London Fashion Week: The Carnival cont...

The woman above was not sure I should be taking her pic so early in the morning....

J. Lindeberg AW11 From the Fjords to the Mountains

The AW11 season of press day pin ball has well and truly arrived and I've ricocheted from one to another to another whilst uncovering the gems of the season. One of the first to open its showroom doors was J. Lindeberg and after admiring the Jorgen Ringstrand shot look book for well over a month now, I was finally treated to a chance to inspect From the Fjords to the Mountains in person.

Once more, under Pierangelo D'Agostini fine creative stewardship, J. Lindeberg continues its endeavour of redefining modern classics with a particularly Scandinavian point of view. By respecting old traditions and combing them with the technical advancements of today, D'Agostin's third collection is packed with pieces that you wish had been hanging in your wardrobe for years. I first encountered the collection's mix of lightweight functionality and elegance when the look book images dropped in my inbox at the tail end of last month. Ever since then I've been eager to get my hands on the collection and on Monday I got my chance.

For inspiration, D'Agostin explored the dramatic coastlines of Scandinavia and through the dark water of the deep fjords and the soaring glacial mountains. You don't have to rack up the air miles of Tyler Brule to realise that traveling is part of daily life. Either in cities or crossing continents, garments are required to be versatile, providing multipurpose solutions and to perform for almost any occasion. Here, afforded by a delicate balance of modern technology and true tradition items are evolved and updated. Neoprene mesh layers, flat construction and Japanese fabrics introduce sportswear performance technologies and protection whilst iconic maritime classics such as the duffle coat and the pea coat are reworked to incorporate a three layer waterproof backing and detachable internal jacket. At every turn, tradition and technology are wonderfully fused.

This season the label has continued to grow its offering of accessories. Highlights include traditional mountain hiking boots in a Nordic construction which have been upgraded with technical neoprene. Sailor’s triangular neck ties and patterned cashmere-blend scarves capture the feeling of a man at sea...

Dandy styling with the triangular neck ties, Alp Boot Alpino Leather, Stivaletto Grained Leather and Wingtip Grained Leather

The collection showcases my own personal favourite hues for the colder months. The colour palette references nature in the depth of winter. The dark blue water of the fjords, the deep evergreen of the forest and shades of light grey skies are contrasted against the vibrant yellows, reds and acid greens of lichen covered rocks. A stunning palette whatever the season but particularly apt for Autumn. The best way to illustrate the palette while showing you a few key looks is to offer up a few selections from the look book itself in addition to the shots I took myself...

‘The collection is designed for now, moving into the future. Genuine craftsmanship combined with modern technology. Uniting yesterday, today and tomorrow’

 Pierangelo D'Agostini

Fashion trainee...

Details: Dressing for the season

3939's Tatsuo Hino dresses for these unpredictable sunny Spring days extremely well and I particularly love his Indian scarf from Merci.

From the Archive.... LFW Feb 2011

Peony Lim >>>

Nat and Jill Adams >>> 

BADGLEY MISCHKA SPRING 2011

For Spring, Mark Badgley and James Mischka invoked the "timeless glamour" of White Mischief, the 1988 film about aristocratic British expats in colonial Kenya—a group that apparently dressed impeccably while behaving quite badly, particularly when the sun went down. But what better than fashion to wash away the sins of last night? The design duo cast the collection in fresh powdery pinks and icy blues that were nothing short of angelic.

There was a lot going on here, what with three collections—couture, ready-to-wear, and the contemporary Mark & James line—mixing it up on the runway, at times in a single look. But Badgley and Mischka maintained an admirably stylish coherence. You could watch a lacy jacquard strapless column from couture followed by a little linen jacket and silky high-waisted shorts finished with a beaded belt from Mark & James and not feel jolted.

Firdous Lawn Collection 2011 ~ Shaista Wahidi

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Firdous Lawn Collection 2011 ~ Shaista Wahidi

Limited Editions for It's Nice That With ASOS

The moment the sun reveals itself from behind the grey wall of winter cloud, the masses instantly peel off the thick layers of comfort and protection to flash their near transparent flesh. It is in these moments of delirious sunshine celebration, the humble t shirt is of the utmost importance. There was a time, back when I was young, where I would obsess over designs and I amassed quite the collection. Rather than a wardrobe staple it was something of a wardrobe foundation. Those days might have passed but I still have a soft spot for thoughtful and creative designs. Today, sees the official unveiling of Limited Editions for It's Nice That With ASOS, a collection of ten season prints and original artwork.

Commissioned by true champions of creativity, It’s Nice That, ten of the most talented British-based emerging artists across the disciplines of photography and illustration have lent their hand to create a series of limited edition prints to adorn our chests...

Each t shirt comes with a matching print all for the wallet friendly price of £25.

There really is something for everyone, from Greg Eason's sparsely filled but beautifully observed and meticulously rendered feline drawing to Sophie Kern's joyful collage of prints, Jean Jullien's smile inducing weapon to Christopher Smith's double take needed photographic scene. My romance with the printed t shirt has been rekindled. Perfect timing for the soon to be revealed sunshine.

DOLCE&GABANA SHIRTS SPRING 2011