Street Fashion - London Fashion Week AW2020
Hands down one of the highlights of photographing London Fashion Week for me is meeting and taking pictures of those who have dressed up for the occasion.
Always happy to have their picture taken, I find it fascinating hearing more about people’s stories and what fashion means to them.
London Fashion Week always reminds me to be braver and have more fun with fashion, just like those in the images below.
All pictures ©Katie Collins/PA Images
London Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2020
Ami and Aya at the Ports 1961 catwalk show
This September must be about my 10th time covering London Fashion Week.
It’s a pretty marmite job for photographers. There’s no doubt it’s hectic with timings and jostling for prime position but it’s always been a twice yearly highlight for me.
The catwalk shows are one of the main features - the anticipation of what colours and styles will grace the runway accompanied by a booming soundtrack to match.
Ports 1961 catwalk show
Stripes and Zebra print at the Ports 1961 catwalk show
Pixie Geldof at the Ports 1961 catwalk show
Without question street fashion has become a much bigger part of fashion week. Fashion students, designers, models can be found perusing the main venue, always happy to have a chat and their photo taken. I got chatting to Christelle McCracken (below) after my last show of the day. I asked what brought her to fashion week, is she an influencer, designer, student? ‘ I’m actually a criminal barrister’ she told me.
Christelle McCracken
There’s another side of fashion week I love to capture - backstage. It’s definitely not as accessible as it used to be but I was lucky enough to watch the make up and hairstylists in action at the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi show as they prepared the models for their first looks and the catwalk show. Backstage photography is for me about capturing those small moments, expressions and watching out for pockets of interesting light.
Backstage at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Backstage at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
As with the previous seasons, London Fashion Week did not disappoint. I can’t wait to be there for the next season.
Natasha Zinko X DUO catwalk show
US Vogue Editor Anna Wintour
A model on the catwalk at the Natasha Zinko X DUO catwalk show
All images shot on assignment for PA Images No reproduction or usage without prior permission
All images captured using either a Canon 5d Mark III or a Fuji X-E2 camera
London Fashion Week - February 2019
I get pretty excited when London Fashion Week rolls around every February & September as major brands and up and coming designers show either Autumn/Winter or Spring/Summer collections.
Whether it’s shooting the catwalk shows or feeling the adrenalin backstage, the weird and wonderful world of fashion is fascinating to me.
So this February I had the chance to shoot two days for The Press Association and it did not disappoint. I witnessed first hand the enchanting, fairytale designs of Molly Goddard perfectly presented in the courtyard of The Foreign & Commonwealth Office. I soaked up the colour and buzz of backstage at the University of Westminster show - a university I myself attended to study Photojournalism.
The world’s oldest Dutch reformed church in Liverpool Street played host to the Ryan LO show - the outfits complemented by hats by Stephen Jones Millinery. Tokyo twins Ami & Aya were one of my street fashion highlights - immaculately presented in emerald green suits with slick neon pink hair.
Fashion Week is guaranteed to be long days going from show to show and editing in between but that’s all part and parcel of covering the event. I take my hat off to the photographers who go straight from New York to London to Milan and Paris. One front row photographer was telling me how much he missed his young daughter as we waited for a catwalk show to start.
Straight after my few days working for PA, we were packing for a family mini-break to Bath. Just as we were heading out the door I spotted one of my pictures from the Molly Goddard show had been published in The Sunday Times. I’d also had a picture published in The Daily Telegraph on the Saturday which I found out about a few days later.
All in all it was a brilliant few days and I can’t wait to do it all again.
All images Katie Collins/Press Association
Adel Rootstein - Mannequin design
Tucked away in the heart of south west London is the mannequin design company Adel Rootstein.
I’ve always been quite captivated by mannequins and the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into making them fascinates me. When an email landed in my inbox in mid-January saying I was welcome to come along to the studio to photograph, I jumped at the chance.
The company was founded by South African Adel Rootstein and her husband in Soho in the sixties. They began by producing handcrafted mannequins using the latest fibreglass technology. After Rootstein died in 1992, the business was bought by a Japanese company with production continuing in the UK.
The mannequins themselves are made in Buckinghamshire. At the Fulham studio the mannequins have make-up and wigs applied according to the clients’ needs. It’s to here that they are sent for repairs which can mean anything from resprays and make-up updates to full-scale overhauls and replacing broken parts.
Rootstein’s is steeped in history and the studio is a treasure trove of wonder. This is the start of a project I am working on about UK manufacturing, showcasing some of the incredible work and talent being produced within the UK. I’m excited to take a peek and photograph behind the scenes.
London Fashion Week SS19
Last Saturday I found myself back at London Fashion Fashion Week. It was always one of my favourite jobs of the year when I was staff at The Press Association. When I was asked to cover a shift, I jumped at the chance to be there shooting again.
To some photographers, London Fashion Week is hell. It’s extremely hectic, lots of jostling for positions and dashing across London from show to show. I however have always loved it - the bright lights, loud music, intricate or occasionally plain crazy designs - I just love it!
Julien Macdonald SS19
There’s no doubt London Fashion Week has changed a lot. It’s no longer at Somerset House which is a real shame, there is no longer sponsorship by Canon (and the chance to get your cameras cleaned) and there are no longer free bottles of Peroni in the fridge in the editing room (yes, this used to be the case!)
When not shooting the catwalk shows that day, I was mingling and photographing some of unusual and bizarre outfits on display outside the venue. I met some lovely people who simply enjoy dressing up and expressing themselves through fashion.
All in all it was a brilliant day.
Julien Macdonald SS19
Julien Macdonald SS19
Julien Macdonald SS19
Alan Carr, Julien Macdonald and Kelly Hoppen
Julien Macdonald SS19
Julien Macdonald SS19
Julien Macdonald SS19
Molly Goddard SS19
Sadie Williams SS19
