Dorothy Perkins Press Day

I was visiting the Arcadia Press Day and couldn't help but love the DP section. It's not a shop that I'd find myself wandering into on a weekly basis - although I couldn't help thinking of a very fashionable friend of mine - whenever I ask her where that amazing dress came from she nonchalantly replies DP.

The focus was on two main trends - the Military look and the Wild look. The Military look is an updated version of the classic look, based on military neutral colours. The Wild Look is my favourite, knits, feathers and layers of faux furs.

What interested me most at the press event was the overall look and feel of the exhibit. If one didn't look closely at the rails you'd still have a very strong feeling of the direction of collection. The lighting and layout help create this mood - but it was all about the mannequins. I loved the mannequins, with their crimped hair and animal masks. The mannequin is the starting point. It suggests the look and feel right away and then one can build the styling from there. The posture or the stance gives us an impression, as does the makeup - if you've got the wrong mannequin you have such a weak starting point and it becomes almost impossible to make a good still life story. Choosing the right mannequins can make all the difference!!