ADVENT: CINDERELLA AND THE FAIRYTALE OF AW12

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

McQ Autumn/ Winter 2012

If Autumn/ Winter 2012 is a season of fashion fairytales then McQ's London show was the fairy dust, the wave of the wand which heralded an escape into sartorial fantasy. In case you don't remember anything about it, I have posted the video below. The pinnacle of proceedings came at the very end as Kristen McMenamy in her perfectly winter tulle gown sunk to the ground, struggled to locate a rope beneath the floor of leaves and promptly embarked on an almost painful pull/ crawl back up the catwalk and into a newly revealed forest, inside which she eventually found the safe haven of a pub within a shed. 

The old fairytale of Cinderella is billed as a story of oppression and triumph, so in many ways the McQ struggle- choreographed by the brilliant Punchdrunk theatre group - was like a modern McQueen version. Although of course, the reward is a strong drink rather than a Prince Charming. 

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true" Cinderella

Cinderella and Prince Charming do the Waltz (image via fan pop.com)

LONDON FASHION WEEK AW12: MEET THE MODELS OF THE WEEK

Posted by Bethan Holt. Fashion Junior at Large

Fashion week isn't just about the clothes. If it was, we'd spend the whole week looking at outfits on hangers in a show room. But we're also spoilt with the whole show production- the location, the music.... the models. We've been keeping our beady eye out for our favourite model each day of the week.

SATURDAY
She might be best known for her starring role in the weird and wonderful Prada AW11 advertising  but Antonia Wesseloh is still a firm catwalk fixture. Her first London appearance was bright and early on Saturday at Clements Ribeiro, but she also popped up at Aquascutum, Giles and many more.

Antonia Wesseloh at Clements Ribeiro

And at Giles on Monday

SUNDAY
Patricia van der Vliet swapped her long blonde hair for a blunt, dark bob over New York Fashion Week (Vogue documented the big chop). The right decision; now Patricia VDV as everyone calls her, looks startlingly beautiful and edgy. She looked amazing on the J.W Anderson runway.

Patricia BEFORE (Image from Vogue.com)

Patricia van der Vliet for J.W Anderson

And at Antonio Berardi on Monday

MONDAY
For it's first ever catwalk show, McQ Alexander McQueen chose Kristen McMenamy to provide the haunting and dramatic finale. This lady is basically in a league of her own.

Kristen McMenamy at McQ Alexander McQueen

TUESDAY
Asian models are becoming a regular sight on the catwalks these days. We love Wang Xiao's bowl hair cut. Here she is at yesterday's Roksanda Ilincic show.

Wang Xiao in Roksanda Ilincic AW12

And at Vivienne Westwood Red Label on Sunday-wish they hadn't pinned back her fringe!

MODEL OF THE WEEK
Meghan Collison is our model of the week. Why? Every time she emerges, she just looks so cool- more like she might be on her way to a party than stomping down a catwalk with hundreds of eyes on her. And those cheekbones are unreal.

At Christopher Kane

And at Topshop Unique

All images are from www.catwalking.com