The Stepford Class: London Fashion Weekend

My friend Emily won tickets to London Fashion Weekend sponsored by Vodafone and took me as her plus one. What a babe. We started the day with lectures then made a dash for the train and set off to London. I decided to rock the bunches look as inspired by r/2xc's which apparently braids are very on trend, so that was a discovery.

We arrived in London early so took the time to stroll about and see the sites a bit before we went to Fashion weekend. I managed to find our bearings and get us to the river which is the easiest place to navigate from. The weather was amazing, surprisingly so for England this time of year, so we ambled about in the sunshine looking at attractive men in suits and just enjoying the city. Then we headed to The River Front cafe on south bank for lunch. Sitting in the window watching the world go by, doesn't really get much better than that does it. I had the most amazing ice cream for lunch with a nice glass of cider.

After our leisurely lunch we crossed the river and roamed about the financial side of the river, saw the houses of parliament and generally enjoyed just being in London for a while. Emily wore a black jacket and flowery body hugging dress, I wore my charity shop find vintage Jaegar jacket and a mark and spencers dress.

We then headed to Summerset House to go to Fashion Weekend, where we picked up our tickets and goodie bags (a blog going through and reviewing all the products to follow) The quad was light up and filled with fashionable people and music. It was great spectacle, I mean so people looked ridiculous one girl with a botoxed face and bright orange layered tulle maxi dress particularly took the cake showing exactly the difference between fashion and style. Some girls wobbled across the cobble stones in their heels like new born deer and some strode confidently about.

We started by perusing the stalls, oh my gosh it is a different world! I mean the clothes where beautiful absolutely stunning and the fabrics felt delicate and soft but the cost of some of the things just hanging on racks was insane. I mean vest tops for sixty odd pounds goodness. The Jaegar stand made me weak at the knees, it defiantly stands as a symbol of aspiration to me. There where women there looking at dresses for over two hundred commenting on they have things from last year they haven't even worn yet and still buying more. I mean the wealth was just obscene. We trawled for hours there was so much to see. We went to a talk by the make up editor of Elle magazine where she covered the make up trends this season. Bright eye shadows and nail polishes, Underwater theme so shimmery highlights and pearlesent tones, Earthy and lots of bronzer (not too keen on this look) and naturally shiny so powder the t zone and moisturise the cheeks.

We had some time to kill before the fashion show so we stopped for a coffee and a catch up about the days events. Emily really didn't feel at home in this world of money and extravagance, where as I felt more than at easy sidling around with these people. We both don't come from wealthy backgrounds but I guess the private school upbringing has lead me to feel at ease with money. I didn't feel the need to buy anything but Emily had to talk herself out of spending because she felt she should. I guess there is a problem with the fashion world that it is so money orientated. Style can be dirt cheap but fashion has a price tag, that is why I shall always follow the former. We then queued up and took our seats for the cat walk. We had great seats, second row near the end of the catwalk and as it wasn't one of the main shows ( not complaining we where there free) the front row didn't fill up so we got a great view.

The first collection out was Holly Fulton worn with Christain Kouboutin shoes. The collection was based on fashionistas who spend all their money and end up spending summer in Margate, so a bit tongue in cheek with plenty of edgy beach inspired style thrown in. A very achievable look, the make up was minimal but some dramatic eye shadows and the hair was either braided or slightly styled loose hair.

The next collection out was my absolute favourite, Prim Rose paired with New Look shoes and Vintage Handbags, totally my kind of look. It was very pastel and peter pan collars, very Grace Kelly well to do look about it. Even some pearls thrown in for good measure.

As this line ended the runway lights shut off one by one following the model and it was really visually stunning.

Next came Antipodium, sort of sporty but silky. A really fun wearable look with bold colours and prints mixed with creams and beige tones. I actually rather liked this look, a lot of it was the kind of stuff I already wear. Very vintage inspired.

The next collection was not my style, it was bit to J-Lo sports style for my preference but they did put it together really well and the bold colours where absolutely stunning contrasting really well against the pale colours of the other collections. Game On with shoes by katmaconie and bags by Pauric Sweeny. They did do some lovely pieces but the mens wear was just awful, I always find the case at catwalks the womens wear is sort of wearable (most of what was shown was) but the mens wear never is.

The final show stopping collection was Jasper Conran, oh my gosh beautiful. Linens and beach wear, muted tones and brights mixed all together in a effortlessly chic way. This seasons look is truly beautiful.

And with that the show was over, well London Fashion Weekend continues but we had been there for hours and it was rather late so we decided to head for home. I really enjoyed myself and I am so glad Emily chose to take me with her. I also saw some positive changes in the fashion world, the models where thin but toned and healthy faced, well, all but one. A scrawny sick looking girl who looked like she was dragging herself down the catwalk in a drug haze. Why is this a positive you ask... The comments and tension in the room when she walked was palpable. Things are changing, that is no longer acceptable and it showed. Even the twiggy girls on the VIP row where passing comment on how she shouldn't be on the show. That is the start of the win for getting healthier models.