LFW diary: A Louboutin-prompted trip, followed by 4 stellar shows by Jean-Pierre Braganza and more!

Jean-Pierre Braganza shot by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty Images
Jean-Pierre Braganza shot by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty Images

I decided to kick off London Fashion Week by nearly falling…into my fabulous silver Mercedes Benz sedan. Thanks, British Fashion Council (and ouch, Louboutins)! Not a great start, but all was forgotten once I got to the Jena.Theo show, where an excited Hilary Alexander was already seated, wearing the cutest leopard-print sneakers. Loved the great big hair and red lips inspired by old-Hollywood glamour (fitting for a collection called Fatale).

Next was Bora Aksu, where I was glad to hear that the stockings seen in the show would, for once, be for sale come spring. I coveted the ant-covered cobwebby fishnets from the Spring 2011 collection, and this season the tights went well with the Edwardian-inspired collection.

After a quick stop by the Orla Kiely film presentation, it was Jean-Pierre Braganza’s big show. Once again, the London-based Canadian designer showed off some great prints, as well as a few geometric pieces, such as sharp-shouldered tuxedo jackets and dresses with tons of strategic cutouts.

Finally, I got my first true taste of the British It girl this season at Sass & Bide, where Poppy Delevingne and Peaches Geldof (who looked like she’d seen better days) sat front row. I loved this collection—athletic inspired, with a few tribal-ish influences (think a neon, neo-Navajo pattern embroidered or beaded onto a vest), plus a great palette of neon orange, chartreuse, and bright blue.

More tomorrow, including Jonathan Saunders (one of my favourite shows each season)—and his after party at Gordon Ramsay’s new restaurant, Bread Street Kitchen!

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