Emilio de la Morena

With the team of American ELLE, fashion's blue-blooded Julia Restoin-Roifeld and front row favourite Olivia Palermo, Emilio de la Morena sure had his work cut out to impress a waiting audience. However, when the heavy bass from a remixed Editors song kicked in and the first model appeared, his collection showed a strong, coherent and rather exciting look. Sorbet leathers with punched out polka dot details looked utterly stunning (I know what's on my wish list). Huge graphic gold necklaces lifted the cut-out dresses and granite blacks. Sixties influences and skater skirts all made for a girly and playful look. Feminine, fierce and completely covetable, this collection encapsulated what summer should be all about.

PPQ

So the longest of all the shows to get into which certainly wasn't fun as the last show of the day. There is just only so much your feet can take! The queue for the BFC show space was literally 200 deep before anyone of any importance was allowed in. Finally the queue moves and I'm seated. Probably the biggest of the shows all day with so many people with seated tickets yet standing as there wasn't any room. Celebs such as Amber Rose and Paloma Faith turned up again accompanied by the like of Michelle Williams former Destiny's Child Member, Reggie Yates and Jamelia. After more waiting, the plastic finally disappears from the runway and we were finally embraced by a very majestic collection from PPQ. The palette included metallic mustards, electric blues, crimsons and black. Lots of geometric print to go around look out for this. PPQ seemed to be big on tailoring with waisted tapered trousers, shift dresses and pencil skirts with frills for detail. Satin made all the colours go pop with models strutting to a funky beat to back them up. Bright and Bold = PPQ SS11
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Jacob Kimmie

What a difference to what we've been used to. Rather than a show, Jacob Kimmie gave us an exhibition of their collection with still models throughout two rooms. Despite Jacob Kimmie being a personal fave of ours, we are now in love even more with SS11. After ascending the 3 flights of stairs, we we're embraced by tranquil music, sensual lighting and a dolly mixtures of models from all walks of life and types of make up. A kaleidoscopic palette took shape in one shoulder silk dresses and 3/4 sleeve maxis. Both of which fell from the body like waterfalls. The menswear were tapered trousers in cream black matched with vests and intricate shoulder pieces. This fashion repeated itself in the form of masks on the female models. One particular model's was more of a head mask with crimson lips peeking the holes. With a long waterfall gown flowing behind her, she looked like a goddess. The collection then took a twist with two particular models dressed like ice maidens. Another intricate mask disguising one side of a model's face followed with a silk a line dress with cut out detail on the shoulders. Teamed with opaque white tights and ivory boots we had just met the ice maiden of SS11. Towards the exit acting as the final piece of the collection was a model wearing an amazing cropped trouser one piece. If you thought you had seen power shoulders, Jacob Kimmie took this one step further and took the intricate designs of the mask and applied this to the shoulders in asymmetric fashion. Accompanied by more intricate accessories the lines of this design were still kept clean and elongated. This collection on the whole had a big thumbs up!! There wasn't any desperation for it to start with models already on display, and no desire for it to finish as you were free to leave once you had absorbed enough of imaginative yet wearable Jacob Kimmie SS11.
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Hannah Marshall

Running back to back with Felder + Felder, BFC shows space was packed with plenty of celebs with the likes of Amber Rose, Erin O'connor, Paloma Faith, The Noisettes, Coco Sumner and Rankin. The show started with a seductive and provocative video by Rankin of semi nude females dancing in the night (or very low lighting). The show then began with sheer black schiffon shirts, pussycat bows and cigarette pants. There were frock coats over sheer silk flowing maxis. Models were mostly ginger with long flowing hair, porceline skin with doll like make up. From a clean and minimal collection, it then progressed into shift dresses and haphazard pleating as detail remininscent of Issey Miyake. The palette took a turn from black to matte silver and so did the textures. Suede was introduced through boyfriend blazers and killer wedges! On the whole, Hannah Marshall elongated the models and gave us beautiful empire lines through high waisted cigarette pants, waisted pencil skirts and boxy frock coats. Attitude was infused into this wearable, clean and easy collection giving it a seductive edge!!
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Bernard Chandran SS11 Show

If Cleopatra were to be in a 1920s Speakeasy that was on the moon, you'd be looking at the inspiration for Bernard Chandran's SS10 collection. Fluid silks and elongated lines looked stunning against a musical backdrop mixed by Kanye West's old chum, Mr Hudson. Muted nude colour palettes might be a strong direction for next season, but Chandran accented this with sequinned embellishment and a lot of leg. With a few accidental boob flashes, the show generally flew by without a hitch. Chandran championed both sleek long silhouettes and high hem lines, accessorised by woven wicker box bags and stonking great platforms. The collection also showed the evolution of this season's full skirts by leading the way to a lampshade skirt shape (with a few lampshade shoulders thrown into the mix too). Cute details such as massive pockets and envelope-style sleeves were all common denominators in an overall very wearable collection.

Felder + Felder

Friggin fierce is the adjective to describe Felder + Felder's show! The models strutted to a rendition of Born to be Wild which was certainly fitting once the collection was on display! A monochrome palette of midnight blues, blacks and dusty greys with the accents of fuschia pink and royal blue. Many textures incorporated with embellished body con dresses, silk fluid dresses, feather cropped jackets and leather pants. Felder + Felder upped the ante again including leather corseted upper halves to dresses and bustier tops teamed with cigarette pants. Super sexy rock chic all around. VERY impressed Felder + Felder.
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Jena Theo

Jena Theo

I'm a huge fan of Jena Theo, last years fashion fringe winners showed at the BFC tent. The collection that felt very 'Arabian inspired'
Models with hair wrapped in turbans slinked down the catwalk in silky jersey pieces, draped, gathered and twisted in a way synonymous with the Jena Theo style. It had a more grown up feel than last seasons look, right down to the sleek cut jeans.
The collection felt very 'deconstructed' there were slashed backs, twisted sides and garments in two toned overlaid fabrics, appearing like two separate garments had been merged together.
The garments really have to be seen to be believed but I loved the soft drapery, all the pieces were so well thought out with the manipulation being just right.
The colour palette was a mix of violet, grey denim, blush and dusky pink with cream and soft blues running through out.
Print wise, it was so soft and delicate. A cream based print, with an almost 'my jeans have run in the wash' blue print and marble/water colour in soft pastel hues.
I loved the way the softer pieces were toughened by divine, draped, leather, hooded jacket (I want) and cropped, slash back bomber styles. It really feels like SS11 will be the season of soft grunge. Far more romantic than we've ever seen it. The rock chicks have grown up.
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Bunmi Koko

To be honest, we had no idea what to expect from Koko and when the first theatrical piece came out (a man dressed as a giant pompom), I won't lie, we were damn right scared!! But once that was over the collection that followed was incredible and quite frankly left us a little bit speechless, we'd already seen several 'on schedule shows' but it was this that left us gobsmacked!
Shoulders had structural, upside down triangles built in, like oversized drapes and folds. Draped skirt sides and wrap over tulip shapes ensured that the separate skirts and dresses fitted with the mood of this coming season, but were so well executed they stood out a mile.
The style and theme was 'warrior' and when Kanye's 'Love Lockdown' played at the end I was not at all surprised, it fitted with the music video style and the models were accessorised in feathered masks.
Each dress had so much detailing, yet none of it felt overdone. I loved the striped back panels that combined ribbon and sheer.
Trousers were total cigarette pant style. Super slim leg, teamed with the oversized shoulder drape jackets that fitted snuggly at the waist were great. The balance really worked.
I loved the colour palette too. This was mainly used to create bold, graphic prints. Red/white/black and chocolate/cream and ochre were the order of the day and the distorted graphics were gorgeous.
Smaller pompoms were used on shoulders and as wrist adornments and looked fun without being comical.
By far the favourite show of the day!

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Jean Pierre Braganza

Soft and sophisticated with an authoritative edge was what Jean Pierre Braganza gave us. A palette of soft pastels with accents of turquoise and deep rose pink. Fluidity ran throughout the collection with plenty of draping and the use of silk to create flowing maxis, reed slim trousers and micro minis. Structured dresses made from contrasting leather and suede were looking fierce! Let's hope that PCD girl Kimberley Wyatt and front girl of Noisettes Shingai Shoniwa liked it as much as we did!
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Bora Aksu

As expected, the Bora Aksu show, which this year moved to OnOff was rammed! In the crowd was tones of press and even fellow Blow designer, Avsh Shalom Gur.
Bora definitely has a signature look. I always coin it, futuristic warrior but it really is just that. Tulip skirts, piping details, surface details and lots of silver knit fabrics created armour and skeletal like forms.
There was a nod to the Rococo era, with a floral like weave, again playing on silver tones.
The main colour palette was navy and dark grey accented by pink, silver and red tones.
While skirts and dresses were the basis for the collection, soft trousers with ruffled and pussy bow blouses were a far softer look than we are used to seeing from Aksu.
Another fabulous collection, that yet again made silk and chiffon fierce.

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Prophetik

You always know you're in for a good show when Prophetik are about, like last season live music ensured the mood was immediately lifted. Again pieces had a real regency, period feel to them, and the buxom look of Prada and Vuitton AW10 continued here.
There several, casual maxis in both denim shades and dip dyed played a great role in adding detail and interest. One shoulder maxis and short flirty, white pieces with trinket straps fitted with the summer romantic vibe.
Menswear was again quite historical and layered. Detailing in buttons and excellent tailoring ensured a great if not niche style.
The grassed over catwalk and youthful models made me think of the secret garden, a true treat!

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Maria Grachvogel

Maria's show had pre music to set the scene. The sound of the amazon was our backdrop and the clothes transported us to an almost safari, tropical chic. The palette started quite muted with nudes and ice grey accented by canary yellow. Cuts were incredibly soft and drapey, with draped armholes, asymmetric back cowls and side seams that were gently gathered. There were full centre front drapes and pleated front trousers. Legs were wide and waistbands high. The whole look was very calming. Chiffons have never looked so sleek. The prints were stunning too and reminded me of abstract tropical bird feathers. Yellow, orange, green and blue tones on grey bases. There were some softly tailored jackets and city shorts too, it was a real wardrobe staple collection, timeless classics that can come out year after year. I've got my eye on the draped printed. Shifts and the full chiffon maxis! Divine!

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Paul Costelloe

Funny how last season ended the same as this one began. AW10 closed with a live performance from Eliza Doolittle while Paul Costelloe settled for a pre recorded version, making Eliza fashions new hot thing.
The show itself felt very 60's inspired with lots of full lampshade and skater skirts and a-line dresses.
The jacket of the day was the biker and came in several hues, gun metal metallic was our fav, while the shape was classic, the pushed up sleeve and metallic tone was very sharp and modern.
As usual there were several prints on offer, the first being a graphic like charcoal print in monochrome with tiny trims of blush print.
Secondly there was a graphic monochrome floral print, a pastel green floral print and a zig zag peekaboo surface decoration on short a line shifts and maxi pieces.
Costelloe is a champion of detail and a master of tailoring and this show didn't disappoint!
Details like strong quilted shoulders (yes that 80's form is still around) and the sleekest of cut jackets, cropped, peplumed and skinny ensured sharp jacket silhouettes that contrasted nicely with the floats skirts.
I loved the 'top and skirt combo' dresses for their knife pleat skirts, again balanced nicely by scaloped tiered dresses. The hard and the soft the sharp with the romantic.
Menswear naturally was also a highlight. Navy teamed with white and camel. Monochrome floral shirts and hues of greys marched down the catwalk in skinny leg trousers, city short suits and trench coats. The highlight of menswear has to be when Paul's six sons took to the runway to lots of applause!
Though there were some eighties tones in oversized bows and more body con pieces the main swing was toward the sixties. Light, romantic and sophisticated. According to Paul we shall all be beehiving our hair so get back combing!

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Beautiful Soul SS11 - Fashion Film 'BELIEVE'

A few weeks ago I mentioned I was going to be involved in a fashion film. Well here are the results!

Beautiful Soul SS:11 Believe. from oliver Prout on Vimeo.

(Beautiful Soul - Believe - SS:11 - www.beautiful-soul.co.uk)

Film Credits:
Director: Oliver Prout
Produced by: Nicola Woods
Illustration: Zarina Liew
Music: Gabby Young & Other Animals
Stylist: Rivkie Baum
Make Up: Michaela Sporkova
Hair: Amber-Rose Peake
Models: Samantha at Profiles and Simon at Sapphires Model Management

Fashion Videos

I'm going to be working on a fashion film for one of my old uni buddies!

I am so excited to see her new collection and find out all the details! But until then, how gorgeous is this short film!

Boohoo AW/2010!

On behalf of Random I was sipping on champagne and munching on smoked salmon canapes at the Future Gallery for Boohoo's press event yesterday morning. They showcased their latest aw/2010 range and luckily more seeing than sipping went on as their new premium collection Boohoo Pink and teen range Boohoo Sister were also on display, looking just as amazing on the hanger.
Their aw/10 range ticks all the boxes with dresses looking all futuristic and reminiscent of Lady Gaga. There was plenty of sparkle to dance around the xmas tree with, with sequins and embellishing galore. Lovely leopard print tops and jumpsuits which can easily become transitional and the aviator jackets were definately eye catchers coming in various colours and types of fur.
Boohoo have definately looked to the designers to bring us affordable fashion as I'm sure I can see some Burberry and Chloe in there. Their premium range Boohoo Pink has certainly stepped up a peg or too but the price has remained comfortably 'low'. Their Fur jackets are priced at roughly £70 and their more sophisticated dresses at only £40. Premium swagger for under £100.. I'm digging that!!
Boohoo Sister was the last of the collections that let us see Boohoo's new range for the 9 to 14yr olds. Easiest way to describe is think trendy clothes with less leg, mid rift and plunging neck lines on display. There was such a cute navy jacket that had bunny ears on the hood matching perfectly with this navy jumpsuit! Anyone fancy lending me their sister for a shopping trip or too!!
Well I'm off now to catch the last of Boohoo's summer wear with my gift voucher they gave me.
Smiles all around!
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Pandora Summer Drinks

Team Random headed off to check out the new range of watches from PANDORA.
There was plenty of glitz, Leather Straps and silver/gold alternative too. I really liked the fact that there was a great selection of large watch faces that still felt femme.

The event was held in the Mandarin Oriental hotel's ballroom and the garden that hosted the bar was gorgeous! There was even a garden swing and tasselled parasols!

While the boys stuck to champagnes and canapes, my latest partner in crime (who shall be poPping up on fash pack quite a bit) Ella and I started downing the most divine apple martinis. They were strong but good!

Hot singer ROX performed (wearing Basso and Brooke) she was featured in the most recent issue of RANDOM - wonder if that's where PANDORA found her! :)

Well I'm off on my hols so it was an early one for me so me and ella left the boys there! Who knows what mayhem they caused!
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Bodyshock Dance Company

Ages ago I headed up to Littlehampton to help out on a dance video. The dance group 'Body Shock' run by Suzy Mills was featuring music by her other half A Skillz from DJ duo A Skillz and Krafty Kuts.

PUMA helped me out by providing the dancers with all their gear and it is now up and doing the internet rounds!

The dancers are ace and I love the track!

eddie musicuk wants to give you some E4 loving

PLEASE GO TO THE LINK BELOW AND VOTE FOR MY FAVOURITE BAND "EDDIE"

http://www.e4.com/Hollyoaks/doitandwin/2KDvwwxNsoeoP2HCny7tZm/vote.e4

VOTE VOTE VOTE

THEY ARE AMAZING AND LOVELY AND WILL ROCK THE WORLD OF POP

PLUS I STYLE THEM SO THEY LOOK FIERCE!

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www.myspace.com/eddiemusicuk

Editor @ Large . . . RANDOM shoot DIANA VICKERS!

OMG, what a day! I am totally beyond exhausted!!

(me interviewing Diana Vickers!)

Today we did our big celeb spread and cover for the September Issue and having filled a seven seater car with clothes and one little assistant in the form of the lovely Ella, it was off to ROMFORD!

(Is that a cover shot happening?!)

Why Romford you ask? Apparently its the only place that has a working ice rink in the summer months! Who knew!?

(my assistant Ella practicing skating)

We rocked up and we started to unpack, naturally I took up the most room, I really can't help it, I don't travel to a shoot light!

I had some lovely archive pieces from Jacob Kimmie (see ribbon waspie below)

and then some AW10 pieces from Harriet's Muse, Jaeger Boutique, Next, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Lall London, Ada Zanditon and many more!!

(Diana's skates for the day)

Bling came from a number of independent designers as well as brands like Freedom @ Topshop and TOUS.

(Ella taking pics and Make up artist Martina with her assistant)

I loved all the looks today! We shot Diana on an ice rink, being all glamorous while she had these burly ice hockey places around her all bashed up. It really worked!

(Diana on the bench)

My favourite pieces were the Ribbon Train Waspie Belt by Jacob Kimmie and the skull ring by TOUS.

(I know I said I'd stay off the ice but . . . )

The piece de resistance came from Jeffery Michael Baker Design, who made a bespoke dress for Diana for the cover of RANDOM! In order to see it though, you will have to wait till September!!

(Tomo bossing everyone about!)

Also in the issue my exclusive interview with this perfect pop princess, who calls everyone pet, is gorgeous in the flesh and really sweet!!

(MUA and Hair man! - Martina (or Martini?) and Timmi)

I luv THE VICKERS!