London Fashion Weekend

London Fashion Weekend; Somerset House; 22 - 26 February 2012

Holly Fulton; Jasper Conran; Game On; Prim Rose; Antipodium

London Fashion Weekend was a blast. What a great money-making idea, I wonder why other fashion shows have not done this! Give the fashion-obsessed public (and wannabe fashionistas like myself) a bite at the forbidden apple called fashion week and term it "fashion week-END".  As much as the shows are now live streamed around the world and fashion journalists rejoice that they can watch them in the comfort of their own work space without having to travel and navigate through apparently crazy tight fashion show schedules - face it, there is still an undeniable air of exclusivity about being on the front row of the fashion shows that thousands in the public domain crave. What better idea then to open up the exact fashion week venue (no additional infrastructure costs) to the throngs of fashion-hungry fashionistas, organize a couple of mini catwalks on the latest current trends (the masses would not appreciate seeing AW trends so early) and throw in a Chambord lounge and offer discount designer shopping - viola, you've got a crowd happily paying the cover charges (especially hefty for the 'VIP packages') and loads of brands jostling to cash in on this golden marketing opportunity.  

Nonetheless, cynical talk about commercialism aside, I really enjoyed myself. And yes, I did pick up some great bargains and nice wardrobe additions. And below is also my layman's take on the SS 2012 trends:  

Holly Fulton started the show with those bold geometric prints and tribal-inspired patterns that are sure to see another revival come Brazil's World Cup and Olympics duo in 2014 and 2016. I was also very pleased to be toting around a similarly-designed neon yellow Holly Fulton show bag (cue: yellow and orange seem to be most on-trend this SS 2012). Similar focus on loud clashing prints was also spotted on Antipodium's teeny London street style collection. 

To appease the colour-wary monochromites like myself, the Prim Rose selection transitioned the bright colour-blocking into sorbet shades and prim pastels which are equally on-trend this SS. And in case you felt the collection not saccharine enough, you might consider wearing a strawberry ice-cream cone as headgear! This was definitely my favourite collection and I was quite blown away when the spotlights finally dimmed on the flouncy pastel pink 50's-inspired Shikasuki Vintage dress silhouette. 

The last of the SS 2012 trends spotted was a sports luxe look inspired by the imminent London Olympics. The Game On selection was retro, bright and sporty. The Jasper Conran show channelled a similar look with all the models donning a matching-coloured head band. I bet I will be seeing better dressing at the gym this summer, especially with me inspired to turn up in sweatpants and heels!