Calvin Klein Collection for women AW09
The tail end of a hurricane did not stop the International fashion pack and New York’s elite coming to view Francisco Costa’s Fall 09 Calvin Klein Collection’s women’s wear show.
Francisco succeeded in wowing his audience once again. (Said audience also consisted of the gorgeous and very glam actresses Eva Mendes and Kate Beckinsale). His vision for this season consisted of sensual yet experimental clothes with a focus on fabrics and texture.
New fabric treatments and techniques created interesting results such as felted wool that resembled lace and velvet became nearly unrecognisable. Accentuated shoulders, asymmetry, close-fitting tailoring and crescent hems dominated. For evening, a sequence of black stretch silk plisse dresses was utterly divine.
Credit crunch. What credit crunch? I wanna get me one of those dresses!
Fashion, New York and Runway Shows
Nanette Lepore AW09
Nanette Lepore toughened up her signature girly style for Fall 09. The line up of girls rocked the runway in sassy leather trousers, chiffon blouses, plaid jackets and silk mini dresses. Flirty gold sequins and pops of coral and purple accented the look.
The UK’s favourite prime-time TV presenter Lorraine Kelly loved her front row seat at her first ever New York show. Lorraine was so taken with the collection she said she couldn’t wait to get shopping!
Fashion, New York and Runway Shows
Calvin Klein Collection for men AW09
Italo Zucchelli was delighted to present Calvin Klein Collection’s Fall 09 menswear show in the brand’s HQ in New York for the first time.
Kanye West, Jared Leto and Chase Crawford were the well received eye candy for us ladies and dare I say it, some gentlemen too… Italo’s collection featured highlights of futuristic fabrics such as heat-bonded foam and moulded nylon.
Stretch wool and liquid twill acted as a base. The mix of tailoring with sportswear was resoundingly American in feel. A strong, tough and confident look that managed to simultaneously push the boundaries whilst maintaining its commerciality.
Fashion, New York and Runway Shows
Lacoste AW09
For this season Christophe Lemaire showed the collection against a James Turrell inspired backdrop.
The army of models strut the catwalk in muted tones of yellow and blue while the light installation behind them moved through a rainbow of light.
Favourite footwear: knee high sock boots.
Fashion, New York and Runway Shows
Etro AW09 Men’s Runway Show
A cheese and wine banquet greeted editors as they entered the Etro AW09 show, a welcome distraction after a long morning traipsing around a very wet Milan.
Kean Etro did not disappoint, he presented a collection that breathed optimism in what had so far been a week of very somber collections based very much on black.
In Vino Veritas, The Man in Red took to the catwalk in a jaunty show that included immaculate suiting in bright vermillion silks, luxury burgundy furs and multi coloured full length coats.
Tonal harlequin prints on immaculate suiting and 40’s inspired brogues brought a very wearable edge to the collection. Kean also played with the editors sending female models Anna Orso and Nadege down the runway.
Embrace Red, it is the colour of life, ardour, beauty, of power and of good fortune; this is the message from the house of Etro for a prosperous season.
Brand events, Fashion, Milan and Runway Shows
Ferragamo Men’s AW09 Runway Show
On a freezing cold day in Milan and the Salvatore Ferragamo Mens A/W 09 show kicked off with a classic collection of sharp tailoring in winter colours of black, navy, bronze and grey.
The photographers went crazy when a candy grey striped suit came down the catwalk. Chunky knits in cream and white and a cape coat were key features.
Massimiliano Giornetti created a contemporary collection with a modern commercial edge… Perfect for today’s climate…
Brand events, Fashion, Milan and Runway Shows
Sinha Stanic SS09
Sinha Stanic held their London Fashion Week show at the Royal Academy of Arts on Thursday. The design duo took their inspirations from Peter Doig and Teddy Girls and mixed up together created a calamity of colour and print.
The Teddy Girl tailoring saw slim cut trousers, Cotton USA Teddy Girl shirts and slim fit jackets.
The bright bright colours clashing pink and red, prints entitled “drowned palm” and “black sun” depicted barren landscapes.
Margaret Howell SS09
The Margaret Howell store on Wigmore Street was quickly transformed on Thursday into slick catwalk space for the Spring Summer 09 show and was soon filled with some of London’s top fashion press.
The clean classic lines that Margaret is so renowned for had us all making mental shopping lists of what to buy when the collection hits the shops next February!
Antoni & Alison Escape From It All
London Fashion Week wouldn’t be the same for me without the genius of Antoni & Alison - they always manage to capture the mood and create beautiful outfits, all with a sense of fun.
This season was no exception - the show notes told us that “...like Gauguin, Antoni and Alison would love to escape from it all, unlike Gauguin they never actually go. Antoni and Alsion have not yet visited a South Sea Island, and yet their collection is very ‘exotic’ this season.
They have little knowledge of tropical things except what they have seen on TV, and they haven’t ever researched where coconuts (Cocus nucifera) come from. However, Antoni & Alison would like to present a very Exotic’ collection for Spring/Summer 09.”
The show opened with Biddie singing Bali H’ai and then the curtains opened to reveal 11 girls with their backs to the audience, dressed in exotic outfits - each girl turned to reveal their outfit…
Felder Felder SS09
An atmosphere of nervous excitement filled the Royal Academy on Day 2 of LFW for Felder Felder’s SS09 show.
The German twins’ third collection featured feminine frills and clever leather work all with the Felder trademark rock and roll twist.
Meanwhile, backstage the Bumble and Bumble hair team created the pretty flowing locks whist Brigette Felder, the girls’ mother, upped the ante in the glamour stakes.