London Fashion Speak Round
25-09-2006
With 50 shows on-schedule and 33 off this seasons London Fashion Week has proven to be somewhat of a challenge. Experienced show goers know it is wise to pick and choose what to attend – and have a pair of comfortable flats at the ready.
Through-out the week the newspapers devoted acres of copy to the “ban skinny models from the catwalk†story. Erin O’Connor spoke out in The Guardian defending London as a place where unusual, quirky models are celebrated and that her career would never have taken off if she started out anywhere but London. She has a point, and where will the debate end? What about the rise in obesity across the nation and increased use of plastic surgery and botox – is it healthy for young girls to think that sexiness is on a par with a pair of surgically enhanced breasts?
Personally I think the decision ultimately lies with the designers – it’s their show and therefore their responsibility for the overall look and feel; including the choice of models. May I also add at this juncture, that while the heels are high and the nerves tested – to be able to walk confidently in unpractical sky-high heels is surely standard practice for a catwalk model? The non-models at the B-Rude show could give a few of the professionals a run for their money when it came to walking with style and attitude.
One day 3 show highlight came courtesy of Zandra Rhodes. While British Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman wriggled impatiently in her front row seat Zandra kept those outfits a-coming. Floaty kaftans, puff balls, fluttery frocks all received the Zandra Rhodes treatment. After a mass of black, white and neutrals – her use of print and summery shades made for a refreshing change.
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Off-schedule Julie Berube and Avsh Alom Gur put on polished shows, the latter revealed a collection inspired by a desert island beach with a combination of raffia, floaty chiffons and large loop knits that resembled fishing nets – it was all given a contemporary Avsh Alom twist and the result met with much approval all round.
Of course the big buzz of the week centred around Armani’s (Product) Red show; from the famous faces in attendance to the slick production of the whole event. Plastered over every newspaper the following morning the show somewhat overshadowed this years Fashion Fringe, which incidentally was awarded to Gavin Douglas for his collection inspired by black Victorians.
Top Shows Off-Schedule and names to watch…{mosimage}
1 Kaviar Gauche
2 Elle4Lisa
3 Osman Yousefzada
4 Aganovich
5 Berube
Top Shows On-Schedule…
1 Gardem
2 Preen
3 Zandra Rhodes {mosimage}
4 Nicole Farhi
5 Hamish Morrow
Top models on the catwalk…
1 Behati Prinsloo
2 Rosie Huntington-Whitely
3 Irina Lazareanu
4 Tanya Dziahileva
5 Marina Peres
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Top 5 Spring/Summer 07 trends
1 Platform heels
2 Wide-leg pants
3 Romantic frills, lace and chiffon
4 Body-hugging jerseys
5 Puff hems
If you fancy a front row seat at the Armani (Product) Red show with accompanying performances by Beyonce, 50 Cent and Razorlight tune into Channel 4 at 11.05pm this Wednesday 27th September.
By JoJo Iles www.fashionpr.co.uk
