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SS 09 trend report: Miss Selfridge




I’m sure it sells very well but Miss Selfridge has become a tad predictable in its collections as essentially they always consist of a rehash of some past decade or other. Next spring it’s the turn of the bad-taste ’80s as Wednesday’s unveiling looked a lot like someone had been let loose in Absolute Vintage and carted the whole lot of primary-coloured suede gilets, bustier dresses and chain-strap bags to this disused space in the heart of Covent Garden. No matter, the presentation was super-slick with banks of TVs displaying iconic 80s films and videos (Who’s That Girl! Prince! Footloose!) to get us into the groove. I like how the ‘stories’ were arranged in colours – jade, royal blue and white are key. Highlights? The denim pieces were really strong and destined for commercial success in my eyes but a dubious beige acrylic crochet sweater was a bad-taste statement too far.













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C-Day




So after much anticipation, C-Day has arrived. I had wanted to go to one of the Comme Des Garcons for H&M openings but alas, it clashed with an acupuncture appointment which I decided had to take priority. In the event, I found myself in Regent Street after lunch so popped my head in to see if anything was left. Despite all the hype and hysteria, I was greeted with a completely civilised scene. All the rails were fully stocked and an army of staff were visible tidying and folding. There was no frantic or undignified behaviour at all. Aside from some of the grumbles I’ve been reading along the lines of ‘where is the wacky stuff?’, I thought the collection was ‘spot’ on (if you’ll excuse the pun because if there was one key theme it was graphic polka dots). White shirts, perfect-cut trench coats, merino-wool knits, grey marl, polka dots, Peter-Pan collars, long-sleeve tees – these are the essence-of-Comme signatures that appeal to me, and the things that will sell in volume at H&M, not the crazy catwalk stuff that the average high-street customer can’t get their head around.

Although the polka dot scarves and bags were nowhere to be seen by the time I made my appearance, I was happy to see the classic round-neck polka dot cardigans in grey or dark red with white dots. I agonised over whether to get one or both but decided to play sensible and stick to a solitary grey one. I also eyed up the navy wool jersey long-sleeve tees (identical to the ‘real’ Comme ones I used to stockpile in my twenties) but £30 was a shade too dear for me, even if they are made in the CDG factory. In fact, overall from what I could see, the quality looks superb so I do think these prices are worth it, but for me one piece was enough and I couldn’t even be bothered to buy extra stuff to ‘flip’ on Ebay (although I did filch a commemorative Comme for H&M hanger…anyone wanna buy it?). Verdict: another phenomenal success for H&M.

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KTZ for Kokon To Zai



Kokon To Zai is one of London’s well kept secrets that has been happily residing In Greek Street for years and is impossible to resist on a whizz or a stroll through Soho. There is always something new to see and last week had a whole lot more to look at as they held their press day for SS09. The shop is owned by Macedonian designer Marjan Pejoski, he of the rude Disney graphics of many collections ago and a particularly decadent crystal encrusted minaudiere that I photographed for Tank magazine once and always coveted yet could never afford.

I was shown around by the gregarious but frankly bonkers Igor Pacemski (fellow Macedonian and BFF of Pejoski) who also designs the beautiful Yes Master lingerie range. I loved the print pyjamas from Pejoski’s own label – please can you scale them down to lady-sizes Mr P? – and the elaborate ruffled tops and blouses and pastel sequin frocks (pastels don’t work for me usually but they do if they’re zhuzhed up in sequins). My favourite discovery was the new KTZ range which will be sold in TopShop (is there any designer not being sold in TopShop at the mo?) next year. Trend alert: Check out these mental printed tights-cum-boots, or as Grazia would call them…’toots’!

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What Are You Like?




I really must get myself along to the Dulwich Picture Gallery for this fabulously fun illustration exhibition. What Are You Like is taken from a Victorian game of describing yourself with pictures of your favourite things, like a self-portrait. So artists like Peter Blake, Quentin Blake, Jack Penate and many others have been invited to partake by illustrating 8 of their favourite things from a list of twelve, including their favourite animal, book, clothes, comfort, food, place, shoes, weather … you get the idea. The fun bit is that the artworks aren’t labelled so you have to guess who created which picture.

Even better, there is the chance to join in and make your own ‘What Are You Like’ self portrait and the winning effort gets displayed on the Dulwich Picture Gallery website and in the gallery itself! Ooh, fetch me my scrapbbooks! I feel a collage coming on…

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