Model interview: Margo Bushueva, Premiere

Where are you from?

Volagograd, Russia

How old are you?

20, since yesterday!

Oh, Happy Birthday! What did you do?

I was freaking out! I am not a teenager anymore.

What shows are you walking in this week?

Sado and Central Saint Martins…I just came from the fitting at Somerset House it was quite intense. I wasn’t meant to do London Fashion Week, but people are really desperate for models this week it seems.

What do you like about London Fashion Week?

All the time new designers, something fresh. Paris and New York they are all the designers every time, and London is fun!

How would you describe your style?

Not too funky, a bit classic and casual.

Style icon?

Would I be such a cliché if I say Kate Moss?

Words: Maggie Dolan

Image: Leigh Keily

Make up artist Alex Box backstage at House of Blue Eyes

"The look is about free love.  There was a movement of people called the Cockettes, which were a troop of drag queens that just did what they liked, with make up, body paint and hairspray and it was all really joyful.  Johnny’s collection is all about a collaboration of lots of people coming together in a joyful, celebratory way."

Box’s buzzwords: "Playful, psychedelic and freedom".

Image: Leigh Keily

Backstage at House of Blue Eyes

Images: Leigh Keily

Images: David Maunder

Hermione Designs the Fashion Scout Goodie Bag

Merit award winner, Hermione de Paula, has designed the fab goodie bag which is handed out to VIPs attending all the Vauxhall Fashion Scout shows.  Featuring her signature rose print in pretty, pink tones we think she’s done a brilliant job.   Well done Hermione!

Posted by Fiona Anderson

Image: Kristen Blow

Live catwalk illustration at Eudon Choi by Kelly Sheppard

Kelly_sheppard01@hotmail.com

Ones to Watch - Eudon Choi

Khaki coloured, billowing macs and thigh high, vintage-looking waders were the order of the day for Eudon Choi.  Fantastically edgy and a modern take on the camouflage look, light, woven fabrics in pale, seal grey tones made this collection easy to wear and ultra flattering.  A fabulously chic, extra long tux with chunky, leather buckling and a sweet little moss green jacket in a cropped, boxy cut were instant favourites, and offset Choi’s floaty, wispy chiffon dresses with carefully applied pleating in soft lilac greys and dark midnight blues.  This collection was directional, yet versatile, with something for everybody, from the delicate and feminine to the rough and edgy.  


Words: Fiona Anderson
Images: David Coleman

Live catwalk illustration at David Longshaw by Kelly Sheppard

kelly_sheppard01@hotmail.com

Ones to Watch - David Longshaw

Longshaw’s whimsical illustrations in neutral tones merged seamlessly with his choice of strong, block colours.  Draped swags of pleated silk in the darkest of blues added drama to his simple day dresses, and chunky, exposed zips gave the aesthetic a roughed up edge.  Statement, minimalist jewellery swung from almost every neck, whilst the hero of the collection, a silky dress with hyper embellished, towering shoulders, sashayed down the catwalk, much to the delight of the fashion magpies perched eagerly on the edge of their seats.  Longshaw gave us the soft, playful illustrations he has become synonymous with, but with a sexy, sultry, and very feminine, approach.     

Words: Fiona Anderson

Image: David Coleman

Live catwalk illustration at Florencia Kozuch by Kelly Sheppard

kelly_sheppard01@hotmail.com

Ones to Watch - Florencia Kozuch

For super strong accessories, Florencia Kozuch pulled off a corker with her fabulous wide brimmed hats and spiky detailing.  Impressively structured knits looped and billowed from the neck and shoulders, adding volume and height, yet remaining delicate, fluffy and feminine.  Cinched with a sharp leather belt and statement hat, Kozuch brought her knitwear bang up to date, embellishing with razor sharp spikes, which shot down the back and around the neck to provide a perfect clash of textures.  Finishing off with the most daring look of the show, and cage-like bustier and wincingly tight pencil skirt, Kozuch combined texture and form with easy confidence and pure finesse.

Words: Fiona Anderson

Image: David Coleman 

Ones to Watch - ASKH

If you ever though knits were for only nans, think again as ASKH have taken their neutral, muted colour palette and injected a serious dose of rebellion.  The menswear was neat and original, with clean, open weave smocks and light knits in fresh, daytime tones with a hint of metallic detailing.  Embellishment was taken to the next level for womenswear, with a soft pink dress covered in piles of fluffy petals frothing up under the chin, down the spine and towards the hem like a feathery bustle.  Another was in bone white, skin tight, with sheer sides and enveloped in white braids tumbling across the torso and cascading down the back, adding movement and funk to the delicate, almost skeletal, dress.  Clean, beautifully crafted and with silhouettes to die for, this pair of designers are most certainly destined for great things.

Words: Fiona Anderson

Image: David Coleman

Live catwalk illustration at ASKH by Kelly Sheppard

kelly_sheppard01@hotmail.com

Vox pops at the Ones to Watch: TANK Magazine

Caroline Issa, Publisher of TANK Magazine.

"I am looking for great young new designer, and to find something what I want to wear!"

Masoud Golsorkhi, Editor-in-chief of TANK Magazine

"I am here to meet the talent!"

Pandora Lennard (not pictured), Stylist and Fashion Editor of TANK magazine 

"I am the stylist of ‘Ones to Watch’- I have lots of jobs! I love gothic stuff. At LFW you can find new designers you never see before, and at the same time see something different from designers you already know."

Words: Echo Chenxi Gu

Images: David Maunder

Live catwalk illustration at Gemma Slack by Regina N'day

Chew Lips at Gemma Slack

Images: Eddie Blagbrough

Gemma Slack

The scene at Gemma Slack’s A/W 2011 presentation was one of uber trendy fashion voyeurs and participants all chomping at the bit to see what this up and coming fashion designer had extracted from her effervescent creative mind. The designer’s decision to display her work in the form of a presentation couldn’t have been more fitting for her abstract creations that truly wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. Adding to the atmosphere was a fantastic performance by dance-pop sensations du jour, Chew Lips.

Using a mixture of mediums including leather, wool, metal and chiffon, the body conscious silhouettes, which came in the form of mini dresses, trenches and trouser sets, were modernised with asymmetric shoulders and detached sleeves. An oversized woollen jumper that sported three inch long gold nails on the elbows generated much ooing and ahhing from the crowd. 

Accompanying the collection was a number of striking head pieces- one resembling a Mohawk made entirely of leather and as well as a series of metallic face masks. A collection that brought a look of shock and surprise to everyone’s face, Gemma Slack has given the fashion industry what it craves most in these financially testing times: clothing that inspires. 

Words: Jess Whyte

Images: David Maunder

Backstage at the Ones to Watch

Images: Marsy Hild Thorsdottir

Danny Tang

To the sound of melancholic violins, Danny Tang sent his models down the runway in ultra feminine designs that were inspired by Queen Victoria.  The colour palette was simple: black, red and gold, with the odd shimmer of silver thread and which added a complexity and richness to the delicate chiffon, silk and lace fabrics used. 


For this collection Tang pulled out all the stops, with dramatic capes with lace trimmed pocket details and strong military coats with glittering collars and lapels. This attention to detail followed through into the evening wear looks of the collection: full length red silk dresses with intricately woven black lace on the bodice and voluminous black tulles dresses with plunging necklines trimmed with sparkling black lace. 


Red roses garnished the footwear and fingerless lace gloves which added a further feminine touch to the collection.  The finale dress was a true show stopper- black chiffon cascaded from a gold and black lace bodice to the floor. This regal and sensual collection was certainly a glorious victory for this Malaysian born designer.

Words: Jess Whyte

Images: David Coleman

Backstage at Danny Tang

Images: Kristen Blow

Live catwalk illustration at BODYAMR by Hana Termanini