Roving Reporter . . . The Fashion Show Week 8

This week the fashion kids had to go back to the greats and create garments designed by the likes of Halston, Dior, Chanel and YSL.
Once the designers got over the fact that some, knew nothing about who Halston was, they got down to business.
Daniella really got the essence of Dior, while Anna didn't quite get Coco Chanel, her efforts were better than some of her counterparts.
On the other hand, this was the first real week where Reco fell flat on his face and boy did he fall hard. He had no idea about Halston and as one of the judges said, made a dress more suited to 'a village wench' than a 'catwalk!'
It came down to a disgraceful piece of suiting by Haven and a horrid dress by Reco and I feel, luckily, due to his track record, Reco survived, though we did see plenty of tears, which humanised the drama queen of the show! I can't wait for next week.
And Haven . . . Bye Bye darling, we are just NOT buying it!

Roving Reporter : Dior

Trust Galliano to ignore the trend for sad colours and bring his show out with a big bang!

A monochrome start was shown alongside orange, red, purple, pink and metallic flashes  - this was like the most fashionable rainbow!

Shapes were gorgeous and girly and the whole collection had a slight global, traveller feel.

There were tribal style prints, that reminded me very much of batik techniques and the skirt hems all went into bubble inspired shapes (something I haven't seen for a good few seasons).

Shirt dresses were shown along side shifts and empire line maxis, to create a diverse collection, with a little bit of something for everyone! This really was a chocolate box variety show.

Metallic weave brocades have been immensely popular for A/W 09 and I loved the gold toned ones here. This beautiful asymmetric dress had a Middle Eastern feel, only adding to the travel vibe of the show.

Finally I had to show you this divine jacket!

Having skipped through Africa and the Middle East we hit the Orient with this fab Jacquard weave and harem style pants! Love!

Roving Reporter: Christian Dior

Delectable Dior presented a couture collection in jewel-bright tones of red, yellow and blue. As the collection developed, the monochrome trend of the week crept in.

Silhouettes were huge, with big, draped skirt shapes being the key to the look. Waists were very cinched. It had a real period feel.

Skirts were almost cylindrical in places, and it was incredibly sculptural. Sleeves ballooned to huge proportions, while again it was all in the detail. We loved the ruffled applique on skirts, totally sumptuous.

While skirt shapes borrowed 50s elements in their fullness, bodices were incredibly structured, but also incorporated a natural drape. It was really beautiful, but at the same time was evidently Dior. I love it when you can see a designer's signature run throughout his collections.

Shift dresses were given a new identity, with sculpted and drape-central detailing. Hips were accentuated by curvaceous shapes and sleek waistlines. This was a full-on hourglass silhouette, and Fash Pack loved it!

Before long, the shorter dresses turned into full-length ballgowns of grand stature. The dresses did look, however, like they were straight out of a BBC drama.

I preferred the shorter pieces, as I felt they were more Dior and also more modern.

Styling: Shoes - multi-strap heels. Big, big hair, huge hats. Big jewels, well defined brows. Pink, pink lips!

Runway Roundup: And the winner is... MANJIT DEU (WE LOVE YOU!)

It should be noted that Fash Pack were officially invited to this show by Manjit himself, and let me tell you, I'm so honoured!

I was told about 6 weeks ago that this boy on the LCF graduate course was outstanding and had created a final piece to end all final pieces. But I have to tell you, I didn't expect what I saw...

Manjit, 24 years old, hails from West London and completed his BA (Hons) at Winchester. Manjit said that a year and half ago, he never dreamed this moment would ever come and when I spoke to him (post-announcement that he did indeed -as we all knew the second we saw it - have the collection of the year), he was visibly shocked (and crying a little bit).

Inspired by Miami South Beach, Art Deco and a love of sequins (and I quote: 'Sequins have always been within me'), the collection was truly more outstanding than I will be able to describe to you. Oversized sequins adorned mini dresses that were excellently executed. Draped over and protruding like feathers, rectangular sequins created stronger squared shoulders and hips on garments that were cut close to the body.

There were pink, ice-blue and white versions on various scales.

There was also a fabulously draped 50s-style full skirt that was adorned in huge sequins. It was truly a red carpet fest of looks. Manjit's personal favourite piece was the short pink dress, again covered in large sequins that swished as the model walked. I, however, was torn between the final piece and a perfectly tailored powder pink trench coat that fit the model perfectly. It had an oversized and manipulated draped cape that was totally plastered in pink sequins and was truly fantastic!

I want one!!

The collection had its sequins hand sewn in Bombay by embroiderers who regularly work with McQueen, Dior and Gucci, perhaps already signifying that Manjit was destined for stardom.

The piece that sealed the deal for Manjit must have been the final piece, which had a Tilda-Swinton-meets-Dior feel to it, such was its presence. The audience gasped as this final piece made itself

known. A floor length white dress, with structured box shoulders and body that was draped,

manipulated and tucked in all the right places, making a perfect Oscar style dress.

Covered in sequins, the bodice part of the dress was like liquid gold. As the sequins dispersed over the skirt it was like watching a red-carpet event, only more beautiful, creative and exciting.

When there was confusion over the winner's name (a typo or bad handwriting) you could hear the rumbles of 'it has to be Manjit' with Fash Pack sure it was, but still crossing all our fingers and toes, we were relieved that justice was done, and the fashion crown went to the most deserving and worthy head.Manjit, we predict great things. Don't let us down (and keep sparkly)!P.s. I assume my new trench is in the post?!