Camden Fashionista spotting getting the latest Street Style vibe in the Camden Town NW1 area late September. All photos taken on a strangely sunny day on Wednesday  23 September 2015.

Emerging colour trend? Black Leather and Burgundy and Shades of Brown and Hat Camden Market NW1

The patrol route took in Camden Tube, Camden Rd up to Sainsbury’s, Parkway, Camden High St, Camden Market, Camden Lock and The Stables Market and Chalk Farm Rd. Sounds a lot but it’s quite a compact area compared to some areas covered. After 3+ hours the required quota was reached of about  a dozen. That’s quick. Started clouding over just as I packed up which was perfect!

No punky fashionistas, some grunge and a dash of vintage. Thankfully the tourist levels were visibly down and the density of fashionistas was up, a vast improvment and much better than my last visit which was more like a visit to Disney World in the peak holiday season.

Platinum Blonde Vintage Fashionista and Lace Gloves and Shades Camden Market NW1

A mixture of shots here just looking for emerging trends of the more alternative variety, any colour shifts from the slowly fading but still prominent mononochrome fever which was even still prevalent at LFW. Also a couple of shots of what seems to be common on the London streets that’s seems to be increasingly adopted by the masses.

BUT what is the AW trend this year. The Guardian gives a Top 20 trend analysis.

http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/sep/01/20-autumn-fashion-trends-need-to-know

All photos as usual Canon DSLR and wide angle zoom shot from the hip hence the crazy psycherdelic angles which is rapidly becoming a trade mark of this website. Absolutely nothing posed here what so ever.

Red and black and Tan, Hat and Shades sporty Casual Fashionista Camden Stables Market NW1

Monochrome, Polka Dot and Leather and Knee Length Boots Camden Market NW1

Colours of the Rainblow with a bit of Monochrome and Shades Camden Market NW1

Black and Leopard skin Coat, Big Boots and Shades Camden Lock NW1

Casual Oriental Monochrome and Orange with splashes of red and sneakers Camden Market NW1

The ever popular Fawn Long Coat and Monochrome and Shades Camden Market NW1

Monochrome, big boots and Green Hair and Shades Camden Stables Market NW1

Red Head Black and Autumnal Shades and piercings  enjoying some rare rays on a Gold Throne? Camden Stables Market NW1

The Hat Gang. Shades of Brown V Black and Red Camden Tube NW1

The post Camden Fashionistas and Street Style Late Sept 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Andreea Paula Cristea International Fashion Blogger of stilletoshades.com. Monochrome accesorised with a dash of colour. Brewer St Soho W1

Managed to get just 2 fashionistas that are above the norm that grabbed my attention that I would NOT get walking the streets of the West End any day of the week. Andrrea grabs the headline but Melissa below is rocking it equally. These are the only 2 that leapt out and grabbed my eyeballs which goes to show it’s not all about loud and technicolor colours. Links included for further photos on these two as these are the only two included here.

The weather was up to it’s usual British tricks as in “p#$%ing it down” but checking the weather app on the phone there looked to be a window of opportunity around lunchtime which proved to be quite handy as that’s when a couple of shows were on at ” the iconic car park” including Christopher Raeburn at 1pm and Ashish at 2pm

From past experiences at LFW, the last day tends to be a disappointment but keeping an open mind there’s no harm in taking a look. As they say No try…. No get.

Melissa of Moscow, Russia. Model Instagram @melissa_mustafa. Monochrome and nose piercing and studded ankle boots. Lexington St Soho W1

Some more words of fashion wisdom from icons past and present. Top fashion quotes The Top 5.

1. ‘Walk like you have three men walking behind you.’ – Oscar de la Renta

2. ‘Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.’ – Marilyn Monroe

3. ‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’ – Coco Chanel

4. ‘Fashions fade, style is eternal.’ – Yves Saint Laurent

5. ‘One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.’ – Karl Lagerfeld

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/542820/the-40-best-style-quotes-of-all-time.html#THodbpUucuzoLLRA.99

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/542820/the-40-best-style-quotes-of-all-time.html#BdHVlLE60zDrIvEV.99

What have I learnt and what can be taken away from London Fashion Week over the last 5 days about style, fashion and standing out from the crowd.

This is what I reckon.

Be yourself, don’t follow the herd and you will truly shine. Be the fashionista not the fashion victim. Be the Shepherd and not the sheep. Style, class and subtlety conquers brash and loud nearly everytime. Timelessness will give fashion a run for it’s money and will still be around in years to come. Beauty and it’s power harnessed correctly conquers all but remember the best beauty comes from within!

Back to the normal Street Style on the streets of London. Next update Friday 25 September.

The post Top Fashionistas LFW SS16 Day 5 Soho appeared first on FJ Girls.

Victoria from Manchester. Shades of Monochrome arriving at the Burberry Event Kensington Gardens

Same critieria applies as the previous days, something outstanding, something interesting, something different, some style, some panache and some beauty and that extra something that lifts up from the rest of the crowd. Gone with Victoria from Manchester above for the headline shot, she posed up with ease and she certainly has it “going on”. Nothing revolutionary here, monochrome in different shades but it’s how it’s put together and how it’s carried with confidence which makes the whole ensemble rock.

Clear PVC Coat and Polka Dot Dress and Shades and Boots Kensington Gardens Burberry Event

Some interesting quotes and words of wisdom have been included from some of the big cogs of the fashion industry who call the shots in fashion terms. They have seen the fashion cycle. They know what rocks and what doesn’t!

Vivienne Westwood

Fashion is here to help make people look very important. If they have good taste and choose what suits them, I give them options on how they can do that. It’s always sexy, and it’s always with the same result: making women look fantastic.

I think dress, hairstyle and make-up are the crucial factors in projecting an attractive persona and give one the chance to enhance one’s best physical features.

Gabrielle Chanel

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.

Fashion fades, only style remains the same.

Donna Karan

Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical with the desirable.

It’s really easy to get colors right. It’s really hard to get black – and neutrals – right. Black is certainly a color but it’s also an illusion.

Donatella Versace

Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas.

It’s no good being too easily swayed by people’s opinions. You have to believe in yourself.

Miuccia Prada

What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts go so fast. Fashion is instant language.

Daring to wear something different takes effort.

My summary of those factors included below. Some fashionistas have names as they stopped, others have none as they were on the move. Lot of fasharazzi at this event as you would expect. Some shots were taken “in the swarm” most were taken away from the snappers. The difference is blindingly apparent!

Hada from Malaysia Monochrome spray effect Kensington Gardens arriving at the Burberry Event

Multicoloured print and denim and Union Jack Bag Fashionista arriving at the Burberry Event Kensington Gardens

Melanie from California sitting on a park bench in Hyde Park. Nothing to do with the Burberry event whatsoever. Black and Red and Wedgies. A handshake, good looks and a smile gets her on this page!

Veronica and Eva from Russia. Monochrome embelished and denim arriving at the Burberry Event photographed opposite the Royal Albert Hall.

Oriental Fashionista Green and shades of Brown and Platform Sandals. Arriving at the Burberry Event

Black and Tan High Speed Fashionista arriving at the Burberry Event Kensington Gardens

Oriental Pink Dip Dyed Fashionista arriving at the Burberry Event Kensington Gardens

All black Gagaesque Look Kensington Gardens Royal/Albert Hall arriving at the Burberry Event

Evalina and Izzie from Bulgaria. Monochrome and Mega Shades. Arriving at the Burberry Event Kensington Gardens

The post Top Fashionista Arrivals at the Burberry Event. LFW SS16 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Was going to take the weekend off but Friday was a good day so decided to try again on Saturday to see if the lucky run would continue. I’ve gone with Laura from Russia below for the headline shot.  The Queen of the crop with Roses as a crown. She’s got it “going on” and I like her style. Her friend is just as good and is further below.

Laura from Russia. Black and shiny silver and red and lace. Golden Sq W1

Used the LFW HQ known as the BFC Show Space as the patrol base with The Brewer Street Car Park and Golden Sq with all streets surrounding and in between which seemed to be producing the goods yesterday.

On Saturday names such as Julien Macdonald, Sibling, Holly Fulton and Gareth Pugh were being showcased at the Brewer St Car Park LFW central area. Certainly enough names there to pull in the fashionistas. Could have easily photographed 50 in the 3 or  so hours I was there but in my opinion these 10 were the cream of the crop and something I wouldn’t see everyday whilst walking around the streets of London. Gone with quality rather than quantity, don’t see the point otherwise considering what I do week in week out!

Extreme Monochrome and Leather and Monochrome and Red. Brewer St Car Park W1

Criteria as usual was eye catching or something different with hair,bags and shoes along with colour usage being the predominant things being looked for. Of course beauty edges into the mix as well and sometimes can knock an average look into the stratosphere

Jamie  O’Hare of ISSA was asked “What does great style mean to you?”. The answer was

Great style is about confidence. I can see a T Shirt and jeans as being stylish as an evening dress if it is worn with conviction. I think people who understand and embrace what suits them best tend to convey the best style

Courtesy London Fashion Weekend Mag.

My interpretation of who was “stylish” on Saturday below. Some shots included are general shots whilst away from the LFW area and are the normal “from the hip” style.

Day off on Sunday, back at LFW on Monday and Tuesday

Fii of Sheffield. Monochrome and Lace and Clutch. Lexington St W1

Eva of London. Monochrome and Cream and Flats. Brewer St W1

Shiny Monochrome and Hat Soho W1. Shot from the hip

Sophie of London. Monochrome, Faux Fur and Yellow Mega Flares. Lexington St W1

Denicia from Romania. All white and Faux Fur with adash of pink. Brewer St W1

Pauline from Russia. Black and shiny silver and shades. Golden Sq W1

Monochrome and Shades of Brown. Piccadilly Circus W1. Shot from the hip

Andini of London. Lime Green Dip Dye Hair Tan and Colour. Brewer St W1

The post Top Fashionistas LFW SS16 Day 2. Arrival Photos appeared first on FJ Girls.

Sophie of London. Blonde and Cream Fashionista Golden Sq W1

This section includes full length shots and a lot more portrait and head shots and some crazy shots taken from the hip to give you the vibe and lowdown on what is happening in the Soho area.

There were two options to get these photos. Option 1 stand like a lemon outside the Brewer St Car Park with the masses and wait for fashionistas to turn up and join the scrum to get some photos with the other fasharazzi OR Option 2 pass through the area but also catch fashionistas on the fly as they approach Brewer St Car Park and no other photographers are around in that area, approach them and get the shot. As you guessed……..I chose option 2.

Wasn’t going to shoot this weekend but have the weekend off and shoot Monday and Tuesday. Thinking about going on Saturday after the good results today though. Still thinking. Hmmmmm?????

Sophie of London. Blonde and Cream Fashionista and Platform Sandals Golden Sq W1

Jill of London Shades of Blue and Shades of Brown. Lower James St W1

Rachel of Devon. Monochrome and Pastel Blue. Brewer St W1

Sheeva of Manchester. Faux Fur, Monochrome and Colour. Brewer St W1

Nina N of Scotland. Blonde and Monochrome and DM’s. Lexington St W1

Shades of Brown and Shades Brewer St W1

Sharlene of Singapore. Monochrome and colour and hat. Brewer St W1

Big Round and Blue Shades Brewer St W1

Psycherdelic purple dip hair fashionista speeeeed blurred Brewer St W1

The post Top Fashionistas LFW SS16 Day 1. Part 2 Arrival Photos appeared first on FJ Girls.

Was there from about just before ten till lunchtime when it started chucking it down so called it a day as it didn’t look like it was going to improve.

Mamin of Barcelona. Monochrome and dip dye hair and shades Brewer St W1

The Felder Felder show was broadcast live on screen in Golden Square. Had a quick watch for ten minutes. Black and Pink featured strongly throughout that show.

A drastic cut down on which fashionistas are being photographed this year. You’ve got to be good and bringing something different to the table that I don’t see on the streets of London that I can photograph any day of the week. Either that or there is something exceptional going on in the looks department or both.

Fashionistas Name and where they are from included with the photo where available. All shots shot with the camera to the eye as in normal with a couple from the hip just to see the difference in quality that it makes to a picture when you can line everything up, take your time and get them posing just right.

Mamin of Barcelona. Monochrome and dip dye hair and shades Brewer St W1

Lucy Monochrome and Colour, Shades and Pink Hair Shaftesbury Avenue W1

Marsha of London. Shades of Red and Pink and Hat and Shades. Brewer St Car Park Soho

Lisa from China. Monochrome and shades of brown and Red. Brewer St W1

Urban Pigtails Soho W1 rom the hip

Monochrome “This is not a Moschino Toy” Fashionista Brewer St W1

Glasgow, Lithuania and ? Fashionistas Brewer St W1

Caroline of Manchester. Shades of Brown and Red Paisley  and Hat. Brewer St W1

The post Top Fashionistas LFW SS16 Day 1. Arrival Photos appeared first on FJ Girls.

Blonde Multicoloured and monochrome platforms Rathbone Place W1

This is a pre LFW article and a day earlier than usual as a result of an event that is taking place at an “iconic car park” in Central London starting Friday 18th September and finishing Tuesday 22 September. Not sure what it’s all about but will take a look and check it out.

Latest rovings in the West End looking out for trends and the gathering pace of colour shift on the streets with shades of red and shades of brown doing battle, olive green also seems to be popping up. Monochrome is still out there but as more of a base. Faded denim and tartan also seem to be popping up increasingly. Pink is hotly tipped as the next big thing. Not an overabundance of that on the streets when I was out.

Oriental Pink Faux Fur and Monochrome Old Compton St, Soho W1

All photos taken 16 September 2015, all shot from the hip and weather wise it was rain one minute and sun the next. Some shots are a bit “steamed up” as a result but have been included for reference purposes.

We will see what the “iconic car park” has to say about what the new trends will be hitting the streets on Friday?

Autumnal shades Piccadilly W1

Monochrome and shades of Brown Wardour St, Soho W1

Monochrome and rainbow umbrella, Afro and nose piercing and mega boots Oxford St W1

Sheepskin, Floral, Tan Boots and Monochrome Oxford Street W1

Monochrome and Purple Tartan Wrap and Hat Covent Garden Tube WC2

Oriental Bowler Hat and Shades of Brown and Green Oxford St W1

Shades of Brown and Russian Hat Shaftesbury Avenue W1

Pure black and faux fur gilet and pig tails Covent Garden Piazza WC2

Blonde and Monochrome and Flats Covent Garden Piazza WC2

The post Fashionista Spotting London West End 16 Sept 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Pure monochrome and Shades and Monochrome and colour Commercial St E1

The sun was out, shutter speeds were high, nice clear images, loads of colour and the fashionistas were out in abundance on the move and on the shop. Retro and vintage and modern cutting edge types were around so a good mixture of shots here with the patrol route including Shoreditch High St, Redchurch St (unusually blanked here) Brick Lane, Commercial St, Spitalfields Market, Bethnal Green Road including Shoreditch High St Station and The Box Park and Hanbury St + others in the E1 and E2 areas along with Curtain Road EC2 and side streets.

Monochrome and shades with mega split having a puff Shoreditch High St Station E1

All shot from the hip with a Canon DSLR and wide angle zoom lens. This article is in two parts due to the sheer number of photos taken (normally limit one page tonine or  ten photos) Click on the next page link at the bottom for more shots on the day. 15 photos in total in about 4 hours. More than the West End in the same period! Shoreditch is my baby and where it’s at. Can’t wait to come back again!

Monochrome and Pink and Platform Trainers Shoreditch High St Station E1

Vintage Anti Monochrome Fashionista Commercial St E1

Monochrome and Tats and Street Art Brick Lane E2. Model on a fashion shoot??

The Paris Francais Mono chrome look. Box Park Shoreditch E1

The Cycle Messenger Fashionista Shoreditch High St Station E1

Pastel Blues and Shades and Heels Spitafields Market/Commercial St E1

Pastel and Monochrome and shades of brown Fashionista Shoreditch High St E1

More street style photos from Shoreditch and Brick Lane

Monochrome and Beige and Afro Shoreditch High St Tube E1

Punky Hair Monochrome and Colour Spitafields Market E1

Monochrome floral print, leather and big bag. Commercial St E1

Arty Monochrome Fashionista Shot Shoreditch High St E1

Monochrome Print, Little Bag and Shades Curtain Road EC2

All Yellow and Shades Cyclist Fashionista Shoreditch High St E1

Monochrome and Blue and Monochrome Onesie Spitafields Market E1

Monochrome, Green and Blue Hair Carharrt Shopper with Shades Commercial St E1

The post Shoreditch and Brick Lane Street Style Mid Sept 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Monochrome and pale brown and Platform Trainers with two tone hair and knee socks Wardour St W1

Other streets covered include Covent Garden Piazza, Long Acre, Tottenham Court Rd, Goodge St, Rathbone Place, Old Compton St, Piccadilly and Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue, China Town, Charing Cross Road and all roads in between.

Ten photos in all giving you the low down of what is happening out there in street style terms. A certain London paper reckons autumnal reds such as burgundy, maroon and brighter reds will be making a big appearance. Not much on my radar yet from what I’m sating. It’s out there but not in vast numbers such as the recent monochrome epidemic!

Monochrome and Yellow Tartan and Red Bag and Shades Covent Garden Tube WC2

All photos Canon DSLR and wide angle zoom lens shot from the hip.

Red Head Monochrome Ballet Pumps, Shades and Pigtails Covent Garden Piazza WC2

Monochrome and shades with a hint of oatmeal Long Acre WC2

Autumnal Mustard Tartan Monochrome and neutral and big hair. Old Compton St W1

Monochrome hat and leather trousers. Oxford St W1

Monochrome Leopard Print and Pink Sandals and Tan Bag Old Bond St W1

Monochrome, Platform Boots and Mega Faux Fur Collar Soho W1

Monochrome and Burgundy French Beret Marble Arch W1

Monochrome and Big Floppy Hat Selfridges Oxford St W1

The post London West End Street Style Patrol Mid Sept 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

LFW Ad Punk It Up Sunglass Hut Oxford St

LFW News

Will I be there and if so what will I be up to at LFW SS16? If you run a street style website and are not in attendance at LFW, some eyebrows will be raised for sure!

Some massive changes for this event the main two being a new Sponsor and a new venue. Previously the epicentre was Somerset House on the Aldwych/Strand. Now it has moved to what is being described as an “Iconic” car park in Soho? Secondly Vodafone the original sponsor has pulled out and now Sunglass Hut is the new principal sponsor? Make of all that what you will and I’m keeping quiet. Top Shop and Mercedes are still in there as supporting sponsors though amongst many others. As far as I’m concerned they could hold it down a scrap yard, doesn’t make any difference to me.

In the past my main focus was celebrities with the added bonus of a few fashionistas thrown in. I no longer photograph celebrities in a photo journalist capacity via my now completed famefad project, which means I am now 100% focused on the fashionista and street style element at this event. Good news for all FJ Girls followers out there.

The last event a lot of photos were taken of fashionista types at this event, basically anything that moved. This didn’t generate a whole lot of interest not due to the fact the photos were no good but more than likely due to the sheer volume of photographers there. Also FJ Girls was fairly new then but is more established and is starting to get a name for itself and an increasing following.

This time things will be different and I will be highly selective on who is photographed, ruthlessly so as I have a tad more experience in this field now. There are a lot of  photographers at this event so you’ve got to do something a bit different otherwise you’re just going to get buried with the also rans.

Will be looking for things that either I know I can’t get whilst patrolling the streets of London or just that something different that could be a possible new trend in it’s very early stages. Anything else will be bypassed. Of course if there is a stunner there at LFW that really hits it out of that ball park who is just average in fashionista terms, they will slip through this very discriminating net, this website is about beauty as well as fashion. You’ll know this has happened when you see it. Sometimes beauty can be more potent than mere fashion itself………….you could say beauty is beyond fashion and is timeless!

The LFW event runs from Friday 18 September to Tuesday 22 September. I will probably be at the first day as in Friday, miss the weekend and will be at either Monday or Tuesday or both. This is all subject to weather but unless it is torrential rain or freaky hale the size of golf balls (I draw the line there) , I will be there if I am fit and able.

Further details at the LFW website main page

Get the full show schedule here

FJ Girls News

This website is starting to get increasing amounts of interest so here’s a few thing/ideas that are on the drawing board that MAY appear on this website in the future.

Areas Covered. Currently I cover just the Central London areas but have had the occasional foray into the suburbs with disastrous results as in NOTHING. BUT I’m still looking to head out further afield to some of the trendy or up and coming areas some of which are South of the river. Hampstead and Highgate, Kingston and Richmond is another possibility amongst others. The East End including Westfield and some areas of West London a bit further off the beaten track.

Video. Just a glimmer in the distance but video on this website is being considered. Would add another dimension. Still thinking it through and this is months off yet but it’s on my radar and could be interesting. Currently have a channel from the previous incantation of FJ Girls when it used to be a Female Celebrity website at youtube.com/fjgirls . It’s there and ready to go (current videos will be removed) so watch for POSSIBLE further news on that.

Other Fashion/Photo Sources. Currently this website features just my photography but there are a lot of fashionistas out there that take photo of themselves. Another idea that is in the consideration phase. which would liven up the Twitter feed substantially.

Models. Up and coming models? Yet another idea being chewed over that has been mentioned before. How this would work is yet to be fathomed but could be interesting and add another dimension to the website.

Fashionista Blogger. Again just a thought but again some words from somebody that knows more about fashion than I do could be interesting. A guest blogger or something similar that’s on the inside track. Again just in the thought phase.

Shop. Again just in the thought phase.

The post FJ Girls and LFW News September 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.