My Romance with fashion evolution at London Fashion week: Review by Lissa Maranga.

I am the new kid on the block and have been tasked by the team to inform you of an event we at C.Hub attended in London this February, Fashion Finest London Fashion Week.(FFLFW).

A complete novice in the Fashion world (don't get me wrong am keen on the latest trend and try to keep up) but I only see fashion shows on TV. So this to me was a very exciting time.

Needless to say I was there long before the event started and when the time came for lights camera action ... I was not disappointed! I mean being in the same room as some amazing designers and models (including our very own, C Hub Fashion Editor Gayle Thompson) was enough to keep my mouth open all afternoon.

The first part of the show included a cocktail of 5 designers who were about to teach me that 21st century fashion in touch with reality and very open to new ideas.  Picture this ...

First on the catwalk was ITSY BITSY VINTAGE who specialised in lingerie wear with a twist ..... Not your everyday knickers and bra but an elegant yet quacky underwear with some of them excluding the top cover and just settling for frills on the nipple!!! What was unique about these outfits was that they were glamorous and green (not colour but environmentally friendly) .... And that was just the beginning. 
Next to grace the catwalk was BRIAN CHAN.  CHAN'S work took me to a junction that felt like Art and Fashion had collided with a massive Big Bang! The crowd went crazy from his very first outfit,whilst I on the other hand was still coming to terms with why the models appeared to have walked through a paint room. Their outfits were dotted with paint and they also had bags either incorporated with their outfits or held in their hands. Some had crazy hats on, bbq racks on their heads with what appeared to look like spray cans and paint brushes. It was such a captivating show with so much creativity and gorgeous clothes.

SARA HEGAZY originally from Dubai was next and her line of design was for the evening look. Sara uses luxurious fabrics to create a very bespoke line. With a rich variety of different designs, this collection boasted of both long and short dresses.  One that particularly stood out for me was a black see through long dress modelled by C Hub's Gayle, that was extremely daring yet very elegant.(Only to be seen in side C.Hub issue 3) 

CHICO DE BARRIO followed and for the better part of his showcasing there was no music but a speech! This, I quickly found out was because his designs are influenced by animal instincts. The message was centred around freedom, peace and humanity. "It's a way to be, a way of life", the speaker said. Showcased by male models, Chico's collection lived up to this concept as most (if not all) of the outfits screamed freedom or free to be me!

Gayle Thompson C.Hub Fashion Editor
Walks the run way at FFLFW 2013

Lastly JOCELYN DEE's outfits took to the floor and chic is the word that came to mind. Her very young and made to measure designs were paraded to the applauding crowds. This British designer is definitely one to watch.

By this point I obviously wanted more but the show was over,or at least for now. I had about an hour and a half to digest the magnificence I had just experienced at my very first ever fashion show event, Amazing!!! I posted on my Facebook status and boy I meant it.

For the second part of the show which had two designers to display their works,I wanted to be as close to the action as I possibly could, so I secured myself a front row seat.  The evening event was by Jamaican designers so I didn't know what to expect. Coconut themed, floral, or God knows?I decided to relax and wait for the lights camera action moment again which happened at quarter to six exactly. 

The H.O.D by GREGORY WILLIAMS started the ball rolling with a mixture of official but mainly casual gorgeous party dresses.A very flamboyant character, Gregory uses lace and light material to create this fine and fun line.


To close this show was a JAMAICAN COLLECTIVE that started with some beautifully seamed maxi dresses worn with heels!! ( I thought that look was great).  My eyes widened and mouth opened when model after model marched forward with these lime, pink, sky blue and other light coloured long free flowing stunning dresses that made me wish it was summer! The office look from this collection was also divine with clever use of bright colours including my favourite colour of red. But the show stopper of this day was a 'red carpet style' black sequin gown that was modelled by a Jamaican model who was specifically imported to wear this outfit. The dress received a standing ovation before the designer behind the creations joined the rest of the models to accept the appreciation from the crowd.

And just like that, London Finest fashion week was over but for me something new had just started, my interest in fashion was born.

Image credits to NG Photography. 

Stay with C.Hub in the next issue for more tittle tattle from your spring fashion week all over the capital . Next issue is due in April don't miss it.