Plenty of Surprises at the M&S AW09 Fashion Show, Kilmainham

I’m blogging about this show because I think for the first time in a good number of seasons Marks & Spencer have really tried and succeeded in creating a range of pieces that should appeal to women of all ages. I’m blogging because M&S may not necessarily be a store that would be high on my list of shops to hit when on a shopping spree. If someone found a reason why this should not be the case I’d sure is heck want them to tell me, so I’m spreading the word…

Last night the beautiful Baroque Chapel of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, played host to the M&S AW09 collections preview. (Yeah take that London Fashion Week!)

The chapel itself was where everyone gathered before going in to the show there were loads of people eager to see the collections. The crowd was as mixed a crowd as you would get at a fashion show, with ladies of literally all ages grabbing a seat in the adjoining room where a catwalk had been set up.

There were 8 collections in total; 4 younger more urban collections and 4 collections showing classic / business attire. I’m going to focus on the 4 younger collections, for a number of reasons; the main one being that it totally inspired and surprised me.

Because there were 4 collections there was a good variety in what we saw; some feminine, some edgy. Plum tartan coats, and metallic parker-style jackets layered over embellished knit dresses and abstract print skirts were particular hits.

Key style notes for dresses included structure, snake-print detailing, rouched sleeves and tulip-style skirts. Studs were on everything from boots to gloves, look out for the studded-cuff, leather bomber jacket and an incredible studded lambs wool dress with short sleeves. (That is a must have at €47.50).

Itching to shop? Try Dublin Flea Market this weekend.

Dublin’s next Fleamarket is to be held this Sunday, September 27^th at the usual spot, The Coop, Newmarket, D8.

The market is the monthly home of some rather fab people selling, as they put it, “a bizarre bazaar of vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and what-not’s”. From vintage coats to antique jewellery this martket has so much to shop for. There are also some independent designers selling their wares as well as stalls selling food and snacks, all to the sound of some jazz or funk band or another.

It is definitely worth a drop by for an hour or so, to get more of an idea click here for Flea TV, showing video clips from previous markets.

Chloe Sevigny Full of Grace

I just got an email from Harvey Nichols saying that they are the exclusive stockists of the Lana Marks, Cleopatra Clutch that Chloe Sevigny wore to the Emmy awards last weekend. It’s an utterly beautiful, highly coveted piece of arm candy that was apparently inspired by Elizabeth Taylor. This one has been especially modified for Chloe, her snake-skin version has “a detachable silver shoulder strap to match the bags silver hardware”.

She has worn it at a number of events and has one in alligator skin too by all accounts. But it was the quote that came with the email that really got me thinking because it shows an insight into how she is so painfully stylish. During an interview with Marie Claire magazine she said of her clutch,

“Too many bags flaunt huge labels. I prefer a more discreet look.”

Good grief, she’s so right.

The Cleopatra clutch is available from Harvey Nichols for a Wa-hopping £5,400. (yup, that’s pounds sterling). If anyone does buy one, do let me have a lend of it won’t you!

Burberry Prorsum Closes LFW – Pure Magic

Okay so here we go; the FRow (front row) at Burberry Prorsum’s closing show at London Fashion Week were:

Gwynneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, Stella McCartney, Emma Watson, Carine Roitfeld, Anna Wintour, Freida Pinto, Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Agyness Deyn, Erin O’Connor and Mary-Kate Olsen… as well as up and coming style setter, Jameela Jamil (T4, Channel 4). That is one powerfully stylish ‘Frow’. If these women are supporting you and sitting on the Frow at your fashion show, which is representing a ‘homecoming’ for your brand, which is closing London Fashion Week that is celebrating its 25th anniversary, you have one heck of a show to put on.

What’s more, Emma, Alexa, Freida and Gwynneth were all wearing Burberry Prorsum and looking fantastic to boot. Naturally I’m favouring Emma Watson’s metallic sparkles but Alexa Chung rocked that mac so well she’ll have set a new micro-trend by the weekend. Hmmm, I wonder, do Topshop have affordable Burberry style macs anyone..? So what was the actual show like? I mean, with a crowd like this one you’d be forgiven for thinking that the catwalk would come second, but ever since I saw the clips and images from the show first thing this morning, it’s all I’ve been able to look at all day.

It’s amazing how on first glance I just adored this collection, it usually takes a few looks for me to really get and understand a collection or where a designer has gone / is going with it creatively. But Burberry Prorsum SS10 was so immediate and I still can’t get enough of it hours later. It is totally wearable, utterly chic and feminine, as well as being, elegant and classic with striking design detailing and structure that makes it totally refreshing.

The twists on the classic Burberry mac were ingenious; shortening the hemlines and sleeve lengths, adding rouching and draping on the shoulders and lower coat, using sheer or shiny fabrics in pretty pastels and neutrals. Removing the sleeves also meant that the classic mac became an evening dress in at least one instance. Even though the collection embraced femininity in both fabric and shape, masculine elements, like black buttons, large leather belts with chunky buckles all prevented it from becoming overly pretty.

Dresses varied between simple shift dresses in shiny fabrics; draped and rouched skirts in silk chiffon and shredded foil, (see Emma Watson). All worn with brown leather belts, ankle socks and sky-high platform heels in pale tones. It looked to be an absolute triumph, reports say it was the ultimate homecoming. The icing on the cake was a glittery, sparkly silver shower of ticker tape along the catwalk during the finale. Verdict: it was an utterly perfect fashion show.

Check a video of the show: