#LFWEnd

Organized by London Fashion Week's title sponsor Vodafone, Vodafone London Fashion Weekend was such a perfect way to end the massively successful LFW. The idea: to allow all fashion enthusiasts a glimpse of the priceless atmosphere, actual location and fashionable feel of the ultra-exclusive London Fashion Week itself. With amazing talks held all weekend long by some of the greatest names in fashion, hourly runway shows hosted by the charismatic (and Irish!) Angela Scanlon showcasing this season's freshest trends and so much more, LFWEnd was a weekend to remember. Somerset House is unbelievably beautiful in real life, and the buzzing (and slightly overcrowded) fashion-ness made it that much more alluring. The event was brimming with some of the most fashion-forward, well-dressed Londoners I have ever seen, and whether guests were browsing the carefully curated London designers' booths or enjoying a latté in the pop-up coffee shop, the opportunities for Instagram enjoyment (aren't they the same thing?!) were endless. 

One of the highlights of the sprawling shopping opportunities at LFWEnd was London's own Blake LDN - a deliciously fresh, modern knitwear line by a Central Saint Martin's graduate (and an ex-assistant knitwear designer at Rag&Bone!) Alice Ashby. With ultra-soft, wearable and simple pieces perfect for Britain's nippy weather, a cosy sweater or winter hat from Blake LDN is definitely on my winter wardrobe wishlist! These cuddly separates stick to the lovely European tradition of fine knitwear, but ditch the granny connotations for a breezy, urban vibe that any girl can adapt into her personal style. I just checked; there's nothing in this world that is cuter than a baby blue beanie by Blake LDN.

 Another insta-worthy display was that of Sophia Webster's. She is, quite simply, fashion's favorite new shoe designer, boasting a quirky imagination that knows no bounds. Her shoes are absolutely to die for - they're just the type of thing that would contribute to an amazing street style photograph by the likes of Tommy Ton or Scott Schuman outside the Lincoln Center or Somerset House. Sophia showed her latest collection at LFW this year as well; entitled "A Bug's Life," her latest designs can also be described as the product of "an insect sleepover" (she's talented AND she's funny!). "To top it all off, her designs were also showcased alongside J Crew's SS14 collection shown during NYFW. Talk about colorful multitasking! Rich, loud graphic themes and kaleidoscopic color compulsory.

 One of the most entertaining aspects of shopping at LFWEnd was scouting out blogger-extraordinaire Susie Lau's "edits" of the season; Britain's favorite fashion blogger did her rounds of the brands available for purchase at LFWEnd and assigned a Style Bubble tag to her favorite pieces! I'm proud to say that while we mightn't share the same level of eccentricity, I would've chosen almost everything that she did! Meeting her would've been the absolute icing on the cake, but I did meet someone else very worthy of note...

I was super lucky to nab a front row seat at Hilary Alexander's mindblowingly brilliant talk on the Fashion Journalism industry. To be up close and personal with one of the greatest, most achieved women in an industry I hope to be a part of was unforgettable, and hearing her inspirational words on her experiences travelling the world as a journalist opened me up to how multifaceted and holistic a career in fashion journalism is. It isn't about wearing expensive clothes and jet-setting to Milan, New York and back again, it's about "climbing Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn wearing the couture dresses we were going to try and shoot at the peak, with all the shoes and accessories jingle-jangling in our pockets." Yes, in an attempt to avoid paying a ridiculous amount to the authorities just to shoot a couture spread up on Machu Picchu, the 4-man team of model, stylist, photographer and Hilary each wore a Vivienne Westwood dress, concealed it with coats and sprinted up the mountain and managed to get a few good shots before scrambling back down again to avoid being caught. She spoke about technology's impact on fashion, the influence of bloggers, the importance of belief in yourself, fearlessness, and the non-quantifiable worth of hard work, and I was so utterly engrossed in this tiny woman and all the big things she had achieved (and has yet to achieve!). The ultimate queen of hilarious anecdotes and a wise woman of infinite substance and style (and absolutely NO snobbery or diva attitude whatsoever), it's safe to say that Hilary Alexander is my absolute idol.

The event sponsors also had many exciting things to share, including a complimentary manicure service for Vodafone customers, a Maybelline hair and makeup booth and a label.m hair salon for free styling services! Canon set up an amazing 360 degree camera booth which you stood in the middle of while various futuristic rotating screens and cameras engulfed you for a few moments in order to produce a true, all-encapsulating OOTD picture of you (I didn't try this out, so my description hails merely from my imagination). The event spaces were absolutely buzzing with people making full use of all the fun opportunities available at the event other than retail therapy - it was a lot of fun sharing the LFW experience with other bloggers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

Until next time, LFWEnd!

Check out my Instagram video to see snippets of the runway presentation!

london calling.

It still hasn't hit me that I am now able to spend almost every weekend over the next two years exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world: London. It's a melting pot of culture and fashion much like New York City, but it has a historic European charm characterized by iconic architecture that the concrete jungle of NYC couldn't even begin to emulate. London has firm cultural roots and a distinct, offbeat vibe, yet everyone can find their own slice of London to feel right at home. As a fashion obsessed student on a budget, I can't wait to better acquaint myself with London's vintage and thrift shopping scene, quirky cafes, bookstores, museums and everything else it has to offer. Oxford Street has its own magic, sure, but there's so much more to be uncovered in this beautiful city and I can't wait to spend the next two years doing just that and becoming a Londoner myself. As a passionate traveler and cultural enthusiast, I'm latching onto my chance to explore a new place independently; that is, without my lovely family in tow. Travelling as a young person on a budget is almost a rite of passage to growing up and becoming an adult, and I can't wait to familiarize myself with London enough so I can confidently bring my friends from Singapore around on a personalized tour, steering clear of gimmicky tourist activities. Umbrella in hand, Oyster card in pocket and wanderlust all over, I'm ready to become best friends with one of the greatest cities in the world.



Above are some pictures of my recent trips to London and what I've done so far:

1. Patara Restaurant on Maddox Street.
With four branches dotted across the most enviable of London locations, Patara Restaurant is the pinnacle of authentic Thai food on this side of the world. With excellent service, quality Thai ingredients and ornate interior decor that makes me miss Thailand that much more, this restaurant has earned its place in my heart for those weekends when I'm feeling those Asian food cravings (and when I have a little more money in my pocket than usual!). I have to mention this again because I can't get over how carefully and beautifully decorated the restaurant is; if you have a penchant for oriental interior design, this restaurant is worth a visit - for the food, delightful decorations and luxurious atmosphere. 

2. One of my London-adventuring outfits.
Featuring the newest addition to my Dr. Martens family: the 1461 Classic, a flowy ribbed cardigan c/o ClubCouture, A&F jeans, an Urban Outfitters top and my latest obsession: my new Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Karlie bag in black, this outfit couldn't have been more appropriate for a Sunday trot around sunny London streets. Comfortable shoes are absolutely essential in big cities, and the AirWair soles of these trendy, simple shoes make the hours of walking that London demands a complete breeze. While we're bidding a gradual adieu to the gloriously hot weather in Europe as Fall drives the thermostats down, simple, light layers made it easy to enjoy the sun, yet wrap up when the winds whipped up. I absolutely ADORE my new MBMJ crossbody bag; it's a little small for someone who constantly carries around oversized bags, but it made my day of trekking in the city a lot lighter. It's designed to carry just the bare necessities; in my case, an Oyster Card, my ID, some cash, lipbalm, phone, gum, etc (speaking of "what's in my bag," I might do a post on that in the future! Thoughts?).

3. A little moment of magic.
I'm not quite sure what this is for or what it even is, but it made me smile to walk past this poster filled with different colors arranged in grid form on the street corner of a small backalley. Big cities are full of the most poignant moments of magic; if one walks around observantly with their eyes open, the most artistic moments can capture you, stop you in your tracks, make you grin and make you walk ahead with a spring in your step. If there's one thing I don't miss about Singapore, it's the uniformity and monotony of the slightly sterile, commercial city. To me, a good city should be efficient and clean, but also rich in imperfections which ultimately create character and soul. 

4. London's stunning architecture.
I don't quite remember where this was taken (other than the fact that it was conveniently near a Jack Wills store!), but I love the fact that there is so much unique historical splendor still prevalent in places with the most commercial, globalized stores in the world. 

5. #LFW flags on Oxford Street.
A picture taken standing outside the legendary Topshop on Oxford Street (yes, I did get lost in there). Bustling with tourists and locals alike, I was able to snap this picture of the London Fashion Week banners waving proudly above the street. More on that to come!

6. A lazy day in the sun.
Summer berries, a classic novel (complete with SAT vocabulary highlights - woo!), my favorite navy loafers, my Moleskine journal and a new fountain pen - oh, and a sunny patch of grass. London has big red buses and towering buildings, but is also full of picturesque park benches and gorgeous parks for those who favor slices of nature amidst a bustling urban jungle. I certainly do!

If you have any recommendations at all about London, feel free to email me at veena@seveninchstilettos.com or leave a comment below!