Well I’m not, but I wish I was after last night! We hosted our second Vintage Wedding Evening, and it was even bigger and better than the last. Beautiful dresses, both vintage and new, adorned mannequins all over the shop floor while charming live music greeted guests as they walked in.

Thank you to all the brides, mothers-of-the-bride, friends and the odd fiancee that came along/were dragged along last night! We would also like to say a big, big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters: Forman & Field Gourmet Foods for the delicious smoked salmon blinis and fruit cakes (which we definitely continued to eat for some time after everyone had left); Blush Cosmetics who beautified a fair few of our budding-brides-to-be; the Andrew Barton Salon who worked wonders on our ladies tresses; Alexandra Carter for serenading us; Megan Taylor Photography for her advise on capturing the big day; our neighbours Flor Unikon for the lovely flower arrangements and Jacqueline Byrne for the stunning dresses and headpieces that proved very popular; and new designers to the shop Havva and Jessica de Lotz for their gorgeous shoes and jewellery.

Until next time…MSL x

 

Celebrity spotting, jostling our way through queues, backstage interviews, dashing from Bloomsbury Square to Somerset House and back again (more times than we like to remember frankly!), oh and clothes, clothes and more clothes…It’s been a fun if not mad few days. Until next time…

MSL x

We scoured the front rows for them, sat next to some, and annoyed even more with our photo requests. We got chatting to a fair few about the shop as well, and some of them may be popping in very soon! Here they are - our celebrity sightings from London Fashion Week…From songstresses Pixie Lott, Nicola Roberts and Dione Bromfield to Peaches and Pixie Geldof and Olivia Palermo; from George Lamb to Jason Gardner and Giles Deacon to Jacquetta Wheeler, they were all out and about at the shows.  

With a distinct femme fatale feeling, PPQ’s Fantasia collection combines opulent black velvet, silken crepe and gold lurex. Heavy vintage brocade trimmings bring a new edge to embellishment while ruffles add depth and at times structure to feminine shapes. Body-cons dominate (as they seem to everywhere) with hemlines varying from thigh-high to ankle grazing. A classic trench coat, harem pants and super-short high-waisted shorts are just a few of the items given a shiny new golden make-over. With a lot of all black, simple silhouettes, this is a very wearable and adaptable collection. Perhaps black will be the new black (again)!

With a host of celebrity fans, it was no surprise we spotted Pixie Lott, Peaches Geldof and Dionne Bromfield amongst others on the front row. 

It seems leather will be well and truly back next Autumn/Winter. As well as cropping up on the catwalks at Topshop, David Koma and PPQ amongst others, Belle Sauvage works it into her latest collection in an altogether fierce and feminine form with bra-style seaming and directional cuts. Teamed with a feather-light pleated skirt, the heavy-duty material is softened even more.

But it was the desginer’s signature bold prints that really stole the show, adorning a procession of dresses. Some were thigh-high, others knee-length, but all were unforgivingly body-conscious and often teamed with just-as bold print leggings. Statement shoulders made an appearance, as did shapely skirts and the odd cut-out back, while necklines varied from the dramatically revealing to distinctly demure. Statement block shoe boots accompanied every look, along with big quiffs and dark feline eyes.

Known for her larger than life aesthetics, Iris Van Herpen certainly did not disappoint. Working with a simple metallic palette, all the attention was on the designer’s bold shapes and futuristic forms, as well as her artistic manipulation of what is best described as the slinky (yes, the old-school toy!). From the outlandish to the more subtle, the metal spirals create sharp statement shoulders and directional cuts on some dresses; defined cap-sleeves and shapely skirts on others. While oft more art than fashion, this collection is much more wearable than previous ones.

   

Two things come to mind: fur and antlers. Models strutted down a leafy runway with big hair, big brows and even bigger head pieces. From hats with ears, horns and tails to hats with full-on faces and spikes, it was a journey through Farthing Wood. Clearly inspired by the great outdoors, earthy tones ruled - sludge green, brown, cream, beige and black - with the odd interjection of colour. Coats were cosy with lots of fur - fur panels, fur lining, fur collars, cuffs and hoods. Old-school satchels, ruck-sacks and bum-bags accompanied most looks, with some getting a fluffy make-over. Thick thigh-high socks appeared again and again, teamed with everything from super-short shorts to ra-ra skirts, worn under oversized coats and over slim-fit trousers. Knits were chunky and textured or long and cosy with extra-long arms, while muted prints adorned mini-skirts, jumpsuits and long polo dresses.

The look is a distinct blend of modern military and utility with shirt dresses, multi-pocket detailing on jackets and coats and khaki green galore. It’s a wearable and feminine take on both - jackets are super-fitted or nipped in at the waist and dresses are flowing and fitted or short and girlie.

Ever popular with celebrities, a fair few turned up to check out Topshop Unique’s AW offering. Amongst the famous faces on the front row were Alexa Chung, Peaches Geldof, Olivia Palermo, Giles Deacon, Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, oh and MSL!

A refreshingly colourful AW collection from Singapore-born designer Ashley Isham. Deep purples were followed by brighter-than-bright blue, orange and lavender. A penchant for metallics also shone through, quite literally, with a selection of silver skirt suits, gold structured jackets and beautiful bronze dresses. There were also soft nudes and greys for those not wanting to toy with such a vivid palette.

Origami folds added structure to jackets and detail to skirts, while a black and see-though mac displayed Isham’s distinctive blend of classic and contemporary styling. A modern, colourful tweed created texture, as did all-over directional ruffles.

The designer’s signature draping and high octane glamour ruled the second half of the show with a procession of gorgeous grecian goddess gowns, creating somewhat of a flash-bulb frenzy. Classic shapes were catapulted into the 21st century with metallic finishes and futuristic fringing. Jewell encrusted belts, shoulders, busts and pocket hems accompanied almost all of the dresses; prints also made an appearance adding interest to simple, flowing maxi-dresses.

A legend in British fashion that will be sorely missed. The tribute wall at Somerset House dedicated to the late Lee Alexander McQueen quickly fills up with messages.

Highlights from the On/Off Presents show. The four designers showing this season were Derek Lawlor, Samantha Cole, Txell Miras and Mister+Mister. Enjoy!