Sabina Lucia

Twitter is a gateway to all sorts of cultural connections; last year it was responsible for getting me back into art in a big way when I got talking to the director of A Gallery – the leading predictors of hot new art talent – and last week I won a competition with a prize of tickets to London fashion weekend courtesy of Lavazza. Since I was last at LFW the venue has changed and I must say Somerset House as a choice is genius. Of course also famous for the Courtauld Institute art gallery, which houses works by one of my favourite artists, the wonderful, spiritual Wasily Kandinsy, the grounds lend themselves well to a fashion emporium with all the smaller rooms of the East Wing showing lots of hand made, artisan goodies that you normally only find online, including Dulcie, VC Cashmere and The Rubber Cow Co. plus some old faithfuls: (Lulu Guinness and Vivienne Westwood (which despite not appearing on the programme had queue upon queue of bargain hunting hopefuls)) and, with a client list including Cheryl Cole, Sienna Miller and Sadie Frost, it’s easy to see why Clara Francis’s hand-made jewellery is becoming so popular with her luxury girlie, fantastical creations featuring colourfully beaded unicorns, sea-horses, foxes and solid silver wishbones.

Of course a trip LFW isn’t complete without a fashion show or two and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the three I watched (after recovering from a minor Argh!-I’ve-lost-my-iPhone panic). The sugary named CANDY ROCK segment championed the blush and nude palette with Jasper Conran’s detailed floral leather cut out work and chiffon. More chiffon teamed embellished with embroidery from Christopher Kane and Dior. Next up was the ‘Saved by the Bell’ inspired SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS with the ever popular faded denims of Twenty8Twelve, Frost French and Disaya accented with accessories from Eley Kishimoto. But by far my favourite section was VINTAGE GLAMOUR by Shikasuki (vintage boutique that also sells contemporary fine art http://www.shikasuki.com/). We were treated to a cornucopia of goodies reminiscent of The Good Life’s Margo Leadbetter  with ’60s Jack Bryan  pleated cocktail dresses in mint, black and turquoize beautifully accompanied with ’50s crystal necklaces; a Zandra Rhodes plum and turquoize print dress with sash, a stunning 2 piece yellow trouser suit (perhaps not for the banana-allergic amongst us) which managed to remain current with wonderful, soft ruffles and possibly one not for Margo but definitely my favourite of the evening: a black body con mini dress with hot pink sequin boyfriend blazer completed as with all the outfits, with mini woven Lucite box bag.

But the highlight for me of the whole afternoon was the presenting by the fabulous Louise Roe, who, showing no nerves, talked us through the trends and designers and managed to involve the audience (will you be trying the orange lipstick? No and I won’t be recommending it to my friends any time soon either unless they’re tanned to within an inch of their life and 16!

© Sabina Lucia 2010  Catwalk photo -  © Simone Hathaway 2010