Sass & Bide S/S ’11 at the Royal Opera House
While I have attended a few Fashion shows in the past, I’ve always wanted to have the complete Fashion Week experience. Well this season I was thrilled to have the rare and enormous opportunity to go to most of the on-schedule shows, go backstage to see the mayhem before the glitz, meet several of my fashion gods in the flesh, and go to the A-list parties (which, admittedly, I was perfectly happy to leave after 15 minutes). There’s no thrill quite like the dimming of the lights and the first beat of the music at a fashion week show! Here’s the start of my roundup:
THE SHOWS: Matthew Williamson, House of Holland, Mulberry, Sass & Bide, Julien Macdonald, Charles Anastase, Michael van der Ham, Maria Grachvogel, PPQ, Topshop Unique, Twenty8Twelve, Emilio de la Morena and more.
THE HIGHLIGHTS (the moments that made LFW a wondrous affair):
Sensory immersion. Last season it was Topshop Unique’s autumnal camping frolic, this season Julien Macdonald’s feminine boudoir. The gilded 17th Century Banqueting Hall, the peach and rose cocktails, the sultry tones of ‘Summertime’ and the Jo Malone rose scent being spritzed into the air beforehand all set the mood for the frothy, feminine looks to follow.
Matthew Williamson at the Battersea Power Station
Locales to take one’s breath away. From Princess Margaret’s apartment at Kensington Palace (Acne) to the iconic Battersea Power Station (Matthew Williamson), from the Royal Opera House (Sass & Bide and Nicole Farhi) to St James’ Palace (Sustainable Fashion)… it was all about the show-stopping locations this season.
The return of feminine clothes women actually want to wear. From Charles Anastase’s sweet Parisian girls to Mary Katrantzou’s breathtaking prints, there was a marked shift to soft femininity and wearability.
THE LOWLIGHTS (because it’s not all beautiful dresses and front-row glamour):
The ramp of death (as it affectionately became known) at the otherwise beautiful Topshop showspace. Clearly designed by a man (no woman would make hundreds of other women walk several stories up a ramp in 5″ heels. Enough said).
Entry tantrums. I was constantly astonished by bad behaviour and the lengths to which some people would go to gain entry to the hot ticket shows. If you don’t have a ticket, no amount of ‘I should be on the list!!’ or ‘don’t you know who I am?!’ will get you past those guards. It’s only a fashion show – please don’t lose your dignity over it.
Fashion starvation. Everything they say about there being no food / time to eat at Fashion Week is entirely true! When whizzing between back to back shows, there is literally no time to locate, let alone consume, food. By the time the shows end, all one can think about is inhaling a ginormous plate of carbs, drunk teenager-style.
What do you make of Fashion Week?
Love, Miss B xx
adorngirl says
You said it sister looks like your first fashion week experience was a great one.
p.s make sure to post a pic of the gorgeous shoes that you had to run around it, didn’t get the chance to take some snaps.
here’s to February! xx
Tainted Blonde says
Looks like you had an amazing time. I definitely agree with you- there isn’t anything which can compare to a fashion show starting!
Tainted Blonde x
Beautiful Things says
Hi. I found your wonderful blog through Liberty London Girl. I love your style and your attitude towards life. Yes, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of Fashion Week. I wasn’t able to be there this year, so it’s great to read about it.
nicolette says
i can relate to a lot of this, and yes – the locations this year seemed really incredible. from the battersea power station for matthew williamson to abandon warehouses for chistopher kane to a boat on the thames for anya hindmarch- it was quite the experience!
Grace says
How I wish I was there.
Love Grace.
ronelmarin.net says
wow such a lovely pix
iamronel says
love these all my goodness
fashionprovocateur says
ahh jealous i too wish i was there
i cannot wait for spring every collection looks to die for!!
great post 🙂
fashionprovocateur says
im soo jealous i wish i could see the show! i am in love with every collections this spring! i cannot wait for warmer weather already!!
great post! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Great coverage B! I remember going to Fashion Week event here and seeing a total of two canape trays waft past. And of course people were too cool to take one! 😛
Comme Coco says
Fashion Week is amazing, I love all the new pictures coming by me. It’s such a source of inspiration!
I have to say I adore your picture of Miss Miller and Miss Palermo, divine!
The Clothes Whisperer says
CHECK IT OUT!!!
http://www.theclotheswhisperer.co.uk/2010/09/and-winner-of-yorkshire-pearl-is.html
Love from Paris and CONGRATS!!! Email me for deets 🙂
xxxxxxxxxxx
CinZilicious says
Gosh, sounds like u had a fab time!!! Out of curiosity, how do u get to go to these fab shows? I dont remember anything like this when i was back in London, sucha bummer! lol…but great post and coverage on LFW:D
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com