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Sure, it took a while to get here but exactly a week later I'm posting about the final day of LFW. Things can only get better, right? I didn't have much on my schedule so I visited SHOWstudio's 'Fashion Revolution' exhibition, currently at Somerset House. I was really excited to see it, partly because I spent a few months in the winter of 2006 there, interning under the simply fantastic Penny Martin, at the old studio on Ironmonger Row, and partly because I'm convinced that Nick Knight is a genius and can execute anything he sets his eyes on beautifully and in the most original and innovative manner imaginable. Please visit, it's the most engaging and fascinating exhibition I've seen in a while! Well done, guys!
After spending too long in the exhibition I rushed to the opening of the first Barbour Heritage store, on Fouberts Place. Great little shop that reflects the history of the brand, which goes back to 1908, and is full of the products that have made it iconic. I really want to get my hands on one of their wax cotton International jackets or one of the quilted styles. 
On my way home, I stopped at the Charlotte Olympia presentation at the Langham Hotel and I really wish I had more time to spend there, the cakes looked lovely! Charlotte's SS10 collection looked at the Garden of Eden for inspiration and there are contoured leaf patterns, perfect in a vibrant green, and of course, snakeskin but what really got me excited were the flat shoes she debuted. I loved 'Betsy' in yellow, with two small leaves on the laces and Lois in leopard. Sure, the girl can do a platform shoe better than most but it's these little ventures into an area most designers avoid, that assure me this is one designer to take very seriously indeed. 
Day 4 was, and I'm borrowing my friend Tina's line here, simply the best! Packed schedule, great designers, interesting shows and a meeting with the First Couple of Street-style photography. One fine day indeed! And as the next day was going to be pretty low-key for me, I made the most of this one. Really, you should have seen me rushing from one venue to the next! Or maybe you did, yes, I was the delirious-looking, power-walking one seen around the Marylebone area, around midday. OK, not the only one!!!
It started with Marios Schwab and the anticipation levels were maxed out, what with the Halston appointment pretty fresh in everyone's minds. This was my first Marios show and I was enchanted and very simply, bowled over! So, the slightly 'unconvinced' reviews I read later on did not exactly compute. Nor, I guess, with the boy and girl that were next to me and couldn't stop going "oooh, aaah, oooh"...
First Todd Lynn show too and, quelle surprise, loved it too! Despite the fact that the man can cut a jacket and then some, any show that ends with 'Paint it Black' gets my seal of approval. And where would fashion designers be without those, ha?
I love going to the Fashion Fringe shows for a few reasons; I like the venue, the snacks, the goodie bags and the suspense of waiting for the announcement of the winner, soon after the show. And, for a rare glimpse of Donatella, of course. Last time, I bumped into her (well, not literally) in the corridor and she was really nice. This may sound pathetic, in a "well, what did you expect her to do? Ask one of her bodyguards to throw you out?" way but really, when the girl that interns at the PR agency for a week gives you attitude, the fact that Donatella Versace looks up at you and smiles and says a lovely 'ciao' is pretty nice. So, she's nice. Established. This time, she was swamped by photographers trying to take her picture when she took her seat, and yes, I tried a sneaky one too (sneaky because we're friends now, after said incident). I won't say much about the show but I wish I had the guts to take a picture of the ever-so-lovely Sarah from Colette and her face at some particularly 'intriguing' looks. 
Josh Goot next and aside from the fact that the venue was a car park with three flights of stairs, the show was summery and bright and fun, in a way that only an Australian designer could do. You know, that real appreciation of summer and sunshine and the beach and the way he can cut a tee dress without it looking frumpy. I really loved the colour block trousers he did. Now, if only I could surf...
I also managed to pop into Aquascutum's presentation in their Regent Street store. I loved the military touches on the jackets and coats and I'm so glad the label is now in the safe hands of Mr Tillman. With such a heritage, a fantastic designer in Michael Herz and possibly the best advertising campaigns of the season (Tim Walker I love you) this is a brand that deserves to flourish.
And then round the corner to the Gap 1969 pop-up store for a quick drink and a 'hi!' with Garance Doré, who was incredibly lovely, signing tees for people and chatting. Oh, and she looked fab too! Then across the road to Liberty to, finally, get my copy of The Sartorialist's book and have it signed by the Great Man Himself. As soon as I left, the queue was snaking around the corner of the menswear floor.
That's how my Sunday aka Day 3 of LFW started, with a morning presentation by Mulberry at Claridge's, a setting so charming it was impossible to resist and yes, the very cute pugs that walked and posed for the cameras might have had something to do with it! I wanted every single item the models wore and held plus that hair! Emma Hill is doing something very right! The new Luella, perhaps? 
And then it was Topshop's turn with Unique and despite the fact that by the end of it I suffered from a serious case of EO, Eighties Overload, I loved the atmosphere, the celebrities OTT, the backdrop and the sheer energy, enthusiasm and fun of it all. In typical Bradshaw fashion, I couldn't help but wonder; is anyone else also giggling to themselves that this is Topshop we're watching? Well done Uncle Phil!
These are the looks that I really liked, especially the prints.
I then walked home and read the Sunday papers.
Images by Style.com and myself.
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