Recent posts from Expert Kirsty Armstrong on Focus on Style

London Fashion Week: Ashley Isham Fashion Show Review

Ashley Isham Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … A collection of draped gowns, skirt-suits and structured dresses in a vast spectrum of colours mixed 1940’s elegance with the glamour of the 1980’s in Ashley Isham's Fall/Winter 09 collection fashion show at London Fashion Week. A mixture of textures including satin, chiffon, jersey and organza were draped around the body in shades of gold, navy, magenta and emerald green. Black and white suits added a monochrome effect to the collection and white pencil skirts were teamed with black opaque tights. >> See our complete runway coverage and fashion show photos Glamorous evening gowns were dressed down with black high-neck sweaters worn under the dresses while black leather gloves toughened the

London Fashion Week: Mark Fast Fashion Show Review

Mark Fast Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … Body-con knitted dresses in shades of black, orange and dusky pink gave a sexy, rebellious feel to Mark Fast's sizzling second runway collection at London Fashion Week. >> See our complete runway coverage and fashion show photos As a winner of Topshop's New Generation award, Mark Fast presented another collection of tiny knitted dresses with intricate detailing and embellishment. Ladder stitches allowed flesh to be exposed, while giving a cobweb feel to the dresses and the length of the hem worked to the advantage of the leggy models. Knitwear this sexy is unthinkable and for day-wear you'd definitely have to team the dresses with leggings or trousers, but for evening-wear the

London Fashion Week: Emilio De La Morena Fashion Show Review

Emilio De La Morena Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … Bold shapes and structured collars mixed with Emilio Morena's signature body-con aesthetic gave a futuristic feel to the collection. Primary shades of canary yellow and pillar-box red were mixed with a touch of navy, fuchsia and brown to create a colourful fall 09 fashion show for the London Fashion Week collection. With the focus on the upper section of the body, built-up, fluted collars and boxy and exaggerated shoulders were used to give an eighties feel, with an ultramodern twist. Hounds tooth and striped prints took attention away from the structure of the cropped jackets and beading down the centre of the dresses worked to lengthen the silhouette. Stretch

London Fashion Week: Ashish Fashion Show Review

Ashish Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … A colour explosion of neon animal print clashed with Christmas prints, covered in translucent sequins with a circus theme, is what made up the Ashish fashion show for London Fashion Week at the Hippodrome Theatre in Leicester Square. Determined not to succumb to the winter's depressing mood, Ashish opted for the jubilant and loud shades of neon pink, blue, yellow, orange and green. Trousers with pom-pom detailing contributed to the outrageous look. >> See our complete runway coverage and fashion show photos Prints of all varieties were included, ranging from zebra, tiger and leopard to the USA's Stars and Stripes, to traditional Christmas reindeer and snowflake prints. Most pieces were covered

London Fashion Week: Bernard Chandran Fashion Show Review

Bernard Chandran Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … London Fashion Week continues with dreamy printed sheer fabric and swinging teardrop beading mixed with prints inspired by the Far East, Bernard Chandran's latest collection offered a stormy version of a rainstorm. This diverse collection seems to be representative of the changeable behaviour of the weather. The colour palette ranged from the deep shades of black, navy, silver and gunmetal to warmer shades of lilac, pale blue and peach and finally, the fiery tones of crimson red. content continues below photo gallery >> See our complete runway coverage and fashion show photos Even the silhouette did not escape the influence of the weather, with the signature shape being that of the

London Fashion Week: Ioannis Dimitrousis Fashion Show Review

Ioannis Dimitrousis Catwalk - Fall / Winter 2009 … A mix of shimmering silk yarns and harsh metal detailing made for a stunning finished collection with a fetish feel for the Ioannis Dimitrousis Fall / Winter 2009 collection as shown during London Fashion Week. An autumnal colour palette of black, grey and deep red signalled a move away from last season's elaborate tones of gold, royal blue and orange, giving the Untitled' collection an edgier look. >> See our complete runway coverage and fashion show photos Ioannis's signature intricate crocheting is carried throughout the collection and is used to create body-con shapes.The use of swinging chains and needle detailing, along with the strict silhouette give the feeling of a restricted

London Style: Hussein Chalayan ‘From Fashion and Back’ at the Design Museum

There's only one destination on every London girl's schedule right now… the Design Museum. Yes, it seems excitement is in the air as the museum sees the launch of Hussein Chalayan's new exhibition, ~From Fashion and Back'. As an exploration of the talented designer's career from the launch of his label in 1994 to his current collection, the exhibition showcases some of the designer's most visionary work. Fashion-fans can get up-close-and-personal with some spectacular items that encapsulate futuristic fashion. Technology and its influence is an idea which runs throughout the exhibition: Chalayan's creation of a mechanical dress that morphs into another garment whilst being worn is beyond belief and his use of laser-lights as embellishment is very unique. Born in

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