I was lucky enough to get access to London Fashion Week 2014 (February). To say I was excited was an under-statement. Just to get a behind the scenes peak and to look at what the new designers were coming up with. I was given my lanyard and checked in by security I was good to go. With over 150 UK and international designers exhibiting in the designer showrooms, there was a lot to take in.
I’m somewhat familiar with the location of London Fashion Week. I’ve been to London Fashion Weekend more times than I remember and the layout of Somerset House never changes. The designer showrooms were spread over all the wings of the building and it was basically a (MUCH) quieter version of the weekend. The main difference is that this time you get to talk more about the products, the manufacturing and the quality of the pieces. This is the professional business side of fashion.
There was plenty of professional hubs to use for charging your tech pieces, writing up posts on laptops and chill out areas to let the visuals sink in. I felt like Somerset House was a completely different place!
There were catwalks which you had to apply for, and although my party were verified to attend a couple they were on the same day as the British Plus Size Fashion Weekend, and there was no way I was missing that! Through out the 5 days over 77 designers showcase their catwalk collections or presentations. Make sure you do your research for the schedule and apply way ahead!
The liveliest part of London Fashion Week for me was the street style that has now become mainstream. Ironically, this is the part of the week where you don’t need to be verified or security checked.
You literally wear the most on key trendy pieces you can find, strut your stuff up to the court yard and you will get papped. I mean SERIOUS paparazzi! I didn’t realise that this bit was a free for all so I jumped in with my newbie self and took some great street style pictures.
Now I understand that London Fashion Week is very much based on early interaction, if I am lucky enough to go next year I’ll know that I need to to prepare well in advance. Contact the PR’s early for catwalk shows and prepare your outfit well in advance.
If your a blogger and just want to pop down to the market square of Somerset house to take some great pictures then go for it! Remember to have your camera fully charged, have your business cards ready and if possible a notebook to write down the information on the outfits and people you have taken pictures of.
Don’t forget to have confidence, it’s an epic experience. But if you love fashion, you’ll be fine.
Last but not least – Just before Cara Delevingne rocked her wool wrap on the catwalk for Burberry, I wore mine to keep me warm in the February chill! Great minds Cara, great minds.
