LFW AW10: niOka at A la Mode

Yesterday I mentioned that there were two designers at the A la Mode show who warranted special mention. The first was Hanako Narahira and the second is NiOka.

I realise this isn't a particularly "fashion forward" thing to say, but of all the shows I have seen this week, the NiOka one is the one I can imagine taking pieces from and slotting them straight into my wardrobe. The coats in particular were incredibly well constructed with incredibly attention to detail such as zig zag lapels or button detailing and trim.

I think it's easy to forget that they are called the "ready to wear" collections because people are actually expected to wear them, and there wasn't a single piece from this collection I wouldn't slip on this morning.

Not a single piece uses any black (just charcoal grey) and this is because the designer thought it would be too obvious given the theme of the collection: the physical and mental scars we all carry. Not very chirpy is it? But on this occassion I don't actually think the theme translated well: i'm not sensing scarring, disapointment or misery in any of these pieces!!

Looking at this collection made me wonder: What would you rather see? The spectacle or the clothes you can wear?

Love Tor xx

*A la mode is an off schedule show organised by La Geneve North - you might remember this, because I invited you all to attend a couple of months ago!

Style Compare has over 2,500 coats by more than 150 labels.

LFW AW10: Bryce Aime show review

I really enjoyed the Bryce Aime show. To the lilting sway of Eygptian beats, the models strutted down the catwalk. There was a very Eygptian theme to the show and it pleases me to say that black seems to be the new black. Like Ashley Isham, Bryce Aime also made use of lame'-type fabric. I am definitely sensing a revivial of this for next Autumn/Winter!

The hair was very simple with models wearing thick purple or black hairbands and the colour pallet was very muted; black, purple (again!) and burgundy red. The emphasis seemed to be on the shape and structure of the dresses rather than the length, colour, or pattern and the dresses were very geometric and angular.

The dress that drew gasps from the crowd was this "boxy" number: taking geometry to the limit, i'm afraid my picture of it is awful but it doesn't make it any less impressive:

One for Lady Gaga, methinks?? I love it when something unexpected comes out, and it really lifts the atmosphere in the room too: everyone starts snapping away, probably to share with their friends and collegues.

The majority of the dresses were actually very wearable (I suppose that's the point!) and the great thing about this collection was that I could see it being accessible to so many people; from young fashion crazy kids to more demure women. There was a lot of small ball-stud detailing, especially on the collars. However this seemed more luxe than grunge or rock-chic, as the balls were tiny sophistiated drops in shiny gold.

Somebody in the crowd afterwards compared this show to one from Alexander McQueen. I couldn't agree less, but that doesn't detract from the fact that it was a great show: fun, great music, great dresses, and a couple of showstoppers to get us all talking afterwards.

Love, Tor xx

Style Compare has over 6,000 dresses by more than 350 labels.

LFW AW10: On/Off exhibition

As well as being a place to watch catwalk shows, it's important to remember that LFW (and all fashion weeks) are trade events where people go to show their collections, sell them to buyers, and make money. And it is a massive business ( I wish I could find a figure saying exactly how much!) I'm sure you all knew this already and are rolling your eyes, but it seemed worth mentioning because although the national press cover the glamour of the shows and the celebs, they never mention the real reason the event is put on!!

The main exhibition is at Somerset house, and I will be checking that out on Monday. There is also a smaller exhibition of smaller designers at On/Off (which this year is at Bloomsbury Square) and I had a wander around that this morning.

The exhibitions are the perfect places to go if you want to experience serious wardrobe envy. I suppose some lucky people go to plan out their wardrobes for next season (I can't imagine being that rich!) and of course most people are there to buy for their shops, big and small. It's so fun watching the sales people smoozing with the buyers (and leaving me alone. It must be obvious i'm a humble blogger!)!

Here are some of my picks from the On/Off exhibition. Its unlike me to become so interested by the clothes because usually I wander round going crazy over the shoes:

Top to bottom: Richard Emden handbags, RJS by Richard Sorger dresses, Tessa Edwards red dress and crown, the last dress made the kid inside me go giddy and I wrote down the name of the designer but now can't read it! Does anyone have any ideas?

Love, Tor xx

Style Compare has over 6,000 dresses by more than 350 labels.