PFW - Alexander McQueen

'Bees' was the buzz word at the Alexander McQueen SS’13 show in Paris.  Luckily without a stripe in sight (could there have been a more prevalling trend for next Spring?!) this collection honed in on the female form, going 'back to womanhood' and merely using bees, which designer Sarah Burton explained are “a matriarchal society where the females rule,” as inspiration to portray this.  

There were clinched waists, caged peplums and figure-hugging cigarette pants in honeycomb prints, jacquard fabric and golden hues.  Flowers and bees were seen decorating dresses, and models even wore bee-keeper style hats and glittering, golden platforms as they strutted to the tune of ‘Sugar Sugar.’  The McQueen Bee. 

Cara Delevigne - Model Du Jour

Phew!! Was there a single catwalk in the past fashion month that Cara Delevigne did not walk?!  The British model du jour, Cara appeared in 28 shows over the course of New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, making her the most booked model of the season. Cara walked for Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Marchesa, Jason Wu, Rag & Bone, Fendi, D-Squared, Sass & Bide, Mary Katrantzou, Ermanno Scervino, Acne, Marc Jacobs... And the prestigious list goes ON! This girl deserves a BIG holiday (and a foot rub...)

And behind the scenes... Some of Cara's Tweets. What's NOT to love about this girl?!!

MFW - Prada SS'13

I think when I look back on this year’s Milan Fashion Week the images that will first spring/summer to mind will be THOSE PRADA SHOES.  With obvious Harajuku and Geisha Girl references throughout the whole of Miuccia Prada’s latest collection (floral appliqué and stenciled white flowers adorned kimono style dresses overcoats) it was the shoes that will have left the most lasting impression amongst the fash pack.

The controversial sock/clog combo boots, decorated with satin bows and flowers, left the show’s audience divided but ultimately fascinated.   Love them or hate them, I cannot wait to see how Topshop and H&M reinterpret and filter down this seemingly unuuusual style of shoe onto our high street next year, and who will be brave enough to wear them...

LFW - The Mulberry Willow

Known for its British eccentricity, Mulberry transformed Claridges into an English country garden for its SS'13 show.  With astro turf, a sprinkling of gnomes and pastel-layered cream cakes, the quintessentially English summer mood was perfectly captured.  With the world’s most perfect FROW, Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Lana Del Rey, the scene was set for the sophisticated, 1970s inspired, softly coloured collection to be unveiled.  The star of the show was the latest addition to the Mulberry family, the Willow.  The tote bag comes in three sizes and has a detachable clutch (a clote?!) which makes it perfectly practical and suuurely (with its 2 for 1 allure), a more than justifiable purchase?!  Mulberry’s creative director Emma Hill said, “everyone likes something that you can take off or add on, well I always do.  I think it’s the kid in me that likes Transformer toys when you can turn something into something else.” 

With Mulbabes Lana Del Rey showing off her Mulberry Del Rey, and Alexa Chung clasping her Mulberry Alexa, did Kate Moss feel a little put out and pouty that the Mulberry Willow had not been named after her?  Her declaration after the show, whilst holding said black snakeskin Willow (below) would suggest as much, “I wanted this one to be the Mulberry Moss bag but it’s not, it’s the Willow. But I love this one because it doubles as a clutch. It’s genius.”  Keep those fingers crossed for next season Kate...

LFW - Burberry SS'13

One thing, and one thing alone, went through my mind during the Burberry SS’13 finale at London Fashion Week… Quality Streets.  My addiction to chocolate aside, it was a remarkable sight to see; model after model wearing an array of rainbow-coloured metallic coats marching around the catwalk at Kensington Gardens, whilst the star-studded audience, including Dita von Teese, Victoria Pendleton and… Harry Styles, cheered enthusiastically.  

Inspired by Norman Parkinson photographs from the 1940s and 50s, Christopher Bailey named the collection ‘Corsage and Cape,’ and whilst respecting the strong British style which Burberry traditionally has adhered to, the designer replaced the camel tones we usually associate with the brand with vibrant metallic raspberry, lavender, emerald and sapphire. “The collection was a bit more joyful and quite sassy and a bit sexy,”  Bailey told reporters backstage.

NYFW - New Kids On The Fashion Block

Watch out Suri Cruise, there are two other mini fashionistas in New York this week. 

Below:   Harper Beckham made the most adorable addition to mum Victoria’s front row.  Wearing a little white summer dress with a matching bow in her hair, the oh-so-cute 14 month old Baby Beckham was particularly distracting for the audience invited to watch the Victoria, Victoria Beckham (VVB) SS’13 collection during New York Fashion Week. 

Below:  Another little trendy tot to hit New York Fashion Week was designer Alexander Wang’s three year old niece, Aila.  Wearing a custom-made Wang dress, accessorized with teeny tiny Nike trainers and a teeny tiny Chanel bag (probably stuffed with sweeties and crayons) Aila was the most fashionable of mascots at her uncle’s show.  

NYFW - Marchesa SS'13

Keren Craid and Georgina Chapman delivered the Indian Summer I had been praying for with their stunning collection of beaded gowns with sari style layering.  Although the Marchesa designers used a vivid colour palette (fuchsia and garnet featured) it was the shimmering white gowns with their sparkling bodice detailing that had me entranced.

NYFW - Carmen Dell'Orefice: The Oldest Supermodel

The world’s oldest supermodel, 81 year old Carmen Dell'Orefice, elegantly strutted not once, but twice, down the catwalk today during New York Fashion Week to rapturous applause.  The beautiful, silver haired octegenarain looked totally chic as she walked for the designers Norisol Ferrari in a caramel 1940s-inspired gown and then again, barefoot in a technicolour jersey dress, by Finnish label Marimekko.  Carmen, a well established and iconic member of today's New York fashion scene, first began modelling in 1947, at the age of 15, when she was photographed for the front cover of Vogue Magazine (above).

NYFW - Zac Posen SS'13

Oooh Laaa Laaaa! I LOVED  the SS’13 show in New York Fashion Week by Zac Posen:  Super Dresses on Super Models. Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha, Karolina Kurkova, Alex Wek and Erin O’Connor all took to the catwalk in Zac's unbelievably elegant and timeless gowns. There was a clear ‘Old Hollywood’ influence with the designer having created floor length dresses with mermaid pleats and sweetheart necklines in the most luxurious of coloured silk and delicate chiffon. Totally stunning. Coming to a red carpet near you. 

Vodafone UK Announces Partnership With Mary Katrantzou

Yesterday morning, over cappuccinos and mini granola berry pots at Soho House, I heard how this Autumn Vodafone UK and acclaimed fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, famous for her graphic print dresses, will enter into an exclusive two-season partnership.  This collaboration will see Vodafone UK supporting Mary’s shows in London Fashion Week and the designer devising a fashionable and innovative way to use Vodafone technology.

Vodafone UK have long championed British fashion, teaming up in the past with other well renowned designers, Christopher Kane and Richard Nicoll (the results of which saw a fleet of London cabs decorated in Kane’s Galaxy print, with mobile phone charging capabilities for it’s passengers, and Nicholl’s unforgettable white leather handbag with in-built phone charger!) 

Danielle Crook, Vodafone’s UK Director of Brand Marketing, also assured me that they will once again at this year’s LFW be providing the life saving mobile phone re-charging units on the front row at the BFC space and pop-up re-charging points at Somerset House – Phew!

(Above L-R: Mary Katrantzou, Danielle Crook and Chairman of the BFC, Caroline Rush)

The lovely Mary Katrantzou, who I had the real pleasure of meeting (left), spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming collaboration, “I am excited to be working with Vodafone, as a brand they have really cemented their credibility and support within the fashion industry over the past few seasons. Their innovation elements really appeal to me and it felt a natural fit to join forces. I'm really looking forward to be able to widen the fashion net to their customers and bring them to the front line of fashion week.”

Danielle Crook, whilst wearing a head turning Mary Katrantzou dress, said, “Mary's bold graphics and iconic designs have attracted a cult following from every part of the fashion world and we are thrilled to be working with her.”  The partnership launches next month and will run across the spring/summer 2013 and autumn/winter 2013-14 shows.  

If you are a Vodafone UK customer you can register for Vodafone VIP online here for the opportunity to meet Mary Katrantzou and watch her catwalk show during LFW.  If you are NOT a Vodafone UK customer... There's never been a better reason to become one!