Marian Kihogo on why she is thinking of giving up blogging

Some serious food for thought

So I know I said I was going to bed but I though I should share this post on Marian's blog and it's a must-read if you're a fashion blogger or thinking of becoming one.

There was also a post by The Times, the Global Herald and Demi Couture on the same subject and it sounds like a serious lesson in etiquette and manners needs to be learned. The same way bloggers quickly rose to fame is the same way we can quickly crash and burn if we're not careful, and it's a shame that a few bad eggs should ruin the whole breakfast. I was actually discussing this with a fellow blogger and we were saying how excited and privileged we felt to even be able to see the few shows we did this season and I wish others would see it as what it is, a privilege and not a right. Bloggers pulling a 'do you know who I am' at fashion shows is soo not on. Yes I know who you are: nobody. And that goes for your dog too.

5th and Final day of London Fashion Week

This post is going to be short and sweet - desperately need to get into bed. Didn't go to any shows today as wasn't able to get tickets to any of them (shame as I would have loved to see them all. Someday...) The highlight of my day was being interviewed by Live from Fashion Week who wanted to know my thoughts on ethical fashion and more about my RooR skirt :D It was streamed live just before 7pm today but I'm hoping to get the video link for my section and will definitely post it here when I can. Whilst waiting to be interviewed I caught up with Em of Make Lemonade and I hadn't seen her since the start of fashion week so it was nice to sit and gossip :)

So that was my fashion week coverage people, quite minimal I have to admit but I was excited all the same as it was my very first fashion week (attending and showing) and I'm sure there'll be many more to come. Tomorrow I will put up some pictures from shows I saw/did not see and give my top 10 favourite looks for autumn/winter 2010.

One thing I have taken away from fashion week - it's not just what you wear, it's how you wear it. There's a clear difference between fashion and style.

Day 4 at London Fashion Week

The weather had been so good so far (well, for London in February) and then it decided to rain/snow today. I was lazy enough as it was and definitely didn't need another excuse to stay in bed. Anyhoo I had lots to do so eventually dragged myself out of bed and after errands made my way to the city.

First of all there was Fashion Scout's Merit Award winner Hermione de Paula's show. I really enjoyed her show (sitting 3rd row definitely helped) and her signature print was evident, although for this season the colours were absent - monochrome was definitely in. She played with contradictions; the mix of soft prints with transparent plastic, some pieces were demurely sexy from body-con micro dresses and printed leggings emphasizing the model's curves whilst a few screamed 'sex' like the transparent corset. The make up contrasted the monochrome prints, colourful blocks of eye shadow, dark lips and edgy punk rock blunt-fringed wigs. I also loved the detailing with the HDP key necklaces (I wonder if you can buy those...) that opened the locks on the clutch bags (at least I think they were clutch bags) One look I especially LOVED was the hooded jacket with the blue fur trim round, it looked very cosy and very warm (a must-have if we keep having so many random snowy days).

Vicki Loomes (of Fashion156) and I also got a chance to speak to Hermione backstage and asked her a few questions. I will post these up plus some more questions she answered via email soon.

In the evening I went to the Untold Pop-up Boutique and Fashion Show in Battersea Arts Centre and especially loved pieces by two of the designers they showed: Mononoko and ChiChia London. I hope to feature an interview with Christine Mhando of ChiChia on MHIINYC soon so watch this space.

 Print/beaded dress from the 'Made in Dar' collection by ChiChia London

My camera was messing up so my pictures of Hermione's show aren't so great. I've put them up anyway but Emerging Fervour has some amazing pictures on their Flickr account here so you should check it out.

London Fashion Week Day 2 and 3

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday. We got home from our RooR show with Fashion Mavericks and was so completely exhausted. I stayed awake long enough to have some dinner and then went straight to bed (having a total of 6 hours sleep in 3 days is not healthy. Seriously, do not try this at home)

Our RooR show was amazing, I'm so very proud of us girls. The last week was manic to say the least and having got no sleep Friday night my nerves were completely shot on Saturday. No amounts of sweets/doughnuts were helping and I was really sick to my stomach with worry. Turns out, fretting I needn't have done as the show went pretty well if I may say so myself. So grateful to Jacqui and her team at Fashion Mavericks (especially Matthew, THE runway coach diva EXTRAORDINAIRE. He was like Miss Jay but ten times more awesome).

I've put up some backstage pictures but there are more over at the RooR blog, Twenty-Four Carat Cocoa. The official pictures will also be up on our site www.roordesign.com once we get them back from the photographer.














So, Day 2 = pretty eventful. The boy came to the show and hadn't seen him in 2 weeks and he was looking gooooood *wolf whistles* I like to think my fashion sense was rubbing off on him. Having said that, absence does make the heart grow fonder, maybe we should be apart more often (don't tell him I said that). Day 3 of LFW I decided to take it slow; church in the morning and then spent the rest of the day with the boy - a belated valentine's so to speak. However the twitpics kept me up to date with who was showing what at Somerset House. Thank God for twitter.

Off to bed now. Looking forward to the shows tomorrow, especially Hermione de Paula at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

First day at London Fashion Week

Today was a crazy day, in a good way but crazy all the same. I also have to say that starting fashion week having not slept very much in the past week would have undoubtedly added to the stress of the day.

The day didn't start off very well as I was late and therefore missed the Glam/Benefit bloggers' breakfast (damn traffic - I was trying to save time but I might as well have taken the train) so I missed out on a great goody bag. Anyhoo later on I went over to Vauxhall Fashion Scout to see David Koma's show. It had a few elements that I thought were similar to his last collection but I did like the pieces, especially towards the end. Loved the cut out details and how he played with that sometimes using nude inserts and sometimes bare skin.

As well as being the start of LFW it was also RooR's exhibition at Fashion Mavericks. That went really well too and we got quite a bit of interest, and some potential buyers *fingers crossed* We also had Nike Akinola come to our stand and it was lovely to meet her in person.

Anyway need to get back to work now. Our show is tomorrow and still have some finishing touches left to do but I wanted to do a quick post. Hoping to get to bed relatively early (read 3am).

By the way, Stacey killed Archie Mitchell. Who knew eh?

I really like the detail on this piece, this is where it started to get interesting for me. David's signature heavy embellishment and structural shapes becoming more obvious. You can also catch a glimpse of Susie in the background, wonder what she though of the show...

Check out the asymmetrical piece, I wonder if it's back for another season?


The man himself




Wearing RooR printed dress, Topshop jumper and Nine West croc bag

Sleep Well, Lee Alexander McQueen

Lee McQueen (16th March 1969 - 11th February 2010)

"The British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead at the age of 40 in his London home...shortly after 10am today. The death comes days before the start of London fashion week and a month before the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris fashion week. His mother passed away on the 2nd of February and he wrote on his twitter page last week: "I'm letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday if it she had not me nor would you RIP mum x" A minute later he added: "but life must go on!"and then on Sunday McQueen wrote: "sunday evening been a f****** awful week but my friends have been great but now I have to some how pull myself together..."                                     The Guardian 11/02/10

We lost one of the greats yesterday, Alexander McQueen. Sometimes there are no words that can be said. It's sad that it could have seemed so bad that he felt he had to take his own life, someone so seemingly fulfilled with a great career and all who loved and adored him, both personally and in the fashion world. My condolences go to his family and close friends as they mourn their terrible loss, we all mourn with them too.

Alexander McQueen Spring 2010

Those shoes

Watch a clip from his last collection, Spring 2010, below, courtesy of Modelinia.com Click through to read their blog post on the show: Plato's Atlantis

                                         

New York Fashion Week + Heavy Snow = ?

Today is the start of New York Fashion Week and I'm excited to see what autumn/winter 10/11 trends will be gracing the catwalks (well, weather permitting. There's a whole palava about shows maybe getting re-scheduled because of the heavy snow that hit New York yesterday). Anyway the rise of Twitter and SHOWstudio live streaming means that even though I am not physically able to be in New York I can still get the same experience (minus the snow and whilst curled up on my warm sofa with a cup of marshmallow-y hot cocoa)

I guess this is assuming the shows still go on...

This also marks 9 days left until our show at London Fashion Week - eek! I mean it's going well so far but I'm a bit apprehensive that time seems to be running away and we still have stuff like the music and goody bags to sort out. God will make a way, where there seems to be no way... (song from my childhood - I wonder if God can please send some skilled seamstresses our way, just to help out a bit).

We did have a sit brainstorm session with Mimmie today. She's doing the jewellery for our show and we'll be off to Portobello Market and Covent Garden in the morning, well, a few hours to buy some more materials for her to finish off the last few pieces. Her stuff is a-MA-zing! I've been telling her she needs to start selling her pieces, I know I'll be ready to snatch up half of her jewellery in a hot second.

Anyhoo, I also put up a post this morning for Style Cartel. If you're wondering what I'll be wearing during London Fashion Week, here are my top 5 spring 2010 ready-to-wear trends from the shows last September. Can you guess which ones made the cut? Here are three clues:

Stay tuned as I'll be posting daily during LFW with all the gossip from shows, including all-access backstage at a few, and some after parties too. Better still, follow me with blog lovin' or sign up to get MHIINYC in your inbox (somewhere on the left side of this page) and you can see what I get up to, and what I'm wearing. Also Tweet/Email me a picture of you rocking your favourite Spring 2010 look and I'll feature some in an upcoming post.

Have a fabulous day! Make a few wishes today and dare them not to come true.

Invitation to RooR A/W 10/11 show - it's finally here!

You are cordially invited to

Renaissance of our Roots
“Frozen Inferno”
Runway Show
and Exhibition

During London Fashion Week at Fashion Mavericks

February 19^th 2010 – Exhibition 1pm-8pm | February 20^th 2010 – Catwalk show 4:30pm

The Strand Palace Hotel
372 Strand, London
WC2R 0JJ | Map

To RSVP email ekaete.inyang@roordesign.com

For additional press/media inquiries about Renaissance of our Roots, please email ekaete.inyang@roordesign.com

For more information about the hosts of the show please email info@sunshine-grace.com

View the press release below:

Renaissance of Our Roots - Press Release

Getting ready for London Fashion Week

Early Sunday morning, I really should be in bed but I haven't finished my to-do list yet :( there's just not enough hours in the day. There's a skirt I really need to finish for our show at Fashion Mavericks during London Fashion Week this February but I got a bit distracted looking at the behind the scenes pictures from our shoot on Thursday.

We went over to Battersea Park in London to shoot our Spring/Summer 09/10 collection (if you will, technically it's just our first 16 pieces). E and I, my friend Andie, our hair/makeup artist; the model Tope from Mahogany Model Management; photographer Kitty Gallannaugh and her assistant Nathan met at the park bright and early and battled with Mother Nature and nosy passer-bys to get the best shots for our portfolio. I'll put up the final pictures when I receive them but here are some of the behind the scenes shots:
















Thanks to all for a great day - our first professional photo shoot was amazing! Now we can send out our press release for our show using professional pictures :D For a video montage with more pictures check out this YouTube link.

Also speaking of LFW, my acceptance email came in yesterday! Now all I'm waiting for is my press pass to arrive and I'm going to be hitting up all those shows (well after ours is over, obviously)


Sweet dreams all
*kisses*

Because love isn't quite complicated enough as it is

I had dinner with the lovely Charlotte of Style Cartel and Em of Make Lemonade last night at this great little American bistro. It was nice to get to unwind for a bit and forget about the to-do list as long as my arm (well, when my berry finally stopped beeping at me). We had a good heart-to-heart as well and it's nice to know that there's still some honest people in the industry. I have some re-evaluating to do but I won't bore you with all the details.

Anyhoo I blogged for Style Cartel today. I was pondering the dreaded V day in a few weeks, and no, not because I'm single and bitter but because I'm not single.

Or at least I don't think I am... you see the problem folks?

Here's one way I would happily like to spend V day but you can read the rest of my post here

Classic Chunky knit cardigan by Joseph, ‘Aww, screw it’ women’s tank top by Cafe Press, Belle Sauvage printed leggings (because even if one is home alone on Valentine’s day one should still be stylishly miserable), Gap Bunny slippers, LOTS of B&J and Season 6 of 24.