Harvey Nichols Trend Showcase

I was excited to be invited by Harvey Nichols to their VIP Trend Showcase event in Leeds, which was held in store a couple of weeks ago.

What better way to spend a Wednesday evening than being spoilt by Harvey Nichols whilst viewing their take on the Spring/ Summer 15 trends, with one of my best friends Emma, who currently lives in Leeds. 

Unfortunately due to work commitments, we missed out on the savory canapes that I hear tasted divine, and arrived just in time for the fashion show to start. As we took our seats we toasted the start of the show with a nice cold glass of champagne, which was definitely needed after the long walk from Emma's apartment. 

The models strutted their stuff in sleek pony tails and minimal make-up (Hair - Sassoon Salon, Leeds, Make-up - Charlotte Tilbury), whilst fashion buying director Anita Barr was accompanied by senior buyers Olivia Richardson and Tina Lamb, to discuss the key trends for this season, and explain a little about why they had chosen these specific outfits to be showcased. 

Keeping the monochrome trend alive, the first look was a beautiful silk panelled Lanvin Jumpsuit, teamed with a Givenchy envelope clutch and Manolo Blahnik simple sandles. 

For me the Peter Pilotto, rainbow dress stole the show, accessorized with Christian Louboutin, plexi multi-coloured pumps, when teamed with the perfect hat, this would definitely be an ensemble fit for Royal Ascot.

After the show we were given the chance to learn a little more about Anita, Olivia and Tina's exciting careers. When I was 18, I dreamt about being a fashion buyer, so it was interesting to listen to the exciting stories of attending various fashion shows, and visiting the fashion houses direct to select pieces from each collection, which will fit each individual store. Of course there are also the strains that come with being such an important part of a buying team for a large international company, but the satisfaction of when something you have chosen sells really well in store, makes it all worth while.  

What we learned.

• Harvey Nichols will be adding a dedicated Millinery section into each store in 2016
  
  
• Bootcut flares and anything 70's are a key trend for summer and will carry you through this season and into 2016
  
  
• Suede bags are selling better than anything, so make sure you invest in suede - Suede bags, suede shoes, suede anything!
  
  
• Monochrome is here to stay 
  
  
• Autumn Winter is all about Coats and Boots! So keep your eyes peeled for some bargains. 

After the show we were given the chance to walk around the store to view the latest arrivals. I fell in love with almost everything from Gucci, Dolce and Gabanna and Roland Mouret, and could envisage so many of these pieces gracing the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, just not on my body due to the price tag. ('Sighs')

If I could have bought anything in store it would have been the Gucci silk-caddy midi dress as shown below. 

Or maybe just the whole collection from Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin. 

Spotted admiring the lovely Phillip Lim bags, I think I may have to add one to my collection soon!

Thankyou Harvey Nichols for inviting me, we had a fantastic evening, and I cant wait to do it all over again soon. 

With Love 

Rebecca