How to survive London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is a stressful time: there will be judgement, there will be photographers, there will probably be rain. Make sure you have it all under control with The Upcoming’s very own survival guide:

1. A blow-dry. Nothing will give you the confidence you need than knowing your hair is behaving. Treat yourself to a blow-dry at Hershesons, just £25 for 30 minutes.

2. This season grab the opportunity to sashay about in smoking slippers – flats might never be this cool again. If you refuse to do your feet a favour and can’t go without heels, then this pair of clunky, chunky Clueless-type shoes from Cos will do the trick and make your legs look tiny, even if you accidentally stand next to a model.

3. This is England, the weather is going to get weird. This season is all about trans-seasonal textures, from leather and velvet leggings to a love affair with knitwear. The best jumpers include Kenzo, Sophie Hulme and of course Topshop. Go to Zara for trousers. For coats wear something oversized and A-line, channelling Jil Sander. Layer as if your life depended on it.

4. Do you have your fashion bag? Since the move on the catwalk towards austerity it-bags have fallen out of favour, what’s needed is a sleek dependable carry-all bag – something dripping in good taste rather than overt branding. Our favourites are the understated Valextra bags (available at Selfridges) but the high street is swimming with appropriate choices too.

5. A best friend. Someone to pose for pictures with, to whisper to behind one hand as creations strut past on the catwalk, the Mary Kate to your Ashley.

6. Ditch the coffee. Fashion week is hard work with long days extending into longer nights. Avoid dark circles and energy crashes by keeping hydrated instead. Take advantage of all that vitamin water on offer, or just seek out anything full of B-vitamins.

7. If the parties take their toll, you’ll need a pair of amazing sunglasses, like these from a-morir. You’ll also need them if you’re VIP. Then you can intimidate people, which is what fashion week is all about.

8. The end of fashion week brings with it a comedown. With so much visual stimulation, partying and endless ways of defining yourself, you might need to re-align your perspective with some existentialist literature. The Outsider by Camus or Kafka’s The Trial will help justify the general meaningless of existence…

 

Sarah Cleaver