Tuesday Show Report
Backstage on Day Two of Alternative Fashion Week and it was all hands on deck as everyone pulled out the stops to help put on the show.
Yasmin McPherson who was there to help friend and designer Steven Furze found herself to be the only make-up artist in the house and generously donated her services to the other designers whose models were in need of a bit of embellishment.
It was a similar story for hair. While the Daniel Galvin team stretched to several talented stylists, time constraints meant that there was not established 'look'. Artistic direction was therefore left to the discretion of hair artists such as Chris who claimed to appreciate the artistic freedom. Asked why he and his colleagues had chosen to donate their time for free he explained that it was a great place to make contacts and enjoy the creative buzz.
At the front-of-house a similar camaraderie had audience members cheering friends on the catwalk and whooping their favourite outfits which, much as yesterday, came out in a broad spectrum of styles, colours and tastes.
Suzie Warren's Twisted Twee collection of romper suits and T-shirts for dads and sprogs won the unofficial prize for cutest model combo of the day- a dribbling baby and hot dad (always a winner) while Jeehyun Ko showed one of the most interesting ranges seen so far. Although not hugely wearable, it was masterfully executed with clever use of smocking, layering and draping to create a collection that was all about volume.
Judge Imogen Fox, who is the deputy fashion editor at The Guardian, unofficially suggested that this had been one of her favourites adding that although, in general, the collections needed a little honing, she had been impressed by the number of good ideas on display. Asked why The Guardian had chosen to support the event she said: ""It''s important to celebrate alternative fashion. That's what London''s all about.""
Located within the same venue, the Fashion Market was the perfect pit-stop for those whose fashion appetites had been whetted by the show. It provides a showcase for accessories, jewellery and clothes by a variety of designers including T-shirt designer Bernadette Kindl and partners Matthew Sheldon and Annette Kimmings. Their lurid Netty & Matt range of bags printed with rag doll images is only six months old but is already attracting a good deal of attention for its idiosyncratic approach.
That's me signing off - enjoy the rest of Alternative Fashion Week with fuk.co.uk's Natalie Hines!
Maia Adams