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.

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.

Early September and there is evidence on the streets of London that the schools are now back (some), the buzz seems to be returning and London’s pulse is starting to increase in readiness for back to normal next week.

Monochrome polka dot and shades with a dash of colour Marble Arch Tube W1

Monochrome seems to be waning a bit on the streets but black combined with some sort of shade of brown appears to be emerging as the new colour combo. Tan, putty, mushroom, oatmeal, magnolia, camel basically the mid to lighter shades of brown. Rusty shades of red or brown with deeper darker oranges are also springing into life. This was observed in the West End but confirmed also in Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea. Doesn’t look to be a passing one off coincidence, it’s spreading and spreading fast. Black is still there though!

Monochrome and shades of brown Piccadilly W1

Tartan mainly red and embellishment seem to also be emerging buzzwords. About time too!

Monochrome and shades of brown Goodge St W1

Brunette Side Parting Monochrome Trouser Suit Regent St W1

Blonde and Pure Black Oxford St W1

The Debenhams Fashionista All black hat and DM’s Oxford St W1

Oatmeal chunky knit Street Food Stall Fashionista Berwick St Soho W1

Monochrome, shades of brown and green Wigmore St W1

Shades of brown and denim with massive Sleeper Hoops Wardour St W1

Monochrome and hat with shades of red Old Bond St W1

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

Monochrome turquoise dipped hair and platform sandals with socks Oxford St W1

Gone with this monochrome turquoise dip dyed fashionista sticking her finger in the air on Oxford St for the headline. She seemed to stand out from the crowd in no uncertain terms. She saved the day. A classic!

Just one days patrol this week what  with the weather playing up and  all photos taken on Thursday 27 August. Not much I can do when it’s raining any  time of year let alone August.

Covered a wide area including Tottenham Court Road, Oxford St from one end to the other, Regent St, Covent Garden, Soho, Charlotte St, Charing Cross Road from one end to the other, Marylebone High St, Carnaby St  and after 4 hours of covering this vast area the grand total of fashionistas was 7! Didn’t see anything on Marylebone High St and that was at peak time??

Full monochrome including hair Charing Cross Road WC2

I’m calling it the August effect. Will probably be the same next week what with the Bank Holiday this weekend. Should be back to to normal the week after.

General observations are Monochrome is still very much in swing and firmly entrenched on the streets in any shape or form and if the photo  above is any indication it looks to be spreading to hair as well. Shop windows are not showing any divergence from this fact but with Autumn on it’s way this could be changing soon. If it happens of course it will be here!

All photos as usual from the hip with a Canon DSLR and wide angle zoom.

Monochrome and buckle bag and monochrome heart wellington boots Covent Garden Tube WC2

Rusty red and mega shades Fashionista Oxford St W1

Monochrome and Colour Beak St W1

Monochrome and strictly no colour Broadwick St W1

All Black and suede boots and chunky watch + hair in a bun Fashionista Oxford St/Marble Arch W1

The post Fashionista Spotting West End Late Augusts 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Was looking for a punky type in Camden Town for the headline shot,found her in the end in touristville Piccadilly Circus of all places.

Punky Fashionista rockin Piercings, Dog Collar, Cats Eye Bag. Monochrome with bite. Piccadilly Circus/Shaftesbury Avenue

California Print Monochrome and Hat, Gt Marlborough St W1

A very quiet day at Camden Market with the August school holidays and the bank holiday a week or so away. Reasonably busy with tourists but a bit thin on the ground when it came to Fashionistas and Punky types. Managed to get just 2  which is unusual!

The West End is also VERY VERY quiet in fashionista terms out there at present. With the school holidays in full swing and the August Bank Holiday fast approaching combined with a distinct lack of sunshine for August, I think a lot are on holiday elsewhere. Loads of women on the streets but it’s obvious they are predominantly tourists which makes it a bit of a fashionista spotting challenge. I can normally find a dozen in a few hours in the West End, that’s pretty much guaranteed. Had to go back a second day just to find half that! That’s the August effect.

Oriental Monochrome Ripped, Beanie Hat Oxford St W1

Will probably be the same next week.

Results below all Canon DSLR with Wide angle zoom “street” lens and shot from the hip with one shot taken shot backwards whilst walking and looking  forward

The Russia at War Fashionista Monochrome and Yellow Bag Piccadilly Circus W1

Monochrome,Denim, Phonebox Top and matching Shades and Gladiator Sandals Marble Arch W1

Monochrome, Ripped, Shades and Hat Oxford St W1

Oriental, Pleated Skirt, Butterfly Brooch Camden Tube NW1

Cyber Shades Camden Market NW1

Multicoloured floral leggings and white Oxford St Selfridges W1

The post Fashionista Spotting Camden Market and West End. Mid August 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Oriental Silver, shades and Black and white shoes Piccadilly W1

Areas covered on this fashion patrol are Regent Street, Oxford Street, Soho, Covent Garden and Mayfair. Basically inside the area of Park Lane and Marble Arch, South of Oxford Street and East of Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden.

Not much sun on this particular fashion patrol so shutter speeds were down even with a high ISO on a couple of shotswhich  have slight blurring but have been included as otherwise they are good shots.

All photos Canon DSLR + street lens and from the hip. All taken Wednesday 12 August 2015.

Brunette Monochrome and Pink and Stockings and Heels Wardour St W1

Monochrome and Tan and Shades Wardour St W1

Blonde Multicoloured print dress Brewer St, Soho W1

Blonde Monochrome and Floral Print and Tan Brewer St, Soho W1

Turquoise/Blue/Purple Hair and Monochrome with shades of Brown Peter St Soho W1

Black and Denim and Butterfly and Chunky Gold Rings and Flats Oxford St W1

The post West End Street Style. August 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.

Non Monochrome headband and chunky platforms Fashionista Shoreditch High St E1

Shoreditch in particular definetly even now is where it seems to be at. So much so, this area could be covered twice in a month instead of just once. I would go as far as to say it just beats Camden in the fashion stakes, although the two areas seem to have very distinct and different characters. I call it punky V vintage!

Monochrome still rocks in this cutting edge area but there are early signs of monochrome rebellion on the streets as the fashionista above is demonstrating?

All photos taken this Tuesday 11 August 2015 with the usual Canon DSLR and  street wide lens and all shots taken from the hip.

Monochrome and Big Cat Print Dress Brick Lane E2

Monochrome and Multiple Tattoos Commercial St E1

Monochrome and Dark Blue and Shades Shoreditch High St E1

Long Pigtails and Monochrome and Tan and Green Hanbury St E1

Non Monochrome, Denim and Turquoise Commercial St E1

Monochrome and Tartan Box Park Shoreditch E1/2

All black and flat cap Brick Lane E2

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

Bright red hair and Brown Dress (non monochrome) Wigmore Street W1

Gone with this neon red hair fashionista spotted on Wigmore Street near St Christophers Place. A head turner she certainly is and she’s got the confidence to pull it off. Cracking shot!

Get some well heeled types here and again this is an area that you have to hit at the right time of day to get a good hit rate in fashionista terms. With the number of shops/boutiques on this short stretch of road and Harley Street a couple of blocks away it’s a good stamping ground to get pictures of the “street style” variety. St Christophers place is also part of the patrol route and Baker St. All these photos taken within an hour. Will certainly be back here again!

Oriental tourist multi coloured jacket Marylebone high Street W1

Monochrome and DM’s with a splash of green. Marylebone High Street W1

Monochrome with a hint of colour  sporty Fashionista Marylebone High Street W1

Blonde, shades of brown and black leather jacket, mini bag and shades Marylebone High St W1

All black and black knee length boots Marylebone High Street W1

The post The Marylebone High Street W1 Fashionista Patrol. August 2015 appeared first on FJ Girls.