fashion: lfw – the final show

Words by Catherine Fuller

This year we decided the best way to bid adieu to London Fashion Week was to visit the Menswear Day’s final show – B Store and Tim Soar, at Somerset House.

Like any respectable fashionista, first item on the agenda once we’d found our seats was to check out the crowds. Celebrity-spotting aside – Boy George in a signature oversized hat on the front row was a particular highlight – the look du jour was individual, aspirational and original, with everyone working layered separates in their own unique way.

Eventually, the B Store collection made its way onto the runway. A well-styled mix of preppy shorts, shirts and jackets alongside tailored denim made for a very wearable collection, reminiscent of the 1999 hit film The Talented Mr. Ripley. However, the show was a tad on the safe side; it would have been nice to see a few more daring, directional pieces incorporated to make the collection stronger.

Following B Store was the Tim Soar show. The collection was of a similar nature, with a preppy aesthetic coming through strongly via the stylish mix of casual separates, sharp tailoring and knitwear. Key directional pieces included PVC trousers and jackets, with touches of metallic silver and snakeskin used in trousers.

After the show we headed to Kettner’s in Soho for the B Store after-party, which doubled as a launch event for B Magazine. Even outside the venue the atmosphere was buzzing; scene kids gathered in groups excitedly discussing the collections they had seen over the past week. Inside there was more of the same – a hectic bar dishing out beer and fruity cocktails, a DJ playing an eclectic mix of everything from The Smiths to Michael Jackson and scores of designers working the crowd.

The main room was a furnace with so many bodies crammed into it so we made for the back room. There we found cool kid cliques mooching, looking fabulous as ever. After a few drinks and a dance it was time to head off and peel off our heels after yet another hectic yet splendid fashion week. Same time next year?