FRIDAY FASHION TO-DO LIST

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

FEAL is off to Paris for a few days so expect updates on our escapades while we're there. In the meantime, here are three fashion things to do now...

1. GET TO SOMERSET HOUSE FOR YOUR FLYKNITS

Nike do a brilliant job of creating real excitement around their brand and product launches. Next week, they're bringing the new Flyknit Lunar1+ to the good people of London with a big event at Somerset House. Pop in and get the supremely cool knitted trainers steamed to fit your feet then take off on a run in which you'll 'explore the city in a whole new way'. The experience will be based in the courtyard of Somerset Houseand you'll also get to see lots of inspiring outakes from Nike's running history. The experience is open all day from 9-6. Go, go, go.

2. BUY A BLACKSCORE T-SHIRT

The slogan tee thing is completely huge right now. Every other street style picture is a girl with a kooky phrase or wittily altered slogan plastered across her chest. The latest, and sweetest, version of the trend comes from Blackscore who have produced Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn tees. The man behind Blackscore is Simeon Farrar, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing sometime back. He is both an artist and a fashion designer who brings a great sense of beauty and fun to whatever he does. That's what is so great about these tees; they're whimsical rather than confrontational. Get yours here 

Queen Delevingne tee £30

3.  FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE NEW BALENCIAGA

Alexander Wang showed his debut collection for Balenciaga yesterday. Rather than going completely mad for it, as one might a Wang bag, most commentators have been measured, calling it "a confident, uncomplicated debut" (Jess Cartner-Morley in The Guardian) and "quietly respectful" (Hamish Bowles on US Vogue). From my chair, it looks like terribly complicated stuff made to seem simple, see the knits made to look like crackled leather (that detail via Cathy Horyn on Twitter). The detail I am most obsessed with  is how the catwalk images were taken with a mirror behind the models so that you can see front and back views at once, genius.

Front view/ back view Balenciaga AW13

FASHION EXHIBITION NEWS: VALENTINO IS COMING TO LONDON

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Gowns displayed in Rome, 2007 from the Valentino archive in his favourite colour red (image from nytimes.com)

A very quick post from me today as I have just got back from Eton Dorney where I saw Katherine Grainger and Anna Grainger storm to a brilliant victory in their race to win Gold while Alan Campbell, Geroge Nash and William Satch came in to take Bronze in their races- it was just awesome. This made me think that post-Olympics London is going to be rather miserable. Then, I remembered that London Fashion Week is just around the corner and then we have privilege of welcoming Valentino: Master of  Couture in November. Somerset House is taking on what will surely be one its biggest fashion exhibitions to date, complete with 60 metre catwalk and gowns spanning the career of (now retired) Valentino Garavani. The seminal Rome 2007 exhibition of Garavani's work is one every fashion lover wishes they'd seen. Some were lucky enough to have that opportunity but those of us who missed out will now get the chance to see the work one of the Emperor/ Master himself in the city which is arguably the fashion world's creative hotbed right now.

"An evening dress that reveals a woman's ankles while walking is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen"
I adore the Valentino: The Last Emperor documentary which followed Garavani in the run-up to the Rome exhibit and his retirement. In this excerpt, there is a beautiful mid-air performance from dancers dressed in Valentino gowns. Enjoy!

Valentino: Master of Couture, is at Somerset House, London from 29 November to 3 March