I was a LFW virgin.

Last year, I naively entered the true world of fashion at one of its biggest and most prestigious events; London Fashion Week. As I approached the outstanding Somerset House, I had no idea what I was about to let myself in for. I read the magazine, bought the books and I thought I was ready for the unforgiving and dramatic world of fashion but boy was I wrong. This place was something else, nothing like I had ever seen and nothing like I could ever have imagined. Give me feathers, sequins, empire lines and the latest trends any day but put me in this unforgettable event and I will be amazed. Filled with the IT names of fashion and some of the up and coming designers, Fashion Week is like a whirlwind of Vogue. The people are like no others on this earth. In fact, they don’t even seem to be part of this world. They are all beautiful and tall and clothed in Chanel, JPG, Mulberry and Matthew Williamson, a far cry from a 5.1 girl from the Rhondda Valleys.

I knew that this is the world I was passionate about but knew that I did not belong in it. I didn’t belong in the dresses or on the catwalks. I didn’t belong in the exhibitions and I didn’t belong behind the camera. I knew I belonged behind the pen and notebook though and this felt like I chance for me, a girl just like you, to write about how unbelievable this place really is, from my little point of view. I wanted to show you that these faces that have covered your bedroom walls, your notebooks and your laptop screens really do exist.

The reason I wanted to write about it? Because I love fashion and this crazy place has been the centre of my dreams for the last 20 years.

Until you grace the cobbles of the BFC show area and the steep steps of Somerset House, you will never be able to even believe what it feels like to be a part of it.

Which is why you have me, to do it all for you. Unless of course, you are brave enough to join me as I divulge into the brilliantly unique world of London Fashion Week.

If you are, then here is my little guide to help you along the way:

• ·         Make sure you plan your days WAY ahead of getting there. There is simply too much to do and see if you don’t. An easy way to do this is to use the London Fashion Week website and download their schedules to make sure your Mulberry doesn’t clash with your House of Holland. 
• ·         Email everyone and anyone. Although you obviously need to plan who you have time to see, don’t think that because you’re not a famous person or a well known writer that you shouldn’t apply to the Vivienne Westwood show. If you’ve been given a Press Pass then obviously the British Fashion Council think you are worthy of a seat ;)
• ·         Camera and notebook at the ready! Do not even THINK about going to Fashion week without these babies. How else are you going to take a picture of you with that famous celebrity ;) Believe me, this may well happen!
• ·         Business cards are your holy grail! Get some printed before you go so you can hand them out. Everyone does it and it’s a great way to get networking.
• ·         Dress to impress. Okay so I’m not saying where your ball dress or anything but just wear something that is on trend and that you are comfortable in. The only reason I suggest on trend is because everyone around you will be in the latest designs and you need to feel comfortable to be confident.
• ·         Pack some flat. Definitely recommend some secret flats for when those platforms kill you. You don’t want to be hobbling over to the next designer now do you.
• ·         Be confident. This is a must because you will be talking to a lot of people who know this industry like the back of their hand. Do your research on your fave designers or on the people you hope to talk to. It will pay off.
• ·         Take an extra little bag. The amount of press releases, goodies, leaflets and business cards you will be given will be extreme so be prepared with a little fold away, yet stylish, canvas bag. Although, usually they do provide you with one if you can get to the front of the queue!

·         Enjoy. This is a magical world and you need to make every second of your appearance there worth it. It only comes round twice a year remember ;)

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