London Fashion Week Starts TOMORROW

What are we looking forward to?

The confirmed autumn/winter 2012 shoe schedule is now live online with all the catwalk shows and presentations. This season, we look forward to Stella McCartney hosting a special presentation, while Anya Hindmarch, Belstaff, McQ and Moschino Cheap And Chic will show on schedule for the first time.

DAY 1: 17 February, 2012

9am ANTONI & ALISON.

The design duo who are renowned for their ‘zip up and go’ pieces kick off the week with a bang, gaining inspiration from “any tearoom in London, so long as [they] have a notebook and pen handy.”

9.30am PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI

The designers, Justin and Thea, have firmly established Preen as one of London’s most distinctive and successful labels. They met when they were both eighteen in the Isle of Man and realised their joint dream with their first store on Protobello Road in 1996. Also designing for Top Shop, this season we can expect figure hugging silhouettes and extreme colours.

10.30am CAROLINE CHARLES

The leading London dress designer worked with Mary Quant before setting up her own business. For this season we should expect to see a “slightly seventies” influence with an “upbeat wartime spirit.” We are also bound to see the trademark piece appear on the catwalk – the Caroline Charles Jacket – a highly collectable feminine corset jacket in luxurious fabrics.

11am CORRIE NIELSEN

The Florida born designer who worked for Vivienne Westwood was chosen by John Galliano as winner of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2010. We can expect to see plenty of evening wear inspired by Scottish clans, hand-woven tartans and medieval dress. We will also most likely see the trademark bias-cut knot tie shirt.

11am ORLA KIELY

Having featured Orla Kiely largely in our nomad issue of Just Be Magazine, the Dublin based designer mixes colour, pattern and texture to give a 60’s and 70’s inspired look. Drawing inspiration from preppy detailing, enchanted forest prints of foxes, hedgehogs, dragonflies and dancing girls, the garments become a mis-match of colours and patterns. We can expect to see something equally as original and creative this year on the runway.

12pm FYODOR GOLAN

The label described as “expressive, emotional and sexual” draws inspiration from “Russian peasants and aristocracy, Art Deco and insects” – a disarray of organised mess. This year we can expect to see the brand expand their tailoring into knitwear and of course their signature corset dress will most likely feature.

1pm BORA AKSU

Originally from Turkey, the London based designer defines romantic with a darker twist. Creating demi-couture pieces that are timeless and unique, we are likely to see an array of cocktail dresses on the catwalk tomorrow. Seeking inspiration from governess dress codes, the show will be very formal and conservative.

1.30pm EMILIA WICKSTEAD

The New Zealand based designer creates pieces that are “sophisticated, wearable, modern and fresh” with her trademark being pleats. This year we can expect to see an expansion in her ready-to-wear collections and growth into the international market.

2pm MARIA GRACHVOGEL

The designer who uses unconventional methods of cutting and fitting will this year most likely feature flowing gowns in bright colours. It is highly likely her signature garment will feature prominently, self-proclaimed as being “the most fabulously cut trousers, catsuits and my artwork prints.” Sounds like it will be a very bright and fun catwalk.

2.30pm ZOE JORDAN

The coming together of the androgynous and the feminine, we can expect to see plenty of tailored jackets, structure and architecturally inspired pieces. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Amelia Earhart and buildings, the beautifully tailored coats have a Saville Row influence. We’re looking forward to the classic pieces and heritage inspired looks.

3pm FELDER FELDER

Annette Felder and Daniela Felder are from Germany, but London is where they feel most at home. We can expect to see a grunge girl bombshell on the catwalk with some signature chunky jewellery pieces. We will most likely see their signature tailored jacket with a rock ‘n roll edge.

4pm JEAN-PIERRE BRAGANZA

The Canadian born designer looks to construction and architecture for his straight line designs. We can expect to see many a tailored blazer.

5pm PPQ

Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker combined forces a few years back to create skinny jeans, and soon grew to produce their Gabriel bag and original print designs. This year we should expect to see a lot of glitter and jewellery galore.

6pm BASSO & BROOKE

The powerprints design duo who won Fashion Fringe in September 2004 create designs that are “playful, subversive and individual.” We can expect to see a dichotomy of prints again this season, expanding further into the lifestyle markets.

7pm JENA.THEO

Jenny Holmes and Dimitris Theocharidis are from England and Greece respectively. Both live and work in London and create soft-structured, geometric pieces, with their trademark being the winter coat. For this season we can expect to see film noir inspired garments, where the darker side of Hollywood elegance is revealed (think 40’s and 50’s inspired).

Stay tuned for more news on London Fashion Week.

We will report back post-shows tomorrow.