London Fashion Week SS14: Trend Summary

I don't know if you've noticed, but this season I have been pretty quiet on the Fashion Week front. However, if you are feeling a need to swot up on the SS14 trends, check out my LFW summary over on SUITCASE magazine and The Huffington Post.

I wrote these on behalf of Serena Guen, editor and founder of SUITCASE magazine. SUITCASE magazine, if you didn't know, is everything that is right with magazines at the moment. It is stylish, slick, approachable and directional- just like its cool-kid readers. You can buy an issue here or you can check out the online content here.

I hope you like my LFW Summary, and any comments are more than welcome!

Fit for a Fashion Week #1 : Hers

Let's hear it for the ladies! Let statement pieces do all the talking and keep details to the minimum. Mix and match your favourite London designers with your high street favourites for a look that is true to your style.

1. It is actually a little bit scary how much money I spend in Zara each season. I could work out exactly how much, but ignorance is bliss. This season, though, I fear I may top last season in the spending stakes, which is quite a feat. These buckled black patent dolly shoes are next on my list. They are almost like macabre Mary-Janes with those vicious pointed toes and ankle straps. They are £79 here, and a great take on the dapper flat. 

2. Another day, another statement necklace. Zara's noir-dipped baroque necklace is a darkly elegant piece that will work with everything from cream to claret. It adds just a touch of interest to this monochrome ensemble. Break fashion taboos and pair yours with a slick navy dress and patent black Kurt Geiger Bonds. It is a snip at £29.99 here.

3. Mary Katrantzou's collection is one of the hottest tickets at LFW, so show your appreciation with this  timeless printed silk top. With pleating at the neckline and a painterly shadow print, this monochrome piece is a future classic. An understated style, this shell top is great for pledging your LFW allegiance. It is £486 at www.matchesfashion.com. 

4. My search for sartorial nirvana often falls at the same hurdle: the black skirt. I have had flirtations with black skirts over the years, but nothing seems to stand the test of time. I've had floaty flared numbers, pleated leather skaters, sculpting jersey pencils and even shameful bandage minis, but nothing seems to tick all my boxes. This season, however, there are some great simple black skirts around. I initially fell for Zara's acclaimed Mermaid style with a kick hem, but I couldn't quite part with that £70, which I now regret massively. This structured skirt from Topshop is a great simple piece that will nip in at the waist and skim your hips. Plus, at £35 here, it is a total bargain even if it is not "the one".

5. If you are looking for an "it bag" that won't set you back a couple of thousand, look no further than your local Whistles.  A new addition to the LFW schedule, Whistles have really upped the fashion ante with their latest limited edition handbags. In a muted blush pink, this calf hair Corine style is sure to a be a hit with fashion girls. It is minimal and a little bit Céline, but thankfully it is only £350 here. Pair it with a directional monochrome look this season for a fresh take on fondant pink. 

All Hail Queen Mary!

Mary Katrantzou, London Fashion Week, S/S 2013
images from Elle UK, see their review and the full collection here.

While NYFW has the gloss, Milan the luxury and Paris the elegance, I remain convinced that the city with the truly exciting talent is, and always will be, London.

A case in point, season by season, is the Greek-born genius that goes by the name of Mary Katrantzou. Her collections always blow me away, and for SS13 this is more true than ever before.

What makes Mary Katrantzou such an accomplished designer is her approach to pattern and colour. Each collection has a clear inspiration, usually rather abstract, which influences her artful prints and luscious colour palette, as well as the overall aesthetic of the show.

With her AW collection taking us back to school with sharpened pencils and typewriters, her summer collection is aptly inspired by stamps and foreign currency, perfect for sun-soaked summer retreats.

With softer, perhaps more wearable shapes than in previous seasons, this collection feels slightly more feminine and nonchalant, but still retains the abstract beauty of Mary Katrantzou garments.

With loose silks, billowing skirts and even Current/Elliott denim, the collection is truly marvellous. My stand-out piece has to be the black and white maxi with collar detail- it is elegant but still beautifully modern.

What do you make of Mary Katrantzou's latest collection at LFW?

LFW Designer Cocktails

London Fashion Week is perhaps my favourite time of year. The atmosphere is truly electric and the talent on show is second to none.

Even if you are not one of the lucky ones clutching a handful of sought-after invitations for the SS13 shows, there will be plenty for you to get excited about when LFW comes around in just fifteen days!

The first little slice of LFW that I can't wait to share with you lovely readers is the London Fashion Week Designer cocktail selection at The May Fair Bar.

I am a little bit of a cocktail obsessive and love nothing more than a delicious concoction to sip on while on a night out. Give me a tangy, sweet cocktail and i'm a happy girl!

Imagine my excitement, then, when I caught a glimpse of these beautiful tipples, designed by some of London Fashion Week's most exciting fashion talent, all available at the May Fair hotel from the 6th to the 23rd of September.

I have, sadly, never been to the May Fair hotel, but I think this year I will certainly be paying a visit. The luxurious and stylish establishment is the official hotel of London Fashion Week (so is a good bet for some style stalking!) and their designer cocktails are just the cherry on top of some fabulous fashion week treats they have in store. Alongside hosting elite parties every night during LFW, The May Fair are also offering their Fashion Week Treats package which includes an overnight stay, breakfast, discounted beauty treatments and cocktails and cupcakes for two! If anybody wants to treat me this month, look no further. The decadent May Fair Spa has also created some express beauty treatments to revitalise those stressed-out fashion folk.

If you are simply looking for a stylish aftershow drink, you really will not beat these delightful drinkies (above). And at £13 each these cocktails are an accessible taste of Fashion Week's finest designers.

Hopefully i'll see you guys there, i'll be sipping the fruity Corrie Neilson!

For more info visit the May Fair Website or follow them on Twitter at @themayfairhotel

Floral Trousers? Go on...

If I, little miss fashion-shy, can wear patterned trousers, you can too! They are the easiest way to add a real fashiony hit to your wardrobe and they are so cool. I love wearing mine with a t-shirt, a blazer and ankle boots, and come summer I will be wearing with a pretty camisole and sandals/wedges. Easy as ABC, and much more stylish.

On a recent Zara spree I bought these trousers, and i'm so glad I did as when I went style-spotting at LFW, I noticed FOUR fashionable women wearing them! Perhaps it is wishful thinking that I may look as good as them, but these trousers are my new go to when I want to make that extra bit of effort.

Either pare down with pastels and metallics, or go all out with a clashing print or some fluoro accessories. The other option is a matching blouse/ jacket (also at Zara) as shown in both images! It is a tricky look to pull off, but it can look fantastic!

I am gushing a little bit, but they are a gorgeous muted floral that works just now and looks far more expensive than the £39.99 price tag, while other high street offerings look more than a little bit cheap.

That's why we love Zara, eh? 

This image from Face Hunter shows one of London's many stylish ladies wearing said trousers, how could you resist?

"Bombay meets Brixton"

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

As described by Vogue's Tilly Macalister-Smith as 'Bombay meets Brixton", this amazing show was one of the first that i've ever been to! And it was just such a treat. It was called "Bollywouldn't" and features beautiful sequins, juxtaposed with rainbow creepers and sporty detailing. It also really reminded me of the video for MIA's catchy "Bad Girls" which I have posted here!

Just totally amazing... or, as a fashion girl would say, #totesamaze or #chictothenextlev

LFW: Fashion's Future, CSM MA

Oui, Oui Bourjois!

Listen up beauty buffs, this one's for you!

As much as I adore MAC, NARS and Benefit products, i'm not made of money, so thank god for Bourjois- my favourite budget beauty brand around. My face would be even more of a mess if it weren't for their silky mineral mousse foundation and their lovely little rouge pots! 

This LFW, Bourjois are launching their first ever pop-up shop on the top floor of the Beach Blanket Babylon in lovely Shoreditch from February 16th-20th. It sounds just amazing with so much going on for us girly girls.

During it's run, the pop-up boutique will offer a number of treats including:

♥ Up to 68% off Bourjois products!

♥ Best-selling products on offer including 2 for £9, 3 for £12 and 4 for £14!

♥ Free make-overs, manicures and hairstyling!

♥ Exclusive LFW coverage!

♥ Free nail art!

♥ Personal fashion illustrations!

♥ T4 filming on location!

♥ Goodie bags for the first 50 customers daily!

♥ Limited editions exclusive to the pop-up!

You are welcome, ladies and I will see you there! Keep up to date by following @bourjois_uk or 'like' them on Facebook!