* pieces are from the SS10 collection

I personally don’t know Joanna but a guess would be that she is a little like Monica from Friends…a complete perfectionist. Each piece is paid an amazing attention to its detail. From the laser cut leather to the delicate chiffon…this is a woman who designs clothes with one thing in mind, impeccable detail. Another Central Saint Martin’s graduate, Joanna worked for the big wigs of fashion, Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders and Eley Kishimoto. Fast forward to Joanna being invited by Diane von Furstenberg to work in New York creating prints for DVF after winning the prominent award for both her designs and prints for Diane von Furstenberg during her MA course. After this, Joanna returned to London to present her final collection at the Central Saint Martins A/W 2008 show.

Since graduating Joanna seems to have gone from strength to strength, appearing at LFW ON/OFF section back in September.

Prices are available on request and everything is made to order. To contact Joanna, then email info@joannavanderpuije or why not check out her entire collection at joannavanderpuije.blogspot.com

I’ve just come back from Somerset House and 180 The Strand, which after a week of the London Fashion Week is now kicking off the London Fashion Weekend in association with Elle where over 120 designers are offering fabulous discounts for their autumn/winter 09 collection. The event started yesterday and will be going on until the 27th September.

For me the highlight was certainly the catwalk which was hosted by Louise Row, who not only looked beautiful but was brilliant.

And check out the shoes!!

Sadly my camera by then was dying and I only managed to grab a few shots.

Shoulder pad trend

Prints trends

Manish Arora, I loved his animal inspired collection, nicely quirky

Jaeger London

After the catwalk, with the goodie bag over my shoulder and a glass of champagne consumed, the shopping continued. Did I find anything? I did, but not for myself, a wicked leather jacket for my friend for £49!!

But as with sample sales, be prepared to pull your sleeves back and work through the rails. Will they or won’t they have your size?!?!

Any draw backs? As beautiful as Somerset House is and as perfect as it was for the London Fashion Week, this event is much busier and the rooms get packed. There was even a ‘one in, one out’ stage, but you can use the time to gossip and plan your hunt if you’re there with friends!

It can also get a bit packed but if you are a dedicated bargain hunter, then there is no stopping you!!

When:
Friday:        11am – 9pm
Saturday:   9am – 6pm
Sunday:      9am – 5pm

Where:
Somerset House and 180 The Strand
London
WC2

Tickets:
Starting at £12.50
order online

Who’s there:
Luella, Ben de Lisi, Richard Nicoll, Lulu Guinness, Sass & Bide, Emma Cook, Beatrix Ong, Belle & Bunty, Eley Kishimoto, Kors by Michael Kors and Philip Treacy and many more!!!

There is something truly captivating about Japanese fashion. It is so damn ON TREND. Yes, there have been and continue to be some questionable trends, the Ganguro (ガン黒) girls as a strong first. Questionable or not, that doesn’t matter because almost everyone in Japan exudes coolness and originality. 

They have taken on trends to another level and continue to grow and change them into something that suits them perfectly. The use of mix and match bright colours, big prints, big heels that are teamed perfectly with tailored outfits seemed apparent on the runway at A/W 09 London Fashion Week. Eley Kishimoto, founded by Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto, has been my favourite Japanese-influenced label at LFW for a couple of years now.

Take a look at what is happening now with fashion in the trendiest country in the world.

I found these two sites that focus really well on Japanese fashion for both men and women, www.fashioninjapan.com and www.japanesestreets.com