London Fashion Week AW16: Day 1

Coat: £227.50 in the sale, Gant. Cashmere jumper: Gap (old). Sunglasses: £151, Kenzo at Monnier Freres. Jeans: £44 in the sale, Asos White. Belt: £30, Asos. Shoes: £69, Topshop. Bag: £125, The Cambridge Satchel Company. Photographs: Christopher O’Donnell

So it has started. The beginning of the London Fashion Week posts. And I must admit, I had one of my favourite days ever. I missed last season’s shows as I was working but this season I’m feeling ready. It’s actually, excitingly, one of the first Fashion Weeks I have been able to get tickets in my own right (as in for the blog, rather than for a magazine). I decided to dress relaxed as I was pretty on the go from 9am-9pm – but with a flash of metallic in the shoes – these Topshop shoes are a love or hate kind of thing but I’m in.

 The jeans are from Asos White and just like a a pair from Edit I shot for Conde Nast Traveller a few months ago, but a far cheaper alternative. They’re a girlfriend style and an awkward length, perfect for this season.

Eva Chen in Edit jeans

I can’t really mention Day 1 without the pre Fashion Week party on Wednesday evening: Archive by Alexa Chung for Marks & Spencer. A collection of 31 pieces selected by Alexa and the M&S design team – in store 13th April (but you can register your interest here). 

Day 1 was mixed, with shows from Daks, Eudon Choi and then presentations and press days in between, and we finished up at a few parties – I mainly spent the day with fab Bonnie from The Style Traveller – it’s always good to have a Fashion Week buddy or it can be a rather lonely experience! 

Eudon Choi

John Smedley’s presentation was a surprise hit for me, loved the wool layering (might be bringing out my wool flares from H&M last winter). 

John Smedley AW

And then I might need to mention my piercing….Maria Tash, the cult NYC piercer is in town for 1 week only at Liberty London – until 23rd February (seriously, I know people who have flown to NYC to have her pierce their ears). Her jewellery is so beautiful and cool and she can pierce with hoops. Piercings start from £15 and jewellery from £80. It was a lovely treat to myself between the shows – and if you want something done, I’d book in now as the crowd around the counter was growing (call here).

They are pricey but the jewellery is gold and diamonds, plus the staff are so professional and give advice on where to pierce so it flatters your face etc (piercings are the new facelifts, don’t you know). After all, a piercing isn’t just for Fashion Week!

Coat: £227.50 in the sale, Gant. Cashmere jumper: Gap (old). Sunglasses: £151, Kenzo at Monnier Freres. Jeans: £44 in the sale, Asos White. Belt: £30, Asos. Shoes: £69, Topshop. Bag: £125, The Cambridge Satchel Company.