Fashion / Society

London Fashion Week diary: Spend 48 hours with Fredrik Robertsson

By Anna Clarke

Mornings spent pottering around Mayfair to afternoons taking in Richard Quinn's show and then straight to the bar – take a whirlwind tour of the British capital courtesy of Fredrik Robertsson

London Fashion Week is one of the busiest events of the yearly fashion calendar. It sees editors and stylists running between shows in a sea of blurred faces. With everyone from Christopher Kane, Molly Goddard to Simone Rocha on the roster. And one of our favourite Nordic names, Fredrik Robertsson, was in the thick of it all.

Advertisement

Here, he gives us a bird's eye view of his whirlwind few days in London:

Day 1

06:00 AM

“My day starts very early. I am not a big fan of travelling on the first flight out but since we have Vivienne Westwood's memorial at 1pm today we have to leave early. I am so grateful that Arlanda Airport has the VIP Terminal. It’s a completely private building where they take care of everything and even drive you to the plane just prior to take off. I always travel in the same black outfit by Rick Owens as it’s comfortable, yet still stylish – the best combination.”

09:45 AM

“I arrive at Heathrow and begin the drive to central London. I’m staying at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, and they have kindly sent a car to pick us up. As soon as we arrive, I unpack my wig for the memorial – I want to have black hair because the headpiece I’m wearing needs to blend into the hair.”

11:30 AM

“Marie from Vivienne Westwood's couture team arrives at the hotel with my look. When I heard the news that I would be attending Vivienne Westwood’s funeral, I knew I wanted to create something special to wear, a homage to her, a true icon. So Marie came up with this wonderful idea of doing a take on the iconic print 'God Save The Queen' but with Vivienne's face and 'RIP Queen Vivienne'. It is so special.”

12:30 PM

“The glam is in full gear. Sofia Laskar, a wonderful wig maker, has created unique wigs for me that are then styled for different occasions. Johan has used half a can of Björn Axén Megafix hairspray to create the shiny effect.”

4.00 PM

“I arrive back at the hotel after the funeral service. It was so memorable; Helena Bonham Carter read a beautiful eulogy and Nick Cave sang. The church was full of icons, legends and a very fashionable crowd including everyone from Kate Moss to Victoria Beckham. We all remembered and celebrated a true icon.”

5:00 PM

“Now it’s time to get myself ready for Harris Reed’s fashion show. My fabulous friends, Lisa Rinna and Luna de Casanova, have arrived to get ready with us in our hotel suite. We are all wearing Harris Reed, of course, and we all feel (and look) fabulous.”

7:30 PM

“It’s showtime. Harris Reed is known for creating gender fluid fashion and the show certainly did not disappoint. I really love his designs and how he styles his looks. The actress Florence Pugh read an opening poem – it is so fun and refreshing. After the show, we stayed to congratulate Harris on his show.”

9:00 PM

“As much as I love a late night, sometimes room service is what is truly needed. I head back to my hotel as I’m pretty exhausted. Today was a long one, with lots of impressions.

“Although I’m drained, I refuse to go to bed without doing my full skincare routine. I use a lot of Scandinavian brands, including Emma S. skincare, Mantle and Ole Henriksen. One thing I always travel with is the Repairing Overnight Mask by Emma S, it’s just amazing and I can’t leave home without it. Everything is stuffed into my favourite toiletry staple, my beauty bag from Bonvoy.”

Day 2

08:00 AM

“I kick things off this morning by heading straight to the hotel spa. It feels incredible to start the day off with a steam, hot Jacuzzi and just completely relax for a couple of hours before another hectic day of fashion week begins again.”

11:00 AM

“My first stop today is a spot of shopping at the incredible Harrods store, in London’s Knightsbridge, with my friend Luna de Casanova who lives in London and seems to know everything and everyone. We have a heap of fun. I try on some Balenciaga, while Luna grabs a Rick Owens dress.”

2:00 PM

“I love walking everywhere in London, it’s such a beautiful bustling city. Today I potter around Mayfair and call in at my favourite spots, including the Westwood store on Conduit Street and Alaia on New Bond St. I also never leave London without visiting Dover Street Market, it’s an absolute must-go. I stop by the Covent Garden Hotel for a quick lunch. All in all it's a great day.”

5:30 PM

“It’s finally time to get ready for Richard Quinn's fashion show. I always love to wear his pieces; his prints are always show-stopping. Lisa Rinna and Luna de Casanova are both joining me for the show once again, so they will arrive any second to get ready together. I’ve pulled looks for everyone, we will all look so fabulous.”

7:00 PM

“Richards' show took place at the Seymour Leisure Centre in West London, and it proved to be lots of fun. I have never been to one of his shows before but it was so cool. There were flowers everywhere, along with a live choir and accompanying an incredible orchestra – it was just incredible. I already know which pieces that I want from his new collection.”

9:00 PM

“We head to Oswald’s, a private members’ club in London's Mayfair. It’s always fun to get a look into these exclusive spots. The decoration is rather decadent, the ground floor of the club is said to have been inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Though there are no photos allowed, we managed to sneak one in surreptitiously.”

01:00 AM

“We head back to the Four Seasons hotel as the thrill and buzz of the last few days is getting to me and I’m fading. It was a short but sweet trip, but I know I’ll undoubtedly be back very soon.”