HOW SWEET IS HARVEY NICHOLS?

Posted by Melanie Rickey, Fashion Editor at Large

Just back from the Harvey Nichols press day. Like all great department stores this one is a global institution, and a national treasure with branches across Britain. Therefore their press day is an opportunity to see what fashion lovers in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and London will gain access to next Spring. One of my discoveries is so fabulous I'm saving her until tomorrow for an in-depth look at her work, but the best of the rest is here for your pleasure...

Below is a truly spectacular print from young New York based Parisian Jospeh Altuzarra who won American fashion's most prestigious new talent award, the $300,000 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, last night. The pocket diva is going to be huge! Trust. One thing is for sure, his sexy tropicana chic will be a welcome lift when it hits the store next spring. Just how awesome is this print?

The print above came from a dress v similar to this one. (via catwalking.com)

Hello Joseph!  Lookin hawt in one of your dresses, yes? (from W Magazine via holymoly.com)

Joseph Altuzarra was not present at Harvey Nichols' press day. He was probably nursing a celebratory hangover in NYC but other designers of note were in attendance at the store. Ed Meadham and Ben Kirchhoff, the designers behind Meadham Kirchhoff, turned up to see how Harvey Nichols, which had taken as inspiration for its press day their saccharine sweet Spring/Summer 2012 show. had handled it. Cue several arches of pastel coloured balloons, candy-floss, a balloon lady (see below) and lots of Meadham Kirchhoff's sickly-sweet Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Ben + Ed were on typical form. They informed me thay have a new PR, Black Frame in London and they are the only client of the London office. Black Frame reps Rodarte in New York. Things are definitely looking on the up and up for these two.

 Sweetie-pie chic by Meadham Kirchhoff at Harvey Nichols

Meadham Kirchhoff inspired Harvey Nichols to hire Twistina the Amazing Balloon Lady. She was ace!

Lastly, my third (but not final) inspirational Harvey Nicks  moment of the day was the young model and illustrator Naomi Preizler who created the little take-away sum-up of the press day below. She uses herself as a model in this illustration, but is also known to sketch fellow models backstage at the shows. She doesn't have a website for her illustration work, but hopefully this is only a matter of time. 

Naomi Preizler (Image from Marie Maud)

THE ULTIMATE FASHION SHOW: MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

It's the last day of womenswear shows at LFW and, quite frankly, we're a little delirious on lack of sleep, cold medicine, diet coke and Percy Pigs.

Here's how our day was Meadham Kirchhoff-ified. The invite, which was at first mistaken for one to a 5 year-old's birthday party, got us in the mood. (click for a slide show)

 

And then came THE show, the spectacular show which filled our weary hearts with laughter and joy. Ed Meadham told the FashEd after the show that he feels like a man trapped in a teenage girl's body. He's been speaking a lot to Tavi Gevinson, whose new Rookie magazine is for teenage girls, so between them Tavi and Meadham Kirchhoff are taking us back...

14 Courtney Loves- Ed Meadham would have liked more.

MK groupies- Masha Mel and Tessa Yop of Vrag mag

LAST NIGHTS FASHION AWARDS

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Me in my Meadham Kirchhoff

Last nights British Fashion awards was an intimate affair held at the Savoy hotel. The awards took place in the Savoy Theatre and we were all cooped up in our finery in tiny seats holding our plastic glasses of Champagne.

Things improved greatly once the awards got underway and Meadham Kirchhoff won best new emerging designer. Spent the rest of the evening feeling pleased with myself that I drummed up the guts to step away from my usual formal evening look - leather trousers, Celine jacket and spike-heeled Kirkwoods - to wear the magnificent red chiffon and lace dress from Meadham Kirchoff's Autumn Winter collection.

This look is a huge leap from my usual formal evening wear. I told my friend Justine Fairgrieve I was channelling an aristocratic woman fallen on hard times who has resurrected and dusted off her finery from various eras. She said she was too. I saw her across the room and she looked like Little Edie.
Jewels were important with this; the neckpiece is late 50s Dior costume jewellery.  

Anyway, wearing this outfit gave a sense of a whole new sartorial chapter opening up.   

Following the awards there was an elegant dinner in the Savoy proper, and it was exquisite from the table settings to the food and company. I was a guest of ASOS, and sat next to the young Canadian designer Thomas Tait. Interesting guy. Then it was a quick scoot with Henry Holland, Erdem, Richard Nicoll, Peter Pilotto, Christopher de Vos, Sarah Mower, Katie Hillier and Charlie Harrington for late night drinks at Soho House.

Fun times.

The most deserving winners on the night were
1. Phoebe Philo for Designer of the Year
2. Husam el Odeh for Emerging Accessories Designer
3. Patrick Grant of E. Tautz for Menswear
4. Mulberry for British Brand
5. Naomi Campbell for Outstanding Achievement
6. Last but NOT at all least the totally brilliant Ben Kirchhoff and Ed Meadham. I don't think they even know how great they are. Hopefully this award will go some way to make them believe it.
Find all the rest of the fun and frolics on Grazia Daily
Photo of me by the ever wonderful Mr Dave Bennett

UPDATE: WHEN COURTNEY LOVE MET MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF! UH-OH

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Excuse me while I get the smelling salts for Meadham Kirchhoff....

THIS STORY WAS UPDATED MARCH 3RD WITH NEW UNPLEASANT INFORMATION - THE ADDS ARE AT THE END.  

What you are looking at right here happened last night. It is the culmination of Ed Meadham and Ben Kirchhoff's wildest fantasy.  

Courtney Love is looking unbelievably hot in a dress from the A/W10 Meadham Kirchhoff collection shown on the runway last week which was - you guessed it - inspired in part by Courtney. Furthermmore, she is standing in THEIR Dalston live/work studio while doing it!  I think we can all allow ourselves an on the spot jig for that.

How did Courtney Love get there? Well, excuse me as I brush the imaginary lint from my lapel, it was thanks to a steady campaign conducted by myself with the crucial assistance of Emily Maddick the news editor of Grazia who is friends with the iconic woman in question. 

Three weeks ago when visiting Meadham Kirchhoff for a preview of their show, which turned out to be my favourite of London Fashion Week (will show you why later) they expressed their love and admiration of Courtney, and said it would be their dying wish to see her at their show and/or wearing their clothes.

Following this inspiring encounter my fastest finger was dialling Emily who was immediately on the case planting this info with CL.  We forwarded her an inviation to their show, and the designers sent her a small gift. She didn't attend the show as busy gigging; but when Italian Vogue booked her for a shoot, Courtney knew where she wanted to borrow some clothes: Meadham Kirchhoff!  

"We lent her five pieces from the AW10 collection, and gave her a dress from last season. It was a joyous moment," said Ben last night.

 

They pinched themselves hard, and she was still there!

March 3: EDWARD MEADHAM ADMITTED YESTERDAY THAT HE THINKS HE WILL NEVER SEE THE CLOTHES HE LENT TO COURTNEY LOVE AGAIN. THEY WERE HIS FAVOURITE PIECES FROM THE NEW COLLECTION - AND MS LOVE HAS SEEMINGLY ASSUMED OWNERSHIP. 

MESSAGE TO COURTNEY LOVE: SORT IT! The pieces you have "borrowed" are samples that should be on display to potential buyers in a showroom in Paris right now and for rest of the week. The designers need them to keep their business going! If you can remember what it is like to struggle for your art you will return them honey.

FASHION JUNIOR'S LFW ROUND-UP

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

TRENDS TASTER:

 The conspicuous zip...

 

Burberry Prorsum

Bryce Aime

Anything sheeny, shiny and metallic...

 

Aquascutum

 

Matthew Williamson

The shearling jacket...

Julien Macdonald

Burberry Prorsum

FASHION WEEK FUEL:

Fashion week sponsors, Mercedes Benz, put these much appreciated hampers in the boot of their cars. I think everybody had one too many jelly babies. Thank god also for the coffee carts and the Topshop Hot Choc Stop in the courtyard at Somerset House.

FASHION EXTREMEISTS:

These two were causing quite the reaction all over town. Who are they? What do they do? I'm desperate to know!

COOLEST INVITATION:

Ashish's paper boat was my favourite.

MOST CONTROVERSIAL COLLECTION:

 

Fashion Editor at Large loved Meadham Kirchhoff's AW10 collection for its brave rawness. Others were not so keen.

BEAUTY TRENDS:

Firstly buns - every other person was rocking one. This was my effort.

Secondly red hair. At one show I counted 10 redheads in my immediate vicinity. Is Florence Welch to blame?

SECRETS OF THE FASHION WEEK VENUES:

Underneath all the gloss this week I saw flashes of London's history. Down in the under-belly of Somerset House - in the passages which host the Fashion East show - are graves. In the deeds of the building this area is referred to as 'The Dead House'. Creepy!

Vauxhall Fashion Scout moved to the Freemason's Hall this season, and the girls who write the VFS blog spotted this. On first impressions it's a painting of King Edward VII, but look at it in a different light and a second face appears.

LIFE SAVING PRODUCTS:

Fashion Editor at Large and I both use Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment, and it was a lifesaver in this week's icy weather. Forget 8 Hour Cream, this is the new cult product that should be in your handbag.

Pic Credits: Chris Moore / catwalking.com, thefashionscout.com

LONDON FASHION WEEK MOOD BOARDS: # 1 MEADHAM KIRCHOFF

Posted by the Fashion Editor at Large

Meadham Kirchoff let me have a preview of the collection, but I can't tell you anything about it until Sunday when their show takes place, except that it is going to be the most beautiful thing they have done to date, and that the jewellery is extra special. If, like me, you are a fan of the fashion designers' mood-board, this is theirs.Until Sunday!

THE NEXT BIG THING....IN JEWELLERY

Posted by the Fashion Editor at Large

The SS10 press days can be a stress to get to when you're juggling deadlines, but are so worth it. Especially when a designer you haven't considered before talks you through their work and you get that internal jolt of inspiration/recognition that tells you that you are seeing something new and exciting or clever and fun. I’ve seen so much exciting stuff which I will bring to you between now and the end of January when the collections actually come in. And when the January sales are on – BELIEVE ME – you will need this blog to keep you going. ANYWAY. Top of my mind over this last week are Katie Rowland and Jordy Askill two young jewellers  I encountered at Blow PR and Starworks respectively. Jewellery is definitely having a creative renaissance. I was going to put my good friend and charge Dominic Jones on here too, his new work is so insanely beautiful, but he made me promise not to - well it is his AW10 colllection!! Guess we will have to wait for that, but I'll get first look!

KATIE ROWLAND

It was her “Ring Me” ring that did it. Katie is a 28 year old London jeweller who this year has won a string of prestigious awards (see below) but her stroke of genius for me is a ring that, in back to front text, has Ring me and your number stamped into it. All you need to take out with you is a tiny ink pad to make it work. When you see a boy or girl you like just rotate the ring on the ink pad, and in one slick move roll it up the arm, (of whatever body part is available to you) of the person you desire. “It’s really naughty”, giggles Katie. “It makes me quite bold. When I made my own version with my mobile number on I went a bit crazy with it. The next day I got a few calls, but I couldn’t remember who they were!” The idea behind the Ring Me ring was the calling cards of Victorian Ladies who would hand out cards with just their names on. “My Ring Me ring brings the idea of a calling card bang up to date,” says Katie.

http://www.katie-rowland.com/
WINNER OF COUTTS NEW JEWELLER AWARD 2009
WINNER OF LONMIN'S DESIGN INNOVATION AWARD FOR PLATINUM 2009
WINNER OF THE SONAMA-CUTRER DESIGN AWARD 2009



JORDY ASKILL

Meadham Kirchoff SS10 Image courtesy of Catwalking.com

Jordy Askill is one of those rare artist/jewellers who use their creative experiments to inspire very pretty

commerical pieces, and some thought provoking high fashion work too. Jordy is a an Australian who worked with Tusbi/Ksubi in Sydney before moving to London. Now he creates these anodised sculptures from animation programs he develops on his computer. How amazing is that horse sculpture? I love it. He told me its costs £1000. As does the People sculpture below. I think they are worth every penny. From them come his adorable heart rings (above), and can't wait to see whether his Meadham Kirchoff sculptural headpieces (yes those are lots of little people, plus for the Meadham Kirchoff brogues he placed said mini metallic people to the back heel of the shoe like spurs). I can see how his thinking process works. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of Jordy in the coming months. He is one to watch.

http://www.askillprojects.com/
His work is available at Dover Street Market
He is represented by Starworks.