I am green with envy over Caroline, the glamorous winner of the koodos / handbag.com competition. Not only did she get invited along to London Fashion Week, to sit on the front row of a couple of London’s most sensational catwalk shows but she became a designers muse for the day. As part of her prize, she got to pick an outfit from one of four of the hottest up and coming designers who featured in koodos’ Vauxhall Fashion Scout online Boutique. The lucky thing, especially liked the look created by the seductive and highly stylish designers, Harriet’s muse.

Harriet’s Muse is famous for tailor fitting unique corsets and dresses, so not only did Caroline win a beautiful silk dress created by the hands of the immensely talented designers Cheryl Partington and Craig Spellar; she got to have it made to exactly her size. Guarantees no ‘friends’ borrowing your favourite dress hey?

Here are few pics of her having it fitted. Are you jealous too? If so go check out Harriet Muse’s boutique on the first floor of Kingly court, just off Carnaby street. Plus, you could always enter a koodos competition too and maybe next time, YOU could win something as fabulous.

Packed to the rafters the Avsh Alom Gur S/S 09 collection was always going to be a little bit different. Taking inspiration from  the humble chair, yes chair, he was aiming for a collection that exuded a feeling of four legged stability.

The collection had a distinct 40’s / 50’s feel with head scarves, aprons and excessive Ra-Ra skirts that billowed and swayed, allowing for fluid movement down the catwalk. Soft, sheer kimonos in silk and chiffons were contrasted short high waisted shorts and cropped stripped tie up shirts. Paper bag waists were popular with huge bright ribbons to clinch the waist and add to the silhouette. Towering platform wedges with ankle ties added a very kitsch touch, not too mention the exaggerated neck jewellery and the chair earrings - cuuuuute. Jackets were short and sweet, with contrasting hems in bold patterned materials that perfectly matched the shoes each model was wearing.

Fabrics of silk gauze, jersey, cotton and chiffon were all used to a fabulous effect, with sheer being the order of the day - a trend we are seeing quite a lot this season. White, blue, yellow, cream and red were the colours of choice with chair printed patterning appearing on many items. It was the repeated excessive use of material and chair/stability references that possibly alluded to the Dior ‘New Look’ post depression movement, were excessive materials were used to create cheerful inspiring outfits to lift peoples mood - In our current economic climate, it was very much the feel from Avsh Alom Gur today, people certainly left with a smil.

Key pieces from the Avsh Alom Gur collection include; a red pleated chiffon dress, a blue and white patterned kimono with yellow sash belting, a cherry red large waisted puff skirt, and a floor length blue sheer chiffon dress.

Photography by Nick Stovey

It was an excited crowed that gathered at Vauxhall Fashion Scout this evening for the eagerly awaited Harriet’s Muse S/S 09 collection. The anticipation was almost at melting point when the doors opened, and the people flooded in, leaving barely standing room inside.

To an extravagant operatic chorus, the show opened to audible gasps. Utterly seductive, designers Cheryl Partington and Craig Spellar went straight for the throat with a stunning bridal inspired corseted tutu. As expected from these masters of corsetry and structure, the collection was brimming with boned, silk creations. A simple black, white and red colour scheme allowed for bold statement pieces, dramatic contrasting accessories and the playful use of printed illustrations and animal print.

Contemporary yet opulently old school, skirts were full and lifted, both long, short and unusual, allowing for beautifully complex silhouettes. Exquisitely tailored jackets, with tails and quirky asymmetric cuts were offset with sharp, raw silk city shorts, perfect with the black patent sky high-heels on display. Glamour was everything, from the piled hair to the 50’s Hollywood make-up complete with black flicked eyeliner and bejeweled eyelashes.

The collection oozed femininity and opulence, with ribboned lacing and bows at every turn, yet it still managed to stay edgy, sexy and chic. To the roaring vocals of Alice Russell, the collection climaxed with two stunning red silk dresses that any A-lister would die to be seen in.

A sublime collection, including some choice pieces; a black and white prom dress with bow neck decolage, a black and white corseted dress, a red draped silk dress and, of course, the bridal entrance piece.

I want, I want…

Photography by Nick Stovey.

With over 7 years of experience behind them, designers Adam Entwisle and Emma Hales have produced a striking, melancholic S/S 09 collection.

Inspired by nomadic Arabic tribes, infused with futuristic handcraft, the Horace S/S 09 catwalk displayed some truely contrasting ensembles. Cropped leather jackets and floating cream linen ponchos were contrasted with pvc and leather leggings and knee highs. Constructed crotcheted tabards in reds, whites and greys were offset with shredded denim that reiterated the punky vibe Horace have become known for.

The essence was very much in the detailing, with black skulls hanging from huge twisted woven cotton and leather scarves, bobbles adorning hemlines and sky high killer patent ankle boots.

An edgy collection full of attitude, key pieces from Horace S/S 09  include; a pair of white shredded denim jeans, a black patchwork organza mini dress, a black bobbled-hemmed mini dress and a red, black and grey crochet poncho dress complete with pvc leggings.

Dramatic stuff…

Photography by Nick Stovey

To the pounding, thumping sounds of Pandora’s Jukebox, the dynamic Dutch duo Spijkers en Spijkers displayed their S/S 09 collection to an excited crowd.

Inspired by ‘the post 1960’s housewife ideal, Spijkers en Spijkers displayed a juxtaposing collection of soft frilly femininity and raw, edgy sex appeal. With big hair and peach lips, models dressed in the lightest organza, lace and silks, floated down the catwalk.

Very short high-waisted silk shorts were hidden under semi-transparent shift blouses. The iconic 1960’s pinafore was a prominent influence within the collection, with dresses and blouses, sometimes backless, epitomising the era. Soft pastel oranges, pinks, creams and purples all added to the feminine feel, whilst at the same time, the shimmering two-tone of the layered silks appeared metallic and more masculine under the lights.

A contemporary, clever collection, key pieces from the catwalk of Spijkers en Spijkers inlcude; a beautifully dramatic floor-length, frilled orange silk and organza dress, a sharp leopard print skirt suit, a metallic shorts, bra top ensemble and a black lace transparent cat suit.

This young twin design duo, have created a sharp intelligent collection, that as intended, juxtaposed the natural from the superficial and certainly left the audience wanting more…

Sexy, sexy, sexy.

Photography by Nick Stovey