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The fabulous Miss Blackwell descends upon Stockholm Fashion Week. Will it be Amazing Grace or Ugly Betty?
9am - Opening
A bright and sunny morning as we taxi over to the Grand Opening of the Stockholm Fashion Week (SFW). We're given the strongest coffee and cheese and ham sandwiches. Confused, I ask for champagne but get looks of disdain and surprise untill The Ed explains to everyone, "She's from London." "Ahhh, the British alcoholic." I sip my coffee.
Three models come down. One i s wearing a bin liner (no kidding), one is wearing a DIY crochet dress (no kidding) and the third is in an amazing thing,kind of white shorts with fabulous embroidery and huge blue bead sleeves. I'm in love. Then there were some very worthy speeches from the Swedish Export Council. I'm sure they were fascinating but my Swedish ain't what it should be so I haven't a clue what they said. Sorry. Typical lazy Brit. Maybe if I find that illusive Moet I'll become bi-lingual?
5pm - a few shows done
It's nearly the end of the first day of SFW. I've done a massive three shows and have about a million to go. I'm already knackered and have no idea how on earth I'm going to survive an entire week. But enough of my moaning, here's what we've been up to:
1. Lisa Lotte Westerlund This was a wonderful show. This is what it's all about. This is why I came all the way to Stockholm! Close your eyes and imagine this ..... The colours are whites, blacks and a bit of cream thrown in. The hem lines are short with huge ruches, almost like Venetian blinds. The tops are fitted, the bottoms have "crisy puffiness". There are some bows, the waists are high, the trousers are skinny with fitted short jackets. Dresses had deep, deep scoop backs, shirts had tall Edwardian collars buttoned to the top. And I loved the driving gloves. Hair was high pony tails and there were veils all over the place. However, the narrative accompanying this show was (get ready) "The scene is a funeral of an innocent beauty .... she had passed away before she was able to unite with her loved one. A journey from noble virgin to sin, to funeral and through the doors to heaven." Hmmmmm.  Goody bag: a travel iron (!), chocs, make up. Satisfaction level is high. Though there may be about 60 travel irons on Ebay by tonight.
I also sat next to the evervescant Mona Orremalm, Editor to Femina. I have to admit, I haven't read the mag but if it's any reflection of her personality, go buy. She's a lovely lady, fun, open and down to earth. 2. Sandra Backlund This girl knits for Sweden. I have never seen such constructions in my life. An incredibly creative show where sci-fi meets Womans Own. This was a bunch of short, short dresses, huge chunky knits, enormous shoulders and very slim fitting. The colours were very dark green, burgundy and grey. The runway had three huge chandeliers nearly touching the floor and the models weaved inbetween them. It was quite spectacular. Goody bag: a bottle of "texturiser" from L'Oreal. I gave mine to The Ed. 3. Carin Wester I'm not sure about this one. The clothes came down the runway and I scribbled many notes but overall, there was nothing that grabbed me. It was cute and nice and whatever, but no overall signature look or tones. To be horribly honest, it was a bit average. I didn't desire any of the ladies clothes and I certainly didn't desire any of the male models. They looked about 14 years old as they gauchley stumbled down the runway. The clothes for chaps had a scruffy urchin look with long cardigans. I'm not buying it. Goody bag: zip. 
I also had the good fortune to sit next to Lotta Ahlvar, CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council. Normally you can meet these high profile woman and they just scare the pants off me. However, Lotta is a very warm person who is so informative and gave me lots of news on various designers, how the show is shaping up and inside information. Lucky old me! The end of the day ...
Finally, The Ed and I were able to shift our shabby asses to the press room, do our quick write ups, download pics, eat sweets and meet some very nice ladies. And then a quick march down to the last show of the day - Rodebjer. And it was packed to the ceiling. This show had great impact, the models were superb and the music was moody, heavy and fabulous. The clothes were young'ish, high waists on jeans which were both skinny and wide. The overall signature was the Jacket Dress - an outsize, double breasted jacket worn as, yes, a dress. Very cute. I loved the hair which was unkempt straight hair which was left tucked into scarves. Like most of the day, the clothes were hugging - the body is most definitely back (not that that will bother the blobby Brits one bit - bless their saturated little fat hearts). And short skirts appeared were also a strong theme. And then time to go home, have a rest, get ready and then return to the fabulous Berns hotel for an evening cocktail party. Everyone was there and it was lovely to finally go chat with people, exchange views and wind down. I met up with the wonderful Kerina and Natalie whom we had met from the Press Room earlier that day before having to finally admit defeat and go home to our sweet, sweet beds. Ahhh, what a lovely day!
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