Thoughts from the front row at London Fashion Week

Karen Dacre reports on all stylish happenings from the front row
Karen Dacre23 February 2016

1. Handbags at dawn

Now that London is in possession of its own “super Sunday” for accessories, it has become all but impossible to even look at a handbag without wondering if you’ll find a better one elsewhere.

Thankfully there’s something on offer for everyone with Anya Hindmarch Rubik’s cube keyrings, and Pac-Man totes a far cry from Mulberry’s new and more somber direction.

On Friday night, Charlotte Olympia’s space odyssey saw out-of-this-world clutches serve as companions to Ziggy Stardust velvet boots. Britain’s accessory offering is officially out of this world.

Anya Hindmarch Autumn/Winter 2016
Catwalking.com

2. Out-Zoolandering Zoolander

Julien Macdonald called a spade a spade and gave the public what they wanted on Saturday with a showcase which was meta in every sense.

Blue Steel cocktails, preceded a catwalk show watched by a front row of perfectly coiffed TV stars (hiya, Chatty Man!) while models sporting chain-mail slashed gowns staged a homage to Derek and Hansel’s walk off.

3. Discovering the shearling dress

A pair of boots? Yes. A coat? Definitely. But a shearling dress feels like a new concept entirely. Thanks to Paula Gerbase’s 1205 and her latest tactile offering we really, really want one. The designer’s clever waterproof organza (imagine the possibilities) is also on our winter wish list.

1205 Autumn/Winter 2016 
Catwalking.com

4. Partying like it’s 2011

On Saturday night menswear site Mr Porter gatecrashed the womenswear festivities with a swank shindig in celebration of its fifth anniversary. The perfect antidote to the uptight affairs that have been known to define the LFW social circuit, this was a good old-fashioned knees-up drenched with tasty martinis. Well, they do say standing is the new sitting.

5. The American invasion

London was treated to an influx of foreign visitors this week, notably Marc Jacobs who made a surprise appearance at the Fashion East show.

In town for one night only, Jacobs was joined by mega model Karlie Kloss who attended the Topshop show alongside fellow clothes horses Jourdan Dunn and Lara Stone.

Topshop AW16 at London Fashion Week

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FYI: Kloss is very, very tall.

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