More favourites from the shows

(Both from London & New York)

RODARTE:

Some beautiful pieces... I like the make up seen at the show.

PREEN:

Always sexy.

ZAC POSEN:

GILES DEACON:

more bird and feather references!!

MONIQUE LHUILLIER:

beautiful dresses

PETER SOM:

LFW S/S 08

LONDON FASHION WEEK

One of my favourite times of the year! Because let's face some of the most exciting talents show in London. I haven't had time to look through every show... so the ones that I picked out and had to see first include:

ANN-SOFIE BACK

Beautiful simplicity

CHRISTOPHER KANE

A focus on snakeskin and a complete reversal from the leathers used in previous collections. Soft silks with abudance of layers and frills.

GARETH PUGH

I love how Pugh focuses on one particular theme/trend and takes it to a completely extravaggant, ridiculously unwearable but fascinating and wonderful level, everytime.

BEN DE LISI

When does he not create jaw droppingly beautiful dresses?

HELMUT LANG

I want these trousers.

JENS LAUGESEN

Doshaburi

Doshaburi raped me of my money.

OK rather excessive statement.

But I loved the place! I bought a white Marjan Pejoski shirt. It's fabulous! The collar goes to one side and a big bow forms at the bust. The sleeves are long with a fold over cuff. Here's the image taken from Pejoski's lookbook. You can see the shirt under the blazer.



Secondly I purchased a boessert/schorn dress, as seen in this image:



And finally I bought another boessert/schorn bodywarmer/waistcoat/thing.....:

It's not the best image of it, I'd like to think I look better in it!!

All-in-all I had no other money for Barcelona souvenirs as I spent it all at Doshaburi! Well done Doshaburi...! Just a note to say the Doshaburi owner was a lovely guy too. And I'm sure he appreciated receiving all my euros!! I couldn't afford food for the last few days of my holiday.

Stab-proof hoodies?

Bladerunner hoodies have been credited for saving a boy's life due to it's inner layer of Kevlar, a 'knife resistant' fibre used in protective body armour. I wonder how 'stab proof' it is... is it stab proof or just slash proof?

Work of the Devil

CROCs are god DAMN ugly things. I don't care how comfortable you say they are - how can you possibly justify adorning your feet in such monstronsities??

And I am hardly the biggest fan of the UGG boot that refuses to stay away from our shop floors. They, also, may be comfortable - but shouldn't they stay in the home or in extreme weather conditions ie. ski resorts??

So you can imagine my utter state of horror when I discovered the GUMBIE boots. A mix of croc and ugg. ew.

hint*

This is what I've been working on:

@ myspace

Job interview tomorrow and flat viewings in Notts tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Naughty Topshop

According to last week's Sunday Times newspaper, it claimed Topshop were sourcing goods from manufacturers that did not comply to ethical code of conducts and described working conditions as 'slave labour'.

The manuufacturer in question is based in Mauritius.

Philip Green has fought back and assured all standards are up to the ethical code of conduct......

How much do you care about where your purchases are sourced and how they are made and what conditions they were manufactured? Are you all about fairtrade or, couldn't care less?

A large proportion of shoppers seek the best buy and cheapest bargains, but then - surely, u obviously don't consider why your clothes were so cheap in the first place?

It annoys me a little when some people jump to conclusions of 'sweatshop labour' and poor working conditions etc. One has to bear in mind the difference in climate, difference in culture, difference in economy in the country. A mauritian working in a factory producing garments for topshop aren't going to be paid the same as a british worker would be. That's just due to the economic state of the country and the value of money in their country. So of course their pay may sound astoundingly terrible compared with the british pay. But one has to bear in mind the context in which they work.

I know I probably don't know all the facts and the in's and out's and there are probably some factories allowing workers to operate in poor conditions ... but I feel it is necessary for people to look at their own spending before making such allegations.

If you want cheap, affordable clothing - clothes will always be sourced where labour is cheaper ie. china, turkey, mauritius etc etc. If you want more than fairtrade and well paid labourers..... (let's consider you're not only paying for the designer but pattern cutter, buyer, shipping, production of garment and the sales advisors) ...... then save up your pennies for couture darling!

Patricia Field for ASOS

I was very excited to hear about the stylist collaborating with Asos.com to launch her own collection but having seen the collection online.... I was very disappointed.

For example this 'blouson logo hoody top' by Patricia Field @ asos.com is priced at £40 but very much looks like something available at New Look.

This 'target detail puffball' top is less than desirable... it claims to be 100% silk justifying the £50 price but ..... even though the puffball top has its 'eccentric' target on the side, I feel the collection lacks that serious eccentricity and individuality I'd expect from Patricia Field, costume designer on the SATC set.

Something from Lipsy, Select or New Look perhaps? Nope, Patricia Field for ASOS.

There is absolutely no doubt that I, like many other SATC fans adored many of the 'costumes' worn by the cast - but this collection for asos.com leaves much to be desired. The SATC costumes were usually either classic or fashion-forward, never really current. And that's what I liked about it. Patricia Field for ASOS appears to be stuck in S/S '07... and I'm oh so tired of the look.

Pre-Barcelona

I shall be visiting the wonderful Barcelona for the first time ever on the 8th September!

I have found one boutique I must visit so far:

http://www.doshaburi.com/

I need to find some more must-see boutiques that are unique to Barcelona, please let me know of any fashion/clothing/shoe/vintage boutiques I must pop into ! I have to plan this in advance so I can book a 2-3 hour slot of boutique / one-offs hunting so as not to bore my boyfriend. :)

Comment away xx

cont... Q: Yay or nay? A: Yay.

Yay:

Both styles can be found at http://www.kurtgeiger.com/

Mango's Autumn/Winter '07 catwalk/lookbook is adorned with outfits combined with the white dr.marten/bowler boot with contrasting black trim and lace. Looks good in the lookbook but in reality the boot looks and feels as if it would be uncomfortable.