#LFW RUNWAY RECAP SS16 | MM6 Maison Margiela, Versus Versace

What with London Fashion Week and the Rugby World Cup coinciding, I've been off form with my LFW updates. So today and tomorrow I'll be posting "Runway Recaps" of some of my favourite collections showcased over the past few days. 

Kicking it off we have SS16 collections from Maison Margiela and Versus Versace. 

MM6 MAISON MARGIELA

If there's one fashion house you can always rely on taking classic pieces and putting insanity-induced-spins on them...its Maison Margiela. The entire collection was rough with a street edge. The accessories were centric to the collection and introduced a sense of femininity to Margiela's notorious long-line baggy shape. Showing off sequin tights paired with chunky-flatforms, see through handbags and sequinned scarves. Margiela also took feminine dresses, twisting the classic concept by using bin-bag material [obvs]. I absolutely loved the pink metallic injection to an otherwise dark spring/summer collection.

I'm not nearly cool enough/nor ever in a position where I need to wear a bum-bag as a top to ever rock this collection but I really appreciate a unique twist on fashion week, when nowadays collections are merging into one another more and more.  

VERSUS VERSACE

It's absolutely no secret that Versace is one of-if not my favourite fashion house. It's all about fierce woman, dressed to kill [literally]. 

It's safe the say that the collection is my favourite of SS16 that I've seen so far. It was unapologetically fierce. We saw the classic silhouettes that we can always rely on from Versace, but this SS collection dared to implement a more casual vibe into Versus. With an injection of floral print and denim, as well as bomber jackets; this collection definitely had a street-style feel to it and I'm not complaining. Sticking to mainly monochrome colour palettes with the exception of deep greens and earthy blues/purples for the printed florals, Versus ditched the classic gold metal and switched it up for a more understated silver. 

Head back to my blog tomorrow evening to see my Runway Recap of Topshop Unique, Burberry and more. 

[all photo credit to VOGUE.co.uk & Tumblr]

#LFW | BURBERRY PRORSUM AW15

It's no secret that the Burberry show is my highlight of any fashion week. Whether it's menswear or womenswear, time and time again Christopher Bailey and the team produce flawless collections. There's always a nod to current trends but it's always true to British-style and unique. 

I've found it incredibly hard to condense the collection into a blogpost without including all the looks. Seriously, I haven't said this in a very long time but there wasn't a look I wouldn't wear, which is incredibly rare. So here's some of the looks I was drawn to most. 

The Burberry Prorsum AW15 collection was not even slightly what I expected. 

There's a hint of 70s but we're talking 60s, bohemian dreams. Fringing, leopard, garish boho prints and ethereal midi-dresses. Deep, earthy colours were the theme of the show - bold and unforgiving, there's nothing wishy-washy about this collection. 

Let's start by talking about the camel trench-coat above shall we? Annoyingly, the picture doesn't do it justice but the entire back of the coat is drenched in fringing and in motion it pretty much stole the show for me. Thigh-high printed boots were a reoccurring theme throughout the show, with patchwork-esc prints, layers often overlapping which made you wonder if the boots ever ended. Texture, alongside prints [we'll get to that later] was key within the show. From short-fur coats, to shearling collars. 

I'm obsessed with the structured tops in contrast to the printed boho midi skirts. It's took the boho vibe and threw the girl with flowers in her hair into the city and Burberry do that oh so well. Then, there's those heels with the drop front and fringing...so much darn fringing and I'm not complaining.  

Empire lines ruled regardless of the style of the dress. I love the use of blue prints, added some freshness into the show compared to the darker more earthy colours. Print was an enormous part of the collection, completely in-your-face there was something about the collection that was totally free, whether it was the swinging of the fringing or the boldness of the colours - it's so reminiscent of the summer of love.  

According to Burberry, next AW capes aren't going anywhere. This time, instead of the geometric print we've all grown used to, it's print and embellishments with fringing [duh]. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a Burberry collection without the infamous trench coat. This seasons twists included colour blocking, suede blue and grey combination floral prints and layered fringing in a camel colour. 

I sat there at the end of the show and couldn't help but wonder what it must like to be Christopher Bailey and the creative team, knowing that they continue to produce the most incredible collections. Burberry really do set the pinnacle for British fashion and fashion in general. 

I would never have thought of these looks for AW and now I don't want to wear anything else. I love that there's a little bit of Saint Laurent vibe to some of the pieces but all in all, it's iconic Burberry thinking. 

Of course, you guys will know by the way I've spoken about Burberry in the past and this post, this collection has knocked all over fashion houses out of the water. 

If this is what autumn/winter looks like, bring on the cold. 

All photo credit to VOGUE.co.uk | see all the looks from the collection HERE

#LFW | TOPSHOP UNIQUE AW15

It's going to be an extensive post, so get cozy. 

I've got a problem with Topshop. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the brand. It's at the forefront of fashion and provides affordable on-trend clothes. BUT, when it comes to the Topshop Unique collections at London Fashion Week, I'm never wowed. LFW is the platform of all platforms to showcase true, edgy, British fashion and for the last few seasons I feel as if Topshop have fallen flat. 

Don't get me wrong, there are some stand out looks and interesting designs but it lacks anything unique, the very word in it's title. 

Topshop have most definitely gone in a completely new direction with this collection. It feels as if they're starting again. Reminiscent of what we'd see on the Burberry catwalk, the clothes are much more refined and demure. It'll be interesting to see how these pieces are translated into every day wear. 

INSPIRATION | watching the LiveStream we got to go backstage and speak to all those involved with the creation of the collection. Topshop's Creative Director explained that the collection is heavily based on "British models" and their "effortless style and individual spirit". Rosie, the Casting Director went onto add that the models were selected on the basis of "well-bred, refined looks" with the appearance of being "fresh out of an expensive boarding school". Another quote based the collection around a "wild girl from the Scottish high lands now living in the city." 

The collection began with a neutral shades, beige always a classic colour for AW. I love the first look above, it's such a classic look that I think the collection was aiming to reflect. It's a pretty plain colour palette but there's something fresh about it. I love the contrast of the thick knit with the lighter fabric of the pinafore. Fur is also an enormous part of the Topshop Unique collection. Whether it's fur cuffs or full on faux fur coats. Roll necks are back, tucked into A line skirts or high waisted cigarette trousers, placing emphasis on the waist. 

Where we are used to seeing it during SS collections, powder blue implemented into AW gave the collection a breath of fresh air, adding to that icy-country morning walk feel. Shown in both a suede suit and a more relaxed high neck knitted dress, contrasted with a printed shirt and/or a camel coat to bring out the colour. 

Botanical prints were a massive portion of what made up this collection. Instead of the stereotypical heavy floral prints, these were refreshing. Despite it being a winter collection, there was a lot of leg on show, with thigh splits and knee high boot combinations which isn't all that practical in a British winter... Brogues also making a return, as well as boots and shoes with block heels. 

Forget 50 Shades of Grey, it's all about green. I love the use of green within this collection, it gives it an earthy, natural feel. Botanical embellishments as well as prints added texture into the looks. We've also got the classic trench coat provided in a leather/plastic look [cough Burberry did it first] as well as the same material in a little mini skirt. The third look seems to incorporate everything the collection stands for, you've got a contrast in texture with faux fur and the leather skirt as well as the printed shirt. 

The AW15 collection also provided us with some unique evening wear pieces. Fluffy cuffed sleeves to the satin cut-out back dress in the first look is also seen in a pink/orange tinted combination in the third look above. Topshop definitely focused a lot of attention on clashing textures. The dress in the middle is pretty much a rip off of past Burberry SS collections, but it looked rad as hell in black. I like the unbuttoned neck adding a more laid back, edgy vibe. 

Overall, I love the concept and that Topshop did actually reflect the idea in the collection. There are some pieces in there that I can't wait to style during AW15 but overall, it's nothing ground breaking.  They're dominating the High Street world. Don't get me wrong, I understand it's a totally new look for Topshop, but I want to see them setting the president, laying down some of their own rules and representing that idiosyncratic Brit style. As a brand, Topshop are bold and I just never get that vibe in their Unique collections. I'm in no way disappointed, I just feel as if the Topshop Unique collections can give a lot more than they are. 

All photo credit to VOGUE.CO.UK. You can see the full Topshop Unique AW15 collection HERE