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Mulberry A/W 15-16, London Fashion Week

February 27, 2015 by cheriecity

One of my favourite parts of London Fashion Week is seeing what Mulberry has in store for next season.

I headed over to the gorgeous Mulberry HQ in Kensington to see the Autumn/Winter 2015-16 presentation and was impressed as ever.

The British heritage brand’s love affair with old English houses continues, as the collection is inspired by the elegance of Georgian interiors. London’s Sir John Soane’s Museum is also a reference point for the womenswear checked patterns, woven jacquard and the attractive filigree motif that adorns many of the pieces.

Texture is key for A/W 15-16 and it doesn’t get more luxurious than Mulberry’s cosy outerwear. There’s a highly covetable cape and a number of coats and jackets in sumptuous shearling, mohair, alpaca, bouclé tweed and even haircalf. One of the alpaca pieces was actually thrashed with thistles 20 times to get the desired effect.

Dresses are demure and romantic, cut on the bias to give them a fluid silhouette. I love the long sleeves and low-cut backs to subtly show a bit of flesh. You can imagine Keira Knightley wearing the black silk dress with filigree pattern for elegantly lounging around the country pile.

One of the most striking looks is a casual-luxe pyjama set, styled with a delicate silk twill scarf with electric blue or hot pink fringing. A favourite of mine is the Dixter coat and matching dress with the filigree pattern lasered onto rose petal pink wool.

While some of the collection has quite a grown-up, feminine feel, there’s a sporty butter-soft light grey leather cagool with matching skirt that I can see Mulberry girl Cara Delevingne wearing.

And what about the bags? Next season’s ‘it bag’ is the Jamie, a zippy little bucket bag that’s perfect for nights out and swinging from your arm.

Then there’s the Roxette, a streamlined new adaptation of the classic Roxanne bag (gone are the rivets, buckles and belts). The fabrics have had an upgrade too with sugar pink shearling, grey croc effect leather and luxurious haircalf.

I’m a big fan of Mulberry shoes and was wowed by the chunky stacked heels with adorable leather tassels and a cool ombre effect. I wouldn’t say no to the perfect zip-up black ankle boots either!

Mulberry A/W 15-16 is a beautiful, sophisticated collection that stays true to the brands roots while having a bit of fun with the accessories. I’m looking forward to seeing what direction new creative director Johnny Coca (formerly of Céline) will take when he designs his first collection for the brand in July this year.

To see the full collection, visit: www.mulberry.com

Photos by Chérie City

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London, London Fashion Week, Restaurants, Shopping

Chloé Debuts at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

January 29, 2015 by cheriecity

It’s rare that I write about hotel packages, but Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London’s partnership with French fashion maison Chloé is just too fabulous not to share.

I can’t resist a luxury fashion and hotel collaboration when it’s done well and the Chloé Debuts package is a cut above the rest. In celebration of London Fashion Week, hotel guests can own the Drew handbag ahead of the shows and enjoy a limited edition Chloé afternoon tea at The Rosebery with Chloé champagne cocktails.

The package also includes one night’s accommodation for two in an elegant Knightsbridge Turret Suite, à la carte breakfast for two, personalised service at Chloé on Sloane Street to receive the Chloé Drew bag, plus a bottle of Chloé Love Story perfume.

As someone who owns almost every Chloé fragrance, I’m interested to see if the special champagne cocktails will be inspired by notes in the fragances (a current cocktail trend in London) or the colours and shapes of the new collections. Either way, they’re sure to be refined and feminine, befitting their exquisite surroundings in The Rosebery.

In addition to the hotel package, there will be a mannequin showcasing the fashion collection in the Lobby, plus two vetrines displaying the Drew bag in a number of colours and patterns.

Drew is a delicate, modern saddlebag with round, sculpted lines, sumptuous leather, a knotted fob chain and horseshoe pivots – available in three sizes. Who could resist?

Do you love hotel and fashion brand partnerships? Which is your favourite fashion-inspired afternoon tea at a luxury hotel?

The Chloé Debuts accommodation package starts from £1,568 and is valid from 12th February to 9th March. For more information and booking, visit: www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Fashion, London, London Fashion Week, Shopping, Stores

The Jimmy Choo Townhouse in Mayfair

September 24, 2014 by cheriecity

During London Fashion Week, I was treated to a sneak peek of the very first Jimmy Choo Townhouse on Mayfair’s New Bond Street ahead of its launch.

Designed by David Collins Studio, the glamorous three-floor boutique houses the whole world of Jimmy Choo. Inspired by an haute couture atelier, the townhouse comprises a plush VIP room, Champagne Bar, Made to Order service, personal shopping and a room dedicated to the new CHOO.08° collection.

It’s a sleek wonderland of covetable heels, beautifully-crafted handbags and colourful small leather goods. There’s also a fab fragrance and sunglasses station on the ground floor, if you’re after a small pay-day treat.

The chic interiors combine soft hues with shimmering textures in a luxurious palette of satin gold, rosa egeo pink marble and mink velvets.

The elegant marble staircase, glass chandeliers and oyster stone and mother of pearl chevron floor complete the look. It’s impossible to leave without wanting to move in.

At the event, we were spoiled with glossy manicures courtesy of NARS and dainty bites from the new Jimmy Choo Prêt-à-Portea, exclusively served in the Caramel Room at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. How adorable is the red Jimmy Choo victoria sponge bag!

In celebration of the new townhouse and the brand’s London roots, Jimmy Choo has created a limited edition of its signature Candy bag, printed with a quintessentially British red postbox.

Creative Director Sandra Choi said: “If anything represents the strength of English heritage the red telephone box does. It has become a much loved landmark and it reminds me of our London home whenever I see it”.

Here are some of the gorgeous Autumn/Winter delights to discover at the Jimmy Choo Townhouse (I have my eye on a gold envelope clutch)…

For more information, visit: www.jimmychoo.com

Photos by Chérie City & Jimmy Choo

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, London Fashion Week

Mulberry SS14, London Fashion Week

September 16, 2013 by cheriecity

The Mulberry show at in the Claridges ballroom is always the highlight of London Fashion Week – not only for the first look at next season’s arm candy, but for its whimsical concepts, pampered pooches and pre-show treats.

Mulberry got the excitement started with the most luxurious invitation – an illustrated grey box filled with a gilded show invite and an adorable miniature tea cup and saucer, in collaboration with Wedgwood.

While the delicate tea cup is more suited to doll’s house tea parties, Mulberry offered a very English not-quite-afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches, strawberry tarts and mini Victoria sponge cakes, served on beautiful Wedgwood crockery.

Anna Wintour graced the front row, alongside top fashion editors and celebs including Alexa Chung, Lea Seydoux, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Tallulah Harlech, Juno Temple and the ever charming Douglas Booth.

For Spring/Summer 2014, Mulberry looks to ‘le style Anglais’, referencing both Sixties London and the raffish elegance of the quintessential English country house. It’s familiar territory for the luxury heritage brand, however, the new collection has a fresh look that seems to focus more on cut and doesn’t shout that it’s Mulberry. Previous collections have given us gold hardware buckles and quirky peace sign buttons, which I personally love, but this does signal a more grown-up direction.

Currently fronting Mulberry’s Autumn/Winter 2013 campaign, Cara Delevingne opened and closed the show, looking fresh, glowing and demure. The SS14 looks is all about loose-luxe with comfy trapeze cut shirts and skirts, structured shift dresses, elegant pyjama-style silk trousers and button-up shirts and cropped wide leg trousers.

Like many SS14 designer collections at London Fashion Week, Mulberry’s colour palette is made up of soft neutrals such as cream, white, ballet pink and summer blue. Of course, there has to be a bit of typically British practicality so the optimistic summer colours are contrasted with a moody grey, midnight and fiery red.

As ever, Mulberry plays with texture, mixing silks and jacquard with sequins, smooth calf leather, calf hair and fine knits. The collection features a colourful abstract floral print, a light and summery monochrome floral print and cool bold stripes.

The bold stripe theme runs through to the accessories with the Bayswater and Willow Tote in mixed textures of calf leather and haircalf, or calf leather and nubuck.

The new Kensal collection features slim, folded clutches and shoulder bags with a traditional briefcase lock, available in all of the season’s colours and a pretty floral print. I’m particularly lusting over the stunning Lizzie platform sandals – mix of soft leather straps and floral jacquard heels.

Of course, the Mulberry show wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from a posh pet. This chic canine is Turbo the Mulberry mascot, who trotted out twice wearing floral print dog coats. He was snapped on Twitter smooching Cara backstage – clearly there were two stars of the show!

It was also an emotional farewell for Creative Director Emma Hill, who turned Mulberry into the covetable, global brand that it is today. The next chapter of the Mulberry story is set to be an interesting one.

Hear what the guests have to say about the show…

Are you loving the Mulberry SS14 collection? Which look is your favourite?

Photos by Mulberry (invitation by Chérie City)

For more information, visit: www.mulberry.com

Bars, Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London, London Fashion Week

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 Designer Cocktails

September 19, 2012 by cheriecity

Celebrating the short list of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012, each of the five designers have created their own limited edition cocktail.

The designers collaborated with the bar directors and managers to create a cocktail that reflects the spirit and style of their brand. I was invited to 45 Park Lane for a cocktail tasting evening with delicious canapes from Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, served in the cosy, relaxing guest lounge.

My favourite cocktail was Black Southside, created by flamboyant fur designer Quentin Veron and the bar team at Le Richemond in Geneva. It’s a dark and mysterious blend of Plymouth gin, fresh lime, freshly-made blackberry juice, cherry syrup, mint and Agnostura Bitters, served in a large martini glass with a sugar and cracked black pepper rim. The elegant, intoxicating cocktail is designed to take you back to the prohibition era speakeasy clubs in America – the inspiration behind Veron’s collection.

Another deliciously dark cocktail is Nuit Noire by Les Garcons, a collaboration with William Oliveri at Le Meurice, Paris. The cocktail includes Eristoff Black vodka, blackberry liqueur blackberry coulis and lime juice, served in a long glass with a sprig of mint and a frozen sugar-coated blackberry. It’s so thick, rich and fruity that it tastes like a decadent alcoholic smoothie.

A lighter, refreshing cocktail is design duo Augustin Teboul’s Black Velvet, concocted by Stefano Cossio at 45 Park Lane. This tequila-based cocktail includes blackberries, thyme honey, crème de cassis and lime juice, served in a glass tumbler with an oversized block of ice.

The cocktail to get the party started is Calla’s wonderfully-named Milanese Calla-pirinha, created by Daniele Confalonieri of Hotel Principe di Savoia. The zesty, uplifting cocktail is a potent blend of Cachaça Velha, lime juice, orange, sugar cane and saffron, served with a cinnamon stick in a short glass.

The IRM Cocktail is IRM Design’s molecular trio of tastes, created by Thierry Hernandez at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris. The glasses include three shots of rum, sake and vodka and are presented on a clinical silver tray with three pipettes containing iris (I), rose (R) and mint (M) essences. During my visit, the hand-made essences were en route from Paris, so we didn’t have the chance to try the IRM Cocktail, however, it appears to be a real treat for the senses.

The limited editition cocktails are available throughout the fashion season in Europe, until 3 October. The winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 will be announced at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, on 16 October.

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: Corrie Nielsen

September 15, 2012 by cheriecity

Corrie Nielsen wowed London Fashion Week with her Autumn/Winter 2012-13 collection, garnering comparisons to Vivienne Westwood and the late Alexander McQueen. The dramatic, elegant collection, inspired by her Scottish roots, was a pivotal one that established her as serious player at London Fashion Week.

For Spring/Summer 2013, Corrie’s vision is lighter and more ethereal, yet her theatrical and often historical approach remains. The collection is the result of a unique partnership with Royal Botanical Kew Gardens, where Corrie was given unbridled access to the gardens, including the seed libraries, catalogue archives and most impressively, the original documentation from the journeys and discoveries of Charles Darwin.

Corrie said about Kew: “It is one of my most treasured spaces in London and the vast expanses of plant life and flowers will culminate for my strongest season to date.”

Highlights of the Spring/Summer 2013 collection include a beautifully tailored silk skirt suit with cloud-like peplum, an ice white dress with voluminous sleeves, a dip-dye organza blouse and shirt in blush and bluebell, a billowing white and inky grey ombre blouse with slim white trousers, an elegant white princess coat and a sheer organza dress covered in silk palms, with a structured peplum referencing the Kew Gardens Palm House.

The evening gowns are really spectacular – a dusky pink silk with a bubble hem and a white and silver-grey sculptural dress with a flower-shaped skirt and thick panelled bodice.

A particularly striking dress was the black rectangular column dress, standing out among the romantic, floral-inspired pieces.

The collection strikes a balance between wearable and red carpet – I can see Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, Thandie Newton and even the Duchess of Cambridge wearing Corrie Nielsen. Without a doubt, the orders will be flying in for this beautiful, demi-couture collection.

All images by Christopher Dadey

Accessories, Afternoon tea, Designers, Fashion, Hotels, London, London Fashion Week, News, Paris, Shopping

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 Designer Shortlist

August 21, 2012 by cheriecity

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 shortlisted designers have been handpicked by the esteemed judging panel and will now compete for the prestigious prize. The diverse selection of promising designers span womenswear, menswear, fur, demi-couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and lingerie.

The shortlisted designers will showcase their collections on 16 October in a catwalk show at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in front of the judges and audience of fashion influences and press. The final winner will be awarded a prize of €30,000 plus a stay during spring Fashion Week 2013 at a Dorchester Collection property in either Paris or Milan.

With the high quality of shortlisted designers and increasing commercial success of previous winners Anndra Neen (2011) and Thomas Tait (2010), The Dorchester Fashion Prize 2012 is sure to bring forward fashion’s next big name.

Read more about the shortlisted designers…

Calla is the Toronto-born Calla Haynes, who has been living in Paris for the last 8 years. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York and Paris, Calla worked with Olivier Theyskens at Rochas and Nina Ricci, where she developed her talent for prints. Calla’s vision of ‘relaxed luxury’ is reflected in her Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection of soft tailoring, statement coats, playful dresses and printed trouser suits. Fans of Erdem, Cacharel, Kenzo and Sandro will adore Calla.

Quentin Veron is the enfant terrible of fur, creating statement pieces that are modern, imaginative and edgy. Quentin moved from his native Clermont-Ferrand to Paris in 2005 and spent a short time in the studio of Thierry Mugler before gaining his diploma from the prestigious Studio Bercot. Then it was off to LA to assist Jeremy Scott and work as a stylist for various fashion magazines, incorporating Quentin’s love of fur. His eponymous brand was formed in 2008 and is dedicated to fur.

Quentin’s Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection, The Middle Ages, looks to the medieval silhouette and armour with contrasting materials such as long goat hair, chain mail, fox fur, leather and iron.

Augustin Teboul is design duo Annelie Augustin and Odély Taboul, who met while studying at ESMOD Paris, graduating in 2006. Annelie then worked for Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas and Odély for Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2009, they founded Augustin Teboul – a shared vision of dark, post-romantic elegance, positioned between ready-to-wear and haute couture. The Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection features elegantly draped suits, sculptural knitwear, veiled head pieces, leather trousers and intricately embellished silk dresses.

Les Garcons Paris captured the attention of the fashion panel with their crisp, minimal re-interpretation of classics. Behind Les Garcons Paris is design duo Louis Gerin and Gregory Lamaud, who met at ESMOD Lyon. Ignoring menswear trends, Louis and Gregory have carved their own niche with beautifully-made ready-to-wear and basics in the finest fabrics and luxury underwear using fine jersey and Calais lace.

IRM Design is the womenswear label by design duo Marion Lalanne and Pierre Alexis Hermet, who met at ESMOD Lyon. Their bold, striking womenswear designs are typically vivid and architectural, with seductive sheer panels and painterly prints inspired by the works of Pollock, Klein, Rothko and Mondrian. In particular, their innovative clutch bags offer new ways of enveloping the hand and are made from unusual materials.

Meanwhile, back in London…

During London Fashion Week, Teatum Jones will showcase their Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection in a catwalk show at The Dorchester’s elegant Promenade, accompanied by a fashion afternoon tea and special Odyssey cocktail created by bar manager Giuliano Morandin. Included in the booking is a goody bag and a Liberty credit for £30 when you spend £150 or more.

Also launching at Liberty on the same day is a limited edition printed silk scarf by Teatum Jones named ‘The Dorchester’, inspired by the luxury hotel (priced at £245).

Afternoon tea sittings for the Teatum Jones Fashion Tea at The Promenade on The Dorchester on Tuesday 18 September take place at 2.15pm and at 4.45pm, and are priced at £52 per adult including an Odyssey cocktail. Prices are inclusive of VAT and exclusive of service charge at 12.5%. For reservations or further information, please telephone The Dorchester on +44 (0)20 7629 8888 or email restaurants.TDL@dorchestercollection.com.

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week: Orla Kiely AW12

February 19, 2012 by cheriecity

The Orla Kiely Afternoon Tea Dance was a delightfully civilised antidote to the frantic pace of London Fashion Week on day one. What better way to show off the charming new collection than watching coquettish ‘debutates’ sashaying around the dance floor with their beaus to the sounds of a live band.

The collection features an ox blood leather pinafore dress worn over a chiffon blouse with frilled collar, a navy wool and gold high-waisted full skirt worn with a gold sequin blouse with silk patterned back and sweet day dresses with abstract retro and cat prints. Not to forget, those high-waisted scarlet shorts paired with a demure silk printed blouse, worn by the best dancer in the room – an elegant, willowy model with legs up to the heavens!

One of the stand out pieces was a full-skirted nude and black panelled prom dress with an over-size black bow at the waist. Other favourites were a maroon skater-style dress with a black trim and exposed zip and a delicate cream silk dress with a beige butterfly print and gold sequin peter pan collar.

I loved the fresh, innocent styling – side-parted tied-back hair with dewy skin and a strong lip and girly dance shoes with lurex bobby socks. It was like the girls had stepped out of a shoot in Lula and appropriately editor and founder Leith Clark (who has styled previous Orla Kiely presentations) was present at the tea dance.

Of course, the new collection of Orla Kiely accessories was on show and featured some ladylike clutches in neutral shades and a stunning red patent leather chain handle bag with Orla Kiely’s trademark pattern embroidered on the back.

As the models performed the foxtrot, tango and the Viennese Waltz under the giant disco ball in Orla Kiely’s pop-up 1940s dance hall, we were served champagne in vintage-style glasses and rounds of mini Victoria sandwich cakes and bakewell tarts.

It’s a fair assumption that everyone left the tea dance on a fashion high and wanted to be an Orla Kiely girl!

Thank you Orla Kiely for such a memorable presentation and for sustaining us with lovely cakes and champagne on the first day of London Fashion Week.

For more info, visit: www.orlakiely.com

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, London Fashion Week

Chérie Loves: J.W Anderson For ALDO Rise

February 11, 2012 by cheriecity

ALDO is quickly becoming the ‘go to’ brand for shoes straight from the catwalk yet with an affordable price tag. ALDO Rise launches with its first collection featuring London Fashion Week designers J.W Anderson, Mark Fast, Libertine and Preen.

The ALDO Rise fashion programme invests in emerging designers, assisting them with producing their shows and creating the perfect shoes for their collections.

Irish designer J.W. Anderson’s collection is a particular favourite, as there’s something a little bit ‘Manolo meets Cote d’Azur’ about these slim, elegant and slightly eccentric heels.

The contrasting textures of leather, cotton and eyelet detailing are inspired by J.W. Anderson’s Spring Summer 2012 collection. Many of the shoes reflect the designs of the garments very closely, so they’re a great, affordable way to get a piece of the collection.

The colourful, tribal cocktail hour sandals are real future classics and the fringed heel of synthetic swan feathers make them even more covetable. They are set to be a party staple for the summer, although we might spot them even earlier on some freezing fashionista feet at London Fashion Week next week!

J.W. Anderson for ALDO Rise is available now at Young British Designers and Selfridges, and at ALDO from 8 March.

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

LFW SS12: Holly Fulton

September 27, 2011 by cheriecity

Holly Fulton once again brought poolside glamour to London Fashion Week with her striking art deco prints, high octane swimwear and sundowner cocktail dresses.

However, the Holly Fulton girl has blown all her cash on living the high life and while dressed for Las Vegas, her staycation will be on a beach closer to home – Margate!

Holly Fulton is a very clever designer – she develops her unique art deco print each season and brings back certain motifs from past seasons (coral is a continual favourite), so that her brand identity is etched onto your brain.

The 90s are a strong focus for the new collection with checkerboard tote bags, zebra-print bomber jackets, studded mini-skirts, high-cut swimwear, boxy tailoring, big earrings and acid orange clutches.

But wasn’t all 90s rave-wear for ‘the kids’, as there were some stunning, breezy strapless cocktail dresses in soft yellow and pastel blue with reflective mosaic patterns and elegant feather trims worn with statement necklaces.

Sleek palazzo pants are a big part of the collection and each pair features a print with a variation of Holly’s seaside themes – coral, checker flags, shells, jellyfish, seahorses.

The palazzo pants were shown with loose silk t-shirts, sheer blouses, slinky bandeau tops and cropped embellished silk vests.

One of the most interesting new looks was a silk shift dress featuring a Pucci-esque illustrated underwater scene with psychedelic jellyfish and other whimsical marine life.

The Pucci reference continued with patterned silk scarf bandanas to compliment the affluent poolside look.

It seems to me that Holly Fulton’s strength is Spring/Summer, as she can be more daring with the silhouettes and her signature colour palette of canary yellow and swimming pool blue lend well to a lighter season wardrobe.

My only criticism would be that the bikini tops aren’t particularly well-cut, as they don’t appear to contour the body, resulting in either bagginess or under-spillage on the models (god help the civilians)!

Overall, it was another glamorous, covetable and exciting Spring/Summer collection from Holly Fulton. Now with her own dedicated spot on the LFW schedule (previously partnering with David Koma), Holly Fulton can develop further and lead the way for young London designers.

For more info, visit: www.hollyfulton.com

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

LFW SS12: Michael Van der Ham

September 22, 2011 by cheriecity

Michael Van der Ham is one of London’s most promising new designers and the anticipation of each collection has brought an international crowd. The BFC are a constant presence at his shows (a good sign of support) and the front row was scattered with the likes of Sarah of Colette, Hamish Bowles, Anna Dello Russo and Lulu Kennedy.

A long way from the crushed velvet and jewel colours of Autumn/Winter 11-12, the new collection is a breezy mix of sheer silk-chiffon and heavier tweed and shimmering brocade in a fresh palette of azure, coral, turquoise, magenta, lavender, navy and lashings of white.

A key influence for Van der Ham was the photographer Joseph Szabo, not in relation to the style or fabric, but the kind of girl he was designing for. A teacher, photographer and author, Szabo is known for capturing the beauty and emerging sexuality of teenage girls (back in the 70s, of course).

Michael Van der Ham’s signature patchwork and collaging of vintage and luxurious fabrics with varying weights and textures is developed further. Many of the dresses feature layering and draping of contrasting fabric, like a sash, and silk skirts have the home-made look of a long silk scarf wrapped around the body and sewn up as a dress (a nod to grunge and Szabos young girls).

The A-line shift dresses and body-skimming draped skirts will be a godsend for Michael Van der Ham devotees who found Autumn/Winter’s crushed velvet pieces unforgiving.

The focus on separates continues with vibrant printed silk shirts in slim-cut trousers in cotton sateen and tailored tweed jackets. It’s a pristine, intelligent look with clean lines – feminine yet with a boyish cut.

The new prints including abstract brush strokes, confetti and feather prints are used lightly and seem to snake around the body in a very subtle way. The sheer t-shirts worn over long printed dresses

The dresses usually steal the show, but the shoes and accessories are so insanely gorgeous, they deserve a mention. I adored the two-tone felt and glittery tweed bags with a Chanel-esque woven fabric and metal chain strap.

I immediately zoomed in on the exquisite printed fabric t-bar heels and with good reason too – they were the work of Christian Louboutin! The shoes come in six variations of Michael’s collage prints and are sure to be major sellers.

Matthew Stone created a very cool 90s-inspired show soundtrack and Luke Hersheson gave the models girly grunge-luxe hair that was lightly tousled and centre-parted. The sparkling blue and lavender eye make-up and creamy, lucid skin by M.A.C gave the models a youthful radiance that was central to the look.

Michael Van der Ham’s SS12 collection could be his most commercially successful yet, as the collection is so diverse and democratic. Whether it’s fine tailoring, a multi-fabricated statement dress or a daytime print dress, Michael Van der Ham is the one to invest in for the next season.

For more info, visit: www.michaelvanderham.com

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

LFW SS12: Mulberry at Claridges Ballroom

September 20, 2011 by cheriecity

Mulberry is always the most anticipated show of the season, not just because of the celeb quota and Mulberry-clad pooches on the front row, but because it’s a super fun experience from start to end.

This season, Mulberry took us on a mini trip to the seaside and like any good day out, there was pink lemonade and Mulberry ripple ice-cream, served from a Mulberry ice cream van by a troupe of dashing ice cream men.

The red carpet was flanked by over-sized ice cream cones and inside Claridges Ballroom was a menagerie of Mulberry-branded animal balloons that guests could take away at the end of the show.

While many designers at London Fashion Week take reference for Spring/Summer 2012 from exotic climes such as Marrakesh or the poolside parties in Miami, Mykonos and Ibiza, Mulberry’s new collection is inspired by the English seaside – even on the soggiest of days.

Creative director Emma Hill looked back to her memories of trips to the seaside and her reference points were walking along Brighton and Blackpool pier, sticks of rock, donkey rides, ‘kiss me quick’, amusement arcades, carousel animals, candyfloss and ice cream vans.

The first section of the collection was all about sports-luxe with slouchy drawstring dresses, 70s style baseball tops, loose leather shorts, casual raincoats and the most adorable trapeze-line kagool – all in a colour palette of Lemon Sherbet, Wheat Field, Plaster Pink and Nettle Green.

Sam McKnight gave the models’ hair a seductive, volumised, ‘un done’ look (very 60s mod) and the flashes of pastel pink and sea green through the ends suggest a run-in with some candy floss. Make-up by Mathias Van Hooff was fresh and girly and referencing the outdoor weather with rosy cheeks.

The sporty theme continues with pieces in pea or mint green with highlights of powder pink. The cotton drill material gave the clothes a kind of granny-chic look, but the ribbed leggings, cute animal tees and vertiginous doll heels added a more quirky edge.

A key look was the lollipop dress worn over a baseball shirt that reminded me of a retro ice lolly.

One of my favourite looks was the plastic animals print dress with stunning lace overlay. The lace theme continues on a skirt suit and a full-length dress with cropped sleeves (definitely one for Florence Welch) and the animal print is also featured on a blouse.

Unsurprisingly, white and pastels were all over the runway for SS12, but fear not, Mulberry have pulled through with some darkness. The hooded trench coat in Nightshade Blue (worn with a tulle maxi skirt) is a perfect trans-seasonal piece and there is even a dog coat to match.

Another favourite from the Nightshade Blue collection was a slouchy long-sleeved jersey dress with dark blue star sequins.

There was also some seriously covetable evening-wear pieces with all over gems, for the Mulberry girl that’s going to a posh party after her day out on the pier.

Edward Enninful’s undone-luxury styling is an excellent match for Mulberry’s English Eccentric heritage. Mulberry girls are never perfect and polished, they might have a scraped knee or candyfloss in their hair, but that’s part of the charm.

I noticed more subtle metal hardware on the clothes this season. Perhaps this marks a new simplicity, as last season the embellishments were a strong feature of the garments. An antidote to Autumn/Winter 11’s flats and practical shoe boots, the new shoes are stacked and sky-high, to be worn with short socks.

Classic Mulberry bags get an update with cookie-edge detailing on the Bayswater and Lily and adorable teddy rivets on the Alexa and Lily. Also new is the Travel Collection featuring a travel day bag and a travel camera bag in leather, lizard or mixed materials.

The front row at Mulberry was stellar as ever with those in attendance including Kate Moss, Kristen Stewart, Olivia Palermo, Mary Charteris and the incredibly stunning Irina Lazareanu. But the real stars of the show were the ever-increasing number of little Mulberry-clad dogs. Mulberry Crufts next year, anyone?

For more info, visit: www.mulberry.com

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