The day before the show, I was able to take a sneak peek at the collection when I popped over the designer showroom. Though I did not linger long because I wanted to be surprised, there were already a few pieces that caught my eye, leading me to believe that the AW 2012-13 collection was going to be another strong one. I was ,of course, right on the money.

Cavalli had already wowed me last season with their bright prints and the integration of their signature animalier into them. This was another coup for the label, as even before the show, everyone was already impressed. How can you not be, with a long runway lined with 40,000 flowers to resemble a tiger’s stripes? Cavalli undeniably does prints best, and to work with an entirely different technique in integrating fur into prints that made them seem like exotic skin (think crocodile scales)? I can’t even be articulate enough to deservingly describe and praise the different level of craftsmanship involved in such a process.

The bags were very on- trend with mini hard cases as clutches, and briefcase satchels were done with structure and functionality in mind (more space for our things, please).

And the piéce de resistance of this season’s show? Naomi Campbell closes it in that bare back bordeaux color gown that seemed to drip in diamonds. Priceless. Roberto Cavalli is really a designer who is on a league of his own!

By

TheBagHagDiaries.com

Dolce and Gabbana‘s FW 2012-13 was a wake up call– to bring the opulence and grandeur of fashion back in fashion. Set against a backdrop of a rococo- barocco framed mirror, gold gilt Louis chairs, and chandeliers with floral vines that lined both sides of the runway, the collection featured heavy black capes with very rich gold passementeries, needlepoint embroidery, bold floral prints, and of course the label’s signature lace in both black and white. But apart from the dresses that were beautifully lavish for the blacks and immaculate for the whites, there were the bags.

This was the kind of show I would love to cover day in and day out– the parade of incredible dresses and coats matched the lineup of bags! The Miss Sicily retains her shape and classic style but was reborn yet again with different materials. Needlepoint embroidered roses and cherub prints spelled old world romance. The clutches were bejeweled and almost too precious to carry. And what of the teeny tiny bags that will probably hold up only a girl’s must- carry “mad money” and some bright red lipstick? Priceless. It doesn’t have to be a big bag these days. The smaller it is the better. You become excellent editors and this is what is all about. While dresses can go for more is more in Dolce Gabbana‘s case, the bags-by-night have shrunk into less is more. What a great show, and watch out, the bags are really worth the purchase this coming season!

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TheBagHagDiaries.com

We love this gorgeous illustration by Kris Atomic of the colorful and fun packed Meadham Kirchhoff show that had models throwing glitter, wearing 70s inspired pieces and dancing down the runway!

You can see more from this talented illustrator & photographer on her blog:

http://blog.krisatomic.com/

A magnificent Grade I listed building in the heart of London’s West End was the surprisingly intimate setting for Roksanda Ilincic’s elegant yet sporty AW12 show, dubbed by some editors as “sportswear couture”.

The label is a favourite of the fashion elite – including the Duchess of Cambridge and Michelle Obama – and this season it did not disappoint with its trademark feminine, floor sweeping silk dresses in stunning two-tone colours (red carpet perfection!) However, new for the brand we also saw a more urban story with pieces such as the puffer jacket or fur parka, which gave the collection a casual, sporty edge.

Pencil skirts, loose-fitting trousers, long flowing dresses and oversized outerwear came in a rich palette of wine red, deep purple, chocolate brown, midnight blue and dazzling white. And the show attracted a who’s who of the fashion crowd on the FROW including Hamish Bowles, Suzy Menkes, Alexandra Shulman, Hilary Alexander and Jane Bruton (to name a few!).

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www.fashionbite.co.uk

Twitter: @FashionBite

“So, it’s the last day of London Fashion Week and my feet are delicate to say the least. I, like the rest of the fash pack, have been teetering around in heels for the past few days. The higher the better since nothing during fashion week is considered too outrageous. Even the cobblestones at Somerset House don’t deter die hards bur I had enough and gave in. Yes, I wore flats to fashion week! Well vintage espadrilles to be precise and they do have a Prada look about them! But still, wearing flats is a sign of defeat, it highlights weakness and also shows that I’m not important enough to be chauffeur driven around in a Mercedes van (maybe next year). I don’t care, I think they’re fabulous and hey, if they’re good enough for Alexa Chung…  From now on I think we should relax and give our feet a well earned break!”

Angela Scanlon wore:

Louise Gray for Topshop New Gen tee

Joanne Hynes ‘rag-doll’ necklace

J Brand skinnies

Celine coat

See more from Angela at:

www.angelascanlon.com

Erdem is always a delight to see. It’s subtle and incredibly beautiful and genius in it’s understated-ness. His talent speaks for itself and there are no bells and whistles needed to capture attention and imagination.

The crowd today was testament to Erdem’s arrival as a powerhouse on the British scene. His show attracts big names, but not in a PPQ way. Anna Wintour, Franca Sozanni, Suzy Menkes and Kate Lanphear were all front row, early actually, waiting patiently for kick off. Caroline Sieber, Laura Bailey, Leith Clarke and Alexa Chung all sat in a line whispering and oggling like the rest of us.

But there was a hushed silence throughout; a kind of awe and admiration, a sense of knowing… Erdems’s signature florals were still there but they’ve moved on. There was a move away from the innocence of previous collections to something a little more sophisticated, a bit stronger. Plastic coated tweet jackets and skirt suits, a leather appliqued violet dress, prim houndstooth knits in yellow, lime green lace, floral printed polonecks over silk buttons blouses, cut out dresses that said cocktail, not garden party. It was braver and riskier-it was more London!

My favourite piece was a laser printed floral cocoon coat over matching cigarette pants. In a word-LUSH. If you’re buying a coat for next season, make it over sized, big and beautiful. And if it’s not sold out, make it Erdem.

By

Angela Scalon
WWW.ANGELASCANLON.COM
Twitter: @angelascanlon

All Drawings are property of Saskia Pomeroy, for more of her fabulous illustrations check out her site: www.saskiapomeroy.com.

For those who could tear there eyes away from watching the sun set on the 19th floor of the building where Jonathan Saunders show was taking place, tonight’s show was a great success. Once again we see androgyny ruling the roost as even the dresses looked very masculine in form. Prints and bright colours popped everywhere but none that were overwhelming or offensive. Jonathan Saunders understands “everything in moderation”. Waists were cinched, the occasional visor was spotted and deep v-necks seemed to draw the most smiles from the crowd. Overall this was a very strong collection from Saunders that has us all already asking what we should expect from the next collection.

By www.fashionfoiegras.com

Antonio Berardi is always set in a venue which retains an added touch of opulence to his already decadent collections. This time the front row was dispersed all over the Senate House in West London as models walked two balconies and a stair case in order to pass by each anticipating spectator.

On the front row was the ever feminine Olivia Palermo who opted for an outfit of all black in a mix of wool textures. She posed politely for pictures before the show began.

The AW12 show saw Berardi maintain his signature aesthetic with some added structural elements in mini dresses and his usual adoration for embroidery set against luxe sheers.  Favorites included the teal coloured cropped jackets and charcoal skirts highlighted with bright orange tops. The shoes were in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik.

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www.fivefivefabulous.com
www.facebook.com/fivefivefabulous
twitter: @reemkanj

Arriving at the stunning Topshop venue for the Peter Pilotto show was like walking into the Spring Summer 12 trends themselves. From Poppy Delevigne’s neutral look accented with a killer red fur gilet, to Susie Lau in the must have prints of the season, the front row kicked off the first show of the fourth day of London Fashion Week with a bang.

Peter Pilotto’s first look instantly became a highlight of mine. Bomber jackets are popping up all over the AW12 shows and this design duo’s printed version is no exception at being an instant hit with the editors. The show continued to reveal more of Pilotto’s signature prints contrasted against velvets and silks. Other highlights include the cut out dresses and sequin embelished pieces.

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www.fivefivefabulous.com
www.facebook.com/fivefivefabulous
twitter: @reemkanj