More from the London Fashion Week Exhibition

I was slightly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of designers at the London Fashion Week Exhibition. As I was only there for a little bit, I just managed to get of few pictures of bits that caught my eye.

Martin Lamothe - a very natural colour scheme,but each piece more than made up for lack of colour with the amazing texture and shape. I loved the rope dress.

Charlotte Sparre - Copenhagen. Beautiful colours and prints on simple silk pieces. I love the striking orange Elvis dress. Also some great colourful scarves.

Kron - I love Kron shoes and just couldn't help but take lots of pictures of all the cute candy colours.

Heather Blake - The ultimate pair of elegant statement shoes.

Les Nereides - some very fun and cute enamel jewellery!

Fiona Paxton - these necklaces are amazing with almost a tribal feel about them. A black top will never be boring again.

Georgia Hardinge - I loved this wig like hat and cage dress.

More of Estethica

I thought I would finish up my round up of designers at Estethica in just one long post. There was so much more there to see, but I just ran out of time.


Izzy Lane - This traditional style collection in Shetland cloth is made from wool from their own sheep which include Shetlands and their own breed of Wensleydales. Many of which were rescued from slaughter as lambs.

Christopher Raeburn - one of the hottest new designers around at the moment. His eco credentials are just an added bonus for the very wearable jackets made from recycled military surplus.

Makepiece - another very desirable knitwear collection madee using wool and mohair from British farms and their own sheep. The undyed yarns are spun in local mills. Some lovely pieces covered in roses and embellished with circles and whirls. Some amazing accessories including gauntlets and oversized wraps.

Joanna Cave - recycled silver made into intricate shapes and then goldplated or oxidised. This jewellery had a real feeling of lightness about it. It also had Akoya pearls which respect natural and social fairtrade guidelines.

LFW Estethica - Maxjenny

I am often heard to complain about the wet weather and I am still trying to come up with a completely satisfactory solution of what to wear on a wet and windy day. What I need is something that I can put on over whatever I am wearing, including jackets, jumpers and cardigans with plenty of room for manouvering.

The 'street sculptures' (pictured above) and 'the new black' collection by Maxjenny fulfils just about everything that I want in wet weather gear. The black for more serious occasions and the bright colours for when I feel in need of cheering up. Nothing like those very practical looking jackets that outdoorsy types wear (no offence but that is so not me). I love the way these jackets are cut, lots of room to move about even if I have lots of layers to keep warm and they look so stylish.

The jackets are suitable for all year round and are made from fabric recycled PET bottles. They are rainproof, breathable and iron free. They are not cheap mind but a great investment buy I think.

LFW Estethica - Henrietta Ludgate

Another of the designers that caught my eye at Estethica at London Fashion Week was Henrietta Ludgate. I love the sculpted shapes created by the fabrics made from English woven cashmere with mink, pure Scottish wool and super fine Yorkshire wool jersey. I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked the neutral greys and camels or the shocking pink the best. But I think the grey dress with a super low scooped back was definitely my favourite piece in terms of shape. The collection was inspired by enchanted forests and legendary tales including the Grimm's Fairy tales. These clothes look so cosy but in an elegant and sophisticated way. It is almost as if they have been moulded into a cocoon shape.

Based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, Henrietta Ludgate uses fabrics produced by UK mills and produces her collections locally. I can't think of any better way to support the UK farming, textiles and fashion industry. She only uses natural and organic fibres in her clothing. She was recently awarded the Ethical Fashion Forum's 'Fashion Innovation Award' for LFW Spring Summer 2010.

LFW Estethica - Lu Flux

Whilst wandering around the Estethica exhibition at LFW, three eccentrically dressed people caught my eye, I particularly loved the bear dress (it immediately crossed my mind whether I could carry it off for the school run), it seems Woodland animals are really very trendy at the moment (checkout Topshop Unique AW10, if you haven't already). Upon questioning, I discovered that they were from Lu Flux, a London based label by designer of the same name, which upcycles redundant textiles into fun, colourful and humorous one off pieces. The contemporary designs combine salvaged, vintage and organic fabrics with traditional techniques to create contemporary and functional shapes.

The AW10 collection is designed around the theme of British folklore including swathes of florals inspired by the tapestries of Gerard Munthe, dragons and lions. The collection also includes collaborations with the artist Alex Chinneck and Traditional Cordwainers Green Shoes. Lu Flux has previously been named as 'one to watch' by Vauxhall Fashion Scout. I didn't get the opportunity to take any more photos but on looking at their website found plenty more goodies from the SS10 collection entitled Eco life of Riley, perfect for those who take fashion or life too seriously.

pictures from www.luflux.com

The Sustainable Clothing Action Plan Conference

Yesterday I went to the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan Conference at the Southbank Centre in London. I signed up to the Government's Sustainable Clothing Action plan regarding promotion of recycling and reuse of clothes about a year ago through my clothes swapping website. So when I got an email inviting me to the conference and update which included lunch and the chance to have a look around the Estethica exhibition at London Fashion Week, I jumped at the chance.

It was an interesting, if quite tiring day. It took me so long to get there that I didn't even arrive until 11.30 missing the first part of the conference. The trek across Waterloo bridge (3 times) between Somerset House and the Southbank Centre (in my wedge boots) in the wind and the snow proved to a bit of an ordeal (I nearly ended up flat on my face at one point, much to amusement of some onlookers) and in the end I had to give in and change into my flat shoes for the journey home. The buffet lunch which turned out to be 2 or three canapes, the size of a one pence piece, didn't really do much to soak up the champagne which was in abundant supply and naturally I couldn't refuse.

There was an address by Environment Minister, Dan Norris and over 200 hundred representatives from the clothing industry, which got just a little claustrophobic in the Estethica exhibition at Somerset House. I did meet lots of lovely people who were inspirational in their passion for and commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion. I also saw some very gorgeous sustainable fashion at Estethica (more posts and pictures to follow)

Without boring everyone with the intricate details of what was discussed at the conference, there was lots of talk about clothes recycling, looking to the future and communicating sustainability. I though that it was a little disappointing that there was so little focus on changing culture from fast fashion to clothes that last as this would reduce so may of the other issues that were discussed. I suppose it can sometimes be difficult to see how this would fit into the whole business of making money. It was great to see how many big companies are getting involved though(with a few very notable exceptions, I shall mention no names) and lots of great initiatives going on.

I was really excited to hear of the launch of a new sustainable clothing range at Tesco this spring in collaboration with From Somewhere, I can't wait. Perhaps my pledge to buy only sustainable clothing is not going to be so difficult after all.

Finally was the drinks reception to launch Fashion Futures 2025, a project by charity Forum for the Future in collaboration with Levi Strauss & Co to help organisations throughout the global fashion industry plan for a sustainable future. A great chance to chat to more interesting people from the conference. Another more detailed post about this project to follow.

picture from www.somersethouse.org.uk

London Fashion Week SS10 - My Best Bits

Despite London Fashion Week being by far my most favourite of all the fashion weeks, I don't have the inclination or time to post on every single show. There are so many people already doing this, I would probably only be repeating the same things. There is however so much to love about London Fashion Week, here are some of my favourites outfits. There will be more to come when I have more time (hopefully tommorrow)

Osman Yousefzada - some beautifully soft shapes, simple, clean and interesting. I love this dress.

Mark Fast - Crocheting and knits but certainly nothing granny like about this collection. I love this no sure whether it is an overdress or soft jewellery.

Mary Katrantzou -colourful and kaleidoscopic prints, what more could you want for summer?

Aminaka Wilmont - Biker meets boho, I love the tassels.

Erdem - a designer that I can barely take my eyes off, such rich and enchanting designs.

Peter Pilotto - no surprise here, just more very very gorgeous prints and draped dresses. I am guessing these will be on just about everyones wish list including mine.

Paul Smith - I love this combination of old fashioned Britishness and quirky eclectic style.

Josh Goot - some really eyecatching pieces in a mixture of bright colours and optical monochromatic designs.

Christopher Kane - a really unusual use of gingham checks to create beautiful and feminine dresses.

Todd Lynn - this seasons silhouette with the shoulders almost sprouting into wings, still wearable though (just!).

Luella - a great version of the ubiquitous LBD, I heart it.

Marios Schwab - I love mixture of layering, textures, draping, all put together so cleverly for a really elegant look.

Meadham Kirchoff - again I love the clever layering and texture. This time a great contrast between floaty and structured.

pictures from http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/