Spring Summer 2014

An Oasis of summer delights

Published on November 21, 2013November 21, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Every so often in the monthly round up of press days you stumble upon a presentation that is so beautiful it warrants it’s own blog. Last week, that was Marks & Spencer’s stunning SS14 offerings, and this week the title goes to Oasis, who yesterday wowed the fashion crowd with a beautifully styled set and some gorgeous girly garments.

Described by PR Manager Lindsay Butcher as ‘Stepford housewives meets Edward Scissorhands’, the make-belief world of ‘Matchy-Patchy Mews’ is based on the opening scene of the 90s cult classic – the part where the camera pans down an American avenue of neatly kept lawns and identikit houses. Yet behind the perfect facade there is a strange murmur of unease and a world of contradiction. I am pleased to report that Oasis’s fashion boulevard was far less sinister, yet equally intriguing (despite the unusual human-sized bright pink bunny rabbits).

The Spring Summer 2014 press day showed brocade dresses hanging on washing lines, trowels and plant pots filled with statement jewels and sunglasses, and dummies dressed in pastel 50s inspired looks pushing boldly painted pink shopping trollies.

So onto the clothes… prints featured heavily whether they be ditsy florals, bold botanical clashing prints or snakeskin jacquards. Denim was found in the form of a cute sundress and A-line skirt, and crop tops, structured leather and the aforementioned pastel tailoring was also showcased.

Quirky floral print birdhouses and sheds peppered the set – so adorable!

Rather than matchy-matchy, Oasis are championing the ‘matchy-patchy’ trend for next season (as seen above)

Fuchsia and scarlet – one of my all-time favourite colour combinations.

If only I could look this chic whilst mowing the lawn…

As an added treat there was also the gorgeous pop-up cafe, which was serving tea and coffee along with some fantastic ladybird macaroons, plant pots of humous and veg sticks and jam jars of superfood salad.

With such a gorgeous presentation, who wouldn’t want to live on Matchy Patchy Mews? Come next Spring, I know where I’ll be heading.

The above images were all taken at yesterday’s Oasis SS14 press day. Items will be in store from February 2014. To view the current AW13 collection, including the fabulous Loved by Mollie edit, head to http://www.oasis-stores.co.uk.

On your Marks

Published on November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

It’s press day time again – the biannual month where all the brands, from River Island to Ralph Lauren, present their next season collections to the press. So, just when I have finally succumbed to a coat and scarf, I am now spending my days looking at next Spring’s sunglasses, swimsuits and tiny shorts. Such is the bizarre nature of the fashion industry.

Most press days tend to fall on a Wednesday or Thursday, which means there can be up to 20 different brands showing in one day, all at different venues across London. Clearly you have to be selective. Yesterday I managed only a handful, which ranged from Jaeger’s new offerings shown at the gorgeous Somerset House to Marks and Spencer’s at One Marylebone. I also popped by Flax PR and Reiss who each presented lovely garments for next spring (vintage clothing and homeware by Cabbages & Roses from the former, and feather prints, pistachio green and minimal white suiting from the later).

The one that really caught my eye yesterday however was Marks & Spencer. I have a huge affinity for the store. I fondly remember buying their prawn and mayonnaise sandwiches as a teenage treat on a busy Saturday shopping with my friends. Equally, my gran, who I love dearly, would give us a voucher for the store every year as our birthday gift. Whilst I possibly would have preferred one for Miss Selfridge or Next at the time, that paper voucher (this was before the current card vouchers) was carefully spent and much deliberated upon.

So to yesterday’s press day, which I think was one of the best I have seen from the brand. Not only was the venue stunning but the clothes were organised into clearly defined (and very photogenic) trend groups, which ranged from the impactful White Out to the pastel Pretty Things. Other trends included Worldwide (prints and tribal influences), Paint Box (bold brights) and 90s Luxe (oversized layers of Celine inspired minimalism). So those are the themes that M&S is predicting for next season. I loved it and I really hope that the collection is as well received by the consumer next February as it was by the press this week. Check out the pictures below and let me know your thoughts…

Trend 1 at Marks & Spencer SS14 Press Day – White Out

Trend 2 at Marks & Spencer – Worldwide (read prints and tribal) – I love this bird print bomber!

Trend 3 at Marks & Spencer – Pretty things

I love this white lace midi dress and the sheer panelled pencil skirt

M&S’s take on the Victoria Beckham oversized drop-waist dress

Bold colours dominate Trend 4 – Paintbox. The pink leather T-shirt is a stand-out piece for me.

Trend 5 – 90s Luxe is a key theme across lots of brands for SS14

The clothes seen above will not be available until next Spring. This is only a preview to give you a taste of what is to come. To shop the current collection, including the fabulous Best of British range, go to www.marksandspencer.com

London Fashion Week SS14 at Somerset House

Published on September 17, 2013September 17, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Yesterday I finally made it down to Somerset House to check out the London Fashion Week SS14 showrooms. The Courtyard houses the main tents where models take to the catwalk in the designers visions for Spring 2014. Yes, just as normal folk are beginning to pull on jumpers and dust off their coats, the fashion folk are projecting what will be the hottest trends when the sun reappears sometime around March. Here is a summary of what I saw and what I loved.

London Fashion Week SS14 New Gen entrance hall

First stop was the Topshop sponsored New Generation hall where the next big things in fashion tout their wares. My favourite shoe designer of the moment, Sophia Webster, showed off a display of her signature candy coloured, kooky heels, predicting bold colours and clever heel detailing for next spring. Oh and jelly heels! My particular fave is the ‘Killer’ stiletto, surely the shoe Bridget Fonda’s rival should have worn in Single White Female…

Shoes, such pretty, pretty shoes by Sophia Webster for SS14

A lot of the New Gen hall was empty as catwalk collections by the likes of J. JS Lee and Simone Rocha hadn’t made it to the showrooms yet, so I headed upstairs to the Ready to Wear Emerging and Contemporary collections.

First stop was Zoe Jordan who showed at the early hour of 9am on Saturday morning, and put out a collection inspired by a grown up skater girl. Expect sports influenced pieces such as white punched leather tees married with printed silk dresses, in a palette of white mixed with bold hues.

Fresh from the catwalk: Zoe Jordan’s ‘Pretty Vandals’ SS14 collection

Christopher Raeburn’s collection also had an overlying sportswear feel (a trend that refuses to go away) with high-tech fabrics worked into chic printed separates.

Christopher Raeburn’s SS14 vision

Georgia Hardinge has this year decided to focus on her buyers and will be presenting a show in Shanghai next week, but for London she was on hand to explain her pretty printed silk dresses and clever pleat inserts. Collaborating with a specialist, she has created intricate origami shapes hidden within her box pleat skirts and tops. Beautiful!

The designer herself, Georgia Hardinge wearing a pleated piece from her SS14 collection

Another brand that caught my eye was Paper London, which featured gorgeous laser cut jackets and wide sculptural garments in a tight palette of white, red and navy.

Paper London’s intricate cut-outs for SS14

Onto emerging talent where Jane Bowler’s hand-cut leather and PVC plastic creations were drawing attention. Strong editorial garments, plus amazing jewellery and reworked trucker caps means this brand will be a winner with the streetwear and music crowd.

Hand cut leather and PVC plastic pieces from Jane Bowler SS14

Finally I loved the pleat work, colour combinations and printwork of Heohwan Simulation’s SS14, who showed off-schedule on Day 1 of London Fashion week. Definitely one to watch…

Monochrome and yellow at Heohwan Simulation SS14

In the afternoon I managed to catch a presentation at the stunning Freemasons’ Hall showcasing the work of Natasha Zinko – a cute floral stage and pretty ethereal vibe in a succinct collection.

Natasha Zinko SS14

I was supposed to attend the dramatic Pam Hogg show at 5pm, but after queuing for over 30 minutes with what felt like half of London my tired feet got the better of me and I decided to give it a miss. I hear it was quite the crazy with magpie hats and more refined silhouettes mixing with the usual latex catsuits.

London Fashion Week SS14 draws to a close today and the crowds of fashionistas in towering heels will move onto Milan for the next round of shows. Although not until they have partied at tonight’s closing parties, put on by the likes of Harper’s Bazaar and Dazed and Confused. When in Rome…

London Fashion Week SS14 runs from 13-17 September 2013 http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/ at Somerset House

For further details of featured designers: www.sophiawebster.co.uk; www.zoe-jordan.com; www.christopherraeburn.co.uk; www.georgiahardinge.co.uk; www.paperlondon.com; www.janebowler.co.uk; www.heohwansimulation.com; www.natashazinko.com.

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