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When I was studying Fashion at LCF, my second year collection was inspired by the textiles of Simone Rocha's father John Rocha.  While Simone is following in her father's footsteps, their style, whilst different, unite with the understanding and manipulation of fabric. 

I attended Simone Rocha's debut SS11 show at LFW through Lulu Kennedy's pioneering non-profit Fashion East initiative. The collection was stunning, I still remember the clean lines, white palette, and cut out panels. It was an instant hit and it is no wonder that four years later the fashion press eagerly anticipate her next collection. 

For Autumn Winter 2014 Simone Rocha seems at her most playful, the collection features a nod to the Elizabethan era, experimenting with the proportions of sleeves on coats and tops, adding a flouncing effect to create a dramatic silhouette. Short skirts were exaggerated at the hips and belted. One of my favourite looks is the red, sleeveless brushed wool check dress, developed by brushing wool over tulle. This is a further example of Simone Rocha's knowledge of fabric and aptitude for innovation.

Simone Rocha is a rising star today but most definitely a megastar of tomorrow. Look out for her next LFW show which will be streamed on the site in September. Until then take a look below for a glimpse of the AW14 collection.

Ariella was founded in 1966 and has been at the forefront of British fashion as one of Europe’s leading fashion houses for cocktail, evening and occasion wear.

Ariella creations grace many red carpets, worn by celebrities and royalty all over the world,  Princess Diana's famous 'Revenge' dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, one of Ariella's fabulous designers, sold for a staggering $74,000 in an auction of the late princess' clothes.  This is one of my favourite dresses worn by Diana.

Ariella recently launched Ariella Couture, an exclusive line of couture evening wear and cocktail gowns.  It is the couture collection which will be feature at Cheltenham Fashion Week's 'Fashion's Night Out' as the seventh designer label.

A favourite of mine, Hemyca is a British luxury womenswear brand based in Chelsea, London.

Designer duo, Helen Clinch and Myra Nigris met while both were studying at the London College of Fashion. Before starting the label in 2009 the two designers both trained across the fashion industry, with several years spent training with the likes of Roland Mouret and Ben de Lisi, as well as Calvin Klein and DKNY.

A regular at London Fashion Week, Hemyca create collections renowned for their structured designs, precision tailoring and attention to detail.

Hemyca is our third label showing at Fashion's Night Out.

Arjan B create high quality, luxury eveningwear and bridalwear designed and made in England, UK. Each creation incorporates sumptuous fabrics, structured technical tailoring, fluid draping and intricate artwork embroideries; all framed by stunning silhouettes. With all embroidery and prints unique to Arjan B.

I am very excited to announce Arjan B is our second luxury fashion brand at CFW's Fashion's Night Out is. The brand create captivating looks, featuring long fluid embroidered Italian silk chiffon and crepe dresses, designed to accentuate the natural female form.

Geetu Tulsiani, Head Designer at Arjan B, has worked alongside celebrated designers such as Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Julien Macdonald and Emilio de la Morena throughout her career.

Click the notebook above to book your tickets to #fashionsnightout

 

In my London Fashion Week ticket collection I have a Mulberry oversized gold key and a Mulberry branded rubber ring. However this season's SS14 show invite is undoubtedly my most favourite. (And sob sob..I am yet to receive one)

 

For SS14 Mulberry have partnered with the iconic tableware brand Wedgwood. Press and stylists have received the prettiest bespoke 'dolls house' miniature cup and saucers, branded with the Mulberry logo on the side and Wedgwood's renowned 'W' on the bottom!

 

Made in five colourways, the tea sets are based on Wedgwood's Jasperware line and contained within a beautiful presentation box embossed with a traditional stately home.  Could this mean Mulberry are inspired by Victorian silhouettes and Downton Abbey? Time will tell as the show takes place on Sunday 15th September.

 

If you didn't receive a tea set this season, do not fear as on showday Mulberry's Bond Street store is being taken over by Wedgwood for an in-store tea service! 

 

Pssst.. I have also spotted a few tea sets on the auction site, ebay! But do be cautious that you are bidding on genuine items.

 

Take a look at the video below, showing how these beautiful pieces were made.

 

 



After eighteen months of planning, Cheltenham Fashion Week (CFW) began on 17th September.  As many readers will know, I was appointed Fashion Consultant to the team in 2011 and I was privileged to be involved in all aspects of the first-ever fashion week in Cheltenham.

With fifteen events over the course of the week and scheduled in the middle of London Fashion Week (thanks Milan!) to say I was busy was an understatement. However, as soon as Burberry Prorsum delivered their metallic finale, I dashed back to the Cotswold's.

During the week I was asked to be on the judging panel for the Student Showcase at Gloucestershire College. This was one of the events which was enormously inspiring. On the judging panel was head judge, George Davies, the man behind Next, the "George at Asda" range and the Per Una collections for Marks & Spencer until 2008. George's daughter, Emma Traynor, previously Creative Director at Per Una. Also, Stuart Holmes, Hair stylist to the stars and owner of the stunning "Stuart Holmes" Cheltenham salon.

The student showcase received so many entries from schools and colleges in Gloucestershire, mannequins were required to showcase some of the designs.  B&Q kindly sponsored our Primary School category allowing children 11 and under to create paper dresses from wallpaper.  When the first school child entered onto the catwalk, to applause and cheers from classmates and a sell-out audience, it was a wonderful moment I shall never forget. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

Read about 'For one night only' in the Daily Mail.

The second CFW highlight was my career talk at Gloucestershire College, I spoke to fashion students and potential fashion journalists about my career to date and offered some advice I have learnt along the way.  Inspiring the future of fashion is incredibly important to me, more so in my home town.

Read Gloucestershire College's article about my talk.

The last highlight, 'For one night only' at Cowley Manor, our Charity Gala, was my CFW baby. A project which I produced over the last six months.  I had the opportunity to choose the name, plan the evening, choose the lighting, pick the music, select the models and most importantly handpick designers/brands from all over the country.  I am lucky to have enjoyed the pleasure of working with many designers throughout my career. I opted for a varied selection of designers, from couture eveningwear to daywear, from up and coming designers to renowned. 

Over 50 looks were sent out on the catwalk to dinner guests including Elizabeth Hurley and her cricketer finance, Shane Warne, including television stars and celebrated fashion designers. The evening featuring music by the exceptional jazz singer, Julez Hamilton, was better than anything I could have imagined. 

Read about 'For one night only' in Hello Magazine:

CFW 2012 was a non-profit charity organisation, all of the team volunteered their time, supported in every aspect by the most fabulous Director, Sam Bawden. There were lots of 6am bedtimes, a reduced social life, lots of travelling and a nightmare scheduling CFW amongst a hectic day job BUT I would do it again in a heartbeat and I am very proud of what we achieved.

Look out for a review of Cheltenham Fashion Week by Sam Bawden in the November Issue of Cotswold Style, also including my latest shoot, styling Eternal Elegance.

Excitement alert for all Gloucestershire fashion lovers, Cheltenham Fashion Week 2012 launched tonight at Chapel Spa, profiling a week of stylish events celebrating fashion for all ages!

I mentioned last June how proud I was to be appointed Fashion Consultant, to this exciting new adventure and after a year of planning and organisation we are finally in the countdown to show season!

I am looking forward to the entire week, although my personal highlights will be the Student Fashion Show, where I am on the judging panel and also my Career Workshop at Gloucestershire College.  I was privileged to receive an excellent education at City and Guilds of London Art School, London College of Fashion & London College of Communication. Imparting the knowledge I received at these celebrated institutions and inspiring others in fashion is something I am passionate about.  To book tickets to my workshop click the 'book tickets' button in the image below.

There will be more CFW news throughout the coming months! Until then, plan your visit to the CFW events with the diary below outlining key events. For more information click 'here' and to book tickets click 'here'. 

London Fashion Week AW12 has finally arrived! I definitely wouldn't last the week without the above.

Shop the Page

1 Scholl Party Feet
2 Aspinal of London Pocket Memo
3 Chanel Lipstick
4 Vitamin Water Defence
5 Benefit Hello Flawless
6 DiorShow Iconic Mascara
7 New Look Shoe Boots

8 Nikon Digital Camera
9 Faux UK Fur Coat

10 Smythson Folder for tickets

This week is Paris Couture Week, as a freelance journalist and not an Editor etc, tickets for Haute Couture shows are like gold-dust. Thankfully I call upon my fashion friends with connections and although I am standing somewhere at the back, or backstage as a few seasons ago, I feel very privileged to be there!

Model Karlie Kloss opened the show which featured 15 looks, mostly evening wear consisting of the classic Versace corseted silhouettes.  The palette was interesting combining a pearl grey with accents of acid yellow, orange and green.

As always Versace demonstrated their expertise when it came to detail, thin half moon disks held the neckline of a bodice, added structure around the bust, or accentuated the hips. Further definition was added by panels of transparent lace adorning the side or central front and sometimes over-layed a structured corset.