Hey kittens. Its that time again… London Fashion Week!

It doesn’t seem two seconds since I descended on our capital city in February for the AW14 collection previews, but sure enough, yesterday I packed one very heavy  Mary Poppins handbag (camera, phone, iPad, sunglasses, etc) and headed back down for London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015. Before long, I’ll be off back from Autumn Winter 2015!

Early doors, I hopped on a Virgin Train from Manchester to London, ready for a 10am start in the fashion capital. After a two hour train journey alongside a whole host of football fans (just IMAGINE) how well I fitted in, it was straight on the tube, off to the Freemasons Hall for Fashion Scout. Fashion Scout is one of the UK’s largest fashion showcases, taking place throughout the duration of London Fashion Week – and let me tell you, the shows are constant, 12 hours a day.

I LOVE Fashion Scout. The Body Shop kindly invited me again this season, and they are such wonderful hosts. In-between backstage chaos, running to shows, front row scrambles and model photography, they make every effort to make you feel as relaxed as possible. As official makeup artists of Fashion Scout, only their cosmetics are used throughout the whole of fashion week’s shows there.

Shortly after arriving via the backstage entrance (and skipping the queues!), I was whizzed off to see the backstage action for Zeynep Kartal. I’m not gonna lie, going backstage at a London Fashion Week show is serious stuff – if you don;t barge your way through, you won’t get your pictures. I’m not quite as ruthless as the other photographers (yet), but the models are ever so lovely. Who would have guessed these ethereal creatures are actual HUMANS?

The makeup looks for Zeynep Kartal were pretty feminine, with slicked back hair and dewy faces using The Body Shop’s Radiant Highlighter (a bargain YSL Touche Eclat dupe at £12) and a spritz of Vitamin C Energizing Face Mist. A simple makeup look with big brows (using The Body Shop’s Eyebrow Gel and Eyebrow Kit 02) and a Honey Bronze shimmer lips was perfect to contrast with the intricacy of the evening gowns. Now, on to the show itself…

I sat frow (that’s front row, for those of you not familiar with the language of fashionistas) to get as close to the glam action as I could. And wow, was it glam! Kartal’s collection was full of idyllic bespoke evening dresses – so feminine with incredible attention to detail. Knowing Zeynep Kartal designs her beautiful creations in Manchester – and being lucky enough to meet her once before – I felt incredible proud of our Manchester Talent once again. (PS can you spot any celebs on the front row, too?)

There were sequins, hand sewn florals and tiny intricate beading. My favourite dresses were those using sheer chiffon and sequin lace beading, and the body suits with maxi capes thrown over the shoulders. Not sure how wearable they are, but I NEED one.

Kartal is definitely talented and I couldn’t take my eyes off the whole collection. The Freemasons Hall was also the perfect setting to compliment the grand and feminine gowns. Not sure if it’s too early to start thinking about my wedding (I am yet to find a suitable suitor) but I now definitely know who I want to design my wedding dress…

After this, I was whisked backstage to look at The Body Shop’s head makeup artist’s table and view the face chart for the Graduate Collection Show. It was so interesting to see how looks are created and cascaded to the other makeup artists to us. I don’t know how they manage it in those hectic conditions! I’m also so impressed with the pigmentation and lasting power of all the make-up from The Body Shop. I think a lot of people still think of them as a skincare/body care brand, but their cosmetics have really come into their own and I would compare them to a lot of higher end brand which I’ve personally tried.

Whilst I didn’t allow myself time to have any makeovers last season, this time I took full advantage, having a manicure from The Body Shop’s new Colour Crush nail polish collection in Got The Blues, the perfect colour to coincide with my outfit, of course! I thought it only fitting I followed this. by a little makeup refresh by the head makeup artist at the Leed’s store. The favourite product she used on me was Instablur. I had heard rave reviews about this as a primer, but instead it was applied over my existing makeup as a final touch to mattify my face. Amazingly, it did. And as a bonus, I stayed shine free all day. Think I might have to purchase one myself!

It was then time to view another show – The Merit Award. Emerging designer,  Gyo Yuni Kimchoe, showed their incredible collection. It definitely wasn’t a ready-to-wear collection, but it was super creative and a credit to The Merit Award, which picks winners based on creativity, providing a £25,000 launch pad for new fashion innovation. I often find the graduate and merit award showcases the most creative – think art merged with fashion.

The collection was crazy but I reckon those are the best shows to watch. I remember last season (LFW AW14) I loved the Kiev Fashion Days showcase because the looks were so ‘out there’ and this is definitely true for Gyo Yuni Kimchoe‘s collection of military and garden inspired outfits. Think, soldier jackets paired with watering pots paired with AK47’s sprouting flowers. It is apparently based on the designer’s ethics surrounding the environment, social issues and animal cruelty – all of the items were eco-friendly.

The makeup for this was pretty full on – a whole lot of eye-makeup and colourful brows. Again, not at all wearable (unlike the looks from Zeynep Kartal), but super creative and they definitely complimented the clothes. I love how fashion and makeup merge. For the looks, think green eyeshadow brows (using The Body Shop’s Colour Crush Eyeshadow in Fig Leaf) with lashing of Big Curvy Mascara to boot!

After a little Propercorn and Cocowater refuel in the media lounge at the Freemasons Hall, I said my thank you;s and went to meet one of my best friends for a wonder around Somerset House. This is one of my favourite parts of London Fashion week: street style spotting. Lord knows we’re all nosey and people watching at the hub of LFW could keep me entered for hours!

I love taking pictures of other people’s looks, so I guess it’s only fair that I share what I wore for London Fashion Week SS15 Day 2. Due to a last minute outfit nightmare (including a disappearing parcel!) I quickly placed this look together the night before. It’s pretty simple, but it was super comfortable – apart from the stilettos walking across the cobbles of Somerset House – and just felt very ‘me’.

My coat is a brand new addition to my wardrobe from bespoke independent Alice’s Pig*, so I thought I would give it a worthy first outing to compete in the style stakes for AW14 looks. True to autumnal trends, its a lovely deep tartan, with a detachable faux fur collar and threads of blues within it. I continued the blue theme with a cobalt blue boyfriend blouse from Reiss (purchased with my Styloko vouchers) and my The Body Shop manicure. Paired with a pair of black skinny jeans and pointed court heels, I glammed up the look with some diamonte dangle earrings, a rose gold ring and a rose gold statement necklace from River Island.

I had a lot of ‘maybes’ that I also wanted to try and attend – on my schedule were a couple more shows, some gallery and preview viewings and visiting the Shopcade pop up shop, but when it came down to it, I chose to buy my best friend a drink and have a catch up. Sorry, not sorry, LFW!

I reckon the key to enjoying fashion week, is to not take yourself too seriously. Last season, I think I did too much. I stayed in London for a couple of days. Legged it around the city from show to show, and overall found it pretty tiring and overwhelming. If you want to see a snapshot of that, check out my vlog from London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2014, whilst you wait for this season;s YouTube contribution to go live.

Over all, I had another incredible experience, and despite a very heavy handbag and very pointy shoes, I travelled back to Manchester with a smile on my face. I;m so grateful that my blog has allowed me some wonderful experiences, and London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015 is one more of them.

So kittens, what;s your favourite #LFWSS15 look so far? Leave me a comment below and let me know, I would love to hear what designer you;re loving this season!

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