Thursday 9 September 2010

FNO: We ♥ you

Phew, what a night! The mission: 226 shops, 308 designers, 44 DJs, 6947 cocktails and one city: London. Vogue's Fashion Night Out was here, and we were about to do it justice. With my fashionista partner in tow (Felicity by name, super-chic by nature – otherwise known as the fashion assistant at my sister magazine) we set out on the Louboutin-clad streets of London's West End and hit the shops. First was Cos. After being warmly welcomed with a chilled glass of bubbly and some delicious candy coloured macaroons (two? Why not!) we oooohed and ahhhed our way around the store. I fell in love with an amazing thick wool red bubble dress (the perfect eye turner for a bridesmaid or evening soiree) and silky khaki shirt (perfect with a vintage leather belt to nip in the waist), while Miss F couldn't keep her mitts off a knee length cornflower blue dress complete with drawstring hood. Very Cheryl Cole in her urban video years.

After a cosmopolitan and jewellery coveting at Banana Republic, next was Ted Baker, just over the road. Enticed by the pumping bass and party atmosphere we headed upstairs with a scrummy G&T in hand and caught the band, the uber cool Laurel Collective, playing nonchalantly sprawled out on the sofas – very rock n roll. Here we found rails of lovely dresses - silky prints, maxis, minis… great for any occasion – as well as these suuuuper cool black studded ankle boots that we used in a fashion shoot in Aruba a few months ago (check them in the Oct/Nov issue of Cosmo Bride out now!)

With 20% off everything brought at the night, French Connection was next. We were sorely tempted and I almost (almost...) parted with a large portion of my pay-check for a stunning nude, vintage-inspired dress… while Felicity was squealing over an amazing long navy duffle coat – the perfect winter steal.

We then we headed off down Conduit Street to swoon over the high-end designers. Moschino, Issey Miyake and Vivienne Westwood were top of the list, and we had just had a sneak peek when I got the call from Sally, my fashion director. “KATE MOSS AND GWYNETH PALTROW ARE AT STELLA MCCARTNEY!!!!!” Without a moment to lose, we sprinted down to her Bruton Street store, where the paps and fashionistas were swarming like flies. Standing in the queue for a hope of a glimpse of fashion royalty, we waited... and waited... but to no avail. We weren't getting in tonight. So instead we headed next door to have a nosy at Matthew Williamson's beautiful store, which was bursting with glamourous, floor sweeping gowns and masses of twinkling sequins – before seeing the designer himself! We then nipped into Juicy, which was covered with pretty pink balloons, before sipping sugar sweet mojitos in Selfridges to finish the night. Not bad for a Wednesday!








[Images: Evening Standard]

The manor

Erin Wasson shot by photographer Nan Goldin for Australian label Scanlan and Theodore's spring/summer look book. I WANT TO LIVE IN THAT HOUSE ♥ ♥ ♥














[Images: Trend Land]