LFW Diary: The dispatch from Day One including Jean-Pierre Braganza, Felder+Felder, and the madness from the Mary Katrantzou for Topshop opening

Jean Pierre Braganza shot by Danny Martindale/WireImage
Jean Pierre Braganza shot by Danny Martindale/WireImage

What better way to start London Fashion Week than practically getting physically violated at Topshop, where Mary Katrantzou‘s collection launched this morning? Not! But forget that—on to the shows!

Friday is always a bit of a slow start to London Fashion Week—what with everyone still making their way over from New York. And yet, Maria Grachvogel‘s afternoon show managed to incite a queue at the Savoy Hotel that went down the block and around the corner. Thankfully, it was worth it: her signature, watercolour-esque prints were gorgeous this season in shades of like petrol and peridot, and the jewelled belts, earrings, and body necklaces by Erickson Beamon have already made it onto my wish list.

After a quick stop by the Orla Kiely tea party/dance (where I stuffed a few macaroons into my face but resisted the urge to have a clotted cream-covered scone), Felder+Felder and Jean-Pierre Braganza presented their collections. The former was fairly safe—the fringed dresses reminded me a little too much of Mark Fast—although a black swingy coat and a red sweater with exaggerated shoulders saved the show; the latter was called “Chandelerium” and was loosely influenced by a Victorian style of dressing. My favourite piece: the opening jacket, a dramatic, black piece with a large fur collar.

After a semi-lacklustre day, here’s looking forward to seeing what the great Brits have in store.

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