London Fashion Week highlights

I didn't go to London Fashion Week this year. I never have and don't think I ever will (the chances of me ever receiving an invite to a show being a million to one!). But that's ok. Even though I'm chained to my desk in a 9-5 London office job, I still love following LFW and admiring from afar. To me it doesn't matter if I'm physically at the shows or not - I still find them inspiring. Some looks are obviously more wearable than others... but those that are less so, can still be respected as the works of art that they are. Here are my favourite SS16 collections this year:

Julien Macdonald

Julien's collection for me felt very Game of Thrones, and showcased a strong and powerful woman. His metallic dresses were like armour -  but with a slinky and womenly silhouette. I always find the cut of his dresses incredible - he really understands the female form and how to dress it.

Burberry 

Burberry always features the best coats. But as well as the standard shearling jackets and long coats that I come to expect each season, this season also featured some eye-catching prints with jewelled, metallic details. I especially love the mini dress that looks as though it took its inspiration from a stained glass window.

Holly Fulton

Oh Holly Fulton, I dub thee Queen of the Prints. And oh, that black and white shirt though <3

David Koma

My favourites from the collection included beautifully tailored grey jackets, wrap around skirts and dresses, and spaghetti straps. My top picks? The long grey coat and the black long sleeved off the shoulder top worn with leather trousers.

Alexander McQueen

When I think of McQueen, I usually expect a gothic collection mainly comprising of lace and  black clothing. So the McQueen SS16 collection with it's nude colour palette surprised me. The collection remains edgy, but also has a romantic and ethereal feel. I loved the intricate details of the embossed nude coat and the metallic dress - both of which are pure art.

Topshop Unique

If I had to summarise in a few words... socks worn with heels,over-sized jackets and coats, checked prints, and fur stoles slung over camisoles. My favourite look has to be the over-sized checked blazer worn with the leather trousers - the heels and cropped camisole giving it just the right amount of femininity.

Which was your favourite collection this year?

** Image credit: London Fashion Week website **

Shoes for Show: The Sculptural Art of High Heels

A couple of weeks ago I attended the “Shoes for Show” exhibition in London. It only ran in Brick Lane for a few days and being the shoe-a-holic that I am, I jumped at the chance.  

It all sounded good on paper so a couple of weekends back, I travelled into Central London to go and perve on the pretty shoes. Except the pretty shoes were nowhere to be found. My Google Maps led me to the wrong location – a charming, secluded area where I had visions of being knifed so got back onto the main road ASAP. I finally found the right number but when I got there, the Polish security guy sighed a loud sigh (I guess he had this a lot) and redirected me to another part of Brick Lane. Which I couldn’t find.

I was confused. I was lost. I was smelling amazing Brick Lane food and was damn hungry. I very nearly gave up. But thank goodness I didn't!

Finally found it. It was like a little abandoned warehouse, very simple and minimalist. One thing I’d worried about is that it’d be uber strict with lots of security personnel and photography prohibited. Not the case at all. There was one male “guard” who stayed out of the way and didn’t seem too bothered about anything. And people left, right and centre were snapping away. So I had no qualms about getting my camera out.

Manolo Blahniks. Oh my.

The charm wrapped around the heel, the lattice 

detail and the colour all make me melt a little inside.

These Vivienne Westwoods are not my cup o’ tea but 

they do remind me all of the Creepers all over 

the blogsphere at the moment.

Nikes! Can you imagine Nike Town selling these? I can’t.

Perhaps the weirdest shoes I’ve ever laid my eyes on. 

Not one, but two elevated heels so in theory, quite a 

sturdy pair of shoes. But then check out the weird shape 

of the heels…  And bath shoes? Really? I can’t imagine 

anyone wearing these by the poolside. 

Not even Lady GaGa. 

And that’s saying something.

No explanation needed here! 

Have already shared my thoughts of the Armadillo.

Don’t know about anyone else, but in these I see Litas. 

But really funky, velvety, glitzy / sparkly ones.

These are art. ‘Nuff said.

Simple, classic and yet, no less worthy of interest.

And these? I was lost for words then. And I still am now.

An artsy revamp of the gladiator sandal

A print like this would be amazing on a dress. 

And my favourites:

Alice in Wonderland shoes!

The delicate tea cup charms, 

the key, the fob watch, the 

foliage… all a bit OTT but at 

the same time fabulous 

for this very reason.

Get a load of these! Stunningly beautiful with 

the embellishment detail but just not practical. 

But even those who don't "get" shoes would 

have to admit that these are pure art. If 

Louboutin sell these as flats, I would 

snap these up in a heartbeat,

 no questions asked.

I actually liked these! A good mix of “hard” meets 

“soft” with the glitzy champagne-like colour 

combined with the spiky / studded exterior. 

These would get you noticed!

And now over to you! Do any of these fill you with horror? And which of these are love at first sight?

And for the latter, to wear or to have displayed in your home as expensive-but-totally-worth-it art?

Paws for thought

Animals are huge right now.

With animal print once being seen as "tacky" and a "bit Bet Lynch" (from the British soap Corrie back in the day... ), it is being smiled upon by fashionistas once again. 

The animal theme has since developed even further. Topshop Unique featured show-stopping dalmation inspired designs for its A/W collection. Last winter we saw an abundance of those cute little knitted animal hats where it become possible to have a panda / bear / cat / whatever sitting atop your head. Spirithoods takes it one step further and allows you to actually transition into one of many animals. Be it wolf, fox, owl, husky, leopard, skunk, panda or bear. 

Whatever could be next?

Well I'll tell you...

    

Yes, that's right. Animal paws in shoe form.

And Blake Lively is not alone. SJP has also been sighted with these gracing her feet:

Bit confused about this particular look. What look is she going for? A gender confused wolf that has eaten Little Red Riding Hood and stolen her attire?

You need not an explanation of the designer behind these shoes. The red soles say it all.

Five inches high with skinny heel and studded with crystals, these Louboutins are known as the "Lion Paw" and have apparently completely sold out.

What do you think of them?

I'm undecided. There's something cute about them but at the same time, they are a little weird... Would definitely choose these over McQueen's Armadillos though! 

All images + source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk