I *think* I am right in saying that Arcadia are the first retailer to oraganise a UK bloggers only event where we got to try on the A/W09 collections and then have a photographer take our pics in a studio set up with props with to take home at the end on a USB stick. If it's the first, hopefully it won't also be the last. So tonight after work, and not having had any food, I trooped up to
Arcadia HQ, to the top floor where they had set up an old school
photobooth entrance, rails with all kinds of A/W 09 goodies and suddenly I think food may have left my mind for a bit...
Ye cynics will of course say that it is a marketing strategy to get us bloggers to namedrop Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Evans etc....like I just did right there. And there is no denying that, but the bottom bottom line is it was really, really fun. Not the 'organised' fun that I had in mind where there'd be awkward silences and people gingerly touching clothes but not actually trying stuff on, but it was actual genuine belly laughing fun. It did help that I knew some of the press people beforehand but then meeting and re-meeting fashion bloggers was a treat in itself.... names ensue with photos below...
The thing is there aren't actually that many of us British fashion bloggers and when I see other countries having blogger meet'n'greets, I do wonder where are we, the Brits all hiding? Safe behind the confines of our Macs and Twitter accounts apparently. I did comment that my weak handshake is a tell tale sign of my internet hibernation habits. So actually whilst Arcadia made a shrewd marketing move, they also inadvertedly enforced a blogger meetup that needs to happen more often.
Then there is the fact that so many of us are pretty much pro-Arcadia. Or specifically Topshop, whose clothes were inevitably gonna get the most wear on the night. We squealed over the Ashish leopard print wedges (sold out online already apparently), the KTZ statement pieces got loads of 'oohs' and 'aaahs' and big faux fur jackets, studded and riveted pieces and shouldered jackets also got lots of lovin'.
I do realise I'm gushing but beyond the clothes themselves, it was a proper laugh. We stripped down to our undies in the changing rooms, drank wine, suggested outfits and made silly poses. Though there was a Topman rail, it was a bit redundant since it was a pretty unashamedly girly affair. Except the Antony Price for Topman electric blue suit was actually quite popular with the girls. No strings attached to write about it nor were there press spiels being thrown at you like you. Enjoy the clothes, take some nicely shot pics of yourself aka a personal style bloggers' weakness and keep the pics. I don't think I have used the phrase 'in my element' as much as I have done tonight. I think people meeting me for the first time might have thought I was actually a 60-year old trapped inside a gawky 25-year old's body. I think I may have also been the embarrassing gal that tried on the most outfits...
I realise a review of a one off event of this nature is a bit pointless but really, with rosy cheeks and a spring in my step, I did want to say a big thanks....
The only slightly dour moment was being told that the Ashish boots are fast selling out and that Emma Cook boots are hitting the stores this weekend. It's all a bit of a wedge boot chase where hopefully I'll emerge victorious...
Of course I have to post the fruits of tonight's err...labour...
Claire of Young Shields and Stevie of Discotheque Confusion // Winnie of Diamond Canopy
Scarlett Rose of Little Bambi Boots and ??? // Sarah of Or False Glitter and Jeanie of Fat Fashion Assistant
Gem Fatale and Michelle of Cheapskate Cheap // Tor of Fab Frocks
If I have forgotten your name....please remind me here on the comments....my brain does know your face but the wine and lack of food has smudged your name a bit...
I posed with many toothy grins and because ppl kept making me laff...
Have established that I'm basically gonna be wearing a LOT of KTZ this season...
Couldn't get over that this Lanvin-esque cuff was from Evans...
(Both dresses above and leggings below all KTZ)
Wearing a very pretty lace Topshop dress and strumming a very fake painted white guitar... I believe I was singing Bon Jove's Living on a Prayer...
Strangley rather loved this one-shouldered green velvet romper suit... the white mannequin arm is coming to give me a slap for grinning so much...
This jacket had such an amazing shape to it and really needs to be zipped up at all times to retain that structure...
Liz, the press officer and Zoe from Topshop's Inside Out blog showing off Antony Price's suit for Topman and also teaching me how to do a good jump...
One to finish the night off...
