More Than Moranthology

Caitlin live at the Bloomsbury Theater has been my September highlight and we're not even fully through LFW yet! Muma, sister and I laughed, welled up, lapped up and sat up in awe of this charismatic woman whose new book Moranthology is blatantly my new manual for life. I kid you not, she has confidently become my go-to for general answers and outrageous commentary on anything from humanitarianism, the pay wall debate and sweat pads.

 On stage with interviewer and friend (there were many a PJ (private joke) derived from boozy dinner parties: JEALOUS) Alex Heminsley, Caitlin is a little nervous. This is notable after she gazes across a full house of Moran groupies. Perhaps it was nerves that drove her initial urgency to be funny and foolish and fabulous at every gasp of breath, but very quickly Caitlin had us all (her knowing girls as she calls us adorers of How To Be A Woman) hanging on every line. 

What is it about this actually very normal, very intelligent woman? Well for starters exactly that, she writes insightful, beautiful, accessible columns that 'point things out'. She has an opinion and a voice that is both engaging and compelling. When we weren't transfixed by her storytelling (embellished with a lotta hilarious) we were wowed by the profound sentiment of her own beliefs and values.

Feminism, twitter, masturbation, success, family, Melody Maker and cheese were all touched upon. Then during a Smash Hits skewed Q+A session (nifty use of biscuit tin) we got to ask the ol gal herself about matters like the Olympic and Paralympic games, sex, celebrity goss to which she championed us with whirl wind answers. All of which have confirmed the fact that I must befriend her IMMEDIATELY, so that I can smuggly cross off 'dinner with Caitlin, Grace Dent and Co.' from my 'Things To Do Before I Am Thirty' list. 

If I wasn't schmoozed before hand (totally was, she had me at hello) I then picked up my Stylist copy this week and squealed at first sight of her moosh plastered all over the cover. Flicking greedily to her article feature I swooned over her wonderful words:

''We have to start feeding the trolls (The Daily Mail): feeding them with achingly polite emails and comments, reminding them of how billions of people prefer to communicate with each other, every day, in the most unregulated arena of all: courteously.''

If you have not already got your Moranthology fix, do so immediately! I have my own signed copy propped lovingly on my bedside table...ahhhhh girl crush.

Mixing In Mulberry

Caramel, cappuccino, apricot, peppermint and cream...uh oh gelato! Not quite NO, this was the mouth watering palette of choice for Emma Hill's S/S 2013 Mulberry collection. Take me to the Mulberry garden! Themed to a tee as the quintessential English garden, Tuesday's catwalk show was fresh, lush and left us longing for next summer.
 

Block colour, bold statement pieces: coats, jackets, trews were all flaunted alongside fabulous floral print dresses, shorts and shirts. And let's not go forgetting the luxe leather bags that were TOTE-ally stunning. Mulberry: a trade mark, household name that we all chant adoringly. What I wouldn't give to be clutching, truly, madly, deeply onto one (or all) of those beauties.

I'd walk beyond the garden path in these textured pieces: the oversized coats, the metallic print jackets, soft pleated skirts, pajama pants. All of which wowed with sun-kissed, nude complexions and loosely pinned back locks. Sweet, soft buns (that is hair do's not derrières or pastries) sweeping fringes and soft tousled ponies. While we're on fro's, it'd be rude not to mention the FROW celebs that perched eagerly catwalk side: Lana Del Rey, Kate Moss and Alexa Chung.

This collection was a fabulous way to round up the shows this LFW and Mulberry did not fail to make fabulous. I'm not partial to poodle but the rest was pure pastel pleasure, take a look: garlands a gooden...

 

Whatta Lotta Pilotto

Christopher De Vos and Peter Pilotto HAVE texture and it's out of this world. Tailored, stunning pieces revealed sharp sophisticated looks that cut on the knee and off the shoulder. This is elegance, this is Pilotto s/s 2013! The dynamic collection is jaw dropping, a feast for the eyes- I am literally blinkered by the array of lace, embellishment, bodices, Eastern prints and sexy shirts that say... ‘HAVE ME, HAVE ME NOW’!

There's ruffle, there's layers, there's peplum, there's poufs and whistles. OH MY...GOD!! *Heart palpitations. I cannot take it all in. I have watched and re-watched, drooled and whooped Pilotto's catwalk show. Encore indeed! There is no limit to the digital pattern and print that has been designed for ladies what like it LOUD. I am literally salivating (style slobber over this clobber) over every piece, shove the colour swatch and mix in it all. All panels, prints, pleats, it's a blooming montage of three-dimensional FABULOUS-ness. And I am watching again...

 

Ready To Wear #VVB 2013

Well, I am Ready To Wear VB’s spring/ summer 2013 collection, top hat down to toe-treading Manolo Blahnik flats! It is gorgeous and chic in a seemingly effortless, elegant way...so Victoria. The collection from Sunday’s show at New York Fashion Week revealed a brand (Victoria by Victoria Beckham) that has confidence and definite capability.WOW!

I think these pieces, the bold block colours and beautiful tailoring introduce an ease. An ease of functionality and wear as well as texture that are both opulent and accessible to every woman. What wardrobe wears they would make for the likes of meeeeeeeeeee * dreamy sigh, chin in palm.

 

Seriously though, this tailoring is FIERCE. I love the panelling, neck lines and multitude of leather, silk and lace. This is far more up my runway than the sixties-inspired dresses that the lady herself terms as 'Sundream Sakura, Cloudy Moon and Fluffy Bud' prints. Couldn't be further from the sharp, androgynous, sophisticated looks as seen below but her ability to show versatility and innovation can only be commended. 

J.W Anderson For Topshop

NEWGEN winner for catwalk sponsorship spring summer 2013 is causing quite a frenzy pre LFW but also because he has collaborated with our fav high street store Topshop. Yipeeeeee *sky punch!  

 J.W Anderson has designed almost 100 pieces for the new collection that will land in store Friday 14^th September...gasp, face palm, and dash for your dose of ‘tartan and paisley, zebra and tortoise prints’ immediately.

His androgynous style is apparent in signature pieces from the collection and also in the accessories which are fabulous and for all about town. Get a glimpse here and get on the twitter competition case, all you need to do is keep tabs on facts about the man himself and use #JWAxTS Must get me a goodie bag!

De-sign Post:Navigation For The Soul

I have your ‘Ready To Every-Wear’ guide all pitched up for this September’s London Fashion Week. To get you road worthy I’ve mapped out a few destinations to consider for you fashion frenzied people.

There’s so much to see on the schedule but I suggest a pit stop Saturday at the House of Holland show. We’ve been teased with a pre 2013 glimpse of Holland’s catwalk get up and WOW and there’s plenty more where that came from.  Ladies get your stripe on because we’re seeing bold block stripes and prints, a multitude of pinks and blues all to be worn on mass for maximum impact. As ever Holland advocates a look that is not for the faint-hearted.

For Sunday’s service I’ll be checking in with our London lady, Alice Temperley, who has hinted at some stunning lace and favours that will melt the palette next s/s. The female form is a temple, and I spy a quintessentially English collection that accentuates this. Amen!

 Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label is another must see on the wonder-grounds of Somerset House. The collection will not disappoint, I predict more fabulous tartans and elaborate, subversive looks to steal. 

 For those of you with the mileage and the fashion beans left then don’t miss London Fashion Weekend. This is your chance to shop for a whole new designer kit and the caboodle to match at reduced prices. Need I say anymore?

LFW is a world of inspiration, what you do with it and what you take from its glorious display will be unique to YOU. The ultimate route is the one you create yourself. Go ahead, freestyle!