This Friday saw London Fashion Week SS14 kick off with aplomb. From the first show it's been a whirlwind of catwalks, exhibitions, presentations and parties. Stay tuned for a post later this week about the best shows and trends and looks to emerge from this season's edition, but for now, here are a few ways you can get involved for the last two days of LFW...
As the official lingerie sponsor of London Fashion Week, Triumph has once again opened Maison Triumph at 57/59 Monmouth Street, 7 Dials. Celebrating not only the brands 127 year heritage as a maker of lingerie, but creating a contemporary creative space host to a number of celebrated ‘makers’ from a variety of design disciplines, Maison Triumph showcases Triumph’s ‘maker’ credentials. The brand’s design and innovation team have been flown over from Heubach, Germany to create ‘The Makers Atelier’ and for a limited London Fashion Week time period will create lingerie live in the space, allowing consumers to explore just how these beautifully crafted lingerie collections come together.
Maison Triumph is also playing host to ‘The Makers Collective’ an empowering and inspirational collective of women, each one iconic and respected in their chosen field. These women include Paloma Faith, Gizzi Erskine, Roksanda Ilincic and Grace Woodward – all of whom add interactive elements to the Maison for visitors to enjoy including cookery workshops, live London Fashion Week show streaming and lots more. As well as fronting the campaign – they are also heavily involved in the ‘Maker project’ – acting as mentors to a collection of real women championed by Triumph to help start up and support their businesses. These real women include an illustrator, multimedia & mosaic artist, furniture designer, jewellery designer and a chocolatier amongst others; all of whom Triumph are allowing retail and workshop space in ‘Maison Triumph’ until the end of the year. An exhibition of not only the ‘Makers’ work will be on show but a series of beautiful galleria images showcasing how each of these women felt confident enough to pose in their lingerie alongside their craft for a contemporary look at how lingerie can create confidence. The Maison is open until January 2014. For further information visit www.facebook.com/triumphuk
Everyone's favourite beauty brand Benefit are celebrating their new Carnaby Street boutique this week with a Benefit Beauty Bus. The pink palace on wheels will be making daily journeys from Covent Garden Piazza to the new boutique, offering makeovers and free samples to beauty fans. It's only until Tuesday so be quick!
Although members of the public can't access the BFC tent or Exhibition at Somerset House, there's nothing to stop you going down and soaking up the atmosphere. Try and spot the FROWers turning out for shows including Simone Rocha and Maria Grachvogel on Tuesday, try and fight your way through street style bloggers clogging up the cobbles or just sit back with a coffee and watch the live stream on the giant outdoor screen. For the ultimate in LFW A-list people watching, Burberry (Monday, 2.30pm) is the only show to watch. The Oscars of London Fashion Week, the show will be streamed live at www.burberry.com. Popcorn at the ready!
If you are in the vicinity of Somerset House though, be sure to pop in for a visit to its latest exhibition from acclaimed photographer Miles Aldridge: I Only Want You to Love Me. A major new retrospective of Aldridge's work, to coincide with the publication of the Rizzoli-published book by the same name, it's the largest exhibition of his work to date and includes large-scale photographic prints from throughout his career including previously unpublished material as well as hand-drawn story-boards, drawings, polaroids and magazines, offering an intimate insight into Aldridge’s point of view and process. A smorgasbord of colour and glamour, his work (main picture above) is a must-see for any fashion photography fan. (Until 29 September 2013, for opening hours and ticket prices visit www.somersethouse.org.uk)
