LFW Issa London AW10

I wrote this review for a competition on GraziaDaily. Sadly, my entry didn't win me a BlackBerry or a byline. But I was brought up with a waste not want not mentality so here it is for lucky old you to read.

Issa London

The clashing scenes of London fashion’s old and new guards were Daniella Issa Helayel’s inspiration for Issa London’s AW10 show. The Brazilian designer blended the pomp of Annabel’s and the King’s Road with the grimy cityscape view of rooftop parties at Shoreditch House to bring necessary grit to the glamour on show.

This collection perfectly suited the modern London fashionista who is inspired by objects she either loves or loathes to create an eclectic look. The rocked up re-appropriation of the uniform of the old guard was manifest in layers of clashing textures and shades. Twin collarless quilted jackets, armoured with embellished pockets and external shoulder pads, perfectly channelled the modern aesthetic. Jackets and capes in fur and wool echoed the boxy silhouettes of shift dresses layered over thin polo necks in contrasting colours. Evocation of screen-starlet glamour came from models dressed with scarlet lips, huge sunglasses and patterned headscarves protecting vast quiffs.

The theme of the show’s production was NY-Lon travelling via ‘United Friends of Issa” and transatlantic glamour shone through. A series of diaphanous maxi-dresses floated down the runway as if straight from a pool-party at an art deco Miami mansion. The silken glamour was again tempered; smudged and muted shades of lilac and grey, cloaking the models with the aura of a rain-soaked London sky.

Needle-thin heels, the occasional pair of full-length black latex gloves and waist belts that stopped short of cinching emphasised that this was a feminine collection but by no means girly.

Big up yourself

My parents can be blamed for a lot of my "failings"; poor eyesight, hair that is neither straight or curly and my own brand of snobby socialism. And here's something else that has been their legacy to me; my inability to boast.

But now as I struggle to make my voice heard over the din of competition, one of my most powerful tasks will be the ability to self promote. Don't worry I'm not going to try a cocky swagger on for size. But you will be hearing more from me about how gosh darn fabulous I am.

Cos that's what makes me me, and the more people who know about it the better.

Last week a review I wrote was published in the Independent on Sunday. My first national byline, and I only told a few friends. I should have been shouting it from the rooftops, or at least have hired a sky writer. Well, here's the link. I hope that you enjoy it. It's the first of many. Trust me on that.

Independent on Sunday

Builder's tea and Polish sausage

Wednesday was the last official day of Catch 22 for the October cohort, so no more bi-weekly trips to Seven Sisters for me. Which may not sound like a shame, but really it is! Although it's not the most salubrious of areas, one of the great things about Seven Sisters is that high street chains have mostly overlooked it. Sure there's a big retail park a mile down the road full of those familiar brands, but the High Road is full of independent cafes and shops.

Sure I'm a massive food snob but sometimes a greasy spoon cafe is the perfect place to be, especially when it's one degree outside and you want something warm and comforting to eat. Cafe la City, is plonked right next to behemoth Tesco (sadly that's one chain you can't escape), and the staff there are bloody lovely. The food is exactly what you'd expect- fast, filling and relatively cheap. The bread is white and the tea comes in a mug, but it's unpretentious and so are the customers. The solitary man in a smart suit borrows the ketchup from the gaggle of college kids' table. Mums with pushchairs gossip next to builders reading The Sun. Forget daytime TV, spending an afternoon people watching here is far more entertaining than any synthetic soap.

Another great cafe is Tradicia, which is further up the High Road, near Bruce Grove station. The specialties are crepes and Polish food, but there are delicious salads, sandwiches and hot dishes on the menu too. The service is quite slow, even when you're the only customer! But if you have an hour to kill for lunch the turquoise exterior and the thought of delicious home made food will bring instant cheer to a mundane workday lunch.

New Year, not quite new you

Last night I couldn't sleep, had a tummy ache and kept checking I had all my work. In the middle of the night I woke up panicking that I had a massive project to complete. Yep, I had the back-to-school Sunday blues, worsened by the fact that it was a Monday night. Although I do love Catch 22 when I'm there, a two-week break of eating, drinking and making merry has left me with no motivation.

Before we all left Tottenham for the Christmas holidays, I have to say that tensions were rising in the October Cohort. Everyone had busted their bums getting the first draft of their article for the spring mag in on time, add that to the pressure cooker that is this intensive course and you get lots of grumpy students. Ever optimistic, I thought that perhaps attitudes might have changed whilst people took some time out with their loved ones. Sadly, everyone isn't on the same page just yet and after just one news meeting defences were rising and people are being snide to one another.

I'm not naive enough to believe that a disparate group of people must be friends just because they work together. But I do feel that we've all been given an amazing opportunity to learn so much for free, and our attitudes are really going to affect what we take from the course, and the experience of others.

Without sounding like too much of a hippy, we need to re-group and have some positive team bonding. There's only a month left to go and the pressure is mounting...

tick tock, battling against the clock

Brrr, it's a chilly December day in Tottenham, North London and I'm glad to be snug and warm in the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, where Catch 22 magazine has its offices.

I'm about halfway through a 12-week features writing course and there's only one more day 'til the Christmas break - yay! Instead of constantly focusing on the next assignment, deadline or challenge, it's so refreshing to take a look back at what I've learned since I joined the Academy in the dying days of October.

I can remember the first session at the London College of Communication (LCC) when I met the ten other student journalists as well as the two tutors, the administrator and the MD. And it wasn't just learning all those names that was daunting. As everyone introduced themselves and explained a little about their experience, I was comparing it to my own and feeling very intimidated by how much everyone had already managed to do.

I've always been guilty of comparing myself to others, and do try to remind myself that I must keep things in perspective, and not be too hard on myself.

As the course got fully underway in the beginning of November, it was interesting to get to know my fellow Catch 22ers. Every day the team will meet for a news meeting, where we all have to pick a "news peg" on which to hang a feature. It's insightful to see how our different minds work, and yeah it can be disheartening when Kate or Simmy, the tutors, cut your idea down in flames as unoriginal or badly thought out. However, there have been some rosy glow moments when ideas I've pitched have been well received and it's these that show how much I'm learning on the course and will stand me in good stead in a future professional journalism role.

Sadly, I'm still struggling with the time management aspect and there's often a flurry of my fingers over the keyboard five minutes before an assignment's deadline. Like now, Sharon the administrator wants me to hand in my blog, but I want to keep typing. Oh well, there's nothing like a cliff hanger ending to create suspense...