After watching yet another succesful show by Jasper Conran, we were lucky enough to rush backstage and interview the designer and creative team. As you would expect, the backstage was jammed pack with models, hair and make-up and Hamish Bowles and the like congratulating Conran on another critically acclaimed show.
Model: Ivanna @ Elite
Creative Director and Stylist: Naomi Mdudu
Stylist's assistant: Chanelle Best-Williams
Hair and Make-up: Beatriz Lopez
Photographer: James Lightbown
Inspired by the summer playgrounds of Europe, Jasper Conranshowed his signature ladylike pieces this season but got playful with it. Dresses were feminine but were teamed with simple white plimsolls hinting at a new easy informality - which was a dominant theme throughout.
Tops came with multi-tiered layers in sheer silk organza teamed with ultra feminine sailcloth white box pleated skirts.The colour palette was fresh and mainly came in citrus colours like green mint, anaise and muscat with flashes of orange and peach thrown in for good measure. Tops came with sheer white stripes with contrasting stripes in tangerine styled with orange prints on white shorts. Gingham was everywhere on shirt dresses tied at the waist and over the knee dresses. Conran also played with florals, which is looking to be a big trend this season, showing graphic paisley styles printed on silk organza dresses.
For the more mature Conran customer, the designer showed classic twinsets in navy and a cropped jacket in the same hue was thrown over a big blouse. Although hemlines tended to come over the knee there was something really youthful and fresh about his collection. He opted for a relaxed informality which is a significant move from the formality of his autumn/winter collection.
Wandering around Somerset House first thing in the morning on day three of London Fashion Week, we were just bemoaning the horrible weather when we spotted an over-sized red umbrella being carried by none other than the king of fabulous stilettos, Jimmy Choo. Despite being drenched, of course we had to rush over for a quick chat, to which he kindly obliged.
The Fash Pack: Morning Mr Choo, glad to see that our awful British weather didn't keep you away. How are you enjoying LFW so far?
Jimmy Choo: It's been good, although I only just got here so I haven't seen very many shows yet.
TFP: What collections are you most looking forward to?
JC: Jasper Conran, Betty Jackson and Burberry for now, but I'm sure more will come to me later.
Mention his infamous name and the most fabulous shoe designs spring to mind. So to say we were thrilled would be an understatement when the royalty of beautiful heels, Jimmy Choo, gave us an exclusive interview backstage after the Betty Jackson show, about why he loves London over any other city.
As Florence and the Machine's Kiss With A Fist belted out in the British Fashion Council tent on day three of London Fashion Week, Jasper Conran provided us with a nude palette of the sheerest fabrics, soft knits and bursts of metallics.
Caging appeared in the form of structured braces, worn dropped down, skeletal bags in various sizes, and structured corsetry peeking through sheer chiffons, showing that underwear as outerwear is going to be big for Spring Summer 2010. Loose fitting leather jackets were nipped in with matching leather belts, the cocoon coat made an appearance, and metallics in silver and gold were shown in the form of slinky spaghetti strapped dresses and cropped jackets. Detailing played a major part in Conran's collection, with dresses resembling intricate paper doilies in white, ruffled bustier dresses and nude colour chiffon skirts with layers of scalloped edges. Highlights of the collection included the strapless maxi dress, and the finale mini dress which showcased several layers of beautifully cut chiffon butterflies. Scruffy backcombed hair and nude faces with red lips finished off the perfectly disheveled femininity of the show, and flashes of silver and gold sequins added a pinch of glamour and extravagance.
Stay tuned, images to follow shortly!
Betty Jackson opened the third day of London Fashion Week with a fresh collection of marble prints, sheer socks and painterly florals. Close friend Jennifer Saunders sat pride of place on the front row, joined by Tracey Emin, Stephen Jones, Jimmy Choo, Melanie Blatt, and Jasper Conran.
Pink florals on a brown base opened the show with bib style ruffled blouses, and underwear as outerwear became an apparent theme with pastel coloured sheer socks, cute silk shorts and night robe style tunics. Prints ranged from that of a monochrome marble to watery silk florals in pastels and nudes, contrasted with an updated breton stripe in gold and black. The eighties was still a clear inspiration for Jackson, who continued the use of accented shoulders with padding and embellishment, however the new season's show saw a looser fitting aesthetic, nipped in at the waist with a thin material belt, with far less structure and formality of that seen over the Autumn Winter shows. Edwardian style ruffles around the neck added volume to blouses made from the sheerest of fabrics, and metallics made an appearance with a pewter dress and top. As Eniko Mihalik and Ali Michael and strutted to eighties-esque music, the colour pallette, prints and optimism of the whole show provided a freshness and excitement for the coming Spring. Be sure to look out for the sequined lightning bolt jumper, soft camel coloured leather jacket, and simply anything with those embellished shoulders.
It's a well known fact that British fashion editor and directors don't go to the London shows besides an appearance at Westwood, Giles or Christopher Kane. So it was a great suprise to see a full house at the Jaeger show last night.
Groups of people battled the crowds, slyly moving into the express quewe of editors and buyers, and just as quickly sent back to their spot in the bottom of the food chain by the bouncers, much to my amusement.
Tim Blanks, Alexa Chung (trying her best to cover a bad cold sore with little luck), Hilary Alexander, Jasper Conran, Erin O'Conner and Chris Eubanks (random I know) all graced the front row to see the legendary British brands fall offerings.
