LONDON FASHION WEEK SS 2014: PREEN

Preen is a pretty established brand. This collection has a lot of neon colours, cutout prints, asymmetry and some pretty street urban designs that I would definitely wear. I absolutely loved the shoes! The silver metallic top with yellow mini skirt was my absolute favourite though I loved so many pieces in this collection.

THE DESIGNERS: Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi have firmly established Preen as one of London's most distinctive and successful labels. They met when they were both eighteen in the Isle of Man where they grew up and began with a small boutique in London's Portobello in 1996. A sophisticated client base was soon established which today also include Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and Kirsten Dunst.

LONDON FASHION WEEK SS2014 JOHN ROCHA

John Rocha is of Chinese and Portuguese ancestry, born in Hong Kong before moving to the UK where he is largely known as an Irish designer. This was all about romance and evoking that ethereal feeling. I am usually wary of floral patterns but in this collection it makes you want to grab the outfits. The gowns are feminine and the detailing like the crotchet adds an interesting factor to them. The last dress which has a  mesh like detail was my favourite.

LONDON FASHION WEEK SS 2014 - Sister by Sibling

Sister by Sibling SS 2014 collection is one of those collections that makes me love London Fashion week. It's not a collection that everyone will love, like or even get but for those who have a sense of humour, a quirky one at least this was one fun collection. The brand has indeed grown from days of collections often described as bizarre to a level of sophistication while still retaining their signature playfulness.

DESIGNER NAMES: Sid Bryan, Joe Bates and Cozette McCreery

BACKGROUND: The designers come from Yorkshire, Leicester and London respectively. A collaboration between Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery, SIBLING is all for one and one for all. Before setting up SIBLING, the designers each worked for many brands and design houses, learning that it is “never as easy as it looks and most importantly that invaluable lesson in how not to do something. Also if all else fails: cup of tea, a nice biscuit and laugh!”

SIGNATURES: “On the SIBLING family tree SISTER is on the branch right next to brother SIBLING so you can expect colour, humour, sparkle and that everything will be knitted.”

TRADEMARK PIECE: “We like mutating classic, traditional knitwear designs or techniques so the Knit Monster Scare Isle comes to mind.”

IDEAL CLIENT: “A girl with a good sense of humour and a fun, happy attitude.”

THE COLLECTION: “Legendary stylist, Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele and her inspirational juxtaposition of couture and sportswear in her shoots, lady sportswear in that American luxury way rather than gym kit, soft colours framed in black and Swarovski crystal elements.”

LONDON FASHION WEEK SPRING SUMMER 2014: ZOE JORDAN

London for some reason holds a fond place in my heart and I'm actually surprised that its taken me this long to do a fashion week review.

London as a city is such a melting pot of different cultures yet still retaining that British touch.  The designer information is from LFW official website,

DESIGNER NAME: Zoë Jordan

BACKGROUND: Zoë studied architecture, however her love for clothing construction prevailed and Zoë Jordan was launched in spring/summer 12.

SIGNATURES: "The coming together of the androgynous and the feminine, handsome and ethereal, structured and languid. Essentially, Zoë Jordan represents feminine swagger and a boyish insouciance."

IDEAL CLIENT: “She's the boys’ best friend and the girls’ confidante.”

TRADEMARK: "Beautifully tailored coats with a Savile Row influence."

THE COLLECTION: “For SS14 I have been inspired by the progression and evolution of 'luxury street wear'. This season I am trying to bring together some of the more popular themes and movements that have been the pulse over the last couple of decades of the fast-paced, urban, multicultural capital, London - that I am proud to call home. Elements from graffiti, 90s street art and urban wear seem to merge beautifully into the brands already core values of sharp cuts and structured pieces with a blend of soft tailoring and loosely fitted tees.”

FAVOURITE COLLECTION TO DATE: “I am not sure I have a favourite but for SS14 I have been re-visiting some of my own experiences and trends from the 90s, which is proving to be a lot of fun and a tad nostalgic!”

WHO EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF YOUR BRAND? “Anyone who is confident in her approach to fashion and who is not afraid to show her femininity with an off-beat, boyish elegance.”


WALPOLE Awards for Excellence- Best Emerging British Luxury Brand- Finalist 2012

Shortlisted for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2012

Below are looks from this collection that caught my eye:

I hated the shoes in this collection but i really dig this look!

I love white, I love tunic dresses so this was a win for me and the metallic detail just made this dress so cool

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2014: TADASHI SHOJI

I have profound respect for designer who take a niche market and fully commit to it. Tadashi Shoji, Japan born and bred, is one of those designers. Troubled by the fact that women had few options for special occasion dresses in the contemporary market, Tadashi identified a niche and set out on his own.

In 1982, Tadashi launched his own collection, Tadashi Shoji, in Los Angeles, California. Tadashi Shoji has become widely recognized for its original designs and innovative collections. The company has seen steady growth since its inception and is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including: Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as: Vakko, Harvey Nichols Dubai, and Rustan’s.

In 2007, Tadashi launched the Tadashi Shoji Runway Collection for Fall 2007 during New York Fashion Week to rave reviews. By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand’s image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including a wide range of celebrities such as: Octavia Spencer, Kate Beckinsale, Dita Von Teese, Florence Welch, Mo’Nique, Katy Perry, to name a few

In the Spring 2014 collection there are a few dresses that I loved more so the ones with almost an ethereal feel to them a theme that was evident in the Spring 2013 collection which had more pieces that I loved. 

Let's look at the Spring 2014 pieces:

This was my favourite piece, you can tell the designer understand's women's bodies.  There is both a dreamy feel and luxury.

I absolutely love the colour and fit of this dress. It's those dressy outfits which leave you feeling all dressed up while allowing you free movement

The fit of this dress is amazing! The colour balances out the texture created by the scale like pattern. I call these dresses grown sexy dresses.

This dress may be controversial due to how see through it is but I love the detail that has gone into it! I think it can be a bridal piece for a very BOLD bride

Let us now go back a year to look at the Spring 2013 pieces:

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. This dress would look stunning on a curvy person.

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. I want this dress!

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. Love the dropped waist, bateau neckline and  deep blue tulle skirt

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2014: BCBGMAXAZRIA

BCBGMAXAZRIA was founded in 1989 by Designer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Max Azria. In 1991, Azria’s wife and muse, Lubov, joined BCBGMAXAZRIA as Creative Director. Named for the French phrase bon chic, bon genre, a Parisian slang meaning “good style, good attitude,” the brand embodies a true combination of European sophistication and American spirit.

Azria broke new ground when he launched BCBGMAXAZRIA, redefining the designer category by offering innovative, high-quality clothing at contemporary price points. With the overwhelming success of his women’s ready-to-wear line, Azria ultimately evolved BCBGMAXAZRIA into a complete lifestyle brand for women, with evening dresses, swimwear, footwear, handbags, small leather goods, eyewear, watches and more.

This is another collection that invariably makes me yearn for the previous year's spring collection. The Spring 2014 collection  has an equal number of hits as it has misses. The 2013 spring collection made me want to grab almost every piece of outfit that was showcased and I do admit that is a very high standard to measure consequent collections

We will look at a few of the pieces in the 2014 spring collection that were hits in my opinion then look at the awesome 2013 spring collection pieces which make BCBG a favourite of so many Hollywood stars.

CURRENT: Spring 2014

This dress is the epitome of expensive simplicity. It is not fussy and a woman would be comfortable and sexy in it. This was my favourite piece in the collection. Spring 2014. BCBG

The design of this outfit is what i call intelligent. It makes me want to figure it out like a puzzle and not end up saying ;what a mess! I like the asymmetrical dropped waist and the peekaboo sheer detail on the thigh  with the flower print being on the minimum. BCBG Spring 2014

I picked this dress selfishly for two reasons: my friend and former housemate Viv would like it or so I assume :) and the other reason is how that colour looks fab on dark skin like mine. BCBG Spring 2014

This was my second favourite piece in the whole collection. It reminds me of DVF designs.  I keep staring at it and wanting to touch it and of course wear it. This is another uncomplicated outfit which will make a woman look and feel sexy. BCBG Spring 2014

I find this outfit interesting. I am sure some will hate it but i like contrast and this is an equivalent to a an art piece at the dinner table which is a conversation starter. Some will only like the blazer while others the dress/skirt? BCBG Spring 2014

SPRING 2013:

This dress remind me of Donna in 'suits'! I really want this dress. Perhaps because in a few weeks i turn 29 but I'm now drawn to such dresses. Grown up sexy. BCBG Spring 2013

This was another piece that stole my heart. It would be perfect for my slender body! I love the colour, the mix of different textures and the cut! More that that the model has been styled so well. I love this look. BCBG Spring 2013

This is a jumpsuit I would definitely wear! It is classy, elegant and so cool. It is doing good things to her body unlike most jumpsuits. The top has some body armour feel to it yet she still looks feminine. BCBG OUTDID themselves Spring 2013

I think offices should allow women to wear such outfits to work and more people would be less miserable at work. I love it. The harness brings  just a hint of naughtiness but it is not crossing the line. The white shoes work really well with the print of the dress. BCBG  Spring 2013

No one is messing with you when you wear this outfit! I love it!

This dress is exquisite! The cut, the colour, how it flows! BCBG Spring 2013