Category: Restaurants

We were excited and the air was filled with anticipation. The 3rd annual Emerging Trends Europe was about to begin and so soon we and hundreds of industry professionals were about to discover some of the most talented designers of 2014. Our front row seats promised for an uninterrupted view of the catwalk, I prepared my camera as the lights dimmed and turned blue. The beat started and out came the first model, confident and striking. The air filled with the sounds of hundreds of shutters closing and light bulbs erupted at the end of the runway. This was the beginning of something extraordinary.

The first designer was the American Nevada Couture, a great example of chic city girl outfits, perfect for a spontaneous yet ultra modern and sophisticated look. Garments were a simple elegance: soft pink tops with silk white shorts and ankle strap stilettos, ballerina skirts. I loved the detailed beading on the floating dresses which gave them a bohemian feel. Even though the collection was pretty, large bib necklaces really turned these outfits into something more powerful and looks such as the striking white trousers and silk tank top worn by a model with red hair made the collection a strong statement of femininity.

Up next was the very interesting Anya Liesnik, a designer from Germany. I loved her use of different layers with the sheer fabric garments creating a lovely variation of the Royal Blue colour palette. The striking black shirts, bold black underwear and floral print dresses were broken up by free-flowing skirts and the use of the polka dots was a a great way to play with depth. Her creations were of a natural beauty, like patterns on a butterfly’s wing, light and fragile to the touch but stunning and strong in flight. I would definitely wear ALL of the monochrome charcoal grey collection which was show cased but I loved how Anya, at the end of the show, really set pulses racing with a maxi red nympth dress with a crown of red roses. For me this was the strongest collection of the first half.

Shefali Couture from Dubai oozed strong powerful elegance and femme fatal attitude. With black lace, high neck dresses and vintage chokers, these stunning garments were perfect for a night to remember. One of my favorite was the long floor length fitted slinky dress. It looked so sexy, perfect for a very special occasion, the embellished back was so stunning and shone like tiny black diamonds. I loved how all the outfits were really well complimented by a stunning array of shoes. The showbiz thick heeled ones really caught my eye and I fear that I shall covet them now for ever more.

What I loved about the next collection was that each dress looked so different whilst always maintaining Fleur Kalinza’s distinctive signature look, an attractive multicolor print. The light dresses were so incredibly well made as they were fitted and hugged the models in all the right places. The buttermilk tops contrasted beautifully with the colorful print on the skirts which floated dramatically around and behind the women they walked down the runway. Ruched sleeves were embellished bows and I loved the use of neck ruffles which helped to bring the top and the bottom half of the final dress together. Stefan Meuwissen’s shoes were the definition of perfection. The thin heels and triangular shape of the shoe really made Fleur Kalinza’s outfits look a million dollars. I loved the crisp cut out edges which revealed a lot of the beautiful ankle and upper foot and this was tied up perfectly with a dainty ankle strap. Both definitely designers to watch out for in the future!

A wonderful twist in the evening were the textured men’s wear collection by the Indian Designer Azzurra. The use of different materials really made the looks interesting. The originality of the wool blankets which were draped casually over the men’s shoulders was not lost on neither myself or my boyfriend and it was this striking fashion statement which contrasted so well with the smooth metallic ruched trousers. I adored the design of the drop crotch trousers, infused with the harem style. The leather sandals and the beads really gave the whole look a spiritual feel and the wooden staff as well as adding bright splashes of colour, also added to the sense of an ancient leader with inner confidence. For me this wouldn’t be a great London city look but would be a great fashion for anyone who wanted to dress in a very bohemian and alternative style.

The next collection Prieston was one of my favourites. Long trains made out of see through large floral print made each piece so dramatic. So much glamour and and so many extremes, the collection by Naomi Nagy was inspired by Russia. The sensual playfulness of the red and the magenta made these beautiful dresses really stick in my mind. The length of the robes and the gowns really transferred the idea of exaggerated feelings and the crystals of the Swarovski Elements were subtle and brought some fun to these passionate looks. Loved it and hope to one day maybe be able to make a dramatic entrance to a fabulous party in one!

I was so impressed by the British designer Leonora Asomanin’s collection inspired by a Japanese folk story. The collection retells the fisherman’s journey down to the barrier reef. Leonora blew our minds by contrasting yellows with purples and placing blues next to magentas.I loved the how Leonora used the natural beauty of the ocean and transferred the zen spirit of sea anemone and fish to these already majestically soothing garments. Fitted off the shoulder corsets were transformed by beautiful long gold and embellished shoulder drapes, which made the purple of the top richer. With some of the most original and beautiful fabric patterns I have ever seen, I watched in awe as magnificent trains billowed down the catwalk. I absolutely loved this collection and can’t wait to show you more pictures as Leonora will be a designer that I will be featuring on the blog!

Finally came striking models with dark eye make up done by London Muse and hair by Karine Jackson Salon. The Capital T designs by Tertia Enda were really rich, with red, orange and gold floral patterns cutting a dramatic contrast to the black fabric placed next to it. The silhouettes of the dresses were really slimming and would be perfect to high profile business meetings followed by classy cocktails with the girls. I particularly liked the amber two piece matching set, with floaty crop top and pencil skirt and the way this beautiful rich fabric hung loosely down off a striking collar.

  Truly a beautiful amber ending to a spectacular line up of talent. Let me know which one is your favourite? 🙂

Featuring in order of appearance:

Naveda Couture (USA)

Anya Liesnik (Germany)

Shefali Couture (Dubai)

Fleur Kelinza (UK)

Stefan Meuwissen (Belgium)

Azzurra (India)

Prieston (Hungary)

Leonora Asomanin (UK)

Capital T by Tertia Enda (Indonesia)