We share our favourite off-duty looks!
For those who are lucky enough to be caught up in the whirlwind world of fashion it can often feel like everything revolves around the fashion weeks. Granted LFW might not be ‘til September, but when you’re swamped with emails and paperwork and deadlines time can fly pretty fast, so we’ve decided to be super-organised and start planning our outfits now with the help of super chic clothing company Gather&See.
Describing the company’s style as eclectic, laid back and whimsical, founders Steph Hogg and Alicia Taylor say Gather&See is about enjoying fashion and seeing the fun in it, and we totally agree! But looking gorgeous shouldn’t come at the expense of others. They tell us that as dedicated followers of fashion and quality design they got thinking about how disconnected from the clothing production process we’ve all become. In hope of changing this, Gather&See was born.
Steph and Alicia are convinced that there’s a huge gap in the market for an online store like Gather&See, which offers unique ethical brands to fashion forward customers. ‘There’s a common misconception that ethical fashion means dreary, uninspiring clothing, and we want to prove that this need not be the case.’ In fact, the pieces stocked by Gather&See are always inspired by catwalk trends: the company’s founders are adamant that being a follower of high fashion and being an ethical consumer doesn’t need to be a contradiction of terms! They themselves are living proof of this – they love London Fashion Week – so who better to quiz about what to do, what to drink and what to wear at the fashion world’s biggest events?
First things first: ‘champagne is a great energy booster’. Indeed, fashion week can be hectic, constantly running between shows and parties, so it’s important to have a few essentials with you to help you make the most of it all. Steph and Alicia suggest a bottle of water to keep hydrated after all that champagne, a spare pair of flat shoes, and a camera phone for all those Instagram-worthy moments. But how do we make sure that our looks are worthy of a like or two on Instagram? By channelling the off-duty model vibe, that’s how.
Cara Delevigne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Alessandra Ambrosio are just a few models whose effortlessly chic off-duty looks we want to emulate at the fashion weeks come Autumn, seamlessly taking us from catwalk show to after party. ‘Being comfortable and confident is the most important thing’ the duo states. ‘The long days and long evenings mean that our preferences for shows is usually a great dress that is quick and easy to deal with early in the morning and that can be dressed up for the evening’. You can never go wrong with a little black dress, and Gather&See’s KowTow swing dress is particularly perfect. Made from 100% organic cotton, it’s blissfully comfy and stunningly chic.
For the days when you feel like standing out in the sea of LBDs, an eye-catching print is a great way to make an impression. We love Gather&See’s Lalesso Ingia dress as it’s a sophisticated way of taking on the neon trend. Grab an oversized tote before you leave the house to complete the effortlessly classy look.
Jumpsuits like Upstate’s Wilson are all about understated luxe. The subtle tie-dye effect is bang on trend, whilst the gathered waist and low cut back create and show off a model silhouette. Keep the look casual with a denim waistcoat and large tote during the day before swapping to a clutch and slicking on some lippy for that after-party.
Wearing Gather&See’s Kowtow tunic dress will ensure you ooze the most off-duty model vibe possible. The beautiful laid back draping of this piece is perfect both with cute boots during the day, and with killer stilettos for an instant injection of glamour in the evening.
The aim of the off-duty model feel is to make it appear as though you just effortlessly threw on the outfit. Laid back glamour. But the real secret is that it takes a lot of work to nail the effortless look. ‘Definitely plan outfits in advance’ advise Steph and Alicia, admitting that they have been known to write down their outfits ahead of time, and know others who Polaroid their clothes weeks in advance. So, this September we’ll see you at London Fashion Week darting between all the exciting events in your perfectly put together off-duty model ensembles …and as Gather&See’s founders point out – if in doubt, just team with a large coffee!
For more information and to get your hands on the collection, visit www.GatherandSee.com
