Bristol Fashion Week


I was delighted to be invited to Cribbs Causeway’s fashion show again this season.  I’ve been to a few local fashion events recently and have started to see the same friendly faces.  Working for yourself can get a tad lonesome, especially if you’re stuck behind a computer for a large part of your working day, so it’s great to get out and meet other fashion bloggers.   This time, we decided to meet up for a coffee and a catch up before the show started, it was great to see Gina from MyStreetChic.com, their new student ambassador Harriett and Sarah from Ship Shape.  Hopefully, next time we’ll be able to get a bigger group of us together.   

This season’s show was as I’d hoped - well styled and brilliantly choreographed.  It kicked off with fabulous fashions from John Lewis.  I have to just say at this point, that John Lewis’s fashion department is getting stronger and stronger with each season helped by the likes of Whistles, NW3 and Reiss (I can feel another post coming on...watch this space).  The outfits didn’t disappoint, bold prints, tweeds and coloured tights created a brilliant concoction, think heritage but with a twist.  I loved these burgundy tights teamed with pillar-box red shoes (apologies for the appalling photo – must invest in a decent camera).  The men were sporting tweed jackets and denim, with coloured shoes adding a splash of personality. 




French connection were up next and in stark contrast to the previous burst of colour, we were treated to sharp tailoring and sultry silhouettes.  Dark colours highlighted the sixties shapes creating a striking collection.




Phase Eight embraced clashing prints, a favourite of mine (see my outfit post here).  People are often scared to mix prints, but when it’s done right it can look brilliant.  If you want to dabble in a spot of print clashing then the easiest way is to team simple stripes with a bold star or spot print.  As long as one of the patterns is stronger than the other and there is some synergy between the colour palettes – it’ll work.  Menswear was from River Island and channelled the Nordic trend.  I really liked the clever mix of textures with the chunky knits and oversized scarf’s.




Republic was very much as you’d expect - urban street-wear for men and women that’s practical and on trend.  Not my favourite but I can see that it will have big appeal.  Gillett’s, checked shirts and denim were uniform, with coloured chino’s breaking up the repetitiveness.



Marks and Spencer’s showcased the sixties trend.  Red, black and white was the theme, and patterned tights added a spot of drama.  Spots are a refreshing mini-trend this season, hopefully marking a departure from strips which have filled the high-street for years.  If you’re not a fan of spots then little stars or tiny birds in repeat is a cute way to work this trend.




The fetish trend had been overlooked until H&M took to the catwalk. The models strutted out in not so easy to wear outfits, but looked fab.  The guys looked just as good and sported amongst other items, leather trainers – a great way to dip your toe in the trend.  I love the fetish trend that’s around this season; and will be mixing my leather skirt from last year with chunky knitwear and towering heels as soon as the weather’s gone back to normal.   When working this trend, try and go for real leather if your budget will stretch to it.  Not only will it look so much better, but it will last longer too.  In fact I think Leather looks better the older it gets, the same can’t be said for imitation leather.




Wallis looked like they’d transported their models straight from the sixties. Geometric prints, block colours and mini lengths were the theme.  The guys showcased Burton’s collections and looked trim in slim cut suits with a nod to the mod’s.



Marks and Spencer showcased a second collection, this time it was less sixties, and more forties.



River Island’s collection was a real mix straight from the seventies. Bold prints adorned trousers and dresses and fur trims were on everything from boots to coats.  Prints were clashed and had a real Mary Katrantzou feel to it which as I've mentioned in previous posts, is a favourite of mine.   The men clashed plaid shirts with striped cardigans and rust coloured trousers; totaly autumnal.





John Lewis returned to the stage with colour blocking, proving it’s a wearable trend whether you choose to wear a statement dress or to accessorise with a bold bag.  The starkness of the colour was cleverly softened by mixing different textures together.  The men looked dapper in sharp slim suiting that was set off against bold patterned ties and strong coloured shirts.



This season is set to be a good one.  The shops are already bursting with fabulous autumn collections so why not head to Cribbs Causeway and experiment with your own style.  But of course, if you feel you’d like some direction then get in touch!