gfw '09

A run through of some of my favourites from Graduate Fashion Week 2009; starting with Bristol UWE (biased I know!)

Lauren Champion - Her elegant draped fabrics in muted and sumptuous colours were offset beautifully by contrasting detail.

Hannah Mayhew - Her use of florals is exquisite and lends itself well to the ruffled folds of her clothes.

Kimberly Naylor - Colours are fantastic and I love the energy and dynamism of the clothes.

And the best of the rest...

A very promising menswear collection (Kingston University)

Philippa Jenkins - Great oversized accessories and use of colour, it's exciting to see menswear and men's accessories (which are becoming more and more popular with the rise of the 'man-bag' and 'meggings'*) thought about so in-depth.

*I am part of the camp in favour of these daring creations, it's like taking skinny jeans to the next level. This obviously depends on who is wearing them - this is NOT a trend any man other than a dangerously thin man can pull off. I don't think that many fall into this catagory so for those of you who are shocked and appalled at the thought of men in leggings, you may be spared.

Tribal awareness (Middlesex University)

Iwona Pilch - Beautiful designs with a deeper meaning; inspired by the ritual scarring that tribes perform and the practises of cults. Beads were pushed into soft fabrics to create a bubbled look which was taken throughout her whole collection in the form of edging and embellishment.

Luxury Knitwear (Kingston University)

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi - These bold colourful knits commanded the catwalk, also loving the structural shoulders and the knitted helmets - obviously essential for the colder weather!!?!

Decadent Sportswear + Underwear (University of Westminster)

Anna Rose Underwood - The contrasts of structural underwear and comfortable and baggy rompersuit style clothing come together to create a relaxed yet seductive look in this collection. The designs are also inspired by sportswear.

Well done to everyone who showed their collections, must be a nerve-racking thing to be involved in and the culmination of a lot of hard work.

blugirl a/w 09

From the intensely creative mind of Anna Molinari, this is the ready-to-wear younger sister to Blumarine born 1995 and first shown in Milan in 2002. The designs are romantic, fun and constantly new and the Autumn/Winter '09 collection is no different. Just some examples of why Blugirl A/W 09 has caught my eye...

I love the feathered headgear and sparkling embellishments on collars of structured blazers and jackets.

Oversize gilets in demure pastels or eye-popping brights.

Contrasting textures of floral printing on silk slips paired with long ribbed socks worn over tights.

supersize me!

When it comes to jewellery – for me at least – more is more and even more is better! Chunky, clunky, loud and proud jewellery makes any outfit stand out and gives you confidence even if you’re wearing something from the back of the wardrobe. I love loads of gold chains paired with some earthy wooden bangles and huge colourful rings.

A collection of old keys from various vintage fairs/car boots hung from a gold chain makes an interesting necklace.

i'm in chains

Having bought a cream scarf (?!) from Topshop because it liked it and not necessarily because I knew what it was I have been wearing it over a plain white dress (thank you American Apparel for your ever-wonderful basics) as a kind of harness. I am obsessed with this metal bondage looking chain from Norwegian Wood on Etsy.

Worn by stylish Michelle Yue I think that would manage to toughen up even the prettiest dress.

Litter: These girls know how to do chains!

Gorgeous body decoration in the form of garters, shoe chains, shoulder pieces and harnesses, the list goes on. I would do just about anything to be able to own any of the creations here. See them for yourself at

http://www.littersf.com/

magpie

I'm having an obsession with sparkle and shine at the moment and to this end I have invested in a electric blue sequin dress from ebay – pure perfection! Other previous sequin/shiny buys are an unusual top from Beyond Retro and a cropped red top from a charity shop. Sequins in their various forms are done best by Balmain and Anna Molinari, see here...

Balmain's collections have a general theme - sequins are still hot for A/W '09!

Anna Molinari's ethereal top and skirt in AnOther Magazine's shoot by Venetia Scott

I will mostly be wearing opulent sequinned and embroidered gypsy-style skirts with cropped vests and big gold belts until something else catches my eye... Will post pictures of my sequins garments up soon!

juno temple

This girl is to die for (is it natural or permed?) For someone so young she exudes such a confidence in her own style which is something to be admired.

Beautiful feathered Indian headdress (I want one!)

Keeping it simple and classic (with a twist) in a white shirt with corset

Resplendent in embroidered and folky Gucci dress

Smart ruffled shirt is the perfect foil to her wild hair.

Keep an eye out...

sheer

Very long sheer skirt shot with gold thread - I wear with short skirt/shorts underneath to counteract the length, or by tucking it up into itself can create a voluminous mini. Good with cropped tops, a tight t-shirt or bodysuit.