London Fashion Week – Spring/Summer Catwalks

London Fashion Week started off in style at Somerset House BFC Show Space, with Paul Costello and his feminine tailoring and pretty detailed dresses with structured jackets. Awash with greys, silvers and mottled prints, feminine shapes were pouted and posed.

Lady M talks fashion with BBC Radio Kent

By lunchtime on Friday 17th September, fashion has come to Tunbridge Wells with LadyM herself being interviewed on BBC Radio Kent about London Fashion Week and all things fashion. Presenter Julia George opened up the discussion on how catwalk trends can be taken into the mainstream. LadyM explained that “The British consumer is great at taking trends from the shows but customising and adapting them to fit their own style, they have to fit your lifestyle and work with what you are trying to achieve”.

LadyM at London Fashion Week, trending this seasons colour 'tobac'

A La Mode Catwalk – LGN Events

Then it was on to the Charing Cross Hotel, in central London for the LGN Events A La Mode catwalk presentation.  Six designers from around the world were given the opportunity to showcase their work.

Amato Couture by Furne One – a statement collection

Filipino born Furne One is the formidable creative force behind Amato Couture. From his atelier in the Al Hana Centre in Dubai, Furne has been actively plotting (fashion) world domination with collections that combine an eloquence of style that harks to a bygone era of opulence and decadence. His amazing gowns are definitely not for shy and retiring type. They could very well be seen in a period drama or Italian opera. The gowns are an amalgamation of costume and old world charm; boudoir couture with a high diva quotient perfect for Oscar nights and occasions which call for full-on wow factor! The collection featured a palette of soft gold, nude tones and powerful embellishment. Simply stunning!

Amato Haute Couture

Furne became truly famous last year when Project Runway host and supermodel Heidi Klum came calling. Intrigued by his particular brand of surreal fashion, Heidi invited Furne to design gowns for all the 18 models for her show, “Germany’s Next Top Model”.

Amazing Couture by Amato

Berit New York

Berit New York’s S/S 11 collection “Retro Futurism” brought together old world charm with new generation. The designer behind the label, Britney Frady-Williams uses rich fabrics and historical patterns and methods to create intricate, fascinating designs for her label. Her work re-imagines everyday living and commonplace objects, envisioning the fantastic amidst the mundane. Noting how modern life seems deprived of the quality and wonder that has enriched humanity since its origin, Britney seeks to reawaken this old world charm for a new generation.

Berit New York

The collection felt playful but futuristic, featuring layering, neutral tones mixed with apple greens and patterns and tailored city shorts. The models graced the catwalk with 1950′s style secretary hair and eyewear and looked fabulous.

Mr Lipop

It was a pleasure to see some menswear on the runway and Tom Lipop showed the audience how it should be done. Tom’s label Lipop is a fabulous take on the modern British gentlemen.  
Upon completion of a challenging BA Hons degree in Fashion and Textiles (menswear), the Lipop London mastermind went onto successfully participate in Sky One’s ‘Project Catwalk. ‘ His participation in the show not only showed his resilience in such a demanding and tough environment but displayed his high-level of design competence and his ability and vigour to thrive in the competitive fashion industry. Partaking in “Project Catwalk” equipped Lipop with the skills to fulfil design and pattern cutting roles at Griffin Laundry, House of Holland, Halfpenny London and Nathan Jenden. 
It is Lipop’s infatuation with creating contemporary and forward thinking garments inspired heavily by the long historical lineage of British fashion which has been expressed through his own Avant Garde collections.

Lipop London

The collection felt very urban with an ‘earthy’ feel. Combining soft jersey and calm camel, greys and midnight blues in loose linen, leather and simplistic lines. A truly minimalistic menswear range with a sensuality to the fabrics used.

Z Mode

The much anticipated catwalk show for a LadyM Presents favourite, Z Mode was received with much admiration. Lithuanian born Victoria Rangayah has featured previously on this website and her S/S 11 collection “This is not Alice”, did not disappoint. 
Victoria’s designs are a concoction of interestingly opposite textures; “I like to make women feel feminine, elegant but at the same time empowered. Therefore I always try to keep the balance between strong lines and flowing silhouettes and ruffles”.

The amalgamation of a feminine vibe expressed through masculine shapes is the essence of Rangayah’s label. The catwalk also featured another veteran of LadyM Presents, Kandee Shoes, the footwear of choice for the Z Mode show, looking fabulous as usual.

Z Mode - a LadyM Presents favourite designer

The collection felt light and as fresh as Spring. It was a sweet combination of pale golds, cappuccinos, tobacs and lattes with a dash of colour in a subtle tropical print.

Z Mode Fashion - Lookbook S/S11

Photos courtesy of ZMode S/S look book

Jonathan Liang

Next up at the LGN Events Fashion Show was Jonathan Liang, a designer from Malaysia. Jonathan was recently awarded with the prestigious title of “Most Promising Designer” during Malaysian Fashion Week. He has been soaring to success in the fashion industry since he graduated with his ‘I Ate an Orchid’ collection, which also saw him win “Best Collection” for the Raffles International College Fashion Show.

Jonathan Liang

Liang’s Spring/Summer collection featured powerful shoulders, structured jackets and a beautiful use pale greys and gold. With strong tailoring, Liang also mixes it up a little with details such as deconstructed lines to the back of a jacket or a cropped cape style jacket with a strong lapel.

Jonathan Liang

With thanks to LGN Events for the invitation to the catwalk show and in providing designer profiling.

“Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 1980 is considered vintage” (Wikepedia).

Hot off the fashion press is the launch of a fabulous new online Vintage boutique, GiGi Vintage. GiGiVintage does all the hard work of finding hundreds of great vintage pieces to save you the time and effort of doing so. Forget traipsing around a Parisian market or the Vintage stores in Spitalfields, just head online to www.gigivintage.co.uk.

GiGi Vintage

GiGi Vintage was originally founded by Gurmeet Grewal in 2009 . Gurmeet’s experience as a footwear buyer for high profile retailers has given her invaluable knowledge and expertise to create a fabulous concept online boutique.

“Being an avid vintage shopper, both in the UK and around the world, I have failed to find a vintage boutique that is not only inspired by catwalk trends, but one that also sources more boutique-style pieces whilst creating a pleasant shopping experience at the same time. This is what inspired me to launch GiGi Vintage” .

www.gigivintage.co.uk

Gurmeet has been searching shops and looking for amazing pieces for many years now. Calling on inspiration from her mother’s wardrobe from the 1960s onwards and the beautiful vintage pieces that belonged to her late grandmother, Gurmeet has an “extremely strong passion for everything ‘vintage’ and everything ‘fashion’.”

Handpicked from around the World

The aim of GiGi Vintage is to bring an element of personal shopping that is individual and desirable. Every piece in the collection is handpicked from sources around the world, to ensure the collection is at its very best. The website offers a great range of dresses, tops and accessories that can complete a fabulous outfit. The collection features items from the 1940′s through to the late 1990′s. GiGi Vintage understand that not all Vintage pieces can be easily translated to today’s trends, Gurmeet sympathetically “modernises and customises some pieces to make them more wearable and user friendly”.

The Collection

GiGi Vintage’s collection is bang on trend for this summer, from fantastic playsuits and jumpsuits to the essential Maxi dress that has recently been spotted on celebrities such as Ashley Olsen, Daisy Lowe and Heidi Klum. In the essentials aspect, Boyfriend blazers sit alongside gloriously unique coats and delightful shoes.

Gurmeet says “ What makes GiGi Vintage also so special is the prices; ranging from £15-£45 for tops and £12-£65 for footwear, which makes looking individual so affordable”.

The collection is perfect for summer days, a statement office wardrobe, a capsule festival outfit, or a special one off piece.

Sneak Peak at the Collection

DAISY CHAIN maxi dress

Daisy Chain Maxi Dress

A stunning floaty maxi dress by Verena Piadra from the 1970′s.  In a sumptuous shade of pink with beautiful floral print. Really fitting in with the prints trend that was popular on the catwalk this Spring.

RIVIERA Navy houndstooth cardigan

Riviera Navy Houndstooth Cardigan

Perfect to ‘chic’ up any outfit, a sophisticated little off-white and navy blue cardigan with houndstooth design, gold-rimmed faux pearl buttons and navy blue trim!! Stylish worn over cute mini dresses or with skinny jeans. Team with a pair of retro ’70s sunglasses and a chain handle bag for some vintage Riviera elegance!

ENIM DIVA Floral print denim playsuit

Enim Diva Floral Print Denim Playsuit

This season’s ‘must-have’ item!  Hit that denim trend with this cute little belted shorts oversized playsuit made of a fabulous floral printed denim material. Stand out in the crowd

IT’S ALL NAVY high waisted skirt

It's All Navy High Waisted Skirt

Hit the nautical trend with this high waisted navy coloured mini skirt with gold-edged buttons down the front! Two front pockets and elasticated feature at the back. Perfect for a cute summer outfit.

The online boutique also includes the ‘Super Brands’ section, where you will find a delightful array of stunning pieces from YSL, Lanvin, Dior and Chanel just to name a few.

Head to www.gigivintage.co.uk now, let Gurmeet be your Vintage fairy godmother!