SLIDESHOW AND GALLERY:

Building on a successful collaboration in 2012, River Island is once again joining forces with Ibiza nightclub and lifestyle brand Pacha to produce three more collections of premium beach to bar wear for this year’s spring and summer seasons. Every piece is influenced by the Ibizian lifestyle, mixing a little bit of heat and a little bit of chic into the blend. I must say the jewellery caught my eyes – particularly the necklaces adorned with pretty green jewels. There were lots of golds and blacks, and plenty of embellishments across tops, kaftans, shorts and jackets. Glitter on sandals.

They will all be available to buy from April 2013 when the collection will be launched in the stores and online. I have no doubt it will be another very successful year for River Island, and quite deservedly too.

SLIDESHOW AND GALLERY:

Being at the Liberty of London’s spring and summer collection press preview day was much like being a child being set free in some kind of wonderland. It was one of my very favourite press days. So many items of luxury by so many designer labels. My eyes were dilated as I walked along, examining everything in the room, piece by piece. I picked some of them up and tried them on. Now I wondered what it would feel like to be the king, and own all the little bits of treasure. Handbags by Givenchy, bowties by Lanvin, sunglasses by Jil Sander, Liberty floral print shirts – I want them all. I also love the bow ties by Marwood and had the pleasure of meeting designer Becky French at London Collections: Men last month – a charming, delightful woman. Thai designer Ek Thongprasert’s silicone jewellery are out of this world and always get people talking. Let’s not forget the jewelled sunglasses, they were so so pretty.

It is looking like the spring and summer seasons are going to be VERY exciting at Liberty.

SLIDESHOW AND GALLERY:

A series of columns, descending and ascending along the escalators sets the theme for the spring and summer 2013 collection. The collection is inspired by Les Deux Plateaux, more commonly known as Colonnes de Buren (“Buren’s Columns”), which is an art installation in the courtyard of the Palais Royal in Paris. It was created by Daniel Buren.

Grids, grids, grids. The embellishments mostly comes in the form of checker board grids and for the very first time, the monogram is completely omitted from entire range. Instead we have squares in a number of different colours and textures across garments and accessories. Tuffetage which is a technique taken from making carpets, was embroidered on cloth and leather to create an image of animals herded together, and surfaces were embellished with goose feathers to produce perfectly textured squares. The tiniest sequins were produced – certainly the tiniest I have ever seen with my own eyes – to form fluid metallic surfaces. Take a look at how beautiful the shoes looked, using the tiny sequins.

The brand is also embracing bright fluorescent colours as the trend makes a return this year in the spring season.

With thanks to the delightful Louis Vuitton team in London for inviting me, keeping me company during my visit, and for the delicious food & drinks!