"I’m not sure about you, but as a good old British blue; this summer season is a bit daunting. Ok, I love a 70’s flare, but the fluros, preppy stripes and thought of swimwear have got me a little rattled. This said, no sooner the summer trends hit the pages of our favourite mag than fashion month for AW11 scores a strike, bowls through all the trends we’re trying to bend out mind around, and brings us a new set of goodies to fantasize about.
When New York Fashion Week kicks off, everyone is talking about Victoria Beckham in all her pregnant glory. She did produce a great collection but I’m still on the fence as to whether we’re impressed because she is an ex-spice girl. Would any other designer get the same notoriety by sending yellow dresses down a runway? Who knows...
Whilst the models walk the runway in New York, the celebrities walk the red carpet on UK soil, showcasing the best (and worst) of international designer creations - first up, the BAFTAs. Divorce has FINALLY released Kate Winslet from her Ben de Lisi rut – she looked hot sashaying down the red carpet in Stella McCartney while Audrey Tatou brought in an early taste of summer in candy floss pink Lanvin. For me, the losers were Twilight’s Kristen Stewart, not because of her Chanel embellished strapless mini dress but because she always looks miserable, and Clare Danes, again, good Burberry dress, but flesh tones/pale metallics just don’t work on a pale blonde – certainly doesn’t do much to extract her from her generally safe beige-ness.
Next on the celeb calendar was the Style Awards. I sported a vintage Nicole Farhi tunic, ALDO bondage style wedges and lashings of red lippie. I had my eye on the One Teaspoon belted jumpsuit but sadly didn’t get onto ASOS in time. So much fun was being had that that the celebs even stayed for the afterparty and I’m sure they’re glad they did. George Lamb danced the night away to Boy George’s DJ offering and Dermot O’Leary looked sharp as he lapped up the constant female attention. Eliza Doolittle looked super cute in her printed mini dress and high tops – I like that she isn’t another cardboard cut out wearing the same old stylist-prescribed look; saying that, Donna Air and Ellie Goulding could have done with some stylist help, there was simply no excuse for their outfits.
The next evening, Vivienne Westwood dressed both Paloma Faith and Jesse J at the Brits, two artists that like more than a little attention. For me though, Rihanna stole the show. Arriving in turquoise ruffles from Christian Dior Couture, Rhi-Rhi then stormed the stage in dresses by Giles and Oscar de la Renta. Sophie Ellis Bextor went for 50’s polka (yawn) and Fearne Cotton played it safe in Temperley – a style icon in many ways but will never cause much of a stir with her red rug looks."
Next week: I cast my judging eye over the London Fashion Week front row...
