Alternative Fashion Week - Day 3

Day three of alternative fashion week brought with it an eclectic mix of the insane and the inspired. Veiled behind the press of people thronged tightly beneath the glass-topped sweep of London’s Spitalfields Market, the catwalk lay in wait for the day’s designers. Through the tight mass of the crowd, interspersed with the occasional glint of a brightly decorated model, protruded the white backed catwalk, onto which the first of the day’s designs stepped out. Hush descended, the lights went up, and the characteristic clatter of a hundred shutters presided authoritatively over the scene. It being alternative fashion week, we were reminded of the freedom of these designs, unencumbered by commercial restraint. For some designs, and I refer here to Amy Day’s ‘Celestial Macabre’ collection, a line of latex designs, it was easy to see why. First I wondered what gave her the idea of using such a brash material, and quickly my thoughts turned instead to how on earth the models had managed to shoehorn themselves into their outfits. My guess to this day remains elbow grease and a heap of talcum powder.

However, the designs weren’t all quite such an unbridled celebration of the freedom of fashion. Adel Andic had obviously experienced the powerhouse that was Todd Lynn’s A/W 10/11 collection, yet her earthen designs of empowering layering, combined with the warrior goddess big shoulders was an absolute triumph.

Gemma Wadsworth’s sportswear collection based on the ‘Tokyo’ trainer was an inspired look at sportswear, boasting an understated luxury. Another of the day’s triumphs was a mixed men and womenswear collection from Havering College, whilst the womenswear was good, it was the menswear that brought them out of the realms of forgettable. Caped shoulders added a fresh twist to their immaculately cut checked jacket, and the flash of velvet on the pocket provided an extra dollop of class. So don’t take the word alternative to necessarily mean it’s going to be a bit ‘out there’, despite the odd flash of schizophrenic style, London’s Alternative Fashion Week is a great place to spot yourself an up and coming designer.

Once Again

Once again, I'm sat here at 3am, thinking that revision really should be my first port of call at the moment, but instead I'm thinking about dungarees. Basically, they're pretty hot aren't they.

Once an iconic statement of the working man, dungarees are turning themselves over to the hands of the fashion pack this season. This pair of skinny dungarees from MAN's s/s10 show, are leading the way, functional, yet suave, they are effortlessly cool, a real display of fashionable practicality, just perhaps best worn with a t-shirt in day-to-day life.

I am intrigued by the concept of this look. The hill-billy chic that once embodied the dungaree, has become malleable, mutated into a cross breed of the infamous 'megging', and the hard-wearing western denim.

So for the best take on your jeans this summer, opt for dungarees, they look great worn smart straps up, or for the more casual look, undo your straps and have the body hanging down beneath a baggy tee to make a harem hybrid that will serve you perfectly for the summer months.

Drink - Student Loan Style

Protruding from a cobble-etched corner of Hoxton Square, Zigfrid von Underbelly provides the essence of Shoreditch chic. In terms of a first impression Zigfrid delivers, from the clean-cut modern exterior, complete with slatted wooden outdoor furniture, right through to its antithetical inner space. To walk through the crisp glass doors, is to take a step back in time. The bar, whose upstairs is split onto two levels, looks as though a multitude of decades crashed headlong into each other, before proceeding to arrange themselves artfully about the room. The entire space is occupied by antiquities, from the metallic jukebox, gleaming with rusticity in the corner, to the assortment of wing-backed leather chairs. Zigrfid von Underbelly seems to be the owner’s artistic creation, cracked leather competing with jagged class, a culture clash set oxymoronically against itself. The effect however, is far from vulgar. In fact, the collision of old and new works entirely in harmony, whilst the lusciously decadent chairs, groom themselves against a gilded marble-topped table.

With the atmosphere set, indulgence invites itself, Zigfrig von Underbelly’s menu ranges from burgers to tapas, and it is easy to feel spoilt for choice. Where often menus of such variety would seem grating, here the character of this bar nurtures an utterly laissez-faire attitude, the multitude of styles that create the surroundings allow any form of cuisine to seem completely natural, effortless within the alluringly frenetic décor. Next for a cocktail? – Sorry, think again. Why not try a Rocktail? Zigfrid von Underbelly takes on the traditional with a fresh twist, try a pineapple mojito, or a passion fruit caipirinha for something as new as your surroundings, the perfect accompaniment to the ‘Art Rock’ bar.

In essence, Zigfrid von Underbelly provides a bespoke experience, music drinks and food complete with a side of wildly artistic interiors. And with regular club nights on the lower floor, keep your eye on the website – www.zigfrid.com - for some of the most exciting nights in London’s decoratively crazed Shoreditch.

Zigfrid von Underbelly,

11 Hoxton Square,

N1 6NU.