Roving Reporter: Hemyca

Heymca showed why they are one of, if not the hottest ticket on the Vauxhall Scout schedule. Their autumn/winter offerings include angular tuxedo jackets with a strong sci-fi aesthetic. If there's one thing you will be wearing come fall, it's a statment jacket. Let me rephrase that; a Heymca statement jacket. They were padded at the shoulders and on the hip, emphasising the waist and creating a powerful but feminine silhouette. It's hardly suprising that the pair did a sting at Roland Mouret who is the king of all things stuctured and archetectural.


Helen and Myra, the design duo behind Hemyca, proved that Central Saint Martin's isn't the only place churning out strong design talent and the fashion industry should pay attention to London College of Fashion alumni.

Roving Reporter: Nico D

Nico D is all about wearability - and we love that. Chunky knits in classic shapes were styled with oversized leather bags, trilby and khaki trousers for ultimate comfort.

Tailoring was a strength of the show. Jackets, with oversized collars in satin, were boxy and structured with angular shapes at the front, drawing on Didonna's interest in geometry this season.

Evening wear was strong, tied in by a theme of sequins that adroned black turtlenecks, mens tuxedos and floor length evening gowns.

Geometric shapes was the source of inspiration for the show but was not clear in the collection. Individual looks worked well, but toverall the show lacked cohesion. The designer served us with a bit of leather and grunge, some sequins a la Ashish and some casual urban wearable looks rather than committing to one theme and seeing it through. Styling was also inconsistent, starting off very strong and losing it's punch towards the last few looks where a beautiful black knee length dress was teamed with pink fish net tights.

Roving Reporter: Anne Valerie Hash

This lady is really couture. Her clients enjoy exclusive consultations and made-to-measure services. This season, she decided to concentrate on the items she is most asked for: wedding dresses, smoking jackets and the 'it' evening dress.

This transpired into a collection of 10 items.

Added to a selection of tuxedo jackets and cigarette pants, jackets included beaded embroidery on lapels and a white silk-satin version. Some tuxedo jackets had a more masculine square cut, but were teamed with feminine lace, layered in full petticoat skirts.

Dresses were both bridal and evening. A beautiful floor-length, strapless dress came in silk, with antique lace and beading. It was a stunning masterpiece. I have to admit, the more my friends 'settle down' and get hitched, the more wedding dresses I seem to be gushing over, but vintage styles are by far my favourite and a much more chic alternative to meringue.

For those bridesmaids, Anne has created beautiful deep-flesh-coloured separates. The top and skirt combo was both frilly and romantic (the obligatory requirement for bridal wear) but totally grown-up. Gone are the lavender loo-roll covers of the 90s. This time round your bridesmaid will definitely pull the best man!

A sheer top (almost to the point of obscene), with beautiful applique shoulder detailing balanced a burlesque-style petticoat. Love at first sight!

Alongside this were classic black dresses. One floor-length, one LBD, body-classic and body-con. In an age of economic crisis, I can definitely see a switch to buying expensive pieces that will live for decades, and Anne's pieces do just that.

We adore her!