Electric sekki

3/19/12

profile: lulu kennedy

Lulu Kennedy may not be a name that you would immediately recognise, but her influence on the British fashion scene is undeniable. She founded one of London Fashion Week's hottest tickets, the Fashion East show, which propelled the likes of Roksanda Ilincic, Marios Schwab, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll to their current fashion stardom. Fashion East is perhaps London's most hotly anticipated event each Fashion Week; and show-goers expect nothing short of creative genius from the six exclusive designers selected by Lulu Kennedy and her team. Lulu's also just recently launched her own label, Lulu & Co, which is a mixture of her own designs and exclusive collaborations with designers whom Lulu handpicks for their unique vision and creative promise. We had the wonderful opportunity to have a quick chat with Lulu at Polly King's showroom while we were in town for Paris Fashion Week. Given her fashion status, we expected her to be an intimidating and perhaps somewhat cold woman; but what we found in her was a delightful warmth, as well as the encouragement of someone whom we could only wish was our own mentor.

Lulu Kennedy.

On how she started Fashion East:

"It was all completely unintended." No one set-out to create a fashion show. It just sort of naturally progressed into one. The Fashion East show that is today was never planned to be this way; "It was completely organic."

On choosing who to showcase at Fashion East:

"It's always all a bit mad! We get tens of thousands of applications. To be honest, it's a bit like X-Factor!"

On how she started Lulu & Co.:

"Again, to be honest, it was all completely unintended!" It started off as just a few exclusive iconic pieces from Fashion East designers that were reproduced in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Fashion East. It was really well-received and so production was increased for the next season, and the next season. Then Lulu & Co. became a full-blown collection where the collaborations change each season. "Again, it was totally organic."

On the prints that are so heavily featured in her collection:

Take the poodle print for example, "It was actually the print on this very old scarf that a friend was wearing. The scarf was falling apart, but we really liked the print, so we decided to recreate it. Look! There's even a little leash attached, too."

On who she thinks is the "Next Big Thing" on the British fashion scene:

"I really like James Long." (Don't worry, we've got some shots of his immaculate collection coming up soon on the blog!)

A rack of pieces from Lulu & Co's collaboration with Barry Reigate.

Lulu & Co's collection is full of fun prints and easy-to-wear shapes.

A tee from Lulu & Co's collaboration with Ashish.

A personal favourite piece from Lulu & Co's F/W '12 collection.

Poodles on a leash!

The perfect LND (little navy dress) from Lulu & Co.

A selection of pieces from Lulu & Co's collaboration with Sibling.

3/16/12

trendspotting: red hot

Red's been having a major comeback recently, and it's on a real winning streak for Fall 2012. It's a colour that represents a gamit of emotions and personalities; from seduction to confidence to rage to passion. It's also a colour that looks good on a all skin-tones. The key is to find the right hue. Reds range from orange-tined coral to blue-tinted maroon, so the trick is to search for the red that suits you best and stick to it! Designers also showed a myriad of different red fabrications, in everything from lace to suede. If you're more of a print-lover, there are lots of red hot prints to choose from, too. Whatever your style, whatever your colouring, whatever your budget, make sure to introduce some red into your wardrobe this coming winter. It's a colour that we can't wait to wear!

Red hot items found on the runways and around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Chalayan, Christian Dior, Carven, Givenchy.

More red hot items found around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Mary Katrantzou, Hermes, Louise Gray, Valentino.

3/15/12

trendspotting: heavy embellishment

Designers are taking a whole new approach to embellishment this coming fall; the maxim of choice seems to be, "Go big or go home." No longer dainty or restrained, we saw hefty jewels and heavy embellishment on everything from skirts and tops to bags and shoes at Paris Fashion Week this season. This can prove to be a bit tricky if you're planning on doing a lot of sitting down, so our Best Bet Tip for this trend is to find pieces that are embellished either only on the abdomen and up, or only on the front. That way, you won't have any uncomfortable sitting situations. Think that sequins and jewels are for girlie-girls only? Well, think again. This fall, embellishments are done in styles that range from bold to quirky to sexy. There's literally something for everyone.

Heavy embellishment found around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Yves Saint Laurent, No. 21 by Alessandro Dell Acqua, Givenchy, No. 21 by Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

More heavy embellishment found around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Louise Gray, Valentino, Christian Dior, Mary Katrantzou.

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3/14/12

trendspotting: plunging necklines

Better start stocking up on some killer lingerie, because plunging necklines are shaping up to be the trendiest new silhouette for Fall 2012. They're the perfect complement to the peplums we also saw (and wrote about) all over the runways. And, honestly, this is a trend that all women can try out and feel sexy wearing, no matter what your size or shape. If you're petite, go all out in a V-neck jumpsuit; if you're more well-endowed, add a cute lace bra underneath. Underwear and lingerie are still all the rage, so it'll be de rigeur to expose a bit of it underneath your outfit. If you're too shy to expose your bra, try a cute mesh bodysuit instead. Add a vintage long necklace and you're good to go. Quite frankly, we're so excited for this trend, we might just start trying it out this summer, too!

Plunging necklines styles from around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Christian Dior, Carven, Yves Saint Laurent, No. 21 by Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

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3/13/12

trendspotting: slip-ons

If there was one thing that stood out to us most in terms of accessories for F/W '12 it's that fuss-free flats are back in full force. We noticed this on the runways as well as on the sidewalks; some of the coolest Parisien chics were rocking pairs of comfy slip-ons all around the Marais. We think it's safe to say that it's finally time to give our feet some much needed rest. But just because they're comfortable, that doesn't mean they have to be boring; we saw studded, printed and embellished slippers alongside classic menswear inspired styles. It's finally time to put those heels to bed and break out a pair of fancy slip-ons instead. We can't wait!

Flat styles from around the showrooms during Paris Fashion Week F/W '12.

Clockwise from top left: Carven, Valentino, Carven, Hermes.

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3/12/12

trendspotting: peplums

Peplums, peplums, everywhere! We saw them all over Paris while we were there for F/W '12 Fashion Week: from Carven and Peter Som to Givenchy and Mary Katrantzou, peplums are the silhouette of choice for the coming winter. Flattering on every shape and available in all sorts of fabrics; peplums are sure to be a huge hit. We'll be going through all of our photos from Paris in the coming weeks and bringing you the trends we discovered from show to show, showroom to showroom. We'll also be bringing you exclusive profiles on some of the biggest new names in the fashion industry. So be sure to check in with us every day; trust us, you don't want to miss out.

Clockwise from top left: peplum offerings for F/W '12 from Givenchy, Carven, Peter Som and Mary Katrantzou.

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3/8/12

up close and personal

Many days spent after the shows snapping the stylish men and women we saw inside the shows has made us realise just how bizarre the whole street style scene is nowadays; hundreds of people descend on the tents like hawks and crowd around each show-goer, jammed up next to one another in a way that you wouldn't normally accept in any other circumstance. Some people generate crowds larger than others: Natalia Vodianova, Anna Dello Russo, Frida Gustavsson and Karlie Kloss created the largest mobs we saw. Interesting, as we also witnessed celebrities such as Nicole Hilton, P. Diddy and Fan Bingbing at the shows. Here are some of our up close and personal style shots from the shows; maybe you can get an idea of just how crowded it is outside the runways. Enjoy!

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after valentino

While Valentino's show was dark and dramatic, taking us on a folklore trip across the world, the fashion outside of the tents was about lace and layering. Check out some of our favourite style mavens exiting the tents after the show in the Jardin des Tuileries below.