Day Three At the Tents
21-09-2006
I am already feeling the strain of such a fashion filled week, finding the same issues increasingly difficult every morning, …what shall I wear? Will it rain? Will it be swelteringly hot? Where shall I go first, who shall I speak to? It’s a wonder there’s not a detox holiday for serial fashion weekers. If I’m like this after three days imagine what a month can do to you, phew. After my first coffee (or three) my day became clearer and it was on with the show…
Live Gracefully
My first call was to the swanky Metropolitan hotel to view Claire Evans’s latest collection, Grace. The designer greets us with a warm smile as we enter the hotel room to view her Spring/Summer collection. The view from the window is one of bustling London streets, but inside the atmosphere feels calm and relaxed. Evans normally sells through her own Shropshire based boutique, selling her three separate ranges. Grace “for the young socialite,†Grace Couture “ for the chic and feminine†and most recently Grace la Sposa, for the blushing bride to be. The Grace range consists of classically feminine and pretty pieces, combining chiffon floaty dresses in dusty pinks with tailored corset pieces and fifties inspired structured garments. Celebrity fans include Jennifer Lopez and it-girls alike, with the following set to increase following her London Fashion Week debut. “ I don’t have any time for anything apart from the collection at the moment. No friends, family, or life aside from fashion,†the designer laughs. Although I can’t quite believe this friendly, outgoing young designer, something tells me the sacrifice will be well worth it. For more information go to: www.gracelabel.co.uk
Award Winning Accessories
Profile Award Winner Emily Cheetham has come along way since her fashion design debut two years ago. Having just completed her award winning collection for high street store Hobbs, her range goes on sale in five major Hobbs stores across the UK this month. With more collaboration projects in the pipeline for this young upstart, this is just the beginning. For more information go to: www.cheetbags.com
Jewellery fit for a Princess
Seeing as I am drawn to heart shaped objects, I couldn’t help but notice Lora Leedham’s fragile glass hearts hanging from long chains, all wrapped up in an abundance of silver string. There is something exquisite about the fragile cages, which encase the coloured glass nuggets. For the designers latest collection she is emulating the effect by wrapping up balls of coloured silk, to similar unique effects. Since gaining funding from the Princes Trust, Lora has expanded her range and now successfully stocks not just in the UK but around Europe also. “The highlight so far has been making a necklace for the Duchess of Cornwall. She wore it on TV for an awards ceremony,†she says. Sure enough, there’s Camilla wearing Lora’s green pearl necklace, and a personal thank you from the lady herself. What better compliment can you get than royalty? For more information go to: www.loraleedham.co.uk
After a whistle stop tour of these three collections it was back to the main tents to catch up with yet more designers. I spent the afternoon talking with various people about their latest collections before heading off to the show tent to see Claire Tough’s new range.