Prada SS10 Soundtrack

Classicism and modernity went hand in hand in Miuccia Prada's collection of a 'crystalised beach'. The collection had a very fantastical and artifical looking element to it all; the glossy red mouths, chandeliers swaying, plastic-like shoes and the projection of Italian interiors on the hi-tech fantasy set.

Jackets and shorts were robotic and futuristic in classic Balenciaga shapes of predominant silver tones , while the photographic prints of the tourist resort beach on the clothing represented the technological aspect to rhe collection.

Without a doubt, the Prada runway show soundracks are always one of the best of the season. I've had this one blaring on my iPod non stop for months. My sisters says it sounds like a train crash, but i think it sounds pretty damn fierce.It starts off brash and agressive with the  occasional lulls of Brenda's harmonic melancholic voice whereas the instrumental piece gives a mood of serenity.


 Runway soundtracks in general are another massive interest of mine aside from the clothing, there is such a massive level of thought that goes behind the musical aspect of a show. It's often unnoticed how relevant a single lyric or chord resonates with a collection. Imagine if Sanchez chose to play Metallica? We'd probably see the clothing in a completely different light. I think it's absolutely genius.

Lil Mama raps about making herself look attractive ,which contributes to the artifical element of the collection, while Brenda Lee pines about loneliness and insecurity. The 50's and 60's is an era that Miuccia commonly cites in her designs. Whilst, The powerfully cinematic piece by Mantovani of Inland Empire gave us the sense of past and classicism aspect to the collection.

It feels almost like a conversation or even a blaring argument between the two women Lil Mama and Brenda Lee. Rather a conversation between classicism and modernity, or perhaps even a powerplay between two women of optimism and uncertainty.

Tracklist

"Lip Gloss" by Lil Mama

"All Alone Am I" by Brenda Lee

"Colours Of My Life" by Mantovani

Download here

Charlie France and Jacob Coupe

Charlie France and Jacob Coupe were two ubiquitous English faces at London Fashion Week. Charlie France opened the Wintle show that I attended and Jacob Coupe closed the show. They were both held on exclusive in Milan:  Jacob Coupe for Prada and Charlie France for Burberry, and were both exclusive for Hugo Boss in Paris.
They also appeared in almost every show on the menswear day and even in a a few womenswear shows such as House Of Holland, Pringle Of Scotland and Burberry.

After opening the Prada show in July, Jacob Coupe, a personal favourite of mine, walked in every notable show in London Fashion Week and has been clearing up in print with editorials for 10 Men magazine and Dazed and Confused. I think he is one of the most exciting new faces from Prada in a long while. His masculine and edgy looks stand out from some of the more classical and feminine looking models of today, particularly at the Prada SS10  show where every boy was transformed into a character out of a film noir. Charlie France is a good example of classical looks, which goes to show why Burberry chose him to represent the FW09 collection and Jil Sander to walk the show exclusively last season.

I can't imagine how successful they will become in the upcoming FW10 shows and the major campaigns they will appear in for the SS10 season.

Julien Macdonald SS10

(I am very late with SS10 runway reviews given that in about two months, the FW10 menswear will be shown, here gives...)

Julien Macdonald is one of the most exciting shows at London Fashion week. So being able to attend the show was incredible, and it was my  first eva show! My friend who was with me, asked me a couple seconds before the show if this was a dream come true..I said that would be the day I am front row at Prada. Well you never know?

The setting was absolutely beautiful. It was a little French garden in the Lawrence Hall. It didn't seem to relate to the clothes but it was still very impressive. The Lawrence hall is a massive, rustly old hall which is often used for examinations and car shows. The team at Julian Macdonald transformed a drab old hall into a french garden with pine trees, greek statues, fountains and even down to fake grass for a fashion show venue. Rightly so, the Evening Standard magazine named it as one of the best runway show venues in London.

In a soundtrack of La Roux and Donna Summer, which the audience absolutely  loved, (as you may notice, the guy in the first video is clearly loving it)  the collection played around with the idea of technical sportswear and glamour through tailoring in  streamlined shapes and iridescence with the mixture of textures such as snakeskin, patent and silks. I found that there were many heavy references to Balmain through the collection , particularly in the jackets and Ranya Mordanova's first look which was reminiscent of the outfit on Eniko Mikhalik in the Balmain FW09 show.

I loved the last mermaid-like look on Alla Kostromicheva. I remember seeing the dress on Cheryl Cole on the X Factor and  it looked out of place and reminded me how some runway pieces are hard to translate from a  models height and frame to the average person's.

Julien Macdonald has always designed wearable yet innovative clothing, which is quite a contrast from some of the more experimental couterparts of London fashion week, who only until now have been forced to give in to the economic climate.

The press before the show, looking quite calm here then stressed  the next.

Outside Burberry SS10

Trying to get into the Burberry show proved to be pointless and impossible. The venue was absolutely packed and even if you looked as if you worked in the industry, wore a runway look directly from a show that was shown five daysago or was dripping in Cartier, not that I fitted into any of those categories, you weren't allowed in. Unless you had your invitation, silver card, your name on the list and ID....