The latest in London youth trends

London Fashion Weekend is over. After a gruelling 5 days I slept most of Monday and wouldn't mind a little kip now too!

After moving back to London from New York a mere 3 weeks ago, LFW'end was the first time I've been immersed in London Fashion. And what an eye opener. The girls in the East Village are tame compared to London girls.

LFW'end really was an eye opener as far as trends. There were so many young girls in attendance - we're talking 16-22 - and they're just so fashion forward. I'd like to say imaginative too but while it was, they mostly all stuck my rules.

The first thing I noticed is that skirts are short. And I mean SHORT!! Bum skimming. This fact didn't escape the security guards at the show either. They really thought they were in heaven. Many girls weren't even wearing skirts or dresses, just tops that barely covered their bum and semi opaque tights. Even girls who didn't have the legs have embraced this trend. I saw a couple bend over and yes, I saw everything! Should we blame Sienna Miller for this?

Source: Stylebakery

The second thing I noticed was the hair styles. This is one area that there was not much of a deviation from the trend. That trend seems to be an evolution of the bed head and side party which is now lightly teased with an exaggerated side part that is swept right across the forehead.

Source: Stylescout

While I appreciate the power of a trend, many of these young girls should really take a look in the mirror and decide if these bum skimming tops/skirts and forehead covering styles really suit them. Perhaps they could modify the trend and wear what actually suits them.

That said, I've unplugged my GHDs, teased up the roots of my hair and will test drive the full side part today. It's not a far cry from my usual and it will be interesting to see the looks I get - although I am pushing a pram, hardly a style accessory of the 16-22s!

We're at London Fashion Weekend

Exhausted is an understatement after the opening night at London Fashion Weekend. The organisers have had record ticket sales with Saturday and Sunday completely sold out - unless you want the mad rush from 3-5pm on Sunday.

Last night was crawling with shoppers all out for a bargain. And there are definitely bargains to be had and much haggling over prices. I do feel that store owners are more willing to negotiate on prices this season which is great for the shopper.

So come down and visit us and see the amazing spring/summer collections we have available plus hundreds and hundreds of items most discounted by between 50-90%. We're at stand LA11 which is on the bottom floor (phew, no stairs this time!) right near the VIP lounge.

Back to London

Source: Vogue

After a brief nearly 2 year stint in New York, I'm now back in London. While I'll miss the many beautiful friends I've made there, it's great to be back in London where Brittique is based and really get back into things.

I arrived back in the Ol' Blightly just in time for London Fashion Week. With the great coverage you get online these days, there's hardly a point to waiting out the incredible delays, sore feet and elbowing to get to shows. But one show I couldn't miss was Louise Amstrup's. I'm such a huge fan of her textured, high quality tailoring. And I've written here ad nauseam about the incredible fit - it really should be tried.

Louise Amstrup's AW09 collection did not disappoint and Vogue liked it too. It had a slightly harder feel with a more structured shape to the jackets and lots of leather details. Her print for the season is a black and white swirl with vibrant hints of fluro yellow and orange - perfect for accessorising with bright shoes and bags. As usual my only disappointment is that I can't wear the collection now!

Louise Amstrup heads East

A huge congratulations to the exceptionally talented Louise Amstrup. She is heading to China to show her SS09 collection at Shanghai fashion week. Preen and Basso & Brooke are just two of the big names who have preceded her.

Louise Amstrup really is one of the most talented young designers. It is hard to beat the quality of her finish and I urge you to try the fit of the tailoring. Nothing fits me better which is why I'm always wearing it!

I recently placed our order for Louise's SS09 collection and I can tell you that it's her best yet. And Vogue agreed. Preorders will open soon but in the meantime if there's anything you really must have, just email us.

London Fashion Weekend tickets up for grabs

The retail extravaganza that is London Fashion Weekend is soon upon us. Running from 24-28 September and with a new sponsor, Elle Magazine, it should be the best one yet. Brittique will be there again with some crazy discounts on our beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories.

I've got 2 tickets for Thursday or Friday valued at £20 up for grabs. To enter just leave a comment here and I'll select a winner at random on Sunday evening 14 September. If you win we'll also give you and your friend an additional 10% off our sale prices at the Brittique stand.

Back to it after a long break

Well it's kind of been a break. I have been working away in the background as and when my new little man allows me. Behind the scenes here at Brittique we were kept busy by London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend and now the arrival of all the new spring/summer 08 collections. Here we are out and about at the Tribeca Film Festival that's running this week. I'm wearing a fabulous vintage dress bought from ebay.

During London Fashion Week Susie Bubble did an incredible job of selecting some real treats for AW08. I can't wait to show you some previews in the coming weeks. She was able to pin point exactly what the core Brittique customers love and I know her selections will be snapped up come September when they arrive online.

Here in New York the weather has been perfect - 25C days with a slight cool breeze. It means that I'm having to think about my own summer wardrobe. I am one of those people who pack away the winter woollies and plan what I'll be wearing. I then take pictures of my key outfits and stick them on the back of my wardrobe door. It helps me keep organised - something of particular importance now that I have even less time.

With my baby came a change in body shape. I've had to kiss goodbye my small waist (hopefully this is temporary) and embrace a more flowing style of dressing. Thankfully my personal shopping from Brittique hasn't been too hard. I'm just lusting after everything from Emma Cook. These drop waisted, striped denim pinafores will be perfect for this tween season over a little tee and then without as it gets warmer. The cotton voile blouse is stunning too and will hide the last of the baby blub.

We have had new arrivals from Louise Amstrup, Gil Carvalho, Aei:Kei and Peter Jensen. Now to find some time to get them all up on the site!

Louise Amstrup - new kid on the block

One of my favorite designers Louise Amstrup debuted on the catwalk this season with On/Off. The collection was darker than those previously but still the lovely cut and quality was evident. While hard to see from this clip, the finishing on Louise's garments is amazing - seams are piped and the lining is the most beautiful silk. It really has to be tried on to appreciated.

See the show here.

Vogue are also fans.

Why there's been no LFW commentary from me

Just in time for London Fashion Week I received a beautiful delivery, a baby boy, Ralf. While he does sleep a lot now I'm still completely out of touch with what actually happened at LFW. Luckily Susie Bubble has been buying for Brittique and reporting back on the directions of the season. It's looking like a good one!

Susie Bubble buys for Brittique

I’m thrilled to announce that Brittique has a very special guest buyer for the autumn/winter 08 season. The ever stylish and quirky Susie Bubble from the infamous blog Style Bubble will be adding yet another feather (on season of course) to her already crowded hat and injecting her style and take on the season’s collections. Susie will be attending the shows on our behalf and selecting the best of the season’s collections for Brittique.

Keep up to date with Susie’s musings on the AW08 collections and her insight into the trends and the designers to watch on her blog.

The new issue of Fashion156.com

Pictures from Fashion156.com

Fashion156.com never fails to make me gasp with amazement everytime a new issue is published - every 156 hours no less! Guy and his team have done an incredible job promoting the best new British designers in the latest issue. Here we can see a sneak preview of the new AW08 collection from Hannah Marshall, Louise Amstrup and Gil Carvalho.

One of my favorite outfits of the season by Louise Amstrup was also featured on the hot list. This 40s inspired blouse really is hot!

Louise Amstrup picture by Mads Perch.

LFW - the venue for "second" lines?

Vogue announced that Preen will now show their second line as well as their main line this season. The main line will be shown in New York for the second season while the second line will be shown in Cophenhagen. Preen's designer's Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi said that the view is to bring the showing of the second line to London Fashion Week eventually.

Now I am a huge fan of Preen and love their second line, but I agree with LibertyLondonGirl, why should LFW only be for second lines? LLG pointed out that last season was Marc for Marc Jacobs, before that Stella's line for Adidas and now Vivienne Westwood's. With London arguably the most fashion forward of the fashion capitals and the breeding ground for many of the current top international designers, why should it be diluted with second lines?

Backstage with Peter Jensen

We're just a couple of weeks away from the chaos that is London Fashion Week. This behind the scene look at a Peter Jensen show pretty much summarises the backstage feel at all shows. Stress levels run high and designers are under a huge amount of pressure. Meanwhile the buyers and press are waiting, waiting, waiting...

Peter Jensen's preppy and yet quirky designers are so effortless to wear. For spring/summer I'm especially in love with his scribble denim jeans dress. Preorders are now open so you don't miss out on your favorite pieces.

Basso & Brooke's stunning prints

The Basso & Brooke SS08 is the first show this season that when I saw the pictures, my heart started beating faster with desire. It is just stunning. I love everything!

The shapes have not really changed that much since the AW07 collection (in our warehouse now!) but the prints are just wonderful. But maybe that's because I love colour. I've never been scared of big prints and bright colours and prefer hot pink, yellows and orange to black. It is these prints that the guys at Basso and Brooke are famous for so it's no wonder that I love it.

Unfortunately I'm not buying the collection this season. They only do their buying appointments in Milan and I can not physically get there which is really unfortunate. I really hope they start to see that the world of fashion does not revolve around Milan and offer appointments in at least one other city.

Here's a five minute interview with Bruno Basso & Christopher Brooke.

Amanda Wakeley's safe style

There's no doubting the elegance of Amanda Wakeley's designs. They are the type of garments I'd love to put on and wander around my white-washed-walled Belgravia home (if I had one) with it's white interiors.

Her new collection is lovely. It's safe but it does have some stand outs that are stunning. The black chiffon covered catsuit is so simple and yet so highly flattering and fabulous.

I have decided not to buy Amanda Wakeley going forward. I believe that Brittique's customers, you, want more edgy design with standout qualities rather than the safer classics. But I'd love to hear your views.

Photos: Vogue.co.uk

Preppy from Peter Jensen

SS08 was another play on the preppy look that Peter Jensen has made his signature. I always like his clothes better in the buying appointment than I do in the show. Maybe it's the styling that just doesn't do it for me, or maybe that they don't show their best pieces in the show.

His colourful sweaters are very cute and I can see myself living in his "P" embossed tee with people wondering where it came from. The sexy secretary in grey look is fabulous and could be adapted in so many ways. I'm really not sure about the dropped crotch jeans though. They don't look fabulous on a model, so not sure about the rest of us. The pink tea dress with the lace petticoat and collar is just the sweetest dress, but would you wear it?

Photos from Style.com

Emma Cook is sailing for SS08

Emma Cook has become one of the most popular designers on Brittique and there is little wonder when I see her new collection for SS08. I really love how she takes a theme and then loosely bases her collection around it. For SS07 it was the feathers, for AW07 the owl and the coming season has a subtle nautical theme with anchor emblem.

Her new collection features some really fun little dresses that are still easy wearing and easy fitting, which are the main reasons she has a following. But the quality in the detailing of the crochet and applique mean that they stand out from the collections of any other designer.

From these pictures I know the buying appointment is going to be really difficult - how much I can buy with my budget! And I can't forget to mention the fantastic ankle boots - I must find out where we can get those!

Win fashion week tickets plus £250 shopping spree!

Sheerluxe.com and Brittique.com are giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets to London or Manchester Fashion Weekend as well as £250 to spend on Brittique.com. To enter register here.

Increase your chances of winning by forwarding this email on to your friends copying promo@brittique.com. For every friend we’ll give you an extra chance to win. Competition closes on 24 September and the winner will be notified that evening via email.

Behind the scenes with Brittique

Guy and his team at fashion156.com work tirelessly on this brilliant, original and inspiring e-zine. Produced every 12 days, it works to support new designers, something that both Guy and I are passionate about.

This issue features an interview with me about my views on London Fashion Week. Shown here are the Tata Naka Mickey Mouse dress and the hugely popular Amanda Wakeley corset belt. Also featured in the "Hot" list is the Rose Dress by Tata Naka.

Preen in New York

Despite being in New York now, I didn’t get to Preen’s debut American show. It’s a shame they left London, but given the blog inches they’ve been given before and after the show you can understand why.

I did check out the show on vogue.co.uk and I must say that I’m in love. The easy fitting, easy wearing pieces are just so floaty and beautiful. I can imagine walking down Fifth Avenue with the flowing silk brushing against my legs. These flowing styles that belt in at the waist are just perfect for curvy girls like me as well as the more straight-up-and-down figures because they add a waist.

Also fabulous in this show was the model's hair. It's a nice change from overstyled hair. That messy and yet sleek waves is the look I aspire to - or rather what happens when I don't blow dry my hair, although mine has a bit more of a "fly-away" look that I'm waiting to come into style. Doubt it will ever catch on here in New York though, the girls always look like they step from a salon each morning!

I’m looking forward to the buying appointment and I’ve already had customers emailing asking to be put on the waiting list for specific pieces. So if there is anything you want, please let me know now!

My favorites are the yellow silk shirt dress. This colour is just beautiful as is the stunning blue also featuring in this collection. The white jumpsuit also looks so fun in a "scrubs" kind of way. It reminds me of when I bought a white cotton coat and met some friends for brunch. Everyone asked if I had a new job at a hospital! Finally the white tulip shaped frock coat is just so Preen and I'm already lusting after it. Not sure that white is such a great option though, it will probably spend as much time at the dry cleaners as it will on me. I'll wait to see what other colour options they offer.

Brittique at London Fashion Weekend

Phew! Two days into LFW'end and I have developed a renewed respect for shop girls. It's exhausting standing all day and chatting with customers!!

So far our first LFW'end has been a success. Being our first, I had no prior expectations so it's all been a bonus. Maria from Ignes Handbags, Kelle and I have barely had a chance to run to the loo it's been so busy.

Running an online business means that I rarely receive feedback from customers about the products they buy. But this has been a fantastic opportunity to be in front of the customers and actually see and hear what they say about our products. The biggest hit has been Woolenstock slippers, Oni handbag holders and Aei:Kei jersey separates and dresses.

I'm bracing myself for Saturday and Sunday which are the busiest days. There are some amazing bargains to be had so I highly recommend getting yourself out of the house and to the Natural History Museum for London Fashion Weekend!