“Are you going to London Fashion week?”… “Who me?”…

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Actually… Yes, yes I am. I am indeed going to London Fashion week .

I’m not quite sure what happened or how it happened, but not so long ago (and seriously, I am talking a couple of weeks maybe) I realised that there really wasn’t anybody forcing me to remain on the sidelines of fashion writing/blogging, that the barriers I saw were those that I myself had constructed and that the alienation I felt when in the company of ‘high fashion’ folk was in fact largely self-inflicted. I remember thinking ‘I’m passionate about fashion, I take huge interest in what I wear(though I have a tiny wardrobe) and what other people wear and that I actually have a lot to say about the subject of fashion itself’ (no, I’m not saying that that is all fashion is about, but those are a few key factors,I think).

It was time to break down that wall and remove myself from the alien incasing and embrace the arms of the fashion blogsphere that I had avoided up till now. And I took my new found enthusiasm and sudden burst of confidence and rapidly filled in the press pass application form for London Fashion Week. But my deftly typing fingers came to a sudden halt when I realised that I needed a commissioning letter from my editor. I very nearly gave up, but I can be incredibly determined when I want something, so I paced around my flat (I’d like to think that counted as exercise, but my flat is more of a box room, so probably not!), binged on unfashionable snacks (you know how people eat a lot or don’t eat at all when they’re stressed? Well, I’m the former) and swore a bit (mostly under my breath – I’m not very good at swearing aloud). You may be wondering how any of that could resolve my predicament, but eventually, I decided to simply write a letter from myself – I had nothing to lose, I told myself.

I was completely honest in my letter and explained how I’ve always been passionate about fashion and that fashion blogging for me is very recent, but that I hoped they would appreciate my perspective. I also encouraged them to read my blog before making a decision. And lo and behold! A week later (yesterday), I received my email letting me know my application for a press pass had been successful!

I was going to London Fashion Week!

I had already requested invites to London Fashion Week shows, and during the week my invites began trickling in. Ok, so I haven’t been invited to many events (I have counted six, but some of them clash), but I’m not going to complain! I’m especially excited about (and grateful to Forward PR for) the Prophetik presentation. I love the clothes and the label has been worn by Livia Firth who I have featured in a previous post.

My excitement has wained a bit however, since I’ve realised that there isn’t long to go before the event commences (just mere hours away in fact!). Suddenly I am horribly nervous. I have that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach – you know, the feeling you get when you’re about to ride a roller coaster or when you’re waiting to be interviewed for a job you really want? Yes, that feeling.

I know people often say this when they’re attending an important event, but this really is painfully true for me: I have nothing to wear! My tiny wardrobe holds the attire of two and believe me, most of the wardrobe is not taken up by my clothes. Oh and I only own one bag. Yes, that’s right, just one bag. And it’s not fancy, it’s just practical. So if you dear reader, are looking for me at London Fashion Week, I will be the short, shy and not so hip looking blogger (with an ancient Canon camera).

So what does one need for such an event? A passion for fashion, an eye for detail, an interest in the creativity behind the products and the ability to write well, you say? But what of the practical accoutrements? I have my notebook (I’m using my moleskine one from the launch of Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration – by the way, if you haven’t already got yours, what are you waiting for??), pens, pencil, water-bottle(fashion week is a thirsty event I hear) camera (without fancy lens unfortunately) and business cards.

Business cards??

But everything had happened so quickly and spontaneously that by the time I’d received my press pass to London Fashion week, there simply wasn’t the time (or the money) to order any, So before I began writing this post, I made my own. If they’re not all gone by the end of London Fashion Week, I am going to be extremely annoyed, as they took me forever to make!

My homemade business cards

Now (and most importantly!), about the content you should expect to see in the next few days… Well, let me tell you this, I know exactly what I like and what appeals to me, so my posts will consist of shows, exhibitions and presentations representing collections that I myself would like to own and features on designers who share my interest in sustainable fashion. I will also be keeping an eye out for new and upcoming British designers. For live updates, follow me on twitter!

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