Firstly please accept my apologies for this very belated update, it’s become a monthly one this time round!

Yes I’ve been off the radar a little recently but I have been out and about a lot this last few weeks. It’s been show time and an abundance of events and shows to attend, as well as tending to the day job. And no doubt this is the case for the majority working in the Fashion Industry. All fun and games!

Some of you I have been in touch with over the last few weeks and you will know how manic it’s been and also of some of the exciting developments but for the rest of you who need to know what’s been going on this last few weeks and where I have been then please read on…

I visited a very busy PURE on Sunday 14th, and did manage to catch up with a few designers that I have been working with for a while now and have meet two great new exciting brands who I am really looking forward to working with. During my visit I checked out the PURE catwalk and attended the trend seminar hosted by WGSN. I was a massive fan of Soul II Soul in the 90’s so it was a huge bonus to watch the live performance from Soul II Soul and their performance most definitely bought many of us back to life on Valentines’ Sunday at 5.00pm! Vera Mode engaged the help of a topless angel who was handing out red rose to all the ladies– nice touch!

The following morning I met with the Head of Sourcing from a leading departmental store and came away with a very long list of forms for each designer to pass onto their factory to complete. Only when each has been approved will their orders then be signed off and confirmed. We have a bit more work to do before we can announce this exciting collaboration officially; but I have no doubt that the three designers selected will hit the ground running once finally on sale.

Its hard work for start up designers and we know this only too well so if and when you do finally find a manufacturer, the natural instinct may be to cling onto them like gold dust, but please do remember to also check with your factories what their work ethics are and if they outsource work and if they do then to where is it being sent. Ideally your factory / manufacturer should be registered with a UK recognised organisation. Don’t forget that Fashion Enter has The Workshop in Haringey who can help do small run productions and yes it will cost more than overseas production but you could proudly print on your care label ‘Made In London’, which I think is pretty cool!

Next on the agenda was to set the scene for the ITN crew for the arrival of ITN’s Broadcast Journalist – Megan Gerrie asking our Trend Predictor Vanessa to explain what trends we can expect to see this spring and how to wear them.

I then whizzed round the new menswear trade show ‘Stitch’ and met with one of the designers that I have been working with for about a year just as she was writing out an order! Great Stuff, I also caught up with the Sales Manager from Fenchurch and then it was back to the office to catch up with the growing work load.

Cannot say I’ve enjoyed battling my way through the half term madness week and have had to dodge a few skateboarders and kids on wheelie heels so the following week was a much welcomed relief as kids had returned to school!

LFW descended and the first show I checked out was a collaborative show with four emerging designers which was sponsored by On/Off presenting “One to Watch”. I had gone to this show to see Samantha Cole showing her collection for very first time during LFW and as I have worked with her for a long time now, I was so very excited for her and WOW what a great show! The following day I returned to ON/OFF to check out the exhibition and many great collections there were but for me the digital prints by Simon Erkuralis really rocked!

When I was in Istanbul for the Fashion Days, I met with an amazing designer who works with a Turkish artist and she uses his paintings to create unique prints for her collection. Now into her second season collection which again does not disappoint and saw her win very deservedly win the Young Fashion Entrepreneur in Turkey. She and seven others from other corners of the world were flown to London for the International Young Fashion Entrepreneur (IYFE) 2010 UK Tour. I managed to catch up with her and her ‘to die for’ collection during her visit and I really look forward to hopefully securing her first ever order in the UK.

The next show visit was Alice Palmer showing at Vauxhall fashion Scout for the third season, another really hot show and it was great to catch up Alice and friends after the show to celebrate her successful show.

The final day of LFW, I attended a Drinks reception and Fashion Show that was being held to celebrate the Waldorf Hilton’s partnership of London Fashion Weekend 2010. Opening the show were dancers from ‘so you think you can dance’ and yes they truly rocked the catwalk, followed by a great designer catwalk show.

What a great show and a great last show to attend for the season and I was so looking forward to then heading back home for some much needed rest!

Well this update really is the Showtime round up as I cannot fit all that I have to say in this time round but I will be more next week and

Until then

Hayleigh x

PS: I am on annual leave Monday 9th March 2010