London Fashion Week SS14 Highlights

It doesn’t even feel that long ago since February’s fashion week, yet SS14 LFW is almost over! Concluding today with shows from Simone Rocha, Fashion East and Meadham Kirchhoff among others it’s safe to say its been a very exciting week for fashion. From the looks of things summer 2014 will be all about pastels and femininity and a hell of a lot of white. 2014 will be the summer of the LWD (little white dress FYI).

With over 120 designers exhibiting their work we couldn’t possibly go over every collection shown over the last couple of days so here I’ve rounded up just a few of my personal faves!

Christopher Kane
Over the years Kane has established himself as one of Britain’s finest designers outdoing himself season after season and SS14 was no different. Kane took to studying flowers under a microscope for his collection, making flowers new and exciting isn’t an easy task. Dresses had large petal shape cut outs traced in shiny patent on pastel dresses. The shapes were clean, clinical and feminine. Kane also paid tribute to the trophy sweat, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, some with graphic botanical related prints and another that stood out to me with a cut out shoulder and beautiful jeweled embellishment around the shoulder. Moreover he’s announced he’ll be opening his first store, is there any stopping this man?

Burberry Prorsum
Christopher Bailey always pulls out all the stops to make Burberry one of the most memorable shows of fashion week. The star-studded frow including Anna Wintour, Sienna Miller, Alexa Chung and Harry Styles didn’t take away from the stunning clothes. With sheer lace skirts and pretty candy pastels the collection somewhat reminded me of Louis Vuitton’s 2012 collection. With beautiful lilac spring coats and loose trenches the show was a resounding success for Burberry. Models were showered with rose petals for one of the most beautiful finales of the week.

Erdem
Erdem's collections are almost instantly recognizable thanks to his romantic silhouettes and light florals. This season the romance remained but the colourful florals were gone. Erdems monochromatic show was a sure fire standout of the week. The intricate lace and florals were still there only in a strict palette of black and white, this collection seemed more focused on textural exploration than pretty prints. The knee length woven and sheer panel coat was to die for. Erdem chose this collection to push his own personal boundaries and leaving his comfort zone, and it really worked.  What will Erdem do next?

Simone Rocha
Newgen winner Simone Rocha (daughter of John) has been gradually building herself in the fashion industry. Still considered a relatively new designer her past collections have received rave reviews and been spotted on stars from Alexa Chung to Chloe Moretz. Rocha shows no signs of slowing down, as she presented another romantically edgy collection this morning. Although each garment was feminine and light, Rocha added a punk edge with green mohawks, masculine lace ups and beautiful pearl hold ups. Rocha experimented with sharper silhouettes, intricate detailing and different textures, this collections is a sign her works maturing and she’s showing no signs of disappearing any time soon, expect a lot more from her. 

LONDON FASHION WEEK SS14

Its almost that time of year again! It barely feels that long since February but within a month or two Somerset House will be thriving with fashionistas and bloggers once more as fashion week begins. Get your first glance of what you'll be wearing next summer this September. Fashion week starts on Friday the 13th September (unlucky for some) and continues till Tuesday 17th. The schedule can be found on the LFW website now.
Its always exciting to see who the NEWGEN winners are, the ones to keep an eye out for hotly tipped by the British Fashion Council! This years winners for the catwalk areeee (drumroll)... Korean born Central Saint Martins graduate J.JS Lee, known for her chic, minimalist and modern tailoring, LCF graduate Lucas Nascimento who has previously shown at Rio Fashion Week and specialises in knitwear, Marques Almeida a design duo from Portugal who have worked with Vivienne Westwood and Preen, three man design team Sister by Sibling who also specialise in knitwear and Simone Rocha, daughter of designer John Rocha whose designs have been praised internationally and worn by the likes of Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga, she's been tipped as London's brightest young design talent, definitely one to keep your eye on she will be big!
The presentation winners are 1205 who has experience at Savile Row so expect to see immaculate tailoring, Nasir Mazhar who says Lil Kim embodies his brand and shoe designer Sophia Webster who worked at Nicholas Kirkwood, expect single soles and feminine lines.
The exhibition space has been awarded to upcoming shoe designer Liam Fahy who studied at DeMontfort where he was awarded the Drapers Footwear Designer of the Year award whilst he was studying. He won the Fashion Fringe Accessory Award in 2008 judged by king of shoes Manolo Blahnik.
If you can't get down to Somerset House or like the majority of us don't get invited to the shows be sure to watch the live streams and keep up on twitter and instagram!

The NEWGEN winners for SS14

Sister By Sibling AW12

Simone Rocha AW13

Marques Almeida

Sophia Webster