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Vogue writer Ally Pyle's blog
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Vogue.com feature writer Ally Pyle gives us the inside track on the insanity behind the scenes at London Fashion Week...
Monday, Feb 11
Being tired from New York Fashion Week has not dampened my spirits for London's show season.
Today is the second day of shows and already I am getting a taste of why I love London Fashion Week so much - Marios Schwab's show of body-con floor-length wonders.
Completely unwearable but such is the delights of London's fresh talent. I have not been feeling as bright as usual today however a night of fashion show parties to kick-start the week.
First off was Svarovski - a party to celebrate the launch of their new store on Great Marlborough Street - a beautiful haven for all their coveted crystal pieces - the perfect complement to any outfit.
Speaking of which, did you know that all the shows Svarovski are lending their stunning creations to are going to be shown LIVE from the store during fashion week? If not, you should head there to watch the shows as they happen.
Anyway, we left there and went on to the FIAT showroom on Portman Square for fashion label PPQ's party.
They had their show yesterday so everyone from Pixie and Peaches Geldof to Emma Watson and Johnny Borrell (allegedly a new couple) sipped on cranberry & Champagne cocktails while listening to some seriously cool tunes.
The jet-lag kicked in at around 11 and I had to go home - but there is always tonight! And, for me that means Vivienne Westwood's party or Christopher Kane's. Decisions, decisions...
Sunday, Feb 10
It is good to be home. Not that New York isn't a fabulous place but being there for fashion week I realised that the London I so often dream of leaving for the Big Apple is actually the coolest city in the world.
Not only are the people here a lot more diverse in their style choices - the shops reflecting this with amazing high street stores (some that even show at fashion week - Topshop and COS) but the most exciting high-end fashion is right here on our doorstep.
Over the past few seasons the focus has shifted dramatically making London the cutting-edge of what has come to be known as "fashion forward" - not only for burgeoning talent but thanks to the return of some of the industry's brightest stars.
Last season it was Luella and Matthew Williamson back from New York and this season it is Vivienne Westwood who will be showing her Red Label on the London catwalk for the first time in 10 years this coming Tuesday (followed, naturally, by a big party).
Other shows we are excited about include the resurgence of popular Sixties label Ossie Clark who make a comeback this week.
The obvious other golden tickets are for Christopher Kane, Gareth Pugh and Marios Schwab, the likes of which have Anna Wintour flying in from Manhattan as we speak - no mean feat.
New talent comes in the form of Meadham Kirchoff - tipped to be the next Christopher Kane if their show goes well - and German twins Felder Felder who are showing bright and early this morning. Forget New York, It is good to be part of the London scene.
Friday, Feb 8
Well it is fashion MONTH again and I am in New York trying to get accustomed to the time change, all the fabulously coiffed women and fabulous parties.
The first of the fashion weeks started with a huge party held at the UN - hosted by none other than Madonna.
Even by celebrity standards Gucci's party at New York's UN headquarters was a glittering event. The party was to raise awareness and money for UNICEF and Raising Malawi - and to celebrate Gucci's stunning new design flagship on Fifth Avenue.
The fashion house, never ones to do anything by halves, threw a party with a guest list which read like a who's who of Hollywood.
As well as the likes of Gwyneth, Ashton and Demi, Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and the cast of Gray's Anatomy - Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Salma Hayek and Kate Hudson held court on the centre table while Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld and Geordie Greig were seated by the main stage in readiness for some live performances from some of the music industry's brightest stars.
After feasting on a delicious three-course meal, guests were treated to a heartfelt speech from Madonna who, with the help of Chris Rock, then auctioned off everything from a Gucci experience in Milan (the highest bidder having the chance to name the next Gucci bag) to an aerobics session with the Material Girl (which went for $600,000 to a gentleman who was personally thanked by Madonna at his table).
After dessert, a stunning Rihanna, dressed in a little black number, got on stage to perform three of her hits - including Umbrella - which got the crowd dancing but it was when Timbaland and Nelly Furtado sung their duet that Tom and Katie got up and started dancing at their table, followed, naturally, by the rest of the room.
To finish off the proceedings, Alicia Keys sat down to the piano to sing and tell people that "you just need to do a little more every day to make a difference".
And, on this day in particular, over $5 million dollars (not including the money raised on silent auction) went towards making that difference.
When in New York, stay at the fashionable Bryant Park Hotel - nestled conveniently between 5th and 6th avenues and literally a stone's throw from the Bryant Park tents where all the catwalk action is centred.
The hotel itself has a bar that people queue for hours outside the hotel to get a glimpse into (the aptly named Cellar Bar - home to a number of fashion week parties as well as being a known celebrity haunt) and an amazing Asian-Fusion restaurant called Koi that the fashion set love.
We had the ginger Mojito before sitting down to dinner and it was fabulous.
The rooms are fairly minimalist but have all the mod-cons you need to relax - a huge plasma TV and an equally huge bath to unwind in after a long day.
Being in the centre of everything is good but be warned that this can affect sleep - the busy buzz of fashion week being so near the hotel that you are in the action whether you like it or not.
Head there any other time of year though and you will be in the right place in Manhattan at the perfect time to enjoy the, by then, relaxing Bryant Park atmosphere and nearby shops on 5th Avenue.
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