Oxford Fashion Week - The Couture Show

And here's the one you've all been waiting for ...

When I was taking notes at Oxford Fashion Week's Couture Show all that would come out of my pen was 'stunning ... stunning ... stunning.' Even now I think it is the most fitting word to describe the evening, but I will try to elaborate.

When I arrived at the Oxford Exam Schools, the venue alone was breath-taking, more like a castle than part of a university. Once I had hung my coat I was greeted by OFW's seemingly never ending supply of champagne and canapes. Press, designers, organisers and guest socialised for well over two hours, despite the reception being only intended to last an hour. One of the organisers joked in an announcement that they had over ordered on champagne, so that we would be forced to stay to drink it before the show could begin.

live music was played for guests while they waited

As the time approached half nine, two of the organisers, Alyx Barker and Erin Berman (pictured below) assured me that it would be worth the wait. At this point, after a long week of late nights, I was beginning to become sceptical. But as the show finally began, any feelings of doubt were replaced with awe as the first model walked down the runway.

Alyx (left) and Erin

The striking black lipstick, combined with moody, mysterious music, and the historic hall with it's vast ceilings created a dark Narnia-esqu feel. The models walked with a sense of regality like evil ice queens. Later the tone change slightly, still regal but less dark, the lipstick changing to a bold red to reflect this.

The dresses themselves were quite literally magical, fit for princesses and after a while the crowd began to clap for every creation.

The model in the link below looked like a mermaid: the gown's elaborate beading and colourful green-hued ruffels, shimmered like scales with each step she took

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505448681/in/set-72157626089707877/

As an aspiring fashion journalist, it would be almost illegal to overlook this big colbat blue ball of fantasticness that strutted down the runway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5506039214/in/set-72157626089707877/

And for every girl who ever wanted to be a princess: this dress is for you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505457815/in/set-72157626089707877/

The night, like the rest of the week was a complete success, ending with speeches and a charity auction that included several exclusive pieces including an Alexander McQueen, yes Alexander McQueen, clutch.

me before the show

Annie, an Art History student from Bulgaria

team members of OFW injecting some colour into the black tie event

Viv Whelan, pictured here in one of her own designs, designed pieces for OFW and also appeared on 2008's Project Catwalk

an organiser of OFW: <3 her outfit



The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra



Oxford Fashion Week - Ethical Debate/Show

On Friday it was time to talk about the serious issues of fashion and raised the question - do we really know where our clothes are coming from? And how many of us care? A lot more of us than 10 years ago according to Ethical and Fair Trade Consultant Elizabeth Laskar: most people now recognise the fair trade sign and many more people are buying fair trade. I know that the first thought for many fashionistas is that ethical fashion isn't as attractive as it could be but the Ethical Show at The Living Room, blew this theory completely out of the water. I can honestly say that not only were the designs some of the most aesthetically pleasing but also the most wearable that I've seen so far. There's a reason I'm doing a writing degree and not a photography one, so please check out the pictures on the official OFW 2011 blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/sets/72157626201473020/

My personal favourites were these cute, casual bird print dresses, pictured below, bird print has been massive for a while now and is still going strong:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5501053286/in/set-72157626201473020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5500462673/in/set-72157626201473020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5499786226/in/set-72157626201473020/

Here's another gorgeous dress, but this time of the more luxurious variety:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5499256489/in/set-72157626201473020/

There wasn't much for the fella's but I liked this gentleman in red, in his indie inspired skinnies and checked shirt:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5501059194/in/set-72157626201473020/

Elizabeth Laskar and Judith Condar-Vidal, who describes herself as a social entrepreneur, really inspired the audience, myself included, that ethical fashion is worth investing in. "We all want to feel happy to wear something with a story," said Peru born Judith who has just designed her 7th collection for Topshop. Here's Judith in mid flow at the 03 Gallery debate, which took place prior to the Ethical Show:

Judith won The Ethical Fashion Award at Paris Fashion Week 2008

Elizabeth Laskar with Creative Director of OFW Carl Anglim

If you need further persuasion than the gorgeous garments from the ethical show, to buy into fair trade fashion then here's a few shocking facts for you to digest:

• 1.5 million tons of unwanted clothes end up in landfills every year ... in the UK alone
• Many of the people who make our clothes earn less than $2 per day
• Some of the pestacides used to grow cotton can cause deformaties and death

If you want to look great with a totally clear conscience, Eliazabeth recommends M&S, Topshop and quirky Cowley Road boutique Indigo. You could also look at these links for more info on ethical issues:

http://www.tradingfordevelopment.co.uk/

http://www.ethichic.co.uk/

Oxford Fashion Week - Lingerie Show

On Wednesday night, I needed a bit of a confidence boost, so I decided to go and watch tall, beautiful girls walk around in designer underwear. The lingerie show, was held at the prestigious Malmaison hotel in Oxford, as it has been for the previous 2 year. It was a great show with a variation of designs, some pretty and delicate, some classic and elegant, and some seductive and border line bondage! My only query: where were the naked men this year? I know it's hard to make boxers look exciting, but really, who would be looking at the underwear ...

no not an underwear model, just me before the show!

face of OFW '11

pretty



pieces from La La Loula



cute

hot

racy

classy

I caught up with Emma Appleton, the very fitting face of 2011's Oxford Fashion Week. The 19 year old from Witney, who was signed to Zone Models last September, is extactic to be a part of this years events. She's just as striking in person as in photographs and sweet and gracious to top it all off. "I'd like to be doing this for as long as possible," she said, and there's no doubt that she will.

left: a La La Loula creation
right: the designer herself

Above is up and coming designer Emelia Penny, 20 and her long-time friend and model Stephanie Wedge, 20 - pictured in blue wearing one of Emelia's stunning creations. Emelia describes her range La La Loula as "vintage inspire" a theme which seems to run through to her own personal style, as seen here with ruby red lips and a gorgeous backless dress, reminiscent of the old school glamor of the 50s. She went on to say that her designs are "very bespoke" and "perfect for weddings" and with her subtle and seductive feminity, cute frills and pretty tiers I couldn't agree more.

Kim's New Song

Oh Kim, why did you do this? You don't need to be talented when you're as hot as you are. Most girls would be more than happy with just being mega rich and disgusting gorgeous, what's the need to ruin it with an actual job? Socialite sits so much better with you than 'singer.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH3vkuxRSk

Galliano = Raving Racist

John John John. You are one silly boy. Most people wake up after a night out with mild regrets about drunken snogs and a few bruises curtesy of an embarassing fall. But no, not you, you declared your love for one of the most evil men in history and condemned all Jews to death thus ruining your career and your life. Because let's be totally honest, it really isn't going to get any better than being the creative director of Christian Dior. |And as for your own label, the only people who will want to buy your stuff now will be Nazis and other white supremacists, and as far as I'm aware, couture isn't one of their top interests.

If you are wondering what I am rambling on about, yesterday Christian Dior officially terminated their contract with the talented but racist John Galliano. He got into an argument with some women last Thursady in a Paris bar and hurled racist abuse at them. In normal circumstances, a talanted PR team would have gone into overdrive to deny the rumours but unfortunately for John someone videoed a previous incident where he not only declared his love for Hitler, but also told the people that he was arguing with that their "mothers and forefathers would have been f***ing gassed." So after suspending him over the weekend, Christian Dior decided to severe ties completely - it seems they don't want their luxury fashion house to be associated with a crazy raving facist ... funny that.

The extent of just how vile he has been, only really hits home when you watch this shocking video, check it out before it gets banned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCQupzwXS0A

It's important to bear in mind that Paris Fashion Week is about to start; with the Dior A/W 2011 collection due to show on Friday. Lets hope that Galliano's disgusting opinions don't taint the week too much.

Oxford Fashion Week - Concept Show

Standing outside of the Regal on Oxford'd quirky, crazy Cowley road, I heard a group of girls say that they were surprised Oxford even had a fashion week as they never thought of it as a very ''fashiony'' city. I hope that after watching the Concept Show tonight they changed their minds. I think that this is a view held by many non - Oxfordians but with Oxford Fashion week only scrapping the tip of the ice berg of what the city has to offer, it's a view that I don't share.

Tonight's Concept Show was interesting, as always. It started off dark and theatrical with music that wouldn't have been out of place in a horror film. The first outfits looked Martin Margiela inspired with a recycled leather look, complete with cut out diamond shaped holes all over.

All the models, had pale faces with electric blue eye shadow for shock value. The hair was big and bushy in most cases except for the striking bald head of Ruby Payge Johns, who has appeared in both the London and Oxford fashion weeks in previous years.

The colours were quite muted to start with, with lots of greys, nudes, blacks and browns but it all changed when one designer sent brightly patterened psychedelic looking one pieces down the runway. There were only a few boys in the entire show and they also sported bright blue eye shadow paired with leggings tighter than I have ever been able to squeeze myself into - showing how in the fashion world gender is often irrelevant.

Now I know what, you're thinking - why am I not at the after party? Even though I am going agasint everything I have learnt as a student by turning down free champagne, I am trying this new thing where I stay sober and professional. I'll let you know at the end of the week if I've managed to keep it up.

All in all it was a good show and I look forward to what the rest of the week has to offer. Pictures to follow, I promise.

DESIGNERS

Yvonne Lau, Ara Jo, Joela Sakayam, Ki Ching Cheung & Ka Wai Lo, Ahyoung Choi, Sin Yi Chung, Giada Quagliata, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Kamila Gkasperska, Yu-Hsuan-Liu, Sincron, Victoria Gonzalez, Spyroula Kyriacou, Emilie Zanon, Liat Annina Polishuka, Wei Ting Hu

http://www.oxfordfashionweek.co.uk/home

Signs of Spring

I woke up the other day with the sun shining through my window and as my brain began to adjust to actually being awake I realised ... spring's here! With the risk of sounding cheesier than a block of chedder, it really was a beautiful day. Apart from the sun there were many other factors that made me realise that winter is coming to an end...

Temperature:
Not only did I go out without a coat, I actually ended up taking off my chunky Gap cable knit cardi (mens - for the extra snuggkle factor) and yes I had two more layers on underneath but going coat and cardiganless is a big deal for a girl who is cold all the time. In the swealtering heat of Thailand a few summers ago, I was forced to purchase a cardigan, after having a Nikki Grahame style tantrum because I couldn't deal with the air con; the air con that all the other tourists were so thankful for. I like to be warm.

Being in a good mood:
I most definitely have SAD, (seasonal affective disorder). Dragging myself out of bed at any time of day or year is difficult but on a winter morning when i'ts still as dark as it was when you went to sleep it makes me want to cry. On this day however, despite getting up at 8 am after a mere 5 hours sleep and doing house work and uni work I was still in an incredibly good mood. If I had rolled out of bed and pulled back my curtains to be greeted by a dark sky and drizzle I might not be so chirpy about hoovering and PR analysis.

Washing:
Like I said I became a bit of a domestic goddess and got down to some house work: cleaned the living room and kitchen, restoring faith in myself that I could possibly be a 'proper' grown up one day. Anyway I did a tea towel wash, as responsible grown ups do, and when it was done, I hung it outside - yes, OUTSIDE. It turns out I was being a tad optimistic because half 7 pm rolled around and it was still soaking wet. But it's the prospect of even considering hanging clothes outside that excites me!

Daytime Attire:
Ok so at night regardless of wether there's 5 inches of snow, us girls will still totter out in heels of the same height and a skirt of about the same lenght - tights not included. But it's what you wear in the day time that gives an accurate indication of the season. For example I saw a girl today wearing sunglasses, I kid you not, I thought it was a bit premature for sunnies at first, but I can't lie I did get a bit of a squint on from the glare of those Spring rays, I could have done with a bit of eye protection myself. I, myself wore boat shoes for the first time in about 6 months; it was nice to free my feet from boots and although I feel completely disloyal saying this, I am kind of looking forward to retiring my fail safe military boots to the back of the wardrobe for a little while.


Spring Collections:
Springs collections have been infiltrating the high street for a while now, but when you actually consider buying some of it that's when you know that the weather is on it's way up. Of all the Spring/ Summer trends being hyped at the moment, I'm most excited about abusing my credit card with some 70's inspired items. Jumpsuit are going to be huge: there's that Topshop jumpsuit, worn by Nicola Roberts, featured in every self respecting fashion magazine in Britain; to be fair it is gorgeous. Sunglasses need to be either huge or teeny tiny and circular. With all these 70's inspired collections coming out there's lots of silk and chiffon and lot's of volume; from sleeves to trouser legs to hair: big and flowing is the way to go. Maxi dresses and wedges are clearly going to be essentials again this summer and I'm really excited to try out a big floppy hat like these ones ...

Ok so strictly speaking the leopard print one is a cloche, which dates back to the 1920s, still wide brimmed but not as floppy as the floppy hat, but I definitely think it could blend into this summer's 70's scene when teamed with a few of these beauties ...

Kurt Geiger wedges

Topshop circle sunnies

Topshop wide leg trousers

Here's a link to the Topshop Unique S/S 2011 show. They claim the inspiration is 'magical' but I think psychedelic would have been a more appropriate word.

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&categoryId=265004&interstitial=true&intcmpid=W_FEATURE_CH_UK_WK10_UNIQUE

More beautiful 70's influenced pieces ...

New Look heeled loafers

Topshop patterned shirt

Asos 70s sunglasses

Topshop patterned wide leg trousers



Miss Selfridge shirt

Kurt Geiger block heel

River Island block boot

and finally ... this blog wouldn't be complete without the one and only 100% reliable signifier of Spring that seems to have reappeared:

Hope you're as excited for Spring as I am! =)