Postcard Getaway

Newcomers and Martinis Take Over London Fashion Week

Walking into The Silk Road and Jaded Life Collective’s show, at my first London Fashion Week was such a whirlwind. Everyone around me seemed very important and I wondered if the bouncers would actually let me in as my friend’s +1. As it was, I found it incredible that my friend managed to get into a show at all. However, as I soon learned, once you have the right contacts, these events are very easy to get into.

As a New England native, I typically wear my long puffer coat, dark blue skinny jeans, black top, and L.L. Bean duck boots everywhere. To me and the rest of Massachusetts this is high fashion, but I had a feeling this was not going to chalk up to London Fashion Week standards. So, I went shopping….at H&M!. (Who says you can’t look high end wearing fast fashion?)

I settled on buying a bright pink blazer that I thought would pop to put over an outfit I’ve worn in the past. Everyone around me was dressed in clothes also meant to stand out while one family of four came in matching in all black ensembles.

The First Show

I struggled to get into the Jaded Life Collection’s show at first as my friend had not realized she needed to register a plus one in order for me to attend. She entered the venue, and I stood around for a few minutes watching others check-in with their guests.

After watching the unfamiliar social customs, I gathered up the courage to declare myself as my friend’s companion. Though my friend was not originally allowed to bring a guest, there was enough room, and I quickly sat next to her in the front row.

I tried to fit in but soon realized posing for the paparazzi as they walked by was not helping me do that.  So, I spent a few minutes exploring the venue. It was one of those older, castle-like buildings that had paintings of important governors posted everywhere and a crested arms adorning a wall facing the catwalk. The golden bricks set a classy stage for the designs and only enhanced the event’s overall effect.

I found my way to the bar and realized that they were serving free martinis. I was surprised that the martinis were free because the sponsor, Elit Vodka, had already provided every guest with a small complimentary bottle of their vodka at their seats. Nonetheless, it was a welcome surprise.

However, at this point in my life, I had never tried a martini before and always assumed it was a fruity cocktail. Needless to say, my undeveloped college pallet accustomed to cheap seltzers was pretty disappointed to find out that it was made out of only vodka.

As I returned to my seat, the rustle of flamboyant fabrics around me shielded my attention to my true purpose of attendance—the runway. I always thought that a fashion show would have loud booming music with flashing lights and shimmery outfits.

However, while the lights were certainly bright, they did not detract from the models and the music was a soothing instrumental piece with light beats. I admired the models’ confidence as they effortlessly showed off their chosen pieces. 

I loved a floaty, baby pink dress of tulle that young children might compare to a princess’ clothes, with its delicately sheer sleeves added charm to the night. Another sunny dress beamed through the crowd soon after, its dotty texture shaping the dress to reflect summer and a care-free attitude.

Each piece was perfectly crafted to reflect a different idea and made a statement, though I did not always understand each idea.

The After Party

After the show, we networked. I made the acquaintance of a few girls my age who were also attending their first fashion shows. At the time, I was also single, and my friend and I had fun chatting with the handsome male models who were also new to the business.

Each person exuded kindness and excitement towards the show we viewed, and I got the contacts of several designers. Though I might not have a reason to contact them soon, I enjoy looking at their new pieces on Instagram.

The girls we became friendly with were able to get us into after parties and other fashion shows the following night, which made me realize that like every business, fashion is all about connections.

Shopping Around

The next day, my friend and I spent time at some of the London Fashion Week buyer’s events happening during the day. Since it’s been a while, I don’t exactly the remember the names of the brands we perused or the exhibitions we attended. However, I do remember that I loved them all and that one of them gave me a complimentary mimosa to drink as I window shopped!

Unfortunately. I didn’t end up buying anything from the pop-up designer stores because they were out of my price range and many of the clothes simply did not fit me.

I’d consider myself pretty slim; however, some of these clothes were just too tiny! One dress that I tried on fit more like a shirt than a dress and it barely covered my butt.

I knew that the fancier side of the fashion industry tends to cater towards tiny individuals, but this really opened my eyes into the body types some of these high-end designers make their pieces for. (Sometime I wonder if they really expect everyone to be built like a nine year old girl or if that’s just the job requirement). That said, I thought that the clothes I saw were beautiful and loved looking at them even if they did not fit.

The Second Show

As the evening approached, my friend got the news that we were invited to another show, Banshee of Savile Row, through one of the people we met the night before. We headed back to our hotel to get changed and I settled on wearing the blazer from the night before (I just loved it that much) and a black top and flowered pants to go underneath it.

Banshee felt like a much more exclusive, intimate event than the Jaded Life Collection had. i saw the bouncers turn away several people in front of us and it was only when one of the girls we met the night before talked to them that they let me in. The crowd was a lot smaller and the main event was shorter.

I was expecting another catwalk similar to the one from the night before. However, the team displayed their looks by dressing up the mannequins stationed around some of the exhibition rooms instead of models. The main feature was the Banshee blazers and I particularly loved a bright red one that had a similar vibe to the pink one I was wearing.

I was much more impressed with the drinks at this venue, because they the offered fruity cocktail that would eventually become one of my favorites-the Aperol Spritz. It was the perfect thing to sip on as the short video, the main event, began to play. The video was short and sweet but represented the playfulness and springtime feel the 2022 line meant to curate.

I will admit that the choice to show a short video surprised me but the people around me seemed to enjoy it, so I didn’t question it much further. As I realized, London Fashion Week is meant for those with open minds.