As a lover of fashion, London Fashion Weekend is always an entry in my diary that I look forward to immensely.  This year I was given the fabulous opportunity to go to the press launch of the Weekend catwalk shows and shop at the pop up stores at Somerset House.

London Fashion Weekend S/S 2010

I was due to go with the lovely Karena Sedgwick of mynewbestfriends fame, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it that evening.  So I made a mad dash from the office up to the Strand, London to meet my best friend Rachel and have an introduction to the S/S 10 catwalk collections.

Louise Roe, opening London Fashion Weekend 2010

Key looks

• Sorbets, pastels, baby blue
• Trousers on the ankle
• Draping, silks, flattering tailoring
• Ballet bun hair, with raised messy quiffs
• Monochrome with steel grey and navy soft silks

London Fashion Weekend – Trend 1: Candy Rock

A host of sorbets, pastels, bringing the girly back for spring/summer with some lovely silks, laces and a touch of pleated lace on the collar. There was a flash of Victoriana ruffle, some spectacular neckwear. Featured outfits from Herve Leger, Jaeger and Jasper Conran. My favourite part of this trend; nude shoes. All the models had the same shoes. Something I always think can set off the runway in style. Plus some soft coral mixed with gold trimming and some fabulous floral hair pieces.

Trend 1, Candy Rock

London Fashion Weekend – Trend 2: Swallows & Amazons

All about a fantasy land mixed with spring time fashion. A lot of Parisian chic nautical outfits, a homage to Alice and Wonderland and the outing of double denim ( a trend that I still can’t agree to entertain, its just not me!) Twenty8Twelve, Eley Kishimoto and Clements Ribeiro featured in this catwalk. I loved the city shorts in pastel silks, tan shoes and embellished peep-toe boots. Less florals than we’ve seen of late, more muted tones, nautical motions with an African twist and textured tailoring.

Trend 2, Swallows & Amazons

London Fashion Weekend – Trend 3: Vintage Glamour

The fantastic store Shikasuki provided us with a touch of much needed vintage glamour. I am a huge enthusiast of vintage and the trend opened with a gorgeous embellished front, pistachio chiffon tea dress. This was followed by some lovely corals, Malene Birger style embellished necklines on simple black shift dresses, all accompanied by some divine 1950’s handbags. Our young eyes were treated to some gems from Ossie Clark and Jack Bryan, just proving that vintage can always work with high street trends. Its all about how you style it.

Trend 3, Vintage Glamour

London Fashion Weekend – Trend 4: Betty Jackson Entire S/S 10 Collection

What a treat, some very cute satins in pastel shades, cropped trouser suits, short bolero style jackets, a gorgeous pink ruffle jumpsuit and a fabulous mix of citric yellow satin/silk mix dress, that I think would be a hot look for the office. Betty brought us some soft prints and some lovely delicate tailoring, short sleeved macs and pale trouser suits. We all felt the romance and femininity of Betty Jackson’s collection.

Trend 4, Betty Jackson Entire S/S 10 Collection

The good news is that I got to go back and do it all again on the Saturday – this time with the fantastic Karena Sedgwick. We had front row seats for the catwalk show, sipped Champagne Royale cocktails and browsed the galleries in Somerset House for some feature jewellery and gorgeous summer outfits. Thank you to Karena for the fabulous guest passes into the London Fashion Weekend.

An inspiration for Spring/Summer – now we just need the weather to improve so I can get out my pastel city shorts…