Catwalk Queen's fashion week intern, Pui-Tien Man, writes...
A little late due to camera issues (technology always fails when you need it most! I had to go back and re-photograph the pictures we lost yesterday)... but oh boy, do we have lots to tell you...! Day two (Tues) of our LFW extravaganza, and we're full of admiration for the CQ Fashion Team. One day in and we're already feeling a little tired... we don't know how the gang have been hopping from show to interview to party, with the stamina of antelopes on Red Bull. Yikes!
We were delighted to be invited to two fashion parties last night, Swarovski's 'Crystallized' store launch (the stereotypical refined fashion do, sipping Moët and lychee martinis with little fingers extended!) and Eley Kishimoto's pumping show afterparty (which had the energy of a student club night)...
However, the extent of Pui-Tien's star-spotting was limited to the queue for the loo, where a tispy Mark Eley was presented with a lollypop from a well-wishing guest (who was promptly accosted by the attendant).
Given this slightly heavier night, and feeling slightly worse for wear (but no less enthusiastic), we went back to the LFW exhibition tents this morning to see if we could spot any more standout items, and to comb the tents more diligently and objectively (minus the overwhelming sense of novelty during our first day yesterday).
Wilbur and Gussie's silk handbags slowed us to a stop every time we passed the stall. The mass of colours in its wide range of clutch styles was eye-catching enough without the large diamante brooches that adorned their clasps. Marie-Louise, the PR, explained that the designs were slightly tongue-in-cheek, and not to be taken too seriously... but we seriously loved these versatile styles. Pui-Tien's favourite was the 'Cherry Drop' bag, while Kim preferred the 'Green Leopard'. Handbags out and at the ready!
Other pieces worthy of note: new label 'Once Upon a Time' (pictured, left), who took the phrase 'smoking jacket' very literally by embroidering cigarettes all over a bomber, and Bracher Emden's Swarovski upclass blingin' crystal embellished bags (we have Swarovski on the mind after yesterday's party!)
Lunch today was at TOPSHOP's authentic English pub getup on the first floor (their sandwiches are surprisingly tasty... but then again, we were ravenous). Time again to admire the displays of designer clothing surrounding us, as we sat a few feet away from Poltock & Walsh's clothes rack and Anna Vince's accessories... do they not get afraid of people scoffing greasy 'scampi fries' and pork scratchings within inches of their creations? The mind boggles...
We were also back on the lookout to try on our 'faves of the day' (much to the continued bemusement of the designers' PRs!), but with a twist: this time, this time, Kim would pick one for Pui-Tien, and Pui-Tien would choose one for Kim. It was a challenge: Pui-Tien harbours a predeliction for quirkier styles, while Kim favours more classic cuts.
Undeterred, Kim displayed an immediate knack for personal styling. The first dress she pounced on for Pui-Tien was a delicate chiffon minidress from Olivia Rubin's A/W collection. Dubbed the 'Sofa Print' dress, its little velvet spots and printed runching were simultaneously kooky and cute. Pui-Tien's verdict? Totally "spot-on" (pun intended) ...sweet and utterly perfect in every way!
We hadn't walked far when Kim came face-to-face to the item of her dreams, and nothing Pui-Tien could pick would distract her from her prize. The object of her affection? Wang Wei's belted 'Amber Jill' trench, made of unbelievably soft, smooth sheepskin. Kim was adamant on being photographed in the beauty, and plans to save diligently for a few years to afford its £600 retail price... but some day, it will be hers!
We snapped some impressive fashionistas in the queue for Krystof Strozyna's catwalk show in the BFC tent before heading over to the Vauxhall Fashion Scout venue to case the place... to be confronted with a small reception area, and lots of moody glamorous people sitting waiting... for something. Blinking in confusion, we headed right back out again!
By now our feet were hurting, so it was back to base camp. But tomorrow heralds a new medium at our disposal - video - so already we're thinking about what treats we can cook up on film. Stay tuned!
