Louise Amstrup

During fashion week it is hard to have favourites - almost every collection is breathtaking if not innovative and exciting, but I feel very passionate about this when I say that Louise Amstrup's S/S 2010 Collection could by far be the best presentation at Vauxhall.


Firstly, the presentation itself was inspiring and different. Amstrup showed her collection on 14 grey mannequins and 4 real life models, posing opposite a wall of mirrors - some old, new, antique and collectable. Working with creative set designer Alex Cunningham to create an intriguing way of showing off the collection and giving a strong insight into Amstrup's creative process.

The models carried off the make up very well - a to die for smoky eye with pouty pale lips. (Heaven forbid if I even begun to try and carry this look off. However, if you think you can give it a run for it's money check out http://www.thefashionscout.com/ for an exclusive interview with Benefit's creative director Rachel Wood for top tips!)

The collection merged fantastically together and used a luxurious palette of soft greys, blacks and creams and a merge of all three colours to provide a cute print.

I can honestly say that each piece is extremely wearable. When the presentation hall opened, press and buyers filled up the room excitedly - I don't think Amstrup will be having any trouble trying to get this on our shop floors.

Even in her fourth season, Amstrup is growing from strength to strength. She expressed that her main inspiration for the collection had come from a "beautiful yet shattered surrounding".

The garments ranged from feminine silhouettes to structured and the draping on the collection was made all the more luxurious by the silks, chiffons and cottons used. Although Amstrup is only in her third year designing for her own label, this collection tells me, no infact, screams at me, that she is only just hotting up.

Romina Karamanea

Here are some exclusive backstage pictures from the Romina Karamanea show at VFS on Saturday.

After having an exclusive chat with her assistant, Renata, she exclaimed her sheer exitement of the new S/S 2010 Collection, "It's extremely futuristic and architectural. The shapes are very sharp and the main colour use being grey, off whites and black."

Romina herself concluded that the collection was modern yet 'robotic' and "there is a theme of disconnection as everything is precisely disjointed, proportionately."

Combined with sulty models who stalked beautifully down the runway, it is a huge success for the Saint Martin's Graduate who's work has been acknowledged by legendary fashion icons such as Isabella Blow and Franca Sozanni. Her third catwalk show to date, Romina is leading the way for emerging talent.

After the show had ended, Romina was (understandably) relaxed and cheerful - she looked extremely proud of herself, and so she should. A fantastic clean collection full of interesting silhouettes; a very cohesive collection.

Fashion Illustrators at VFS

Special notice needs to be given to the superbly talented ladies and gents at Fashion Scout - no words are needed, just their beautiful pictures. It's fair to say jealousy reigns free from every inch of my body - why wasn't I born this gifted?

All images can be found on http://www.thefashionscout.com/ under CATWALK ILLUSTRATIONS.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout

PHEW! London Fashion Week is over! And what a week it was. I had my first week interning with Vauxhall Fashion Scout in the absolutely stunning Freemason's Hall in Holborn. The team of about 50 girls were seperated into 4 catagories: Backstage, Front of House, Presentation Hall and Media Centre.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to do some blogging for the VFS Blog (check it out: http://www.thefashionscout.com/) and was put in the presentation room with 9 other girls for the week.

The presentation hall is an entirely new concept for Vauxhall and in my opinion (given the economic crisis) is the future of fashion - the new catwalk ladies! It is such a perfect opportunity for designers, stylists, editors, PRs, buyers etc to mingle with each other and more importantly - get up and close personally with the clothes!

Here is my day by day account of the shows in the presentation hall...

Friday was very hectic, with us having to set up for the Kingston Graduate Show (Interview with Rachal Lamb to follow). The two graduates - Niahm O'Connor and Rachal Lamb were superb - albeit slightly stressed. There were 3 showings and I was put backstage helping dress the models.

Niahm's collection boasts of a tongue-in-cheek altered sportswear with bright orange, blue and white being the central colours. Rachal kept to a more nude palet of soft pinks, oranges and beiges - with some truely breathtaking shorts and beautiful blouses.

More updates to follow, including the manic Hemya show, the want-it-all Romina Karamanea show, Louise Amstrup (incredible), Harriet's Muse, L.F. Markey and the menswear.

NIAMH O'CONNOR

RACHAL LAMB