Paris Fashion Week: Hakaan AW11

This time last year (Friday 19th February, to be precise) I was sent to watch a show by little known designer, Hakaan. No one knew who Hakaan was so I was hardly expecting big things to happen. Oh how I couldn't have been more wrong. To say that it was bewildering to see Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova and Natasha Poly at his début show in London would be a bit of an understatement. At the time, Hakaan caused a bit of a furore but mainly for his star-studded FROW and model line-up; this season, I have a feeling time has repeated itself...

The clothes are undoubtedly beautiful but I don't think his success is down to skill alone - were it not for the stellar line-up: Freja Beha Erichsen, Maria Carla Boscono, Natalia Vodianova, Karolina Kurkova, Natasha Poly and Anja Rubik, Hakaan might simply be another struggling designer. One gets the impression that Hakaan has friends in very high places, which is great, but there's only so far that monochrome-tailoring and pleated mini-dresses can take you.

Maybe I'm being too harsh; I was all over the début collection after all. I'd like to see some innovation and ingenuity if I'm going to track Hakaan's progress - not just a handful of the world's best models (although apparently, that helps). Do you think a world-class line-up is enough to propel Hakaan into designer stardom or does he need to up his game?

Photos from style.com

Spotlight: Ashley Smith

Unless your first name is Abbey, Freja or Natalia, my model knowledge generally isn't too hot (I was in close proximity to Imogen Morris-Clarke, Ali Stephens and Hanne Gaby Odiele and was oblivious). But then every once in a while, a model will pop up on the runway or feature in a magazine and I'll be obsessed. Right now my obsession is Ashley Smith.

Ashley, for comparisons sake, is pretty much a younger, more gap-toothed Lara Stone. This editorial for the summer issue of i-D is so soft and yet so honest, I mean those boobs are just insane. For a 19 year-old she seems to have her head pretty screwed on (although naivety can be deceiving) - "I'm not a twig and I've got titties...I think boobs are making a comeback. Models have looked like 12 year old boys for some time now, I think the fashion industry is looking for a change," she says.

I first caught sight of Ashley in this amazing Russh beauty editorial back in November but didn't actually know who she was until a few days ago, she's like some incredible Lara/Georgia Jagger hybrid!

As well as perfecting the quirky, edgy look, she's also pretty neat on the commercial circuit - check out this gorgeous US Elle editorial.

I think she's one of those models that I call 'superhuman' but I'm gonna wait it out and see what she does next, I really hope she isn't a flash in the pan. What do you think of Ashley, should Lara Stone (newly hitched, aww) be worried?

photos from fashiongonerogue.com

LFW Hakaan

Just yesterday everyone was asking 'who is Hakaan'?

With a star-studded front row (Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld, David Walliams) and an even more impressive model list (Abbey Lee Kershaw, Natalia Vodianova, Lara "the only show I'm modelling for" Stone, Natasha Poly), it's now safe to say that everyone knows who Hakaan is.

For a relative unknown, the Turkish designers' debut collection at LFW today was incredible. Clean lines, butt-skimming bandage-mini's, sculpted fur-gillets and a strong but minimalist palette stormed the catwalk.

Backstage was a model spotters dream. There was alot of 'Lara?! Where's Lara??' and even more flapping around from Edward Enninful.

The sunlight (although a welcomed blessing) made street-style shots rather difficult; however, never one to miss an opportunity...

Natalia Vodianova & Maria Carla

Kate Moss

Carine Roitfeld

Apologies for the quality of the photo's. Look out tommorow for exclusive photos from Fashion East and Holly Foulton!

Photo's taken by me, do not use/copy without permission!

Off Duty Mum (and Dad)

When a woman has a child, her fashion life generally spirals downwards. When there's sick and poo to clean up every 5 minutes, there's no room (or money) for Prada or Chanel.

Of course celebrities are like a completely different breed of human, they're superhuman. Not only do they manage to juggle several children but they maintain an impressive wardrobe. I'd be blessed if I looked like any of these women on a good day, let alone after having had kids.

Victoris Beckham in Laboutin's

Gwen Stefani in Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

Nicole Richie pumpkin buying with Harlow

Natalia Vodianova attending Chanel SS10 with Neva

My next choice pains me a little. I'm really not a fan of Tom Cruise and this photo of him doesn't help (the hair, the tan jacket -bad times), however, Suri is so adorable that it kind of makes me forget he's even there. She's way ahead of the trends with pastel pink ruffles and although it's wrong that she even knows what heels are, she's still a kid at heart.