In The Navy | LFW SS16

Wallis striped blouse & denim pencil skirt* | Stan Smith's*

box bag* | mirror aviators

Day two at London Fashion Week was a wet one - do excuse my hair. This was also the day I started getting ill and ended up being my last at LFW this season. Not all was miserable however, as I managed to catch the amazing Barbara Casasola show and got to wear this killer outfit by Wallis and that certainly brightened up the day.  

I love navy, there's something so effortlessly chic about the dark hue so when I spotted this skirt and blouse by Wallis I knew the duo would make for a perfect LFW look. Co-ordinating the striped with my navy accented Stan Smiths actually made wearing trainers to fashion week some what chic - I love to mix things up a bit. Pairing smart pieces like this blouse and skirt with a pair of kicks and slicked back (sort of) hair made for an awesome sports luxe vibe which I think worked so well with this look. It was quite the street style hit and I got so many compliments - perhaps it's a trend I need to try more.

As I mentioned I managed to catch the Barbara Casasola show in the morning, thankfully it was in Chelsea and just a short 10 minute uber ride from my flat and it was just as impressive as last season (see here). I was fortunate enough to be given a seat on the front row which was great as I could see each glorious piece sashay past me in fine detail. It was all fluid tailoring, sheer details and asymmetric cuts and just wonderful. I actually got to meet one of my favorutie bloggers Lucy Williams of Fashion Me Now at the show who was so lovely. I actually happened to be wearing one of the necklaces she designed for Missoma too!

I then headed into the hub of it in Soho to shoot and catch up with Gemma and Charlotte but unfortunately wasn't feeling well enough for Holly Fulton so had to head some in the afternoon. I was so gutted about missing it as the collection looked so beautiful, but health's gotta come first and there's always next season! Hope you enjoyed my final instalment of London Fashion Week AW16, check out what I'm wearing below.

This post is in collaboration with Wallis but all thoughts and views are my own.

Layering Neutrals | LFW SS16

I'm wearing: Dorothy Perkins SS16 lace shirt & gilet* | Vintage trench coat

Levi's 501's (DIY crop)* | Topshop slingbacks

I think this may be one of my most loved fashion week outfits to date. If you caught my takeover on the Dorothy Perkins Instagram you'll know I'm wearing some gorgeous new pieces from their SS16 collection. So new in fact, they aren't actually on the website yet! Always one for a good bit of lace, I'm obsessed with the detail on this shirt. Perfect for spring summer, this looks gorgeous alone or layered under other pieces like I have. I feel like this faux suede gilet (also from the new collection) is it's match made in heaven. With a vintage trench and jeans and a pair of killer (literally, ow) heels, I was good to go.

I can't remember the last time London Fashion Week actually started with a bit of sunshine. For the passed few seasons it's the first day of fashion week has been all about huddling under an umbrella and trying our best not to skid on the wet cobbles. So, to head out on Friday morning into the bright sunshine was pretty bloody delightful. To kick off, it was breakfast with Kurt Geiger to preview their new SS16 collection (from that amazing Karlie Kloss campaign) in their Covent Garden store. Munching on some delicious breakfast canapés and sipping almond milk lattes, I had a lovely morning catching up with some blogger friends and browsing through the new pieces. I chose this pair to take away with me and my blister-ridden feet were so thankful to have them on me at the end of the day.

I then headed over to Soho for a coffee with Lizzy before heading to the Threefloor presentation. This was actually one of my favoruites this season. As much as I love a pair of ripped jeans and a leather jacket, there's something about flirty, feminine pieces that just have me weak at the knees. White walls and fresh foliage made for a modern Alice In Wonderland vibe (remind me I need a room in my future house like this) whilst models clad in lace, pleats, were fit for any fairy tale. Red appliquéd flowers and sweetheart necklines added a Queen of Hearts air to the collection whilst the darker, sheer detailed pieces provided a mystical elegance.

I then spent a couple of hours at The Apartment. It was my first time attending this season and I have to say the whole set up was pretty spectacular. From a blow dry bar provided by the experts at Mark Hill to manicures, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and an unlimited pretty pick'n'mix buffet it was a great little haven amongst the madness of London Fashion Week. There was even fresh flowers and a variety of tiles outside to help capture those perfect #fwis shots! After a hair re-fresh and recharge of batteries (both mine and my iPhone's) it was time for my final shows.

At the Paul Costello show I was greeted with a lovely ice-cold glass of champagne as I was shown to my seat. It was my first time seeing this designer so was excited to see what was in store and the show did not disappoint. Plaid and checks come around quite often during the AW season but I absolutely loved the 'rock chick' vibes from this collection. Everything was super fierce, from the model's hair and make-up to the music. I'm not usually one for punk-y trends but I couldn't get enough of the edgy looks juxtaposed with sheer flirty pieces and feminine silhouettes.

Unfortunately, after a couple of drinks during the day, this is when I start to feel a bit unwell. I was absolutely gutted to have missed the Charlotte Simone presentation on Friday and from what pictures I saw it looked amazing. Annoyingly, I've had the worse kidney infection come on this weekend, hence why I only made it part way through day two. So, instead of today's shows it's been a duvet day filled with antibiotics and Netflix. I've missed some of my favourtie designers and it's the first season in three years I haven't completed properly -  safe to say I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself, but sometimes you just gotta follow the doc's orders. Stay tuned for tomorrow's look!

Librarian Chic at Orla Kiely

This season Orla took us on a trip to the Library. Inspired by Ali Macgraw in the film Love Story, Orla Kiely transported us back to the late 60's with a preppy, romantic autumn winter collection. Before I talk about the collection itself, I have to take my hat off to Kiely for her ever imaginative and beautifully creative sets. As you can see, the Library was quite something, complete with retro lamps, desks and a tonne of pretty books. As soon as I sat down, hot chocolate in hand and the sound of Björk's Oh So Quiet filled the room, I knew I was about to be treated to another special collection of hers. Geometric patterns and imprints influenced by maths and geometry featured across dresses and cigarette pants whilst large 'graph paper' checks were printed on bags, knitwear and two pieces. Key pieces for me were the bubblegum pink cape coat and a maxi silk dress that have the prettiest of nods to the 70's. It may be quiet in the library, but the bold and bright collection is anything but, librarian chic has never been so chic.

Shop Orla Kiely SS15 below:

London Fashion Week Day 1

Zara jacket (sale) | Topshop jumpsuit | New Look shoes (sale) | Ebay clutch

What a day. I'm currently writing this from my new room in bed with sore feet and aching legs but I've had such an amazing day. I started off by hitting Somerset House at about 11 and wandered around taking pictures and having mine taken. This jumpsuit seemed to be a real hit! A couple of highlights were getting interviewed by MTV and photographed for Cosmopolitan, super exciting. I then met up with mega babe Lolli form Girl Stole London, who's been an angel at showing me the ropes this season. We went to register and bumped into more bloggers in the queue, after a lovely to catch up with Jamie and Laura we headed back outside and onto the cobbles for some outfit shooting, big thanks to Lolli for shooting mine. We then met up with babein' blogger Kavita and set off for the New Look refuel lounge. After quickly returning from the Yeashin show I indulged in all the treats from brownies to detoxing cactus smoothies provided by the fabulous New Look team! It was so nice to be able to relax for a bit with lots of other bloggers, eating food and listening to cool music put on by their awesome dude on the decks. After a much needed chill and downtime I headed off to my last 3 shows which were back to back! 

The Yeashin show was full of pastels, pleats and plaits in the hair. Taking a very pretty step into SS14, Yeashin sent doll-like models down the catwalk, with feminine frills delicately placed here and there the candy coloured garments looked good enough to eat. A great start to my shows!

Up next at Fashion Scout was Apu Jan, I'd been excited for this one since the awesome invite popped through the door. Showing us monochrome will be back again for Spring Summer Apu Jan sent a black and white pallette down the catwalk with red and pink hues coming through on floral digitized prints. Someone needs to get me one of those hats, in love.

After that gorgeous tasseled collection (that I was able to get up close and person with in the FS exhibition!) that won her the Fashion Scout Merit award I was dying to see what Yulia Kondranina had instore for SS14. I was instantly drawn in by the head-to-toe white start, featuring digital prints and cut out shapes then moving on to a monochromatic finish with hints of red and purple. Pure bliss.

 

And onto what was probably my favorite show of the day, and not just because Poppy Delevigne was sat front row about 10 feet away from me (and literally rubbed shoulders with at the drinks reception). I somehow managed to get a second row seat and had the most incredible view. Ping He worked with black and white hues, again showing us monochrome's going to be big again for Spring Summer. The elegant but structural pieces made for an absolutely divine collection, and don't even get me started on those insane beehives, job well done Toni & Guy.

Watch some video clips from the shows on my instagram and stay tuned for day 2 action, but for now I need to sleep!

(all photos are my own)