J.W. Anderson for Topshop

I've previously never bought into the collaborations between top fashion designers and high-street brands: they're usually cheaply made or not as well-designed as the real deal. But, when I saw the J.W. Anderson for Topshop collection, I knew my luck had changed and I bought the blue striped dress and the box pleat denim skirt. 

J.W. Anderson, or 27-year-old Jonathan (William) Anderson seems to be the new golden boy of the fashion world. Sponsored by NEWGEN since Autumn/Winter 2011, he has quickly become an emerging talent at London Fashion Week, single-handledly bringing paisley back into fashion and advocating for homemade British craft and manufacture. His first collection was launched just four years ago, with an ethos that has continued to his Spring/Summer 2013 collection this week on the Topshop runway: that is, a homage to classic design, be it a crisp white shirt or a Breton striped sweater, imbued with a sense of androgyny. In his own words: "It's always been about men borrowing women's clothing, women borrowing men's clothing. It's this idea of a homogenous wardrobe. I think that's modern, that is modernity now." 

There is also an element of youth, punk and subculture, whether it's the tartan knits or black kilts, which make up J.W. Anderson as a brand. The Topshop collaboration isn't just a capsule collection, it is a whole way of living: from Anderson's recommended reading and music selections, to iPhone covers, J.W. Anderson pencils, notebooks and even sweets. As Anderson notes: "I love promotional products. I always loved that as a kid, like pencils with your name on. I went out to make a brand. I never went out to make a young designer". 

Paisley quilted skirt: £69.99

Blue shirt: £39.99

Box pleat denim skirt: £39.99

Loafers: £59.99

Striped dress: £39.99

Quilted paisley top: £59.99

Images: Topshop and you can buy the items here.

Images: my own

Louise Gray Spring/Summer 2013

Following on from her previous NEWGEN sponsorship, her first season of BFC Fashion Forward sponsorship and her recent successful makeup collection for Topshop, big things were expected from Louise Gray. So the title of her show, 'Now What?', was very apt. As the lights dimmed and the music began to pound the thought on everyone's lips was what next? What can Louise Gray do to top all the colour and bonkersness of previous collections? This time, it came in the form of Barbie, who sponsored the show. But, albeit, a punky, rebel Barbie. The collection was colourful and vibrant; with newsprint, abstract graphics and Gray's own doodles branded across the clothes. Although not entirely wearable for a girl like me who's more comfortable in laid-back Margaret Howell or Acne, you can see how one-off pieces could be incorporated into an outfit, be it a patterned shirt or a lively knit. 

 Images my own

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Also check out some fantastic backstage photos of the wacky makeup and Tatty Devine accessories on the Topshop blog.

David Koma Spring/Summer 2013

The world, or at least Great Britain, might have gone a little tennis-mad after the Olympics and Andy Murray's recent win at the US Open. Although Murray was sitting front row next to Anna Wintour at Burberry, across town at London Fashion Week HQ and earlier in the day, David Koma showcased a little of the tennis spirit himself. It was a very cool and sophisticated show to witness: the sporty shapes of tennis-wear manifested into sleek and sexy body-con minidresses with pleats that bounced as the models strutted down the catwalk. You can't really get the full extent of the flow of the skirts from the photos, but the geometric patterns of netting and the variety of fabrics give the impression of body movement. The bold colours of orange, blue and green vividly reminded me of sportswear or cheerleader outfits, especially the 'Dunlop' green reminiscent of oldschool Dunlop Green Flashes. So, even though the Olympics have come to end, and we are crawling back into the slumber of winter, you can still mimic your favourite sportswoman... it's time to dig out those old Flashes!

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Psst... guess who I photographed coming out of David Koma? Pixie Lott!

Images my own