Roving Reporter: Qasimi

After running to the wrong venue (I went to the party venue rather than the show, stupid I know), I finally made it to the Qasimi show in Baker Street this afternoon. I'm tired and the great news is- it's only day two.

I love the way designers are using the location of their shows to develop an idea or concept in their show. Last season, Stefano Pilati showed his collection for YSL in a cage like space, linking to this season's most talked about 'cage shoe'. Today the show was in an old church, developing the gothic influences.


It's hard to believe that design duo, H. H Khalid bin Sultan and Elliott J. Freeze, only started their brand in August 2007. Their debut collection in February for sping/summer 2009 receieved raving reviews, making the brand a firm favourite amongst fashion industry insiders. Erin O'Conner made another appearance on the catwalk for the duo, after convincing her to walk for their debut spring/summer collection.


The duo definately know how to work with a trend, run with and make it even better. The collection referenced the dark romance and 90s goth influences that has been doing the rounds over the past week. Leather appeared in abundance on dramatic multi layer dresses, waistcoats and on headwear. Menswear was exquisite. Male models were dressed in slim line tuxedo jackets layered over a black waistcoat and shirt.


It's not surprising that Khalid is architecturally trained. The detail in the corsetry on the dresses and the designers experimentation with leather was exquisite, not to mention the major Harry Winston blingage that was going on.

It was refreshing to see a brand not fall victim to the pressure the economy is having on designers. The collection was far from understated and the design duo were not apologetic about it. Qasimi is definatelty "luxury without compromise". "The brand has a classic air to it but the cut and fit is very contemporary- pure lines which posses a high degree of sophistication and elegance" says Khalid.

Runway Roundup: Connie Ho

Hey, men – show me some leg! And to do that, you might want to slip into something by LCF master’s student Connie Ho.Connie started modest at the V&A, with Thom Browne-length ankle-bearing trousers, and worked her way up. Way up. 

One pair of shorts was so short and so tight that it could do to the model’s rear what many women hope their bras will do: lift and separate.

For shirts, Connie seems to like sheer and paint-spackled. A strip of neon-yellow down the front here, a dip-dyed rectangle of teal there. Throw those with some fuchsia trousers and no one can ignore you.The boys out there who step into these looks had better tone up – besides the pec-baring sheer shirts and bum-displaying hot pants, Connie is a fan of high-waisted shorts for males. I don’t do menswear as much as Rivkie here, but I can say one thing: This is the first collection in awhile that brings men’s bodies up for scrutiny as much as women’s often are.

Runway Roundup: Dimitri Stavrou

I never thought the ‘80s hair bands would make a comeback on some pairs of Doc Martens, but I also never thought I’d see someone at a fashion show wearing a red sequined hoodie. Both of those expectations were thrown away tonight at the V&A.Dimitri Stavrou’s MA collection for the London College of Fashion runway show would make David Bowie and Dazed & Confused fans proud. Using fringe reminiscent of loosely crimped horsehair, Dimitri added movement and attitude to his menswear.
Want your fringe down the side of your blazer? Just pick your colour – metallic gold, silver or black. Want it along the hem of your vest? No problem. Dimitri even added his signature embellishment to the back of calf-high Docs for a bit of a Rapunzel-meets-moonboot effect. (Strangely, I mean that in a good way.)
Could Dimitri Stavrou be London’s next rebel boy? Gareth Pugh’s gone off to Paris, so someone has to take the role.


For those who didn’t make the show, check out Dimitri’s smokin’ video. (Literally. There’s smoke.)