeks were warmed with a bronzer such as Max Factor’s Natural Minerals Bronzer. Eyes should be washed in bronze and rimmed in liner, try the Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Bronze Haze and Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire.

Corrie Nielsen’s show was another hot ticket. The winner of last year’s Fashion Fringe prize presented a gorgeous collection of oriental style dresses with fine stitched detailing. Acid lemon dresses were paired with lime washed eyes - try applying Max Factor’s Max Colour Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Party Lime across the lid, up to the brow bone and in the inner corners. Lips were finished in a toffee gloss – try Max Colour Effect Cube Gloss in Nude Brown for a similarly luxurious effect.

While at Zoe Jordan’s show the designs harked back to the glamour of a bygone era. A riot of colour abounded the runway with bright dragonfly prints fluttering free.

A palette of ginger, rust and caramel dresses brought additional richness to her summer palette, while the use of silks and ruche detailing kept the look luxurious and fabulously feminine. Models sported flawless skin, flushed, glowing cheeks and a pop of summery coral on the lips. Try Max Factor’s Ageless Elixir 2-in1 Foundation & Serum, Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper and new Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy for a similar look, before finishing your lashes with two generous coats of Masterpiece Max mascara in Black.

Bora Aksu. Photography: Matt Hass

Corrie Nielsen. Photography Matt Hass

Corrie Nielsen. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

BODYAMR’s bold and beautiful show

Whether you consider his beautifully draped silk-jersey evening gowns or tight-as-you-like body-con micro minis, one thing is for sure - designer Amr Ali of cult fashion label Bodyamr does sexiness in spades. It was no surprise then this week's showing of his A/W ’11 collection drew one of the most glam front rows of fashion week's proceedings. Model of the moment, Amber Rose, was in attendance looking bootilicious in an uber-revealing dress, Louise Rednapp was looking fab in faux fur, while the gorgeous presenter Zara Martin, who designed a capsule collection with the label for S/S11, was rocking a super-chic cream dress paired with a statement pout.
It was the bold and beautiful collection though that had fashionistas and journalistas cooing. Inspired by the painting La Grande Odalisque by Ingres, Bodyamr's latest designs came in a rich range of shades including gold, teal, ruby red and midnight blue. Mixing modern tailoring with hot hues is what Bodyamr does best and the models that strutted their stuff on the runway sizzled in billowing drapes, sumptuous velvets and sexy sheer paneled gowns.
Beauty-wise the look was refined: think cashmere skin, lusciously long lashes and a dark, berry red, perfectly lined lip.

You can achieve a similar look using Max Factor’s Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation, Lash Extension Effect Mascara and Lipfinity Lip Tint in Berry Burst.

New Fashion Talent

Fledgling talent puts the freshness into fashion, so I was delighted attend a recent show from the students of the American InterContinental University. From the opening beats and the models' first sultry stalk of the runway, I knew that I was in for a treat.   
 The show exhibited creations from first to final year Fashion Design students, with origins from around the globe and the collections were matched in freshness and diversity.
Highlights included Johnny Wang’s fashion-forward designs which paired bold contrasting hues, lines and textures to a striking and unique effect.
Mona Ali's use of bright canary yellow gave an asymetric maxi gown a loud and lovely edge, while Taylor Scopes-Upton brought theatricaility to proceedings, giving the underwear as outwear look an industrial twist with a structured hoop skirt and bodice in monochromatic tones.
The models' beauty look was similarly avant garde: Flawless skin and nude lips provided a subtle back-drop for a flirtatious focus on snow white feather false lashes - a look that was created by The Session School. While hair was piled high in a whispy bun by the Mayfair salon, Electric Hair.
Key industry figures were invited behind the scenes to view the designs, in the hope that amidst the collections the 'next big thing' might just be waiting...

Johnny Wang

Johnny Wang

Mona Ali

Taylor Scopes-Upton

LeBeado show takes fashion to the max!

Exclusive private members' club Home House is a frequent venue for nights that ooze glitz and glamour, but its evening hosting a LeBeado catwalk show gave new meaning to the notion of a sparkling event.

The premium bead boutique, which has recently launched its third bejeweled heaven in shopping Mecca Westfield, fused fashion, beauty and accessories into an evening that dazzled almost as much as the fantastic array of gems and ready-to-wear jewellery that lines its shelves.

The look of each of the models featured at the Shock and Awe themed charity show* was kept simple: Think flawless bases enhanced with a cheekbone-skimming sweep of illuminating cream, subtly defined eyes with lashings of lengthening mascara and nude lips. The fashions, however, presented a bold counterpoint.

Graduate Fashion Week one-to-watch Naomi New showcased her incredible collection, which took inspiration from 15th century armour, horses and apocalyptic flick Mad Max. Her show-stopping designs utilise leather, suede, horse hair and bone, creating one-off pieces with the theatricality to make even a seasoned costume queen like Lady GaGa giddy.

Other top picks of the evening included ex Philip Treacy milliner Olivia Roat's bespoke headpieces and the presentation of Beulah London's Spring/Summer 2011 collection - a vibrant rainbow of sweeping, premium silk gowns. 

Artemis Boots and Yull's unique footwear and designer Flora McKillop's quirky hand candy gave further dimensions to the show. 

And peppered amidst the designer showcase, were LeBeado's own designs worn by self-assured, not to mention strapping, male models who donned them in style.

The goodie bags nestled beneath the chairs of all who attended, offered a charming reminder that making your own masterpiece is only ever a craft afternoon away. 

*All proceeds in aid of the Mark Evison Foundation and Kids Company.

Naomi New's show-stopping designs

Beulah London S/S11

Male models rock jewellery for one night only