Emily Johnston is the founder of the hugely popular style blog, Fashion Foie Gras, which she has been running for two and a half years. Here she talks us through a blogger's average day at London Fashion Week...
I get up around 5:30 as I have to prepare material for the blog to run while I'm attending shows. I check all the news wires, run through emails and read papers to see if there are any stories I may not have heard about but need to cover. As it's winter and freezing currently in London, you'll usually find me doing this under my covers with a steaming hot mug of coffee (oh how I wish there were a Starbucks closer to my house).
Depending on who I'm working with on the day I'll either have a car waiting for me to take me to Somerset House or I'll jump on the tube to rush into town. Some days I'll have as many as 12 different shows to run to and others are a little more low key with only five or six. The manic days see me spending massive amounts on taxi cabs to get around as fashion week in London is really starting to spread out more. While I'm in the back of the cab I pretty much have my hands and eyes glued to my Blackberry as I flip through emails, check in on Twitter and sift through images I've snapped. I'm also more than likely trying to compose my thoughts in emails that I send to myself periodically. If I see something really amazing on the runway, in a presentation or for style in the street, I quickly type it in and send it to myself. Last season I came home one night to find 100 emails from myself, to myself.
On a long day I might not get home until 1 or 2am as there are usually parties in the evenings to attend. I wish I could say I end my day with a large glass of wine and a hot bath. But more likely than not I throw on old pajamas, run some cold water on my face and collapse into bed, if I don't fall asleep in front of the sink first.
What has been your ultimate LFW highlight?
That's a toughie! There have been so many incredible moments. In fact I don't think it could ever be narrowed down to one. Although I have memories that will forever stick out like the time I was backstage at Charlie Le Mindu two seasons ago and the last model came out ready to walk the catwalk in only a pair of platforms and a giant hat... that's right... no clothes at all! You didn't know where to look as she was standing there just waiting to make her debut on the runway. Awkward! But what a show!
...and your worst experience at LFW?
Being told that as I was a blogger someone must have mixed up the invites as no bloggers were meant to have been invited to the show... yikes. I was thrilled that they recognized who I was but a bit disturbed that I had a paper invite in my hand with my name and blog on it only to be turned away.That hurt. Thank heavens the brand has since changed their tune when it comes to online media.
LFW is actually the one week I get to spend an amazing amount of time with my peers in the industry. We're all at shows and parties together and sharing cabs in between. It's stressful but you have great opportunities to catch up and hear what everyone is up to. There are some amazing success stories in London when it comes to bloggers and it's always really amazing to hear all about new forthcoming projects. The most annoying part is trying to juggle everything as one person. When you get home at night and have to write up 12 shows, edit over 1,000 pictures and still report on everything else that happened for fashion news that day around the world, you start to appreciate the pros of working on an editorial team.
What are your LFW essentials?
A massive tote (and of course this season it's my Coach FFG tote that's going to keep me going), my iPad, my Nikon SLR, a pair of flat shoes to throw on when I'm running around, an emergency Red Bull always kept in the bottom of my purse and a scarf... I always carry one for an emergency moment - ie spilling coffee all over myself or ripping a piece of clothing, etc. There is absolutely no fashion week 'uniform' but there are some designers that are "go-to" choices for an easy, chic look. Those include Rick Owens, Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, Helmut Lang and Michael Kors.
Who's in your fashion week gang?
Too many to mention and I'll probably get in trouble if I forget any. Fashion week is just a big ole love-in. They know who they are. It's a good mix of bloggers and print journalists and they are all constantly putting me to shame with their oh so stylish attire during fashion week!
What are you looking forward to most at LFW?
I can't wait to see Moschino Cheap & Chic for the first time in London!
Tell us something we don't know?
You're Stylist... you know everything!
And finally, what makes London Fashion Week special?
I have always said this is the most creative of all the fashion weeks. Designers and attendees are really allowed to push the boundaries of fashion here and do they ever!
Read Emily's observations on all things fashion at fashionfoiegras.com and follow her on Twitter @fashionfoiegras
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