LONDON FASHION WEEKEND - FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2016 (S/S16)
London Fashion Weekend Friday 26th February 2016
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On friday 26th I visited the 31st edition of the London Fashion Weekend event. The event was hosted by The British Fashion Council (BFC) at The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea for the 2nd time. The London Fashion Weekend gives the general public the London Fashion Week experience with catwalk shows, talks, pop-up events and designer shopping.
My tickets
The tickets I purchased for the event included;
1x Silver entry ticket for entry between 10am-3:30pm
1x Silver catwalk (Trend) at 1pm
1x Designer Tote bag
The Venue
The Saatchi Gallery is approximately a 5 minute walk from Sloane Square underground train station. Outside the entrance to the venue, there was a ticket sales stand and a tote bag collection point. Customers which had not purchased tickets in advance, and wish to visit the event to shop could buy day tickets at the ticket stand. Leading up to the main entrance of the Saatchi Gallery, on the right were seating areas for ticket owners to sit outdoors overlooking the grounds, enjoy a smoking break or to grab some fresh area. As you go up the steps to the main entrance doors, there was a large promotional board for the event which ticket members could take photos next to.
Entrance and First Impressions
To the right of the main doors to the building, a photo area featuring the London Fashion Weekend promotional image was available for visitors to take their picture. Through the main doors, I was politely greeted by a member of staff, which presented me with a magazine called "The Weekender" which had information on the event, such as; catwalk and talk schedules, a directory for each designers concessions on each floor, and interviews with top fashion magazine editors and designers. This is the same setup as the first London Fashion Weekend event at the Saatchi Gallery in Sep 2015.
Weekender Magazine
This is the 2nd issue of the London Fashion Weekends magazine "The Weekender". This magazine is for the Spring/Summer 2016 season and features catwalk presenter Laura Jackson on the front cover. The 54 page magazine provides information on this seasons event and features several fashion editors picks of this seasons trends and styles, a show guide including essentials such as the schedule, map, and shopping directory, and finally behind the scenes interviews with catwalk designers such as Holly Fulton and Mary Katrantzou.
Directory/Map
LG Floor
Cloakroom
Restrooms
Tote Bag Collection Point
G Floor
Gallery 01
CONTEMPORARY;
Blake LDN
Claret Showroom - Alice McCall, Cameo The Label, Camilla, Madeleine Thompson Cashmere, Mara Hoffman, Unreal Fur
House Of Sunny
Joy The Store
LF Markey
Marina London
Miss Patina
Never Fully Dressed
Rixo
Rtister - Baum und Pferdgarten, Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Finders Keepers, Sass and Bide, Stills
Solace
Talar Nina
The Backyard
Ukulele
Gallery 02
OUTERWEAR AND CLASSICS;
Antipodium
AV London
Bad Denim - Current Elliott, Frame, Mih Jeans, Neuw, Paige
Ducie
Helene Berman London
Little White Lies
Live Fashion Ltd - Nlst, Sass & Bide, Stand, Splendid, Zoe Karssen
Ducie
Gloverall
Gushlow & Cole
Helene Berman
Muubaa
Oyuna
Vintage Fur Company
Winser London
Gallery 03
BRANDOUTLET.COM
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK
DESIGNER CONCESSIONS;
Saltspin
Thread Not Bare - Joanne Stoker, Maria Berman, MayraFedane, Noritamy, Paris in Paris, Roxxlyn, The Queen is Not
Gallery 04
DESIGNER CONCESSIONS;
Catherine Deane
Designer Pop Up Store - Belstaff, Blumarine, Equipment, Jimmy choo, Michael Kors, Prada, The Kooples, Vivienne Westwood
Designer Studio - Blumarine, Celine, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino
Lover Designer Boutique - Giorgio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela, Moschino, Vivienne Westwood
Gallery 05
SUNGLASS HUT
SHOP THE CATWALK;
Alex Eagle
A|X Armani Exchange
Fyodor Golan
J.JS Lee
Kit Neale
Osman
Paper London
Pringle of Scotland
The LFW Pop-Up - Charlotte Simone, Christopher Raeburn, Georgia Hardinge, Lou Dalton, Ryan LO, Steven Tai
01 Floor
CATWALK SHOW SPACE
CATWALK QUEUING
POMMERY BAR
Gallery 06
SHOE GALLERY;
Alexander White
Finsk
French Sole
Havva
House Of Spring
Lucy Choi London
Pum Pum Socks
Rogues
Rose Rankin
Seven Boot Lane
M Floor
LAVAZZA CAFE
02 Floor
LUXE LOUNGE
TALKS GALLERY
SWATCH
Tote Bag Collection
Gallery 09
TONI&GUY X label.m
JEWELLERY;
Astrid & Miyu
Chalk Jewellery
Charlotte Valkeniers
Edge Of Ember
Eshvi
Estella Bartlett
JA PR - Apples & Figs, Assya London, Daisy Knights, Maya Magal, Niza Huang, Rachael Jackson
Kasun London
Lovebullets
Ros Millar
Tada & Toy
Tessa Metcalfe
Wolf & Moon
Gallery 10
ACCESSORIES;
Eddie Handmade
Finlay & Co.
Florian London
Genevieve Sweeney
Gvyn
Hayley Menzies
Jane Carr
Jas MB
Leanne Claxton
Linda Farrow
Lola & Gilbert
Loxley England
Pbo11o
Polly London
Sarah Baily
Silver Spoon Attire
My pictures of the galleries
( Gallery 02 )
Vintage Fur Company - ( Gallery 02 )
( Gallery 01 )
Rtister - ( Gallery 01 )
( Gallery 01 )
( Gallery 05 )
( Gallery 05 )
Sunglass hut - ( Gallery 05 )
Sunglass hut - ( Gallery 05 )
Love Designer Boutique - ( Gallery 04 )
( Gallery 04 )
Designer Studio - ( Gallery 04 )
( Gallery 04 )
( Gallery 04 )
Designer Studio - ( Gallery 04 )
( Gallery 04 )
( Gallery 04 )
Brandoutlet - ( Gallery 03 )
( Gallery 03 )
Brandoutlet - ( Gallery 03 )
Brandoutlet - ( Gallery 03 )
Brandoutlet - ( Gallery 03 )
Maybelline New York - ( Gallery 03 )
( Gallery 03 )
( Gallery 03 )
( Gallery 03 )
( Shoe Gallery )
( Shoe Gallery )
Alexander White - ( Shoe Gallery )
( Shoe Gallery )
Lucy Choi London - ( Shoe Gallery )
Lucy Choi London - ( Shoe Gallery )
Lucy Choi London - ( Shoe Gallery )
Lucy Choi London - ( Shoe Gallery )
( Shoe Gallery )
Swatch - ( Floor 2 )
Accessories - ( Gallery 10 )
Accessories - ( Gallery 10 )
Accessories - ( Gallery 10 )
Accessories - ( Gallery 10 )
TONI&GUY X label.m - ( Gallery 09 )
TONI&GUY X label.m - ( Gallery 09 )
TONI&GUY X label.m - ( Gallery 09 )
Tessa Metcalfe - ( Gallery 09 )
Edge of Ember - ( Gallery 09 )
Edge of Ember - ( Gallery 09 )
Niza Huang - ( Gallery 09 )
Ros Millar - ( Gallery 09 )
Ros Millar - ( Gallery 09 )
Ros Millar - ( Gallery 09 )
Vintage Fur Company - ( Gallery 02 )
Vintage Fur Company - ( Gallery 02 )
AV London - ( Gallery 02 )
AV London - ( Gallery 02 )
Muubaa - ( Gallery 02 )
Muubaa - ( Gallery 02 )
Rixo - ( Gallery 01 )
Rixo - ( Gallery 01 )
Rixo - ( Gallery 01 )
Marina London - ( Gallery 01 )
Marina London - ( Gallery 01 )
Solace London - ( Gallery 01 )
Solace London - ( Gallery 01 )
Solace London - ( Gallery 01 )
Kit Neale - ( Gallery 05 )
Kit Neale - ( Gallery 05 )
Love Designer Boutique - ( Gallery 04 )
Love Designer Boutique - ( Gallery 04 )
1pm Trend Catwalk Show
The catwalk area was located on the 1st floor in a long room, perfect for a catwalk runway. Around 400-500 people attended this trend show, which had seating on either side of the room, with photographers at the end of the catwalk. Approximately 4 large flat screen tv's were attached to one side of the wall in the room. I was seated at the very back row and it was quite hard to see the models on the catwalk, but the tv screens had a live feed with some great camera angles, so I did not miss anything. Angela Scanlon presented the show, informing and engaging with everyone in attendance. She provided further information on her own outfit, which featured many of the designers in the catwalk show.
The catwalk show was presented by Very Exclusive and focused of 4 trends for the AW15 season. It lasted around 35 minutes, and I would advise bringing water with you as the room got quite hot. It may be a good idea to view the trend catwalk show first before shopping around the concessions if you are looking to buy the featured items/looks.
Catwalk Presenter - Laura Jackson
"Laura Jackson manages to pull of the impossible: having a wardrobe to envy even though she's as likeable as your best friend. Shoe's photographed for her natural style - prim lace tea dresses and pageboy blouses - as often as she's called on for her easy-going attitude to present from the red carpet or onscreen. Her roaming presenting career has included stints as a backstage reporter at London Fashion Week, and she's fronted Channel 4's hit music show Freshley Squeezed with Rick Edwards and Nick Grimshaw. She will be on hand to present the VeryExclusive.co.uk Catwalk Trend presentations which reveal the key SS16trends to know." - The Weekender
Twitter - @iamlaurajackson
Instagram - @iamlaurajackson
Trend 01: Americana
"Bold stars and stripes motifs were a dominant feature on many of the spring catwalks. Collegiate jackets, tailored blouses and beach-friendly sandals - all in a very U.S- OF-A-friendly red, white and blue - ring in an optimistic summer." - LondonFashionWeekend
Trend 02: Beautiful Botanicals
"The ever-lovely floral motif is back in a big way for spring, with many designers featuring prints that wouldn’t look out of place in an English country garden. Elsewhere, florals came graphic and oversized on outerwear. It’s the answer to all spring party dressing dilemmas: a mini or maxi dress will be the star of this trend." - LondonFashionWeekend
Trend 03: Pop Art Brights
"This painterly trend will make the season fizz with colour. Bold head-to-toe colour will make an entrance while clashing pantones such as a colour-block shift dress with a clashing spike heel and boxy cross-body bag will work day and night." - LondonFashionWeekend
Trend 04: New Romance
"Embrace your inner romantic with spring’s most refined trend. Runways were awash with delicate, feminine looks: think ruffles, lace, tulle and silk in the palest of pastel shades. It’s the perfect trend to trial this upcoming wedding season." - LondonFashionWeekend
Finale / Video
Video
Designer Tote Bag
The exclusive designer tote bag was free when purchasing either a Silver or Gold ticket. The tote bag was designed by Thornton Bregazzi.
The tote bag features;
1x Tote Bag "Preen" by Thornton Bregazzi
1x March 2016 Hello Fashion magazine.
1x Label.M - Haircare sample product (Shine/Spray 50ml)
1x Garnier Skin Active - Moisture Bomb 50ml
1x Maybelline New York - Baby Lips Dr Rescue Lip Balm
1x Lavazza - Ground Coffee sample (Intenso - strength 5)
1x Urban Fruit - (Mango) baked fruit sample 20g
1x Pukka - Cool mint green tea
1x HelloFresh - £40 off (£20 off first order, £20 off second order) voucher card
1x VeryExclusive.co.uk - 30% off voucher during London Fashion Weekend
2x Lindor - Strawberries & cream truffles
ELLE Magazine - March 2016
Retail Price £4.10
London Fashion Weekend Promotional Ticket Price FREE
"The March issue of ELLE UK is powered by model and tech entrepreneur Karlie Kloss.
In the issue Karlie seeks advice from six incredible female trailblazers who have succeeded in the male-dominated world of technology.
In tandem with the issue's release, we will also be launching our first docu-series on ELLEUK.com, which follows Karlie as she interviews key women in the digital and technology sphere.
The first of these exclusive videos will go live on Tuesday 9 February 2016 and the others will follow in weekly instalments.
Read the full interview and see our shoot with Karlie Kloss in ELLE’s March issue – on sale Thursday 28 January – and join the conversation at #ELLExKLOSSY on Twitter and Instagram."
- ELLEuk.com
Overall Thoughts
Location/Venue
The Saatchi Gallery is a beautiful architectural building, and has grown on me from my first visit in September 2015 for the inaugural event. I have always loved Somerset house which previously hosted the London Fashion Weekend Events, but I can now see why this location is much more appealing. The Saatchi Gallery is a 5 minute walk from Sloane Square tube station, compared to a 15 minute walk from London Waterloo station to Somerset House. The Saatchi gallery is surrounded by high end designer stores, on and around the Kings road. Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Sergio Rossi, Chanel just to name a few are in walking distance from the Saatchi Gallery, meaning fashionistas attending this event can continue their day of shopping before or after the event.
The layout inside the venue was much the same as the last event with a few minor changes. The Elle magazine collection point was now on the lower floor, and the shoe's section had its own gallery.
A positive from last year was the much noticeable difference in room temperature inside the venue. Previously the room temperature was unbearable at times and I had to come outside the event for fresh air regularly, whilst drinking a lot of water. This time the temperature was comfortable and I spent 1-2 hours at a time before having a break.
The toilets were well maintained and were clean. I can only speak for myself as the men's hardly had no one in them, and the woman did have a que.
I met up with a friend in Sloane Square after the event and went shopping to Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and other flagship designer stores, which was very convenient, as I did not have to travel across London.
Shopping
The shopping was much of the same as the last event. There was roughly 150 different designers on offer to shop from, many with reduced prices just for this event. For the men, there was a small section of clothing on the ground floor, and the rest of the shopping was for women, this is expected due to the event attracting far greater woman than men.
Some established fashion brands were available to shop from, such as Jimmy Choo, Lucy Choi, Vivian Westwood, Giorgio Armani and Moschino. The majority of the designers were boutiques and up and comers, looking to promote their brands and gain much needed recognition.
Many designers such as jewellery brand "Love Bullets" returned to this event due to a successful event in September 2015.
I was really impressed by footwear designer Alexander White, which was founded in 2014. His designs and presentations are to a very high standard and looked on par with other established footwear designers such as Jimmy Choo and Gianvito Rossi.
Catwalk
This was the first time that I had sat on the front row at a catwalk show, and it was a far greater experience than I had previously experienced from the middle or back rows.
I felt that Laura Jackson did a great job presenting the catwalk show. She was engaging with the audience, making jokes whilst giving detailed information on the trends.
The televisions around the catwalk provided short introductions to each of the four trends, and the music accompanying the show was a perfect fit.
A new addition they had added to the catwalk show included a short focus/spotlight at the end of each trend. The final 4 catwalk models would stop and pose 1/4 of the way down the runway, from the entrance, and pose. Presenter Laura Jackson would then come from behind the entrance and speak about the trend, highlighting aspects of the trend and thanking the models. I really liked this small addition, which helps, because it can be hard to take in and remember each outfit, as their are 5 or 6 models on the catwalk at each time.
Staff/Organisers
The event staff were friendly and very helpful. I talked to many of them in regards to questions and how they were finding the event, which all were positive. I think it's important to have staff that are engaging and passionate about the event, and this was clear to see. I feel the British Fashion Council have organised the event really well, and were successful in their goal to bring a taste of the London Fashion Week to the public.
The event was well sign posted, advertised and felt professional. I like the way each of the designers had the name on the wall by their stall, and the galleries and floors had modern graphic designs.
Other
This event featured paid fashion talk's for the first time, but I was unable to attend them. Charlotte Olympia founder Charlotte Dellal was at the event on the day I attended, and it would have been great to listen to her thoughts on her brand and the fashion industry. In future events I hope to be able to attended one or many of these paid talks.
In previous events, when purchasing your event tickets online you were able to get a promotional price on the latest ELLE magazine for £1. At this event ELLE were handing out their latest magazine for free on the lower ground floor, which I managed to grab one by luck on my way to the toilets. A free mainstream fashion magazine for free rather than the £4.10 retail price was a nice bonus.
Potential Improvements
I feel an area of improvement could be the contents of the tote bag. The contents were near identical to the previous events tote bag, and it would be nice to include a few more promotional items.
I think it would be a great additon to have some on-site competitions or bring back a few of the previous on-site attractions from previous events. I remember when Coca Cola was sponsoring the event a few years ago and they provided promotional samples and Vodafone had a pop-up stall that rewarded members of its network with a gift bag and promotional offers. Unfortunately none of the current sponsors provide this feature, and is only available in by purchasing the event tote bag.
I would like to see an improvement on the selection of menswear available which used to be substantial in previous events at the Somerset House, and has become very minimal in recent events. Also there was no mens trend at the catwalk show again, and it would be great to see this make a return. I can understand why this is the case due to the large numbers of females attending the event which heavily outweighs the males, but I feel the return of the male catwalk show and a greater selection of menswear would attract more men to the event.
Event Grade
I feel this event improved on the previous event. Only small additions and adjustments were added from the previous event, which indicates the event in moving slowly in a positive direction. The event had a much cooler temperature than before, which previously was a problem. I like the fact they made adjustments for this, as previously many people were asking staff members for bottles of water due to the high temperatures inside the venue. I also liked the small touches to the catwalk show, in particular the reflection on a few of the outfits for each of the trends. Yet again the British Fashion Council selected a wonderful catwalk presenter in Laura Jackson. I like the Weekender magazine and I am glad the British Fashion Council continued to provide it from the previous event.
Overall the event is a great day out for fashionistas, and provides the public with the feeling of attending the London Fashion week.
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