Sunday, February 19

Mulberry

Mulberry announces the launch of their latest iconic bag – The Del Rey. It is inspired by Lana Del Rey, the American songstress and everyone’s new favourite in music right now. The bag takes on retro glamour and is understated yet perfectly proportioned. The Del Rey retains Mulberry’s signature with its refined elegance and timelessness. Emma Hill, creative director of Mulberry said ‘I love Lana’s nostalgic references to bygone glamour and the fact that her look is retrospective yet so modern. This inspired us to create a bag that was timeless, refined and elegant, yet with a beautiful practicality that would suit any woman. We love its perfect proportions and effortless simplicity. As soon as the sketches were completed it felt so familiar, loaded with classic Mulberry heritage DNA.’

Wish List: Black ostrich Del Rey

Check out the first part of our London Fashion Week review here.

Monday, February 20

Antonio Berardi

Monday morning began with a very kind invitation by Peroni to the Antonio Berardi show at Senate House. Set in the enormous yet stunning Chancellor's Hall, you initially wonder if the models would make it around the daunting catwalk still looking composed at the end of it, particularly in the beautifully crafted yet extremely high Manolo Blahnik's for Antonio Berardi. This collection can only be described as a work of art and with inspiration coming from Rococo sculptor Giacomo Serpotta this all made sense. Hourglass shapes were seen in the back of two fabulous coats and bunched up layers were seen fully complimenting the model’s figure. The designs were sculptural and incorporated a feminine fluidity in each look.

Pringle of Scotland

It was then a case of rushing across London to the Pringle show at Philips de Pury. The inspiration behind this collection, in the words of Alistair Carr, was, "the girl I used to know at school, grown out of her teenage angst and in to a sophisticated woman, but with a hint of that rebellious past remaining ", the latter could be seen in the dip-dyed punk-ish hair ends of the models. The show remained respectful of the labels heritage but evidence of his work under Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga were evident in the panelled knitwear. There were still the classic roll neck jumpers, but he also introduced many fabulous overcoats with contrasting colours.

Wish List: Candy pink mohair V-neck jumper

Burberry

After a refuel at the ever faithful Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental, it was onto my all time favourite show set in Kensington Gardens – Burberry!

With a handful of celebrities attending the show, you know this is the show that cannot be missed. Eddie Redmayne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (with a seven-foot bodyguard in tow) Laura Bailey, Clemence Posey, Will.I.Am, Kate Bosworth, Vivian Hsu, Jessica Michibata and Mario Testino were all in attendance.

The show was streamed live on the giant LED screens at Liverpool Street Station, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Cromwell Road. The title of Christopher Bailey's collection was Town and Field, he merged the two beautifully together. Tweed flat caps accessorised the outfits bringing a charming 30's/ 40's feel to the outfits. The ever faithful trench coats were decorated with heavy thick tweed in mixed charcoal colours and featured oversized pockets on the hip area. Shrunken bomber jackets were placed with skirts that had diagonally-placed ruffles and zips on the outer edge.

Cara Delevigne, the faithful face to Burberry closed the show in what could only be described as a beautifully constructed quilted smoking jacket made in to a coat. Stunning.

Burberry as a brand doesn’t do things by halves; it provided us with a spectacular ending: the sound of thunder belted across the see-through marquee and rain coming out from nowhere pelted down onto the roof outside, then the Burberry models marched down the catwalk closing the show each holding the must-have accessory for autumn 2012, the Burberry umbrella!
 

Having appreciated the show enormously I then realised I was bang on trend for next season, thanks to Amanda Strang's Junya Watanabe peplum shaped high collared army jacket I was wearing!

Wish List: Camel and pale ash grey cotton blend peplum trench coat

Tuesday, February 21

Rodnik A/W 2012

And so as London Fashion Week draws to a close I squeeze in one last final presentation, Rodnik. The ever creative Philip Colbert, designer for Rodnik, doesn't disappoint! From the infamous English telephone box dress to hand bags made in the shape of a London black cab and big red buses, this collection is not for the faint-hearted! You simply have to watch the video to appreciate his works of art!

And so it ends but the S/S 2013 shows will be here before you know it….

Over and Out.