Seen and Overheard: They Like Me, They Really Like Me

Betty Jackson has plenty of adoring fans, judging by the presence of Jefferson Hack, Erin O'Connor, Leah Wood and Lorraine Kelly in her front row and the hefty pack of well-wishers who mobbed her backstage after her show. Colin McDowell suggested singing a song, and Hilary Alexander couldn't gush enough.

"The whole show - fabulous," she told me. "It redefines feminism. It's what women want to wear right now."


Well said, Hil. Full review of the print- and floral-heavy show (with more pictures and inside details from Betty herself) to come later. We need time to pick the best shots of Jourdan Dunn, Liu Wen and Tanya D.

Roving Reporter: Eun Jeong

I feel like I'm stalking Hilary Alexander. And Colin McDowell. And the lady with all the crazy hats (you know the one if you've ever been to LFW), who today opted to revive everyone's favourite 50s toy trend, the Slinky, on her skull. Note to self: ask Hilary her opinion of Hat Lady.

At Eun Jeong (the fourth show of the day with HA), we somehow moved from a black bra and sheer black knickers to Giambatista Valli-style glam. The latter bit proved why some of the biggest establish designers are already publicly supporting Jeong.


For the most voluminous of voluminous dresses, Jeong circled her models with what looked like hastily pleasted (and basted-on) miles of fabric. In actuality, I can see why it took months: each black or coral or tan-coloured dress body blew perfectly back from the models' legs. Note to self #2: must get v. flowy dress for autumn.

Other well executed details included bejewelled hoods, black silk rosettes and draping to die for. But I'm still stuck on the dresses.

Seen and Overheard: Skipping School

Naughty, naughty. Two side-by-side front-row seats sat conspicuously empty at the Lefranc-Ferrant haute couture show this Tuesday in Paris. What did the reservation cards say? Hilary Alexander from the Telegraph and Suzy Menkes from the International Herald Tribune.

Was it the lack of two guests of honour that held the show up 45 minutes?

Seen and Overheard: Big Hair and Pop Stars

What did Daily Telegraph Fashion Director Hilary Alexander think of the LCF master’s runway show?
“I loved all the big hair and makeup,” she told her extra-fashiony group. (Well, Hillary, we agree! And let’s hope we see models like Irina Kulikova sporting the same look next Fashion Week.)

Who does sequiny superstar Manjit Deu want to see wearing his dresses?
“Oh, so many people – Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga…” (We say: Just Dance, Manjit.)

Which looks at the MA show captured Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts’ attention?
“I loved the dresses with all the big knits,” she told the Pack. (But Nicola, we love your nude-and-neon Richard Nicoll mini-dress!)