From the Front Row : PPQ A/W12

Appropriately titled Black Out, PPQ's latest collection was dedicated to "the apocalyptic romance of winter". Now if you are unsure of what this means, simply imagine the end of the world as a very stylish, smashing night out.

The show started with a bang as the first model made her way down the catwalk pushing one of the now infamous PPQ Rule Supreme Style Bikes - it was unusual, playful and grabbed my attention straight away. Models were far from being in cycling attire, wearing flawy dresses, midi skirts, belted coats, but also PVC hot pants and embellished tights instead. It was definitely a more grown up show from what PPQ had got us used to in the past few years with Veronica Lake hairdos, peplum waists, longer hems, cinched in waists on jackets and dramatic fur collars, greatly inspired by 1950s Hollywood glamour.

If green was slowly introduced throughout the show, colour was far from being the focus of this collection. Instead it was all about animal print, textures and materials. PVC was paired with soft chiffon, tweed and fur for an edgy, yet fun look, perfect to embrace the end of the world in style. It's 2012 after all.

What did you think of the show? I personally loved it!

-Elodie x

London Fashion Week Diary : Day 1

I cannot believe I am only getting around to posting this, but here is what I got up to on my first ever day at London Fashion Week :

7.00 am - I wake up and check my emails with a hot cup of coffee. 

7.20 am - Time to get ready. After much deliberation, I opt for a nude lace dress from H&M, a Henleys leather jacket, Zara studded ankle boots and spice up the outfit with a House of Harlow necklace, my Michael Kors watch, a Turner & Leigh wrap bracelet and a vintage snake ring. As for makeup, I am rocking MAC Morange lipstick and Illamasqua's Whack nail polish for a pop of colour.

9.00 am - I arrive to the office. We document what the team is wearing and start uploading the London Fashion Week content onto the website. 

11.30 am - After working on it all morning, the Oscar Dapper Chap gallery is ready to go live which means I can now head off to Somerset House!

12.00 am - It's my first time at LFW and I have to admit, I am slightly overwhelmed by the amount of street style photographers and people just waiting to have their picture taken. 

12.15 am - I collect my pass from the BFC lounge and head off to my first show of the day : Bora Aksu. I eventually spot Michelle in the queue and it isn't long before Hannah, Ashley and Rebecca join us.

1.30 pm - I can't stop thinking about the rose gold metallic collars as seen on the catwalk earlier. 

1.50 pm - I rush to the Savoy for Maria Grachvogel and spot these amazing Jeffrey Campbell on the way. Thankfully the show is running fashionably late and I make it just in time.

2.30 pm - The whole collection is very elegant and yet, wearable. I love it!

3.00 pm - Diet Coke in hand, I head back to Somerset House where street photographers are going crazy for this man and his studded outfit.

3.30 pm - I remember that I have a invitation for Orla Kiely's presentation which I decide to go to. The Portico Rooms have been transformed into a 1940s ballroom for a very special afternoon tea dance. Michelle, Hannah, Ashley, Rebecca and I enjoy some cake and champagne as we watch the models dance and twirl to the live band. 

4.45 pm - I meet Polly outside. I give her her invitation and we make our way to the Courtyard Show Space for PPQ. 5.00 pm - We take our front row seats. On the other side of the catwalk, Pixie Lott, Caroline Flack, Lydia Bright and Peaches Geldof are getting snapped by the Paparazzi.  5.10 pm - The music starts as the first model struts down the catwalk... With a bike! 

5.40 pm - Animal print, PVC, chiffon and fur : it is all about textures at PPQ. To read more about the show, click here.

5.50 pm - After checking with Rachel, I realise I won't be able to make it to Basso & Brooke. It's in St Paul's and starts in 10 minutes. Oops!

6.30 pm - Polly and I are starving, so we head over to Pizza Express for a well-deserved meal. 

7.30 pm - We have been here for an hour and still haven't decided what to order. We have been way too busy talking about the show and having a peek into our goodie bags! 

7.50 pm - We catch up over a delicious Giardiniera pizza.

9.15 pm - Time for a quick makeup touch-up and we are on our way to Dstrkt for the PPQ after party.  

9.40 pm -  Let the fun begin! 

Photo courtesy of Aizak Buyondo 

11.30 pm - G and T in hand, Polly and I are partying the night away. And by the look of it, so are Pixie Lott, Jodie Harsh, Joy Vieli, PPQ designers Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker to name just a few.

2.30 am - I eventually call it a night. Bring it on, day 2!

Did any of you go to LFW this season?  I want to know all about your experience.

- Elodie x

London Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week is barely over that it is already time for London Fashion Week to kick off. I received my BFC accreditation earlier this year and have since then managed to get my hands on a few invites, including a front row seat at PPQ and an invite to their after party!  If this wasn't exciting enough, I will also be helping Stylist Magazine cover the event for their website, stylist.co.uk. Oh, the perks of being an intern... Now if you'll excuse me, I have an outfit to put together.

Should I expect to see any of you there? 

- Elodie x

IMATS London 2012

Last Saturday I attended the International Make-up Artist Trade Show, most commonly known as IMATS, at the Alexandra Palace in London. Rachel and I thought we'd beat the crowd and go early, meaning that we managed to have a good look around the stalls and do a fair bit of shopping, before it got too hectic. We then headed to the press lounge where we were treated to an extensive brunch buffet, manicures and massages, courtesy of Royal & Langnickel. It might have been the first time I went to the famous make-up show, but it sure isn't the last. IMATS 2013 couldn't come soon enough!

And purely because I love seeing what's in other people's shopping bags and I assume you do too, here is what I came back with :

Royal & Langnickel kabuki brush, Illamasqua SOB cream blusher, MAC Reflex Pearl, MAC Pro card,

 Illamasqua Whack nail varnish and Liquid Metals in Berber and Electrum, Real Technique contour brush, 

MAC Morange lipstick, Silk Pro Greenline brush set c/o Royal & Lagnickel, Crown C208, C210 and C250-1 brushes,

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Femme, MAC Twinks eyeshadow, Illamasqua eyeliner pencil in Adamant and Cane.

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page if you want to see more pictures of the day.

Did you go to IMATS? If so, what did you get?
- Elodie x

Marni at H&M

After Versace, Marni is the next designer to team up with H&M. The Italian fashion label, known for its colourful, bold prints, unconventional silhouettes and quirky accessories is a favourite amongst fashion lovers around the globe - me included!

And if you were worried about this collaboration only being a far cry from the luxurious label, here is what creative director and founder of Marni, Consuelo Castiglioni had to say about the collection :

"I'm very proud of the result. Everything has the same level of quality, craft and attention to detail Marni is known for."

To top it all off, Marni and H&M picked out no other than Sofia Coppola to direct the commercial. Set in a luxurious villa in Marrakech, the short film follows British actress and model, Imogen Poots, as she parties the night away. It is chic, modern and exuberant. In short, it is everything Marni stands for.

This will be the first time Marni, which doesn't have any diffusion line, will be accessible to high street shoppers. After seeing the first few shots in VOGUE Russia, I absolutely cannot wait for the look books to come out! I'll make sure to share my favourite items with you when they do.

The collection will be available in selected stores and online from March, 8. I guess you'll know where to find me on the 8th.


What do you think of the collaboration so far? Can I expect to see you in the queue? 
- Elodie x