Finally getting around to sharing some more insights into our FIPI trip to London Fashion Weekend! Personally, London Fashion Weekend is one of those events I have been meaning to go along to ever since I started my own business 7 years ago (embarrassingly!).

So, from a business and fashion perspective, was it worthwhile?

YOU GOTTA GET OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS TO GET INTO YOUR BUSINESS
Ok. I knew I would learn this lesson from the moment my LFW ticket arrived in the post. Sometimes, you can be so close to your business you don’t see the wood from the trees. London Fashion Weekend inspired a fresh fashion spirit into me and hence in turn my business. As a small business, that is just about everything we need to thrive!

NEW DISCOVERIES

You will never discover new things sitting at your desk (ok, ok, google ain’t toooo bad) but there is no substitute for meeting the people behind the brands, see and experience rails and rails of new design talent and inspiring designers who provide the personal styling world with beautiful clothes and jewels to share with our clients. Some of my favourite discoveries included Marina London who specialise in beautiful everyday silk basics, House of Sunny and Edge of Ember Jewellery.

THE FRESHNESS OF FASHION

Going to London Fashion Weekend really invigorates you around just how big and exciting the fashion industry is right now. London IS leading the way for designers, retail and fashion styling. To be part of that really invigorated my sense of why I love what I do and just how many parts there are at play in making the industry what it is.

JUST HOW AMAZING DESIGNERS ARE

I got to see one of my all time favourite designers, Mary Katrantzou showcase her Spring collection and it was just amazing. To see the beautiful fabrics, sequins, detail and prints up close was just really special. In my everyday work, it is the high street that I mainly rave about and teach about. But the real inspiration filters from the passion high end designers bring to their collections, the dedication it takes to create each season, the combination of talent, commerciality and drive is something that really resonated with me at London Fashion Weekend.

So all in all, I loved every minute. Not only is it a create way for FIPI as a community to come together, learn from each other and support each other. It is also an unrivalled chance to see just how exciting the fashion industry is and just how lucky we all are to be a part of it!

Julie x