Mark Fast Strikes Again!

London Fashion Week is always an eventful occasion and the latest London fashion event was certainly no different.  Some may have branded it as controversial whilst others may have said it was simply a breath of fresh of air.  However, whichever way you look at it London Fashion Week has certainly left a lasting impression.

Last week saw Mark Fast and his knitwear range come under scrutiny again as a direct result of his choice to use plus size models for the second consecutive time at London Fashion Week.  Back in September 2009 Mark Fast caused a huge stir by including three plus size models within the show case of his Spring Summer 2010 range.  This was seen as an extremely controversial move by some and sparked a nationwide debate.  Whilst some supported the move by Mark Fast others were absolutely appalled by this decision, in fact this feeling of distain was felt widely amongst those within Mark Fast’s team as 2 members, including the creative director, quit just days before the Spring/Summer show.  Furthermore, there was much speculation at the time as to whether Mark Fast had simply egotistical motives when he made the decision to include plus size models within his show as it resulted in the brand receiving a great deal of publicity.

Despite his motives Mark Fast has remained defiant as for his show last week at London Fashion Week he again used plus size models.  The Canadian designer used size 14 or 16 models last week and all plus size models looked healthy rather than the gaunt look we are all so used to at such shows.  Mark Fat said that the reason he decided to use more curvaceous models is that he thinks it is important that women of all shapes and sizes can wear his designs and they are not in fact exclusive to extremely slight women.

However, it is important to point out that the average British woman is in fact a size 14-16 so the use of models of this size should not be considered as something unusual.  These fashion models represent the average women and show that plus size fashion does not have to be different, that in fact the same fashion designs can be worn by all women.

Is designer jewellery worth the money?

Designer jewellery (and clothes, whilst we’re at it) might look fashionable; but what are we paying for, really? The fancy box the bracelet comes in? The bag it is packaged in? Designer brands were invented specifically for the rich to have a way to flaunt their money in a fashionable way, and for jewellery gangs to have something glamorous to steal. OK, I’ll admit it – even I have had a weak moment where I’ve trawled down New Bond Street at peeked in the window at Tiffany & Co longingly, but then something brings me back down to earth.

I could probably go into Primark and find a replica of the exact bracelet for thousands of pounds cheaper; no, that’s not me being a ‘cheapskate,’ it’s me being rational. The truth is the only designer brands I own say “Anna,” written in red marker pen on the label. And I’d like to keep it that way. (Of course, if I win the lottery tonight, my view might change completely.)