Off I go after a yummy treat at Café Concerto and a good catch up with the girls, to the Alternative Fashion Week close to Liverpool Street and was rather surprised after beating through the crowd, to be finding my place in the “PRESS ONLY” area. Being squashed by big paparazzo’s, I still managed to get some decent snaps of the up and coming design talents. Some were breath-taking others hideous. Looking at each individual creation, one starts to wonder whether fashion is on the downfall. Yes, size zero has been banned but is cellulite really selling an outfit? Are giggling models really conveying the attitude of a dress? And are there really no professional models left after the ban on skeletons?
Dazzled I settle on a Starbucks. My day was not yet to be over. Following an invitation from BBC 3, I made my way to the Studio’s to be part of the audience for BRITAINS MISSING TOP MODEL exclusive catwalk show. Not being told in advance, I was surprised that the “Missing” part of the title did not relate to, or connect with the “Next” Top Model series. This model truly is missing, at least in Britain.
Having front row seats, right next to the catwalk, I was astonished to discover that the models were not only elegant and extremely beautiful, but had disabilities. One girl was in a wheelchair, another had half an arm missing, one was deaf (I was told this after the show) and the list goes on. These flaws amazingly did not diminish the girls beauty but enhanced their spirit and created a link between the clothes and the imperfection of everyday life. This idea establishes a new way for society to connect with fashion. But is Britain ready for it?
