ALICE IN THE WONDER ROOM

On Friday the 12th, a few of the IDOL team drunk a strange potion, shrunk to a ridiculous size and ended up in the magical land of Alice in the Wonder Room, Selfridges, to be precise.

In the weird and wonderful world celebrating the release of Tim Burton's reworking of the classic tale, Disney and the Selfridges merchandising team have adorned the display windows with dining tables laden with strawberries, giant tea cups and random clocks. Not to mention the Mad Hatter, dressed in Jonny Depp's very own costume from the film, running across the table.

The Wonderoom was filled with all sorts of Alice inspired trinkets and delights, including my favourite- a selection of bizarre lomography cameras, and vintage Alice In Wonderland prints. There was also a wide selection of jewellery and designs by Stella McCartney, Tom Binns , Swarovski, Anna Lou, Alice Temperley, Kabiri and Louise Buchan to name but a few.

We loved the visuals so much we went a bit crazy and decided to show you them all.

Have fun.

Paris Fashion Week - Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen
To say the sudden death of Alexandra McQueen was a tragedy would be a vast understatement. The whole of the fashion industry was in termoil when the news broke. His final work was displayed in Paris yesterday, and it was the true essence of the designer style that we know and love. Dramatic embellishment, medieval/renaissance inspired, the Brit boy wonder final show was more of an exhibition of his individual and wonderful creative vision rather than a fashion show.

Simone La-Rose

Chloe - Paris Fashion Week

Chloe
Its not new news for that beige is a big colour for AW10, and Chloe has taken the shade of beige to new fashion heights. Coats, blouses, pants, jackets you name Chloe has ‘beiged’ it, and thank goodness, as it is super chic and dynamic. Since the departure of Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo – the Chloe fashion house has finally got its fashion groove back.

Simone La-Rose

Bishi At The Round House

You may have caught a glimpse of her in Vogue or singing her heart out on Jonathon Ross. Either/Or they're both still massive achievements. But she takes it all in her stride does she. We're talking about the rising star that is Bishi.

She was the brightest star last Monday at her Roundhouse performance in Camden. The first on stage and most definitely the most memorable, the performance began with merely a keyboard player and guitarist- both dressed in a rather unusual combination of high-waisted trousers and pearls.

Soon after, an infectious beat kicked in and Bishi dramatically took the stage. She looked every bit the star in her striking ensemble of knee-high leather boots with white racing strip climbing up the side, boned leather corset and fringed skirt to match. Cuddling her neck was a razor sharp metal collar, one wrong move and off with your head! Her hair was skillfully wrapped into a black and white cone-like quiff, almost like a giant Liquorice Allsort sitting atop her head.

Her stage presence commanded attention and oozed confidence, punctuated by her classical Indian sitaar slung around her. She was very difficult to shoot was that Bishi, my camera was never quick enough to keep with her rapid movements and shimmies across the stage. The room was small, withprobably an audience of 30 if not less, which made the performance intimate. One would assume also quite unnerving but apparently not, judging by Bishi’s vivid displayof confidence.

Her first song was Ride the Tiger, and she finished with‘One Nation’, her new single. The finale was accompanied by two dancers clad in union jack body suits, nothing left bare except eye slits and a small pokey hole to breathe from. These were complete with long bunny ears that flopped about as they ran the routine.

Bishi's music is an eclectic and original mix of electro, pop,folk and classical Indian influence, which although sound as if they shouldn’t work, do,and in fact, very well so. They left the audience tapping their feet and hummingthe infectious ‘On My Own Again’ all the way home. Her vocals are an unusualand talented mix of power and haunting high notes. She deserves every inch of the limelight.

Paris Fashion Week - YSL

YSL
With floppy hats, extra long necklaces and extravert gloves this show was left every accessory love hungry for more. With again a very grown up & sophisticated look, jackets with slash sleeves, amazingly tailored pants, and the YSL put the power woman back in style.

Simone La-Rose

Paris Fashion Week - Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney
What I have always loved about Stella’s collection is the endless clean lines that she has in her collection, no fuss but beautiful and more importantly wearable clothes. AW10 in my opinion is the best collection I have seen from her since her first collection. Her beautiful collection had a mix of grey, orange camels, its collection that has something for everyone, from the office girl to lunching ladies.

Simone La-Rose

Paris Fashion Week - Giambattista Valli

Giambattista Valli
This is one designer that I always will hold the greatest respect for, he has endless talent and his glamour creative vision holds no boundaries, if I had a red carpet event – trust me Giambattista Valli will the first designer that will come to my mind. Known for this fabulous cuts & elegant style Giambattista never disappoints. His pallet consisted of camels, black and splashes of orange. There was a strong presence of sheer silks and elegant ruffles, and lets not forgot the return of the 80’s classic ‘fish tale’ dresses. I will be flying the Valli flag this autumn.

Simone La-Rose

Milan Fashion Week - Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta 27th Feb
Thomas Meier designs for the Bottega fashion house used an updated version of power woman ideology. Strong black leather pieces, minimal yet draping dresses styled with fur coats, with flashes of purple. The use of sheer chiffons was again present and IDOL can safely confirm that sheerness and nudity will be a strong trend for AW10 collections

Milan Fashion Week - Versace

Versace Friday 26th Feb
Donatella opted for chic and slick theme for her AW10 runway show. With asymmetrical panelling and seams in stretch wool that takes the body-con concept to another level. Many styles had high split skirts in super flattering designs, and as usual the full length dresses closed the show. There was also a presence of sheer chiffon, using colours of blue and orange.

Milan Fashion Week - Fendi

Fendi Thursday 25th Feb
We all know that Fendi is a super-lux fashion house who loves to use fur on the run way and this AW10 fashion show did not disappoint, even using rare and in some countries illegal the lynx fur. With the showcase of a-line coats and 3 quarter length boots that have a sensible heel height, (gone are the super high toppling heels). Using hints of chic camels, greens and yellows the collection was dominated with black sheer chiffon mixed with velvets, it was simply gorgeous.

Milan Fashion Week - Prada

Prada Thursday 25th Feb
Miuccia Prada claimed her AW10 collection was full of ‘normal clothes’, which was a down play on her creation as anyone who saw the show & knows the Prada brand will say there is nothing normal about the AW10 collection, with the use of fabulous tweed fabrics, patent leather, heavy collars jackets & coats, thick tights and cable knit sweaters. This is a collection for grown up woman to enjoy, gone are the miniskirts we are back to knee length skirts and double breasted jackets.