London Calling

A week maybe a very long time in the world of fashion but much talk is centred around Mr. McQueen. The latest confirmation is that the Alexander McQueen brand will continue despite the labels rather large debts, as confirmed by Francois Henri-Pinault, PPR chairman & chief executive.

 

In a statement he said: “The Alexander McQueen trademark will live on. His art went beyond the fashion world. He hid behind an armour of provocation.” This season's McQueen show, scheduled for the 9th March in Paris, will also go ahead as planned.

 

Back at London Fashion Week meanwhile, the British Fashion Council have erected a McQueen memorial wall on to which fans can pin personal tributes.  

 

The Big Smoke aka London has just been levy to the Brit Awards with Lady GaGa once again stealing the show in a white sheer / lace body-stocking by Alex Noble. Vocalist GaGa bagged three awards for Best International Album, International Breakthrough Act and Best International Female. She also paid respects to McQueen by singing in front of a statue of herself donning McQueen's much-publicized Armadillo shoes, which she also wore in her pop promo Bad. Elsewhere Lily Allen rocked up in full-length Chanel while flame-haired Florence Welch draped herself in Roksanda Ilincic.

 

As the New York schedule draws to a close London kicks off with back to back shows from the likes of John Rocha, Sass & Bide, Aquascutum, Vivienne Westwood, and on home ground once again – Burberry Prorsum. In keeping with last season's online developments London Fashion Week is proud to present the Digital Schedule. For those based miles always or simply too hung-over from all those after-parties the Digital Schedule will offer live streamed fashion shows and a selection of digitally presented films. Check out what's coming to a screen near you via: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/digitalschedule 

 

Most wanted tickets for the season include the usual suspects: House of Holland, Matthew Williamson, Christopher Kane and Marios Schwab alongside up and coming labels: Peter Pilotto, Emilio de la Morena, Ziad Ghanem and Osman.

 

Running in tandem with Fashion Week, and now a seasonal fixture with the media at large, is the age-old ‘model size’ debate. National department store Debenhams have just installed Size 16 (US 14) mannequins in their high street windows asking customers if they ‘want to see more?’ While top model Coco Rocha recently told the press that she was considered too big to work the shows adding that the industry has a fixation on the super thin. No doubt the topic will continue to rage as the week rolls on and models will remain as skinny as ever.

 

Getting the style set in the fashion mood, as if they needed prompting, is Naomi Campbell and her London leg of the Fashion For Relief charity show. Kate Moss has also nipped in pre kick-off promoting her collaborative range with Longchamp at Selfridges. Seems like fashion week is underway already.

 

Check back for in-the-flesh reports direct from the catwalks of London coming your way soon.

 

JoJo Iles