London Fashion Week: S/S 14

Better late than never, I wanted to share some pictures with you of London Fashion Week, S/S 14. I only went for a couple of days this time because I have been so busy at work but it was still great. Covering shows for Who's Jack was manic as always but that's what I love about it! Some of the shows I covered were: Fyodor Golan, Bernard Chandran (in love!!) and Krystof Strozyna.

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The Catwalk Queen: Cara Delevigne

Cara Delenigne hasn't stopped since she was named 'Model of 2012' last year and has appeared on the front of Love and more recently British Vogue. Despite her success I don't think anyone could have predicted just how popular she would have been for the London Fashion Week, Autumn/Winter '13 catwalk collections. Since London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, Cara literally hasn't stopped. Not only has she covered 7 shows in the first 4 days of London Fashion Week but she has also been spotted out with singer, Rihanna after her collaboration with River Island. I am now naming Cara Delevingne 'The Catwalk Queen'. 

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OOTD, LFW: Day 4

Day 4 was a very sunny but cold day at Somerset House, I started off the day walking by the Thames trying to find the Pringle of Scotland presentation, which I was very excited about! I have been thinking more recently about starting to do OOTD posts. I bought a new blazer, it's London Fashion Week so I thought why not?! Seeing as this is my first EVER OOTD I would love to know your thoughts....

 

Floral blazer: Monacco

Silver top: Miss Selfridge

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: Deena & Ozzy (Urban Outfitters)

Bag: Vivienne Westwood

Watch: Michael Kors

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London Fashion Week A/W '13. Pringle of Scotland

When I found out I was covering Pringle of Scotland, Autumn/Winter 2013 show for Who's Jack Magazine I couldn't wait. It was a presentation and not a catwalk show, but this isn't always a bad thing. There may not be the same type of buzz that you get at catwalk shows, trying to snap your pictures quickly and get a glimpse of the FROW. Saying that presentations are obviously more resilient in our economic climate, and so much more informal. Arriving an hour after the presentation begun it was peak time as the gallery was very busy. The Autumn/Winter 2013 collection was beautiful, and the great thing about a presentation is you have the time to appreciate each garment and of course take some great pictures. I wanted to share with you some of my photos from the Pringle of Scotland collection  let me know what you think.

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London Fashion Week. A/W '13 Day 3 Highlights

Day 3 was another busy day at London Fashion Week, with British designers brimming with talent and imagination once again. Mary Katrantzou was the show I had personally been waiting for after her amazing Spring/Summer 2013 collection, filled with stirking prints and bold colours. I can gladly say she didn't dissapoint with her Autumn/Winter 2013 collection either with lots of what she does best, dresses and mesmerising prints. The collection inspired by landscapes would probably suit a Parisian Autumn/Winter than a British one, but even so I can't get enough of Mary Katrantzou. 

Preen's Autumn/Winter was once again absolutely stunning with every piece as beautiful as the next. Although at a first glance it might not be obvious but Preen are showing that punk is more certainly not dead, showing punk in a more glamourous form. There was lot's of leather and tartan mixed with leopard print (yes we aren't too sure either), but somehow the collection worked so well. Preen showed us once again that embellishment is set to be huge this Autumn/Winter 2013. Everyone got a great view of not only the collection but also of London, did I mention the location was the very high in the sky, Heron Tower?

Topshop Unique show is always a very popular event for stars and fashionistas alike, and for the Autumn/Winter 2013 collection this was no different. With the likes of Olivia Palermo (in my perfect FROW), Pixie Geldof, Kate Bosworth and Daisy Lowe in amongst the well known faces on the FROW it was set to be a great show. With Topshop and Topman catwalk collection there is always so much to choose from, they never push the boundaries too far, but for the high street brand to bring consistency each season works so well. There was a lot of colour, PVC and oversized coats, perfect for your winter wardrobes. It was another very successful show for Topshop Unique.

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London Fashion Week. A/W '13 Day 2 Highlights

As part of the NEWGEN sponsorship J.JS Lee's last collection got great reviews making the Autumn/Winter collection a highly anticipated event. With J.JS Lee less is definitely more taking a sharp approach to tailoring for the modern women. The pastel colours of pink and blue stood out diffused by simple all black and white outfits. The collection was inspired by 'the innocence and purity of clouds and shadows from the window view of an airplane', explaining the great choice of pastel colours. The Saint Martin graduate shows that she is taking a consistence approach to her designs but in this instance steering away from O.T.T is a great choice. 

Clashing of colours and lots of prints, from leopard to floral, were huge for Sister by Sibling this season. Chunky neck pieces and headgear were hugely popular for the Sister by Sibling known best for their knitwear pieces. After making a huge name for themselves at London Collections: Men earlier in the year, their designs that push the boundaries for knitwear have everyone talking about them once again. The show opened with the one and only Cara Delevigne, we'd love to know which show she isn't covering this fashion week? Another great collection, you go sister!

‘This season we wanted to explore the idea of Paula Yates’ feminine sexuality,’

House of Holland is always a catwalk favourite of mine, especially spotting Henrys very exclusive friends on the FROW. There were some extraordinary pieces in the Autumn/ Winter collection that was bursting with a seventies vibe. Some outfits looked like they had been fast forwarded straight from the seventies and others that had been updated with a modern edge. My favourite pieces were those embellished with gems and 'H' logos for Henry Holland himself. I personally cannot wait for the pink embellished jumper to be on sale!

Photography by Catwalking.

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London Fashion Week A/W '13. Apu Jan

Today is Day 1 of London Fashion Week and each season seems more exciting than the last. Following on from London Collection's I will be covering London Fashion Week for Who's Jack again so make sure to check out the website for updates!! My favourite show of the day was Apu Jan, a Taiwanese designer who studied in London but still uses the East as inspirations for his collections. His Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection entitled 'petroleum' ran veryyyy behind but it was well worth the wait.. I thought I would share with you a couple of pictures.. They were taken on my iphone so sorry about the quality but I still think you can get a feel for the collection, which was showcased for Fashion Scout at Freemason's Hall.

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London Collections: Katie Eary A/W 13

I don't even know where to begin with the Katie Eary Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. By far my favourite of London Collections: Men, I was so pleased it was a show I got to see-and I had great seats. Although the people in front of me had an iPad that seems to block the view of all my pictures, so I have kindly 'borrowed' these images off Vogue. Think, gothic floral, blue craps and lot's of pink and you have this collection down to a tee. The collection had such a good reaction from everybody there, and I heard countless times on the way out 'that was the best show yet', and I have to agree. The sound track to the show was brilliant with Kendrick Lemar, amongst other artists supporting the catwalk show. Sunglasses were another hit for Katie Eary, and unlike the sunglasses at Xander Zhou that in my opinion looked a bit out of place, they really worked! Katie also introduced her womenswear into the collection- think dark gothic vamp. Katie Eary you have won me over with this brilliant A/W 2013 collection- you go girl! 

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London Collections: Shaun Samson A/W 13

My Shaun Samson ticket request was granted very late-in fact the night before the show! When I arrived I was hardly surprised as it was very over crowded. I did get quite a good spot, underneath some photographers, crunched up on the floor but it was worth it. Overall I was very impressed with the general running and show spaces at London Collections: Men, my only vouch would be 'The Hospital Club' show space was far too small and over crowded.

Anyway back to Shaun Samson, his A/W 2013 collection was apparently inspired by monsters and mice. However, I would say it looks more like hockey and American football. The collection had quite a bright colour pallette and a mixutre of snapbacks worn backwards, giving it a street feel. The urban theme continued as there were clothes with an almost graffiti aesthetic. The deep marroons and warm reds complimented each other well in contrast with a lot of black.

 Shaun Samson offered a softer side to the collection as some beige chunky knits came out onto the catwalk. Not to mention a splash of tartan that has been so popular at London Collections:Men this season. Thank you Shaun Samson for a brilliant show.

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It's raining men..

Monday the 7th of January 2013 kicks off the three day event 'London Collections: Men' also known as men's fashion week. London Collections will attract the biggest and best menswear designers of our time, along with journalists, bloggers and celebrities alike. London Collections started off last June, where there was definitely a buzz around it, however this time around people seem to be getting a lot more envolved and excited about the shows and exhibitions that follow. 

London Collections has a lot of people describing London as 'the capital of menswear' and I have to agree, the talent and determination of designers in London is so refreshing right now. Before London Collections menswear designers had a dedicated day at London Fashion Week which led many to argue they weren't allocated enough time. London Collections has given other menswear designers the opportunity to showcase their collections and get their name heard. 

Nicole Farhi. London Collections: Autumn/Winter 2012

Meadham Kirchhoff. London Collections: Autumn/Winter 2012
 
London Collections has really given menswear a new lease of life and everyone from the designers to journalists and the media have really embraced it. I will be covering some of the shows, in the forthcoming days, so don't forget to check out my blog this week. Also remember we are now in the 21st century and you can now watch most of the shows from the comfort of your own home.

Also follow me on twitter and Instagram for live updates on the days.

Katie x

My life through Instagram...

Ok so it has been a couple of weeks since I have last blogged! I have been so busy (it's no excuse I know) but I thought I would fill you in on what I've been up to that has resulted in my lack of posting. 

First things first I FINALLY HAVE AN IPHONE!!! So here is my first Instagram post! Enjoy :)

1. So firstly I have been busy creating my venture/ jewellery business @ctchtwentytwo . I came up with the idea after being totally bored of not knowing what I want to do since graduation. The situation I am in looking for a job in London is a 'catchtwentytwo' in itself. When applying for jobs in the fashion industry I have got as far down on the job description until I see 'minimum of ones years experience needed in the field'.  I thought I would turn the negative job searching into a positive and keep my mind active!

2. A picture of my beautiful dog Mr Handy who is 1 today!!! I don't know what I would do without him. 

3. Gemini & Leo mugs. It has been a busy and exciting couple of weeks and as a last minute decision am moving in with my boyfriend in Southampton. I feel as though I have only just unpacked from being at Uni but life is exciting and I am looking forward to what the future holds. These are a couple of mugs that we have bought for the flat!! EEEK

4. Some spike earrings by @ctchtwentytwo! On sale now from only £2.99: https://www.etsy.com/listing/109125737/bronze-spikestud-earring

5. PAUSE magazine is an online blog that I have been writing for over the past couple of months! I was lucky enough to get the cover interview that featured lyrical genius, Mikill Pane. It is a brilliant magazine and the editor @Johnson_Gold is a very talented man with a brilliant future ahead of him. Order your copy now online at: www.pausemag.co.uk

6. Another bracelet by @ctchtwentytwo. For more info contact me on twitter:@katiehandybeith or katiehandybeith@gmail.com

7. It's that time of the year again-London Fashion Week. I spent the day there on Saturday as a writer for @Pause_Mag and even caught up with an old uni friend at the Jasper Garvida show at Bloomsbury hotel. All and all it was a brilliant day!! Watch pause mag for Street Style and my London Fashion Week post very soon!!

8. You can't go to London Fashion Week and not get an instagram of some street style. Pause caught up with electro band 'Plastic'. Their style certainly caused a stir at London Fashion Week and their eclectic use of customising and bright colours worked brilliantly. They might not be everyones cup of tea but I love them!! Check them out on twitter: @PlasticUKMusic

9. Ok so there's some more @ctchtwentytwo bracelets. I hope you like! 

@katiehandybeith
katiehandybeith@gmail.com

A day in London...

The view of Oxford Street on the 6th level of London College of Fashion

I spent the day in London on Wednesday, I had a very busy day. I started off with dropping clothes off from an editorial to The National Costume hire, then I headed to Oxford Street which is always a bad move for my bank balance. I had an interview planned with Jonathan Baker, course director of visual merchandising and the writer of inspiration VM blog www.retailstorewindows.com. I thought in preperation I would have a walk and get inspired by some of the shop windows.

Simple yet eye-catching. Topshop, Oxford Circus

Topman, Oxford Circus

More simple windows from Topshop, Oxford Circus

Zara, Oxford Street. Interesting and eye-catching window display

Selfridges, Oxford Street

More eye-catching window displays at Selfridges.

One of the more boring window displays at Selfridges at the moment, but still elegant and simple