"Cheng-Huai Chuang was introduced to fashion at a young age"
blog party: London by name. London by love
May 01, 2012 8:45 AM
Lela London, 22, is the blogger behind lelalondon.com. She is also a freelance journalist, creative consultant, stylist, make-up artist, runs SheSaidShoes.com, and is the author of the fabulous book “A Guide to Fashion, Beauty, and Self-love - She Said Style.”
I'm proud to say that I am as British as a cup of Earl Grey. Despite my genetically-inherited American accent and a penchant for travelling the world, London will forever remain the haute heartland I call home.
Let’s get a little retrospective with the British fashion circuit. Alexander McQueen, Phoebe Philo, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, ErdemMoralıoğlu, Stella McCartney—the talent rages with creativity and diversity like nowhere else in the world. These famous Isles have given birth to many a style icon. From Kate Moss to Audrey Hepburn, Naomi Campbell to Kate Middleton; many British beauties have made an international and frenzied mark in the fashion industry.
This city is a beacon of non-stop inspiration. Daring to be different, we don’t have the kawaii catch-all of Tokyo or the sportswear chic of New York. We push the boundaries in every direction and every niche.
There is a lot of London-based talent to watch closely. Thanks to the success of Mary Katrantzou x Topshop, the high street is filling up with print! And while we have River Island and Whistles making floral-printed pajamas acceptable as work-wear, the lesser-known Londoners are doing a sartorial sneak attack.The names on the insider’s lips? We have Maarten Van Der Horst—one of the only people I believe could make Hawaiian printed two-pieces werk. We have Ostwald Helgason with color and cuts so flawless I’m convinced the label is Miuccia Prada under a fake name. We have LeuttonPostle, the fashion editor’s dream:pompom yarn meets gold tinsel meets knitwear? (Yes!) We have Sophie Hulme, a prodigy graduate of Kingston who designs pieces to rival Celine. Keep an eye out for her tailored silhouettes with childlike detailing.
It is in the details for London. In one corner, we have Peter Pilotto taking the “underwater” trend to the next level. In the other, we have the most inspiring execution of guipure (the chunky lace you’ve been seeing everywhere). From Clements Ribeiro to Simone Rocha, London designers perfected the ubiquitously trendy guipure technique far before the big wigs in Milan and Paris got to sketching. From the flatformed and wild-styled East to the Middleton-meets-Moss West, London ladies simply can't avoid a peplum, embellishment, or oversized eyepiece. From head to toe, we curate "looks" like real-life Polyvorepinboards, never to ignore the transformative effect of the right accessory or right lipstick. There is a reason Adele keeps chatting about her “Hometown Glory”, you know.London by name.London by love.
Edited by: Jessica Harmston
Lela London Blog: www.lelalondon.com
Pictures:
Photographer: Genevieve Chapman
Hat: Christys "Polly" in Pink
Dress: Mint Velvet (worn as top in photo two)
Handbag: Mischa Barton "Baxter" (photo one) andAubrey (photo two)
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